Patent ID: 8562826

Claim:
A column support for a preparative chromatography column, said column support comprising: an upper ring and a lower ring aligned along a common axis and joined to each other by peripheral spacing means to define a column space to receive a chromatography column between said rings; a plate detachably joinable to said upper ring in parallel relation therewith to define a gap between said plate and said upper ring; a rod movably joined to said plate along said axis, said rod passing through said plate and terminating in a plunger that extends into said column space when said plate and said upper ring are joined; drive means for moving said rod along said axis and thereby moving said plunger within said column space and between said column space and said gap when said plate and said upper ring are joined; and means for suspending said plate from a frame to allow a first upper and lower ring combination sized for a chromatography column of a first diameter that is joined to said plate through said upper ring to be detached from said plate, removed and replaced by a second upper and lower ring combination sized for a chromatography column of a second diameter different from the first, without changing said plate.