Patent ID: 7556770

Claim:
A transport system for an automatic sample testing machine, the automatic sample testing machine using a carrier to support a set of test devices and having a) an entrance station for placement of the carrier within the automatic sample testing system and b) a plurality of processing stations, comprising, in combination: a reciprocating motor-driven block, said block adapted for engaging said carrier and moving said carrier back and forth in a predetermined longitudinal path, said longitudinal path having a first end and a second end, said path extending along a longitudinal axis from said entrance station to said plurality of processing stations in said automatic sample testing machine, wherein said plurality of processing stations are accessed as said carrier is moved along said path; a threaded shaft having a first end and a second end, said shaft extending between said first and second ends of said path, a servomotor driving said shaft and located at said first end, a fixed front bearing mount receiving said second end of said shaft, a slide extending parallel to said threaded shaft along said path between said first and second ends and extending through said block, and a threaded member fixed with respect to said block receiving said threaded shaft, wherein as said shaft rotates within said threaded member, said block is slid along said slide to thereby move said block and a carrier engaged with said block between said first and second ends of said path.