Patent ID: 8580195

Claim:
A laboratory system to handle laboratory sample tube racks, comprising a robotic arm ( 220 ) with a gripper ( 222 ) for gripping sample tube racks, and a rack tray receiver assembly ( 710 ), wherein the gripper ( 222 ) comprises a locking/unlocking bolt ( 224 ) extending from the gripper, and wherein the rack tray receiver assembly ( 710 ) comprises: a rack tray ( 720 ) having an open front end ( 721 ) carrying one or more sample tube racks; a skid rail ( 714 ); a receiver skid ( 712 ) movable along the skid rail ( 714 ), the receiver skid ( 712 ) comprising receiving and fastening means ( 716 , 718 , 722 ) for fastening the rack tray ( 720 ) on the receiver skid ( 712 ), the rack tray ( 720 ) being inserted into the receiving and fastening means ( 716 , 718 , 722 ), the receiver skid further comprising a barrier element ( 724 ); wherein the open front end ( 721 ) abuts the barrier element ( 724 ), the barrier element ( 724 ) being pivotally linked to the receiver skid ( 712 ) and being biased into a position across the open front end ( 721 ) of the rack tray ( 720 ), thereby preventing sample tube racks in the rack tray ( 720 ) from falling out through the open front end ( 721 ).