Patent ID: 8795593

Claim:
A system comprising: (a) a laboratory device for performing a particular function; (b) a movable cart configured to support the laboratory device, wherein the movable cart includes: a frame; a top panel secured to a top of the frame, the top panel configured to support the laboratory device; a bottom panel secured to an underside of the frame; a plurality of wheels fixedly coupled to the bottom panel; an alignment pin fixedly coupled to the bottom panel; and a pair of symmetrical, spaced apart tracks fixedly coupled to the bottom panel; and (c) a fixedly mounted docking station configured to releasably engage with the movable cart, the docking station including: (i) a base shaped to define an interior cavity; (ii) a top plate slidably mounted over the base, the top plate having a portion that is substantially parallel to the base; (iii) means for raising the top plate away from the base along an axis perpendicular to the base to engage the docking station with the movable cart, wherein, with the movable cart engaged with the docking station, at least one of a fluid connection or an electrical connection is established between the cart and the docking station; (iv) an alignment block fixedly coupled to the top plate, the alignment block being shaped to define a V-shaped groove; (v) an alignment post fixedly coupled to the base and at least partially protruding out through an opening in the top plate; and (vi) a stop assembly fixedly coupled to the base, the stop assembly limiting the degree of displacement of the top plate relative to the base.