LIFT AND MOUNT APPARATUS

• US 20110014027A1
• Filed: 07/15/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ibis Biosciences Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Ibis Biosciences Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Hofstadler, Steven A., Drader, Jared J., Gutierrez, Jose R., Bare, Rex O., Gleason, Paul J., Scherer, Andrew J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/800
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/02 Laboratory benches or tables; Fittings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 5/04 with runways or tracks supported for movements relative to bridge or gantry

Abstract

The present invention provides devices, apparatuses, and systems for lifting and mounting of clinical- and research-related equipment. In particular, the present invention provides a lift and mount system for mass spectrometers (e.g., for time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers (MS)).

Claims

1. A system comprising:

(a) a device, wherein said device comprises a biomedical, biophysical, or biochemical device; and

(b) an apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises (i) a mounting assembly and (ii) a structural assembly, wherein said structural assembly comprises a platform member, wherein said mounting assembly is configured to lift said device to a height, said height being higher than the height of said platform member, wherein said mounting assembly is configured to retract said device into a position directly above said platform member, wherein said mounting assembly is configured to lower said device onto said platform member, and wherein said structural assembly and said platform member are configured to stably support said device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly is supported by said structural assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly is located atop said structural assembly.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly comprises a lifting assembly and a retracting assembly.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said retracting assembly is configured extend said lifting assembly beyond the front of said structural assembly, and wherein said retracting assembly is configured retract said lifting assembly within said structural assembly and above said platform member.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said lifting assembly comprises one or more device engagement members, wherein said device engagement members extend from said lifting assembly to said device, and wherein said device engagement members are configured to stably engage and support said device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said device engagement members are configured to retract toward the top of said system, thereby lifting said device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said lifting assembly is configured to lift said device to a height, wherein said height is higher than said platform member.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said retracting assembly is configured retract said lifting assembly and said device within said structural assembly and directly above said platform member.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said lifting assembly is configured to extend said device engagement members, thereby setting said device onto said platform member.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an accessory assembly, wherein said accessory assembly is configured to support one or more accessory devices, wherein said accessory devices are configured to function in conjunction with said device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said accessory assembly is attached to said structural assembly.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said device comprises a mass spectrometer.

14. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a structural assembly and (b) a mounting assembly, wherein said mounting assembly is located atop said structural assembly and said mounting assembly is supported by said structural assembly, wherein said structural assembly comprises a platform member, wherein said mounting assembly comprises a lifting assembly and a retracting assembly, wherein said lifting assembly is configured to lift said device to a height, said height being higher than the height of said platform member, wherein said retracting assembly is configured to retract said lifting assembly and said device into a position directly above said platform member, wherein said lifting assembly is configured to lower said device onto said platform member, and wherein said structural assembly and said platform member are configured to stably support said device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said device comprises a mass spectrometer.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said lifting assembly comprises a device engagement member.

17. A method comprising:

a) providing;

i) an apparatus of claim 16; and

ii) a device;

b) engaging of said device with said device engagement member of said lifting assembly of said apparatus;

c) lifting said device by said lifting assembly of said apparatus, wherein said lifting comprises lifting said device to a height wherein the bottom of said device reaches a height higher than said platform member of said apparatus;

d) retracting said device and said lifting assembly by said retracting assembly, wherein said retracting results in said device being positioned above said platform member; and

e) lowering said device by said lifting assembly of said apparatus, wherein said lowering results in said device being positioned onto said platform member.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising (f) using said device for its designated purpose.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said device comprises a mass spectrometer.