Platen, holder and latch assembly for securing platens in place within a

Abstract

The assembly is utilized in a centrifuge device wherein a receptacle is received and held between first and second platens which are held within a platen holder fixed to the centrifuge device and in respective inner and outer parallel planes spaced radially outwardly from a vertical axis of rotation of the centrifuge device. The first platen is movable with one side wall of the holder about a generally horizontal axis extending along a lower edge of a second side wall of the holder. A latch mechanism provides for a toggle latching action between the walls as the latch mechanism is moved from an open position to a closed position. In one embodiment of the latch mechanism a handle is connected to a shaft journalled on the one side wall and mounts a plate on each end thereof with each plate having a pin extending therefrom that is rotated within a keeper member on an edge of the second wall to latch the platens in place. In another embodiment of the latch mechanism, two linkages are provided between the walls at the top of the holder. A linking pivot connection of each linkage is movable upwardly and then downwardly to allow the one side wall to be moved toward and away from the second side wall. Also in this embodiment the platens are inserted into the holder from the top thereof and this facilitates easy insertion and/or replacement or interchange of platens in the assembly. In the latched position, the one side wall is pressed against the platens.