| Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate -> Monitor Keywords |
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Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plateRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Expansible Chamber Type, Elongated Flexible Chamber Wall Progressively Deformed, Deformation By Rolling Or Sliding Engagement Member, Plural Spaced Engagement Members Or Member Portions, CassettePeristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070183913, Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD [0001] The field of the disclosure relates generally to peristaltic pumps. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a peristaltic pump head that can be mounted to the peristaltic pump using an elastically displaceable locking plate. BACKGROUND [0002] Peristaltic pumps have been known for many years, and are commonly used for medical and research purposes. Peristaltic pumps are used, in particular, in research, environmental science, and chemistry laboratories, and in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agriculture, and food industries. Peristaltic pumps move a liquid through a tube without any part of the pump touching the liquid. As a result, it is possible to pump liquids, such as blood, which are sensitive to external contamination. [0003] Typically, a pump comprises rotating rollers that compress a part of the flexible tube as they move to propel the liquid through the tube. Some peristaltic pumps have at least one removable head through which passes the tube in which the fluid flows. The rollers mount on the periphery of a central hub of the head and are driven to rotate thereby compressing the tube in succession against a fixed wall. The alternation of pressure and release phases of an area of the tube pumps the fluid to be delivered. [0004] Some peristaltic pumps include a plurality of heads which can be mounted adjacent to each other and driven to rotate by the same actuator. As a result, the first head of the stack can be fixed on a module having a motor connected to means for driving the central hub of the head. Any remaining heads can be fastened in succession, starling at the front face of the first head. Each head is also connected to the means for driving the central hub of the preceding head. Inclusion of a plurality of heads enables the supply of a fluid using a single drive module. This is particularly useful, for example, in animal testing laboratories, so that a plurality of animals can receive the same dose of the same liquid at the same time. Peristaltic pumps with stackable heads are described, for example, in EP-A-0 61 9 859 and EP-A-0 339 857. What is needed, however, is a peristaltic pump with stackable heads in which the heads can be very easily added to and/or removed from the pump, particularly without interrupting the operation of the pump for such addition or removal. SUMMARY [0005] A peristaltic pump including a mechanism for adding and/or removing one or more pump heads to/from the peristaltic pump is provided in an exemplary embodiment. The peristaltic pump includes, but is not limited to, a housing for a motor, a receiving plate mounted to the housing, a locking plate, and a biasing member. The locking plate, includes, but is not limited to, a first aperture capable of receiving a hook extending from a pump head, a second aperture capable of receiving a drive shaft of the pump head, and a release member. The biasing member elastically couples the receiving plate with the locking plate. Use of the release member by a user causes movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate to release the hook when received in the first aperture thereby releasing the pump head from the locking plate. [0006] Another exemplary embodiment provides a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump includes, but is not limited to, a housing for a motor, a receiving plate mounted to the housing, a locking plate, and a biasing member. The locking plate, includes, but is not limited to, a hook, an aperture capable of receiving a drive shaft of a pump head, and a release member. The biasing member elastically couples the receiving plate with the locking plate. Use of the release member by a user causes movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate to release the hook from the pump head when the pump head is mounted to the locking plate. [0007] Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a peristaltic pump including a plurality of pump heads in a position to be installed onto the pump and a pump head mounted to the peristaltic pump in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mounting side of a pump head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pump head of FIG. 1 showing detail of the drive shaft of the pump head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a receiving plate of the pump drive module of FIG. 1 without a pump head mounted to the drive module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive module of FIG. 4 showing detail of the drive shaft of the drive module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive module of FIG. 4 showing detail of the mounting mechanism for mounting a pump head to the drive module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [0015] FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of the mounting mechanism of FIG. 4 with a pump head mounted to the drive module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] With reference to FIG. 1, a peristaltic pump 30 is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Peristaltic pump 30 may include a drive module 1, a first pump head 32, a second pump head 34, and a third pump head 36. Drive module 1 includes a housing 38 which encloses a motor. The motor drives a central hub of the pump heads 32, 34, 36. Housing 38 includes a control panel 4 and a display screen 5 which enable an operator to adjust operating parameters of peristaltic pump 30. A receiving plate 6 mounts to housing 38. Receiving plate 6 includes an upper face 2 on which a push button 3 is mounted. Using push button 3, the operator can release first pump head 32, or a stack of pump heads connected to drive module 1 as described below. Receiving plate 6 is mounted on drive module 1. As used in this disclosure, the term "mount" includes join, unite, connect, associate, insert, hang, hold, affix, attach, fasten, bind, paste, secure, bolt, screw, rivet, solder, weld, and other like terms. [0017] First pump head 32 includes a cassette 40, a second push button 9, and a second receiving plate 10. Cassette 40 includes an orifice 7 and a slide control 8. Cassette 40 allows a flexible tube (not shown) to be inserted into it in a conventional way through orifice 7. Slide control 8 can be used, also in a conventional way, to adjust the positioning of the internal members of cassette 40 to provide a permanent contact with sufficient pressure between these members and the tube inserted into orifice 7, regardless of the diameter of the tube used. The internal members of cassette 40 are essentially a central hub driven by drive module 1 and its peripheral cylinders which periodically compress the wall of the tube, thus creating the flow of the fluid to be delivered. Cassette 40 is of conventional design, and therefore will not be described or illustrated here. The previously cited prior art documents provide example embodiments of these internal members, whose general design can be included within the scope of the invention in a non-restrictive way. Second push button 9 can be used to unlock the pump heads mounted on second receiving plate 10 of first pump head 32, by means of a mechanism which is described below. [0018] Second pump head 34 is shown ready for mounting on second receiving plate 10 of first pump head 32. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, second pump head 34 includes four cassettes 40, a mounting plate 11, a third push button 9', and a third receiving plate 10'. Each of the four cassettes 40 include an orifice 7'. As a result, four flexible tubes, instead of one, can be inserted into second pump head 34. Third push button 9' can be used to release the pump heads mounted on third receiving plate 10' of second pump head 34. [0019] Third pump head 36 is shown ready for mounting on third receiving plate 10' of second pump head 34. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, third pump head 36 includes two cassettes 40', a second mounting plate 12, a fourth push button 9'', and a fourth receiving plate 10'' Each of the two cassettes 40' include an orifice 7''. As a result, two flexible tubes, instead of one, can be inserted into third pump head 36. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the two orifices 7'' allow the passage of two flexible tubes of larger diameter than the tubes which can pass through the orifices 7, 7'. As a result, third pump head 36 may be as thick as second pump head 34, which allows the passage of four smaller-diameter tubes. Fourth push button 9'' can be used to release any additional pump heads which may be mounted on fourth receiving plate 10'' of third pump head 36. Continue reading about Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate... Full patent description for Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Compressor Next Patent Application: Suction baffle for scroll compressors Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate patent info. 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