Importance

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Abstract

A rotary shaker employs two pairs of straps which lie in planes perpendicular to each other to constrain the orbital motion of the shaker. A motor and an eccentric drive are mounted on a base plate. The base plate also supports a first or lower pair of flexible straps located on opposite sides of the base plate. Four posts attach the ends of the lower pair of straps to the four corners of the base. A first center plate is located above the base and is attached by a first pair of tabs connecting the intermediate section of opposite sides of the first plate to the intermediate sections of said lower pair of flexible straps. A pair of apertures in the first plate permits the motor and the eccentric drive to pass through. A drive belt connects a pulley on the motor to a pulley on the eccentric drive on the side of the first plate opposite from said base. A second or upper plate is located above the first plate and is attached in the center thereof to a support plate mounted on the shaft of the eccentric drive. A second or upper pair of flexible straps is attached to the second plate by four posts located at the four corners of the second plate. The first pair of flexible straps lie in planes parallel to each other but perpendicular to the planes of the second pair of flexible straps. The second plate is attached by a second pair of tabs to the intermediate sections of the second, upper pair of flexible straps. A sample tray is attachable to the second plate. The first and second pair of flexible straps constrain the flasks carried by the tray to travel smoothly in a circular orbit. The flexible strap support posts permit the flexible straps to flex without stretching thereby substantially increasing the life of the shaker. The rotary shaker is relatively inexpensive to produce, minimizes the use of bearings, has a relatively long and noise free life, is relatively easy to assemble and exhibits minimal backlash.

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First Claim