초록 ▼

An apparatus is disclosed for mounting a chamber door between open and closed positions relative to the opening of a sterilizer or autoclave chamber. The apparatus is adapted to be used in either motorized or non-motorized embodiments. The weight of the chamber door is offset by a counterweight and

An apparatus is disclosed for mounting a chamber door between open and closed positions relative to the opening of a sterilizer or autoclave chamber. The apparatus is adapted to be used in either motorized or non-motorized embodiments. The weight of the chamber door is offset by a counterweight and suspended using a cable and pulley system. In the non-motorized embodiment, the door/counterweight system is held in place by a securement, which, when disengaged, permits free motion of the door. In the motorized embodiment, a second cable and pulley system is used to connect the door and counterweight. The cable from this second system is looped around a sheave which is adapted to provide a predetermined frictional force. The sheave is then connected to and rotated by a motor, and upon activation of the motor, the rotating sheave displaces the cable, which respectively raises or lowers the door and counterweight. In the event that the door is obstructed during operation or forced open, the cable will slip harmlessly along the sheave, and will neither injure the operator nor induce damaging torques in the motor.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for removably enclosing the opening of a chamber, said apparatus comprising: a door, movably mounted to an entry side of said chamber; a counterweight being mechanically connected to the door, the door and counterweight together forming a door/counterweight system wherein the door and t

An apparatus for removably enclosing the opening of a chamber, said apparatus comprising: a door, movably mounted to an entry side of said chamber; a counterweight being mechanically connected to the door, the door and counterweight together forming a door/counterweight system wherein the door and the counterweight have different weights so as to create a weight imbalance; a cable and pulley system connecting the door to the counterweight, and thereby suspending the door/counterweight system; and a door actuation assembly substantially in operative mechanical contact with the door/counterweight system for automatically opening the door in response to an actuator, wherein the door actuation assembly comprises a securement, attached to a stationary surface of the apparatus, for releasably engaging the door in a closed position, wherein said securement, when engaged, supplies a securing force sufficient to offset the difference in weights between the door and the counterweight, and wherein, when the actuator disengages the securement, the weight imbalance is sufficient to permit the door to open automatically by gravity acting on the weight imbalance.