Abstract: A laboratory workbench includes a housing bounding a working space. The working space communicates with the exterior through a window bordering the working space on one of its sides thereof. A fan produces a flow of air in the working space and out the window. A protective screen is arranged on the housing in such a way that it can be moved. Specifically, the protective screen is mounted on the housing in the top area of the working space window in such a way that the protective screen can be moved between a hanging position at least partially covering the window, and a folded-up position. In the folded-up position, the protective screen projects into the housing in a substantially horizontal position plane. In one embodiment, an expansion screen is movable attached to the protective screen and has reach through openings formed therethrough.

Abstract: Locking devices for locking two components that move relative to one another such as a housing and a cover are disclosed. The locking devices have two catches disposed on one component and opposite to one another and symmetrically with respect to a stop disposed on the second component and arranged in a plane of symmetry between the opposing catches. The catches have hook ends facing the plane of symmetry and the two catches are connected to a common shaft at the ends of the catches facing away from the hook ends. The common shaft is disposed in the plane of symmetry and is movable within the plane of symmetry toward and away from the stop. The shaft is arranged on a spindle disposed in the plane of symmetry or parallel to the plane of symmetry and engaged with a motor-driven gear to effect movement of the shaft. The catches have longitudinally-extending guide elements whose longitudinal axis does not run parallel to the plane of symmetry.

Abstract: A laboratory centrifuge has a housing which can be closed by a casing cover and having in the housing a rotor chamber which contains a motor-driven vertical-axis rotor to accept test tubes. During operation, the test tubes are warmed by friction. To cool the centrifuge, cooling air is pulled in through openings in the lower side of the housing and upward into the rotor chamber by the fan action created by the rotation of the rotor. The air is guided out of the rotor chamber through an air exit in a direction of flow tangential to the perimeter of the rotor in a manner that ensures low turbulence and, thus, low noise. In particular, a slit-like air exit opening is arranged between the casing cover and the top side of the housing.