Abstract: A support for a microtiter plate has a base and a supporting plate connected to the base by a fixable ball and socket joint so the plate can tip and/or rotate in a limited way. The center of rotation of the joint lies at the upper side of the support plate and the ball and socket joint are made up of a socket connected to the base, and a ball mounted in the socket and connected to the plate. The ball has a connecting piece shaped onto the lower side of the ball, which projects through an opening of the socket. The connecting piece supports a stop on which a clamping part is supported. The clamping part presses against the outside of the socket and may be pressed against the socket to fix the ball and socket joint.

Abstract: In order to center a microtiter plate (4) on a supporting plate (15), two centering stops, which are provided as pairs of centering heads (23), are located opposite one another on the top side of the supporting plate, and which can he diagonally displaced outward in a diametrically opposed manner, are fastened to diagonally displaceable sliders (26a, b). Said sliders engage with a turning coupling lever (24) at the opposing ends thereof. The coupling lever (24) rests against a vertical shaft (30) which projects downward from the underside of the supporting plate (15) and supports an actuating lever (31) at its end. Said actuating lever can be turned in order to move the centering stops outward for the purpose of lowering or lifting the microtiter plate (4) counter to the restoring force of a spiral spring (34).

Abstract: An alarm communication device and a method for mutual recognition between a first alarm unit and a second unit connected therebetween by a public switching unit is provided. The first alarm unit is connected to the public switching unit via at least one first communication line and the second unit is connected to the public switching unit via at least one second communication line. The method includes the steps of detecting a ring signal at the first alarm unit, detecting a caller identification (ID) signal provided by the public switching unit, determining a caller ID number from the caller ID signal, matching the caller ID number with at least one predetermined number and when the caller ID number is matched to one of the at least one predetermined number associated with the second unit, executing a predetermined procedure associated with the matched at least one predetermined number.