Abstract: A guide device for guiding a movable part of an apparatus relative to a fixed part of the apparatus, includes a first guide rail adapted to be provided on the movable part and a second guide rail adapted to be provided on the fixed part. Bearing means comprising a plurality of roller elements disposed in a roller support is disposed in a longitudinal groove between the first and second guides and movable relative thereto. Biasing means is provided which biases the bearing means toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: In a clamping mechanism for a blade of a microtome, in which the blade is clampable in a cutting blade mounting, the blade is supported on its front side and on its rear side in proximity with the cutting edge in the cutting region of the blade.

Abstract: A microtome comprises a handwheel which can be rotated in two directions of rotation, and drive means for the purpose of driving a specimen holder, so that the specimen holder executes a cutting movement when the handwheel is rotated in one direction, and a resetting movement when the handwheel is rotated in the other direction. The cutting and resetting movements take place relative to a cutting knife. A reduction gearing arrangement enables the speed of the cutting movement to be reduced relative to the speed of the resetting movement without having to rotate the handwheel at a correspondingly lower rate. A catch enables the reduction gearing arrangement to be bridged so that the speed of the cutting movement and resetting movement are equal for any given rate of rotation of the handwheel.

Abstract: Two stationary uprights are mounted on a support and each of them carries a piston. Each upright is surrounded by a vertically movable cylinder whose interior is subdivided by the respective piston with an upper and a lower chamber. Fluid passages are formed in the uprights and each of the latter has two fluid ports which respectively communicate with the upper and the lower chamber of the associated cylinder. A cross-head rigidly connects the cylinders for joint movement.