Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: A multi-stage switch with a common actuating element and at least two switch elements for making contact provides that the switch elements are disposed next to each other above contact elements of a circuit board which they bridge in the closed state. The actuating element for the switch is movably disposed above the switch elements in such a way that the switch elements respond sequentially when the actuating element is depressed. Such a multi-stage switch can be produced cost-effectively with simple structural means, can be universally used, is easy to operate, maintenance free to the greatest extent and operates dependably.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: A manual controller including a control lever having a lower end; a housing having a bottom; a bearing held in the housing and supporting the control lever for pivotable deflection in two orthogonal axes around a fixed point from a zero position to a maximum pivot angle relative to the zero position while the lower end of the control lever moves over a path lying in a spherical surface having a radius R; and converter devices which translate pivotal movement of the control lever from its zero position into an electrical signal. The bearing is an elastomer joint having a transition part extending between a rim and an inner part for imposing on the control lever an elastic restoring force from all deflection positions toward the zero position of the control lever while simultaneously maintaining the spatial position of the fixed point.

Abstract: A disposal system for stacking card-like objects neatly in a magazine. The cards enter the disposal system via a card entrance slot. A push plate located adjacent the slot pushes the cards past a pair of resilient snap elements in the sides of the magazine. A pressure plate is located behind the snap elements and biases the cards that have been pushed over the snap elements forward towards the rear of the snap elements. The cards are maintained in a stacked condition between the snap elements and the pressure plate. When a card is inserted into the card slot, the push plate is operated to an extended position, in which it pushes the card past the snap elements against the cards stacked between the snap elements and the pressure plate. The push plate then retracts, so as to enable another card to enter into the card slot. The user of the machine removes the magazine from the machine when the need arises or when the magazine is fully loaded with cards.

Abstract: A switch for operating an electric device, the switch having a released position in which the device can be switched on or off, and a locked position in which switching on of the device is prevented, in combination with a removable key element including a key insertable into the switch and displaceable for placing the switch in a selected one of the released and locked positions. The switch includes a function element fixedly disposed within the electric device, and an actuating element for switching the electric device on and off, seated on the outside of the device and in operative connection with the function element. The key element is composed of a cap-like slip-on element to which the key is permanently fastened and which is configured to be securely and removably mounted on the actuating element.