A coverslip holder

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of microscope coverslip technology, specifically to a coverslip holder, comprising an L-shaped inner gripper and an L-shaped outer gripper. The inner gripper overlaps and is disposed inside the outer gripper. Both the inner and outer grippers include a vertically connected clamping head and a handle. The tail end of the handle of the inner gripper is fixedly connected to the tail end of the handle of the outer gripper, forming a clamping space between the clamping heads of the inner and outer grippers. The handle of the inner gripper includes a fixed handle and a movable handle, with a spring connecting the fixed handle and the movable handle. This invention solves the problem in existing technologies where samples easily spill from the coverslip when it is clamped onto or removed from a heating plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microscope coverslip technology, and more specifically to a coverslip holder. Background Technology

[0002] When testing the melting point of substances such as textile fibers and pharmaceutical powders, the shredded textile fibers (approximately 2mm to 5mm in length) and pharmaceutical powders should be placed between two coverslips (18mm x 18mm). The coverslips should then be placed horizontally. Figure 1 The test was performed on the heating plate 11 of the melting point apparatus 1 shown, and then observed under a microscope.

[0003] Existing tweezers or clamps hold objects by opening and closing two arms as a whole, allowing them to grip objects from the left-right or top-bottom directions. However, the left-right gripping method is limited to objects of a certain thickness; for thinner objects like coverslips, only the top and bottom surfaces can be gripped from the top-bottom direction. Furthermore, because the heating plate 11 of the melting point apparatus 1 is surrounded by a ring-shaped heating shield 12, and there is a certain distance between the top of the heating shield 12 and the surface of the heating plate 11, when using existing tweezers or clamps to grip the coverslip onto or remove it from the heating plate 11, the heating shield 12 restricts the gripping, requiring the clamps and tweezers to tilt at an angle of 40° to 70°. Excessive tilting of the coverslip causes the test sample in the middle to spill onto the heating plate 11, contaminating it and resulting in sample loss. Therefore, there is a need to research a gripper that prevents the test sample from spilling when holding a coverslip with a test sample, thus avoiding contamination of the heating plate 11 and sample loss. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a coverslip holder to solve the problem that the sample on the coverslip is easily spilled when the coverslip is clamped onto or removed from the heating plate in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A coverslip holder includes an L-shaped inner jaw and an L-shaped outer jaw. The inner jaw overlaps and is disposed inside the outer jaw. Both the inner and outer jaws include a clamping head and a handle connected vertically. The tail end of the handle of the inner jaw and the tail end of the handle of the outer jaw are fixedly connected. A clamping space is formed between the clamping heads of the inner and outer jaws. The handle of the inner jaw includes a fixed handle and a movable handle. A spring connects the fixed handle and the movable handle.

[0007] Preferably, as an improvement, the length of the inner jaw's gripper head is shorter than the length of the outer jaw's gripper head.

[0008] Preferably, as an improvement, the length difference between the gripper head of the inner gripper and the gripper head of the outer gripper is 2-5 mm.

[0009] Preferably, as an improvement, the bottom surface of the outer jaw chuck is inclined, and the thickness of the free end of the outer jaw chuck is less than the thickness of the other end.

[0010] Preferably, as an improvement, the thickness of the free end of the outer gripper is 0.3 mm.

[0011] Preferably, as an improvement, the distance between the connection points of the inner and outer grippers is 1-3 mm.

[0012] Preferably, as an improvement, the spring jacket is provided with a corrugated sleeve, the two ends of which are fixed to the fixed handle and the movable handle, respectively.

[0013] Preferably, as an improvement, the active handle is provided with anti-slip grooves.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, the outer gripper has two grippers, and the two grippers are slidably connected to the handle of the outer gripper. A slider is slidably connected to the handle of the outer gripper, and the slider is connected to a connecting rod. The connecting rod is slidably connected inside the handle of the outer gripper. A double-sloping wedge is fixed to the bottom end of the connecting rod. Both grippers are connected to a wedge rod that can cooperate with the slope of the double-sloping wedge. The wedge rod is connected to a return spring. A drive rod for driving the slider to slide on the handle of the outer gripper is connected to the handle of the inner gripper. A clip position mark is provided on the handle of the outer gripper, and a clip removal position mark is provided above the clip position mark. When the slider slides to the clip removal position mark, the distance between the two grippers is greater than the width of the coverslip.

[0015] The principles and beneficial effects of this solution are as follows:

[0016] 1. A gripper structure employing an overlapping L-shaped outer and inner clamping jaws, with the two jaws overlapping vertically, clamps in an up-down direction, facilitating the clamping of coverslips into or out of the heating plate. Specifically, during clamping, the gripper is tilted, the inner jaw is raised, and the outer jaw is slowly pushed forward towards the bottom of the coverslip to a certain position before releasing the inner jaw. After the inner jaw returns to its original position, the coverslip is clamped from top to bottom. During clamping, the coverslip only needs to be slightly raised at a small angle (less than 10 degrees) to be clamped. Unlike existing clamps, the L-shaped gripper avoids contact with the heating shield around the heating plate. Therefore, after clamping, the coverslip can be removed vertically from the heating plate without the need for a full tilt during clamping due to the heating shield. Furthermore, the tilt angle is very small, thus greatly reducing or even preventing sample spillage from the coverslip. In summary, the two clamps of the holder in this design are stacked vertically, with the clamping direction being vertical. This can maintain the original orientation of the object to the greatest extent possible and minimize or even prevent the sample from spilling or being lost from the middle of the coverslip.

[0017] 2. The length of the outer gripper head is greater than that of the inner gripper head, and the contact surface between the outer gripper head and the coverslip is flat with a beveled bottom surface. This results in a thinner free end, allowing for smoother insertion into the coverslip from the bottom, especially when the thickness is 0.3 mm. It also helps control the tilt angle of the coverslip to less than 10 degrees, minimizing sample spillage. When the length difference between the outer and inner gripper heads is 2-5 mm, the outer gripper head can easily reach the bottom of the coverslip while providing sufficient support to ensure stability. If the length difference is less than 2 mm, it is difficult to insert the outer gripper head into the bottom of the coverslip. If the length difference is greater than 5 mm, with the outer gripper head length remaining constant, the inner gripper head is too short, resulting in insufficient stability in holding the coverslip.

[0018] 3. The fixed and movable handles of the inner gripper are connected by a spring, allowing the handle of the inner gripper to be height-adjustable, suitable for gripping items of different thicknesses. The corrugated sleeve surrounding the spring effectively protects it from impurities and moisture, thus extending its lifespan.

[0019] 4. This design uses inner and outer clamps to hold the coverslip vertically. Furthermore, squeezing the inner and outer clamps further tightens the coverslip, combining these two methods for excellent clamping performance. The distance between the connection points of the inner and outer clamps should be 1-3 mm to facilitate squeezing. If this distance is too large, it will be difficult to squeeze, and the inner clamp will move a greater distance on the coverslip during squeezing, potentially causing wear and tear.

[0020] 5. The movable handle of the inner jaw is equipped with an anti-slip groove, which can effectively prevent slipping, increase the coefficient of friction, and facilitate the adjustment of the distance between the inner jaw chuck and the outer jaw chuck.

[0021] 6. Furthermore, this design improves the external gripper by using two sliding grippers. During clamping, the free end of the external gripper is inserted under the coverslip. Lifting the movable handle causes the slider to move upwards via the drive rod to the gripper position mark. At this point, the two grippers separate by a certain distance under the action of the double-wedge blocks, but remain under the coverslip. Continuing to push the gripper until it reaches the appropriate position, releasing the movable handle allows the coverslip to be held. To remove the gripper, lifting the movable handle causes the slider to slide to the upper retrieval position mark. At this point, the two grippers slide horizontally out from both sides of the coverslip, allowing the gripper to be removed from the bottom of the coverslip. Using this method to remove the gripper eliminates the need to tilt and lift the coverslip, further preventing sample spillage from the coverslip. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a melting point apparatus in the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a side view of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0027] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: melting point apparatus 1, heating plate 11, heating protective cover 12, inner gripper 2, outer gripper 3, handle 4, fixed handle 41, spring 42, movable handle 43, anti-slip groove 44, chuck 5, wedge rod 51, clamping position mark 6, clamping plate position mark 61, slider 7, connecting rod 71, double inclined wedge block 72, and drive rod 8.

[0028] Example 1:

[0029] like Figure 2As shown, a coverslip holder includes an L-shaped inner claw 2 and an L-shaped outer claw 3. The inner claw 2 overlaps the inner side of the outer claw 3. Both the inner claw 2 and the outer claw 3 include a vertically connected clamp head 5 and a handle 4, which are integrally formed. The tail end of the handle 4 of the inner claw 2 and the tail end of the handle 4 of the outer claw 3 are fixedly connected, and the distance between the connection points is 1-3 mm, preferably 2 mm in this embodiment. A clamping space is formed between the clamp head 5 of the inner claw 2 and the clamp head 5 of the outer claw 3. The handle 4 of the inner claw 2 includes a fixed handle 41 and a movable handle 43. A spring 42 connects the fixed handle 41 and the movable handle 43. The movable handle 43 is engraved with an anti-slip groove 44.

[0030] The length of the inner jaw 2's clamp head 5 is less than the length of the outer jaw 3's clamp head 5. Specifically, the length difference between the inner jaw 2's clamp head 5 and the outer jaw 3's clamp head 5 is 2-5 mm, preferably 3 mm in this embodiment. The side (top surface) of the outer jaw 3's clamp head 5 that contacts the cover glass is flat, and the bottom surface is inclined, such that the thickness of the free end of the outer jaw 3's clamp head 5 is less than the thickness of its other end. Specifically, the thickness of the free end of the outer jaw 3's clamp head 5 is 0.3 mm.

[0031] A method for using a coverslip holder:

[0032] 1. Place the sample to be tested between two coverslips to prepare the sample-bearing coverslip, and place it horizontally on the operating table.

[0033] 2. Hold the inner jaw 2 and outer jaw 3 of the gripper with your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger respectively. Tilt the gripper forward and slowly move it towards the bottom of the coverslip. The jaw 5 of the outer jaw 3 will first insert into the bottom of the coverslip. Slide the inner jaw 2 upward with your index and middle fingers to lift the movable handle 43. The spring 42 will compress, making it easier for the jaw 5 of the outer jaw 3 to insert into the bottom of the coverslip. When the edge of the coverslip abuts against the handle 4 of the outer jaw 3, slowly release the movable handle 43, allowing the jaw 5 of the inner jaw 2 to return to its original position and clamp the top of the coverslip, ensuring that the gripper holds the coverslip firmly without breaking it.

[0034] 3. Pinch the handles 4 of the inner clamp 2 and the outer clamp 3 to ensure that the coverslip does not fall off, and then move the coverslip with the sample horizontally.

[0035] 4. After the coverslip is moved horizontally onto the heating plate 11, lift the movable handle 43 again so that the clamp 5 of the inner clamp 2 moves away from the top of the coverslip, and then slowly pull the outer clamp 3 out from the bottom of the coverslip horizontally.

[0036] Example 2:

[0037] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the outer jaw 3 has two chucks 5. The handle 4 of the outer jaw 3 has a dovetail groove (not shown in the figure) on its bottom side. The two chucks 5 are slidably connected within the dovetail groove. A vertical groove is formed on the handle 4 of the outer jaw 3, and a slider 7 is slidably connected within the groove. The slider 7 is screwed to a connecting rod 71, which is slidably connected within the handle 4 of the outer jaw 3. A double-sloping wedge 72 is screwed to the bottom of the connecting rod 71. Both chucks 5 are connected to wedge rods 51 that engage with the slope of the double-sloping wedge 72. Return springs (not shown in the figure) are connected between the wedge rods 51 and the dovetail groove to ensure that the wedge surface of the wedge rod 51 always abuts against the slope of the double-sloping wedge 72. A drive rod 8 is connected to the handle 4 of the jaw 2 to drive the slider 7 to slide on the handle 4 of the outer jaw 3. The handle 4 of the outer gripper 3 is marked with a clip position mark 61, and above the clip position mark 61 is a take-off mark 6. When the slider 7 slides to the take-off mark 6, the distance between the two grippers 5 is greater than the width of the cover glass.

[0038] When clamping the coverslip, the head of the jaw 5 of the outer jaw 3 first extends into the bottom of the coverslip, then the movable handle 43 is lifted. The movable handle 43 drives the slider 7 upward via the drive rod 8, compressing the spring 42 until the slider 7 moves to the clamping position mark 61. At this time, the jaws 5 of the two outer jaws 3 move outward a certain distance under the action of the double inclined wedge 72 on the connecting rod 71, but are still located at the bottom of the coverslip. Maintaining this state, continue to extend the clamp into the bottom of the coverslip until the side of the coverslip abuts against the handle 4 of the outer jaw 3. Slowly release the movable handle 43, the spring 42 returns to its original position, and at the same time, the jaws 5 of the two outer jaws 3 move inward to their original position under the action of the double inclined wedge 72. The jaws 5 of the inner jaw 2 slowly move downward to press the top surface of the coverslip, thereby clamping the coverslip from the top and bottom. Then, pinch the outer jaws 3 and the inner jaw 2 to lock the clamping state.

[0039] Place the coverslip horizontally on the heating plate 11. Raise the movable handle 43 to move the slider 7 to the clamping position mark 6. The gripper 5 of the inner jaw 2 moves away from the coverslip. At this time, the grippers 5 of the two outer jaws 3 slide horizontally out from both sides of the coverslip, thereby removing the grippers 5 of the outer jaws 3 from the bottom of the coverslip. This method of removing the gripper, compared to removing it from one side, does not cause the coverslip to tilt, further preventing the sample from spilling from the middle of the coverslip. It should be noted that when the slider 7 moves to the clamping position mark 6, the double-beveled wedge block 72 and the wedge rod 51 do not disengage and can be smoothly reset.

[0040] Example 3:

[0041] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the spring 42 is covered with a corrugated sleeve, and the two ends of the corrugated sleeve are glued and fixed to the fixed handle 41 and the movable handle 43, respectively. The corrugated sleeve can protect the spring 42 from contamination by impurities, dust and moisture, and can effectively extend the service life of the spring 42.

[0042] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge such as specific technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solutions of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A coverslip holder characterized by: The utility model provides a cover glass clamping device, which comprises an L-shaped inner clamping jaw and an L-shaped outer clamping jaw, the inner clamping jaw is arranged on the inner side of the outer clamping jaw in an overlapping mode, the inner clamping jaw and the outer clamping jaw each comprise a clamping head and a handle connected vertically, the tail end of the handle of the inner clamping jaw and the tail end of the handle of the outer clamping jaw are fixedly connected, a clamping space is formed between the clamping head of the inner clamping jaw and the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw, the handle of the inner clamping jaw comprises a fixed handle and a movable handle, and a spring is connected between the fixed handle and the movable handle; the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw is in two pieces and the two clamping heads are slidably connected to the handle of the outer clamping jaw, a sliding block is slidably connected to the handle of the outer clamping jaw, the sliding block is connected with a connecting rod, the connecting rod is slidably connected to the handle of the outer clamping jaw, a double-inclined-surface wedge is fixed to the bottom end of the connecting rod, the two clamping heads are each connected with a wedge rod capable of cooperating with the inclined surface of the double-inclined-surface wedge, the wedge rod is connected with a return spring, the handle of the inner clamping jaw is connected with a driving rod for driving the sliding block to slide on the handle of the outer clamping jaw, a clamping piece position mark is arranged on the handle of the outer clamping jaw, a taking clamping position mark is arranged above the clamping piece position mark, the two clamping heads are located below the cover glass when the sliding block slides to the clamping piece position mark, and the distance between the two clamping heads is greater than the width of the cover glass when the sliding block slides to the taking clamping position mark.

2. A coverslip holder according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the clamping head of the inner clamping jaw is less than the length of the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw.

3. A coverslip holder according to claim 2, wherein: The length difference between the clamping head of the inner clamping jaw and the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw is 2-5mm.

4. A coverslip holder according to claim 3, wherein: The bottom surface of the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw is an inclined surface, and the thickness of the free end of the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw is less than the thickness of the other end.

5. A coverslip holder according to claim 4, wherein: The thickness of the free end of the clamping head of the outer clamping jaw is 0.3mm.

6. A coverslip holder according to claim 5, wherein: The distance between the connecting positions of the inner clamping jaw and the outer clamping jaw is 1-3mm.

7. A coverslip holder according to claim 6, wherein: The spring outer sleeve is provided with a corrugated sleeve, and the two ends of the corrugated sleeve are fixed on the fixed handle and the movable handle respectively.

8. A coverslip holder according to claim 7, wherein: An anti-skid groove is arranged on the movable handle.

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