Laboratory device and laboratory system

Abstract

The invention relates to a laboratory device (1) for handling laboratory sample container racks (50), the laboratory device (1) comprising a base (2) extending horizontally, the base (2) being adapted to support laboratory sample container racks (50) placed thereon, a first finger (3) being movable relative to the base (2), the first finger (3) being adapted to position a laboratory sample container rack (50) on the base (2), a second finger (4) being adapted to horizontally counteract the first finger (3) so that the laboratory sample container rack (50) positioned on the base (2) is holdable in between the first finger (3) and the second finger (4), a down-holder (5) being movable relative to the base (2), the down-holder (5) being adapted to releasably vertically secure the laboratory sample container rack (50) positioned on the base (2), and a linkage (6) which motion-couples the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) and the down-holder (5) to one another.

Description

[0001] Laboratory device and laboratory system

[0002] The invention relates to a laboratory device for handling laboratory sample container racks. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laboratory system having such a laboratory device and being adapted to transfer laboratory sample containers.

[0003] From EP 3 408 675 B1, methods and automated modules for pre-analytical processing of biological samples for analysis are known. Furthermore, US 2007 / 0105214 A1 discloses automated cellular assaying systems and related components and methods. In addition, an integrated sample-processing system is disclosed in US 2002 / 0009391 A1.

[0004] Commonly, a laboratory system for transferring laboratory sample containers requires a pick operation for parting a laboratory sample container from a laboratory sample container rack. Therein, the laboratory sample container rack from which the at least one laboratory sample container is to be parted can be prone to displacement and / or uplifting relative to a base of the common laboratory system carrying said laboratory sample container rack.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide for a laboratory device for handling laboratory sample container racks, and to provide for a laboratory system for transferring laboratory sample containers, in each case enabling particularly reliable parting of at least one laboratory sample container from a laboratory sample container rack.

[0006] This object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The laboratory device according to the invention is adapted for handling laboratory sample container racks. Such a laboratory sample container rack can be adapted to carry at least one laboratory sample container, in particular several laboratory sample containers. Such a laboratory sample container can be a sample tube. A sample can be stored within such a laboratory sample container. The sample may be a portion of a sample liquid, for example a blood sample. The laboratory sample container rack can be a five-position rack, for example a rack for a maximum of five sample tubes. The laboratory device comprises a base extending horizontally. Therein, the base is adapted to support laboratory sample container racks placed thereon, in particular with respect to gravitation. Furthermore, the laboratory device has a first finger. The first finger is movable relative to the base. Therein, the first finger is adapted to position a laboratory sample container rack on the base. In particular, the first finger may be adapted to push a laboratory sample container rack onto the base. The laboratory device has a second finger. The second finger is adapted to horizontally counteract the first finger. Therein, the second finger is adapted to horizontally counteract the first finger so that the laboratory sample container rack positioned on the base is holdable in between the first finger and the second finger. In other words: After the first finger has pushed a specific laboratory sample container rack onto the base, the second finger may get in contact with said specific laboratory sample container rack, thus, said specific laboratory sample container rack being clamped in between the first finger and the second finger. Furthermore, the laboratory device comprises a down-holder. The down-holder is movable relative to the base. Therein, the down-holder is adapted to releasably vertically secure the laboratory sample container rack positioned on the base. In particular, the down-holder can vertically secure the laboratory sample container rack that is held by the first finger and the second finger. The laboratory device comprises a linkage. The linkage motion-couples the first finger and the second finger and the down-holder to one another, in particular at least unidirectionally or only unidirectionally. Thus, a respective movement of the first finger and the down-holder relative to the base can be in mechanical dependency. In other words: The linkage may coordinate a motion of the first finger and the second finger and the down-holder relative to one another, in particular in a positively driven manner. When a laboratory sample container rack is held in between the first finger and the second finger and vertically secured by the down-holder, the pick operation for parting laboratory sample containers from said laboratory sample container rack can be carried out substantially without displacing the laboratory sample container rack and / or substantially without lifting the laboratory sample container rack up from the base. Thus, particularly reliable parting of the laboratory sample container from the laboratory sample container rack can be enabled.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first finger is adapted to position the laboratory sample container rack on the base in a transverse direction of the laboratory device. In particular, the first finger is adapted to position the laboratory sample container rack on the base by pushing said laboratory sample container rack onto the base in the transverse direction. In addition, or as an alternative, the laboratory sample container rack positioned on the base is holdable in between the first finger and the second finger along the transverse direction. In particular, the laboratory sample container rack is deemed to be positioned on the base after the laboratory sample container rack was pushed onto the base by the first finger. A queue of laboratory sample container racks can be lined up on top of the base along a longitudinal direction of the laboratory device, in particular after parting laboratory sample containers from said laboratory sample container racks. In particular, the first finger is adapted to push the laboratory sample container rack onto the base, in particular exactly and / or horizontally, in the transverse direction.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the invention, the linkage coordinates a motion of the first finger and the second finger and the down-holder relative to one another. In particular, each of the linkage and the first finger and the second finger and the down-holder are movable relative to the base.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the down-holder is movable relative to both the first finger and the second finger. In particular, the down-holder is vertically movable relative to both the first finger and the second finger. In other words: The down-holder may not only be movable relative to the base, but also relative to both the first finger and the second finger.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the down-holder is movable perpendicular to the transverse direction of the laboratory device, in particular relative to the base. In particular, the down-holder is vertically movable perpendicular to the transverse direction. Therein, both the first finger and the second finger are movable, in particular horizontally and / or substantially, along the transverse direction, in particular relative to the base. In other words: The downholder can be movable perpendicular to the transverse direction, whereas both the first finger and the second finger are movable substantially along the transverse direction. “Substantially” may therein express that the respective movement may, in particular temporarily, deviate from being perfectly parallel to the transverse direction, in particular so that only a, in particular major, component of the movement is parallel to the transverse direction.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the down-holder comprises an engagement portion. Therein, the engagement portion is adapted to engage a complementary engagement contour of the laboratory sample container rack to be vertically secured. The engagement portion may allow for lateral alignment of the laboratory sample container rack along the transverse direction relative to the base. The engagement portion and the complementary engagement contour can be matched such that a vertical distance between the engagement portion and the base can be particularly small. Thus, the laboratory sample container rack may be vertically secured by the down-holder particularly reliably.

[0013] The first finger may be a pusher finger. The second finger may be a catching finger. According to another embodiment of the invention, the second finger is movable relative to the base and relative to the first finger. Thus, a laboratory sample container rack can be releasably gripped and / or clamped in between the first finger and the second finger.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the laboratory device comprises a lever. The lever is pivotable relative to the base. Therein, a finger portion of the lever forms the second finger. The linkage comprises a rod. The first finger is, in particular at least or only unidirectionally, linearly coupled to the rod with respect to the transverse direction of the laboratory device. The lever, in particular comprising the second finger, is pivotably hinged to the rod at a distance to its first finger portion. In other words: A hinge of the lever can be arranged at a distance to the finger portion of the lever, the lever being pivotably coupled to the rod at the hinge. In particular, the hinge allows for pivoting the lever around a vertical spatial axis relative to the base, the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction of the laboratory device spanning a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical spatial axis. Thus, said plane can be a horizontal plane. In particular, the first finger is coupled to the rod and the lever is hinged at the rod so that at least a portion of the second finger moves against the transverse direction if the first finger and the rod are moved together in the transverse direction and vice versa. Thus, when the first finger pushes a laboratory sample container rack onto the base in the transverse direction, the motion of the first finger can be transmitted to the second finger, in particular by the rod and the lever, so that the laboratory sample container rack is directly or automatically held in between the first and the second finger as soon as the laboratory sample container rack is positioned at a target position on the base. For releasing the laboratory sample container rack from in between the first and the second finger after the laboratory sample containers were parted from said laboratory sample container rack, the afore-mentioned motion of the first finger, the rod and the lever can be reversed.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the linkage motion-couples the first finger and the second finger and the down-holder to one another so that the down-holder releasably vertically secures the laboratory sample container rack when the first finger and the second finger together hold said laboratory sample container rack along the transverse direction. Thus, for vertically securing the laboratory sample container rack, a separate drive for moving the down-holder may be refrained from.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the linkage, in particular the rod of the linkage, is movably guided at the base along the transverse direction of the laboratory device. Therein, the down-holder is movably guided at the base along the longitudinal direction of the laboratory device. In particular, the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the transverse direction. This can allow for particular precise positioning and / or fixation of the laboratory sample container rack relative to the base.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the down-holder comprises a slot and the linkage, in particular the rod of the linkage, comprises a protrusion or vice versa. In other words: Either the down-holder comprises the slot and the linkage comprises the protrusion or the down-holder comprises the protrusion and the linkage comprises the slot. Therein, the slot at least partially extends along a slot direction of the laboratory device. The protrusion complementarily engages the slot so that the protrusion is movably guided along the slot direction, in particular within the slot. Preferably, the slot accepts the protrusion, in particular along and / or in a direction of gravity being in parallel with the vertical spatial axis. The slot direction is inclined with respect to the transverse direction of the laboratory device. Therein, the slot direction is inclined with respect to the transverse direction so that the down-holder moves along the longitudinal direction if the linkage is moved along the transverse direction. The inclination of the slot direction relative to the transverse direction can thus enable deflection of a driving force acting in between the linkage and the down-holder.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the laboratory device comprises more than one, in particular two, down-holders, which are arranged at a distance from one another along the transverse direction of the laboratory device. This can minimize or avoid wobbling of the laboratory sample container rack when or while being vertically secured by the down-holders.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the first finger has an angled claw portion. In addition, or as an alternative, the second finger has an angled claw portion. Therein, the, in particular respective, claw portion is adapted to retain the laboratory sample container rack along the longitudinal direction of the laboratory device, in particular while the first finger and the second finger together hold said laboratory sample container rack along the transverse direction of the laboratory device. The claw portion may be adapted to embrace the laboratory sample container rack, partially.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the laboratory device comprises a biasing element. Therein, the biasing element is adapted to self-reset the first finger and / or the second finger and / or the down-holder and / or the linkage. In particular, the biasing element is adapted to self-reset at least one of the first finger, the second finger, the down-holder, and the linkage towards a release position of the first finger and / or the second finger and / or the down-holder. Thus, for moving the first finger, the second finger, the down-holder and the linkage relative to the base, a unidirectional drive of the laboratory device may be sufficiently used. According to another embodiment of the invention, the laboratory device comprises a driving apparatus. The driving apparatus is adapted to, in particular directly, drive the first finger and / or the second finger and / or the linkage for a respective and / or coherent movement.

[0021] The laboratory system according to the invention is adapted for transferring laboratory sample containers. Therein, the laboratory system comprises a laboratory device according to the invention as described above. Thus, the afore-mentioned advantages of the laboratory device according to the invention transfer to the laboratory system according to the invention having such a laboratory device. Furthermore, the laboratory system comprises a gripping device. Therein, the gripping device is adapted to part at least one laboratory sample container from a laboratory sample container rack while the down-holder releasably vertically secures said laboratory sample container rack.

[0022] The gripping device may be adapted to grip a respective laboratory sample container at a distance relative to a top surface of the laboratory sample container rack. Said distance may be 3 mm to 10 mm, in particular around 5 mm.

[0023] Upon parting the laboratory sample container from the laboratory sample container rack, the laboratory sample container rack can be prone to displacement and / or uplifting relative to the base due to a sticky label or a force of springs of the laboratory sample container rack. Therefore, the down-holder allows for vertically securing the laboratory sample container rack from moving upwards vertically relative to the base. Additionally, a pick-position of the laboratory sample container rack can be in a sample and / or rack rescue zone of the laboratory device from which laboratory and / or racks can be removed by an operator without special tools being required.

[0024] As indicated above, the first finger may be configured to push the laboratory sample container rack to a defined place for the pick operation. Therein, while the laboratory sample container rack is moving to said defined place, the first finger triggers the rod of the linkage. With this rod, the down-holder may be protracted or retracted while the second finger can catch a back end of the laboratory sample container rack and push the laboratory sample container rack sideways to the accurate position, in particular for the pick operation. After the pick operation was carried out, the first finger can release the laboratory sample container rack and the, in particular spring-loaded, rod can move the down-holder and the second finger back to their original position, in particular being ready for repeating the afore-described procedure. A needed stroke of the first finger can be 5 mm to 15 mm, in particular around 10 mm. The stroke of the first finger can define a range of motion of the first finger relative to the base. After the laboratory sample containers were parted from the laboratory sample container rack, the first finger and the second finger and the down-holder may be released. Then, the laboratory sample container rack may be pushed with a different pushing finger of the laboratory device into a rack buffer of the laboratory device. The rack buffer can be arranged on top of the base. Within the rack buffer, laboratory sample container racks from which laboratory sample containers were parted can be queued up, in particular along the longitudinal direction. If the first finger does not release the laboratory sample container rack in the event of an error, the operator may be able to push the first finger away from the second finger in order to release the laboratory sample container rack.

[0025] Further advantages and features of the invention arise from the claims as well as from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are depicted by the drawings. Therein, equal reference signs relate to equal or similar or functionally equal components.

[0026] It is to be understood that the features mentioned above as well as the features described below are not only usable in the stated combination, respectively, but also in other combinations or solely, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 1 schematically depicts, in a top view, an embodiment of a laboratory system according to the invention having an embodiment of a laboratory device according to the invention, wherein a laboratory sample container rack is being pushed onto a base of the laboratory device,

[0028] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates, in a top view, the laboratory system of fig. 1, wherein the laboratory sample container rack is being held at the base,

[0029] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the laboratory system of fig. 2,

[0030] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates, in a top view, another embodiment of the laboratory system according to the invention having another embodiment of the laboratory device according to the invention, wherein a laboratory sample container rack is being pushed onto a base of the laboratory device,

[0031] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates, in a top view, the laboratory system according to fig. 4, wherein the laboratory sample container rack is being held at the base, and Fig. 6 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the laboratory system of fig. 5.

[0032] A laboratory system 100 is adapted for transferring laboratory sample containers. For transferring laboratory sample containers, the laboratory sample containers may be parted from laboratory sample container racks 50. Therein, the laboratory system 100 comprises a laboratory device 1.

[0033] The laboratory device 1 is adapted for handling laboratory sample container racks 50. The laboratory device 1 comprises a base 2 which extends horizontally. Therein, the base 2 is adapted to support laboratory sample container racks 50 placed thereon. The laboratory device 1 comprises a first finger 3. The first finger 3 is movable relative to the base 2. Therein, the first finger 3 is adapted to position a, in particular single, laboratory sample container rack 50 on the base 2.

[0034] The laboratory device 1 comprises a second finger 4 which is adapted to horizontally counteract the first finger 3. Therein, the second finger 4 is adapted to horizontally counteract the first finger 3 so that the laboratory sample container rack 50 positioned on the base 2 is holdable in between the first finger 3 and the second finger 4.

[0035] Furthermore, the laboratory device 1 comprises a down-holder 5. The down-holder 5 is movable relative to the base 2. Therein, the down-holder 5 is adapted to releasably vertically secure the laboratory sample container rack 50 positioned on the base 2, in particular when said laboratory sample container rack 50 is held in between the first finger 3 and the second finger 4.

[0036] The laboratory device 1 comprises a linkage 6. The linkage 6 motion-couples the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and the down-holder 5 to one another. The linkage 6 may coordinate a, in particular coherent, motion of the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and the down-holder 5 relative to one another, in particular in a positively driven manner.

[0037] For example, the linkage 6 coordinates a motion of the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and the down-holder 5 relative to one another.

[0038] For example, the down-holder 5 is movable relative to both the first finger 3 and the second finger 4. The down-holder 5 can be movable vertically relative to both the first finger 3 and the second finger 4. In figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, a laboratory sample container rack 50 is presently held in between the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and vertically secured to the base 2 by the down-holder 5.

[0039] The laboratory system 100 comprises a gripping device 101. The gripping device 101 is adapted to part at least one laboratory sample container from a laboratory sample container rack 50 while the down-holder 5 releasably vertically secures said laboratory sample container rack 50.

[0040] For example, the first finger 3 is adapted to position the laboratory sample container rack 50 on the base 2 in a transverse direction T of the laboratory device 1. As presently to be seen from figs. 1 and 4, the first finger 3 may be able to position the laboratory sample container rack 50 by pushing said laboratory sample container rack 50 onto the base 2 in the transverse direction T.

[0041] When the laboratory sample container rack 50 is positioned on the base 2, said laboratory sample container rack 50 is holdable in between the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 along the transverse direction T, as best to be seen from figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6.

[0042] For example, the down-holder 6 is movable perpendicular to the transverse direction T, in particular along a direction of gravity G. Therein, both the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 can be movable, in particular at least substantially, along the transverse direction T.

[0043] For example, the down-holder 5 comprises an engagement portion 15. According to the figures, the engagement portion 15 is adapted to engage a complementary engagement contour 51 of the laboratory sample container rack 50. The engagement portion 15 can comprise a protrusion. The complementary engagement contour 51 can comprise a recess.

[0044] For example, the second finger 4 is movable relative to the base 2 and relative to the first finger

[0045] 3.

[0046] For example, the laboratory device 1 comprises a lever 7. The lever 7 is pivotable relative to the base 2. The lever 7 comprises a finger portion 8, the finger portion 8 forming the second finger

[0047] 4. Therein, the linkage 6 comprises a rod 9. The first finger 3 is linearly coupled to the rod 9 with respect to the transverse direction T. The lever 7 is pivotably hinged to the rod 9 at a distance to the finger portion 8. Therein, the first finger 3 can be coupled to the linkage 6 and the lever 7 can be hinged to the linkage 6 so that at least a portion of the second finger 4 moves against the transverse direction T if the first finger 3 and the rod 9 are moved together in the transverse direction T, and / or vice versa.

[0048] For example, the linkage 6 motion-couples the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and the down-holder 5 to one another so that the down-holder 5 releasably vertically secures the laboratory sample container rack 50, in particular automatically, when the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 together hold said laboratory sample container rack 50 along the transverse direction T.

[0049] According to the figures, the linkage 6, in particular its rod 9, is movably guided at the base 2 along the transverse direction T. Therein, the down-holder 5 is movably guided at the base 2 along a longitudinal direction L of the laboratory device 1. The longitudinal direction L can be perpendicular to the transverse direction T. Both the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T can be perpendicular to the direction of gravity G.

[0050] For instance, the down-holder 5 comprises a slot 11 and the linkage 6 comprises a protrusion 12. Alternatively, the down-holder 5 can comprise the protrusion 12 and the linkage 6 can comprise the slot 11. Therein, the slot 11 at least partially extends along a slot direction S of the laboratory device 1. The protrusion 12 complementarily engages the slot 11 so that the protrusion 12 is movably guided along the slot direction S. The slot direction S is inclined with respect to the transverse direction T so that the down-holder 5 moves along the longitudinal direction L if the linkage 6 is moved along the transverse direction T.

[0051] In the example of figs. 1 to 3, the laboratory device 1 has a single down-holder 5. However, the laboratory device 1 can comprise more than one down-holder 5. For example, as to be seen from figs. 4 to 6, the laboratory device 1 can comprise two down-holders 5. The more than one down-holders 5 can be arranged at a distance from one another along the transverse direction T, in particular equidistantly and / or evenly distributed.

[0052] For example, the first finger 3 and / or the second finger 4 have an angled claw portion 13. According to the figures, only the second finger 4 may have an angled claw portion 13. Therein, the claw portion 13 is adapted to retain the laboratory sample container rack 50 along the longitudinal direction L. For example, the claw portion 13 can retain the laboratory sample container rack 50 along the longitudinal direction L while the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 together hold said laboratory sample container rack 50 along the transverse direction T, see figs. 2, 3, 5, and 6. The laboratory device 1 can comprise a biasing element 14. Therein, the biasing element 14 can be adapted to self-reset the first finger 3 and / or the second finger 4 and / or the down-holder 5 and / or the linkage 6. According to the figures, the biasing element 14 is adapted to self-reset the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and the down-holder 5 and the linkage 6 towards a release position of the first finger 3 and the second finger 4 and the down-holder 5. In the release position, the laboratory sample container carrier 50 may not be held at the base 2 and / or movable relative to the base 2.

[0053] In the examples shown in the figures, the laboratory device 1 comprises a driving apparatus 10.

[0054] The driving apparatus 10 is adapted to drive the first finger 3 and / or the second finger 4 and / or the linkage 6 for a respective movement, in particular relative to one another and / or relative to the base 2. The driving apparatus 10 can be adapted to directly drive one of the first finger 3, the second finger 4 or the linkage 6.

Claims

Claims1. Laboratory device (1) for handling laboratory sample container racks (50), the laboratory device (1) comprising a base (2) extending horizontally, the base (2) being adapted to support laboratory sample container racks (50) placed thereon, a first finger (3) being movable relative to the base (2), the first finger (3) being adapted to position a laboratory sample container rack (50) on the base (2), a second finger (4) being adapted to horizontally counteract the first finger (3) so that the laboratory sample container rack (50) positioned on the base (2) is holdable in between the first finger (3) and the second finger (4), a down-holder (5) being movable relative to the base (2), the down-holder (5) being adapted to releasably vertically secure the laboratory sample container rack (50) positioned on the base (2), and a linkage (6) which motion-couples the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) and the down-holder (5) to one another.

2. Laboratory device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first finger (3) is adapted to position the laboratory sample container rack (50) on the base (2) in a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1), in particular by pushing said laboratory sample container rack (50) onto the base (2); and / or in that the laboratory sample container rack (50) positioned on the base (2) is holdable in between the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) along the transverse direction (T).

3. Laboratory device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the linkage (6) coordinates a motion of the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) and the down-holder (6) relative to one another.

4. Laboratory device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the down holder (6) is, in particular vertically, movable relative to both the first finger (3) and the second finger (4).

5. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the down-holder (6) is, in particular vertically, movable perpendicular to a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1), both the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) being movable substantially along the transverse direction (T).

6. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the down-holder (5) comprises an engagement portion (15), the engagement portion (15) being adapted to engage a complementary engagement contour (51) of the laboratory sample container rack (50).

7. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second finger (4) is movable relative to the base (2) and relative to the first finger (3).

8. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laboratory device (1) comprises a lever (7) which is pivotable relative to the base (2), a finger portion (8) of the lever (7) forming the second finger (4), the linkage (6) comprising a rod (9) which the first finger (3) is linearly coupled to with respect to a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1) and which the lever (7) is pivotably hinged to at a distance to its finger portion (8), in particular so that at least a portion of the second finger (4) moves against the transverse direction (T) if the first finger (3) and the rod (9) are moved together in the transverse direction (T) and vice versa.

9. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the linkage (6) motion-couples the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) and the downholder (5) to one another so that the down-holder (5) releasably vertically secures the laboratory sample container rack (5) when the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) together hold said laboratory sample container rack (50) along the transverse direction (T).

10. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linkage (6), in particular a rod (9) of the linkage (6), is movably guided at the base (2) along a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1), the down-holder (5) being movably guided at the base (2) along a longitudinal direction (L) of the laboratory device (1), in particular the longitudinal direction (L) being perpendicular to the transverse direction (T).

11. Laboratory device (1) according claim 10, characterized in that the down-holder (5) comprises a slot (11) and the linkage (6) comprises a protrusion (12) or vice versa, the slot (11) at least partially extending along a slot direction (S) of the laboratory device (1), the protrusion (12) complementarily engaging the slot (11) so that the protrusion (12) is movably guided along the slot direction (S), the slot direction (S) being inclined with respect to a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1) so that the down-holder (5) moves along the longitudinal direction (L) if the linkage (6) is moved along the transverse direction (T).

12. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laboratory device (1) comprises more than one, in particular two, down-holders (5) arranged at a distance from one another along a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1).

13. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first finger (3) and / or the second finger (4) have an angled claw portion (13), the claw portion (13) being adapted to retain the laboratory sample container rack (50) along a longitudinal direction (L) of the laboratory device (1), in particular while the first finger (3) and the second finger (4) together hold said laboratory sample container rack (50) along a transverse direction (T) of the laboratory device (1).

14. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laboratory device (1) comprises a biasing element (14), the biasing element (14) being adapted to self-reset the first finger (3) and / or the second finger (4) and / or the down-holder (5) and / or the linkage (6), in particular towards a release position of the first finger (3) and / or the second finger (4) and / or the down-holder (5).

15. Laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laboratory device (1) comprises a driving apparatus (10), said driving apparatus (10) being adapted to, in particular directly, drive the first finger (3) and / or the second finger (4) and / or the linkage (6) for a respective movement.

16. Laboratory system (100) for transferring laboratory sample containers, the laboratory system (100) comprising a laboratory device (1) according to any of the preceding claims,a gripping device (101) that is adapted to part at least one laboratory sample container from a laboratory sample container rack (50) while the down-holder (5) releasably vertically secures said laboratory sample container rack (50).

Images