Holding device for chromatograph columns

Abstract

A device for holding an elongated item includes a base member and first and second mounting brackets positioned on the base member. First and second fittings are positioned on the mounting brackets. The fittings are respectively engageable with ends of the elongated item. The second mounting bracket is movable on the base member to permit positioning of the elongated item between the fittings. A restraining mechanism is positioned between the base member and the second mounting bracket for holding the bracket in a predetermined position.

1 . A device for holding a chromatography column, said device comprising: 
 a base member;    a first mounting bracket positioned on said base member;    a first fitting positioned on said first mounting bracket, said first fitting being adapted to engage one end of said column;    a second mounting bracket positioned on said base member in spaced relation to said first mounting bracket, said second mounting bracket being movable on said base member toward and away from said first mounting bracket;    a second fitting positioned on said second mounting bracket, said second fitting being adapted to engage an opposite end of said column;    a restraining mechanism positioned between said base member and said second mounting bracket, said second mounting bracket being movable away from said first mounting bracket for positioning said column between said fittings, said second mounting bracket being movable toward said first mounting bracket and permitting engagement of said first and second fittings with said ends of said column at a predetermined position, said restraining mechanism being engageable between said base member and said second mounting bracket and holding said second mounting bracket at said predetermined position.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said fittings is adjustably movable toward and away from the other of said fittings, movement of said one fitting adjusting the compression force on said column held between said fittings.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein said one fitting comprises a jackscrew engaging one of said mounting brackets, said one fitting being adjustably movable by rotating said jackscrew to move said fitting toward and away from said other fitting.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a toggle mechanism mounted on one of said mounting brackets, said toggle mechanism having a first link pivotably attached to said one fitting and a second link pivotably attached to said one mounting bracket, said links also being pivotably attached to one another, said one fitting being slidable relatively to said one mounting bracket toward and away from said other mounting bracket in response to pivoting motion of said links.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said restraining mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl, said ratchet being mounted on said base member, said pawl being mounted on said second mounting bracket, said pawl being engageable with said ratchet to restrain motion of said second mounting bracket, said second mounting bracket being movable upon disengagement of said pawl from said ratchet.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said restraining mechanism comprises a screw shaft mounted on said base member and threadedly engaged with said second mounting bracket, said screw shaft being rotatable about an axis oriented lengthwise along the screw shaft, rotation of said screw shaft moving said second mounting bracket along said base member.  
   
   
       7 . A device for holding a chromatography column on a chromatograph, said device comprising: 
 a base member mountable on said chromatograph;    a first mounting bracket mounted on said base member;    a first fitting mounted on said first mounting bracket, said first fitting being adapted to engage one end of said column and provide fluid communication between said column and said chromatograph;    a second mounting bracket mounted on said base member in spaced relation with said first mounting bracket, said second mounting bracket being movable along said base member toward and away from said first mounting bracket;    a second fitting mounted on said second mounting bracket, said second fitting being adapted to engage an opposite end of said column and provide fluid communication between said column and said chromatograph;    a ratchet being positioned on said base member;    a pawl being positioned on said second mounting bracket, said pawl being engageable with said ratchet to maintain said second mounting bracket in a predetermined position on said base member, said pawl being movable out of engagement with said ratchet to permit movement of said second mounting bracket for mounting and dismounting of said column between said fittings.    
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said first fitting comprises a jackscrew threadedly engaged with said first mounting bracket, said first fitting being movable toward and away from said second fitting upon rotation of said jackscrew.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said second fitting comprises a jackscrew threadedly engaged with said second mounting bracket, said second fitting being movable toward and away from said first fitting upon rotation of said jackscrew.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a toggle mechanism mounted on said first mounting bracket, said toggle mechanism having a first link pivotably attached to said first fitting and a second link pivotably attached to said first mounting bracket, said links also being pivotably attached to one another, said first fitting being slidable relatively to said first mounting bracket toward and away from said second mounting bracket in response to pivoting motion of said links.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 7 , further comprising a toggle mechanism mounted on said second mounting bracket, said toggle mechanism having a first link pivotably attached to said second fitting and a second link pivotably attached to said second mounting bracket, said links also being pivotably attached to one another, said second fitting being slidable relatively to said second mounting bracket toward and away from said first mounting bracket in response to pivoting motion of said links.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said first mounting bracket is movable along said base member toward and away from said second mounting bracket, a pawl being positioned on said first mounting bracket, said pawl being engageable with said ratchet to maintain said first mounting bracket in a predetermined position on said base member, said pawl being movable out of engagement with said ratchet to permit movement of said first mounting bracket for mounting and dismounting of said column between said fittings.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said first and second fittings comprise jackscrews threadedly engaged respectively with said first and second mounting brackets, said first and second fittings being movable toward and away from one another upon rotation of said jackscrews.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein said device is mounted on a chromatograph.  
   
   
       15 . A device for holding a chromatography column on a chromatograph, said device comprising: 
 a base member mountable on said chromatograph;    a first mounting bracket mounted on said base member;    a first fitting mounted on said first mounting bracket, said first fitting being adapted to engage one end of said column and provide fluid communication between said column and said chromatograph;    a second mounting bracket mounted on said base member in spaced relation with said first mounting bracket;    a second fitting mounted on said second mounting bracket, said second fitting being adapted to engage an opposite end of said column and provide fluid communication between said column and said chromatograph, said second fitting being movable toward and away from said first fitting thereby permitting mounting and dismounting of said column between said fittings.    
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said second fitting comprises a jackscrew threadedly engaged with said second mounting bracket, said second fitting being movable toward and away from said first fitting upon rotation of said jackscrew.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 15 , further comprising a toggle mechanism mounted on said second mounting bracket, said toggle mechanism having a first link pivotably attached to said second fitting and a second link pivotably attached to said second mounting bracket, said links also being pivotably attached to one another, said second fitting being slidable relatively to said second mounting bracket toward and away from said first fitting in response to pivoting motion of said links.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein one of said mounting brackets is movable along said base member toward and away from the other of said mounting brackets, a restraining mechanism being positioned between said base member and said one mounting bracket, said one mounting bracket being movable away from said other mounting bracket for positioning said column between said fittings, said one mounting bracket being movable toward said other mounting bracket and permitting engagement of said first and second fittings with said ends of said column at a predetermined position, said restraining mechanism being engageable between said base member and said one mounting bracket and holding said one mounting bracket at said predetermined position.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 18 , wherein said restraining member comprises: 
 a ratchet positioned on said base member;    a pawl being positioned on said one mounting bracket, said pawl being engageable with said ratchet to maintain said one mounting bracket in said predetermined position on said base member, said pawl being movable out of engagement with said ratchet to permit movement of said one mounting bracket for mounting and dismounting of said column between said fittings.    
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein said device is mounted on a chromatograph.  
   
   
       21 . A method of holding a chromatography column, said method comprising: 
 providing a pair of mounting brackets, at least one of said brackets being movable toward and away from the other of said brackets, each of said brackets having a fitting engageable with an end of said column;    moving at least one of said brackets away from the other;    positioning said column between said brackets;    moving at least one of said brackets toward the other so as to engage said fittings with said ends of said column.    
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 providing at least one fitting that is movably mounted on one of said mounting brackets;    moving said one fitting relatively to said one mounting bracket so as to adjust the compression of said column between said fittings.