Expanding cam lock for sealing slab gels in an electrophoresis apparatus

Abstract

An expanding cam lock for use with an electrophoresis system is disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the expanding cam lock includes a base plate with a first surface adapted to engage the first buffer core assembly and a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam. The base plate and the follower plate are slidably coupled together and are designed for insertion between the first buffer core assembly and the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam in the electrophoresis container. A cam is positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate. The cam is movable from a first position to a second position to urge the first and second surfaces to secure the gel cassette to the first and second buffer core assemblies.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A method for securing an electrophoresis gel cassettes in an electrophoresis container, the method comprising:
 providing a base plate having a first surface adapted to engage a buffer core assembly comprising the electrophoresis gel cassette;   providing a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage a partition assembly, the follower plate being slideably coupled to the base plate;   providing a cam positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate;   inserting the base plate, the follower plate and the cam between the buffer core assembly and the partition assembly in the electrophoresis container;   moving the cam from an open position to a closed position to urge the first and second surfaces to secure the gel cassettes to the first and second buffer core assemblies.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein moving the cam to the closed position causes the cam to lock the base plate and the following plate into engagement with the gel cassettes of the first and second buffer core assemblies. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the partition assembly comprises a buffer dam, a buffer displacement dam, or a buffer core assembly comprising at least one electrophoresis gel cassette. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the partition assembly comprises a buffer core assembly comprising at least one electrophoresis gel cassette. 
     
     
         52 - 109 . (canceled)