Track for automated conveyor system

摘要

A conveyor track has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a conveyor operably mounted within the track to transport specimen carriers along the track length. A pair of "J-shaped" legs depend from the lower end of the track and are spaced apart a distance to receive a horizontal support rail therebetween. A fastener apparatus, for fastening the track to the support rail, includes a retainer plate positioned under the support rail and a pair of clip plates connected between the track depending legs and the retainer plate. The support rail has a generally "I-shaped" cross-section with an upper plate, lower plate and vertical web, and extends the length of the track. End caps are provided for the ends of the support rail and for the ends of the conveyor track to retain the fluids within the conveyor track and within the upper and lower channels of the support rail. The conveyor track includes upper and lower channels formed on the outer surfaces of the forward and rearward legs. Auxiliary components for the conveyor track have a pair of hook members which are removably engaged on the upper and lower channels of the forward or rearward leg to support the component on the track. A cover is provided for the conveyor track which has an inverted U-shaped cross-section formed from forward and rearward legs.