Olaf Runquirt, Alfonre Runquirt, and Georae Senkler
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Hamline University St. Paul, Minnesota
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The iabs+and A successor t o t h e ring stand
The "labstand," a unit for use in the Organic Chemistry laboratory, was constructed from I/, in. peg board, finger grip spring clamps,' and peg board hooks. Each unit effectively replaces t.he conventional ring stand, ext,ension clamp complex. Figure 1 shows a labstand and a typical laboratory setup. The finger grip spring clamps may be positioned on the peg board in such a way that all of the normal laboratory setups may be made without changing the posit,ion of any of the clamps. Adjustments for the size of a receiver are made by changing the position of the double wire hooks (which replave iron rings) and by use of wooden blocks and foam cushions. A gentle push will secure flasks, distilling heads, and condensers in the spring clamps; a light pull will release the glassware. The t.ension on t,he spring clamps is such that glassware
may be supported a t any angle desired, yet two or more clamps may be used on a single setup without producing strain on the glassware (a feature which reduces breakage). One of the double wire hooks fitted with four S o . 2 one-holed stoppers provides a very adequate holder for a separatory funnel. The advantages of the labstand over conventional equipment appear to be numerous. Students can construct neat, rigid, and secure laboratory setups quickly, less desk top space is required, the entire unit with setup intact may be movcd quickly and easily f r o n ~laboratory desk to the hood or to storage, and the cost of earh unit (including 12 clxmps and two peg-board hooks) is only $4. The base of the unit is in. particle board (1 X 2 ft) and the dimensions of the peg board are 2 X 2 ft. Details of the spring clamp holders are shown in Figure 2. We used 2L/2in. X I/, in. bolts, and the spacers (21/8in. long) were cut from '/I in. polyethylene tubing. We have found epoxy paint to be a suitable coating for t,he base.
' The spring clamps were manufactured by the Art,hw I. Plntt and Co., Fairfield, Connecticut,. The Platt Co. msm~faetttrs seven dilferent sized clamp?, avsihhle in &her a uirkel plate or coat,& with vinyl plastic.
Figure 2.
Figure I.
Thc authors wish to admowledge t,he assistance of Mr. .Jerome Dial, a freshman a t Hxmline, who construct,ed our labstands and to the Louis W. and >laud Hill Family Foundation for providing financial assist,a r m for materials.
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Froctionol dirtillolion ond ~ h ~ o m o t o g r o p hset-up y on lobstand.
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444 / Journal o f Chemical Education
Component ports of t h e c l a m p double wire hook a r e m b l i e s .
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