Patent ID: 6038022
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B01L,G01J

Abstract:
A coupling mechanism for mounting an accessory assembly into a sample compartment of a spectrometer, a sample to be analyzed by the spectrometer being mountable on to the accessory assembly, comprising:two annular support members mounted to opposite sides of the sample compartment, each annular support member having an aperture therein through which an optical beam may pass for use in analyzing of the sample by the spectrometer; andtwo annular connector ends on the accessory assembly, each annular connector end being shaped and positioned to mount into one of said two annular support members upon mounting of the accessory assembly into the sample compartment of the spectrometer, said each annular connector end having an aperture therein through which the optical beam may pass for use in analyzing of the sample by the spectrometer;at least one of said annular support members having a resilient clip arm shaped and positioned to extend partially around a circumference of one of said annular connector ends upon mounting of the accessory assembly into the sample compartment and to lock said one of said annular connector ends into the aperture of said at least one of said annular support members.