Patent ID: 8226312

Claim:
A valve door for an instrument comprising: a lid having a first lid surface and a second lid surface; a means for connecting the lid with an actuating mechanism, the means for connecting being adapted to transmit force from the actuating mechanism to the first lid surface, the means for connecting extending across the first lid surface; and a force directing member attached to the first lid surface, the force directing member elevating the means for connecting above a portion of the first lid surface, thereby preventing the means for connecting from contacting the first lid surface over at least a portion of the first lid surface and distributing force from the means for connecting across a portion of the first lid surface, wherein the force directing member comprises two ribs, the two ribs being spaced apart from one another and connected by a bridge, the bridge including a retention feature for positioning the means for connecting across the bridge, and wherein the upper surface of each of the ribs is elevationally disposed between the retention feature and the lid.