US 4,047,808 AGranted

Adjustable slit mechanism

AssigneeVarian Techtron Proprietary Limited

InventorIvan Robert Bartlett

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Abstract

A slit device for use in optical systems, and in particular for use in spectrophotometers. The device comprises an integral plate structure having two jaw assemblies, each of which includes two jaws arranged to define a slit between them, and flexible hinge means interconnecting the two jaws to permit relative movement such that the slit width can be varied. Each hinge means includes a part of the plate structure which has been turned on edge relative to the plate structure parts forming the associated jaws so as to have maximum flexibility in the general direction of relative movement of the jaws. Two bridging portions are also formed as integral parts of the plate structure, and each bridging portion connects one of the jaws of one jaw assembly with a jaw of the other assembly. Thus, movement of one jaw in one assembly is transmitted to a jaw of the other assembly through one of the bridging portions.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An optical slit device comprising a generally planar plate structure, said plate structure being elongate along a longitudinal axis and having first and second jaw assemblies, said first jaw assembly being disposed near one end of said plate structure and said second jaw assembly being disposed near the other end of said plate structure along said longitudinal axis, each of said jaw assemblies including two jaw sections arranged to define a slit between opposed edges of respective parts of the plate structure from which said jaw sections are formed, and flexible hinge means interconnecting the two jaw sections of each jaw assembly so as to permit relative movement between said jaw sections such that the width of said slit can be changed;

each hinge means including an elongate arm structure oriented generally transverse to said longitudinal axis of said plate structure, said arm structure having a generally planar surface that is substantially perpendicular to said jaw sections;
said plate structure further comprising two bridging portions, each of said bridging portions connecting a jaw section of one of said jaw assemblies with a jaw section of the other of said jaw assemblies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.