Liquid sample supply apparatus

Claim 2

A liquid sample supply apparatus for transferring two samples from a single container to two separate reaction cells simultaneously having a pair of vertically extending probes for insertion into the single container, means for lifting them vertically simultaneously, transporting them horizontally thereafter while horizontally separating them and thereafter positioning them over the horizontally separated reaction cells to discharge liquid drawn from the sample supply into said horizontally separated reaction cells wherein the invention comprises: two horizontally and vertically movable probe support elements, one pivoted to the other, a pair of horizontally movable pivoted arms, means connecting one of said arms to one of said probe support elements, the probe support elements each supporting one of said probes at an end of the element space from the pivotal joint between them whereby the probes are capable of horizontal separation and relative horizontal movement.

Claim 3

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said probes are caused to translate in a longitudinal plane when shifted laterally by said motion imparting means, and said means effects the vertical and horizontal travel of said probes independently.

Claim 4

An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including adjustable stop means engageable by said motion imparting means for controlling the extent of horizontal travel of said probes.

Claim 5

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the horizontally pivoted: arms are each mounted for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal plane about a substantially vertically extending axis; and the apparatus includes: vertical guide means carried by a first of said arms; means for pivoting the second of said arms about said axis; and means for raising and lowering said probe support elements on said guide means.

Claim 6

An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first arm is disposed in a plane above said second arm and one of said probe support elements is disposed in a plane above the other probe support element.

Claim 7

An apparatus as set foroth in claim 5 wherein said connecting means comprising a vertically extending rod carried by said second arm, an elongated slot is provided in one probe support element extending generally radially from said axis, and the upper end of said rod being slidably received in said slot.

Claim 8

An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said probe support elements have a generally L-shaped configuration, with one leg of each L-shaped element extending generally perpendicular to said arms, and said probes each being mounted adjacent the end of the extending leg of an L-shaped element.

Claim 9

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the horizontally pivoted arms are mounted one above the other as upper and lower arms each mounted for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal plane about a substantially vertically extending axis; a vertically extending guide shaft is provided which is fixedly mounted on said upper arm; the probe support elements being mounted one above the other as upper and lower elemEnts carrying one of said probes, said upper and lower probe support elements being mounted for common vertical movement on said guide shaft, said upper element being non-pivotally mounted to said guide shaft and said lower element being pivotably mounted on said guide shaft for movement in a horizontal plane; means are provided connecting said lower arm to said lower probe support element; and the apoparatus includes means for pivoting said lower arm relative to the upper arm about said axis; and means for raising and lowering said probe support elements on said guide shaft.

Claim 10

An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said connecting means comprises a vertically extending rod carried by said lower arm, an elongated slot is formed in said lower probe support element extending generally radially from said axis, and the upper end of said rod being slidably received in said slot.