Optical scanner weigh plate mounting apparatus
First Claim
1. A weigh plate mounting apparatus for an optical scanner comprising:
- a load distributing member;
a pivot arm having first and second ends;
means for pivotally coupling the pivot arm at the first end to the load distributing member; and
means for pivotally coupling the pivot arm at the second end to the weigh plate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical scanner weigh plate mounting apparatus which does not include fasteners requiring removal in order to gain access to the underside of the weigh plate and to a scan module within the scanner. The weigh plate mounting apparatus includes a pair of pivot arms, a load distributing member, pivot flanges for pivotally coupling the pivot arms at their first ends to the load distributing member, pivot pins for pivotally coupling the pivot arms at their second ends to the weigh plate, and a spacer between the load distributing member and a weight measuring device within the scanner for raising the weigh plate to a position flush with a checkout counter in which the scanner is installed. The mounting apparatus provides hands-free operating positions. In a closed position, the weigh plate sits substantially parallel to and above the pivot arms. In a first opened hands-free position, the weigh plate sits against a first side of the counter to expose the underside of the weigh plate. In a second opened hands-free position, the weigh plate sits against a second side of the counter to expose the scan module.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A weigh plate mounting apparatus for an optical scanner comprising:
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a load distributing member; a pivot arm having first and second ends; means for pivotally coupling the pivot arm at the first end to the load distributing member; and means for pivotally coupling the pivot arm at the second end to the weigh plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A weigh plate mounting apparatus for an optical scanner comprising:
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a pair of pivot arms having first and second ends; a load distributing member including a base portion having first and second ends, a weigh plate support portion extending upwardly from the base portion at a point near the first end, and a pivot arm support portion extending upwardly from the base portion at a point near the second end and extending laterally beneath the pivot arms; means for pivotally coupling the pivot arms at their first ends to the load distributing member including a pair of flanges, each flange including vertical and horizontal portions, means for fastening the horizontal portion to the load distributing member, a pivot pin extending perpendicularly from the vertical portion, and means attached to the end of the pivot pin for retaining the pivot arms on the pivot pins; means for pivotally coupling the pivot arms at their second ends to the weigh plate including, for each pivot arm, a pivot pin and means attached to the end of the pivot pin for retaining the pivot arm and the weigh plate on the pivot pin; and a spacer between the load distributing member and a weight measuring device within the scanner, the spacer having a predetermined height which is operative to raise the weigh plate to a position flush with a checkout counter in which the scanner is installed; wherein the weigh plate mounting apparatus is rotatable to provide access to the underside of the weigh plate and to a scan module within the scanner without removal of fasteners; wherein the weigh plate sits substantially parallel to and above the pivot arms in a closed position; wherein the weigh plate is rotatable in a first direction about the second ends of the pivot arms for exposing the underside of the weigh plate, the weigh plate reaching a first hands-free position against a first side of the counter; wherein the pivot arms is rotatable in a second direction about the load distributing member for exposing the scan module, the weigh plate reaching a second hands-free position against a second side of the counter.
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13. A method for mounting a weigh plate to a scanner comprising the steps of:
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(a) pivotally coupling the weigh plate to a first end of a pivot arm; (b) pivotally coupling a second end of the pivot arm to a load distributing member; and (c) rigidly coupling the load distributing member to a weight measuring device within the scanner. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method for removing a weigh plate from a scanner comprising the step of:
(a) rotating the weigh plate in a first direction about a first pivot point at one end of a pivot arm attached to the weigh plate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
Specification