Bar code symbol reader with locking cable connector assembly
First Claim
1. In a laser scanning system for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, said system being of the type includinga housing having an upper head portion and a handle portion having an electrical socket in a cavity in an end portion thereof;
- light source means in the head for generating an incident laser beam;
optic means in the head for optically forming and directing the incident laser beam along an optical path toward indicia located in the optical path, thereby reflecting off the indicia reflected laser light, at least a returning portion of which travels away from the indicia back toward the system;
scanning means in the head for scanning the indicia in a scan across the indicia, said returning portion of the reflected laser light having a variable intensity over the scan;
sensor means in the head for detecting the variable intensity of the returning portion of the reflected laser light over a field of view, and for generating an electrical analog signal indicative of the detected variable light intensity,said scanning means being operative for scanning at least one of said incident laser beam and said field of view;
signal processing means for processing the analog electrical signal, and for supplying a processed signal indicative of the indicia to said electrical socket; and
an electrical cable removably connected to the electrical socket and operative for conducting said processed electrical signal to external equipment,the improvement comprising;
a connector member attached to a terminal end of said electrical cable assembly, said connector member including a terminal electrical connector engagable with said electrical socket and a sleeve adjacent said terminal electrical connector, anda retaining member positionable over said sleeve, said retaining member having an internal stepped bore forming a collar at an end of said retaining member for retaining said sleeve within said bore and a locking portion at an opposite end of said retaining member cooperating with an internal surface of said handle portion for securing said retaining member to said handle portion whereby said terminal electrical connector is maintained coupled with said electrical socket,wherein said retaining member has (i) an external flange formed between said collar and said locking portion and (ii) a gasket mounted on said flange for seating said retaining member onto an outer surface of said handle portion surrounding said cylindrical cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hand held bar code reader or scanner includes a universal locking cable connector assembly attaching a signal cable to the handle of the scanner. Signals and/or power to and from the scanner are carried by the signal cable. The signal cable is removably connected to a connector recessed in the handle of the scanner. The signal cable includes (i) a connector member attached to a terminal end thereof and engagable with the connector of the scanner handle and (ii) a collar adjacent the connector. A plastic retaining member is positionable over the collar and includes an internal stepped bore forming a collar at one end of the retaining member for engaging the collar portion of the signal cable within the bore. A manually lockable bayonet or threaded portion of the retaining member is formed at an opposite end and cooperates with an internal surface of the scanner for securing the retaining member to the housing. With the retaining member secured to the handle of the scanner, the signal connector is electrically coupled with the connector of the scanner.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a laser scanning system for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectivity, said system being of the type including
a housing having an upper head portion and a handle portion having an electrical socket in a cavity in an end portion thereof; -
light source means in the head for generating an incident laser beam; optic means in the head for optically forming and directing the incident laser beam along an optical path toward indicia located in the optical path, thereby reflecting off the indicia reflected laser light, at least a returning portion of which travels away from the indicia back toward the system; scanning means in the head for scanning the indicia in a scan across the indicia, said returning portion of the reflected laser light having a variable intensity over the scan; sensor means in the head for detecting the variable intensity of the returning portion of the reflected laser light over a field of view, and for generating an electrical analog signal indicative of the detected variable light intensity, said scanning means being operative for scanning at least one of said incident laser beam and said field of view; signal processing means for processing the analog electrical signal, and for supplying a processed signal indicative of the indicia to said electrical socket; and an electrical cable removably connected to the electrical socket and operative for conducting said processed electrical signal to external equipment, the improvement comprising; a connector member attached to a terminal end of said electrical cable assembly, said connector member including a terminal electrical connector engagable with said electrical socket and a sleeve adjacent said terminal electrical connector, and a retaining member positionable over said sleeve, said retaining member having an internal stepped bore forming a collar at an end of said retaining member for retaining said sleeve within said bore and a locking portion at an opposite end of said retaining member cooperating with an internal surface of said handle portion for securing said retaining member to said handle portion whereby said terminal electrical connector is maintained coupled with said electrical socket, wherein said retaining member has (i) an external flange formed between said collar and said locking portion and (ii) a gasket mounted on said flange for seating said retaining member onto an outer surface of said handle portion surrounding said cylindrical cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic device for detecting a signal and supplying the detected signal to an external device, said electronic device comprising:
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a housing having a connector for supplying a signal; signal detector means for receiving a signal and supplying said received signal to said connector; a signal cable removably connected to the connector and operative for supplying said received signal to the external device, said signal cable including (i) a connector member attached to a terminal end thereof and engagable with said connector of said housing and (ii) a collar portion adjacent said terminal connector; and a retaining member positionable over said collar, said retaining member having (i) an internal stepped bore forming a collar at one end of said retaining member for engaging said collar portion of said signal cable within said bore and (ii) a manually lockable portion formed at an opposite end of said retaining member cooperating with an internal surface of said housing for securing said retaining member to said housing whereby said connector member is maintained coupled with said connector of said housing; wherein said housing includes a cavity, and said retaining member includes (i) an external flange between said collar and said manually lockable portion and (ii) a gasket mounted on said flange for seating said retaining member onto an outer surface of said housing surrounding said cylindrical cavity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A hand-held scanner for reading indicia having portions of different light reflectively, said scanner comprising:
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a housing having a handle with a cylindrical cavity and a connector in the handle at an one end of said cylindrical cavity for carrying electrical signals; said housing including a laser source, means for scanning light supplied by said laser source and a signal detector circuit for receiving reflected light, converting the reflected light to a corresponding data signal and supplying said data signal to said connector; a signal cable removably connected to the connector and operative for supplying said data signal to an external device, one end of said signal cable including a complementary connector engagable with said housing connector; and a retaining member positionable over said signal cable assembly with a tapered internal bore in a first portion thereof for retaining said cable assembly and a second portion insertable into said cylindrical cavity for manually locking said retaining member to said handle for maintaining said complementary connector coupled with said housing connector; wherein said retaining member has an external flange between said tapered internal bore and said second portion and a gasket mounted on said flange for seating said retaining member onto an outer surface of said handle surrounding said cylindrical cavity.
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Specification