Accessory for conversion with housing with first connection includes host cable and host connector and second connection including a plug-in modular connector

• US 5,664,229 A
• Filed: 05/18/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Kehoe, Timothy, Bhargava, Vikram, Stratienco, Daniela
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Anderson I.
• Application Number:
  US08/443,849
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/472, 395/821, 395/831, 395/882, 395/885, 395/500
• US Class Current: 710/65
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

An interface arrangement is connected between a scanning head for electro-optically reading bar code symbols and a host device having a host processor operative for processing signals with a predetermined data exchange format. The interface arrangement includes a housing; a first connector on the housing for direct connection to the host device; a second connector on the housing for direct connection to a head cable connected to the scanning head; and a conversion circuit within the housing for converting decoded signals generated in the head into data signals having a format compatible with the predetermined data exchange format of the host processor.

Claims

1. An accessory for interconnecting a scanning head for electro-optically reading coded symbols and for transmitting decoded signals along a head cable connected to the head, and a host device having a data processor with a predetermined data exchange format for receiving the decoded signals, comprising:

a housing located externally of the scanning head and the host device;

first connection means on the housing for detachable connection to the host device wherein said first connection means includes a host cable having one end fixedly connected to said housing, and a host connector at an opposite end of the host cable;

second connection means including a plug-in modular connector on the housing and accessible at an exterior surface of said housing for detachable connection to the head cable;

conversion means within the housing connected to both connection means in a condition of use, and operative for converting the decoded signals from the scanning head into digital data signals having a format compatible with the predetermined data exchange format of the host device; and

said housing and both connection means being mechanically interconnected as a portable, unitary assembly separate from the scanning head and the host device when not is said condition of use.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein said conversion means includes electrical circuitry mounted on a printed circuit board having opposite surfaces;

and further comprising means for supporting the circuit board securely within said housing at both opposite surfaces of the board.

3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein said supporting means includes a plurality of supports and fasteners both integrally molded with said housing, said fasteners engaging both said surfaces of the board with a snap-type action.

4. The accessory of claim 3, wherein said housing includes a pair of housing parts interfitted with each other.

5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein said supports and fasteners are integrally molded with said housing parts.