Ergonometric modular hand-held scanner, including an ergonomic handle and hilt
First Claim
1. An ergonomic body for a hand-held scanner, comprising:
- a hollow head portion for holding scanning components, the head portion having a longitudinal axis and a first width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis;
a handle portion sized for gripping by a user'"'"'s hand, said handle portion having a second width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head portion, the second width being less than the first width, and the handle portion having a top end connected to said head portion and a bottom end;
a hilt portion disposed between said head portion and said handle portion, said hilt having a third width that is greater than the first width and the hilt portion extending outward, perpendicularly to said handle portion in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head, the hilt portion having a lower surface positioned to sit upon a top portion of a user'"'"'s hand holding said handle portion; and
an endcap portion disposed over said bottom end of said handle portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held scanner has a head containing scanning components, a hilt position between the head and a handle that is sized and shaped to rest against an upper surface of a users thumb and index finger. An endcap is secured to a free end of the handle that has a circumferentially and outwardly extending bumper, which, together with the hilt, protect the scanner from impact and dropage. A trigger extending outwardly from the handle, extends a significant distance forward of the handle to provide a tactile queue for users to blindly grip the handle and position an index finger on the trigger. The handle preferably has a tubular, seamless shape to avoid irritation with a users hand when gripped. A window in the head is recessed and angled to inhibit damage and contact with foreign objects.
78 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An ergonomic body for a hand-held scanner, comprising:
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a hollow head portion for holding scanning components, the head portion having a longitudinal axis and a first width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis; a handle portion sized for gripping by a user'"'"'s hand, said handle portion having a second width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head portion, the second width being less than the first width, and the handle portion having a top end connected to said head portion and a bottom end; a hilt portion disposed between said head portion and said handle portion, said hilt having a third width that is greater than the first width and the hilt portion extending outward, perpendicularly to said handle portion in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head, the hilt portion having a lower surface positioned to sit upon a top portion of a user'"'"'s hand holding said handle portion; and an endcap portion disposed over said bottom end of said handle portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A scanner for scanning visual images, comprising:
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scanning circuitry that scans and converts the visual images to signals; a head unit that receives at least a portion of the scanning circuitry therein, the head unit having upper, lower, forward and rear portions and having a longitudinal axis extending between the forward and rear portions, the head unit having a first width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis; an elongated handle extending downwardly from the head unit, the handle having a second width in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head unit, the second width being less than the first width, the handle being sized and shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s hand; and a hilt coupled between the lower portion of the head unit and an upper portion of the handle, the head unit being removably secured to the hilt, the hilt extending outwardly from the handle in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head unit, and the hilt extending outwardly from the handle beyond at least the rear portion of the head unit, and the hilt is sized to rest on an upper portion of a user'"'"'s thumb and index finger. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A scanner for scanning visual images, comprising:
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scanning circuitry that scans and converts the visual images to signals; a head unit that receives at least a portion of the scanning circuitry therein, the head unit having upper, lower, forward and rear portions and having a first width; an elongated handle extending downwardly from the head unit, the handle having a second width smaller than the first width of the head unit, the handle being sized and shaped to fit within a users hand; a hilt integrally connected to the handle and positioned between the lower portion of the head unit and an upper portion of the handle, the hilt extending radially outwardly from the handle beyond the head unit and having a third width that is greater than the first and second widths, and the hilt is sized to rest on an upper portion of a user'"'"'s thumb and index finger, and wherein the hilt and circumferentially extending elastomeric portion of the endcap define a gripping region on the handle; and an endcap coupled to a free end of the handle, the endcap having an outwardly and circumferentially extending elastomeric portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A scanner for scanning visual images, comprising:
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scanning circuitry that scans and converts the visual images to signals; a head unit that receives at least a portion of the scanning circuitry therein, the head unit having upper, lower, forward and rear portions, and wherein the scanning circuitry emits a scanning beam from the forward portion of the head unit in an increasingly widening plane; an elongated handle extending downwardly from the head unit, the handle being sized and shaped to fit within a users hand; and a hilt coupled between the lower portion of the head unit and an upper portion of the handle and having a rear portion, wherein the rear portion of either the head unit or the hilt tapers to a rearwardly facing tapered end, and wherein the head unit includes a visual indication positioned at the upper surface of the head unit, close to the forward portion and at an approximate center of the plane, and aligned with the tapered end. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification