Arrangement for and method of preventing overhanging weighing platter of scale from tipping at product checkout system and method of mounting and removing the weighing platter without tools
First Claim
1. A checkout system, comprising:
- a workstation having a horizontal window located in a generally horizontal plane, and a data capture arrangement for capturing through the horizontal window a target associated with a product to identify the product being checked out at the workstation; and
a scale for weighing the product at the workstation, the scale includinga scale mechanism including a frame,a weighing platter on which the product is placed for weighing, the weighing platter being integrated with the horizontal window and overlying the scale mechanism, the weighing platter projecting past the scale mechanism and having a front end that overhangs the scale mechanism, andnon-threaded, interlocking connectors on the weighing platter and the scale mechanism, for preventing the weighing platter from tipping if a force is exerted on the front end of the weighing platter, wherein the non-threaded, interlocking connectors include a pair of spaced-apart hooks depending downwardly from the weighing platter, a pair of spaced-apart slots in the frame, and a pair of spaced-apart catches on the frame for being lockingly engaged by the hooks after the hooks pass through the slots.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A checkout system includes a workstation having a data capture arrangement for capturing through a horizontal window a target associated with a product to identify the product being checked out at the workstation, and a scale for weighing the product at the workstation. The scale has a scale mechanism, and a weighing platter on which the product is placed for weighing. The weighing platter is integrated with the horizontal window and overlies the scale mechanism. The weighing platter projects past the scale mechanism and has a front end that overhangs the scale mechanism. Non-threaded, interlocking connectors, which are provided on the weighing platter and the scale mechanism, prevent the weighing platter from tipping if a force is exerted on the front end of the weighing platter. The weighing platter is mounted on, and removed from, the scale mechanism without the aid of tools.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A checkout system, comprising:
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a workstation having a horizontal window located in a generally horizontal plane, and a data capture arrangement for capturing through the horizontal window a target associated with a product to identify the product being checked out at the workstation; and a scale for weighing the product at the workstation, the scale including a scale mechanism including a frame, a weighing platter on which the product is placed for weighing, the weighing platter being integrated with the horizontal window and overlying the scale mechanism, the weighing platter projecting past the scale mechanism and having a front end that overhangs the scale mechanism, and non-threaded, interlocking connectors on the weighing platter and the scale mechanism, for preventing the weighing platter from tipping if a force is exerted on the front end of the weighing platter, wherein the non-threaded, interlocking connectors include a pair of spaced-apart hooks depending downwardly from the weighing platter, a pair of spaced-apart slots in the frame, and a pair of spaced-apart catches on the frame for being lockingly engaged by the hooks after the hooks pass through the slots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A checkout method, comprising:
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capturing through a horizontal window of a workstation a target associated with a product to identify the product being checked out at the workstation; and weighing the product at the workstation by placing the product on a weighing platter integrated with the horizontal window; overlying a scale mechanism at the workstation with the weighing platter such that a front end of the weighing platter projects past, and overhangs, the scale mechanism; and preventing the weighing platter from tipping if a force is exerted on the front end of the weighing platter by interlocking non-threaded connectors on the weighing platter and the scale mechanism, wherein the interlocking is performed by passing a pair of hooks on the weighing platter through a pair of slots in a frame of the scale mechanism, and by subsequently lockingly engaging the hooks with a pair of catches on the frame. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of removably mounting a weighing platter on a scale mechanism for weighing a product to be checked out at a workstation, comprising:
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receiving a pair of alignment rear pegs on a rear of a frame of the scale mechanism in a pair of rear pockets in a rear of the weighing platter; passing a pair of hooks on the weighing platter through a pair of slots in the frame during reception of the rear pegs in the rear pockets; lockingly engaging the hooks with a pair of catches on the frame after the hooks have passed through the slots; and receiving a pair of alignment front pegs on a front of the frame in a pair of front pockets in a front of the weighing platter after the catches have been engaged by the hooks. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification