Symbol Technologies, LLC

Edward Trant

Carl A Thelemann

Philip W Swift

Robert A Doran

A battery-powered device, especially a hand-held, data collection terminal having an electro-optical scanner, includes a main housing, a battery pack separate from the main housing, and a latching mechanism for latching the battery pack in its assembled position on the main housing in which it is partially received in a correspondingly configured receiving recess of the main housing. Electrical circuitry in the device is shut down prior to battery pack removal. During idle periods, the device is supported on a cradle, with a back or handle portion of the device being received in a main compartment of the cradle. The cradle also includes an auxiliary compartment for receiving the battery pack for recharging the same. A hook-shaped projection of the cradle engages behind a detaining wall of the housing and is held in position by a shuttle that, in its locking position, is interposed between such projection and an unyieldable portion of the housing and is locked in place by a padlock passing through aligned openings of the shuttle and of the cradle.

Lockable storage cradle for battery-operated electronic device

A battery-powered device (10), especially a hand-held, data collection terminal having an electro-optical scanner, includes a housing (11), a battery pack (12) separate from the housing (11), and a latching mechanism (18) for latching the battery pack (12) in its assembled position on the housing (11) in which it is partially received in a receiving recess (17) of the housing (11). The mechanism (18) includes a slidable latching member (19) with a portion (33) for engaging the recess (17) in the battery pack (12) and a locking button (20) that is transversely movable into position to retain the latching member (19) in its recess engaging position. Electrical circuitry in the device is shut down prior to battery pack removal by movement of the locking button (20) to effect release of the latching member (19) and to operate a power shut-down switch (34). In another embodiment, a battery compartment door (112) is used to operate a shut-down switch (134). During idle periods, the device (10) is supported on a cradle (40), with a portion of the device being received in a main compartment (41) of the cradle (40). The cradle (40) also includes an auxiliary compartment (49) for receiving the battery pack (12) for recharging the same. A hook-shaped projection (53) of the cradle engages behind a detaining wall (52) of the housing (11) and is held in position by a shuttle (70) that, in its locking position, is interposed between such projection (53) and an unyieldable portion (56) of the housing and is locked in place by a padlock passing through aligned openings (74, 55) of the shuttle (70) and of the cradle (40).

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Ridge, NY, United States of America

Edward Trant