Barcode reader and barcode reader assembly with lift handles

Barcode readers and barcode reader assemblies with lift handles are disclosed herein. An example bioptic barcode reader assembly includes a barcode reader having a housing and a metal frame secured to the housing. A retractable first lift handle having an elongated first aperture is positioned on a first side of the housing and a retractable second lift handle having an elongated second aperture is positioned on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side. Each of the first and second lift handles is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position and the first and second apertures in the first and second lift handles overlie a first center of gravity of the barcode reader and a second center of gravity of the barcode reader assembly.

BACKGROUND

Barcode readers and barcode reader assemblies, with metal frames and/or scale assemblies, can be difficult to move, maneuver, install and uninstall because of the size and weight of the unit/assembly. For example, attempting to lift and install a barcode reader assembly into a piece of furniture, such as a countertop at a retail location can be difficult because of the minimal clearances between the barcode reader/assembly and the opening in which is it being installed. This is further complicated by the variety of barcode reader assemblies that can be available. For example, barcode reader assemblies can have different size frames (short, medium, long, etc.) and can come with or without a scale assemblies. All of these different versions change the weight and center of gravity of the assembly and can make lifting and balancing the assembly difficult.

There are some barcode readers and barcode reader assemblies that have attempted to address this issue by providing a lift mechanism that includes a small hook that can rotate between a retracted and extended position and be used to assist in lifting and moving the barcode reader/assembly. However, these lift mechanisms are only large enough to fit a single finger, which does not provide much assistance when lifting a heavier assembly with a metal frame and/or a scale assembly. In addition, since these lift mechanisms are narrow, the area covered by the hook is small and will not be located over the center of gravity of the barcode reader and the barcode reader assembly with a variety of options, which does not help in keeping the barcode reader/assembly balanced when lifted or moved or during installation.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention is a barcode reader assembly comprising a barcode reader and a metal frame. The barcode reader comprises a housing, a retractable first lift handle having an elongated first aperture positioned on a first side of the housing, and a retractable second lift handle having an elongated second aperture positioned on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side. Each of the first lift handle and the second lift handle are movable relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. The metal frame is secured to the housing of the barcode reader. The first and second apertures in the first and second lift handles overlie a first center of gravity of the barcode reader and a second center of gravity of the barcode reader assembly.

In a variation of this embodiment, the barcode reader assembly comprises a scale assembly positioned between the barcode reader and the metal frame.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a bioptic barcode reader comprising a housing, a retractable first lift handle positioned on a first side of the housing, and a retractable second lift handle positioned on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side. The first lift handle has an elongated first aperture and is movable in a linear motion relative to the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. The second lift handle has an elongated second aperture and is movable in a linear motion relative to the housing between the retracted position and the extended position.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of moving a barcode reader, comprising the steps of: moving a retractable first lift handle, positioned on a first side of a housing of a barcode reader of the barcode reader assembly, in a linear motion relative to the housing from a retracted position to an extended position; moving a retractable second lift handle, positioned on a second side of the housing of the barcode reader, opposite the first side, in a linear motion relative to the housing from the retracted position to the extended position; gripping the first lift handle via an elongated first aperture in the first lift handle and the second lift handle via an elongated second aperture in the second lift handle; and lifting the barcode reader assembly via the first lift handle and the second lift handle.

In a variation of this embodiment, the barcode reader assembly comprises a metal frame secured to the housing of the barcode reader and the first and second apertures in the first and second lift handles overlie a first center of gravity of the barcode reader and a second center of gravity of the barcode reader assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples disclosed herein relate to barcode readers and barcode reader assemblies that have internal lift handles located under the platter of the barcode reader assembly that can be used to lift and move the barcode reader and/or barcode reader assemblies, for example, to install or remove the barcode reader and/or barcode reader assembly from furniture. The example barcode readers/barcode reader assemblies have two handles with elongated apertures that are preferably large enough to engage a full hand and can move vertically in a linear motion between retracted and extended positions. The large grip area provided by the elongated apertures allows a user to adjust their grip location and are positioned over a center of gravity of the barcode reader and the barcode reader assembly (scale and no scale versions) to keep the barcode reader and barcode reader assembly balanced, which facilitates a more ergonomic installation experience.

Referring toFIGS.1-6, an example barcode reader assembly10is shown. As can be seen inFIG.5, barcode reader assembly10can generally include a barcode reader100and a metal frame200, as shown inFIGS.5-6, or barcode reader assembly10can include barcode reader100, metal frame200, and a scale assembly205, as shown inFIGS.2-3. A platter210can also be positioned over upper housing portion150of housing105of barcode reader100and over scale assembly205, if used. Metal frame200can be secured to housing105of barcode reader100and can be a single, integral, unitary part or can include multiple parts that are assembled together, as shown. In addition, as best shown inFIGS.2-3, when used as part of barcode reader assembly10, scale assembly205is positioned between barcode reader100and metal frame200and can engage platter210to allow objects placed on platter210to be weighed by scale assembly205.

Referring toFIGS.7A-8, barcode reader100in the example shown is a bioptic barcode reader. However, barcode reader100can be any type of barcode reader desired, such as a single window barcode reader. Barcode reader100generally includes housing105, which includes a lower housing portion125and an upper housing portion150that extends above lower housing portion125, a retractable first lift handle300positioned on a first side110of housing105, and a retractable second lift handle400positioned on a second side115of housing105, opposite first side110. Upper housing portion150has a generally horizontal window135positioned at an upper surface130of upper housing portion150and a generally vertical window155positioned in upper housing portion150. In the examples shown, first lift handle300and second lift handle400are movably attached to housing105without any additional parts, other than first lift handle300, second lift handle400, and housing105, as described in more detail below.

First lift handle300and second lift handle400are mirror images of each other and are movable relative to housing105between a retracted position (FIGS.2,5, and7A-B) and an extended position (FIGS.3-4,6, and8). Referring toFIG.11, first lift handle300and second lift handle400each have a main body305,405, which can be made from a molded plastic, formed wire, or another other material that is appropriate for a given application. An elongated first aperture310is formed through main body305of first lift handle300and an elongated second aperture410is formed through main body405of second lift handle400. First and second apertures310,410preferably have a length L of 80 millimeters and provide a large, secure grip surface that allows a full hand grip, rather than just a single finger like other known lift devices. In addition, as best seen inFIG.4, first aperture310in first lift handle300and second aperture410in second lift handle400each overlie a first center of gravity120of barcode reader100so that barcode reader100can be lifted and moved by first and second lift handles300,400and will be balanced as barcode reader is lifted. In addition, first and second apertures310,410also each overlie a second center of gravity15of barcode reader assembly10(whether barcode reader assembly10includes barcode reader100and metal frame200(short, medium, or long metal frame) or includes barcode reader100, metal frame200, and scale assembly205. Having first and second apertures310,410overlie second center of gravity15of barcode reader assembly10allows barcode reader assembly10to be balanced when the entire barcode reader assembly10is being lifted or moved.

First and second lift handles310,410can also each have a top lip325,425that extends from the main body305,405. Top lips325,425of first and second lift handles300,400can be configured to overlap upper surface130of upper housing portion150when in the retracted position, as shown inFIG.7A, which can prevent fluid, dirt, dust, and debris from entering housing105of barcode reader100between upper surface130and first and second lift handles300,400. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.7B, top lips325,425can be configured to fit within notches formed in upper surface130so that top surfaces320,420of first and second lift handles300,400are flush with upper surface130with first and second lift handles300,400in the retracted position. An indent330,430can also be formed in top lips325,425, which can be used to allow a user to fit a finger under top lips325,425to lift first and second lift handles300,400from the retracted position to the extended position.

First and second lift handles300,400are movably attached to lower housing portion125such that first and second lift handles300,400are movable in a linear motion (vertically) relative to housing105. To provide this linear movement, first and second lift handles300,400each have a pair of tabs315,415and are received an move within first and second pairs of channels140,145in housing105. Referring toFIGS.9-10, housing105includes first pair of channels140on first side110of housing105and a second pair of channels145on second side115of housing105. As shown, first pair of channels140and second pair of channels145extend into upper housing portion150and into lower housing portion125. However, first and second pairs of channels140,145could extend only into lower housing portion125or only into upper housing portion150, depending on the particular design of housing used. In addition, in the example shown, first and second pairs of channels140,145extend all the way through the bottom of lower housing portion125, which provides an opening at the bottom of first and second pairs of channels140,145to allow fluid or debris that may enter first and second pairs of channels140,145to move through and fall out of first and second pairs of channels140,145, rather than getting stuck in first and second pairs of channels140,145. Referring toFIG.11, first lift handle300has tabs315that extend from main body305and extend into and are received in first pair of channels140in lower housing portion125so that first lift handle300is movable in a linear motion relative to housing105between the retracted and extended positions. Similarly, second lift handle400has tabs415that extend from main body405and extend into and are received in second pair of channels145in lower housing portion125so that second lift handle400is movable in a liner motion relative to housing105between the retracted and extended positions. As first and second lift handles300,400are moved from the retracted to the extended position, tabs315,415will ride within first and second pairs of channels140,145and will stop when tabs315,415engage the end of first and second pairs of channels140,145. This allows first and second lift handles300,400to be movably attached to housing105without any additional parts.

Barcode reader100can also have a first and second retention features to maintain first and second lift handles300,400in the extended position. In the example shown, first and second retention features include identical flexible tabs440formed on first and second lift handles300,400(flexible tab on first lift handle300not shown) and first and second protrusions345,445on lower housing portion125of housing105. When moved from the retracted to the extended position, first and second lift handles300,400are lifted vertically in a linear motion until tabs440flex and snap past protrusions345,445, which then engage the respective flexible tabs440with first and second lift handles300,400in the extended position to retain first and second lift handles300,400in the extended position. Conversely, to move first and second lift handles300,400from the extended to the retracted positions, first and second lift handles300,400are pushed downward in a linear motion until tabs440flex and snap past protrusions345,445. Alternatively, flexible tabs440could also be formed on housing105(rather than on first and second lift handles300,400) and first and second protrusions345,445could be formed on first and second lift handles300,400(rather than on housing105) and still operate in the same manner.

First and second lift handles300,400make it easier to lift and move barcode assembly10, or even barcode reader100by itself, whether it be to remove barcode reader assembly10from a packing box, removing it from or placing it into a cavity in a counter, moving it from one location to another, or any other movement of barcode reader assembly10. To move barcode reader assembly10, or barcode reader100, first and second lift handles300,400are moved in a linear motion relative to housing105from the retracted to the extended position. First and second lift handles300,400are then gripped via elongated apertures310,410to lift or move barcode reader assembly10via first and second lift handles300,400. As described above, elongated apertures310,410of first and second lift handles300,400overlie a first center of gravity120of barcode reader100and a second center of gravity of barcode reader assembly10, which includes barcode reader assembly10with any size metal frame200and with or without scale assembly205. First and second lift handles300,400can also be maintained in the extended position by first and second retention features, as discussed above.