Hand-held computerized data collection terminal with indented hand grip and conforming battery drawer

A hand-held portable data entry terminal is encased by an elongate housing of substantially rectangular dimensions. The housing includes upper and lower housing shells which are assembled into a water tight housing. The upper housing shell supports on an upper surface a display and a keyboard with typically alphanumberic keys. The area taken up by the display and keyboard defines an overall width of the data terminal which may exceed the width of a readily hand fitting grip. The terminal consequently includes in a central portion of its lower housing shell a grip conforming portion of an inwardly displaced lower wall bounded by inwardly converging angled sidewalls. The depression in the center portion of the housing adjacent opposite end portions is spanned by a resilient strap disposed longitudinally across the grip conforming portion. A user may insert a hand into a space defined between the strap and the inwardly displaced surface. The strap enables a user to relax the grip on the terminal without the terminal being released from holding engagement of the data terminal with the user's hand. A battery pack inserted from a bottom end into a battery compartment at a bottom end of the lower housing shell is suitably mounted externally of a sealed environment within the housing. Sealed contacts extending through a wall of the battery compartment into the housing engage contacts of the battery pack and couple power supplied by the battery pack to the circuits of the data terminal within the sealed environment of the housing. The battery pack includes a plurality of external contacts for coupling an external battery charger to the battery pack, for initiating the charging process and for providing access to data transfer circuits through the battery pack to the interior of the data terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates generally hand-held computer terminals and 
particularly to hand-held, battery powered computer terminals. The 
invention is applicable, for example, to portable data collection 
terminals or interactive data processing terminals which may be used in 
operations relating to inventory control and stock management, and to 
various other data processing operations in which information for data 
entry is made at spatially scattered locations and the data terminal is 
moved among such different entry points to locally enter data into the 
terminals. The scope of usage for the subject invention may consequently 
include mobile customer service operations and route delivery operations. 
2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
Recent years saw the introduction of hand-held computer terminals, also 
referred to as data terminals, of both batch processing and continuously 
on-line or interactive data terminals. Though a small size appears 
desirable for a portable data terminal and advances have already been made 
in that area, enhancements in state of the art terminals in support of the 
portability appears desirable. While size and weight are typically not of 
concern to permanent computer installations in an office environment, they 
are of concern with respect to the portability of hand-held data 
terminals. One of the requirements which affect the portability of 
hand-held data terminals is the weight added and the space required by 
self-contained power sources, such as batteries. The problem of 
self-contained power sources becomes more acute when commercial type 
applications of hand-held data terminals require extended periods of power 
consumption, in that charge periods for power supplies would interfere 
with normal periods of use. Battery packs consequently require space and 
add considerable weight to portable, hand-held data terminals. 
Batch type data terminals require substantial data storage capabilities, 
referred to as memory capacity. Data of an entire work cycle, such as a 
normal workday or an entire delivery route, need to be temporarily stored 
in memory banks. Typically, storage requirements further include extensive 
data banks, such as customer and product lists, credit information and 
product availability information, in addition to operational protocols. 
Information entered into and temporarily stored in batch type terminals is 
then typically transferred or up-loaded to a central processing unit only 
once at the end of a workday or at the conclusion of a task. 
Interactive type terminals typically require less space for memory. The 
latter type terminals conveniently use FM transmission links to interact 
with a central processing station. The FM link, for example, allows a 
number of inventory clerks to remain in contact with a single, stationary 
central processing unit while the clerks may move about on the warehouse 
floor taking the terminals from one to the next of various shipment or 
merchandise stores. Thus, the single central processing unit maintains 
up-to-date records of the entire stock inventory. The interactive type 
terminals, though requiring less space for self-contained memory, trade 
off the saved space for the FM transceiver unit. Thus, both batch type 
data terminals and interactive data terminals have similar minimum 
volumetric needs for housing the elements for their respective, desired 
functions. 
Hand-held data terminals, in addition to the discussed minimum size and 
weight requirements, desirably should meet other needs which typically 
would not be considered significant for office-type computer 
installations. Some of the discussed requirements appear to create 
problems of trade-offs with other features for such terminals. 
One of the problems of such hand-held computer or data terminals relates to 
their size, in that minimizing size appears important to enhance the ease 
of manipulating the terminals, while features may become more bulky, such 
as power supplies because of the terminals being self-contained or 
portable. Another problem is that, even at a seemingly low weight in 
comparison to other computer terminals, users of portable terminals 
working data processing entries with the terminals over prolonged time 
periods tend to tire from holding the terminals in their hands. Operating 
the terminals typically involves repeatedly lifting the unit to a proper 
reading level while making data entries or while retrieving information 
from the central processing station. In typical operations of this type, 
rest periods for the users are needed. 
The portability problem of data terminals relates to a minimum practical 
size of an upper surface for such data terminals, below which the upper 
surface appears to become increasingly user unfriendly. The upper surface 
include a practically sized window area for a digital display and an 
equally significant area within which the keyboard is located. Practical 
size limitations on these components appear to establish a lower practical 
size limit for upper surfaces of the data terminals. Though compromises 
have been attempted to reduce the size of the keyboard or display, 
typically it has been found that attempts to reduce the size of the upper 
surface to below a practical minimum renders resulting terminals 
commercially less acceptable. A compressed display of data is more likely 
to generate data misinterpretation by the user, particularly under at 
times less than ideal lighting conditions in a warehouse, which may lead 
to significant errors in inventory control. A compressed keyboard is more 
likely to cause errors in data entry and rejection of the units by users. 
For temporarily relaxing the grip on the terminals, but also because the 
need for other manual work may interrupt the operation of the terminals, 
users may place the terminals aside for short periods of time. The 
terminals appear to be exposed to more than the usual hazards during such 
periods of being laid aside. The terminals may, for example, fall from 
shelves or tractor hoods, or may be stepped on when temporarily placed on 
a floor. A degree of impact or crush resistance for hand-held data 
terminals appears to be a desirable feature. 
But even while being carried about, many practical work environments for 
hand-held data terminals seem to subject the terminals to greater hazards 
than a typical office computer environment. For example, the terminals are 
likely to be used in dusty warehouses. The terminals may also be affected 
by inclement weather conditions in conjunction with certain outdoor uses, 
such as at airports or in truck yards. The desirability of rugged and 
weather resistant terminals seems apparent On the other hand, hand-held 
data terminals which are rugged and weather resistant seem to require 
trade-offs with respect to features for maintaining or enhancing the 
portability of the hand-held data terminals. Constant effort has been 
placed on providing portable, hand-held data terminals with an 
optimization of the above discussed characteristics. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is, consequently, an object of the present invention to provide an 
improved hand-held data terminal which is readily grasped by the user and 
which is held in a particularly secure and comfortable manner to 
facilitate its use over extended time periods, and which can be held in 
such manner without compromise of practical sizes of data display and 
keyboard areas. 
Another object resides in the provision of an improved portable data 
collection terminal which is capable of real time on line communication 
with a stationary computer system via an RF link and which can be securely 
held by a user while allowing the user to periodically relax his grip on 
the unit throughout a prolonged working period without relinquishing the 
unit. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a weather resistant 
portable data terminal which may be carried about by a user over extended 
periods. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a weather resistant 
hand-held data terminal which is further capable of being operated over 
extended periods of time with one or more replaceable or rechargeable 
power sources. 
In a preferred embodiment a data terminal of the hand-held type is encased 
by an elongate housing of substantially rectangular shape. The underside 
of the housing is contoured for particularly comfortable gripping in one 
hand. 
In accordance with one particular feature of the invention, the underside 
of the housing has a non-planar shape defining oppositely disposed outer 
end portions of the housing and a central grip portion. The central grip 
portion has a back surface displaced inwardly of the housing and further 
includes curvilinearly contoured transitional surface portions defining 
shoulder portions between the adjacent outer end portions and the grip 
portion. The underside of the housing further comprises opposite 
longitudinal side surfaces including a contoured center region in each of 
the side surfaces adjacent said inwardly displaced back surface of the 
grip portion on the underside of the housing. The contoured center regions 
of the side surfaces comprise side surface portions disposed at an angle 
with respect to each other to angularly converge in a direction toward the 
inwardly displaced back surface of the grip portion of the housing. The 
converging side surface portions terminate in rounded edges along opposite 
edges of the inwardly displaced surface of the grip portion and along the 
shoulders portions of the adjacent end portions of the housing. 
According to another feature of the invention the housing is comprised of a 
formed upper housing shell or frontal shell and a formed lower housing 
shell or rear shell. The frontal shell is sealably attached to the rear 
shell to form a sealed enclosure for electrical components of the data 
terminal. At least one end cap is sealably mounted to close a data 
communication access port at an end of the housing. The rear shell 
includes a shelf sealing a portion of the interior enclosure provided by 
the housing from a battery cavity and forming a compartment including a 
shelf external to the sealed enclosure for receiving a battery. Electrical 
terminal contacts extending through a wall of the shelf are adapted to 
couple a battery inserted into compartment along the shelf into electrical 
circuits including the electrical components of the data terminal. 
According to another, more particular feature of the invention, a strap 
extends spacedly stretched across the indented, rounded grip portion of 
the housing of the hand-held data terminal. The space between the strap 
and the grip portion of the housing defines a gap. The hand of a user may 
be inserted into the gap between the strap and the grip portion to be 
supported by the strap against the surface of the grip portion of the 
housing. The strap is according to a more particular feature of the 
invention a resilient strap which will retain the unit against the user's 
hand even when the user lowers the hand and substantially relaxes the grip 
on the terminal. In this way the user is allowed to periodically relax the 
grip on the terminal without taking the time to place the terminal in a 
secure location where it will be safe against falling or being knocked to 
the floor. 
According to another feature of the invention, a hand-held data terminal 
comprises an elongate housing of substantially rectangular shape which 
housing encases the data terminal and forms a battery cavity for receiving 
a battery module for supplying power to operate the data terminal. The 
underside of the housing has a non-planar shape defining oppositely 
disposed outer end portions of the housing and a central grip portion. One 
of the end portions of the housing defines an opening of the battery 
cavity for slidably receiving the battery module. A plurality of 
electrical terminal contacts are disposed adjacent an inner end of the 
battery cavity. The battery module includes a housing encasing the module 
and having an outer end portion conforming to and complementing the 
contour of the end portion of the housing of the terminal, and an inner 
end portion slidably insertible into the battery cavity of the housing. 
The outer end portion of the housing of the battery module supports a 
plurality of contacts for establishing electrical connections with 
complementary external contacts. The inner end portion of the housing of 
the battery module includes a plurality of contacts disposed to engage the 
terminal contacts which are disposed adjacent the inner end of the battery 
cavity. 
Particular advantages are derived from the combination of elements referred 
to in the summary of the invention and various more detailed features 
thereof. For example, the combination of the hand-held data terminal 
including a cavity for receiving a battery terminal enables the housing of 
the terminal to provide a water resistant case and yet receive a battery 
module without the need to open the water resistant case during the 
insertion of the battery. The battery module in turn may be vented in 
accordance with industry standards and otherwise protected against 
environmental hazards such as dust. A particularly preferred structure of 
the battery module, as described herein below in the detailed description 
provides not only contacts for electrically coupling power cell elements 
of the battery module to the hand-held data terminal, but to provide 
bridging electrical couplings to allow the data terminal to become 
electrically coupled to external electrical apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to FIG. 1, a hand-held computer or data terminal, designated 
generally by the numeral 10, is depicted in a somewhat a diagrammatic 
frontal perspective view to illustrate in general and the advantages of 
such features. As illustrated, the data terminal 10 is encased by an 
elongate, casing or housing 11. The housing 11 as a unit is longitudinally 
divided into an upper or frontal half or portion 11A and a lower half or 
portion 11B. The lower half of the housing 11 is also referred to as its 
underside 11B. The references to upper and lower portions are based on an 
intended use of the data terminal 10 according to which the terminal 10 
will be held in a position wherein the upper portion 11A faces the user, 
while the lower portion 11B is directed away from the user. In addition, 
the elongate housing 11 may be referred to as having a top and bottom ends 
or top and bottom end portions. Such reference also refers to an intended 
orientation of the data terminal 10 with respect to a user. In particular, 
when the terminal 10 is held in the palm of the hand of a user, the end of 
the terminal aligned with the thumb of the hand holding the terminal will 
typically be oriented higher than the opposite end of the elongate housing 
A parting line 11C extends longitudinally parallel to the upper portions 
11A and represents the longitudinal boundary line between the upper and 
lower portions of housing 11. In the plan view the preferred terminal 10 
is substantially of rectangular shape. 
The upper portion of the housing 11 has mounted thereto and supports such 
externally visible features as a data entry keyboard 12, a display window 
13 for an alpha-numeric display 14 which is preferably located at a top 
end 15 of the upper portion 11A of the housing The top end 15 further 
supports an antenna 16, characterizing the data terminal 10 shown in FIG. 
as an interactive data terminal which typically includes a transceiver 
(not shown). The antenna may be a stubby antenna 16, e.g., two inches in 
length, flexibly projecting from the end 15 of the upper portion 11A of 
the terminal housing 11. Optionally the may be replaced by a whip antenna, 
e.g. six inches in length. 
As a deviation from the overall elongate, rectangular shape of the housing 
11 in general, the lower portion 11B of the housing features a contoured 
shape. Thus, in contrast to the substantially planar features in the upper 
portion IIA of the housing 11, such as the keyboard 12 and the window 13, 
the lower portion 11B has a non-planar, contoured base or bottom surface 
17 and oppositely facing side walls or side surfaces 18 and 19 (see also 
FIGS. 6 and 7) which are centrally contoured at an angle to converge in a 
direction from the parting line 11C toward the contoured bottom surface 
11C. 
The contoured bottom surface 17 and opposite side surfaces 18 and 19 form 
in the lower portion 11B a central grip conforming region 20, which is 
substantially defined by an inwardly displaced, with respect to the space 
encased by the housing 11, under-surface or bottom surface 20A. At each 
end of the inwardly displaced bottom surface 20A, respective shoulder 
portions or shoulders 21 and 22 define opposite limits of the grip 
conforming region or portion 20 in the central region of the housing 11. 
The shoulders 21 and 22 are inwardly sloped toward each other in the 
direction of the upper portion 11A of the housing 11 and are contoured 
with rounded edges. Functionally, the shoulders 21 and 22 define opposite 
bounds of the grip conforming center portion 20 of the lower portion 11B 
in the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. Thus, the shoulders 21 
and 22 separate the grip conforming center portion 20 from adjacent, 
respective top and bottom end portions 24 and 25 of the lower portion 11B 
of the housing 11. 
According to preferred features of the grip conforming configuration of the 
central portion 20, the inwardly displaced surface 20A is disposed 
substantially parallel to the upper portion 11A. Such arrangement is not 
critical but is found convenient in that the inwardly displaced surface 
20A reduces in the grip conforming portion of the housing 11 the 
housing-encased volume. For routing and placing various components of the 
terminal in the central portion of the terminals, a space within the 
housing 11, which remains substantially constant within that region is 
hence preferred. Also characteristic of the grip conforming portion 20 is 
a difference in the width or height of the shoulders between the displaced 
surface 20A and the contoured base of the top and bottom end portions 24 
and 25. The height of the shoulder 21 transitioning from the inwardly 
displaced surface 20A to the top end portion 24 is greater than the 
respective height of the shoulder 22 adjacent its respective end portion 
25. Functionally this results in a greater depth of the end portion 24 
with respect to the end portion 25. From a functional consideration of the 
grip conforming center portion 20, the shoulder 21 provides a more 
substantial hold against the index finger of a user gripping the terminal 
10 such that the upper portion 11A faces the user and the bottom end 
portion 25 is pointed downward and toward such user. During data entry 
operations by such user, the top end portion 24 would be in an elevated 
position with respect to the bottom end portion 25. When the terminal 10 
is typically gripped with the thumb of the user extending along one of the 
side surfaces 18 or 19 and the remaining four fingers grasping the grip 
conforming portion 20, the weight of the terminal 10, though substantially 
resting in all four fingers of such user's hand, would partially be 
supported against the index finger adjacent the thumb of the hand. In that 
the fifth finger, sometimes referred to as pinkie is smaller than the 
index finger or the inner two fingers of the four, the grip conforming 
portion 20 is shaped to the needs of a user's hand. 
Preferred dimensions of the grip conforming center portion 20 of the 
housing 11 have not varied over an introduction period of the terminals 
manufactured in according with features relating to the grip conforming 
portion 20, as described herein. FIGS. 2 through 5 and FIGS. 7 and 8 show 
various preferred dimensions of the grip conforming center portion of the 
terminal 10. It should be understood, that the grip conforming portion 20, 
as described herein, has proven successful with respect to various similar 
hand-held data terminals, such as the referred to data terminal 10, 
including such diverse models as batch type data entry terminals and 
interactive type terminals, as the described terminal including the 
antenna 16. A similar terminal of the batch type would not interactively 
be coupled to a central computer to communicate via RF transmissions 
radiated by the antenna 16. Consequently, such a batch type terminal might 
not feature the antenna 16, such as the terminal shown in FIG. 6. The grip 
conforming portion 20 has been applied successfully to an entire product 
line of such data terminals 10 including both interactive and batch types 
of terminals. 
FIG. 3 shows a strap 30 which is disposed adjacent and at a small angle 
with respect to the inwardly displaced surface 20A longitudinally of the 
lower portion 11B of the housing 11. The strap 30 stretches spacedly 
adjacent the surface 20A longitudinally between the shoulders 21 and 22 
across the grip conforming portion 20. FIGS. 6 through 10 are respectively 
an exterior perspective view an exterior left side, bottom and end views 
of the terminal 10, FIG. 8 showing the strap 30 in a plan view, with two 
fasteners in each of the sets 31 and 32, securing strap end pieces 33 and 
34. The strap end pieces 33 and 34 in turn clamp and fasten the respective 
ends of the strap 30 to the outer or rear surface of the lower portion of 
the housing 11. 
Though the terminal 10 may be carried about by the described grip 
conforming portion 20 without discomfort to users for prolonged periods of 
time, the strap 30 when used in conjunction with the grip conforming 
portion 20 enables the user to temporarily relax the grip on the terminal 
without having to release the terminal 10 or to place it aside and 
possibly subject it thereby to risk of damage. 
The preferred dimensions which appear to most conveniently serve the 
purpose of providing a grip conforming portion to permit the terminal 10 
to be carried about for a prolonged period of time are referenced in the 
above referred-to drawings Letters A, B and C indicate overall dimensions 
of the hand-held terminal 10 in FIGS. 2-5, while subordinate designations 
such as A1, B1 and C1 show component dimensions. It is to be recognized 
that the present invention overcomes a particular problem relating to the 
data terminal 10 in which because of minimum practical sizes of the 
display 14 and the keyboard 12 the size of the upper or frontal portion 
11A should not be reduced to below a practical minimum size. To implement 
the keyboard 12 and the display 14 in a practical size, lateral overall 
dimensions A and B take on significance. Also to be noted is that in the 
currently preferred embodiment, the ratio of the width of the elongate 
housing 11, dimension B, exceeds the dimension of the depth, namely the 
dimension C. A practical minimum frontal area as herein defined approaches 
at the same time a lateral extent of the terminal 10 which will make it 
more cumbersome to carry about. While it may be possible to provide a 
similar volume for the terminal 10 as encompassed by the housing with a 
greater depth and smaller frontal area, it does not appear practical to 
reduce the frontal area of the housing 11. It has been found, however, 
that the grip conforming portion 20 not only avoids discomfort of carrying 
the terminal 10 of the preferred dimensions, but appears to improve the 
comfort level with respect to other apparatus which may have smaller 
dimension and not feature the grip conforming portion as herein described. 
The grip conforming portion represents, consequently, a transition 
interface between the preferred width of the upper portion 11A of the 
housing 11 and a comfortable grip width of the palm of the hand of a user. 
Presently preferred values remain those already described in the earlier 
application for patent of which this is a continuation-in-part 
application. The values for these parameters, given in inches, remain as 
follows: 
A=10.25, B=3.312, C=2.06, 
A1=9.00, A2=0.5, A3=2.63 (opening), 
A4=3.50, A5=5.00 . 
A6=250, A7=4.0, A8=090, 
A9=2.82 (2.82.times.2.82 glass LCD) 
A10=2.63 
A11=2.86, A12=685, A13=2.91, A14=0.386 
B1=2.70 (opening), B2=2.875, B3=0.216 (FIG.5) 
C1=0.625, C2=0.876, C3=0.265, C4=1.015 
C5=1.700 (FIG.4), C6=0.395 l(FIG. 5), C7=0.265 (FIG. 5) 
C8=1.22 (FIG. 3) 
Various radii and angles are indicated in FIGS. 2-5 (in inches and degrees 
respectively) as follows: 
R1=0.187 (four places, FIG. 2) 
R2=0.125 (typical, FIG. 2) 
R3=0.125 (typical, FIG. 3) 
R4=0.250 (FIG. 3) 
R5=0.250 (FIG. 3), R6=0.500 (FIG. 3) 
R7=0.500 (FIG. 3), R8=1.00 (FIG. 3) 
R9=0.125 (FIG. 3), R10=0.125 (FIG. 3) 
R11=0.125 (FIG. 4) 
R12=0.375 (FIG. 5) AR1=5 degrees (FIG. 3), AR2=3 degrees (FIG. 3) AR3=20 
degrees (FIG. 4) 
In FIG. 7, the length dimension D of the strap 30 between its end pieces 33 
and 34 (FIG. 3) may preferably be about four and one-half half inches, 
with a clearance gap dimension X of about 3/8 inch and a clearance gap 
dimension Y of about one-fourth inch. The dimension Z is at least about 
three inches, e.g. 31/4 inches. In FIG. 8, dimension E may preferably be 
about two inches. In an early model of a specific embodiment of the 
invention as described herein, the dimension X reached a maximum of about 
nine millimeters, and dimension Y was about six millimeters. The above 
dimensions were found in various models to be in accordance with the 
purposes of the invention. Hence, no changes in the stated dimensions were 
deemed necessary in a subsequent improvement in a model including added 
features of the invention as described herein, particularly with respect 
to FIGS. 15 through 14. 
Referring to FIG. 4, the general location of the strap 30 has been 
indicated at the left-hand portion of the section. Because of the 
illustrated twenty degree downward convergence of center portions of side 
surfaces 18 and 19 in the grip conforming portion 20, particularly 
identified as wall surfaces 35 (as indicated by angle AR3), the width of 
the substantially flat, inwardly displaced surface 20A of the terminal 
housing 11, dimension F, may be about two and one-half inches (F/2=1.25 
inches). The F dimension, consequently, conforms more conveniently to the 
palm of a user's hand, in that the latter dimension represents a reduction 
in width of twenty four percent of the width of the data terminal 10, 
about one fourth of its desired width to accommodate the keyboard 12 and 
the display 14. Thus, advantageously, the width of the strap, E, may be 
about eighty percent of dimension F (E/2=1 inch). The clearance gap for a 
user's fingers to be inserted between surface 20A and the strap 30 in the 
grip conforming region 20 is at least about six millimeters (i.e. at least 
about one-fourth inch) on an average over the longitudinal extent, 
dimension Z, FIG. 7, of this region. 
In accordance with an early model embodying features and advantages of the 
invention, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the casing or housing 11 was formed of 
main mating parts 41 and 42, as depicted in FIG. 5, and a battery drawer 
part 43, as shown, for example, in the left-hand bottom end portion of 
FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, parts 41 and 42, appropriately named upper and 
lower housing shells 41 and 42, respectively, are interlocked by a tongue 
and groove type joint 44 and are secured together by fasteners such as 45, 
to procure the shells in preferably a watertight or at least water 
resistant manner. The upper housing shell 41, consequently, substantially 
corresponds to the upper housing portion 11A, as herein previously 
described. The lower housing shell 42, corresponds similarly to the lower 
housing portion 11B. A modification has taken place with respect to the 
battery drawer part 43 which included in the overall functional 
description of the housing 11 a part of both upper and lower portions 11A 
and 11B. 
The drawer part 43 in general, as described with respect of the referred-to 
early embodiment of the invention included a battery drawer 43A, an 
internal portion of the drawer part 43 shown best in FIG. 4, extending a 
substantial distance into the bottom end portion 25 from the bottom end of 
the housing at 43, e.g., about three and one-half inches, where the total 
length of part 43 is about four and one-half inches. In accordance with an 
object of the invention of providing a weather resistant data terminal, 
the battery drawer part 43 provided in accordance with an early model as 
an embodiment of the invention a sealed bottom end to the housing shells 
41 and 42. 
The drawer part 43 accordingly shows an end cap part 46, as in FIG. 7, 
formed of two mating parts 46A, 46B with notches defining rear apertures 
for receiving typically D type subconnectors such as connector 47, shown 
in FIG. 10. The parts 46A, 46B were contemplated to include vertical 
guideways 48 for slidably receiving a vertically inserted printed circuit 
board 49. 
As shown in FIG. 12, the upper housing shell 41 adjacent the battery drawer 
43 and the corresponding end cap 46, has an elongated aperture with a 
connector 71 providing holes for receiving twenty pins of a header carried 
by section 46A of the drawer end cap 46, as the drawer part 43 is fully 
assembled with the housing shells 41 and 42. These pins may connect with 
suitable positions of the D-type connectors 47. The connectors 47 in turn 
may receive mating connectors from an auxiliary data input module, e.g., a 
bar code reader system, as is currently in use in accordance with the 
known prior art. 
By way of example, the internal drawer portion 43A of the part may have an 
interior space of sufficient volume to receive and be substantially filled 
by six 1.2 volt, 750 milliampere hour nickel cadmium rechargeable cells in 
side by side relationship. Such rechargeable cells are currently believed 
to be a suitable power source for the data terminals 10 to which the 
current invention pertains. As may be realized, the current invention in 
accordance herewith provides for a modification and improvement which 
permits the power source to be replaced in the field without jeopardizing 
the weather resistant sealed character of the shell portions 41 and 42 as 
will be further described herein. 
In accordance with the early embodiment of the invention, an O-ring placed 
in a grove 51, see FIG. 2, between the upper and lower housing shells 41 
and 42 and the battery drawer part 43, seals off the interior of the 
housing 11, preferably rendering the terminal 10 waterproof and capable of 
floating, while also providing a terminal which may be considered dust 
proof and submersible. 
A depressible grommet 61 is indicated in FIG. 3 and is depressible to 
unlatch the battery drawer 43 for complete removal from its receiving 
opening at the bottom end 25 of the housing 11. By way of example, the 
housing shells 41 and 42 and the battery drawer 43, particularly the end 
caps 46A and 46B may be of aluminum or magnesium, and may be sealed so 
that the data terminal 10 manufactured to a size of the referred-to 
dimensions will float in water, weighing less than two pounds (without the 
antenna 16). A typical antenna in accordance with the state of the art may 
weigh about two ounces to provide a total weight of about thirty ounces, 
for example. 
The strap 30, as disclosed in accordance with a more specific feature of 
the invention in general, including the end pieces 33 and 34, see FIG. 3, 
may weight about thirty grams, thus slightly in excess of one ounce. The 
strap 30, as described, is preferably resilient, to accommodate relatively 
smaller as well as larger size fingers and hands of various users. The 
elasticity of strap 30 is preferably such that, with the terminal 10 
supported by a hand inserted between strap 30 and surface 20A, the 
terminal 10 may be held and retained in the inserted hand for a normal 
range of adult hand sizes with a comfortable degree of pressure, 
preferably such as to substantially resist the terminal 10 slipping off 
the hand even when the hand is lowered into a vertical position, and the 
grip on the grip portion 20 by the user is substantially relaxed. 
A particular model in accordance with the early embodiment hereof, the 
strap 30 had a thickness of about 11/2 millimeters and was formed of a 
composite fabric-like material composed of 79% nylon, 11% polyester and 
10% rubber. The material had the appearance of six wide and relatively 
thick side-by-side bands linked at narrow and thin connecting portions 
about one millimeter wide. The strap was slightly pre-loaded, e.g., 
stretched about ten percent, as mounted by fastener sets 31 and 32. Such 
early embodiment of the strap 30, however, is but one example of a number 
of commercially available materials of the strap 30. A currently preferred 
strap 30 is a woven elastic material which consists essentially of 77% 
polyester and 23% natural rubber. The thickness of the strap 30 is 
approximately 1 1/4 millimeters. It can be seen that various types of 
material may be suitable for the function of retaining the data terminal 
10 in a user's hand when the user relaxes, momentarily, the grip on the 
terminal. 
In the early embodiment and as currently preferred for various models of 
the terminals 10, the clearance gap 81, as shown as an example in FIG. 7, 
between the strap 30 and the adjacent surface 20A is of a size, e.g., as 
at X and Y, over a substantial 32 longitudinal extent, e.g., as at Z, such 
that the user's fingers of one hand can be inserted, guided by the sloping 
surfaces 35, between surface 20A, see also FIG. 8, and the strap 30 in a 
quick smooth insertion motion (without a need to lift the strap 30 away 
from the contoured base 17 of the terminal 10 as a separate action and 
special effort). 
A similar but less preferred result is obtained if the strap 30 is wider 
and overhangs the sloping surface portions 35, e.g., if the width of the 
belt is substantially greater than dimension F, as identified in FIG. 8. 
Referring to FIG. 8, the lower portion 11B of the hand-held computer data 
terminal 10 has a transverse extent between lower side walls 18 and 19 of 
about three inches at each of the end portions 24 and 25. At the 
indentation 20, see FIGS. 1 and 6, the inwardly displaced bottom wall or 
surface 20A defines an indentation bottom plane, the indentation being 
substantial, in relation to which surface 20A the strap 30, FIG. 7, 
extends somewhat obliquely (since distances X and Y in FIG. 7 differ). The 
longitudinal extent of the indentation as shown by dimension Z, FIG. 7, is 
at least about three inches. 
In accordance with further objectives of the current invention and in 
accordance with the objects of the invention as already recited and 
referred to in the related parent application hereof, FIG. 15 shows a data 
terminal 10 which includes changes and modifications and improvements 
which constitute particular features of the current invention. 
Referring in particular to the pictorial representation of the data 
terminal being supported by the hand of a user, the hand is shown with the 
user's thumb placed along the side wall 18 of the housing 11, while the 
ends of the user's fingers extend along the hidden side wall 19, such that 
only the tips of the user's fingers are shown at 83. In this manner the 
frontal side of the housing 11, namely the upper shell 41 faces the user 
to present for easy viewing and access the window 13 with the underlying 
data display 14, and the keyboard 11. The top end 15 shows in the depicted 
preferred example of the invention a connector 84 to which a stub or whip 
antenna 16 may be connected in a known manner. Though the antenna 
connector 84 identifies the data terminal 10 shown in FIG. 15 as one of 
the interactive type data terminals, such as those including therein a 
transceiver and having the capability of being coupled by an RF link to a 
central computer, it should be understood that the improvements which are 
discussed with respect to the terminal 10 are also equally well applicable 
to batch type data terminals. 
Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown the data terminal 10 as seen from 
the rear, and showing the fully assembled lower housing shell 42. Strap 
end pieces, designated by the numerals 85 and 86, have been modified to 
include preferably two mounting fasteners 31 and 32 instead of three. 
However, the function of the strap end pieces 85 and 86 is unchanged to 
the extent that the strap end pieces secure the strap 30 as previously 
described to extend across the inwardly displaced underside or surface 20A 
of the grip conforming portion 20 of the lower housing shell 42. 
Furthermore, the strap end piece 86 centrally retains a battery latch 
release knob 87 of a latch assembly 88 which constitutes a change from the 
depressible grommet 61 as a release for the battery drawer 43 of the 
earlier described embodiment. An improved battery pack, designated 
generally by the numeral 90, occupies the bottom end of the housing 11 and 
is shaped to blend into the contour of the housing when the battery pack 
90 is fully inserted into the housing as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, for 
example. The release knob 87 is recessed into and flush with the outer 
surface of the respective strap end piece 86, and is slotted to be rotated 
by a typical key implement or coin to release the inserted battery pack 90 
or lock it in place. A turn in the clockwise direction of the release knob 
87 will lock the battery pack 90 into its inserted position within the 
housing 11, while an approximate quarter turn of the release knob in the 
counter-clockwise direction will release the battery pack 90 to permit the 
battery pack to be completely removed from the housing 11 The release knob 
87 is internally keyed and is fastened by means of a single, centered 
screw 91 to an internal camming member 92 of the latch assembly 88, the 
camming member 92 being illustrated, for example in FIG. 19. 
An end view of the bottom end of the data terminal 10, as viewed in the 
direction "18--18" indicated in FIG. 15, and as shown in FIG. 18, 
illustrates a further change from the earlier described embodiment of the 
invention, in that D-type connectors 93 and 94 are mounted entirely in an 
upper end cap 95 attached to the bottom end of the upper housing shell 41 
as improved in accordance with the currently preferred embodiment of the 
terminal 10. It should be realized that the two connectors 93 and 94 are 
but one possible arrangement for the upper end cap 95. It is contemplated, 
for example, to use one of the connectors, such as the connector 94 as an 
input connector for a bar code reader (not shown), such bar code reader 
being one of types currently in use in conjunction with other prior art 
bar code reader terminals. The other connector 93, for example, may be 
connected to a standard serial data port, such as an RS-232 port, for 
example. As will become apparent from the further description of the 
attachment of the end cap 95, it is quite reasonable to remove the end cap 
95 and replace it with an alternate end cap (not shown) which would be 
identical to the end cap 95 in its provision for being mounted to the 
upper housing shell 41, but would provide for only one of the connectors 
93 or 94, or in the alternative provide for mounting a third type of 
connector different in pin numbers from either the connectors 93 or 94. 
Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown an exploded side elevational view 
of the modified and improved housing 11. FIG. 17 in particular illustrates 
the manner of assembly of the upper housing shell 41 to the lower housing 
shell 42, and showing in addition the referred to advantageous assembly of 
the end cap 95 to the bottom end of the upper housing shell 41. A prior 
alignment procedure using a tongue and groove joint (formerly 44 in FIG. 
5) is changed to aligning the upper housing shell 41 to the lower housing 
shell by means of a projecting ledge 96 extending from the upper housing 
shell 41 toward the lower housing shell 42. The ledge 96 becomes aligned 
with a complementary recess 97, also shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Inserting 
the ledge 96 into the recess 97 also aligns complementary surfaces on the 
respective adjoining portions of the upper and lower housing shells 41 and 
42. In the preferred embodiment the adjoining complementary surfaces are 
flat interface surfaces 98 and 99. A flat, resilient sealing gasket 100 is 
preferably interposed as part of the assembly of the data terminal 10 
between these complementary interface surfaces 98 and 99 of the upper and 
lower housing shells 41 and 42 to provide a water proof or at least water 
resistant seal between the two shells. Fasteners 101 and 102 are inserted 
through the lower housing shell 42 and tightened into the upper housing 
shell 41 to join the two shells to each other in sealing engagement. It 
should be noted that the seal of the housing is complete except for the 
assembly of the end cap 95 as shown in a sectional view taken in a 
direction indicated by the view "A--A" in FIG. 18. 
In particular, the end cap 95 is matched with a suitable end seat 104 which 
includes a recess 105 for mounting an O-ring 106. The inner ends -07 of 
the connectors 93 and 94 may be coupled to suitable mating pins, sockets 
or connecting wires adjacent an end pedestal 108, such that the respective 
connectors 93 and 94 or any other similar connector may be mounted through 
a sealing gasket 109 to the end cap 95. The mounting of both the 
connectors 93 and 94 as well as the end cap 95 to the upper housing shell 
41 is accomplished with suitable fasteners, such as screws 110 which are 
screwed into the end pedestal 108, pushing the end cap 95 into sealing 
engagement with the O-ring 106 and urging the connectors into sealing 
engagement with the gasket 109. The screws 110 when tightened establish 
the seal to the end seat 104 of the upper housing shell 41 by securely 
forcing inner surfaces 111 of the end cap 95 against the O-ring and 
tightly seal the connectors against their respective mounting surface 112 
of the end cap by the interposed gasket 109. At that stage of assembly of 
the upper and lower housing shells 41 and 42 and the end cap 95, the data 
terminal is sealed off from environmental access. 
While the batteries described with respect to the earlier embodiment are 
rechargeable batteries, the batteries being consistent with the current 
preferred embodiment, under certain circumstances, such as during 
prolonged inventory work, extended work periods may exceed the working 
cycle of the battery pack 90, thus also of the batteries of the earlier 
battery drawer 43. It may, consequently, become desirable to exchange a 
discharged battery pack 90 for a fully charged reserve battery pack 90 of 
the same type. Sealing the data terminal 10 separately from the battery 
pack 90 enables the user to exchange battery packs without exposing the 
sealed components within the housing 11 to hazards of an open environment. 
Details of a battery compartment or cavity 115 in the lower housing shell 
42 are illustrated in reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. In particular, FIG. 19 
shows a top view into the lower housing shell 42 and into the battery 
compartment 115. FIG. 20 is a sectioned side elevation of the lower 
housing shell 42 in combination with an exploded view illustrating the 
assembly of a battery compartment shelf 116 to the shell 42 to seal the 
battery compartment 115 from the remainder of the space enclosed by shell 
42. The top view of the lower housing shell 42 shows the flat interface 
surface 99 of the periphery of the lower shell 42. An interior cross wall 
118 separates the interior space of the lower shell 42 into a main cavity 
119 and a second cavity which is the battery compartment 115. In reference 
to the side elevation of FIG. 20, it is apparent that an end opening 120 
into the lower housing shell 42 continues to exist after the lower shell 
42 is sealed to the upper shell as already described. To effectively seal 
off the battery compartment 115 from the remainder of the enclosure formed 
by the lower shell 42, the battery compartment is sealed in the plane of 
the surface 99 by mounting against a peripheral seat 122 a shelf 124. The 
shelf 124 has the general dimension internal of the shape of the 
peripheral seat 122, providing, however, a clearance space for an O-ring 
125 or similar type sealing gasket. In assembling the shelf 124 to the 
shell 42, the O-ring 125 is slipped over a flange 126 about the periphery 
of the shelf 124. The shelf 124 is inserted into the space bounded by the 
peripheral seat 122, and upon attaching the shelf to the lower shell 42 
with fasteners, such as screws 127 threaded into respective apertures 128 
in the lower shell 42, the seal 125 seats itself between the flange 126 of 
the shelf and the peripheral seat 122. 
The battery pack 90 is in accordance with the invention a multi-functional 
component. The battery pack 90 includes a casing 130, shown in FIG. 21. 
The casing 130 is comprised of an outer casing portion 131 having 
substantially the width of the terminal 10, hence that of dimension B. 
Opposite lateral edges 132 of the outer casing portion 131 are knurled to 
ease handling of the battery pack 90, particularly during insertion into 
and removal from the data terminal 10. From the outer casing portion 131 
extends an inner casing portion 134 having a necked down width and being 
of a size including height and width to be slidingly received through the 
opening 120 at the end of the lower housing shell 42, as illustrated in 
FIG. 20, for example. Shoulders 136 formed at the juncture between the 
outer and inner casing portions 131 and 134 function as a stop against 
edges of the opening 120 in the lower shell 42 to control the amount of 
insertion of the battery pack 90 into the battery compartment 115. 
Centered within the space defined by the casing 130 are nine battery cells 
140 preferably arranged in a three-by-three planar arrangement. The 
battery cells are preferably of the 1.2 volt type nickel cadmium 
rechargeable battery type as heretofore described. It is desirable to 
provide for recharging the battery cells 140 without the need to remove 
them from the battery compartment 115. It is further desirable to be able 
to control the charging rate of a charger to allow the battery cells 140 
to be charged without damage due to an overcharge. The battery pack 90, 
consequently, includes protection circuitry to prevent, when properly 
implemented, such harmful overcharges. A diagram of a circuit 142 for 
sensing the temperature of the battery pack 90 and also for controlling 
the charging current in response to a change in the temperature of the 
battery pack 90 during a charging operation is shown in FIG. 24. 
In reference to FIG. 24, the battery cells 140 are schematically shown as 
being coupled in series with a resistor 143 and a 
positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor 144 between a (+CHRG) positive 
power lead 145 and a ground lead 146, also labeled as GRND. A temperature 
sensing lead 147, labeled in the diagram also as T.SENSE is coupled to a 
voltage divider junction 148 of a series coupling of a temperature sensing 
element 149 coupled with one of its terminals 150 to the ground lead 146 
and a resistor 150 coupled between the other terminal at 148 and the 
positive power lead 145. 
The battery pack 90 also provides certain access connections for electrical 
functions. Time used for recharging the battery pack 90 may consequently 
be used to simultaneously transfer data to and from the data terminal 10 
using the access connections. The control circuit 142 consequently 
includes further electrical connections which provide access through the 
casing 130 between the data terminal 10 and an external contact. In 
particular, the circuit 142 includes in its preferred embodiment a charge 
control lead 151 to be coupled to the circuitry encased by the housing 11 
of the data terminal 10, and a pair of LAN (Local Area Network) 
connections 152 which may be coupled during charging periods to data 
communications circuits within the data terminal 10. The described 
flexible circuit 142 is preferably assembled into the casing 130 of the 
battery pack 90 in a peripheral, nest-like position surrounding the 
battery cells 140 as shown in FIG. 21. The thermistor 144 and the 
temperature sensing element 149 are placed within the casing 130 into 
contact with surface portions of the battery cells 140. 
The flexible circuit 142 is then electrically coupled to respective 
connector terminals in the casing 130 of the battery pack 90. Outer 
contact lands 153 of the flexible circuit 142 are attached, such as by 
soldering, to respective outer terminals 155 located along a trailing edge 
156 of the outer casing portion 131. Correspondingly, inner contact lands 
158 of the circuit 142 are similarly attached to inner terminals 159 at 
the innermost extension of the inner casing portion 134. The outer 
terminals 155 establish electrical connection from outside of the data 
terminal 10 through the battery pack 90 directly to the data terminal, 
such that the battery pack 90 functions as a power source as well as an 
electrical conduit and external connection element of the terminal 10 
itself via the inner terminals 159. The plan view of the battery pack 90 
of FIG. 21 shows as a preferred example six of the inner terminals 159 
mounted in an extension of the inner casing portion 134. The terminals 159 
include contact elements 161 extending from the inner casing portion 134. 
The contact elements 161 are preferably spring contacts which are 
substantially flush with a top surface 162 of the casing 130, as shown in 
FIG. 22. 
As the battery pack 90 is inserted into the battery compartment 115, a 
bottom surface 163 of the inner casing portion 134 slides along support 
rails 164 illustrated in FIG. 20. The support rails 164 extend the length 
of the battery compartment 115 on the inside of the contoured surface of 
the lower housing shell 42. Inner top surfaces of the rails 164 extend 
substantially parallel to the shelf 124, thereby providing a straight 
guiding surface beyond the shoulders into an inner region of the housing 
corresponding outwardly to the grip conforming central portion 20 of the 
lower housing shell 42. The rails 164 consequently guide the battery pack 
90 within the space between the rails 164 and the shelf 124 into the 
battery compartment. When the battery pack 90 is fully inserted into the 
battery compartment 115, the leading contact elements 161 have advanced 
into contact with complementary contacts 165 located in the shelf 124 as 
shown in FIG. 22. In the preferred embodiment, the shelf 124 is preferably 
of insulating material, such as plastic. The contacts 165 may be rivet 
type contacts attached to molded apertures in the shelf, extending as 
sealed connections through the wall of the shelf 124 as shown in FIG. 22. 
Electrical connections from the contacts 165 to the interior of the 
housing 11 are preferably provided by means of a flat cable 167 attached 
directly to terminations of the contacts 165 as they extend through the 
wall of the shelf 124 into the interior of the housing 11. A connector 168 
is typically attached to the end of the flat cable 167 to establish 
desired electrical connections to circuitry of the data terminal 10. 
Upon insertion of the battery pack 90 into the battery compartment 115, a 
latch protrusion -70 on the bottom surface 163 of the inner casing portion 
134 (see FIG. 22) becomes located inward of the internal camming member 92 
of the latch assembly 88, as shown in FIG. 19. A quarter turn of the 
release knob 87 on the outside of the housing 11 in the direction of the 
arrow 171 will lock the battery pack 90 in place within the battery 
compartment 115 and secure electrical power connections to the data 
terminal 10 as described herein. As may be seen in reference to FIGS. 19 
and 20, the inner end of the battery compartment 115 extends into 
overlapping relationship with the grip conforming portion 20, as 
heretofore described. The battery pack 90 when inserted into the housing 
11 thereby becomes located adjacent the center of the length of the 
housing 11. It has been found that in such preferred position of the 
battery, the weight of the battery pack 90 advantageously balances the 
data terminal 10 in the palm of the user's hand when the terminal is held 
by the user in the grip conforming portion 20. It appears that with the 
palm of the hand of a user facing up, the lower side of the hand adjacent 
the small finger, the pinkie, is more likely to sustain weight than the 
side of the hand on which the index finger is located The battery pack 90, 
by advantageously distributing the weight of the terminal about grip 
conforming portion 20, encourages the use of the grip conforming portion 
in contrast to holding the terminal in other, less comfortable positions. 
The position of the battery pack 90 contributes thereby to a subtle, yet 
beneficial result, namely that of discouraging a user from holding the 
terminal 10 in a manner which may not only be less comfortable to the 
user, but which may also expose the terminal to greater risk of being 
dropped or placed aside into an unsafe location The balance of weight of 
the battery pack 90 contributes to the overall comfort of handling the 
terminal 10 in the described manner. 
In further reference back to FIG. 21, it is to be realized that the battery 
casing 130 is shown without cover for purposes of illustration. When the 
battery cells 140 and the flexible circuit 142 have been mounted within 
the casing 130 as previously described, they may be bonded to the casing 
130 to permanently attach them in position therein. The casing 130 is then 
preferably covered and sealed for protection against dust and water. In 
accordance with safety practices, a breather hole (not shown) through the 
casing may be provided to minimize the risk of internal pressure from 
building up and blowing apart the casing 130. The breather hole may be 
provided at any convenient location, preferably located internal of the 
compartment 115 when the battery pack 90 is inserted therein. The size of 
the hole may be in the order of 1/16th of an inch. A micro-pore filter 
patch may be applied to cover the aperture to prevent water from entering 
the interior of the battery casing. 
FIG. 23 shows in an exploded view of major structural elements of the data 
terminal 10 and particularly of those elements and components discussed 
herein above, to further illustrate the assembly of such elements and 
components into the housing 11 as comprised of the upper and lower shells 
41 and 42, respectively. FIG. 23 further shows a preferred flat battery 
casing cover 172, referred to generally above. Other components of the 
data terminal 10, though not considered structural components of the 
terminal or of the battery compartment 115 and battery pack combination, 
are shown for illustrative purposes and for better understanding of the 
assembly of the discussed components. 
In the lower housing shell 42, an alarm speaker 174 is assembled into the 
base of the main cavity 119. A main communications circuit module 175 is 
assembled into the lower housing shell 42 adjacent a transceiver module 
176 which may be encased with an interior shield and cover 177 and 178, 
respectively. The display 14 and a keyboard switch and circuit module 179 
are assembled to and with respect to the upper housing shell 41. Various 
components are electrically interconnected by typical connectors, such as 
those shown at 180 and 181. Also, the antenna mount 84 may be coupled 
through the lower housing shell 42 with a typical O-ring type seal or 
gasket and tightened to the shell with a nut as shown at 182. 
It should be understood, however, that in addition to the discussed 
variations and changes, other changes and modifications in the structure 
of the described embodiment are possible without departing from the spirit 
and scope of the invention which is sought to be defined by the claims 
appended hereto.