Patent Publication Number: US-2005142940-A1

Title: Quick-remove bar code scanner cable

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60507421 entitled Quick-Remove Bar Code Scanner Cable filed Sep. 30, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to bar code scanner cables. More particularly it relates to quick-remove bar code scanner cables with a low-cost, multi-interface, overmolded circuit board used as the connector.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      Prior art scanners use a separate connector and board. There are two solder joints connecting the connecting cable to the scanner. One at the board and one at the connector.  
      There is a need for a rugged scanner cable connection that is low cost and easy to replace.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a rugged scanner cable connection. The board acts as a connector eliminating the need for a separate connector. One end of the cable board is soldered to the cable end. The board has connector pads at the other end. The cable board assembly is over molded with protective plastic to form a single rugged unit. The scanner end contains a simple receptacle for the board edge. The smart board in the cable allows multiple interfaces to be supported. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is a first embodiment of the scanner connector.  
       FIG. 2  is a second embodiment of the scanner connector.  
       FIG. 3  is a third embodiment of the scanner connector.  
       FIG. 4  is the exterior of an overmolded cable. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a rugged scanner cable connection  10 . The board  11  acts as a connector eliminating the need for a separate connector. One end of the cable board  11  is soldered to the cable  80  end. The board  80  has connector pads  12  at the other end.  
      The cable board  11  assembly is over molded with protective plastic  13  to form a single rugged unit. The scanner end contains a simple receptacle for the board edge. The smart board in the cable allows multiple interfaces to be supported.  
      The inventive connector eliminates two solder joints and a connector. One solder joint is eliminated at the board and one at the connector.  
      The board  11  of the inventive conductor functions as the connector. As a result, material and manufacturing costs are reduced and reliability is enhanced.  
      In one embodiment, the board has gold contacts  16  at one end. The other end is connected to the cable  80 . The cable  80  can be connected to the scanner by contacting a card edge connector  14  to the gold contacts  16  on the board  11 . Preferably, it connects to the scanner handle  22  the card edge connector is connected to the main board in the scanner with a flex connection  18 .. The main board is operatively associated with the optical parts  30  of the scanner  20 . The scanner  20  can have any shape such as a wand or gun.  
      In an alternative embodiment, the board  11  has contacts  12  at one end and the other end is connected to the cable  80 . The cable  80  can be connected to the scanner by mating two banks of six contacts on a SIM or smart card  24  located on a connection board  26  of the scanner with the contacts  12  of the cable board  11 . The connection board  26  is operatively associated with the main board  28  of the scanner  20 . The main board  28  is operatively associated with the optical parts  30  of the scanner. The scanner can have any shape such as a wand or gun.  
      An alternative embodiment has a cable  80  that provides strain relief  90  to prevent damage to the cable.  
      The scanner has a SIM/smart card  24  with pads  60 . A protection box  70  is associated with the SIM/smart card  24 . The SIM/smart card  24  is connected at the pads  60  to wires  50  in the cable. The wires  50  are connected to the cable  80 . Associated with the cable is a metal ring  40 .