Patent Application
20080048971
An understanding of the present invention can be gained from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
a is an isometric view of a PDT in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
b is a rear plan view of a PDT in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
c is a side view of a PDT in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
d is an isometric view of a PDT with a battery removed.
a is an isometric view of a PDT and hand strap.
b is an isometric view of an accessory bracket.
c is an isometric view of an accessory bracket.
d is an isometric view of an alternative accessory interface as installed in a PDT.
e is a front view of the alternative accessory interface.
a through 5g are side views of battery housings in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
a and 6b are plan views of batteries in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. It is to be noted that an element number followed by a letter generally indicates multiple occurrences of similar, either in structure or function, elements. Further, the use of an italicized “n” associated with an element number generally denotes either an unspecified instance of such element or a partial or complete grouping of such elements—the meaning of which is to be drawn from the context of such use.
The following description will use nomenclature associated with a PDT, however those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present invention is applicable to a variety of other portable devices including bar code scanners, consumer electronics (including portable computing devices, portable radios, televisions and cell phones), and the like. It is anticipated that a variety of portable devices will benefit from the present invention, including the embodiments thereof described herein.
a is an isometric view of a bar shaped PDT 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The view in
The upper shell 304 is configured to facilitate access to a keypad 322 and a combination touch panel/LCD 320 (hereinafter referred to as touch screen 320). Additional keys 326n are located on the sides of the PDT 300. For purposes of clarity, the present description utilizes two major axis: a long axis L extending longitudinally through the PDT 300 (from a top end 301 to a bottom end 303) and a short axis S extending perpendicular to the long axis L and generally parallel to a plane formed by the touch screen 320.
b is a rear plan view of a PDT 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The view in
A finger saddle 303 is formed by the housing of the battery pack 306, the lower housing 302, and a raised portion 308 of the lower shell 302. In particular, the battery pack 306 forms a curved ridge 306a defining a first curve of the finger saddle 303. The curved ridge 306a supports a user's finger in a comfortable position in a relief 312. The relief 312 forms a channel generally parallel with the short axis S of the lower shell 302 across the lower shell 302 between the curved ridge 306a and a ridge 308a formed by the raised portion 308. The finger saddle 303 is also defined by a second curve along the long axis L of the PDT 300 (best seen in
One of the more useful features of the finger saddle 303 is providing a surface against which the user may exert a force generally pulling the PDT 300 toward the palm of the hand. This provides a feeling of stability while providing a secure comfortable grip on the PDT 300. While a particular shape and configuration of the finger saddle 303 has been described, it will be recognized that the finger saddle 303, and in particular the ridge 306a may comprise any shape which comfortably receives and supports one or more of an operator's fingers when the hand of the operator is in its naturally relaxed position. The remaining fingers of a users hand will generally rest on the battery pack 306. To provide further stability to a user, the battery pack 306 may be provided with one or more finger grooves, such as the grooves 306b, 306c, and 306d.
On the bottom end 303, a strap retention feature 360 is provided to secure one end of a strap. The strap retention feature 360, as illustrated, comprises a slot formed in the lower housing 302 through which one end of a strap may be passed. Alternative configurations include the securing of a metal or plastic bar within the housing.
c is a side view of a PDT in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Of note.
Referring to
d is an isometric view of a PDT with a battery removed. This figure illustrates the battery well 370 and the electrical contacts 372.
a is an isometric view of a PDT 300 and hand strap 400. The hand strap 400 includes a first end 402 provided with VELCRO and a second end 404 provided with a loop 406. The loop 406 may be made of elastic material so as to require stretching to slip over the disk 334. The hand strap 400 would, when secured to the strap retention feature 360 and looped around the column 330 (secured by the disc 334) of the accessory interface 314, function to secure the PDT 300 to the hand of a user—when the hand is inserted between the hand strap 400 and the PDT 300.
An alternative hand strap 401 is also illustrated. The alternative hand strap 401 simply comprises a band of stretchable material such as elastic, rubber or some other polymer. For example, a small diameter bungee cord may be used. The hand strap 401 would, when secured to the strap retention feature 360 and looped around the column 330 (secured by the disc 334) of the accessory interface 314, function to secure the PDT 300 to the hand of a user—when the hand is inserted between the hand strap 401 and the PDT 300. By simply pulling the hand strap off the accessory interface 314, it becomes a loop through which a user may insert his or her hand.
b is an isometric view of a belt clip 410. The belt clip 410 generally comprises a housing 412 that forms a slot 414 for receiving and securing the disk 334. Spring biased jaws (not shown) may be provided to secure the column 330 within the slot. The jaws may be separated by a button 416 to facilitate insertion and removal of the PDT 300. The belt clip 410 includes a spring loaded clip 416 for attaching to a users belt.
c is an isometric view of an accessory bracket 420. The accessory bracket 420 may be affixed to (or integrally molded with) an accessory and functions to mechanically secure and electrically connect the accessory to the accessory interface 314 (and hence the PDT 302). The accessory bracket 420 generally comprises a housing 422 that forms a slot 424 for receiving and securing the disk 334. The housing 422 also comprises contoured ribs 426a and 426b that match the contour of the lower housing 302 and provide support for the accessory bracket 420 and any associated accessory (not illustrated). The housing 422 supports one or more electrical contacts 426 for the transmission of power and/or data to and from any accessory associated with the bracket 420. Associated accessories may include batteries, automated data collection devices, hand grips, storage devices (such as FLASH memory and optical disks), and a variety of input/output devices (e.g. display screens, keyboards, headsets, microphones, and speakers). The accessory bracket 420 may be directly connected to a housing associated with the accessories or may be remotely connected a cable.
d is an isometric view of an alternative accessory interface 450 as installed in a PDT 300.
The body 452 of the accessory interface 450 is curved to match the housing 302 and the groove 336. The body 452i defines a space 462 which, when the accessory interface is secured in the groove 336, will create a gap accommodating the loop 406. To secure the accessory interface 450, two columns 464a and 464b are provided. Two reciprocal indentations may be provided in the groove 336 for mating with the columns 464a and 464b. A column 466 extends from the center of the body 452 into the space 462. The column 466 accommodates a screw 468 which secures the accessory interface 450 into the groove 336. The column 466 also secures the end of the hand strap.
a through 5f are side views of battery housings in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. These views illustrate a variety of features that may be incorporated into battery housings in accordance with the present invention. These views also illustrate the concept that a surface of the battery housing contributes to the ergonomics of the PDT and by swapping batteries, different ergonomic configurations may be provided.
a is a side view of the battery pack 306, partially illustrated in
b is a side view of a high capacity battery pack 506. As with the battery pack 306, a finger saddle is formed by the battery pack 506 when inserted into the lower housing 302. In particular, the battery pack 506 forms a curved ridge 506a defining a first curved shape of the finger saddle. The curved ridge 506a supports a user's finger in a comfortable position. The remaining fingers of a users hand will generally rest on the battery pack 506 engaging with one or more finger grooves, such as the grooves 506b, 506c, and 506d. The illustrated configuration also includes an integrally molded locking tab 522 with one or more protrusions 504 that, when inserted, are biased toward and engage reciprocal reliefs (also not illustrated) in the housing 302.
Batteries such as batteries 500 and 306 may differ in shape and volume. The batteries 306 and 506 may be though of as having two portions: a mating portion 530 that is inserted into and secured by the housing 302 and a surface portion 532 that forms a gripping surface for the PDT. The mating portion 530 will remain somewhat dimensionally stable (within manufacturing tolerances) across multiple batteries (at least for any given housing). The surface portion 532 may be dimensionally modified to provide a variety of ergonomic configurations. While the illustrated examples both have been shaped to blend with the edges of the housing 302, the surface portions of any given battery need not blend with the housing 302.
In the batteries illustrated in
It is to be understood that batteries may be designed that differ in height, shape, and/or scale. In general the shape of the upper surface 520n may take on any desired form—examples of which are illustrated hereinafter. It is also to be understood that while the batteries 306 and 506, as illustrated, are of a size corresponding to the battery well in the lower housing 302, that any particular battery need not be so limited. It is further possible to use the accessory interface 314, the accessory interface 450 or the groove 314 to assist with securing a battery having a housing that exceeds the foot print of the battery well.
c through 5g present examples of possible alternative embodiments in which the shape of the battery housing is adjusted to satisfy different needs of different users. To achieve varying ergonomics and/or functions a user simply swaps battery packs.
a and 6b are plan views of battery packs in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Although some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
