Registers – Cash registers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-02-27
Le, Thien M. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Cash registers
C312S330100, C312S223300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193150
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 11-14352 filed Jan. 22, 1999, the contents being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to devices that can be attached to drawers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device which prevent cables and the like from becoming caught in a drawer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there have been a large number of point of sale (“POS”) terminals/electronic cash registers (“ECRs”) to which bar code scanners are attached to read bar codes. Bar code scanners are generally classified as fixed, which may be fixed to the top of a counter, and hand-held, which are manipulated by a store clerk.
Although some hand-held bar code scanners are wireless, transmitting information without wires, the type which is connected to a POS terminal with a cable/wire is more common. The cable transmits bar code signals read from the bar code scanner to the POS terminal, and at the same time, supplies power to the bar code scanner to drive the bar code scanner.
When this type of hand-held bar code scanner is placed on the top of the POS terminal, the cable usually hangs down over the edge of the POS terminal. If the cable hangs down in front of a drawer (perhaps used for holding cash) of the POS terminal, the cable may become caught between the drawer and the body of the POS terminal when the drawer is closed. In this case, it is quite likely that the sheath of the cable or the cable itself will be broken, eventually resulting in a short or open circuit.
In particular, since the drawer of the POS terminal is biased away from the terminal by a strong spring, a certain amount of force must be exerted to close the drawer to oppose the force of the spring. With excessive force, chance of breaking the bar code scanner cable increases.
When the touch scanner cable is broken, it is impossible to read bar codes with the touch scanner. As a result, the product cannot be registered, and the check-out process is delayed when the data is manually entered. In addition, the body (frame and the like) of the POS terminal may be made of metal, and if the body or frame comes into contact with the scanner cable having a broken sheath, current intended to power the bar-code scanner may flow through the POS terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a mechanism which prevents a cable from becoming caught in a drawer.
It is a further object of the present invention to avoid damaging a cable draped over a drawer.
It is another object of the present invention to avoid damaging electronic equipment in a casing housing the drawer.
These and other objects are accomplished by providing a cable guide, drawer and terminal device. The terminal device has a casing. The drawer is moveable between open and closed positions into and out of the casing, respectively. The drawer has a front and a body, the front having a lip extending beyond the body. The cable guide has a guide part attached to the side of the drawer. The guide part has first and second ends. The first end is positioned toward the front of the drawer. The first end extends further beyond the body of the drawer than the second end. The guide part becomes progressively thinner from the first end to the second end so that a cable draped over the drawer is pushed away from the body of the drawer as the drawer is closed. The guide part may have a curved surface portion from the first end to the second end.
The guide part may be shaped so that it does not interfere with a member attached to a side surface of the drawer. The guide part may have an attachment portion attached to the side surface of the drawer. In this case, the front of the drawer may extend above the top of the body and the attachment portion may have a notch. The notch may be formed into the attachment portion to extend toward the front of the drawer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5339213 (1994-08-01), O'Callaghan
patent: 5897179 (1999-04-01), Wade
Fujitsu Limited
Le Thien M.
Staas & Halsey , LLP
Taylor Larry
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