Patent US5086879A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5086879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scale calibration/zeroing in data gathering system
Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Inc
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Filing: 1990-09-04
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2010-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter for determining information about products presented for purchase at the counter including the weight of such products comprises two support flanges within the checkout counter. The support flanges define a portion of an upper surface of the data gathering system and a scale supported by the flanges defines the remaining upper surface which comprises a weighing platter for the scale. A scale calibrating and zeroing system is incorporated into the support flanges to be accessible through the upper surface of the data gathering system such that the scale can be periodically zeroed and calibrated as necessary to maintain the accuracy of the scale without removal of the data gathering system from the counter.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Latimer
- 👤 Howard H. Nojiri
- 👤 James F. Million
- 👤 Steven R. Grimm
- 👤 David S. Platt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G23/00; G01G23/01; G01G23/017; A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/046; G01G23/14; G01G23/16; G01G23/163; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G1/0054; G01G19/00; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter for determining information about products presented for purchase at the counter including the weight of products placed upon a weighing portion of an upper surface of the system which is substantially aligned with an upper surface of said counter, said data gathering system comprising: support means for supporting said data gathering system within said checkout counter, said support means defining a portion of the upper surface of said data gathering system; scale means secured to said support means and coupled to said weighing portion of the upper surface of said system for determining weights of products placed thereon; and scale adjusting means for calibrating and zeroing said scale means, said scale adjusting means comprising a scale zeroing switch connected to said scale means and being incorporated into said support means to be accessible to an operator of said data gathering system through the upper surface thereof and a scale calibration switch connected to said scale means and accessible to scale service personnel but inaccessible to an operator of said data gathering system whereby said scale means can be periodically zeroed and calibrated as necessary to maintain the accuracy of said scale means without removal of the data gathering system from said counter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter for determining information about products presented for purchase at the counter including the weight of products placed upon a weighing portion of an upper surface of the system which is substantially aligned with an upper surface of said counter, said data gathering system comprising: support means for supporting said data gathering system within said checkout counter, said support means defining a portion of the upper surface of said data gathering system; scale means secured to said support means and coupled to said weighing portion of the upper surface of said system for determining weights of products placed thereon; and scale adjusting means for calibrating and zeroing said scale means, said scale adjusting means comprising a scale zeroing switch connected to said scale means and being incorporated into said support means to be accessible to an operator of said data gathering system through the upper surface thereof and a scale calibration switch connected to said scale means and accessible to scale service personnel but inaccessible to an operator of said data gathering system whereby said scale means can be periodically zeroed and calibrated as necessary to maintain the accuracy of said scale means without removal of the data gathering system from said counter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises two support flanges which engage said counter to suspend said data gathering system therewithin and said scale adjusting means is incorporated into one of said support flanges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a housing formed into one of said support flanges wherein said scale adjusting means is enclosed in said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said scale zeroing switch is supported within said housing to be accessible to an operator of said data gathering system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said scale calibration switch is supported within a chamber formed in said housing and accessible to scale service personnel upon opening said chamber within said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 5 wherein said chamber is sealed to prevent access to said calibration switch by unauthorized personnel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said scale adjusting means further comprises a light source for signalling persons utilizing said scale adjusting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 7 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a circuit board mounted within said chamber, said scale zeroing switch, said scale calibration switch and said light emitting diode being connected to said circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a cover panel forming an upper wall of said chamber, said scale zeroing switch and said light emitting diode extending through said cover panel which serves to cover and seal said scale calibration switch within said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said housing is closed by a movable door.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 11 wherein said movable door is hingedly mounted, formed of a ferromagnetic material and maintained in a closed position over said housing by magnets embedded within the support flange including said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 12 wherein said scale zeroing switch is supported within said housing and accessible to an operator of said data gathering system by opening said door.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 13 wherein said scale calibration switch is supported within a chamber formed in said housing and accessible to scale service personnel upon opening said door into said housing and opening said chamber within said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 14 wherein said chamber is sealed to prevent access to said calibration switch by unauthorized personnel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 15 wherein said scale adjusting means further comprises a light source for signalling persons utilizing said scale adjusting means and said door includes a window through which said light source may be viewed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 16 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a circuit board mounted within said chamber, said scale zeroing switch, said scale calibration switch and said light emitting diode being connected to said circuit board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A data gathering system adapted to be installed within a checkout counter as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a cover panel forming an upper wall of said chamber, said scale zeroing switch and said light emitting diode extending through said cover panel which serves to cover and seal said scale calibration switch within said chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |