Pistol grip hand-held data terminal cooperable with communicating and recharging dock

Claim 1

In a data capture system, (a) hand held data terminal means having a size and weight to be held in one hand, and having an exterior; (b) said hand held data terminal means having rechargeable battery means for supplying power thereto during portable operation; (c) terminal receptacle means for releasably receiving said hand held data terminal means for the recharging of said rechargeable battery means; (d) said hand held data terminal means having electrical contact pad means for coupling with said rechargeable battery means; (e) said terminal receptacle means having cooperating electrical contact means for engagement with the electrical contact pad means of said hand held data terminal means when inserted into said terminal receptacle means such that recharging of said rechargeable battery means can be effected via said electrical contact pad means and the cooperating electrical contact means in engagement therewith; (f) said hand held data terminal means having said electrical contact pad means generally flush with said exterior thereof, said cooperating electrical contact means of said terminal receptacle means being resiliently urged for pressure engagement with said electrical contact pad means without requiring any substantial penetration of the terminal receptacle means into the hand held data terminal means, and the receptacle means engaging the hand held data terminal means and holding the hand held data terminal means to maintain said pressure engagement between said electrical contact pad means and the cooperating electrical contact means; (g) said hand held data terminal means having generally the shape of a pistol with a user interface at an upper side, an optical reader directed frontally and said electrical contact pad means being located remote from said upper side; (h) said terminal receptacle means having an extended supporting surface for confronting the exterior of said hand held data terminal means at an underside of the hand held data terminal means which is directed oppositely in comparison to said upper side; and (i) said electrical contact pad means of said hand held data terminal means having a normal position relative to said exterior in the absence of engagement with said cooperating electrical contact means, and not being deflected from said normal position relative to said exterior as the hand held data terminal means is inserted into position in said terminal receptacle means in spite of the pressure engagement of said cooperating electrical contact means therewith.