Abstract: A battery-powered device, especially a hand-held, data collection terminal having an electro-optical scanner, includes a main housing, a battery pack separate from the main housing, and a latching mechanism for latching the battery pack in its assembled position on the main housing in which it is partially received in a correspondingly configured receiving recess of the main housing. Electrical circuitry in the device is shut down prior to battery pack removal. During idle periods, the device is supported on a cradle, with a back or handle portion of the device being received in a main compartment of the cradle. The cradle also includes an auxiliary compartment for receiving the battery pack for recharging the same.

Abstract: A battery-powered device (10), especially a hand-held, data collection terminal having an electro-optical scanner, includes a housing (11), a battery pack (12) separate from the housing (11), and a latching mechanism (18) for latching the battery pack (12) in its assembled position on the housing (11) in which it is partially received in a receiving recess (17) of the housing (11). The mechanism (18) includes a slidable latching member (19) with a portion (33) for engaging the recess (17) in the battery pack (12) and a locking button (20) that is transversely movable into position to retain the latching member (19) in its recess engaging position. Electrical circuitry in the device is shut down prior to battery pack removal by movement of the locking button (20) to effect release of the latching member (19) and to operate a power shut-down switch (34). In another embodiment, a battery compartment door (112) is used to operate a shut-down switch (134).