Abstract: A flexible, modular mounting system for an industrial process terminal or similar instrumentation. The instrumentation may be panel mounted or DIN rail mounted using an enclosure having only a minimum number of unique components. An instrument housing is included for containing various electronic components of such a terminal. The housing is adapted to mate with a DIN rail, and can easily be fitted with mounting brackets that allow the housing to be used in a panel mounted arrangement. In the latter case, a user interface module is located on an opposite side of a panel wall and connected to the appropriate electronic components of the instrumentation through an opening provided therein.

Abstract: A flexible, modular mounting system for an industrial process terminal or similar instrumentation. The instrumentation may be panel mounted or DIN rail mounted using an enclosure having only a minimum number of unique components. An instrument housing is included for containing various electronic components of such a terminal. The housing is adapted to mate with a DIN rail, and can easily be fitted with mounting brackets that allow the housing to be used in a panel mounted arrangement. In the latter case, a user interface module is located on an opposite side of a panel wall and connected to the appropriate electronic components of the instrumentation through an opening provided therein.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing electronic circuitry having a base and a cover with side walls includes a non-exposed fastening mechanism for securing, sealing, centering, and releasing the cover relative to the base. The fastening mechanism includes a ledge on the inside of a cover side wall and a restraining clip having a fixed leg mounted to the base and a flexible leg movable towards and away from the fixed leg and which engages the ledge when the cover is positioned on the base. A resilient gasket is fastened to the cover and positioned to seal the cover to the base and to be resiliently compressed when the cover is positioned on the base. The resilient compression of the gasket maintains the flexible leg in contact with the ledge to secure the cover to the base. The flexible leg also maintains the cover side wall away from the base. Several restraining clips are spaced apart on the base so that the flexible legs center the cover in at least one direction relative to the base.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus employing dual load cells or dual load cell sets is provided with a hinged weigh frame attachment to transmit only vertical load to one load cell or set of load cells and prevent transmission of moments about the longitudinal axis. A ball and dual cup arrangement is connected between the weigh frame and the other load cell or set of load cells to transmit vertical load but prevent the transmission of moments about either the longitudinal or transverse axes of the load cell. Because of the decoupling arrangements, the weighing apparatus requires only longitudinal shift adjustment for only the load cell(s) connected to the hinge.

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.

Abstract: A spill control mounting arrangement for a data gathering system which is installed within a checkout counter comprises configuring the data gathering system in two parts, a first part of the system being mounted below an upper surface of the counter and a second part of the system being supported thereon. The footprint of the first part is smaller than the footprint of the second part such that the first part is substantially shielded from spilled liquids by the second part which is constructed to be impervious to such liquids. In particular, the first part may comprise a mounting channel extending across the counter and being substantially narrower in width than the second part, approximately one third the width. Components of the data gathering system are mounted within the channel for mechanical protection as well as protection from spilled liquids. A crowned channel cover can also be provided to prevent a substantial portion of any spilled liquids from entering the channel.

Abstract: Housing/mounting apparatus for a data gathering system inserted into a checkout counter and including a weighing scale and an optical scanner supported thereon for scanning bar code labels and defining an upper weighing surface of the scale comprises a base supported within the checkout counter for supporting the data gathering system with the scale being secured to the base. A perimeter enclosure is secured to the base and houses the optical scanner. The scale includes a spider load receiving plate supported within the perimeter enclosure through an aperture in its floor. Locator pins and corresponding holes stably position the optical scanner on the scale load receiving plate and the optical scanner thus positioned is sized such that clearance gaps required for proper operation of the weighing scale are defined between the optical scanner and the perimeter enclosure. Leveling and fastener or clamping devices are incorporated into the base to facilitate installation and maintenance of the system.

Abstract: A two part data gathering system for use in a checkout counter to determine information relating to products to be purchased comprises a scale freely suspended within the checkout counter for determining weights of products, the scale including a scale load receiving plate located below the upper surface of the counter. An optical scanner is supported upon the scale load receiving plate for reading coded labels on the products. The optical scanner has an upper surface including an optical scanning window through which scanning light beams pass and is vertically positioned such that its upper surface is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the checkout counter when the optical scanner is supported upon the scale load receiving plate. The weight of the optical scanner is eliminated from the weight readings provided by the scale and the upper surface of the optical scanner becomes the scale weighing platter for receiving products to be weighed by the scale.