Optical scanner aperture and light source assembly

An aperture and light source assembly for defining an illuminated scan line which is imaged by an imaging lens assembly of an optical scanner comprising:

• elongate aperture plate means for blocking light other than light from said illuminated scan line from entering said imaging lens assembly comprising a vertically disposed portion having a longitudinally extending, aperture defining slit at a top end thereof;
• and
• light source means for illuminating an object to be scanned which is positioned above said elongate aperture plate means comprising:
• first elongate bulb means for illuminating the object to be scanned from a position adjacent to a first lateral side of said vertically disposed portion of said aperture plate means and below said top end slit therein;
• second elongate bulb means for illuminating the object to be scanned from a position adjacent to a second lateral side of said vertically disposed portion of said aperture plate means and below said top end slit therein;
• connector and spacer means for fixedly connecting said first elongate bulb means in spaced apart, parallel relationship with said second elongate bulb means, a modular lighting unit being defined by said first and second bulb means and said connector and spacer means;
• and
• attachment means operably associated with said connector means for removably attaching said modular lighting unit to said optical scanner;
• whereby said first and second bulb means are modularly installable and removable from said optical scanner.