Data capture system with communicating and recharging docking apparatus, and modular printer and hand-held data terminal means cooperable therewith

In a data capture system,

• data communications means for the transmission of data, the data communications means including docking means for removably receiving a portable data device, the portable data device including means for communicatively coupling the portable data device with said data communications means,
• said docking means comprising receptacle means wherein a data device is removably inserted, a latch having a foot portion disposed in a base portion of the receptacle means, a latch projection for securely retaining an inserted data device in the receptacle means, and a retaining ledge, the latch being mounted to move between a data device receiving position wherein the foot extends into the space occupied by a data device upon insertion of a data device means into the receptacle means, and a data device retaining position wherein the latch projection securely retains the data device, a spring coupled to the latch to urge the latch toward the data device receiving position with the foot extending into the space of the receptacle means occupied by a data device when a data device is inserted into the receptacle means, and
• means for blocking the latch from reverse pivotal movement from the data device retaining position toward the data device receiving position, the latch blocking means being selectively disengageable, wherein, upon the latch blocking means becoming disengaged, the spring urges the latch toward the data device receiving position, and the foot is urged to pivot toward the space occupied by a data device means, to partly lift a data device out of the receptacle means.

In a data capture system,

• data communications means, including docking means having a receptacle for removably receiving a portable data device and for communicatively coupling a received data device to the data communications means, said docking means comprising receptacle means wherein a data device is removably inserted, a latch having a foot portion disposed in a base portion of the receptacle means, a latch projection for securely retaining an inserted data device in the receptacle means, and a retaining ledge, the latch being mounted to move between a data device receiving position wherein the foot extends into the space occupied by a data device upon insertion of a data device means into the receptacle means, and a data device retaining position wherein the latch projection securely retains the data device, a spring coupled to the latch to urge the latch toward the data device receiving position with the foot extending into the space of the receptacle means occupied by a data device when a data device is inserted into the receptacle means, and
• means for blocking the latch from reverse pivotal movement from the data device retaining position toward the data device receiving position, the latch blocking means being selectively disengageable and comprising a resilient strip mounted at one end to the docking means and having a bend at the other end thereof, the bend of the latch blocking means being disposed in a cooperative blocking position adjacent the retaining ledge upon the latch having moved into the data device retaining position, the latch blocking means further comprising an extension extending from the bend, the extension disposed against the latch adjacent the retaining ledge to limit further movement of the latch blocking means past the cooperative blocking position adjacent the retaining ledge thereby retaining the bend in a blocking relationship to the ledge of the latch, wherein, upon the latch blocking means becoming disengaged, the spring urges the latch toward the data device receiving position, and the foot is urged to pivot toward the space occupied by a data device means, to partly lift a data device out of the receptacle means.