Tilting wall-mounted optical scanner

An optical scanning device for reading indicia of a type having regions of different light reflectivity, the device comprising:

• a base member configured to be installed on a vertical surface;
• a scanning unit including a light scanning source directing a light beam across a field of view toward an indicia located within the field of view;
• a pivot structure connecting the scanning unit to the base member, the pivot structure having a generally horizontal axis of rotation about which the scanning unit rotates, relative to the base member, from a first scanning position in which the scanning unit with the field of view close to the wall is substantially flush against the base unit through a range of positions along a one-dimensional path to a final scanning position with the field of view moving progressively further from the wall;
• and
• a position-holding mechanism within the pivot structure;
• wherein the scanning unit is configured so that it may be rotated in a single-handed operation relative to the base member to adjust the spacing of the field of view from the vertical surface and wherein the position-holding mechanism within the pivot structure maintains the scanning unit at a selected angular position without tightening and without further adjustment of the mechanism.