US 12,236,388 B2
Mounting device for continuous hands-free scanning
Steven R. Quinn, Arlington, VA (US); Han T. Dinh, Falls Church, VA (US); and Charles P. McLellan, Fairfax, VA (US)
Assigned to UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/131,112.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/952,548, filed on Dec. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0192444 A1, Jun. 24, 2021
Int. Cl. B60R 11/00 (2006.01); G06Q 10/0833 (2023.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01)
CPC G06Q 10/0833 (2013.01) [B60R 11/00 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a magnetic mounting component;
a hose having a first distal end and a second distal end, wherein the hose is coupled to the magnetic mounting component at the first distal end;
a first spherical stud;
an adjusting component coupled to the second distal end of the hose via the first spherical stud, the adjusting component consisting of: a first bracket and a second bracket, a knob, and a bolt that is coupled with the knob; wherein the knob and the bolt move the first bracket and the second bracket towards or away from each other, and wherein the first bracket and the second bracket form sockets for the first spherical stud and a second spherical stud; and
a cradle coupled to the adjusting component via the second spherical stud and enabling 360° of rotation of the cradle,
wherein the cradle is configured to hold a scanning device such that a scanning beam of the scanning device faces downward to scan labels on items facing upwards, wherein the magnetic mounting component is configured to mount within a keeper for a locking latch of a track door of a vehicle when the track door is positioned above a loading area of the vehicle, wherein the scanning device operates hands-free to scan the items loaded through a door opening of the vehicle, wherein an arc of the hose can be adjusted and re-adjusted by applying physical force to the hose to adjust a position of the scanning device, and wherein the magnetic mounting component is configured to be removed after loading is completed.