Abstract:
This invention relates to alignment devices for input/output devices to printers. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a locating foot that is attached to the input/output device which fits into a locating and referencing means on the underside of the printer stand or under—mounted input device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to alignment devices for aligning input/output devices to printers. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a locating foot that is attached to the input/output device which fits into a locating and referencing means on the underside of the printer stand or under—mounted input device. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     It is known, in printer/paper handling devices, to employ various alignment devices. Exemplary of such alignment devices are U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,240 (&#39;240) to P. T. Pendell et. al., entitled “System for Aligning a Printer with a Finisher” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,578 (&#39;578) to R. A. Naramore et. al., entitled “Low Manual Effort System for Removably Mounting Paper Handling Modules to Reproduction Machines.” While the (&#39;240) and (&#39;578) patents demonstrate various apparatus and methods for aligning a printer with an input/output device, these patents do not employ a locating foot. Consequently, a more advantageous alignment system would be presented if such a locating foot where utilized. 
     It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for an alignment system which is lightweight through simplicity of parts and uniqueness of structure, and which at least equals the alignment characteristics of the known alignment devices, but which at the same time employs a locating foot that is attached to the input/output device. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, this invention fulfills these needs by providing an alignment and stabilizing device for aligning an input/output device with a printer, comprising an input/output device having a locking means, the first alignment means hingedly attached to a lower end of the input/output device, wherein the first alignment means is comprised of a unitary base means, a pivot means located substantially within one end of the base means and operatively connected to the input/output device, and a base height adjustment means operatively connected to the other end of the base means, and a printer means, wherein the printer means is comprised of a second alignment means which interacts with the first alignment means and a receiving means for receiving a locking means. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the base means is constructed of a durable polymeric material. Also, the base height adjustment means includes a roller or a slider. Finally, the locking means includes a latch. 
     In another further preferred embodiment, the alignment device allows for a quick and precise alignment of the input/output device with the printer. 
     The preferred alignment device, according to this invention, offers the following advantages: lightness in weight; ease of assembly and repair; good stability; excellent durability; excellent alignment; and good economy. In fact, and many of the preferred embodiments, these factors of weight, assembly, durability, and alignment are optimized to the extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known alignment devices. 
     The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an alignment device, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the alignment device of FIG. 1, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the alignment device of FIG. 1, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the alignment device in use, according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the alignment device on the input/output device and the alignment pins on the printer, according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an advantageous environment for the use of the concepts of this invention. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates alignment device or foot  20  which is pivotally attached to a conventional input/output device  4  at conventional pivot  6 . Alignment device  20  includes, in part, unitary base  22 , height adjustment means  24 , pivot arm  26 , pivot arm reinforcement means  27 , and conventional pivot arm fasteners  28 . 
     Base  22  and pivot arm reinforcement means  27  are, preferably, constructed of any suitable, durable polymeric material by any conventional technique, such as molding. Height adjustment means  24  can be constructed of a slider which is constructed of any suitable, durable polymeric material or, instead, a roller can be inserted into the location where the slider is placed. Various sizes of sliders or rollers can be utilized in order to adjust the height of alignment device  20  with respect to input/output device  4  and/or printer  50  (FIG.  4 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 2, alignment device  20  is located at the bottom of input/output device  4  near roller  8 . However, it is to be understood that alignment device  20  can be located at the bottom of printer  50  and alignment pins  52  (FIG. 5) can be located at the bottom of input/output device  4 . As can be seen in FIG. 2, the end user merely pushes down on release mechanism  30  in order to pivot alignment device  20  up towards input/output device  4  along the directions of arrows A. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, alignment device  20  is located in its down position. Release button  30  is also illustrated. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the initial alignment of input/output device  4  and conventional printer  50 . Conventional latches  10  on input/output device  4  are also illustrated. As can be seen in FIG. 4, latches  10  interact with conventional holes  54  in printer  50  in order to keep input/output device  4  attached to printer  50 . Conventional electronic cables (not shown) are attached between input/output device  4  and printer  50  so that they can electronically interact with each other. It is to be understood that latch  10  and holes  54  would be eliminated by providing a conventional locking device on the outside of alignment device  20  which interacts with alignment pins  52 . 
     Finally, FIG. 5 illustrates the vertical alignment pins  52  which are rigidly attached to the underside of the printer  50 . Pins  52  are conventionally attached to printer  50  and allow precise alignment of alignment device  20  within the bottom of printer  50 . 
     In order to prove the efficacy of the present invention, the following operational example is provided. If, for example, there is a paper jam between input/output device  4  and conventional printer  50 , the end user merely releases latches  10  and pulls input/output device  4  from conventional printer  50 . Due to the fact that there is no rail connection, as discussed above with respect to the prior art, the end user can turn input/output device  4  in any direction in order to separate input/output device  4  from printer  50 . Due to this unique construction, input/output device  4  and printer  50  can be located in a relatively small area. Finally, alignment device  20  can be lifted out of the way by pushing release button  30  and rotating it towards input/output device  4 . 
     After input/output device  4  has been separated from printer  50 , the end user can easily reach the paper jam and remove the jammed paper (FIG.  4 ). Once the jammed paper has been removed, alignment device  20  can be swung downward into place. Input/output device  4  is then pushed towards printer  50  such that alignment device  20  interacts with vertical alignment pins  52  in order to precisely online input/output device with printer  50  (FIG.  5 ). 
     Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.