Patent Publication Number: US-2022227591-A1

Title: Printer Paper Tray Easy-Swap Paper Lift

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing computer printing aids, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture for a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift. 
     BACKGROUND 
     After placing paper into the paper tray of a printer and/or photocopier you may need to remove it to place a different size of paper or style of form into the tray. For instance, a user may have blank checks in the tray when paying bills but then need to remove the checks to secure them or to place regular blank paper in the tray. Current copier/printer trays do not have anything that helps get the paper out. Users must dig in with fingers or some impromptu tool to get under the stack to lift it out. This can be a safety issue as well as an issue of accessibility. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of manufacture for a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift. The easy swap paper lift includes a pair of side edges configured to slide with the pair of guide slots are cut into the opposing inner side walls of the paper tray, a rigid surface coupled to the pair of guide slots extending outward to engage under an outer end of a stack of paper within the paper tray, and a pair of lift tabs coupled to a top surface of the pair of guide slots extending outward from the opposing side walls of the paper tray, the pair of lift tabs raise the stack of paper. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the easy swap paper lift further includes a lifting spring coupled to a bottom surface of the rigid surface to force the rigid surface upward exposing the stack of paper within the paper for removal. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, one of the pair of lift tabs engage a restraining clip coupled to one of the side walls for restraining the easy swap paper lift in a lowered position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the easy swap paper lift further comprises a plurality of lifting springs coupled to a bottom surface of the rigid surface. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the easy swap paper lift further includes a restraining spring coupled to a front edge of the rigid surface and a bottom surface of the paper tray to force the rigid surface downward when the lift tabs are not lifted upward to exposing the stack of paper within the paper for removal. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rigid surface pivots about the connection with the pair of side edges as the rear edge of the rigid surface moves up and down as the pair of side edges slide up and down within the pair of guide slots. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the front edge of the rigid surface comprises a pair of sliding tabs on opposing sides of the rigid surface that engage sliding guide slots within the bottom surface of the paper tray. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the rigid surface extends under the stack of paper perpendicular to the pair of guide slots. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the easy swap paper lift engages legal size printer paper. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the easy swap paper lift engages letter size printer paper. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. 
     It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example computing system using an article of manufacture providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4 a - b    illustrate a side view of support elements that are part of an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for computer printing aids, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention. 
     In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one or more of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved. 
     The terms “printer” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g. a human, using a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift associated with the invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users. 
     The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Printer Paper Tray Easy-Swap Lift.” Invention may be used interchangeably with paper lift. 
     In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacture for providing computer printing aids. To better understand the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example computing system using an article of manufacture for a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. Users of computers  101  use printers  101  to generate output of all types. The printers  102  may print on different types of paper  110   a - b  such as letterhead, plain paper, and checks, legal sized, and letter sized papers among others. Many printers do not support enough different paper trays even if more than one is present. As such, users must stop what they are doing to remove one type of paper  110   a  and replace it with another type of paper  110   b  before a print job may be completed. 
     Many users find it difficult to get all of the sheets of paper of one type out of the tray in order to insert a different paper  110   b . Use of an inexpensive paper lift  201  that holds each type of paper  110   a - b  that may be inserted and removed from the paper tray of the printer  102  eliminates this difficulty that users experience. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. A stiff piece of plastic or metal may sit under the paper and has tabs at the top sides of the drawer. By lifting with the tabs, users lift the end of the paper stack until it is clear of the paper tray sides, enabling users to easily grasp the stack for removal. Alternately, a piece of the tray floor could be used. This additional piece of material could be connected to the rest of the tray floor with a hinge (not shown) and have the tabs connected to the top sides that would lift the movable portion of the tray floor enabling a person to easily grasp the stack of paper. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention. The paper lift  301  includes a bottom surface  303 , a pair of side edges  302   a - b  having lift tabs  305   a - b  on each side to raise a stack of paper  110   a - b  with the paper lift  301 . A pair of guide slots  304   a - b  are cut into the inner side walls of the paper tray  103 . The each of the pair of side edges  302   a - b  slide within a corresponding guide slot  304   a - b.    
     The present invention may also be implemented as a spring-loaded and hinged portion of the bottom of the tray  103 . When paper  110   a - b  is placed in the tray  103  and pushed down, a restraining catch can hold the bottom surface  303  down. A button at the top side of the tray would release the catch allowing the spring to lift the hinged portion of the floor to an angle that makes the paper easily grasped for removal. One or more spring(s) lifting springs  410  may be located under the bottom of the rigid surface  303 , but in the guide slots  304   a - b  may balance the weight of the paper  102   a - b  better to lift the paper evenly, so it could be either. 
       FIGS. 4 a - b    illustrate a side views of support elements that are part of an article of manufacture for providing a printer paper tray easy swap paper lift according to the present invention.  FIG. 4 a    shows the paper lift  301  in a retracted position in which the bottom surface  303  is flush against the bottom of the tray  103  and the side edges  302   a - b  are pressed down into the guide slots  304   a - b . The lift tabs  305   a - b  extend outward from the paper tray  103 .The paper tray  103  is shown with a stack of paper  110   a - b  within the paper lift  301  and between the side edges  302   a - b . The bottom surface  303  of the paper lift  301  is placed under the stack of paper  110   a - b . As the pair of side edges  302   a - b  rise, the underside of the rigid surface  303  lifts the stack of paper  110   a - b  to allow it to be changed from one type of paper to another type of paper. In this embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 a   , the bottom surface is a rigid surface  303  extending outward from the pair of side edges  302   a - b  that engages one end of the stack of paper  110   a - b  causing it to rise. 
       FIG. 4 b    shows the paper tray  103  and paper lift  301  of  FIG. 4 a    in which the paper lift  301  has been raised upward. A user may lift the paper lift  301  upward by holding and lifting one or both of the lift tabs  305   a - b . The pair of side edges  302   a - b  are also lifted upward in the guide slots  304   a - b  as the lift tabs  305   a - b are raised. As the pair of side edges  302   a - b  rise, the bottom surface  303  lifts the stack of paper  110   a - b  to allow it to be changed from one type of paper to another type of paper. In this alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 b   , the bottom surface  303  may be hinged at a point where it is coupled to the bottom of the pair of side edges  302   a - b . An opposite end of the bottom surface  303  engages with the bottom surface of the paper tray  103  causing the bottom surface to pivot one end rises. 
     A lifting spring  410  or a restraining spring  411  may be used to assist in moving the paper lift  301 . The lifting spring  410  may be coupled to a bottom surface  303  of the paper lift  301 . The lift tabs  305   a - b  may engage a restraining tab  307  to hold the lift tabs  305   a - b  down in a depressed position as shown in  FIG. 4 a   . When the lift tabs  305   a - b  disengages the restraining tab, the lifting spring  410  pushes the paper lift  301  upward from the bottom of the paper tray  103  causing the paper  102   a - b  to be raised providing a user access to remove and swap a type of paper  102   a - b.    
     In another embodiment, a restraining spring  411  is coupled to a front edge of the rigid surface  303  of the paper lift  301  and a bottom of the paper tray  412 . When the lift tabs  305   a - b  is lifted by a user that pulls up on a rear edge of the rigid surface  303  to list the paper  102   a - b . When the rear edge of the rigid surface  303  is pulled upward, the front edge of the rigid surface is moved rearward against the restraining spring  411  and the rigid surface  303  pivots about the connection with the pair of side edges as the rear edge of the rigid surface moves up and down as the pair of side edges  302   a - b  slide up and down within the pair of guide slots  304   a - b.  The front edge of the rigid surface  303  has a pair of sliding tabs  408   a - b  on opposing sides of the rigid surface that engage sliding guide slots  409   a - b  within the bottom surface of the paper tray  103 . 
     When the user releases the lift tabs  305   a - b , the restraining spring  411  pulls the front edge of the rigid surface  303  forward causing the rear edge of the rigid surface  303 , the side edges  302   a - b , and the lifting tabs  305   a - b  downward, thus allowing the paper  102   a - b  to return to be within the paper tray  103 . The alternate embodiment limits in paper lift&#39;s  301  movement so the user can complete lifting the paper ends upwards with the paper lift  301  to facilitate the paper removal. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the present invention may be implemented as a lever type of action that would accomplish the same goal of lifting the end of the paper stack above the sides of the paper tray making it easy to grasp and remove the paper stack. This might need a spring assist to make it easier to lift heavier stacks. 
     Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included to this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.