Printer having media bin and method for operation

Abstract

A printer having a printing unit, a structure that supports the printing unit, and a device coupled to the printer that receives media provided as an output from the printer is provided. The device coupled to the printer is a bin having at least one arm connecting the bin to the structure, wherein the arm is capable of pivotal movement with respect to said structure to allow movement of the bin from a position substantially beneath the printing unit to a media-receiving position is provided. A device having a bin and a bin moving mechanism that is operative to move the bin between a stored position and a media-receiving position in which the bin is capable of receiving media output from the printer is provided. A method of positioning a bin for receiving media from a printer by moving the bin between the stored and a media-receiving position is provided.

1 . A printer comprising: 
 a printing unit;    a structure that supports said printing unit;    a device coupled to said printer that receives media provided as an output from said printer comprising: 
 a bin; and  
 at least one arm connecting said bin to said structure, wherein said arm is capable of pivotal movement with respect to said structure to allow movement of said bin from a position substantially beneath said printing unit to a media-receiving position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The printer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stop that alerts a user that said bin is in said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       3 . The printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said bin further comprises an additional arm and where both of said arms are pivotally connected to said structure.  
   
   
       4 . The printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises a handle that is slidably connected to said bin.  
   
   
       5 . The printer according to  claim 4 , wherein as said bin is lifted from said stored position to said media-receiving position, said handle slides from a first position to a second position.  
   
   
       6 . The printer according to  claim 5 , wherein said handle is out of a plane of said bin in said second position.  
   
   
       7 . The printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises a stop that collides with said structure when said bin is proximate said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       8 . The printer according to claim  75 , wherein when said bin is in said media-receiving position, said handle is in said first position.  
   
   
       9 . The printer according to  claim 2 , wherein said arm and said bin are rigidly connected.  
   
   
       10 . The printer according to  claim 9 , wherein said handle has a pre-determined orientation with respect to said bin.  
   
   
       11 . The printer according to  claim 10 , wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       12 . The printer according to  claim 1 , wherein said structure comprises at least one leg.  
   
   
       13 . The printer according to  claim 1 , further comprising wheels connected to said bin to facilitate movement.  
   
   
       14 . A device for use with a printer, said device comprising: 
 a bin; and    a bin moving mechanism that is operative to move said bin between a stored position in which said bin is located substantially beneath the printer and a media-receiving position in which said bin is capable of receiving media output from the printer.    
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a handle connected to said bin.  
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one arm that is pivotally connectable to the printer.  
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising a stop that rests against the printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said arm includes a pivot connection on said bin.  
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said handle is slidably connected to said bin.  
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein as said bin is lifted from said stored position to said media-receiving position, said handle slides from a first position to a second position.  
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said handle is out of a plane of said bin in said second position.  
   
   
       22 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is proximate said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       23 . The device according to claim  2320 , wherein when said bin is in said media-receiving position, said handle is in said first position.  
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said handle is fixedly connected to said bin.  
   
   
       25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein said handle has a pre-determined orientation with respect to said bin.  
   
   
       26 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       27 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said arm and said bin are rigidly connected.  
   
   
       28 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising wheels to facilitate movement.  
   
   
       29 . A method of positioning a bin for receiving media from a printer comprising: 
 moving said bin between a stored position in which said bin is located substantially beneath the printer and a media-receiving position in which said bin receives media output from said printer.    
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising abutting a portion of said bin against the printer.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising releasing said bin to secure said bin against said printer in said media receiving-position.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said moving is performed with a handle connected to said bin.  
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said bin is pivotally connectable to the printer by at least one arm.  
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein a stop rests against the printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said arm includes a pivot connection on said bin.  
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said handle is slidably connected to said bin.  
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein as said bin is lifted from said stored position to said media-receiving position, said handle slides from a first position to a second position.  
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 37 , wherein said handle is out of a plane of said bin in said second position.  
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is proximate said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       40 . The method according to claim  3237 , wherein when said bin is in said media-receiving position, said handle is in said first position.  
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said handle is fixedly connected to said bin.  
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein said handle has a pre-determined orientation with respect to said bin.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein said stop collides with said printer when said bin is in said media-receiving position.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said arm and said bin are rigidly connected.  
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising wheels to facilitate movement of said bin.