Media tray

Abstract

Various embodiment and methods relating to a media tray are disclosed.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first media tray configured to be releasably connected to a media interaction device at a first connection point, wherein the first tray is configured to separate from the device at the first connection point in response to a downward force on the first tray exceeding a first threshold and prior to substantial plastic deformation of the tray or the media interaction device.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible tether extending from the tray and configured to be connected to the device. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an edge step configured to extend between and space the tray from the device when the tray is connected to the device. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising the media interaction device. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second media tray configured to be releasably connected to a media interaction device, wherein the second tray is configured to separate from the device in response to a force on the second tray exceeding a second threshold. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray is configured to be connected to the media interaction device with an applied connection force and wherein the threshold force is less than the applied connection force. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray is configured to be connected to the media interaction device by being translated along a first axis towards the media interaction device and to separate from the media interaction device by rotating about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first axis is inclined above horizontal. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first threshold is a force within a range of between about 9 and about 48 pounds. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket configured to be coupled to the media interaction device, the bracket including one of a tongue and a grooved structure, wherein the tray includes the other of a tongue and a grooved structure, the grooved structure receiving the tongue to connect the tray to the bracket. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the tongue and the grooved structure includes a protrusion and the other of the tongue and the grooved structure includes a corresponding indent, wherein the protrusion is configured to flex during insertion of the tongue into the grooved structure and to snap into the intent upon insertion of the tongue by a predetermined extent into the grooved structure. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the grooved structure includes beams on opposite sides of a groove, the beams being cored out. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket configured to be coupled to the media interaction device, the bracket having one of a mounting recess and a mounting projection, wherein the tray has the other of a mounting recess and a mounting projection, wherein the mounting projection is received within the mounting recess, wherein the mounting projection includes an angled upward facing surface and a downward and facing curved surface and wherein the mounting recess includes a downward facing angled surface and an upward facing curved surface. 
   
   
       14 . A method comprising:
 connecting a tray to a media interaction device; and   separating the tray from the media interaction device at a connection point using downward force from a load on the tray that exceeds a threshold prior to substantial plastic deformation of the tray or the media interaction device.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising tethering the tray from the media interaction device after the tray is separated from the media interaction device. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising spacing a leading edge of the tray from the media interaction device by an edge strip. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein connecting the tray to the media interaction device includes linearly moving the tray towards the media interaction device along an axis and wherein separating the tray from the media interaction device includes pivoting the tray about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tray is connected to the media interaction device using a first connection force less than the force from the load on the tray that results in the tray being separated from the media interaction device. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein separating the tray from the media interaction device is at a threshold of between about 9 pounds and about 48 pounds. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for supporting sheets of media relative to a media interaction device; and   means for connecting the means for supporting to the media interaction device at a connection point and for separating the means for supporting from the media interaction device at the connection point in response to a downward load on the means for supporting exceeding a threshold prior to substantial plastic deformation of the means for connecting.