Printer feeding system for elections documents

Abstract

Various embodiments of a paper feed and tray extension system for adapting printer components to accommodate election document dimensions are disclosed herein. To accomplish this, a printer feed adapter system includes a paper tray extension for implementation within an existing printer that extends a paper tray to enable the paper tray to receive sheets of paper that have required dimensions for election documents. Further, paper catch extender extends a paper catch to enable the paper catch to catch election document sheets following processing by the printer.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a paper tray extension defining a tray extension body and configured to couple with a paper tray of a printer, the tray extension body including:
 a floor extension portion including a paper guide extension track that extends a paper guide track of the paper tray of the printer when coupled to the paper tray, the paper guide extension track terminating at a backstop portion of the tray extension body; 
 an open portion defined opposite to the backstop portion that couples to a terminal edge of a tray floor of the paper tray; 
 a first lateral extension wall that extends a first wall of the paper tray when coupled to the paper tray; and 
 a second lateral extension wall defined opposite to the first lateral extension wall that extends a second wall of the paper tray when coupled to the paper tray; and 
   a paper catch extension defining a catch extender body and configured to couple with a paper catch of the printer, the catch extender body including:
 a proximal portion defining a slot, the slot being configured to receive a distal portion of the paper catch; 
 a distal portion defined opposite to the proximal portion, wherein the distal portion pivots outward in a paper catching position when the paper catch extension is coupled with the paper catch; and 
 a concave surface defining an apex, wherein the apex is located at or near the distal portion of the paper catch extension. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the floor extension portion of the paper tray extension is configured to interface with a paper guide of the paper tray, wherein the floor extension portion enables the paper guide to slide along the floor extension portion until the paper guide contacts the backstop portion of the paper tray extension. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the floor extension portion defines a floor recess having a first lateral rail, a second lateral rail defined opposite to the first lateral rail, a first medial rail and a second medial rail defined opposite to the first medial rail, wherein the first lateral rail, the second lateral rail, the first medial rail, and the second medial rail are configured to interface with the paper guide. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the open portion includes an overhang section that extends from the floor extension portion and covers a portion of the tray floor of the paper tray when coupled with the paper tray. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral extension wall includes a first arm configured for insertion within a first recess of the first wall of the paper tray and wherein the second lateral extension wall includes a second arm configured for insertion within a second recess of the second wall of the paper tray. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first arm includes an upper notch and a lower ridge that contact one or more structures within the first recess and wherein the second arm includes an upper notch and a lower ridge that contact one or more structures within the second recess to secure the paper tray extension to the paper tray. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are removably coupled to the tray extension body. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral extension wall includes a first row of ridges, wherein one or more ridges of the first row of ridges each respectively include a first flat portion that faces the open portion of the paper tray extension and a second flat portion that faces the second lateral extension wall. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second lateral extension wall includes a second row of ridges, wherein one or more ridges of the second row of ridges each respectively include a first flat portion that faces the open portion of the paper tray extension and a second flat portion that faces the first lateral extension wall. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the paper catch extension includes a first overhang portion and a second overhang portion that contact the paper catch. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first overhang portion includes a first tapered surface and wherein the second overhang portion includes a second tapered surface that provide a surface for a processed sheet of paper to contact as the processed sheet of paper exits an output bin of the printer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the paper catch extension includes one or more side notches that enable the paper catch extension to lay flat against an output bin of the printer when the paper catch extension is not in the paper catching position. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable support structure including a cable catch portion configured for installment along a housing of the printer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the paper tray extension, when coupled with the paper tray, enables the paper tray to accommodate a sheet of paper that is at least 22 inches in length. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 forming a paper tray extension defining a tray extension body, the tray extension body including: a floor extension portion including a paper guide extension track, the paper guide extension track terminating at a backstop portion of the tray extension body; an open portion defined opposite to the backstop portion; a first lateral extension wall including a first arm; and a second lateral extension wall including a second arm defined opposite to the first lateral extension wall; and   forming a paper catch extension defining a catch extender body, the catch extender body including: a proximal portion defining a slot; a distal portion defined opposite to the proximal portion, wherein the distal portion pivots outward in a paper catching position when the paper catch extension; and a concave surface defining an apex, wherein the apex is located at or near the distal portion of the paper catch extension.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 inserting the first arm and the second arm of the paper tray extension into a first recess and a second recess of the paper tray.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 coupling the open portion of the paper tray extension to a tray floor of the paper tray such that an overhang section of the paper tray extension covers a portion of the tray floor.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 inserting the paper tray including the paper tray extension into a paper tray cavity of a printer.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 coupling the paper catch extension to a distal portion of a paper catch of a printer.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 forming a cable support structure including a cable catch portion.