GB2442213A

GB2442213A - Adjustable paper trays

Info

Publication number: GB2442213A
Application number: GB0618852A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dan Hart; Tal Hart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-25
Filing date: 2006-09-25
Publication date: 2008-04-02
Also published as: GB0618852D0

Abstract

The paper tray device includes a frame formed from slotted rods 2, trays 1 and an adjustment mechanism for setting the vertical position of each tray, to suit the temporary content of each tray. Trays can move vertically only, or also be pulled in and out of the device. Trays 1 have push buttons 3 on the boxed mechanisms (6, figure 4), which serve as the sides of the trays. To move the trays vertically, push buttons 3 are depressed so that locking pins 17, 18 in the slotted rods are withdrawn from the slotted rods 2 by the action of gear 19. The frame of the device can be extended to accommodate additional trays by adding new slotted rods.

Description

1 2442213 Adjustable Paper Tray The invention relates to a paper tray

device, of the type that includes trays and a holding frame. The device may be put on tables, shelves or anywhere convenient.

Such devices are well known, but suffer from the disadvantage that the vertical distance between trays is fixed. As a result occasionally some trays (for example, the one marked "Incoming mair) may be full such that it is difficult to add any more paper, while other trays (for example, the one marked uoutgoing mail") may be relatively empty.

The objective of this invention is to provide a paper tray device that enables adjusting the distance between any two trays, to suit the temporary capacity of each tray.

Accordingly, the invention provides an adjustment mechanism that can easily adjust the vertical position of each tray along the holding slotted rods. Furthermore, trays may be added or removed from the device, and the length (height) of the device may be extended (to be able to accommodate more trays).

Preferably the trays, slotted rods, frame and adjustment mechanism are made of metal, but they may instead be made of plastic materials or wood, or any combinations of these materials.

The device, which is the mailer of the invention, will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a 3-D representation of the assembled device, where the vertical position of the three trays (1) can be adjusted along four slotted rods (2).

The vertical movement of each tray is enabled by pushing and holding two push-bottoms (3) of the tray, located under the right and left hand side panels of the tray.

After the required position has been achieved, both push bottoms (3) are released to enable locking the tray to the four slotted rods (2).

FIGURE 2 is a 3-D description of the new paper tray.

Each tray consists of four parts: 1. A bottom panel (4) 2. A rear panel (5) 3. Two boxed mechanisms (6), which also serve as sides of the tray.

4. Two push-bottoms (3) located under the right and left boxed mechanisms (6).

The four through holes (7) enable sliding the tray onto the slotted rods (2).

Panels (4) and (5) can be made either solid or perforated, or a combination of both.

The boxed mechanism (6) can be either non-transparent or transparent, or a combination of both.

Diameters of the holes (7) and the slotted rods (2) should be such that when adjusting the vertical position of the tray, there will be minimum friction between the holes (7) and the rods (2), while when locked with the locking pins (16) and (17), the tray will have minimal side-ways movement.

FIGURE 3 is a 3-D description of the supporting frame, consisting three parts: 1. Four slotted rods (2) 2. Two long supporting bars (8), and two shorter holding bars (9), all forming the base of the device 3. A top frame (10), consisting of four rods, for holding all slotted rods in place, and adding stability to the overall device.

The slotted rods (2), have slots only in the internal part of each rod, since the locking pins (16) and (17) fix themselves at the internal section of each rod. Also the less those slots are exposed, the more esthetic the appearance is, and there is less chance for paper to be caught in them.

FIGURE 4 is VERTICAL cross-section description of a slotted rod (2).

The holding teeth have a rectangular shape (11) to enable a better grip of the locking pins (16) and (17). The external facing area (12) is rounded for design (esthetic) reasons.

FIGURE 5 is a top-view of the top frame (10) For additional strength, cross bars (13) have been added, although depending on the assembly method and materials used they may not be required.

The assembly of the top frame (10) is done by four screws (14), one to each of the slotted rods (2) FIGURE 6 is a SIDE cross-section description of the boxed mechanism (6), consisting of: 1. Theboxcover(15) 2. Locking pins (16) and (17) to both slotted rods (2). (The slotted rods (2) are not part of the boxed mechanism (6)).

3. Gear (18) which transfer the vertical movement of the push-bottom (3), to an horizontal movement of the locking pins (16) and (17).

4. A spring (19) which ensures that unless the push-bottom (3) is pressed, both pins (16) and (17) are locked within the slotted rods (2).

5. Brackets (20), (21), (22), (23), (24) and (25) which secure the precise movement of the locking pins (16) and (17) during their locking or release movement, as well supports carrying the load of the tray (1).

6. Brackets (26) and (27) aimed for securing the vertical movement of pin (28).

7. Disks (30) and (31) are part of the vertical pins (28) and (29), respectively, aimed to prevent the release of these pins through the boxed mechanism (6).

FIGURE 7 is a TOP cross-section descnption of the tray (1), showing the relative position of the brackets (20) through (25) and brackets (26) and (27), of both right and left boxed mechanisms (6).

Brackets (20) through (25) are connected to the INTERNAL side of the boxed mechanism (6), while brackets (26) and (27) are connected to the EXTERNAL side of the box (6). The location of all strips aimed to ensure the free movement of the vertical pins (28) and (29), in respect of all other moving parts in the box (6), in particular locking pins (16) and (17).

FIGURE 8 is a VERTICAL cross section description of a new slotted rod (32), to be as an extension to an existing rod (2) (in case an extension is required).

The bottom part of the new rod (33) has a shape of a screw, to match the hole (35) of the existing rod (2).

When in position, the screw (37) should slide through the hole (34), th be further screwed through hole (36), ensunng a perfect match of all teeth of rods (32) and (2).

FIGURE 9 is a VERTICAL cross section description of the existing slotted rod (2).

The hole (35) is used to accommodate the screw (14) of the top frame (10), or alternatively, the bottom end (33) of the new slotted rod (32).

FIGURE 10 is a cross-section of a slotted rod (2), showing the position of screw (37).

How to adjust the position of a tray Recommended manner of adjustment would be pressing each of the two push-buttons (3) with four fingers, while holding the thumb against them at the top of the boxed mechanism (6).

After positioning the tray (1) at the required vertical position, release the push-bottoms (3), allowing the locking pins (16) and (17) to fit into position in the slotted rods (2).

How to extend the length of the device The extension is done by means of screwing one rod into the other, and securing the final position of the new rod with a screw.

Unscrew the four screws (14), and remove the top frame (10).

Screw in the new slotted rods (32), until the locking pin (37) can go through (34), to be fully screwed into the existing rod (2).

Fit the top frame (10) on top of the new rods (32), and secure the frame using the four screws (14). 1+

Claims

1. A paper tray device that includes a frame for supporting trays, and two or more trays, where the vertical distance between any two trays can be adjusted.

2. A paper tray device that includes a frame for supporting trays-bases, and two or more trays-bases and trays, where the vertical distance between any two trays-bases can be adjusted.

3. A paper tray as claimed in Claim 1, with an adjustment mechanism for setting the vertical position of each tray.

4. A paper tray as claimed in Claim 2, with an adjustment mechanism for setting the vertical position of each tray-base.

5. A paper tray as claimed in Claim 1, where the frame can be extended in height, to accommodate additional trays.

6. A paper tray as daimed in Claim 2, where the frame can be extended in height, to accommodate additional trays-bases.

7. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 3, where the vertical position of eech tray et piri p h.Jyiffnn rnnvinn the trv i in or clown guiding rails, and then releasing the push-buttons.

8. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 4, where the vertical position of each tray-base is set by pressing push-buttons, moving the tray-base up or down guiding rails, and then releasing the push-buttons.

9. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 7, where securing the vertical position of each tray is done by locking-pins which are locked into slotted vertical rails.

10. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, where securing the vertical position of each tray-base is done by locking-pins which are locked into slotted vertical rails. * .*

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11. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 9 and Claim 10, where the vertical * ** movement of the push-buttons is translated in to horizontal movement of locking-pins. * **.

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12. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 11, where the vertical movement of the push-buttons is translated in to horizontal movement of locking-pins, by means of a teeth wheel or teeth wheels, which are in contact with slotted * surfaces of the locking-pins.

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13. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 7 and Claim 8, where upon releasing the push-buttons they automatically return to their un-pressed position, by means of an element or set of elements, such as springs.

14. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 7, where the push-buttons can be external, in line, or internal to the tray.

15. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, where the push-buttons can be external, in line, or internal to the tray-base surface.

16. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 7 and Claim 8, where the push-buttons can have a rectangular, circular, ellipse, or any other geometrical shape.

17. An adjustment mechanism as claimed in Claim 3 and Claim 4, where the push-buttons can be small, or large in size.

18. A paper tray as claimed in Claim 5 and Claim 6, where the extension is done by inserting extension rods into the existing frame, and securing their positions by locking pins. * S. *5 * *5s .11S * S *aS.

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