FEED TRAY EXTENSION FOR AN ELECTION BALLOT PRINTING SYSTEM

Abstract

An election ballot printing system includes a printer support structure which carries a printer. The printer and printer support structure are coupled together so that movement between them is restricted. A printer feed tray extension is carried by the printer support structure, wherein the printer feed tray extension includes a ramp and opposed guide rails which extend along the ramp. The opposed guide rails are positioned to guide a ballot into an input port of the printer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to generating ballots using a printer.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is generally not known before an election the number of people who will vote, as well as their identity. Hence, a large number of ballots are often printed before an election in the hope that there will be enough ballots for all of the voters. Providing enough ballots for all of the voters is difficult because the ballots are not all the same. For example, the ballots can be different for different political parties, such as Independent, Democrat and Republican. The ballots can be different for different geographical locations, such as different counties, cities and states. Further, it is often necessary to provide ballots in different languages (i.e. English and Spanish) because voters typically understand different languages. The ballots can even be different for different elections, such as state and national elections.

To better illustrate the problem, consider an election which has 10,000 registered voters. In this situation, it is typical to print and distribute about 50,000 ballots with the hope that the correct ballot will be available for each voter. For example, if one voter speaks Spanish and is a Republican, then he or she will need to be provided with a ballot written in Spanish that corresponds with a ballot for the Republican Party. Hence, the ballot must be the correct ballot for the person requesting it.

The ballots are distributed to different voting sites around the location that the election will take place. It can be appreciated that it is difficult and time consuming to print and distribute a large number of ballots, and it would be much easier to print a distribute a smaller number of them. Further, once the ballots are at the voting site, it is difficult and time consumer to find the correct ballot for the voter. Some voters may not be able to vote if the voting site runs out of the correct ballots, or if the correct ballot cannot be found.

Ballots that are printed for the election and not used are typically discarded after the election. Discarding unused ballots is wasteful and expensive, so it is desirable to reduce this occurrence.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An election ballot printing system includes a printer support structure which carries a printer. The printer and printer support structure are coupled together so that movement between them is restricted. A printer feed tray extension is carried by the printer support structure, wherein the printer feed tray extension includes an extension ramp and opposed guide rails extending along the extension ramp. The opposed guide rails are positioned to guide a ballot into an input port of the printer. The opposed guide rails guide the ballot into the input port of the printer so that its skew is reduced.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1c are perspective, front and back views, respectively, of an unprinted ballot, in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2c are perspective, front and back views, respectively, of a printed ballot, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 a is a side view of an election ballot printing system, in accordance with the invention, which includes a printer and feed tray extension carried by a support structure.

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of the support structure of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 3 c is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the printer of FIG. 3a and an upper surface of the support structure of FIG. 3b.

FIGS. 3 d and 3e are top and perspective views, respectively, of a contact pad engaged with the bottom surface of the printer of FIG. 3a.

FIGS. 4 a and 4b are side and perspective views, respectively, of an alignment leg, in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 4 c and 4d are perspective views of the alignment leg of FIGS. 4a and 4b in disengaged and engaged positions, respectively, relative to the printer of FIG. 3a.

FIGS. 5 a and 5b are perspective and side views, respectively, of an input end of the election ballot printing system of FIG. 3a, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 c is a perspective view of another embodiment of a printer feed tray extension, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of opposed guide rails included with the election ballot printing system of FIG. 5a.

FIGS. 6 b and 6c are perspective and end views, respectively, of rail brackets carried by the guide rails of FIG. 6a.

FIG. 6 d is a perspective view of the rail bracket of FIGS. 6b and 6c being carried on the distal end of the guide rail of FIG. 6a.

FIGS. 7 a and 7b are end views of the guide rails of FIG. 6a.

FIG. 7 c is a top view of the guide rails of FIG. 6a carrying a ballot, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1c are perspective, front and back views, respectively, of an unprinted ballot 100. In this embodiment, unprinted ballot 100 has a predetermined rectangular shape with a length L and width W. The dimensions of unprinted ballot 100 depends on many different factors, such as the election it is to be used in. For example, some precincts may requires ballot 100 to have certain dimensions and other precincts may require ballot 100 to have different dimensions.

Unprinted ballot 100 includes opposed front and back surfaces 101 and 102, which are bounded by an outer edge 103 that extends around it. Outer edge 103 includes opposed edges 103a and 103c, as well as opposed edges 103b and 103d. Because ballot 100 is rectangular in shape, opposed edges 103a and 103c are parallel to each other and perpendicular to edges 103b and 103d. It should be noted that unprinted ballot 100 is typically a blank wherein it does not include indicia. Although, in some situations, unprinted ballot 100 can include indicia. However, it is desirable to print more indicia on front and/or back surfaces 101 and 102 so that unprinted ballot 100 becomes a printed ballot, as will be discussed in more detail presently.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2c are perspective, front and back views, respectively, of a printed ballot 105. It should be noted that printed ballot 105 corresponds to unprinted ballot 100 after ballot 105 has been generated by an election ballot printing system. The election ballot printing system can generate printed ballot 105 in many different ways, such as by printing indicia on unprinted ballot 100. An example of an election ballot printing system is discussed in more detail below with FIG. 3a.

In this embodiment, indicia 110 and 111 are printed on front and back surfaces 101 and 102, respectively. Indicia 110 and 111 can be of many different types of information, such as personal information and information corresponding to the particular election that printed ballot 105 is to be used for.

It should be noted that there are several problems when printing indicia 110 and 111 on ballot 105. One problem is in ensuring that indicia 110 and 111 correspond with each other. For example, if indicia 110 includes the personal information of a voter in one city, indicia 111 should include information corresponding to the election in that city, and not another. There are several ways to ensure that indicia 110 and 111 correspond with each other.

In this embodiment, barcodes 108 and 109 are printed on front and back surfaces 101 and 102, respectively. Barcodes 108 and 109 can correspond to many different types of information, such as that corresponding to indicia 110 and 111. Hence, barcode 108 corresponds to indicia 110 and barcode 109 corresponds to indicia 111. Barcodes 108 and 109 are useful so that the information is machine readable and can be easily entered into a computer with a barcode reader. In this way, barcodes 108 and 109 can be read by a barcode reader to ensure that indicia 110 and 111 correspond with each other.

Barcodes 108 and 109 also make the generation and distribution of printed ballot 105 an easier task. Barcodes 108 and 109 can be read to make sure that printed ballot 105 is generated correctly for the person requesting it. Barcodes also make printed ballot 105 trackable so that its movement history can be documented. This provides the ability to generate and distribute ballots in a manner that preserves the integrity and accuracy of the election.

It should be noted that it is desirable to print printed ballot 105 accurately so that it can be read with the barcode reader. Hence, it is desirable to print barcodes 108 and 109 so they can be read by the barcode reader with a reduced likelihood of error. As will be discussed in more detail below, there are many different ways to ensure that printed ballot 105 is printed accurately enough to be read.

One way to ensure that printed ballot 105 is printed accurately enough to be read is to ensure that indicia 110 and 111 and barcodes 108 and 109 are aligned correctly. It is desirable to print indicia 110 and 111 and barcodes 108 and 109 on ballot 105 within a predetermined position tolerance so they are aligned correctly. This ensures that indicia 110 and 111 and barcodes 108 and 109 can be read and that the ballots are printed consistently from one ballot to another. Hence, the skew and positioning of the indicia and barcodes on the ballot are often required to be within predetermined tolerances.

In this embodiment, borderline 106 and 107 are positioned proximate to the outer periphery of the ballot, wherein borderline 106 and 107 are used to adjust the positioning and skew of indicia 110 and 111 and barcodes 108 and 109. Borderlines 106 and 107 extend along edge 103 of front and back surfaces 101 and 102, respectfully. Borderlines 106 and 107 can be of many different types, but here they are dashed lines. Borderlines 106 and 107 are desired to be spaced within a predetermined range of distances from edge 103, wherein the range of distances is often between about one-half of a millimeter and about two millimeters.

In this embodiment, borderline 106 is spaced distances L₁, L₂, L₃ and L₄ from edges 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d, respectively, wherein it is desired that distances L₁, L₂, L₃ and L₄ be driven to a desired distance. Further, borderline 107 is spaced distances L₅, L₆, L₇ and L₈ from edges 103a, 103b, 103c and 103d, respectively, wherein it is desired that distances L₅, L₆, L₇ and L₈ be driven to equal the desired distance. It is generally desirable to have distances L₁-L₈ be equal so that borderlines 106 and 107 are centered on surfaces 101 and 102, respectively. Further, it is generally desirable to have distances L₁-L₈ be equal so that the skew of borderlines 106 and 107 is reduced. It should be noted that indicia 110 and 111 and barcodes 108 and 109 are printed within the predetermined position tolerances in response to centering borderlines 106 and 107. Further, the skew of indicia 110 and 111 and barcodes 108 and 109 is reduced in response to reducing the skew of borderlines 106 and 107.

The skew of borderlines 106 and 107 can be characterized in many different ways. In this example, the skew of borderline 106 corresponds to the difference between distances L₁, and L₂, as well as the difference between L₃ and L₄. The amount of skew of borderline 106 increases as the differences between L₁ and L₂ and L₃ and L₄ increases. Further, the amount of skew of borderline 106 decreases as the differences between L₁ and L₂ and L₃ and L₄ decreases. The amount of skew of borderline 106 changes when it is rotated by an angle θ about a reference line 116, wherein reference line 116 extends perpendicular to surfaces 101 and 102. It should be noted that borderline 106 is not skewed when angle θ is zero degrees and distances L₁ and L₂ are equal and distances L₃ and L₄ are equal.

The skew of borderline 107 corresponds to the difference between distances L₅ and L₆, as well as the difference between L₇ and L₈. The amount of skew of borderline 107 increases as the differences between L₅ and L₆ and L₇ and L₈ increase. Further, the amount of skew of borderline 107 decreases as the differences between L₅ and L₆ and L₇ and L₈ decreases. The amount of skew of borderline 107 changes when it is rotated by angle θ about reference line 116 (FIG. 2a).

It should be noted that borderline 107 is not skewed when angle θ is zero degrees and distances L₅ and L₆ are equal and distances L₇ and L₈ are equal. It should also be noted that borderline 106 is centered when distances L₁ and L₃ are equal and distances L₂ and L₄ are equal. Further, borderline 107 is centered when distances L₅ and L₇ are equal and distances L₆ and L₈ are equal.

FIG. 3 a is a side view of an election ballot printing system 120, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, election ballot printing system 120 includes a printer support structure 121 which carries a printer feed tray extension 130 carried proximate to an input end 115 of a printer 125. Support structure 121 can be of many different types, such as a table or cart. Further, printer 125 can be of many different types, such as an ILUMINA digital color press manufactured by XANTE Corporation.

More information regarding various components of election ballot printing system 120 can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled ELECTION BALLOT PRINTING SYSTEM AND METHOD, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______entitled METHOD OF OPERATING AN ELECTION BALLOT PRINTING SYSTEM and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled ACCEPTANCE TRAY FOR AN ELECTION BALLOT PRINTING SYSTEM, each being filed on an event date herewith, by the same inventors, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Printer 125 is carried on an upper surface 121a of support structure 121. Printer 125 includes an input port 126a which faces printer feed tray extension 130 and an output port 126b which faces away from printer feed tray extension 130. Input port 126a is for receiving a ballot to be printed and output port 126b is for outputting the printed that has been printed. In this way, printed ballot 105 corresponds to unprinted ballot 100 after it has been processed by election ballot printing system 120, and indicia and/or barcodes have been printed thereon. Printer 125 includes a printer feed tray 128 which extends outwardly away from input port 126a and towards printer feed tray extension 130.

Printer feed tray extension 130 can be of many different types, several of which will be discussed in more detail with FIG. 5a. Printer feed tray extension 130 is for feeding unprinted ballot 100 into input port 126a so it can be printed with more accuracy. In this embodiment, printer feed tray extension 130 includes a base 134 fastened to support structure 121 and an extension ramp 135 carried by base 134. Extension ramp 135 is positioned so that unprinted ballot 100 can extend between it and printer feed tray 128. Extension ramp extends downwardly towards input port 126a. Printer feed tray extension 130 can be a separate piece attached to support structure 121 or it can be integrally formed therewith.

Extension ramp 135 can have many different dimensions. In general, the dimensions of extension ramp 135 are chosen to accommodate ballot 100 and 105. Hence, the dimensions of extension ramp 135 are typically greater than width W and length L. In one particular example, extension ramp 135 has a length L₉ between about eleven inches to about fifty inches. In another example, extension ramp has length L₉ of about forty two inches. In some examples, extension ramp 135 has length L₉ between about twenty inches to about forty two inches. It should be noted that length L of most ballots is less than about twenty two inches. Length L₉ is indicated in FIGS. 3a and 5a.

The accuracy in which ballot 105 is printed can be increased in many different ways. For example, the accuracy can be increased by aligning printer 125 and printer feed tray extension 130. In accordance with the invention, the accuracy is also increased by using a guide rail 140a to guide unprinted ballot 100 into input port 126a. The skew of unprinted ballot 100 depends on its alignment with input port 126a and the alignment of unprinted ballot 100 with input port 126a depends on the alignment between printer feed tray extension 130 and printer 125. Printer 125 and printer feed tray extension 130 can be aligned with each other in many different ways, one of which will be discussed in more detail presently.

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view of support structure 121 showing upper surface 121a and FIG. 3c is a perspective view of support structure 121 and printer 125 showing upper surface 121a and bottom surface 125a. In this embodiment, printer feed tray extension 130 is positioned in a region 129, indicated in phantom in FIG. 3b, and is generally fastened to support structure 121. Printer feed tray extension 130 can be fastened to support structure 121 in many different ways, such as by using fasteners which extend through it and surface 121a.

In accordance with the invention, printer 125 and support structure 121 are aligned by using alignment legs and alignment openings. As shown in FIG. 3b, alignment openings 123a, 123b, 123c and 123d extend through top surface 121a of support structure 121. As shown in FIG. 3c, alignment legs 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d extend through bottom surface 125a of printer 125. Alignment openings 123a, 123b, 123c and 123d are positioned on support structure 121 so that they are aligned with legs 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d, respectively, of printer 125. Openings 123a, 123b, 123c and 123d are sized and shaped to receive corresponding alignment legs 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d, respectively. In this way, legs 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d extend through openings 123a, 123b, 123c and 123d, respectively, when printer 125 is carried by support structure 121.

Alignment legs 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d and openings 123a, 123b, 123c and 123d restrict surface 125a of printer 125 from moving relative to surface 121a of support structure 121. Hence, printer 125 and support structure 121 are coupled together so that movement between them is restricted. Printer 125 is restricted from moving relative to support structure 121 so it is easier to align printer 125 with support structure 121 and easier to maintain this alignment. In this way, the accuracy in which ballot 105 is printed is increased by aligning printer 125 and printer feed tray extension 130.

FIGS. 3 d and 3e are top and perspective views of a contact pad 118 engaged with bottom surface 125a of printer 125. Generally, four contact pads 118 are positioned on bottom surface 125a, but only one is shown here for simplicity. Contact pad 118 is held to surface 125a by a screw 119 and includes a resilient material, such as plastic and rubber, which reduces the likelihood of printer 125 damaging support structure 121. Screw 119 extends through pad 118 and is threadingly engaged with a threaded opening 117 (FIG. 4c) extending through bottom surface 125a.

However, there are several problems with using contact pad 118 to engage support structure 121. For example, when contact pad 118 engages surface 121a of support structure 121, it allows printer 125 to move relative to surface 121a and support structure 121. Hence, it is difficult to align printer 125 with support structure 121 so that ballot 100 can be printed more accurately. Further, it is difficult to maintain the alignment between support structure 121 and printer 125. Hence, in accordance with the invention, contact pads 118 are removed and replaced with alignment legs 124a-124d, as shown in FIG. 3c. Alignment legs 124a-124d can be of many types, one of which will be discussed in more detail presently.

FIGS. 4 a and 4b are side and perspective views of an alignment leg 124, wherein alignment leg 124 can correspond with alignment legs 124a-124d of FIG. 3c. In this embodiment, alignment leg 124 includes a body portion 112 having a concave portion 113 at one end and a threaded portion 114 at its opposed end. Threaded portion 114 is for threadingly engaging a threaded opening extending through bottom surface 125a of printer 125, as discussed below with FIGS. 4c and 4d. Concave portion 113 is for engaging the bottom surface of corresponding openings 123a-123d extending through support structure 121, as discussed above with FIG. 3c.

FIGS. 4 c and 4d are perspective views of leg 124 in disengaged and engaged positions, respectively, with printer 125. In this embodiment, leg 124 is repeatably moveable between the engaged and disengaged positions by threadingly engaging and disengaging threaded portion 114 with threaded opening 117. It should be noted that leg 124 and opening 117 are used for legs 124a-124d discussed above.

In operation, contact pads 118 are removed from printer 125 and replaced with alignment legs 124a-124d. Alignment legs 124a-124d are threadingly engaged with threaded openings 117 extending through surface 125a of printer 125. Alignment legs 124a-124d are received by openings 123a-123d, respectively, in support structure 121. Openings 123a-123d are sized and shaped to receive alignment legs 124a-124d and thus reduce the movement of printer 125 relative to support structure 121 as discussed above. In this way, printer 125 is restricted from moving along surface 121a, and can be accurately aligned with support structure 121.

As discussed above, the skew and centering of the indicia on the printed ballots 105 decreases as the alignment between printer 125 and printer feed tray extension 130 increases. The alignment between printer 125 and printer feed tray extension 130 can be increased in many ways, one of which will be discussed presently.

FIGS. 5 a and 5b are perspective and side views, respectively, of printer feed tray extension 130, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, printer feed tray extension 130 is positioned at input end 115 of printer 125. Printer 125 generally includes printer feed tray 128 repeatably moveable between stowed (not shown) and deployed (shown) positions. Printer feed tray 128 is coupled with opposed printer feed tray arms 136a and 136b which hold it in the deployed position. Printer feed tray 128 carries opposed printer guide rails 137a and 137b for guiding ballot 100 into input port 126a. Printer guide rails 137a and 137b are repeatably moveable towards and away from each other along feed tray surface 128a.

Printer feed tray 128 provides a feed tray surface 128a for holding unprinted ballot 100 when it is moved into input port 126a. It should be noted that, in general, unprinted ballot 100, as shown in FIG. 5a, can be unprinted on both of its surfaces 101 and 102 (FIGS. 1b and 1c) or on one of its surfaces 101 and 102. In some situations, however unprinted ballot 100 has indicia printed on both of its surfaces 101 and 102, but it is desirable to print more indicia on at least one of its surfaces 101 and 102. Hence, an unprinted ballot is one in which it is desirable to print indicia on at least one of its sides.

In this embodiment, extension ramp 135 includes an opening 139, which is sized, shaped and positioned to receive printer feed tray 128 (FIG. 5b). Opening 139 allows ramp 135 to overlap printer feed tray 128 so that a ramp surface 135a is flush with feed tray surface 128a. Ramp surface 135a is flush with feed tray surface 128a so that unprinted ballot 105 is moved on a smooth surface when it is moved into input port 126a. Printer feed tray 128 is repeatably moveable between positions towards and away from extension ramp 135. Printer feed tray 128 is repeatably moveable between positions overlapping and not overlapping extension ramp 135.

It should be noted that printer guide rails 137a and 137b generally have play that allows them to undesirably move as ballot 100 is moved into input port 126a. The undesirable movement of printer guide rails 137a and 137b can reduce the accuracy in which ballot 100 is printed. For example, the undesirable movement can increase the skew of borderlines 106 and 107 (FIGS. 2a-2c).

In accordance with the invention, printer feed tray extension 130 includes opposed guide rails 140a and 140b, which are positioned on opposed sides of unprinted ballot when it is carried by extension ramp 135 is repeatably moveable between positions towards and away from printer feed tray 128. Guide rails 140a and 140b extend along extension ramp 135 and are aligned with input port 126a. Printer guide rails 137a and 137b will engage guide rails 140a and 140b, respectively, when they are moved towards each other. In this embodiment, guide rails 140a and 140b are operatively coupled with an adjustment mechanism 127 (FIG. 5a) which moves them towards and away from each other, as indicated by a movement arrow 118, to accommodate ballots having different widths W.

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of opposed guide rails 140a and 140b. A proximal end 148a of guide rail 140a is positioned proximate to input port 126a and a distal end 149a of guide rail 140a is positioned away from input port 126a. Further, a proximal end 148b of guide rail 140a is positioned proximate to input port 126a and a distal end 149b of guide rail 140a is positioned away from input port 126a. Printer guide rails 137a and 137b will engage distal ends 149a and 149b, respectively, when they are moved towards each other.

Guide rails 140a and 140b can have many different configurations. In this embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 5a and 6a, guide rail 140a includes a side 142a coupled to a base 141a, wherein base 141a extends along extension ramp 135 and side 142a extends upwardly from ramp 135. Further, guide rail 140b includes a side 142b coupled to a base 141b, wherein base 141b extends along ramp 135 and side 142b extends upwardly from ramp 135. Bases 141a and 141b are positioned away from each other so that there is a gap between them and a portion of ramp surface 135a is exposed (FIG. 5a). The gap between bases 141 and 141a can be increased and decreased by moving guide rails 140a and 140b away and towards each other, respectively. As mentioned above, guide rails 140a and 140b can be move away and towards each other by adjusting adjustment mechanism 127.

In this embodiment, proximal ends 148a and 148b of corresponding sides 142a and 142b extend away from bases 141a and 141b, and towards input port 126a. Proximal ends 148a and 148b of corresponding sides 142a and 142b extend at an angle relative to extension ramp 135 so that guide rails 140a and 140b conform to ramp surface 135a and feed tray surface 128a. In this way, guide rails 140a and 140b restrict the amount of skew of the ballot when it extends over ramp 135 and printer feed tray 128. Guide rails 140a and 140b restrict the amount of skew of the ballot when it extends over ramp surface 135a and feed tray surface 128a.

Guide rails 140a and 140b are positioned to reduce the skew of the ballot as it is moved into input port 126a. Guide rails 140a and 140b reduce the amount of skew of the ballot by engaging its opposed sides as it is moved into input port 126a. In this way, guide rails 140a and 140b restrict the amount of skew of the indicia printed on the ballot. Guide rails 140a and 140b can engage the opposed sides of the ballot in many different ways, one of which will be discussed in more detail presently.

As mentioned above, side 142a and base 141a are coupled together and side 142b and base 141b are coupled together. In this embodiment, side 142a and base 141a form an interface 146a where they are coupled together. Further, side 142b and base 141b form an interface 146b where they are coupled together. Interfaces 146a and 146b engage opposed sides of the ballot when it is carried by bases 141a and 141b so that its skew is restricted, as will be discussed in more detail with FIGS. 7a-7c.

It should be noted that side 142a can be coupled to base 141a and side 142b can be coupled to base 141b in many different ways. For example, side 142a and base 141a can be a single integral piece wherein side 142a is formed by bending it upwardly from base 141a. Further, side 142b and base 141b can be a single integral piece wherein side 142b is formed by bending it upwardly from base 141b. In another example, side 142a and base 141a are separate pieces welded together and side 142b and base 141b are separate pieces welded together, so that interfaces 146a and 146b are defined by weldments.

FIG. 5 c is a perspective view of another embodiment of a printer feed tray extension, which is denoted as printer feed tray extension 130a. In this embodiment, printer feed tray extension 130a includes guide rails 143a and 143b, wherein guide rail 143a includes side 144a and base 141a coupled together, and guide rail 143b includes side 144b and base 141b coupled together. However, in this embodiment, side 144a does not extend away from base 141a and towards input port 126a, and side 144b does not extend away from base 141b and towards input port 126a. Hence, sides 144a and 144b do not include portions at an angle relative to extension ramp 135, such as sides 142a and 142b (FIGS. 5a and 6a).

In this embodiment, sides 144a and 144b terminate proximate to printer guide rails 137a and 137b, respectively. Guide rails 137a and 137b do not engage guide rails 143a and 143b when guide rails 137a and 137b are moved towards each other. Hence, guide rails 143a and 143b, along with printer guide rails 137a and 137b, guide unprinted ballot as it moves towards input port 126a.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, guide rails 140a and 140b carry guide rail brackets 150a and 150b on sides 142a and 142b, respectively. FIGS. 6b and 6c are perspective and end views, respectively, of guide rail brackets 150a and 150b. Rail brackets 150a and 150b are positioned to reduce the amount of flex in corresponding sides 142a and 142b so that the amount of skew in the ballot is reduced as it is moved into input port 126a. In general, the more guide rails 140a and 140b are allowed to flex, the more the ballot is allowed to skew. Further, the less guide rails 140a and 140b are allowed to flex, the less unprinted ballot 100 is allowed to skew. Rail brackets 150a and 150b can have many different configurations, several of which will be discussed in more detail presently.

FIG. 6 d is a perspective view of rail bracket 150a carried on the distal end of side 142a of guide rail 140a. In this embodiment, rail bracket 150a includes a base 151 coupled to a side 152, wherein side 152 extends along side 142a and base 151 extends outwardly from side 142a so that rail bracket 150a has an L-shape (FIG. 6c). Rail bracket 150a is held to side 142a by fasteners 153 which extend through sides 152 and 142a. Rail bracket 150a is positioned to restrict the amount of flex in proximal end 148a of guide rail 140a. Rail bracket 150a includes a rigid material to provide rigidity to sidewall member 152a. It should be noted that rail bracket 150b can have the same configuration as rail bracket 150a, or a different one.

It should also be noted that rail bracket 150a and/or 150b can be replaced with another rail bracket, such as a rail bracket 154. In this embodiment, rail bracket 154 is a flat piece of material and does not include a base. Rail bracket 154 is held to side 142a with fasteners 153 and also restricts the amount of flex in proximal end 148a of guide rail 140a.

FIGS. 7 a and 7b are end views of guide rails 140a and 140b, and FIG. 7c is a top view thereof. In this embodiment, bases 141a and 141b are perpendicular to sidewalls 142a and 142b, respectively, as discussed in more detail above. In this way, the intersection of base 141a forms interface 146a with sidewall 152a. Further, the intersection of base 141b forms interface 146b with sidewall 142b.

In operation, unprinted ballot 100 is positioned between sides 142a and 142b and on bases 141a and 142b, as well as on ramp surface 135a. The positions of guide rails 140a and 140b are adjusted so that interfaces 146a and 146b engage opposed edges 103d and 103b, respectively, of unprinted ballot 100, as shown in FIG. 7b. It should be noted that the positions of guide rails 140a and 140b can be adjusted by using adjustment mechanism 127. It should also be noted that surface 101 of unprinted ballot 100 faces upwardly away from ramp surface 135a and surface 102 faces downwardly towards ramp surface 135a. Guide rails 140a and 140b are adjusted and so they are spaced a distance apart, wherein the distance corresponds to the width of unprinted ballot 100. In this way, unprinted ballot 100 is held in a desired alignment relative to input port 126a.

In accordance with the invention, edges 103d and 103b engage interfaces 146a and 146b as unprinted ballot 100 moves towards input port 126a. In this way, the skew of unprinted ballot 100 is reduced in response to engaging interfaces 146a and 146b, and printed ballot 100 is generated more accurately by printer 125.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An election ballot printing system, comprising: a printer and printer feed tray extension carried by a printer support structure;wherein the printer feed tray extension includes an extension ramp and a guide rail extending along the ramp, the guide rail being positioned to guide a ballot into an input port of the printer.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a printer feed tray wherein the extension ramp extends towards the input port and printer feed tray.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide rail includes an upwardly extending side, and a base which carries the ballot.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the side and base are coupled together to form an interface which engages an edge of the ballot when the ballot is carried by the base.

5. The system of claim 1, further including a guide rail bracket carried by the guide rail, the guide rail bracket reducing the amount of flex of the guide rail.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the printer and printer support structure are coupled together so that movement between them is restricted.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion of the guide rail is at an angle relative to the distal portion.

8. An election ballot printing system, comprising: a printer support structure;a printer carried by the support structure, the printer including a printer feed tray; anda printer feed tray extension carried by the support structure, the printer feed tray extension including an extension ramp with an opening sized and shaped to receive the printer feed tray;wherein the opposed guide rails are positioned to guide a ballot into an input port of the printer.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the printer feed tray extension includes opposed guide rails extending along the ramp.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each guide rail includes a base which carries the ballot, and an upwardly extending side.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the guiderails are repeatably moveable towards and away from each other.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the printer and support structure are coupled together with alignment legs and alignment openings which restrict their movement relative to each other.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the extension ramp extends over the printer feed tray.

14. A method of printing a ballot, comprising: providing an election ballot printing system, which includes a printer and a printer feed tray extension, wherein the printer feed tray extension includes opposed guide rails;positioning a ballot so it extends between the opposed guide rails; andmoving the ballot into an input port of the printer, wherein the guide rails restrict the skew of the ballot.

15. The method of claim 14, further including adjusting the positions of the guide rails in response to the width of the ballot.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein each guide rail includes a base with a side extending upwardly therefrom.

17. The method of claim 16, further including positioning the ballot so it is carried by the bases of the guide rails and engaged with the sides.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the election ballot printing system includes a downwardly extending extension ramp which carries the opposed guide rails.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the printer includes a printer feed tray which engages the extension ramp.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the opposed guide rails are shaped to extend along the extension ramp and the printer feed tray.