CA1266583A - Postal meter value selector system having unitary shiftable value setting drive means - Google Patents
Postal meter value selector system having unitary shiftable value setting drive meansInfo
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- CA1266583A CA1266583A CA000492098A CA492098A CA1266583A CA 1266583 A CA1266583 A CA 1266583A CA 000492098 A CA000492098 A CA 000492098A CA 492098 A CA492098 A CA 492098A CA 1266583 A CA1266583 A CA 1266583A
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- motor
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of associated gears which in turn are controlled by a value setting drive mechanism. A unitary motor effects movement of a pinion from gear to gear and of the individual gears to set the values of the print wheels and also other drive functions of the meter.
A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of associated gears which in turn are controlled by a value setting drive mechanism. A unitary motor effects movement of a pinion from gear to gear and of the individual gears to set the values of the print wheels and also other drive functions of the meter.
Description
~OSTA~ M~R_yAhUE SEL~CTOR ~ E~L~ING
~_L~EY~.C_L~:lL~ V~L~E SETTING DRI~ MEANS
~KGROUND O~ THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to postage meters and is concerned more particularly, but not exclusively, with rotary print drum-type postal meters including the printing mechanisms and the value setting 10 mechanisms thereof.
Postage meters are devices for dispensing value in the form of postage printed on a mailpiece such as an envelope. The term postage meter also includes other simmilar meters such as parcel post 15 meters. Meters of this type print and account for postage store2 in the meter. Mechanisms are proYided in the meter to set a particular value of postage to be printed on a mailpiece.
Postage meters in use today typically include 20 a set of four adjacent print wheels, each of which car~ies print element characters zero through nine.
~3~3 The print wheels can be independen~ly positioned to allow a user to set any amount of postage between $00.00 (for test purposes) and $99.99.
The print wheels of postage meters have in the past generally been manually set by a user through a series of mechanical linkages and leversO Setting the print wheels manually is no problem for users who process relatively little mail on a daily basis.
However, for higher volume users, the meter mechanisms have been adapted for a-utomated operation in recent 10 times.
Postage meters have also been developed with electronic accounting systems which has led to the development of printing mechanisms and value setting mechanisms which cooperate with the electronic circuits 15 in a manner to enhance the capabilities of the postage meter. ~.S. Patent No. 3,978,457 to Check et al, filed December 23, 1974, describes an electronic postage meter in which the printing and value setting mechanisms are electronically controlled. Each print 20 wheel is set to position a different postage amount by an ~ndependently rotatable gear mechanism. The gear mechanisms are engaged by a master gear cne at a time, the master ge~r being rotatably mounted within a laterally movable carriage. The carriage can be moved to cause the master gear to engage in turn with the gear mechanisms. The carriage is positioned by a pair 5 of solenoids acting through a variable linkage and the master gear is driven by a stepper motor. The print drum is driven by a separate motor. An electronic control system is fully described for operating the value setting and printi-ng mechanisms in correct 10 sequence in accordance with values selected by inputting a keyboard. It will also be noted that the meter may be detachably mounted on a base containing certain mechanical drives although the drives for the setting mechanism are contained in the meter itsel~O
UOS. Patent No. 4,050,374 to Check, filed June 21, 1976, describes a setting mechanism for a postage meter similar to that employed in the meter of earlier Patent No. 3,978,457 aforesaid in which the solenoids for positioning the master gear carriage are replaced by a stepper motor. It also describes a mechanism for locking the print drum against rotation during value setting~ Further aspects and alternatives to the setting mecnanism of such postal meter systems are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,965,815 and 3,977,320 to Lupkis et al.
I~.S. Patent No. 4,287,825 to Eckert, Jr. et 5 al, filed October 30, iL979, discloses a setting mechanism like that in U.S. Patent No. 4,050,374 referred to above with a modified locking mechanism for the print drum during value selection.
U.S. Patent No. 4,-367,676 to Clark, filed May 10 22, 1981, describes a different approach to value setting. ~ere a bank of value setting gears equal to the number of print wheels are drivingly connected to respective print wheels one at a time to set the print wheels. A pinion rotated by a stepper motor is shifted 15 from setting gear to setting gear by a tracking mechanism driven by a separate motor which also rotates the print drum at the same time. UOS. Patent 4,140,055 to Lallemand, filed June 6, 1977, discloses a print wheel value changing system using a planet-wheel 20 transmission device in which an eccentrically mounted pinion meshes with a ring gear within a postage printing drum which supports a postage printing wheel.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,301,507 and 4,287,825 are also of interest; the former patent describing in detail an electronic control system for use in an electronic p~stage meter and the latter patent describing the mechanical aspects of the meter~
Pending U.SO Application Serial No. 447,815, entitled ~Stand-Alone Electronic Mailing Machine~ by D. Buam and A. Eckert, filed on December 8, 1982, assigned to the same assigne~ as the instant application, discloses 10 further details of electronic control systems, as well as the mechanic~l aspects, suitable for postage meters and specifically describes a flat bed-type of printer.
Also of interest in this area are ~.S. Patent Nos. 3,965,815 and 3,977,320 which relate to 15 electro-mechanical setting mechanisms for rotary drum postal meters. Other patents of general interest include ~.S. Patents 3,876,870, 3,890,491; 3,892,355;
3,918,361 and 3,949,203 issued to Malavazos et al.
The present invention embodies various 20 improvements to postage meters generally and particularly to the printing mechanisms therefor. A
513~
novel system is disclosed for the setting of the postage val~e amounts in postage meters and for driving and operating the meter. The system includes, inter alia, a novel approach to moving the gear means which control the value selection for printing on the mailpiece by the postal meters, particularly a system of the type wherein the gearing is located about a single drive shaft and contained within the printing drum.
Different aspects of the invention as set 10 forth herein variously include several advantages over prior art devices. The number of gear setting devices and, thus, the number of print devices, is not limited by the setting mechanism. In previous systems, a relatively small number of gears, such as four setting 15 racks, had been used to change the four digits of postage (S00.00).
Aspects of the present invention permit a larger number of setting devices and a compact, in printing drum, value setting system. Thus, in one 20 form, if the diameter of the printing drum is made of suitable size, many more print devices can be conveniently usedO This enables additional changeable information, such as date, logos, cities, etc , to be placed on the postal stamp which can be quickly and easily varied.
In addition, relatively speedy value setting is possible. Furthermore,the present invention provides good security and integrity of settings and possible, electronic control of the value selection system can be utilized. Also, no positive sequence is necessary in setting the value in the presently 10 disclose~ system. In addition, a unique home position is available which disables the print drum when selecting values~ There is also a reduction in the number of parts in the system compared with prior art devices with consequent cost reduction achieved.
S~HM~RY OP_~E INYE~TI~
The invention is generally concerned with postage meters for printing selected value amounts on a 20 print receiving surface of the kind having a support and a plurality of value print devices mounted on the ~3 support, said devices each having a plurality of value prislt elements and being selecti~-ely movable to align selected val~e print elements. Means is provided for driving said support to move selected value print elements through a printing position to form an imprint on a said print receiving surface. Means is also provided for setting or adjusting the value print devices to align the selected print elements in accordance with selected print values. The support suitably comprises a rota~able print drum with the lO value print devices comprising print wheels which are mounted within the drum and are selectively adjustable to align selected print elements in an operative position in which they are exposed at the surface of the drum.
One aspect of this invention is concerned with a postage meter of this kind in which the adjustment or setting means is moved to selectively associate it with the print devices one at a time and a single motor is utilized to effect both the movement of 20 the setting means to associate it with the value print devlces and also the operation of the settins means to 8~
adjust the value print devices.
In one form, the automatic setting or adjustment means comprises value selection means for selectively a~justing the val~e print devices one at a time to align selected value print elements and print device selection means for selectively associating the value selection means with respective value print devices. In accordance with the invention, the drive means for the value selection means and the print device selection means has a single shaft driven by a 10 single motor selectively engageable with the value selection means and the print device selection means one at a time. Suitable control means control the engagement and operation of the value selection means and the print device selection means in accordance with 15 selected print values.
Another aspect of this invention is concerned with a posta~e meter of the general kind set forth ;n which a single motor is utilize~ to selectively drive both the automatic setting or adjustment means and the 20 support; e.g., print drum. The automatic setting (adjustment) means may be of the kind which is moved to selectively associate the print devices one at a time in which case the drive motor may also effect both the movement of the setting means to associate it with the value print devices and the operation of the setting means to adjust the value print devices~
Further ~spects of the invention are concerned with postage meters of the general.kind set forth in which the value selection means comprises a plurality of preferably toothed transmission members such as gears connected to respective value prînt 10 devices and means for displacing the gears (transmission members).
According to one of these aspects, means is engageable with each of the gears, apart from the gear being driven, for locking the gears against movement.
15 Thus, a slotted locking ring may be rotatable to align the slot with the gear to be moved while locking all the other ~ears against movement.
According to another, means is provided for locking the gears against rotation during movement of 2G the support (print drumt and means is also provided for locki~g the support against driving movement except ~6~ 3 when the gears are locked by the gear locking means.
According to an embodiment of the inventionr a single main drive gear is displaceable for selectively engaging vario~s driven elements of the postage meter.
A main drive gear is driven by suitable motor means and 5 means is pr~ ided for disp~acing the main drive gear at least between a position in which it drives the value selector and a position in which it drives the print drum. The main drive gear is driven by suitable motor means and means are provi~ed for displacing the main 10 drive gear between a first position in which it is drivingly engaged with the value selection means and a second position in which it is drivingly engaged with the print device selection means.
In one embodiment of the invention, the drive 15 system ~or effecting print device selection, value selection and printing is driven from a single shaft driven by a single motor. The mechanism for print device selection, value selection and printing may be located wholly within the printing drum. The shaft has 20 a master gear attached thereto which selectively is driYingly engageable with a drum gear and a value j U !; ~ 1 i ' ,ill r1~ I >~ I r3 u ~ ,f:, rl t ~i r ~ i t i o n o f t ~ P
111.1';~:- r ~1~ .lr 1~ iVf:' I}l('~'t(/~ 1~ cont lol nleans wh.ich y t"~ ,( ,l t ~ t},~ (~r: lllrl ( ~lrl ~n~lb:l ~ th~
IlI;I' ~.~'r ~ .lr: t:0 t~t~ I~'p(~!:,i t i()nC~d. '~ ' n;lme control means nl~ly ,~ e n~ d ~o 10~k 1~" dlllm frc)m rot~tion w~.~n ,~ d~ ni r at~:l f'.
11l pl::ev:io~; pontage meter s~tting systems h.avin~ valll~ s~ ct ion mcans ~nd print device se]ection IllI`rlllS~ it )~a~s ~-c en nec(:ssary to associ;~te the value sel~-~ctic?n me~llr, ~ith the prlnt devices in some s~rt of eqLI~nCe whs~thcr they all required adj~stment or not.
Ac~cording t:o a novel Eeature of this invention, the E)ri.nt device select:lon means is 2ssociated during each va:lue settin~ cycle only with such print device selectic~n mc~ans (if ~ny) which require adj~strnent to I r, set: t~he ~ lected value amount. To this end, the contrc)1 mearls suita):)~y includes means for comparing a t,e:lected value amount wit:h the next precedin~ value ~mount to dete~rmine which o said value print devices re~1uire acljustmel~t and associating the value selection mei~n:~; only witll v~lue print devices requirin~
nci jllstmellt in an o~cler dependent upon said etermination.
~n one embodiment o-F the invention, control of the value of the print devices as well as the selection of a particular print device -to change its value may be accomplished by the use of absolute position encoding means on the print devices and on the value to be printed by the indivudual print devices. This in turn allows the elimination of stops and may permit bidirectional, shortest path set-ting of -the print devices.
Another aspect of this invention is as follows:
A postage meter for printing elected value amounts on a print receiving surface, comprising:
rotatable print drum having an axis, a plurality of value print wheels mounted within the print drum and each having a plurality of value print elements, said print wheels being selectively adjustable to align selected print elements in a operative position in which they are exposed at the surface of the drum, drive means for rotating said print drum to move the selected va:lue print elements through a printing position to form an imprint on a said print receiving surface, i8~3~
value selection means comprising a plurality of value selection transmission members, equal in number to the number of prin-t wheels and each associated with a different print wheel, and transmission member moving means selectively engageable with said transmission members for displacing said transmission members one at a time to adjust said print wheels -to position selected print wheels in operative position, print wheel selection means comprising means for transferring said transmission member moving means from transmission member to transmission member to selectively engage said transmission member moving means with respective said transmission members, said drive means further providing drive for said value selection means and said print wheel selection means comprising a first motor selectively engage-able with said transmission member moving means and said transmission member to transmission member transfer means for driving said member to member transfer means while said moving means is disabled and for driving said moving means while said member to member transfer means is disabled and for selectively engaging said print drum, and second motor for effecting said selective engagement of said first motor, ~2~5~3~3 control means for controlling said motors in accordance with selected print values, and said second motor is arranged to displace a main gear coaxial with the rotary axis of said printing drum into selective engagement with a first gear means for driving said transmission member moving means and a second gear means for driving said transmission member to transmission member transfer means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a postage meter incorporating apparatus according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship of elements within the postage meter.
Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional ., 8~
illustration of the printing drum, value adjustment mechanism and control system for the value adjustment mechanism.
Figure 4 is a section view of Figure 3 taken through section 4-4.
Figure 5 is a section view of Figure 3 taken through section 5-5.
DETAIL~ED~ pESCRI;!?TlQ~
Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 1, there is shown a postage meter 20 according to the invention which can be removably fixed to a base 22. A slot 24 is provided between the meter 20 and the 15 base 22, at the forward edge thereof, for receiving envelopes or the like and the printing of postage thereon. The postage meter is provided with a display panel 26, preferably an electronic display, as well as a control panel 28. Any suitable type of electronic 20 control system may be used with the rotary value mechanism disclosed herein~
The meter 20 could be made remo~able from the base 22 in any suitable manner; for instance,in the manner disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2, 934,009, Bach et al, which incorporates a mechanical drive for operation of the printing mechanism in the base. The separability of the meter and base, inter aliar simplifies servlcing and transport of the meter for recharging.
The control panel for the postage meter can be any suitable type, such as one provided with a 10 numeric or alphanumeric display 26. For example, a conventional multiplexed, seven-segment LED or LCD
display may be used. In addition, the control panel can be provided with numeric setting keys 30 and a decimal key 32 for setting the meter to print a desired 15~amount of postage, the amount normally being displayed on the display 26. A clear key 34 may also be provided to clear the display amount in the event, for example, of an erroneous entry. When the displayed amount has been set to the desired value, depression of a set 20 postage key 36 effects setting of the printing mechanism~ Printing may be initiated by the insertion of an ~nvelope or the depression of a print key~
The panel may further be provided with a series of keys enabling the selective display of other ~alues on the display 26. For example, keys may be provided for displaying the contents of an as~ending S register; i.e., the postage used by the meter, a descending register; i.e.l the postage for which the meter is still charged, and other desired information.
Further, a service switch (not shown) at the back of the meter may be operated to use the keys of the meter 10 for diagnostic and other service functions. The meter may be adapted for remote meter resetting as discussed, for example, in U.S. Patent No~ 4,097,923. Further details of these functions are to be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,301,507 referred to 15 beloW-The printing mechanism, as shown in Figures3-5, includes a print drum 410 mounted in the meter 20 over the slot 24 and having an opening in its periphery 411 through which selected print elements project. For 20 printing the selected print value on an envelope, the drum is rotated to press the print elements against the ~ . :
envelope which is driven through the slot 24 by frictional contact with the drum. The print elements which are suitably mounted on the peripheries of a series of print wheels 416, as shown in Figure 5, are rotated to align the selected value print elements for 5 printing in the c>pening~
Adjustment or setting of the print wheels is effected by a setting mechanism controlled in accordance with selected print values input at the keyboard 28 by means of a suitable control system such 10 as an electronic control system. Suitable electronic control systems are described in U.S. Patent No.
3,978,457 to Check et al and U.S. Patent No. 4r301r507 to Soderberg et al.
The improved postage meter system incorporates drives to the printing mechanism including the setting mechanism thereof as well as the relationships of the various drives. Particular features are the selective driving of plural elements of the printing mechanism off a common main or master 20 drive gear and the use of a single drive motor for several functions. These features will become more readily apparent from an underst~nding of the rotary print value selector ill~strated in Figures 3 - 5, reference to which is now made.
Figure 3 describes the components within rotatable print drum 410. Print drum 410 contains the means for selectively adjusting the value print wheels 416 to select their positions so that the appropriate print elements are in operative position to apply the proper postage to the mailpiece. This includes the value selection means for~- selectively adjusting the 10 value print devices one at a time to align selected value print elements in the printing plane; a print device selection means for selectively associating the value selection means with the respective value print device; and means for driving the rotatable print drum 15 or support for moving the selected value print elements to a printing position to form an imprint on the print receiving surface such as a mailpiece.
Contained within drum 410, in this embodiment, is adjustment system 420 which performs 20 both value selection and print device selection. In addition, control system 440 enables the operator to s~
manually or automatically control the mode in which the postage meter will be operated.
Adjustment system 420 includes master gear 422 and an adjustment assembly 430. It is through the combination of master gear 422, adjustment assembly 430, drum 410 and control system 440 that the three modes of operation are possible. m e three modes of operation include print device or bank selection, value or digit selection and printing.
The three modes of operation, in this 10 embodiment, are possible with the use of only one drive shaft, shaft 404, and one axially sliding, three position control system 440. In addition, the system disclosed herein has the advantage of locking the print drum in its home position while value setting occurs, 15 locking the value print wheels when they are not beiny adjusted and locking the whole adjustment system when printing, or drum cycling, takes place. A single shaft.
shaft 404, drives all functions of the drum and aajusts all changeable printed information such as postage 20 amounts, date, advertising slogan, mail class, etc. In addition, the use of a single shaft with a smoothf 5~3 simple~ axially sliding control link allows better sealing of the meter body from the external environment thereby keeping ink, dust, and other foreign bodies from entering the meter body. This mechanism also makes it possible to position all of the movable elements of the drum with on'~
one shaft encoder means for ease of system control.
The three modes of operation to effect drum value setting and printing are essentially carried out by selectively positioning master gear 422 which is mounted on and turns with shaft 404. The position of master gear 422 is in turn controlled by control system 440. Control system 440 acts on master gear 422 on shaft 404 through axially slidable ring 444 and select member 448. Position rod 446 is pivotally mounted on frame 406 through pin 477 so that rod 446 can move either clockwise or counterclockwise about pin 477. Shaft 404 is mounted by suitable bearings to frame 406 so the shaft can turn relative to the frame. In addition, drum 410 and shaft 404 can turn relative to one another due to suitable bearings on either end of the drum~
Shaft 404 has a channel 452 therein which ~6~33 carries select ~ember 448. Select member 448 has a connec~ing portion 450 on one end thereof (left end in Figure 3) and a slotted portion 451 on the other end thereof (right end in ~igure 3). As drum 404 is rotated, it carries with it channel 452 and select 5 member 448. Select member 448 cle~rs positioning rod 446 during such rotation due to slot 4~1. Connecting portion 450 of the select rod engages master gear 422 through keyway 421 in the master gear. The purpose of select rod 448 is to positibn master gear 422 in one of 10 three positions relative to drum 410 and adjustment mechanism 430 to operate the system in one of the three modes of operation.
Three modes of operation are possible depending on the position of positioning rod 446. The 15 three modes are the digit select mode (value selection) wherein rod 446 is in the neutral or vertical position;
the bank select mode (print device selection) ~herein rod 446 is moved in the counterclockwise direction and control rod 442 is positioned left of its neutral 20 position; and the printing mode ~print drum cycling) wherein rod 446 is moved in the clockwise direction and control rod 442 is located to the right of ics neutral position. Any suitable means for moving rod 446 can be used. For instance, rod 446 can be moved to each of the three positions by the operator manually doing so.
Alternatively, rod 446 can be placed in any of the three positions by any suitable automatic means such as a so]enoid or motor which is automatically operated from the keyboardO
The top of positioning rod 446 is mounted onto and can pivot relativQ to control rod 442 through 10 pin 449. Pin 449 moves within slot 460 of rod 446 to accommodate the rotary motion of rod 446 to the linear motion of rod 442. Control rod 442 passes freely through frame opening 454 and, depending upon its position. may engage drum lock channel 414.
Adjustment system 420 includes master gear 422 and ring gear 424. Ring gear 424 has gear teeth on its outer periphery which can mesh with drum gear 412 and select gear 432. ~owever, ring gear 424 has a non-tooth surface on its inner periphery allowing it to 20 be freely rotated relative to and be supported by the left hand portion of the surface of master gear 422.
Teeth 412 of drum gear 410 may be made out of and be inte~ral with the drum material. Master gear 422 has teeth on the periphery of its mid and right hand portions that are engageable and meshable with the teeth on select gear 432 and co~bination spur and bevel gear 434.
Select rod 448, deper.ding upon the direction it movesr carries master gear 422 axially along shaft 404. Ring gear 424 moves axially relative to shaft 404 along wi~h master gear 4~2 as it changes position.
10 Ring gear 424 serves to lock select gear 432 to gear 412 in the digit selection or neutral position. This occurs by drum 410 being locked by rod 442 and the teeth of ring gear 424 being engaged with drum gear 412 and master gear 432~ Ring gear 424 is able to stay 15 stationary at this time due to the fact that master gear 422 can rotate relative to inner surface of the ring gear. The position of ring gear 424 is determined according to the position of master gear 422, this association being accomplished in any suitable manner 20 such as side flanges 461 and 462 on the master gear which keep the two gears together along shaft 404.
Adjustment assembly 430 also includes select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434 which are adapted to be driven by the master gear 422. Select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434 have teeth on their internal and external surfaces, respectively, which are meshable and engageable with the master gear. Select gear 432 has a first set of teeth on its internal surface, left hand portion, that is engageable and meshable with ring gear 424. It also has a second set of teeth..on its internal surface, 10 right hand portion, that is engageable and meshable with master gear 422. Combination spur and bevel gear 434 has a conically-shaped gear portion which meshes with the conically shaped gear portion of combination spur and bevel gear 43S. The motion of combination 15 spur and bevel gear 434 is passed onto combination spur and bevel gear 436 through their respective conically-shaped surfaces.
Combination spur and bevel gear 436, as will be explained below, is selectively positionable to 20 engage and drive one at a time each print device 416 mounted on the drum. As can be seen in ~igure 3,
~_L~EY~.C_L~:lL~ V~L~E SETTING DRI~ MEANS
~KGROUND O~ THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to postage meters and is concerned more particularly, but not exclusively, with rotary print drum-type postal meters including the printing mechanisms and the value setting 10 mechanisms thereof.
Postage meters are devices for dispensing value in the form of postage printed on a mailpiece such as an envelope. The term postage meter also includes other simmilar meters such as parcel post 15 meters. Meters of this type print and account for postage store2 in the meter. Mechanisms are proYided in the meter to set a particular value of postage to be printed on a mailpiece.
Postage meters in use today typically include 20 a set of four adjacent print wheels, each of which car~ies print element characters zero through nine.
~3~3 The print wheels can be independen~ly positioned to allow a user to set any amount of postage between $00.00 (for test purposes) and $99.99.
The print wheels of postage meters have in the past generally been manually set by a user through a series of mechanical linkages and leversO Setting the print wheels manually is no problem for users who process relatively little mail on a daily basis.
However, for higher volume users, the meter mechanisms have been adapted for a-utomated operation in recent 10 times.
Postage meters have also been developed with electronic accounting systems which has led to the development of printing mechanisms and value setting mechanisms which cooperate with the electronic circuits 15 in a manner to enhance the capabilities of the postage meter. ~.S. Patent No. 3,978,457 to Check et al, filed December 23, 1974, describes an electronic postage meter in which the printing and value setting mechanisms are electronically controlled. Each print 20 wheel is set to position a different postage amount by an ~ndependently rotatable gear mechanism. The gear mechanisms are engaged by a master gear cne at a time, the master ge~r being rotatably mounted within a laterally movable carriage. The carriage can be moved to cause the master gear to engage in turn with the gear mechanisms. The carriage is positioned by a pair 5 of solenoids acting through a variable linkage and the master gear is driven by a stepper motor. The print drum is driven by a separate motor. An electronic control system is fully described for operating the value setting and printi-ng mechanisms in correct 10 sequence in accordance with values selected by inputting a keyboard. It will also be noted that the meter may be detachably mounted on a base containing certain mechanical drives although the drives for the setting mechanism are contained in the meter itsel~O
UOS. Patent No. 4,050,374 to Check, filed June 21, 1976, describes a setting mechanism for a postage meter similar to that employed in the meter of earlier Patent No. 3,978,457 aforesaid in which the solenoids for positioning the master gear carriage are replaced by a stepper motor. It also describes a mechanism for locking the print drum against rotation during value setting~ Further aspects and alternatives to the setting mecnanism of such postal meter systems are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,965,815 and 3,977,320 to Lupkis et al.
I~.S. Patent No. 4,287,825 to Eckert, Jr. et 5 al, filed October 30, iL979, discloses a setting mechanism like that in U.S. Patent No. 4,050,374 referred to above with a modified locking mechanism for the print drum during value selection.
U.S. Patent No. 4,-367,676 to Clark, filed May 10 22, 1981, describes a different approach to value setting. ~ere a bank of value setting gears equal to the number of print wheels are drivingly connected to respective print wheels one at a time to set the print wheels. A pinion rotated by a stepper motor is shifted 15 from setting gear to setting gear by a tracking mechanism driven by a separate motor which also rotates the print drum at the same time. UOS. Patent 4,140,055 to Lallemand, filed June 6, 1977, discloses a print wheel value changing system using a planet-wheel 20 transmission device in which an eccentrically mounted pinion meshes with a ring gear within a postage printing drum which supports a postage printing wheel.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,301,507 and 4,287,825 are also of interest; the former patent describing in detail an electronic control system for use in an electronic p~stage meter and the latter patent describing the mechanical aspects of the meter~
Pending U.SO Application Serial No. 447,815, entitled ~Stand-Alone Electronic Mailing Machine~ by D. Buam and A. Eckert, filed on December 8, 1982, assigned to the same assigne~ as the instant application, discloses 10 further details of electronic control systems, as well as the mechanic~l aspects, suitable for postage meters and specifically describes a flat bed-type of printer.
Also of interest in this area are ~.S. Patent Nos. 3,965,815 and 3,977,320 which relate to 15 electro-mechanical setting mechanisms for rotary drum postal meters. Other patents of general interest include ~.S. Patents 3,876,870, 3,890,491; 3,892,355;
3,918,361 and 3,949,203 issued to Malavazos et al.
The present invention embodies various 20 improvements to postage meters generally and particularly to the printing mechanisms therefor. A
513~
novel system is disclosed for the setting of the postage val~e amounts in postage meters and for driving and operating the meter. The system includes, inter alia, a novel approach to moving the gear means which control the value selection for printing on the mailpiece by the postal meters, particularly a system of the type wherein the gearing is located about a single drive shaft and contained within the printing drum.
Different aspects of the invention as set 10 forth herein variously include several advantages over prior art devices. The number of gear setting devices and, thus, the number of print devices, is not limited by the setting mechanism. In previous systems, a relatively small number of gears, such as four setting 15 racks, had been used to change the four digits of postage (S00.00).
Aspects of the present invention permit a larger number of setting devices and a compact, in printing drum, value setting system. Thus, in one 20 form, if the diameter of the printing drum is made of suitable size, many more print devices can be conveniently usedO This enables additional changeable information, such as date, logos, cities, etc , to be placed on the postal stamp which can be quickly and easily varied.
In addition, relatively speedy value setting is possible. Furthermore,the present invention provides good security and integrity of settings and possible, electronic control of the value selection system can be utilized. Also, no positive sequence is necessary in setting the value in the presently 10 disclose~ system. In addition, a unique home position is available which disables the print drum when selecting values~ There is also a reduction in the number of parts in the system compared with prior art devices with consequent cost reduction achieved.
S~HM~RY OP_~E INYE~TI~
The invention is generally concerned with postage meters for printing selected value amounts on a 20 print receiving surface of the kind having a support and a plurality of value print devices mounted on the ~3 support, said devices each having a plurality of value prislt elements and being selecti~-ely movable to align selected val~e print elements. Means is provided for driving said support to move selected value print elements through a printing position to form an imprint on a said print receiving surface. Means is also provided for setting or adjusting the value print devices to align the selected print elements in accordance with selected print values. The support suitably comprises a rota~able print drum with the lO value print devices comprising print wheels which are mounted within the drum and are selectively adjustable to align selected print elements in an operative position in which they are exposed at the surface of the drum.
One aspect of this invention is concerned with a postage meter of this kind in which the adjustment or setting means is moved to selectively associate it with the print devices one at a time and a single motor is utilized to effect both the movement of 20 the setting means to associate it with the value print devlces and also the operation of the settins means to 8~
adjust the value print devices.
In one form, the automatic setting or adjustment means comprises value selection means for selectively a~justing the val~e print devices one at a time to align selected value print elements and print device selection means for selectively associating the value selection means with respective value print devices. In accordance with the invention, the drive means for the value selection means and the print device selection means has a single shaft driven by a 10 single motor selectively engageable with the value selection means and the print device selection means one at a time. Suitable control means control the engagement and operation of the value selection means and the print device selection means in accordance with 15 selected print values.
Another aspect of this invention is concerned with a posta~e meter of the general kind set forth ;n which a single motor is utilize~ to selectively drive both the automatic setting or adjustment means and the 20 support; e.g., print drum. The automatic setting (adjustment) means may be of the kind which is moved to selectively associate the print devices one at a time in which case the drive motor may also effect both the movement of the setting means to associate it with the value print devices and the operation of the setting means to adjust the value print devices~
Further ~spects of the invention are concerned with postage meters of the general.kind set forth in which the value selection means comprises a plurality of preferably toothed transmission members such as gears connected to respective value prînt 10 devices and means for displacing the gears (transmission members).
According to one of these aspects, means is engageable with each of the gears, apart from the gear being driven, for locking the gears against movement.
15 Thus, a slotted locking ring may be rotatable to align the slot with the gear to be moved while locking all the other ~ears against movement.
According to another, means is provided for locking the gears against rotation during movement of 2G the support (print drumt and means is also provided for locki~g the support against driving movement except ~6~ 3 when the gears are locked by the gear locking means.
According to an embodiment of the inventionr a single main drive gear is displaceable for selectively engaging vario~s driven elements of the postage meter.
A main drive gear is driven by suitable motor means and 5 means is pr~ ided for disp~acing the main drive gear at least between a position in which it drives the value selector and a position in which it drives the print drum. The main drive gear is driven by suitable motor means and means are provi~ed for displacing the main 10 drive gear between a first position in which it is drivingly engaged with the value selection means and a second position in which it is drivingly engaged with the print device selection means.
In one embodiment of the invention, the drive 15 system ~or effecting print device selection, value selection and printing is driven from a single shaft driven by a single motor. The mechanism for print device selection, value selection and printing may be located wholly within the printing drum. The shaft has 20 a master gear attached thereto which selectively is driYingly engageable with a drum gear and a value j U !; ~ 1 i ' ,ill r1~ I >~ I r3 u ~ ,f:, rl t ~i r ~ i t i o n o f t ~ P
111.1';~:- r ~1~ .lr 1~ iVf:' I}l('~'t(/~ 1~ cont lol nleans wh.ich y t"~ ,( ,l t ~ t},~ (~r: lllrl ( ~lrl ~n~lb:l ~ th~
IlI;I' ~.~'r ~ .lr: t:0 t~t~ I~'p(~!:,i t i()nC~d. '~ ' n;lme control means nl~ly ,~ e n~ d ~o 10~k 1~" dlllm frc)m rot~tion w~.~n ,~ d~ ni r at~:l f'.
11l pl::ev:io~; pontage meter s~tting systems h.avin~ valll~ s~ ct ion mcans ~nd print device se]ection IllI`rlllS~ it )~a~s ~-c en nec(:ssary to associ;~te the value sel~-~ctic?n me~llr, ~ith the prlnt devices in some s~rt of eqLI~nCe whs~thcr they all required adj~stment or not.
Ac~cording t:o a novel Eeature of this invention, the E)ri.nt device select:lon means is 2ssociated during each va:lue settin~ cycle only with such print device selectic~n mc~ans (if ~ny) which require adj~strnent to I r, set: t~he ~ lected value amount. To this end, the contrc)1 mearls suita):)~y includes means for comparing a t,e:lected value amount wit:h the next precedin~ value ~mount to dete~rmine which o said value print devices re~1uire acljustmel~t and associating the value selection mei~n:~; only witll v~lue print devices requirin~
nci jllstmellt in an o~cler dependent upon said etermination.
~n one embodiment o-F the invention, control of the value of the print devices as well as the selection of a particular print device -to change its value may be accomplished by the use of absolute position encoding means on the print devices and on the value to be printed by the indivudual print devices. This in turn allows the elimination of stops and may permit bidirectional, shortest path set-ting of -the print devices.
Another aspect of this invention is as follows:
A postage meter for printing elected value amounts on a print receiving surface, comprising:
rotatable print drum having an axis, a plurality of value print wheels mounted within the print drum and each having a plurality of value print elements, said print wheels being selectively adjustable to align selected print elements in a operative position in which they are exposed at the surface of the drum, drive means for rotating said print drum to move the selected va:lue print elements through a printing position to form an imprint on a said print receiving surface, i8~3~
value selection means comprising a plurality of value selection transmission members, equal in number to the number of prin-t wheels and each associated with a different print wheel, and transmission member moving means selectively engageable with said transmission members for displacing said transmission members one at a time to adjust said print wheels -to position selected print wheels in operative position, print wheel selection means comprising means for transferring said transmission member moving means from transmission member to transmission member to selectively engage said transmission member moving means with respective said transmission members, said drive means further providing drive for said value selection means and said print wheel selection means comprising a first motor selectively engage-able with said transmission member moving means and said transmission member to transmission member transfer means for driving said member to member transfer means while said moving means is disabled and for driving said moving means while said member to member transfer means is disabled and for selectively engaging said print drum, and second motor for effecting said selective engagement of said first motor, ~2~5~3~3 control means for controlling said motors in accordance with selected print values, and said second motor is arranged to displace a main gear coaxial with the rotary axis of said printing drum into selective engagement with a first gear means for driving said transmission member moving means and a second gear means for driving said transmission member to transmission member transfer means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a postage meter incorporating apparatus according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship of elements within the postage meter.
Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional ., 8~
illustration of the printing drum, value adjustment mechanism and control system for the value adjustment mechanism.
Figure 4 is a section view of Figure 3 taken through section 4-4.
Figure 5 is a section view of Figure 3 taken through section 5-5.
DETAIL~ED~ pESCRI;!?TlQ~
Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 1, there is shown a postage meter 20 according to the invention which can be removably fixed to a base 22. A slot 24 is provided between the meter 20 and the 15 base 22, at the forward edge thereof, for receiving envelopes or the like and the printing of postage thereon. The postage meter is provided with a display panel 26, preferably an electronic display, as well as a control panel 28. Any suitable type of electronic 20 control system may be used with the rotary value mechanism disclosed herein~
The meter 20 could be made remo~able from the base 22 in any suitable manner; for instance,in the manner disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2, 934,009, Bach et al, which incorporates a mechanical drive for operation of the printing mechanism in the base. The separability of the meter and base, inter aliar simplifies servlcing and transport of the meter for recharging.
The control panel for the postage meter can be any suitable type, such as one provided with a 10 numeric or alphanumeric display 26. For example, a conventional multiplexed, seven-segment LED or LCD
display may be used. In addition, the control panel can be provided with numeric setting keys 30 and a decimal key 32 for setting the meter to print a desired 15~amount of postage, the amount normally being displayed on the display 26. A clear key 34 may also be provided to clear the display amount in the event, for example, of an erroneous entry. When the displayed amount has been set to the desired value, depression of a set 20 postage key 36 effects setting of the printing mechanism~ Printing may be initiated by the insertion of an ~nvelope or the depression of a print key~
The panel may further be provided with a series of keys enabling the selective display of other ~alues on the display 26. For example, keys may be provided for displaying the contents of an as~ending S register; i.e., the postage used by the meter, a descending register; i.e.l the postage for which the meter is still charged, and other desired information.
Further, a service switch (not shown) at the back of the meter may be operated to use the keys of the meter 10 for diagnostic and other service functions. The meter may be adapted for remote meter resetting as discussed, for example, in U.S. Patent No~ 4,097,923. Further details of these functions are to be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,301,507 referred to 15 beloW-The printing mechanism, as shown in Figures3-5, includes a print drum 410 mounted in the meter 20 over the slot 24 and having an opening in its periphery 411 through which selected print elements project. For 20 printing the selected print value on an envelope, the drum is rotated to press the print elements against the ~ . :
envelope which is driven through the slot 24 by frictional contact with the drum. The print elements which are suitably mounted on the peripheries of a series of print wheels 416, as shown in Figure 5, are rotated to align the selected value print elements for 5 printing in the c>pening~
Adjustment or setting of the print wheels is effected by a setting mechanism controlled in accordance with selected print values input at the keyboard 28 by means of a suitable control system such 10 as an electronic control system. Suitable electronic control systems are described in U.S. Patent No.
3,978,457 to Check et al and U.S. Patent No. 4r301r507 to Soderberg et al.
The improved postage meter system incorporates drives to the printing mechanism including the setting mechanism thereof as well as the relationships of the various drives. Particular features are the selective driving of plural elements of the printing mechanism off a common main or master 20 drive gear and the use of a single drive motor for several functions. These features will become more readily apparent from an underst~nding of the rotary print value selector ill~strated in Figures 3 - 5, reference to which is now made.
Figure 3 describes the components within rotatable print drum 410. Print drum 410 contains the means for selectively adjusting the value print wheels 416 to select their positions so that the appropriate print elements are in operative position to apply the proper postage to the mailpiece. This includes the value selection means for~- selectively adjusting the 10 value print devices one at a time to align selected value print elements in the printing plane; a print device selection means for selectively associating the value selection means with the respective value print device; and means for driving the rotatable print drum 15 or support for moving the selected value print elements to a printing position to form an imprint on the print receiving surface such as a mailpiece.
Contained within drum 410, in this embodiment, is adjustment system 420 which performs 20 both value selection and print device selection. In addition, control system 440 enables the operator to s~
manually or automatically control the mode in which the postage meter will be operated.
Adjustment system 420 includes master gear 422 and an adjustment assembly 430. It is through the combination of master gear 422, adjustment assembly 430, drum 410 and control system 440 that the three modes of operation are possible. m e three modes of operation include print device or bank selection, value or digit selection and printing.
The three modes of operation, in this 10 embodiment, are possible with the use of only one drive shaft, shaft 404, and one axially sliding, three position control system 440. In addition, the system disclosed herein has the advantage of locking the print drum in its home position while value setting occurs, 15 locking the value print wheels when they are not beiny adjusted and locking the whole adjustment system when printing, or drum cycling, takes place. A single shaft.
shaft 404, drives all functions of the drum and aajusts all changeable printed information such as postage 20 amounts, date, advertising slogan, mail class, etc. In addition, the use of a single shaft with a smoothf 5~3 simple~ axially sliding control link allows better sealing of the meter body from the external environment thereby keeping ink, dust, and other foreign bodies from entering the meter body. This mechanism also makes it possible to position all of the movable elements of the drum with on'~
one shaft encoder means for ease of system control.
The three modes of operation to effect drum value setting and printing are essentially carried out by selectively positioning master gear 422 which is mounted on and turns with shaft 404. The position of master gear 422 is in turn controlled by control system 440. Control system 440 acts on master gear 422 on shaft 404 through axially slidable ring 444 and select member 448. Position rod 446 is pivotally mounted on frame 406 through pin 477 so that rod 446 can move either clockwise or counterclockwise about pin 477. Shaft 404 is mounted by suitable bearings to frame 406 so the shaft can turn relative to the frame. In addition, drum 410 and shaft 404 can turn relative to one another due to suitable bearings on either end of the drum~
Shaft 404 has a channel 452 therein which ~6~33 carries select ~ember 448. Select member 448 has a connec~ing portion 450 on one end thereof (left end in Figure 3) and a slotted portion 451 on the other end thereof (right end in ~igure 3). As drum 404 is rotated, it carries with it channel 452 and select 5 member 448. Select member 448 cle~rs positioning rod 446 during such rotation due to slot 4~1. Connecting portion 450 of the select rod engages master gear 422 through keyway 421 in the master gear. The purpose of select rod 448 is to positibn master gear 422 in one of 10 three positions relative to drum 410 and adjustment mechanism 430 to operate the system in one of the three modes of operation.
Three modes of operation are possible depending on the position of positioning rod 446. The 15 three modes are the digit select mode (value selection) wherein rod 446 is in the neutral or vertical position;
the bank select mode (print device selection) ~herein rod 446 is moved in the counterclockwise direction and control rod 442 is positioned left of its neutral 20 position; and the printing mode ~print drum cycling) wherein rod 446 is moved in the clockwise direction and control rod 442 is located to the right of ics neutral position. Any suitable means for moving rod 446 can be used. For instance, rod 446 can be moved to each of the three positions by the operator manually doing so.
Alternatively, rod 446 can be placed in any of the three positions by any suitable automatic means such as a so]enoid or motor which is automatically operated from the keyboardO
The top of positioning rod 446 is mounted onto and can pivot relativQ to control rod 442 through 10 pin 449. Pin 449 moves within slot 460 of rod 446 to accommodate the rotary motion of rod 446 to the linear motion of rod 442. Control rod 442 passes freely through frame opening 454 and, depending upon its position. may engage drum lock channel 414.
Adjustment system 420 includes master gear 422 and ring gear 424. Ring gear 424 has gear teeth on its outer periphery which can mesh with drum gear 412 and select gear 432. ~owever, ring gear 424 has a non-tooth surface on its inner periphery allowing it to 20 be freely rotated relative to and be supported by the left hand portion of the surface of master gear 422.
Teeth 412 of drum gear 410 may be made out of and be inte~ral with the drum material. Master gear 422 has teeth on the periphery of its mid and right hand portions that are engageable and meshable with the teeth on select gear 432 and co~bination spur and bevel gear 434.
Select rod 448, deper.ding upon the direction it movesr carries master gear 422 axially along shaft 404. Ring gear 424 moves axially relative to shaft 404 along wi~h master gear 4~2 as it changes position.
10 Ring gear 424 serves to lock select gear 432 to gear 412 in the digit selection or neutral position. This occurs by drum 410 being locked by rod 442 and the teeth of ring gear 424 being engaged with drum gear 412 and master gear 432~ Ring gear 424 is able to stay 15 stationary at this time due to the fact that master gear 422 can rotate relative to inner surface of the ring gear. The position of ring gear 424 is determined according to the position of master gear 422, this association being accomplished in any suitable manner 20 such as side flanges 461 and 462 on the master gear which keep the two gears together along shaft 404.
Adjustment assembly 430 also includes select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434 which are adapted to be driven by the master gear 422. Select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434 have teeth on their internal and external surfaces, respectively, which are meshable and engageable with the master gear. Select gear 432 has a first set of teeth on its internal surface, left hand portion, that is engageable and meshable with ring gear 424. It also has a second set of teeth..on its internal surface, 10 right hand portion, that is engageable and meshable with master gear 422. Combination spur and bevel gear 434 has a conically-shaped gear portion which meshes with the conically shaped gear portion of combination spur and bevel gear 43S. The motion of combination 15 spur and bevel gear 434 is passed onto combination spur and bevel gear 436 through their respective conically-shaped surfaces.
Combination spur and bevel gear 436, as will be explained below, is selectively positionable to 20 engage and drive one at a time each print device 416 mounted on the drum. As can be seen in ~igure 3,
2~
combination spur ~nd bevel aear 436 is engaged with one of the print devices 416 through idler gear 438 and print device aear 418. Idier gear 43~ and print device gear 418 are mounted on the drum 410 via bracket 437 and rotate about shafts 457 and 456, respectively.
Select gear 432 can be mounted ~n and concentrically rotated relative to drum 410 by virtue of a suitable bearin~. Combination spur and bevel gear 434 is mounted on select gear 432 through shaft 433 and is allowed to turn freel~ on its shaft relative to 10 select gear 432. Combination spur and bevel gear 436 is also mounted (not shown in Figure 3) on select gear 432 so that it can be driven from master gear 422 through combination spur and bevel gear 434. The conically-shaped portions of combination spur and bevel 15 gears 434 and 436 are maintained in continuous mesh during all three modes of operationr Print device 416 can be of the type that is used in conventional rotary postal meter systems. The periphery of the device can have a plurality of value 20 print e]ements 458, as shown in ~igure 5, about it, and, depending upon which element is placed in opening 411, the postage can be selected. Only one print element on the periphery of a particular print device 416 can project throu~h opening 411, and into the vicinity of the s~rface of drum 410, at a time.
The term ~digit select" as used her~in refers to placing that digit or symbol on the periphery of an individual print device 416 that is actually in position tprojects through opening 411) to print on the mailpiece. The term "bank select" as used herein refers to placing the adjustment mechanism in 10 engagement with the particular print device 416 that is to be changed. In a typical postage meter of the type described herein, there are generally a-plurality of print devices 416 that together make up the complete field of changeable information.
In accordance with a feature of this invention. the main drive motor for rotating the printing drum snaft, shaft 404, also drives print device selection and value selection. Motor 402, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is controlled by the 20 information that is placed into the keyboard ~8 by the operator~ Such control is maintained by any suitable ~7~6~
device, as mentioned otherwise herein, such as by an electronic controller designated as 500 in Figure 2.
Controller 500, at the appropriate times, activates motor 402 to turn shaft 404. Since shaf, 404 can optionally turn in either direction, a suitable motor for this purpose would be a d.c. motor.
m e control system may optionally function in an automatic manner. In this case, a second motor, such as stepper motor 455, could be used to position the control rod 442 through any suitable linkage to control 10 rod 442. For instance, the control rod could have a rack-like portion 443 which is driven by control rod gear 441 which in turn is accurately positioned by stepper motor 455.
Depending upon the position of master gear 15 422, shaft 404, when rotated by motor 402r can drive adjustment system 420 to set the postage value or cycle the printing drum for applying post2ge to the mailpiece. Figure 3 depicts adjustment mechanism 420, print drum 410 and control system 440 when the digit select mode is intended to be operated. In this position, control rod 442 passes through frame opening ~6~i~i83 454 an~ eng2ges with lock channel 414 so that the drum cannot rotate relative to frame 406n Also at this time, select member 448 positions master gear 422 to rotate print device 416 to bring the appropriate printing element 458 into opening 411 in drum 410. In this position, ring gear 424, which moves in accordance with the position of mzster gear 422, is in engagement with drum gear 412. At this time, ring gear 424 is also simultaneously engaging the teeth on select gear 432 and, therefore, gear 432 is prevented from rotating 10 since drum 410 is locked in its home position. In the digit select mode, master gear 422 is engaging combination spur and bevel gear 434 which has t~o portions, a standard gear portion and a conical gear portion.
When shaft 404 rotates, it turns master gear 422 which is keyed tc it. Master gear 422 drives combination spur and bevel gear 434 which in turn drives combination spur and bevel sear 436. It is assumed at this time that combination spur and bevel 20 gear 436 is in engagement with one of the idler gears 438 associated with a particular print device 416. The 5~33 rotation of c~mbi~ation spur and bevel gear 436 drives idler gear 438 and in turn print device gear 418~ In this manner, print elements 45~ on the periphery of print device 416 can he placed in opening 411 of drum 410 selectlvely.
Positioning of the print elements on print device 416 may be accomplished accurately by providing absolute encoders for each print wheel which would allow bi-directional, shortest path setting.
Alternatively, stops could be provided on the print 10 devices 416 and incremental bi-directional rotation sensing of suitable resolution on the drive shaft to control the rotation of the print devices through the controller 500. In this case, there would be need or only one enco~er which would be used for computation of 15 the position of all elements driven by the shaft.
As shat 404 rotates carrying with it master gear 422 in the digit select mode, combination spur and bevel aear 434 drives print device 416. During this time, select gear 43~ remains stationary as does drum 20 41Qo This relative movement is possible by virtue of the fact that drum 410 is locked down by control rod 442, and any relâtive movement between master gear 422, on the one hand, and drum gear 412 and select gear 432, on the other hand,is taken up by the slidin~ action bet~een ring gear 424 and the left hand portion of master gear 422.
A description is now given for the bank select mode of the system with reference to Figures
combination spur ~nd bevel aear 436 is engaged with one of the print devices 416 through idler gear 438 and print device aear 418. Idier gear 43~ and print device gear 418 are mounted on the drum 410 via bracket 437 and rotate about shafts 457 and 456, respectively.
Select gear 432 can be mounted ~n and concentrically rotated relative to drum 410 by virtue of a suitable bearin~. Combination spur and bevel gear 434 is mounted on select gear 432 through shaft 433 and is allowed to turn freel~ on its shaft relative to 10 select gear 432. Combination spur and bevel gear 436 is also mounted (not shown in Figure 3) on select gear 432 so that it can be driven from master gear 422 through combination spur and bevel gear 434. The conically-shaped portions of combination spur and bevel 15 gears 434 and 436 are maintained in continuous mesh during all three modes of operationr Print device 416 can be of the type that is used in conventional rotary postal meter systems. The periphery of the device can have a plurality of value 20 print e]ements 458, as shown in ~igure 5, about it, and, depending upon which element is placed in opening 411, the postage can be selected. Only one print element on the periphery of a particular print device 416 can project throu~h opening 411, and into the vicinity of the s~rface of drum 410, at a time.
The term ~digit select" as used her~in refers to placing that digit or symbol on the periphery of an individual print device 416 that is actually in position tprojects through opening 411) to print on the mailpiece. The term "bank select" as used herein refers to placing the adjustment mechanism in 10 engagement with the particular print device 416 that is to be changed. In a typical postage meter of the type described herein, there are generally a-plurality of print devices 416 that together make up the complete field of changeable information.
In accordance with a feature of this invention. the main drive motor for rotating the printing drum snaft, shaft 404, also drives print device selection and value selection. Motor 402, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is controlled by the 20 information that is placed into the keyboard ~8 by the operator~ Such control is maintained by any suitable ~7~6~
device, as mentioned otherwise herein, such as by an electronic controller designated as 500 in Figure 2.
Controller 500, at the appropriate times, activates motor 402 to turn shaft 404. Since shaf, 404 can optionally turn in either direction, a suitable motor for this purpose would be a d.c. motor.
m e control system may optionally function in an automatic manner. In this case, a second motor, such as stepper motor 455, could be used to position the control rod 442 through any suitable linkage to control 10 rod 442. For instance, the control rod could have a rack-like portion 443 which is driven by control rod gear 441 which in turn is accurately positioned by stepper motor 455.
Depending upon the position of master gear 15 422, shaft 404, when rotated by motor 402r can drive adjustment system 420 to set the postage value or cycle the printing drum for applying post2ge to the mailpiece. Figure 3 depicts adjustment mechanism 420, print drum 410 and control system 440 when the digit select mode is intended to be operated. In this position, control rod 442 passes through frame opening ~6~i~i83 454 an~ eng2ges with lock channel 414 so that the drum cannot rotate relative to frame 406n Also at this time, select member 448 positions master gear 422 to rotate print device 416 to bring the appropriate printing element 458 into opening 411 in drum 410. In this position, ring gear 424, which moves in accordance with the position of mzster gear 422, is in engagement with drum gear 412. At this time, ring gear 424 is also simultaneously engaging the teeth on select gear 432 and, therefore, gear 432 is prevented from rotating 10 since drum 410 is locked in its home position. In the digit select mode, master gear 422 is engaging combination spur and bevel gear 434 which has t~o portions, a standard gear portion and a conical gear portion.
When shaft 404 rotates, it turns master gear 422 which is keyed tc it. Master gear 422 drives combination spur and bevel gear 434 which in turn drives combination spur and bevel sear 436. It is assumed at this time that combination spur and bevel 20 gear 436 is in engagement with one of the idler gears 438 associated with a particular print device 416. The 5~33 rotation of c~mbi~ation spur and bevel gear 436 drives idler gear 438 and in turn print device gear 418~ In this manner, print elements 45~ on the periphery of print device 416 can he placed in opening 411 of drum 410 selectlvely.
Positioning of the print elements on print device 416 may be accomplished accurately by providing absolute encoders for each print wheel which would allow bi-directional, shortest path setting.
Alternatively, stops could be provided on the print 10 devices 416 and incremental bi-directional rotation sensing of suitable resolution on the drive shaft to control the rotation of the print devices through the controller 500. In this case, there would be need or only one enco~er which would be used for computation of 15 the position of all elements driven by the shaft.
As shat 404 rotates carrying with it master gear 422 in the digit select mode, combination spur and bevel aear 434 drives print device 416. During this time, select gear 43~ remains stationary as does drum 20 41Qo This relative movement is possible by virtue of the fact that drum 410 is locked down by control rod 442, and any relâtive movement between master gear 422, on the one hand, and drum gear 412 and select gear 432, on the other hand,is taken up by the slidin~ action bet~een ring gear 424 and the left hand portion of master gear 422.
A description is now given for the bank select mode of the system with reference to Figures
3-5. Since there are a number of print devices 416 arranged adjacent opening 411, provision is made to change any of them that require adjustment. For 10 instance, to accommodate postage up to $99.99, a system would have four print devices 416 for value, and perhaps additional such devices to change other information that is selectable such as the date, advertising slocan, mail class, etc. Thus, there can 15 be a plurality of purposes as well as a plurality of print devices arranged in the drum which must be selected by the bank select mode.
In order to select a particular print device so that it can be adjusted to the proper information to 20 be printed, the bank select mode of the postage system is activated. The following description also applies . , .. , . . . . . , . . , . .. .. ,,; .. . .. .... .. .
~ 3~
when one would want to place the bank select mechanism into a free wheeling, disengaged or ne~tral position.
Control rod 442 is moved to the left, either manually or auto~atically, thrusting the left end of the control rod further into the drum locking channel 414 as shown in the do~ed lines thereby assuring that the drum is locked in its home position. When this occurs, select member 448 is also moved, but to the right in Figure 3.
This is because position rod 446 rotates about pin 447, which is attached to frame 406, in the counterclockwise direction. Since the slotted portion 451 of select member 448 is moved by position rod 446 and is located below pivot 447, it moves the select member 448 to the right.
When this happens, ring 444 slides along shaft 404 to the right being driven in that direction by the action of position rod 446 through pin 445.
Position rod 446, at its lower end adjacent slot 451 of the select member, branches into collar portion 463 which surrounds the upper half of shaft 404. Collar portion 463 is pivoted about and attached to ring 444 by pins 445. There are two pins 445, one on either side of the shart 404. Pins 445 ride in slots 464 to accommodate the rotary motion ofcollar portion 463 to the linear motion of ring 444. 5elect member 448 is solid below slot 451, however, the bottom of slot 451 is below the surface of shaft 4040 Due to this configuration, select member 448 clears ring 444, collar 463 and rod 446 as it is rotated with shaft 404.
The teeth on the outer surface at ring gear 424 disengage from the teeth of print drum gear 412 and master gear 422 is engaged with the adjustment assembly 430. In addition, master gear 422 drives combination spur and bevel gears 434 and 436. As a result, combination spur and bevel gears 434 and 436 are locked with and become a fixed paxt of the adjustment assembly 430, and, more particularly, a fixed part of select gear 432.
Consequently, in the bank select mode, mastex gear 422 and adjustment assembly 430 including select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gears 434 and 436 rotate as an integral assembly when drive shaft 404 rotatesO Select gear 432 has a tooth profile which 8~:3 slides into and locks in position with idler gear 438 associ~ted with edch print device 416. Alignment member 465 on select gear 432 keeps the idler gears 438 in position for the non-conically shaped portion of combination spur a~d bevel gear 436 to easily slide into and engage therewith during bank selection. Thus, the alignment member of select ~ear 432 locks in position idler gears 438 except for the one being reset by the adjustment assembly.
By controlling t~e rotation of drive shaft 10 404, adjustment assembly 430 is positioned so that combination spur and bevel gear 436 engages with a desired bank. Again, adjustment assembly 430 and, more particularly, the select gear 432 or some other àppropriate component of the adjustment assembly, may 15 be provided with an absolute encoder to keep track of its position relative to the banks in print drum 410.
Optionally, it may be provided with a stop and the same encoder on the drive shaft used for print device positioning may be used to compute bank select assembly position.
The third mode of operation is the print mode t~
which is now descri~ed in conjunction with Figures 3-5.
In this mode, drum 410f already having the correct print elements selected for the postage to be applied, is rotated to apply postage onto a mailpiece. In order to place the mechanism i~to the print mod~ so that the drum 410 can cycle through a full revolution from its home position, control rod 442 moYeS to the right into its print position~ The movement of control rod 442 to the right or print position can be subject to blockage by an interposer (not sho~n) controlled by the meter 10 microprocessor directly, such interposer being removed only when all conditions for printing are met. For instance, the microprocessor could power a solenoid which would withdraw the hlocking element at the appropriate time for drum cycling.
When the control rod 442 moves to the right into the print mode, the left end of control rod 442 also moves to the right and removes itself from drum lock channel 414. This frees drum 410 for rotation.
Again, the movement of control rod 442 to the right 20 provides a corresponding movement of select member 448 to the left due to the clockwise rotation of position .
rod 446. Select m~mber 448 moves to the left by virtue of the interaction between its slotted portion 451 which rides with position rod 446 as it is moved in the clockwise direction. Ring 444 and pin 445 move to the left also a~ong shaft 404. Master gear 422 and ring g~ar 424 are moved to the left by select member 448. In this position, master gear 422 engages drum 410 by the left hand portion of the master gear fitting into receiving cavity 459 of the drum. Adjustment assembly 430, and particularly select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434, are also directly engaged by master gear 422 at this time.
In the print mode, drum 410 and adjustment mechanism 430, including select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434, are locked together and rotate simultaneously as a unit with the rotation of shaft 404. The left end profile of master gear 422 and receiving cavity 459 of drum 410 can be configured so that engagement therebetween is allowed only when drive shaft 404 (which is keyed to master gear 422) is in its home position with respect to sensors and interlocking mechanisms in the meter body.
Thus, in the print mode, shaft 404 and master gear 422 drive drum 410 through a complete revolution of the printing cycle while all the rest of the elements of a~ ustment assembly 430 are driven as a unit with the drum.
It is noted that in the print ~rlode, adjustment assembly 430 i5 positioned in a home position in which combination spur and be~el gear 436 is not engaged with any of the gearing of any of the banks of print devices 416.- In bank select mode, the combination spur and bevel gear 436 is brought from the home position to those print devices 416 which are to be changed. Af$er this has been accomplished, combination spur and bevel gear 436 is brought back to its home position where it is again positioned so as not to be engaged with any of the banks of print devices 416.
In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention, adjustment assembly 430 can be contained within the drum 410 and the main motor can be housed in the base 22 of the system~ Drum 410 and its internal components can be mounted in the meter 20 which can be removed from the base. It will be understood that througho~t the various modes of operation, the anqular position of ~he shaft 404, and perhaps other elements within the drum which are rotatable, and the mode of operation, as indicated by the position rod 446, can be constantly monitored by encoder discs. ~hese discs may continuously feed signals about the movements of these elements to controller 500, the controller receiving such input in the manner described in -the aforesaid U.S. Patent 10 3,987,457.
A suitable sensor for sensing the position of the print cycle can also be connected into the controller. A suitable comparator can also be provided for comparing each new position for a print wheel with 15 its existing position to enable the proper sequencing.
While the drive motor and selector motor are preferably d~c. and stepper motors, respectively, other suitable motors or motor combinations may be used.
Sequencing of the adjustment assembly need 20 not be accomplished in any set manner each time the postage amount is to be reset. Since the gear means, 8,~
in this embodiment gear 438, is disposed in an annular array around the gea~ means displacement means, in this embodiment adjustment assembly 430, bank selection can occur by rotating drive shaft 404 and master gear 422 in either direction.
This is partic~larly useful if all of the print wheels do not have to be chan~ed in the resetting process since the value selection means and print device selection means can be controlled such that the value selection means is associated during each value 10 setting cycle only with such value print devices (if any) which require adjustment to set the selected value amount or other changable information. The positions of the value selection means and print device selection means can be monitored and the control device can 15 control engagement and operation of these selector means by the motor in accordance with said determinations. Thus, by sequencing the print device and value selector means, control can be carried out without stops such that the print device selector means 20 is brou~ht to the value print device by rotating it in the direction that takes the shortest distance or time .
~r~ 3 to bring the two into operative engagement~
This invention is disclosed in the context of a postal meter, however, other types of meters and devices may have the invention applied thereto with 5 equal value. Other such meters can include parcel service devices, tax stamp devices, check writing devices~ etc.
The detailed description herein concentrates on those aspects of the postal meter and its operation which pertain to the principal improvements over the prior art. Aspects of tbe postal meter system described in a more general manner may be of any well known conventional construction.
It should be understood that the above described embodiments of the invention are illustrative only and that modifications thereof may occur to those ~killed in the art. Accordingly, this invention is not to be regarded as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein but is to be limited only as defined by the appended claim~.
In order to select a particular print device so that it can be adjusted to the proper information to 20 be printed, the bank select mode of the postage system is activated. The following description also applies . , .. , . . . . . , . . , . .. .. ,,; .. . .. .... .. .
~ 3~
when one would want to place the bank select mechanism into a free wheeling, disengaged or ne~tral position.
Control rod 442 is moved to the left, either manually or auto~atically, thrusting the left end of the control rod further into the drum locking channel 414 as shown in the do~ed lines thereby assuring that the drum is locked in its home position. When this occurs, select member 448 is also moved, but to the right in Figure 3.
This is because position rod 446 rotates about pin 447, which is attached to frame 406, in the counterclockwise direction. Since the slotted portion 451 of select member 448 is moved by position rod 446 and is located below pivot 447, it moves the select member 448 to the right.
When this happens, ring 444 slides along shaft 404 to the right being driven in that direction by the action of position rod 446 through pin 445.
Position rod 446, at its lower end adjacent slot 451 of the select member, branches into collar portion 463 which surrounds the upper half of shaft 404. Collar portion 463 is pivoted about and attached to ring 444 by pins 445. There are two pins 445, one on either side of the shart 404. Pins 445 ride in slots 464 to accommodate the rotary motion ofcollar portion 463 to the linear motion of ring 444. 5elect member 448 is solid below slot 451, however, the bottom of slot 451 is below the surface of shaft 4040 Due to this configuration, select member 448 clears ring 444, collar 463 and rod 446 as it is rotated with shaft 404.
The teeth on the outer surface at ring gear 424 disengage from the teeth of print drum gear 412 and master gear 422 is engaged with the adjustment assembly 430. In addition, master gear 422 drives combination spur and bevel gears 434 and 436. As a result, combination spur and bevel gears 434 and 436 are locked with and become a fixed paxt of the adjustment assembly 430, and, more particularly, a fixed part of select gear 432.
Consequently, in the bank select mode, mastex gear 422 and adjustment assembly 430 including select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gears 434 and 436 rotate as an integral assembly when drive shaft 404 rotatesO Select gear 432 has a tooth profile which 8~:3 slides into and locks in position with idler gear 438 associ~ted with edch print device 416. Alignment member 465 on select gear 432 keeps the idler gears 438 in position for the non-conically shaped portion of combination spur a~d bevel gear 436 to easily slide into and engage therewith during bank selection. Thus, the alignment member of select ~ear 432 locks in position idler gears 438 except for the one being reset by the adjustment assembly.
By controlling t~e rotation of drive shaft 10 404, adjustment assembly 430 is positioned so that combination spur and bevel gear 436 engages with a desired bank. Again, adjustment assembly 430 and, more particularly, the select gear 432 or some other àppropriate component of the adjustment assembly, may 15 be provided with an absolute encoder to keep track of its position relative to the banks in print drum 410.
Optionally, it may be provided with a stop and the same encoder on the drive shaft used for print device positioning may be used to compute bank select assembly position.
The third mode of operation is the print mode t~
which is now descri~ed in conjunction with Figures 3-5.
In this mode, drum 410f already having the correct print elements selected for the postage to be applied, is rotated to apply postage onto a mailpiece. In order to place the mechanism i~to the print mod~ so that the drum 410 can cycle through a full revolution from its home position, control rod 442 moYeS to the right into its print position~ The movement of control rod 442 to the right or print position can be subject to blockage by an interposer (not sho~n) controlled by the meter 10 microprocessor directly, such interposer being removed only when all conditions for printing are met. For instance, the microprocessor could power a solenoid which would withdraw the hlocking element at the appropriate time for drum cycling.
When the control rod 442 moves to the right into the print mode, the left end of control rod 442 also moves to the right and removes itself from drum lock channel 414. This frees drum 410 for rotation.
Again, the movement of control rod 442 to the right 20 provides a corresponding movement of select member 448 to the left due to the clockwise rotation of position .
rod 446. Select m~mber 448 moves to the left by virtue of the interaction between its slotted portion 451 which rides with position rod 446 as it is moved in the clockwise direction. Ring 444 and pin 445 move to the left also a~ong shaft 404. Master gear 422 and ring g~ar 424 are moved to the left by select member 448. In this position, master gear 422 engages drum 410 by the left hand portion of the master gear fitting into receiving cavity 459 of the drum. Adjustment assembly 430, and particularly select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434, are also directly engaged by master gear 422 at this time.
In the print mode, drum 410 and adjustment mechanism 430, including select gear 432 and combination spur and bevel gear 434, are locked together and rotate simultaneously as a unit with the rotation of shaft 404. The left end profile of master gear 422 and receiving cavity 459 of drum 410 can be configured so that engagement therebetween is allowed only when drive shaft 404 (which is keyed to master gear 422) is in its home position with respect to sensors and interlocking mechanisms in the meter body.
Thus, in the print mode, shaft 404 and master gear 422 drive drum 410 through a complete revolution of the printing cycle while all the rest of the elements of a~ ustment assembly 430 are driven as a unit with the drum.
It is noted that in the print ~rlode, adjustment assembly 430 i5 positioned in a home position in which combination spur and be~el gear 436 is not engaged with any of the gearing of any of the banks of print devices 416.- In bank select mode, the combination spur and bevel gear 436 is brought from the home position to those print devices 416 which are to be changed. Af$er this has been accomplished, combination spur and bevel gear 436 is brought back to its home position where it is again positioned so as not to be engaged with any of the banks of print devices 416.
In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention, adjustment assembly 430 can be contained within the drum 410 and the main motor can be housed in the base 22 of the system~ Drum 410 and its internal components can be mounted in the meter 20 which can be removed from the base. It will be understood that througho~t the various modes of operation, the anqular position of ~he shaft 404, and perhaps other elements within the drum which are rotatable, and the mode of operation, as indicated by the position rod 446, can be constantly monitored by encoder discs. ~hese discs may continuously feed signals about the movements of these elements to controller 500, the controller receiving such input in the manner described in -the aforesaid U.S. Patent 10 3,987,457.
A suitable sensor for sensing the position of the print cycle can also be connected into the controller. A suitable comparator can also be provided for comparing each new position for a print wheel with 15 its existing position to enable the proper sequencing.
While the drive motor and selector motor are preferably d~c. and stepper motors, respectively, other suitable motors or motor combinations may be used.
Sequencing of the adjustment assembly need 20 not be accomplished in any set manner each time the postage amount is to be reset. Since the gear means, 8,~
in this embodiment gear 438, is disposed in an annular array around the gea~ means displacement means, in this embodiment adjustment assembly 430, bank selection can occur by rotating drive shaft 404 and master gear 422 in either direction.
This is partic~larly useful if all of the print wheels do not have to be chan~ed in the resetting process since the value selection means and print device selection means can be controlled such that the value selection means is associated during each value 10 setting cycle only with such value print devices (if any) which require adjustment to set the selected value amount or other changable information. The positions of the value selection means and print device selection means can be monitored and the control device can 15 control engagement and operation of these selector means by the motor in accordance with said determinations. Thus, by sequencing the print device and value selector means, control can be carried out without stops such that the print device selector means 20 is brou~ht to the value print device by rotating it in the direction that takes the shortest distance or time .
~r~ 3 to bring the two into operative engagement~
This invention is disclosed in the context of a postal meter, however, other types of meters and devices may have the invention applied thereto with 5 equal value. Other such meters can include parcel service devices, tax stamp devices, check writing devices~ etc.
The detailed description herein concentrates on those aspects of the postal meter and its operation which pertain to the principal improvements over the prior art. Aspects of tbe postal meter system described in a more general manner may be of any well known conventional construction.
It should be understood that the above described embodiments of the invention are illustrative only and that modifications thereof may occur to those ~killed in the art. Accordingly, this invention is not to be regarded as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein but is to be limited only as defined by the appended claim~.
Claims (3)
- The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
-- 1. A postage meter for printing elected value amounts on a print receiving surface, comprising:
rotatable print drum having an axis, a plurality of value print wheels mounted within the print drum and each having a plurality of value print elements, said print wheels being selectively adjustable to align selected print elements in an operative position in which they are exposed at the surface of the drum, drive means for rotating said print drum to move the selected value print elements through a printing position to form an imprint on a said print receiving surface, value selection means comprising a plurality of value selection transmission members, equal in number to the number of print wheels and each associated with a different print wheel, and transmission member moving means selectively engageable with said transmission members for displacing said transmission members one at a time to adjust said print wheels to position selected print wheels in operative position, print wheel selection means comprising means for transferring said transmission member moving means from transmission member to transmission member to selectively engage said transmission member moving means with respective said transmission members, said drive means further providing drive for said value selection means and said print wheel selection means comprising a first motor selectively engageable with said transmission member moving means and said transmission member to transmission member transfer means for driving said member to member transfer means while said moving means is disabled and for driving said moving means while said member to member transfer means is disabled and for selectively engaging said print drum, and a second motor for effecting said selective engagement of said first motor, control means for controlling said motors in accordance with selected print values, and said second motor is arranged to displace a main gear coaxial with the rotary axis of said printing drum into selective engagement with a first gear means for driving said transmission member moving means and a second gear means for driving said transmission member to transmission member transfer means. - 2. A postage meter as defined in Claim 1 in which said first motor is a d.c. motor.
- 3. A postage meter as defined in Claim 1 or 2 in which said second motor is a stepper motor.--
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US65765584A | 1984-10-04 | 1984-10-04 | |
| US657,655 | 1984-10-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1266583A true CA1266583A (en) | 1990-03-13 |
Family
ID=24638093
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000492098A Expired - Fee Related CA1266583A (en) | 1984-10-04 | 1985-10-02 | Postal meter value selector system having unitary shiftable value setting drive means |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6191786A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1266583A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2719566B2 (en) * | 1989-01-19 | 1998-02-25 | 勝榮 巫 | Digital printing device |
| CA2208625A1 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | Takeya Saito | Hoisting and clamping apparatus |
-
1985
- 1985-10-02 CA CA000492098A patent/CA1266583A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1985-10-04 JP JP22173985A patent/JPS6191786A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0560152B2 (en) | 1993-09-01 |
| JPS6191786A (en) | 1986-05-09 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |