EP0177049A2 - Postage meters having worm gear rack movement system - Google Patents
Postage meters having worm gear rack movement system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0177049A2 EP0177049A2 EP85112592A EP85112592A EP0177049A2 EP 0177049 A2 EP0177049 A2 EP 0177049A2 EP 85112592 A EP85112592 A EP 85112592A EP 85112592 A EP85112592 A EP 85112592A EP 0177049 A2 EP0177049 A2 EP 0177049A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rack
- racks
- drum
- value
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
- G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
- G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
- G07B2017/00516—Details of printing apparatus
- G07B2017/00524—Printheads
- G07B2017/00548—Mechanical printhead
Abstract
Description
- 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 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 similar meters such as parcel post meters. Meters of this type print and account for postage stored in the meter. Mechanisms are provided in the meter to set a particular value of postage to be printed on a mailpiece.
- Postage meters in use today typically include a set of four adjacent print wheels, each of which carries print element characters zero through nine. The print wheels can be independently 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 levers. 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 automated operation in recent 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 in a manner to enhance the capabilities of the postage meter.
- U.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 mechanism are electronically controlled. Each print wheel is set to position a different postage amount by an independently rotatable gear mechanism. The gear mechanisms are engaged by a master gear one at a time, a master gear 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 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 printing mechanisms in correct 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 itself.
- U.S. 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 mechanism of such postal meter systems are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,965,815 and 3,977,320 to Lupkis et al.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,287,825 to Eckert, Jr. et al, filed October 30, 1919 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 22, 1981, describes a different approach to value setting. Here 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 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. U.S. Patent 4,140,055 to Lellemand filed June 6, 1977 discloses a print wheel value changing system using a planet wheel transmission device in which an eccentrically mounted pinion meshes with a ring gear within a postage printing drum which supports the 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 postage meter and the latter patent describing the mechanical aspects of the meter. Copending European Patent Application No. 83112364.1 (EP-A-0111322) filed on 8th December 1983 discloses further details of electronic control systems, as well as the mechanical aspects, suitable for postage meters and specifically describes a flat bed-type of printer.
- Also of interest in this area are U.S. Patent Nos. 3,965,815 and 3,977,320 which relate to electro-mechanical setting mechanisms for rotary drum postal meters. Other patents of general interest include U.S. Patents 3,876,870; 3,890,491; 3,892,355; 3,916,361 and 3,949,203 issued to Malavazos et al.
- The present invention embodies various improvements to postage meters generally and particularly to the printing mechanisms therefor. A novel system is disclosed for the setting of the postage value amounts in postage meters and for driving and operating the meter. The system includes, inter alia, a novel approach to moving the racks which control the value selection for printing on the mailpiece by the postal meter, particularly a system of the type having axially displaceable setting racks.
- Different aspects of the invention as set forth herein variously include several advantages over prior art devices. The number of racks or other setting devices and, thus, the number of print devices, is not limited by the setting mechanism. In previous systems, a relatively small number of racks, such as four setting racks, had been used to change the four digits of postage ($00.00).
- Aspects of the present invention permit a larger number of setting devices. This enables additinal 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 and relative compactness of the value selection system can be achieved. There is also a large reduction in the number of parts in the system compared with prior art devices with consequent cost reduction achieved.
- The present invention is generally concerned with postage meters for printing selected value amounts on a print receiving surface of the kind having a rotatable print drum and a plurality of value print wheels mounted within the print drum, said print wheels each having a plurality of value print elements and being selectively adjustable to align selected value print elements in an operative position in which they are exposed at the surface of the drum. Means is provided for rotating the drum to move the selected value print elements through a printing position to form an imprint on a said print receiving surface. Means is also provided for automatically setting or adjusting the value print wheels to align the selected print elements in accordance with selected print values.
- In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the automatic setting or adjustment means comprises a plurality of value selection racks connected to respective value print devices for adjusting same and rack displacement means engageable with said racks one at a time for. moving said racks to adjust the associated value print devices. A plurality of axially displaceable said racks are disposed in an arcuate or part annular array around the rack displacement means and means is provided for shifting the rack displacement means from rack to rack to selectively engage said rack displacement means with respective said racks. Suitable drives are provided for the rack displacement means and the rack to rack shifting means.
- In a preferred embodiment, the rack displacement means comprises a worm and pinion drive mounted within the array with the worm mounted on an inner or first of two concentric shafts and the pinion mounted on the outer or second of said shafts for displacement about said worm from rack to rack. The inner shaft is rotatable alone for rack displacement and the two shafts are rotatable together for rack to rack shifting. The racks are slideably mounted on the print drum and the shafts are rotatably mounted within a third concentric shaft on which the drum is mounted for rotation.
- In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the automatic setting or
adjustment means comprises a plurality of value selection racks connected to respective value print devices for adjusting same and rack displacement means engageable. with said racks one at a time for moving said racks to adjust the associated value print devices, and the value selector racks are shifted with respect to the rack displacement means to selectively engage the racks one at a time with the rack displacement means. - By way of example, in a preferred embodiment of the value selector the rack displacement means comprises a worm and pinion drive mounted within an arcuate or part-annular array of racks with the worm mounted on the inner of three concentric shafts and the pinion mounted on the intermediate shaft, the outer shaft having the print drum mounted for rotation on it. The inner shaft is rotatable alone for rack displacement and the intermediate shaft carrying the pinion is fixed against rotation. The drum is rotatable with the third shaft to effect rack shifting as well as to effect printing.
- In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made by way of example 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 of the postage meter;
- Figure 3 is an axial section through a rotary print value selector for the postage meter of Figure 1; and
- Figure 4 is an axial section through another embodiment of rotary print value selector.
- Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 1, there is shown a
postage meter 20 according to the invention which can be removably fixed to abase 22. Aslot 24 is provided between themeter 20 and thebase 22, at the. forward edge thereof, for receiving envelopes or the like and the printing of postage thereon. The postage meter is provided with adisplay panel 26, preferably an electronic display, as well as acontrol panel 28. Any suitable type of electronic control system may be used with the rotary value mechanism disclosed herein. - The
meter 20 can be suitably removable from the base 22 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 alia, simplifies servicing 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 numeric or
alphanumeric display 26, for example, a conventional multiplexed, seven-segment LED or LCD display. In addition, the control panel can be provided withnumeric setting keys 30 and adecimal key 32 for setting the meter to print a desired amount of postage, the amount normally being displayed on thedisplay 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 postage key 36 effects setting of the printing mechanism. Printing may be initiated by the insertion of an envelope or the depression of a print key. - The panel may further be provided with a series of keys enabling the selective display of other values on the
display 26. For example, keys may be provided for displaying the contents of an ascending register; i.e. the postage used by the meter, a descending register; i.e., 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 for diagnostic and other service function. 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 below. - The printing mechanism includes a
print drum 202 mounted in themeter 20 over theslot 24 and having an opening in its periphery through which selectedprint elements 209 project. For printing the selected print value on an envelope, the drum is rotated to press the print elements against the envelope which is driven through theslot 24 by frictional contact with the drum. The print elements, which are suitably mounted on the peripheries of a series ofprint wheels 208, are rotated to align the selected value elements for printing in the opening. - 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 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. 4,301,507 to Soderberg et al. - In this embodiment, the
print drum 202 is journaled inbearings 203 in themeter body 206 on ashaft 20. Theprint wheels 208 are rotated to their adjusted positions in which the selectedprint elements 209 are exposed at the surface of the drum by a setting mechanism including arotary value selector 204 shown in Figure 3 which has a series of linear toothed racks 210 (only one of which is shown) which are moved axially to effect rotation of said print wheels through suitable connections such as spur gears 212. Aseparate rack 210 is provided for each print wheel so that the number of racks equals the number of print wheels and each rack is connected to a different print wheel. Theracks 210 are slideably mounted in thedrum 202 and arranged side-by-side in an arcuate or part annular array around a rack displacement device comprising apinion 214 which can be tracked from rack to rack and is driven by aworm drive 216. - The
worm gear 216 is mounted on the end of ashaft 218 concentrically arranged in atubular shaft 220 onbearings 222. Theshaft 220 carries thepinion 214 and is journaled inbearings 224 within theprint drum shaft 207. - The
shafts like gears respective gears - In operation, the motors Ml and M2 are operated synchronously to drive the
gears worm 216 andpinion 214 as a unit to shift thepinion 214 from onerack 210 to the next. For displacing a rack, the motor Ml is operated alone to drive only gear 226 so as to rotatepinion 214 in engagement with the rack to adjust the associated print wheel. For driving the print drum through a printing revolution, all three motors are operated synchronously to rotate thedrum 202,worm 216 andpinion 214 as a unit whereby the rack displacement pinion is fixed relative to the drum so as to prevent it from interfering with the racks during drum rotation. - It will be understood that prior to the print cycle, the pinion is desirably shifted to an inactive position out of contact with any rack. The
pinion 214 may be rotated counterclockwise or clockwise, respectively, for advancing the associated rack (to the left as viewed in Figure 3) to increase the print value of the print wheel 42 being set and for retracting the rack (to the right as viewed in Figure 3) to decrease the print value. - Throughout the operation of the
selector 204, the positions of theracks 210 and thepinion 214 are suitably electronically monitored by any suitable means such as by utilizing two slotted encoder disks and associated optical sensor devices 102 (not shown). - In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention, the motors Ml, M2, M3 and associated drives for the selector and drum are housed in the
base 22 while the selector and drum themselves are mounted in themeter 20 which can be removed from the base. The interface between the base and meter is suitably at thegears keyboard 28, therotary value selector 50 and theprint drum 38 are arranged in themeter 20 while thecontroller 29, the motors M and the associated mechanical drives are all arranged in thebase 22. - The operation of the postage meter described above through a complete value selection and print cycle will now be described in an illustrative fashion. It will be assumed that the elements of the meter are all in their home positions with the print wheels all set at zero and the pinion disengaged from all the racks. By way of illustration, it will also be assumed that a postage value of $23.65 is to be set. For the purposes of explanation, it will be assumed that the selector illustrated has five racks 210a through 210e, each associated with its
own print wheel 208. In the following description, the racks 210a and 210b represent tens and units of dollars, respectively, while racks 210c and 210d represent tens and units of cents, respectively. It will be understood that the dollar sign and decimal point are permanently positioned at the window in the drum where the aligned elements are exposed. Rack 210e respresents any additional information that is desired to be changed, such as the date. - At the beginning of the cycle, the
pinion 214 is arranged intermediate the racks 210a and 210c in its home position and it is assumed the value is "$00.00" on the print wheels 42. With the printer switched on, the user punches in the value amount $23.65 to thekeyboard 28 using thekeys 30. Once the value amount has been entered and verified on thedisplay 26, the key 36 is depressed to put the value selection cycle into effect. Signals indicative of value amount are processed by the CPU of the controller and signals are sent to the stepper motors Ml and M2 to perform value selection in the following manner with feedback from the encoders (not shown). - First, the stepper motors Ml and M2 are activated to drive
gears shafts pinion 214 into engagement with rack 210a, and then inactivated. - The stepper motor Ml is again activated to drive
shaft 218 and rotateworm 216 to effect counterclockwise rotation ofpinion 214 to displace the rack 210a to the left in Figure 3 to position the print element "2" of the associatedprint wheel 208 in the print window of the drum. - The next operation is to track the
pinion 214 to the next rack 210b to be displaced. To this end, the drive motors M1 and M2 are again activated to driveshafts pinion 214 to rack 210b, and inactivated. The stepper motor M1 is again activated to rotate thepinion 214 counterclockwise to position the print element "3" of the associatedprint wheel 208 in the print window of the drum. - The pinion is next tracked around into engagement with rack 210c which is connected to the 'tens of cents' print wheel and the
pinion 214 rotated until the digit '6' is exposed at the print window. - The
pinion 214 is next shifted to the rack 210d and rotated in the manner just described to position the digit '5' of the 'cents unit' print wheel in the print window. - The
pinion 214 is now moved to the rack 210e and, assuming this to be the first operation of the day and a new date has been inputted at thekeyboard 28, thepinion 214 will now be rotated to position the rack 210e appropriately. In a more versatile form, two, or more racks may be used for data information. - The
pinion 214 is now tracked back to its home position intermediate to racks 210a and 210e. - Following value selection, either in response to insertion of a mailpiece or upon depression of a print key, the three motors Ml, M2, M3 activated simultaneously and synchronously to effect print cycling by rotating the drum and selector as a unit, the drum being rotated through a complete revolution to bring the selected print elements against the mailpiece in the
slot 28 and imprint the value amount on the mailpiece. The meter is now ready to receive the next value amount by actuation of the settingkeys 30. - In this illustration, it is assumed the next value amount required is 45 cents. To set the print wheels to this amount, the rotary selector is operated in the manner described above to perform the following movements. The
pinion 214 is first engaged with rack 210a to return that 'tens of dollars' print wheel to zero. During displacement of the rack, theshaft 218 is rotated so as to rotate thepinion 214 clockwise causing the rack 210a to retract (move to the right in Figure 3) rather than advance. Thepinion 214 is now tracked to rack 210b to return the associated print wheel to zero in the manner just described. It is then tracked to rack 210c and rotated to retract the rack 210c to display the digit '4'. Thepinion 214 is next tracked back to its home position, via the 'cents unit' and the date racks 210d and 210e. However, since these values are unchanged, thepinion 214 does not effect any change in the positions of these racks. Following this, the three motors Ml, M2, M3 are again activated together to drive the print drum through its print cycle revolution. - It will be understood that throughout the various selection and print cycles, the angular positions of the
shafts racks 210 are constantly monitored by the feedback sensors. The sensors continuously feed the movements of the shafts to the controller, being connected to an input port of the controller in the manner described in aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 3,987,457. - In summary, it will be understood from the foregoing that rack selection is carried out by rotating
shafts pinion 214 from rack to rack, rack displacement is carried out by rotatingshaft 218 alone to rotatepinion 214 on its axis and print cycling is carried out by rotatingshafts - In modification of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the
pinion 214 is fixed against rotation about the drum axis during value selection and rack selection is by tracking theracks 210 with respect to thepinions 214. Thus, in this embodiment theshafts drum 202 itself throughgear 230. Thus, for rack selection, only the motor M3 is operated to drive the drum viagear 230 and for rack displacement only motor M2 is operated to drive theworm 216 viagear 226. During the print cycle, all three motors Ml, M2, M3 are driven synchronously to drive all threegears shaft 220 remaining fixed. - Figure 4 shows a further embodiment which is similar to that shown in Figure 3 and like references are used to designate similar parts. In this embodiment, the bearing arrangements for the
shafts worm 216 andpinion 214 mounted intermediate the ends of theshafts - The embodiment of Figure 4 may be modified in like manner to that of Figure 3 to adapt it for rack selection by moving the racks with respect to the rack displacement pinion.
- Although various embodiments have been described, it should be understood that modifications and changes may be made to the specific details referred to herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
- While the drive motors are preferably stepper motors, other suitable motors, such as d.c. motors, may be used.
- A postage meter as described herein may incorporate various accessory devices, such as an inker for the print elements and a gummed label mechanism which dispenses a gummed label to receive an imprint for use where the mailpiece is too bulky to be inserted in the
slot 24. Further, a meter lockdown may be provided to lock the meter to the base upon failure of the system so that the meter cannot be removed or tampered with. A lock down lever, which exists on standard, commercially-available, postal meters is driven in a suitable fashion, such as by a motor, upon failure of the system. - 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 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 a postal meter and its operation which pertain to the principal improvements over the prior art. Aspects of the 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 skilled 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 claims.
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US657698 | 1984-10-04 | ||
US657703 | 1984-10-04 | ||
US06/657,698 US4598639A (en) | 1984-10-04 | 1984-10-04 | Postal meter value selector system |
US06/657,703 US4604950A (en) | 1984-10-04 | 1984-10-04 | Worm gear rack movement system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0177049A2 true EP0177049A2 (en) | 1986-04-09 |
EP0177049A3 EP0177049A3 (en) | 1987-03-04 |
Family
ID=27097465
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85112592A Ceased EP0177049A3 (en) | 1984-10-04 | 1985-10-04 | Postage meters having worm gear rack movement system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0177049A3 (en) |
JP (4) | JPH01118982A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2213103A (en) * | 1987-12-07 | 1989-08-09 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Postage meter having a worm gear drive |
AU604446B2 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1990-12-13 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Automatic printwheel setting system |
AU606016B2 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1991-01-24 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Postage meter printwheel setting apparatus |
AU607656B2 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1991-03-07 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Postage meter voice coil motor printwheel setting assembly |
EP0476919A2 (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-03-25 | Pitney Bowes PLC | A postage meter |
EP0476918A2 (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-03-25 | Pitney Bowes PLC | A postage meter |
US5249519A (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1993-10-05 | Pitney Bowes Plc | Postage meter |
EP0632411A1 (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-01-04 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Value selection mechanism including means for weakening a shaft thereof |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3882773A (en) * | 1971-10-26 | 1975-05-13 | Norprint Ltd | Adjustable facet print mechanisms |
US3949203A (en) * | 1974-04-03 | 1976-04-06 | A J M Research Corporation | Selection mechanism for a postage meter |
US3965815A (en) * | 1974-09-16 | 1976-06-29 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Setting mechanism for a postage printing device |
DE2728659A1 (en) * | 1976-07-15 | 1978-01-19 | Pitney Bowes | SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTROLLED CONVERSION DEVICE FOR A franking machine |
US4367676A (en) * | 1981-05-22 | 1983-01-11 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Postage meter value selecting system |
-
1985
- 1985-10-04 EP EP85112592A patent/EP0177049A3/en not_active Ceased
-
1988
- 1988-09-22 JP JP23863388A patent/JPH01118982A/en active Pending
- 1988-09-22 JP JP23863488A patent/JPH01118983A/en active Pending
- 1988-09-22 JP JP23863588A patent/JPH01118984A/en active Pending
-
1991
- 1991-12-02 JP JP9928391U patent/JPH059945U/en active Granted
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3882773A (en) * | 1971-10-26 | 1975-05-13 | Norprint Ltd | Adjustable facet print mechanisms |
US3949203A (en) * | 1974-04-03 | 1976-04-06 | A J M Research Corporation | Selection mechanism for a postage meter |
US3965815A (en) * | 1974-09-16 | 1976-06-29 | Pitney-Bowes, Inc. | Setting mechanism for a postage printing device |
DE2728659A1 (en) * | 1976-07-15 | 1978-01-19 | Pitney Bowes | SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTROLLED CONVERSION DEVICE FOR A franking machine |
US4367676A (en) * | 1981-05-22 | 1983-01-11 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Postage meter value selecting system |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2213103A (en) * | 1987-12-07 | 1989-08-09 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Postage meter having a worm gear drive |
GB2213103B (en) * | 1987-12-07 | 1992-03-25 | Pitney Bowes Inc | Postage meter having a worm gear drive |
AU604446B2 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1990-12-13 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Automatic printwheel setting system |
AU606016B2 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1991-01-24 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Postage meter printwheel setting apparatus |
AU607656B2 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1991-03-07 | Pitney-Bowes Inc. | Postage meter voice coil motor printwheel setting assembly |
EP0476919A2 (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-03-25 | Pitney Bowes PLC | A postage meter |
EP0476918A2 (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-03-25 | Pitney Bowes PLC | A postage meter |
EP0476919A3 (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-07-08 | Pitney Bowes Plc | A postage meter |
EP0476918A3 (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1992-07-15 | Pitney Bowes Plc | A postage meter |
US5249519A (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1993-10-05 | Pitney Bowes Plc | Postage meter |
US5325772A (en) * | 1990-09-21 | 1994-07-05 | Pitney Bowes Plc | Postage meter |
EP0632411A1 (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-01-04 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Value selection mechanism including means for weakening a shaft thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH01118984A (en) | 1989-05-11 |
JPH0534938Y2 (en) | 1993-09-03 |
EP0177049A3 (en) | 1987-03-04 |
JPH059945U (en) | 1993-02-09 |
JPH01118982A (en) | 1989-05-11 |
JPH01118983A (en) | 1989-05-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4367676A (en) | Postage meter value selecting system | |
EP0177049A2 (en) | Postage meters having worm gear rack movement system | |
US4604950A (en) | Worm gear rack movement system | |
CA2027498C (en) | Device for setting of date stamp in a postage-meter machine | |
US4774881A (en) | Rotary operated character selection system for postage meters | |
EP0177050B1 (en) | Postage meters having rotary value selector device | |
US4702164A (en) | Value selector security system | |
US4601240A (en) | Print drum security system | |
US4649814A (en) | Rotary value selector device | |
US4598639A (en) | Postal meter value selector system | |
US4608923A (en) | Postal meter value selector sequencing system | |
AU605455B2 (en) | Printwheel detent disengaging apparatus | |
US4658722A (en) | Postal meter base drive system | |
US4603627A (en) | Rotary shutter device for a postal mailing system | |
US4771688A (en) | Postal meter value selector system having unitary shiftable value setting drive means | |
US4580493A (en) | Helical nut-pinion-rack gear system | |
US4858525A (en) | Postage meter having a worm gear drive and guiding sleeve | |
US4852482A (en) | Automatic printwheel setting system | |
EP0177052A2 (en) | Postage meters and methods of printing selected values | |
US4936209A (en) | Electronic postage meter with zip code location designation | |
US4682541A (en) | Postal mailing system having an adaptable postage meter | |
CA1266583A (en) | Postal meter value selector system having unitary shiftable value setting drive means | |
CA2085725A1 (en) | Automatic settable date printing apparatus | |
US4236446A (en) | Check-digit printing means | |
US4852479A (en) | Postage meter having a worm gear drive |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: PITNEY BOWES INC. |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB LI |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19870805 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19901127 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED |
|
18R | Application refused |
Effective date: 19910610 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: SETTE, PAUL RICHARD |