JPH01118984A - Postage meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the number of printers from being limited by a setting mechanism by providing a franking machine with a system for operating a rack for controlling numerical value selection for printing onto mail, especially, a mechanism having an axially attachable and detachable setting rack. CONSTITUTION: This machine is provided with a rack replacing device equipped with plural axially attachable and detachable racks 210 connected to respective numerical value printers for regulation and a pinion 214, which can be engaged with one rack 210 at once in order to move the rack 210 for regulating the numerical value printer, for exposing the racks 210 while circularly arranging them around the rack replacing device, a device for moving the rack 210 toward the rack replacing device in order to engage one rack 210 with the rack replacing device at once, and a device for driving the rack replacing device and the rack moving device. Thus, many printers can be installed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a postage meter, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a rotary print drum type postage meter that includes a printing mechanism and a numeric setting a-slot.

A postage meter is a device that prints a value in the form of postage on mail items such as envelopes. The term postage meter is
Also includes other similar instruments such as parcel post needles. This type of meter prints and calculates postage charges stored within the meter. The mechanism is designed to set a specific postage value in the meter and print it on the mail piece.

Postage meters in current use typically include four adjacent printing wheels, each of which is stamped with a number from 0 to 9, which is a printing element.

The printing wheel will give the user of the instrument 00.00. From OO$99.
It is located independently so that you can set any postage amount up to $99. In the past, postage meter print wheels were typically set manually by a user using a mechanical linkage and a lever. For someone who processes a relatively small amount of mail per day, manually setting the print has no problem. However, those who process larger quantities of mail are now equipped with automatically operated mechanisms.

Postage meters have also evolved with electronic computing devices leading to the development of printing mechanisms and value setting mechanisms that cooperate with electronic circuitry in a manner that increases the capabilities of postage meters.

U.S. Patent Box 3,978.457, December 2, 1974
The 3-day receipt describes an electronic postage meter in which the printing and value setting mechanisms are electronically controlled. Each print wheel is configured to be positionable to a different postage amount by an independently rotatable gear mechanism. The gear mechanisms engage the mask gears one at a time, and the mask gears are rotatably mounted within a laterally movable carriage. The carriage is movable such that the master gear engages each gear mechanism in turn. The carriage is positioned by a pair of solenoids operated through various linkages, and the master gear is driven by a step motor. The print drum is driven by a separate motor. An electronic control mechanism is fully described for setting the values in the correct order according to the values selected by entering the keyboard and for operating the printing mechanism. Although the drive for the setting mechanism is built into the meter itself, it is distinctive in that the meter is removably attached to a base that includes a certain mechanism drive.

US Patent Box 4, . No. 050, No. 374, received June 21, 1976, describes a setting mechanism for a postage meter similar to that employed in the meter in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,457, This article describes a setting mechanism in which the solenoid for positioning the carriage is replaced with a step motor. This also describes a mechanism for locking the print drum so that it does not rotate while setting numerical values. Further aspects and a description of an alternative to such a postage meter setting mechanism can be found in U.S. Pat.
, No. 965,815 and No. 3.977.320.

U.S. Patent Box 4,287,825, October 3, 1979
The 0-day acceptance describes a setup mechanism similar to U.S. Pat.

U.S. Patent Box 4,367.676, May 22, 1981
The day receipt describes different methods for setting numerical values.

Here, a train of numerical setting gears equal to the number of printing wheels is driven and coupled to each printing wheel one at a time to set the printing wheels. A binion rotated by a step motor is moved from set gear to set gear by a tracking device driven by a separate motor that simultaneously rotates the print drum. U.S. Patent Box 4,140.055, 197
Received June 6, 2007, describes a print wheel numeric change mechanism using a planetary wheel transmission in which a binion mesh with a ring gear is eccentrically mounted within a postage printing drum that supports a postage printing wheel. .

US Patent No. 4,301,507 may also be of interest. While the former details the electronic control mechanisms used in electronic postage meters, the latter describes the mechanical aspects of the meter. Pending U.S. Patent No. 447.815;
"Simple electronic mailing device J, received December 8, 1982, discloses that it is suitable as a postage meter, from a mechanical point of view as well as the electronic control mechanism, and in particular describes in further detail the flatbed format printing Describes the device.

Also of interest in this field is U.S. Pat. No. 3,965.
No. 815, No. 3.977.320, which relates to an electronic setting mechanism for a rotating drum postage meter. -The patent of interest to boat fishing is U.S. Patent No. 3.876.
, No. 870, No. 3.890.491, No. 3.892.
This is No. 355.

The present invention makes various improvements to postage meters in general, and particularly to printing mechanisms. A novel mechanism for setting the amount of postage on a postage meter and for driving and operating the meter is disclosed. The mechanism includes a novel method of actuating a rack for numeric selection for printing on mail items by a postage meter, in particular a type of mechanism with an axially removable setting rack.

Different aspects of the invention, variously described hereinafter, provide advantages over prior art devices, including certain advantages.
In previous schemes, where the number of racks or other configuration devices, and thus the number of printing devices, was not constrained by the configuration mechanism, a relatively small number of racks, e.g., 4 configuration racks, would result in a four-digit postage charge ($0.00. 00) was used to change the

Aspects of the present invention allow for a higher number of configuration devices. This allows for additional changeable information to be included on the postage stamp, such as date, logo, and city, which can be quickly and easily changed. In addition, a relatively quick value setting is possible and a relatively compact value selection mechanism is achievable. In this arrangement, compared to devices according to the prior art, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of parts, thereby achieving a cost reduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a postage meter for printing selected numerical amounts on a printing surface of the type having a rotatable printing drum and a plurality of numeric printing wheels mounted within the printing drum. , wherein said printing wheels each have a plurality of numeric printing elements and are selectively adjustable to align selected numeric printing elements with operable positions exposed on the surface of the drum. . The apparatus rotates a drum that moves selected numeric printing elements through printing positions to form a print on the print-receiving surface.

The device also automatically sets and adjusts the numeric marking wheel to align the selected printing elements according to the selected printing numeric value.According to the present invention, the automatic setting or automatic adjustment device respectively sets and adjusts the numeric marking wheel to align the selected printing elements according to the selected printing numeric value. a plurality of numeric selection racks coupled to a numeric printing device; a rack displacement device that engages the racks for moving said racks one at a time to adjust a corresponding numeric printing device; The selected racks are moved in response to a rack displacement device that selectively engages one rack at a time with a rack displacement arrangement.

For example, in a numerically preferred embodiment, the rack displacement device is mounted in an arcuate or partial annular arrangement with a worm mounted within three concentric shafts and a pinion mounted on an intermediate shaft. The outer shaft, comprising a worm and pinion, has a print drum mounted for rotation thereof. The inner shaft is independently rotatable for rack replacement, and the intermediate shaft supporting the pinion is fixed against rotation. The drum is rotatable with a third shaft for rack movement and printing.

Summary postage meters have a print drum with a movable print wheel for selecting postage values. The position of the print wheel is controlled by the position of a plurality of axially removable rack gears. The racks are displaced one at a time by pinions that selectively engage directly with the racks, and the racks are moved relative to a fixed position.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG.
A postage meter is illustrated in accordance with the present invention fixed to. There is a slot 24 between the meter 20 and the base 22, the front edge of which is used to receive mail and print the postage thereon. The postage meter includes a display panel, preferably an electronic display, and a control panel 28. Any suitable electronic control mechanism may be used with the rotary numerical mechanism disclosed herein. Gauge 20 is removable from the base in the manner disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,934°009. This patent incorporates a mechanical drive within the base to operate the printing mechanism.

Separability of the meter and base simplifies cleaning and transportation of the meter for refilling.

The control panel of the postage meter may be of any suitable type, such as with a numeric or alphanumeric display 26, for example a conventional multiplex seven segment LED or LCD display; in addition, the control panel may have a numeric or alphanumeric display 26. It includes a set key 30 and a decimal key 32 for setting the meter to print the required postage amount, which amount is normally displayed on the display 26. The clear key 34 is also equipped to clear the amount in case of incorrect input, for example. If the displayed amount is set to a required value, the postage setting key 36 is pressed to set the printing mechanism. Printing is initiated by inserting an envelope or pressing a print key.

The panel further comprises a set of keys capable of selectively displaying other numerical values on the display 26, e.g. the contents of the increasing record, i.e. the postage used by the meter;
Provision may also be made for displaying the contents of the decreasing record, ie the amount of postage for which the meter is still charged, and other necessary information. Additionally, a service key (not shown) on the back of the instrument is used when the instrument key is used for diagnostics and other service functions. The instrument is, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4.097.9
It can be modified for remote meter resetting as discussed in No. 23. Further, these features are described in U.S. Patent No. 4.301. ．． Details can be found in issue 507.

The printing mechanism includes a printing drum mounted within the meter 20 through a gap 24 and having openings around its periphery through which selected printing elements 209 project. In order to print the selected print value on the envelope, the drum fills the gap 2
4 to force the printing element against the envelope in frictional contact with the drum. The printing elements are suitably mounted around the periphery of a continuous printing wheel 208, which rotates to align the elements representing the selected numerical value for printing at the aperture.

Adjustment of the print wheel settings is performed by a setting mechanism controlled according to the selected print value made on the keyboard 28 by a suitable controller, such as an electronic controller. Suitable electronic control systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,978,457 and 4,301,507.

In this embodiment, the print drum 202 is journaled in a bearing 203 in the instrument body 206 on the shaft 20. The print wheel 208 is connected to a set of linear lap gears 210 (not shown) that move axially to effect rotation of the print wheel through suitable connections such as spur gears 212.
The rotary numerical selection device 2 shown in FIG.
The separated racks 210 are rotated to an adjusted position exposing the selected printing elements 209 on the surface of the drum by a setting mechanism including 04. Each printing wheel is fed so that the rack is connected to a different printing wheel. The racks 210 are slidably attached to the drum 202 and arranged in an arcuate or partial annular arrangement around a rack displacement device comprising pinions 214 trackable from rack to rack and driven by a worm drive 216. Ru.

Worm gear 216 is mounted on a shaft 218 that is concentrically arranged within tubular shaft 220 in bearing 222 . Shaft 220 supports pinion 214 and is journaled by a bearing 224 within print drum shaft 207 .

Shafts 21B and 220.207 each have gears 226.2
28, terminating at 230, these gears are arranged side by side,
Corresponding drive motor or step motor Ml, M2
, M3. The drive shafts of motors M1, M2, M3 are connected to gears 226.228.230, respectively, and drive gears 232, 234.236 on the corresponding drive shafts.
are connected by.

If activated, motors ML M2 operate synchronously;
Gears 226 and 228 are driven in synchrony to rotate worm 216 and pinion 214 as a unit to move pinion 214 from one rack 214 to another. To display the rack, motor Ml is activated to drive only gear 226 to engage the rack and rotate pinion 214 to adjust the corresponding print wheel.
operates independently.

To rotate the print drum through the print rotation, all three motors operate in synchronization, driving the drum 202 and the worm 2 so that the rack does not interfere with the rotation of the drum.
16 and pinion 214 together, thereby rotating a rack displacement pinion that is fixed relative to the drum.

Prior to the printing process, the pinion is preferably moved to an inactive position in which it does not engage any racks. pinion 2
14 advances the rack (to the left as shown in FIG. 3) to increase the print value of the set print wheel 42 and alternates the rack (to the left as shown in FIG. 3). (to the right) rotate counterclockwise or clockwise, respectively, to decrease the printed value.

Throughout the activation of selection device 204, rack 2
10 and pinion 214, the position of the two gap encoder discs and the optical sensor device 1 used here
Suitably electronically monitored by suitable equipment such as 02 (not shown).

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the motors Ml, M2, M
3 and the drive device and drum used here are base 2
The selection device and the drum itself are mounted in an instrument 20 that is removable from the base. The interface between the base and the instrument is properly geared 226.2
28.230. This arrangement is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, in which a keyboard 28, a rotary numerical selection device 50, a print drum 38 are arranged in the instrument 20, a control unit W, 29, a motor M, and a All mechanical devices are configured within the base 22.

The operation of the above-described postage meter with a complete numeric selection and printing process is now described in the manner shown.

The method shown, which assumes that all instrument elements are in their basic positions, that all print wheels are set to zero, and that pinions are not engaged in any racks, sets the postage to 23.658. Assume that For purposes of explanation, assume that the illustrated selection device has five racks, 210a through 210e, associated with each print wheel 208.

In the following description, racks 210a and 210b display denominations of $10 and $1, respectively, and rack 210c
and 210d display units of IO cents and 1 cent, respectively. The dollar display and decimal point are permanently located in a window within the drum that exposes the matched elements.

Rack 210e displays additional information that needs to be changed, such as the date.

At the beginning of the process, pinion 214 is arranged in its basic position between racks 210a and 210b, and the value of printing wheel 42 is r$00.00 J.
Assume that The printing device is turned on and the user punches the number $23.65 into the keyboard 28 using the keys 30. When a numerical value is entered and the display 26 changes, the key 36 is pressed to execute the numerical value selection process. The signal indicating the numerical value is processed by the CPU of the control unit, and the signal is sent to the stepper motors M1 and M2, which together with feedback from an encoder (not shown) perform the numerical selection in the manner described below.

Initially, stepper motors M1 and M2 are activated, driving drive gears 226 and 228 synchronously to precisely rotate shafts 218 and 220 to engage pinion 214 with rack 210a, and then stop. Stepping motor Ml is activated again, driving shaft 218, rotating worm 216, and rotating pinion 214 counterclockwise, displacing rack 210a to the left as shown in FIG. ”
is placed on the printing wheel 208 in the printing window of the drum.

In the next operation, pinion 214 tracks to replace the next rack 210b. At the end of this, drive motor M1
and M2 are activated again to drive the drive shafts 218 and 220 in synchronization, causing the pinion 214 to track the rack 210b,
Then stop. The stepper motor M1 is activated again, causing the pinion 214 to rotate counterclockwise to position the "3" print element on the print wheel 20 in the print window of the drum.

The pinion then rotates to engage the rack 210c connected to the "10 cent" printing wheel, and the pinion 214 rotates until it exposes the number "6" in the printing window.

The pinion 214 then moves to the rack 210d, and in the same manner as described above, prints the number of the wheel in r cents J into the printing window.
5".

The pinion 214 now moves into the rack 210e, and assuming this is the first operation of the day, the new date is entered on the keyboard 28 and the pinion 214 rotates to properly position the rack 210e. In a more flexible method, two or more chics can be used for data information.

Pinion 214 now returns to its home position between racks 210a and 210e.

According to the numerical selection, in response to inserting a mail piece or pressing a print key, three motors M1, M2, M3 operate simultaneously to rotate the drum and selection device as a unit in synchronization, thereby performing the printing process. Execute. The drum rotates one complete revolution to bring the selected printing element to face the mail piece in gap 28 and print the numeric value on the mail piece.

The meter is now ready to accept the next amount by actuation of the set key 30.

In this illustration, assume that the next amount is 45 cents. To set the print wheel to this amount, the rotary selection device is operated in the manner described above and performs the following operations. The pinion 214 first engages the rack 210a, zeroing the print wheel with the "rlo cent" indication. While displacing the rack, the shaft 218 rotates the pinion 214 clockwise, causing the rack 210a to Rotate so that it moves backward (moves to the right in Figure 3) rather than forward. Pinion 214 now tracks rack 210b and returns the print wheel to zero in the manner described above, then pinion 214
14 tracks rack 210c and places number r4 on this rack.
Move back and rotate so that J is displayed. pinion 2
14 then steps back and displays ``cents J and date rack 21''.
Return to the basic position via 0d and 210c. However, since these numbers do not change, pinion 214 does not affect these racks to cause changes.

Following this, the three motors M1, M2, M3 are again activated simultaneously, driving the printing drum through its printing stroke.

Through the various selection and printing processes it is understood that axis 20
7.21B, the angular positioning of 220 and the linear position of the rack 210 are constantly monitored by feedback sensors. This sensor continuously delivers axial movement to a selection device coupled to an input port of the selection device in a manner such as described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 3,987,457.

In summary, the rack selection is such that rotation axes 218 and 220 are -1
1 and the pinion 214 tracks from rack to rack, rack displacement is performed by rotating 1lk21
Only B rotates pinion 214 on its axis;
It will be understood that the printing process is carried out by simultaneously rotating the shafts 218, 220, 207 in order to rotate the fixed selection device and the drum together with the elements.

In a modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
14 is fixed so as not to rotate around the drum axis during numerical selection, and during rack selection, the pinion 214 rotates around the rack 21.
This is done by tracking 0. In this way,
In this embodiment, axes 220 and 218 are fixed against rotation during rack selection, and the rack is connected to gear 230.
is moved by a small angular movement of the drum 202. In this way, for rack selection, gear 2
Only motor M3 operates to drive the drum via gear 226, and for rack replacement, only motor M2 operates to drive the worm 216 via gear 226. During the printing process, three motors M1, M2, M3 operate simultaneously to drive three gears 226, 228, 230, driving the drum and numerical selection device together.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment. This is similar to that shown in FIG. 17, and the same reference numerals are used for similar parts. In this example:
The bearing configuration of shafts 218 and 220 varies with worm 216 and pinion 214 mounted intermediate the ends of shafts 218 and 220, respectively.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 has been modified like the method of FIG. 17 to improve the rack selection method by moving the rack relative to the rack displacement pinion.

Although various embodiments have been described, modifications and changes may be made in the details without departing from the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the drive motor is a stepper motor or other suitable motor such as a DC motor.

The postage meter described herein includes an inking device for the printing element, and issues a self-adhesive label adapted to receive printing for use in cases where the mail item is too bulky to be inserted into the gap 24. It can be combined with various accessories such as devices.

Additionally, a lockdown is provided to secure the meter to the base so that it cannot be removed from the base or accessed in case of equipment failure. There are standards for lockdown levers,
Commercially available postage meters can be used and the postage meter can be driven in any suitable manner, such as by a motor, in the event of equipment failure.

Although the invention is disclosed with respect to postage meters, other types of meters and devices may have equivalent invention potential. Other instruments include such things as parcel service equipment, stamping equipment, and check issuing equipment.

The details described herein concentrate on postage meters and their operation with respect to basic improvements over the prior art.

The postage meter perspective described in a unilateral manner is of a known conventional construction.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are only schematic and modifications thereof are possible to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is limited as defined by the claims of the application.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a postage meter combined with a device according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between the elements of the postage meter. FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of the rotary printed numerical value selection device of the postage meter shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the rotary printed numerical value selection device. 20--1 postage meter, 22-m-base, 24
--One gap, 26---Display panel, 28
--1 control, 29-m-control device, 30-
11 key, 32-m-decimal key, 36
1--postage key, 42-m-printing wheel, 50-
11 rotation value selection device, 102-m-optical sensor, 20
2--1 printing drum, 203-m-bearing, 2
04--One-rotation numerical selection device, 207--Printing drum shaft, 208-m-Printing wheel,
209-m-printing element, 210-m-linear rank gear, 210a--1 rack, 210b--
-Rack, 210cm--Rack, 210d-
--Rack, 210e--Rack, 212-
-Spur gear, 214---Pinion, 216---
- Worm drive, 218 - Single axis, 220
--One tubular shaft, 222-m-bearing, 224-
--Bearing, 226---Gear, 22B
-m-ga, 230-m-ga, 232-m
- Drive gear, 234-m - Drive gear, 236-0
- Drive gear.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A postage meter that prints a selected numerical value on a printing surface, wherein each of a rotatable printing drum and a wheel has a plurality of numerical printing elements, and the printing wheel has a plurality of numerical printing elements. a plurality of numeric marking wheels mounted within the printing drum, the plurality of numeric printing wheels being selectively adjustable with selected printing elements in their operative positions exposed on the surface of the drum, and printing on said printing surface; a plurality of axially removable racks connected to respective numerical printing devices for adjustment; and a plurality of axially removable racks connected to respective numerical printing devices for adjustment; a rack displacement device adapted to engage said racks one at a time for moving said racks to adjust the device, said racks being exposed in an annular arrangement around said rack displacement device; a device for moving the rack relative to the rack replacement device in order to engage the rack one at a time with the rack replacement device; and a device for driving the rack replacement device and the rack moving device. A postage meter consisting of: 2. said rack displacement device comprising a worm and pinion drive mounted in said array, said worm being
mounted on the inner shaft of the concentric shafts of the book, said pinion mounted on the intermediate shaft, and said outer shaft having said print drum mounted thereon for rotation, in which said inner shaft The drum is rotatable for rack replacement, the intermediate shaft supporting the pinion is fixed against rotation, and the drum is rotatable for carrying out movement of the rack and printing. A postage meter according to claim 1.