Patent · US Expired

Rotary operated character selection system for postage meters

US4774881A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
8References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 15, 1987
Grant dateOct 4, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 15, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07B2017/00548
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Rotary operated character selection apparatus is provided for postage meters having a rotating print drum and at least one print wheel in the drum for printing a selected character on an envelope or label. One set of print wheels may be provided for value selection, and another set of print wheels may be provided for date selection. The print wheels are turned by rotating print wheel gears, located adjacent an opening in an outside surface of the drum, by rotating the drum to a preselection position to engage the print wheel gear with a mating gear located outside of the drum, and rotating the mating gear until the proper print wheel character is selected. Devices are provided to determine the rotational angle of the drum and the positions of the print wheels, and an appropriate control system is provided, preferably with an input keyboard for selecting the value of postage to be dispensed and printed, and the date.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.