Postage meter having an automatic slogan sub-module

US5168804A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• David K. Lee · Monroe, US
• Richard A. Sloan, Jr. · Southbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 23, 1991
• Grant date: Dec 8, 1992
• Expiry date: Dec 23, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07B2017/00548
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A printing mechanism sub-module for postage meters of the flat-bed type includes a meter housing with a print meter slogan aperture. A first and second print element each includes a plurality of radially locatable print faces around the center of the respective print elements. A first and second brackets is mounted to the internal of the meter housing and a shaft is rotatively mounted between the first and second brackets having a first and second shaft section. The first printing element is mounted radially around the first shaft section such rotation of the shaft causing corresponding rotation of the first printing element. The second printing element is rotatively mounted around the second shaft section such that the second printing element may be rotatively positioned independently of the shaft position. A first gear fixably mounted around the shaft. A second print element has a second gear formed at one end and aligned opposite the first gear. A solenoid selectively acts on the first gear and second to rotate the associated print element.