Abstract: A buffered stacking apparatus selectively diverts horizontally disposed documents from a main conveying path, then stacks and transports the documents to replaceable receiving receptacles. The apparatus has a primary horizontal conveyor belt with a lower reach defining a horizontal primary conveying path and at least one secondary conveyor belt having an upper reach which, when the secondary conveyor belt is in a horizontal position, is disposed in a lower juxtaposed relation to the lower reach of the primary conveying belt. The buffered stacking system also selectively effects pivotal movement of the secondary conveyor belt from the horizontal position to a second inclined position wherein the reach of the secondary belt is inclined to the lower reach of the primary conveyor belt. Documents being transported along the primary conveying path are diverted along the inclined reach when the secondary conveying belt is inclined.

Abstract: A trocar system comprises a trocar housing, a pointed stylet arranged so that the pointed tip can be selectively extended outwardly (distally) from the trocar housing, a return spring in the trocar housing for retracting the stylet into the housing and a piston and piston latch system disposed within the trocar housing for restraining the stylet from retracting. The piston includes a cam element for de-latching the piston from its latched position to allow the return spring to retract the piston into the housing. The stylet engages the piston in a slot to permit limited longitudinal movement of the stylet into the housing. A distally-biased element which carries an engaging pin and is forced to move proximally by the tissue resistance experienced as the trocar is forced to puncture a body cavity wall, automatically moves to its original distal location after the tip of the trocar has completely passed through the wall.

Abstract: A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and a first intermediate forward position. The former is further displaced to a second intermediate forward position wherein the staple is moved in its perpendicular orientation within the device to the forming position which in turn moves a lower anvil. The former is further displaceable to a third intermediate forward position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of the lower anvil.

Abstract: A surgical stapler which closes a staple during the downstroke of the former and strips the closed staple during the upstroke of the anvil by pressing the crossarm of the closed staple against a bevelled cam surface.

Abstract: A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and a first intermediate forward position. The former is further displaced to a second intermediate forward position wherein the staple is moved in its perpendicular orientation within the device to the forming position which in turn moves a lower anvil. The former is further displaceable to a third intermediate forward position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of the lower anvil.

Abstract: An encoder for a wheel comprises a linear Hall-effect sensor and magnet mounted on a non-ferrous metal shaft. A ferrous metal ring having a toothed structure extending inward such that each tooth ends at a point on a spiral curve is molded into the printwheel encircling the shaft. The Hall-effect sensor output provides a determined output when each tooth is positioned over the sensor to enable an absolute position determination while the signal drop off between the teeth as the wheel is moved allows for counting the steps between settings for relative encoding and redundancy.

Abstract: A surgical stapler which closes a staple during the downstroke of the former and strips the closed staple during the upstroke of the anvil by pressing the crossarm of the closed staple against a bevelled cam surface.

Abstract: The printwheel setting apparatus comprises a voice coil motor having a magnet reciprocating in a coil which magnet is connected by a flexible link to a picker link for advancing the printwheel. The picker link has a picker cam which cooperates with a cam stud to cause a tooth on the picker-link to engage a slot on the printwheel and to rotate the printwheel as the voice coil motor magnet moves to a position for again advancing the printwheel when the magnet moves in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A printwheel detent disengaging mechanism enables low-torque high-speed automatic printwheel setting. In the engaged position spring-loaded ball in a rotatable shaft bears on a detent ball disposed in a bore in a sleeve surrounding the shaft to cam the detent ball into detent vees of the printwheel. When the shaft is rotated so that the spring-laded ball no longer bears on the detent ball, the detent force is removed and low torque printwheel setting may be accomplished. When setting is completed, the shaft is rotated back into position where the spring-loaded ball bears on the detent ball.

Abstract: A recharging system for a postage meter includes automatic telephone communication with a remote accounting center which utilizes touch-tone (DTMF) signals on the postage meter users telephone line to enable automatic recrediting of the descending register of the postage meter whenever the amount remaining in the register reaches a predetermined threshold. The meter further includes a clock which may be synchronized with a clock at the remote accounting center to enable the meter to answer at a predetermined time a call initiated by the remote accounting center. The postage meter user's funding account may be maintained at a bank instead of the remote accounting center but the funds transfer accounting takes place at the remote accounting center.

Abstract: A printwheel setting mechanism suitable for automatic daters or other printwheel units comprises a verge drive for each printwheel and a solenoid travelling on a carriage which is selectively positionable actuating any one of the verge drives. The verge drive includes a verge which oscillates to advance a starwheel as the solenoid is actuated and deactuated. A pin wheel fixed for rotation with the starwheel engages slots on the printwheel for advancing it.

Abstract: A voice coil motor assembly for a voice coil motor printwheel setting apparatus comprises a plate having the voice coil motor coils mounted thereon. The plate is adapted for attachment to a printed circuit board by pins electrically connected to the voice coils. Picker links having voice coil magnets connected thereto are stacked in sequence and the final assembly is completed by enshrouding the voice coil magnets with the voice coils mounted on the plate.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter for printing postage indicia having a postage value and a message, in which the message is stored in a memory and the printer of the postage meter prints the message in accordance with that stored in the memory. The postage meter is provided with a communication port and is responsive to determined signals received at the port for changing the message stored in the memory, thereby to change the message printed in the postage indicia.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter has a communication port enabling communication between the postage meter and an external device for recharging an internal register of the postage meter. A manual control such as a button on the postage meter effects the application of dialing signals to the communication port. The manual control may effect the automatic dialing of a service center, for oral communication when a funding register in the postage meter has a value above a predetermined amount, and dialing signals of an accounting center to effect the recharging of the register when the register has a value stored down below the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter system in which an electronic postage meter is coupled to a data center by way of a communication path to enable recharging of the postage meter. The postage meter includes a register having stored therein the amount of postage which the postage meter is authorized to print. The data center is responsive to a request for recharging the postage meter to indicate the time rate of reduction of the authorized value stored in the postage meter register.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter system in which a postage meter is coupled to a data center by way of a communication path, to enable recharging of the accounting register of the postage meter under the control of the data center. The postage meter includes an arrangement for applying dialing signals to the communication path for initiating a request for recharging of the postage meter register, and for interrupting the communication prior to the receipt of recharging authorization. The data center is responsive to a request for recharging the postage meter register to apply dialing signals corresponding to the expected location of the postage meter to the communication path to re-establish communication for the transmission of recharging authorization signals. The interruption and subsequent re-establishment of communication verifies the continued location of the postage meter at the expected location.

Abstract: A surgical stapler device of the so-called pistol grip type includes a stack of staples loaded into a lower cartridge in an orientation similar to a conventional paper stapler. A former rotates and turns a leading staple 90.degree. or normal to its prior orientation in the stack of staples as the former slides between a start position and an intermediate position. The rotational movement of the staple insures maximum clarity in the surgeon's line of visions when placing a staple in position. The former is further displaced between an intermediate and a final position wherein the staple is formed around a staple forming surface of an anvil. The former also cams the anvil downwardly separating the formed staple from the anvil lip, thereby allowing the former to receive a staple from the stack of staples onto its staple transport surface for sequential stapling.

Abstract: A tool for the measurement and inspection of tolerances in pipe threads on pipes and couplings, etc. formed as a pair of pivoting jaws having handles. One of the jaws includes an assembly of probes mounted for longitudinal displacement in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the pipe or coupling, the probes also being slideably supported within the assembly for transverse displacement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. Transducers are provided for measurement of the motion of the probe. The second jaw coacts with the first jaw for clamping action, the probes are displaced transversely so as to set into troughs of the threads whereby the probes are aligned for measurement of thread length. The taper is measured by means of an inclinometer disposed at the end of the assembly away from the probes. Normal displacement measures thread height as well as deviation in diameter, the latter providing a measure of the non-linearity of the thread pitch line.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having a pivotable trigger in a housing and a cartridge of surgical staples, has a moving anvil which receives one staple at a time in its open configuration. A forming blade moves to engage and capture the staple between the forming blade and the anvil and drive the staple away from the cartridge allowing the user to see and place the points of the staple at a desired location on the tissue. Further movement of the forming blade pressing upon the top of the staple forces the staple legs to pierce and close joining adjacent edges of tissue. First and second stripper elements acting separately or in combination engage and urge the closed staple to separate from the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having a pivotable trigger in a housing and a cartridge of surgical staples, has a moving anvil which receives one staple at a time in its open configuration. A forming blade moves to engage and capture the staple between the forming blade and the anvil and drive the staple away from the cartridge allowing the user to see and place the points of the staple at a desired location on the tissue. Further movement of the forming blade pressing upon the top of the staple forces the staple legs to pierce and close joining adjacent edges of tissue. A detent prevents reversibility of the trigger and return of the staple after and the trigger reaches a pre-cock position, allowing the user to relax his hand while the staple remains exposed, until the trigger stroke is completed and the staple is closed and stripped from the anvil.