Abstract: Apparatus for singulating sheets of paper and detecting a double feed. The apparatus includes: a sheet feeder having a feed deck; a separator wheel housing secured to the feed deck; a separator wheel mounted in the separator wheel housing; a stone mount located beneath the separator wheel, the stone mount being secured to the feed deck; a separator stone mounted in the stone mount beneath the separator wheel; a Hall effect sensor located in the stone mount downstream of the separator stone; and a magnet secured to the feeder, the magnet being biased against the Hall effect sensor, whereby the Hall effect sensor can detect feed without being effected by any fluctuations in the feed deck.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention utilizes a cam-driven mechanism to convert a single rotary input driven by a single motor to two or more output motions each having its distinct cycle and profile of motion. This multiplicity of outputs often times requires a separate motor for each output motion. Each distinct cycle of motion is capable of driving its end effector a complete revolution, a fraction of a revolution, multiple revolutions, or a non-integer number of revolutions. Thus, the apparatus of this invention utilizes, a single motor to provide motion to activate the shutter bar mechanism and at the same time, rotate the printing drum of a postage meter one revolution.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention consists of a housing containing 1) a "cam-motor" mechanism 2) an input shaft and 3) an output shaft that may or may not be collinear with the input shaft. The "cam motor" mechanism linking the input and output shafts is capable of an infinite variety of motion transfer functions between the input and output shafts. A "cam-motor" or cam-modulated linkage provides the transfer function. Output motion can be specified to be any of a large variety of displacement profiles (either clockwise and or counter-clock wise) including several dwells and controlled accelerations and decelerations between them. Input motion can also be specified and can have either constant or variable velocity.

Abstract: A counterbalance device for a mail processing system includes a cover; a base; a support arm fixedly mounted to one of the cover and the base and articulately mounted to the other of the cover and the base such that the cover and the base pivot relative to each other; a device for counterbalancing the one of the cover and the base to create a predetermined force profile throughout a full range of pivoting movement of the one of the cover and the base from a closed position to a fully opened position relative to the other of the cover and the base. The predetermined force profile represents the net force acting on the one of the cover and the base at each point in the full range of pivoting movement.

Abstract: The drive system for a mailing flat bed postage printing apparatus includes a postage meter cartridge having an indicia plate mounted in the base of the printing apparatus. An inking system is included for inking the indicia plate. The inking system includes a drive motor mounted to the base in driving communication with a first shaft rotatively mounted in the base. A cam is mounted to the first shaft having a cam surfaces. An ink tray is positionable by a linkage system wherein the linkage system includes cam followers in communication with the cam surface to position the ink tray in response to the rotational position of the cam. A platen is reciprocally positionable between a first and print position in the base. The cam is rotated in a first range wherein the cam surface positions the linkage system and a second range of rotation wherein the linkage system is in a dwell mode.

Abstract: An automatically settable date printing apparatus adapted particularly for use in postage meters which print an indicia on envelopes as they are fed seriatim past a rotary printing drum in the postage meter in which a plurality of print wheels print the day, month and year successively for each day. The apparatus includes a date print wheel assembly having individual print wheels for printing the unit day, the decade day, the month and the year for any given date. A drive wheel assembly includes a plurality of independent drive wheels for driving the date print wheels an appropriate amount, the drive wheel which is connected to the unit day print wheel being the sole source of input drive for the other drive wheels which rotate the other date print wheels by an appropriate amount through transfer components on the drive wheels.

Abstract: An angular micro-positioning system cable of readily accessing any angle within 360.degree. and thereafter precisely addressing an angular position within one ten-thousandth of a degree. The device is suitable for use in test equipment or any equipment requiring extremely precise angular positioning. The device includes a rotary motor which is mounted to a secondary frame which is pivotally mounted to a flexibly mounted main frame. The drive shaft of the rotary motor is biased in to engagement with the output wheel. A linear micro-positioner is mounted to the main frame and its drive shaft is coupled to the rotary motor frame to pivot same. The rotary motor is first rotated with the linear micro-positioner locked in place to provide coarse angle positioning. Thereafter, the drive shaft of the rotary motor is locked and the motor frame is pivoted by the linear micro-positioner which provides extremely fine angular adjustment.

Abstract: An inker module for a high speed mailing machine is disclosed. The inker module includes a drive for moving an ink pad horizontally and vertically from a horizontal home position to a horizontal inking position in which the ink pad is tamped against a printing device which imprints postage indicia. The drive includes a single drive motor, cam wheels and links which cooperate to move the ink pad in the two directions. An ink pump is provided to pump ink to the ink pad each time that the ink pad is tamped against the printing device. The drive includes a further link to actuate the pump from the same motor. A platten device and its drive are disposed adjacent the ink pad drive to tamp an envelope or tape against the printing device in timed relation to movement of the ink pad.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning device includes a stator and a rotor pivotably mounted on the stator for oscillation around the axis of rotation. The rotor (or stator) has two elastic bumper stops spaced from the axis of rotation and spaced from each other. An elastic bumper is attached to the stator (or rotor) and arranged between the bumper stops. The resulting scanning device conserves energy by converting kinetic energy in one direction to potential energy, and then by converting the potential energy back into kinetic energy in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sector scanner includes first and second magnetizable stators spaced on a longitudinal axis. First and second rotors are provided in the gaps between the end faces of the first and second stators, respectively. The rotors have tapered surfaces spaced from the end faces of the stators to form gaps therebetween. The gaps between the first rotor and the end face of the first stator decrease as the rotor rotates in a first direction. The gaps between the second rotor and the end faces of the second stator decrease as the rotors rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the rotors and arranged to be rotatable with the rotors. A servo-control system is provided to cause the rotor/transducer assembly to rotate according to a prescribed reference signal.The ultrasonic sector scanner has a cover assembly in which a flexible membrane is provided with ribs which engage grooves in the wall of the housing.

Abstract: A self-closing refrigerator door of the sliding type having an upper channel into which is received a track depending from the upper portion of the door frame, a series of rollers supporting the door on a track projecting from the lower portion of the door frame, adjustable energy producing closing means having means releaseably engageable with the lower portion of the door frame beneath the door so that upon opening a closing force is exerted upon the door by the biasing action of the energy producing closing means sufficient to cause it to close on the door frame.