Abstract: An insertion tool is used to insert a threaded coil insert into a threaded opening of a support structure. The tool includes a rotatable mandrel body having an axial longitudinal passage and a projection slot. A plunger is disposed in the passage forward of a spring which urges the plunger forward. The plunger in turn urges a drive projection. A front end of the plunger includes an inclined surface that slidingly and inclinedly engages an inclined surface of the drive projection. The urging of the drive projection by the plunger along their respective inclined surfaces causes relative sliding movement of the drive projection so that the drive projection translates linearly through the projection slot in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal passage.

Abstract: An insertion tool is used to insert a threaded coil insert into a threaded opening of a support structure. The tool includes a rotatable mandrel body having an axial longitudinal passage and a projection slot. A plunger is disposed in the passage forward of a spring which urges the plunger forward. The plunger in turn urges a drive projection. A front end of the plunger includes an inclined surface that slidingly and inclinedly engages an inclined surface of the drive projection. The urging of the drive projection by the plunger along their respective inclined surfaces causes relative sliding movement of the drive projection so that the drive projection translates linearly through the projection slot in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal passage.

Abstract: An insertion tool is used to insert a threaded coil insert into a threaded opening of a support structure. The tool includes a rotatable mandrel body having an axial longitudinal passage and a projection slot. A plunger is disposed in the passage forward of a spring which urges the plunger forward. The plunger in turn urges a drive projection. A front end of the plunger includes an inclined surface that slidingly and inclinedly engages an inclined surface of the drive projection. The urging of the drive projection by the plunger along their respective inclined surfaces causes relative sliding movement of the drive projection so that the drive projection translates linearly through the projection slot in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal passage.

Abstract: An insertion tool is used to insert a threaded coil insert into a threaded opening of a support structure. The tool includes a rotatable mandrel body having an axial longitudinal passage and a projection slot. A plunger is disposed in the passage forward of a spring which urges the plunger forward. The plunger in turn urges a drive projection. A front end of the plunger includes an inclined surface that slidingly and inclinedly engages an inclined surface of the drive projection. The urging of the drive projection by the plunger along their respective inclined surfaces causes relative sliding movement of the drive projection so that the drive projection translates linearly through the projection slot in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal passage.

Abstract: An insertion tool is used to insert a threaded coil insert into a threaded opening of a support structure. The tool includes a rotatable mandrel body having an axial longitudinal passage and a projection slot. A plunger is disposed in the passage forward of a spring which urges the plunger forward. The plunger in turn urges a drive projection. A front end of the plunger includes an inclined surface that slidingly and inclinedly engages an inclined surface of the drive projection. The urging of the drive projection by the plunger along their respective inclined surfaces causes relative sliding movement of the drive projection so that the drive projection translates linearly through the projection slot in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal passage.

Abstract: A print interface system including a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes a printer having multiple feed paths for printing on opposing face surfaces of a sheet material. One of the feed paths directs sheet material to a staging tray and another feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling system. The system further includes a positionable diverter for directing sheet material to one of the feed paths and a sheet sensor for determining when a sheet of material has been directed along the feed path leading to the output tray. A controller is operative to alternately reposition the diverter from one of two positions.

Abstract: A print interface system includes a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes an interface module having upper and lower housing segments defining first and second feed paths. A first feed path directs sheet material to a stacking surface of the upper housing segment and a second feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling device. A repositionable diverter bifurcates the path exiting the printer to direct sheet material to one of the two feed paths. Furthermore, the upper housing segment is pivotally mounted to the lower housing segment to provide internal access to one of the first and second feed paths.

Abstract: A method and system for closing opened envelopes flaps against the envelope body includes transporting an envelope in a first direction and parking the envelope in a first parked position. An envelope flap closing mechanism is moved to commence the movement of the envelope flap toward said envelope body. The envelope flap is closed against the envelope body while transporting the envelope in a second direction toward a second parked position. The flap closing mechanism may be moveable from a lower position to an upper position. The envelope flap closing system may include a first transport path of travel for envelopes to be moved seriatim in a first direction from an entrance point to an exit point. A moveable flap closing mechanism is mounted along the path of travel for movement between a lower position and an upper position.

Abstract: A system for electrically connecting first and second electronic devices wherein the devices are movable relative to each other. The system includes an electric cable having end segments and a medial segment therebetween wherein each of the end segments connects to one of the first and second electronic devices. A tensioning mechanism maintains a tensile load on the medial segment of the electric cable while a guide mechanism directs movement of the electric cable in response to relative motion between the first and second electronic devices. Moreover, a strain relief mechanism is operative to mitigate the transmission of tensile loads from the medial segment to either of the end segments such that the end segments are substantially unloaded in response to movement of the devices.

Abstract: A print interface system includes a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes an interface module having upper and lower housing segments defining first and second feed paths. A first feed path directs sheet material to a stacking surface of the upper housing segment and a second feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling device. A repositionable diverter bifurcates the path exiting the printer to direct sheet material to one of the two feed paths. Furthermore, the upper housing segment is pivotally mounted to the lower housing segment to provide internal access to one of the first and second feed paths.

Abstract: A print interface system including a printer integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter. The print interface system facilitates the handling of sheet material in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes a printer having multiple feed paths for printing on opposing face surfaces of a sheet material. One of the feed paths directs sheet material to a staging tray and another feed path directs sheet material to a downstream module of the sheet handling system. The system further includes a positionable diverter for directing sheet material to one of the feed paths and a sheet sensor for determining when a sheet of material has been directed along the feed path leading to the output tray. A controller is operative to alternately reposition the diverter from one of two positions.

Abstract: A system for electrically connecting first and second electronic devices wherein the devices are movable relative to each other. The system includes an electric cable having end segments and a medial segment therebetween wherein each of the end segments connects to one of the first and second electronic devices. A tensioning mechanism maintains a tensile load on the medial segment of the electric cable while a guide mechanism directs movement of the electric cable in response to relative motion between the first and second electronic devices. Moreover, a strain relief mechanism is operative to mitigate the transmission of tensile loads from the medial segment to either of the end segments such that the end segments are substantially unloaded in response to movement of the devices.

Abstract: A method and system for closing opened envelopes flaps against the envelope body includes transporting an envelope in a first direction and parking the envelope in a first parked position. An envelope flap closing mechanism is moved to commence the movement of the envelope flap toward said envelope body. The envelope flap is closed against the envelope body while transporting the envelope in a second direction toward a second parked position. The flap closing mechanism may be moveable from a lower position to an upper position. The envelope flap closing system may include a first transport path of travel for envelopes to be moved seriatim in a first direction from an entrance point to an exit point. A moveable flap closing mechanism is mounted along the path of travel for movement between a lower position and an upper position.

Abstract: A system and method for managing overflow of moistening fluid in a mailing machine is provided. An overflow pipe is provided in the reservoir, positioned over a sump located beneath the reservoir. The top of the overflow pipe in the reservoir is located slightly above the moistening fluid normal operating level in the reservoir. In the event the level of the moistening fluid rises above the normal operating level to a point above the top of the overflow pipe, the moistening fluid will flow through the overflow pipe and into the sump. The sump contains an absorbent material to absorb any moistening fluid that flows into the sump, thereby preventing the moistening fluid from sloshing out of the sump if the mailing machine is moved. The moistening fluid absorbed by the absorbent material will eventually evaporate, thereby preventing any leakage of the moistening fluid from the mailing machine.

Abstract: A system and method for managing overflow of moistening fluid in a mailing machine is provided. An overflow pipe is provided in the reservoir, positioned over a sump located beneath the reservoir. The top of the overflow pipe in the reservoir is located slightly above the moistening fluid normal operating level in the reservoir. In the event the level of the moistening fluid rises above the normal operating level to a point above the top of the overflow pipe, the moistening fluid will flow through the overflow pipe and into the sump. The sump contains an absorbent material to absorb any moistening fluid that flows into the sump, thereby preventing the moistening fluid from sloshing out of the sump if the mailing machine is moved. The moistening fluid absorbed by the absorbent material will eventually evaporate, thereby preventing any leakage of the moistening fluid from the mailing machine.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for meshing of gears on disparate modules, such as those that form a mailing machine. A tongue having a rack can extend from a first module into a cavity formed in the second module. A spur gear is mounted to the second module and can engage the rack of the tongue received into the cavity. A mechanism controls movement of the first spur gear. The mechanism can include a drive gear meshed with the first spur gear and concentrically mounted on one end of a drive shaft with a worm gear mounted concentrically on an opposing end of the drive shaft. Rotation of the worm gear causes the spur gear and the drive gear to rotate and cause movement in the rack received into the cavity and separate or bring together the modules as a result of the movement in the rack.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for meshing of gears on disparate modules, such as those that form a mailing machine. A tongue having a rack can extend from a first module into a cavity formed in the second module. A spur gear is mounted to the second module and can engage the rack of the tongue received into the cavity. A mechanism controls movement of the first spur gear. The mechanism can include a drive gear meshed with the first spur gear and concentrically mounted on one end of a drive shaft with a worm gear mounted concentrically on an opposing end of the drive shaft. Rotation of the worm gear causes the spur gear and the drive gear to rotate and cause movement in the rack received into the cavity and separate or bring together the modules as a result of the movement in the rack.

Abstract: An envelope side guide for a mailing machine includes an elongate support means which is formed to be extendable and retractable in a telescopic manner is connected at one end to a portion of the frame of the mailing machine and supports an envelope guide means on the other end. In one embodiment of the invention, the support means is rigidly connected to the mailing machine frame, and the guide means is mounted so as to be vertically movable on the other end of the support means so that it can be raised above the feed deck of the mailing machine to permit oversized envelopes to be fed into the mailing machine. In another embodiment of the invention, the support means is pivotally connected to the mailing machine frame and the guide means is rigidly connected to the other end of the support means so that the guide means can be raised merely by pivoting the entire side guide assembly upwardly.

Abstract: A coupling device for transmitting torque between two rotating drive shaft segments. The coupling device includes a locking mechanism for preventing axial excursions of the drive shaft segments relative to one another when the drive shaft segments are coupled and transmitting torque. The coupling device, furthermore, provides a means for quick disconnect of the drive shaft segments when the transmission of torque is no longer desired and decoupling is preferred. The coupling device, additionally, includes a guide pin and sleeve arrangement for piloting the drive shaft segments during coupling. A drive system is also provided which includes a flexible coupling for accommodating axial and angular misalignment of the drive shaft segments relative to one another.