Abstract: A body weight support system includes a tether configured to be coupled to an attachment device worn by a user to couple the user to the body weight support system. A method of providing gait training includes defining a reference length of the tether when the attachment device is in an initial position and defining a threshold length of the tether. A first amount of body weight support is provided during the gait training as the user moves relative to a surface and the length of the tether is less than the threshold length. A second amount of body weight support is provided during the gait training as the user moves relative to the surface and the length of the tether is greater than the threshold length. The method further includes displaying data associated with the gait training on a display of an electronic device.

Abstract: A metal workpiece indentation marking device, comprising a frame, a striking head, an automatic marking die, a gripper and a two-dimensional moving mechanism, wherein the top of the striking head is connected to the frame; the striking head can move up and down; the automatic marking die is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the striking head; a clamping jaw for clamping a metal workpiece is disposed at the top of the gripper; the gripper can move back and forth or left and right under the action of the two-dimensional moving mechanism, such that a position to be marked at the top of the metal workpiece can be located under the automatic marking die.

Abstract: The balance training apparatus includes: a moving cart capable of moving on a moving surface by driving a driving unit; a detection unit configured to detect a load received from a foot of a trainee who is standing on the moving cart; a calculation unit configured to calculate the center of gravity of loads of both feet of the trainee on a riding surface from, the load detected by the detection unit; a setting unit configured to set the center of gravity of the loads at which it is estimated that the trainee has maintained an upright state on the riding surface as a reference center of gravity; and an instruction controller configured to output an instruction of the orientation of the body to the trainee and an instruction to move the center of gravity to the trainee.

Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a plurality of rotatable objects for processing includes a base plate that is configured to be positioned on a support surface of a processing machine. The base plate defines a plurality of alignment members to align the base plate to the support surface. The positioning system further includes at least three elongate cylindrical members that are arranged in parallel to one another and rotatably supported in alignment with the base plate. The cylindrical members are configured to support the rotatable objects. The positioning system also includes a rotation mechanism configured to cooperate with the cylindrical members and rotate the cylindrical members in synchrony so as to rotate the plurality of rotatable objects in synchrony. The positioning system further includes a rotational control mechanism configured to cooperate with the rotation mechanism to control rotation of the cylindrical members.

Abstract: An electrical power production system including a plurality of generator assemblies having: at least one piezoelectric generator for generating electrical power in response to a mechanical force applied onto said first generator, an actuator for applying a mechanical force onto the generator when said actuator is biased, a rotatable cam having a cam surface, a follower means for following the cam surface, a lever connected to the follower means, said lever being mounted as a lever arm and engaging with the actuator so as to bias said actuator when the cam is rotated and the cam surface exerts a mechanical force on the follower means, a rotatable wheel rotated by a power source and coupled to the cams so that setting said rotatable wheel in rotation at a rotation speed causes the rotation of said cams at another rotation speed, which is greater than that of said rotatable wheel.

Abstract: A body weight support system includes a tether configured to be coupled to an attachment device worn by a user to couple the user to the body weight support system. A method of providing gait training includes defining a reference length of the tether when the attachment device is in an initial position and defining a threshold length of the tether. A first amount of body weight support is provided during the gait training as the user moves relative to a surface and the length of the tether is less than the threshold length. A second amount of body weight support is provided during the gait training as the user moves relative to the surface and the length of the tether is greater than the threshold length. The method further includes displaying data associated with the gait training on a display of an electronic device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a large transmission gearwheel (1; 31; 36) consisting of a plurality of individual components, said process comprising the successive steps of: providing the individual components, which include at least one hub (2; 32; 37), a disc wheel (3, 4; 18, 19; 22; 24; 27; 33, 34; 38, 39) and a toothed ring (5; 20; 21; 23; 26; 35; 40) produced from case-hardened steel; at least partially mechanically soft machining the individual components; joining the individual components using a beam welding process; case hardening the individual components which have been joined to one another, and hard machining at least the toothed ring (5; 20; 21; 23; 26; 35; 40). The invention furthermore relates to a large transmission gearwheel produced by such a process.

Abstract: The invention comprises a means for providing customizable identification symbols to a metal container using a custom, portable tool for stamping the symbols onto the external surface of the container.

Abstract: There is described a numbering device (1) for carrying out numbering in sheet-fed or web-fed numbering presses, the numbering device (1) comprising a numbering unit (6) with rotatable numbering wheels (7) carrying alpha-numerical symbols thereon, which numbering wheels (7) are disposed next to each other and rotate about a common rotation axis, the numbering device (1) further comprising electro-mechanical actuation means for setting the position of the numbering wheels (7). The electro-mechanical actuation means are entirely located within the numbering device (1) and are mechanically autonomous, the electro-mechanical actuation means comprising a plurality of independent driving means (15, 18-23; 23*) for actuating a corresponding plurality of the numbering wheels.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises a plurality of drums for holding a recording medium on their perimeter faces and for being able to rotate the recording medium, and printing unit, which are arranged as opposed to the perimeter faces of the drums, for being able to make printing on the recording medium. A tension generating unit for applying a tension to the recording medium is arranged in the upstream and the downstream of the drums on the conveyance path of the recording medium. A drum in the downmost stream side of the conveyance path is used as a driving drum, and the other drums are used as driven drums.

Abstract: A labeling machine comprises a self-regulating arresting member of a label holder tape. The arresting member is able to press the tape against an abutting surface when a label has to be applied on a destination surface and it releases said tape when, on the action of a control device the tape is actuated to advance. The labeling machine further comprises a printing device whose inking roller is associated to a device that enables it to be engaged easily and conveniently on a respective support arm. The support arm in turn is advantageously connected to an access door to internal areas of the labeling machine, whose opening determines the exit of the support arm and the exposure of the inking roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a printing device for printing the surface of a cylindrical or spherical object, including a drive mechanism, a printing mechanism, and a rolling mechanism, wherein the rolling mechanism includes a first shaft and a second shaft positioned in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving the object to be printed, wherein the drive mechanism rotates at least the first shaft, causing the object to rotate.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to a drum having a polymer layer with channels on a metal cylinder are disclosed.

Abstract: A select lever and a permanent magnet of a type selection mechanism of a type-printer are arranged with a gap between the magnet and the distal end of the lower part of the lever. The select lever is located untouched in a stable position that is settled by the respective magnetic polarities of the permanent magnet and the distal end of the lower part of the lever imparted by a magnetization coil.

Abstract: A numbering apparatus incorporates a push rod which is pushed mechanically by an ejector plate or other mechanism of an injection mold in each injection process. The push rod moves, in a linear direction, a link attached to a central cylinder which turns inside wheels having, on their outer face, marking digits. The wheels have an inner toothing, on which pressure is exerted by a comb, made up of comb teeth, that protrude externally from the central cylinder in order to change the position of the wheel in the forward direction of the central cylinder. The digit displayed, while also incorporating magnets, matching up with the outer face of the wheel which assist in securing the position of the comb, thereby preventing the wheel from turning while the cylinder is sliding back.

Abstract: A ticket issuing system for facilitating processing and printing of citations. The ticket issuing system includes a housing being designed for being held in a hand of a user. An information assembly is positioned in the housing. The information assembly is designed for gathering information about a vehicle and the violation. A printing assembly designed for printing the citation to be issued to the motorist. The printing assembly is operationally coupled to the information assembly whereby the printing assembly gathers information from the information assembly to print the citation.

Abstract: The numbering machine comprises a series of cams (2) and a series of wheels (3), each cam (2) being connected with a wheel (3), so that the turning of a cam (2) signifies the turning of a wheel (3). The cams (2) have on their periphery nine projections (17) and a recess or hollow (18), while each wheel (3) has on its periphery the digits corresponding to the first nine numbers.

Abstract: In a stamp apparatus, a paper-sheet object is conveyed in the arrow direction between a presser roller and an impress hub having a predetermined character/symbol string. Since a cam is rotated in the arrow direction by a rotary solenoid, it makes the presser roller approach the impress hub via a roller and an arm. A separating lever is rotated in the arrow direction by a rotary solenoid from an initial position (position shown in the drawing) to a siding position. When the paper-sheet object is conveyed to between the presser roller and the impress hub, a stamp bonded on the bottom surface of the paper-sheet object is canceled with a postmark. A presser mechanism suppresses a rebound produced when the presser roller starts to urge the paper-sheet object, and also maintains a predetermined urging pressure of the presser roller relative to the paper-sheet object having a predetermined thickness or less.

Abstract: A window adapted to a dater has a screen hole adapted to be defined to correspond to lead numerals of the dater, two positioning seats oppositely formed to be detachable to the dater, and a patterned face formed on a bottom face thereof. The window is able to be detachably connected to the dater so as to allow replacement of the window for another patterned face for the dater.

Abstract: A stamp of liquid-exuding type has a multiple-seal-faced assembly adapted for stamping with selected one of these multiple faces, preferably for stamping with multiple colors.

Abstract: A window adapted to a dater has a screen hole adapted to be defined to correspond to lead numerals of the dater, two positioning seats oppositely formed to be detachable to the dater, and a patterned face formed on a bottom face thereof. The window is able to be detachably connected to the dater so as to allow replacement of the window for another patterned face for the dater.

Abstract: A multiple-image-carrying cylinder has a cylinder section having at least part of a first image to be printed, a shell axially movable with respect to the cylinder section, the shell having at least part of a second image to be printed, and a ring located between the shell and the cylinder section and axially movable with respect to the shell and the cylinder section, the ring capable of having another part of the first image when connected to the cylinder section and capable of having another part of the second image when connected to the shell.

Abstract: A character wheel, particularly for a numbering machine, including a character wheel disc having a plurality of printing portion mounting surfaces formed at an interval from each other in a circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface of the character wheel disc and an engaging groove formed to at least one of portions between the respective printing portion mounting surfaces and a flexible character wheel band mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the character wheel disc. The character wheel band is formed with engaging projections formed at both longitudinal ends thereof and the engaging projections are engaged with the engaging groove formed to the character wheel disc so that the flexible character wheel band is mounted to the character wheel disc therearound.

Abstract: A printing unit has a plurality of type wheels with types on its circumference which are rotatable on a common shaft and are driveable on it by means of a slip coupling. Each type wheel has an associated feeler device that ascertains its position and a pawl for engagement with the type wheel, with an actuator that is triggerable as a function of the feeler device via a control unit, and by the actuator the pawl can be controlled between a blocking position and a release position. The drive device serving the purpose of intermittently driving the shaft has per printing unit one drive shaft, operationally coupled to the shaft, with a driving gear wheel and one common stationary disc associated with a plurality of printing units disposed in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific field of processing mail. More particularly, it relates to a print mechanism enabling a ail carrier to be recognized from the franking print applied to an article of mail, the carrier having been previously selected by the user of the postage meter. The device for selecting articles of mail as a function of carrier or of shipping service consist in printing a special mark on each article of mail as a function of the corresponding carrier.

Abstract: A numbering box for a press for printing bank notes has a stack of sensor boards in one-to-one correspondence with a stack of numbering wheels and each of the boards has an edge area at the printing face of the numbering box which carries an LED indicator of a status of magnetic signalling means on the respective numbering wheel. The boards are each connected to a motherboard in the numbering box. Data processing means in the numbering box may be connected to a remote computer by an optical fibre link. The sensor boards are closely spaced and each has an aperture to accommodate a bulky component of the or an adjacent board.

Abstract: A print block cassette for franking machine print drums comprises a support having a block support side, longitudinal guide and support members perpendicular to the block support side and engaged in bosses on the support and a plurality of separate print blocks each mounted interchangeably on at least one longitudinal guide and support member.

Abstract: A bar code conversion device for automatically converting the decimal digits of a selected postal ZIP Code into the corresponding POSTNET bar code has a first set of digit wheels with faces for the decimal digits, a second set of bar code wheels with faces for the bar code segments corresponding to the decimal digits, and a set of linkages coupling each pair of associated digit and bar code wheels so that they can be rotated to selected digit positions of a ZIP Code in tandem. In the mechanical embodiment, the device is a hand stamp for stamping the bar code segment faces on an article. An electromechanical version has input digit wheels and an output printer. An electronic version has an input keypad and an output printer. The bar code is applied on an article for mailing, and is optically readable by the United States Postal Service's bar code readers.

Abstract: A postage metering system includes input means for inputting into the system a value of postage to be imprinted on a mail piece and means storing data concerning appropriate postage value amounts. A printing means is provided for printing a first postage imprint and for printing a different second postage imprint. Print control means are coupled to the printing means and the storing means for causing the printing means to print the first postage imprint for an appropriate postage value and the second postage imprint for postage value which are other than the appropriate postage raise.

Abstract: A value selection and printing apparatus includes a printing device having a printing wheel; a movable rack gear operatively engaged with the printing wheel such that at times when the rack gear moves along a normal linear operative path of travel the printing wheel is repositioned, the rack gear including a stress concentration area where the rack gear deforms when subjected to a force sufficient to disassociate the printing wheel from the rack gear; and a device, interfering with the deformed rack gear, for preventing the deformed rack gear from traversing the normal linear operative path.

Abstract: A device for setting the position of printwheels (5) included in a removable head (2) of a postage meter. A pivotable control module (17) is provided in the base (1), and is mounted on resilient supports (29). It carries motors (M1, M2, M3, M4) mounted in a circular arc around a cylindrical block (16) of driving gear wheels (R3). When the module (17) is pivoted forwards, it meshes with drive systems (20) having gear wheels (19, 21, 22, 23) that enable the printwheels (5) to be rotated.

Abstract: An electronic postage meter including print apparatus for printing fixed postage data and variable postage data on a mail item advancing along a conveyor path between an inlet of the meter and an outlet thereof, the print apparatus comprising a first rotary drum, rotated by a first motor, for printing main postage data on the item, and a second rotary drum, rotated by a second motor and carrying a plurality of selectable plates, for printing auxiliary postage data on said mail item, and control means for actuating the second motor so as to print the imprint of a selected plate at a chosen position on the mail item.

Abstract: A device for positively locking the printwheels (2) fitted to the print drum (1) of a postage meter. A tilting bail (5) locks the printwheels (2) against the force of a return spring (8). A sliding pull rod (26) provided with a yoke (30) that co-operates with a fixed collar (31) disposed coaxially with the rotary drum (1) ensures that locking is secure by preventing an arm (11) of the bail (5) from moving whenever the drum (1) is rotating.

Abstract: In the type-wheel resetting mechanism for the downsized printer: a resetting cam portion (13) is provided in a drive gear (12) to save the number of components and to eliminate assembly and adjusting operations of the cam portion (13) and the drive gear (12); detected portions (25, 25a) for type selection and motor stop operations are provided separately from the drive gear (12); and, a sensor (26) for detecting the detected portions (25, 25a) is provided in the vicinity of the drive gear (12) to save the number of components, which simplifies the construction of the type-wheel resetting mechanism and improves the type-wheel resetting mechanism in reliability.

Abstract: A rotor unit comprises a rotor cylinder which is fastened to a shaft and is rotatably supported via an external bearing. A gear motor is arranged in the interior, which gear motor drives a first double gear wheel in both rotating directions (a, b) via its power take-off shaft and a pinion. The double gear wheel is supported on a disk and a bearing plate in a freewheel bearing and engages with a second double gear wheel. In one rotating direction (b), the freewheel bearing locks the toothed wheel, so that the latter, rigidly together with the disk, is carried along by the pinion. In this way, the second double gear wheel engages serially with one intermediate gear in each instance, wherein every such engagement is exactly positioned by means of a ball catch. In the other rotating direction (a), the motor in each instance turns a number wheel via the aforementioned gears and accordingly sets e.g. one digit of the postage meter machine's value stamp.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum assembly which includes a print drum and a drum shaft. The drum includes selectively settable value printing elements. The drum shaft has, located in one or more grooves therein, a plurality of linearly movable racks. These racks are connected to the value printing elements in such a manner that linear movement of one rack alters the position of a corresponding value printing element. The meter also has a plurality of gears, called cross-over gears, arranged to drive corresponding racks. The cross-over gears driving the racks in the or each groove are arranged side-by-side and are independently driven by respective drive components arranged for rotation about a rotation axis common to the cross-over gears and the drive components.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a printing head comprising a plurality of coaxial, rotatable printing wheels, disposed substantially side-by-side and employing printing characters, and a control rotor for controlling the printing wheels and having its axis parallel to that of the printing wheels and positioned to be moved bi-directional to come into engagement with any selected printing wheel and then to be rotated about its axis to rotate the selected printing wheel for bringing into printing position a desired character thereon, comprising mounting structure mounting the control rotor toi) move axially parallel to the axis of the printing wheels,ii) move toward and away from the axis of the printing wheels,iii) rotate as aforesaid; and drive structure to effect the i) movement, the ii) movement and the iii) rotation.

Abstract: A promotional device requiring customer interaction is presented comprising a removable, tamper-resistant housing with a slot in the housing for accepting an encoded substrate. The substrate has a coded area and a validation area. An electromechanical assembly located within the housing comprises means for aligning the substrate, means for scanning the encoded area of the substrate, and means for validating the substrate in the validation area.

Abstract: A postage meter has a rotatable print drum for franking an article. The print drum includes settable value-denoting elements and is mounted on a drum shaft for rotation therewith. A series of motors are each connected to drive a respective one of the value-denoting elements via an intervening drive train. There is a gearbox housing within which the drive trains are housed. The gearbox housing is split into two portions which are shaped so that they together encircle and are supported by the drum shaft. This provides a compact and easily assembled postage meter.

Abstract: A postage meter comprises a non-volatile memory and a microcomputer in communication with the non-volatile memory and a plurality of stepper motors. Positioning commands from the microcomputer are directed to the plurality of stepper motors and includes a plurality of respective stepper motor drivers. Each of the stepper motors are arranged for positioning at least one printwheel. The non-volatile memory has stored therein data for associating each of the stepper motor drivers with a respective printwheel wherein the positioning of a selected printwheel is commanded in accordance with the data relating printwheel to stepper motor driver stored in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: It is characterized in that it comprises a ring (70) with an internal semi-annular collar (71) mounted on and axially fixed to a rear part of a print head supporting sleeve (12) of the print head, opposite the drum, and coupled by means (76, 77) to an adjustment control system (40) mounted to oscillate about the rear part of the drum to couple it to sliding rods incorporating racks and carried by the sleeve.

Abstract: A postage meter of the flat-bed type is provided with detachable indicia plate. The indicia plate includes a plurality of tabs which are secured in receiving aperture in a formed recess in the base of the postage meter. The indicia plate also includes a locking pin which in a first orientation permits the pin to pass through an aperture in the meter base. The locking pin then, upon reorientation, prevents removal of the locking pin.

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: A print wheel printer includes a trigger unit casing and a main housing frame, a plurality of print wheels rotatably mounted on a print wheel shaft and having a corresponding ratchet wheel secured to one side of each print wheel. A plurality of rotatably mounted selective pawls are supported on the trigger unit casing for stopping the rotation of the print wheels at selected print wheel engagement positions wherein a corresponding pawl is rotated into position to engage a corresponding print wheel ratchet wheel. A rotatable reset lever is also mounted on the trigger unit casing for the purpose of returning the selective pawls to a print wheel disengagement position. The selective pawls and the reset lever are both supported on the trigger unit casing in a prealigned relationship and support means are provided on the main housing frame for supporting the set of print wheels.

Abstract: An improved digital mark-printer operated under control of a microprocessor and control program. A main shaft including a printing head with a plurality of numeral wheels is driven by drive circuits and the position of the shaft and wheels are sensed by sensor circuits, all under control of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a first gear wheel 10 having a section 12 with missing teeth. A second gear wheel 14 is arranged to mesh with the first gear wheel 10. The first tooth 16 on the first gear wheel 10 to engage with the second gear wheel 14 (following the missing teeth section 12) is resiliently movable inwardly within a radial slot 18 to withdraw when engaging an opposing tooth 22. A spring 20 urges the tooth 16 outwardly to one side of the opposing tooth 22 and into a gap on that side of the opposing tooth 22, so as to align the first and second gear wheels. Such a gear arrangement has particular use in a geared value setting mechanism provided on a print drum shaft of a postage meter.

Abstract: A postage meter module includes die protector blades to prevent fraudulent taking of postage meter imprints. A first plurality of die protectors are retracted to expose the adjacent printwheels when the meter makes a check on its internal condition. The remainder of the die protectors are retracted under different conditions while the first are still retracted in order to enable an imprint to be taken. Preferably the remainder of the die protectors are retracted only for a predetermined interval after a print signal has been received. The die protectors also serve to align the printwheels when the protectors are retracted.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for printing stamps, which are cut from a strip (2) drawn from a roll (1). The apparatus has an adjustable printer and a common drive for the non-jerky advance of the strip and for operating a cutting mechanism. An eccentrically mounted, reciprocating clutch (17) is provided for the advance and engages with a strip-diving roller (56) operates the cutting mechanism and is connected to a movable blade (22) thereof. The pawl is eccentrically fixed to a rotary driven disk (18), which also carriers a cam (58) for controlling the lever. The printer has adjustable type wheels (24), which are rotatable by a common shaft (31) via friction clutches and for each type wheel there is an independently controllable pawl (33) for arresting the type wheel in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a plurality of print wheels, in an automated cable making machine for imprinting a desired set of characters onto a connector housing. The method includes a unique way of homing each of the print wheels to a known position prior to setting the print wheels to their desired print positions. This is a done by rotating each print wheel until a rod, which is constrained to move only along its longitudinal axis, can be inserted into an opening in the print wheel. This prevents further rotation of the print wheel thereby indicating that the wheel is in its home position.

Abstract: An encoder for a wheel or other devices with relative movement comprises in the use of a printwheel, a linear Hall-effect sensor and magnet mounted in a non-ferrous metal shaft with a flux conducting spiral ring molded in the printwheel and encircling the shaft. The angular position of the printwheel is absolutely determined by the magnitude of the signal relative to the transition point of the spiral. The values are converted to digital information and stored in non-volatile memory for comparison to the values measured as the wheel is positioned during operation of the wheel. In another embodiment, a second Hall-effect sensor is placed on the shaft opposite the first sensor to provide an enhanced signal.