Abstract: A postage meter die in a postage meter includes a printwheel assembly for printing ZIP CODE or other location information in place of the CITY-STATE information normally required for Post Office licensed postage meters. The printer assembly is accessible by authorized personnel to allow the ZIP CODE to be changed to correspond to the ZIP CODE location of the meter user.

Abstract: The franking value or stamp index wheels mounted in the franking head of the franking machine are adjusted by in each case one pinion, which meshes with the engagement tooth system of a rack. In addition, each rack is provided with a driving tooth system electromagnetically operated by adjusting rams and a retaining tooth system in which engage two retaining pawls. An electromagnetic drive engages and disengages the retaining pawls with the retaining tooth system when the machine main shaft is in the set position. A sensor monitors the engagement movement of the retaining pawls, so that an incorrect position of the racks and therefore an incorrect setting is detectable by the franking machine control unit.

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 mailing machine for mounting of a suitable postage meter thereon includes means for initiating a postage meter print cycle. The postage meter includes a shutter means which will prevent full execution of the postage meter print cycle if not properly enabled. The mailing machine includes a shutter lever means in driving communication with the shutter means for controllably causing the shutter means to experience reciprocal motion. The mailing machine further includes control means for simultaneously causing the postage meter to begin a print cycle and cause the shutter lever means to being displacement of the shutter means. However, if the shutter means is not properly enabled, the control means will cause the shutter lever means to return to a home position for a retry.

Abstract: This invention relates to a postage meter having a plurality of worm gears for adjusting the rotational position of postage print wheels. Each worm gear selectively moves a rack which is an engagement with a postage print wheel so as to provide rotational movement to the print wheel. Sensors are provided so that the rotational position of each worm gear can be determined thereby indicating the position of the print wheels. A sleeve is located within the housing to provide support to the worm gears and maintain alignment of the racks during printing.

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: This invention relates to a postage meter having a plurality of worm gears for adjusting the rotational position of postage print wheels. Each worm gear selectively moves a rack which is an engagement with a postage print wheel so as to provide rotational movement to the print wheel. Sensors are provided so that the rotational position of each worm gear can be determined thereby indicating the position of the print wheels.

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 arresting support for type wheels of printing mechanisms in franking and postage machines and in portable postage and numbering devices includes a bearing shaft having pins disposed thereon. The bearing shaft has a blind bore formed therein extended in axial direction of the pins. An elastic insert is disposed in the blind bore. The bearing shaft also has a given number of stepped bores formed therein extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the bearing shaft. Two resilient arresting spheres of different diameter are disposed in each respective stepped bore. The given number of type wheels are disposed next to each other on the bearing shaft. The spheres rest in cup-shaped indentations formed in the type wheels. The type wheels are retained in a selected position by the resilient arresting spheres and the type wheels are adjusted against pressure provided by the resilient arresting spheres.

Abstract: Rotary operated character selection apparatus is provided for postage meters having a rotating print drum and at least one print wheel in the drum for printing a selected character on an envelope or label. One set of print wheels may be provided for value selection, and another set of print wheels may be provided for date selection. The print wheels are turned by rotating print wheel gears, located adjacent an opening in an outside surface of the drum, by rotating the drum to a preselection position to engage the print wheel gear with a mating gear located outside of the drum, and rotating the mating gear until the proper print wheel character is selected. Devices are provided to determine the rotational angle of the drum and the positions of the print wheels, and an appropriate control system is provided, preferably with an input keyboard for selecting the value of postage to be dispensed and printed, and the date.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of associated gears which in turn are controlled by a value setting drive mechanism. A unitary motor effects movement of a pinion from gear to gear and of the individual gears to set the values of the print wheels and also other drive functions of the meter.

Abstract: To enable a single motor in a franking machine to set the printing wheels in a printing drum in addition to rotating the drum and feeding items of mail through the machine, four carriages, each carrying a rocker and solenoids are mounted on two pairs of continuously rotating lead screws. Each carriage is connected by a ring shoe to a printing wheel via a selecting bar in the drum arbor. Solenoid moves rocker to engage screw to drive the carriage in one direction. Movement in the opposite direction is by screw controlled by solenoid. Each carriage sets an encoding switch to enable a microcomputer to know the state of the printing wheels. Each new value is fed, for example, by a keyboard, to the microcomputer which determines the movement, if any, of each carriage to set the new value on the printing wheels.

Abstract: A device for automatic angular positioning of indexable rotary elements, ecially for postal franking machines and the like comprises a common indexing-control gear-wheel rigidly fixed to a cylindrical indexing-control rod, and an indexing-control rotating primary shaft which forms a ball cage. The balls are engaged in an annular groove of a shaft bearing and in helical grooves of the control rod which can be temporarily locked either against rotational motion or against sliding motion, a support being provided for the bearing and capable of moving towards the series of indexable rotary elements.

Abstract: A coding box suitable for a hot foil printing machine comprises a frame, a number of print wheels rotatable about a shaft with respect to the frame, each print wheel having a number of outward-facing peripheral flats bearing indicia, a through-hole parallel to the shaft and corresponding to each flat, a rod passable through the holes for setting the wheels in desired orientations with respect to the frame and a magnet in a cup for locking the rod in a set position. A second rod is provided, fast with respect to and parallel to the first rod and having an enlarged distal end for engagement with a hole in the frame to prevent complete removal of the first rod from the frame. The first and second rods are both fast in a handle by which they may be withdrawn from the wheels to permit rotation of the wheels, and thus variation of the indicia to be stamped.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing any line of characters comprises printing wheels on a common shaft, the wheels on the shaft together defining a printing line over a hammer. Each printing wheel is rotated by a respective stepping motor through a respective setting wheel. An aligner bar is inserted into notches in the wheels, prior to printing, to verify the alignment of the characters in printing position. The stepping motors are bi-directional and take the shortest path from a preceding printing position to the next printing position. The pulsing frequency may be ramped to give a higher stepping rate in the intermediate portion of each printing wheel movement.

Abstract: A printing mechanism comprising a rotary shaft, a first type ring mounted on the rotary shaft and provided on the circumference thereof with first typefaces, a first selection ratchet wheeljoined to the first type ring and provided on the circumference thereof with first teeth formed so as to correspond to the first typefaces, respectively, a second type ring mounted on the rotary shaft beside the first type ring and provided on the circumference thereof with second typefaces, a second selection ratchet wheel joined to the second type ring and provided on the circumference thereof with second teeth formed so as to correspond to the second typefaces, respectively, first and second pawls capable of being engaged with and disengaged from the first and second selection ratchet wheels, respectively, by means of an electromagnetic mechanism including a solenoid, a cylindrical yoke, a rotary member fixed to a rotary shaft and the first and second pawls, and clicks capable of transmitting the rotative force of the fo

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by moving gears (transmission members) connected to respective print wheels one at a time. A locking device locks each of the gears except the one one being displaced. All the gears may be locked during print cycling.

Abstract: A printing device for printing characters and codes on surfaces. In one form, the device is contained within a hand-held housing of rectangular parallelepiped configuration having an opening in one of the major surfaces thereof through which opening printing material may be dispensed to form characters or codes against the surface of an article which is adjacent to the opening. A plurality of printing wheels may be employed on a common shaft with each wheel selectively rotated to bring a particular character on the periphery of the wheel into alignment with the opening in the housing after which all of the wheels are simultaneously projected through the opening to engage the surface to receive the printing. In another form, printing material is sprayed or otherwise propelled through the opening in the configurations of characters or code marks to be dispensed against the surface to be printed.

Abstract: Independent control by a single motor of two members mounted on a shaft, e.g. print wheels in a printing machine such as a postal franking machine, is enabled by having the first member either fixed in rotation to the shaft or connected to the shaft by a one-way clutch, and having the second member connected to the shaft by a one-way clutch, the arrangement being such that rotation of the shaft in one direction causes movement of the first member only (by direct drive or by the action of the associated clutch) and rotation of the shaft in the other direction causes movement of the second member only, by the action of the associated clutch.

Abstract: A franking machine adapted to print variable data as well as constant data onto mail as it is presented to the variable data including a plurality of endless bands of self-inking material containing printing indicia around their external surfaces; a separate drive for each band for advancing same to present different ones of said printing indicia to the printing station; microprocessor adapted to control the operation of the separate drive; transducers adapted to produce an electrical signal indicative of the position to which a band has moved at any instant relative to a reference position; and, a device for feeding to the microprocesser the electrical signal or signals derived therefrom whereby the microprocessor is continually made aware of the position occupied by each movable band.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of gears. The mechanism for selecting a postage value is controlled by the same drive system that operates the print drum for printing the postage on a mailpiece.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of axially displaceable racks which in turn are controlled by a helical nut and pinion system which is driven by motor.

Abstract: A credit card imprinter having a number of rotatable type faces to imprint the amount of purchase on a credit card receipt. The type wheels are coaxially arranged and rotatably supported adjacent and in contact with the receipt to be imprinted. The imprinter is provided with a mechanism for positioning the type wheels which includes a member which translates along the type wheels to successively set same to the desired position, thereby allowing all of the type wheels to be positioned with a single mechanism. A roller is then used to imprint the type on the receipt and the type wheels are reset to the starting position by a reset mechanism.

Abstract: A hand labeling device for imprinting and dispensing self-adhesive labels comprises a housing (110) in which is disposed a printing mechanism (10) movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered printing position. The printing mechanism comprises a plurality of axially adjacent setting wheels (16) with which type carriers (20) carrying printing types (22) are in a drive connection. A setting shaft (42) extending in the direction of the axis of the setting wheels (16) and connected to the printing mechanism (10) projects outwardly at a housing wall (110a); it is displaceable at a side face of the printing mechanism (10) between an inserted and an extended position and with the aid of said shaft the setting wheels (16) can be adjusted relatively to each other in such a manner that desired printing types (22) on the type carriers (20) move into a printing zone at the printing mechanism (10).

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing band print head having a one-piece, dimensionally accurate, mounting block with integral end plates, the mounting block having a cradle for rotatably supporting drive wheels, printing bands with long printing characters and short human readable characters, a selector cooperable with any selected drive wheel, the selector being easy to assemble and including a knob connected to a selector shaft, an indicator axially shiftable as a unit with the selector, the selector shaft being rotatable with respect to the indicator, a sleeve on the shaft, and the sleeve having detent means and driver means. Printing bands coupled to the drive wheels pass about direction changing means and a support.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The print wheels are adjusted by displacing respective transmission members; e.g. gears, which are driven by a pinion which is shifted from gear to gear. Control means is provided for controlling the shifting of the pinion so that it is engaged during each value setting only with those gears whose print wheel requires adjustment from its previous setting.

Abstract: A hand-held printing calculator for printing calculating results on elongated paper strips from a bundle of paper strips disposed within the calculator is provided. The calculator includes a microprinter having a paper feeding assembly including feeding elements disposed before and after the print position and in the same plane as the advancing paper for maintaining the paper flat during printing. In another embodiment of the invention, a detection sensor detects the absence of a paper strip at the print position for generating a signal for feeding the next paper strip so that paper is continuously fed to the print position.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of rack gears. The racks are displaced by a pinion which is shifted from rack to rack. The racks are arranged in an arcuate or part annular array around the pinion.

Abstract: A stamping tool used for cold marking comprising a container and at least one marking element. Each of the marking elements is a rotatable wheel mounted to rotate individually whereby the character stamped may be changed. The marking elements are mounted in the container in a manner such that the rotatable wheels may be manually rotated without dismantling the tool. Each wheel extends beyond the container in a lateral direction to permit manual adjustment of the wheel and downwardly below the container to facilitate marking with the wheel. A plunger is supported on the marking elements, and is adapted to be hit by a piston.

Abstract: A postage meter has a print drum with print wheels which are shiftable to select the value of the postage. The positions of the print wheels are controlled by the positions of a plurality of axially displaceable rack gears. The racks are displaced by a pinion which is selectively directly engaged with the racks one at a time and the racks are shifted with respect to a fixed position.

Abstract: There is disclosed label printing and applying apparatus by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise. The apparatus feeds pressure sensitive labels mounted on a web of supporting material to a printing zone and to a delaminating zone. An applicator disposed downstream of the delaminating zone is used to apply the labels to merchandise.

Abstract: A postage meter having a fixed coplanar printing die is provided with security means to prevent making of fraudulent impressions. This security means involves the use of interposers extending upward and through the space into which an envelope or other workpieces may be inserted. During the legitimate cycling operation these interposers are moved out of guarding position and the postage meter carries out its normal function.

Abstract: A hand-held printer such as an electronic numbering machine includes a plurality of type carrying belts or a plurality of type wheels. A drive system is associated with the type carrying belts or the type wheels to rotate the type carrying belts (type wheels) in a forward direction. A type selection system is provided for each type carrying belt (type wheel) for stopping the rotation of the type carrying belt (type wheel) when a desired type reaches a preselected position suited for the following type impact operation. After completion of the type selection operation, the type carrying belts (type wheels) are driven to swing in a predetermined direction, whereby the selected types make contact with a print receiving paper. After completion of the type impact operation, the type carrying belts (type wheels) are driven to swing in the counter direction and to rotate in a reverse direction for returning the printer to the initial stand-by condition.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a machine having serial-number printing capability and comprising a first plurality of print wheels which are serially indexed for each of a succession of input actuations. An indexing pawl has a second plurality of spaced wheel-indexing pawl elements, one for each of a corresponding second plurality of adjacent print wheels. The number of print wheels is greater than the number of pawl elements, and the pawl is mounted for selective longitudinal placement so as to coact with a desired particular second plurality of adjacent print wheels. The print wheels incorporate the feature of selective removal from printing exposure, so that printing need only involve digit indicia on print wheels requisite to serial-number printing at the selected longitudinal region of pawl action.

Abstract: The type wheels provided on a postage or franking head of a postage meter or franking machine are adjusted in stepwise manner from outside the franking head by means of adjusting push rods, which in each case engage a pinion associated with a type wheel. The engagement and adjusting movement of the adjusting push rod is performed by electromagnets. The engagement movement takes place by pivoting a guide plate carrying the adjusting push rods, on which the rods are displaceable by means of the electromagnet counter to the tension of a tension spring. The electromagnets can be energized on the basis of an electrical pulse, which is simultaneously used for adjusting an electronic display, provided on the franking machine casing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manually operable, hand-held labeler with a resettable counter which prevents operation of the labeler beyond a predetermined number of cycles, and there is disclosed a method of labeling using a hand-held labeler which involves preventing operation of the labeler beyond a predetermined number of cycles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printing machine provided with a printing head comprising a plurality of coaxial rotating printing wheels, wherein the control wheel is fast in translation with a carriage mobile parallel to the axis of said printing wheels and bearing two stepper motors, of which the first allows said carriage to slide and the second drives said control wheel in rotation. The invention is particularly applicable to the printing of parts, cables, wires, etc. . . . when they are manufactured.

Abstract: A head with rotatable marking wheels indexable to select any one of a plurality of die symbols for marking a workpiece with a selected series of symbols. Each marking wheel is indexed by an associated cogwheel and a drive pawl which also prevents the marking wheel from overshooting the desired position when indexed. A centering pawl and the cogwheel also cooperate to yieldably center a die symbol in its desired position when its marking wheel is indexed and if it is shifted from such position by engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: There is disclosed printing apparatus composed essentially of molded plastics material which has relatively few parts, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and is lightweight and portable. The apparatus is illustrated as being of the table top type which can print both standard type tags and labels, string tags and pin tickets. The apparatus has a print head operable in conjunction with an impression control device, a feed finger assembly with a registration adjustment, a simple drive arrangement operated by a cam with a single cam path, and a reel positionable at different attitudes, and the construction of the apparatus is readily adaptable to both manually operated and motorized versions.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is provided with a stain preventing element provided between a print drum and a hammer and adapted to shield alternate digits to be printed, said stain preventing element being shiftable in the transverse or advancing direction of print sheet. Said hammer is an intermediate hammer which is set to a predetermined initial position from an unsteady position upon the turning on of the power supply, and simultaneously necessary preparations such as paper feeding and ink application onto the print drum prior to the printing are performed. Also there is provided a stain preventing mechanism for multi-color printing, and the above-mentioned stain preventing member is provided with a means for preventing ink diffusion. Also the paper feed plunger etc. is structured similar to the said hammer thereby rendering the entire apparatus smaller and more compact.

Abstract: This invention provides, in a printing wheel having an internal hammer, a new structure of the typefont belt and a mounting method therefor on the support member. Also a structure of the printing drum and a driving method therefor suitable for intermittent rotation and stop by a stepping motor are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a typefont belt and a typefont wheel for use in the small printer. The typefont belt made, for example of rubber, is fitted around a cylindrical support to compose the typefont wheel and is struck by a printing hammer provided in the support to perform printing on the printing sheet.

Abstract: A printer for printing a row of characters on a recording medium. The printer includes at least first and second type rings having types disposed on the periphery thereof which are rotatable from a reset position to a print position. First and second pawls are associated with the first and second type rings, respectively. A control member moves the first pawl into engagement with the first type ring when in its reset position to prevent rotation thereof. The second type ring is rotated into a print position while the first type ring is held in its reset position by the first pawl. A lever associated with the first and second pawls is actuated by an electromagnet to move the second pawl into engagement with the second type ring when in a print position to stop the rotation thereof. The control member releases the first pawl from the first type ring which then rotates to a print position.

Abstract: The machine, which is equipped with a print head (5) which is movable vertically between two walls (25, 26) of its housing, comprises a device intended to prevent said motion, when the character selection rod (20) of said print head is left in its extended position.The selection rod comprises an engagement element (23) for the engagement of a series of rotary elements (16, 17) which bear printing characters.The safety device comprises a retractable movable stop (28) firmly connected to the print head (5) and subjected to the pressure of a spring (35), and a fixed counter-abutment (29) rigidly connected to a wall (26) of the housing.At the end of the return stroke of the selection rod (20), the movable stop (28) is retracted by the push of said rod, whose engagement element (23) then develops a retaining force which is greater than the action of the spring (35).

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing wheel for a rotary printer comprising a plurality of type rings (6) positioned side by side on a cylindrical support (3). On their outer periphery said type rings (6) carry printing types (9), while on their inner periphery they are provided with internal toothing (10) capable of meshing with a pinion (11) which, by means of an adjusting spindle (14) connected for co-rotation therewith, is axially slidable into the planes of the individual type rings (6). By means of the pinion (11) the type rings (6) can be rotated relative to one another on the support (3) to bring selected printing types (9) into a predetermined position of adjustment. In order to avoid that during adjustment of a type ring (6) the adjacent type rings (6) are carried along a locking member (16, 17) is provided on the adjusting spindle (14), on either side of the pinion (11), for rotation relative to the adjusting spindle (14), and is secured against - axial shifting.

Abstract: A digit wheel assembly for use in connection with a variable imprinting device comprises a plurality of digit wheels rotatably mounted on a common fixed digit wheel shaft, each of said digit wheels having raised printing indicia spaced along the circumference thereof; a plurality of thumbwheels rotatably mounted on a common fixed thumbwheel shaft, said thumbwheels being equal in number to said plurality of digit wheels; a first plurality of sprockets equal in number to said plurality of digit wheels, each of said first plurality of sprockets being operatively associated with one of said digit wheels so as to rotate therewith; a second plurality of sprockets equal in number to said plurality of digit wheels, each of said second plurality of sprockets being operatively associated with one of said thumbwheels so as to rotate therewith; and endless flexible drive means connecting each of said first plurality of sprockets to one of said second plurality of sprockets, whereby the rotational position of a given one

Abstract: Stepped-down counting mechanism with number wheels drawn on a locking shaft, with a control disc and with a slotted link. The number wheels and the control disc are moved by a ratchet shaft which is located in the interior of the locking shaft and to which are articulated pawls each acting on one pair of wheels. The switching mode with single or multiple stepping-down can be selected by adjusting the slotted link. The control disc is moved by means of an idle-stroke pawl subjected to the action of the slotted link and, independently thereof, by means of an advancing pawl acting between the control disc and the units wheel.

Abstract: Device for locking and aligning a printing numeral roll and a control cylinder for internal counters in franking and value stamping machines, including a printing cylinder shaft, a shaped part disposed on the printing cylinder shaft, a toothed shaped part gear supported on the shaped part, a control cylinder shaft opposite the printing cylinder shaft, a toothed control disc gear being fixed on the control cylinder shaft and having a concave recess formed in the periphery thereof in which the shaped part gear is freely rotatable in a rest position, an extension disposed on the control disc gear, the control cylinder being rotatably supported on the extension, sprockets disposed on the control cylinder being settable by rotation of the shaped part gear in the rest position, a rack at least partially disposed in the printing cylinder shaft for setting the numeral roll in the rest position, the teeth of the control disc gear being engageable with the teeth of the shaped part gear for locking the control cylinder

Abstract: A meter, counter, printer or a like device wherein a shaft carries one or more wheels whose angular position with respect to the shaft must be changed, either at regular or irregular intervals. The peripheral surface of the shaft has an elongated recess which is parallel to the axis of the shaft. The inner portion of the recess receives an elongated elastic cushion, and the outer portion of the recess confines the major portion of a helical spring with spaced-apart convolutions. The smaller portion of the spring extends into a selected socket in the internal surface of a wheel or into selected sockets in the internal surface of two or more wheels which surround the shaft.