Abstract: The postage meter machine (11) comprises a stator part (12) and a print rotor (13). Two motors (41, 52), a drive (42), a motor switch (45), a battery (46), a logic unit (56), a clock module (58), and two position indicators (48, 54) are disposed in the stator part (12). A catch-stop actuator (24), a catch-stop row sequence (23) with three catch stops of different lengths as well as a date stamp (20) with four counter wheels (16-19) and a coordinated stop-catch device (26-29) are disposed in the print rotor (13). The counter wheels (16-19) are disposed coaxially next to each other and each counter wheel exhibits twelve print positions, which are rotatable stepwise by the catch-stop row sequence (23). Based on the kind of teeth and the length of the cams, either one, two or three counter wheels (16-18) are rotated simultaneously by one position. A coupler (32) connects the one motor (41) to the catch-stop actuator (24) in a certain angular setting of the print rotor (13).

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 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 electrical impulse operated number wheel counter with coaxial number wheels (2); transfer pinions (8); a reciprocable pawl (12) engaging the first number wheel and a solenoid (20) driving the pawl, has a series of leaf springs (33) carried on the solenoid armature (24). In the rest position the leaf springs (33) engage bosses (9) on the transfer pinions to ensure that the number wheels (2) are correctly aligned but when the solenoid (20) is energized to effect a count, the movement of the armature (24) lifts the leaf springs away from the transfer pinions (8) which therefore rotate unhindered. An additional effect of the leaf springs is to reduce the power consumption of the counter and this effect can still be achieved with other spring arrangements. A shock resistance element (50) is freely rotatably mounted in the path of the pawl (12) so as to be struck in the event of shock induced movement of the pawl, substantially to eliminate spurious shock induced counts.

Abstract: An expanded readout system and a method for expanding the readout of a resettable fuel pump register employs a shutter pinion, a shutter having a pawl assembly, and a stop means for each of the counters to be expanded. The pawl assembly may comprise one of two pawl structures depending on the counter. The expanded readout operates in conjunction with the mechanical system of the register to record the expanded readout and to reset the readout by rotation of the shutter.