US3682378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Value dispensing mechanisms
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A postage meter having a mechanism which is rotatable to print a postage impression of a selected value. A mechanism for setting the postage value is provided, and is assembled with the printing mechanism for rotation therewith. This setting mechanism includes selector wheels which are coaxially rotatable, and setting bars which are longitudinally translatable in response to rotation of the selector wheels. Economic accountability is assured by postage registers having four drivable decimal orders, and input pinions for each such order. The setting mechanism has four adjustable register-driving gear clusters which are normally disengaged from the register pinions, but engage them during printing. Mechanisms are provided for choking the register, and for clamping the choke devices to provide positive register locking when the driving gear clusters are disengaged from the pinions. The setting bars comprise an assembly of individual bar members, pairs of which are connected together for joint translation. The bars are nested in a unique way, and are formed with respective gear tooth racks which adjust the registerdriving gear clusters and set the numerical value of the postage printing wheels. Rectification is accomplished by pawls which engage the setting bar racks, and have a mutually interlocking relationship with a shutter disk. This interlock operates either to disable the meter trip mechanism, and thus prevent postage printing operation, when the setting bars are not in rectified position; or to lock the setting bars during a postage printing cycle. A deadlock latch, which acts as an intermediate link between the shutter disk and trip mechanism, also blocks the trip mechanism when the descending postage balance is low, or the register compartment access door is open.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis J Rouan
- 👤 Walter J Hanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:40
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00516; G07B2017/00524; G07B2017/00548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
In a numerical value dispensing device of the type having a numerical register including driven means rotatable to change the numerical content of said register, an assembly rotatable about a first axis, said rotatable assembly including means operable in response to such rotation to dispense a selected numerical value and means for setting the numerical value to be dispensed, said setting means including means for selecting the numerical value to be set and variable input driving means operable upon said rotation about said first axis to rotate said driven means to change the numerical content of said register by the amount of the numerical value set; the improvement wherein said setting means comprises: bar means extending substantially parallel to said first axis; means mounting said bar means for translation substantially parallel to said first axis; first means connecting said bar means for translation in response to said selecting means; and second means connected to said register driving means to alter the operative condition of the latter thereof in response to said bar translation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a numerical value dispensing device of the type having a numerical register including driven means rotatable to change the numerical content of said register, an assembly rotatable about a first axis, said rotatable assembly including means operable in response to such rotation to dispense a selected numerical value and means for setting the numerical value to be dispensed, said setting means including means for selecting the numerical value to be set and variable input driving means operable upon said rotation about said first axis to rotate said driven means to change the numerical content of said register by the amount of the numerical value set; the improvement wherein said setting means comprises: bar means extending substantially parallel to said first axis; means mounting said bar means for translation substantially parallel to said first axis; first means connecting said bar means for translation in response to said selecting means; and second means connected to said register driving means to alter the operative condition of the latter thereof in response to said bar translation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein: said bar means comprises first and second toothed rack means, said first connecting means comprises first pinion means rotatable in response to said selecting means and engaging said first rack means to translate said bar means, and said second connecting means comprises second pinion means engaging said second rack means and responsive to said bar translation to vary the operative condition of said register driving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
181 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein: said register has at least three numerical orders; said selecting means comprises a like number of selectors and means mounting said selectors for coaxial rotation; said first pinion means comprises a like number of first pinions each rotatable in response to a respective one of said selectors; said bar means comprises a like number of bar mechanisms each having first and second rack means, said first rack means engaging respective first pinions; said second rack means being displaced from each other in a direction substantially parallel to said first axis; said register driving means comprises a like number of mechanisms to drive respective orders of said register, said register order driving mechanisms being displaced from each other in a direction substantially parallel to said first axis; and said second pinion means comprises a like number of second pinions arranged to drive respective register order driving mechanisms, and each engaging a respective one of said second rack means; whereby at least three register orders may all be driven under the control of said coaxial selectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein: said register driving means rotates about a second axis to vary said register input; said setting means comprises a carriage extending substantially parallel to said first axis, said carriage defines a cavity embracing said register driving means, and having means thereon mounting said register driving means for rotation about said second axis; and said bar means extends through said cavity and engages saiD register driving means for rotation thereof about said second axis in response to said bar translation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a numerical value dispensing device of the type having a numerical register including driven means rotatable to change the numerical content of said register, an assembly rotatable about a first axis, said rotatable assembly including means operable in response to such rotation to dispense a selected numerical value and means for setting the numerical value to be dispensed, said setting means including means for selecting said numerical value, variable input driving means operable upon said rotation of said setting means about said first axis to rotate said driven means to change the numerical content of said register by the amount of said numerical value, and means responsive to the operation of said selecting means to change the value of said register driving means input; the improvement comprising: means for detenting said input changing means whereby to rectify said input at least at one quantized level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a numerical value dispensing device of the type having a numerical register including driven means rotatable to change the numerical content of said register, an assembly rotatable about a first axis, said rotatable assembly including means operable in response to such rotation to dispense a selected numerical value and means for setting the numerical value to be dispensed, said setting means including means for selecting said numerical value, variable input driving means operable upon said rotation of said setting means about said first axis to rotate said driven means to change the numerical content of said register by the amount of said numerical value, and means responsive to the operation of said selecting means to change the value of said register driving means input; the improvement comprising: means for detenting said input changing means whereby to rectify said input at least at one quantized level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a value dispensing device of the type having: an assembly rotatable about a first axis, said rotatable assembly including value dispensing means operable upon rotation about said first axis; a numerical value register comprising driven gear means for altering the numerical content thereof; said rotatable assembly also including driving gear means operable in response to said rotation about said first axis to engage and drive said driven gear means for altering the content of said register, said driving gear means having alternatively operable register driving gear segments circularly spaced about at least one second axis, said segments having different numbers of teeth, said driving gear means being rotatable about said second axis to present different segments having different numbers of teeth to engage said driven gear means whereby to vary the input to said register, all of said segments being normally out of engagement with said driven gear means, said segments being engaged with said driven gear means only when said value dispensing means performs said operating rotation; the improvement comprising: means to prevent alteration of the numerical contents of said register when said driving gear means is disengaged from said driven gear means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a value dispensing device of the type having: an assembly rotatable about a first axis, said rotatable assembly including value dispensing means operable upon rotation about said first axis; a numerical value register comprising driven gear means for altering the numerical content thereof; said rotatable assembly also including driving gear means operable in response to said rotation about said first axis to engage and drive said driven gear means for altering the content of said register, said driving gear means having alternatively operable register driving gear segments circularly spaced about at least one second axis, said segments having different numbers of teeth, said driving gear means being rotatable about said second axis to present different segments having different numbers of teeth to engage said driven gear means whereby to vary the input to said register, all of said segments being normally out of engagement with said driven gear means, said segments being engaged with said driven gear means only when said value dispensing means performs said operating rotation; the improvement comprising: means to prevent alteration of the numerical contents of said register when said driving gear means is disengaged from said driven gear means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |