F.m.e. Corporation

Timothy D Pike

Ward J Payn

Richard J Henrickson

Computer keyboard decal

Mailing machine base

A multiposition sensor device includes a plurality of inductive-type coils arranged in a first array and a plurality of plates arranged in a second array being juxtaposed and movable relative to the coils, allowing the coils and the plates to register in any plurality of unique couple arrangements. The multiposition sensor device further includes a circuit coupled to each one of the coils, which generates a first signal when a plate is registered with its associated coil and a second signal when no plate is registered with its associated coil. In a preferred embodiment, the coil and plates lie in parallel planes. The coils are angularly spaced along a given circumference in one plane while the plates are angularly spaced along a corresponding circumference in the other plane to allow easy rotation of one array with respect to the other. In one specific embodiment, there are four coils and five plates. The four coils and five plates interact as the plate array is rotated relative to the coil array and yield ten unique plate-coil combinations. These ten unique arrangements create a basis for a decimal counter. Each coil is connected to a separate comparator circuit, thus allowing the formation of a binary-code-decimal encoder. Other embodiments include plates and coils mounted on two linear arrays in parallel planes juxtaposed one another, or plates and coils mounted on rotatable concentric cylinders.

Inductive digital encoder array

A load cell weighing apparatus (1) includes a base (7) and a load plate (11) and a load cell (9) mounted between the two. The base (7) includes four load arrestors (17) capable of precise adjustment. Each load arrestor (17) has a pin support (18) with three vertical holes (19) of different depths and a pin (21) which is placed in one of the holes (19). The load arrestors (17) prevent damage to the load cell (9) by limiting vertical movement of the load plate (11) with respect to the base (9). The amount of relative movement is easily and quickly adjusted by simply repositioning the pins from holes of one depth to holes of another depth.

Adjustable load arrestor for weighing apparatus

A unit drive assembly (2; 84; 102) is used with postage meters (4) of the type which include a stationary base (6; 86; 104, 106) and moveably print head (8; 88; 108). The base and print head are mechanically connected so that input information to the base is mechanically transmitted to the print head. The assembly includes one or more drive tracks (10; 90; 110) along which a series of balls (16; 96; 112) are positioned. A first portion (12; 118; 120) of the drive track is carried by the base while a second portion (14; 116) is carried by the head. The first and second portions are aligned when the head is in the home position; it is at this time a ball drive (28; 42; 92; 102), carried by the base, moves the balls along the track discrete distances equal to one or more ball diameters. The head includes one or more print wheels (36) driven by the balls positioned along the second portion of the track so that the distances the print wheels rotate, which determines the value to be printed, depend upon the distances the balls are driven along the tracks.

Unit drive assembly

A gear lock is moved between a free movement position, at which the gear is freely rotatable, and a locking position, at which the gear and gear lock become self-locking. The gear lock has two locking faces facing one another which fit around one or more teeth with the locking faces adjacent the sides of the gear teeth. The locking faces and the gear sides define tangent contact planes at the positions of contact. The tangent of the angle between the direction of movement of the gear tooth at the contact region and the contact plane is less than the coefficient of friction between the gear and the gear lock. Doing so makes the gear lock self-locking since the component of the gear force parallel to the contact plane does not exceed the frictional force between the two surfaces. The gear lock also provides any final positioning of the gear as it moves into the locking position with the gear teeth opposite the locking faces.

Gear lock

A shaft assembly, including a main shaft, is used with a postage meter of the type including a base supporting the main shaft. A printhead is mounted to the outer end of the main shaft so the main shaft and printhead rotate together. The main shaft has a flat surface against which a number of elongate value rods are mounted parallel to the main shaft axis. The outer ends of the value rods are coupled to the printhead to operate the printing elements of the printhead. The inner ends of the value rods are connected to stepper motor drives, mounted to the base, to move the value rods axially. Bearings, mounted to the main shaft, radially position the main shaft relative to the base. At least one of the bearings is fixed to a chosen axial position along the main shaft so that such bearing, when mounted to the base, also axially positions the main shaft relative to the base.

Postage meter shaft assembly

A cover assembly for use with a postage meter includes an upper cover having a display opening and a keypad opening formed in one side. The upper cover is secured to a lower cover to provide a housing or enclosure for the meter. A display assembly, including a character display, and a keypad are both mounted to the inner surface of the upper cover. Portions of the keypad extend through the keypad opening while the character display is visible through the display opening. A support plate is mounted to the underside of the upper cover and is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the contents beneath the cover. The support plate is configured to press against the keypad and display assembly so to secure them in place. A battery, used to power the meter when removed from the meter base, is also supported between the support plate and the upper cover.

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Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

Timothy D Pike