The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 1987
Filed:
Nov. 06, 1985
Ward J Payn, Pacheco, CA (US);
f.m.e. Corporation, Hayward, CA (US);
Abstract
A modular universal postage meter includes a base to which stepper motor modules and a drive shaft assembly are mounted to predetermined positions relative to the base. The drive shaft has a bifurcated printhead, including a secure value module and a field service accessible and removable dater/slogan module, mounted to its outer end. The stepper motors are coupled to the value module of the printhead through a number of value rods mounted to and parallel with the shaft assembly. The value rods can move parallel to the axis of the main shaft. Rings surround the shaft engage respective value rods and are themselves axially positioned by yokes coupled to the stepper motors. Since the stepper motor modules are registered to the base, they can be moved and replaced with minimal adjustments and realignment since the shaft assembly is likewise registered to a predetermined position relative to the base. Thus the base acts as a reference for the stepper motor modules, the shaft assembly and the printhead.