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:
Mar. 05, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 01, 1993
Christian Gillieron, Fraubrunnen, CH;
Other;
Abstract
A postal-lock mechanism for preventing unauthorized recharging of a postage meter and identifying tampering of a postage meter is disclosed. It contains a cylinder-like assembly mounted in the postage meter housing. The postage meter is 'locked,' i.e. made inaccessible for adding postage, when the postal-lock is in a predetermined angular position. To add postage to the meter, the postal-lock is rotated to activate a limit switch in the meter, subsequent to which action additional postage may be added, for example via keyboard. The postal-lock mechanism also locks the meter housing to the meter chassis, obviating the need for a separate locking mechanism. The postal-lock mechanism may be used in conjunction with a wire and lead seal, a frangible membrane, a wire and lead seal and a frangible membrane, a key lock, or a key lock and a wire and lead seal.