the mechanisms of developmental distribution values

摘要

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 register-driving 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.