(19)
(11) EP 0 476 918 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
15.07.1992 Bulletin 1992/29

(43) Date of publication A2:
25.03.1992 Bulletin 1992/13

(21) Application number: 91308288.9

(22) Date of filing: 11.09.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: G07B 17/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR IT

(30) Priority: 21.09.1990 GB 9020634

(71) Applicant: Pitney Bowes PLC
Harlow Essex CM19 5BD (GB)

(72) Inventor:
  • Mcchesney, Hugh
    Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 9BH (GB)

(74) Representative: Cook, Anthony John et al
D. YOUNG & CO. 21 New Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1DA
London EC4A 1DA (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) A postage meter


    (57) A postage meter (1) has a rotatable print drum (63) for franking an article. The print drum (63) includes settable value-denoting elements (631) and is mounted on a drum shaft (64) for rotation therewith. A series of motors (81, 83, 86, 87, 88) are each connected to drive a respective one of the value-denoting elements (631) via an intervening drive train (73, 74, 82, 84, 861, 871, 881). There is a gearbox housing (71, 72) within which the drive trains (73, 74, 82, 84, 861, 871, 881) are housed. The gearbox housing (71, 72) is split into two portions (71, 72) which are shaped so that they together encircle and are supported by the drum shaft (64). This provides a compact and easily assembled postage meter (1).






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