Mailing machine including driving means circuit

In a mailing machine including a postage meter, wherein the postage meter includes rotary printing means for printing indicia on a sheet fed to the machine, and the machine includes means for driving the printing means, wherein the driving means including a drive gear, the driving means includes a locking member movable into and out of locking engagement with the drive gear, the driving means includes an actuating member for moving the locking member, and wherein the machine includes trip means for sensing a sheet feed to the machine, an improvement comprising:

• a. a source of supply of d.c. power;
• b. first circuit means connected across the power supply and including a solenoid and a trip switch actuatable for energizing the solenoid;
• c. second circuit means connected across the power supply and including a d.c. motor and a motor switch actuatable for energizing and deenergizing the motor;
• d. the trip switch actuated in response to the trip means sensing a sheet fed to the machine, and the driving means causing the actuating member to move the locking member out of locking engagement with the drive gear and actuate the motor switch for energizing the motor to drive the drive gear when the solenoid is energized;
• e. the driving means including means for preventing the actuating member from moving the locking member into locking engagement with the drive gear;
• f. the driving means moving the actuating member to actuate the motor switch for deenergizing the motor and to move the locking member into locking engagement with the drive gear when the drive gear completes a single revolution;
• and
• g. the second circuit means including means for dynamically braking the motor when the motor switch is actuated for deenergizing the motor.