Patent ID: 8182083

Claim:
A print module for producing mailpieces, comprising: a print head assembly including an array of nozzles operative to deposit ink on a mailpiece envelope; a registration plate disposed in combination with the print head assembly and having a contact surface for registering a first surface of each of the mailpieces, the contact surface having an opening through which the ink of the print head nozzles is deposited, at least one conveyor belt opposing the registration plate and rotating around a plurality of drive rollers, the conveyor belt having a drive surface for engaging a second surface of each of the mailpieces for conveyance along a feed path; a compliant deck disposed beneath and supporting an underside surface of the at least one conveyor belt; the compliant deck operative to urge the at least one conveyor belt toward the registration plate such that consecutive, variable thickness, mailpieces are urged into engagement with the contact surface during printing, and a housing for supporting the compliant conveyance deck; a pivotable support rack for mounting the print head assembly and including: inboard and outboard longerons connected by a plurality of stiffening members disposed therebetween, a means for pivotally mounting the support rack to the housing about a pivot axis and adapted to pivot the support rack to an open and closed position; a pair of gas springs for producing a moment about the pivot axis and biasing the support rack to the open position; a pair of feet affixed to the outboard longeron adapted to abut an upper deck of the housing when the support rack is in the closed position; a pair of locking mechanisms operative to urge the feet into abutting engagement with the upper deck of the housing and lock the support rack in the closed position.