COUNTERBALANCE DEVICE FOR MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM COVER

A counterbalance device for a mail processing system includes a cover; a base; a support arm fixedly mounted to one of the cover and the base and articulately mounted to the other of the cover and the base such that the cover and the base pivot relative to each other; a device for counterbalancing the one of the cover and the base to create a predetermined force profile throughout a full range of pivoting movement of the one of the cover and the base from a closed position to a fully opened position relative to the other of the cover and the base. The predetermined force profile represents the net force acting on the one of the cover and the base at each point in the full range of pivoting movement. The counterbalancing device includes a cam operatively connected to pivot with the one of the cover and base, a follower arm pivotally connected to the other of the cover and the base, a roller mounted on the follower arm and a biasing means mounted to pivot with the one of the cover and the base and being connected to the follower arm for biasing the roller against the cam such that during pivoting of the one of the cover and the base through the full range of pivoting movement the roller follows a shape of the cam.