A cover assembly for use with a postage meter includes an upper cover having a display opening and a keypad opening formed in one side. The upper cover is secured to a lower cover to provide a housing or enclosure for the meter. A display assembly, including a character display, and a keypad are both mounted to the inner surface of the upper cover. Portions of the keypad extend through the keypad opening while the character display is visible through the display opening. A support plate is mounted to the underside of the upper cover and is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the contents beneath the cover. The support plate is configured to press against the keypad and display assembly so to secure them in place. A battery, used to power the meter when removed from the meter base, is also supported between the support plate and the upper cover.

A multi-item data input apparatus is disclosed whereby an operator can designate one of a plurality of items by actuation of a key, thereby generating a signal indicative of that item. The items are visibly printed or written on a number of item information sheets, each of which is enclosed between a transparent cover sheet and a base sheet each of which is flexible, with the sheets being rolled around a cylindrical holder in a successively overlapping manner. Means are provided whereby a sheet set, comprising an item information sheet with cover sheet and base sheet, can be selectively unrolled and positioned below a keyboard having transparent keys, to allow designation of items on that item information sheet. The item information sheets can be rapidly and conveniently removed, for exchange of sheets or for modification of item information.