Abstract: Damping apparatus for minimizing print hammer settle time permits an increase in the hammer repetition rate, and in which the damping element is a reactive mass which is freely movable behind the actuated element to effect one or more energy transfer collisions with the actuated element. A return spring applies a return force to restore the actuated element and the reactive mass to a rest position. A bias spring, having an applied spring force which is lower than the return spring moves the reactive mass at a slower rate than the actuated element to cause the actuated element to collide with the reactive mass in advance of the rest position whereby the rebound energy of the actuated element is dissipated and restoration of the actuated element can occur as a result of the restore force applied by the return spring.

Abstract: A printwheel, for use in a serial printer, in which the spokes pass in contact with a printwheel alignment member, which contact is a noise generation and wear inducing source. The printwheel is designed to include a noise and wear reducing element. The printwheel spokes terminate in character pads bearing type faces on one side thereof and are hammered on their opposite side. A wiping element is secured to the printwheel hub and lies adjacent to the spokes on the hammered side. The wiping element includes a ring of continuous, low mass, flexible material, having a wear resistant surface. The ring is located immediately radially inwardly of the character pads.

Abstract: A constant printing pressure mechanism for a label printing machine: in one embodiment, a pressure applying roller is attached to the free ends of the yokes or printing levers that support the printing head; a resilient pressure receiving member which is pivotally supported on the machine frame and is abutted by the pressure roller; when the hand lever is squeezed, the pressure roller is pressed to the pressure receiving member; when the force of the pressure roller both pivots the receiving member a permitted maximum distance and overcomes the compressive stress in the resilient pressure receiving member and deflects the member, then the printing stroke is effected; in another embodiment, the pressure applying roller is on the frame and the resilient pressure receiving means is on the hand lever; the pressure receiving means comprises: a supporting member attached to a hand lever; a pressure controlling member which is pivotally secured to the hand lever; a pressure receiving piece having a cam surface on th

Abstract: A printing pressure damping mechanism for use with a hand labeler: a hand lever is pivotally connected to the frame of the hand labeler. A printing head is carried by the hand lever so that it may move toward a printing platen when the hand lever is squeezed. An auxiliary lever is spaced from the hand lever and is movable to and from the hand lever. A shock absorbing coil spring is interposed under compression between the hand lever and the auxiliary lever so as to bias the levers apart. The auxiliary lever further moves against the biasing force of the coil spring when the printing head abuts the platen, so that the squeezing force which might otherwise be applied as a printing force by the printing head to the platen can be damped to a preset lever through the spring biased cooperation of the two levers. The platen is also spring biased to damp printing pressure.

Abstract: A constant printing pressure mechanism for a portable label printing and applying machine; the machine has a printing head which is interlocked with a hand lever and it has a platen that carries a label strip disposed opposite to the printing head, the constant pressure mechanism comprises: a constant pressure means to turn the platen up against the type faces of the printing head with a constant pressure in synchronism with the downward movement of the printing head, and a means to release the platen slightly from the printing head immediately after the printing operation.

Abstract: A constant pressure mechanism for the printing operation of a label printing machine; the machine has a hand lever, a printing lever, a printing head attached to the printing lever, a constant pressure spring secured between the hand lever and the printing lever and a platen to carry a label strip; when the hand lever is squeezed, the printing lever is turned by the force of the constant pressure spring to strike the printing head against the label strip on the platen, and immediately after the printing operation, the printing head is slightly released from the platen by means of releasing members.