Abstract: A typewriter with a character erasing apparatus capable of consecutively erasing a series of characters as well as a single character once printed on a sheet of printing paper. The typewriter is provided with a retaining crank movable to first, second and third positions. In the first position the retaining crank retains a ribbon vibrator supporting an erase ribbon in non-operative status. In the second position the retaining crank permits the ribbon vibrator to operate while interrupting transmission of power for moving a platen. The retaining crank is automatically restored to the first position in response to return movement of the ribbon vibrator after the single character erasing. The retaining crank is moved to and held at the third position by a manual member for permitting the ribbon vibrator to operate consecutively. The retaining member does not interrupt the transmission of the power for moving the platen.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for printer carriage and printing ribbon includes a roller for feeding an ink ribbon, a shaft rotatably mounted on the printing carriage, first and second pulleys rotatably mounted on the shaft, first and second one-way clutches for transmitting the rotation of the first and second pulleys in a predetermined direction to the shaft, a cord stretched on the first and second pulleys so as to cause translational movement of the shaft and first and second pulleys in first and second directions. In this drive mechanism, the pulleys are respectively rotated in opposite directions when they are translationally moved in the first or second direction. The rotation of these pulleys in a predetermined direction is transmitted through the first and second one-way clutches to the shaft, and the rotation thereof is transmitted through a coupler to the ink ribbon feed roller.

Abstract: Ribbon feed from a ribbon supply spool is controlled in an incrementing ribbon feed system by a pawl and ratchet brake device actuated by ribbon tension. The mechanism utilizes a single-band spring member to control ribbon tension and ribbon metering.

Abstract: The calculator is small enough and well protected enough to be carried in the pocket. In addition to a keyboard 28, circuit board 29, batteries 18 and an LCD data display 91, there is a printer comprising a platen 36 which draws paper from a roll in a compartment 101. A thermal printing head 33 is reciprocated along the writing line by a pin 44 engaging in an eccentric cam groove in a disc 46 rotated by a crown wheel 53 and a pinion 54 on the shaft of a motor. Another cam-follower pin 64 reciprocates a slide 66 which advances the platen incrementally after each traverse of the head 33. A slidable cover 14 is shown open, exposing the printing mechanism and operating a switch which enables the printer. Results appear on the LCD display and are printed. When the cover is slid closed it protects the printing mechanism and disables it via the switch. The calculator can nevertheless be used without the printer, results being displayed only on the LCD display 91.

Abstract: A selector system for a typewriter of the single type carrier kind, in which a series of stop members are selectively positionable in order to cooperate with two selector levers in such a manner as to effect the variable displacement of the type carrier for the selection of the character which is to be printed. A control member releases the selector levers for their operation by driving forces and comprises a cyclic resetting member which returns the selector levers to their position of rest against the action of the driving forces on completion of the typing of the character selected. A shift device for the type carrier comprises a cyclically operating drive mechanism adapted to operate a member kinematically connected to the type carrier for the selection of one of the two zones in which the characters are distributed.

Abstract: A linespacing apparatus includes a slip clutch assembly which is driven by an electric motor. The slip clutch assembly includes a face cam which drives a linkage which, in turn, indexes a platen in order to linespace the platen. The face cam includes an abutment portion which abruptly halts the motion of the linkage and the slip clutch assembly prevents bounce or recoil of the linkage thereby promoting smooth operation of the apparatus. The linkage may be adjusted by an operator to vary the amount of rotation of the platen during each operating stroke of the linkage.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force along its actuation path to its associated said makepoint. Each of the keys has means for restoring it towards its rest position. At least one of the keys is designated as a special key and it has warning means associated therewith and positioned with respect to the special key and keyboard so as to increase the force (above the predetermined force) required to actuate the special key. The increase in force provides tactile feedback to an operator of the keyboard before the special key's associated makepoint is reached to thereby warn said operator that he is about to actuate the special key. The warning means is made of resilient material, has a general, washer-like shape, and is positioned under the key cap of the special key.

Abstract: Embossing apparatus employing a grooved, finned, deformable outer element for defining a nip with an embossing roll, the deformable outer element having a durometer in the range of about 40 to about 80 shore "A".

Abstract: A dot matrix printer is provided which has a row of hammer elements having horizontal impactor bars aligned at upper and lower levels and in partial overlapping relation with adjacent impactor bars. A row of print elements is also provided which alternately have horizontal upper and lower level non-overlapping impact receiving bars positioned opposite the hammer elements and in alignment with corresponding upper and lower impactor bars. Each print element has a dot print element on its opposite side and the row of print elements is mounted on a reciprocating shuttle. Means are provided for actuating the hammer elements whereby selected hammer impactor bars will impact the impact receiving bars to effect transverse deflection of the print elements to form dot impressions on a print medium.

Abstract: A printer for an electric cash register or the like which performs at least two print related functions. The printer includes a printing head adapted for lateral displacement across a printing paper for effecting printing on the paper. The printer also includes a drive mechanism for effecting the lateral displacement of the printing head and a paper feeding mechanism for advancing the printing paper. The printer may also include a stamping mechanism, an automatic receipt paper cutting mechanism and a journal paper winding mechanism. Each of these mechanisms includes a control lever for actuating the operation thereof. A displaceable selecting lever is arranged and constructed to selectively operate each of the control levers. A single electromagnet controls the operation of the selecting lever.

Abstract: An intermittent paper feed mechanism comprises a driving wheel rotationally driven in an intermittent manner, a driven wheel disposed opposite to and rotated by the driving wheel, a stopper means for restricting the angle of rotation of the driving wheel and a coiled return spring for biasing the driving wheel in a direction opposite to its rotational driven direction. The driving and driven wheels, the stopper means and the return spring are coaxially mounted on a common shaft. The device of the invention enables a paper on which characters are printed by a printing head to be advanced at a high accuracy in an intermittent manner without using a stepping pulse motor.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the changing of disc-shaped type carriers in typewriters or printers includes a lever operated device to push against the type disc and to press it off its shaft. A basket is provided to catch the type wheel after its disengagement from the shaft to prevent it from falling into the interior of the machine.

Abstract: A typewriter space bar touch control apparatus comprises a bell crank member, mounted on a support frame, which supports the space bar and a lever member which engages the bell crank when the space bar is depressed more than a small initial displacement. The motion of the bell crank is resisted by a helical tension spring and the engagement of the bell crank by the lever causes an operator to sense a sudden increase in resistance to displacement. Position transducers are provided on the support frame to sense the position of the lever member and the initial small displacement of the space bar corresponds to single space operation and larger displacement corresponds to repeat space operation.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer drives an endless loop of ribbon by passing the ribbon between a feed roller having teeth of one pitch and a pinch roller having teeth of another pitch.

Abstract: A vibration-free cylinder for a printing press in phased rolling engagement with a companion cylinder and which is formed of a cylinder body of star-shaped cross section having a central axial portion and four axial webs extending radially outward therefrom to define between them recesses of sector-shaped cross section. The surface of the cylinder is formed by first and second arcuate shell segments, the first of which extends over substantially half of a revolution and the second over substantially one-quarter revolution, the segments having parallel edges bridging the tip portions of the webs for enclosing all but one of the recesses which is uncovered to produce a gap defining the leading edge of the cylinder surface. The web at the leading edge is extended outwardly to the locus of the cylinder surface so that the cylinder body absorbs the impact with the companion cylinder which occurs at the leading edge at each revolution.

Abstract: An impact printer utilizes a single print hammer which is loaded with a selected type chip transferred from a rotatable carousel cartridge containing plural type chips. A single solenoid motor is energized to effect chip transfer, the loading of a spring to effect subsequent return of the chip to the cartridge, and the loading of an energy storage spring utilized to power the print hammer toward a platen. Completion of the chip transfer to the print hammer releases the print hammer to be powered by the storage spring until the solenoid motor is de-energized. The solenoid armature provides a reaction force to the storage spring only during solenoid energization. The duration of solenoid energization thus controls the impact force of the print hammer and is varied in accordance with the character area of the selected type chip and with the desired print density.