Abstract: An impact mechanism for an improved serial impact printer for delivering a printing force to drive a character element against a platen by means of a print tip movable toward and away from the platen. The print tip is supported upon a carriage mounted upon the printer for reciprocating movement in a path substantially parallel to the axis of the platen. The impact mechanism includes a bail bar extending substantially across the printer and mounted for rocking movement toward and away from the platen, its axis of rocking being substantially parallel to the axis of the platen. A prime mover is connected to the bail bar for imparting controlled rocking movement thereto. The print tip and the bail bar are interconnected so as to move the print tip toward and away from the platen as the bail bar is rocked.

Abstract: An impacting element for an impact printer having a platen, selectable character elements and means for driving the impacting element to impart a printing force to a selected character element, to drive it against said platen for a contact period, the impacting element including a sensor thereon for generating a signal indicative of the initiation of the contact period.