Abstract: An impact printer is capable of printing at either ten characters per inch or fifteen characters per inch by changing the type character carrying member. The print hammers are spaced at the same distance apart as are the type characters on the carrying member or band and the hammers are displaced from a home position by one space for printing the fifteen characters per inch at a higher speed than when printing at ten characters per inch. The hammers are time shared and are caused to be moved or shifted a precise distance of 4 increments of 1/30 inch each for a standard pitch band at ten characters per inch or a precise distance of 2 increments of 1/30 inch each for a compressed pitch band at fifteen characters per inch.

Abstract: An impact printer is provided which is capable of printing at either 10 characters per inch (standard pitch) or 15 characters per inch (compressed pitch) by changing the type character carrying member, such type carring member including multiple font character sets thereon. The type character carrying members or bands include timing marks thereon for detecting or sensing the type band (standard or compressed pitch), the type character font set, and for tracking the type characters on the band. The printer also includes time shared hammer means which are movable or shifted a precise distance of 1/10 inch for a standard pitch band or a precise distance of 1/15 inch for a compressed pitch band, such movement being operable by control mechanism responsive to pulses derived from the timing marks relative to the horizontal position mechanism and the type band on the printer (standard or compressed pitch).