Abstract: A printing apparatus of modular construction includes a printing mechanism with a pivotally mounted printing head, a continuous form feed part and an individual form feed part. To provide a compact construction in which the printing operation can be viewed by the operator, the individual form feed part is constructed as a base unit so that the individual form is fed into the apparatus and transported horizontally. The printing mechanism and continuous form feed part are positioned above the base unit. As a result, with the apparatus mounted on a table, printing on the printing base of the continuous form feed part takes place below the eye level of the operator. To insert the continuous form, the continuous form feed part can be pivoted away from the printing mechanism. In addition, the printing mechanism and the continuous form feed part can be pivoted relative to the base unit to gain access to the path of the individual forms on the base unit.

Abstract: A needle printing device having a plurality of printing needles mounted in electromagnets with a permanent magnet operating through a yoke to retain a spring upon which the needles are mounted against the core of the electromagnet, the spring having an armature thereon which is released when the electromagnet is energized to permit the needles to be driven into printing position by operation of the spring. The particular features of the invention involve a construction wherein the yoke means is formed in two parts, with the first part having a surface which is formed in a common plane with a surface of the core of the electromagnet, the second part of the yoke having a surface which lies in a common plane with a surface of the armature when the electromagnetic is de-energized with the armature held against the core of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A printing unit is guided along a straight line in parallel relation with the printing plane of a printing support. A device is arranged to pivot the printing unit between at least two printing supports spaced angularly apart. The device includes a coupling assembly interconnecting the printing unit with a drive member. A part of the coupling assembly includes a slotted crosshead or plate in which rollers move through branch slots disposed angularly to one another. Due to the guidance afforded the printing unit as it is pivoted between different angularly spaced printing supports, it moves along a curve significantly flatter than the arc of a circle on which the printing planes of the printing supports are located.