US3167009A

US3167009A - Hand-operated printing device for general use

Info

Publication number: US3167009A
Application number: US155034A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peppy M Sloane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-11-27
Filing date: 1961-11-27
Publication date: 1965-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-26

Description

HAND-OPERATED PRINTING DEVICE FOR GENERAL USE Filed Nov. 27. 1961 P. M. SLOANE Jan. 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 26, 1965 M. SLOANE 3,167,009

HAND-OPERATED PRINTING DEVICE FOR GENERAL USE United States Patent 3,167,009 HAND-UPERATEE iRlLNTlNG DEVICE F612 GENERAL USE Peppy Mw Sloane, 9426 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, Qaiif.

Filed Nov. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 155$) 15 Claims. (13!. 1tl1-329) This invention is directed to improvements in printing devices and more particularly to an improved handoperated printing device for general use.

In general, advanced designs of hand-operated printing devices for general use include a type drum which is mounted both for rotation and limited vertical movement within a hand-held case. To provide this mounting, however, such printing devices have, in the past, included complex combinations of springs, levers, pivots and pins coupled between the type drum and the hand-held case.

By way of example only, such a printer design is described in detail in the U8. Patent No. 2,714,851, issued August 9, 1955.

Due to the complex arrangement of their component parts, such printing devices are relatively expensive and are, in practice, costly to service.

In contrast to the conventional complex hand-operated printing devices, the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive printer design which is not only easy to operate but also readily servicable.

To accomplish this the present invention, in a basic form, includes a hand-held case having an open bottom. A type drum is mounted for free rotation within the case and for limited movement normal to the bottom of the case such that a portion of the drum always extends beyond the open bottom of the case. A first stop member is coupled to the case. A second stop member is coupled to the drum for contacting the first stop member to limit the rotation of the drum to a single revolution. A coil spring is coupled between the drum and the case for urging the second stop member against one side of the first stop member to define a rotation reference position of the drum, limit the rotation of the drum to one direction from the reference position, and return the drum to the reference position after the drum has been rotated in the one direction. An ink roller is normally urged into contact with the type drum by a unique bent spring arrangement. The bent spring is coupled to the ink roller on one side of the type drum and extends upward to contact a top of the case. From the top of the case the bent spring extends at an angle downward to an opposite side of the type drum where it is secured to a support member coupled to the case.

1 To print with the printing device of the present invention the case is held in the operators hand with the open bottom adjacent a print material, such as paper. The case is pressed downward against the paper and directed in a forward direction. In response to the downward force, the type drum is moved upward within the case. Simultaneously, the bent spring arrangement, in response to the downward movement of the top of the case, forces the ink roller more tightly against the surface of the type drum to insure an inking of each type character. As the case is directed in a forward direction the type drum is caused to rotate pressing the inked type characters into contact with the paper. When one revolution of the drum is completed the case may be lifted from the paper to allow the coil spring to automatically return the type drum to its reference position.

In a preferred form of the present invention, the case includes a pair of guide members whichextend downward on the front of the case. The guides are aligned with either side of the type drum to provide means for guiding the printing of type characters on the print material.

the flat section 54 of the frame 32..

3,167,009 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 Further, in a preferred form, the distance between a leading edge of the front of the case and a point on the periphery on the drum in contact with the paper is exactly equal to the distance along the periphery of the drum from the point to a first type character in a direction opposite to the one direction of rotation of the type drum. Thus, as the casing is moved in a forward direction, the first type character is printed at a point immediately beneath the initial position of the leading edge of the front of the case, thereby further aiding in the alignment of the print characters on the print material.

The above, as well as the specific simplified design features of the hand-operated printing device of the present invention may be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional side View of the printing device of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional bottom view of the printing device illustrated in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along the cutting line 33 illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings, the hand-operated printing device of the present invention includes a hand-held case 10 having an open bottom face 12. The case 10 includes front and back end members 14- and 16 which are outwardly tapered from a top of the case 18. The case is completed by

side panels

20 and 22 which are molded to the top 18 and the front and

end members

14 and 16. Molded to the top 18 to extend downward along an outer face of the front member 14 are a pair of ridge members 24 and 26. The ridge members 24 and 26 are substantially parallel to each other and in a manner hereinafter described, aid in aligning the print device on a print material. As represented, the tips of the ridges 24 and 26 extend beyond the forward surface of the front member 14 at the bottom of the front member 14.

As illustrated, the side panels 21 and 22 of the case 10 are shaped to have a reduced surface area from a point midway between the front and

rear sections

14 and 16 to the rear section 16. Molded to the inner surfaces of the

side panels

20 and 22 at the point of reduced surface area are horizontally extending tab members 28 and 3t), respectively. As will be hereinafter described, the

tab members

28 and 30 aid in supporting a frame member 32 within the case 10.

The frame member 32 includes a substantially fiat section 34 and a pair of

arm members

36 and 38. The fiat section 34 has an upwardly flanged end section 39, as indicated. The arm members 36 and 33, :are molded to the flat section 34 at points spaced slightly from the edge of the flat section. Thus, portions of the flat section 34 extend slightly outside the

arm members

36 and 38.

In positioning the frame member 32 within the case 10, the upwardly extending flanged section 39 is positioned adjacent the rear member 16 of the case 10 such that the top of the flange 38 impinges the inner surface of the top of the case 18. The portions of the flat section 34 extending outside the

arms

36 and 38 rest upon the tabs 28 and 313. Accordingly, the

arms

36 and 38 are effectively cantilevered over the open bottom 12 of the case 10 toward the front member 14.

The support provided by the tab members 28 and 31) is more clearly represented in cross section in FIGURE 3.

As represented, the

arm members

36 and 38 are substantially parallel to each other and extend upwardly at an angle toward a corner of the case defined by the top 18 and the front member 14. From a point spaced from the corner the

arms

36 and 38 then extend downward at an angle to a point below the open bottom 12 of the case 19 and then return upward at an angle to Molded to the aromas 3 outer surface of the arm members 36 and 3-8 at points adjacent the upper corner of the case Iltl are stud members 40 and 4-2.

Molded to an inner surface of the arm 36 at a point below the open bottom 12 of the case it is a stop member 44,. The stop member 4 is aligned with the edge of the arm 36 extending from the upper corner thereof to the point below the bottom of the case It The stop member 44 includes a lug 45.

Molded to the bottom surface of the flat section 34 of the frame 32 between the arm members 36 and BS is a shoulder member as. The shoulder member 46 having a lip which extends substantially parallel to the fiat section 34.

As represented,

arm members

36 and 38 also have holes 48 and Stl, respectively, disposed therein. The holes 48 and th communicate with each other along a common central axis 52.

Extending between the arm members and 38 from points adjacent the studs 4t and 42 is an arm 54. The arm 5% provides a stop to prevent the top 18 of the case 16 from impinging upon a type drum 56 when downward pressure is applied to the case 1G.

The drum 56 is positionable between the arm members 35 and 33 and includes an axle member 58 extending along the longitudinal axis of the drum 56. Ends of the axle 53 are positionable into the holes 48 and Stl. In this manner the drum as is mounted for rotation within the case it and due to the positioning of the holes 48 and 59 is positioned such that a portion of the circumference of the drum always extends below the open bottom 12 of the case ltl.

As illustrated, the drum 55 has a section of increased radial dimension 65B. and a section of reduced radial dimension 62. The section of increased radial dimension 66 has a rough periphery to provide a friction contact with a print material, such as a sheet of paper 64. Thus, with the drum 56 positioned as indicated in F1"- URE 1, forward movement of the case produces a clockwise rotation of the drum 56, as indicated by the arrow 66.

Molded to an end surface of the drum 56 within the portion of increased radial dimension 6th is a stop member as. The stop member 68 is positioned to contact the sides of. the stop member 44 coupled to the arm 36. Due to the positioning of the stop members 4d and 68, the rotation'of the drum 56 about its axle 58 is limited to a single revolution.

Molded to the ends of the section 60 are hook members '70 and 72. The hook members 70 and 72 each include a lip which extends inwardly towards the center of the drum 56. Preferably, the hooks 7d and 72 extend the length of the drum 56.

Positioned around the periphery of the section 62 of the drum 56 is a type panel 74. The: type panel '74 has type characters such as illustrated at 76 disposed thereon. The type characters 76 are molded to and extend away from the surface of the type panel '74. Molded to the edges of the type panel 74 are rings of resilient material represented at 78 and 86, respectively. The rings '75 and 86 extend away from the surface of the type panel 74 to a distance level with the top of the type characters 76. The rings 78 and 8t prevent too great a pressure from being exerted in the printing operation upon the type characters and thus enable sharp and clear reproduction of the very small letters and figures. The rings 7 8 and 8% also provide rotating traction for the type panel 74 as it contacts the paper.

The type panel 74 further includes a pair of

hook members

32 and 84 at either end of the type panel. hook members each include an outwardly extending lip which extends across the width of the type panel and is mated with a lip of the hooks 7t and 72. of the drum 56. The type panel may be readily coupled to the drum 56 by sliding the hook members 32 and under the drum hook members and 72. When so coupled the type The 4 panel 74 is held tightly to the drum 5d and extends around the periphery of the area of reduced radial dimension 62,. Preferably, the type panel 74 is of a thickness that, when coupled to the drum 56, forms a smooth circular surface with the portion of increased radial dimension 60, thereby providing a smooth rotation of the drum 56 against the paper ea.

As described, due to the mating hook arrangement of the present invention, the type panel 74 is secured to the drum 56 without requiring glue or other adhesive materials. This also permits free interchangeability of type panels on the drum 5'5.

Molded to a side of the drum adjacent the arm 36 is a peg member 86. The peg member as provides means for coupling one end of a coil spring 88 to the drum 56.

The coil spring 88 is coiled around the axle 58 and coupled to the lug 45 on the stop member 44. The coil spring 88 is so constructed to normally urge the drum 56 to move in a counterclockwise direction and thus forces the stop member 68 against one side of the stop member 4 5. In this manner the spring 83, together with the stop members 44 and 68, defines a reference rotational position for the drum 55 and limits the direction of rotation of the drum from the reference position to that indicated by the arrow. 66. The spring 88 also functions to return the drum 56 to the reference position after it has been rotated in its one direction of rotation.

To provide means for supplying a substantially uniform ink layer over the type characters prior to printing, the present invention contemplates, a particularly unique single bent spring arrangement for positioning an ink roller against the type panel 74. The bent spring arrangement includes a bent spring l t) having one end located at a point between the drum 56 and the front member 14 of the case it The spring 9% extends upward from this position to contact the lower surface of the top 18 of the case ll? adjacent the corner defined by the top 18 and the front member 14. From its contact point with the top E8, the spring 9! extends downward at an angle over the stud 4t) and along the outer surface of the arm 36. The spring90 then extends under the frame 32 and is supported by the shoulder member 46. Upon reaching the arm 38 the spring 90 extends upward at an angle along the outer surface of the arm 38 over the stud 42 to contact the inner upper surface of the top 18 of the case it as indicated. From this point the spring 94} extends downward between the drum 56 and the front member 14 to a point aligned with the starting point of the spring 9%. By extending from the top of the case over the studs 49 and 42, the spring 9h exerts a downward force on the arms 36 and 33 to normally urge the drum toward the open bottom 12.

Extending between the ends of the spring 9% is an ink roller, indicated generally at 92. The ink roller 92 has an axle 94 which is hollowed to receive the ends of the spring 90, as represented. A rubber tubing 96 fits snugly over the axle 94 to support a plurality of cylindrical felt

pads

98, 1% and 1.92. The pads are saturated with ink which may be of ditferent colors. The pads are separated from each other and the spring 3 h by a plurality of spacers represented at 104, 1 36, res, and 11d. Each of the pads 98, Ill-0 and 1.62 are aligned on the tube 96 such that as the drum 56 is rotated, each row of type characters on the type panel 74- is pressed against a different felt pad; This insures a complete layer of ink on each of the type characters and allows different rows of type to be supplied with different color ink for multi-color printing.

It is to be noted that the position of the drum St: in its reference position is critically adjusted relative to the position of the type characters on the type panel 74, as well as with reference to a leading edge 112 of the case it). In particular, the peripheral distance between a point on the periphery of the drum 56 (denoted as'the starting point) which is in contact with the paper 64 when the drum is in its reierence position and the first i type character appearing on the type panel '74 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum 56 is equal to the distance along the paper 64% between the starting point and the leading edge 112. Thus, as the case is moved in a forward direction to cause the drum 56 to rotate in a clockwise direction, the first type character on the type panel "74 presses against the paper 64 at a point originally occupied by the eading edge 11.2 of the case llll. This provides for selective positioning of the printing device when printing on the paper 64- to allow the operator to know exactly where the printing will occur.

Also, it is to be noted that the ridges 2 d and 26 are spaced at either edge of the type characters appearing on the type panel 74. Thus, to print with the handoperated printing device of the present invention, an operator takes the case ill in his hand, places the leading edge 112 of the case 1d over a point on the paper at which he wishes to begin printing, and laterally positions the printing device such that the ridges 2 and 26 extend on either side of the area to be printed. The operator then presses downward and forward on the case id. As indicated by the dotted line outline of the case it and spring hit in FIGURE 1, this forces the case it downward while the drum 56 is cantilevered upward with the

arms

36 and 38 Within the case. The spring 9t is also forced downward by the top of the case it Due to the bent spring arrangement, when the case 1 3 is forced downward the portion of the spring 99 between the drum 56 and the front member It'd is forced downward and toward the drum 56 to more tightly press the ink roller 92 to the surface of the drum. Thus, as the case 19 is directed forward and the drum 56 is caused to rotate in contact with the paper 64, ink is supplied to the type characters disposed on the type panel 7d.

As the drum 56 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 66 and the first type character on the type panel 74 presses against the paper 6 5 at a point originally occupied by a leading edge 112 of the case iii. The drum 55 continues to rotate until the stop member 68 contacts the stop member 44. At this point further forward movement of the case lb causes the case and drum to slide over the paper 64 without printing thereon. The case it may then be lifted from the surface of the paper 64 by the operator. Due to the coil spring 88, the drum 56 is then rapidly rotated in a counterclockwise direction to return the drum to its reference rotational position ready for its next printing operation.

Preferably the case it as well as the frame member 32 are composed of a resilient material such as plastic. Thus, to service the printing device of the present invention the operator simply exerts an outward lateral force against the

side panels

20 and 22 of the case ltl adjacent the

tabs

28 and 30. The frame 32 is then free to be removed from the case 16.

By lifting the bent spring 99 from the studs 4i) and 42, the spring may be released from the shoulder 46 while a lateral displacement of the ends of the spring 90 allows the ink roller 92 to be removed to either add new ink to or replace one or more of the pads.

The exertion of an outward lateral force to the

arm members

36 and 38 allows the axle S3 to be readily removed from the arms. Then, by sliding the type panel from Withunder the mating hook arrangement, as previously described, the type panel 74 may be replaced to provide printing of a different set' of type characters on a print material.

Thus, as described, the printing device of the present invention may be readily serviced and reconstructed to its operating form with a minimum of eifort and without altering the form of any of its component parts.

What is claimed is:

l. A hand-operated printing device comprising:

a hand-held case having an open bottom;

a frame member positionable within the case;

means for cantilever spring mounting the frame member within the case to extend an end portion of the frame over the open bottom of the case;

a type drum; means for coupling the type drum to the end portion of the frame member for rotation within the case such that a portion of the circumference of the drum extends beyond the open bottom of the case and such that the drum is cantilever spring mounted for limited movement substantially normal to the top of the case;

means for urging the drum to a reference rotational position within the case and for returning the drum to the reference position after it has been rotated from the reference position;

means for exerting a spring force on the frame to urge the drum toward the open bottom of the case including a bent spring coupled to the frame to extend at an angle from one side of the drum upward to contact a top of the case on an opposite side of the drum and then downward to extend a free end between rum and an end member of the case;

an ink roller;

and means for coupling the ink roller to the free end of the bent spring to make pressure contact With the drum such that as the drum moves toward the top of the case the ink roller presses more tightly against the drum.

2. A hand-operated printing device comprising:

a hand-held case having an open bottom;

a frame member positionable within the case;

means for cantilever spring mounting the frame member within the case to extend an end portion of the frame member over the open bottom of the case;

means for limiting the rotation of the drum to a single direction from the reference position;

means for urging the drum to a reference rotational position within the case and for returning the drum to the reference position after the drum has been rotated in the one direction;

means for exerting a spring force on the frame member to urge the drum toward the open bottom of the case including a bent spring coupled to the frame to extend at an angle from one side of the drum upward to contact a top of the case on an opposite side of the drum and then downward to extend a free end between the drum and an end member of the case;

an ink roller;

and means for coupling the free end of the ink roller to the bent spring to make rolling contact with the drum such that as the drum moves toward the top of the case the ink roller presses more tightly against the drum.

3. A hand-operated printing device comprising:

a hand-held case having an open bottom;

a frame member positionable within the case;

a first stop member coupled to the frame;

a second stop member coupled to the drum to contact aromas the first stop member to limit the rotation of the drum;

a coil spring coupled between the drum and the frame biased for urging the second stop member against one side of the first stop member to define a rotational reference position for the drum, and for returning the drum to the reference position after it has been rotated in the one direction; the first stop member being engagable with an opposite side of the second stop member to limit rotation of the drum in the one direction;

means for exerting a spring force on the frame member to urge the drum toward the open bottom of the case including a bent spring coupled to the frame to extend at an angle from one side of the drum upward to contact a top of the case on an opposite side of the drum and then downward on the opposite side of the drum;

an ink roller;

and means for coupling the ink roller to the bent spring on the opposite side of the drum to make rolling contact with the drum such that as the drum moves toward the top of the case the ink roller presses more tightly against the drum.

4. A hand-operated printing device comprising:

a hand-held case having an open bottom;

a frame member positionable within the case;

a drum; means for coupling the drum to the end portion of the frame member for rotation Within the case such that a portion of the circumference of the drum always extends beyond the open bottom of the case and such that the drum is cantilever spring mounted for limited movement substantially normal to the top of the case;

a first stop member coupled to the frame; 7

a second stop member coupled to the drum to contact the first stop member to limit the rotation of the drum to one revolution; 7

a coil spring coupled between the drum and the frame biased for urging the second stop member against one side of the first stop. member to define a rotational reference position for the drum, and for returning the drum to the reference position after it has been rotated in the one direction; the first stop member being engagable with an opposite side of the second stop member to limit rotation of the drum in the one direction;

a type panel having type characters disposed thereon coupled to extend on the periphery of the drum;

means for exerting a spring force on the frame member to urge the drum toward the open bottom of the case including a bent spring coupled to the frame to extend at an angle from one side of the drum upward to contact a top of the case on an opposite side of the drum and then downward adjacent the drum, between the drum and an end member of the case;

and an ink roller coupled to the bent spring between t the drum and the end member to make pressure contact with the type panel.

5. 'The apparatus definedin claim 4 wherein the type panel is coupled to the drum such that when the drum is in the reference position and contacting a print material the displacement along the circumference of the drum from a point on the periphery of the drum in contact with the print material to a first type character on the type panel in a direction opposite to the one direction of rotation of the drum is equal to the distance between the point on the periphery of the drum and an outer surface of the end member of the s h a case is moved to rotate the drum in the one direction the first type character is printed on the print material at the point initially occupied by the outer surface of the end member.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein the drum includes two hook members spaced from each other on the periphery of the drum, each book member having a lip extending toward the periphery of the drum, and wherein each end of the type panel includes a hook member having an outwardly extending lip which slidably mates with the lip of the hooked members of the drum to secure the type panel to the periphery of the drum.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein the type panel includes a ridge located at either edge thereof, the ridge being composed of a resilient material and being molded to the type panel level with the type characters disposed on the type panel.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein the case includes a pair of guide members coupled to the end member and aligned with opposite sides of the type panel to provide lateral alignment for the printing on a print material.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 4 including a third stop member coupled to the frame to extend between the drum and a top of the case to prevent the top of the case from contacting the surface of the drum when a force is applied normally to the case in printing on print material.

10. A hand-operated printer comprising:

a hand-held case having an open bottom;

a frame member having first and second substantially parallel arm members, the frame member being positionable Within the open bottom of the case;

support means for cantilever spring mounting the frame member within the case including means for securing one end of the frame within the case such that the arm members extend along opposite sides of the case toward a front of the case;

a type drum having an axle member extending along a longitudinal axis of the drum;

means for coupling the axle to the first and second arms to rotatably mount the drum between the first and second arms such that a portion of the circumference of the drum always extends beyond the open bottom of the case such that the drum is cantilever spring mounted within the case for limited movement susbtantially normal to the top of the case;

a first stop member coupled to the first arm;

a second stop member coupled to the drum for contacting the first stop member to limit the rotation of the drum to a single revolution;

a coil torsion spring wound around the axle and having one end coupled to the drum and the other end coupled to the first arm for and biased urging the second stop member against one side of the first stop member to define a rotationalv reference position for the drum, and for returning the drum to the reference position after the drum has been rotated in the one direction;

a bent spring having a first end located at a point between the drum and the front of the case and extending upward to contact a top of the case, then downward at an angle along the first arm and under the frame member, then at an angle upward along the second arm to contact the top of the case, and then downward to a second end of the spring at a point between the rum and the front of the case which is ligned with the first end of the bent spring for exerting a spring force on the frame member to urge the drum toward the open bottom of the case; an ink roller;

means for coupling the ink roller between the ends of the bent spring to normally press against the drum such that as' the drum moves toward the top of the case the ink roller presses more tightly against the drum. 11. The apparatus defined in claim l0 wherein the frame member includes a downwardly extending shoulder on its lower face between the first and second arms to support the bent spring member in passing under the frame member.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein a third stop member is coupled to one of the arm members to extend between the drum and the top of the case to prevent the top of the case from contacting the drum when a force is applied normal to the case in printing on a print material.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein the case includes first and second guide members extending along the front of the case at either side of the drum to provide lateral alignment of the type drum on a print material.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein the first and second stop members are so positioned that when the drum is in its reference position and in contact with a print material, the distance along the periphery of the drum between a point on the periphery in contact with the print material and the first type character on the drum in a direction opposite to the one direction of rotation of the drum is equal to the distance between the point on the periphery of the drum and a leading edge of the front of the case.

15. A hand-operated printing device, comprising:

a hand-held case having an open bottom;

a frame member positionable within the case;

a type drum;

means for coupling the type drum to the end portion of the frame member for rotation within the case such that a portion of the circumference of the drum extends beyond the open bottom of the case and such that the drum is cantilever spring mounted for limited movement substantially normal to the top of the case;

means for urging the drum to a reference rotational position within the case and for returning the drum to the reference position after it has been rotated from the eference position;

an ink roller;

and means for supporting the ink roller in rolling contact with the drum such that as the drum moves toward the top of the case the ink roller presses more tightiy against the drum.

Reicrences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 321,223 Keeier June 30, 1885 403,822 Bartholomew May 21, 1889 1,923,161 Wood Sept. 26, 1933 2,299,242 Lui Oct. 20, 1942 2,513,419 Mann July 4, 1950 2,714,851 Schnaclrel Aug. 9, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 612,379 Great Britain Nov. 11, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,167,009 January 26 1965 Peppy M. Sloane It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 8, line 52, for "coupled to the first arm for and biased urging the" read coupled to the first arm and biased for urging the Signed and sealed this 10th day of August 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER' EDWARD J. BRENNER Attcsting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A HAND-OPERATED PRINTING DEVICE COMPRISING: A HAND-HELD CASE HAVING AN OPEN BOTTOM; A FRAME MEMBER POSITIONABLE WITHIN THE CASE; MEANS FOR CANTILEVER SPRING MOUNTING THE FRAME MEMBER WITHIN THE CASE TO EXTEND AN END PORTION OF THE FRAME OVER THE OPEN BOTTOM OF THE CASE; A TYPE DRUM; MEANS FOR COUPLING THE TYPE DRUM TO THE END PORTION OF THE FRAME MEMBER FOR ROTATION WITHIN THE CASE SUCH THAT A PORTION OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE DRUM EXTENDS BEYOND THE OPEN BOTTOM OF THE CASE AND SUCH THAT THE DRUM IS CANTILEVER SPRING MOUNTED FOR LIMITED MOVEMENT SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE TOP OF THE CASE; MEANS FOR URGING THE DRUM TO A REFERENCE ROTATIONAL POSITION WITHIN THE CASE AND FOR RETURNING THE DRUM TO THE REFERENCE POSITION AFTER IT HAS BEEN ROTATED FROM THE REFERENCE POSITION; MEANS FOR EXERTING SPRING FORCE ONTHE FRAME TO URGE THE DRUM TOWARD THE OPEN BOTTOM OF THE CASE INCLUDING A BENT SPRING COUPLED TO THE FRAME TO EXTEND AT AN ANGLE FROM ONE SIDE OF THE DRUN UPWARD TO CONTACT A TOP OF THE CASE ON AN OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DRUM AND THAN DOWNWARD TO EXTEND A FREE END BETWEEN THE DRUM AND AN END MEMBER OF THE CASE; AND INK ROLLER; AND MEANS FOR COUPLING THE INK ROLLER TO THE FREE END OF THE BENT SPRING TO MAKE PRESSURE CONTACT WITH THE DRUM SUCH THAT AS THE DRUM MOVES TOWARD THE TOP OF THE CASE THE INK ROLLER PRESSES MORE TIGHTLY AGAINST THE DRUM.