Printing mechanism with resiliently backed printing element

Claim 1

A printing apparatus comprising: an impression member; a hammer normally spaced from said impression member and actuatable theretoward; a rotatable hub; a plurality of resilient arms joined to and extending radially from said hub in angular, spaced-apart relationship; printing type respectively affixed to and adjacent the free ends of said resilient arms, said type being sequentially revolvable between saiD impression member and said hammer upon rotation of said hub; a first backing member coaxially engaging one side of said hub and having an annular, recessed margin equiradially spaced from said arms; an annular cushion member disposed in the recessed margin of said first backing member and having a radially decreasing thickness; and a second backing member engaging said hub on the side opposite said first backing member, said second backing member having a circumferential abutment engaging and deflecting said arms against said cushion member, said printing type being held away from said impression means thereby, said cushion member defining the angle of arm deflection and further serving to damp post-printing oscillations in said arms.