Document printing device having a platen with character segments thereon

Abstract

A printing device having a document feed path defined therein and a platen fixedly mounted adjacent the feed path, the platen having a plurality of character segments formed thereon. A plurality of impact members, there being at least one thereof for each character segment, are also positioned adjacent the document feed path and positioned thereat so that one of said impact members will strike one of the character segments. A spool-to-spool ribbon drive is adapted to position a print ribbon between the platen and the document in the feed path therefor and causes printing of each character segment where it is struck by an impact member. A document feed assembly is provided for moving each document along the feed path. Also provided is a control assembly operatively coupled between the document feed assembly and the impact members for selectively operating individual ones of the impact members in timed relationship to the motion of a document along the feed path to effect printing of selectable combinations of the character segments on the document.