The invention provides a conversation device having a space key for instructing feeding of a printing tape without printing, a pulse oscillator for producing pulses of predetermined period upon depression of the space key, a counter for counting the pulses generated from the pulse oscillator, a one-shot multivibrator for producing a pulse to indicate that the count value has reached a predetermined value, a flip-flop which is set by the pulse from the one-shot multivibrator and allows the pulses from the pulse oscillator to be supplied to a motor driver for amplifying the pulses and which is reset when the predetermined number of pulses from the pulse oscillator is received and prohibits the supply of the pulse oscillator to the motor driver, and a pulse motor for feeding the printing tape without printing. Therefore, when the flip-flop is set, the motor driver causes the pulse motor to drive the printing tape for a predetermined length corresponding to a plurality of characters. The device further includes a CPU for discriminating a depressed key and for supplying a signal to the motor driver which causes the pulse motor to drive the printing tape for a length corresponding to one character.

A switching mechanism is provided including a control member and a switching element which is coupled to the control member and by means of a coupling element can be moved between a first and a second position. The switching mechanism includes two coupling elements which are arranged in series in the switching direction, each coupling element being constituted by a hinging V-shaped member, a point of intersection of a V-shaped member being alternately located within range for action thereon by the control member.

A multi-stage switch with a common actuating element and at least two switch elements for making contact provides that the switch elements are disposed next to each other above contact elements of a circuit board which they bridge in the closed state. The actuating element for the switch is movably disposed above the switch elements in such a way that the switch elements respond sequentially when the actuating element is depressed. Such a multi-stage switch can be produced cost-effectively with simple structural means, can be universally used, is easy to operate, maintenance free to the greatest extent and operates dependably.

An environmentally protected keyboard display and input device is provided which may be utilized in conjunction with a variety of digital control systems such as automated bank tellers or building security systems. The keyboard display and input device includes a unitary, transparent flexible keyboard having thickened portions forming keys. The keyboard forms an environmental seal including a peripheral gasket to protect an underlying, transparent, pressure sensitive switching assembly, which, in turn, overlies a corresponding visual display of alphanumeric characters which indicate the significance of the individual pressure sensitive switches and corresponding keys overlying each character. Pins are formed on the underside of the flexible keyboard, below each key, to focus and concentrate pressure exerted on each key to the corresponding pressure sensitive switch below. An optical grid is provided to restrict the viewing of the alphanumeric characters to the user of the device, to prevent compromising the data input.

Improvement in the printing device of a type ring selection system, wherein each independent type ring for each numerical place is rotationally controlled to select a required type on the outer periphery of each type ring at a position opposite to a platen, whereby the types for these numerical places to be printed in one line are aligned and the single line is printed at once with the thus aligned types.