Electromechanical marking device

Claim 1

An electromechanically operated marking device comprising, in combination, a housing open at one end; a handle secured to the other end of said housing; a source of energy within said handle; carrier means movable within said housing; adjustable marking characters on said carrier means; electromechanical operating means coupled to said carrier means and electrically connected to said source of energy for moving said carrier means between a forward position and a retracted position within said housing, said marking characters on said carrier projecting from said housing opening when said carrier is in said forward position, said carrier being in said forward position for printing and adjusting selectively said marking characters; first switch means in proximity to said housing opening and connectable between said electromechanical means and said source of energy and adapted when actuated for operating said electromechanical means, said first switch means being actuated by mechanical pressure applied thereto at said housing opening and connecting when actuated said electromechanical operating means to said source of energy, said first switch means being in circuit opening state when deactuated by removal of said pressure; second switch means connectable between said electromechanical means and said source of energy for holding said carrier means stationary when in said forward position; means linked to said carrier means and actuating said second switch means in relation to the position of said carrier means, said second switch means being actuated through motion of said carrier and disconnecting said source of energy from said electromechanical means only when said carrier is in said forward position; third switch means connectable between said electromechanical means and said source of energy for holding said carrier means stationary when in said retracted position; means linked to said carrier means and actuating said third switch means in relation to the position of said carrier means, said third switch means being actuated through motion of said carrier and disconnecting said source of energy from said electromechanical means only when said carrier is in said retracted position; and manually operated for fourth switch means connected to said second and third switch means for selectively connecting one of said second and third switch means between said electromechanical means and said source, said carrier being moved by said electromechanical means from said retracted position to said forward position and returned to said retracted position upon actuation of said first switch means and when said fourth switch means connects said third switch means between said source and said electromechanical means, said carrier means being moved to said forward position and held in said forward position when said for fourth switch means connects said second switch means between said source and said electromechanical means.