US3750943A

US3750943A - Voting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3750943A
Application number: US00269715A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Darling; R Darling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-07
Filing date: 1972-07-07
Publication date: 1973-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-07

Abstract

Voting apparatus by means of which candidates in a general election can be selected and votes for these duly recorded. Votes can also be recorded for answers to specific questions. The apparatus can include means to enable a voter simultaneously to select all of the candidates of a desired party and to register these votes. In addition, the apparatus can be very easily set up for a primary election which enables a person to select the party for which he wishes to vote, after which he cannot vote for anyone in the other party, and then to select candidates within that party and record the votes.

Description

Unite Darling et a1.

Aug. 7, 1973 VOTING APPARATUS Inventors: Stanley N. Darling; Reyi Darling,

both of 1248 Crigflower Rd., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Filed: July 7, 1972 Appl. No.: 269,715

52 us Cl. 235 54 R, 235/50 R 51 Int. Cl G07C 13/00 581 Field of Search 235/50 A, 50 R, 54 R, 235/54 F 56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,975,993 10/1934 Uhthoff 235/54 1! 3,024,974 3/1962 Hooker r 235/54 F 3,232,529 2/1966 Johnson et a1. 235/54 R 3,677,462 7/1972 Moldovan 235/54 R Primary Examiner-Stephen .1. Tomsky Attorneyl(ellard A. Carter et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Voting apparatus by means of which candidates in a general election can be selected and votes for these duly recorded. Votes can also be recorded for answers to specific questions. The apparatus can include 'means to enable a voter simultaneously to select all of the candidates of a desired party and to register these votes. In addition, the apparatus can be very easily set up for a primary election which enables a person to select the party EPW155155 wishes to vote, after which he cannot vote for anyone in the other party, and then to select candidates within that party and record the votes.

52 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures PATENTEnAm; 7 I973 SHEEI 2 OF 7 BEBE OFFICE 2 VOTE FOR 1 OFFICE 1 VOTE FOG 1 mun: [Mule INAII NAM: [NAME NAME IMAME [NAME m Eda 1mm: 1mm: [NAME mam: [NA

iii:

minnow SHEET 8 [IF 7 n iEiEiEE- VOTING APPARATUS This invention relates to voting apparatus for use in general elections, answering specific questions, and in primary elections.

In most elections, the voter follows the usual procedure and manually marks ballots, which have to be individually counted after the voting time has expired. With most of the prior voting machines, ballots are used and these are marked by the machines, not by the voter. These ballots are collected from the polling stations and delivered to a central location for counting. This is time-consuming and might make tampering possible.

The voting apparatus according to the present invention is very simple for the voter. In a general election, the names of the candidates according to parties are indicated on the apparatus, and the voter merely selects one or more candidates for a given office, depending upon whether one or more candidates is or are required, and the apparatus is such that the voter cannot vote for more than the required number of candidates for a given office. In addition, if a voter wishes to vote for all of the candidates of a desired party, he can push a button to select all of these candidates, and then simultaneously record these votes merely by pushing a button. Furthermore, this apparatus can very quickly and easily be set up for a primary election, in which the voter must select a party,and then select his candidates out'of that party. i

The apparatus can also be set up so that answers to no and yes questions can be duly recorded at the same time as the voter records his votes for the selected candidates.

In this apparatus, the voter selects a candidate merely by rotating a knob. After all his selections have been made, he records his votes by pressing a button. Features of this apparatus are that knobs that are not rotated to the select position are locked in their neutral positions when the votes are being recorded. After the recording of the votes, all knobs'are locked in position until they are released in any desired manner. If two or more candidates are required for a given office, each voter can select the required number of candidates, and it is impossible for him to select more than the required number. If a person wishes to select all of the candidates of a desired party, he merely pushes one button to make the simultaneous selections, and then pushes another to record the votes.

If the apparatus is used in a primary election where there are, for example, two parties running, all of the selector knobs are normally locked in their neutral positions. The voter pushes a button to release the knobs of the party he selects, and then he can select his candidates within that party by turning the required knobs. At this time the knobs of the other party remain locked in the neutral position, and cannot be released unless the knobs of the previously selected party have been locked again in their normal positions. I

The apparatus of the present invention includes generally 'a plurality of selector knobs arranged in each of a plurality of parallel'rows. There is an operator shaft for each row of knobs which can be rotated to move all knobs of the row that have been shifted out of normal positions thereof into a select position, to the vote registered position. This shaft locks all knobs that have not been moved to the select position at this time in the neutral position thereof, and it locks the knobs in the register position after they have been moved thereby to the latter position. A return shaft is provided by means of which the knobs can be returned to the neutral position thereof from the registered position by rotation of the return shaft in one direction, and when the shaft is rotated in the other direction, all the knobs of the row of that shaft are turned to the select position. When the apparatus is to be used for a primary election, the operator shafts of the rows to be used for this purpose are rotated into positions normally locking the selector knobs in the neutral positions thereof, and means is provided for rotating one of these shaft to release the knobs of the row of that shaft so that these selector knobs can be moved to the select position and then to the register position. The apparatus also includes means which, when the knobs of one row are freed by its operating shaft, the operator shaft of any other row involved in the primary election cannot be rotated to free its knobs.

An example of voting apparatus in accordance with this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the voting'apparatus set up for one type of election and a referendum,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus setup for a different type of election,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan of a portion'of the apparatus with most of the top of the casing removed, showing two selector knobs for each of four lateral rows, and with the apparatus set up as in FIG. 1,

FIG.4 is a cross-section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary planview similar to FIG. 3, but with the apparatus set up as in FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a' section takenon the line 7-7 of FIG. 3,

showing a selector knob in the neutral or normal posi tion,

7 FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are similar to FIG. 7 but show the selector knob respectively inthe selecting position, in the vote register position, and locked in the neutral position, I

FIG. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-11 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a section taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 3, showing the position of the returning elements for the selector knob when the latter is in the neutral position,

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12 showing the returning elements when the selector knob is in the selecting position, 7

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 12 showing the returning elements in position when the selector knob is in the vote registered position,

FIGS. 15 and 16 are sections similar to FIG. 12 showing the selector knob beingreturned to the neutral position,

FIG. 17 is a section taken on the line l717 of FIG. 3 showing the mechanism for operating the returning elements of FIGS. 13 to 16, and the operating mechanism for simultaneously turning all of the selector knobs in any row to the selecting position,

FIG. 18 is a bottom isometric view of a selector knob,

FIG. 19 is a top isometric view of a segment gear arrangement used in turning a selector knob to its neutral position and to a selecting position,

FIGS. 20 and 21 are sections taken on the line 2020 of FIG. 18 showing the selector knob being moved into the selecting position by the gear arrangement of FIG. 17,

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of FIG. 3, illustrating switch means for illuminating vote selections and for remote recording of votes,

FIGS. 23 and 24 are fragmentary plan views of two different arrangements for preventing the selection of more than the required number of candidates for a given office,

FIG. 25 is a section taken on the line 2525 of FIG. 5 showing the mechanism used in a primary election when the voter can select candidates in only one chosen party,

FIG. 26 is a section taken on the line 26--26 of FIG. 5, showing the mechanism set up for the registration of votes when the apparatus is to be used for a primary election, and

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 27-27 of FIG. 11.

TYPES OF VOTING FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate voting apparatus in accordance with this invention. This apparatus is made up generally of a casing 12 having a top 13 and a cover 14 which is hingedly mounted on the casing and can be swung between a closed and an open position, suitable means, not shown, being provided for locking the cover in the closed position. This apparatus can be set up for various forms of election, including referendums requiring yes or no votes. The machine has a plurality of selector knobs 18 projecting through and above top 13, these knobs being arranged in a plurality of transverse rows, there being four rows 20 to 23 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The selector knobs are identical, and the lateral rows are identical, although the apparatus can be adjusted to suit several different types of election. In FIG. 1 there is a place 32 at the end of each of the

rows

22 and 23 for a group selector button 26 for voting for all of the candidates of one party only or, in other words voting a straight party ticket. There is also a place 28 at the end of each row for a primary selector button 30, the places 28 being shown in FIG. 1 and the buttons 30 being shown in FIG. 2. Buttons 30 are omitted for some elections, while places 28 are covered at this time, and similarly, buttons 26 are omitted for some elections, and the places 32 therefor are covered, as shown in FIG. 2. A registration button 34 is provided, which is depressed after the voter has made his choices in any type of election, in order to count or register the votes. While buttons or

keys

26, 30 and 34 have been shown, it is to be understood that any desired type of movable element can be used for this same purpose, and the term button" is intended to include these.

GENERAL VOTING In apparatus 10 of FIG. 1,

rows

20 and 21 are set up for yes and no answers to questions indicated at positions 35.

Rows

22 and 23 are arranged for candidates of party A and party B to be elected for offices indicated at positions 37. The names of the candidates of party A for these offices are set out in positions 39,

while the names of candidates for party B are set out in positions 40. Starting at the left of the machine in FIG. 1, the first two positions 37 are set up for the election of one candidate for each of two offices, while the next position 37 to the right is for the election of one candidate to an office when there are two candidates running from each party. The next position 37 to the right is for another office where two are to be elected out of four candidates from each party. It will be understood that the information at

positions

35, 37, 39 and 40, as well as the party designations and other information is removably applied to the machine. As this is a very simple matter, detailed explanation is not required. For example, the required information may be applied to top 13 of the casing beneath transparent covers.

The person voting makes his desired selections by rotating the appropriate selector knobs 18. When he has made all of his selections, he presses registration button 34 and this causes his votes to be recorded or registered. The machine can be restored to its original position either by an officer provided for the purpose, or automatically by a photo-electric-cell arrangement outside the voting booth past which eachvoter must move when leaving the booth. If all of the selector knobs 18 are not required for a given election, the unwanted ones can be removed, if desired.

SELECTING APPARATUS FIGS. 3 to 24 illustrate a preferred form of the apparatus by means of which a person makes his selections and then registers these votes. For the sake of convenience, the mounting and operation of one selector knob 18 and its associated elements, which combine to form an operational set, will now be described. Each selector knob is mounted on a short shaft 50 which is supported by two of a plurality of spaced partitions 52 which extend longitudinally of casing 12, that is, across the lateral rows 20 to 23. The selector knob is positioned so that it projects upwardly through an opening 53 in casing top 13 and is preferably knurled as at 54. The knob has first and

second lugs

57 and 58 radiating therefrom, said lugs being spaced apart as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. A shallow recess 59 is formed in the periphery of knob 18 between

lugs

57 and 58. A common operator shaft 62 forms a part of this operational set and extends transversely of casing 12 and is rotatably journalled in partitions 52. There is an operator shaft for each of the lateral rows 20 to 23. Shaft 62 has a notch 64 therein at each selector knob 18 and so positioned that lug 57 can move into and out of said notch. The notch forms first and second tips or

abutments

65 and 66 on opposite sides of the axis 67 of the shaft, these tips being adapted to engage lug 57 when the lug is in the recess and the shaft is rotated.

FIG. 7 shows selector knob 18 in its normal or neutral position, and at this time, it can be rotated counterclockwise in the direction of arrow 69 until lug 57 moves into notch 64 to engage the inner face of tip 66 on operator shaft 62. The selector knob cannot be rotated in the opposite direction from its neutral position because of lug 58 engaging the outer face of tip 66.

An idler gear 72 is rotatably mounted on a common return shaft 73 which extends transversely of casing 12 and is journalled in partitions-52, said shaft forming part of this operational set. Gear 72 has teeth 75 which are engageable by selector lug 58 when knob 18 is rotated, see also FIGS. 23 and 24. These same teeth mesh with a control rack 77 slidably mounted in a channel 78 supported in casing 12. Two or more selector knobs of different transverse rows have a common rack, i.e., the idler gears of these knobs mesh with a common rack 77. Rack 77 is alignedwith a pin 79 which is removably inserted in one or a plurality of holes 80 in the bottom of channel 78.

A suitable recorder is mounted adjacent each selector knob 18 so as to be operatedby-lug 58 when the knob is rotated into the position shown in FIG. 9. The actual recording can take place within this machine,

and/or it can be done electrically at a remote point. In

the illustrated example, a standard type of counter or printer 84 is mounted in a partition 52 adjacent selector knob 18 and has operating means in the form of spaced ratchet lugs 85 and 86 radiating from its counter shaft 87. When lug 85 i'sin its normal position in line with knob lug 58, and is engaged thereby on rotation of a selector knob, shaft 87 is rotated to advance the counter by one. When theselectorknob is moved in the opposite direction, knob lug 58 engages counter lug 86 to return counter lug 85 to its normal position. As stated above, FIG. 7 shows selector knob 18 and its associated elements in their normal or neutral positions. When the knob is rotated in the direction of arrow 69, lug 57 swings downwardly and limits this movement by engagingtip 66 of shaft 62. At-the same time, knob lug 58 moves past idlergear-72 to-cause it to rotate, moving rack 77 in the direction of arrow 89, as seen in FIG. 8. As rack 77 also serves a selector knob 18 in the next lateral row, thelatter selector knob cannot be turned if the rack now engages pin 79. With this arrangement, it is possible to rotate only one of the selector knobs of the pair which are associated with a single control rack 77. Pin -79 can be shifted to another hole 80 in channel 78 so that two selector knobscan be rotated. With this arrangement, the control rack 77 can be common to three aligned selector knobs of three different rows. When operator shaft 62 is rotated in the direction of arrow 91, see F165. 9, the shaft tip 65 swings over and engages lug 57 to rotate knob 18 further in the direction of arrow69 causing lug 58 of the knob to engage counter lug 85 to advance the counter by one. As long as the operator shaft is in this position, knob 18 cannot be rotated in the reverse direction.

In FIG. 10, the selector knob 18 is locked in the neutral position by shaft62 which has been rotated so that it projects into recess 59. The knob cannot be rotated in either direction as longas the generator shaft remains in this position.

FIG. 11 illustrates the mechanism or linkage for rotating the operator shafts 62 to registerthe selected votes, and for returning these shafts to their normal positions. I

In this linkage, each of the operator shafts 62 has an arm 95 on an end-thereof, the outer end of each of these arms being connected to a common bar 96 through a pin 97. This bar is shifted longitudinally when registration button 34 is depressed. In this example, button 34 has a downwardly projecting pin 98'which engages an end 99 of a bell crank 100 inthis linkage and which is pivotally mounted on a pin 101 projecting from the adjacent partition 52. The opposite end 103 of the bell crank hasa slot 104 therein into which a pin 105 projects from bar 96. Button 34 is retained in its upper or normal position by a spring 106. Although shafts 62 may be returned to their normal positions in any desired manner, it is preferable'to provide each shaft with spring means forthis purpose. In this example, each shaft 62 is provided with a spiral spring 107 surrounding saidshaft, the inner end of the spring being connected to the shaft, while the outer end of the springis hooked around a pin 108 projecting from the adjacent partition 62. If desired, a second pin 109 may be provided so that the outer end of spring 107 can be hooked around either of the

pins

108 or 109.

When registration button 34 is depressed, bell crank swings around pin 101 to shift bar 96 longitudinally, and this action swings arms 95 to rotate all of the operator shafts 62 against the tension of their respective springs 108. When this is done, each of the selector knobs 18 which has been moved into the position shown in FIG. 8 is rotated further by its operator shaft 62 to operate its associated counter 84. At the same time, any knob 18 that has remained in its normal position is retained in that position since its operator shaft has rotated so that it fits into recess 59 of that knob, as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, none of the selector knobs can be rotated when the operator shafts are in this position.

The operator shafts 62 are retained by suitable means out of their normal positions untilit is desired to return them to said positions. For example, this can be done by a spring-loaded latch 110 biased against the upper edge of bar 96. When this bar is moved towards the left, as seen in FIG. 11, latch 110 drops into a notch 111 formed in the bar edge to prevent said bar from being moved back under the action of springs 107. Bar 96 is returned to its normal position in any suitable manner. In this example, a solenoid 112 is provided, the core 1 13 of which is connected by a cable 114 to latch 1 10. The core of this solenoid is normally extended, and when the solenoid is energized, the core is retracted, and this pulls cable 114 to lift the lower end of latch 110 out of notch 111 to free bar 96 so that the bar is moved back to its normal position by springs 107 of shafts 62. Solenoid 112 can be energized in any desired manner.

FIGS. 12 to 16 illustrate apparatus for returning the illustrated selector knob 18 to its neutral position. A return segment gear 115 is secured to the side of knob 18 and has teeth 116 arranged in an arc with shaft 50 as its center. Another segment gear 118 is fixedly mounted on return shaft 73 and has radiating teeth 1 19 adapted to mesh with teeth 116 of gear 115. When knob 18 and its gear 115 are in the neutral position as shown in FIG. 12, segment teeth 1 19 project upwardly and are clear of teeth 116. It will be noted that teeth 119 get progressively longer from left to right, as viewed in FIG. 12, so that the last tooth 121 is longer than the others. Gears 1 15 and 1 16 are first and second segment gears involved in the rotation of the selector knob upon rotation of return shaft 73.

When selector knob 18 issuccessively turned to its select position and then on to its register position, segment gear 115 turns with it, but itclears segment gear 1 18, as shown in FIGS 13 and 14. At this time, the vote is registered and now the selector knob needs to be returned to its normal position. For this purpose, return shaft 73 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, this causes teeth 119 of gear 118 to mesh with the'teeth 1 l6 mal position by virtue of the fact that solenoid 112 has operated latch 110 to release bar 96 to permit springs 107 to rotate these shafts. As shaft 73 nears the end of its rotation, long tooth 121 bears against the end tooth of gear 115 to rotate knob 18 all the way back to its normal position, as shown in FIG. 16. When shaft 73 is rotated in the opposite direction, the teeth 119 which are clear of the teeth 116 of gear 115 are returned to their normal position as illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 illustrates the mechanism for rotating shafts 73 both anti-clockwise and clockwise. A bar 125 is slidably mounted for longitudinal movement adjacent bar 96, and is connected at one end by a laterally-extending connector 127 to a solenoid. A separate solenoid can be provided, but it is preferable to connect connector 127 to the core 113 of solenoid 112. Each shaft 73 has an arm 130 fixedly connected to an end thereof and inclined downwardly towards bar 125 so that its lower end 131 normally rests on the upper edge of the bar. A notch 133 is formed in bar 125 adjacent each arm end 131 but spaced a little therefrom, as clearly shown in FIG. 17. In addition, a shoulder 134 is formed at each notch 133 and faces the adjacent arm 130. Each arm is biased downwardly by its own weight or, if desired, by a weight 135 secured thereto for this purpose.

The arms 130 resting on the edge of bar 125 normally retain the segment gears 118 of their respective shafts 73 in the normal at rest position, shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. After the votes have been registered in the usual manner by the depression of button 34, and after the voter has left the voting booth, solenoid 112 is energized, and this draws bar 125 towards the solenoid so that the ends 131 of arms 130 are engaged by shoulders 134 and swung down into notches 133 and are rotated by the bar. This turns shafts 73 so as to return any knobs 18 that have been moved into the select position back to their normal positions as described above.

FIGS. 17 to 21 illustrate the mechanism which permits a voter to vote for all of the candidates in one party. For this purpose, buttons 26 are provided at the ends of

rwos

22 and 23 which have been set up for party A and party B, as seen in FIG. 1. There is a plunger 140 below and in line with each button 26, said plunger being biased upwardly by a spring 141. The lower end of this plunger is normally spaced above an extension 144 of arm 130 which projects away from said arm on the opposite side of shaft 73. When a button 26 is depressed, plunger 140 is moved downwardly to engage arm extension 144 to move said extension in the same direction. This rotates the associated shaft 73 in a clockwise direction.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of a knob 18 and its associated segment gear 115, while FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of segment gear 118. Teeth 116 of gear 115 are spaced outwardly from knob 18, and are in line with teeth 119 ofsegment gear 118,'the latter teeth extending axially through only about half the thickness of said gear, see FIG. 19. Gear 115 is provided with two additional teeth 150 which are between teeth 116 and knob 18, see FIG. 18, and these are in alignment with two additional teeth 152 on gear 118, which are out of alignment with teeth 119 of this gear.

Teeth

150 and 152 constitute third and fourth segment gears involved in the rotation of the selector knob by the turning of return shaft 73.

When shaft 73 is rotated as a result of the depressing of the buttons 26 associated therewith, gear 118 is rotated to cause teeth 152 to mesh with teeth 150 of gear to rotate knob- 18 into the select position, shown in FIG. 21. Thus, all of the knobs 18 associated with this shaft 73 are rotated into the select position, and when registration key 34 is depressed, these knobs are further rotated by shaft 62 so that all of the votes of the selected party are simultaneously recorded unlessone or more have been manually returned to the normal position. When solenoid 112 is energized, bar 96 is released to permit springs 107 to return shafts 62 to their normal positions. The release of button 26 allowed arm to drop back onto bar 125, and the energization of solenoid 112 permits shaft 73 to be rotated in an anticlockwise direction to return all of the knobs 18 to their positions.

FIG. 22 illustrates a switching arrangement for turning on a light at each selector knob that has been moved to the select position to enable the voter to see his choices before pressing the registration button, and for recording the votes at a remote counter. Segment gear 115 of knob 18 has a contact therein which spans a pair of contacts 162 after knob 18 has been moved to the selecting position. This energizes a light (not shown) adjacent said selector knob. When the knob has been moved to the vote registered position, contact 160 spans another pair of contacts 163 in an electrical circuit of an electrically operated vote counter (not shown) remote from apparatus 10. The pairs of

contacts

162 and 163 are mounted in the adjacent partition 52.

When a person comes to vote, he can turn the desired selector knobs 18 to make his selections. Once this has been done, he presses registration button 34 to have these votes recorded or counted by the individual counters or printers within the apparatus and/or on remote electronic counters. If a person makes a selection by rotating one of the selector knobs, and then changes his mind, he can rotate the knob back again, as long as hehas not pressed the registration button. Once the registration button has been pressed, all of the selection knobs are locked, see FIG. 9, and cannot be rotated until the operator shafts 62 are returned to their normal positions as a result of the operation of solenoid 112.

By referringto FIG. 1 it will be seen that selector knobs 18a and 18b are used for electing one of two persons to Office 1. In this case, the idler gears 72a and 72b, see FIG. 23, of these two selector knobs mesh with a common rack 77 which engages pin 79 when either one of these knobs is rotated. This means that a person can rotate only knob 18a or 18b.

Selector knobs 18c to 18f enable a person to chose one of two candidates of party A or of party B for Office 3. In this case, the idler gears 72c and 72d, see FIG. 24, of knobs 18c and 18d are associated with one rack 770, while knobs 18c and 18f are associated through their

idler gears

72e and 72f with another common rack 77b, and these two racks are interconnected by a bar 165 so as to move together. Pin or pins 79 are positioned so that the two racks can move a distance of one vote or, in other words, only one of the selector knobs to 18f can be rotated before the pin or pins 79 are engaged.

The idler gears of the selector knobs aligned with the Office 4 position are interconnected in the same manner as the idler gears of knobs 18c to 18f,- but the pins 79 are set so that the associated control racks can be moved by the rotation of any two of the control knobs.

Each pair ofyes or no knobs 18 aligned with one of the questions in positions 35 are associated with a common control rack 77.

PRIMARY ELECTION In a primary election, the voter must select the party he wants to vote for, and then he selects various candidates within that party. When apparatus is to be used for this purpose, buttons 26 are omitted, and buttons 30 are provided as shown in FIG. 2. When there are only parties A and B, it is only necessary to provide buttons 30 at the ends of

rows

22 and 23. When apparatus 10 is set up for this purpose, bar 96 is removed to free arms 95, and the voperator shafts 62 of

rows

22 and 23 are rotated into the position shown at the left of FIG. 26 so that they fit into the recesses 59 of all of the selector knobs 18 of these rows, at which time the arms 95 of these shafts are inclined upwardly. The outer ends of springs 107 are hooked on to pins 109 at this time in order to keep at the correct tension after the shafts 62 have been rotated into the locking positions. With this arrangement, none of the selector knobs can be rotated unless one or other of buttons 30 has been depressed.

By referring to FIGS. 25 and 26 it will be seen that each button 30 has a downwardly inclined arm 170 connected thereto which at this time bears against an adjacent arm 171 which is connected to the adjacent shaft 62 and is inclined upwardly in the same manner as the arm 95 of this-shaft. Each arm 171 is formed with a rounded outer end 172. A plunger 175 is slidably mounted in a bracket 176 projecting from partition 52 for each button 30. This plunger is biased upwardly by a spring 177. A lobe 178 on each of these buttons is aligned with one of the plungers and depresses the latter when the button is depressed, as shown at the right of FIG. 25. Each plunger 175 is normally poised above a space between two balls 180 of a row of said balls held in an elongated container 181. These balls are placed side by side and there is only sufficient space between the balls to permit one of the plungers to move downwardly between two balls, as is the right hand plunger in FIG. 25. A spring loaded latch 1-85 is biased against the side of each plunger 175, and when its plunger is depressed, the latch fits into a notch 186 in the plunger to retain the latter in its lower position. When one of the buttons 30 is depressed, (as at the right of FIG. 25), arm 170 is swung downwardly, thus swinging the adjacent arm 171 in the same direction to turn its shaft 62 out-of the locking position thereofinto the position shown in FIG. 7, at which time any of the selector knobs 18 of said shaft can be rotated into the selecting position of FIG. 8, but the knobs of the adjacent shaft 62 are still locked against rotation.

When a button 30 is being depressed, it engages the upper end of the adjacent plunger 175, and if the other plunger 175 has not been moved downwardly between balls 180, the engaged plunger moves downwardly sufficiently to enable latch 185 to fit into plunger notch 186. This keeps the plunger down even when depression button 30 is released.

As arm 171 swings downwardly, it brushes past a latch 190 pivotally mounted at 191 on the adjacent partition 52, this latch being biased into the path of arm 171 by a spring 192. When arm l7-1 moves downwardly past latch 190, it is prevented from swinging back again by the latch. During thedownward movement of arm 171, its shaft 62 is rotated into the release position against the tension of spring 107 of said shaft.

Bar 96 has been replaced in FIG. 26 by a bar 205 which has a longitudinal slot 206 therein into which pins 207 and 208 project from the adjacent partition 52.Bar 205 has a notch 212 in its upper edge adjacent and for each arm 95, and it also has a notch 213 in said upper edge for receiving latch 1 10. In addition, bar 205 has a pin 214 projecting laterally into slot 104 of bell crank 100.

During the depression of plunger 175, pin 97 of arm is swung downwardly into the adjacent notch 212 of bar 205, and as stated above, shaft 62 has now freed all of the selector knobs associated with it. After the desired selections have been made, registration button 34 is depressed to shift bar 205 so as to swing arm 95 to rotate its shaft 62 into the vote registered position of FIG. 9, at which time latch fits into notch 213 to retain the bar in this position. When solenoid 112 is en- .ergized, latch 110 releases the bar so that spring 107 of the rotated shaft 62 returns said bar and arm 95 to their normal positions.

A cable 218 connected to each of the latches extends and is secured to a crossbar 219 which extends from solenoid core 113 through a slot 221 in the adjacent partition 52. Another cable' 225 is connected to the latches 190, extends to crossbar 219 and is connected to said bar. When solenoid l 10 is energized, bar 219 moves with core 113 to draw latch 185 out of notch 186 of the depressed plunger, and latch 190 clears the depressed arm 171. This action permits spring 177 to move the plunger upwardly, and spring 107 to rotate shaft 62 back to the lock position and at the same time swinging arm 171 upwardly to return the depressed button 30 to its normal position.

We claim:

1. Voting apparatus comprising a selector knob movable from a normal position to a select position, operator means adjacent the knob and movable in one direction from a normal position to move said knob further I to a register position, said operator means retaining the knob in the register position, vote recording means operable by' the knob as the latter is moved to the register position, means for moving the operator means back to the normal position thereof, and means for moving the selector knob from the register position back to the normal position thereof.

2. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said operator means comprises rotatably mounted operator shaft, said shaft being rotatable in one direction to move the knob to the select position and in the opposite direction back to the shaft normal position.

3. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the selector knob is mounted for rotation.

4. Voting-apparatuscomprising two selector knobs mounted for rotation around parallel axes each being movable from a normal position to a select position, operator means adjacent each knob and movable in one direction from a normal position to move said each knob further to a register position, each operator means retaining the knob associated therewith in the register position, vote recording means for and operable by each knob as the latter is moved to the register position, means interconnecting said knobs to permit only one of said knobs to be moved to the select position, means for moving both of the operator .means back to the normal position thereof, and means for moving each selector knob from the register position back to the normal position thereof.

5. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which each operator means is a rotatably mounted operator shaft.

6. Voting apparatus including an operational set comprising a selector knob, an operator shaft, a return shaft, said knob, operator shaft and return shaft being rotatable around parallel axes, said knob being rotatable from a normal position to a select position, means for rotating the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, means on the operator shaft for rotating the knob further from the select position to a register position on rotation of the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, said means on the operator shaft retaining the knob in the register position, vote recording means operable by the knob when the latter is rotated to the register position, means for rotating the operator shaft back to the normal position thereof, and means on the return shaft for moving the knob back to the normal position thereof on rotation of said return shaft. I

7. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including spaced first and second lugs projecting from the selector knob, said operator shaft being located adjacent the knob between said lugs, and said means on the operator shaft for rotating the knob further comprising spaced first and second abutments on the operator shaft extending towards the knob, said second abutment engaging and stopping the first lug when the knob is rotated to the select position, and said first abutment when the operator shaft is rotated engaging said first lug to rotate the knob further to the register position.

8. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said vote recording means includes operating means positioned to be operated by said second lug as the knob is rotated to the register position. i

9. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said means for rotating the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof comprises a depressible button, and linkage between said button and the operator shaft for rotating said shaft out of its normal position when the button is depressed.

l0. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said means for rotating the operator shaft back to the normal position thereof comprising operating means connected to said linkage and operable after the knob has been rotated to the register position to rotate the operator shaft to its normal position.

11. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including latching means for said linkage releasably to lock the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof.

12. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which said means for rotating the operator shaft back to the normal position thereof comprises operating means connected to said latching means and operable after the knob has been rotated to cause said latching means to release the shaft, and power means connected to the operator shaft to return the latter to the normal position thereof.

13. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including a depression in the selector knob between the lugs thereof, said operator shaft being positioned so that a portion thereof moves into said depression when the shaft is rotated before the knob is rotated to the select position to lock said knob against rotation.

14. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said means for moving the knob back to the normal position thereof comprises a first segment gear fixed to move with the selector knob, and a second segment gear fixed on the return shaft normally clear of the first gear and positioned to mesh with the latter gear when the knob is in the register position and when the return shaft is rotated.

15. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including a relatively long tooth in said second gear which on rotation of the return shaft and after some rotation of the knob towards the normal position thereof by said first and second gears, engages the first gear to rotate the knob to said normal position and to clear the first gear from the second gear to permit said second gear to be rotated by the return shaft back to the original position thereof.

16. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including co-operating means between the selector knob and the return shaft to rotate said knob to the select position by rotation of return shaft.

17. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said co-operating means comprises a segment gear fixed to move withthe selector knob, and a segment gear fixed on the return shaft clear of said knob gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said shaft gear meshing withthe knob gear when the return shaft is rotated.

18. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including co-operating means between the selector knob and the return shaft to rotate said knob to the select position by rotation of the return shaft in the opposite direction.

l9. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which said co-operating means comprises a third segment gear fixed to move with the selector knob, and a fourth segment gear fixed on the return shaft clear of said third gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said third gear meshing with the fourth gear when the return shaft is rotated in said opposite direction. 1 I

20. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including means for rotating the return shaft to move the knob back to the normal position thereof, comprising an arm mounted on the return shaft, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, and means operable to swing said arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof.

21. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including means for rotating the return shaft to move the knob back to the normal position thereof, comprising an arm mounted on the return shaft, and means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, and means operable to swing said arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof.

22. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 16 including means for rotating the return shaft to move the knob to the select position, comprising an arm mounted on the return shaft, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, and means operable to swing said arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob to the select position.

23. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which the means operable to swing said arm comprises a button positioned so that when said button is depressed, the arm is swung to rotate the return shaft.

24. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including means for rotating the return shaft in opposite directions, comprising an inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and a button positioned so that when said button is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.

25. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 19 including means for rotating the return shaft in opposite directions, comprisingan inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and a button positioned so thatwhen said button is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.

26. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including a second operational set similar 'to and adjacent the first-mentioned operational set, means interconnecting the knobs of the two sets topermit only either'one of said knobs to be moved to the select position.

27. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 26 in which said interconnecting means comprises an idler gear on the return shaft of each set and'adjacent the knob of said each set, a common rack meshing with said idler gears, means on each knob for rotating the adjacent idler gear when said each knob is moved to the register position, rotation of either of said idler gears moving the rack, and stop meanspositioned to limit the move ment of the rack by rotation of the knobs.

28. Voting apparatus including two operational sets locatedside by side; each operational set comprising a selector knob, an operator shaft, a return shaft, said knob, operator shaft and return shaft being rotatable around parallel axes, said knob being rotatable from a normal position to a select position, said operator shaft normally permitting rotation of the knob and being rotatable into a position to lock said knob against rotation out of the normal position of the knob, means for rotating the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, means on the operator shaft for rotating the knob further from the select position to a register position on rotation of the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, said means on the operator shaft retaining the knob in'the register position, vote recording means operable by the knob when the latter is rotated to the register position, means for rotating the operator from being moved out of its knob locking position, comprising a depressible button for each of the operating shafts, means between each of said buttons and its operator shaft for rotating said operator shaft out of the knob locking position thereof upon depression of said each button, and means operable on depression of said each button preventing the depression of the other of said buttons until said each button is released from the depressed position thereof.

30. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 29 in which said means operable on depression of each button comprises a plunger for and movable by each button when the latter is depressed, a row of balls confined in a container near and aligned with said plungers, there being just sufficient space between the balls in the container to permit only one plunger to be moved therebetween, whereby movement of one of said plungers between the balls upon depression of its button, prevents movement of the other of said plungers.

31. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6'including a plurality of said operational'sets arranged side by side in each of a plurality of rows, the operator shaft and the return shaft of the operational sets in each row being cotnmonto all of the sets in said each row '32. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim'31 including means interconnecting one or more of the selector knobs of one row to one or more of theselector knobs of another row to permit only a predetermined number of said interconnected knobs to be moved to the select position. p

33. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 31 including co-operating means between each return shaft and the selector knobs associated therewith to rotate said knobs to the select position by rotation of the return shaft, and means for rotating each return shaft simultaneously to rotate the selector knobs of said shaft to the select position.

34. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 31 in which the operator shafts are rotatable to a position locking the selector knobs of said 'rows against rotation, and the operator shafts of at least two of said rows are rotated to the knob locking position, and including means for rotating each of said two shafts out of the knob locking position, and means, when one of said two shafts is rotated out of the locking position, for preventing the other of said two operator shafts from being rotated out of the knob locking position.

35. Voting apparatus comprising a plurality of movably-mounted selector knobs arranged in each of a plurality of parallel rows, each selector knob being movable from a normal position to a select position, operator means adjacent the knobs of each row and movable in one direction from a normal position to move each knob of said each row that is in the select position further to a register position, said operator means retaining said knobs in the register position, vote recording means for and operable by. each knob as the latter is moved to the register position, means for moving each operator means back to the normal position thereof,

and means for moving the selector knobs in each row from the register position back to the normal position thereof.

36. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 in which each operator. means comprises a rotatably mounted operator shaft, said operator shaft being rotatable in one direction to move the knobs of the row ofsaid shaft from the select position to the register position and in the opposite direction back to the shaft normal position.

37. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 36 including means for simultaneously rotating the operator shafts to move selector knobs in the select position to the register position.

38. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 37 including means co-operating between the operator shafts and their respective selector knobs for locking any knobs not in the select position against movement when said operator shafts are rotated to move knobs to the register position.

39. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 in which each selector knob is mounted for rotation.

40. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 including means interconnecting one or more knobs of one of said rows with one or more knobs of another of said rows to permit only a predetermined number of the interconnected knobs to be moved to the select position.

41. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 36 in which the operator shafts are rotatable to a position locking the selector knobs of said rows against rotation, and the operator shafts of at least two of said rows are rotated to the knob lockingposition, and including means for rotating each of said two shafts out of the knob locking position, and means, when one of said two shafts is rotated out of the locking position, for preventing the other of said two operator shafts from being rotated out of the knob locking position.

42. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 37 in which said means for moving each operator means back to the normal position thereof comprises means for simultaneously rotating the operator shafts back to the normal positions thereof.

43. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 42 in which said means for simultaneously rotating the operator shafts comprises linkage interconnecting the shafts, and means connected to the linkage and operable to rotate the shafts through said linkage.

44. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 in which said means for moving the selector knobs back to the normal position thereof comprises a return shaft for each of said rows, a first segment gear fixed to move with each knob, and a second segment gear fixed on the return shaft for and normally clear of each first gear and positioned to mesh with the latter gear when the knob of said latter gear is in register position and the return shaft is rotated.

45. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 44 including a relatively long tooth in each second gear which on rotation of the return shaft and after some rotation of the knob towards the normal position thereof by said first and second gears, engages the first gear to rotate the knob to said normal position and to clear the first gear from the second gear to permit said second gear to be rotated by the return shaft back to the original position thereof.

46. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 including co-operating means between the selector knobs of each row and the return shaft of said second row to rotate said knobs to the select position by rotation of said return shaft.

47. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 46 in which said co-operating means for each knob comprises a segment gear fixed to move with said each knob, and a segment gear fixed on the return shaft clear of said knob gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said shaft gear meshing with the knob gear when the return shaft is rotated.

48. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 in which said means for moving the selector knobs back to the normal position thereof comprises a return shaft for each of said rows, a first segment gear fixed to move with each knob, and a second segment gear fixed on the return shaft for and normally clear of each first gear and positioned to mesh with the latter gear when the knob of said latter gear is in register position and the return shaft is rotated in the opposite direction.

49. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 48 in which said co-operating means for each knob comprises a third segment gear fixed to move with the selector knob, and a fourth segment gear fixed on .the return shaft clear of 'said third gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said third gear meshing with the fourth gear when the return shaft is rotated in said opposite direction. I

50. Voting apparatus as'claimedin claim 35 including means for rotating each return shaft to move the knobs associated therewith back to the normal position.

51. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 including means for rotatingeach return shaft in opposite directions, comprising an inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and a button positioned so that when said button is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.

52. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 49 including means for rotating each return shaft in opposite directions, comprising an inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and j button positioned so that when said but ton is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.

Claims

1. Voting apparatus comprising a selector knob movable from a normal position to a select position, operator means adjacent the knob and movable in one direction from a normal position to move said knob further to a register position, said operator means retaining the knob in the register position, vote recording means operable by the knob as the latter is moved to the register position, means for moving the operator means back to the normal position thereof, and means for moving the selector knob from the register position back to the normal position thereof.

4. Voting apparatus comprising two selector knobs mounted for rotation around parallel axes each being movable from a normal position to a select position, operator means adjacent each knob and movable in one direction from a normal position to move said each knob further to a register position, each operator means retaining the knob associated therewith in the register position, vote recording means for and operable by each knob as the latter is moved to the register position, means interconnecting said knobs to permit only one of said knobs to be moved to the select position, means for moving both of the operator means back to the normal position thereof, and means for moving each selector knob from the register position back to the normal position thereof.

6. Voting apparatus including an operational set comprising a selector kNob, an operator shaft, a return shaft, said knob, operator shaft and return shaft being rotatable around parallel axes, said knob being rotatable from a normal position to a select position, means for rotating the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, means on the operator shaft for rotating the knob further from the select position to a register position on rotation of the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, said means on the operator shaft retaining the knob in the register position, vote recording means operable by the knob when the latter is rotated to the register position, means for rotating the operator shaft back to the normal position thereof, and means on the return shaft for moving the knob back to the normal position thereof on rotation of said return shaft.

8. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said vote recording means includes operating means positioned to be operated by said second lug as the knob is rotated to the register position.

10. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said means for rotating the operator shaft back to the normal position thereof comprising operating means connected to said linkage and operable after the knob has been rotated to the register position to rotate the operator shaft to its normal position.

17. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said co-operating means comprises a segment gear fixed to move with the selector knob, and a segment gear fixed on the return shaft clear of said knob gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said shaft gear meshing with the knob gear when the return shaft is rotated.

19. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which said co-operating means comprises a third segment gear fixed to move with the selector knob, and a fourth segment gear fixed on the return shaft clear of said third gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said third gear meshing with the fourth gear when the return shaft is rotated in said opposite direction.

25. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 19 including means for rotating the return shaft in opposite directions, comprising an inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and a button positioned so that when said button is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.

26. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including a second operational set similar to and adjacent the first-mentioned operational set, means interconnecting the knobs of the two sets to permit only either one of said knobs to be moved to the select position.

27. Voting apparatus as claImed in claim 26 in which said interconnecting means comprises an idler gear on the return shaft of each set and adjacent the knob of said each set, a common rack meshing with said idler gears, means on each knob for rotating the adjacent idler gear when said each knob is moved to the register position, rotation of either of said idler gears moving the rack, and stop means positioned to limit the movement of the rack by rotation of the knobs.

28. Voting apparatus including two operational sets located side by side; each operational set comprising a selector knob, an operator shaft, a return shaft, said knob, operator shaft and return shaft being rotatable around parallel axes, said knob being rotatable from a normal position to a select position, said operator shaft normally permitting rotation of the knob and being rotatable into a position to lock said knob against rotation out of the normal position of the knob, means for rotating the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, means on the operator shaft for rotating the knob further from the select position to a register position on rotation of the operator shaft out of the normal position thereof, said means on the operator shaft retaining the knob in the register position, vote recording means operable by the knob when the latter is rotated to the register position, means for rotating the operator shaft back to the normal position thereof, and means on the return shaft for moving the knob back to the normal position thereof on rotation of said return shaft.

29. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 28 including means for each of said operator shafts for selectively moving said each shaft out of the position locking the selector knob associated therewith and simultaneously preventing the other of said operating shafts from being moved out of its knob locking position, comprising a depressible button for each of the operating shafts, means between each of said buttons and its operator shaft for rotating said operator shaft out of the knob locking position thereof upon depression of said each button, and means operable on depression of said each button preventing the depression of the other of said buttons until said each button is released from the depressed position thereof.

31. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including a plurality of said operational sets arranged side by side in each of a plurality of rows, the operator shaft and the return shaft of the operational sets in each row being common to all of the sets in said each row.

32. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 31 including means interconnecting one or more of the selector knobs of one row to one or more of the selector knobs of another row to permit only a predetermined number of said interconnected knobs to be moved to the select position.

34. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 31 in which the operator shafts are rotatable to a position locking the selector knobs of said rows against rotation, and the operator shafts of at least two of said rows are rotated to the knob locking position, and including means for rotating each of said two shafts out of the knob locking position, and Means, when one of said two shafts is rotated out of the locking position, for preventing the other of said two operator shafts from being rotated out of the knob locking position.

35. Voting apparatus comprising a plurality of movably-mounted selector knobs arranged in each of a plurality of parallel rows, each selector knob being movable from a normal position to a select position, operator means adjacent the knobs of each row and movable in one direction from a normal position to move each knob of said each row that is in the select position further to a register position, said operator means retaining said knobs in the register position, vote recording means for and operable by each knob as the latter is moved to the register position, means for moving each operator means back to the normal position thereof, and means for moving the selector knobs in each row from the register position back to the normal position thereof.

36. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 in which each operator means comprises a rotatably mounted operator shaft, said operator shaft being rotatable in one direction to move the knobs of the row of said shaft from the select position to the register position and in the opposite direction back to the shaft normal position.

41. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 36 in which the operator shafts are rotatable to a position locking the selector knobs of said rows against rotation, and the operator shafts of at least two of said rows are rotated to the knob locking position, and including means for rotating each of said two shafts out of the knob locking position, and means, when one of said two shafts is rotated out of the locking position, for preventing the other of said two operator shafts from being rotated out of the knob locking position.

49. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 48 in which said co-operating means for each knob comprises a third segment gear fixed to move with the selector knob, and a fourth segment gear fixed on the return shaft clear of said third gear when the knob and the return shaft are in their normal positions, said third gear meshing with the fourth gear when the return shaft is rotated in said opposite direction.

50. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 including means for rotating each return shaft to move the knobs associated therewith back to the normal position.

51. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 35 including means for rotating each return shaft in opposite directions, comprising an inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and a button positioned so that when said button is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.

52. Voting apparatus as claimed in claim 49 including means for rotating each return shaft in opposite directions, comprising an inclined arm mounted on the return shaft and having a lower end and an upper end, means retaining said arm in a position with the return shaft in its normal position, means operable to engage said lower end to swing the arm to rotate the return shaft and move the knob back to the normal position thereof, and j button positioned so that when said button is depressed, said upper end is moved to swing the arm in the opposite direction to rotate the return shaft in said opposite direction to move the knob to the select position.