US1685996A

US1685996A - Eugene gregory

Info

Publication number: US1685996A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1928-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1945-10-02

Description

Oct. 2,A 1928. A l 685 996 E. GREGORY BALLOT MARKER AND SBTTER Oct. 2, 1928.

GREGORY BALLOT MARKER AND SETTER Filed lll lll l l y lll ll ll l 6 y ll ll lll ll lllw Y :I wml I |{lllll l l llllllllllll l llll''l "u 'I v i; lll ll lll;` llllllllllllllglll!llllll Illllf mllllllllllllll llll l. lil Illu lll lll

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l lll lll lll ll l il lll

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l'llllllllllil i |lll!Ellilulinglilll!Ellllll.

ll Il l ll lllllllllllllllllll 5 sheets-sheet 2 lll ll l

lll l llllllll lllll llllllllll lll Ill lll l l lllllllllllll lllllllll!!! ocr, 2, 1928"." 1,685,996

E. GREGORY BALLOT MARKER AND SETTER Filed Jan. 25, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 2, 1928.

Filed Jan. 25, 1925 5 Sheets-She luvawon E. GREGORY BALLOT MARKER AND SETTER Filed Jan 25, 1923 5 shauts-sheet- `5 Z8 I Z7 fet,

Patented Oct. 2, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE GREGORY, ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR F ONE-TENTH `TO EDWARD H..SAIER, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

BALLOTMARKER AND SETTER.

Application ledlanuary 25, 1,923. Serial No. 614,787.

This invention relates to balloting v1nechanism and its object is .to provide means Where-v by votersmay readily designate uponballots i `of any size the candidates for Whom they lll) Wish to vote and have the same registered and counted in absolute secrecy and certainty. In its entirety the invention will include three interdependent mechanisms. The iirst is l what I designate a. ballot or ticket-marker whereby agvoter indicates or designates just the candidate for which he wishes tovote by means ofa movable object preferably a ball, mechanism being provided for controlling in motion, and preciselylocating, small colored balls. and permitting them to be seen at proper intervals and places by the electoigwhile he is voting, and covering them from any .possible observation after they have been rolled to l uxt'aposition with the selected nameson the tickets. Each ball ticket handler or setter carries a printed ballot, preferably arranged in sections so that each candidates name appears on this ballot and enough movable balls are provided to enable the voter t0 vote for the legal number of candidates and ,he canreadily place a ball opposite kthe name of any candiline 5 5 ot Fig. 4.

date on 'the entire ballot ,for which he Wishes to vote up to the legal number of votes permitted.

In connection Withthe ball ticket-marker I employ what I designate a ticket-handler or setter Whose use is essential in order to enable the ballot on the ball ticket-marker to be properly marked the voter. The ball ticket marker is automatically locked when it is separated from the ticket handleror setter so that it can not be manipulated but When it is properly placed in the ticket-handler or set-ter the lattercausesy automatici release of the operative parts of the ball ticket marker and the voter can then adjust the objects or balls to designate all the candidates for whom lie wishes to rvote .and then when he opens the ticket handler to remove the ticketmarker therefrom the parts of the latter are and afterit has been registered the ballot is restored to normal blanky condition and the. parts thereof become locked in such position until the ballot has been again placed in the ballot-handler. y

To enable others skilled in the art to adapt and use the invention I will eXplainone practical embodiment ofV the ballot-marker and the ballot-handler vas illustrated in the accompanying drawings and summarize in the claims the essentials of the invention and the n ovel features ot' construction and novel combinations ot parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fg. l is a` top plan view partly broken away of a ballot in position in the ballot setter.. f

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the ballot detached partly broken vand part of the ballot casing being removed. v

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of part of the ball locking mechanism.

Fig. -is a detail transverse section on the Fig. r6 is a section on the line 6 6 Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on the line 7--7 Fig. 2. f

Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 8-8 Fig. 2.

' Fig. 9 is a detail bottom plan view of part of the ballot the bottom plate removed.

Fig. 10 is a detail partly'sectional view of apart of the ball locking device.

Fig. 11 is ay detail view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the balllocking bars in retracted position.

Fig. 12 is a detail View of part of the ball spacing plates of thelballot.

Fig. 13 is yan end elevation of the ballot setter With the ballot being indicated in dotted lines. I

Fig. 14 is a detail section on the line 1lb-14 Fie'. l.

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the mechanism in the ballot-setter for actuating the ballot cover plate 5.

Fig. I6 is an enlarged partial end elevation of the ballot setter.

A Fig. lf( is a section on the line 17-17 Fig. 1.

Fig. 1S is a detail vien1 showing mechanism for locking the bar 6t in position.

rFhe ballot-marker comprises a preferably rectangular shell box-like structure having a side traine l and a bottom la. This -frame ma;v be made of any suitable material but is preferably made ot sheet aluminum for purposes ot' lightness and strength so the parts can be readily pressed out ol sheet metal. Secured on the bottom lL within the frame is a pla le 2 (Fig. 3) which may be provided with parallel ribs 2a (Fig. 7) which are spaced apart and guide longitudinally movable channel bars (i (Figs. 3 and 7) hereinafter rcterred to. Supported upon the plate 2 is a plate 3 (Figs. .7 and S) which is provided with a series of transverse corrugations forming the lower side of ball guiding grooves G tor guiding movable objects hereinafter referred to. Above the plate 3 is a similar corrugated plate l so disposed that the corrugations in the plate 4 are opposite the corrugations in the plate 3 and thus the corresponding corrugations torni channels or guideivays C for the balls hereinafter referred to. These plates may be supported in the box in any suitable manner.

Extending transverselyT of the guiden'ays G, are corrugations in the

plates

3 and 4, and

beneath the plate 3 are plates 6, (Figs. 3, 7 and 11) U-shaped in cross section but having their side flanges serrated as at 6:L these serrations approximately corresponding in size and distance. apart with the grooves in the plate 3. The U-shaped plates are guided by and betu'een the ribs 2 on the plate 2; and to permit longitudinal movement of the plates 6 the plate 3 has transverse slits indiated at 3@ 7) so that in one position of the channel bars 6 the serrations 6a project into the grooves G as shown in Fig. 3 and in the other position ot the bar G these serrations will lie between the grooves and out ot the Way of the balls as shown in Fig. 1l. These plates G, I term ball-locking members and stops hereinafter explained.

The loclr bars 6 may be made to rise simultaneously with their reciprocations so as to cause the serrations 6a to project more fully into the groove G (see Fig. 8) by any suitable means. As shown, the plate 2 may be provided with upwardly inclined lugs 2 struck up therefrom (see Fig. 3) Which are adapted to engage correspondingly inclined lugs 69 struck up from the bottom of the bars G so that when the bars are moved in one direction to project the serrations 6 into grooves G the bars G ride up on the lugs 2e (see Fig. 3 and when moved in an opposite direction to Withdraw the serra-tions 5 vfrom the grooves G, as in Fig. l1, the bars 6 descend. These bars 6 are moved longitudinally at the proper times by the means hereinafter described.

ln the apexes of the corrugations of the plate l are formed series of slots 4b (Figs. 2 and 1l) which are spaced equidistantly lengthwise ot the grooves G. At what. I call the rear side of the ballotanarlrer there is a permanent stop 3c (Fig. 7) located in the grooves G adjacent the rearmost rowv of slots Il in the plate 4. This stop 3C prevents the rolling ot any ball farther down the groove G than the rearmost roiv of slots el".

The number of the corrugations or grooves G and the length of these grooves and numbers of the openings et therein will vary accoi-ding to the size of the ballot and number ot candidates it is intended to be voted tor on the ballot and obviously almost any desired number can be provided by sullicient number ot ball grooves and number of openings therein.

Slidably mounted upon the plate 4 is a corrugated plate 5 which corresponds in size and contour with the plate 4 and this plate is provided With slots 5" (Fig. 3) in its ridges which are adapted to register with the slots 4f (Fig. ll). The plate 5 may be held in slidable engagement with the plate le in any suitable llllnllel.

As shown, the plate 5 is slidably supported by and upon the plate 4. The

plates

3 and 4 are connected together at their ends and ixedly attached to the trame at their rear side Fig. 7) or otherwise supported in the frame to be fixedly mounted therein. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the plate 5 is connected to strips 5e which depend through slots in the plate 2 and are pivotally engaged with the adjacent ends of levers 7 which are pivoted at 7 on the bottom plate 2 and the inner ends of the levers 7 overlap. To one ot these levers is attached a pin 7" which is engaged with a slot 7 in the other lever and the other end of this pin engages a cam slot in a cam disk 7e, which is pivoted on the plate 2 at 7l and has a pin Tg which engages a. slot 8a in a slide bar 8 which is suitably guided in the side oit the trame and extends near one end thereof (see Fig. 9) and this slide bar has a flange 8 provided With a perforation 8 which is adapted to be engaged by a pin 27a (Fig. 16) on a ballot-handling machine when the ballot-marker is placed in said machine as hereinafter described. The sides of the plate may be stitiiened by beading them as indicated at 5" in Fig. 7so that the plate will not buckle.

rlhe locking bars may be moved at the proper time by suitable mechanism. In the form shown in the ballot each bar G is connected with actuating light spring members Gf (Figs. 8 and 1l) which project beyond one end ot the bar and each has a head Gg on its outer end which has a perforation for the reception of a pin 6h (Fig. et) attached to the upper side of a ring 6l. Each ring (Sl e has a pin 6l on its lower side almost diametrically opposite pin l which pins v6j .are adapted to engage lugs 6k ona sliding' plate `6" (see Figl 4) fora purpose hereinafter def an opening inA t'he plate 22nd 'has a perforation 6 (see Figs. 849i which is adapted to be engaged by an actuating member 16g (Fig. 14) in the ballot-handler hereinafter referred to. When theslide 6' is moved in one direction it will turn the rings 6* and `pins 6J' and 6h causing the bars 6 to lmove in one direction outward to the position indicated in Fig. 11, the rings 6* being confined algal-instl lateral movement. `Each head 6g is provided with a projecting member Gpwhich is adapted when the bar is in'position shown in Fig. 11 to project through an aperture 1f? in the adjacent end of the casing. yThisprojection may be of any `suitable construction being shown as a- U-shaped piece of metal' secured to the head 6g. j The jbars 6 maybe independently moved inward as hereinafter described by mechanism in the ballot-marker and to i-nsure'tliat they shall all be moved inward before the ballot is removedfrom the ballot-handler as herein after explained means may be provided for throwing in any bar v6v which may not Y 'have been moved in when lthe voter was makn ing up his ballot. For this purpose, in the 'construction shown, teach headk 6g carries a pin 6r which is adapted to engage vthe cam surface 6 of a slidable cam plate 6*, (see Figs. 10-11)` `1which flies parallel with and above the plate 6m.` This Yplate "has a series y of slots yin its inner side,r one side of the vslots being inclined vat 6B asshown in Fig. 10. In the normal position yof the .plate the slots will permit the free' movement of the'pins 6`r inward or outward; but when the bar 6 is moved outward by the action of the plate k6m the pins 6r will engage surfaces 6s and move` the bar 6t slightly upward and the yend of this bar `will project through an opening 1t in the side ofthe frame 1 (see Fig. 10,). Before the bailo't `canlbe removedv from the ballot setting machine this bar 6t `willbe pushed are preferably 'yieldin gly contained in such yguidcwly ibuft may be "forcibly :pushed therefrom into the adjacent ends of the grooves r'In the'construction shown,` (see Figs. "2 and 7") the guideway is formed between the upper edges ,of a longitudinally disposed Z-shaped plate 9 which may be supported upon the'plate 2 (see Fig. 7) and the upperY edge of a spring plate 9El which may be 'fastened t-o a rod 9" exten-ding parallel `with the plate 9.V The inner upper edge of the plate 9 is slitted 4so as to form a series of slight spring tongues 9 near opposite ends of each groove Gr and .th-ese springs tend to prevent the balls B yei-itering the grooves gravity, but will permit the ball to be pushed `laterally from the guideway into such groove.

Attached to the sha-ft 9" are arms or depending tingers 9s which extend through slots in the plate 'Q but terminate .above the f plate l", the free ends of the liingers 9s lying opposite slots 1s in the plate 1a. These lin gers are adapted to be engaged by .de-vices on the ballot-handler hereinafter described when the ballot is placed thereon. 'The iingers 9S :are normally pressed by springs 9' (see Fig. 7) insuch-direction that the tongues 9 on Vthe plate 9a will prevent the :entrance of the balls B into the grooves G; these tongues 9, however, permit the balls to be pushed thereover into the groove.

The balls lB are prevented from being moved out of the ballot-marker, being loosely confined therein the inner edge of the' plate 9 and the lower edgeof a ilange 4S on the front end of the plate 4 (see Fig. 7). When the ballot-marker i-s lremoved from the 'ballothandler the balls should be. covered byany suitable f means .soy the arrangement thereof cannot be vseen and they .can not be tampered with. The cover may be of anysuiita'ble kind. In the construction shownl in Fig. ".7 a ycover plate 12 is hingedly mounted to the "uppe-ruen-d of the lflange 4s and :this pla-te may be `pivota'lly connected by the odset .ends of the hinge-pin (Fig. 2) :to one endof flugs 12 conneoted at 12b to Ethe `end Aof the adj aoent bead 5 on the late 5. When Athis plate '5 ismoved rearward ythe cover 12 is :closed as shown in F 7, 'but `when the platef is moved outwardly the coverwill be raised. In the normal position of 'the Iparts-,the 'cover lated? is closed and the means for shift-ing it balls B on the ballot-marker is mounted upon-and wfillbe described in connection `with the ballot-handler "by which lthe voter is enabled to adjust the balltOvUte.

The balls may be spaced apart opposite each grooveby means ott smali spacing plates 9d l( Fig.2) which may be guided intransverse slots 'in 'the upper portion of thel Z bar 9 (-see Figs."`7-12). 'These plates may be flocked-:in position `lby any Lsuitable means. As shown they are lockedin position by means :of lugs '10e struck vup oujtlof a` :plate 10 which `isfsl-idably/connected to lthe yZ plate '9111s shown in Fig.'7.' 'The plate 10 can be slid up manually so as to bringthe. l-ugs 110=out`ffof register with the spacing plates 9d. The plates 9d may be provided with lugs @which canregister with lll) the lugs 10e, (see Fig. 12) so as to lock the spacing plates 9d in position, but the bar 10 can be moved manually so'as to bring the lugs 10e out of register with the lugs 9e and when thus positioned any of the spacing` plates 9d may be moved outward as indicated in Fig. 12 for the purpose of permitting group voting as hereinafter explained. After the spacing plates 9d are properly adjusted for group voting the bar 10 is returned to normal position thus locking out the spacing plates 9d moved outward for group voting and locking in the remaining spacing plates 91 for single voting'.

The ballot-marker is provided with means for voting on yes or no propositions such as constitutional amendments or other matters which require only an afirmative or negative vote.

As shown in Figs. 2, 7, and 13, Within the ballot frame at the rear side thereof and baclr of the plates 4 are tivo longitudinal supporting plates 11 and 11L which are suitably supported in the frame and extend longitudinally thereof: and upon these plates are supported balls B which are suitably spaced apart. Each of these balls B is confined in a U- shaped `.Q'roove G formed in the upper end of a plate 11b secured in the frame (see Figs. 'l' and Therupper part of this plate lies above the upper sides of the

plates

11, 11, and each ball B may roll in its groove G from one end thereof to the other. The balls are movably confined in the grooves by means of atop plate 11c and in this top plate` above and at opposite ends of each groove G, are slots or openings 11d and 11e; and in said top plate is a slot 11i. at the center bend of each groove'G. Each ball B can move in its slot by gravit-y. but its normal position is at the center of the slot G; and it may be detained in this position by a hole 11g in the plate 11. Extending longitudinally of and between the

plates

11 and 11a is a slidebar 11hthe upper end of which is provided with serrations or teeth 11i which in the normal position of the plate (see Fig. 13) will not register with the slot G and will not interfere With the movement of the ball in said slot. In the other position of this plate these serrations will project into these slots and prevent movements of the balls in the slot. This bar 11h is provided with a head 113 at one end which head 11j is similar to' the heads 6g connected to bars 6. This head has a push piece 11D (corresponding to the push pieces 6p) and is provided with a pin 6h enlg'aging a. ring 61 Which ring is operated by the bar 6m in the same manner as the other rings 6i are operated. The head 11j also has a pin 6 adapted to be engaged by the cam on the plate. Gt so that the bar 11h can be operated as are the channel bars 6 as above described. The ball may be moved to either end of the slot G so as to appear beneath either of the openings 11d, 11e. The balls may be moved movement in the grooves G ivhen the ballot is removed from the machine.

The rzZZo-lzandler or setter.

The ballot handler or setter comprises a base 14 (Figs. 17 14 and 16) which may be of any suitable construction and is adapted to support the ballot in various positions and carry certain operative parts. It is preferably stamped out of sheet. metal, such as aluminum for the purpose of lightness, and it approximately corresponds in exterior dimensions to t ie exterior dimensions of the ballot-marker. This base 14 is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable longitudinally upon axially disposed pivots. As shown7 it is pivoted at 14a on any suitable support as 15 which may be placed upon a table 15 or other convenient support Where it may be attached for t-hc voter. EX- tending longitudinally of the support 14 is a rod 16 which is rotatably mounted in the end members of the frame or bearings att-ached to the plate 14 and has a crank or handle 16n on one end by which it can be easily rocked. To this shaft 16 are fixedly attached arms 16b the free ends of Which are pivoted to links 16C7 the other end of which links are pivoted to brackets or ears 15b. The lin rs 16b and 16C form toggles which may be `broken or extended by locking shaft 16 and when extended these toggles Will hold the plate 14 in the posit-ion shown in full lines in Fig. 14 and When broken the support will be moved to the position indicated in dotted lines in said Fig. 14. On this shaft 16 near each end thereof are fastened short fingers 16d which are adapted to project through slots 14d in the supporting plate 14. When a. ballot-marker is in position on the plate 14 the slots 1S (Fig. 7 in the plate 1n will register With the slots 14d in the plate 14 and when the shaft 16 is rocked, the fingers 16d engaging the fingers 9S on the shaft 9b will rock said shaft so as to lower the plate 9@L and permit all the balls to roll back out of the grooves G into position in the guideivay above the plate 9 shown in Fig. 7 but as soon as the shaft 16 is rocked so as to disengage fingers 9s springs Qt dll rock shaft 9b and cause plate 9 to engage and retain the halls yieldingly in position indicated in Fig. 7 ready for manipulation by the voter.

On shaft 16 is another arm 16e which is connected by link 16t to one end of a lever 16g which is pivoted at 16h on a lug or member attached to the supporting plate 14 and the free end of this lever 16g is adapted to project through a slot 14e and Will also project through a slot in the bottom plate 1a and enllO gage the opening 6 in the member 6n and move the slide 6l in a direction so .as to cause all the ball locking bars 6 to be retracted into positionshownin Fig. 11 andfree the grooves G so that the balls may return to voting position. The supporting plate 14 is provided at the rear with yCorner pieces 14g which serve to pOsition the rear sideof the ballot-marker correctly upon `the support-14 when it isplaced thereon and support 14 is provided with front ears or plates 14h which serve to position the front edge of the ballot-marker on the support when it is placed thereon. y

Hingedly connected with the support 14 in anyy suitable manner is a ticket carrying frame which approximately corresponds in its -intcriorcontour with the exterior contour of the ballot-marker. Asshowm this frame comprises ,a front member 17 (on which are mountedthe devices for projecting theballs B into vthe groovesl G) ya. rear bar 18b (on which may bemounted ,thev devices for operating the ballot-marker; thefdevices for shifting the balls B in the grooves G) and the device for positively locking all `bars 6 before thc ballot-marker can be removed from the ballot-handler a member 19 (Figs. 1 and 16) on which are mounted the devices hereinafter referred to, and an endmember 20 on which are mounted the adjust-ing levers also hereinafter referred to. In the construction shown, the frame is hinged to the supporting plate 14 by means of hinged members 18a 4connectedto lugs or plates 14* attached to the support 14 and -projectingat gthe rear side thereof. c

Extending longitudinally Tof the ticket `carrying frame andpivotally mounted in the end bars'19and20 are a series of parallel ticket carryin stripsor barsv21. Each of these bars is a apted to` carry in column-form a ticket which substantially corresponds toa section .of the common or Australian ballot;

there being as many'of these .strips used as there may be columns inthe ballot-marker or number of party tickets in a` given election andin the example shown I have merely illustrated two such'ballots in positionin Fig. 1 but obviously any number .of `these ballot strips'may be used andjtheir length may be varied to suit the size of the ballot-marker. The v'ballot-marker and the ballot-handlingor setting devices :Wouldhe made to suitvthe proposed requirements of the city orflnunicipality vusing such machine. It can be seen that ythe number of lthese ,ticketnstrips and 'the length of 'such strips dependentirely upon the maximum number of individual candidates and thenumber of tickets'rto be printed for any given rmunicipality or city. Theftickets may be applied to the strips 21 in any desired Way asby being pasted Ithereon or otherwise attached to the strips; this forming no 4part of the present invention. In 'thev example shown, the strips are'detachable. Each is provided at .one end with `alug 2.1a (Fig. 1)

which is adapted-to engage a yperforation 19 in the bar 19 and its otherend is adapted to be engaged in a slot -22-on the head of the ticket turning lever 22 pivoted to the bar 20 there being one such lever for each ticket carrying strip employed inthe ballot-marker, so that When the strips are in place theyare arranged parallel land side by side as indicated in Fig. 1. Each ticket turning lever has a head 22b Which is pivoted to the member 20 by a pin22C and each'lever has a finger piece 22d on its outer end and is provided with a rounded cam like projection r22e :below saidfinger piece on its upper end. The first or rearmost of the levers 22 is pivotally connected by a link 22t (Fig. 14) to the upper end of a. lever 23 pivoted on the member 20-near the rear end thereof and hereinafter referred to. The Apin 23 connecting lever 23 to lilik 22t Ais slidably engaged with a slot 24 in a lever 24-Which lever is pivotally connected to onearm of a lever 24b mounted on the rod 18b and the other arm of this lever24" is pivotally connected to one end of a link `24 connected to the ear 15c on base 15.

This construction is such that if the ballothandler is turned to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 14 the-link 24 through the

levers

24b and 24 wwill engage the

23 and 1 through this pin the lever 23 and the rearmost lever 22 will be turned toward the bar 17 of the ballot-marker. At the same time each cam portion 22e on each lever-22 'Will engage Athe adjacent lever 22 and thus all these levers will besimultaneously moved in thesame direction.

The ticket carryingstrips are designed to carry on one side the names of the candidates and on the other side the names of the office so that when in voting` position the rear strip when turned toward the rear as shown 'in Fig. 1 would show the names of the candidates While the next adjacent strip which is turned to the front of the device would show thename ofthe office for which each candidate is running and when the voter has registered his vote for the candidates on the first `strip which vWe call strip C, Fig. 1, he will turn the second strip B, Fig. 1 to the right and then onthe reverse side of the strip B (not shown) Will vbe found the names of candidates for another party and on the reverse side of the next adjacent strip (not shown) would appear the same offices, the oiiices on the several-strips being theisame.

When the :ballot-marker is first Placed in the ballot-handler or setter the parts are in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 14.

Attached to thebar 18b of the ballot-handling frame is a plate 18k (Fig. 1) which carries a yes or no ballot support 18 which projects above and in rear-.cf the bar 18b and opposite the series of grooves G. This plate may be of yany desired length kto carry any desired number' of ballots for yes and no questions as the ballots are so printed that the yes on the ballot will be adjacent the slot l1d at the end ot one of the grooves G and the no on the ballot will be adjacent slot 11e of said groove.

The lever :23 when in the position shown in Fig. la should come opposite the projection lll on thelocking bar llj of the yes and no ballot. rlhis lever 23 has a cam 23k (Fig. l5) which would come opposite the projection 11p. The heads 22h o't the levers 22 lie opposite the projections GT on the locking bars 6. Each ot the heads Q2 has a cam 22 (Fig. l5) which is adapted to engage the adjacent projection 6p.

lWhen the bars are in the position shown in Fig. 1althe cams 22k and 23k 01"' the

respective levers

22 and 23 would not engage the projections 11p and Gf but if any of these levers are turned backward or to the left then the cams on such lever wouldl engage the related projection lli or Gf and push the locking bar inward to locking position thereby locking the balls used for voting on this particular strip as hereinafter explained.

lVhen the ballot-marker is placed in the ballot-handler in the position shown in Fig. let the voter will first. vote the yes or no proposition. For this purpose the balls B in the related grooves G opposite the ballot indicated in Fig. l must be voted. For this purpose l provide the ballot-frame with siniple devices whereby any ball B may be moved right or lett. As shown, a plate 25 (Fig. 17) is slidably engaged with the rear bar 18 oi the ballot-handling or setting irame and to this slide is attached a forwardly projecting plate 25 which is adapted to project above the slotted plate llc and this plate 25 is provided with two openings 25d and 25 (Fig. l) which are so spaced apart that it the slide be moved so that the slot 11d is visible through the related slot 25, the slot lle will not be visible through its related slot 25e, see Fig. l. Said plate 25 is also provided with two openings 25" and 25C through 'which the yes or no on the ballot can be discerned but when the plate 25 is adjusted so as to disclose the yes the no would be covered and if the no could be seen through opening 25C the yes would be covered. lllhen this plate is adjusted so that the yes7 or no is visible to the voter the plate is then properly positioned ready for the voter to shift the ball in the groove G and to shift the ball the plate is provided with a guide Qf through which passes a push finger 25g having a pointed lower end and having a linger piece on its upper end, its side being normally raised by a spring 25h. This finger is so located on the plate that when the slide is properly adjusted. to disclose either the yes or no on the ballot the finger would be directly above the related slot l1t and the point of grooves by any suitable means.

the linger slightly to the right or left ot the ball. It the voter depresses the linger, the all B will be forced to right or left into position beneath the exposed opening 1ld or 1le corresponding to the exposed yes or no on the ballot and will lie in this position by gravity and will be locked in this position by the shitting of the bar 11h through the action ot the cam 23k on the lever 23 against the projection 11p ot the locking bar 11g. i

After the voter has registered his yes or no questions as above stated he then turns the first or rearmost lever 22 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 14 backward to the position shown in full lines in Fig. l thereby disclosing the names `of the candidates to be voted `Afor on the first ticket carried on the back ot' the next ticket carrying strip 2l as shown in Fig. l. lVhen the voter moves this first lever he also nieves the lever Q3 and thereby causes the bar ll" to lock the balls B in the yes or no voting grooves.

`When adjusted for voting the first ticket, the voter must push a ball into the grooves G opposite the names or' each candidate for whom he wishes to register a vote on the first ticket. To do this the balls are pushed from the position shown in Fig. 7 into each related grooves by pushing them inward over the spring lingers 9 and the balls are then rolled by gravity down the groove and against the stop 3C. These balls are pushed into the In the construction shown, I have provided a bead 17" (Figs. l and 11i) attached to the upper edge of the liront bar 17 of the ballot-handler and a sleeve QG is slidably engaged with this bead. To the sleeve is attached a pointer plate 26 which has a. slot or notch 26 corresponding in width to one ot the grooves G and this plate can be adjusted longitudinally ot the trame opposite any one of the slots G and can be depressed so as to engage a ball in the position shown in Fig. 7 and when so engaged the ball can be pushed into the slot G by means of' pusher 26C normally held outward by a spring 26d. By this device, any ball or number ot balls can be quickly and readily projected into the slots G.

The grooves G are numbered in succession from the top to the bottom ot the balletmarker and the numbers of these grooves appear on the upper. outer edge ot the ballotmarker adjacent the strip 9 as indicated in Fig. l. These numbers may be applied in any suitable way. rllhe printed ballot and number of candidates on the strip correspond in number with the grooves G with which they register.

Ordinarily, each ball B would have to be separately manipulated by the device described to project it into the related groove G; but where a number of candidates are to be `voted lfor inso called group-voting, the'ball ,spacing members 9dcan be ad'usted as shown in Fig. 12 so as to zpermit t e balls in this group to be moved forward kto` the same groove so that the voter can successively push a number of balls into the same groove, the balls linthe group being successively projected intogthe groove as and after the successive ballot strips are turned by successivel moving the levers 22.

A ter the voter has registered his votes for the candidates on the first strip A21, he moves the second lever 22 backward so that the strip B would then overlie the strip C, the cam 22k on this second lever engages the :projection 6p on the first or `rearmost channel bar k6 and the latter is raised `to the position ,shown in Fig.` 3. .In this positon,the rear flange 6a onthe locking-bar 6 locks the :first ball B fortheffirst number ofcandidatesin position against thestop 3, while the forward fiange of said locking-bar comesinto position to act as a stop yto stopfthe ball beneaththe next related row of slots 4?. When `the ballot-marker is'out of theballot-handler,

the" plate 5 kis shifted so that the slots 5* are `out of register with the slots lPand therefore `nothing can be seen as to theposition of the balls in the ballot-marker. The ballotmarker is placed in the ballot-handler while the frame of the ballot-"handler is in raised position, indicated in dotted lines at the eX- treme left of Fig. 14. Then the rframe is lowered. When the ballot-marker is Placed jinfthe ballot-handler, the perforation 8c (Fig. .9) in the ,plate 8b fastened to the bar 8 is engaged by a hook or projection 27a (Fig. 16)

,on an arm 27b attached toa plate 27 slidably mounted under the-supporting plate ,14. This `supporting plate isconnected with a slide 28 which projects beyondthe yend of the said 'supporting' plate Hand, as shown, is provided with a' pin28, which is adapted to be engaged bya :cam 28b attached tothe rod 18b sothat when the frame .is raised the cam pushes the slide28 and finger 27 inwardly.

,A second opposed camj28c is also attached to the frame and is adapted toenfrage the roller 28 when the frame of the ballot-handler is lowered thereby `pushing the plate A28 and .finger 27a outward. /Vhen the ballot is placed .in the ballot-handler, theV finger 27 a engages the perforation 8? in the plate STattached to Athe rbar 8; and when the ballot-handling frame is lowered the finger 27aemoves the yplate8 ,to the right (Fig.'9) and'thereby tion by the turning of the ticket strip carrying levers y22L be locked before the ballot- 4marker may be removed from the ballothandler or ,sett-er. .For this-purpose, .(as Shown in Fig. 18) `the rod 18b is providedwith a cam'29 opposite vthe exposed endy of the locking plate (it. When the frame ofthe .ballothandler is raised to the position shown 'in dotted lines at the `extreme endof Fig. 14, the cai-n.29 is adapt-ed to. contact with the locking plate 6t movmg said plate to the .position shown in F ig. 10 and then, by the action of the cam surfaces 6 against the pins 6r, all of the locking-bars 6 not previously shifted inward will be moved inwardlyinto locked position.

What I claim is:

1. In voting means of the character described,.a ,ballot-marker provided with a yplurality of grooves, members adjustable in said grooves, and means whereby the members may be locked in adjusted positions in the locked in adjusted positions in the grooves, f

and means whereby the members will be lock- `ed out of the grooves in non-registering positions prior-.to their setting by the voter.

3. A ballot-marker as set forth rin claim 2 means whereby any member adjusted by the f' voter will be locked in position after he has set the same.

4. In a ballot-marker as seit forth irl-claim 2, means whereby the ballot-markervis normally locked before the voter 4has voted7 and whereby the. parts are'locked after the voter has voted so that the ballot .may not be tamperel with either before or after the voter has vote 5. In a ballot-marker as set forthin claim 2, Ameansfwhereby any member adjusted `by the voter will be locked in position after yhe has set thesame; and means whereby `the ballotmarker is normally locked before the :voter has voted, so that `the ballot may .not be tampered with eitherbefore or after the lvoter has voted. i

6. In balloting mechanism a ballot-handler and marker provided with adjustable devices whereby the voter may indicate leach candidate for whom he desires to vote; anda ballot handling mechanism adapted to receive the ballot-marker, and rneans whereby when the ballot is properly placed in the handler it is opened and the adjustable devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballot can be removed from the handler the said devices are locked and the ballot sealed.

-7. In yvoting means of the character described, a ballot-marker provided with a plu.-

rality of grooves, members adjustable in saidy grooves, means whereby the members may be locked in adjusted posit-ions in the grooves, with a Vbalhit-handler adaptedto receive 1.the ballot, landmeans whereby when theballot is properly placed in the handler; the liandling devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballot-marker can be removed from the handler the parts are locked and sealed.

8. In voting means of the character described, a ballot-marker pro 'ided with a plurality of grooves, members adjustable in said grooves, means whereby the members may be locked in adjusted positions in the grooves, and means whereby the members will be locked out of the grooves in non-registering positions prior to their setting by the voter; with a ballot-handler adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby when the ballot is properly placed in the handler; the setting devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballot-marker can be removed from the handler the parts are locked and sealed.

9. In voting means of the character described, a ballot-marker provided with a plurality of grooves, members adjustable in said grooves, means whereby the members may be locked in adjusted positions in the grooves, means whereby the members will be locked out of the grooves in non-registering positions prior to their setting by the voter; means whereby any member adjusted by the voter will be locked in position after he has set the same; means wherebythe ballot-handler is normally locked before the voter has voted, and whereby the parts are locked after the voter has voted so that the ballot may not be tampered with either before or after the voter has voted; with a ballot-handler adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby when the ballot-marker is properly placed in the handler; the handling devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballotmarker can be removed from the handler the parts are locked and sealed.

10. In voting means of the character described, a ballot-marker provided with a plurality of grooves, members adjustable in said grooves, means whereby the members may be locked inv adjusted positions in the grooves, means whereby the members will be locked out of the grooves in non-registering positions prior to their setting by the voter; means whereby any member adjusted by the voter will be locked in position after he has set the same; means whereby the ballot-marker is normally locked before the voter has voted, so that the ballot may not be tampered with either before or after the vot-er has voted; with a ballot-handler adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby whenth-e ballot is properly placed in the handler; the handling devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballot-marker can be removed from the handler the parts are locked and sealed.

1l. In voting means of the character described, a ballot marker provided with a plurality of grooves, balls adjustable in said grooves, and means whereby the balls may be locked in adjusted positions in the grooves, substantially as described.

l2.y In voting means of the character described, a ballot-marker provided with a plurality of grooves, members adjustable in said grooves, means whereby the members may be loci-:ed in adjusted positions in the grooves, means whereby the members will be locked out of the grooves in non-registering positions prior to their setting by the voter; and means whereby any member adjusted by the voter will be locked in position after he has set the same,

13. In combination with a ballot-marker as set forth in claim 6, a ballot setter adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby when the ballot is properly placed in the setter; the setting devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballot-marker can be removed from the setter the parts are locked and sealed.

14. In combination with a ballot-marker as set forth in claim ll, a ballot setter "adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby when the Vballot is properly placed in the setter; the setting devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballotmarlrer can be removed from the setter the parts are locked and sealed.

l5. In combination with a ballot-marker as set forth in claim lf2, a ballot setter adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby when the ballot is properly placed in the setter; the setting devices may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballotmarker can be removed from the setter the parts are locked and sealed.

16. In voting means of the character described, a ballot-maker provided with a plurality of grooves, balls adjustable in said grooves, means whereby the balls may be locked in adjusted positions in the grooves, means whereby the balls will be locked out of the grooves in non-registering positions prior to their setting by the voter; means whereby any ball adjusted by the voter will be locked in position after he has set the same; and means whereby the ballot setter is normally locked before the voter has voted, and whereby the parts are locked after the voter has voted so that the ballot may not be tampered with either before or after the voter has voted. 7

17. In balloting mechanism a ballot holder and marker provided with adjustable balls whereby the voter may indicate each candidate for whom he desires to vote; and a ballot setting mechanism adapted to receive the ballot, and means whereby when the ballotmarl-:er is properly placed in the setter it is opened and the balls may be adjusted by the voter and whereby before the ballot can be removed from the setter the said-balls are lll() transverse grooves, a'ball for each groove,

and adjustable 'means for arresting vthefball in any dcsiredjiosition in the groove.

19., In a ballot-marker*having a bottom plate provided wit-ha series-of grooves, balls in the grooves, a pair of gro'oved top platesr having openings adapted to register to show vthe position ot the balls, yand ymeans for relatively shifting the top plates to move the openings therein out of register.

20. In a ballot-marker having a series of transverse grooves, a ball foreach groove, members underlying the `grooves and having portions adapted to be projected thereinto when the members 'are in one position andmeans for moving the members so asto cause the said portions tofprojeet into the grooves.

2l. In a ballot-marker having a series of transverse grooves, and balls in the grooves,

bars nnderlyingthegrooves and having'por tions adapted to be projected tliereintowhen the bars are in one position and means for f moving the bars so as to cause the said por-r tions to project into Vthe grooves.

22. A ballot-marker having as'eries of grooves, balls ada ted to enter the grooves; and adjustable bal spacers whereby the balls may be kept separate opposite their respective grooves or whereby a number ot adjacent balls may be permitted to be moved to the same groove. y

23.- A ballot-,marker having a series of parallel grooves, means for projecting a ball into each groove, a series of transversely movable devices for arresting the balls at desired points in .the'grooves, and means for locking the balls when properly placed in theL grooves.

241i.y A ballot-marker having a base plate,

provided with transverse grooves and slots` intersecting the grooves, a series of channel bars arranged transversely ot and below the plate having portions adaptedl to project i through the slots into the grooves; a ball channel adjacent the grooves, a series of balls in said channel, one for Veach groove; and means for moving the channel bars into or out of ball arresting position. f

25. In a ballot-marker as set forth in claim 24, havingabase plate provided with a pair ot' grooved top plates yoverlying and registering with the grooves by the base plate to guide the balls, said'top plates being perforated so as to disclose the balls when the` peryfoiations register, and means for shifting ther top plates into or outof register.

26. In a ballot-marker having a plurality of U-shaped grooves at one side adjustable members in said grooves., meanswhereby anymembers may be moved to either endof its groove; and means whereby (when the members are so shifted theyjare locked in such positionuntil the ballot is registered.

27. In' combination with a ballot-marker having a series ofgrooves and movable devices adapted to be adjusted in said grooves; means for .locking such movable devices in the grooves; and longitudinally movable bars whereby the ball may be moved to either end of the groove, and means yfor locking the ball in adjusted position.

29. In a ballot-marker having a series of U-shaped grooves at one side, balls in said grooves, adjustable devices whereby any ball may be moved to either end of its groove, and means whereby when a. ball is so shifted itis locked in such position until the ballot is registered.

30.111 combination, a ballot-marker provided with a plurality of grooves, adjustable members in said grooves, and means whereby the members are locked in adjusted position in the grooves; with a ballot setter adapted to receive the ballot-marker, means on said setter whereby the ballotmarker is unlocked when it is placed in the setter; pivoted ballot displaying members on the ballot setter and means on the ballot setter whereby when the ballot4 displaying devices are turned the relatedV ballot setting devices will be locked.

31. A ballot setter having a tiltable base adapted to support a ballot-marker, a swingable hinged frame upon the base, ballot dis-y playing devices mounted on this hinged frame, and means on the ballot displaying device whereby the related marking devices of the ballot-marker will be locked when a tially as described.

32. In voting means of the character described the combination of a ballot marker;

with a ballot setter having a tiltable base tov support the ballot-marker, means for tilting this base to rock the ballot-marker thereon, j

and means on the setter whereby when it is tilted in Lone direction the ballot-marker is locked and means on the setter member when :the base is tilted in the vopposite direction. the

yballot displaying device is shifted, substanof tiltable swingable levers mounted thereon,

and cams carried by said levers adapted to operate related devices on the ballot-marker, when the latter is inserted in the ballot setter.

34. In combination with a ballot marker, a ballot setter having a hinged frame, a series of tiltable swingable levers mounted thereon; ballot strips removably attached to opposite levers so as'to be tilted thereby, and cams carried by said leversadapted to operate related devices on the ballot marker, When the latter is inserted in the ballotsetter.

In a` ballot setter, a. series of parallel stringa-ble ballot strips; adjacent ballot strips 5 respectively hearing on their opposed. faces the naines of the. ofices and of thel candidates for Such oi'ices, whereby when one strip is turned from one position to the other, another set of candidates Will be `displayed to the Voter.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature.

EUGENE GREGORY.