US1855427A - Voting machine - Google Patents

Description

April 26, 1932. H. B, SWARTZ 1,855,427

VOTING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1927 3 SheetS-Shet l g2g/W Salami@ April 26, 1932. H B, SWARTZ 1,855,427

VOTING MAGHNE Filed March 23, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1% v m Al L6 April 26, 1932. H SWAR-,rz

VOTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 23. 1927 Ihnen on mm2 .m

:uIcEnSz oz Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNis HIRAM B. SWARTZ, OF WOOSTER, OHIO VOTING MACHINE Application filed March 23, 1927. Serial No. 177,584.

My invention relates to improvements in voting machines and particularly, of the type shown in Letters Patent issued to me, numbered 635,869, in which slidable voting keys are used. Y

Voting machines, to meet all legal requirements, must provide not only means for actuating counters unerringly and without the possibility of fraudulent manipulation, but.

also simple and adequate means fer voting in secret either a straight party ticket, or a mixed ticket for candidates of the voters choice either singly er in groups for the same oliice, also for either or both partisan and non-partisan candidates or groups thereof as may be required at an election; also means for voting at both general and primary elections, and on propositions or questions submitted; also means for voting either for nominees named on the ballot, or for persons 'whose names do not appear thereon, but not both; also means for limiting voters on special subjects or in divided precincts, and means enabling the voter to change or cancel his vote, and to prevent tamperingr before and after the polls close.

These and other ends incident are accomplished by the devices and 'combination of elements cooperating as hereinafter set forth and stated in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which similar' letters and figures of reference indicate like parts. Referring thereto, Fig. 1 is an end view of my voting machine, the end of the outer case and of the longitudinal members being cut away for better illustration of the interior mechanism. Fig 2 is an enlarged view of my resetting and grouping mechanism in connection with parts of my irregular and special voting means, hereafter particularly described.

Fig. 3 is a detailed View of my question voting and locking mechanism, hereafter described; and Fig. 4 is a side view of a signal to limit voters on special questions and objects.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a slide-block employed in the grouping mechanism; and Fig. 6 is a like view of a spacer-plate for like purpose. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the outer case and of the mechanism employed for voting either a straight party ticket or a mixed ticket, and for primary elections.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7, showing the construction and operation of my detachable push-knobs-or buttons-and their use for voting a straight party ticket and in primary elections. Fig. 9 is a plan View of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7 showing the cooperation of such push-knobs and the straight ticket and primary mechanism. Fig. 10 is a side view of the means I employ for cancelling the straight ticket mechanism; and Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the outer case and also of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7, showing my primary voting and locking and unlocking mechanism, and Fig. 12 is a side perspective View of my primary signaling mechanism and means for attaching and actuating the same, and for grouping several party rows of candidates. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of my straight party ticket and primary slide-bar, detached. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of my resetting mechanism and means for locking and unlocking the voting keys either as a unit or in sections for special or limited voters. Fig. 15 is a detailed view of the tripping means employed to return the primary signals U4 and U5, (Figs. 11 and 12), including a portion of the instrument plate A6, shown in Fig. 17. Fig. 16 is a front view of a portion of the face plate A5, partly cut away to better illustrate the grouping means for the interlocking straps G shown therein.

Fig. 17 is a front view of the means employed to reciprocate the register-bars H and the resetting-bar J, the latter either in unison or in sections independently, and means for tripping the primary signals aforesaid.

The following is a detailed description, (readable on the drawings,) of the construction and operation of each and every essential element of my voting machine, and the cooperation of the several parts, and their functions in attaining the several distinct objects aforesaid of the combined machine.

Parts which function alike in all respects will be illustrated by only one thereof, which is deemed suiiicient for the purpose. Y

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1, the outer case A, is provided with doors A1, A2, A3, which removably cover the front of the ballot face A5, and shows the plate glass panel Q, over the counters F, and the card ballot rec-eptacle R, and the instrument plate A6, and operating levers thereon, respectively, hereafter described.

The framework B, B, B2, and B3, support the interior mechanism; and the longitudinal truss members B4, and B5, support the framework. The several voting keys D, are slidable on the frame, and detachable push-knobs C, are mountable on the keys for use by the voter. A counter actuator E, is pivotally attached to each voting key and extends rearwardly therefrom so as to operatively engage a companion counter when the voting key is pushed in to advanced position, as at D', and the free end of the actuator is impelled upwardly by the adjacent register-bar H, which is r-eciprocated by the yoke-bar I, as hereafter stated.

Ballot labels are secured on the face-plate A5, by retaining strips in the usual well known way.

The members above stated are substantially shown in my said prior patent, and no claim is specifically made thereto herein.

They are shown to better illustrate the novel mechanisms connected therewith, and to enable persons skilled in the art to understand and construct the machine.

It is also to be understood that voting on the machine is accomplished by the voter pushing in the voting keys to indicate his choice, and leaving them pushed in, while hidden from view within a suitable enclosure, as heretofore.

Heretofore slidable voting keys, when pushed in to voted position, were temporarily locked therein by an intervening dog, and returned from such position by spiral springs.

Such means were too difficult for the voter to change his vote and too uncertain for efficient use.

To overcome these defects and enable the voter to change his vote more freely, and also make impossible any movement of the counters by manipulating the voting keys, and also provide improved means for locking and unlocking, resetting and relooking the keys, I employ the mechanism particularly shown in Figs. l and 2. As seen therein, the voting key D is in normal or unvoted position, and D', is in pushed in or voted position with the push-knob or button C, mounted thereon. Bell-cranks 7, alike in all respects, are pivotally mounted on the frame B, immediately above their companion voting keys and in operative engagement therewith, and also with the head of an interlocking strap G, shown in elevated position at G. The counter actuator on the pushed in key D, appears in advanced position at E', in operative engagement with its companion co'unter F.

A register-bar H, attached to the yoke-bar I, is thereby reciprocally operable vertically across the paths of the several actuators in vertical column, and provided with slots h, (Fig. lr) thru which they reciprocate horizontally, said slots being about 1A, inch longer than the width of the actuator, to permit its return without reversing the counter thereby.

The relation between the counter actuator E, register-bar H, and counter F, is such, that when the voting key D, is pushed in to its limits, as at D', and the register-bar H, is impelled upwardly by the yoke-bar I, to its limits, the units wheel of the counter is rotated forwardly one step, and thereupon, when the voting keys are returned to normal position, as at D, are automatically relocked by the resetting-bar J, in cooperation with the corresponding interlocking strap notches G2, as hereafter stated. Simultaneous locking, unlocking, resetting and relooking all voting keys is accomplished as follows.

Cranes z', (only one of which need be shown), are connected to and extend laterally from the yoke-bar I, and the resettingbar is suspended from said cranes by the hangers j, which permit it to vibrate laterally a limited distance, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2.

Both said bars extend from end to end of the machine, and are reciprocated vertically in unison a limited distance by the pair of eccentrics L, L, (Fig. 17), vertically and simultaneously.

To vibrate the resetting-bar J, as aforesaid, a rock-bar K is mounted under the frame base B3, having projecting arms le, (only one of which need be shown), in operative engagement with the resetting-bar whereby the latter may be withdrawn from the strap notches G2, (Fig. 2), by the arm k when said arm is depressed by the bell crank lever P, as hereafter stated.

Vhen said arm 7c is released, the resettingbar is automatically drawn into engagement with said notches by the resilient member k2, as shown in Figs. 1, and 2.

The strap notches are about 1/8 inch longer par than the vertical movement of the registerbar and terminate downwardly directly opposite the lower edge of said bar, as at d', (Fig. 2).

It is also essential that the resetting-bar should travel a short distance farther than the upward movement of the straps, so as to freely enter the strap notches; and for this purpose, the arm fw, of the bell-crank lV, is about 1A; inch longer than the arm fw, which engages the upper end of the strap, as at Gr', (Fig. l).

It is apparent that when the resetting-bar engages the strap notches, and all voting keys are in normal (unvoted) position, they are locked by such engagement; and when said bar is withdrawn from said notches, all said keys are thereby simultaneously unlocked; and when said bar is reciprocated downwardly as aforesaid, all voting keys, pushed in, are thereby reset and relocked. and so remain until said bar is again withdrawn from said notches, as aforesaid.

The resetting-bar and actuating` mechanism are best shown in Figs. 14 and 17. rThe rock-bar K. previously referred to, is manually rotatable in one direction to withdraw the resetting bar from the strap notches bv the lever L3. This actuates the bell-crank lever P, by the intervention of the bar Z3. between which and said lever L3. is formed a toggle joint, (shown in dotted lines). By it said' bell-crank lever P. is temporarily locked down upon the adiusting threaded screw lr6. near the end of the arm 7c. until released by the return of the lever L3. follows: A stud Z, projects from the longitudinal bar L5. which connects the operating` levers L2 and L6. in such manner as to engage the upper end of the lever L8 and imnel it rearwardly to the position shown in full lines as returned. when said bar L5, is drawn forwardly bv said operating levers.

Simultaneously with the return of said lever L3. the resetting bar J is automatically drawn into engagement with the interlocking straps G, by the resilient member 7a2. as aforesaid.

To provide means for limiting a class of voters, the resetting bar is divided. and a short section thereof J is made operable independently of the major portion J, as shown in Fig. 14.

In such case, a short section K of the rocker-bar K, is also operable independently thereof bv the arms 7c3 and 7641-. and by the additional toggle joint lever Lil, which actuates the secondary bell-crank lever P', by the connecting bar Z4, upon the adjusting screw 705. near the end of the arm 7a4.

The short section J is hingedly connected to the extension of the major portion, as shown in Fig. 14, and is operable thereby laterally either in unison therewith, or independently; thereof as aforesaid, and the lever L4 is automatically returned to normal position in like manner as the lever L3, above mentioned.

Means including the swivel bar P2, in cooperation with the extension 79', of the bellcrank lever P, and the associate bell-crank P3, are provided for actuating an external signal, (not shown in the drawings), and are not claimed herein.

The levers L2 and L6. which, connected by the lon ,fritudinal bar L5, together actuate the pair of eccentrics L, L, are limited in their sweep to about a quarter circle, to reciprocate the yoke-bar and therewith the register-bars and the resetting bar J the proper distance, in unison, as aforesaid.

Simultaneous operation of the shaft K. and the resetting-bar J, is attained in one direction by their connection together by the arm 7c, when the arm 7c is depressed by action of the bell crank lever P, as shown in Figs. 14- and 17. The said resetting bar is automatically drawn in the opposite direction by the resilient member k2, as aforesaid, when the said bell crank lever P is withdrawn b v the lever L3 to normal position. The latter lever is returned to normal position by the stud Z. bv action of the lever L2, as shown in 17. which lever actuates both said eccentrics L, L, and thus determines the relative timing of all the locking and resettina' elements aforesaid.

A total vote, or protective counter F is also provided and actuated by one of the register-bars H, as shown in Fig. 1. To provide means for voting either a straight party ticket or a mixed ticket, as the voter may prefer, at general elections, or for choice of party at primary elections, l employ the same operating. registering and resetting mechanism hereinbefore described, in combination with push-knobs and other elements of special character hereinafter described. and further description of features previously mentioned is omitted as unnecessary.

The push-knobs C, are detachablv secured on the voting keys D as hereafter described, so that only such are required for use at the election are visible on the face of the machine.

The stem d3, 8) of the voting key has a pair of in dentations d4, at right angles with each other, and the push-knob has a latch c3, adapted to engage either of sai d indentations to removably secure it on the stem in either of two positions.

Each knob has a flat portion on one side thereof, and a hump abutment on its inner end aligned with said flat portion, shown at C and c, in Fig. l, one of said indentations in the stem being adapted to hold said hump c uppermost thereon, and the other adapted to hold said fiat portion uppermost thereon, for a purpose hereafter mentioned.

rlhe voting keys extend normally a limited distance beyond the frame B, terminating with said stem.

The slide bar U, is adapted to reciprocate laterally on said extensions d a limited distance, being slidingly actuated in one direction by an arm of the rock-bar Z, (Fig. 8) and automatically returned by the return of the straight ticket key to unvoted position, aided by the resilient member M9, as shown in Fig. 7, as hereinafter stated.

A slide-bar U. for each party rovi7 of voting keys is mounted upon and adapted to reciprocate across said key extensions. being slidingly actuated in one direction by the rock-bar Z, (Fig. 8). and in the opposite direction by the resilient member N9. The slide-bars are in all respects alike, and operate in like manner. Each has a series of lateral projections u', which are spaced apart thereon like the keys of the party row, as shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 11,V and extend outwardly just far enough to pass the inner end of an adjacent push-knob When it is in unvoted position and the terminal hump thereon is uppermost. as in Fig. 7. Y

The rock-bar Z is supported in direct alignment with the vertical column of straight ticket keys, and has a lateral iving e along one side thereof, Which is so located that When the rock-bar is rotated. the tip of said Wing Will pass freely over the nonactuated straight ticket keys. their extensions being hollowed out for the purpose, as shown in Fier. 8.

Said rock-bar is further provided with a series of lateral arms 22, which are adapted to enga ge a like series of ribs u, on the slidebars U. and imnel them a limited distance in one direction. When the rock-bar is rotated, which i s done by pushing .in a straight ticket key. This brings the slide-bar projections u directly opposite the adjacent hump abutments c in all party rows, barring all partisan voting keys. leaving only the straight ticket key pushed in.

By the rotation of the rock-bar Z, all said slide-bars are simultaneously actuated, and function in like manner.

When anv other than the straight ticket key is pushed in, the push-knob thereon so engages the adjacent projection as to lock the slide-bar and thus prevent advancement of the straight ticket key; and When any one of the straight ticket keys is pushed in, all others are locked by the grouping mechanism aforesaid.

W'hen an advanced straight ticket key is Withdrawn, the rock-bar is forcibly reversed by the engagement of its Wing with the notch d3, Which is provided for the purpose in each straight ticket key extension aforesaid, and thereupon, all said slide-bars are returned to their initial positions. simultaneously, as shown in Fig. 7, by the resilient members aforesaid.

The slide-bar U, in each party row of voting keys, has a series of lateral projections u', spaced apart like the office columns of voting keys, as shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 11. Said projections extend outwardly to a point opposite the inner end of the push-knobs, respectively, and are normally aligned With the flat portion thereof, as shown in Fig. 7.

Said straight ticket rock-bar Z is rotatably supported in vertical alignment with the vertical column of straight ticket keys, and has a lateral Wing e', (Fig. 8), which is located so that When said rock-bar is rotated, the tip of said Wing Will pass freely over the adjacent key extensions, Which are hollowed out for the purpose, as shown at d', in Fig. 8. The arrangement is such that when any straight ticket voting key is pushed in to advanced or voted position, as at Z', in Fig. 9, the slide-bar U drawn laterally by the engagement of said Wing and push-knob so as to bring the slide-bar projections u directly opposite the hump abutments c, thereby locking out all other voting keys in the partly row. Moreover, by pushing in any straight ticket key, all other straight ticket keys are locked by the grouping and interlocking mechanism, hereafter described, which prevents the pushing in of more than one key in the vertical row. To reciprocate the slide-bar U, the lateral arm e2, (Fig. 8), extending from the rock-bar Z, is adapted to engage the transverse bar u, 7) and impel the slide-bar in one direction, and when the straight ticket key is returned to normal 1iosition, the rock-bar is returned to its initial position by engagement rvith the stem notch d5 in said key, aided by said resilient member a9, as aforesaid.

lVith the return of the rock-bar Z the sevoral slide-bars U are therewith returned to their initial positions, simultaneously, as shown in Fig. 7. The tension of the several springs 'a9 on the slide-bars is such that temporary lockage is required to prevent automatic return, and for such purpose, means for frictionally holding the rock-bar Z in advanced position are afforded by a limiting bar e6, (Fig. 10), in operative engagement with the arm e7 which extends laterally therefroni thru a slot e5. This slot has a slight shoulder z8 at its terminus against which said arm lodges frictionally by pressure of the spiral spring ed, the slot being of proper length to limit the rotation of the rock-bar Z. The rock-bar Z is disengaged from the said lockage by the engagement of its Wing with the stem of the pushed in straight ticket key, automatically, when the latter returns to unvoted position, such engagement being sufiicient to overcome the said friction of the arm e7 on the shoulder 2S in the slot e5.

Such frictional engagement also enables a described for general elections.

voter to withdraw a pushed in straight ticket key to change his vote, at pleasure.

It will be apparent that after any straight ticket key has been pushed in to advanced position, as at C", Fig. 9, and the push-knobs C are attached to the stem Z so that the hump abutment is uppermost thereon, as at 0, they will so engage the slide-bar projections a as to lock the bar and thereby lock all such keys in the party row; and that after any key in the party row is pushed in, as at C, in Fig. 7, said hump abutment will so engage the adj acent slide-bar projection u as to lock the slide-bar U, and thereby prevent the pushing in of any straight ticket key.

By such means either a straight ticket or a mixed ticket may be. voted, at pleasure, but not both.

To provide for voting for non-partisan candidates or groups thereof in connection with votin g a straight party ticket, it is only necessary to attach the push-knobs flatwise on the key stems, as at C in Fig. 8, instead of edgewise, as at C in Fig. 1, such keys may then be voted independently of the straight ti ck-et, altho in the same party row.

Means for rendering the rock-bar Z inactive in case a straight ticket is not required, are provided by the bar e6 in operative engagement with the arm a7, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, whereby said rock-bar may be entirely disengaged, without any loss of ticket space.

For primary elections it is necessary to l provide means for grouping two or more party rows of voting` keys to accommodate more numerous candidates than in general elections; also means for unlocking rows of one party, leaving rows of other parties locked: also signals to indicate party tickets,

operable either by the voter in secret, or by an election official, as the law may require. For such purpose, the same voting and registering mechanism is employed, as hereinbefore In addition thereto and in combination therewith, the slide-bars U are adapted to be secured together in pairs or groups, as may be desired, by connecting-bars a7, as shown in Fig. 12, operable in unison by the coupling bars a6, respectively.

Party signals U11- and U5 are externally operable independently of each other, and are detachably secured to said bars uti by the related arms U yof the signals, respectively,

whereby, when either ofthe signals are drawn outward, as at U4 in Figs. 11 and 12, the related party slide-bars are drawn to the advanced position shown at U3, Fig. 11, thereby unlocking all Voting keys of the one party,

leaving all other party keys locked: andwhen both signals remain flatwise on the case, as shown at U in Fig. 12, the slide-bars of both parties are, by the connectin bars U6, drawn and held in the position shown at U2, in Fig.

9, thereby locking all party keys by the interposition of the slide-bar projections u with the push-knob abutments c, as aforesaid.

When the slide-bars of one party are fully drawn out, they are temporarily held in advanced position by means of a latch-bar Z), slidable on the frame B, 12), said bar beine; tted to a. notch n in the slidebar U, shown in Fig. 13, by the action of a spiral spring b3, 12). Operation of more than one signal at a time is prevented 3y means of the hump u8 at the notch u1() which automatically lifts the latch-bar out of engagement therewith when another signal is drawn out.

Means for automatically releasing a drawn out signal to its initial position, as at U5, are afforded by a trip a2, located in the instrument plate A6, (Fig. 15) operable by Contact with the operating lever L2, as shown in Fig. 17, in connection with the rods b2 and b5, and the intermediate bell crank b4, also shown therein, adapted to raise said latch-bar b, when the yoke-bar I is raised as hereinbefore stated.

The means for actuating and attaching the several party signals may be modified to suit varied conditions.

To provide means for voting for persons whose names are not on the oliicial ballot, a card-ballot receptacle R is removably seated in the case A, as shown endwise in Fig. 1, having a section thereof in alignment with each irregular voting key D2, opening upwardly, al glass door r in front for access thereto, and a` number strip r along its upper edge to identify said sections.

To deposit the card ballots thereon, a chute T extends diagonally downward from a flared opening z5 in the face below the irregular pushknob, as shown in Fig. 1. To limit the space for admitting the card-ballot singly, and also diminish friction thereof on the chute floor a slight rib te is made from its threshold, and a block t2 is seated in the chute having a slight hump t5 immediately above the hump t', and in such near proximity thereto as to limit the space between them to the thickness of the card employed entering freely, and thus prevent repeating.

To deliver the card ballots singly into the receptacle R. tilt-bar S is pivotally mounted on the post t3 which extends upwardly from the block 252 and terminates at its upper end with a door s, adapted to open and close the nouth t of the chute T, and at its lower end, with an arm s', adapted to open and close the chute outlet and temporarily stop the card ballot until released as hereafter stated. To reciprocate the tilt-bar S, an arm extends upwardly therefrom and is pivotally engaged by a stud s2 to the irregular key D2, so that when said key is pushed in to advanced position, as shown in Fig. 1, the door s is opened thereby and the arm s is closed to intercept the card ballot, and when the said irregular key is returned to its initial position by the vote casting mechanism hereinbefore described, the door s is closed and simultaneously therewith the arm s is elevated and said card-ballot released. To prevent repetition the irregular key is locked in advance position by the resilient latch m, which is adapted to engage the notch ai in said key, until disengaged by action of the register-bar H, as aforesaid.

rl`hus either a written or printed ballot may be voted for any oflice either independently or in connection with the regular voting keys and registered in like manner.

Propositions submitted may usually be voted upon by the use of any pair of voting keys associated for the purpose. However, it is sometimes necessary to limit voting thereon, permitting one class of voters and preventing others at the same election.

For such purpose, the means, more particularly shown in Fig. 3, are employed in addition to the regular voting means described.

A rotary post Y, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is mounted on a supporting bench B in close proximity to a pair of voting keys D3 and D4, and extended upwardly thru an aperture 1/3 in the case A. Said post is adapted to carry a signal, as shown in Fig. 4, which is employed to rotate the post, and is manually operable by an election oiiicial. A shortarm y7, extending transversely thru the rotary post Y, is so located as to lock both said voting keys simultaneously when rotated in one direction, by its engagement at one end thereof with a notch g8 in the adjacent key D3, and at the other end thereof, with said slide-bar yav in engagement with said key D4, and to unlock both said keys simultaneously when said post is rotated in the opposite direction. The slide-bar is reciprocally operable on the bench B a limited distance determined by the length of the slot g5. The slide-bar g4 is longer'than the distance between the voting keys D3 and D4, so that when one of them is pushed in to advance position, the other will be locked.

The combination is such that when the signal y2 is turned in one direction, both said voting keys are simultaneously locked, and when the signal stands at normal position, either, but not both of said pair, may be actuated, as aforesaid.

I am aware it is not new to operate a slider bar between a pair of voting keys to interlock them, and my claim thereto is limited to the combination of the rotary post and signal, and means employed to reciprocate the slide-bar and to lock and unlock said keys independently, as shown in Fig. 8.

Means constituting a regular and irregular interlock are provided by the particular devices shown in Fig. 2 and in which a pair of register-bars H, and H are slidable against each other a limited distance, one

of said bars H being connected to and operable reciprocally by the yoke-bar I, and the other bar H independently thereof by action of the counter actuator of any voting key in the o'tlice column, as follows including the irregular voting key D2 thereinas before described.

As shown in Fig. 2, the counter actuator of the irregular key terminates pointedly, as at c, and with a slight shoulder e near its end, and is adapted to engage the slot L in the adjacent slide-bar H, and also to enter and engage a like slot in the companion register-bar H, whereby both said bars are held together temporarily and one cannot move vertically independently of the other. The arrangement of all other related slots in said register-bars is such as to stagger them, as shown at h2, whereby, when the irregular key is pushed in, as at D2, all other voting keys related thereto are simultaneously locked, as at e2; and when any one of the related regular voting keys D is pushed in to advance position, the companion irregular voting key D2 is thereby barred from advancement, and thereupon, as many other related regular voting keys may be voted as the grouping mechanism will permit. Thus a plurality of candidates may be voted for the same oilice, either of those on the regular ballot, or on the card-ballot, but not both.

I am aware it is not new to stagger slots in a pair of plates which are slidable upon each other, and such I do not broadly claim.

Improved interlocking mechanism for grouping candidates for the same ofiice is provided, as shown in Figs. 2 and 16, wherein groups of interlocking straps G are reciprocated vertically thru a longitudinal channel or guideway between limiting slideblocks and spacer-plates, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, as in my prior patent.

As therein provided, the straps terminate with thickened lower ends formed by bending a limited portion thereof upon itself, as at g', Fig. 2, having a beveled shoulder to slidingly engage the said slide-blocks and spacer plates, and such are not now claimed.

Heretofore channels for slide-blocks have been such as to prevent access thereto in order to vary candidate groups.

To avoid such defects, I construct the guideway or channel between longitudinal plates M, M and N, N, between which the slide-blocks and spacer plates are slidingly interposed and removably secured. Said plates are secured apart from each other on a longitudinal plate or casing m, as shown in Figs. l and 2, which is suspended from the frame base B3 by the angle strip n.

To open and close the channel of the guideway a face plate N2 is secured on the plate n, (Fig. 16), so as to be slidable thereon a limited distance vertically, and hold the slideblocks and spacer plates slidingly within the enclosure, when in closed position. To removably secure the grouping pins o in exact spaced apart positions required for grouping the interlocking straps Gr, a series of notches 03 are cut and spaced apart along the lower edge of the face-plate N, as shown in Fig. 16, to guide and removably hold said pins, which also extend thru like spaced apart holes in the casing m, and thru adjacent slide-blocks, thereby locking and unlocking the latter in the channel. Other means may be provided for securing the grouping pins in position provided they do not prevent opening of the channel.

Spacer plates, shown in Fig. 6, intervene between the interlocking straps, as heretofore, but are removably secured in the channel and adapted to freely slide therein to serve as abutments, by an extension 02, (Fig. 6) at the bottom, to slidingly engage the channel plate N', and be manually accessible,

Such construction of the guide-way channel, slide-blocks and spacer plates not only avoids the necessity of a longitudinally shiftable channel to provide for large groupings of candidates for oflice, as heretofore required, but also increases grouping facility by provision for either lengthening or sliertening the grouping spaces, by changes in the length of slide-blocks and the introduction of additional spacer plates, or lessening their number for the-purpose. Moreover, the provision thus made for easy and direct access to the channel, for the purposes aforesaid, affords better means for regulating the grouping mechanism to suit the varying needs of large and small elections.

I am also aware it is not new to provide and actuate counters and counter actuators and slidable voting keys, and interlocking straps, and such I do not broadly claim.

But what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letter Patent is stated in the appended claims, as followsl. In a voting machine having a plurality of slidable voting keys, means for unlocking, resetting and re-locking said keys, comprising in combination, a. yoke-bar reciprocably operable, a resetting-bar hingedly connected thereto, an interlocking strap operable by each voting key, each strap having a notch of certain length adjacent the resetting-bar; means for automatically drawing the resetting-bar into engagement with said notches, a rock-shaft .having a plurality of lateral arms in operative engagement with said resetting-bar, and a lateral arm to rock said shaft and thereby withdraw the resetting-bar out of said notches, means including a bell-crank lever to actuate said last named lateral arm, and means, including a lever with toggle joint to actuate and temporarily lock said bell-crank lever, and means for automatically unlocking and returning the toggle joint lever, and means, including said yoke-bar to reciprocate the resetting-bar within said strap notches, substantially as set forth.

2. In a voting machine the combination with a horizontal party row of voting keys, a straight ticket key at the head of said row, a slide-bar movable transversely a limited distance over the keys of said row, said slidebar having a series of lateral projections eX- tending adjacent each key of the row, respectively, a vertical rock-bar, having a lateral wing thereon, adjacent said straight ticket key, a lateral arm on said rock-bar adapted to engage said slide-bar, a push-knob on said straight ticket key having a terminal hump thereon adapted to engage said ving, a pushknob on every other key in the party row each knob having a terminal hump thereon adapted to abut sidewise against a cooperating slide-bar projection when the key is pushed in to voted position, and endwise when the straight ticket key is pushed in to voted position, substantially as set forth. 4

3. In a voting machine, in combination with an irregular voting key, means for automatically locking said key when pushed in to voted position, an opening for a card ballot adjacent said key, a chute leading from said opening to a card receptacle, a rib longitudinally disposed on the chute floor, a block spaced apart a limited distance from said rib, a post on said block, a tilt-bar pivotally operable on said post, a door reciprocally operable at one end of said tilt-bar, and an arm thereon reciprocally operable at the other' end thereof, an intermediate arm on said tiltbar in operative engagement with said irregular key, and means, including a register-bar, for automatically unlocking said key for its return to initial position, substantially as set forth.

4. In a voting machine, the combination with a reciprocable register actuating bar having a series of slots therein regularly spaced apart to admit the several counter actuators of regular voting keys, respectively, and a slot aligned therewith to admit the counter actuator of an irregular voting` key, said actuators each having a terminal hump adapted to engage said slots, respectively, a slide-bar adjacent said register actuating-bar iaving a like series of slots therein adapted to register with the slots in said register actuating bar, respectively, except the slot for the irren' lar voting` key actuator` the latter being staggered with respect to the corresponding slot of tie register actuating bar. all of said key actuators of a vertical row of kevs passing through the slots of the aforesaid hars, thereby providing an interlock between the regular keys and the irregular key.

5. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of horizontal rows of slidable voting keys, a slide-bar slidingly operable on each row of keys, each slide-bar having a series of lateral projections for co operation with each key of the row, respectively, means coupling two or more slidebars to slide in unison, a push-knob on each key in use having a terminal hump abutment adapted to engage a slide-bar projection when aligned therewith, a primary election signal manually operable on the machine case, means for detachably securing said signal to said coupled slide-bars to draw the latter endwise a limited distance until the projections thereon are opposite said hump abutments, respectively, means, including said signal, for drawing said slid-e-bar projections beyond said hump abutments respectively, means for temporarily locking said slide-bar in advanced position, and means for automatically unlocking a slide-bar of one party when the slide-bar of another is drawn to advance position, and means for returning advanced slide-bars to initial position automatically, substantially as set forth.

6. In a voting machine, a resetting and relocking bar, comprising in combination, a major and a minor section reciprocally operable in unison, the minor section being hingedly secured to the major section and reciprocating therewith, and adapted to swing independentlythereon a limited distance, and means, including a pair of rock-bars operable independently of each other, to swing said sections, respectively, sidewise, independently of each other, and resilient means for automatically returning said sections to their respective initial positions, substantially as set forth.

7. In a voting machine having a horizontal row of slidable voting keys, a slide-bar slidable transversely over said row, and equipped with projections aligned with said keys, respectively, each key terminating outwardly with a stem, a pair of notches at right angles With each other in said stem, a detachable push-nob fitted to and mountable on said stem, said knob being flattened along the inner portion of one side thereof, and having a hump abutment at its inner end aligned with said fiat portion, means including a latch operable on said knob, adapted to engage either of said notches interchangeably so as to hold said hump abutment either vertically into operative engagement with the corresponding projection on said slide-bar, or at- Wise With respect thereto.

8. In a voting machine, in combination With a bench, a pair of slidable voting keys spaced apart thereon, a plate reciprocally operable between said pair, said plate being longer than the distance between said pair, and slidable by the endwise pressure of either to a position in front of the other to lock it from advance movement, and means, including said plate, for locking both keys simul taneously, comprising a rotatable post on said bench adjacent one of said keys, an abutment

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