US1903400A - Voting machine - Google Patents

Description

pa 4, 1933- J. M. GARR 1,903,400

VOTING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l .519 4 Jasgafi M 62:27."

HIS ATTORNEY A ril 4, 1933. M ARR 1,903,400

VOTING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fi ltzs n'ront WITNESSeSM C I 3 5 A-r-ronmzv. yaw k W Patented Apr. 4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH M. GARR, OF CALUMET CITY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PEOPLES VOTING MACHINE CORPORATION, OF KNOX, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA VOTING MACHINE Application filed Kay 2, 1930. Serial No. 449,295.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in voting machines and has for its principal object the provision of an improved mechanism of this character which will be highly efiicient in use and economical in manufacture.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an interlocking arrangement embodied in the invention.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement which will permit the voter using the machine on which my device is employed to vote for only one candidate for a particular ofiice or for two or more of a group of candidates of a particular political party running for oflices of a similar nature in which two or more candidates are to be elected such as, for example, the election of three justices of peace out of five candidates representing the ticket of a certain political party, in which case the voter is allowed to vote for three of the five candidates of the same political party, or for two of one party and one of another, or for one candidate from each of three different parties.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a voting device by means of which the voter is enabled to vote for two or 30 more candidates from different political parties; for example, in a case wherein the voter is allowed the privilege in an election other than a primary election of voting for three out of five candidates for the office of justice of peace, this privilege to be exercised by voting for three candidates of one party, two of one party and one of another, or all three of different parties.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character herein described by means of which the election custodian of the machine can quickly and conveniently change the device to permit the voter the privileges of voting for an individual or group of individuals or any individual within a group of individuals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voting machine which will meet the multiplicity of laws in regard to the requirements of voting machines and in particular those laws having to do with individual and group voting, which laws the machines in the prior art have been unable to meet.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts tobe hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary elevational front view of the voting machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the voting machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front view taken substantially on the line 44 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 showing the parts therefor in another position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear View showing a group of several of the units shown in F i 2;

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the mechanism employed in my invention for enabling the voting machine embodying my invention to be adapted for either individual or group voting or to change from one to another;

Fig. 8 is a top view of one of the removable units employed in the mechanism best illustrated in Fig. 7; I

Fig. 9 is a detailed perspective view of another removable unit best illustrated in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of corresponding end portions of, the ribbons embodied in my invention.

The voting machine embodying my invention preferably comprises a cabinet 10 within which are arranged the operating mechanisms to be presently described. This cabinet 10 may be formed of any suitable material and be of any suitable design to support a panel 4. As shown in Fig. 1, thi's panel 4 embodies a plurality of voting buttons to be presently described. These buttons as shown are arranged in horizontal rows and each row of buttons operates the voting mechanism embodying my invention. It will, therefore, be understood that the description to follow is directed to one unit of the voting mechanism, which is operated by one row of horizontal buttons. Therefore, the mechanism operated by any of the other horizontal buttons is substantially similar to the mecha nism to be presently described. r

In this connection each unit comprises a plurality of flat ribbons or straps formed from suitable material as will best serve the purpose. As shown in Fig. 2, the straps have attached to corresponding end portions thereof clips 2 defining loop portions 2. The clips 2, in the present instance, are secured to these end portions of the straps by means of suitable-connecting elements such as rivets 6 or the like. The straps, as shown, vary in length to facilitate attaching the loops to a mechanism operable by buttons 5 and pawls 46 associated therewith for registering the votes on a' counting mechanism generally illustrated at 54 and hereinafter referred to. Likewise, the straps, as shown, are arranged in superimposed position and are attached by means of the clips 2 to the buttons in the following manner.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that there'is provided a row of horizontally spaced slots 53. Projecting through these slots are pins 3. These pins at their inner end portions project or fit into the loops 2', there being provided a key at the outer ends of the pins whereby to effectuate c011- nection between the pins and these loops.

The inner end portions 3 of the pins 3 are securedin any suitable manner to a slide bar 38 disposed upon the face of the panel beneath the housing 29. These slide bars have angled end portions 39 which work in slots 40 formed in .the panel. The buttons 5 are rotatably secured to the plate 3-0 of the housing 29 by means of suitable screws 31 supporting washers32 and these buttons carry an indicator 34;

Disposed on the upper surface of the flat straps 1 at the end thereof opposite the clips 2 are plates 7 which are secured to the straps 1 by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 8 or the like and disposed on the lower surface of these plates 7 and secured thereto by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 9 are the fiat straps 11 which extend in parallel with straps 1 and are adapted to have sliding movement therewith so that the movement of straps 1 asso- 60:ciated. with the buttons 5 likewise moves.

straps 11 and attached wedge units 12. The front plate of the housing is secured to the housing proper by means of screws 48 threaded into threaded openings provided in the back wall of the housing and the housing 29 is secured to the panel 4 by means of suitable screws 47. To the indicator 34 is secured,

an arm 35 which engages in a notch 49 formed in an arm of the member 36.

By rotating the button the arm 35 will rotate the ratchet and inasmuch as this ratchetis provided with an arm portion providing teeth engaging teeth formed in the slide bar 38, this slide bar 38 will be moved and consequently the strap attached thereto will likewise be moved in the same direction.

Associated with the straps 11 are inter locking wedge units 12, the structure of which will now be explained: Each wedge unit includes a shoe 12a and spaced blocks 12?). There is arranged between the straps a wedge unit 12 so that the shoe 12a is connected by means of suitable connecting elements such as rivets 13 to one strap and the spaced blocks to the next adjacent strap likewise by means of suitable connecting elements13. will be seen that the shoe is arranged inop- 'posed position with respect to the blocks whereby to have slidable movement in the groove 120 provided between. the blocks. The shoes and spaced blocks of each wedge unit have the sides thereof aligned with the side edges of the strap 11 to which they are attached, the base of the outer end portion of each shoe and spaced block being flush with the end of the strap 11 and these shoes 12a and spaced blocks 12?) are beveled at their opposite portions as shown at 14 for apurpose to be explained hereinafter.

Mounted vertically on the panel 4 of the voting machine at the rear thereof, and adj acent the left side as viewed from the rear, is a substantially L-shaped post indicated at 15 Which' is spaced from the panel 4 by means of the projecting portion 15b thereof and this post 15 is mounted on the panel 4'by' means of 15a. One of these blocks 49 is disposed between posts 15 and 15a atthe top portions thereof and another block 49 is disposed between these posts at the bottom portions I thereof, theseblocks and likewise post 1502 being supported by means of suitable screws 17 and '18 which project through suitable aligned openings in the outer post 15a and in the blocks 49 and are screwed into suitable threaded openings in the inner post 15.

Removably mounted on the posts 15 and,

15a at spacedintervals thereon are substantially C-shaped bars or group spacers 21 which have suitable openings formed therein and staples 20 areadapted to beinserted into these openings and to be projected into corresponding suitable aligned openings 19 bars 21.

in the posts 15and-115a. As best shown in Figs. 2and:6, one group of StIiLPSll and ,at-

the staples 20 are removed from bars 21 these bars will ride freely vertically on the posts 15 and 15a while being retained in lateral position thereon by means of the screws 22 which abut the shoulder portions of the posts 15 and 15a. It will be apparent, therefore, that these bars or group spacers'21 can be removed laterally from the posts 15 and 15a by Withdrawing the screws 22 past the shoulder portions 50. The end portions of bars 21 have fiat shelf portions 225 formed on the inner surfaces thereof as best shown in Fig. 9 and when bars 21 arein position on the posts 15 and 15a these shelf portions 22?) on adjacent bars 21 definepredetermined spaced intervals as will be explained hereinafter.

Posts 15 and 15a have slots 25 formed therein and these slots 25 have constricted neck portions 25a for a purpose to be described presently. Disposed in these slots 25 are buttons 23 which are mounted rotatably in suitable openings in the post 15a by means of hub portions 23a integral gtherewith, these hub portions 23a having flanged portions 51 on the inner ends thereof which are adapted to retain the buttons 23 in position on the post 15a while permitting rotatory movement of the buttons 23. Formed inthe buttons 23 and extending diametrically therethrough are slots 24 and it will be seen that these buttons 23 may be rotated by means of a suitable tool such as a screw driver inserted into the slots 24. As shown in Fig.2 the edge portions 26 of the buttons 23 are adapted in one position to be flush with the shoulder portion 560f post 15a for a purpose to be described presently.

' When these buttons 23 are rotated substantially into the position of the lower button 23 shown in Fig.7 substantially C-shaped wires or wedge abutments 27 may be mounted on the posts 15 and 150. by sliding one end portion of the abutments 27 through the constricted neck portions 25a of the slots 25 as shown in Fig. 7, and thence through the wider portions of the slots 25 until the in wardly extending portions 52 of the abutments 27 are in alignment with the shoulder portions 50 of the posts 15 and 15a, and abutment 27 may then be secured in lateral position on the posts 15 and 15a by rotating the buttons 23 until the edge portions 26 thereof are in vertical position, thus closing the slots 25 and retaining abutments 27 in lateral posltion on posts 15 and 15a between adjacent bars 21. It will be seen, therefore, 1

that abutments 27 may be removed from position on the posts 15 and 15a by rotating buttons 23 substantially into the position of the lower button shown in Fig. 7 and withdrawing the abutments 27 laterally off posts 15 and 15a by sliding one end portion of the abutments out through slots 25 and the constricted neck portions 25a thereof.

As shown in Figs. 2and 3 there is disposed at the rear of the panel 4 a plurality of horizontally extending arms 56 which are sup ported on suitable screws 58 which are mounted in the panel 4 and these arms 56 are adapted to have lateral sliding movement ed to have lateral sliding movement, this movement being effected through an operat- 1ng mechanism constltutlng a. part of the apphcants copendmg applicatlon Serial No.

465,671, filed on or about July 3, 1930, and L.

as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 6 this bar 28 is adapted to have abutting engagement with the plates 7 for a purpose to be explained presently.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the voting buttons 5 are disposed in vertical and horizontal rows on the face plate 30 of the housing structure 29 and disposed to the left of each button is a ticket 60 hearing the title of the office to be voted for and the name of the candidate seeking the office, or other desired information. Disposed to the left of each vertical row of buttons, therefore, is a list of printed tickets which constitute the complete party ballot of offices, and candidates so that each vertical row of buttons may represent the ballot of a particular political party or like group. In Fig. 1 there are seen five vertical rows of buttons but as will be explained presently in the form of my invention described in the present application there are nine vertical rows of buttons so that as many as nine different political parties or like groups may be accommodated in the form of my invention described herein. It will be apparent, therefore, that all the buttons in a horizontal row may represent the same office while a ver- .on the screws 58 through the slots 59 formed tieal row represents a political party or like group.

Assuming thatthe voter is in the voting booth disposed about the front face of the panel 4 it will be assumed for purposes of explanation that he wishes to vote for the Democratic candidate for the governorship of the state, which Office and candidate it wiil be said, for illustration, are represented by button No. 33 as shown in Fig. 1. VJ hen the indicator 34 attached to button No.33 is in the position shown in F 1g. 1 the tooth d2 of the member 36 is inengag'ement with the slot 45 in the sliding bar 38 as shown in F ig. 4 and the arm integral with the indicater 34; is in engagement with the member 86 in the slot 49 formed therein. \Vhen the voter moves button 1 0. 33 and attached indicator 34 into horizontal position to indicate his vote the'arm 35 integral with the indicator 3 1rotates upwardly in a slot formed in the housing 29 and theupward movement of the arm 35 rotates the member 36 on its stud 37 so that tooth 13 of the member 36 comes into engagement with slot l5 in th sliding bar 38 and the slidingbar 38 is moved laterally, the end portions 39 thereof being guided in their slots40 formed in the panel -l. This leftward movement of the sllding' bar 38, as seen in- Figs. 4 and 5 and looking at the front of the panel t, moves the pin 3 integral therewith and the movement of pin 3' likewise moves the clip '2 and the strap 1 attached thereto. The leftward rotation of the member also moves thepawl 46 and the pawl H3 is associated with the counting mechanism indicated at 54 and described in the applicantsco-pending application Serial No. 449,62 filed on or about May 3, 1930,the movement of pawl 16 being adapted together with the counting mechanism 54 to register the voters choice in a manner described therein. i The movement ofthe sliding bar 38 to the left. explained, moves the pin 3 in tegral therewith likewise to the left and the strap 1 mounted on the pin 3 by means of the clip 2 and the loop portion 2 thereof 0 and the leftward movement of the strap 1 or rightward movement when seen from the rear of the panel as in Figs. 2 and 6,'moves the plate 7- attached thereto into position abutting the sliding bar 28 shown at 7a in Fig; 6. As mentioned hereinbefore,bar 28 is moved into voting position as shown in solid. outline in Fig. 6 by a mechanism operated by the voter on entering the voting booth, this mechanism constituting a part of the applicants copending application Ser. No. 465,611 as herembefore mentioned.

W hen the plate 7a is moved into position abutting the bar 28, strap 11a attached thereto moves the shoe 1242 into the position shown in Fig. 6, the shoe 12a then being disposed in the panel between the posts 15 and 15a and between two adjacent wires 27 or abutments cated indicated at 27a and 27b. The voter having 'moved the indicator 3 1' on button No. 33 to understood by means' ofthe following arithmetrical. illustration: I In the construction of posts 15 anc 15a bars 21 are adapted to be mounted thereon preferably one inch apart I" easuring from the center'of one bar to the csl'ltel' of the neXt bar; that is, measuring from the upper surface of one shelf 22?) to the lower surface of the shelf portion 22b of the next adjacent bar above. These bars-21 a re preferably 0.090" in thickness so that onehalf of this thickness or 0.045 projects into the one inch space, the two bars defining this distance projecting therein a total of 0.090, leaving a clearance of 0.910 between the inner surfaces of the shelf portions 227) of the two bars. With bars 21 mounted on the posts 15 and 1 5a and disposed apart as described above I may then insert five of the substantially Cshaped wires or abutment-s 21 between each two ad aCent bars or group spacers 21, each abutment 27 being in the there being; ten of these straps 11 disposed etween each two adjaicentbars 21, as illustrated between bars 21 and21d in Fig. 6, it apparent that these straps 11 will have in tl is case a total thickness of 0.150; When shoe 12a, therefore, is drawn into position as shown in- Fig; 6, and the voter has indihis vote for the ofiice of governor as nod to above, a total space of 0.900" will then be filled up between bars 21 and 21d shown in 6, leaving ample clearance for p ay between the abutments 27 and between the inserted shoe 12a and the abu ments '27. it will be seen, therefore that further move ment of any of the buttons in the same horizontal row with button No. 33" is rendered impossiblebecause it. is impossible to insert any more shoes or spaced blocks between bars 21 and 21d, these bars being'securedagainst vertical movement on post 15 and 15a by means of the staples 20' inserted there through. When the voter hasindicated his vote and shoe 125: has been moved in position shown in Fi 6, plate 7a is then in abutting engagewith bar 28, and shoe 12a is'returned to I 9; position as shown in Fi 1 by the leftivm'd movement of'bar 28 which is actuated by the arms '56, bar 28 then moving; leftclv as seen from the rear of panel 4 into 7a and moves the strap 11.01 and attached shoe 12a back into voting position,- the shoe 12a being moved out of wedging-engagement between wires 27 a and 27b.

It will be seen from Figs. 2"and 6 that'there are ten of the straps 11 between each two adjacent bars 21. One of these straps 11, however, is associated with a strap 1 which leads to an independent voting unit (not shown), the remaining nine straps 11 leading to nine difierent buttons in one horizontal row, thus representing nine different vertical rows of buttons.

It will be apparent from the foregoing example that the voter may vote for any one of the nine candidates in the one horizontal row. However, in many townships, cities, counties, states and other political divisions, it is frequently required legally or is desirable that a voting machine be so constructed so as to allow the voter to vote for two or more candidates running for offices of a similar nature, this being 'known as group voting. Better to illustrate the novelty and function of my invention in this respect the following eXample is given: It will be assumed, for example, that the law of a particular state requires that a township have three justices of the peace, that the voter shall be allowed to vote for three candidates for this office, irrespective of party, and that a voting'machine, before its use shall be authorized, must be so constructed so as to permit this privilege to the voter. In the prior art, while a limited form of group voting was possible, a wide adaptability in group voting was not provided for, and voting machines were consequently unable to conform to the laws of many states and other political divisions. Moreover, in the prior art, in order to change any section of the machine from the form adapted for individual voting to a condition adapted for group voting or vice versa it was necessary to spend a large amount of time and effort and the change necessitated a virtual dismantling of the machine. My invention, however, as will be explained presently, permits of wide adaptability in group voting as well as in individual voting and allows the election custodian of the machine within a few minutes to change any one section or more of the machine from a condition adapted for individual voting to a condition adapted for group voting while still permitting individual voting in other sections of the machine. Referring now to the example mentioned above, in a case where it is desired to allow the voter the privilege of voting for three justices of the peace, irrespective of party, it will be assumed that there are five candidates running for these three ofiices from each party running. I accomplish th1s by means of my invention as follows: The

staples 20 are removed from bar 2161 and bar 216 which allows these bars to ride loosely on the posts 15 and 15a. In this manner a total play' of 0225" plus is provided between the bar21 andbar 21f. As shown-inFig. 6 this gives space for three shoes'or three pairs of spaced blocks between bar 21 and bar 21fl As shown in Fig. 6 this will permit three pairs of shoes or three pairs of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging engagement between bar 21 and barf21f and'thus allowing the voter to vote for only three of the five candidates. It'is rendered impossible, however, for the voter to move any more shoes or spaced blocks into the' space between bars 21 and21f because when three pairs of shoes or three pairs of spaced blocksare'in wedging engagement between bar 21 and bar 21f'this space is'thenfilled up excepting for proper clearance In this mannerit is renderedimpossible for the voter to turn more than three of the five buttons in the particular group referred to above. However, if it is desired to enable thevoter to vote for four of the five candidates this may be readily accomplished by removing the five abutments of 0.135 thickness between bar 21 and bar 21d and substituting therefor five abutments of" 0.120" thickness which. will give an additional 0.075 of play between bars 21 and 21f and' allow a fourth shoe or a fourth pair of spaced blocks to be drawniinto' wedging engagement between bars 21 and 217'. If it were desired to enable the voter to vote for five candidates in-a group these last named abutments of 0.120" thickness wouldbe removed and abutments of 0.105 thickness substituted therefor. As explained in the illustration given above, the voter may vote for any three candidates of one party, or'for two candidates'of one party and one of another, or for one candidate from each of three different parties. It is apparent, moreover, that by pulling out additional staples the numberof candidates that may be included in a group may be increased within a wide range, while further to increase this number and to meet the requirements of certain election laws and the requirements of primary elections I provide wedge units 12 and abutments 27 of smaller dimensions and these abutments and wedge units are quickly interchangeable with wires and wedge units of larger dimensions. It is apparent, therefore, that I may increase the possibilities of group voting within a wide range by employing abutments 27 of different thicknesses.

In order to allow the voter'to vote for more than one candidate'in a horizontalrow, in a case, for example, in a primary'election, where it is desired or required that the entire machine be devoted to two parties this is accomplished as follows: When the machine; is divided into separate upper and lower sections, theupper section being given for the use of: the Republican party, for example, while the lower half is devoted to the use of the-Democratic party, for example, the ballot tickets are then arranged so that each V zontal rows of nine buttons, and it will be horizontal row is a'list of candidates within a party running for the same ofiice. In or der to. allow the voter to vote for more than one candidate for a particular oflice, and in J the same horizontal row, I may then remove the abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness from be twecnbars 21 and 21d, for example, and substitute therefor abutments of lesser thickness. In. case it is; desired, for example, to allow the voter to vote for only two candidates in a horizontal row I will substitute for the abutments of 0.135" thickness abutments :of 0.120 thickness. It is apparent, therefore, that I may allow the voter to vote forany number of candidates in a horizontal row by changing the size of abutments employed as explained above.

It frequently happens, particularly in primary elections, that there will be arelatively large number of candidates running for the nomination for an oflice while'perhaps only one of the candidates or a comparatively few are to be nominated and it is either legal- 1y required or desirable that a voting machine be capable of allowing the voter to vote for'only one of the candidates or for a comparatively few candidates out of a group. Better to illustrate the use of my invention in this respect the following example" is given: Whenas described above the voting'machine embodying my invention is blocked-off so that, for example, in a primary election the upper half is given to the use of. the Democratic party whilethe lower half is reserved for, for example, the Republican party, and the voter has indicated to-the proper election ofiicial his party choice, it will be assumed, that there are 27 candidates running for the nomination for the oflice of sheriff on the Democratic ticket, these twenty-seven candidates being represented by threeho-riassumed that the voter is to be allowed to nominate only one. This is accomplished by means of my invention in the following manner: Staples 20 are removed from bars 21d and 21e, thus associating three sets of wires or abutments 27 on posts 15 and 15a and in this manner combine three horizontal rows of buttons into a group.' It will be seen, however, as explained hereinbefore, that when the staples 20 are removed from two adjacent bars 21on posts 15 and 15a approximately 0.225" plus play is provided between bars 21 and 21f and this amount of play would allow three shoes or three pairs of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging engagement between bars 21 and 21f, thus allowing the voter to vote for three candidates for, the nomination for sheriff. However, in the above example, it is assumed that it is to be desired to enable the-voter to vote for only one candid-ate. This object maybe accomplished by removing ten abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness and substituting therefor ten abutments of 0.150" thickness.

Supposing that in the above example that there were 27 candidates running for the nomination for councilman and only, two were to be nominated, the voter'to beallowed only. two votes out of the twenty-seven. This object would be accomplished by removing the staples '20 from bars 21d and 216 which would group three horizontal rows of nine buttons allowing 0.225" plus play between bars 21 and 21; and then removing five of the abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness and substituting therefor fiveabutments of 0.150" thickness which would allow 0.150- plus play between the two fixed bars21 and 21f and thus allow two pairs of shoes or two pairs of spaced blocks to be moved into wedging engagement between bars 21 and 217, thus permitting the voter to vote foronly two of the twenty-seven candidates in the three hori zontal rows of nine buttons. Should it be desired to allow the voter to vote for any three candidates in his party for the ofiice of councilman, merely removing the staples 20 from two adjacent bars 21 will permit this to be accomplished. If it were desired to alloW him to vote for four of the candidates of the twenty-seven, the staples-20 would be re moved from bars 210? and 216 and five abutments 27 of 0.135 thickness removed and five abutments of 0.120. thickness substituted therefor while ifit were desired to enable him to vote for live of thetwenty-seven canor to make any possible combination between the three rows. It will likewise be seen that by removing additional staples 20 additional horizontal rows of buttons may be grouped and the same procedure as outlined above may'then be followed for, allowing the voter to vote for any predetermined number of candidates in a relatively large group. It is apparent, therefore, that in this manner the machine embodying my invention is enabled to effect a distinct economy in the number of horizontal rows of buttons and the amount of vertical space required since the intergroup voting described above between the horizontal rows necessitates the use of fewerhorizontal rows of buttons to accommodate the candidates for each oflice and in this manner the voting machine embodying my invention is enabled to meet the demands of va-..

rious elections, particularly primary elections, the special demands of which,voting machines heretofore in the art have been unable to meet.

From the foregoing description of my invention it is apparent that I have provided an interlocking arrangement which will enable the voting machine embodying my invention to comply with the multiplicity of laws in regard to the requirements for voting machines and in particular those requirements in regard to group voting. It will likewise be seen that the voting machine embodying my invention will be enabled to meet the special demands and other requirements of varieus elections, and particularly the re quirements of primary elections.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, witl'iout departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications come within the scope of the appended c aims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A voting machine interlocking mechanism for wedge blocks carried by superimposed straps arranged with the blocks in groups, comprising C-shaped abutments between the straps for interlocking the wedge blocks, a structure providing a channel in which said wedge blocks are interlockable, said structure being provided with slots trans verse to the longitudinal extent of the channel, said abutments being laterally removable from between said straps through said slots.

2. A voting machine interlocking mechanism for wedge blocks carried by superimposed straps arranged with the blocks in groups, comprising C-shaped abutments bet veen the straps for interlocking the wedge blocks, a structure on which the abutments have limited free movement, said structure being provided with slots equipped with slotc'o-sing means, said closing means being movably arranged so as to enable the removal of said C-shrped abutments from the support, through said slots.

3. A voting machine interlocking mechanism for wedge blocks carried by movable straps arrangeable with the blocks in groups and multi-groups, comprising C-shaped abutments between the straps for interlocking the wedge blocks, a structure providing a channel in which said wedge blocks are interlockable and said structure being pro vided with slots, rotatable elements on said structure to open and close said slots, said abutments being laterally removable from between said straps through said slots.

l. A voting machine interlocking mechanism for wedge blocks carried by straps arrangeable with the blocks in groups and multi-groups, comprising a vertical structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, abutments between the straps for interlocking the blocks in the channel, said structure being provided with slots transverse to the longitudinal extent of the channel for removing said abutments laterally from between said straps so that abutments of various thicknesses may be inserted between said straps and the number of blocks in a group or multi-group that may be interlocked thus varied.

5. A voting machine interlocking mechanism for interlockable members and movable elements carrying the same, comprising a structure providing a channel in which said members are interlockable, said structure being provided with slots transverse to the longitudinal extent of the channel, and abutments between said movable elements for interlocking said members, said abutments being removable laterally through said slots from bet-ween said elements and from said structure.

6. Interlocking mechanism for voting machines embodying movable straps and wedge blocks carried thereby, comprising a structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, flanges on said structure at opposite sides of said channel and one of said flanges being provided with slots extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of said channel, and abutments between said straps for interlocking said wedge blocks in said channel, said abutments being retained on said structure by said flanges, and being removable therefrom and from between said straps through said slots.

7. Interlocking mechanism for voting ma chines embodying movable straps and wedge blocks carried thereby, comprising a structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, flanges on said structure at opposite sides of said channel and one of said flanges being provided with slots extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of said channel, abutments between said straps for interlocking said wedge blocks in said channel, said abutments being retained on said structure by said flanges, and beinlg removable therefrom and from be tween said straps through said slots, and rotative buttons in said slots for locking said abutments on said structure.

8. Interlocking mechanism for voting machines which include movable straps and wedge blocks carried thereby, comprising a structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, flanges on said structure at opposite sides of said channel and one of said flanges being provided with slots extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of said channel, abutments betweensaid straps forinterlocking said wedge blocks in said channel, and means on said structure for spacing said blocks in groups, said means and said abutments being retained laterally on said structure by said flanges, and being removable laterally therer from with said abutments through said slots. 9. The combination with voting machine straps and Wedge blocks carried thereby, of V Q a structure providingra channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, and provided with slots extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the channel, and means on said structure for spacing said blocks, 15. said means being removable laterally from said structure through said slots.

10. The combination with voting machine straps and wedge blocks carried thereby, of a structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, and provided with slots extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the channel, means on said structure for spacing said blocks and straps, said means being removable laterally from said structure through said slots, and

rotative buttons on said structure for opening and closing said slots.

11. The combination with voting machine straps and'wedge blocks carried thereby, of a vertical supporting structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be'interlocked, flanges on said structure and one of said flanges being provided with slots, and substantially C-shaped abutments between the straps for interlocking the wedge blocks in the channel, said abutments being retained on said structure by said flanges, and said abutments being removable from said structure and from between said straps'through said slots.

12. The combination with voting machine strapsand wedge blocks carried thereby, of a vertical supporting structure providing a channel in which the blocks may be interlocked, flanges on said structure and one of said flanges being provided with slots, substantially C-shaped abutments between the straps for interlocking the Wedge blocks in the channel, said abutments being retained on said structure by said flanges, said abut ments being removable from said structure and from between said straps through said slots, and buttons rotatably mounted on said structure for opening and closing said slots. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH M. GARR.

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