US2241485A

US2241485A - Voting machine

Info

Publication number: US2241485A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1941-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 1958-05-13

Description

May 13, 1941. R. F. sHouP VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-*Sheet 1 INVENT R W y BY@ mr ATTORNEYS May 13, 1941. R F. sHouP VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1v, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS May 13, 1941- R. F. sHouP VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INENTOR gw/LMA W BY /J ATTORNEYS May 13 1941- R F. sHouP VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1v, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTOR rmw ATTORNEYS 5:3 xms2. n

Patented May 13, 1941 VOTING MACHINE Ransom F. Shoup, Ardmore, Pa., assignor to The Shoup Voting Machine Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application February 17, 1939, Serial No. 256,872

125 Claims. k(Cl. 235-55) This invention relates to voting machines of the type disclosed in Shoup, et al. Patent No. 2,054,102.

In voting machines of this type, there is a main cam bar which is reciprocated either manually' or electrically and which on one stroke closes the curtains and conditions the voting mechanism for operation of the voting handles and associated counters by a voter and on its remaining) stroke returns the actuated voting handles to" original position Without any change in the actuated counters and opens the curtains. An election officers latch controls operation of the main cam bar. In an electrically operated machine of lthis type, there is provided a switch which?" the voter moves in one direction to effect curtain-closing operation and in another direction to effect curtain-opening operation. Also, there is provided a vertical bar which is supported for vertical movement with a horizontal component and is effective upon movement from one position to another to release the counters and upon return to its original position is effective to lock the counters in the position to which they were moved by the voter. This Vertical bar is interconnected With the main cam bar in such fashion that during the curtain-closing stroke of the main cam bar, the vertical bar is actuated to release the counters and on the return stroke of the main cam bar is reversely actuated to lock the counters. This bar, when disconnected from the main cam bar, is additionally movable beyond the position in which it releases the counters, to a position in which the counters are conditioned for resetting.

One object of this invention is an improved offcers latch and control mechanism therefor of such nature as to prevent the election officer from improperly operating the oillcers latch.

Another object is mechanism associated with the oflicers latch mechanism for preventing access to the connection between the main cam bar and the vertical bar except when the officers latch mechanism is in the position it assumes after completion of a vote-registering operation.

A further object is simple and easily operable means for moving said vertical bar to bring the counters into resetting position after it has been disconnected from the main cam bar.

A still further object of this invention is to place the voter-operated switch under control of the officers latch mechanism so that a Voter can actuate the switch only once in each direction.

An additional object of this invention is to f provide means for automatically locking the voter-operated switch in curtain-open position except during the period when the machine is in actual voting use.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal section through a Voting machine equipped with ofiicers latch control mechanism embodying the invention, the oflicers latch being in normal position, that is in position to prevent closing of the curtains and operation of the machine by the voter;

Fig. 2 is a similar View with the oicers latch in the position to which Ithe officer moves it to permit the voter to close the curtains and condittion the machine for a voter to indicate his vo e;

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the oicers latch in the same position as Fig. 2, but with the main cam bar near the end of the curtain-closing stroke;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. l

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 1 with the ofiicers latch in diiferent position than shown in any of Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 with the election oilicers latch bar out slightly from `the position shown in Fig. 6;

Figs. 8. 9 and 10 are respectively sections on the lines 8--8, 9-9 and Ill-l0 of Fig. 3;

Fig. l1 is an enlarged section on the line l i-I I of Fig. 2;

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 yare fragmentary elevational views of Fig. 11, viewed from the right;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line i5-i5 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevation of Fig. l1 viewed from the left;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevation of the upper portion of Fig. 11 viewed from the left;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary elevational View of mechanism controlled by the oflicers latch for preventing improper operation of the voter-operated switch;

Figs. 19 and 20 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 18 in different operational stages;

Fig. 21 is a front elevation partially broken away;

Fig. 22 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit for energizing the motor, and

Fig. 23 is a wiring diagram of a modified electrical circuit for energizing the motor.

In the lower part of a casing IIJ enclosing the voting mechanism there is provided a horizontal shelf II and a vertical partition IIa. A main cam bar 58 is supported `and gui-ded for horizontal reciprocation by rollers 53h supported by the shelf II and partition Ila. In the main cam bar is provided an oblique cam slot 58a. through which extends a pin l carried by a vertically movable bar 54. A plate I3 is attached to the main cam bar 53 and has a portion depending through a slot in the shelf II and connected to a pivoted arm I2 which may beoperated manually by a voter as described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 250,478 or may be operated through the medium of the link I4 by the motor drive which is the subject-matter of said copending application and is herein illustrated schematically by M. D. The operation of the main cam bar either manually or electrically is controlled by an election oicer by operation of the rod or slide 29 associated with mechanism termed the ofcers latch. The reference characters heretofore used have been selected to correspond with the reference characters used for corresponding elements in Shoup Patent No. 2,054,102.

The main cam bar 58 is provided with a longitudinal series of apertures forming ratchet teeth 58. A pair of oppitely acting pawls I5 and I6 are pivotally supported from the partition IIa. by a bracket I'I and are equipped With springs I8 tending to urge them into engaging relation with the ratchet teeth. The pawls are provided with arms I9 `and 29 through the medium of which they are moved and retained out of operative position. To the rod 29 is attached an angle bar 22 extending parallel to the main cam bar 58 and provided with

pins

23 and 24 adapted to engage the ends of the arms I9 and 29 respectively. The arrangement of the

pins

23 and 24 is such that with the rod 29 in the position shown in Fig. l, the pawl I5 is held in inoperative position while the pawl I6 is entirely released to engage the ratchet teeth 53 and with the rod 29 in the position` shown in Fig. 3, the pawl IG is held in inoperative position With the pawl I5 completely released to engage the ratchet teeth 53. Neither pawl is fully disengaged from the ratchet teeth 53 until after the other pawl is sufficiently released for engagement with the teeth. Thus, with the rod 29 in the position shown in Fig. 1, leftward movement of the main cam bar 58 from the curtain-open position shown in Fig. 1 to the curtain-closed position is prevented and with the rod 29 in the position shown in Fig. 3, rightward movement of the main cam bar 58 from curtain-closed position to curtainopen position` is prevented.

A plate 25 is xed to the shelf II and is provided with a pair of headed pins 26 projecting through slots in a slide 21 resting on the plate 25. Each end of the slide is upturned to provide tabs 28 and 3D and the main cam bar 58 is provided with a pin 3| adapted to engage the

tabs

28 and 30 on alternate strokes of the main cam bar. The bar 22 is provided with a longitudinal series of apertures forming ratchet teeth 32. A pair of oppositely acting

pawls

33 and 34 are pivotally supported by a common pivot pin 35 and a common spring 38 interconnects the two pawls tending to urge them into operative relation 'to the ratchet teeth 32. The pawl 33 is cut away to provide a shoulder 33a and the pawl 34 is similarly cut away to provide a shoulder Sila and on the slide 2l is provided a tab 3l for engagement in one position of the slide with the shoulder 33a. to render the pawl 33 inoperative and in another position of the slide to engage the shoulder 34a to render the pawl 3d inoperative. A pin 38 on the bar 22 is connected through the medium of a spring 39 with a stationary pin 49 so that whenever the pawl 33 is moved from operative to inoperative position, the bar 22 and rod 29 move into the position shown in Fig. l.

The operation of the control mechanism just described is as follows: With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, the curtains are open and the machine is locked against operation due to the fact that the main cam bar 58 is held against leftward movement by the pawl I6. rThe slide 21 is in such position that the tab 3l engages the shoulder 34a to render the pawl 3.4 inoperative to cause the spring 33 to urge the pawl '33 into operative relation to the ratchet teeth 32. Upon entry of a voter into the machine, the election oiiicer pushes rod 29 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby rendering pawl I6 inoperative through the medium or the pin 24 and arm 29 as shown in Fig. 2. The bar 22 is held in the position to which it has been moved (Fig. 2) by the pawl 33. The main. cam bar is thereupon moved to the left to curtain closed position which is slightly to the left of the position shown in Fig. 3, either manually or electrically. During the leftward movement oi the main cam bar 58, the pawl I5 becomes operative to prevent rightward movement of the cam bar and the pin 3| engages the tab 28 to move the slide 2'! from the position shown in Fig. 2, to a position slightly to the left of the position` of the slide in Fig. 3. As the slide 2l moves letward it first disengages the tab 3l from the shoulder 34a, thus freeing the pawl 36. Until the cam bar `reaches the position shown in Fig. 3, bar 22 is held in its extreme right position by the pawl 33. Upon the slide 21 reaching the position shown in Fig.A 3, the tab 3T engages the shoulder 33a to trip the pawl 33, thereby releasing the bar 22 for leftward movement by the spring 39 to its original position shown in Fig. 1. After the voter has actuated such Voting handles as he desires, he returns the main cam bar 58 from curtain-closed position to the position shown in Fig. 1, either manually or electrically, thereby returning the actuated handles to original position without changing the actuated counters and opening the curtains.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a possible condition of the pawls I5 and I6 which can be brought about in a manually operated machine through improper operation of the bar 29 by a dishonest election officer and which locks the main cam bar against movement toward curtain opened position by a voter after he has indicated his vote and is ready to operate the machine to open the curtains and register his vote. Such condition of the pawls I5 and IG can be brought about by the election oi'licer stopping the bar 22 on its leftward movement with the pawl 34 resting on a part of the bar 22 between apertures rather than extending into an aperture and then moving the bar 22 to the right a distance less than that required to bring the pawl 32 into engagement with a ratchet tooth 32. By such manipulation, the pawl I5 is either returned to or kept in partial engagement with the ratchet teeth 58. The voter, therefore, cannot move the cam bar to curtain-open position and the election oicer has an excuse to enter the closure which otherwise he would not have.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a modification wherein it is impossible for the pawls I and I6 to be positioned as shown in Fig. 5. In this modication, the ollicers latch bar is made in two sections 22a and 22h, the former of which is connected to the bar 29 and the latter of which carries the

pins

23 and 24. In the end of the portion 22a is mounted a bolt 40a which passes through an elongated slot 42 in the portion 22h and also an elongated slot in the bracket 43 supported by the shelf II. A spring 44 exerts pressure on the portion 22h tending to hold it against movement relative to the bracket 43.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated the arrangement of parts after the main cam bar 58has been moved to curtain-closed position and the pawl 33 has been tripped by the tab 31 (all as previously described) to release the rod 22 and the rod 22 has fully returned to its normal extreme left position in which position it is locked by the pawl 34. The pawl I5 is held in inoperative position by the pin 23 and the pawl I6 is pressed by its spring into position to engage the ratchet teeth 53. The rod 29 is held in its extreme position by the pawl 34. In order to eiect movement of the

pins

23 and 24 into position to render the pawl I5 operative and the pawl I6 inoperative, the rod 29, with the

pawls

33 and 34 in opposite positions from those shown in Fig. 6, must be pushed to the right a distance equal to the normal travel of the

pins

23 and 24 plus the length of the slot 42. Except for the slightly longer stroke, the operation is the same as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. In Fig. 7 is illustrated the arrangement of parts when the rod 29 is improperly stopped on its return movement. The pawl 34 rests on a part of the bar between ratchet teeth 58 and the pawl I5 has been lifted out of complete engagement with the ratchet teeth 58. Rightward movement of the rod 29 will not now place the pawl I5 in operative position since due to the lost motion connection between the parts 22a and 22D, there will be no movement of the pin 23 until after all the lost motion has been taken up. By such time, the pawl 34 will have become operative and further rightward movement of the rod 29 and section 22a is prevented. 'Ihe pawl I5 will, therefore, be retained in inoperative position and the voter may move the main cam bar 58 to curtain-open position.

The vertical bar 54 is provided with a pair of two-stage oblique slots 55 through which extend horizontal pins 56 so that the bar 54 is caused to move horizontally in two stages upon vertical movement thereof. The rst stage of horizontal movement of the bar 54 (between full and dot-dash line portions of Fig. 16) is .effective to render operative and inoperative the counters as is fully described in Patent No. 2,054,102. Also, as described in Shoup Patent No. 2,140,336 the second stage of horizontal movement of the bar 54 (from dot-dash to dotted line position of Fig. 16) is effective to release the counters for re-setting purposes. In order to efect suilcient horizontal movement of the bar 54 for re-setting purposes, it is necessary to remove the pin 51 from the cam slot 58a as the lift eiected by such cam slot will not raise the bar 54 sufficiently to cause the necessary horizontalmovement of such bar. The pin 51 is slotted and constitutes the reduced end portion of a stud 59 threaded into the lower portion of the bar 54. On the stud 59 is provided a shoulder 6I which limits the extent to which the stud can be screwed into the bar 54 and a housing 62 surrounding the stud limits the extent to which it can be screwed out of the bar. The permissible axial movement of the stud 59 is suflcient to move the pin 51 into and out of slot 58a.

Because of other mechanisms embodied in a Shoup type voting machine and interacting with the mechanisms herein described, it is essential that the bar 54 should not be disconnected from the bar 58 except when the latter bar is in its extreme right position and the olcers latch bar 22 is in its extreme left position. For this reason, there is attached to the bar 22 a shield 63 having a vertical right edge provided with a semi-circular notch. The size and arrangement of the notch is such that when the rod 22 is in its extreme left position and the main cam bar 58 is in its extreme right position, the notch and pin 51 are in registering relation, but at all other times are out of such relation so that only at such time can access be had to the end of the pin 51 for the insertion of a screw driver in the slot. Also attached to the bar 22 is a shield 64 which as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is of suicient area to overlie the opposite end of the stud 59 both when the bar 22 is in curtain open position and when it is in curtain closed position. This shield has an oblique slot 65 and an aperture 66. With the bar 22 in curtain-open position, the aperture 66 is in direct alinement with a shaft 61 having a square end and which carries an arm 6B. At the free end of the arm 68 is a slot into which extends a pin 69 carried by the bottom of the bar 54. Also, in the same position of the bar 22, the slot 65 is in alinement with the stud 59 so that the latter may be screwed into the slot. When the stud 59 is screwed into the slot 65 to disengage the pin 51 from the main cam bar 58, the bar 54 may be elevated by rotation of the shaft 61 through the medium of a suitable key inserted through the aperture 66. By this arrangement, the bar 54 can be lifted suiciently that its horizontal movement brings the -counters into resetting position.

At the upper end 0f the bar 54 there is provided a plate 16 having an oblique groove 1I into which fits a pin 12 provided at one end of a link 13 slidably supported from the voting machine casing through the medium of a pin 14 extending through a slot in the link and the link is connected to the bar 16 of the counter 11. Each time the bar 54 is lifted, the counter is advanced one unit and so registers the total number of Vote operations plus the number of times the counters are operated to re-set them.

Fig. 22 illustrates one form of motor control circuit for electrically operating the machine. This circuit includes two parallel branches a and b in series with the motor M. Each branch con tains three pairs of contacts, of which one pair forms part of a voter-actuated switch V. S., another pair forms part of a drive control switch D. S., disclosed in detail and claimed in the copending application of Ransom F. Shoup, Serial No. 250,478, and the other pair of which forms part of an ofcer's latch control switch O. S. (Fig. 1). Each switch includes a bridging member which coacts in one position with a pair of contacts in one branch and in another position coacts with the corresponding pair of contacts in the other branch. The switch O. S. (Fig. 1) is operatively connected to the omcers latch rod 22 for operation of its bridging member thereby and the bridging member of the switch D, S. is actuated at each end of the stroke of the main cam bar 58 by means, not shown, such means being operated by the motor drive M. D. The particular structure of the means just referred to preferably is the same as shown in said co-pending application, Serial No. 250,478, but may be of any other suitable construction. With the machine in curtain open position, the bridging members of the three switches V, S., O. S., and D. S. are in the position shown in Fig. 22 with the bridging members of V. S. and O. S. coacting with contacts in branch circuit b and with the bridging member of D. S. coacting with contacts in the branch circuit a so that the motor control circuit is in open condition. Upon entry of a voter into the machine, the election oiflcer pushes in the rod 22 as previously described, thereby actuating the switch O. S. to transfer its bridging member from the branch circuit b to the branch circuit a, thus putting the branch circuit a. in condition to be closed upon actuation of V. S. by the voter. Actuation of the switch V. S. transfers its bridging member from branch circuit b to branch circuit a to close the motor circuit and effect energization of the motor, thereby resulting in leftward movement of the main cam bar 58 from curtain open position (Fig. 4) to curtain closed position. As previously described, the oicers latch rod 22 is released just prior to the main cam bar reaching its curtain closed position, thereby actuating switch O. S. to transfer its bridging member from branch circuit a to branch circuit b. Also, at the end of the curtain closing stroke of the cam bar 58, the bridging member of D. S. is transferred from branch circuit a. to branch circuit bi. As a result of the above-described transfer of bridging members, the branch circuit a is opened and the motor drive is deenergized while the branch circuit b is conditioned for closing by actuation of V, S. After the voter has finished his actuation of the spindles, he again actuates V. S. thereby transferring its bridging member from branch circuit a to branch circuit b and closing the motor circuit to eiect energization of the motor drive to return the main cam bar 58 to curtain open position. As the main cam bar 58 reaches curtain open position, the bridging member of D. S. is transferred from branch circuit a to branch circuit b, thereby opening the motor circuit with consequent de-energization of the motor drive. Upon entry of another voter into the machine, the election oicer actuates the rod 22 as previously described, thereby returning the bridging member of O. S. to branch circuit a, and again conditioning the machine for operation through actuation of V. S.

In Figs 18 to 21 inclusive is illustrated mechanism for placing the voter-operated switch V. S. under control of the election oiicers latch bar 22. The voter-operated switch comprises a contact box 80 equipped with an oscillatable arm 8l which has a pin and slot connection with a ratchet wheel 82. A pair of

pawls

83 and 84 are pivotally supported by a bracket 85 for cooperation with the ratchet teeth. A shield 85 is connected to the ratchet wheel 82 and carries a pin 81, all the parts just described being supported from the front wall of the casing l at its upper end within the casing. The pin 81 `extends through an arcuate slot 88 in the front wall of the casing I0 in a convenient position for actuation by a Voter. A wiper 89 concentric with the ratchet wheel 82 engages the

pawls

83 and 84, the wiper being cut away sufliciently to permit one of the pawls to swing into operative relation to the ratchet wheel While maintaining the other out of such relationship. A lever 9| is pivotally supported by the pivot pin 92 and has one end pivotally connected to the arm 93 of the wiper 88. The other end of the lever 9| is connected by a link 94 with one end of a lever 95 having a pin and slot connection with the shield 54 (Figs. 1 and 2l).

Fig. 23 illustrates the motor control circuit used in connection with the modication of Figs. 18 to 21. The circuit includes two parallel branches a. and b in series with the motor M. Each branch contains two pairs of contacts, of which one pair forms part of switch V. S. and the other pair forms part of the drive controlled switch D. S. disclosed and claimed in said copending application, Serial No. 250,478. Each switch includes a bridging member which coacts in one position with one pair of contacts and in another position with the other pair of contacts.

In Figs. 18 and 23, the switch is shown in the curtain-open position and with the officers latch in the position shown in Fig. 1. The switch V. S. is held against operation by the pawl 813. The motor control circuit is in the open condi-tion shown in Fig. 23, with the bridging member of V. S. coacting with contacts in the branch circuit a and with the bridging member of D. S. coacting with contacts of the branch circuit b. Upon entry of a voter into the machine, the election oiiicer pushes in the bar 22 as previously described, thus lifting the link 94 and swinging the lever 9| and wiper 89 to the position shown in Fig, 19. The counter-clockwise movement of the wiper 89 lifts the pawl 84 out of engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 82 and permits the pawl 83 to swing into engagement with such teeth. The Voter now moves the pin 81 from the position shown in Fig. 18, to the position shown in Fig. 19, thus causing clockwise rotation of the shield as well as of the ratchet Wheel 82 with concurrent movement of the arm 8| to the position shown in Fig. 19, thus transferring the bridging member' orn switch V. S. from branch circuit d to branch circuit b, thereby closing the motor control circuit to cause operation of the machine to close the curtains and release the counters. As previously described, the oiiicers latch is locked until the curtains have been closed, whereupon it is released and returned to its original position by the spring 39 and the bridging member of the switch D. S. is transferred from branch circuit b to branch circuit a as the main cam bar reaches the end of its curtain-closing stroke.

The return of the oficers latch pulls down the link 94, thereby swinging the lever 9| and wiper 88 into the position shown in Fig. 20 with concurrent lifting of the pawl 83 and release of the pawl 84. After the voter has completed indicating his vote, he moves the pin 81 from the position shown in Fig. 19 to the position shown in Fig. 20, thereby returning the switch arm 8l to ,the position shown in Fig. 20, with the resulting return oi the bridging member of switch V. S. to original position in branch circuit a and consequent energization of the motor control circuit Vto effect opening oi the curtains. At the end oi the curtain opening stroke of the main cam bar 58, the bridging member of D. S. is

transferred from branch circuit a to branch eircuit b thereby opening the motor control circuit with consequent de-energization of the motor. The switch V. S. now is locked against further operation by the voter until after the election officer agai-n pushes in the rod 29. 'I'his arrangement effectively prevents the voter from operating the switch more than the two times which he is supposed to operate it for closing and opening the curtains and thereby prevents improper operation.

Before and after the election period, the switch is locked againstl operation. The reciprocating bar 4| which is the foundation of the ballot locking mechanism described in my Patent 2,216,458, dated Oct. 1, 1940 has an extension which, when the bar 4| is in the locking position shown in Fig. 18, engages a roller 95 at the end of a lever 91 supported by the pivot pin 92 and holds such lever against the action of the spring 98 in the path of a pin 99 on the ratchet wheel 82. Thus, with the pawl 91 in the full line position shown in Fig. 18, clockwise rotation of the ratchet Wheel 82 is prevented, thereby preventing movement of the pin 81. However, when the bar 4| is moved lto the lefi-l to .its unlocked or voting position, the roller 96 clears the end of the bar so that the lever 91 is lifted to the dotted line position by the spring 98, thereby moving the end of the lever out of the path of the pin 99 and permitting clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel 02.

In the mechanism herein described, the bar 22 cannotl be located in the position shown in Fig. 1, unless the bar 54 is connected to the main cam bar 'by projection of the pin 51 into the slot 58a as otherwise the stud 59 will extend into the slot 65 in the shield 64a, thus preventing movement of the bar 22'. Also, after the bar 4| has been moved to the right from the position shown in Fig. 18 at the end of the election, thus making it possible to tabulate the returns, the voter-actuated switch V. S. cannot be operated to rotate the ratchet wheel 82 counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 18, thereby making it impossible to eiect curtain-closing operation of the electrical driving mechanism M. D.

I claim:

1. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having a longitudinal series of ratchet teeth, means for longitudinally reciprocating said cam bar, a pair of oppositely acting spring-actuated pawls adapted to co-operate with said teeth, a slide, means on said slide effective in alternate positions to render said pawls alternately inoperative, means for locking said slide in each of its alternate positions, and means actuated by said cam bar on each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions.

2. In a voting machine, a movable main cam bar, means for limiting said cam bar to unidirectional movement in one of two directions, means for limiting said bar to uni-directional movement in the other direction, a slide, means on said slide effective in alternate positions thereof to render said direction-limiting means alternately inoperative, means for locking said slide in each of its alternate positions, and means actuated by said cam bar on each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions.

3. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to co-operate with said teeth., a slide, a pair of abutments on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, means for locking said slide in each of its alternate posiitions, and means actuated by said cam bar at each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions.

4. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having a longitudinal series of ratchet teeth, means for longitudinally reciprocating said cam bar, a pair of oppositely acting spring-actuated pawls adapted to co-operate with said teeth, a slide, means on said slide effective in alternate positions to render said pawls alternately inoperative. means for locking said slide in each of its alternate positions, means actuated by said cam bar on each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions, and resilient means tending to maintain said slide in one position.

5. In a voting machine, a movable main cam bar, means for limiting said cam bar to unidirectional movement in one of two directions, means for limiting said bar to uni-directional movement in the other direction, a slide, means on said slide effective in alternate positions thereof to render said direction-limiting means alternately inoperative, means for locking said slide in each of its alternate poistions, means actuated by said cam bar on each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions, and resilient means tending to maintain said slide in one position. 6. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to co-operate with said teeth, a slide, a pair of abutments on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, means for locking said slide in each of its alternate positions, means actuated by said cam bar at each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions, `and resilient means tending to maintain said slide in one position.

7. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a iirst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to cooperate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide having ratchet teeth, a pair of abutments on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said pawls, and means movable by said cam bar into and out of engagement with each of said second pair of pawls to render the same inoperative or operative.

8. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a rst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to cooperate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide having ratchet teeth, a pair of abutments on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said pawls, a member movable into and out of engagement with each of said second pair of pawls to render the same inoperative or operative, and means on said cam bar eiective on each stroke thereoi to actuate said movable member.

9. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a iirst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to cooperate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide having ratchet teeth, a pair of abutments on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair oi oppositeiy acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to cooperate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said pawls, each of said second pair of pawls having a shoulder, a slidable member having a tab engageable with said shoulders, and means on said cam bar eiiective on each stroke thereof to actuate said movable member to disengage said tab from one shoulder and engage it with the other shoulder.

10. In a voting machine, a main cam bar havving Vratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a rst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to cooperate with said cam bar ratchet teeth,.a slide having ratchet teeth, a pair of abutments on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said pawls, means movable by said cam bar into and out of engagement with each of said second pair of pawls to render the same inoperative or operative, and resilient means tending to maintain said slide in one position.

ll. In a voting machine, a main cam bar havingratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a first pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to cooperate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide having ratchet teeth, a pair of `abutinents on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and beingv adapted to cooperate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said pawls, a mem, er movable into and out of engagement with each of said second pair of pawls to render the same inoperative or operative, meansuon said cam bar eiiective on each stroke thereof to actuate said movable member, and resilient means tending to maintain said slide in onen position.

l2. In a voting machine, a main cam barhaving ratchet teeth, means Afor reciprocating said cam bar, a lirst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to co-operate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide having ratchet teeth, a pair of abutmentsV on said slide, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair oi oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth. a spring interconnecting said pawls, each oi' said second Ypair of pawls having a shoulder. a slidable member having a tab engageable with said shoulders, means on said cam bar effective on each stroke thereof to actuate said movable member to disengage said tab from one shoulder and engage it with the other shoulder, and. resilient means tending to maintain said slide in one position.

13. In a voting machine, an operating bar movable to and iro, means including a motor for actuating said bar, a slide movable between' two positions, means controlled by said bar for aai-nice loci-:ing said slide in either position, a motor control switch having an arm oscillatable between two positions, and means actuated by said slide for locking said arm in either position.

14. In a voting machine, an operating bar movable to and iro, means including a motor for actuating said bar, a slide movable between two positions, means controlled by said bar for locking said slide in either position, a motor control switch having an arm oscillatable between two positions, a rotatable ratchet member interconnected to said arm, a pair of oppositely actuating pawls adapted to co-operate with said ratchet member, and means actuated by said slide for rendering either oi sai pawls operative and the other inoperative.

l5. In a voting machine, an operating bar movable to and iro, means including a motor for actuating said bar, a slide movable between two positions, means controlled by said bar ior locking said slide in either position, a motor control switch having an arm oscillatable between two positions, a rotatable ratchet member interconnected to said arm, a pair oi oppositely actuating pawls adapted to cc-operate with said ratchet member, a rotatable wiper coaxial with said ratchet member and adapted in each of two positions to render one pawl operative and the other pawl inoperative, and means actuated by said slide for moving said wiper between said positions.

16. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said carn bar, a pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to co-operate with said teeth, a slide composed of two parts having a lost motion connection, a pair oi abutments on one slide part, an arm associated with each pawl for cngagemcnt by one of said abutmcnts to render said pawl inoperative, means for locking the other slide part in each of two alternate positions of said slide, and means actuated by said cam bar at each stroke thereof to release said slide part from one of its locked positions.

l'7. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a iirst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to co-operate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide composed of two parts having a lost motion connection, a pair of abutments on one slide part and the other slide part having ratchet teeth, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said lastnamed pawls and means movable by said cam bar into and out of engagement with each of said second pair of pawls to render the same inoperative or operative.

18.111 a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a first pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to cc-operate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide composed of two parts having a lost motion connection, a pair of abutments on one slide part and the other slide part having ratchet teeth, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said lastnained pawls, a member movable into and out of engagement with each of said second pair of pawls to render the same inoperative or operative, and means on said cam bar effective on each stroke thereof to actuate said movable means.

19. In a voting machine, a main cam bar having ratchet teeth, means for reciprocating said cam bar, a rst pair of oppositely acting pawls adapted to oo-operate with said cam bar ratchet teeth, a slide composed of two parts having a lost motion connection, a pair of abutments on one slide part and the other slide part having ratchet teeth, an arm associated with each pawl for engagement by one of said abutments to render said pawl inoperative, a second pair of oppositely acting pawls having a common pivot and being adapted to co-operate with said slide ratchet teeth, a spring interconnecting said last-named pawls, each pawl having a shoulder, a slidable member having a tab engageable with said shoulders, and means on said cam bar effective on each stroke thereof to actuate said slidable member to disengage said tab from one shoulder and engage it with the other shoulder.

20. In a voting machine, motor driven means, a voter-actuated motor control switch having an arm movable between a iirst and a second position, a second motor control switch in circuit with said first motor control switch, an election oilicers slide movable between a iirst and a second position for operating said second switch, and operating connections between said slide and arm for locking said arm in its iirst position when said slide is in its iirst position and releasing said arm in its first position upon movement of said slide to its second position and for locking sa-id arm in its second position when said slide is in its second position and releasing said arm in its second position upon movement of sa-id slide to its first position.

21. In a voting machine according to claim 20, additional means for locking said arm in one of its positions irrespective of the position of said slide.

22. In a voting machine, a reciprocating main cam bar having an oblique slot, means for limiting said cam bar to uni-directional movement in one of two directions, means for limiting said bar to uni-directional movement in the other direction, a slide, means on said slide etlective in alternate positions thereof to render said direction limiting means alternately inoperative, means tending to maintain said slide in one position, means -for locking said slide in each of its alternate positions, means actuated by said cam bar upon each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions, a second bar movable transversely to said cam bar, a pin carried by said second bar and extending into said cam bar slot, and a shield connected to lsaid slide adapted in both positions thereof to overlie one end of said pin and having a slot adapted to aline with said pin in one position only of said slide to afford access to said pin.

23. In a voting machine, a reciprocating main cam :bar having an oblique slot, means for limiting said cam bar to uni-directional movement in one of two direc-tions, means for limiting said bar to uni-directional movement in the other direction, a slide, means on said slide effective in alternate positions thereof to render said direction limiting means alternately inoperative, means -tending to maintain said slide in one position, means for locking said slide in ea'ch of its alternate positions, means actuated by said cam bar upon each stroke thereof to release said slide from one of its locked positions, a second bar movable transversely to said cam bar, a pin carried by said second bar and extending into said cam bar slot, a shield connected -to said slide adapted in both positions oi said slide to overlie one end of said pin, a shaft, an arm iixed to said shaft, and a pivoted connection between said arm and said second bar, said shield having a slot and an aperture adapted in one position of said slide respectively to aline with said pin and register with said shaft to ailord access to said pin and shaft.

24. In a votin-g machine according to claim 22, a second shield connected to said sli-de adapted in said one position of the slide to expose the remaining end of said pin and in t'he other position of said slide to overlie said remaining end of said pin to prevent access thereto.

25. A voting machine according to claim 23, a second shield connected to said slide adapted in said one position of the slide to expose the remaining end of said pin and in the other position of said slide to overlie said remaining end of said pin to prevent access thereto.

RANSOM F. SHOUP.