US2407981A - Voting machine - Google Patents

Description

A. N. GusTAvsoN 2,407,981

VOTING MACHINE Fjed Hay 27, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1` SePL 24, 1946 A@ N.Gus'rAvscN 2,407,981

VOTING MACHINE Filed May 27. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 24, 1946 VOTING MACHINE Alvin N. Gustavson, Bem

to Automatic Voting Jamestown, N. Y., a cor us Point, N. Y., assignor Machine Corporation, poration of Delaware Application May 27, 1942, Serial No. 444,640

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in voting machines and more particularly to a mechanism for requiring a voter to indicate and cast a complete ballot, and includes structure of the nature of my abandoned application, Serial No. 195,722, led March 14, 1938.

In an election for representatives to general assembly, representatives to conventions, or in any other omce group election, there are more candidates up for election than there are oflices to be nlled. Certain cf the candidates must always be defeated and others nominated or elected. In elections of this nature the voter is instructed Yto cast his ballot for the same lnumber of candidates as there are oices to be filled in a given oiiice group. Little or no elect on the outcome of an election would occur if only a few voters failed to cast their ballots as instructed, but it was found that a group vof voters, by prearrangement, could defeat lthe purpose of an election of this nature by casting their ballots for only one candidate instead of a number of candidates equal to the number of oices in the office group. In this manner a particular candidate would receive votes equal in number to that of the group of voters and the other candidates would receive none. Thus the favored candidate would be the equivalent of twice the number of votes ahead of any other candidate with respect to a given groupof voters. Inasmuch as this practice is not only unethical and contrary to the intent of the election laws, it became necessary to provide a mechanism for controlling this condition in elections involving candidate groups.

The present invention is directed to means for controlling balloting in elections involving candidate groups and comprises a mechanism which serves to prevent a voter from recording his ballot and leaving the Voting booth without first having complied with the election laws concerning candidate group balloting.

Prior to this invention, in the election of candidates to ofiice groups, a voter could comply with the election requirements, thereby satisfying any protective mechanism provided for this purpose, and indicate-to an election oflicial that his ballot was complete. The election ofiicialwould then raise the entrance knob for the purpose of locking the voting machine against further balloting and unlocking a lever operable by the voter, to register his ballot and Open the curtains of the booth. Subsequently to the entrance knob being raised by the election oiiicial and prior to the voters operation of the registering lever, it was possible for the voter to withdraw any or al1 of 2 the ballots he previously had indicated and which had satisfied the protective mechanism of the voting machine to the extent of allowing the v election onicial to raise the entrance knob. Thus the protective mechanism could be circumvented and it became evident that the voting machine must be under protective control from the time a voter enters the booth until he leaves it.

The present invention serves to prevent the withdrawing of ballots subsequent to the time a voter has indicated his ballot is complete and ready to be registered, and this constitutes the principal object of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for a voting machine which functions to control and require proper balloting subsequently to the release or withdrawal of control by an election official.

Other and further objects of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of one modification of the invention applied to a voting machine;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View, partly in section, showing that portion of the mechanism adapted to engage and control movement of interlocking straps in main and auxiliary interlocks;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing interlocking straps held in voted position by a bar forming a part of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, with the elements in a position assumed when the entrance knob has been raised and a voter has operated the curtain closing lever;

Fig. 7 is a further view showing the position of ther parts of the mechanism during their return to normal position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of another modification of the invention applied to a voting machine;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, partly enlarged, taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, and sho-ws the parts in inoperative position;

Fig. l0 is a vertical sectional View, similar to Fig. 9, showing the parts in full line in partly operated position;

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a strap interlocking bar;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged Vertical sectional view of a modication form of the structure shown in Fig. 12.

Reference is now had to the drawings wherein the invention is shown applied to a voting machine, a portion of which is generally indicated by the reference numeral I8. The machine includes side and base walls II and I2. Adjacent the base wall is a main interlock I3 having main interlocking straps I4. Since the present invention has to do particularly with balloting in oice groups, an auxiliary interlock I6 is provided. This interlock includes auxiliary straps I1 joined in any conventional manner to and operable by straps I4.

An entrance knob I8 is located exteriorly of the votingl machine and is limited to vertical movement through the provision of a shaft I9 which is mounted in a suitable slot 2|l in the wall IIofthe machine. A sleeve 22 and strap 23 are mounted on the shaft I9. A shaft 24, secured to strap 23, mounts one end of a rod 26. The rod 26 extends downwardly along the wall II and is joined at its lower end through a pivot member 2,1 to one end of a rocker arm 28. Arm 28 is fitted with a rod 29 which is projectable through an o-pening in one or more plates when a voter has manipulated the prescribed number of candidate indicators on the face lci" the voting machine and the related interlocking straps I4 and y Secured to the wall II, beneath the entrance knob IB, is a bracket 3l'. IThis bracket has an upwardly extending arm 32. Mounted on the arm 32`is a pivot pin 33 which supports a bell crank 34. An arm 36 of the bell crank 34 is pivotally connected by a pin 31 to a bracket 36 that is rigidly secured to the rod 26. The other arm .39 of the bell crank is pivotally connected with one end of an extensible member 4I which com.- prises apair of straps 42 and 43. These straps are formed with longitudinally extending slots 44 and 46. A pin 41` on strap 42 projects into slot 46 and a further pin 48 on strap 43 projects through slot 44. An expansion spring 49 is secured at one end to pin 48 of strap 43 and at the other end'to a further pin 5I on strap 42.

The free end of strap 43 is joined through a pivot pin 5 2' to a rod 53. It will be noted that this rod parallels straps 42 and 43 and at one end is pivotally joined to a cam 54 thorugh a pin 56. The cam 54, at its lower end, is pivotally mounted onbracket 3| and includes surfaces 51, 58, and 59. Fixed to the other end of rod 53 is a plate 6I. The free end of this plate is connected through a pivot pin 62 with an arm 63 of a bell crank 64. A central supporting member 66 in the voting machine mounts a horizontally disposed bracket 61to which the central portion of the bell crank 64 is joined by a pivot pin 68. An arm 69 of the bell crank is pivotally connected with one end of an angle bar 1I. One or more links 12 have pivotal connection at one end with the bar 1I and are pivotally anchored at the opposite ends to a fixed portion of the machine. The purpose of link 12 is to guide the bar 1I, bell crank 64 serving to transmit movement of rod 53 to bar 1I in aA direction perpendicular to the movement of said rod. Each oi the interlocking straps I4 is formed with a lug 13. These lugs all extend in 4 the same direction. Bar 1I' is adapted to move into position above or beneath lugs 13 for the purpose oi preventing movement of the straps I4 out of the position they occupy at the time the bar is manipulated.

Adjacent the side wall I I of the machine is a vertically positioned bar 14 which extends upwardly and is connected in any conventional manner with the lever that is adapted to be operated by a voter to open or close the curtains of a voting booth. Adjacent the entrance knob I8, one end of a strap 16 is pivotally joined to the bar 14. This strap is formed with an offset to cause the lower portion 11 thereof to approach wall I I. The portion 11 projects between a pair of guides 18 mounted on one face o the bracket 3l. Adjacent the offset of the strap 16 is a pin Under certain circumstances of operation hereinafter set forth, pin 19 is adapted to contact surfaces 51, 58, and`59 of cam 54.

Having described the structure of the invention, its use in connection with the operation of a voting machine is as follows: It is to be assumed that the voting machine II) is arranged to handle the election of candidates in an office group where there are a limited number of oflices available and a greater number oi candidates are seeking nomination or election to these oices. In accordance with the election laws, a voter must cast his ballot for a candidate for each of the oiiices of the group. When a voter enters the voting booth, the election ofcial raises the entrance knob I8. In the usual mechanism of the voting machine, knob I6 functions, through strap 23, to release the lever by which the voter may enclose himself in the booth and unlock the machine for voting. However, since the present invention is connected with the entrance knob, an adjustment of certain parts thereof also takes place. It will be noted that strap 26 is connected with the entrance knob and, therefore, this strap will move upwardly, causing arm 28 to pivot and rod .29 to project through a neutral position opening in one or more plates located in the auxiliary I interlock I6. As the strap 26 moves upwardly, it

causes bell crank 34 to pivot about pin 33 on bracket 3 I. This rotational movement of the bell crank moves member 4I, whichin turn causes rod 53 to move toward the left as viewed in the drawings. One end of rod 53 is joined to the cam 54 and, consequently, this cam will swing into the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. The rod 53 is also connected through plate 6I with bell crank 64 and causes this bell crank to rotate about pivot pin 68 and movethe angle bar `1I to occupy a position directly over lugs 13 of the straps I4. 'l

As the voter moves the lever to close the curtains and unlock the machine for voting, bar 14 moves downwardly, causing strap 16 to move downwardly, pin 19 is thus brought into contact with surface 51 of cam 54. Since this surface is inclined, the cam will be rotated clockwise about itspivot and move rod 53. This movement of rrod 53' causes angle bar 1I to momentarily move out of position abovev lugs 13. Itis to be noted that the entrance knob I8 is still in raised position and bell crank 34 and member 4I are in the position shown in Figure '1 of the drawings. Movement of rod 53, without moving bell crank 34 or strap 26, is possible through the provision of the extensible member 4I which, as'heretofore described, comprises relatively slidable spring held straps 42, and 43. As the pin 19 moves from off thefsurface151. onto surface 58, thentension oi spring 49 causes cam 54 to commence moving toward the left as viewed in the drawings. This movement continues until the pin has moved onto the notched surface 59. This action of the pin 19 and cam 54, it will be understood, takes place during the curtain closing operation and the parts of the invention, when the voting machine is ready for use, assume the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings.

During the curtain closing operation, the relatively extensible parts 43 and 44 have functioned and bar 1I momentarily withdrawn from its position overlying the lugs of the. straps. No advantages are obtained by this functioning of the parts during the curtain closing operation. However, during the curtain opening operation, as is well known in voting machines of this type, it is necessary to first secure the actuated straps against voter manipulation, register the vote indicated by the voter and, third, return the straps to their original inoperative position. The relatively extensible parts, which permit withdrawal of bar 1I, function during the curtain opening operation following registering the indicated vote on the counters, and permit movement of the straps to their original inoperative position. It might be assumed that withdrawal of bar 1I would withdraw control of the machine over the possibility of a voters changing his preference, but it is to be borne in mind that by the timesuch a possibility exists the voters indicated ballot has already been registered, and any attempt yto manipulate the voting indicators would in no wise affect the original intended vote.

When the election official lowers the entrance knob I8, shaft 29 is withdrawn from the auxiliary interlock I6. With the lowering of entrance knob I8, the cam 54, rod 53, and bar 1I return to the position indicated in Figures 1, 2, and 4 of the drawings and the interlocking straps are thus free to be moved. The voter may now cast his ballot for a candidate for each of the ofiices listed on the face of the voting machine. As the voting operation takes place, certain` of the interlocking straps I4 and I1 are raised and assume the position shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. If the voter has properly cast his ballot, certain of the interlocking straps I4 and I1 will actuate a control mechanism in the auxiliary interlock I6 by causing one or more plates thereof to register certain openings with shaft 29. The voter now indicates to the election official that he has completed balloting and said oflicial again raises the entrance knob I8. The strap 26 moves upwardly, rocking arm 28 and moving shaft 29 downwardly into engagement with certain plate openings in the auxiliary interlock I6. If the voter has not properly cast his ballot, the entrance knob cannot be fully raised because the shaft 29 will not be engageable with openings in the plates of the auxiliary interlock. Strap 26 again causes bell crank 34 to swing about pivot 33 and, through rod 53 and bell crank 64, moves bar 1I toward the interlocking straps I4. It will be noted (see Figure 5) that straps I4 have been raised by manipulation of indicators on the face of the voting machine and that said bar has now moved into position beneath lugs 13 and prevents movement of the straps I 4 from voting to non-voting position. In other words, once the voter has indicated to `the election oicial that his choice of candidates has been made, and the oiicial has raised the entrance knob I8 for the purpose of allowing him to open the curtains of the booth, record his vote, and leave the machine, he cannot change his mind concerning his ballot; and move any indicators from voting to non-voting position, due to the fact that these indicators are directly connected with straps I4 and these straps are prevented movement by bar 1I. Upon movement of the curtain lever to open position, bar 14 moves upwardly and, through strap 16, causes pin 19 to ride upwardly along the surfaces of cam 54 and the parts of the device return to the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, thus preparing the mechanism for control of the next voter.

Since bar 1| extends substantially the full length of the machine, it is effective not only to prevent movement of straps I4 of a given group, but all of the straps of the voting machine, whether they are in a group the mechanism is intended to control or not. It is conceivable that a voter might fail to fully actuate one or more straps not set up in a given group, and such actuation might be such as to cause the vertical edges of one or more lugs 13 to become directly aligned with the vertical edge of the upper flange of the bar 1I. Under such circumstances the bar 1I could not move into position above or below the lugs and its usefulness as a means of preventing undesired movement of the straps would be nulliiied. Although it is true that a strap I4 would not be properly actuated and a corresponding candidate indicator on the face of the machine would not have been fully moved into vote indicating position, it is conceivable that voters unfamiliar with nachine voting might fail to fully move `the candidate indicators and effect full movement of the corresponding straps I4, thereby creating the condition mentioned.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figures 8 to 13, inclusive, and in this form the device provides against damage or incomplete operation of the machine by utilizing the bar 1I as a support for one or more plates that engage the lugs of the straps. These plates are of different lengths to accommodate different size groups and may be placed on the bar 1I to effectively control a group, regardless of its position on a voting machine.

Reference is now particularly had to Figures 8 to 12, inclusive, wherein such a modication of the structure is shown. In this instance, main interlocking straps are provided. These straps each include conventional means for connecting the auxiliary straps I1 thereto. Additionally, they include pointed lugs SI having upper and lower surfaces 82 and 83, respectively, and a shoulder 84, which is a continuation of surface 83 and formed on the under edge of the lug. Straps 80, in all other respects, are identical with straps I4 and, of course, intel-locks I3 and I are as shown and described in the previous modification.

One or more plates 86 are mounted on the horizontal flange of the bar 1I. The number, length, and disposition of these plates correspond to the number of groups to be controlled, their location on the voting machine, as well as their length; by which is meant the number of straps involved in a group. Each plate is formed with a wedge shaped front edge 81, and one or more downwardly inclined cams 88 are located adjacent this edge. The plate is mounted on the bar 1I upon pins 89 that project through the slots 9| of the plate. Any suitable removable means, such as cotter pins 92, serve to prevent displacement of the pins. Between the head 93 of each pin and the under face of the horizontal flange of the bar 1I may be located a small spring 94. The spacing of the head 93 from the bar 'H determines the extent to which plate 86 may be tilted, and the spring 94 serves to return this plate to full surface contact with the upper flange of the bar 'H after such tilting. The edge of the plate 86, when in inoperative position, is flush with the vertical flange ofthe bar 1l. One or more strip or other suitable springs 96 are secured to the vertical flange of bar 1I by pins 91. These springs (see Figure 8) extend laterally along the iiange of the bar and thence upwardly to form a projection 93 that engages the rear edge of the plate 88. Any rearward movement of plate 86, within the limits prescribed by pins 89 and slots 9 I, tensions springs 96y and causes them to subsequently return the plate to unoperated position.

It isv clearly evident that the entrance knob i8 cannot be actuated if less straps than the number required to be actuated in a group have been so actuated. In the event a voter has only partially actuated one or more of the required number of straps 89, such actuation being sufficient to spread the rollers of the auxiliary interlock I9 and make possible entry of pin 29 into the sliding plate actuated by said rollers, the main strap it may have been raised to no greater extent than indicated in Figure l of the drawings. However, this position of the strap 8l) is such as to bring the pointed end of the lug 8l slightly above the point 81 of a plate 8E. Thus, when the entrance knob is raised and bar 'll is caused to move plate t5 into engagement with the lugs of one or'more 'such partially actuated straps, the plate will strike the inclined surface 83 and move the incompletely actuated strap 89 to the position it should have occupied had it been fully actuated in the first instance. Plate B6 is capable of completing movement of insuiliciently operated straps 89, not only because of its contact with the lug, but also because such contact causes rearward movement of plate 86 with respect to bar 1I, and as Isuch movement takes place, cams 89 move onto the upper ilange of the bar, raising the forward edge of the plate and giving additional movement to the straps 8D; Plates 8G may therefore be said to not only secure the straps in partially operated position against improper return to inoperative position, but also move said straps to fully operated position to prevent damage from occurring to their connected parts during the operation of registering a vote.

When utilizing the plates 8E as a means of engaging the lugs of the straps, bar 1l must be positioned farther to the rear of the machine than it Would normally be positioned if directly engageable with the lugs of the straps. It is contemplated, however, that the position of bar 'il may be reversed such, for example, as shown in Figure 13, and thus the bar, operating structure, and supports would be identical with .the structure shown in Figure 1. Plate 8S in this modification extends beyond the vertical flange of the bar 1l and is mounted for limited horizontal movement `with respect to the bar by the pin and slot structure 89-9l. Attached by pins 99 to the horizontal flange of the bar are springs 100. These springs are similar to springs 96 and 'serve a corresponding purpose.

It is to be particularly noted, in connection with the modilication shown in Figures' to 13, inclusive, that should a voter fail to actuate a strap to an extent such that the under side of a lug 8l would be engaged by plate 86, such actuation would be insuicient to permit movement of the entrance knob |8,. as pin 29 would not enter an opening in the sliding plate controlled by lthe interlock rollers. Furthermore, should any straps be slightly moved, plate B6, if the group voting is Isatisiied as to number through actuation of their straps, will contact upper surface 82 of lugs 8 I returning them to fully unoperated position.

Although applicant has shown and described only two modiiications of a mechanism in a voting machine which serves to preventa voter changing his vote subsequently to his indication to an election official that his vote is complete, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modications of the structure herein described may be made and are contemplated insofar as they are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in .the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In a voting machine having a manually operable control member and a plurality of operable straps having oiset portions, a mechanism for securing said straps against movement from either operated or inoperated position, said mechanism comprising a bar movable to engage the offset portions in either position of said straps, a rod joined to said control member, yieldable means operably connecting said bar with said rod, further means connecting said bar with a further bar, said further bar being operable to move said yieldable means and at least momentarily with.- draw said bar from engagement with said offset portions without affecting said control member.

2. In a voting machine having a control member movable to an operated position and a plu-l rality of operable straps having offset portions, a mechanism for securing said straps in operated position comprising a bar engageable with said offset portions when said straps are in operated position, yieldable means operably connecting said bar with said control member, and further means connected with said bar, said further means being operable to at least momentarily move said yieldable means and withdraw said bar from engagement with said oiset portions without affecting said control member.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON.

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