US2437521A

US2437521A - Voting machine

Info

Publication number: US2437521A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1948-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1965-03-09

Description

March 9, 194%. A. N. GusTAvsoN VOTING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1958 Frs-I si v -ell I fill/221 l@f2/#adam Mfg/v Summa/14 Patented Mar. 9, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VOTING MACHINE Vsubstituted for abandoned application Serial No.

188,966, February 5, 1938.

This application September 23, 1939, Serial No. 296,305

(Cl. 235--54l 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement. in voting machines andv more particularly to a mechanism for requiring a voter to cast a complete ballot, and is a reiile of my abandoned application, Serial' No. 188,966, iiled February 5, 1938.

In elections for representatives to general assembly, representatives to conventions, or other oiiice groups, there are always more candidates seeking nomination or election than there are oiiices to be iilled. Consequently, some of the candidates must be defeated and others nominated or elected. At elections of this nature the voter is instructed to cast his ballot for the same number of candidates asv there are offices to be' filled in a given office group. Ii a few voters individually fail to cast their ballotsas instructed, this would have little or no eiect on the outcome of an election, but it was found that a group of voters, by prearrangernen-t, could-defeat the pur'- poses of the election by casting their ballots for only one candidate instead of a number of candidates equal to the number of olices in the officel group` In this manner the particular candidate would receive votes equal to that ofv the group of voters and the other candidates would receive none. The favored candidate would therefore be the equivalent of two votes ahead' of any of the other candidates. To illustrate, let it be assumed' that ten candidates are seeking election to iive oflices and that iifty voters agreed to' cast their ballot for one given candidate instead of for nve. The favored cand-idate would thus be the' equivalent of one hundred votes ahead' of any of the other nin-.e candidates. This practice is not only unethical and contrary to the intention of election laws, but in some cases, where prejudice of one kind or another prevails, it would be possible to assu-re theelection of any given candidate provided a suicient minoritygroup of voters agreed to cast their ballot in the manner described.

The present invention is" directed to the provision of a mechanism for controlling bal-loting in elections involving candidate groups. The device is directly connected with an entrance or exit mechanism, located on the faceof the voting machine andoperable bythe voter or at the sideof the machine and operable by anelection oilicial. It is also connected with certainI interlocking straps of the voting machine which represent a group of candidates seeking election to a lesser number of oiices. A voter must cast his ballot for the same number of candidates of the group up for'election as there are oiiices to be filled and by so doing, they presentdevice operates to release CTI the entrance or exit mechanism whereby an election official' or the voter himself may lock the machine preparatory to registering the ballot.

One of the objects of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism for a voting machine which requires a voter, under certain election conditions, to cast a complete ballot.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism which requires a voter to cast ballotsfor the same number of candidates as therey are o'iii'ce's to be filled in a given candidate group.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism for a voting machine which prevents the voter registering his ballot and leaving the machine until he has cast a complete ballot.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanism for a voting machine which prevents the election oicers manipulation of the entrance knob to release a voter until a complete ballot hasv been cast.

Other andfurther 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 Figure l is a rear elevation of one modiiication of the invention applied to a voting machine;

Figure 2y isan enlarged plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, similar to Figure 1, showing another position of certain' of the movable parts thereof;

Figure 4' is a vertical sectional view of the mechanism as applied to the main interlocking mechanism of a voting machine, being taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the invention, being taken substantially on the line 5-5l of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is another enlarged vertical sectional Viewl taken substantially on the line E-B of Figure 1.

Reference is now had to the drawing wherein the invention is shown to comprise an auxiliary interlocking mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral lil. The mechanism includesl a pair of plates I l and l2 which are held in spaced parallel relationship in any suitable manner, as by blocks I3.r Projecting through suitable openings in the blocks I3 are rods lll, the lower ends of which terminate in bases i6. A spring IT encircles the rod i4 and serves to normally extend thel rod andl base. Secured to the outer facel of plate l2 are lugs I8 having upwardly opening slots or grooves I9. The interlock Il! is secured to the main interlocking mechanism 2| of the voting machine by engaging lugs I6 with one of the plates of said main interlock, the spring-pressed rods I4 and bases I6 serving to prevent disengagement of these lugs (see Figure 4).

The plates II and I2 are formed with inwardly

directedhorizontal channels

22 and 23. 'I'hese channels cooperate to form a guide-way ifo-r one or more plates. In the present instance two

plates

24 and 26 are provided since the auxiliary interlocking mechanism shown is adapted to control release of the entrance knob through either or both of two office groups. It is contemplated, however, that the guide-way. formed chine.

ported by a pin 63. The pin 63 is mounted on a strap 64 which extends upwardly of the machine and connects with the mechanism adapted to lock or unlock the curtain control lever. The lower end of the strap 64 is mounted on a pin 66 which terminates the inner end of an entrance knob 61 mounted on one wall of the voting ma- The entrance knob 61 is vertically movable, being shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Adjacent each of the |blocks 36 and 46 and supported in the

channels

22 and 23 are rollers 68 which are laterally movable along the channel and are identical in structure with rollers by the

channels

22 and 23 may be enlarged or the plates reduced in thickness to adapt the device for controlling as many as ve or six office groups. The mechanism may, therefore, be adapted to control as many oflice groups as will ordinarily be required in any election.

Projecting downwardly from one end of plate 24 is a shaft 21. The end of this shaft projects through an opening Iin the horizontal flange 28 of a bracket 29, being secured against displacement in any suitable' manner as by a cotter pin. The lower end of the bracket 29 may be integral with `or joined to one side of a bar 3|v which lies lwithin the space defined by the members II and I2. The other end ofthe bar 3| is tted with a further bracket 32, the horizon-tal flange 33 of which is provided with an upstanding pin 34 which projects through a block 36. The block 36 is mounted in the` guide-way formed by the

channels

22 and 23 and is movable longitudinally of the device in a manner hereinafter set forth. -In order that the bar 3| may normally assume one of its extreme positions, a spring 31 is provided which connects the-end of the bar adjacent bracket 32` with a pin 33 on plate II. Plate 24 is now observed to be movable longitudinally of the guideway by `movement of block 36. This plate is provided with two substantially

identical openings

39 and 4|. Plate 26 may be mounted upon and is movable relative to plate 24. One end of this plate is provided with a downwardly projecting shaft 42 which terminates in a bracket 43. The bracket 43 is integral with or secured to one end of a bar 44. The 'bar 44, -located between plates I I and l2, is provided with a further bracket 46 from which projects a shaft 41. A block 48, similar to the block 36, is mounted to be movable in the

channels

22 and 23 and is joined to yone end of rod 41. A spring 49 connects the bar 44 with plate I2 and causes the bar It0 normally assume the same extreme position as Ibar 3|. Plate 26 is provided with openings 5I and 52 which coincide with openings 39 and 4I when the machine is locked.

A bracket 53 is secured to the outer face and adjacent one end of plate I2. The upper portion 54 of this bracket projects above the plate I2 and is curved inwardly to partly overlie the ends of plates 24 and 25. A suitable opening in the portion 54 supports pin 56 on which is mounted an arm 51. A shaft 58 is pivotally joined to one end of the arm 51. The shaft 58 projects downwardly through an opening in the flange 59 of a further bracket 6I. the arm 51, remote from shaft 58, is pivotally connected with a strap 62 which, as shown in Figure l of the drawing, is directed upwardly of the side Wall of the voting machine and sup- The end of` shown in the main interlock 2|. Interlocking straps 69 connect a predetermined group of main interlockingstraps 1I with the auxiliary interlock IU. The straps 6-9 may, as shown in the drawing, be formed in three .parts which include a portion 12 joined to the main interlocking strap, a portion 13 and a link 14 pivotally connecting these portions. The lower end of portion 13v projects downwardly between a pair of rollers 68 and terminates in a lug 16. The illustration referred to above of ten candidates seeking nomination or election to five oices is carried out in the drawing and, therefore, eleven rollers provide accommodation for ten' auxiliary interlocking straps 69. As shown in Figure l, the enlarged portions of rollers 68 are in contact `with each other being so positioned at one end by a grouping pin 11 and at the other end lby the block 36. When an indicator on the face of the voting machine has been moved to voting position, the main interlocking strap 1I therefore Iis raised, carrying with it Athe auxiliary interlocking strap 69. As the auxiliary strap 69 is raised the lug 16 thereof is projected upwardly between a pair of rollers causing the rollers to move block 36 laterally a distance equivalent to the thickness of the lug. This block must move inasmuch as the grouping pin 11 is suitably fixed to plates II and I2 and cannot -be moved. It will, of course, be understood that arrangement is provided to re-locate the grouping pin in the event that more than ten straps 69 are to be utilized.

Having set forth the structural Vfeatures of the invention, description of the operation thereof is as follows: It is assumed that, among other candidates listed on a voting machine to which the present invention is applied, there are ten candidates up for election or nomination and that there are only five offices available. The voter moves the conventional indicators on the face of the voting machine for one candidate in the group and the corresponding main interlocking strap 1I is thereby raised. Inasmuch as there is an auxiliary interlocking strap 69 connected with each main interlocking strap in this group, said auxiliary strap will also be raised. This movement of the auxiliary interlocking strap laterally displaces one or more rollers 68 and causes block 36 to move. along the

channels

22 and 23. Block 36 is connected through rod 3| with plate 24 and the opening 39 in plate 24 is thus moved out of registry with shaft 58. As four more main and auxiliary interlocking straps 1I and 69 are actuated, the rollers will have been laterally moved from the position shown in Figure 1 to that of Fig- :ure 3 and block 36, through bar 3l, will have caused plate 24 to assume a position whereby opening 4I registers with shaft 58. To illustrate the fact that the invention adapts a voting machine to more than one group, a substantial duplicate of the set-up of the structure has been provided and includes block 48, bar 44 and plate 26. It is assumed the voter has also selected iive of the ten candidates in this group, moved the indicators to voting position and caused the laterally movable rollers to move block 4'1 along the channels 23 and 2'2. This movement, through bar 44, has caused plate 26 to move along the channels. Opening 5l has moved out of registry with shaft 58 and opening 52 into registry therewith. The voter now indicates to the election ofcial that he has completed his ballot and said oicial raises the entrance knob 61. This movement raises strap 64 and releases the curtain control lever whereby the voter may leave the booth. It also raises strap 62 which causes arm 57 to pivot about pin 56 and shaft 52 to project downwardly through the concentric openings 52 and il of

plates

26 and 24.

The above description assumed that the voter had cast a proper ballot. If a voter iailed to indicate his preference for a candidate of each of the five oilices and only caused four straps ii and S9 to be raised, blocks 36 and 48 would have caused plates 2li or 26 to move an insuiicient distance along the channels 2'2 and 23 to bring openings li l or 52 to alignment with the shaft 58. Thus, if the voter indicated that he was ready to leave the booth and the election official started to raise the entrance knob 61, shaft 58 would strike the upper surface of one or the other of plates 212 and 26. It would, therefore, be impossible for the entrance knob to be raised and the mechanism connected with strap 64 actuated to release the voter. The election official would therefore immediately be ap-prised of the fact that the voter had not cast a complete ballot and he would so inform the voter and the error would be corrected.

It is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to a conventional voting machine and, in duplicate arrangement, beyond that shown in the drawing, may adapt said machine to require proper voting in any number of oice groups. Furthermore, the election oincial Will know immediately upon his manipulation of the entrance knob Whether or not a voter has cast his ballot in the prescribed manner.

Athough applicant has shown and described only one modication of an auxiliary interlocking mechanism connected with and adapted to control operation of the voting machine entrance knob in group voting, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other modifications or adaptations of the structure may be made Without departing from 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 an entrance and exit control member and a plurality of indicator operated interlocking straps, a mechanism for controlling operation of said member comprising an auxiliary interlock, laterally movable rollers in said interlock, auxiliary interlocking straps separating said rollers and being joined to certain oi said indicator operated straps, a perforated plate in said auxiliary interlock connected with and adapted to be moved as said rollers are moved, means connected with and operable by said member to enter one 0i said periorations when said plate is moved to occupy a predetermined position with respect to said means.

2. In a voting machine having an entrance and exit control member and a plurality of indicator operated interlocking straps, a mechanism for controlling operation of said member comprising an auxiliary interlock, laterally movable rollers in said interlock, auxiliary interlocking straps separating said rollers and being joined to certain of said indicator operated straps, a laterally f movable plate in said auxiliary interlock connected with and adapted to move as said rollers are moved, said plate having spaced openings therein, an arm joined to said member and having a shaft adapted to project into one or the other of said openings when said plate occupies either of two positions, whereby to permit operation of said member.

3. In a voting machine having an entrance and exit control member, a mechanism for controlling operation of said member comprising an auxiliary interlock, including laterally movable rollers, a block adapted to .be moved by said rollers, a plate in said auxiliary interlock having openings, a bar connecting said plate with said block, an arm joined to said member, a shaft on said arm, said shaft being movable by said member to register with one of the openings in said plate when said rollers have been actuated to move said plate a given distance.

ALVIN N. GUSTAVSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 628,905 Gillespie July 11, 1899 638,627 Dunn Dec. 5, 1899 1,905,807 Coil Apr. 25, 1933 2,109,229 Cook Feb. 22, 1938 2,110,297 Gustavson Mar. 8, 1938 2,312,128 Shoup Feb. 23, 1943 2,358,922 Gustavson Sept. 26, 1944