US299663A - Hofer - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

6 Sheets Sheet 1. C. A. MAYRHOFER. MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CASTING AND RECORDING BALLOTS ACTUAI'ED BY THE PRESSUREOR EXPANSION OF FLUIDS. No. 299, 3.

Patented June 3, 1884.-

ZZMMJVZ ma mums PETERS co. 'PHoTo-p'rmv, WASHINBTON. 0. :2V

(No Model.) 6 SheetsSheeti 2.

C. A. MAYR'HOPERL MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY OASTING AND RECORDING BALLOTS AGTUATED BY THE PRESSURE ORIEXPANSIONOF FLUIDS.

No. 299,663. Patented June 3, 1884f (No'ModelJ 6 sheets shee t 3. Q. A; MAYRHOFER.

MEGHANISM'FOR AUTOMATICALLY GSA-STING AN ECORDING BALLOTS HE PRESSURE on EXPANSION 0F FLUIDS.

AGTUATED BY-T No. 299,663.

' Patented-June 3; 1-884."

jiwmfw yaw/M %,M %1 f" I (No Model.) e Sheets-S1 1et 4. 0-. A. MAYRHOPER.

MATIOALLY CASTING ANDYREGORDING BALLOTS 1 E PR'ESSURE'DR EXPANSION 0F 1mm,

MEOHANISM FOR AUTO AOTUATED BY T No. 299,663.-

PM/ZZQW Patentedflu'ne 3,1884.

F NE Mi w G. A. MAYRHOFER. MBGHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CASTING AND RECORDING B 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

ALLOTS LUIDS.

@"Wwz A4 a atented June 3, 1884.

AGTUATED BY THE PRESSURE 0R EXPANSION OF P 0. A. MAYRHOFER. MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GASTING AND'RBGORDING BALLOTS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 (Na. Model.)

AGTUATED BY THE PRESSURE 0R EXPANSION 0F FLUIDS. No. 299,663.

fave/2Z0?" ZZZ/$641M UNITED STATES PATENT "OF ICE.

CHARLES ALBERT ivravnrror'nn, on VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, assrenon ro ROBERT I. LANGSTAFF-HAVILAND, or SAME rL-Acn'.

MECHANlSM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CASTING AND RECORDING BALLOTS AcTuAT En'BY TH PRESSURE R EXPANSEON OF FLU'ID.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,663; dated June 3, 1884.

Applicniioi'i filedjebruary 6-, 1884. (No model.)

To. all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, (Er-mamas ALBERT Maya HOFER, a subject of the Emperor of Austria- Hungary, residing at Vienna, in the Province of Nether Austria, in the Empire of Austria- Hungary, have lnvented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanisms for Auto- My present invention relates to a novel sys-' I I 7 tom of balloting orvoting,wherebythe votes are automatically cast, counted, and registered, and whcrebya permanent record of the votes' is obtained, together with the name of'the voter and the character of the votes cast by him. The system is more especially designed 2 5 for use by bodies politic,.assemblies, or other bodies where the choice of the body-is ex; pressed by ballot; and the invention has for its object, first, to facilitate the casting of ballots by ycas and nays without liabilityto mistakes or confusion, and to expeditethe counting of such ballots; second, to plaee'within the control of the voter appliances-such as a key orkeys or valve-levers-by the manipulation 'of which a ballot is cast (either affirma- 3 tive or negative, at the willof the voter) per manently recorded upon a sheet of paper, so that on inspection of the record it will not only disclose the number and character of the ballots cast, but also by whom such were cast; 40 third, to cause each individual ballot to be antomatically counted and such. counts auto matically transmitted to registering devices .and registered in view of all the voters pres ent, and the totality of ballots cast visibly indicated thereby; fourth, to prevent a voter from'repeating his ballot, not only so fares the permanent record of such votes and the 111- dication thereof of the party by whom the ballots were cast may disclose, but by devices beyond the control of the voter, whereby he effectually prevented from repeating his ballot during the voting. A

The invention consists in a system of balloting comprehending a recording or'registering mechanism, whereby the ballots cast are automatically recorded, one by one, in view of all the voters present; mechanism for counting said ballots automatically and one by one and transmitting the count to the registering mechanism; mechanism for automatically casting each ballot and causing said' ballot to be counted and registered, said ballotcasting mechanism being operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid; keys or. levers for operating valves under the controland at the disposi-- tion of each voter, located in proximity to his seat or upon his desk. by the manipulation of which his ballot is cast,whether this be yea or nay, counted,and registered, anda suitable fluid main or mains and distributing-pipes for con- 7o ducting the fluid admitted thereto from such main to the ballot casting and recording mechanisms.

The invention further consists in mechanism not within the control of the individual 5 voter, whereby he is prevented from repeating his vote during the balloting, and, in combinationtherewith, of-ballot casting or delivering appliances operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid.

The invention further consists in mechanism whereby each vote cast is individually counted and the count transmitted to a registering mechanism, and, in combination with said counting and registering mechanism,of a 8 5 relay or auxiliary power to insure the proper transmission of the count to said registering mechanism. T

The invention further consists in devices or appliances operated pneumatically, where- 0 by a permanent record of the votes castand by whom cast is obtained, said devices being operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid. A A

The invention further consists in devices or 5 appliances within the control of the officer selected to conduct the balloting, or whose duty it is to conduct such balloting and announce the numberof ballots cast, whereby he is en abled, when all'the members have voted, to

place the various mechanisms in their normal condition ready for a second ballot, and this by means of a single key or valve lever located in proximity to or upon the desk of such ot'tieer, said mechanism being Operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid.

The invention further consistsin certain details of construction of the various appliances; and in their combination and co-operation, whereby the desired results are obtained,'-all as hereinafter fully described. i

Before describing the various mechanisms .whereby the votes are cast, counted temporarily and visibly recorded, a permanent rec ord thereof made, and the parts replaced in their normal condition ready for anozher ballot after all the ballots have been cast, I would remark that two sets of mechanisms are employed for effecting the above results-one for the yea or affirmative votes, and one for the' nay or negative votes. Said mechanisms are, however, identical in construction and operation. It will therefore be sufficient to enable those conversant with this branch of the art to describe one set of appliances in order that the construction and operation of the other set may be fully understood; and as an illus-- tration of the practical working of the system I will describe the same in its relation to com pressed air as the prime motor, though any other fluid may be used, and the power exerted by the pressure or expansion thereof applied as a prime motor.

I would further remark that both sets of mechanism or appliances are or may be supplied with compressed air from the same main provided with suitable branches or arranged in circuit, and that the compressed air may be supplied to such main by any suitable co1npressor.

I would further remark that, although separate mechanisms are employed for the affirmative and negative votes, each voter is provided with a duplicate key or valve leverlocated i proximity to his seat or upon his desk, whereby he is enabled to cast either an aflirnr ative or a negative vote,without, however, be ing able to east either of said votes a second time during the same ballot, and that by means of a single key or valve lever the presiding oflicercontrols both sets of mechanisms, and is enabled to place the same in their normal condition after each ballot, thepneumatic conduit whereby the compressed air is conducted to the operative devices of one set of mechan- 'isnis being also connected with the operative devices of the other, set of mechanisms. The registeri-ngdials upon which each vote is registered, and whereby the totality of votes cast is indicated, may be placed side by side, for convenience of inspection, in some conspicuous place in the hall or chamber in which the votingtakes place, and in view of all the voters. And, further, that the pneumatic actu- U ating devices employed by preference are bellows, and that wherever such are employed registering, and pneumatically recording one kind of votes, from which the like mechanisms wherebylike results are obtained for the other 'kind of votes will be readily understood, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings, in Which- Figure 1 is an isometrical view of the double voting-key for each voter. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 is an isometrical view of the key under the control of the otlieer presiding over the balloting, and Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view thereof. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of one of the power-bellows shown in its distended state, and Fig. 4: is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 5 is an isometric-a1 view of the devices whereby a permanent record of the votes cast is obtained. Figs. (Sand 7 are isometrical viewsot' the ballot casting or ejecting mechanism. In the former figure the parts are shown intheir normal position, and in the latter figurein the position they assume after a ballot has been cast. Fig. 7 is an end view showing the arrangement of ball-holders in vertical parallel series. Figs. 8, 9, and 1!) are isometrical views lag and transmitting mechanism,

of the co" the auxiliary power or relay for thetransmission of the count, and the registering inechanism, respectively. Figs. 9, 11, and 12 are detail views of parts of the mechanisms shown in Fi and 10.

The double keysunder the control of each 'votcr for casting his bal'lotsare arranged upon any convenient support in proximity to his seat or upon his desk, and as both keys are the same in construction and operation, it will be suflicient to describe one of them.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a valve-casing secured to a suitable base-plate, and divided into two chambers, 1 and 2, by a partition, 8. From thelower chamber extends a short pipe, A, by means of which and a connecting-pipe, A, communication is established between said lower chamber, 2, of the valvecasing A of one key and the corresponding chamber of the other key, so that compressed air is at all times present in the lower valvechamber of both keys, the short pipe A of one of the keys only being connected by means of a pipe, A, with a compressed-air main or branch thereof. The valve-casing contains a valve, a, that has its seat on the u'" er side of the partition 3, whereby the communication between the two ehambersl andzl is normally cut oft, the valve being held to its seat by a coiled spring, a", on the valve-stem c", which spring bears against the button a on said stem and on theupper face of the valve-casing, as plainly shown in Fig. 2. The upper chamber, 1, is connected with an eduction-pipe, A", and

'when pressure is'applicd to the valve-button and'the valve forced downward from its seat the compressed air in chamber a 2 passes for actuating the ballot-casting appliances, it

is evident that means should be provided for exhausting the air from the actuating medium after a ballot has been cast, to replace the actuating device in its normalcondition for the next ballot. To effect thisautomatically the valve-stem a is made hollow, and has two ports, aand 5, respectively,which ports,when the valve is in its normal position upon its seat, will establish communication between the chamber 1 and the outer air through the valve-stem, as shown in Fig. 2; but when the valve-stem is depressed to open the port in the partition 3 the ports 4 and 5 will both be within chamber 1 of thevalve-casing, and the compressed air entering from chamber 2 will be prevented from escaping except by pipe A. In practice I prefer to surround the valvestem with a sleeve, 6, around which the spring a is coiled, said sleeve extending nearly to a ballot isbeing taken.

the under side of the button, but suificiently far from it to allow the compressed air to es cape between the sleeve and button when the valved is on its seat, as shown in Fig. 2. By

means of this construction the compressed air,

after having done its work, isf'on the release of the button at once exhausted from the conducting-pipe A*, or branch j-th'e'reof, and the device which serves to aetuatethe' ballot ej ecting' or casting appliances returned to its normal position of rest.

In the description of the objects of the invcntion, aswell as inthe statement of invention,lhave'zreferred to means whereby the casting of a second ballot cannot take place while It is therefore necessary that means should also be provided to place theballot-casting device in condition for use after each ballot. .This I effect by means of a key under the control of the presiding officer, which key not only serves to automatically effect the desired purpose, but also to bring both sets of mechanisms into their normal condition after aballothas been taken, and to automatically wind up such of the mechanisms as requirewinding up, and finally return the indicator-hands of both dials to their starting-points, or zero. This key or valve and lever 1 will now describe, with the remark that, although differing in construction, its pperati on js precisely the same as that of the voters keys above described, to likewise adinit compressed air from a mam or from from the latter-to devices by means of which certain mechanismsarc brought into action, as hereinafter described.

Referring to- Fig. 3, C 0 indicate-atWo branch or bent pipe provided at the head of branch or leg 0 with an ordinary three-way cock.- The leg Gis connected bya pipe, B,

with the compressed-air main, and the leg or branch 0 is connected to a distributing-pipe, B, for conducting the compressed air to the devices operated thereby when the valve is nianipulated.

To the plug 0 of the three-way cook or valve is connected an operating-lever, C the ports of said plug being so arranged that when the lever O is in its normal position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the communication between branch G and bran'ch C is cut off and the communication between branch 0 and the outer air established, whereby the compressed air in the distributing-pipes and actuating de-- vices is automatically exhausted and said devices returned into their normal positions of rest, as will be presently explained. YVhen, however, said lever is depressed to the position shown in dotted lines in said figure, the communication between said branches is established, and compressed air passes from the main or its branch to the distributing-pipes and actuating devices, to set in operation certain mechanisms hereinafter described. A spiral spring, 3, cqnnected withthe rear extension ofthe lever, serves to carry the latter to its ,normal position whenever depressed and released. In order that the lever may be held down long enough to enable the compressed air to do its work, I employ the following devices: On its under side the lever C? is providedwith a slotted plate or hasp, 0', adapted to automatically engage a hook or catch, 0, formed on the vertical arm of a bellcrank lever, c. l liis lever is pivoted in suit able lugs, cflufpon a cylindrical casing, 1), containing a bellows, 1), (shown in dotted lines in said Fig. 3,) the horizontal arm of said lever projecting into the casing I) over the bellowshead I)", and said bellows b is connected by a branch pipe, I), with the compressed-air-distrib'uting pipe B. Itis obvious that when the lever C is depressed the ha-sp 0 will engage the nose'or hook 0* of the bell-crank lever c, the horizontal arm of which is preferably made a little heavier than the vertical arm thereof. I11 this position of the lever C the compressed air from B passes freely into B,and thence to the, pneumatic devices that serve to actuate certain mechanisms. time passes into bellows b, which is gradually distended vertically until, when nearly fully distended, the head If thereof comes in contact with the horizontal arm of the bell-crank by the key-lever G is released, and automati.--

a branch thereofto suitable conduits, and cally returned by the spring (3 into its nor- The said air at the same mal position. (Sl1own'i-nfulllines in Fig. 3.)

. When in this position the distributing-pipes are placed in communication through the three-way valve with the outer air, as stated, and the compressed air is exhausted from said pipes, the bellows b collapses, and the parts will have assumed their normal positions. If the bellows employed for the release of the lever 0" corresponds in proportions with the bellows that actuate the various mechanisms, it is evident that the lever C will not be released until said mechanisms have been set in operation. The arrangement is such that the release of the lever O and the exhaust of the air take place either simultaneously with or a moment after said mechapisnis have been actuated. By means of the described valve and lever C, the various mechanismsof the system are placed under the complete control of the presiding officer, and in practice I preferably inc-lose the parts in a suitable casing, as shown in'Fig. 53, secured to the desk of .said officer, or to some convenient support in proximity to his seat.

I have hereinbefore stated that, as a means for actuating certain parts ofthevarious mechanisms of the system, I employ, by preference, bellows, and that these are all of the same construction, such bellows varying only in dimension according to the work they have toperfornn Referring to' Figs. 4 and 4, these bellows are composed of a series of superposed rubber. disks, D, having a central annular aperture, said disks being united to one another at that point (preferably) by means of a metallic eyelet, d, though they may be connected together in any other manner, as

by overseaming or cementing, or otherwise.

'The peripheral edges of each couple of disks are similarly connected by means of a metallie grooved clamping-ring, d, in the groove of which said.edges are firmly held to form an airtight structure. and by this means I obtain cylindricalbellows of great flexibility and strength. The top and bottom of thebellows are formed by metallic disks D D, re-

spectively,-the peripheral edges whereof are turned over to form an annular groove, in

. which the outer peripheral edge of the disks '-D are clamped or otherwise secured by means of rivetsor cement to form tight joints. In

' practice I'employ-light' sheet metal for said heads D D. The lower head, D is provided with means-for connection with the com-' pressed-air-distributing pipe or abranch pipe thereof. I,

The air-pipe A, connected with the upper chamber, l,oi-'.the.valvetcasing"A of the voters keys,serves to simultaneously. conduct compressed air admitted thereto, asabove setforth,'to the mechanisms whereby a permanent record of the ballots is obtained, and to the ballot delivering or casting mechanism of either set, by depressing one or the other of the keys, according as the voter desires to 'cast an aflirmative or a negative vote.

1 will now describe the appliances whereby apermanentrecord is obtained, referring to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings. These appliance's are absolutelynoiseless in their functions, and I locate the same either in proximity tothe desk or seat of the presiding ofli cer, or I arrange them within said desk. The essential features of these devices consist in a series of small bellows arranged in parallel rowsone bellows for each voter, the upper head or top plate of which carries cen' tral'ly a perforator-such as a conical pin, or a stud or smallstyle-which, when the bellows are distended, comes in contact with and perforates a sheet of paper stretched above said bellows. These sheets of paper are preferably ruled in columns corresponding to the number of vloters, each column being headed with the name or the number of the seat, or both, of each person entitled .to vote. As shown, the bellows are arranged in series or rows, side by side, in a suitable box, IE, or within the desk of the presiding ollicer; or such box may belocated at any other suitablepoint in the hall or chamber where the voting takes place, as the record cannot readily be tampered with without detection, though as aprecaution the parts may be locked and the key placed in charge of the presiding officer or other person, this record being a check upon the registering devices, with which it must tally, besides serving as apermanent record.

As stated each bellows e is provided with a 'perforator, e, formed on or secured to theupper head thereofi, Above the bellows a, and hinged to the box or other suitable support, lies a metallic plate, E, having a number of holes of plates. E and E and perforate the in terposed sheet of paper.

forator or perforators 0" will penetrate the perforations corresponding with the number It is evident that when one or more voters A depress one of their keys compressed airis ad mitted to the distributing-pipe At-thereof, and conducted by the latter or by a branch connected therewith to the bellows corresponding with such key. The bellows is distended vertically, and a perforation or permanent record is made in the columnof the sheet of paper corresponding to the key or keys depressed, and as said columns also indicate the particular voter, or the number of his seat, whose key has been depressed, the record-sheet will indelibly show not only the number of iballots cast, whether yea or nay, according to the key depressed, but also by whom such l cave, and serves to retain the balls within the ballots were cast. In this nraz-r er the sheet of each ballot may be preserveda's-a permanent record, and such sheets, if desired,-bound in volumes. a

The casting of the ballotsis effected by means of metallic balls, and the counting and temporary registering of said ballots is effected by said balls actuating a counting mechanism, the work of which is transmitted to registering devices in full view of all the voters,whereby the ballots as they are cast are temporarily registered.

,, I will now describe the mechanism forcasting the metallic ballots, which I will denominate ballot casting or delivering mechanism. There is a ballot-casting mechanism for the ballot holder or receiver of each voter, said holder containing any desired number of metallic balls; The number of balls for the affirmative and negative casting devices of each voter will depend on thenumbcr of votes that may be taken in a given period of time, to avoid the labor and loss of time necessary to replace the balls into their holders after every vote taken, so that any number of votes may be taken-say, for instance, in a days session'without replenishing the holders orreceivers. Thisrnechanism is constructed and operated as follows:

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 and 7, F F indicatea'seriesoftubes-one for each voter-said tubes be1ng open at each end and inclining toward their open discharge ends, to allow the met-allic balls to traverse the tubular holders by gravity when released. These tubular holders F are or may bearranged either in horizontal .or vertical parallel rows, or both, each of them being providedv with perforated lugs or ears, from which is suspended, by means of suspension-rods F, either a shelf or two transverse rails, F. Upon the cross-rails F are secured, by means of the suspensioirrods F, a series of bellows-casings, f, containing each a bellows, thenumber of which corresponds to the number of tubulaic holders F, each of saidbellows' being in communication with the compressedair conduit A or a branch thereof.

To the upper disk ofeach bellows, and at the center thereof, is secured a short rod, f, that passes through the top of the casing f, and

carries at its outer end a crosshead, To

one arm of this crosshead is secured a guiderod, f and to the othera like rod, f. These guiderods slide in and are guided by slotted lugs f secured to the ball-holder The ;shorter guide-rod, f, also carriesimmediately above the cross-head f a laterally-projecting arm, 9, to the free end of which is secured a.

pin, The holders F are each provided with an aperture corresponding in location to that of the'pin g, which, when the cross-headf" is carried upward toward the tube, penetrates into the latter. This pin is beveled from the point downward and rearwardly, and by p reference has its beveled face formed slightly con" tube, when a ball in front of it is allowed escape. The longer guide-bar carries also at its upper free end a laterally-projecting arm,, /,'to which is attached a like retaining pin, Qthat penetrates into the tube Ffrom above,a nd serves to retain the balls in the tube after one of them has been discharged and the bellows assume their normal positionthat is to say, when the air is exhausted from the bellows on the release of the voters key and the bellows collapse, as above described.

By means of the mechanism described, it will be seen that when a voter depresses one of his keys, and compressed air is admitted to the bellows appropriate to such key, said bellows will be distended vertically, thereby elevating the bar sff. The retaining-pin g" of the latter bar will move away from the front ball of the series. At the same time, however, the pin 9 of bar f will have passed between said front ball and the next succeeding, to retain the remaining balls of the series in the tubular holder, while the front ball is allowed to escape. Onthe release of the voterskey, the air is exhausted from the bellows, and said bellows will neeessarilyreturn to its normal position ready to cast the next ball, and 'in this manner the ballot could be repeated as many times as there are balls in the'holder. To prevent this I provide means whereby the ejecting or releasing, devices are locked into position after the release of a ball and before the parts return to their normal position, and

'combi n e therewith appliances for allowing said parts to return to their normal position. The latter appliances are,'however, not under the control of the voter, but under that of the presiding officer, ashereinbefore stated, and are set in operation by means of the key under his control, as will be presently explained.

The devices for locking the parts into position after the release of a ball are constructed and operated as follows, still referring to Figs.

6 and 7: v i

Upon each tube is pivoted a locking-pawl, G, provided with aweighted arm, G, extending at right angles therefrom. The guidebar f" has upon the side facing the pawl G a lug, F, with which said pawl engages by gravity, when, by the distention of the bellows, the

cross-head, with its guide-barsf f, is raised 1 and holds the latter in their elevated position. Of course it will be understood that the space between the retainingpins g f is such that the pin r on penetrating into the tube, will pass between'two balls; or, in other words, the space between the two pins is equal to the diameter of the balls employed. As long as the parts described are in their normal position, as shown in Fig. 6,. the upper pin, 9, lies within the tube F in front of the balls,

and holds them against displacement, the freev end of the pawl G lying in contact with the barf above the lug F. If, now, a voter, depresses a key and sends the compressed air to thcbcl'lows of a-giventubc, the-bellows is at once distended, causing the crosshead f and with it the guide-rods f" f and their pins y, to rise, the latter pin gradually moving away from the first or front ball of the series, while the pin g is gradually moving between said ball and the next succeeding one, until the bellows has been sufficiently distended and the guide-bars elevated to carry the pin 2o. the parts is todescend; but the pawl abutting against the lug F holds said parts in the position described until released. Thelower open ends of the tubes F are arranged over a trough or hopper, Hfiwhich is also inclined from one end to the-fopposite. discharge end, to which latter is connected the transmitting-tube H*, Fig. 7. described, they fall into said hopper, and from thence roll into the transmitting-tube H", that conducts them to the counting mechanism.

As above stated, the mechanism for releasing the pawl G from the ball ejecting de vices is under the control of the presiding ofiicer,-who, after all the votes have been cast, is alone enabled to return said ball-casting devices to their normal position, ready for the next vote. This is effected by the depression of the key or lever 0", whereby the ejecting.

; deyices of the entire series of ball-holders re- I 4 positions through the instrumentality of the turn simultaneously into their said nominal following mechanism, whether said tubes are arranged in parallel series horizontally or vertically, or both:

H indicates a bellows-casing containing a bellows which 'is in communication through the threeway valve 0 of the key 0' with the compressed-air main or the outer atmosphere, according to the position occupied by the key C and consequently by thevalve-ports. \Vhcn the lever C is depressed to admit compressed air from the main to the pipe B or a branch thereof, said air passes to the bellows in easing H The upper head of the bellows carries centrally an actuating-rod, H, in the upper end of which is preferably pivot-ed an antifriction roller, h. Upon the roller rests a plate, h, that has an arm formed at right angles thereto, by means of which said plate is secured to atripping-rod, h. The upper face of the platearm, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, forms a bearing, h", upon which the weighted arm G of the pawl G rests. These trippingarnis-one for each ball-holder of the horizontal series-extend upward along the superposed series,where, at suitabiepoints, they are snniv As the balls are released, as above lax-1y provided with bemrings-m- .abntmeirts,

upon which rests the weighted arm G of the pawl G. of each of the superposed ball-holders. The lower'end of the tripping-rods h are piva oted to a crank-arm', 1i, sccured'to a shaft, H, located below and ektending across the lower horizontal row of tubes F near their discharge ends. The shaft II is pivoted eccentrically on trunnions or pins h in suitable bearings formed in the supporting frame or in hangers or other suitable supports. When compressed air is admitted to the bellows in casing H", and said bellows distends vertically, the rod H lifts the plate or abutment h, and with it the trippingarm 71 and as said arm is connected with shaft H, the latter is partially rotated, thereby rotating all the crank-armsh, to which the tripping-arms ll. of the remaining series of ballholders are pivoted, and whereby said arms are simultaneously moved vertically. The upward motion of the tripping-arms h also raises the weighted arms G of the pawls G, which movemezit causes the pawls to be disengaged from the stop" F", allowing all the bellows in casiugsf to collapse simultaneously and carry with them the rods f f, by which movement the pins /will'release the series of balls .in their respective holders, the balls re maining therein rolling forward. the distance equal to the diameter of one ball, to be arrested by the pins g,when the parts will again have assumed the position in which they may be controlled from one of the voters keys.

The ball-holders F may, as stated, he arranged in horizontal or vertical parallel series",

or bot-h, in any suitable supporting devices, so as to incline toward their open discharge end, and the balls are introduced into the tubes by hand; and, if desired, each tube may be provided at the feed end with a suitable feed-hopper, to facilitate the introduction of said balls into their respective tubes. In practice I cause the balls, after they have donetheir work, to be automatically conducted to a common collecting-bonsecured in proximity to thefeed end of the ball-tubes ll, from which box the balls may be conveniently fed to their respective holders. The halls, after leaving their tubes, roll along the trough H to its discharge end, and from thence pass tine by one into a conduit, H, that conducts the balls to the counting mechanism, or to tube, I, of said mechanism, which I will now'. describe, rcfcrring to Fig. 8 of the drawings, The-continuation of the tube H, or the tube I, connected therewith, to which the balls are delivered by said tube 11, is arranged in an inclined posi tion, and is provided upon its opposite sides with a longitudinal slot, the slot in the upper face lying a littlein rear of the slot in the lower face. An arbor, i is mounted below the tube in suitable-bearings formed in the plates 1' 1 of the counting mechanism, and ina bracket secured to the former plate.

bor, i, in suitable bearings forlned in said Above the tube I is mounted a second ar-' plates 1 1' and said arbor carries at its outer end a lever, '1', that projects into the tnbcl through the slot in its upper face. The lever 'initted to the registering mechanism.

1 is preferably curved, as shown, and its free and extends down into the tube sullicicntlyto lie in front of the ball behindit and immediately in rear of the star-wheel 7:. The arbor i also carries a pawl, i, the free end of which islncld in engagement with the teeth of a ratch et wheel, i, by means of a spring, i". The lower arbor, i carries a star-wheel, 7:, that projects into the tube 1 through the slot in lower face of said tube. Said arbor i" also carries the ratchet-wheel i",above referred to, and a transmitting-pinion, k, whereby the rotation of the star-wheel is transmitted to the train of gearing .o be presently described. \Vhen these devices are in their normal position, as shown in Fig. 8, the pawl F is held by the spring 1 in engagementwith the ratchetwheel 1".

The construction of the teeth of the starwheel is such as to accommodate one of the balls between each two teeth, and it is so arranged relatively to and within the tube that only one ball at a time is allowed to pass and rotate the star-wheel on its passage. Each ball, therefore,w-i1l rotate the star-wheel a distance equal to that between its teeth. ratchet-wheel i has the same number of; teeth as the star-wheel 7c, and, as shown, each has five teeth. As the balls pass under the lever the latter is raised, and with it the pawl 1", against the tension of the spring ifithus liberafling the ratchetwheel i each time a ball .passes from under said lever z. The ball then comes in contaetw ith one of the teeth of the star-wheel 7.:. and the latter is rotated. \Vhen the forward tooth, against which the ball presses, has turned sufiiciently to allow the ball to roll freely along the tube past the Star wheel, the tooth in the rear has risen to hold the succeeding ball or balls, thus-causing the lever 73 to drop in front of said ball or balls under thetension of the pawl-spring 1' whic'i also carries the pawl i? again into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, to arrest for a moment only the rotation of said star-wheel; It will be seen that by means of this construction the ratchet '17, pawl ifiand lever 1' form an escapement operated by the pressure of the balls, which thus escape from the tube one by one, and impart to the starwheel k a step-by-step rotation, which is transstate't'.. the star wheel has five teeth. Each .ball will therefore impart to the arbor iionciifth of a revolution, which is transmitted by pinion 7; to a gear wheel, 7c, mounted upon an arbor, k. The latter also carries a bevelpinion, k, which transmits the rotation of the gear-wheel k to a. like pinion, is, mounted upon the lower end of a vertical transmitting shaft, k, that is provided at its upper; end

with a universal joint or coupling, k by means of which it is coupled tothe transmitti-ngshaft R, connected with the registering mechanism or a relay. To rotate the star wheel step bystep,and to transmit its rotation tively to the (veight of the metallic balls that one of the latter will actuate the star-wheel on its passage through to tube, yet it may happen that such pressure may be insufficient to rotate the wheel and transmit the movement to the registering mechanism. To avoid all danger of a stoppage in the counting mechauism, and to make this mechanism sufliciently sensitive to operate under the slightest pressure exerted thereon, I employ an auxiliary power derived from what I term a relay and regulating or governing mechanism, whereby the movements of the starwheel are uniformly and regularly transmitted to the registering devices. This relay and governing or regulating mechanism is clearly shown in Fig. 5) of the accompanying drawings, and I will now describe the same in-detail.

As above stated, the transmitting-shaft K of the counting mechanism is coupled to a trausmitting-shaft, K, by means of a universal coupling orjoint, said shaft passinginto the relay-box, where it is supported in suitable bracket-bearin gs between the walls L and L of said box. The shaft or spindle K carries abevelpinion, Z, that meshes with a like pinion, 1 ,011 ashort arbor, that has its bearings in thc'wall L of the box and ina bracket, u, extending from the wall L, which bracket it also serves as a bearing for the spindle I. The arbor L of pinion Z" carries a pinion, 1,

upon a horizontal arbor, M, coupled by means of a universal joint or coupling, M, with a transmi ing-sliaft, M", coupled bya like coup; ling, M, to the main arbor Q of the train of registeringgearing. If desired, the transmitting-shafts may be dispensed with, and the movement of the counting and relay mechanisms transmitted directly to the registering mechanism through an extension of arbors K and M in place of arbors K Q, as will be read ily understood. hen the devices are located snfliciently close to each otheras, for instance, in the same bore-this direct connection may be readily effected; but, in view of the arrangement of the'ballcasting devices and the location of the registering-dials to expose the latter tothe View of all the voters, it may be found impracticable to locate these mechanisms sufiicien tly close together to effect loo IIO

- rigidly connected with the shaft L urlmr, L, that carries a pinion, m, whichlatter gears with a wheel, m, on arbor L. The latter arbor carries a ratchet-wheel, a, with which engages a pawl, 92?, pivoted upon the side of a pinion, nflwhichlatter maybe formed .of one piece or rigidly connected with a grooved -pulley,'N, both loosely mounted on a shaft, L. To the pulley N is secured a rope or chain or other flexible support, N,'from which is suspended a weight, N. The tendency of this weight is to rotate the shaft L through the medium of the pawl n" and ratch-' etavheel n in one direction, the latter being The pin ion a, that carries the pawl 71, meshes with a vertical rack-bar, 0, secured to the upper disk of a bellows inclosed in a casing, 0, through the head of which the rack-bar 0 projects.

As stated, the weight N", which 'is the auxiliary power applied, exerts its power to operate the shaft L and train of transmittinggearing in a given direction-namely, in the direction necessary to transmit the movements of the star-wheel 7c of the counting mechanism to the registering mechanism and rotate the hands thereof in the desired direction. Thus; when the pawl i of the counting mechanism releases the ratchet i, Fig. 8, the weight N of the relay exerts its power upon the train of gearing to'transmit the movements of the star-wheel k, through its shaft the transmitting-shaft K, and the relay-shaft K, to the registering mechanism through shaft M or the coupled shafts M M Q, thereby supplying any deficiency in the power exerted upon the star-wheel by a ball or a number of balls until the pawl has again beenbrought into engagement with its ratchet-wheel t" after the passage of a ball over the teeth of the star wheel k. It will be seen that by means-ofthis peculiar arrangement of mechanism an auxil'- iary power is provided which will be brought inte act-ion precisely at that moment when one of the balls is actuating the star-Wheel, said powercbeing transmitted to the transmittinggear by shaft L through the medium of the pulley N and the pinion n, which are locked to said shaftby the pawl n" of pinion n and the ratchet-wheel it. During the positive or operative movement of the pulley N and pinion n, the cord N gradually unw-inds from pulley N, and the rack-bar 0 gradually descends with the bellows toward the bottom of easing O. Thelength of the cord N corresponds to the greatest number of ballots the apparatus is capable of recording, and unwinds from the pulley step by step, so that the weight will not cease to exert its power until all the ballots are cast. To avoid the labor of winding up the cord N by hand after each ballot, I have provided means whereby suchcord may be automatically wound up from a point distant therefrom, as in this case from the desk of the presiding officer through the medium of his key or valve lever 0' by mitted into the bellows in casing 0', whereby the rack-bar o is carried upward to rotate the pulley or drum N in the proper direction through the medium of the pinion n, the

other mechanism of the relay being unaffected,

for the reason that when the pulley and pinion rotate in the direction in which the weight is wound up the pawl n1, that locks the pin ion to shaft L, rides freely over the teeth of.75 the ratchet n. It will therefore be seen that when the presiding officer depresses the key 0 to return the ballot-casting mechanism and the mechanism whereby a permanent record thereof is obtained intotheir normal'position" the auxiliary power is simultaneously returned to its operative position, the bellows being in communication with the compressed-air-dis tributiug pipe'B, or a branch thereof.

In order to enable every voter to observe and note the casting of the ballots, I provide a registering mechanism, to which the movements of the star-Wheel of the counting mechanism are transmitted by the relay, and said movements are transmitted by the train of gearing of such registering mechanism to an index or indexes or hands moving upon a dial, whereby the votes are indicated as they are cast, and whereby the totality of the votes cast is finally sh'o'wn. To avoid any liability to error or dispute in or as to the totality of votes registered, the registering mechanism is arranged to register the votes from 1 up ward, as it would be inconvenient to note the t0- tality of votes cast at each ballot, as well as a source of error, were the registering mechanism constructed to continually record units, hundreds, and thousands, as is the casein such mechanisms of usual construction. To avoid the difficulties referredto, I provide means .within the control of the presiding olficer only whereby the indicating-hands are automatimcally returned to astarting-point or zero. This registering mechanism, by which the ballots are registered as each ball cast from the balltubes actuates the counting mechanism, is illustrated in Fig. 10, in which I? indicates a dial, preferably of such dimensions as to render it conspicuous, so that each voter can follow the movement of the indicator-hands over said dial. The latter is secured to two sup- I porting-plates, P P, serving also as supports for the entire operating-mechanism thereof, which is-prefera bly inclosed in a suitable eas- 1n V i 'T as above stated, the transmitting-shaft M is coupled to an arbor, Q, by means of a universal coupling. This arbor Q carries a pinion, 1), that meshes with a similar pinion, 12, mounted loosely upon an arbor, Q, arranged to be displaced endwise or in the direction of its longitudinal axis in its bearings, said p nion 1) being held-againstdisplacement with "the shaft by a "forked bearjng,-p, secured to the back plate, P, of the-train of registering gearing, as plainly shown in Fig. 11. The

the depression of which compressed air is adpinion 1) has secured .to its front face a locking dog or tooth, p", adapted to engage the teeth of a gear-wheel, Q, rigidly mounted on shaft Q, thus causing the shaft and wheel Q to rotate with thepinion p. The rotation of the shaft QJ is transmitted by means of a pi nion,'

. q, to a gear-wheel, g, on a shaft, It, said pinion being of sufficient transverse diameter to permit the longitudinal displacement of the shaft Q without being thrown out of gear with wheel The shaft 3 projects through and beyond the outer face of, the dial-plate, and carries in front of said plate a hand, B,lthat indicates the units, and in rear of the hand It the shaft It carries another hand, BZ-that indicates the hundreds, said dial having one hundred equidistant divisions. The movement of the unit hand is transmitted to the hand It by means of transnfitting-gearing, (shown Ill Fig. 12,) arranged between the dial 1 and the supporting-plate P for the train of gearing, and as such mechanism is well known it will not be necessary to' describe the same in detail. The shaft R,that carries the hands and wheel q, also carries a pulley or drum, and a cam, r, having one tooth. Upon the drum is wound a rope, 1- from the free end of which is suspended a weight, r". The rope or cord is wound upon the drum by and during the operation of the registering mechanism, said drum being, however, disengaged from the mechanism .to cause the rope under the power exerted by the weight to unwind therefrom as soon as all the votes are registercd, to bring the hands R and R? to theirnorinal positions-that is to say, to the zero or starting point, as will be presently explained.

Upon a pin, r secured to the supportingplate 1 is mounted a star-wheel, r, with the teeth of which engages the tooth of the earn 1', whereby said star-wheel is rotated a distance equal to that between its teeth at each rotation of the shaft B.

In the apparatus ilh'istratcd in the drawings the mechanism is so proportioned as to register five hundred votes, for the recording of which the shaft R makes five complete revolutions, the star-wheel 1" being provided with six teeth, of which one is a looking or stop tooth, and an equal number of interspaces; with which the cam tooth en The peripheral segments of five of these teeth are concave, and correspend with the convex periphery of the cam 1-, 'while the peripheral section of the sixth tooth, or that located between the sixth and first interspaces, is convex, so that when the tooth of the cam-wheel lies in the sixth interspace between the teeth of the star-wheel during the operation of winding the convex surface of said tooth acts as a brake" or stop'to arrest the rotation of the shaft, the same taking a lies in the first interspace between the teeth of the stanwhoel, and when in this position the indieatin g-hands will both stand at zero on the dial. By means of this arrangementit will be seen that if the vote is a unanimous one the 'inovcment after all the ballots are cast, and when the said hands are returned to zero after each ballot their movement will be automatically arrested as-soon as they stand at that point. In this manner I provide means whereby the hands are held stationary after the full number of ballots is cast, and prevent said hands from being carried beyond the starting- .point or zero'graduation on their return to that point. .7

To. avoid too great a strain upon the train of gearing in its reverse movement under the power exertedby the weight 1', and to regulate and control this movement, the gear-wheel g meshes with a pinion, s, loosely mounted upon an arbor, s, which latter also carries a gear-wheel, s, and a ratchet-wheel rigidly mounted thereon. with a locking-pawl arranged to engage the teeth of the ratchet, the arrangement being such that during the rotation of the shaft in one direction to register the votes the pawl willride over the teeth of the ratchet; conscquently t-he'pinion' s will rotate idly upon its shaft; but when the shaft Bis rotated in a reverse direction undcr the impulse of the weight the pawl will lock the pinion s to thc'shaft s and cause the two to rotate'together. The arrangement of locking-pawl is in this case absolutely-the same as the arrangement shown in detail in Fig.9 with reference to the relay mechanism and its return to its normal condition, and as'said parts are plainly shown in said figure I have deemed it unnecessary to again show them in detail, the ratchet and pawl being in Fi 10 hidden from view by the pawl-disk 8 formed on or secured to the pinion 8. The shaft 3 also carries a gear-wheel, 3 that meshes with a pinion on the shaft S, which latter carries the regulatingfly S, whereby the rotation of the train of gearing in the negative direction is rendered uniform'and too will therefore be understood that the shafts s 8 remain at rest during the positive or registering movement of shaft It.

fected the hands of the registering mechanism are brought back to their normal positions pneumatically, as follows: A bellows contained in a casing, T, secured to the supporting-plate I, is in communication with the compressedair conduit 13. To the upper disk of the bellows is secured an actuating-rod, T, upon the upper end of which lies the horizontal arm of a bell-crank lever, 15, the vertical arm whereof is in contact with the end of the longitudinal.-.

cd between suitablelu gs formed on or attached to the rear face of, the plate P /Vhen the compressed air is admitted from the main to the pipe 13 by the depression of the lever-O, as above described, a portion of the comly-rnovable shaft Q, said lever 16 being pivot'-' index-hands will be automatically held against The pinion s is provided great a strain upon said gearing avoided. It

As soon as the recording of the votes is efanisms with the key or valve lever under the pressed air passes into the bellows contained in casing T, whereby the latter is distended vertically and the rod T raised. This up- 5 ward movement of the rod tilts the bell-crank l lever t, the vertical arm of which forces the shaft toward the dial against the tension of a spring, L, (shown in dotted lines,) that, when the lever t resumes its normal position, serves to return the shaft to the position it occupied before being displaced by said lever. This Iorward movement of the shaft Q disengages the gear-wheel g from the locking dog or teeth 1) on pinion p, as shown in Fig. 11, which latter is held against longitudinal movement with the shaft by the retaining forked bearing f, as above set forth, thus permitting the shaft to rotate freely, and allowing the weight to exert its power upon the shaft R and un wind the cord from the pulley r, as above set forth, to return said parts as well as the hands to the position they occupied before the balloting commenced. [is soon as the compressed air has done iis work the valvelever C is automatically released and resumes its normal position, cutting off the communication between the compressed-air main and the conduits I3 and its branches, and establishing communication between the latter and the outer air. The compressed air in the bellows in case T will therefore be exhausted and the bellows will collapse or descend, can

rying down the rod T, and allowing the spring 23 to push the shaft Q back to its normal po sition, whereby the wheel (1 will again be locked to pinion by the locking-dog p,

placing the registeringgear in condition to be operated by the counting mechanism, or through said mechanism by the relay.

From the description of the construction and operation of the several mechanisms employed for casting a ballot of a given character, and their connection and combination with the means whereby said mechanisms are set in operation or returned to their normal conditions, their co-operation will be readily understood and need no further description; and as both sets of mechanisms for the affirmative and negative votes are, as hereinbefore stated, alike both in construction and operation, a few remarks will suffice for the thorough comprehension of the co-operation of the two sets of mechanisms. Bearing in mind that the several mechanisms of the two setsnamely, the ballot casting mechanism, the mechanism whereby a permanent record is obtained, the counting and registering mechanisms, and the relay or auxiliary transmitting-power interposed between the latter two mechanisms for the afiirmative and negative ballotingare connected by a system of compressed-air-distributing pipes common to both sets of mechcontrol of the presiding officer, and that the ballotrastmg and permanent-recording ap- V pliances for the aflirmative and negative votes are connected by a separate system of disl tributing-pipcs with corresponding keys or valve levers orstems under the control of the voters,"(two such keys for each voter,) and,

further, that the compressed air is supplied struction of bellows than that shown having the required flexibility to promptly answer to the pressure of thccompressed air may be employed.

Other means than those shown and described may be employed for utilizing the power eX- erted bya ball in its passage down an inclined plane and applyingsaid power to the mechan ical devices described to produce a record thereof, and, as stated, the transmittingshaft of the several instruments may be connected 0 directly with or from a continuation of the operating shaft or arbor operated from such transmitting-shaft.

Instead of tubular ball holders and conduits,

other forms of ball holders and conduits may 5 be employed-as, for instance, a semtcylindrieal trough, or a troughor holder of other form in cross-section, open at top and suitably slotted at bottom; or a suitable guideway may be formed of wires, slats, or other matexoo rials.

Instead of thebellows, pistons working within suitable piston-casings maybe employed; and instead of operating the various actuating appliances or bellows or pistons by means of compressed air, as stated, it is obvious that these may be operated by the power exerted by the pressure or expansion of any other suit-able flu-id.

It;is also evident that instead ofem loving 11o prforators whereby a permanent and indelible record is obtained, the bellows maybe pro-. vided with type indicating either the manic of the voter or the number of his seat, or both,

and that, by means of inked ribbons or inked sheet of fabric, the bellows or pistons may be made to permanently record in print the nature of the ballot and, by whom such ballot is east; also, that, instead of a weight,

spring power may be applied in both the re :20

lay and registering mechanism,'and the same results obtained.

I have in the construction of the system ehdeavored to select these forms and mechanical devices by which I thought the best results would be obtained, and I prefer as much as pos sible to shield the operative parts from access thereto of foreign substances-such as dust, Ste. -whereby the rapid or instantaneous f unctions may be impaired, and for this purpose I have selected tubular ball-holders to prevent access thereto of dust, and I propose to inclose the same in a suitablecasing or box, as well as all the other mechanisms of the sys-, tem for a like purpose.

I am aware that the combination of devices by the operation of which a ballot is cast and a count and permanent record thereof is made is not new, and I do not desire to claim such a combination, broadly, or the combination of said devices with a'train of registerlng-gearing for recording each ballot cast. and the totality of said ballots. I am not aware, howeven that these mechanisms or combination of mechanisms have, before my invention, been operated by the pressure or expansion of a" fluid, or that devices have been used whereby the permanentrecord is obtained by a perforator.-

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is i 1. In a systemof balloting, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from a holder or receiver, and mechanism whereby a permanent or indelible rec- 0rd of the ballot east or, delivered from theholder is made, said= parts being operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, with a keyor Valve, on the depression of which a ballot is cast or delivered from its holder and a permanent record thereof made by the power exerted by the pressure or expansion of the fluid.

, ,2. Ina system of balloting, the combination of mechanisms whereby ballots differing in nature (affirmative and negative) are cast or. delivered from theirholders or receivers, and mechanisms whereby a permanent or indelible record'is made of, the ballots cast or delivered, said mechanisms being operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, with a compound keylever or valves, on the depres sion of which an affirmative or negative ballot is cast ordelivered from their respective holdersand a permanent record thereof made by the power exerted bythe pressure or ex- 7 pansionof a fluid.

'3. In a system of balloting, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from a holder or receiver, and ineclranism whereby a permanent record of the ballot cast or delivered. and by whom cast is produced, said parts being operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, with a key lever or valve, on the depression of which the ballot is east or delivered from its holder and a permanent record thereof and by whom cast is made by the power exerted by the pressure f or expansion of such fluid. 4. In asystem of balloting, the combination of mechanisms for casting or delivering ballots differing in nature (affirmative and mega tive) from holders or receivers, and mechanisms for producing a permanent record thereof and showing by whom such ballotsiwere east, and

mechanisms being operated by the pressure or I expansion of a' fluid, with compound key levers or valves for controlling the fluid actuating medium, whereby ballots difiering in nature may be cast or delivered from their hold crs and a permanent record thereof simultaneously produeed,' such? record showing the totality of votes, their nature, and bywhom cast.

5. In a system of balloting, the eombinatron of ineehanisnrfor casting or delivering a ballot from a holder or receiver. with appliances forlocking said ballot-delivering mechanism out'of operation, to prevent the casting of a second ballot until said ballot-delivering mechanism is released fromthe locking appliances, said appliances being operated by the-pressure or expansion of a fluid. I

6. In a system of balloting, the combination of mechanism ibrcasting or delivering a ballot from aholder or receiver, a key or valve lever, on the depression of whicha ballot is delivered from said holder, and appliances for automatically locking the ballot-delivering mechanism out of operation after the delivery of a ballot, with a key or valve lever for releasing the locking appliances from the ballot-delivering appliances by the power exerted by the pressure or expansion of a'fluid, forthe' purposes described.

7. Ina system of balloting, the combination of mechanism for casting or delivering a ballot from a holder adapted to be operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, and a key or valve lever for controlling the fluid operating medium, with mechanism set in operation by the ballot cast or delivered,whereby said ballot is counted, as and'for the purposes set forth.

8. In a system of balloting, the combina-. tion of mechanism whereby a ballot is delivered from the h older by the power exerted by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, and mechanism actuated by the delivered ballot,whereby the latter is ceunted,with appliances for lock- 7 ing the ballot-delivering mechanism out of operation alter a ballot has been delivered without locking the counting mechanism out of operation, for the purposes specified.- 9. In a system of balloting, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is delivered from a holder or receiver, mechanism whereby apermanent record of such ballot is made, said mechanism being operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, and mechanism whereby the'delivered ballot is counted, with a key or valve lever,.on the depression of which'said mechanisms are simultaneously set in operation, for the purposes. specified.

10. In a system of balloting, the combination-of mechanism whereby aballot is'cast or deliveredfrom a holder and operated by the pressure or expansion of a' fluid, and a suitable fluid main and distributing pipe, the

11; Ina system of balloting: the combinaa permanent record of the delivered ballot is simultaneously produced, both operatedby the pressure or expansion of a fluid, and a suitable distributing-pipe and main connected together and with said mechanism, of a valve interposed in the main and distributing pipe or pipes, whereby communication between the two is established or out off and the fluid exhausted from the distributing-pipe, i'or tne purposes described.

' 13. In a balloting system, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is cast or dcliveredfrom a holder, mechanism whereby a permanent record of the delivered ballot is simultaneously produced, appliancesfor operating said mechanisms by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, a suitable fluid distributing' pipe or pipes and main, and mechanism actuated by .the delivered ballot, whereby said ballot is counted, with a valve interposed in said main and distributing-pipe, wherebythe fluid is admitted to' the distributing-pipe from the main to actuate the ballot-delivering and permanent -rccord producing mechanisms, whereby a ballot is delivered from its holder, a permanent record thereof made, and

the ballot counted simultaneously, for the purposes specified.

14. In a balloting system, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from a holder, mechanism whereby a permanent record of the ballot delivered is simultaneously produced, and appliances for operating said mechanism by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, with a valve for admitting compressed air to the actuating appliances, and through which valve said compressed air is exhausted after having done its work, for the purposes specified.

' 15. In a balloting system, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from a holder, appliances for operat-' ing such mechanism by means of compressed air, and a valve for admitting compressed air to and exhausting the same from said operating appliances, and mechanism for automati' cally locking the ballot-delivering mechanism out of operation after a ballot has been de livered, with a bellows or its equivalent for operating the locking devices by means of compressed air, to release said ballot'delivering mechanism, for the purposes set forth.

16. Isua balloting system, the combination of mechanism whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from a holder, a bellows or piston for actuating said mechanism, a valve for admitting a fluid to and exhausting it from said bellows, and mechanism for automatically locking the ballot-delivering mechanism out of operation,witha bellows or piston for actuating the locking-out mechanism and a valve for admitting a fluid under pressure to and'exhausting the same from the latter bellows, for the purposes described. 1

17. In a balloting system, a ballot-holder containing a number of ballots, combined with mechanism operated by the pressure or expan 'sion of a fluid for releasing said ballots one at a time and delivering the same from the holder.

18. In a balloting system, a ballot-holder containing anumber of ballots, combined with mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid for releasing the ballots one at a time, and with a key or valve lever for setting the ballot-delivering mechanism into operation from a point distant from such mechanism, for the purposes described.

19. In a balloting system, the combination of ballot-holders arranged in parallel horizontal series, mechanism operated by the pressure'or expansion of afluid, whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from the holders,a valve for each holder, whereby the fluid is controlled, and appliances for automatically locking the ballot-delivering mechanism of the holders out of operation, with mechanism whereby all the ballot-delivering devices are simultaneously released from the locking applian ces, for the purpose stated.

20. In a balloting. system, the combination of ballot holders arranged in horizontal and vertical parallel series, mechanism for each holder operated by the pressure or. expansion of a fluid, whereby aballot is cast or delivered from the holders, a valve for each holder for controlling the fluid, and. appliances for automatically locking the ballot-delivering mechanism fo'reach holder out of operation, with mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, whereby the ballot-delivof ballot-holders arranged in horizontal or vertical parallel series, or both, operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, mechanism for each holder whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from said holders, a valve for each holder for controlling the fluid and exhausting the same from the ballot-delivering mechanism, and appliances for each holder whereby the latter mechanism is automatically locked out of operation after the delivery of aballot from a holder, with mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, whereby the ballot-delivering mechanisms of all the holders are simultaneously released from their lockin -out appliances, and a valve for admitting the fluid to and exhausting the same from the releasing mechanism, for the purposes" specified.

22. I a system of-balloting, the combination, with a ballot-holder, mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid for casting or delivering a ballot therefrom, and mechanism actuated by the released ballot to count the same, of a registering mechanism for making a visible record of the ballot cast transmitting mechanism to transmit the movements of the counting mechanism, for the purposes stated.

24.. In a system of balloting, the combination, with a ballot-holder, mechanism for east ing or delivering a ballot therefrom, mechanism actuated by the ballot delivered from the holder for making a count thereof, and mechanism operated from the counting devices to make a visible record of the ballot cast or delivered from the holder, of an auxiliary power or relay interposed between the counting and registering mechanism, for the purposes stated.

25. In a system of balloting, the combination of the following elementsz a series ofballot-holders, mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid to cast or deliver the ballots therefrom, a counting mechanism operated by the ballots, a registering mechanism operated from the counting mechanism, mechanism to automatically lock the ballot casting or delivering appliances out of opera- -tion, andmechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid to release said appliances after a vote has been taken, for the purposes specified.

26. In a system of balloting, the combination of the following elements: a series of ballot-holders, mechanism for casting or delivering the ballots therefrom, mechanism operated by the ballots delivered from the holder to transmit a count thereof, a registering mechf anism operated from said counting mechanism,

a relay or auxiliary power operated by a weight. to transmit the movements of the counting mec anism to said registering mechanism, and appliances for automatically winding up the weight after each ballot, for the purposes stated. 27; In a system of balloting, the combination, with a series of ballot-holders, mechan- .ism to cast or deliver the ballots therefrom,

mechanism operated by the ballots delivered from the holders, whereby a count of such ballots is made, a registering mechanism operated from the counting mechanism, and a relay or auxiliary power operated by a weight for transmitting the count made by the counting mechanism to the registering mechanism, of ,appliances for automatically winding up the weight of the relay and automatically and simultaneously returning the registering-1ndexes to their starting-point, for the purposes described. I

28. In a system of balloting, thecombination, with the mechanism whereby the ballots areregistered and appliances for returning the index hand or hands thereof to their start- 1ng-point,of mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, whereby the appliances for returning the said hand or hands to their starting-point are set, in operation, as described, for the purposes speeifiedv 29. Inasystergof balloting, thecombination and co-opera-tionof the following elements: a series of ballot-holders, mechanism operated by the pressure or expansion of afiuid, whereby a ballot is cast or delivered from said holders, mechanism to lock the ballot-delivering devices out of operation after the delivery of a ballot, mechanism whereby a count .of the ballots is effected, mechanism for registering the count,n'iechanism for transmitting the count to the registering devices, mechanism operated. by the pressure or expansidn of a fluid, whereby a permanent record of each ballot cast isobtained, and appliances operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid forsimultaneously releasing the ballot-delivering mechanism, for the purposes specified.

50. In a system of balloting, the combination of the following elements: a series of 'ballotholders, mechanism for casting or delivering a ballot therefrom, and mechanism whereby a permanent record of each ballot cast is simultaneou sly obtained, said parts being operated pneumatically by means of a valve or key interposed in the compressed-air main and the 4 delivering or'distributing pipes, whereby the compressed air is admitted to and exhausted from the latter pipes, mechanism-for automatically locking the ballot casting or delivering appliances out of operation after the delivery of a ballot, mechanisms whereby a,eount of each ballot is made and registered, and an in termediate auxiliary transmitting power or relay totransmit'the count to the registering mechanism, sald locking-out mechanism, relay,

and registering mechanism being arranged in a pneumatic circuit andfoperated'pneumati-l cally and simultaneously by means of a valve lever'or key, whereby the compressed air is admitted to operate saiddevices and exhausted from said distributing pipes after the auto matic' and simultaneous release of the ballot-casting devices, the return of the registering devices to their, normal position, and the return of the auxiliary power to its operative condition vfor the purposes stated.

31; I In asystem of balloting, the combination of the following elements in duplicate: a series of ballot-holders, mechanism to cast or de-' liver a ballot therefrom, mechanism to lock the ballotcasting devices out of operation after a ballot has beentc'ast, mechanism for a'utomatically producing apermanent record of each ballot cast,mcchani sm for producing a count, and mechanism for temporarily regis- 65 vated position, aside'scribed,

' stated.

tering each ballot and indicating the totality of ballots cast, said duplicate elements being arranged in two pneumatic circuits, one of which circuits is under the independentcontrol of each voter, whereby by means of valves .or keys he may cast an aftirmative or negative ballot, and is prevented from casting such ballot a second time during the taking of a' vote, the second circuit being under the control of a IO single person, whereby by means of a single valve SZLld' person is enabled to return all the duplicate mechanisms automatically and simultaneously into their operative or normal cond1t1ons,or to theirinitial or starting point,

I5 as described, for the purposes stated.

32. The ballot casting or delivering mechanism, consisting, essentially, ot'ball-holdersarranged in series with their longitudinal axes inclined in the same direction, and containing 26 each a number of balls, and controlling devices operated by the pressure or expansion of a fluid, consisting oieooperating retainingpins arranged in front of each other and operating to release the balls from their holders one at a time, as and for the purposes specified.

- 33. The ball casting or delivering mechanism, consisting, essentially, of ball holders or receivers containing a number of balls each, and arranged in horizontal or vertical paral- 30 lel series, or both, in combination wit-h eontrollingappliances operated by the pressure of a fluid cont-rolled by a valve consisting of two co-operating retaining-pins arranged in different horizontal planes, the free ends of which move simultaneously in reverse directions, whereby a ball is released by one pin and the remaining balls of the series held in check by the other when the pins move in one direction, and the remaining balls released by 40 the check-pin and checked by the releasingpin when said pins move in a reverse direction, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

, 34. The combination of an inclined tubular ball-holder, F, adapted to contain a number of bal s, and provided with slots in opposite sides, in combination with a bellows, carrying bars f 9, and the pins g g", arranged to move in the plane of the said slots and penetrate into said tubular ball-holder when the bellows is distended, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

35. The combination of the inclined tubular ball-holder, slotted on opposite sides, with a bellows, the rodf, cross-headf arm ,7, bars ff*, the arm 9", and the pins 91 g, said parts being arranged for cooperation substantially as described, and for the purposes specified. 36.' The combinati n, with an inclined ballholder and the arm 9" and bar f" of the ball 3'1. The combination, with a tubular, slotted,

and inclined ball-holder, the pins 1 g, and the barf", having lug or abutment 1*, ol' the gravity-pawl G, said parls being arranged for (Bo-operation substantially as described, for the purposes. specified.

3 Tue combination, with the ballholder adapted to contain a number of balls, mechanism to release said balls one al a time, and mechanism for locking the rrdeasing devices out of operation when a ball has been released, of appliances For disengaging the locking de vices from the releasing mechanism, consist-- ing of a bellows carrying an actuating-rod, a tripping-bar in the path oi said rod, and actuated thereby, and an abutment on said bar in the path of an arm of the locking-pawl, operating to trip the latter, as described, for the purposes specified.

3!). The combination,withthebarf, its arm 1 the pin 1 and the lug F, of the pawl G, its arm G, the bar h", plate h, abutment h, and a bellows or piston connected with said bar 71 said parts being arranged for cooperation substantially as and for the purposes specified.

40. The combination, with ball-holders. arranged in vertical or horizontal series of parallel rows, orboth', each holder having a locking-pawl, G G, pilvoted thereto, the bar f t of the ball casting or delivering mechanism, the lug F, and arm /of said bar,of a bellows earrying a rod, 11, th shaft H, and a trippingbar, it, for each ball holder, each of said bars h having one or more abutinents, h, and a plate, h, and the cranks h, that connect the bars with said shaft, sa-idparts being arranged for co operation substantially as described, for the purposes specified. z

41. The combination, with a ballot-holder, mechanism operated by the pressure or e5:- pansion of a fluid for casting or delivering the ballots therefrom, and a fluid conduit and main, of a valve interposed between said conduit and main, consisting of avalve casing divided by diaphragm in two chambers, 1 2, v

the former connected with the ondnit and the latter with the main, a valve having a hollow stem provided with valve-ports i and 5, and

operating to open or close a port in the diaphragin 3 of the casing, as described, for the purposes speeilied.

42. The combinatiomwith two independent cduction-pipes and a supply-main, ofa com pound valve interposed between the main and said pipes, composed of two valve-casings,each divided horizontaliyinto two chambers, 1 nd 2, by a diaphragm, 3, the formerehambers eing in communication with the eduction-pi pee, and the latter with each other through a con heating-pipe, and with the main through one of said chambers, 2, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

43. The combination of the valve-casing A, divided into chambers 1 and 2 by a partition or diaphragm, 3, having a valve'port, the valve a, its hollow stem (1,", having ports; and

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