US3108744A - Counter type voting machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 29, 1963 E. J. CROSSLAND ETAL 3, 0 ,7

COUNTER TYPE VOTING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 m c) g N m N g m INVENTORS EDWARD J. CEOSSLAND,

MARSHALL PPAGAN, H BY Hue/4 M 52514 11? ,Jos P L. uz. Wm, KMW, MM 419 Oct. 29, 1963 E. J. CROSSLAND ETAL 3,108,744

COUNTER TYPE VUTING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS EDWARD J CEOSSLAA/D,

MAfSl-MLLPEAGAN, 4 HUGH h. 52/ /4771 ND 477% K t w s ww;

Arrows-vs Oct. 29, 1963 E. J. CROSSLAND ETAL 3,108,744

COUNTER TYPE VOTING MACHINE N a 8 R wmww Filed' June 28, 1961 Och 1963 E. J. CROSSLAND ETAL 3,

COUNTER TYPE VOTING MACHINE Filed June 28. 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS A/ZD J. czossLAAlo, MARSHALL P EAGAA} Hue/4 H. BRIGHT A Yu i a JOSEPH L. HULLME. *{N wmmv/(akfimwqfzwwwmw Oct 1963 E. J. CROSSLAND ETAL 3,108,744

COUNTER TYPE VOTING mourns Filed June 28. 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS EDWAEDJ. CEOSSLAA/D, MAeSHALL P: EAGAA/ BY Hue/4 EIGHT Ali/0 L/OSEP 1., /-/UL. ,JE.

A T TOEA/E Y5 Oct. 29, 1963 E. J. CROSQSLAND ETAL 3, 4

' COUNTER TYPE vo'rmc MACHINE Filed June 28, 1961 I s Sheets-Sheet 7 I46 4 //69 M5 M3 M4 //6 m INVENTORS ED WARD J. CROSSLAA/D,

MARSHALL p reAsA/v, 543 BY HUG/4 H. gem/r AND JOSEPH 1.. HuLgJ/a United States Patent 3,108,744 COUNTER TYPE VOTING MACHINE Edward J. Crossland, Marshall P. Ragan, Hugh H. Bright,

and Joseph L. Hull, Jr., all of Tulsa, 01:12., assignors to Seismograph Service Corporation, Tulsa, Okla., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 28, 1961, Ser. No. 120,281 28 Claims. (Cl. 235-54) This invention relates generally to voting machines and is particularly concerned with a light, compact, easily transportable, relatively inexpensive voting machine, which is an improvement over voting machines of the general type disclosed in copending US. patent applications Serial Nos. 74,825, 74,887 and 74,888, all filed on December 9, 1960, and all assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Voting machines presently in use employ a voting panel divided into columns and rows providing a large number of selecting positions. At each selecting position a manually operable selector is provided for operation by the voter in making his choice. These machines require elaborate interlocks to satisfy all of the conditions which may be necessary in the various jurisdictions using voting machines. Thus, it is necessary to interlock the selectors so that in a contest where a single choice must be made between two or more candidates, it will be impossible for the voter to operate more than one selector. Moreover, in some instances the voter is required to cast votes for two or more candidates of a relatively large group and in such cases it is necessary that interlocks be provided to prevent overvoting, that is, the

arrangement must be such that after the required number of choices have been made, it is impossible to operate any additional selectors. In addition, in some elections as, for example, in primary elections or in decisions on questions where only a particular class of voters, such as property holders, may participate, the machine must be set up prior to the casting of each vote so that the voter may exercise choices only on those issues for which he is eligible. Interlocks must be provided to prevent the casting of votes on other issues. Thus, it is apparent that the interlock mechanism is extremely com plex and adds considerably to the size and weight of the machine. Moreover, since each election presents a completely different set of interlock problems, it is obvious that the task of setting up or programming the machine is exceedingly laborious and time consuming and can be performed only by highly skilled persons. As a result of the complexity of construction, the voting machines now in use are very expensive, can be maintained and/or repaired only by skilled persons, are large, heavy and bulky so that they cannot be transported easily to and from the voting station before and after elections and, in addition, they occupy a tremendous amount of storage space between elections. In addition, the weight of these machines makes them suitable for use only in buildings which have floor areas capable of supporting them, a problem which in some instances leads to the location of a voting station at a point not centrally or conveniently located in the area served.

While the inventions disclosed and claimed in the above-identified applications Serial Nos. 74,825, 74,888 and 74,887 represent a considerable advance over the prior art and afford solutions to the problems discussed, these inventions are primarily concerned with voting machines of the type in which the voters selections are registered or recorded upon a ballot card or other record. In many voting jurisdictions data processing equipment is not available in suflicient quantities to permit tabulation of a large number of ballots and in other jurisdictions some concern has been expressed as to the possibility of tampering with the ballot cards or records during transport and handling. Thus, in these jurisdictions and in others which, without apparentreason for the preference, merely prefer tally type voting machines using counters to register the votes, there has developed a need for voting machines which retain all of the advantages of the voting machines disclosed and claimed in applications Serial Nos. 74,825 and 74,888 but which, at the same time, utilize counters to record the vote. It should be observed that application Serial No. 74,888 discloses one embodiment having a separate ta-lly box containing counters for recording the vote but this apparatus has several disadvantages. First, the use of a separate tally box and its associated scanning mechanisms involves use of a large number of additional components which add to the size, cost and weight of the machine. Second, the tally box scan must be accurately coordinated with the main scanning mechanism of the voting machine and this gives rise to a delicate synchronization problem. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a tally or counter type voting machine which avoids the latter disadvantages, and the satisfaction of this desire constitutes one of the primary objects of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a voting machine of the character described above employing readily removable counters so that it is necessary to employ only a number of counters corresponding to the number of candidates or propositions to be passed upon by the voter in any particular election, thus economizing upon the number of counters used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved counter panel for holding a plurality of detachable plug-in counters which may be inserted at desired positions on the panel.

The invention has for another object the provision of a tally or counter type voting machine characterized by its light weight, its small size and its inexpensive construction,

It is also an object of the invention to provide new .and improved counter actuating means for use in voting machines of the type described above.

When the-voting machine is to be used in a primary election, the arrangement must be such that the voter may cast his votes only for candiates of his own party. This means either that separate machines must be provided at each voting station for the different political parties participating in the election or that the machine must be so programmed or set up by an election official prior to the use of the machine by each voter that the voter cannot participate in the selection of candidates of parties other than his own. A similar problem arises insome elections where a voter may not be qualified to vote on certain issues as, for example, in the case of issues where only real property owners are eligible to participate. The use of separate voting machines in such special cases or in primary elections is, of course, expensive, and particularly in regions where relatively small numbers of voters use a voting station, is not a very practical solution to the problem. The programming of the machine for each voter is a laborious and time consuming operation and, hence, considerably impedes the progress of the election. In pending US. application Serial No. 74,887 referred to above, a voting machine is disclosed including mechanism for automatically programming the machine according to voter classification prior to use by each voter in response to information obtained from the ballot card inserted into the machine by the voter. The present invention has for another object the provision of means for rendering the scanning rail effective to actuate only those columns of counters associated with columns of selectors containing issues upon which the voter is qualified to vote.

enemas The foregoing and other objects are realized, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a voting machine having a front panel formed by a plurality of side by side columns each supporting on its outer face a strip extending lengthwise of the column and containing a list of different issues or candidate groups to be voted upon by the voter. Each group is divided into several selecting positions listing the different alternatives or candidates for that particular oflice. The candidate groups of each column are separated by ofiice stops mounted within perforations in an elongated strip extending through a slot in that column, the stops being insertable in different positions along the strip during programming to set up the machine for a particular election. A second strip extending through each column carries vertically spaced pins for actuating the key restoring mechanism, these pins also being insertable at different positions during programming of the machine. Mounted for sliding movement upon the column are several voting keys or selectors there being provided in each office group a number of keys exactly equal to the number of votes being cast in that group. Thus, in the usual ofiice group where a single selection must be made from a group of candidates, only one voting key is provided and this key may be moved from a neutral position adjacent one of the office stops to a selecting position adjacent the name of the candidate selected by the voter. This key cannot be moved past the ofiice stops and, hence, only one vote may be cast within the office group. If more than one vote is to be cast within an office group, several voting keys equal in number to the total number of votes to be cast are inserted between the office stops defining that group. If cumulative voting is permitted, the name of each candidate will appear more than once on the candidate strip and, hence, the voter may divide his votes in any manner which he desires by giving all or several of his votes to a single candidate or by splitting them among several candidates. Each column also supports a plurality of detent springs for holding the voting keys in neutral position or in any voted position selected.

The machine is programmed by unlocking column retaining panels to permit the office stop strips and the key restoring strips to be removed from their associated columns and by then inserting the office stops, the key restoring pins, the voting keys and the candidate strips in proper positions. The key restoring and party vote strips are then inserted back into the column whereupon the ofiice stop strips are attached to the party vote mechanism and the housing is then locked by assembling the retaining panels.

The machine is set up according to thevoters classification either manually by operating a switch or automatically by means of a card which is held in position while the voter moves the-voting keys to make his selections.

If the automatic senser is used, means are provided for determining the voters classification from the card and for preventing removal of the card after it has been properly inserted. The sensing means renders effective only those columns containing issues upon which the voter is qualified to pass. After the selections have been made by movement of the keys, the voter starts the vote registering operation by depressing a Vote switch which starts the movement of a scanning device along the rear of the voting panel and, at the same time, begins the closing of a cover or curtain for the front panel of the machine. A counter panel at the rear of the voting machine contains a plurality of removable, plug-in type counters, one for each selecting position on the front panel containing a candidate or issue to be decided by the voter and all other positions on the counter panel are left blank. The scanning rail carries one counter actuator for each column and also associated with each column is a solenoid for rendering the actuator for that column effective. Thus, only those solenoids associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified 4 to pass are effective to condition their actuators for operating the counters and in all other columns the actuators cannot actuate the counters regardless of the position of the voting keys. As the scanning device moves along the panel, at each position where one of the voting keys in one of the columns has been moved to a selecting position, the actuator associated with that column is rendered effective to advancethe counter corresponding to that selecting position and, hence, a vote is registered on the latter counter.

The scanning device takes the form of a horizontal rail which may be rocked about its longitudinal axis so that during sweep in one direction it senses the voters selections and during sweep in the opposite direction, it restores all of the voting keys to their neutral positions. When the scanning rail reaches the end of its sensing sweep, a detent thereon is engaged by a fixed stop to rock the rail to a position wherein the counter actuators cannot engage the counters during the return or key restoring sweep. When the rail is rocked, a set of key restoring devicesbecome effective to engage the voting keys and return them to their neutral positions.

The invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view illustrating a voting machine characterized by the features of the present inven-tion;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, assuming, of course, that the latter shows the entire construction of the voting machine;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to line 4-4 in FIG. 2, assuming again that the latter shows the entire construction;

PIGpS is a fragmentary sectional view taken along a corresponding substantially to line 55' in FIG. 3 and shows particularly a portion of the counter panel supporting the detachable counters;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a voting key or selector which may be used inthe voting machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view illustrating the operation of the counter actuating mechanism during the voting or sensing sweep of the scanning rail;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional View taken along a line substantially corresponding to line 8-8 in FIG. 7 and illustrates theinterposer for moving the counter actuat'or upon engagement with a voting key or selector;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line corresponding substantially to the line 99 in FIG. 1 but shows the scanning rail at the bottom of the voting machine after it has been turned awaiting the beginning of the key restoring sweep;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to the line 1ll10 in FIG. 3 and shows the over-center spring arrangement locking the scanning rail in its counter actuating or vote sensing position;

,FIG. 11 is a View similar to FIG. 10 but shows the locking of the scanning rail in its key restoring position;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line' corresponding substantially to the line 12 l2 in FIG. 9 assuming that the latter shows the entire construction;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line corresponding substantially to the line 1313 in FIG. 9 and shows the solenoids for activating the different columns of the voting machine in accordance with the voters classification;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along a line corresponding substantially to the line 1414 in FIG. 9 and shows the operation of one of the solenoids;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are fragmentary, sectional views showing the operation of the key restoring mechanism during the key restoring sweep of the scanning rail; and

FIGS. 17 and 18 are fragmentary, sectional views similar to FIGS. 15 and 16 but looking at the opposite side of the key restoring mechanism to show the operation and release of the detent for the key restoring cogs.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, one form of the voting machine of the present invention is there identified generally by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a substantially enclosed housing 21 formed by a number of panels locked together in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of interlocks as described in detail and claimed in copending, simultaneously filed, application Serial No. 120,249 of Hugh H. Bright et al., assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In the event that the voting machine breaks down or if, for any other reason, access may be desired to the interior of the housing 21, one or more of the panels may be removed by unlocking the appropriate key operated lock or locks. Moreover, access may be had by the precinct oflicials to the rear of the voting machine to read the counters after the election has been completed by unlocking and opening rear doors 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in the manner described in the Bright et al. application referred to above. In addition, a power panel door 23 located on the right side of the machine as viewed in FIG. 1 may be unlocked and opened to permit connection of an electrical cable to a remote voter classification unit (not shown) as described and claimed in copending application Serial No. l2(),214 of Robert B. McCaskill filed simultaneously herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

The housing 21 defines an upper, generally vertically extending voting panel section identified by the reference numeral 24 and a lower power supply section 25 extending forwardly from the upper section and forming a relatively low shelf 26 through which extends a manually operated Vote switch 27. The lower section of the housing beneath the shelf 26 may also contain a party vote mechanism (not shown) of the type described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 120,251 of Stanley W. Wilcox et a1. assigned to the same assignee as the present invent-ion. In certain jurisdictions, however, party voting is not permitted, and in such cases the party vote mechanism will be omitted and since the present invention is not concerned with the latter mechanism, the party vote facilities have not been shown in the drawings.

In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, the selections made by the voter are adapted to be recorded or registered upon counters 28 located on a counter panel 29 (FIGS. 2 and 3) located at the rear of the voting machine and after the election the counter readings are recorded by the precinct officials on a tabulating sheet which is then transported to a central counting or tabulating station where the results of the election may be computed.

The front face or panel 30 of the upper section 24 is made up of a plurality of side by side vertically extending columns 30a, 36b, 300, etc. While eleven vertical columns are shown, it will be apparent that this is merely for illustration since in actual practice any desired number of columns may be used. As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, each of the columns 30a, 30b, etc. comprises an elongated member preferably formed of an extruded material such as aluminum. The extrusion is such that each column comprises a central body portion 32 having an inwardly extending, longitudinal rib 33 adjacent a curved spring receiving region 31 lying alongside the rib 33 and extending longitudinally of the column. A relatively thick edge portion 34 extends longitudinally along one side of the body portion while a transversely and longitudinally extending flange or leg 35 is formed at the other side. A flange 36 extends along the entire length of the column at the rearwardly disposed end of the leg 35. A channel 37 formed by elongated recesses 38 and 39 respectively formed in the edge portion 34 and the leg 35 receives a printed or written candidate strip 4 0 containing different offices or propositions to be decided by the voter. Thus, for example, if the election is a national election, this strip may contain an oflice title such as President and therebeneath may appear the different candidates competing for this ofiice. The ofiice title and the candidates for the ofiice will be referred to hereinafter as an ofiice group. However, it should be understood that the term ofiice group may also refer to propositions on which a yes or no answer is required as, for example, on bond issues, constitutional amendments or the like. Each of the candidate positions or voting positions in each office group will be referred to hereinafter as a selecting position. Each of the channels 37 may also receive a transparent cover 41 overlying the printed candidate strip 40 for the purpose of preventing the latter strip from being marked or damaged by the voter using the machine.

A groove 43 is provided in the rear face of the body portion 3 2 for receiving an elongated strip 42 having a series of vertically spaced openings 42a therein accommodating office stops 44 which divide the different ofiice groups of each column. Each office stop comprises a pin having a stem extending through one of the openings 42a and protruding outwardly beyond the strip 42 and rearwardly of the column. An enlarged, rectangularly shaped, flat head 44a on each oflice stop seats within a groove or slot 45 formed in the body portion 32 adjacent the groove 43, thereby permitting vertical movement of the strip 4 2 and the ofice stops along the column for a. purpose which is described more cfully below. To facilitate insertion of the oflice stops in the proper positions along the strip 4 2. during programming of the voting machine to set it up for an election, there may be provided adjacent the perforations of each strip consecutive numbers running from top to bottom and corresponding to the different selecting positions along the column. The edge portion 34 is further provided with an elongated, longitudinally extending guide rail 47 lying adjacent a pair of grooves 46a and 46b for accommodating one or more voting keys or selectors 48 which are slideable along the column to permit the voter to make his selections. In addition, each column is provided with a groove or slot opening to the rear of the column for accommodating a second, perforated, elongated strip 50 carrying a plurality of detent release pins 51 located at spaced positions therealong for a purpose which will become evident as the description proceeds. To identify the perforations in the second strip 50 to facilitate programming, there may again be provided consecutive numbers running [from top to bottom.

To consider the operation of the voting machine of th present invention, let it be assumed that the column 30b contains two ofiice groups, namely, an ofiice group in which the voter must select between candidates A, B and C and a second oflice group in which the voter must choose between candidates D, E and P. Let it be further assumed that the voter is entitled to vote for only one of the three candidates in each office group. Thus, under these conditions, the candidate strip 40 inserted into the receiving channel 37 of the column 3 0!) will contain a first office title 40a listing the title of the ofiice for which the candidates A, B and C are running and, in addition, will contain beneath this first oflice title three selecting positions respectively listing the three different candidates. Below the first ofiice group will be a second ofiice title 4% and three selecting positions listing the three different candidates competing for the second oflice. A pair of office stops are inserted within appropriate openings 42a above and below the first office group with the bottom stop being provided at a position adjacent to but immediately below the bottom selecting position containing the name of the candidate C. The upperstop lies above the selecting position for the candidate A and is separated therefrom by an additional or neutral position adjacent which is the office title 40a. A voting key 43a is adapted to slide along the column 33b between the two stops but obviously this key cannot pass either of the stops. The key may be moved from the neutral or non-voting position located adjacent to the upper stop to any one Olf the three selecting or voted positions within the first ofiice group and as the key moves along the column an outer pointer or indicator 52 thereon passes over the candidate titles A, B and C. When the key reaches the position of the candidate selected by the voter, it is released. Since the voter is provided with only one key for the first oflice group, he may, of course, select only one of the three candidates and, as a consequence, it is not necessary to provide an interlock arrangement for preventing further voting in this ofiice group. A similar situation exists in the second office group of the column 3011 where a second voting selector or key 4312 is mounted for sliding movement along the column between stops respectively located above the ofli'ce title 46b and belowthe candidate F. The number of selecting positions available in each of the columns is, of course, determined solely by the height of the column and the space occupied by each selecting position. Obviously, any suitable number of selecting positions may be provided but in one form of the present invention, thirty such positions were used although, to simplify the illustration, a lesser number is shown in FIG. 1. The selecting positions of the columns 30a, 30b, 30c, etc. are horizontally aligned to form different hon'zontalrows on the trout panel of the voting machine with each row corresponding to a transversely extending row of counter positions on the counter panel 29.

In cases where the voter is permitted to exercise more than one choice in a particular office group, as forexample, in the ofiice group of the column 301' shown in FIG. 1, several keys may be provided. In the latter ofiice group, the voter is permitted to select between any two of six candidates G, H, I, I, K and L. The selection is, of course, made by moving voting keys 48c and 48d rom their neutral positions adjacent the upper ofiice stop above the ofiice'title 46c to selecting or voted positions adjacent the names of the candidates selected, the movement of the twokeys obviously being limited by a lower stop below the candidate L. If cumulative voting is not permitted, the names of the candidates G, H, I, I, K and L will appear only once and, hence, only. one vote may be cast for any one candidate. However, if cumulative voting is permissible, that is, if the voter may cast more than one of his votes for a single candidate, then the names of the candidates will be listed in each office group more than once. In the case illustrated in column 350i the voter is permitted to cast both of his votes for one candidate, then the name of each candidate is listed twice and, if the voter so desires, he may cast both votes for his chosen candidate by moving both of the voting keys 48c and 48d to positions respectively adjacent the two listings of that particular candidate. After the voter has moved both of the keys 48c and 48d to a selecting position, he cannot, of course, cast additional votes for other candidates and, hence, over-voting is prevented without the use of elaborate interlocks between the voting keys.

As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the voting keys are held in the neutral and selecting positions by detent means associated with the columns. This detent means preferably takes the form of a plurality of dctents located one above the otherwithin a longitudinally extending channel 33:: formed in the rib 33 with the detent being secured within this channel by a bent somewhat J-shaped re silient end portion 54 which snaps into the channel 33a and holds the detent firmly in position. The detents are closely packed within the channel 33a along its length in order to avoid movement of the detents longitudinally of the column. Each detent includes a laterally extending curved detent finger 55 extending outwardly from the J-shaped end portion 54 with each finger carrying at its outer end a key engaging portion 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The curved detent finger 55 lies along the curved portion 31 of the column to provide a rigid backing for each detent. As is best'shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the key engaging portions 55 is bent to form a key holding notch 57 between adjacent keys of the column. To this end, each detent finger extends outwardly from the J-shaped end 54 for a distance such that its key engaging portion 56 is disposed in the path of sliding movement of the voting keys on the column. The detent fingers are normally flexed or biased to occupy the position shown in FIG. 3. When a voting key is slid along the column to move over a detent finger, the finger is flexed reanwardly of the front panel 3t or upwardly as viewed in FIG. 3 and if the key is stopped either at a selecting position or at a neutral position, it seats within one of the key holding notches 57 and is thus resiliently held at the selected position with the adjacent detent fingers holding the key being disposed in their non-flexed positions. To provide a detent for each selecting position on the voting panel, the .l-shaped end portion is of such height that the detent fingers are vertically spaced apart to form notches 57 which are separated by a distance corresponding to the width of one of the selecting positions and the detent fingers 55 are so oriented with respect to the stop receiving openings 4211 that when a voting key is in its neutral position seated against an office stop 44, it is also seated within a notch 57.

Turning now to the construction of the voting key 48 and referring particularly to FIG. 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that this key or selector may comprise a generally reotan-gularly, shaped body member having the pointer 52 referred to above extending laterally therea from to overlie the edge portion 34 of the column. The rail 47 on the column extends loosely through a guide channel formed in the key with rib-s E9 and 66 formed on the key being respectively seated within the grooves 46a and 46b of the column, thus permitting sliding movement of the key along the column, but at the same time prohibiting removal of the key by the voter and also limiting lateral key movement. A finger grip 61 extends forwardly from the pointer 52 to facilitate movement of the key by the voter. A slot or channel 62 formed in one side of the key receives the flange 36 of the adjacent column. The latter flange prevents the voter or anyone else from inserting a tool or other object through the slot formed between adjacent columns in an attempt to disrupt the operation of the machine. The rearward portion of the voting key is provided with a curved de tent engaging region 63 protruding rearwardly from the body portion of the key and shaped to seat snugly within the notches 57 and also to flex the detent fingers 55 during movement of the key along the column. The rearward portion of the key is also provided with a tooth 64 for use in restoring the key to its neutral position after the vote is cast as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Finally, the rearward portion of the key is provided with a curved surface portion 65 for engaging the counter actuating mechanism described below during the vote sensing sweep of the scanning rail.

-For the purpose of permitting assembly of the keys, the 'oflice stops 44 and the pins 51 on each column during programming prior to the election, a top cover 66 extending over all of the columns may be removed to permit the strips 42 and 50 to be withdrawn from the channels or grooves 43 and 49, respectively. The cover 66 comprises a pair of parallel, horizontal bars 66a and 6612 (FIG. 2) interconnected by a plurality of cross braces 660 (FIG. 4). The cross braces are detachably secured to a top frame member 67 of the voting machine housing as, for example, by means of knurled screws (not shown). When the top cover is removed to permit withdrawal of the strips 42 and 50, the oflice stops 44, the pins 51 and the keys 48 may be inserted in the proper order as the strips 42 and 50 are pushed back into their column channels. Thus, to program the column 3%!) described above, the candidate strip 40' and transparent cover 41 for that column are slipped into the channel 37 and the bottom stop for the lower ofiice group (D, E, F) is inserted into the numbered hole in the strip 42 corresponding to the stop immediately below the position of candidate F whereupon the voting key 48b is slid onto the column by dropping it from the top. This is accomplished by placing the voting key channel 53 over the rail 47 and sliding the voting key downwardly over the detent fingers 55 and along the column. The upper stop for the lower ofiice group is next inserted at the proper position for limiting the upward movement of the key 48b. The lowermost stop of the upper ofiice group is then assembled and the voting key 43a is placed on the column in the manner previously described. Finally, the upper 'oifice stop of the upper ofiice group is placed in position to limit the upward movement of the key 48a. Pins 51 are inserted along the strip 55} at proper positions for releasing the key restoring mechanism to permit the latter to turn over the voting keys after the keys have been restored to their neutral positions during the key restoring sweep of the scanning rail as is described more fully below. After all of the columns have been properly programmed in the manner described, the cover 66 is replaced and the housing 21 is then locked to prevent access to the cover 66 during an election so that neither the voter nor the precinct officials can tamper with the settings of the ofiice stops, the pins 51 or the strip 40 while the election is in progress.

After the voter has made his selections upon the voting panel of the machine, his choices are adapted to be recorded or registered upon the counters carried by the counter panel 29. The latter panel extends along the rear of the voting machine within the housing 21 and generally parallel to the front panel 30. The panel 29 comprises a large flat plate 70 carrying a plurality of elongated, spaced apart, parallel vertical ribs 71 defining a plurality of columns 72a, 72b, etc. equal in number to the number of columns 30a, 30b, etc. of the front panel 30 used for voting. As was indicated above, the panel 29 is adapted to support a plurality of the detachable counters 28 one such counter being used for each voting or selecting position employed for voting on the front panel 30. To this end, the panel 29 has a number of counter receiving positions thereon for receiving the counters and prior to the election, counters are assembled on the panel only at receiving positions corresponding to the voting or selecting positions to be used during the election. No counters are inserted at positions corresponding to the neutral positions of the voting keys and none are mounted at positions corresponding to the vacant positions on the front panel not used for the elec tion, thus economizing upon the number of counters required and minimizing both cost :and weight. Along each column of the counter panel are provided pairs of holes 73a and 73b with the different pairs being spaced apart vertically as shown in FIG. 5 and with each pair being adapted to receive feet 28a formed on each of the detachable plug-in counters 28. Each counter is of the type described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 120,241 of Hugh H. Bright filed simultaneously herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and, as a result, these counters will not be described in detail.

Each column on the counter panel is also provided with an elongated vertical slot 74 formed in the plate 70 for receiving counter operating ratchets 75 of all of the counters mounted in that column. Elongated detent springs 76 are carried by the panel ribs 71 and each has a plurality of spring fingers 77 cooperating with tabs 78 formed on opposite sides of the counter casing to hold the counters in position, each counter being held by one pair of spring fingers. Each counter is inserted into position on the counter panel by holdingits casing at the top and bottom between the thumb and forefinger and by then pushing the counter past the detent spring fingers 77 until the counter ratchet 75 extends through the slot 74 with the feet 28a fitting into one pair of the openings 73a and 73b. The detent spring fingers 77 snap over the tabs 78 to hold the counter in position.

As was previously indicated, the precinct officials may read the counters at the completion of the election by unlocking and opening the rear doors 22 in the manner described in detail in copending application Serial No. 120,249 referred to above. To facilitate the reading of the counters and to minimize the human errors involved in transferring the counter readings to the tabulating sheets, each column of the counter panel 29 is provided with a candidate sheet or strip 79 (FIGS. 2 and 3) listing the difierent candidates or issues appearing on the corresponding front panel column. Thus, the name of each candidate or issue appears directly alongside the window St) in the casing of the particular counter used to register the votes cast for that candidate or issue. As is shown in FIG. 3, the printed strip 79 associated with each column on the counter panel is covered by a transparent strip 8 1 having its two side edges slipped into grooves 82 and 83 formed in the sides of the panel ribs 71. As is shown in FIG. 1, the strips 81 are locked against vertical movement within the grooves 82 and 83 after the panels of the housing 21 have been assembled by the horizontal bar 66b of the cover bar 66 and, hence, the precinct othcials cannot touch the counters or the strips 7 9 during the election. Each printed strip 79 is held against its associated transparent strip 81 by teats 84 formed on the counter casing. The latter teats also prevent movement of the counter away from the counter panel and, hence, they maintain the counter operating ratchets 75 in position to be operated when the scanning mechanism is moved in the vote sensing direction.

The vote registering operation is initiated by the actuation of the manually operated Vote switch 27 by the voter after he has completed his selections. The switch 27 is eiiective to complete an electrical circuit (not shown) but described in the above identified McCaskill application Serial No. 120,214 to a series wound drive motor 85 (FIG. 1) having its output shaft connected through suitable reduction gearing and through a sprocket and chain arrangement 86 to drive a scanning mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 87. When the Vote switch 27 is operated, the scanning mechanism is located at the top of the voting machine and, hence, it is swept along the rear of the voting panel in asensing or vote detecting direction and-remains at the bottom of the panel until it is returned to the top at the start of the next voting cycle by the insertion of a properly positioned, valid voter identification card as is disclosed in copending McCaskill application Serial No. 120,214 referred to above. During the return sweep of the scanning mechanism 87, the voting keys 48 are all returned in a manner described in detail below from their voted positions to their neutral positions. ready for the next voters selections.

The mechanical drive for the scanning mechanism 87 includes a horizontal output shaft 88 extending along the bottom of the machine and carrying the output sprocket of the sprocket and chain assembly 86 The shaft 8% drives a pair of sprocket and chain drives including vertically extending chains 89 and 90 located at opposite sides of the voting machine. When the scanning mechanism 87 completes its vote sensing sweep, a lower limit switch 91 is actuated by an arm 92 carried in fixed position on the chain 99 at which time the drive to the motor 85 is interrupted. When the scanning mechanism is moved upwardly to return to its original position, an upper limit switch 93 is engaged by an arm 94 on the chain 89 to stop the motor drive. It should be apparent that by appropriate changes in design the sensing sweep could begin at the bottom of the panel although in this case the voting keys would be in their neutral positions when they were located adjacent the lower stop of each oflice group.

The scanning mechanism itself comprises a horizontal rail 95 having its opposed ends mounted for turning move- ,ment upon carriage assemblies 96 and 97 respectively carried by the chains 89 and 90. The carriage assemblies are fixedly secured to the chains and are. guided for vertical movement within suitable fixed guide channels provided along the sides of the voting machine housing 21, as indicated at 98 in FIG. 3.

Since the voting keys are retained in'their voted positions on the front panel following completion of the vote registering operation, it is desirable, for the purpose of preserving the secrecy of the ballot, to cover the panel and the keys so that the key positions cannot be detected by the next voter using the machine. Thus, there is provided a flexible curtain or cover 99 which when retracted is stored within a curtain containingchamber 1% (FIG. 2) at the rear of the voting panel section 24 but which is extended by the downward movement of the scanning mechanism 87 to cover the front panel 34 The curtain passes out of the voting machine housing through an elongated horizontal slot 101 and has its outer end affixed to a horizontal rod 102 supported at its opposed ends on the carriages 96'and 97. More specifically, the opposed ends of the rod 1ti2 are aifixed to the outer ends of brackets 103 forming part of the carriages 96 and 97. Each bracket 1% extends through a vertical guide slot m4 extending along the side of the voting panel 3t as is shown in FIG. 3. The rod 162 is spaced outwardly from the panel 39 by sufiicient distance to permit the rod and the cover to pass over the voting keys 48 without moving them. As the scanning mechanism 87 moves downwardly, the cover 9% is pulled from the supply chamber 1% and is drawn over the voting panel 369 and, hence, when the scanning rail 95 reaches the bottom of its sweep, the panel is completely covered. The cover material is sufiiciently rigid to prevent detection of the positions of the voting keys by feeling along the cover and, to this end, may be formed of elongated metal strips secured together in side by side relationship to form a flexible unit or, in the alternative, it may be formed by a very heavy fabric. In any event, the voter approaching the machine to cast his vote is unable to detect the voting key positions either visibly or by feeling through the cover. When the scanning mechanism 87 is raised the flexible cover 99 is retracted into the chamber 1%, but during the raising of the cover the voter is still not able to determine the previous voters choices since the rod 162 and, hence, the lower end of the cover are disposed slightly below the key restoring mechanism on the scanning rail so that the voting keys are all restored to their neutral positions adjacent the upper stops of their office groups before these keys become visible to the voter. When the panel 30 is fully uncovered, all of the voting keys appear in their neutral positions.

For the purposes of detecting the positions of the actuated or voted keys, that is, the keys which have been moved from a neutral position to a voted position, and for actuating those counters 28 corresponding to the positions of the voted keys, the rail 95 carries a plurality of spaced apart combined key wipers and counter actuating devices 105a, 105b, 1050, there being one of these for each of the columns 301'), 39c, Stld, etc. The devices 165a, 1055, etc. are identical and each comprises an interposer arm 1% best shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 extending through a transverse bore a in the rail 95 and suspended upon the latter rail for limited movement longitudinally of the bore $541 by means of leaf springs 107 and 16 3. More specifically, the rail is formed by a bar having a hexagonal cross section and the springs 107 and M8 are respectively mounted upon diametrically opposed flat areas on the rail periphery. The spring 107 is secured at one end to the rail 95 by means of screws Hi9 and at its other end seats within an annular peripheral groove idea formed near one end of the interposer arm 1%. The spring 103 is supported upon a spacer block 110 and both the spring and the block are secured to the rail in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of screws 111. A square or rectangularly shaped opening formed near one end of the spring 1% accommodates a similarly shaped area 112 of the interposer arm 1%. The end of the spring 1138 seats against an enlarged, generally rectangnlarly shaped head 113 on the interposer arm 1% to provide a spring force cooperating with that of the spring 167 to normally bias or urge the arm 1% towards the left as viewed in FIG. 7. During the vote sensing sweep of the scanning mechanism 87, the forward or wiping end 113a of the head 113 is positioned to engage the curved area 65 on each of the voting keys 48 in its associated column 30a, 30b, etc. Thus, when the scanning mechanism 87 is moved downwardly along the rear of the panel 31 the interposer arm 1% is moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 7 each time that the wiping described movement of the arm 1% is used to actuate the counters 28 since the rearwardend 18617 of the arm is in engagement with a counter actuating arm 115 having a hooked end 115a which is adapted to engage and turn the ratchet 75 of any counter 28 located in a position on the panel 29 corresponding to the position of a voted key. More specifically, the actuating arm 115 is carried'upon one end of a support bar 116 which is, in turn, mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot screw 117 on the rail )5. For a purpose which will be explained hereinafter, the bar 116 is adapted to be pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 4 where the hooked end 115a is aligned with the ratchets 75 in a counterclockwise direction to a position where the hooked end is out of alignment with and cannot engage the ratchets 75 when the scanning rail makes its vote sensing sweep. The pivotal movement of the support 116 is limited by a stop bar 113 secured to the rail 95 and having stop fingers 1B and 126 for respectively limiting the pivoting of the bar 116 in the two directions. Thus, when the bar 116 rests against the stop finger 19A the hooked end 115a is accurately aligned in a counter actuating position for engaging the ratchets '75 of all of the counters in its column and cannot be moved beyond this position. However, at the completion of the sensing sweep the bar 116 is moved to its non-actuating position against the stop finger 119 in a manner described below whereupon it is out of alignment with the ratchets but, at the same time, its triangularly shaped end portion 116a is properly positioned to allow the bar to be restored to the counter actuating position at the beginning of the next voting operation in order to activate the different columns according to the voters classification as is described in detail hereinafter. A somewhat U-shaped guide 121 is secured at its center to the bar 116 and has both of its leg portions 122 and 123 (FIG. 4) resting against a flat area on the scanning rail 95 to preventturning of the interposer arm 1% and its associated components.

As is best shown in FIG. 3, when the scanning rail 95 approaches the end of its vote detecting sweep, a rigid rail turning arm 125 carried in fixed position on the rail pe- 13 riphery near one end of the rail engages a fixed lower stop 126 mounted at the bottom of the counter panel 29 so that the continued downward movement of the scanning mechanism is eiiective to turn the rail 60 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 9. The scanning rail is thus conditioned tor the upward key restoring sweep. The turning of the rail moves the interposers or wipers to positions where they cannct engage the voting keys during the return of the rail. However, when the rail 95 is turned, a plurality of key restoring devices 127a, 127b, etc., one for each of the counter actuating devices 195a, 105b, etc., are positioned to engage the tooth 64 on each voting key as the rail is raised. One such key restoring device is provided for each column containing voting keys and each device is effective to lift all of the voting keys in its associated column from the detent fingers 55 holding them in the voted positions and to slide each key upwardly along the column until it is returned to its neutral position where its upward movement is limited by one of the oflice stops 44*. Each key restoring device includes a toothed cog 12%; mounted for rotation upon an L-shaped bracket 129 secured to the rail '95 and each cog is provided with any desired number of teeth provided only that the interdental spaces between adjacent teeth is sufficient to permit the cog to turn over the tooth 64 in the manner described below. Formed integral with each cog at one side thereof is a toothed detent wheel 130 cooperating with a detent 1 31 to positively lock the cog in position while the latter is performing its key lifting or restoring function. The detent wheel is provided with a number of teeth equal to the number of teeth on the cog 128 and is shaped as shown in "FIG. 17. Thus, the detent wheel includes a detent receiving recess adjacent each tooth and a sloping portion extending from the recess to the next tooth. The detent 131 comprises a pawl 132 which extends transversely from a stub shaft 133 carried by the bracket 129 and which has its free end engaging the periphery of the detent wheel 130. The shaft 133 also supports a detent release arm .134 disposed on the opposite side of the bracket from the pawl 132 and comprising a generally rectangularly shaped body having a pair of fingers 137 and 137a projecting outwardly from diametrically opposed corners as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The leg 137a has an aperture therein for receiving one end of a coil spring 135 which has its other end inserted through an opening in and wrapped partially around a post 136 on the bracket 129 thus biasing the release arm and its shaft 133 in a direction to hold'the pawl in engagement with the detent wheel 131 The finger 137 is disposed to successively engage all is effective to prevent turning of its associated cog 125 until it is released by engagement of the trip finger 137 with one of the pins 51. Thus, the positions of the release pins 51 along the columns determine when the cogs 128 will be released to turn. When the scanning rail 95 is raised at the start of the key restoring sweep, all of the cogs 128 will be held against rotation in the position shown in FIG. 15 with one of the cog teeth extending substantially horizon-tally towards the front panel 30 and in position to engage the tooth 64 on the lowermost voting key in the associated column. Thus, when the latter key is engaged by the horizontal cog tooth, the continued upward movement of the rail 95 is effective to lift the key and this action occurs along each column although obviously the lowermost voting keys of the different columns are not likely to be located in the same voted positions and, as a result, the key restoring devices 1270!, 127 b, etc.

usually engage these lowermost keys at different times.

In any event, each key is lifted until it approaches the neutral position as is shown in FIG. 15 where it will rest either against one of the oflice stops 44 or against ananosyas other key. In this connection, the keys of all of the ofifice groups shown in FIG. 1 seat against an oflice stop 44 when in their neutral positions except for the lowermost key of the ofiice group 40c which rests against another key which is, in turn, seated against an oifice stop. The release pins 51 are disposed along the column at positions corresponding to the neutral positions of the keys and, hence, when each key approaches its neutral position as is shown in FIG. 17, the trip finger 137 of its associated key restoring device engages a pin 51 whereupon the release arm 134- and its shaft 133 are pivoted in a clockwise direction to lift the pawl 132 away from the detent wheel to the position shown in FIG. 18, thus permitting the cog 128 to turn over the tooth 64 on the voting key to pass from the position shown in FIG. 15 to that shown in FIG. 16. As soon as the trip finger 137 rides over the release pin 51, the spring again pivots the release arm 134 and the pawl 132 to force the latter against the periphery of the detent wheel as shown in FIG. 17, thus limiting the turning of the cog 128 to one step and again bringing a tooth on the latter cog into position to engage the next key in the column. In the ease of the ofiice group lil c shown in FIG. 1, two release pins 51 will be located in adjacent perforations in the strip 50 corresponding to the neutral positions of the two voting keys of that otiice group. Thus, after the lower-most key has been restored to neutral position and after the cog 128 has turned over this key, the trip finger :137 of the key restoring device associated with this column will immediately engage another pin 51 to release the cog 12 8 to turn over the second or upper key of the oflice group. Obviously, then the pins 51 are set during programming of the voting machine to release the cogs 128 for turning at the proper times during the key restoring sweep of the scanning rail. After each voting key has been raised to seat against its stop (or against another key in neutral position), it is mold in the neutral position by engagement of its portion 63 with the notch 57 corresponding to its neutral posit-ion. When the scanning rail approaches the top of the panel at the end of its key restoring sweep, the fixed arm 125 engages an upper post 139 (FIG. 2) to turn the rail 95 from the key restoring position shown in FIG. 9 back to the scanning position shown in FIG. 2.

As is best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings, means are provided for resiliently holding the scanning rail 95 in both of its positions and this means comprises an over-center spring mechanism for urging a fiat area 153 of the rail to seat against a pin 152 carried by the bracket 103 of the carriage assembly 96. The spring mechanism 150 comprises a relatively heavy coiled spring 154 encircling a pair of telescoping links 156 and 157 respectively connected to the rail 95 and to the bracket 193. The link 1156 has an enlarged head 156a having an aperture therein for receiving an outer reduced diameter portion of a fixed post on the bracket 103 and the link is seated against a shoulder formed by the reduced diameter portion. Similarly, the link 157 is provided with an enlarged head 157a having an aperture therein for accommodating a post 158 formed on a block 159 secured to the rail 95. The stems of both links extend into the coiled spring 154 which seat-s against the heads 156a and 157a and, hence provides a spring force between the bracket m3 and the rail 95. When the rail is in the vote sensing position shown in FIG. 10, the spring biases the rail to pivot in a clockwise direction about pins 160 carried by the brackets 103 of the carriage assemblies 96 and 97 so that the flat area 153 is seated against the pin 152. and the rail is thus locked in its vote sensing position. When the arm 125 engages the stop 126 to turn the rail, the spring 154 is compressed until the rail turns beyond the point where the spring is aligned with the apex formed between the flat areas 161 and 153 whereupon the spring 154 expands to complete the movement of the rail 95 to its key restoring position where the flat area 153 seats against the pin 152 in the manner shown in FIG. 11. The expansion of the spring 154 moves the rail independently of the rail sweep since the arm 125 is actually lifted from the top 126 andthe rail is thus accurately positioned int-he key restoring position without requiring close mechanical tolerances between the arm "125 and the stop 126. The operation of the mechanism 150 is reversed when the rail 95 is turned at the completion of the key restoring sweep but since this operation is believed to be obvious in view of the foregoing description, it is not described in detail.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in providing means for shifting the counter actuators 1115 associated with the different columns to position selected ones of these actuators so that they do not engage the counters of their associated columns in order to program the voting machine 243 for voters of different classification. Thus, in certain elections as, for example, in a primary election, the voter is eligible to vote only for the candidates of his own political party and it is, of course, essential that he be prevented from participating in the selection of candidates of other parties. Of course, this problem could be solved by providing at each voting station separate voting machines for the different political parties, thus avoiding the necessity for party classification programming, but this solution has several serious disadvantages. First, the use of separate machines permits persons other than qualified election olficials to de termine the classification or party of the voter and this may prove embrassing. Second, and even more important, the use of separate voting machines is expensive and this may prove troublesome in jurisdictions where a relatively small number of voters cast their ballets at the diiferent stations. Thus, it is desirable to employ one machine for all classifications of voters. The arrangement provided by the present invention for satisfying the latter desire requires that the voting machine beset up prior to use by each voter so that the voter may participate in deciding only those issues for which he is eligible to vote and this set-up may be accomplished either manually or automatically by use of a card supplied to the voter as described in the above-identified McCaskill appli-' cation.

To facilitate an understanding of the manner in which the classification programming is efiected according to the present invention, a typical primary election will be considered where voters of three different classifications, i.e., Democrat, Republican and Independent, are eligible to participate. At this point, it should be observed that while the classification programming is described in conjunction with a primary election, it may also be used in other special elections where only certain classes of voters are eligible to vote on particular issues presented as, for example, in cases'where only real property owners may participate in a decision on a bond issue or the like. However, returning to the consideration of the typical primary election, let it be further assumed that all of the Republican candidates for the various olfices are listed on strips 40 inserted into columns 30b, 30c and 30d, that all of the Democrat candidates are listed on strips 40 carried by the column-s 3%, 3th and 30g and that all of the Independent candidates are listed on strips 40 on other columns.

The voting keys for all 'of the columns are, of course, freely movable between the office stops and, hence, each voter could, if he so desired, move the voting keys in all columns even though he is eligible to vote on issues appearing on only two or three of them. According to the present invention, provision is made for activating or energizing only those columns containing the issues within the voters eligibility and for maintm'ning all of the re maining columns inactive. Only the columns of counters associated with active voting panel columns are engaged by their actuators and no other counters are advanced or actuated and, as a result, the movement of the voting keys by the voter in inactive columns containing issues not within his classification is ineffective to register votes on those issues. Thus, even if the voter attempts to participate in the selection of candidates of political parties other than his own, he cannot do so because the latter selections are disregarded during the vote registering operation.

A plurality of switches 141, one for each column, are employed to determine which columns are active for the different voter classifications as is described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 74,887 of Edward I. Crossland and Stanley W. Wilcox, filed December 9, 1960, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. As is described in the latter application, the election ofiicial may activate as many columns as he desires for any given voter classification by manipulating the switches 141. In the primary election assumed above, the switches associated with columns 30b, 30c and 36d are all set to the first or Republican position, the switches associated with the columns 301:, 30' and 30g are set to the second or Democrat position and so on. The particular order of switch positions is unimportant since any one of the parties could be listed in the first group of columns. Moreover, any desired number of columns could be used for each party limited only by the number of available columns on the machine. tion where all voters are eligible to vote on all of the propositions presented, all of the columns are rendered active by proper operation of the switches 141.

The switches 141 are, of course, set by the election ofiicials prior to the election and after they have been set, they are covered by a switch panel which is latched in position and locked in the manner described in the aboveidentified Bright'et a1. application Serial No. 120,249 so that the switches cannot be disturbed while the election is in progress. The switch panel is identified by the reference numeral 58 in the copending application. Also associated with each voting column is a solenoid 143 electrically con nected to the switch 141 of that column and to the remote voter classification unit in the manner described in the above-identified McCaskill application. Each solenoid is supported upon a U-shaped bracket 144 and :all of these brackets are mounted upon the frame of the voting machine just below the bottom of the front panel 30. The armature 145 extends laterally from the bracket 144 and is provided with an annular collar 146 for engaging the triangularly shaped end portion 116a of the support arm 116 when the solenoid is energized. A spring secured at one end to the collar 146 and at the other end to a fixed L-shaped bracket 168 mounted on the voting machine frame biases the armature 145 towards the right as viewed in FIG. 13 so that the collar 146 seats against a fixed stop 167 on the bracket 166 when the solenoid is de-energized. Also associated with each column is a triangular cam 147 which, in the form shown, is formed by a bent portion of a bracket 148 carrying a pulley 149 forming part of the party vote mechanism referred to below. Each of the cams 147 is positioned to engage the end portion 116a on the support arm 116 of the counter actuating device 105a, 105b, etc. associated with its column when the rail 95 is turned at the completion of its vote sensing sweep. When the end portion 116a engages the earn 147, theturning of the rail 95 is effective to move all of the arms 116 from the actuating positions shown in FIG. 4 to their non-actuating positions shown in FIG. 12 and the arms remain in this latter position when the scanning rail is stopped at the bottom of the voting machine at the completion of the voting operation. At this time, the end portion 116a of each arm 116 is disposed within the space between the bracket 144 and the collar 146 of its associated solenoid as is shown in FIG. 13. When the machine is energized for the next voter either manually or by insertion of an identification card in the manner described in the McCaskill application referred to above, the remote unit supplies information concerning the voters classification to energize only those solenoids In a general elec-' 17 143 associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is eligible to vote. All other solenoids remain deenergized. Each energized solenoid is effective through its armature 145 to move the collar 146 from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 14 to that shown in broken lines, thus pivoting the arm 116 of its associated counter actuating device 105a, 105b, etc. from the non-actuating position shown in solid lines to the counter actuating position shown in broken lines. The arms 116 associated with non-energized solenoids remain in their non-actuating positions and, hence, they cannot engage their associated columns of counters during the vote sensing sweep of the scanning mechanism. Therefore, even if the voter moves the voting keys in an attempt to vote upon issues for which he is ineligible, this attempt will be futile because the counters corresponding to those issues cannot be actuated.

It will be observed that, since the solenoids 143 and the switches 141 are located in fixed positions on the frame of the voting machine and since the limit switches 91 and 92 are also mounted on the frame for actuation by fingers respectively carried by the chains 89 and 90, no wiring is required to the rail 95. This is an important feature since it avoids the use of long flexible cables connected to the rail which cables are subject to becoming entangled with the other parts of the voting machine when they are extended and retracted during the sweeps of the scanning rail.

Provision may also be made for permitting party voting wherein the voter may cast all of his votes for the candidates of his own political party as is described in simultaneously filed copending application Serial No. 120,251 of Stanley W. Wilcox et al. assigned to the same assignce as the present invention. This mechanism is neither illustrated nor described in the present application, however.

Turning now to the operation of the voting machine described above and considering only a general election where all of the voting panel columns are active, it will be observed that the scanning rail is at the bottom of the voting panel when the voter approaches the machine and when the machine is activated either manually or by inertion of a card as described in the above-identified McCaskill application. When a valid card is properly inserted, the scanning mechanism moves upwardly to return all of the voting keys to their neutral or non-voting positions adjacent the upper stops of the office group and to raise the cover 99. Near the completion of the key restoring sweep, the arm 125 strikes the post 139 to turn the rail 95 to its vote sensing position shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 where the key restoring devices 127a, 1271), etc. cannot engage the keys but where the counter actuating devices 105a, 105b, etc. are disposed to engage the keys. After the rail has been turned, the upper limit switch 93 is engaged by the finger 94 to terminate the drive to the motor 85, thus stopping the rail at the top of the voting machine. The voter then makes his selections on the voting panel by operation of the voting keys 48 by manually sliding the voting keys from their neutral positions to the desired selecting positions. Until the voter actuates the Vote switch 27, he is free to alter his selections in any desired manner. As soon as the voter is satisfied with his selection he actuates the switch 27 to complete a circuit to the electric motor 85, thus driving the chains 89 and 90 in a direction to begin the downward or vote sensing sweep of the scanning mechanism 87 and, at the same time, lowering the cover 99 over the front panel of the voting machine.

When the scanning mechanism 87 sweeps downwardly, it senses or detects the voting keys selected by the voter and actuates the corresponding counters 28 on the counter panel 29. If the voting keys are in their neutral position to indicate either that the voter did not desire to cast his vote for any of the candidates in that particular ofiice group or, of course, that he inadvertently neglected to make a selection, no votes are registered since no counters 28 are located on the counter panel 29 at positions corresponding to the neutral positions of the voting keys. All counters corresponding to voted positions on the front panel are, of course, actuated and advanced one step by engagement of the hooks 115a with their ratchets 75 during the vote sensing sweep. The operation then contines in an obvious manner until the scanning mechanism 87 approaches the end of its vote sensing sweep where the end portions 116a of all of the counter actuators engage the cams 147 to shift all of the counter actuators to their neutral or non-actuating positions. Further movement of the scanning mechanism causes the arm 125 to engage the stop 126 at the bottom of the counter panel 29 thus turning the rail 95 to its key restoring position. The lower limit switch 91 is then actuated to interrupt the drive to the motor and, at that same time, conditioning the remote voter classification unit for receiving the identification card of the next succeeding voter as is described in detail in the McCaskill application referred to above. When the rail 95 is turned at the bottom of the scanning sweep, the counter actuators a, 105b, etc. are moved to positions where they cannot engage the ratchets 75 of the counters, thereby to prevent operation of the counters during the return or key restoring sweep of the scanning rail.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be observed that the apparatus described is effective to accom plish the enumerated objects of the present invention. The voting machine described is extremely simple in op eration and may be constructed at relatively low cost. Elaborate mechanical interlocks between the voting selectors are unnecessary and, hence, the weight and size of the machine is considerably less than that of voting machines presently in use. The use of a scanning rail and an associated counter panel adjacent thereto avoids excessive wiring or mechanical connections which would otherwise be required. Thus, the use of a scanning mechanism interposed between the voting panel and the counter panel contributes to the reduction in size, weight, and cost of the machine. The classification feature permits use of the voting machine both in general elections and in special or primary elections. The machine is very easy to set up for both types of elections and, hence, the election officials can be readily instructed as to the pro cedure to be followed.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that many modifications will readily occur to those skilled in this art and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a voting machine, the combination of means defining a plurality of side by side columns each divided into a number of selecting positions, the selecting positions of the different columns being aligned to form a plurality or rows extending transversely of said columns, manually operable selectors in each column whereby the voter makes his selection at said selecting positions, scanning means movable along said columns from row to row to determine which of the selecting positions has been selected by the voter, a counter panel spaced from and extending generally parallel to said columns and containing a counter for each of said selecting positions, the counters being arranged in rows respectively corresponding to the rows of selecting positions, and said scanning means including mechanism effective during movement of said scanning means for actuating each counter corresponding to a selecting position to which a selector has been moved.

2. The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein means are provided for rendering said mechanism effective to actuate only those counters associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

3. The apparatus defined by claim 2 wherein means are provided for detachably securing the counters to the panel.

4. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein the number of counters employed is equal to the number of selecting positions in said columns to which the selectors may be moved.

5. In a voting machine, the combination of means defining a plurality of side by side columns each divided into a number of selecting positions, manually operable selectors slideable longitudinally along each column whereby the voter makes his selections by moving the selectors from a non-voting position to said selecting positions which are spaced longitudinally along the column from the non-voting position, a scanning rail movable longitudinally along all of said columns from a position near one end to the position near the other end and including a plurality of spaced apart sensing devices, one for each column, and each engageable with the selectors of its associated column, a counter panel spaced from and extending generally parallel to said columns and containing a plurality of rows of counters respectively corresponding to said columns, one counter being provided for each of said selecting positions, and said scanning rail carrying a plurality of counter actuators, one for each column and each operated by one of the sensing devices, for actuating each counter corresponding to a selecting position to which a selector has been moved.

6. The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein means are provided for shifting each actuator from an operative position wherein it can engage the counters of its associated row to an inoperative position wherein it cannot engage the counters of its associated row as the scanning rail is moved, the last named means including structure for shifting to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

7. The apparatus defined by claim 6 wherein the shifting means comprises a solenoid associated with each column, each solenoid acting upon one of said actuators, and wherein said structure comprises an electrical circuit for causing said solenoids to move to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the Voter is qualified to .vote.

8. The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein means are provided for detachably securing the counters to the panel.

9. The apparatus defined by claim 8 wherein the number of counters employed is equal to the number of selecting positions in said columns to which the selectors may be moved.

10. In a voting machine, the combination of means defining a plurality of side by side columns each divided into a number of selecting positions, manually operable selectors slideable longitudinally along said columns and operable from the front face of said columns whereby the voter makes his selection by moving the selectors from a non-voting position to said selecting positions which are spaced from the non-voting position in a direction extending longitudinally of the column, a counter panel spaced from and extending generally parallel to said colurnns and containing a row of counters for each of said columns, there being one counter for each of said selecting positions, a scanning rail movable along the back of and longitudinally along said columns in the space b tween the columns and the panel and carrying a plurality of sensing wipers, one for each row of counters, engageable with said selectors to determine which of the selecting positions has been selected by the voter, said rail being movable from a position near one end of the columns to a position near the other end, each of said wipers being normally positioned out of engagement with its now of counters but being moved into engagement with one of the counters in its associated row whenever it engages a selector in a selecting position as said rail is moved,

2% whereby all of the counters corresponding to a selecting position to which a selector has been moved are actuated during the rail movement.

11. The apparatus defined by claim 10 wherein means are provided for shifting each actuator from an operative position wherein it can engage the counters of its associated row to an inoperative position wherein it cannot engage the counters of its associated row during movement of the scanning rail, the last named means including structure for shifting to their operative positions only those actuator-s associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

12. The apparatus defined by claim 11 wherein the shifting means comprises a solenoid associated with each column, each solenoid acting upon one of said actuators, and wherein said structure comprises an electrical circuit for causing said solenoids to move to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

13. The apparatus defined by claim 10 wherein means are provided for detachably securing the counters to the panel.

14. The apparatus defined by claim 13 wherein the number of counters employed is equal to the number of selecting positions in said columns to which the selectors may be moved.

15. In a voting machine, the combination of a voting panel made up of a number of different columns, a plurality of ofiice stops spaced longitudinally along each column for dividing each column into different office groups, a plurality of selectors mounted for manual sliding movement longitudinally along each column from a neutral position adjacent one of the stops to any desired one of a plurality of selecting positions within each oflice group, there being at least one selector for each ofiice group, scanning means movable along said columns in one direction to determine the'selecting positions to which a selector has been moved, said scanning means being movable along said columns in a reverse direction and including means for returning each of said selectors by sliding it longitudinally along its column from its selecting position to its neutral position when said scanning means is moved in said reverse direction, the return movement of said selectors being limited by said stops, a counter panel spaced from and extending generally parallel to said voting panel and containing a counter for each of said selecting positions, and said scanning means including an actuator for each column effective during movement of said scanning means in said one direction for actuating each counter corresponding to a selecting position to which a selector has been moved.

16. The apparatus defined by claim 15 wherein means are provided for shifting each actuator from an operative position wherein it can engage the counters of its associated row to an inoperative position wherein it cannot engage the counters of its associated row, during the movement of said scanning means in said one direction the last named means including structure for shifting to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

17. The apparatus defined by claim 16 wherein the shifting means comprises a solenoid associated with each column, each solenoid acting upon one of said actuators, and wherein said structure comprises an electrical circuit for causing said solenoids to move to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

18. The apparatus defined by claim 15 wherein means are provided for detachably securing the counters to the panel.

19. The apparatus defined by claim 18 wherein the number of counters employed is equal to the number of selecting positions in said columns to which the selectors may be moved.

20. In a voting machine, the combination of a voting panel made up of a number of diiferent columns, stop means spaced longitudinally along each column for dividing each column into different office groups, a plurality of selectors mounted for manual sliding movement longitudinally along each column, there being at least one selector for each :office group, each selector being slideable manually from a non-voting position adjacent one of said stop means to selecting positions spaced therefrom in a direction extending longitudinally of the column, detent means for holding each selector in any one of said selecting positions within each oifice group to enable the voter to make a selection, scanning means longitudinally along said columns in one direction to determine the voters selections, said scanning means being movable along said columns in a reverse direction and including means for returning each of said selectors from its selecting position to its non-voting position when said scanning means is moved in said reverse direction, the return movement of each selector being limited by said stop means, a counter panel spaced from and extending generally parallel to said voting panel and containing a counter for each of said selecting positions, and a plurality of spaced counter actuators, one for each column, on said scanning means eflective during movement of said scanning means in said one direction for actuating each counter corresponding to a selecting position to which a selector has been moved.

21. The apparatus defined by claim 20 wherein means are provided for shifting each actuator from an operative position wherein it can engage the counters of its associated row to an inoperative position wherein it cannot engage the counters of its associated row during movement of said scanning means in said one direction, the last named means including structure for shifting to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

22. The apparatus defined by claim 21 wherein the shifting means comprises a solenoid associated with each column, each solenoid acting upon one of said actuators, and wherein said structure comprises an electrical circuit for causing said solenoids to move to their operative positions only those actuators associated with columns containing issues on which the voter is qualified to vote.

23. The apparatus defined by claim 20 wherein means are provided for detachably securing the counters to the panel.

24. The apparatus defined by claim 23 wherein the number of counters employed is equal to the number of selecting positions in said columns to which the selectors may be moved.

25. In a voting machine, a counter support panel formed by a flat plate and a plurality of spaced apart, parallel ribs fixedly secured to said panel and defining side by side rows on said panel, each such row lying between a pair of ribs, means forming spaced apart sets of openings in the panel along each row, the openings of each set being spaced apart transversely of the row, slot means formed in the panel between each pair of ribs and extending parallel to the ribs adjacent the sets of openings in its row, and a plurality of detachable counters mounted on one face of said panel and each secured within one set of openings and between an adjacent pair of ribs, each counter including a counter actuating member extending through the slot means adjacent the set of openings within which it is retained, said member extending beyond the face of said panel opposite to said one face, and means mounting each of said counters to permit manual removal from said panel independently of all of the other counters by moving it away from said panel and transversely of its adjacent pair of ribs, with said ribs fixed in position on said panel, said movement resulting in withdrawal of said counter from its set of 22 openings and Withdrawal of the counter actuating memher through its slot means, thereby to permit removal of each of said counters without disassembling the panel and the ribs and without disturbing any of the other counters.

26. In a voting machine, a counter support panel formed by a flat plate and a plurality of spaced apart, parallel ribs fixedly secured to said panel and defining side by side rows on said panel, each such row lying between a pair of ribs, slot means formed in the panel between each pair of ribs, spring clips carried by each rib, and a plurality of detachable counters mounted on one face of said panel and each secured to the panel along one of the rows, each counter having its longitudinal axis extending transversely of the row and having its opposite ends engaged by the spring clips on the adjacent pair of ribs, and each counter including a counter actuating member extending through the slot means of its row, said member extending beyond the face of said panel opposite to said one face, said springs being constructed and arranged to permit manual removal of each of said counters from said panel independently of all of the other counters by moving it away from said panel and transversely of its adjacent pair of ribs with said ribs remain ing fixed in position on said panel, said movement resulting in withdrawal of the counter past the springs on its adjacent pair of ribs and in withdrawal of the counter actuating member through its slot means, thereby to permit removal of each of said counters without disassembling the panel and the ribs and without disturbing any of the other counters.

27. In a voting machine, a counter sup-port panel formed by a flat plate and a plurality of spaced apart, parallel ribs fixedly secured to said panel and defining side by side rows on one face of said panel, each such row lying between a pair of ribs, slot means formed in the panel between each pair of ribs, and a plurality of detachable counters each detachably and individually secured along one of the rows of the panel between an adjacent pair of ribs, means for individually retaining each counter in position, and each counter including a counter actuating member extending through the slot means of its row and protruding beyond the face of said panel opposite to said one face, said retaining means being constructed and arranged to permit manual removal of each of said counters from said panel independently of all of the other counters by withdrawing said member through its slot means and moving the counter away from said one face of said panel and transversely of its adjacent ribs.

28. In a voting machine, a counter support panel formed by a flat plate, means defining a plurality of through openings in the plate, a plurality of detachable counters, and means for detachably and independently securing said counters at desired positions along one face of the plate, each counter including a counter actuating member extending through one of the through openings and protruding beyond the opposite face of the plate, said securing means being constructed and arranged to permit manual removal of each of said counters from said plate independently of all of the other counters by withdrawing said member through its opening and moving the counter away from said one face of said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 628,032 Phelps July 4, 1899 783,156 Taisey Feb. 21, 1905 864,173 Langrill Aug. 27, 1907 873,401 Abbot Dec. 10, 1907 943,041 McKenzie Dec. 14, 1909 1,070,090 Winslow Aug. 12, 1913 2,326,204 Dowey Aug. 10, 1943

Claims (1)

1. IN A VOTING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF SIDE BY SIDE COLUMNS EACH DIVIDED INTO A NUMBER OF SELECTING POSITIONS, THE SELECTING POSITIONS OF THE DIFFERENT COLUMNS BEING ALIGNED TO FORM A PLURALITY OR ROWS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID COLUMNS, MANUALLY OPERABLE SELECTORS IN EACH COLUMN WHEREBY THE VOTER MAKES HIS SELECTION AT SAID SELECTING POSITIONS, SCANNING MEANS MOVABLE ALONG SAID COLUMNS FROM ROW TO ROW TO DETERMINE WHICH OF THE SELECTING POSITIONS HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE VOTER, A COUNTER PANELS SPACED FROM AND EXTENDING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID COLUMNS AND CONTAINING A COUNTER FOR EACH OF SAID SELECTING POSITIONS, THE COUNTERS BEING ARRANGED IN ROWS RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING TO THE ROWS OF SELECTING POSITIONS, AND SAID SCANNING MEANS INCLUDING MECHANISM EFFECTIVE DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID SCANNING MEANS FOR ACTUATING EACH COUNTER CORRESPONDING TO A SELECTING POSITION TO WHICH A SELECTOR HAS BEEN MOVED.

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