US3915374A - Voting machine with primary election selection - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanical voting machine can be easily adapted to operate in a selective primary. The selective primary mechanism includes at least two party selector spindles each having a bell crank with a lug which engages an associated ladder channel at the top and bottom of a small opening therein. Columns of voting spindles are interconnected in groups so that the ladder channels of each group are moved up and down in unison. Pull straps connect each group of columns to a primary election interlock so that movement of one of the straps in a direction corresponding with an unlocking movement of a group of ladder channels immobilizes the other straps in the primary election interlock. Alternatively, a declared primary election mechanism may be provided. This mechanism includes a multiple sided selector shaft having a knob thereon outside of the machine rotatable to a position indicating the declared party. A vertical bar is normally moved vertically by a crank on each voting spindle. When this vertical movement is restricted, the voting spindles of this column cannot be used. The selector shaft has a plurality of lug receiving holes on the sides thereof spaced along the shaft above each of the vertical bars. Lugs are selectively disposed in the holes so that when the shaft is rotated to the position of a particular party, only the vertical bars associated with the columns for that party can be moved vertically without engaging a lug.

Description

United States Patent Shoup [4 1 Oct. 28, 1975 [54] VOTING MACHINE WITH PRIMARY ELECTION SELECTION [76] Inventor: Ransom F. Shoup, 400 Morris Ave.,

PO. Box 389, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010 [22] Filed: Jan. 31, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 438,476

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 418,565, Nov. 23,

1973, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 235/55 C [51] Int. Cl. G07C 13/00 [58] Field of Search 235/54 R, 54 A, 54 F, 55 R,

235/55 A, 55 C, 55 E, 51, 54 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 995,357 6/1911 Lausterer 235/54 C 2,099,202 11/1937 Gustavson 235/54 C 3,051,379 8/1962 Shoup et al. 235/55 C 3,312,390 4/1967 Shoup 235/54 R Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, or F irm-Woodcock, Washburn, Kurtz & Mackiewicz [57] ABSTRACT A mechanical voting machine can be easily adapted to operate in a selective primary. The selective primary mechanism includes at least two party selector spindles each having a bell crank with a lug which engages an associated ladder channel at the top and bottom of a small opening therein. Columns of voting spindles are interconnected in groups so that the ladder channels of each group are moved up and down in unison. Pull straps connect each group of columns to a primary election interlock so that movement of one of the straps in a direction corresponding with an unlocking movement of a group of ladder channels immobilizes the other straps in the primary election interlock. Alternatively, a declared primary election mechanism may be provided. This mechanism includes a multiple sided selector shaft having a knob thereon outside of the machine rotatable to a position indicating the declared party. A vertical bar is normally moved vertically by a crank on each voting spindle. When this vertical movement is restricted, the voting spindles of this column cannot be used. The selector shaft has a plurality of lug receiving holes on the sides thereof spaced along the shaft above each of the vertical bars. Lugs are selectively disposed in the holes so that when the shaft is rotated to the position of a particular party, only the vertical bars associated with the columns for that party can be moved vertically without engaging a lug.

4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures SIDE PANEL U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 1 of 6 3,915,374

SIDE PANEL FRONT PANEL US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet2of6 3,915,374

US. Patent 00. 28, 1975 Sheet 3 of6 3,915,374

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet40f6 3,915,374

@ PIN ROLLER PIN ROLLER U.S. Patent- Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet5of6 3,915,374

SIDE PANEL US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 6 of6 3,915,374

VOTING MACHINE WITH PRIMARY ELECTION SELECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of applica' tion Ser. No. 418,565 filed Nov. 23, 1973, now abandoned.

This invention relates to voting machines and more particularly to a voting machine with a primary election mechanism.

A'mechanical voting machine is shown in the Shoup U.S. Pat. No. 2,054,102. Mechanical voting machines of this type employ interlocks to limit the number of votes which may be cast for a candidate. Interlocks are shown, for example, in the Shoup US. Pat. No. 2,293,669. U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,557 Shoup et al. described a voting machine which can be used in either a declared or a selective primary.

In a declared primary election the voter must give the name of his party and the election officer adjusts the machine so as to lock out the voting facilities of all parties other than that to which the voter belongs. Shoup et al. US. Pat. No. 3,051,379 is an example of a voting machine capable of operation in a declared primary.

In a selective primary the voter does not give the name of his party, but the machine is so arranged that, if the voter turns the voting spindles assigned to a candidate running for the office of mayor of the ticket of one party, the voting spindles assigned to other candidates running for the same office on the ticket of other parties, are locked out. Alternatively, the voter turns a party selector knob which allows him to vote for the candidates of his party, but the candidates of all other parties are locked out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention a voting machine is easily adapted for use in a selective primary or a declared primary.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved selective primary mechanism which is easily installed, and is reliable in operation.

It is a further object to provide a declared primary mechanism which reliably locks out the party columns other than the columns of the voters declared registration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a voting machine;

FIG. 2 shows columns of voting spindles, associated bell cranks, and a primary election interlock for a selective primary;

FIG. 3 shows a ladder channel and associated bell crank;

FIG. 4 shows an interlock and a pull strap;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show details of an interlock;

FIG. 7 is a top sectional view of the voting spindle, the back vertical frame, the restoring ladder channel and the selective primary column controlling ladder;

FIG. 8 shows a voting spindle, back vertical frame and a restoring ladder channel (also called a vertical bar);

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the declared primary selector shaft;

FIG. 10 shows the selector shaft controlling mechanrsm;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the selector shaft; and

FIG. 12 shows an improved wedge shaped end for use in elections having extremely large groups of candidates to be elected.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a voting machine with the usual columns of voting levers which a voter rotates to select the candidate of his choice. These levers rotate voting spindles 5. In a selective primary rotation of a voting lever in a group associated with a particular party will lock out the candidates of all other parties on the machine. Two party selector spindle levers 13a and 15a are shown. Rotation of the party selector spindle l3 actuates an interlock mechanism which permits voting for the candidates of that party but locks out all candidates of other parties. Alternatively, rotation of the party selector spindles 13 or 15 can clear choices previously made and permits voting for the candidates of a party other than the choice originally made.

FIG. 2 shows four columns 14 of voting machine spindles. The spindles 5 in column 1 and in column 2 are associated with leve rs for the selection of the candidates of one party, for example, the Republican party. The spindles 5 in the columns 3 and 4 are associated with voting levers of another party, for example, the Democratic party. The usual bell cranks, or butterfly assemblies 6, are mounted on each of the spindles 5. Pull straps such as 7 engage a vertical voting interlock, or, under certain ballot adaptations, they engage a general election interlock. These interlocks are not shown but are similar in construction to the interlock 19 shown in FIG. 4. The structure of the pull straps and the interlock is such that movement of any of the straps in vote casting direction immobilize other straps for that office.

A ladder channel 12 has a plurality of vertically spaced openings, or cutout portions 12A. The ladder channels are each guided for movement in a vertical direction by a ladder retainer. A lug 22 on each butterfly engages the ladder channel at the top of one of the openings therein. When the ladder channel is moved upwardly, any one of the voting spindles in that column can be rotated in a vote casting direction. However, when the ladder 12 is in a lower vertical position, the lug 22 on each butterfly assembly firmly engages the top of the opening in the ladder channel and rotation in a vote casting direction is prevented.

Party selector spindles 13 and 15 each have a bell crank 18 with a lug 22 thereon. The lug 22 on the bell crank 18 engages a small hole 17 in the bottom of the ladder channel. If the selector spindle 13 is rotated by the voter, the ladder channel 12 is raised. Then all of the voting spindles in that column are free of engagement with the ladder channel and may be rotated. Alternatively, if the voter first rotates one of the voting spindles, then the ladder channel 12 is raised and voting spindles in that column are similarly free. If the voter changes his mind about voting for that party, rotation of the selector spindle in the counterclockwise direction will return the ladder channel 12 to its lower position. Then the voter may proceed to vote for the candidate of another party.

A bar 14 interconnects the spindles in the columns 1 and 2, the Republican group of columns. Similarly, the bar 14 interconnects columns 3 and 4 of voting spindles in the Democratic group. (While two columns of spindles have been shown in the Republican group and two columns of spindles in the Democratic, it will be appreciated that more columns could be interconnected in each group and more groups can be provided for other parties.)

The bars 14 interconnect the voting spindles in groups so that the ladder channels of each group are moved up and down in unison. That is, when the ladder channel 12 in column 1 is moved upwardly to free vot ing spindles for rotation in that column, the ladder channel 12 in column 2 is similarly moved upwardly to free voting spindles in that column for movement in vote casting direction.

A primary election interlock 19 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. This insures that the voter can cast his vote only for candidates of one party. A pull strap 16 is connected to the pin 20 on the butterfly assembly 18. A similar pull strap 16 is provided for each group of spindles, i.e., one for the Republican candidates, one for the Democratic candidates and one for each other political party on the ballot. Each of the pull straps 16 terminates in a wedged shaped portion 21 at the end thereof. The interlock 19 inclues rollers 23 between, above and below the pull straps. (FIGS. 2 and 4) These rollers are arranged so that only one pull strap can be pulled to the left. Movement of one of the straps in a direction to the left corresponding with an unlocking movement of a group of ladder channels immobilizes the other straps in the interlock 19. Therefore, when the ladder channels 12 in columns 1 and 2 (FIG. 2) are moved upwardly in a direction which unlocks the voting spindles in that group, then the ladder channels in columns 3 and 4 cannot be moved upwardly because the pull strap 16 associated with that group cannot be moved to the left out of the interlock 19. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict the wedge shaped ends 21 and the rollers 23 in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the elements associated with one voting spindle. The strap 16 (FIG. 7) goes to a general election interlock which is not shown. The general election interlock controls the party candidates for which the voter can vote.

The butterfly 18 has a lug 22 which engages an opening in the ladder channel 12. A ladder retainer guides the ladder channel for movement in the vertical direction. The operation of the ladder channel is as described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIGS. 8-l0 show the declared primary mechanism. A six sided selector shaft 24 has a knob 25 thereon which is disposed outside of the voting machine. The shaft 24 extends across the top of the machine. The knob 25 is rotatable to one of six positions indicating the declared party of the voters. A vertical bar 26 is movable vertically to unlock the associated column of voting spindles for the declared party of the voter. The vertical bar 26 is pivoted to a link which is in turn pivoted to the front panel.

Lug receiving holes 27 are on each of the sides of the shaft 24 and are spaced along the shaft above the vertical bars 26. Lugs 28 are inserted in selected ones of the holes. Assume that the selector shaft 24 has been rotated by the machine operator to a position for voting for Democratic candidates and assume that-the vertical bar 26 is associated with a column of Republican candidates. A lug 28 has been positioned above the vertical bar 26 so that the vertical bar 26 cannot be moved upwardly. Therefore, the voting spindles 5 in that column cannot be rotated. The voting spindles in this column cannot be used because the crank 31 (FIG. 7) bears against the bar 26 thereby preventing rotation of the spindle 5 on which the crank is mounted. when vertical bar 26 is free for vertical movement, the crank 31 together with spindle 5 can be rotated.

When the party selector knob 25 is moved to other positions, then other columns of voting spindles may be used, depending upon where lugs 28 have been inserted. Only those columns where a lug has not been inserted in a hole above the vertical bar 26 can be used.

A novel arrangement is made for retaining the shaft 24 is the position to which it is rotated. (FIG. 9) The shaft 24 is spring biased toward the right. When it is desired to change the party selection, the knob 25 is pushed toward the left against this sping bias. The knob can be pushed in only when the machine is in the recording position, not when the machine is in the voting position. When the knob is pushed toward the left, the pin 29 is disengaged from one of the six holes 30 in the retaining plate. Then the shaft 24 can be rotated until the pin 29 lines up with another one of the holes 30. As the knob is released, the shaft 24 moves toward the right under spring bias. The pin 29 slips into one of the holes 30. In this way the declared primary mechanism is changed by the machine operator to the party affiliation of the next voter.

Each of the voting spindles 5 rotates in bearing plates 8 (FIG. 8). Each of these two plates has a keyhole shaped opening 8a therein. The two keyhole shaped openings are oppositely disposed so as to tightly engage the bearing of the shaft 5 when the bearing plates 8 are correctly positioned. In FIG. 8 the strap 32 goes to a vertical voting interlock which is not shown. The vertical voting interlock determines the number of candidates which can be voted for an office in that column.

Normally, a machine will have either the selective primary mechanism or the declared primary mechanism, depending upon the election laws of the jurisdiction in which the machine is used. However, an important feature of this invention is the ease with which a machine constructed with the declared primary mechanism of FIGS. 811 can be converted to use in a selective primary. All that is necessary for this conversion is to remove all of the lugs 28 from the holes in the shaft 24. Then, the straps 16 which extend to the primary election interlock shown in FIG. 2 can be added to the machine to make it operable in a selective primary election.

A wedge shaped end for each of the straps 7 is shown in FIG. 13. This is used for extremely large group voting. The thickness of the wedge shaped end depicted in FIG. 6 makes it difficult to obtain proper operation when there are a large number of candidates. For example, in an election for judges in a large municipality, there may be one hundred or more candidates. Use of the normal thickness straps results in fanning which makes it impossible to operated the interlock. Fanning occurs where the candidates are voted in multiple columns such as four columns and in multiple adjacent rows such as 10 rows. As an example, normal straps have a wedge shaped end which is 0.062 inches thick. The wedge shaped end 7 in FIG. 13 is only 0.030 inches thick. This reduces the fanning in half. As shown in FIG. 13, the wedge shaped end 7' is spot welded to the strap 7.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that modifications are within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications.

What is claimed is:

1. In a voting machine of the type which includes columns of voting spindles, a declared primary election mechanism comprising:

a multiple sided selector shaft having a knob thereon outside of said machine rotatable to a position indicating the declared party of a voter,

a vertical bar normally movable vertically, said vertical bar having cut-out portions,

a crank on each of said voting spindles engaging said vertical bar to prevent rotation of said spindles when said vertical bar is in its lower position and engaging the cut-out portions of said vertical bar to move it upwardly thereby allowing rotation of said spindles when said bar is free for vertical movement,

a plurality of lug receiving holes in said selector shaft on the sides thereof and spaced along said shaft above each of said vertical bars, and

lugs selectively disposed in said holes so that when said shaft is rotated to the position of a particular party, only the vertical bars associated with the columns for that party move freely upwardly without engaging a lug.

2. The mechanism recited in claim 1 further comprising:

an indexing pin mounted for rotation with said shaft,

and

a plate having a plurality of pin receiving holes therein, said pin being disposed in one of said holes to index said shaft so that one side of said shaft positions lugs over the vertical bars associated with spindles of candidates of political parties other than the declared party of the voter.

3. The mechanism recited in claim 2 wherein said shaft is mounted across the top of said machine, one end of said shaft protruding through a side panel of said machine, said knob being outside said machine for operation by an election official.

4. The mechanism recited in claim 3 further comprising:

a spring biasing said shaft toward a position in which said pin engages one of said holes.

Claims (4)

1. In a voting machine of the type which includes columns of voting spindles, a declared primary election mechanism comprising: a multiple sided selector shaft having a knob thereon outside of said machine rotatable to a position indicating the declared party of a voter, a vertical bar normally movable vertically, saId vertical bar having cut-out portions, a crank on each of said voting spindles engaging said vertical bar to prevent rotation of said spindles when said vertical bar is in its lower position and engaging the cut-out portions of said vertical bar to move it upwardly thereby allowing rotation of said spindles when said bar is free for vertical movement, a plurality of lug receiving holes in said selector shaft on the sides thereof and spaced along said shaft above each of said vertical bars, and lugs selectively disposed in said holes so that when said shaft is rotated to the position of a particular party, only the vertical bars associated with the columns for that party move freely upwardly without engaging a lug.

2. The mechanism recited in claim 1 further comprising: an indexing pin mounted for rotation with said shaft, and a plate having a plurality of pin receiving holes therein, said pin being disposed in one of said holes to index said shaft so that one side of said shaft positions lugs over the vertical bars associated with spindles of candidates of political parties other than the declared party of the voter.

3. The mechanism recited in claim 2 wherein said shaft is mounted across the top of said machine, one end of said shaft protruding through a side panel of said machine, said knob being outside said machine for operation by an election official.

4. The mechanism recited in claim 3 further comprising: a spring biasing said shaft toward a position in which said pin engages one of said holes.

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