US3915375A - Counter actuating mechanism for a voting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A voting machine includes columns of voting spindles, a vote counter for each spindle and a plurality of shifter plates, one for each column and disposed relative to the counters to move the pinions thereof in ganged relationship to positions of select, vote registering, and reset upon lateral movement of the shifter plate. A main voting lever is operated by the voter when he enters the machine to place the machine in a select position and is operated by the voter when he leaves the machine to place the machine in a vote registering position. An improved slide plate is pivoted for lateral movement and is connected to the shifter plates to move them laterally. A cam follower on the slide plate is moved by a lost motion cam slot in a cam plate. An eccentric member is rotated by the main voting lever and is connected to the cam plate. Actuation of the main voting lever acts through the cam plate, the cam slot, the cam follower and the slide plate to move the shifter plates between the vote registering position and the select position. When it is desired to reset the vote counters at an appropriate time after the election, a key is used to move the slide plate laterally in the lost motion portion of the cam slot. In this position, the counters can be reset. This operation adds a count to the protective counter which is never reset. In this way, a determination can be made of whether the machine has been reset or operated without authorization by comparing the number on the protective counter with the number on the return sheet which records the number of voters at the end of election day.

Description

United States Patent 1 Shoup Oct. 28, 1975 COUNTER ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR A VOTING MACHINE [76] Inventor: Ransom F. Shoup, 400 Morris Ave., PO. Box 389, Bryn Mawr, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 15, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 470,008

Primary ExaminerStephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, or F irm-Woodcock, Washburn, Kurtz & Mackiewicz [57] ABSTRACT A voting machine includes columns of voting spindles, a vote counter for each spindle and a plurality of shifter plates, one for each column and disposed relative to the counters to move the pinions thereof in ganged relationship to positions of select, vote registering, and reset upon lateral movement of the shifter plate. A main voting lever is operated by the voter when he enters the machine to place the machine in a select position and is operated by the voter when he leaves the machine to place the machine in a vote registering position. An improved slide plate is pivoted for lateral movement and is connected to the shifter plates to move them laterally. A cam follower on the slide plate is moved by a lost motion cam slot in a cam plate. An eccentric member is rotated by the main voting lever and is connected to the cam plate. Actuation of the main voting lever acts through the cam plate, the cam slot, the cam follower and the slide plate to move the shifter plates between the vote registering position and the select position. When it is desired to reset the vote counters at an appropriate time after the election, a key is used to move the slide plate laterally inthe lost motion portion of the cam slot. In

this position, the counters can be reset. This operation adds a count to the protective counter which is never reset. In this way, a determination can be made of whether the machine has been reset or operated without authorization by comparing the number on the protective counter with the number on the return sheet which records the number of voters at the end of election day.

7 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 7 3,915,375

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 US. Patent )ct.28,1975 Sheet2of7 3,915,375

U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet3of7 3,915,375

Q l8 M' ,J34

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet40f7 3,915,375

U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 5 of7 3,915,375

US. Patent 00.28, 1975 Sheet6of7 3,915,375

COUNTER US Patent Oct. 28, 197 5 Shet 70f7 3,915,375

COUNTER ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR A VOTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to voting machines and more particularly to an improved counter actuating mechanism in a voting machine.

Thisinvention relates to voting machines of the type shown in the Shoup US. Pat. Nos. 2,054,102; 2,251,254 and 2,826,365. A mechanism must be provided to unlock the voting spindles to allow the voter to make his selection and to register the votes on the counters after the voter makes his selection and is ready to leave the voting booth. A typical arrangement for accomplishing this includes a heavy main cam bar such as the cam bar 14 in Shoup et al. US. Pat. No. 3,069,076 or the main cam bar 58 in Shoup US. Pat. No. 2,251,254. Mechanisms of this type are heavy and cumbersome. Often, particularly where it is desired to open and close the voting booth curtain in synchronism with the mechanism which places the counters in select and vote registering positions, a motor may be used to actuate the mechanism.

The present invention is an improvement on the heavy cumbersome mechanisms of the type described above particularly in that it is light and easy to actuate by simply turning a main voting lever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a light-weight, easy to operate mechanism is provided for moving counter pinions in ganged relationship between positions of select and vote registration. Further, the improved mechanism operates a public counter which counts the number of voters in a particular election and a protective counter which counts the total number of times a machine is operated.

The improved mechanism includes a pivotally mounted cam plate having a lost motion cam slot which cooperates with a cam follower on a slide plate. Rotation of the cam plate causes lateral movement of the slide plate to effect actuation of the counters between the vote registering and the select positions. When it is desired to reset the counters the machine must be in ballot raised position revealing the count. A key is used to move the slide plate laterally with the cam follower moving laterally in the lost motion portion of the cam slot. This reset operation actuates the protective counter. Unauthorized resetting before the impoundment period is up can be ascertained by comparing the count on the protective counter with the voting records.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention a latch is provided to insure that the counter pinion actuating mechanism is not operated unless a declared primary selector knob is properly positioned to select one of the political parties having candidates for which votes can be cast. In some primary elections, the voter must declare his party affiliation and the election machine operator sets a knob on the voting machine to the party of his choice. Then the voter can vote only for the candidates of that political party. It is possible that the knob may be improperly positioned, either intentionally or unintentionally, so that the knob does not properly select any one of the parties, i.e., the knob may be set at a position between parties. In this case it is desirable to latch the voting machine spindles so that the machine cannot be operated until the declared primary knob is properly positioned.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following more detailed description and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a voting machine embodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a rear portion of the machine of FIG. 1, showing the reset and counter mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the mechanism in a position just prior to registration action;

FIGS. 4 through 6 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of a single counting unit showing successive stages of operation as seen from the lines 44 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing the mechanism in position to be reset by a manual reset key;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the mechanism in position for resetting all voting counters to zero;

FIG. 9 shows the declared primary mechanism and latch; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict the operation of the declared primary mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A voting machine VM is movably fixed to a portable support stand 2 and comprises a cabinet 4 having front access doors 6 and rear access doors (not shown). Inside the front doors 6 is located all the normal voting machine mechanism controls, present for the conditions of a particular use and to be operated by each successive voter. They include individual candidate operating handles 8 and a master voting lever 12. The associated individual counting mechanisms are laid out in rows as pictorially shown at 14 in FIG. 1, and are caused to register votes for any legal choice of candidate by actuating the registering mechanism shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

As seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, each column of pinions in the counters 14 is moved by two or more actuating bars 16. The shoulder stud 18 extends through clearance holes in center plate 17 and round holes in shifter plate 20 and in the bars 16. There is a stationary center plate 17 between the bars 16 and the plate 20. The stud l8 joins the bar 16 to the plate 20 so that the two move together laterally. There is a clearance hole in the stationary center plate 17 to provide freedom of lateral movement. The bars 16 are fixed to each successive column of counters 14 so that lateral motion of the bars 16 causes all the shifter plates 20 to move to enable voltes to be indicated and recorded. The shifter plates 20 move in ganged relationship to either register a vote or record a vote. After the impoundment period, the plates are moved to a reset position in which the counters can be reset for a new election.

The bars 16 are fixed to a common slide plate 22 which is horizontally slidably positioned on the rear side of the panel. Slide plate 22 is driven laterally, as

viewed in FIG. 2, by a cam plate 24 pivotally fixed to the panel at 26 and containing a lost motion cam slot 28 which cooperates with a cam follower 30 on slide plate 22 to effect lateral motion of slide plate 22, bars l6 and thereby each successive shifter plate 20 in their bar 34 fixed to the cam at 36 on one end and to an eccentric member 38 on the opposite end. Eccentric 38 is fixed to the master voting lever 12 via its shaft 13. Rotation of lever 12 (FIG. 1) and shaft 13 causes vertical movement of connecting bar 34 and thereby rotational movement of cam 24. g

In order to prevent operation of the machine if the primary election mechanism is not properly positioned, a hook 200 (FIG. 2) can be positioned into a slot 202 in the cam plate 24. The primary election mechanism will be subsequently described with reference to FIG. 9. When the knob of this mechanism is not properly positioned a linkage is actuated. This linkage includes the main link member 204 and the link member 206 which is pivoted at 208. Upward movement of the main link 204 rotates the link member 206 counterclockwise so that the hook 200 engages the slot 202. This prevents movement of the shifter plates 20 which would place the counters in a vote select position.

For a running count of individual voters in any given election, a public counter 40 is provided, fixed ,to the side panel 42 of the voting machine and flexibly connected via spring 44 to the connecting bar 34. Each successive cycle of the shifting mechanism causes the counter to trip, thereby keeping a running total of voters. After the election, public counter 40 is reset to zero via reset knob 46.

It is also desirable to provide a protective counter which is advanced by each successive cycle, but which is never reset and which is sealed and not accessible to tampering. This protective counter alerts the one in charge of the machine to any illegal cycling of the machine by reference to a record which is made before election, and kept at the conclusion of each election. The protective counter 48 is mounted on the side panel 42 and is flexibly fixed, via spring 50 to one end of a lever 52. Lever 52 is pivotally fixed at 54 to the panel and is actuated by the slide plate 22 via extension 56 and pin 58. Counter 48 is enclosed in a steel housing 60 which is protected by registered seals (not shown) after assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, when it is desired to reset all individual voting counters to zero after an election, the-necessary locks and releases are operated on the front side of the machine to retract a cover slide, to expose a keyhole 64. At this point, a key 66 is inserted in hole 64. This key, upon clockwise rotation, works against a notch 68 to move the slide plate 22 leftwardly against the bias of springs 32.

As shown in FIG. 6 (to be explained below), this permits all counters to be reset to zero.

This cycle of the mechanism is recorded by the protective counter 48 but not by the public counter 40. The cam 24 is not rotated by this cycle due to the lost motion slot 70 in the cam 24.

, Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6, the vote and reset mechanism in columns 14 will now be explained.

Each column has a plurality of counter shafts 72 fixed in transverse relationship .to the columns 14. Mounted on each shaft 72 is a standard set of unit, tens and hundreds counter wheels 74, 76 and 78 respectively. Adjoining wheel 74 is an X wheel 80 which has a large X which is rotated into view when the voter selects the candidate whose vote is being counted by this counter. The X wheel 80 has a gear segment on each end; one to cooperate withwheel 74 and the other to cooperate with another gear segment 82 which is driven by a voting spindle 84, manually rotated. by the candidate control lever 8 (FIG. 1). I

.Iournaled for rotation in parallel relationship to shaft 72 is a shaft 86 on which gears 88 are fixed to cooperate with counter wheels 76 and 78. Also, slidably fixed on shaft 86 is a pinion 90 and an integral gear 92. The position of these gears is controlled by the shifter plate 20 previously described, via arms 94 and 96. Pinion 90 has three basic positions, SELECT (FIG. 4), VOTE REGISTERING (FIG. 5) and RESET (FIG. 6). In the select position, pinion 90 is partially in contact with units wheel 74 and X wheel 80. Rotation of shaft 84 will cause rotation of wheel 80 to a VOTE position, with an X displayed at the front of the machine. This will also rotate units wheel 74 to register one count. If wheel 80 is reversed, wheel 74 returns to its previous position thereby not tallying a vote. If the machine is cycled, i.e., the master voting lever 12 is returned to the vote registering position, all shifter plates 20 move leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 4. This slides pinion 90 completely onto units wheel 74 and off X wheel 80 (FIG. 5), thereby counting all legally selected votes and notifying the attendant that the present voter has finished.

When the election is over,.the procedures outlined above relative to FIGS. 7 and 8 are followed, thereby moving pinion 90 to the position of RESET (FIG. 6) in which state it lies only on wheel 80. This permits manual resetting of all counter wheels 74, 76, 78 to zero.

If, by chance, the voter turns the lever and shaft 84 an insufficient amount to registerhis vote, one of the four teeth on gear 92 will enter the slot 98 on wheel and will not permit the pinion to move to the position of FIG. 5. Arm 96 will permit the total movement of shifter plate 20 via its over-ride spring 100 and no vote will be registered.

Due to the precautions taken in obscuring and containing protective counter 48 (previously described), any tampering with the machine to falsely add or subtract votes will be recorded on this counter and the appropriate action can be taken.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of the primary election selection mechanism which is more fully described in copending application Ser. No. 418,565, filed Nov. 23, 1973 now abandoned. A six sided selector shaft 102 has a knob 104 thereon. Theknob 104 is disposed outside of the voting 7 machine. The shaft 102 extends across the top of the machine. The knob 104 is rotatable to one of six positions indicating the declared primary of the voters.

A vertical bar 106 is movable vertically to unlock the associated column of voting spindles 84. The vertical bar 106 is pivoted to a link which is in turn pivoted to the front panel.

tated by the machine operator to a position for voting for Democratic candidates and assume that the vertical bar 106 is associated with a column of Republican candidates. A lug 110 has been positioned above the vertical bar 106 so that the vertical bar 106 cannot be moved upwardly. Therefore, the voting spindles 84 in that column cannot be rotated. The voting spindles in this column cannot be used because the crank 112 on each v'oting spindle bears against the vertical bar 106 thereby preventing rotation of the spindle on which the crank is mounted.

When the party selector knob 104 is moved to other positions, then other columns of voting spindles may be used, depending upon where the lugs 110 have been inserted. Only those columns where a lug has been inserted in a hole above the vertical bar 106 can be used. The shaft 102 is spring biased toward the right. When it is desired to change the party selection, the knob 104 is pushed toward the left against this spring bias. The

pm 114 is disengaged from one of the six holes 116 in a retaining plate. Then the shaft can be rotated until the pin 114 lines up with another one of the holes 116. As the knob is released, the shaft 102 moves toward the right under spring bias. The pin slips into one of the holes 116. In this way the declared primary mechanism is changed by the machine operator to the party affiliation of another voter. However, assume that the machine operator does not correctly position the knob 104 so that the pin 1 14 is between two of the holes 116. In this case, it might be possible for a voter to operate voting spindles of a political party other than that of his choice were it not for an important aspect of this invention.

A linkage is positioned to be actuated when the knob 104 is not properly positioned at one of the correct selected party positions. This linkage includes a first pivoted member 210 disposed adjacent the knob. This member is pivoted at 212. It is connected to the main link member 204 which is connected at its other end to the link member 206. (Link member 206 is shown in FIGS. 2, and 11.) Link member 206 has the hook 200 thereon which slips into the slot in the cam plate.

When the knob 104 is in the proper position the linkage is in the position shown in FIG. 10. It is normally held in this position by spring bias supplied by the spring 214. However, when the knob 104 is intentionally or unintentionally left in a position in which the pin 114 (FIG. 9) is not correctly positioned in one of the indexing holes 116, the knob will push the upper link 210 to the left as shown in FIG. 11. This operates through the linkage to move the hook 200 into the slot in the cam plate. As previously described, this prevents operation of the machine.

The lock-out mechanism just described provides an advantageous alternative to inserting lugs 110 into holes above all columns which are not to be operated. A single lug placed in one of the holes 116 in the retainer plate, will perform the same function. With a lug placed in one of the holes 116, the knob 104 will not return to the right when it is rotated to the position in which pin 114 engages the lug in hole 116. Then the hook 200 will prevent operation of voting levers. This has the same effect as inserting lugs 110 in all of the holes 108 along one side of the selector shaft. However, it is much easier for the person setting up the machine to insert a single lug in hole 116 than to insert nine or 10 lugs in all the holes 108 in the selector shaft.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications are within the'true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a voting machine of the type including: I columns of voting-spindles, each having an operating handle,

a vote counter for each spindle, each counter having pinions and number wheels actuated by the corresponding spindle,

a plurality of shifter plates disposed relative to the associated counter pinions to move them in ganged relationship to positions of select, vote registering and reset upon lateral movement of said shifter plates,

. a main voting lever operated by the voter when he enters the machine to place the machine in a select condition and operated by the voter when he leaves the machine to place the machine in a vote registering position, the improvement comprising:

a slide plate mounted for lateral movement, said slide plate being connected to said shifter plates to move said shifter plates laterally upon lateral movement of said slide plate,

a cam follower on said slide plate,

an eccentric member rotated by said main voting lever,

a cam plate pivotally mounted, said cam plate having a lost motion cam slot which cooperates with said cam follower to effect lateral motion of said slide plate upon pivoting of said cam plate, and

a connecting bar fixed to said cam plate at one end and to said eccentric member at the opposite end whereby rotation of said main operating voting lever actuates said machine into the positions of select and vote.

2. The machine recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a cam surface on said slide plate providing leverage required for moving said slide plate laterally by means of a reset key, said cam follower moving laterally in the lost motion portion of said cam slot whereby the machine is put into reset position.

3. The machine recited in claim 2 further comprising:

a protective counter, said protective counter being connected to said slide plate so that said protective counter is actuated each time said slide plate is moved laterally between a select and vote registering position or between a reset and vote registering position, and

a cover plate for said protective counter protecting said protective counter from tampering and insuring that each operation of the machine will be registered on said protective counter.

4. The machine recited in claim 3 further comprising:

a public counter, said public counter being connected to said connecting bar so that said public counter is actuated each time the machine is moved between select and vote registering positrons.

5. A voting machine comprising:

voting spindles each having an operating handle,

a vote counter for each spindle, each counter having pinions and numberwheels actuated by the corresponding spindle,

a plurality of shifter plates disposed relative to the associated counter pinions to move them in ganged relationship to positions of select, vote registering 7 and reset upon lateral movement of said shifter plates,

a main voting lever operated by the voter when he enters the machine to place the machine in a select condition and operated by the voter when he leaves the machine to place the machine in a vote registering condition,

pivoted means connected to said shifter plate to move said shifter place laterally,

means connecting said main voting lever with said pivotedrneans whereby rotation of said main operating lever actuates said machine into the positions of select and vote registering,

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

means on said selector shaft for locking out all candidates other than those of the declared party to which said knob is set, and

latching means operable when said knob is not correctly in a position indicating a declared party for latching said pivoted means to prevent lateral movement of said shifter plate into a select position.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said pivoted means has an open slot therein and wherein said latching means comprises:

a pivoted linkage having one end disposed adjacent said knob, the other end having a hook portion disposed adjacent said slot, said linkage being pivoted so that said knob actuates said linkage to move said hook into said slot when said knob is between positions which correctly indicate a declared party.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said linkage comprises:

a first pivoted member disposed adjacent said knob,

a second member having said hook thereon pivoted adjacent said slot, and

a main link member pivoted at one end to said first member and at said other end to said second member whereby pivotal movement of said first member is translated into pivotal motion of said second member.

UNITED S'IA'II-IS IA'IEN'I OI-FICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,915,375 Dated October 28, 1975 lnventors) Ransom F. Shoup It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

and

Column 2, line 39, "present" should read --preset--.

Column 5, line 58, "plate," should read --plate ll5,--.

Signed and Scalcd this eighth Day of June1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH Q. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Offim (omnulsmner oflarenls and Trademark:

' UNITED S'I'A'l'l'lS PATENT OFFICE I @ERTIFICATE ()F CORRECTION Patent: No. 3,915,375 Dated October 28, 1975 lnventorbs Ransom F. Shou'p It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

olumn 2, line 39, "present" should read -preset.

. Column 5, line 58, "plate," should read plate ll5,

Signed and Scaled this eighth Day of 1101:1976

[SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting 0mm v (ommiuioneruflalemt and Trademark:

Claims (7)

1. In a voting machine of the type including: columns of voting spindles, each having an operating handle, a vote counter for each spindle, each counter having pinions and number wheels actuated by the corresponding spindle, a plurality of shifter plates disposed relative to the associated counter pinions to move them in ganged relationship to positions of select, vote registering and reset upon lateral movement of said shifter plates, a main voting lever operated by the voter when he enters the machine to place the machine in a select condition and operated by the voter when he leaves the machine to place the machine in a vote registering position, the improvement comprising: a slide plate mounted for lateral movement, said slide plate being connected to said shifter plates to move saiD shifter plates laterally upon lateral movement of said slide plate, a cam follower on said slide plate, an eccentric member rotated by said main voting lever, a cam plate pivotally mounted, said cam plate having a lost motion cam slot which cooperates with said cam follower to effect lateral motion of said slide plate upon pivoting of said cam plate, and a connecting bar fixed to said cam plate at one end and to said eccentric member at the opposite end whereby rotation of said main operating voting lever actuates said machine into the positions of select and vote.

2. The machine recited in claim 1 further comprising: a cam surface on said slide plate providing leverage required for moving said slide plate laterally by means of a reset key, said cam follower moving laterally in the lost motion portion of said cam slot whereby the machine is put into reset position.

3. The machine recited in claim 2 further comprising: a protective counter, said protective counter being connected to said slide plate so that said protective counter is actuated each time said slide plate is moved laterally between a select and vote registering position or between a reset and vote registering position, and a cover plate for said protective counter protecting said protective counter from tampering and insuring that each operation of the machine will be registered on said protective counter.

4. The machine recited in claim 3 further comprising: a public counter, said public counter being connected to said connecting bar so that said public counter is actuated each time the machine is moved between select and vote registering positions.

5. A voting machine comprising: voting spindles each having an operating handle, a vote counter for each spindle, each counter having pinions and number wheels actuated by the corresponding spindle, a plurality of shifter plates disposed relative to the associated counter pinions to move them in ganged relationship to positions of select, vote registering and reset upon lateral movement of said shifter plates, a main voting lever operated by the voter when he enters the machine to place the machine in a select condition and operated by the voter when he leaves the machine to place the machine in a vote registering condition, pivoted means connected to said shifter plate to move said shifter place laterally, means connecting said main voting lever with said pivoted means whereby rotation of said main operating lever actuates said machine into the positions of select and vote registering, a multiple sided selector shaft having a knob thereon outside of said machine rotatable to a position indicating the declared party of a voter, means on said selector shaft for locking out all candidates other than those of the declared party to which said knob is set, and latching means operable when said knob is not correctly in a position indicating a declared party for latching said pivoted means to prevent lateral movement of said shifter plate into a select position.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said pivoted means has an open slot therein and wherein said latching means comprises: a pivoted linkage having one end disposed adjacent said knob, the other end having a hook portion disposed adjacent said slot, said linkage being pivoted so that said knob actuates said linkage to move said hook into said slot when said knob is between positions which correctly indicate a declared party.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein said linkage comprises: a first pivoted member disposed adjacent said knob, a second member having said hook thereon pivoted adjacent said slot, and a main link member pivoted at one end to said first member and at said other end to said second member whereby pivotal movement of said first member is translated into pivotal motion of said second member.

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