US544218A - Voting-machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. DUOAS. VOTING M AGHINB.

No. 544,218. Patented Augnm, 1895.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 S DUCAS VOTING MACHINE.

N0. 544,218. Patented Aug.6,1895.

(No Model.) S DUCAS 3 Sheets--Sheet 3. VOTING MACHINE.

No. 544,218. Patented Aug. 6, 1895.

lUNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SALOMON DUCAS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

,VoTmc-MAcHlNi-z.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,218, dated August 6, 1895.

' Application filed April 8, 1895. Serial No. 544,996. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SALOMON DUoAs, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Voting-Machines; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My-invention relates to a machine for voting purposes.

It consists in certain details of construci tion, which Will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my machine. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same with the casing removed. Fig. 3 is a view of thev controlling device. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line y g/ of Fig. 2 on an elarged scale. t

In my device I employ a suitable inclosed framework, a number of vertically-moving spindles corresponding with the number of names `to be voted for, an equal number of registers so connected with mechanism which is moved when a spindle is depressed to advance the register a single number for the first depression ot' the spindle, a means for locking this mechanism, so that after a person has once voted for an individual or measure he cannot register another vote for the same purpose, a supplemental register upon which each vote is indicated simultaneously with the depression of a spindle, said register being inaccessible to the election-officers, and only to be inspected by the opening of the case Within which it is contained after the apparatus has been removed from the polls; means whereby the parts are returned to their normal position after the voter has left the voting-booth, and other details of construction.

In the present case I have shown a framework A, which is ordinarily inclosed, except slide movable over one portion of it, and on this table or slide are the names of all the candidates to be voted for at any electionsuch as the mayor,sheritf, taX-collector, justices of the peace, school-directors, &c.

Y Through the table B and below the slide three holes are made in line with each spindle, through which the Iigures of the registers may be seen. At one side of this table and in line with the names which are exposed on this table are a series of vertically-reciprocating spindles C, numbered from the top, and

in line with these upon one or the other side,A

as most convenient, may be printed the Words Votefor one or any other number which shall be voted for-as, for instance, in voting for the mayor or sheriff but one would be voted for; for justices of the peace, three, or for school-directors, tive, showing the number that each voter is entitled to cast a ballot for.

The spindles C extend down through the framework and suitable guides d, and have at the lower ends punches c, which are adapted to perforate a sheet or roll of paper D, which is coiled upon suitable drums d, and which has a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism d', by which the slack of the paper is taken up.

Whenever a voter enters the booth and depresses'the spindles corresponding with the candidates for which he desires to vote the punch c at the lower end of the spindle will perforate -a hole in the sheet of paper D, and as the names or numbers of all the candidates are Written upon the sheet in lines corresponding With the names or numbers on the table above it will be manifest that each vote will be indicated upon the sheet by a hole punched in the paper in a line corresponding with the name or number above.

E are helical springs surrounding the spindles and serving to return them t0 their normal position after they have been depressed.

Beneath the table or top plate B,and opposite each spindle, is arranged a rotary registering drum or disk G, having figures marked upon it, and adapted to be rotated so as to indicate the vnumber of times which the lever F has been depressed. These indicators being of a well-known class employed in various ways, I do not further describe them in the present case.

Each indicator is actuated by a lever F,

which projects alongside of each of the spindles in such position as to be engaged whenever a spindle is depressed the Iirst time by a lug or pin F projecting from the spindle, and the lever being thus depressed will act, through suitable intermediate mechanism, to rotate the units-disk of the indicator, and when this has been advanced to indicate ten figures the tens-disk will be advanced one ligure, and soon in the usual manner for this class of indicators.

In order to prevent any one voter from registering more than one voie for one candidate, if he should continue to press down the same spindle, I have shown a locking mechanism so constructed as to engage the lever and hold it in its depressed position, so that any further pressure upon that particular spindle will not advance the indicator, and it will only punch into the same hole on the paper at the bottom that was originally punched by it. This locking device consists of a spring g projecting downwardly from each of the boxes in which the indicators are located, and it has formed on its end two seats for a pinfprojecting from the lever F. Now when the spindle C is depressed the pin f on lever F will be forced to its lower seat, the spring g yielding to allow the pin to pass the curve, and the lever F will be held there by the return of the spring after the pin has passed, and any repeated pressing of C will not aii'ect the lever F any more until the eccentricP is moved upwardly, thereby forcing the pin f back to its upper seat again.

In order to prevent any Voter from voting for more candidates than are allowed I einploy ratchet-wheels I, journaled in standards t' at a short distance from the vertically-moving spindles, and having pawls engaging them, one of which J is operated by a bail K, and is moved downward by the movement of the bail whenever a spindle is depressed.

The retaining-pawl H is simply fulcrumed in the standard t and engages a tooth in the ratchet-wheel to retain it after it has been advanced.

The hails K are suitably fulcrumed in standards L, and each bail is of such a length as to be engaged by lugs or projections M upon the spindles representing the number of candidates for any particular office. For instance, if there are three candidates for the oiiice of mayor, the bail is of such a length as to be engaged by the lugs on the three spindles which represent this oiiice, and as the bail K actuates the pawl J, which advances the ratchet-wheel, it will be seen that the depression of any of these spindles will advance the ratchet-Wheel one tooth. As there is only one candidate to be voted for in thisinstance, a stop t" is lixed upon the side of the ratchetwheel, which will strike a projecting lug O on the standard after the ratchet-Wheel has been advanced one tooth, and will thus prevent its being advanced any farther, andths will prevent any one of the three spindles being again depressed snfliciently to operate the indicator or show that another vote has been cast.

In case that five candidates may be voted for-as, for instance, in voting for school-di rectorse-the pin z" upon the ratchetwhecl will be set at such a point 'with relation to the stop-lug that the ratchet-wheel may be advanced five teeth successively. In this case the bail is of such a length as to be engaged by the spindles of all the candidates for school-directors, and the voter may de press any live of the number, and each one will act upon the bail and the actuating-pani to advance the ratchet-wheel one tooth. \Vhen the whole five have been voted for, the stoppin t" will have reached the arrestinglug O, and this will prevent the bail from advancingthe wheel I any farther. If, in such a case as this, the voter should attempt to cast all of his five votes for one person, he would only be able to punch one hole in the paper at the bottom and register only one vote at the top, as the leverfof the register G,after being pressed down, will be prevented from returning by the spring g until the eccentric-shaft I) has been turned.

Between the plate al in front and the main frame is situated the indicator Z, to register the total number ot votes. Its lever F is operated by an eccentric p, on the shaft of the eecentricP, so that whenever the eccentric is turned to return the mechanism in readiness for another vote the lever F is operated and registers, and spring p returns the same to its position again. Atter the voter has cast his entire ballot and leaves the booth it will be necessary to return the parts to their normal position. This is effected by means of a cam or eccentric P, which extends the entire length ot' the frame beneath the levers F, which actuate` the upper indicators. This cam or eccentric has an arm Q projecting downward from it at one end, and a lever-arm R is so fulcrurned as to engage this lever Q when it is moved, and thus rotate the eccentric ashortdistanceaboutitsaxis. Theleverarm R is actuated by' a rotary-shaft R', having projectingarms or points r, which will engage it, and this shaft is actuated by a crank-arm S upon the outside of the machine and within reach of the person in charge of the voting apparatus. This shaft R carries the drum d', which is made of rubber orother adhesive material, and through its rotation the paper D is advanced to present another line for the next voter, and in order to prevent moving the paper too far an inwardly-projecting spring-actuated pin s is attached to the crank S, adapted to enter holes a in the partition a2 at equal distances and so lock thc shal't R at the proper time.

The vote being cast and the voter having left the booth the clerk or inspector opens the outside door, turns the crank S, and this operating through the arms R and Q, the cam or eccentric is rotated so that it engages the IOO TIO

locking devices by which the levers F, operating the upper indicators, are held down, thus releasing these arms and allowing them to return to their normal position.

Projecting from the eccentric-shaft is a plate T, Figs. 2 and 4, extending the whole length of the apparatus and so arranged as to engage leverarms h, projecting from the pawls H, which retain the ratchet-wheels I in their position when the vote is cast.

Upon the shaftof each of the ratchet-wheels is a coiled springi?, and as soon as the pawls are disengaged these springs return the ratchet-wheels to their normal position-as, for instance, the one indicating the vote for mayor will turn back one tooth, the one for indicating the justices of the peace, if three are to be voted for,`will be turned back three teeth. The one connected with the vote for schooldirectors, which may allow of tive to be voted for, will be turned backward tive teeth, there being the stop i, which will in each case hold the ratchet-wheel at the proper point. The eccentric or cam shaft'being then released, after having performed this duty, will be returned to its normal position by a spring r2,

which acts upon it for that purpose, and the parts are ready for a further operation. Y

It will be understood that this apparatus with its case and operating parts will be suitably inclosed or connected with an inclosed booth, into which the voter passes in the same manner as is in use now in the Australian ballot system, so that the ballot is entirely secret. The sheet upon which the votes are punched, being entirely sealed and inclosed, cannot be inspected by any one connected with the polling-booth, and the indicators beneath the upper table are also covered inthe same manner by the glazed or other surface with the names of the candidates, so that until these are removed it cannot be told how many votes have been cast.

It a voter makes a mistake and desires to vote again, after having partially completed his vote, this vote may be canceled by means of a stamp U, which extends the whole length ot the machine just above the sheet upon the drum, and is operated by a crank-arm V, under the control of the inspector or clerk, so that if the voter indicates that he desires another ballot the 'clerk will 4first turn the crank S to advance the sheet D the proper distance, which will bring the holes within the reach ot the stamp and move this stamp so as to print a red or other line across the punches which have been made in the sheet erroneously. l

When the sheet has been removed at the proper office, the number of lines so stamped will then be deducted from the total number of voters. For example, itthe total vote cast is one hundred, and three lines are canceled, it would leave ninety-seven, and the names of the candidates so canceled must be deducted f rom the register above.

W` is a bell. w is a hammer, the arm of which is connected with 'a 'shaft or plate X, extending the whole length of the apparatus and in such position that lugs e upon the various spindles will strike the plate when the spindles are depressed and cause it to move and with it the arm and hammer, so that the latter will strike the bell to indicate when each vote has been cast. A spring w' returns the shaft X to its place again.

At the end of the voting, by opening the outside door, the clerk in charge of the machine can remove the glass or slide B from ytable B, and by doing so the total vote for each candidate will be seen.

To prevent more than one spindle being A,

pressed down at once, a flexible inelastic cordt extends from end to end of the machine, both ends being xed. The cord passes loosely through eyes t', secured in the upper part of the machine, and has slack enough to allow any spindle which engages it to be depressed to the full extent; but it two spindles' are depressed at once the slack ot the cord is divided between them and neither can be pressed down far enough to register or indicate a vote. It is further necessary that provision be made to enable a voter to vote for a candidate who is not on the regular list of candidates-that is, his name is not printed on the table B, and there is no provision made for him on the bail K. In order te provide for this I attach a card-receiver m2 to the rear of the bail of each office. This receiver .m2 has an upward extension m, forming guides `for the carrier N, and at its bottom an opening m3 controlled by a gate m4 to take out the tickets. The carrier N has a presser-head at its top, and below is formed an aperture n for the reception of the ticket p. A spring m projects into the lower part of this aperture, being fastened to that portion of guide m whichy forms a, back for this aperture. A pin n extends at right angles from the bottom of the carrier N and rests upon the bail K. To operate this part of the apparatus the clerk in charge is asked for a blank ticket or tickets for a candidate or candidates for a certain ofce-say, for instance, for supervisors, for which oflice six candidates are to be elected. wrapped up, but they all bear the same number-as seven, for instance. Now, the voter writes the name of hiscandidate on the blank and inserts it into the aperture n. The back of m prevents the putting in of more than one card at a time. This done, the voter presses the carrier N down. lThis will take the card downwardly, and when past the guide m5 the spring 'm' will eject the card into the receiver,

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The clerk gives him six blanks while the pin 'n' will depress the bail K and bearing the name of one and the same candidate instead of having six different names.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a voting apparatus, a table or surface containing the names of the candidates to be voted for, movable spindles corresponding with each of the names and capable of being depressed by the voter, punches attached to each of the spindles and movable therewith, a roll or sheet coiled upon a drum having the names or numbers of all the candidates written at one side, and corresponding in position with the respective spindles, and names asindicated upon the table, so that the depression of any spindle will actuate the punch and perforate the sheet at a point corresponding with the name of the candidate to which the spindle is appropriated and means whereby any line of votes may be canceled upon said sheet.

2. In a voting machine, a table or surface carrying the names ot' all the candidates, movable spindles corresponding with each of said names, a drum carrying a roll of paper having the names or numbers ot' the candidates printed at one side and corresponding in position with the spindles and the names upon the tables, punches actuated by said spindles and adapted to perforate the paper in line with the names of the candidate who is voted for, and springs by which the spindles are returned to their normal position when released and means whereby any recorded vote may be canceled upon said sheet.

3. In a voting machine, a table or surface carrying` the names of thecandidates, movable spindles corresponding with the names of said candidates, a drum with a roll of paper having the names or numbers ot the candidates printed at one side corresponding with the spindles and the names upon the surface, punches actuated by the spindles when the latter are depressed, adapted to perforate the paper in line with the name of the candidate for whom the vote is cast, a series ot indicators situated beneath the surface and corresponding with the names of each of the candidates, means whereby any recorded vote may be canceled upon said sheet a mechanism by which either of said indicators is advanced whenever the corresponding spindle is first depressed whereby the number of votes cast for any candidate is shown by the indicator and also by the coil upon the drum.

Il. In a voting machine, a table or surface carrying the names of the candidates, spindles corresponding with each of the names and depressible by the action ot the voter, a sheet coiled upon a drum, punches actuated by the spindles so as to perforate the sheet in line with the names of the candidates which are voted-for, a series of indicators or registers corresponding with the names ot the candidates upon the table, mechanism including a pivotcd. lever and pawl by which said indicators are advanced by the depression of the voting spindles so as to register the number of votes cast for each candidate, and alocking mechanism comprising a spring g the lower portion ot' which is formed with independent seats and a pin on the register actuating lever adapted to alternately occupy said seats whereby any register actuated mechanism is locked so that a second depression of any spindle will fail to operate the register.

In a voting apparatus, a table or surface carrying the names of the candidates, spindles corresponding with the name ot each candidate and adapted to be depressed bythe Voter, a ratchet wheel with advancing and holding pawls and a swinging bail the free end of which is in the path ot' movement of the spindles, and is designed to engage the advancing pawl, whereby the depression of a spindle will advance the ratchet wheel one tooth, stop pins attached to said ratchet Wheels whereby a further movement of the wheels is arrested after the full number of candidates for any one ot'lice has been voted for.

6. In a voting apparatus, a table or surface carrying the names of the candidates, spindles corresponding with each of the names and depressible so as to actuate indicators and show the vote castfor any candidate, a mechanism consisting of ratchet wheels with advancing and holding pawls, stop pins fixed to the ratchet wheels adapted to arrest their movement when the full number of candidates for any office have been votedfor, bails or yokes pivotally hung at one end and with their free ends so disposed with relation to the spindles that they will be actuated by the depression of any of the spindles corresponding to the number of candidates for that ot'- fice, and a mechanism connected With the bails and with the advancing pawls of the ratchet wheels whereby the latter will be rotated and advanced a tooth for the depression of each spindle until the full number have been voted for, and the arresting stop prevents further movement of the ratchet wheel.

7. In a voting machine, a table or surface carrying the names of the candidates, spindles corresponding with each of the names and movable by the action of a voter, a sheet or roll having the names or numbers of the candidates imprinted thereon, corresponding with the spindles and the names upon the table, punches carried by the spindles adapted to perforate the sheet in line with the name of the candidate voted for, means whereby any recordedr vote may be canceled upon said sheet a second series of indicators also corresponding with the names and movable by the depression of the spindles whereby two registrations are made of each vote, a mechanism t'or locking the registers and preventing more than one vote being cast for one person, andan eccentric extending beneath the register actuating mechanism whereby the locking devices are simultane- IOC ously released after the voter has left `the booth.

8. In avoting apparatus, a table or surface carry-ing the names of the candidates, spindles corresponding with said names or numbers, a roll of paper upon which the names are also printed, and independently movable mechanism whereby the duplicate registration of each vote is had, mechanism whereby one of the registers is stopped after recording a single vote, means whereby any recorded vote may be canceled upon said sheet mechanism consisting of rotary ratchet wheels with pawls whereby they are advanced and held, stops toprevent the rotation of said ratchets after the proper vote has been registered, and a mechanism for returning the parts to their normal position after the complete vote has been registered, and advancing the roll of paper for the next vote.

9. In a voting apparatus, a table or surface carrying'the names of the candidates, movable `spindles corresponding with each name, and registers actuated by the movement of saidspindles to indicate each additional vote, a roll or sheet having the names or numbers of the candidates marked thereon corresponding in position with the spindles and with the names upon the table, punches moved by the spindles and adapted to perforate the paper in lines corresponding with the names or" the candidates which are voted for, a mechanism for advancing the roll after a vote has been completed, and a stamp and actuating mechanism whereby any line of votes may be canceled upon the sheet.

10. In a Voting machine, a table or surface with the names or numbers of the candidates, movable spindles corresponding with the names, registering disks and pawl and lever mechanism by which they are advanced whenever a spindle is depressed, a spring catch having independent seats alternately engaging a pin upon the pawl actuating lever to hold it down after it has been depressed, independent toothed ratchet wheels and pawl carrying arms or bails, and arms upon the spindles adapted to engage the free ends of the bails and advance the ratchet wheels when the spindles are depressed and stops by which the movements of the ratchet Wheels are limited, a rotary eccentric extending beneath all ll. In a voting machine, a table or surface with the names or numbers ofthe candidates, movable spindles corresponding with said names, registering disks and a pawl and lever mechanism by which they are advanced by the depression of the spindle and lever, a lock comprising a pin on the actuating lever and anl adjacent spring having two independent seats for the, pin, by which the lever is held to prevent more than one number being added until'the apparatus has been resetratchet Wheels and pawls actuated by the depression of the spindles, and stops by which said wheels are arrested when the proper number of votes has been cast, a rotary shaft and an eccentric extending beneath all of the actuating levers by which the parts are returned to their normal positions, and a total adder having an actuating lever also moved by the returning shaft, whereby the total as well as the individual vote is registered.

l2. In a voting machine, a table or surface carrying the names 0r numbers ot' the candidates, corresponding depressible spindles, registering mechanisms and actuating devices, ratchet wheels and reciprocating bails carrying pawls by which the ratchets are advanced, in combination with amovable car rier having an aperture adapted to receive an independent slip or ticket and deposit it in a receptacle, a spring for temporarily holding the slip or ticket in the carrier and then ejecting it into the receptacle-and a connec-v tion by Which each movement of the carrier moves the corresponding bail and ratchet.

13. In a voting machine and in combination with a table or surface carrying the names or numbers of the regular candidates, land a mechanism for indicating and registering said votes, a supplemental chambered carrier adapted to receive an independent ticket, a spring by which the ticket is retained until the carrier has been depressed, and ejected when it reaches the proper point, a receptacle for said tickets and a connection between the carrier and the main registering devices whereby all independent votes are registered and controlled in conjunction with the regular votes.

It witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand.

SALOMON DUCAS.

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