US550053A - Voting-machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 1.

J. MGTAMMANY.

VOTING MAGHINE.

N0. 550,053. Patented NOV. 19, 1895.

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J. MoTAMMANY. VOTING MACHINE.

No. 550,053. Patented Nov. 19, 189 5 WITNESSES;

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J. MGTAMMANY.

VOTING MACHINE. No. 550,053. Patented Nov. 19, 1895. b\ 0' III - Q Waxy? ANDREW EGIAHAMJNUTUUTHOWASKINFI'UN, RC.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

J. MOT'AMMANY.

VOTING MACHINE.

No. 550,053. Patented Nov. 19 1895.

ll! LII AN DREW BGRAHAM, PHOTO-UTHU.WASHI NFI'ONJIC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MCTAMWANY, OF SPENCER, MASSACHUSETTS.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,053, dated November 19, 1895.

Application filed October 24, 1894. Serial No. 526,802. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN McTAMMANY, of Spencer, in the county of Worcester and State of l\.[assachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to voting-machines of the class employing a tally-sheet, which is punctured to record the votes.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a form of voting-machine by which the voter can either vote a straight party ticket or a split ticket at his option and wherein only one party ticket is visible at one time and to provide tally-sheet-feeding mechanism which will prevent the votes bein g recorded in regular order as they are cast, so as to preserve the secrecy of the ballot.

\Vith the above ends in view the invention consists in a number of novel constructions and combinations of parts which are recited in the appended claims.

A machine embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 shows a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 shows a side elevation. Fig. 4 shows a vertical section taken on line at 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows a central vertical section. Fig. 0 shows a horizontal section on line 6 G of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 shows a section on line 7 7 of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 shows a top plan view with the cover-plate removed. Fig. 9 shows a horizontal section on line 9 9 of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 shows a horizontal section on line 1010 of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 shows a portion of the tally-sheet. Fig. 12 shows a portion of the ballot-sheet. Fig. 13 shows a face view of an indicator.

The machine stands upright on a suitable base a, and its inclosing casing comprises a front a and sides a The front is paneled vertically, and there is made through the rib which separates the panels a row of perforations a. In one of the panels there is fitted a face-plate l), which is formed with two tiers of slots 1) and b and inscribed over the different slots of one tier with the titles of the offices for which the candidates are running. Behind this face-plate there is arranged a vertically-sliding plate I)", (see Figs. 9 and 10,) 011 which there is fastened a ballot-sheet I), bearing the names of the different candidates in groups"that is, the names of candidates of different parties for one office in one group and those for a different office in another group (see Fig. 12)-the height of the letters and the line-spacing being such that only one set of names can show through the slots 1) at a time. In line with the names of the candidates are the names of the parties to which they belong, and these latter names are designed to show through the slots 11 In addition to the titles inscribed 011 the plate 1) there is left sufficient space below the slots for matter such as a constitutional amendment or some question as that of liquor license, and there appear the words Yes and No beside two of the perforations a. The other perforations above come in line with the slots 1) and Z9 so that there is one for each candidate Whose name appears through the slots. The other panel in the front of the case contains a plate 0, with a sheet bearing instructions to voters as to how the machine is to be used. (See Fig. l.)

WVithin the casing there is a verticallyplaced rectangular frame (Z, which is fitted to slide up and down in ways formed in the side walls of the casing. An angular arm or bracket 11", fastened to one side of the said frame, connects with a pin N, which is fastened to the ballot plate I) and extends through a slot in the front of the casing. (See Figs. 2 and 10.) The frame 61 carries rollers e and e, and the tally-sheet e winds on and unwinds from these rollers. This sheet extends close to the casing-front, behind the perforations a being carried over a rounded guide-bar 6 (see Fig. 10,) which is fastened by brackets e to two intermediate bars d of the frame. Between the said two intermediate bars of the frame there is fitted a vertically-extending bar f, which rests at its bottom on the base of the casing (see Fig. 5) and constitutes a holder fora set of punchpins f, arranged to correspond with the perforations a and occupying a vertical slot in the guide-bar e This punch-holding bar is designed to move rectilinearly toward-and from the front of the casing, and thereby project the punches into the perforations and withdraw them therefrom, so as to puncture the interposed tally-sheet and then move back out of engagement therewith. To lessen friction, the punch-bar is equipped with rollers f bearing on the bottom of the casing.

The means for operating the punches are of the following description: An actuatingbar f is fitted to slide longitudinally between cross-pieces (i extending between the frame-bars (Z and r )llers (Z supported by cars of said bars (1. (See Fig. 5.) This actuating-bar f is connected with the punch-bar by radius-links f, so that longitudinal move ment of the actuatingbar will produce transverse movement of the punch-bar. A rockshaft f journaled in the sides of the casing, carries a crank-piece f, which is connected by a link f with the bar f and on the exterior of the casing, at the right-hand side, a handle f is affixed to said shaft. A spiral springf", attached at one end to the bar f and at the other end to the frame (Z, exerts itself to elevate said bar, so that normally the punch -bar is retracted and the handle f is held up against a pin projecting from the side of the casing. Depression of said handle causes the bar f to be moved down against the tension of the spring f and the punch-bar f to be moved forward through the action of the links f so as to project the punches through the tally-sheet, the said links moving both ends of the punch-bar alike, so that the punches act simultaneously. The frame or carriage (Z is raised and lowered by turning knobs d" on the ends of a shaft (1, which is journaled in the sides of the casing, near the top of the same, and carries pinions (Z meshing with racks d formed on the front edges of the side bars of the carriage.

An indicator in the form of a segmental block g is affixed 011 a sleeve g, which is loose on the shaft (1, and said block bears the names of the different parties on its peripheral face. (See Fig. 13.) The casing has an aperture q in its front, through which any one of the names 011 the said block can be seen, the design being that when the earriage is moved so as to bring the names of candidates of a certain party to view through the slotted face-plate Z) the ind icator-block will be moved, so as to show the name of that party through the aperture The sleeve g has a pinion which meshes with a rack g on the carriage, (see Figs. 4.- and 8,) and through these media the indicator receives the requisite movement. This mode of connection is chosen. rather than affixing the block directly to the shaft because a greater movement of the block is required than would be imparted by the latter arrangement.

The weight of the carriage and parts thereon is counterbalanced by springs 71, fastened at their lower ends to the carriage and at their upper ends to pins projecting from the sides of the casing. In order to hold the carriage at different positions, so that there will be no danger of its slipping, I fasten to it a corrugated bar 1' and arrange a spring-actuated stud '6 in a housing 2' fastened to the casing, so that said stud engages the corrugated bar.

The feed mechanism for working the tallysheet is of the following description: The blank tally-sheet is primarily wound upon the roller e and is to be unwound therefrom and wound upon the roller 6. A ratchetwheel j is rotatively connected with this winding-on roller, and a lever j is pivoted concentrically with the said wheel and carries a spring-pressed pawl in a suitable housing and engaging the said ratchet-wheel. (See Fig. 6.) At their upper ends the two rollers carry grooved pulleys j and j, and an elastic band in the form of a spiral spring is crossed and carried under tension around the said pulleys. lVith the tally-sheet extending between the two rollers and resisting their retation in opposite directions, when the roller 0 is turned by shifting the lever j in a direction to make the pawl act positively against a tooth of the ratchet and the crossed band j tends to rotate the roller 6 in an opposite direction from the roller c the said band will be put under a tension, so that when free to do so it will turn the rollers backward. This effect is due to the fact, as before stated, that the spring-band is put under tension when. applied. to the pulleys, and there is sufficient friction created between the band and pulleys to cause the former to be distended in its stretch extending between the front side of the pulley j and the rear side of the pulley j when the rollers are turned. The design is that the lever j, when moved to the left, shall turn the ratchet-wheel, and consequently the winding-on roller, through the extent of three teeth, and then when it is shifted back to the right the spring-baind shall turn the rollers back the extent of a single tooth of the ratchet. The action of the spring-band is limited by the engagement of a pawl 7a with a ratchet-wheel 7r, affixed to the spindle of the roller 0.

By the above-described arrangement the votes cannot be recorded in regular order, for after the tally-sheet has been moved forward and a vote recorded it is then moved backward, and the next vote, instead of coming after the previous one, precedes it on the tall ysheet. Thus, referring to Fig. 11, the row of holes 2 were made before the row 3.

A general description of the machines operation may be stated as follows: hen a voter is admitted to the booth, he finds the machine as it is illustrated in Fig. 1, blank spaces on the ballot-sheet and the indicator showing through the slots. The voter, following the instructions on the face of the machine, tnrns the knobs d toward him. until the name of the party for some or all of whose candidates he wishes to vote app cars at the aperture g and the names of the candidates appear at the slots 1). If he desires to vote a straight party ticket, he presses down the handle f and thereby projects the punches f out through the tally-sheet and records his vote by a hole in the tally-sheet opposite each candidates name. If the voter wishes to split his ticket that is, to vote for some candidates of one party and some of anotherhe employs a hand-punch m, which is attached to the machine by a chain m, and inserts it in the perforations a opposite the candidates he wishes to vote for, and then by working the handles (1 brings to view another ticket and inserts the punch in perforations opposite candidates on that ticket. Thus the tally-sheet is punched from the inside for straight party tickets and from the outside for independent tickets. Other matters, as a constitutional amendment, are voted on by using this hand-punch in the perforation opposite the word Yes or No.

It will be understood that when the handles (1" are turned the tally-sheet is moved up or down, so that votes for candidates of different parties are recorded on different longitudinal lines of the tally-sheet. Fig. 11 illustrates the form of the tally-sheet. At one end it is ruled to form spaces 71 for the titles of officers, and from these spaces it is ruled longitudinally, so as to form as many divisions n to each space a as there are parties, so that there will be one division for each candidate, and only those holes found in this division will be counted as votes for this candidate. These divisions correspond with the movement imparted by the working of the handles (1, so that when a certain party ticket has been brought to view the corresponding divisions of the tally-sheet are brought in front of the punches.

Should one voter vote for two different candidates for the same officc, it will be easily detected by the two holes in the same vertical line of the tally-sheet. W'hen the voter has recorded his vote, the supervisor, positioned back of the machine, operates the lever j to feed the tally-sheet and present a fresh portion of it for the next voter. Each voter to conceal his identity will turn back the handles (1, so that only blanks will show at the slots, or this can be done by the supervisor.

The top of the machine is covered by aplate 0, having attached to it a handle 0, by which the machine can be carried. The back of the machine will also be suitably closed in, leaving the lcverj protruding, there being, preferably, two doors 1) and 1), one of which is designed to remain locked, so as to conceal the winding-on roller and prevent identity of the voter, and the other one of which the super-visor can open at anytime to see that the tally-sheet is running properly.

It is to be noted that the tally-sheet by bein g carried close to the front of the casing, behind the perforations a, is clearly visible to the voter, who can review his vote and see that the tally-sheet is punched to properly indicate his choice. However the voter has voted, he can review his vote by turning the knobs d", and in case he has made a mistake he can call upon the supervisor to remedy the same by canceling his vote and giving him a new portion of the tally-sheet to punch out. The cancellation of the vote is effected by making duplicate punctures in the spaces allotted to single punctures, either by means of the lever f or the punch m. For example, if a voter votes a Democratic ticket by mistake and intended to vote the Prohibition ticket the tally-sheet would be shifted transversely after his vote and the punches again operated without feeding the tally-sheet. This would produce two sets of punctures in the sheet in one transverse line, and neither set would be counted. The vote having thus been nullified the supervisor would feed the ballot -sheet longitudinally and allow the voter to vote again.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is as follows:

1.. In a voting machine the combination of a casing arranged to hold a ballot-list on its face and having a row of perforations along side said list, through which perforations the tally-sheet is visible, a punch arranged back of the tally-sheet and adapted to puncture the latter where it shows through the casing, a knob or handle designed to be manipulated by the voter and located at one side of the easing, and suitable intervening mechanism between the said knob or handle and the punch whereby manipulation of the latter causes the punch to puncture the tally-sheet, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In avoting machine, the combination of a casing arranged to hold a ballot-list on its face, and having a row of perforations alongside the list, through which perforations the tally-sheet is visible, a plurality of punches on a common holder within the casing and aligning with the perforations respectively, means for manipulation by the voter to cause said punches to puncture the tally-sheet, and 7 means for manipulation by the supervisor to feed the tally-sheet, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing arranged to hold a ballot-list on its face and having a row of perforations alongside the list, a tally-sheet behind said row of perforations, a holder movable toward and from the face of the casing and carrying a plurality of punches one for each perforation, means for moving said holder back and forth, and means for feeding the tally-sheet.

4. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing arranged to hold a ballot-list on its face and having a row of perforations alongside the list, a tally-sheet behind said row of perforations, a bar movable toward and from the face of the casing and carrying a plurality of punches, one for each perforation, an actuating bar parallel with said punch-carrying bar and arranged to slide longitudinally, radius-links connecting the two bars, means for reciprocating the actuating bar, and means for feeding the tally-sheet.

5. In a votin g-machine, the combination of a casing arranged to hold a ballot-list on its face and having a row of perforations alongside the list, a tally-sheet behind said row of perforations, a bar movable toward and from the face of the casing and carrying a plurality of punches, one for each perforation, an actuating bar parallel with said punch-carrying bar and arranged to slide longitudinally, radius-links connecting the two bars, a rockshaft having a handle on the exterior of the casing and a crank within the casing, a link connecting the crank with the actuating bar, and means for feeding the tally-sheet.

6. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing arranged to hold a ballot-list on its face and having a row of perforations alongside the list, a tally-sheet behind said row of perforations, a bar movable toward and from the face of the casin g and carrying a plurality of punches, one for each perforation, an actuating bar parallel with said punch-carrying bar and arranged to slide longitudinally, radius-links connecting the two bars, a rockshaft having a handle on the exterior of the casing and a crank within the casing, a link connecting the crank with the actuating bar, a spring impelling said bar in a direction to retract the punches, and means for feeding the tally-sheet.

'7. In a voting machine, the combination of an inclosing casing having a face-plate with a series of parallel slots, a ballot-sheet behind said faceplate and bearing the candidates names one below another in a single vertical row, and grouped according to offices, one name of each group to show at a time through the slots respectively, means of adjustment longitudinally of said series of slots and row of names to bring to view different sets of names each set made up of a name from each group, and vote indicating or recording means arranged in a series extending along the row of slots and cooperating severally with the groups of names on the ballot-sheet.

8. In a voting machine, the combination of an inclosing casing having a face-plate with a series of parallel slots and punch -holes alongside the slots respectively, a ballot-sheet behind the face-plate and having the candi dates names one below another in a single vertical row and grouped according to offices, one name of each group to show at a time, through the slots respectively, means of ad justment longitudinally of the series of slots and row of names to bring to view different sets of names each set made up of a name from each group, and a tally-sheet within the casing and extending across the punch-holes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

0. In a voting machine, the combination of an inclosing casing having a face-plate with a series of parallel slots, and punch-holes opposite the same, one for each slot a ballot-sheet behind said face-plate and having the candidates names one below another in a single vertical row and grouped according to office, one name of each group to show through the slots respectively; a tallysheet behind the punch-holes; and a carriage supporting the ballot-sheet and the tally-sheet and movable transversely of the slots individually and longitudinally of the series of slots whereby different sets of names, each set composed of one name from each group may be brought to view through the slots and different parts of the tally-sheet exposed through the pun chholes for each set, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing havinga slotted face-plate and a row of perforations alongside, a suitably inscribed ballot-sheet behind the said face -plate and movable to expose different sets of inscriptions through the slots, a tally-sheet behind the row of perforations and movable both transversely and longitudinally thereof, a carriage 'supportin g the ballot-sheet and the tally sheet and whose movement shifts the former and moves the latter longitudinally of the row of perforations, said carriage having racks on the edges of its sides, a shaft carrying pinions in mesh with said racks and having handles on the exterior of the casing, and feed -mechanism applied to the tallysheet. I

11. In a voting machine, the combination of an inclosin g casing having a face-plate with a series of parallel slots and punch-holes opposite the same, one for each slot a ballot-sheet behind said face-plate and having the candidates names one below another in a single vertical row and grouped according to office, one name of each group to show through the slots respectively, a tally sheet behind the punch holes, a movable indicator bearing a number of inscriptions entitling the different sets of names and showing singly through a slot in the casing, a carriage supporting the ballot sheet and tally sheet and movable transversely of the slots individually and longitudinally of them as a series, and connections between the carriage and the indicator whereby the latter is moved correspondingly to properly entitle the sets of names, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. In a voting machine, the combination of an inclosing casing having a face-plate with a series of parallel slots and punch-holes alongside the same, one for each slot, a ballot-sheet behind said face-plate and having the candidates names one below another in a single vertical row, and grouped according to office, one name of each group to show through the slots respectively, a tally-sheet behind the punch-holes, a rotary indicator bearing a number of inscriptions entitling the different sets of names and showing singly through an aperture in the casing, a carriage supporting the ballot-sheet and tally-sheet, and movable transversely of the slots individually and 1011- gitudinally of them as a series, and connections of gearing between the carriage and the indicator whereby the latter is turned to properly entitle the set of names showing through ICC IIC

the slots, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a voting-machine,the combination of a easin g having a slotted face-plate and a row of perforations alongside, a suitably inscribed ballot-sheet behind the said face-plate and movable to expose different sets of inscriptions through the slots, a tally-sheet behind the row of perforations and movable both transversely and longitudinally thereof, a carriage supporting the ballot-sheet and tallysheet and whose movement shifts the former and moves the latter longitudinally of the row of perforations, said carriage having racks on the edges of its sides, a shaft carrying pinions in mesh with said racks and havinghandles on the exterior of the casing, a segmental indicator loosely mounted on the said shaft and inscribed to correspond with the ballot-sheet, a pinion carried by said indicator, a rack on the carriage in mesh with said pinion, and feed-mechanism applied to the tally-sheet.

11L. Ina votin g-macl1ine,the combination of an inclosing casing having a slotted faceplate and a row of perforations, a movable ballot-sheet or plate behind the face-plate and having inscriptions which make up different party tickets, a carriage within the casing and connected with the ballot-plate, a tallysheet supported by devices on the said carriage and extendingbehind the row of perforations in the casin g, a set of punches for engagement with the perforations and all fastened in a common holder which is movable toward and from the face-plate of the machine, means for moving the carriage to bring different sets of inscriptions 011 the ballot sheet to view through the slots of the face-plate and simultaneously shifting the tally-sheet, means for advancing and retracting the punch-holder, and feed-mechanism applied to the tally-sheet supports.

15. In a voting-machine,the combination of a casing standing vertically and having a slotted face-plate on its front and a vertical row of perforations, a suitably inscribed ballot-plate behind the slotted face-plate and vertically movable to bring different sets of inscriptions to view through the slots, a vertically movable carriage within the casing and connected with the ballot-plate, a tally-sheet and supports on the carriage, said sheet extending behind the row of perforations, means for raising and lowering the carriage, counterbalancing springs applied. to the carriage, a

spring-impelled stud engaging corrugations on the carriage to hold the latter at different positions, and feed-mechanism applied to the tally-sheet supports.

16. In a voting-machine employing a tallysheet, a pair of rollers carrying the sheet, means for positively turning the winding-on roller in one direction, and elastic retracting means engaged with both rollers and acting to retract the tally-sheet upon release of the positive driving means.

17. In a voting-machine employing a tallysheet, a pair of rollers carrying the sheet, means for positively turning the winding-011 roller in one direction, and an elastic band engaging both the rollers and acting to retract the tally-sheet upon release of the positive driving means.

18. In a voting-machine employing a tallysheet, a pair of rollers supporting the same, a driving ratchet rotatively connected with the winding-on roller, a lever pivoted concentrically with said roller and carrying a springpressed pawl engaging said ratchet, a detentratchet on said roller, a pawl engaging the same, and an elastic band engagingboth the rollers and acting to retract the tally-sheet when the lever is retracted, substantially as described.

19. In a voting machine employing a tallysheet, a pair ofrollers carrying the sheet, means for positively turning the winding-on roller to advance the sheet, and retracting means operating to draw back the sheet upon release of the positive turningv means.

20. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing constructed to hold a ballot-list 011 its face and having a row of perforations alongside said list, a tally-sheet within the casing and extending across the perforations, punches on the inner side of said sheet and arranged to be moved outward through the sheet, and a hand-punch on the exterior of the machine and adapted to be inserted in the perforations and entered through the tallysheet from the outer side thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 1st day of October, A. D. 1894.

JOHN MCTAMMANY.

Vitnesses J. W. TEMPLE, ERAsTUs J. STARR.

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