US579316A - Voting-machine - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets Sheet l.

J. B. GLUT.

VOTING MACHNB.

Patented Mar.23,1897.

(No Model.)

`(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. B. GLUT.

VOTING MACHINE.

No. 579,316. Patented Mar.23,189'7.

(No ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. B. GLUT.

VOTING MACHINE.

No. 579,316. Patented Mar.23,1897.

S @01ML Y J f @Mm-@wy UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN B. onor, or SAN FRANCIscocALIFoRNIA.

VOTING-MACHINE.

sPEcIFmATioN forming pm of Letters Patent Ne. 579,316, dated March 23, 1897.

Application filed danuary 10, 1896'. Serial No. 575,008. (No model.)

To LZZ whom it may concer/1.:

Be it known that I, JOHN'B. CLOT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State -of -California, have invented a new'and Improved Voting-Machine, of which the following is a specification. J

My invention relatesto a machine and apparatus whereby votes are registered for several oiices and for several 'candidates for each oice under circumstances that prevent repeated or false voting and so that no candidate can receive 'but one vote from each elector, such votes being counted absolutely by mechanism. beyond the voters sight or control. .A

My inventioneonsists, essentially, of'a series of keys, one tier or row for each office to he voted for, eachfkey corresponding `to the naine-of a candidate, these tiers or rows of keys being mounted upon a revolving drum in such manner that one row at a time is presented to the voter, who presses inward the -key opposite the naine of the candidate he desires to vote for. These rows of keys are so arranged that they can be operated but voting mechanism.

once by each voter, and the number of votes cast for each candidate are registered. by

counting devices, from which the results of the poll can beread by the proper oliicers when the election i-s closed.

My invcntion'also consists in apparatus. to revolve the drum on which the voting-keys are mounted and set in operation the various devices that perform the functions before named, all operating automatically or independently of. any act on the part of the voter except pressing inward the voting-keys.

rlo these ends I provide apparatus as shown in the drawings, in which- Figure I is an end elevation of one of my improved voting-machines. elevation of the same. Fig. III isa detail of the mechanism shown in Figs. Tand II. Fig., IVis an enlarged partial plan view of- Figs. 'I and II. Fig.V is`a partial longitudinal section on the line w :t of Fig. I, showing the Fig. VI is a partial transverse section on theline y ly of Fig. V. Fig. VII is an enlarged detail of the rnechan 1. T

ism shown .in I4 ig. X 111g. III 1s an enlarged cross-section showing the bars on whiclthe names of candidates 4are mounted. Fig. IX

permits access to the voting-lists.

Fig. II is a side is a detail showinga portion of the .clutch mechanism for revolving the main drum. Fig. X shows `the end of the main drum and the pawl for turning the same. Fig; Xl is an endview ofthe maindrnm, showing the manner of securing the coveringplate 'that r Fig. 'XII is an enlarged det-ail of themechanism shown in Fig. V, showing the mechanism that releases and arrests the main drum. Fig. XIII shows a method of counting the lists after the poll is closed and the main drum with the voting-lists is removed for that purpose. Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings. l

A revolving drum 1 is mounted on a fixed axis 2, held in the bearings 3 on the supporting-frame 4. Over the drum 41 is'placed a shield or housing 5, that in'closes the whole, except a rectangular sightway 6, as seen in Figs. I, IV, V, and VI. Around the drum 1 are set radially rows of sliding keys 7, that are exposed successively at the aperture or sightway 6, wherethese keys can be depressedv by a voter, as will be hereinafter described. The number of the rows of keys 7 is made suiicientso there will be one row for` each .office to be voted for, and the number of keys in each row sufficient so there will be onekey by the row of keys. f

The names of the candidates are printed or written on a slip of paper 8, as seen in Fig. VIII, the names corresponding to thespa-ces. 12, (seen in Fig. IV,) each name corresp0nd ing to one of the keys 7, and on the ends of the-keys .7,.wl1ere the numerals of reference appear, will be the catalogue-numberof each candidate, corresponding to his name opposite-at 1:?. The slip of paper 8 is inserted be tween'a strip of glass 9 and a bar 10, which for each-candidate for the oiic'e represented slides through notches in the brackets 18,.

formed integral with or attached to the drum 1.

The elector in voting depresses the keys 7,

giving rise to lthe following results .or functions:

, The number of keys pressed must be the same as the number of candidates to be Voted The votes are counted by the machine for each candidate.

The drum 1 is released and moves for-ward e Eracle automatically, exposing a -new row 'oi keys and thecorresponding names .at 12 of canditure 13,) which directs the elector how many' candidates are to be` voted for, and he then presses the number of keys 7 accordingly,

veach key to beused havingv been provided with a catalogue or list number at 7 and corresponding name at 12, as before explained.` The number of'keys pressed is, however, not

left to choice,.because. the drum 1 will not re-- volve until the required number of'keys, or thoseprovided with naines, are depressed,

and when this number is reached all the remainingkeys in the row are locked and can-` not be moved, as lwill be hereinafter explained,`

The keys 7 slide on suitable seats or Ways in the divisions 14' of the drum 1,-as seen in Fig. Vl.- f

0n the forward side of thestems ofthe keys 7 ,are hook-parvis 15, that engage the ratchet counterlvvheels 17, of which there is one for eachrowof keys, turningthe virst counterdisk one tooth each time the key 7 is' dedass 17.

pressed, a d'etent 15 being provided to pre-f vent backward movement of the countinging to one thousand', or, it required, with iour disks, counting to ten-thousand. Being an article of regular manufacture and their cou'- struction Well understocd,i need not further describe them here. Y Projecting forward from the longitudinal.

, divisions 11i-of the drum .1 are-a Vseries ot Whenthe poll is closed, the bars .10 areI drawn out and inserted, as shown ,atl 19, Figs.-

brackets 18, one foreach key 7, and on these brackets are supported the counters 17, alsol the nar 10, and strip of 'glass 9, as seen in Fig. if-lll, the glass 9 being permanently fixed and the bar 10 removable. These brackets are omitted infront of three rows-of keys in Fig. VI to render the drawing more lain.

VI and VH1, passing through an indented notch in the stems 20 of the keys 7, locking all'the keys, sothaty no movement can take place. l l When the bars 10 are removed or transv readings on the counters 17 become visible through the strip of glass 9 and the' number of votes given for each candidate canbe read oi and entered upon the record. This constitutes the counting elements of my machine.

I will now proceed to describejthe mechanism that controls the number-of votes given.

for each candidate.

Pivoted to the stationary axis 2 of the inafreleased from the wards 21. l l lsecu that' everytime one of the keys 7 is depressed the wheel 2-1is advanced lone notch These counters are of the ordinary three-leaf or three-disk kind,capable of count chine are a series of wards 21, resting against a bar 23 and abutting one against the other, asseen in Fig. V, vthe last one against a p'awl 22, that is pressed upward against a stop 86 by a spring 25, so as to engage a rack-wheel 24.'

On the bottom end ofthe key-stenis20 are formed at the' side wedges 83, that when the keys 7 are depressed enter between the heads 26 of the wards .21, and as these wards abut against a stop 27 they move forward or in the opposite direction, -pressin g outward the pawl 22 and turning the Wheel 24 one notchor tooth for `each key 7 that is depressed.

It will be seen that the action is the sam whichever of the keys is depressed, and that after the'wedge 83 passes below the head 2G tion'bymeansof a spring 2 8 and the wedge 83 is lockedbeneath the head 26 of the wards 21'and the key 7 lcannot be raised again until the drum 1 moves ahead and the wedge 83 is Thus it will be or tooth, a pawl 29 being providedto prevent any backward ymovement .of this wheel '24. The lobjects of this wheel 24 and the connected elements are to determine the number o f keys'that can be depressed andthe number of candidates voted for, also to release the drum 1 .when this number is reached and pei-mitin tcmove on for' another'set of keys and ai.

other o'ioe to be voted for.

'the -Wa'rds 21 fly back tot-heir original posi- LUC The-number cf votes'ior any office or rows? or' keysis dependent upon the number' ci teeth inthe wheel 2,4: exposed tothe acting of thepawl22. l* This is arranged before thev poli-opens, setting the wheels 21- iupsuch pe sition that when the required number of votes are .given the tooth SOcn thewheel 424 wiil come incontact with .the hook 31 en the latch anddraw downward this' latch 'or detent 32,

'which engages the teeth33 on the interior of the drum 1, as seen inFgVli, so the drum 1 .Will move on, close the. poll for that edlem. and,

expose another eet of keys l.at the aperture 6; The Wheels 2s, oi which there is one for each row ofA keys 7, are mounted on bracket-S34 0n f the interior of the drum 1, as seen in Figs. V'

and XH. The original position of these Wheels 24 is determined by a' pin 35, inserted in holes 36 around the periphery of the Wheel 24 and 1 4'to bear againstthe brackets 34, exposing the required number of teeth37 to the pawl 22V' and action ofthe keys 7. If, for example, -four candidates are to' be voted for, the numn l .berof teeth 37 exposed to the pawl 22 will ferred in the manner just described, then the meantime passing-'beyond'and releasing the latch 32, which by reason of the spring 38 is pressed upward and engages the succeeding tooth 33 on the interior ofthe drum 1, as seen keys 7 at thejaperture 6, the wheel 2i 'in the in Eig. VII.' Thus it will be seen that under no circumstance canthe votes be more or less thantlie number ldesignated or directedat the aperture 13 in the cover 5 and as the passing beneath the heads 26 of the wards 21 they are again released as soon as the drum llbegins to revolve and the keys 7 pass b e yond the Wards 21,"fand they must be returned to their outward position before coming again beneath the aperture 6 or when thedruin 1 has made a complete revolution. This -I accomplishby means o'f a helicaliy-formed drum 40, made integral with or supported bythe axis 2.' The keys 7 when depressed come in contact with and are stopped by this druml 40, and as the main d rum l revolves the keys 7 are gradually pushed-outward by the volute form of the drum`40 until the keys are again in their original position and ready for use by a voter. v l

As it may benecessary to revolve the main drum l independent of voting for the purposes of adjustment or other reason, I provide a means for this purpose in the following manner: A hole is bored partially through the axis 2 to receive a rod 42, the outer end of which has a square socket to receive a key 43. At the inner end of this rod 42 there is made a perforation 44 in the side of the axis 2 'to permit the protrusion of a crank 45, to which is attached a link 46, leading up to the latch 32, as seen in Fig. VII, so that by turning the key 43 the latch 32`is disengaged from the teeth 33 and the drum l will revolve Without any 'action of the voting apparatus.

The key 43 is supposed to be in keeping of the oiiicers of election, and the voterto have no control over these last-described elements of the machine.

Having now described the main or voting elements of my machine, I will proceed next to explain a means of controlling the rotative motion-of the drum l, by which the Weight of the voter supplies theactuating force-required. It is obvious that such force or power can be derived in any suitable manner-for example, by springs'or weights-to produce and maintain a torsional or turning stra-in on the drum 1; but to make the machine integral or self-contained I employ, by preference, the

mechanism shown, in Figs. I and II, consist-l ing ofthe levers 48, pivoted lat 49, having an upward range from the position seen in Fig. I to that indicated bydotted lines at 50,where..

the voter stands. The object of lthis platform is to raise ltlie weight l'each timea voter steps' on the top at 50 .by means of a flexible Astrap 52, -attached to a. sector 53, mounted on an axis 84, as seen in Figs.- Iand II. Alongside of this sector 53 'is another one 54 tf nrreater radius, having spur-teeth at 57 v that engage a pinion 55 at the side of and attached to the small drum or spool 56, which revolves looselon the axis 9 and cirgages the main drum -1 by means of a pavvl 5 8, as seen in Figs. IX and X. The two sechis Weight depresses the levers 48, 4pulling both of the sectors 53 and 54 around to the position seen in Fig. I, turning the spool 56,

and Winding up the'weight 51 by .means of the strap 85, which then acts'as aturning force on the spool 56 and the drum 1. The

.drum is thus revolved until a tripping-point `61, attached to the pinion 55, is turned so as to strike the end ofthe latch. 59, disengage it, permitting the-'toothed sector 54 to be turned back again by revolution lof .the drum 1 and the pinion 55 to the position shown by dotted lines at 62, Fig. I, the other sector 53 remaining in the position seen in'Fig. I This limits the action of the lever 4S and the strap 52 to one complete revolution of the j drum 1. In the meantime, when the levers-48 are depressed, a detentf 63 swings into the position seen in. Eig. I, engagingafblock or stop 64 on .one of the levers 48, vholding the platform down in casethe voter should step?.

oft the platform 50-before the drum 1 had made a revolution and presentedall-the keys 7 for voting. As' the drum 1 revolves the weight 5,1 descends, and at a complete revolution of tli'e drum -1, or when the voting is completed, comes in Contact with the, tripping-lever 65, `which swings the detent 63 back in to the position shown by dotted lines' at 66 in Fig. I, permitting the levers 48 andv platform 50 to rise again `ready for another voter. The sector 53 is moved back and the platform 50 raised by means of `a lever'70 and Weight 71, as seen in I, the pawll 59 engagingin the notch 60 and locking together.

the sectors 53 and 54.A

The connection between the spool 56 andthe drum 1 is, as before mentioned, by means of a pawl 58,l attached to the endj 'of the drum 1, thatv engages a single tooth G8 onfthe spool 56, the'pawl 58 being held in contact bythe spring l 69, 'as shown'in Figs. V, IX, and X. 9N.

` To arrest the motion oi the drum l-When a IIO revolution is completed, I employ a pawl or detent 7 '2, as shown in Figs. II and III. This pawl 72 is mounted on a lever'75 on the shaft 74, operated by. another lever S0 on the same.. `shaft. This lever 8O is provided with a pendent rod 76, passing through a lug 77.01;' the weight 51, so that when the latter is atlthe top of its stroke, as seen in Figs. I and II, the lug-77.'

comes in contact with the collar' 78 on. the rod 76, turning the shaft 74 anddisengagingf the` pawl 7 2, as seen in Fig. III. l s

' When the weight' 51- descends, tlelug 7,7 comes in contactwith another collar- 'I9 on the rod 76, turning the' shaft 74 in the opposite direction, sothe pawl 7 2 will fall into' the hole 81, locking the drum 1 until a voter steps on `the platform 50 and the weight 51"i's again raised and the pawl 72 is released, as before dcscribed.-

lVhen the poll is completed, the drum 1 with its axis 2 and all contained parts are removed from the bearings 3. A covering ring or plate 88, .held by locks S9, passing through lugs 90, is removed. This permits access to the votinglists,and the bars 10 are drawn out and inserted-at 19, as seen in Fig. VIII, locking all the keys 7.' I

v The strip of paperS is rernoved,so the counters 17 can be seen through the glass covering 9,

so the number of votes can be counted foreach justedcan `be set on a table 91 in a vertical` candidate.

Frconvenience the drum l when thus ad position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. XIII, and the end ofthe axis 2 being inserted in a socket 92, so thedrum can be turned around and inspected bythe election oilicers or the frame 4 of the machine is ieiosed,

woon, as indicated at 82 in,.broken section,

Figs. land II.

Having thus described thenature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new,

and desire to secure-by Letters Patent, ism

1. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum, mounted on a horizontal axis, 'means for revolving said drum, series of depressible keys arranged in rows radially on the said drum, and a shield or cover inclosing the keys and revoluble drum, said shield being provided with an aperture through which the said keyscan be seenl and operated, substantially as shownand described.

2. In a voting-machine, arevoluble drum provided with-rows of keys set radially and 4o arranged in correspondence with the number of candidates to' be voted, and depressible by the voterinone'row at a time, and' counting lmechanism to register thenumberof times each -key is depressed, together with an `ap 4ertured cover throughwhich the keysare shown, substantiallyas described.

3. In a-voting-machine, a revoluble drum provided with rows of radial depressible keys in the manner described, countingmechanism to register the number of times each key is depressed, anda series of pivoted 'abutting wards and a pawl connected therewith; moved a like distance by each key that is depressed,

substantially as described.

4. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum v having rows of radial' voting-.keys mounted thereon, a row of pivoted wards mounted on a stationary support, a pawl connected therewith, and a ratchet-wheel that will release the drum, permit it to revolve and present a new row of keys when a predetermined number ot keys have been depressed and votes given, substantially as described.

5. I n a votiugr-machine, a revoluble main drum having rows of depressible voting-keys thereon, a stationary axis on which the drum revolves and on which is mounted a series of pivoted wards, a pawl operated by the wards,

and a detentor latch thatA engages the main drum, holding 1t in one position until a complement of votes is givenA for each row of keys and for each oliice to .be voted for, substan-l tially as described.

6. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum havingv rows of voting-keys in the manner described, a counter for each key Ithat registers each depression or inward movement by the same, a tier or row of hinged wards that abut against and move each other, ,andlock eachl key when itis depressed to spread and operate the wards, in the manner substantially as described. 4

7. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum having rows of depressible voting-keys in the manner described, a series of abutting wards moved by -the voting-keys and locking the same when depressed, a 4stationary helicallyformed drum that will protrude the keys as the main drum revolves after the voting-keys have passed beyondthe.locking-wards, in th manner substantially as described.

8. In a voting-machine, rows of depressible keys mounted radially on a revoluble drum,

counters for each key that register one each time the keys are depressed,a series of ratchetwheels corresponding in number to the rows of keys, a series of hinged wards abutting one againstthe other, movable in one direction by action of the vvoting-keys, the final ward provided with or connected to a pawl toturn the ratchet-Wheels one tooth each time a key is depressed, and an apertured cover forthe keys, substantially as described.

9. Ina voting-machine, a revoluble'4 sup porting-drum, rows of -depressible vot-ingkeys thereon, counters to register the inward movement or depression o f each key, movable wards to lock the voting-keys when depressed, and at the same time turn a ratchet-wheel having a predetermined number of teethex posed, and a predetermined amount of rotation to release the main drum and permit it to' move and expose a new row of keys, substantially as described.

lO. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum, having rows of depressible voting-keys, in, the manner described; and around its periphery equidistant teeth or notches that are engaged by a sliding latch, the latter being moved and the drum released by the depression of a predetermined number of the voting-keys, in the manner substantially as described.

IIC

11. In a votingmachine, a revoluble drum,

provided with rows of depressible'voting-keys that are successively presented .to-a voter as the drum revolves, a counter for each key thatl registers the number of depressions or votes, a removable guard-bar that covers and conceals the record of the counters, and a transparent cover above the guard-bar through which the votes can be countedi when. the

guard-bar is removed, substantially as described.

12. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum,

having rows of depressiblc keys,i11 the manier described, and counters to register each depression of the keys, the latter having in their stenis an indent or notch. through which a guard-bar can be passed to lock each row of keys after the votinhas closed, in the manner substantially as described.

.1.3. In a voting-1n achine, a revoluble drum, provided With voting-keys and counters, in the manner described, a removable end plate or rin g', annular in form provided With inwardprojecting,` lugs and locking devices that when released permit the removal of the ring,l or plate and access to the voting-lists and interior of the drum, in themanner and for the purposes substantially as described.

1,1.. In a Voting-machine, a revoluble drum, provided with voting-keys, countersl and mechanism to register and limit the number of votes given, and in combination therewith a platform operating a winding-weight, so the Weight of the vot-er will revolve the drum in the manner substantially as described.

- Weight, substantially as described.

1G. In a voting-machine, a revoluble drum, provided with voting-keys vand mechanism, in the manner described, a Winding-Weight to revolve the drum, raised and acting by the voters weight, a toothed sector and pinion to turn the drum, a separate interlocking sector, strap and platform and returning-weight, in the rrannerv snbstantiallj)T as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. Y

' JoHN B. onor. llfitnesses:

ALFRED A.ENoU1s'r, l/Vinson D. BENT, J r.

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