US649443A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Voting-machine. Download PDF

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Publication number
US649443A
US649443A US70781799A US1899707817A US649443A US 649443 A US649443 A US 649443A US 70781799 A US70781799 A US 70781799A US 1899707817 A US1899707817 A US 1899707817A US 649443 A US649443 A US 649443A
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voting
handles
movement
machine
handle
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US70781799A
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Ernest Geoffrion
Charles E Belanger
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06MCOUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M3/00Counters with additional facilities
    • G06M3/12Counters with additional facilities for preventing incorrect actuation, e.g. for preventing falsification

Definitions

  • Our invention relates to improvements in voting-machines.
  • One object of our invention is to provide a construction by means of which a vote will be registered for the candidate for Whom the voter is voting and on the register of the total number of voters, at the same time giving an indication of the voting by sounding an alarm.
  • a further object is to provide a construction in which when the voting-lever has been depressed it will become automatically locked and cannot be again operated until released.
  • a further object is to provide a construction by means of which it is possible for the person in charge of the machine to determine whether or not the voting-levers are in operative or inoperative position.
  • a further object is to provide a construction by means of which the operating-handles which are exposed during the use of the machine can be readily removed and the opening through which said lever operates automatically closed to prevent any access to the interior of the voting-machine.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of our machine, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken centrally through the counting-wheels.
  • Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 looking toward the front of the machine.
  • Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 7 is a view taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the mechanism for operating the total-vote register.
  • Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the same, taken on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9.
  • Fig. 11 is a detail of the front end of one of the votinglevers.
  • Fig. 12 is a detail of the rear end of the lever used to return the mechanism to its normal position.
  • Fig. 13 is a detail of the spring-pawl for moving the voting mechanism forward.
  • Fig. 14 is a detail of the mechanism for preventing the return of the voting mechanism after it has been moved forward during the voting operation.
  • Fig. 15 is adetail showing the construction of the band containing the indicating-band.
  • FIG. 16 is an enlarged View showing the mechanism for preventing the depressing of more than one handle.
  • Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the parts in position when one of the handles is depressed.
  • Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 16.
  • Fig. 19 is a detail of the guides for the slides shown.
  • the present construction is intended primarily for use with two or more candidates, and a machine of this class can be readily used in assembliesdlouses of Parliament, tbc., as well as for general elections, the machine being so constructsd as to be compact and easily transported.
  • FIG. 1 designates a casing formed of the sides 2 and 3, the front 4C, the back 5, and top and bottom G.
  • the top and bottom and the sides 2 and 3 are ixedly secured together, while the :front is formed in two parts, one of which (designated as at 7) is removably secured to the sides, as shown, while the portion of the back designated as S is removably secured at the back of the device.
  • a transverse shaft 9 on which are secured the individual counting-wheels 10, having their peripheries arranged with numbers placed thereon consecutively, the numbering on each wheel being similar.
  • the wheels 10 are formed substantially as shown in Fig. 3 iu crosssection, the outer side of eachof said wheels being provided with a series of extending portions 11, each of which is .formed with teeth 12.
  • the teeth 12 are arranged to rotate said wheel by the mechanism presently to be described and also serving to form a stop against the return movement of said wheel, the larger toothed portion serving to move the Wheel forward, while the smallertoothed portion prevents said wheels returning.
  • the wheels 10 are adapted to be actuated by means of suitable nprights 123, each of which is provided with a spring-pawl 1li, having its free end provided with latcrallycxtending portions 15, adapted to pass through an opening within the upright, as best shown in Fig. 13.
  • the lower end of the upright 13 is removably secured to a lever 1e, pivotally mounted at the rear of the machine, as at 17, said lever having its front end arranged to receive the voting-handles 1S, said handles being removably secured to said lever, as shown.
  • the voting -handles extend out- Wardly through the front; of the machine, suiti able openings 19 being arranged within said 'front to allow of the vertical movement of said handles.
  • connection between the upright 123 and the lever 1G is a loose one, the end of the upright 123 passing through a suitable slet 20, formed in the lever 1G, said slot allowing of a nievement of the end of the upright when said lever is oscillated on its pivot, thereby keeping the upright in a true vertical position at all times.
  • a suitable catch 22 formed substantially as shown in Fig. 1l.
  • This catch comprises a pivotally-mounted pawl 23, said pawl being adapted to be held in contact with the teeth 12 of the extending portion 11 by means of a spring 24, the pawl and spring ⁇ being ⁇ mounted within a suitable casing 25, as shown, As shown in Figs.
  • the catch is secured to the sides 2 and 3, the pawl extending into the path of movement of the teeth 1 2 el the extending' portions 1l, said pawl allow ing a wheel to move in one direction, bcing the movement forwardly, but preventing such movement rearwardly in an. obvious manner.
  • the wheels 10 may have a rotatory move ment in one direction, but can have such 1novement only a distance of one tooth, the movement of one tooth carrying a new number into sight.
  • the wheel can only move forward one tooth, the voting-handles being regulated to impart a vertical movement to the upright 13 to a limited extent, the friction of the pawl 23 preventing any liability of the wheel being carried forward more than one tooth by giving a quick impulse tothe voting-handles.
  • the d isk 2G designates a circular disk pivotally mounted to the portion rZot the front 11, as best shown in Fig.
  • the d isk 2G has a rearwardly extending flange 27, which has its edge portion arranged with teeth 2%.
  • rlhe face of the flange 27 is provided with a series of radiallyextending pins or teeth 2f), which are adapted to enter into suitable openings 250, arranged within a steel band 3l, which partially eneireles said flange, said band extending down wardly and around suitable idlers 32, secured near the lower end of the portion 7, as best shown in Fig. 7.
  • the pins or teeth 29 and the opeuing() itwill be readily seen that any movement of the disk 26 will cause said steel band to move in a correspond Ur) JIJ,
  • the front face of the band 33 is provided with a series of consecutively-arranged numbers, as shown, said numbers being adapted to be exposed successively, as hereinafter set forth.
  • a partition 34 designates a partition mounted horizontally within the casing near the top of the machine. To the under side of this partition and at one side thereof is mounted a casing 35, formed substantially as shown in Fig. 9. Tit-hin the casing 35 and extending vertically through the partition 34 is a rod 36, having a forwardly-extending angular portion 37, to the end of which is secured a -spring-pawl38,'formed similar to the pawl15.
  • A. spring 39 is located on the rod 36 between the casing 35 and the arm or portion 37, said spring serving to normally hold said rod in its raised or upper position.
  • the rod is also provided with laterally-extending arms 40, which are adapted to be acted upon by the angular portion 41 of the upright 13.
  • a suitable spring-stop 42 on the front 4, said spring having its free end located in the path of movement of the teeth 23, which allows of a movement of the disk 26 in one direction, but which prevents its movement in the opposite direction, the free end of said spring engaging with one of the teeth.
  • This locking mechanism is preferably formed as shown in Fig. S, consisting of the frame 43, within which are mounted two spring-bolts 44, adapted to normally extend outwardly from the frame into the path of movement of the voting-handles. These bolts are arranged so that when the voting-handle is depressed the handle will cause the bolt 44 located in its path of movement to be forced inwardly on its bearing, allowing the voting-handles to pass below the bolt.
  • the lever 45 is held normally in an inoperative position by means of a suitable spring 50, interposed between the under side of said lever in rear of its pivotpoint and the bottom G, as shown in Fig. 5. From this it will be seen that when either of the voting-handles are moved downward, the handles being held in a downward position by means of the bolts 44 when itis desired to release said bolt, the rear end of the lever 45, or rather the handle 43, is depressed, raising the forward end, which causes the chain 47 to draw the bolts inward until said bolts are out of the path of movement of the votinghandle, whereupon a slide-plate51 at the front of the casing will cause said handle to move upward, the plate 51 being provided with a spring 52 for this purpose, the spring 52 and plate 51 being adapted to hold said votinghandles in their upper position.
  • a suitable bell 53 having its mechanism so arranged that upon the drawing downward of a pawl beyond a predetermined distance the bell mechanism will operate and sound the gong, the parts returning to their normal position when the handle has been released.
  • This mechanism is operated by means of a suitable frame 54, hingedly connected to the under side of the partition 34.
  • This frame is connected to the bellmechanism and has forwardly-extending arms 55 located below the angular extension of the uprights 13, as shown in the drawings.
  • This construction causes the frame to be moved or oscillated downwardly each time either one of the voti ng-handles is operated, which downward movement of the frame serves to sound the alarm to indicate that a vote has been made, thus indicating also to the officer of IOC the election that it is necessary to release the voting mechanism in order that the next voter may be able to vote.
  • a suitable opening On the inner side of the back are arranged suitable guides 56, said guides being located on opposite sides of said opening.
  • a suitable plate 57 Mounted to have a vertical movement within said guides is a suitable plate 57, having its face which rides against the back 8 provided with suitable indicating-1n arks, such as colors, said marks being distinguishable through the opening.
  • Said plate is connected to one end of a cord or a series of cords which lead upward and forwardly over suitable pulleys and downwardly inside of the front 4, the free end of said cord being connected to the levers 1G.
  • a suitable spring 58 is also connected to said plate and to the back, said spring serving to normally hold said plate in a lower po-fsition, where but one of the marks can be seen through the opening in the back.
  • the voting-handles 1S and the removable handles i8 are removably connected to their respective levers.
  • the object of this removal is to so close the interior of the machine as to prevent any access thereto after the election has been closed.
  • This is accomplished by means of the plate G0, mounted in suitable guides 6l, said plates being adapted to be 'forced downwardly by reason of springs G2, interposed between the top of said plate and a suitable support G3.
  • One of said plates is located above each of said handles, and when the handles are removed and withdrawn from the lever to which they are connected and from the machine said plates will automatically pass downward within the casing, and thereby close the opening for the passage of said handle.
  • the front of the machine is provided with suitable openings, through which the nu mbcrs located on the wheels lO and the disk 2G may be seen, the opening being large enough te allow of the inspection of but one number, this number being the number of the last vote.
  • rlhese openings are kept closed during the period of voting by means of suitable caps GG, which caps are secured thereon prior to the commencement of voting and are removed after the voting is finished, whereupon an inspection of the exposed numerals will give the total vote of each candidate, besides giving a register of the number of persons who have voted.
  • the casing may be provided with suitable openings 67, as shown in Fig. l, by means of which the sound-of the bell may be more easily heard.
  • the slide-plate 5l (one of which is provided for each operating-handle) is mounted in guides GS, secured on the sides of the casing and in guides 6l), formed within a supporting frame 70, located intermediate the handles.
  • This plate is formed substantially as shown in Figs. 1G, 17, and 1S of the drawings, being located below the handle and subjected to its movement.
  • the frame is provided with a plurality of guides 69, as shown in Fig. lh, and is also provided with a slot 7l, within which is pivotally mounted a toothed wheel 72.
  • the toothed wheel 72 is adapted to be rotated by means of suitable depending toothbars 73, one of which is secured on each plate 5l, said bars 73 being pressed inwardly toward the wheel 72 by means of springs 7l, as shown.
  • the normal position of the slideplate 5l is as shown in Fig. 1G, in which position the teeth of the bar 73 are out of engagement with the wheel 72, caused by the use of inclined guides 75, formed on the frame 70, which contact with the inclined face 71S of the bars 73.
  • Vihile we have shown the front of the casing as removable, yet we do not limit our to such construction, but may make the same a part of the casing, and instead of forming the rear portion 8 removable we may make the samein the form of a door which is hingedly connected and capable of being securely locked. Where the casing is made metallic the latter construction is desirable.
  • the names of the candidates are first placed above the individualvote-counting-wheels openings, as shown in Fig. 1, and each of the wheels 10 and the disk 26 set at the Zeromark.
  • the cap 66 is placed in position when the machine is ready for the vot-ing to begin.
  • the iirst voter passes into the votinglbooth and afterdeciding on the candidate he intends voting for he presses the proper handle 18, which serves to move the wheel 10 in rear of the name of the candidate for whom he is voting forward one notch, thus causing said wheel to pass forward and expose the numeral 1 through the opening.
  • the total wheel or disk has been moved forward one notch, exposing the numeral 1 on the band 38, making the total vote read 1 and the candidate 1.
  • the handles 18 and 48 are removed, and the opening through which they pass will be closed by the plates 60.
  • the handles are then placed in their receptacle 64, which is then locked to prevent any person except the proper authority from having any access to the interior of the machine.
  • the cap 66 is now removed, whereupon the vote for each candidate will be seen through the proper openings, together with the total vote, which total vote should equal the vote of the two candidates being voted for.
  • the door is unlocked, the handles 18 and 48 having been taken from their receptacles. after which the plates 60 in the front of the machine are raised and the handles 18 inserted in their proper position.
  • the wheels 10 and the disk 26 are also rotated to expose the zero-mark, after which the handle 48 is inserted through its opening, the plate 60,
  • a voting-machine comprising a casing; vote-registering mechanism located within said casing; voting-handles extending out#A wardly through said casing, said handles hav ing a pivotal movement within said casing, said handles also being removably connected to the registering mechanism; and means for automatically closing said casing when said handles have been removed, substantially as described.
  • a voting-machine comprising a casing; voteregistering mechanism located within said casing; removable hand-les connected to said registering mechanism, said handles extending outward through the casing; mech anism within said casing adapted to automatically close the opening through which said handles extend into said casing; and a receptacle located within said casing, and normally locked, for receiving ⁇ said handles after their removal, substantially as described.
  • a voting-machine the combination with vote-registering mechanism; and handles for imparting movement to said mechanism, each handle operating said mechanism independently; ot a vertically-moving frame mounted in the path of movement of each handle, each handle having an independent ⁇ frame; a pivotallymounted rack-bar connected te each frame, each rack-bar being normally held in an inoperative position; and a toothed Wheel mounted between said rackbars, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in one direction by the downward movement of one of said frames and its rack-bar and be retained in locked position while the frame is held in its lower position, whereby the remaining handles willbe prevented from moving to operate the registering mechanism.
  • the combination with vote-registering mechanism; and independentlyoperating handles to impart movement to said mechanism ot a series of vertically-moving frames, one for each handle, located in the path of movement ol' the handles, each frame carrying a rack-bar pivotally mounted; a toothed wheel adapted to be actuated by either of said rack-bars, pivotally mounted in juxtaposition to said trames; means for holding said rack-bars out of engagement with said toothed wheel when said frames are in their upper positions, said rackbars passing into engagement with said wheel upon the downward movement of the f rame and imparting a rotary movement to said wheel, whereby the remaining rack-bars will be prevented from operating said wheel while one rack-bar is in operative connection therewith; and means for returning said frames to their normal position upon the release of said handle.
  • a voting-machine the combination with vote-registering mechanism; and independently-operating handles to impart movement to said mechanism; ot a series ot' vertically-moving frames, one for each handle, located in the path of movement of the handles, each handle carrying an operating-pawl5 a pivotallyanounted member mounted in the path of movement of said pawls, said pawls being held normally out ot' engagement with. said member, the movement of one of said pawls into contact with said member serving to prevent the movement of 'the remaining pawls, whereby the movement of more than one handle to operate said mechanism at the same time will be prevented.

Description

No. 649,443. Patented May i5, |900.V E. GEOFFRIONGL C-. E. BELANGER.
VOTING MACHINE.
(Application filed Mar. 4, 1899.)
(lo Model.)
ma onmx Pneus co, Fumo-mno wAsHmnTo No. 649,443. Patented May l5, |900.
E. GEDFFRION C. E. BELANGER. A
VOTING MACHINE.
(Application led Mar. 4, 1899., (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3,
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Patented May I5, |900.
E. GEDFFRION &. C. E. BELANGER. I
VOTING MACHINE.
(Application led Mar. 4, 1899.; (No Model.)
6 Sheets-Sheet Af1.
m: nnms mms cov. moruuma, wauwau. n. cv
No. 649,443. Patented May l51 |900. E. GEOFFRION &. C. E. BELANGER.
VOTING MACHINE.
(Application filed Mar. 4, 1899.1 (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.
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No. 649,443. Patented May,| 5,`s9oo. E. GEoFFmoN & c. E. BELANGER. VOTING MACHINE.
, (Application led Mar. 4, 1899.| (olndel.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.
UNiTED STATES PATENT FFICE.
ERNEST GEOFFRION AND CHARLES E.
BELANGER, OF MONTREAL, CAADA.
VOTING-MACHINE.
SPECIFICATION foaming part of Letters ratent No. 649,443, dated. May 15, 1900.
Application filed March 4, 1899. Serial No. 707,81 '7. (No model.)
T0 @ZZ whom, it my concern.-
Be it known that we, ERNEST GEOFFRION and CHARLES EDOUARD BELANGER, subjects of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, residing in the city and district of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertai ns to make and use the same.
Our invention relates to improvements in voting-machines.
One object of our invention is to provide a construction by means of which a vote will be registered for the candidate for Whom the voter is voting and on the register of the total number of voters, at the same time giving an indication of the voting by sounding an alarm.
A further object is to provide a construction in which when the voting-lever has been depressed it will become automatically locked and cannot be again operated until released.
A further object is to provide a construction by means of which it is possible for the person in charge of the machine to determine whether or not the voting-levers are in operative or inoperative position.
A further object is to provide a construction by means of which the operating-handles which are exposed during the use of the machine can be readily removed and the opening through which said lever operates automatically closed to prevent any access to the interior of the voting-machine.
Afurther object of our invention is to provide a construction which is neat and attractcap or cover being removed in order that the mechanism may be more clearly shown. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of our machine, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken centrally through the counting-wheels. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 looking toward the front of the machine. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a view taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 2. Fig. S is a detail of the lockingarms and their operating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the mechanism for operating the total-vote register. Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the same, taken on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail of the front end of one of the votinglevers. Fig. 12 is a detail of the rear end of the lever used to return the mechanism to its normal position. Fig. 13 is a detail of the spring-pawl for moving the voting mechanism forward. Fig. 14 is a detail of the mechanism for preventing the return of the voting mechanism after it has been moved forward during the voting operation. Fig. 15 is adetail showing the construction of the band containing the indicating-band. Fig. 16 is an enlarged View showing the mechanism for preventing the depressing of more than one handle. Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the parts in position when one of the handles is depressed. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a detail of the guides for the slides shown.
There have been heretofore several votingmachines devised which are adapted to register the vote of the people by means of the pressing downward of levers or the pushing of buttons; but in each of these constructions it is intended that a plurality of candidates be voted for, together with a plurality of ofiices which are to be illed. This necessitates the use of an exceedingly-complicated machine, which performs its Work only when the machine is used in its entirety. Machines of this character are not suitable for use where there are but two candidates, as they tend to complicate instead of facilitating the progress of the election.
The present construction is intended primarily for use with two or more candidates, and a machine of this class can be readily used in assembliesdlouses of Parliament, tbc., as well as for general elections, the machine being so constructsd as to be compact and easily transported.
To enable a better understandingr of the drawings, we new present a detail description of the invention as disclosed in the drawings.
1 designates a casing formed of the sides 2 and 3, the front 4C, the back 5, and top and bottom G. The top and bottom and the sides 2 and 3 are ixedly secured together, while the :front is formed in two parts, one of which (designated as at 7) is removably secured to the sides, as shown, while the portion of the back designated as S is removably secured at the back of the device. These are formed in this manner for a purpose hereinafter described.
Within the casing is mounted a transverse shaft 9, on which are secured the individual counting-wheels 10, having their peripheries arranged with numbers placed thereon consecutively, the numbering on each wheel being similar. The wheels 10 are formed substantially as shown in Fig. 3 iu crosssection, the outer side of eachof said wheels being provided with a series of extending portions 11, each of which is .formed with teeth 12. The teeth 12 are arranged to rotate said wheel by the mechanism presently to be described and also serving to form a stop against the return movement of said wheel, the larger toothed portion serving to move the Wheel forward, while the smallertoothed portion prevents said wheels returning.
The wheels 10 are adapted to be actuated by means of suitable nprights 123, each of which is provided with a spring-pawl 1li, having its free end provided with latcrallycxtending portions 15, adapted to pass through an opening within the upright, as best shown in Fig. 13. The lower end of the upright 13 is removably secured to a lever 1e, pivotally mounted at the rear of the machine, as at 17, said lever having its front end arranged to receive the voting-handles 1S, said handles being removably secured to said lever, as shown. The voting -handles extend out- Wardly through the front; of the machine, suiti able openings 19 being arranged within said 'front to allow of the vertical movement of said handles. As shown in Fig. 1l, the connection between the upright 123 and the lever 1G is a loose one, the end of the upright 123 passing through a suitable slet 20, formed in the lever 1G, said slot allowing of a nievement of the end of the upright when said lever is oscillated on its pivot, thereby keeping the upright in a true vertical position at all times.
It will be readily seen that when one of the handles 1S is moved downward the pawl 1-lwill engage with one of the teeth on the wheel 10, causing said wheel to move on its pivot,
exposing, as hereinafter shown, the next succeeding number on the periphery of said disk. To cause said upright 13 to have a true vertical moveinent, we provide suitable rolls 21, pivotally mounted on the side, said rolls being adapted to embrace said uprights 1f). To prevent the return rotary movement of said wheels 10, we provide a suitable catch 22, formed substantially as shown in Fig. 1l. This catch comprises a pivotally-mounted pawl 23, said pawl being adapted to be held in contact with the teeth 12 of the extending portion 11 by means of a spring 24, the pawl and spring` being` mounted within a suitable casing 25, as shown, As shown in Figs. Lt and 5, the catch is secured to the sides 2 and 3, the pawl extending into the path of movement of the teeth 1 2 el the extending' portions 1l, said pawl allow ing a wheel to move in one direction, bcing the movement forwardly, but preventing such movement rearwardly in an. obvious manner. By this construction it will be seen that the wheels 10 may have a rotatory move ment in one direction, but can have such 1novement only a distance of one tooth, the movement of one tooth carrying a new number into sight. It will also be seen that bythe construction of the paw 23 in the manner shown the wheel can only move forward one tooth, the voting-handles being regulated to impart a vertical movement to the upright 13 to a limited extent, the friction of the pawl 23 preventing any liability of the wheel being carried forward more than one tooth by giving a quick impulse tothe voting-handles.
In machines of this character it is desirable that `in addition to the number of 1'ndivid ual voting-wheels used a total-wheel be provided, by means of which it is capable of antomatically registering the total number of votes for both candidates in order that a true statement may be had and also by means of which comparison may be made to ascertain if the combined vote of the two candidates tally with that of the total number of voters voting. ln the present construction this is accomplished by means of the mechanism which is new to be described.
2G designates a circular disk pivotally mounted to the portion rZot the front 11, as best shown in Fig. The d isk 2G has a rearwardly extending flange 27, which has its edge portion arranged with teeth 2%. rlhe face of the flange 27 is provided with a series of radiallyextending pins or teeth 2f), which are adapted to enter into suitable openings 250, arranged within a steel band 3l, which partially eneireles said flange, said band extending down wardly and around suitable idlers 32, secured near the lower end of the portion 7, as best shown in Fig. 7. By the use of the pins or teeth 29 and the opeuing() itwill be readily seen that any movement of the disk 26 will cause said steel band to move in a correspond Ur) JIJ,
ing direction. A suitaljile band prefer- IOS ably formed of rubber, is secured to the face of the band 31 in order that said band 33 may have a movement similar to and with said steel band. The front face of the band 33 is provided with a series of consecutively-arranged numbers, as shown, said numbers being adapted to be exposed successively, as hereinafter set forth.
To rotate the disk 27, we provide the construction best shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, which construction we will now describe.
34 designates a partition mounted horizontally within the casing near the top of the machine. To the under side of this partition and at one side thereof is mounted a casing 35, formed substantially as shown in Fig. 9. Tit-hin the casing 35 and extending vertically through the partition 34 is a rod 36, having a forwardly-extending angular portion 37, to the end of which is secured a -spring-pawl38,'formed similar to the pawl15.
A. spring 39 is located on the rod 36 between the casing 35 and the arm or portion 37, said spring serving to normally hold said rod in its raised or upper position. The rod is also provided with laterally-extending arms 40, which are adapted to be acted upon by the angular portion 41 of the upright 13. By this construction it will be readily seen that when the voting-handles are pressed downward the angular extensions 41 of the upright 13 will be drawn downwardly by the movement of said handles, thereby drawing the rod downwardly against the action of the spring 39, the drawing-down movement of said rod causing the pawl 38 to contact with the teeth 2S, causing the disk 26 to move the distance of one tooth, which exposes the next succeeding number on the face of the band 33. Upon release of the voting-handles the spring 39 will force the rod 3G upwardly and place it in position for the next downward movement of the voting-handles and theruprights 13. As both nprights are connected operatively to the arm 40, it will be seen that this downward movement of the rod 36 will be had regardless of which of the uprights 13 may be pressed downward.
To prevent a return movement of the disk 2G, we place a suitable spring-stop 42 on the front 4, said spring having its free end located in the path of movement of the teeth 23, which allows of a movement of the disk 26 in one direction, but which prevents its movement in the opposite direction, the free end of said spring engaging with one of the teeth.
In order that no voter may be able to vote successively for one candidate, it is necessary that the voting-handle be lockedA in a position where it will be impossible to move it until unlocked, the unlocking beingata point where the voter cannot manipulate it. This locking mechanism is preferably formed as shown in Fig. S, consisting of the frame 43, within which are mounted two spring-bolts 44, adapted to normally extend outwardly from the frame into the path of movement of the voting-handles. These bolts are arranged so that when the voting-handle is depressed the handle will cause the bolt 44 located in its path of movement to be forced inwardly on its bearing, allowing the voting-handles to pass below the bolt. Immediately upon its passage past the bolt the spring located on said bolt will cause the bolt to be moved forwardly over t-he voting-handles, thus locking said handle in position, the movement of the handle having recorded the vote and at the same time the number of the vote, as hereinbefore set forth. To release said handles,- we connect the inner end of said bolt to a suitable rocking lever 45, pivotally mounted, as at 46, the connection being by means of suitable chains or ropes 47, as shown in Fig. 4. The rear end of the lever 45 is provided with a removable handle 48, which extends outwardly through the rear of the casing, a suitable slot 49 being formed for its passage therethrough and also to allow of its movement on its pivot. The lever 45 is held normally in an inoperative position by means of a suitable spring 50, interposed between the under side of said lever in rear of its pivotpoint and the bottom G, as shown in Fig. 5. From this it will be seen that when either of the voting-handles are moved downward, the handles being held in a downward position by means of the bolts 44 when itis desired to release said bolt, the rear end of the lever 45, or rather the handle 43, is depressed, raising the forward end, which causes the chain 47 to draw the bolts inward until said bolts are out of the path of movement of the votinghandle, whereupon a slide-plate51 at the front of the casing will cause said handle to move upward, the plate 51 being provided with a spring 52 for this purpose, the spring 52 and plate 51 being adapted to hold said votinghandles in their upper position.
As it is essential that notice be given to the keepers of the election that a vote has been recorded, we place on the upper side of the partition 34 a suitable bell 53, having its mechanism so arranged that upon the drawing downward of a pawl beyond a predetermined distance the bell mechanism will operate and sound the gong, the parts returning to their normal position when the handle has been released. This mechanism is operated by means of a suitable frame 54, hingedly connected to the under side of the partition 34. This frameis connected to the bellmechanism and has forwardly-extending arms 55 located below the angular extension of the uprights 13, as shown in the drawings. This construction causes the frame to be moved or oscillated downwardly each time either one of the voti ng-handles is operated, which downward movement of the frame serves to sound the alarm to indicate that a vote has been made, thus indicating also to the officer of IOC the election that it is necessary to release the voting mechanism in order that the next voter may be able to vote.
As an additional indicator we provide the rear of the machine with a suitable opening. On the inner side of the back are arranged suitable guides 56, said guides being located on opposite sides of said opening. Mounted to have a vertical movement within said guides is a suitable plate 57, having its face which rides against the back 8 provided with suitable indicating-1n arks, such as colors, said marks being distinguishable through the opening. Said plate is connected to one end of a cord or a series of cords which lead upward and forwardly over suitable pulleys and downwardly inside of the front 4, the free end of said cord being connected to the levers 1G. A suitable spring 58 is also connected to said plate and to the back, said spring serving to normally hold said plate in a lower po-fsition, where but one of the marks can be seen through the opening in the back. Then either of the levers 16 is depressed du ring the operation of voting, the downward movement of said lever causes the cord to be drawn upon, thus raising the plate 57 within its guide, movn ing the mark formerly seen through the opening out of its position in rear of said opening, bringing into view through said opening the remaining mark. As long as the voting-levers are at their depressed position said second mark will be in position to be seen through the opening and will remain in such position until the lever a5 is operated to release the voting-handles, whereupon the spring 5S will move said plate to its initial position. By this means it will be possible for the officer of the election to disregard the sound of the gong, yet be able to distinguish as to whether the vote has been registered and the levers locked.
As heretofore stated, the voting-handles 1S and the removable handles i8 are removably connected to their respective levers. The object of this removal is to so close the interior of the machine as to prevent any access thereto after the election has been closed. This is accomplished by means of the plate G0, mounted in suitable guides 6l, said plates being adapted to be 'forced downwardly by reason of springs G2, interposed between the top of said plate and a suitable support G3. One of said plates is located above each of said handles, and when the handles are removed and withdrawn from the lever to which they are connected and from the machine said plates will automatically pass downward within the casing, and thereby close the opening for the passage of said handle. lt will be understood, of course, that these plates will move during the operation of the handleg' but as theplate rests on the handle there will be no deleterions effect from such movement of said plate. Upon removal of the handles they are placed within a suitable receptacle 6i, provided on the inner side of the back 8, said receptacle being closed by means of a suitable door (55,
which is normally kept locked and can be opened only by the proper ollicer.
The front of the machine is provided with suitable openings, through which the nu mbcrs located on the wheels lO and the disk 2G may be seen, the opening being large enough te allow of the inspection of but one number, this number being the number of the last vote. rlhese openings are kept closed during the period of voting by means of suitable caps GG, which caps are secured thereon prior to the commencement of voting and are removed after the voting is finished, whereupon an inspection of the exposed numerals will give the total vote of each candidate, besides giving a register of the number of persons who have voted.
If desired, the casing may be provided with suitable openings 67, as shown in Fig. l, by means of which the sound-of the bell may be more easily heard.
As it is necessary that means may be provided for preventing the depressing of more than one of the handles at the same time in order that no inaccuracies in the recording of the vote may occur, we provide the following-described mechanism:
The slide-plate 5l (one of which is provided for each operating-handle) is mounted in guides GS, secured on the sides of the casing and in guides 6l), formed within a supporting frame 70, located intermediate the handles. This plate is formed substantially as shown in Figs. 1G, 17, and 1S of the drawings, being located below the handle and subjected to its movement. The frame is provided with a plurality of guides 69, as shown in Fig. lh, and is also provided with a slot 7l, within which is pivotally mounted a toothed wheel 72. The toothed wheel 72 is adapted to be rotated by means of suitable depending toothbars 73, one of which is secured on each plate 5l, said bars 73 being pressed inwardly toward the wheel 72 by means of springs 7l, as shown. The normal position of the slideplate 5l is as shown in Fig. 1G, in which position the teeth of the bar 73 are out of engagement with the wheel 72, caused by the use of inclined guides 75, formed on the frame 70, which contact with the inclined face 71S of the bars 73. As will be readily seen,when one of the handles is depressed the slot 5l will be forced downward, carrying with it the bar 73, which by the action of the spring 74; will contact with the wheel 72, the downward movement causing the wheel to be rotated, this movement continuing until the handle passes below the bolt dat, which locks the handle, as hereinbefore set forth. When in this position, any attempt to force another handle downward will be frustrated, as it will be impossible to move the opposite bar 73 downward. Should the attempt be made to force both handle-bars down at the same time, neither could pass downward, as the wheel 7 cannot rotate in both directions at Athe same Upon the release of the handle 18 the time.
IOC
IIO
spring 52 will cause it to move upwardly, allowing the bars 7 3 to pass upwardly, the inclined faces and 76 causing the bar to move away from the wheel 7 2.
Vihile we have shown the front of the casing as removable, yet we do not limit ourselves to such construction, but may make the same a part of the casing, and instead of forming the rear portion 8 removable we may make the samein the form of a door which is hingedly connected and capable of being securely locked. Where the casing is made metallic the latter construction is desirable.
The operation of our machine is believed to be clear; but in order that no doubt may be had as to such operation we will now proceed to give a detailed description, the election being one where candidates of different parties are io be voted for.
The names of the candidates are first placed above the individualvote-counting-wheels openings, as shown in Fig. 1, and each of the wheels 10 and the disk 26 set at the Zeromark. The cap 66 is placed in position when the machine is ready for the vot-ing to begin. The iirst voter passes into the votinglbooth and afterdeciding on the candidate he intends voting for he presses the proper handle 18, which serves to move the wheel 10 in rear of the name of the candidate for whom he is voting forward one notch, thus causing said wheel to pass forward and expose the numeral 1 through the opening. At the same time the total wheel or disk has been moved forward one notch, exposing the numeral 1 on the band 38, making the total vote read 1 and the candidate 1. As before explained, the pressing down of the voting-handles locks the mechanism, so that no further vote can be had until the rocking lever 45 has been operated. When the handle 18 was depressed, the bell was rung and the plate 57 changed, thus indicating that the vote has been recorded. Upon this voter leaving the booth the ofcer of the election operates the rocking lever 44, releasing the handles and placing the machine in position for voting by the next voter. If the next voter voted for the candidate of the other party, the same operation will be repeated, with the result that each wheel 10 will expose the numeral 1,v while the disk 26 will have the number 2 exposed.
While we have in this description of the operation stated that numbers will be exposed, it is to be understood that by reason of the use of the cap 66 these numbers are not visible to the voter, the statement as to exposure being made for the purpose of describing the operation clearly.
After all the voters have voted the handles 18 and 48 are removed, and the opening through which they pass will be closed by the plates 60. The handles are then placed in their receptacle 64, which is then locked to prevent any person except the proper authority from having any access to the interior of the machine. The cap 66 is now removed, whereupon the vote for each candidate will be seen through the proper openings, together with the total vote, which total vote should equal the vote of the two candidates being voted for.
When it is again desired to use the machine, the door is unlocked, the handles 18 and 48 having been taken from their receptacles. after which the plates 60 in the front of the machine are raised and the handles 18 inserted in their proper position. The wheels 10 and the disk 26 are also rotated to expose the zero-mark, after which the handle 48 is inserted through its opening, the plate 60,
which had covered it, having been raised andi the door closed and locked, the handle 48 being then placed in its proper position. The machine is then ready for voting and the voting operation heretofore described takes place.
The advantagesy of our construction are many, including the ease with which the machine cau be operated, its absolute prevention of any repeating, the ability to entirely close the machine in order that it may be kept from being tampered with, the readiness with which the returns can be obtained, its neat and attractive appearance, durability of construction, and its low cost of manufacture.
While we have shown the mechanism as arranged for use with but two candidates, it is obvious that by increasing the number of wheels 10 and the voting-handles 18 and duplicating the independent mechanism of each handle more candidates maybe voted for, and we desire it to be understood that such additions will fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. l
While we have herein shown a preferred form of carrying our invention into effect, yet we do not desire to limit ourselves to such preferred details of construction, but claim the right to use any and all modiiications thereof which will serve to carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as such modifications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of our said invention.
Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is- 1. A voting-machine, comprising a casing; vote-registering mechanism located within said casing; voting-handles extending out#A wardly through said casing, said handles hav ing a pivotal movement within said casing, said handles also being removably connected to the registering mechanism; and means for automatically closing said casing when said handles have been removed, substantially as described.
.2. A voting-machine, comprising a casing; voteregistering mechanism located within said casing; removable hand-les connected to said registering mechanism, said handles extending outward through the casing; mech anism within said casing adapted to automatically close the opening through which said handles extend into said casing; and a receptacle located within said casing, and normally locked, for receiving` said handles after their removal, substantially as described.
3. In a voting-machine, the combination with vote-registering mechanism; and handles for imparting movement to said mechanism, each handle operating said mechanism independently; ot a vertically-moving frame mounted in the path of movement of each handle, each handle having an independent `frame; a pivotallymounted rack-bar connected te each frame, each rack-bar being normally held in an inoperative position; and a toothed Wheel mounted between said rackbars, said wheel being adapted to be rotated in one direction by the downward movement of one of said frames and its rack-bar and be retained in locked position while the frame is held in its lower position, whereby the remaining handles willbe prevented from moving to operate the registering mechanism.
4. In a voti1igmachine, the combination with vote-registering mechanism; and independentlyoperating handles to impart movement to said mechanism; ot a series of vertically-moving frames, one for each handle, located in the path of movement ol' the handles, each frame carrying a rack-bar pivotally mounted; a toothed wheel adapted to be actuated by either of said rack-bars, pivotally mounted in juxtaposition to said trames; means for holding said rack-bars out of engagement with said toothed wheel when said frames are in their upper positions, said rackbars passing into engagement with said wheel upon the downward movement of the f rame and imparting a rotary movement to said wheel, whereby the remaining rack-bars will be prevented from operating said wheel while one rack-bar is in operative connection therewith; and means for returning said frames to their normal position upon the release of said handle.
5. In a voting-machine, the combination with vote-registering mechanism; and independently-operating handles to impart movement to said mechanism; ot a series ot' vertically-moving frames, one for each handle, located in the path of movement of the handles, each handle carrying an operating-pawl5 a pivotallyanounted member mounted in the path of movement of said pawls, said pawls being held normally out ot' engagement with. said member, the movement of one of said pawls into contact with said member serving to prevent the movement of 'the remaining pawls, whereby the movement of more than one handle to operate said mechanism at the same time will be prevented.
h'. Atotal-registerforvoting-macliines,c0m prising an aetnatingdlisk havingl its periphery provided with radially-extending pins; an endless band, having openings adapted to receive said pins, located on said disk; an endless band7 having its edge provided with con sccutive numbers, secured on said irst-mentioned band; and means l'orimparling a stepby-step movement to said disk.
7. rlhe combination with a voting-machine, having votinghandles removably secured therein; of means, located within the easing of said machine, t'or automatically closixn;l the openings through which said handles pass, when said handles are removed.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.
ERNEST (tlCOhhltlON'. CHARLES lll. 'iHClL/\l\l(`rltl,t. W itnesscs: l
J. A. Nahum, llonamv. G. 'Darm
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