US652768A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 652,768. Patnted'luly 3, I900.

T. W. GRAHAM.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 14, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet m: NORRIS Pains co. monxumoq wAsnmuToN. u. c.

Patented July 3, I900.

T. w. GRAHAM. VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 14, 1899.)

2 Sheets-$heet 2.

(No Model.)

2i a? f f z r F i LLYFIIUMYIIWIII. 1o\r. ll! ..1. |v. \v .2: .l [A I 1 I 7 2:2 in U 0: v I a m p E 7 NITED STATES PATENT OFF I cEi.

THOMAS IV. GRAHAM, OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 652,768, dated July 3, 1900. Application filed February 14, 1899. Serial No. 705,479- (No model.)

To (Ml 1077,0771, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THoMAs W. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dubuque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines; and I 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 appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in voting-machines, more particularly to that class of machine which registers the votes cast.

The invention comprehends generally a machine for registeringthe votes cast and means for separately indicating; the number of votes cast.

Heretofore many machines have been made and suggested for registering the votes. In such machines, however, the mechanism employed has generally been of a complicated nature and more or less confusing to the average voter.

My invention is designed to overcome the objections to the existing machines and may be stated generally as comprehending and including an arrangement of disks or detachable bodies so arranged that upon a vote being cast a disk or body will be deposited, a mechanism forindicating the number of votes which have been so deposited, mechanism for preventing the repetition of a vote, and in mechanism for effecting the general working of the apparatus.

The invention is embodied in a construction hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

In the drawings I have shown a practical embodiment of my invention, but desire it to be understood that I do not limit the improvements in their useful application to the particular construction which, for the sake of illustration, I have therein delineated.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a cabinet, the same being partly broken away. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal vertical section showing parts in elevation.

Fig.- 3 is a rear view showing the rear of the cabinet partially removed. Fig. 4. is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the indicating plates and pointers. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View, partly in section, of a plunger and its associated locking bar or pawl, parts being shown in section. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken through the lines 6 6 of Fig. 4." Fig. 7 is a detail viewof the guard.

In the drawings, A designates the walls of the cabinet of any convenient style orformation, the same being closed at its sides and provided with suitable doors or blinds A; The front of this casing is conveniently provided with a removable case or door 13, the same being in any convenient manner secured in position. This face portion extends to a point adjacent the lower end, at which point there is placed a supplemental facepiece B, the upper edge of which is fashioned to fit behind the lower forward edge of the plate B, so that the removal of the supplemental plate is dependent upon the removal of the main plate. The casing is supported on a suitable base 0, on which is supported a tilting platform D, the same being carried by supporting-levers D, pivoted at their forward ends on a cross-rod d. The weight of the platform and long arms of the levers normally tends to elevate the short arms and allow the platform to assume a horizontal position,a further downward movement being prevented by the rear ends of the levers coming in contact with the rear basebeam.

In the forward portion of the booth I form a compartment E, in which the voting, iridi eating, and recording mechanism and' devices are located. In the front portion of the compartment is arranged a parallel series of vertical storage tubes or holders F of any convenient or desirable form in cross-section. These holders or tubes extend conveniently from a point somewhat above the base tothe top of the casing, at which point they are covered by the cap E. The front faces or walls of the storage-tubes are composed of plates or strips F, screwed in or otherwise secured to one of the side walls, at one edge only, their opposite edges terminating at a pointadjacent the opposite wall, thereby forming between a narrow vertical opening f, which conveniently extend'sthe length of the tubes. On the outer face of the plates F are marked or stamped graduated scales f bearing thereon a series of numbers arranged in regular order, the smaller numbers being at the top.

Within the tubes are a series of voting checks or disks, of any convenient form, their diameters being slightly less than that of the interior of the tubes, so that the disks may move freely down when permitted. The number of disks in a tube correspond with the scale of numbers indicated on the face-plates, and the distance between the different scale or number marks is just equal to the thickness of a voting-disk. Resting on the tops of the pile of disks in each tube is a follower F, of a size to move freely down in the tube. This follower carries a pointerj extending from its lower edge through the vertical opening, its indicating end being turned at right angles and extending in front of the indicating-plate. The lower edge of the pointer is straight and is arranged substantially in line with the upper face of the disk on which the follower rests.

The lower ends of the rear walls of the tubes are formed with transverse grooves f and these walls rest on and are supported by the cross-beam G, fixed to the framework of the casing. The tubes project laterally beyond the forward face of the beam a distance equal to about one-half the diameter of the tubes, and the face-plates of the tubes terminate at a point above the plane of the side and back walls equal to the thickness of a single voting-disk. The supporting-beam, as shown in Fig. 5, projects under the rear portion of the ends of the tubes and form rests for the stack of voting-disks. The upper face of the beam is grooved transversely, as at g, the grooves registering with the grooves in the back walls of the tubes for purposes presently to be stated.

Below the open end of the tubes are guideways h, leading into a series of removable receptacles H, which are located back of the supplemental or lower face-plate B. Into these receptacles the voting-disks are deposited, there being a receptacle for each tube. The mechanism for moving the disks from the tubes may be of any convenient form or arrangement, the construction shown being operative and simple. It consists of a series of vertically-disposed levers K, which are pivoted in brackets 70, secured on a support K, extending across the casing. These levers have at their upper ends theoffsets which have suitable grasping rings or handles 70 extending rearward beyond the inner wall of the compartment E. The upper ends of these levers are located within convenient reach of the operat0rs,while the lowerends are carried down a short distance below the end of the disk-tubes. Pivotally secured to the levers at a point in line with the lower edge of the tubes are the plungers L, the same consisting conveniently of flat bars, having their forward ends reduced and fitted in the passages formed by the grooves g and f By this construction it will be seen that as one of the le vers is moved by drawing back its upper end its lower end, being forced in, will carry the stares plunger forward, the end striking one of the disks, forcing the latter forward until it passes the beams G, and is then free to fall into its collecting-receptacle, thereby registering one vote. The ends of the plungers, being reduced, are permitted a slight vertical movement, so that they will escape the lowermost disks under normal conditions, and until the ends are elevated to aline with the disks no vote can be recorded. To effect the elevation of these plungers, the tilting platform is employed, which when depressed elevates suitable connecting bars or plates M. These plates are loosely seated in sockets on the ends of the platform-levers and extend upward to and are pivotally connected at it to an elevating and locking bar 0, which is pivoted in the sides of the casing and extends entirely across the same directly below the line of plungers. The locking-bar O islocated between the beam G and the lower projecting ends of the voting-levers and is pivoted eccentricallyatits lowerend, so that its tendency is to swing backward. Its upper end when the bar is in a vertical position is in line with the lower edge of that portion of the plungers back of the reduced ends, so that when the bar is in its vertical position it will elevate all of the plungers, carrying their reduced ends into alinement with the bottom voting-disks, as plainly shown in Fig. 5. Extending rearward from the bar 0 is a ledge P, of a width sufficient to carry the same into contact with the lower projecting ends of the voting-levers when the locking-bar is tilted back, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5. The movement of the bar forces the actuated lever or levers backward into their normal positions, carrying the end of the plungers out from under the stack of voting disks-in other words, resetting the machine.

It is evident that but one vote for any one candidate should be cast by one person. Therefore to prevent a duplication or repetition of voting I form a groove or pocket Q, in the under edge of the plungers at or near their longitudinal centers. WVhen the plungers are in their normal position, the voter stepping on the platform raises the locking-bar, which strikes that portion of the plungers between the groove Q and reduced end. As the plungers are advanced their weight and that of the stack of disks cause the plungers to move down, and as they have been forced in the locking notch or groove Q will be in a position directly above the upper end of the locking bar which immediately enters the groove and prevents any backward movement of the operated plunger. As soon as the tilting platform is relieved of its weight the locking-bar falls back, escaping from the groove and resetting the levers, as stated.

To secure a proper rapid movement of the locking-bar, suitable weight-strips R may be secured to the connecting rods or plates M. In some districts women are allowed to vote for certain measures or candidates for certain offices only. In such cases it becomes necessary to lock the keys or levers other than those which are permitted to be used. To accomplish this, a pivoted plate S is secured conveniently below the handles of the levers, the same extending across the-machine. This plate is mounted on the pivot-rod S, suitably journaled in the sides of the casing,and which is provided at one end with an actuatingcrank s on the outside of the booth. The free edge of the plate when swung up occupies a position directly below the handles or rings on the voting-levers. A series of removable cover-plates s are secured to the outer face of the plate S, their ends extending upward beyond the adjacent handles, thus forming a cover to conceal the handle and prevent its being grasped.

Above the ends of the voting-levers is an inclined rack T, designed to secure the cards on which the names of the offices, parties, or candidates are printed. In the rear of this rack a suitable glazed window U may be placed.

In some instances I may secure to the upper ends of the voting-levers suitable plates V, each bearing a certain color representing particular parties or political organizations. This in many cases assists the ignorant in voting-as,for instance, a political party may be designated by a red color, and it the voter desired to vote for the candidate of that party he would actuate the levers having the red plates thereon.

It is to be understood that a series of booths can be employed and that the number of tubes and actuating devices can be varied to suit the occasion or demand.

The lower part of the inner wall of the compartment E is hinged, so that access can be had to the plunger mechanism when desired.

In operation, the mechanism being actuated as above described, the voting-disks are deposited in the various storage-receptacles, and the various pointers on the followers indicate the number of disks forced from the tubes. To verify this, the deposited disks are or may be counted.

It is to be understood that the particular form shown is simply one embodiment of the invention and that the nature and principle of the invention can be accomplished in various ways, and I desire it understood that my invention comprehends, broadly, the use of voting-disks with suit-able means for separately moving the same. I also desire it understood that I have used the term disk in a general sense to include any body or device which can be employed for a check or counter.

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

1. In a voting-machine, the combination with vote-indicating instrumentalities, of a device for actuating thesame and means acting to set the device in a position to actuate the indicating instrumentalities then looking the same after actuation, and finally resetting the same, substantially as described.

2. In a voting-machine the combination with vote-indicating instrument-alities, of a voting device normally out of position to actuate the instrumentalities, an actuating member for the device normally in an accessible position and means actuated by the voter for setting the device in position to actuate the said instrument-ality, substantially as described.

3. In acheck voting-machine, the combination with a casing, of a holder for receiving and holding a series of checks, a plunger for progressively removing the checks from the holder, normally out of position to operate the checks, means actuated by the voter while in the booth for adjusting the plunger to a position to operate the checks, and means for changing the relative position between the holder and plunger to cause the plunger to remove a check, substantially as described.

4. In a check votingmachine, the combination with a check-holder, of a plunger normally out of alinement with the checks in the holder, a platform for receiving the voter and means connected Wit-l1 the platform for adjusting the plunger to a position to operate the checks, substantially as described.

5. In a voting-machine the combination with a series of check-holders, of means for progressively removing the checks fromthe holders, normally located out of position to remove the checks, and m cans actuated by the voter for adjusting said removing means to a position to operate the checks, substantially as described.

6. In a voting-machine, the combination with vote-indicating instrumentalities, of a voting device, normally out of position to actuate the instrumentalities, an actuating member for the device normally in an accessible position and means for setting the device for actuation and resetting the same after actuation.

7. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of vertically-arranged checkholders, of a series of independent plungers for progressively removing the checks from the holders, a series of levers for moving the plungers relative to the holders, a lockingbar, means for adjusting the same and projections on the levers against which the locking-bar strikes in its return movement for resetting the levers and plungers.

8. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casin g, of a series of vertically-disposed holders therein, a series of voting-checks can ried by the holders, closed storage-receptacles below the holders, a series of plungers at the lower ends of the holders for removing the checks, means for moving the plungers, a combined locking and resetting bar for the plungers and means actuated by the weight of the voter to set the bar in a locking position.

9. In a check voting-m achine, the combina- 4 statics sition where they can operate the disks, to

lock the same against repeated movements and to reset the plungers, substantially as described.

11. In a votingmachine, the combination with a casin g, of a series of vertically-disposed holders therein, a series of voting-checks carried by the holders, a series of plungers for removing the checks, means for adjusting the plungers to a position where they can operate the checks and a lever for actuating said means, substantially as described.

12. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing, of a series of holders mounted therein, a series of Voting-checks carried by the holders, a series of plungers for removing the checks, means for adjusting the plungers to a position where they can operate the checks and resetting the same, and levers for actuating said means, substantially as described.

13. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casin g, of a series of vertically-disposed tubes therein, independent voting checks within the tubes, a series of plungers at the base of the tubes, vertical levers for actuating the plungers, and a combined setting locking and resetting device for the plungers,

substantially as described.

14. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of voting-check holders, of a series of independent voting-checks carried thereby, plungers at the ends of the series of checks, means for actuating the plungers to remove the checks progressively, a swinging locking-bar common to all the plungers, a projection on the locking-bar for resetting the plungers and a tilting platform for actuating the locking-bar, substantially as described.

15. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of voting-check holders, of independent checks carried thereby, reciproeating plungers for removing the checks progressively,a vertically-disposed lever for each plunger having a handle at its upper end, a tilting platform, means actuated by the platform for-setting the plungers to a position where they can operate to remove a check and means for returning the levers and plungers to their normal position, substantially as described.

16. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of outwardly-movable actuating handles, of alocking-plate having a series of projections spaced apart and registering with certain handles, and means for moving the plate to a position where the projections will be in front of the handles, substantially as described.

17. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of holders, of a series of votingchecks carried thereby, a series of plungers for removing the checks, levers for actuating the plungers, a swinging plate and removable project-ions on the plate for covering the actuating ends of the levers, substantially as described.

18. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of receptacles or holders for a series of voting-checks, ofa series of reciproeating tilting plungers for removing the checks, means for reciprocating the plungers, a movable bar and means actuated by the voter to move the bar into contact with the plunger to tilt the same, substantially as described.

19. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of check-holders, of a series of levers, plungers pivotally connected to the levers above the ends thereof, a swinging bar extending into the angle between the plungers and lower projecting ends of the levers, for raising the plungers and forcing the lower ends of the levers out, and means for actuating the swinging bar, substantially as de* scribed.

20. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of holders, of a series of voting checks carried thereby, means for removing the checks and a pivoted locking and resetting bar for adjusting and resetting said removing means, substantially as do scribed.

21. In a voting-machine, the combination with a series of check-holders, of means for progressively removing the checks from the holders, normally in an inoperative position, means for moving the removing means to an operative position and a lever for actuating said removing means when in an operative position, substantially as described.

22. In a voting-machine,the combination of voting instrumentalities, of actuating-plungers normally out of position, for moving the same, and means actuated by the voter for adjusting said plungers to aposition to operate the said instrumentalities, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

THOMAS \V. GRAHAM.

Witnesses:

P. S. WEBsTnR, ANNA WEARMOUTH.

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