US711919A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 7l|,9l9. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

BLOCH ER, VOT'NG MACHINE.

[Application filed June 13, 1902.)

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No. 7ll,9l9. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

J. BLOCHER.

VOTING MACHINE.

{Application filed June 13, 1902.:

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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J. BLOCHEB.

VOTING IACHIIIE.

plicntio n filed Juno 18, 1902 (llo Iodel.)

J. BLUCHER.

VOTINGIAOHINE.

(Applied-ion am June 13, 1902.)

I inf Patented Oct. 2|, 1902,

6 Sheets-Shoot 4.

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No. 7l|,9l9. Patontd Oct. 2|, I902.

- J. BLOCHER.

VOTING IACHINE.

@Applicntion filed June 18, 1902.) (lo Modal.) 6 Sheets-Sheet '5.

avwewl oz (761%703 bazaar UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BLOOI-IER, OF FRANKLIN GROVE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ADAM GRIM, OF FRANKLIN GROVE, ILLINOIS.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 71 1,919, dated October 2 1 Application filed June 13,1902. Serial No. 111,549. No model.)

T 60 107mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BLooHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Franklin Grove, in the county of Lee and State of Illi- 5 nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

to making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has relation to that class of voting-machines for which a patent was granted to me the 8th day of October,

I5 1901, and numbered 684,395, and in which spherical ballots are used in connection with a laterally and horizontally movable ballotplate and a slidable ballot conveyor or conveyers acting conjointly therewith and which is adapted to carry the ballot to the point of deposit, where by suitably-controlled mechanism the same is released and allowed to fall into a receptacle placed in convenient position to receive it, each receptacle representing its respective candidate, and the number of ballots cast and thus deposited indicates the number of votes received for each candidate or party nominees.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby a voter may deposit or cast as many ballots as there are ofiices to be filled and elected and a cut-off or similar device to regulate the number of ballots to which the voter is entitled and a suitable swinging gate and means for connecting the same with the laterally-movable ballot-plate by which the same is operated and improving the machine in the several details of construction,whereby its operation is materially simplified and rendered more positive and certain in its action.

I Fig. 3, a transverse section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4, a similar view taken on line 4 a of Fig. 2 looking in an opposite direction as indicated by the arrow; Fig. 5, a plan view of the under side of the top of the ballot-box comprising the perforated laterally-movable ballot-plate and the stationary plate and their connections; Fig. 6, a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale,'taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5 and through the upper side of the plate; Fig. 7, a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing a portion of the swingable gate and the mechanism connecting it with the movable ballot-plate by which it is operated, said perspective view being partly in section and showing in section the swingable bail for operating the slidable conveyers which carry the ballots to the point of deposit; Fig. 8, a detail perspective view of the under side of a portion of the laterally-movable ballot-plate, showing the bearing-block to which the upright rod of the operating mechanism is connected and through which connection the movable plate is operated; Fig. 9, a detail perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the front end of the feed-table, showing the ballots in position ready for voting; Fig. 10, a' detail perspective view of a portion of the feed-table, showing the pivoted end of one of the agitators and the rod or pin thereon extending down through an elongated slot in the table; Fig. 11, a perspective View of a portion of the stationary plate and the perfm-ated laterally-movable ballot-plate and the mechanism for receiving the card upon which an independentballot is placed; Fig. 12, a vertical section through the stationary plate and card mechanism depending therefrom shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, the bracket connected to the laterally-movable ballot-plate which operates the card mechanism being shown in dotted lines, the latch being shown in operative position in dotted 5 lines.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a ballot-box, which may be of any suitable material and of any preferred form and dimensions found bestadapted tothepurpose. 100 The ballot-box A is provided with a removable top comprising in part a stationary plate the drawings.

B and a laterally and horizontally movable plate 0, which is termed the ballot-plate. The plates are inclosed by the frames D E, the plate B being rigidly connected thereto and the plate 0 movable between the side bars of the frame E, said frames resting on the rabbeted edges 1) of the ballot-box, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The movable ballot-plate simply rests on the sides of the frame E and is of decreased width, so that the plate will have room to move laterally from side to side to form a bottom to the perforation in the ballot-conveyers to hold the ballot or release the same when the perforations in the plate are in line and register with those in the conveyer to drop the ballot and also the plate through suitable mechanism, releasing the voting-card after the same has been deposited.

The movable ballot-plate C has a plurality of elongated perforations a, which operate in connection with the perforation in one of the ballot-conveyers, as will be hereinafter 'described. The laterally-movable ballot-plate G has placed thereon the straight ticket to be voted, as indicated at X, and the cumulative ticket is represented at Y Z, the same comprising two sections, the section Z containing the same names as on the section Y, but being in a reverse order. These tickets, however, form no part of my invention and may be changed or modified at pleasure, reference being made thereto in order to illustrate the purpose of the operating mechanism. The mechanism for operating the movable ballotplate 0 may be of any suitable construction, but preferably comprising the slid able bar F, having one end engaging a guide-groove in a standard 0, to which is suitably pivoted an upright carrier-rod G, as indicated at d, said rod at its upper end loosely engaging a bearing-block 6 upon the under side of the movable ballot-plate, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of The lower end of the carrierrod G overlaps and abuts against the side of the slidable bar F, and said bar has a cam devicefand a groove 9 opposite the same. When the cam comes in contact with the end of the carrier-rod, it will force the same into the groove, and through the connection of the ballot-plate with the carrier-rod said plate will have imparted to it the desired movement.

The slidable bar F engages a stationary guide h, and said bar connects by any suitable mechanism with the swingable gate I, but preferably by the'pitman-rod t' and rotatable post H, said pitman-rod being loosely connected to the slidable bar and to the post by means of the rod j.

The post H is preferably tubular at its upper end and is rotatably supported in any suitable manner in the ballot-box and has rigidly connected to it the gate I through the medium of the depending arm 70, which is formed with a notched end Z, which fits over and engages a transverse pin m, secured to ballot-plate C will be caused to be-moved laterally through the medium of the carrier-rod G.

Any suitable form of gate may be substituted for that shown and any desirable and preferred form of mechanism may be employed to form a connection between the gate and movable ballot-plate that will impart to the plate the required movement through the moving or swinging of the gate.

The swingable gate and the mechanism connecting it with the movable ballot-plate is to set the machine ready for voting by the next voter, the voter passing in and closing the gate behind him, which will set the machine, the gate projecting out from the side of the ballot-box and in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings when the machine is set ready for the voter to cast his ballot.

The gate I is provided with a suitable screen J for the purpose of screening the voter from view while casting his ballot, the screen also being used to post sample ballots thereon, so that the voter may examine the ballots previous to voting. A swingable bail K is connected to a transverse rod n, having its hearings in brackets 0, said bail operating the ballot-conveyers L M, any number of conveyers being used, as found necessary. These conveyers receive the ballots and carry the same on line with the names of any candidate or any party in nomination, where it rests until it is deposited by the action of the gate in opening it. The swingable bailK may be of any suitable construction or any suitable device may be substituted that will successfully operate the conveyers. After the ballot has been brought opposite the selected candidate orparty in nomination by moving by hand the conveyer which carries the ballot the voter to pass out is required to open the gate, and in doing so, through the mechanism connecting the gate with the movable ballot-plate, the plate will be shifted or moved laterally to bring the perforation therein on line with the perforation in the conveyer, when the ballot will drop therefrom into a receptacle in a convenient position to receive it. The ends of the conveyers L M have depending rods or projections 19, and as the swinging bail K will be carried back and forth by the slidable bar F through the medium of the pins 1', between which the bail engages with the bar, the conveyers will be operated by the bail coming in contact with the rods or projections to bring the conveyers back to their normal position after the ballot has been deposited, after which it is necessary that the gate be again swungv closed by the next voter who enters before the machine can be set ready for the casting of his ballot. This closing and opening of the gate sets and releases the mechanism whereby the vote can be cast and deposited, respectively, depending entirely upon the action of the voter and the swingable gate. The vote after being cast cannot be deposited by the voter himself except by the action of the swingable gate, and in order to pass out the gate has to be opened, which action, through the mechanism connecting the gate with the ballot-plate, will cause the ballot to be deposited.

Every provision is made against dishonest voting, and the facility with which the voting may be accomplished renders the machine particularly valuable in elections generally where rapid voting is of material importance.

The ballot-conveyers L M are provided with pins or suitable projections s at their outer ends for convenience in moving or sliding them when operated by the voter to bring the ballot carried by the conveyeropposite the'candidate desired or party nomination. The conveyer L has a plurality of perforations t for cumulative voting, and the conveyer M has only a single perforation, as shown at it, for voting the straight ticket. The perforations t in the conveyer L are adapted to register or come on line with the perforations o in the movable ballot-plate O, and the single perforation u in the conveyer M is adapted to come on line with the perforation ct, so that when the plate is moved in the proper direction the perforations therein will register with those in the conveyers and allow the ballot to drop through. Thus provision is made for both cumulative voting or voting for a straight ticket, as desired.

The feed-table N, which also forms part of the top of the ballot-box A, is provided with a removable glass or other transparent plate 0 to display to view the ballots and mechanism upon the table.

The table N is provided with pivoted agitators P to prevent the ballots from bridging, suitable guide-tracks Q being provided for the ballots to guide them to the ballotconveyers. One of the agitators, as shown in. Fig. 9 of the drawings, has a groove upon its under side, as shown at z, to allow the agitator to pass over the track and admit the passage of the ballots upon the opposite side of the agitator, from which point the ballots are delivered to the ballot-conveyers under control of the voter. The free end of the agitator, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, is provided with a series of perforations "10, with which engages a cut-off R, whereby the machine may be set for any desired number of ballots as may be required in voting. To further explain this feature of the invention, in the cumulative system, for illustration, we will say there are four vacancies to be filled and a large number of candidates running for the oflices, in which case it will be necessary to set the machine so that no more than four votes can be cast by the same voter. To attain this end, the gate, which in the present instance I have shown as a simple pin or red, is engaged with the fourth one of the perforations w from the outer end, the pin or red extending across the space in which is lodged the ballots, cutting ofi all but four of the ballots, which is the required number to be cast by the same voter as allowed by law. The ballots, which are represented at T, are of spherical shape and may be made of metal or other suitable material found best adapted to the purpose and are held against entering the perforation a; by means of a suitable finger y upon the end of a vertically-movable arm S. The arm is provided with a guideslot a, through which extends a guide-pin b, projecting from the feed-table N, a second guide-pin c entering a perforation in the opposite end of the arm. The arm S is raised a sufficient distance to bring the finger y on line above the ballots, so that the four ballots will be allowed to pass under the same to the conveyer L,where the ballot will seat itself in the perforation, ready to be brought on line opposite the candidate to be voted for. The operation of the movable arm S is accomplished by means of a suitable push-button U, which bears against a plate or wing d on a pivoted rod W,extending nearly the entire length of the plates B O and having its bearing in the frame D, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The wing extends upon the opposite side of the rod and is somewhat heavier, so that the rod will be brought back to its normal position when the push-button is released, or any suitable means may be provided to automatically bring the rod back to its former position when releasing the push-button. Upon one end of the rod \V is a suitable lever c, the end of which bears up against the under side of the arm S to raise it off the table N a su'llicient distance to elevate the finger 2 on line above the ballots, so that the same can pass under said finger to engage the perforations in the ballot-conveyer.

I do not wish to confine my invention to any particular means for operating the movable arm S, as any preferred means may be substituted and any suitable device that will answer the purpose of the finger and arm may be substituted for the construction shown, as these features of the invention are capable of many changes and modifications.

The plate B has a slotf' extending its entire length for the pin of the push-button to engage, so that the ballot-conveyer L maybe moved along the plates after the ballot has been engaged with the perforation therein.

Suitable receptacles A are provided to receive the ballots after they have been cast, said receptacles having an inclined bottom and a chute g at its upper end, an individual receptacle being used for each candidate or party, said receptacles being of any preferred construction and removable from the ballotbox to ascertain the number of ballots the receptacle contains, each receptacle bearing the name of the candidate or party in nomination. These receptacles are provided with glass or transparent fronts, as indicated at h in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The ballots as they are released from the perforations in the conveyors by the proper movement of the ballot-plate C will fall upon the chute g and pass therefrom into the receptacle. The movement of the conveyers will in turn move the agitators by means of the cam i, engaging the pin j, depending from the underside of the agitator, as shown more clearly in Fig. 9 of the drawings. As the conveyor is moved back in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 9 of the drawings the notch therein when it engages the pin depending from the agitator will move the agitator sufficiently to agitate the ballots and prevent them from bridging, this being accomplished at every backward movement of the conveyor. A pin 70 extends across the space in which the ballots rest to prevent the ballots from passing out over the feed-table, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings,the feed-table being divided into compartments for the ballots by means of suitable partitions B, the table being divided into any number of these compartments, and any number of agitators and ballot-conveyers may be used as found necessary.

To accommodate those voters desiring to vote a mixed or independent ticket, means are provided for this purpose, the plate B having a. slot Z of sufficient length to pass a card ballot through which bears the name of the candidate. The card passes into a bottomless card-receiver C, said receiver being shown in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings, a support E depending from the ballot-delivering device, consisting of the plate 0, the lower end thereof extending horizontally at a right angle to the upright portion of the support, so that the card placed in the receiver will have something to rest upon to retain it in the receiver. When the ballot-delivering device is moved laterally in the proper direction, the bent end at will be withdrawn from under the receiver,

which allows the card ballot to drop through the receiver into the front compartment of the ballot-box. As the support is withdrawn, as above described, the projection m upon the end of the pivoted latch D will automaticrious parts of the machine I do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the precise means shown for carrying into pracnice the various stages necessary to the suc cessful operation of the voting-machine, as such means may be variously modified and changed'in the several details of construction without in any manner elfecting the essential features of the invention, and any changes that would come within ordinary mechanical judgment may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention.

It is evident that the swingable gate may be changed or modified and any suitable means may be employed for making a connection between the gate and the movable ballotplate, which ballot-plateI will term a ballotdelivering device, as it delivers the ballots to the receptacle upon opening the gate, and any suitable device that will serve this purpose may be substituted for that shown. The arm, with its finger, which retains the ballots upon the feed-table, is simply a retaining and releasing device, and any such device that will attain this end may be substituted for the device shown, and any suitable means may be employed for operating it. The cutoff device upon the feed-table is one of many forms that may be used so as to set the machine for the desired number of ballots allowed by law in the cumulative system of voting, and the mechanism for holding and releasing the card ballot in the card-receiver may be variously modified or changed.

In describing the operation of the machine when used by the voter it will be first necessary to explain in a brief manner the cumulative system of voting which is necessary at all elections where two or more persons are to be elected to the same office, such as boards of directors, trustees, &c. To illustrate,it will be supposed that there are twelve or more candidates running for trustees, but only four trustees to be elected, in which case each voter will be entitled to vote for four candidates out of the twelve. To meet instances of this kind, means are provided whereby this cumulative-ballot voting may be successfully accomplished and also provide in the same machine means for voting the straight ticket.

straight ticket'are substantially the same, the cumulative system will be taken as an illustration of the general operation of the machine. In holding the election the votingmachine is placed upon a table or other suitable support of the required height, the cutoff device being regulated to give four ballots to the voter and no more, as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, after which the officers in charge of the election take their position a short distance to the rear of the machine, but cut off from view of the voter by the screen connected to the gate. As the voter'approaches the machine he finds the swingable gate open, which must be closed after him before the machine can be brought to a working condition. This movement of the gate operates the mechanism and sets or prepares the machine for voting. When the gate is turned to close the same, which will be at a right angle to that shown in Fig. 7 of As the method of voting under the cumulative system and that of the the drawings, the post H will be turned, and through its connect-ion with the slidable bar F said bar will be caused to move forward in the direction of the arrow, which will bring the camfagainst the lower end of the pivoted rod G and force it in laterally through the slot or notch g, said notch allowing the rod to move the required distance. The upper end of the rod G being connected to the ballot-delivering device 0, the same will be moved laterally and horizontally in the proper direction to close the perforations in the ballot-conveyer L, the direction of the delivering device being indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the imperforate portion of the plate of the delivering device forming a bottom to the perforations in the conveyer, so that the ballots resting in the perforations will not fall through. The position of the bail K shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings locks the cumulative-ballot conveyer O by the upper end of the bail bearing against the rod or projection 13, which prevents the conveyer from being moved forward until the gate is closed. The closing of the gate will bring the parts of the machine in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, ready for the voter to cast his ballot, the bail releasing the conveyer. ,In the cumulative system of voting which I am now describing the machine is shown as set for four votes, the four ballots being out off from the rest of the ballots by the cut olf device R. (Shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.) The gate being closed by the voter, as hereinbefore described, the several operating parts will assume the position as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The voter now presses the button U, the shank or stem of which will bear down upon the wing d and move upon its axis the pivoted rod WV, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. This move ment of the rod W will bring the lever 6' up against the under side of the arm S and raise it suliiciently to bring the finger g on a line above the ballots to allow the first one of said ballots to pass under the finger and through the perforation 5c and into the perforation in the cumulative-ballot conveyerL, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The push-button is then immediately released, and the retaining and releasing device comprising the arm with finger will assume its normal position, and the finger extending across the path of the ballots will prevent any additional ballots from passing out until the button is again pressed down. Vt hen the first ballot is caused to seat itself in the perforation of the cumulative-ballot conveyer, the conveyer is again moved along until the pointer r is opposite the name of the candidate to be voted for, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, when the button is again pressed and a second ballot in the same manner is caused to drop into the perforation of the cumulative conveyer that is on line below the perforation in the feed-plate N. It should be understood that the section of the cumulative ticket as rep resented at Z is simply to guide the voter in selecting his candidate, and the section Y is for the purpose of serving as an indicator, so that when the ballot is dropped in the eumulative-ballot conveyer said conveyer is brought in position so as to bring the ballot carried thereby on line with the name of the candidate on the section Y of the ticket. To further describe this method of supplying the cumulative-ballot conveyer with the ballots necessary to vote the cumulative ticket, after the gate has been closed by the voter the machine is set ready for the voter to cast his ballot. The voter proceeds to move the cumulative slide until the pointer thereon is opposite the name of the candidate to be voted for, when the desired one of the perforations is on line with the perforation in the feed-table and the button pressed to allow the ballot to fall into said perforation. Vhen the cumulative conveyer is brought back to its greatest extent, the two sections of ticket are so arranged with relation to each other that the ballot that has seated itself in the perforation will be opposite the selected candidate on the section Y of the ticket and the conveyer again brought into position to receive a second ballot, and so on until the four ballots have been supplied to the conveyer, when the same is brought back to its former position, the conveyer holding the several ballots until the gate is again opened for the voter to pass out. It should be understood that the votes are not deposited until the gate is opened,which opening of the gate moves the ballot-delivering device in a lateral direction to bring the perforations therein on line with the perforations in the cumulative conveyer, when the ballots will drop through the perforations into proper receptacles placed under the various names of the candidates, each candidate having a receptacle to receive the votes cast, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The opening of the gate draws back the slidable arm F and releases the cam device f from contact with the end of the pivoted rod G, which will cause the rod to assume its normal position and in doing so shift the plate of the ballot-delivering device to a position with relation to the cumulative conveyer that the perforation in the plate and conveyer will be in line with each other to allow the ballots to drop through and into the receptacle. The position of the slidable bar and its connections when the gate is opened is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the opening of the gate depositing the ballots cast, and the machine cannot be brought in operative position for the next voter until the gate is again closed. Substantially the same operation of the parts of the machine is required when voting the straight ticket,,as indicated at X, and any description thereof is deemed unnecessary, as the description of the cumulative voting herein set forth is considered as an equivalent to the straight ticket.

In the event that a voter desires to vote a mixed or independent ticket I provide the card-receiver O, as shown in Figs; 11 and 12 of the drawings, the mechanism of this cardreceiver being operated and controlled by the movement of the ballot-delivering device 0, said device carrying the support E, provided with the extension or bent end 91, which projects under the opening in bottomless card-receiver C, supports the card, and prevents it from dropping through until the extension or bent end is withdrawn. When a card with the candidates name thereon is placed in the card-receiver through the slot Z and supported therein, as above described, as the voter opens the gate to pass out, the plate 0, comprising the ballot-delivering device, is moved laterally by the means hereinbefore described and will carry with it the support E in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, which will release the card and allow it to drop through into the ballot-box. When the support E is moved laterally with the ballot-delivering device to withdraw the bent end n from under the opening in the card-receiver and allow the card to drop through into the ballot-box, the rod 0 will be withdrawn from contact with the latch D, and the latch, which is pivoted away from its center, will fall toward the opening through the side wall of the receiver and the projection m thereon extend across the opening in the card-receiver and prevent another card by the same voter being inserted, the closing of the gate again setting the mechanism for voting the card ballot. When the gate is closed by the incoming voter, the mechanism is set ready for voting, and in this adjustment of the mechanism the agitator is forced out by the cam t" striking the depending pin j on the agitator, the conveyer carrying the cam being operated by the swinging bail, which motion of the agitator will carry with it'the cut-ofi device and allow four more ballots to replace those already used.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-'- 1. In a voting-machine, a pivoted agitator, and a cut-off connected thereto and carried thereby to cut ofi all except the number of ballots to be cast at every voting of the machine, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a voting-machine, a pivoted agitator, and a cut-01f, the same being adjustably connected to the agitator whereby the machine may be set for the desired number of ballots to be voted, substantially as and for the purpose described,

3. In a voting-machine, a sWin gable gate, a ballot-delivering device connecting with the gate, a ballot-conveyer, and an adjustable cut-ofi whereby the machine may be set for the desired number of ballots to be voted, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In avoting-machine, a swingable gate, a ballot-delivering device connected therewith and operated by the gate, a slidable conveyer, a pivoted agitator operated by the conveyer, said agitator having a groove upon its under side,and a guide-track with which the grooved agitator engages, the track serving as a guide to the ballots in passing through the groove to the opposite side of the agitator, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a voting-machine, a rotatable post, a

gate pivotally connected thereto, a slidable bar, a pitman-rod connecting the post with the bar, a ballot-conveyer, and a swingable bail for operating the conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, and means connecting the device with the bar, substantially as and forthe justably connected to the agitator, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyor having a plurality of perforations to receive the ballots for cumulative balloting, a ballot-delivering device having a plurality of perforations adapted to register with the perforation in the conveyer, a feed-table for containing the ballots, and a cut-off device therefor, substantially as and for the purpose de- I scribed.

9. In a voting-machine, a. ballot-conveyer having a plurality of perforations for cumulative voting, a perforated ballot-delivering device, a swingable gate, mechanism connecting the gate with the delivering device and also with the conveyer, and a feed-table for holding the ballots, and a suitable cut-0E device therefor, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer,

IIO

a ballot-delivering device, a pivoted or rotatable post, a suitable gate upon the upper end thereof, a slidable bar connecting with the post, a cam device and notch upon the bar, a pivoted rod engaging the delivering device and adapted to be operated by the cam device, and means for connecting the bar with the conveyer,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a feed-table for containing the ballots, a cut-01f device therefor, and a holding and releasing device for the ballots, and means for operating the same, substantially as and for the purpose described.

- 12. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer,

a ballot-delivering device, a feed-table for the ballots, a cut-off device, and a holding and releasing device consisting of a movable arm With a projecting finger to confine and release the ballots on the table, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a feed-table for the ballots, a holding and releasing device therefor, and means for operating said device, comprising a push-button carried by the ballot-conveyer, and pivoted rod carrying a lever, said rod being operated by the pushbutton and the lever operating the holding and releasing device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1%. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a feed-table for the ballots, a swingable gate connecting with the conveyer and delivering device, a cut-cit for the ballots upon the table, and a holding and releasing device therefor, substantially as and for the purpose described.

15. In a voting-machine, a swingable gate, a ballot delivering device connecting with and operating by said gate, a ballot-conveyer, a pivoted agitator operated by the conveyer, a cut-off adj ustably connected to and carried by the agitator, and a movable arm having a projecting finger to hold theballots against entering the perforation in the feed-table until required to be delivered to the conveyer, substantially as and for the purpose de scribed.

16. In avoting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a swingable gate, means for connecting the gate with the delivering device and a receiver for card ballots, and means carried by the delivering device for holding and releasing the card ballot by the movement of said delivering device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In avoting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a swingable gate, means for connecting the gate with the delivering device, a bottomless receiver for card ballots having an opening through its side Walls, a pivoted latch having a projection at its upper end adapted to extend into the opening to lock the receiver against the insertion of the card ballot, and a holding and releasing device connected to the ballot-delivering device for holding and releasing the card ballot in the receiver, said holding and releasing device provided with means for operating the latch, substantially as and for the purpose described.

18. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device and means for operating the same, afeed-table for the ballots, an agitator pivotally connected thereto, and a cut-oil device adjustably connected to the agitator, means for operating the agitator to prevent the ballots from bridging and also admitting an additional supply of ballots to take the place of those that have been voted, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

19. In a voting-machine, a ballot-conveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a swingable gate connecting with the conveyer and the delivering device, a pivoted agitator having a depending pin or projection at its pivoted end, and a cam on the conveyer engaging the pin or projection whereby the agitator is operated, and an adjustable cut-oil device carried by the agitator, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In a voting-machine, a ballotcenveyer, a ballot-delivering device, a swingable gate connecting With the conveyer and with the delivering device, a ballot feed-table, a pivoted agitator connected to the table, an adjustable cnt-oif device carried by the agitator, a holding and releasing device for the ballots supported upon the table, a bottomless cardreceiver for the card ballots, and means for holding and releasing the card ballots, said means connecting with the ballot-delivering device whereby the same is operated thereby, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that Iclaim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN BLOCHER.

Witnesses:

Gno. M. COPENHAVER, WM. II. DE LACY.

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