US932750A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

'G. A. BENKE. VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1900. RENEWED MAY 14, 1906.

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VOTING MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1 900. RENEWED MAY 14, 1906. 932,750. Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

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G. A. BENKE. VOTING MACHINE. I APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1900. RENEWED MAY 14, 1903. @325359. Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

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VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION IILED JULY 11, 1900. RENEWED MAY 14,- 1906.

932,750. Patented Au 31, 1909.

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' vfi wwayes C. A. BENKE. VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULYll, 1900. RENEWED MAY 14, 1906.

Patented Aug. 31-, 1909.

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GHARLES 'A. IBENKE, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A'SSIGNOR T6 JOHN HOWARD MOELROY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VOTING-MACH1N E.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. BENKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and use-' machines, and is designed especially for that class of ballots Where the candidate select? ing keys are arranged in party rows or columns and in transverse office columns or rows, and is adapted to produce a device of the class described, in which the same office rows, up to any number that may be required, can be separated for single candidate ofiices or grouped together for multicandidat-e oflices, as the requirements of the especial election at hand may demand.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a separate row of interlocking elements for each oflice row of keys, and a supplemental transverse row of interlocking elements, a number of which, corresponding to the number of the office rows of interlocking elements, are adapted-to be acted upon by the ofiice row interlocking elements, so that the total action of the keys directly upon their interlocking elements is summed up, as it were, upon the transverse row, whether the keys actuated are one in each ofiice row or several in some of the rows and none in others. It will thus be seen that the supplemental interlocking elements must be capable of being moved varying distances, from that caused by the actuation of one key in its'associated oflice row to that caused by the actuation of all the keys in its office row. Then by providing mechanism whereby these transverse elements may be held from more than one key movement, or permitted to move within the limits of the desired group, I am enabled to arrange the office rows in multi-candidate groups of any desired size, or separate them for single-candidate voting.

One novel feature of my invention con- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Amilication filed July 11, 1900, Serial No. 23,170. Renewed May 14, 1906.

Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

Serial No. 316,632.

sists of giving the elements of the transverse row a rotary movement.

Anothernovel feature consists in using a connection between the primary or office row interlocking elements and the secondary or transverse interlocking elements that permits the transverse movement of the latter elements without afiecting the former.

Another novel feature consists in constructing the elements of the transverse row so thatthey will act directly'upon each other instead of through some intermediate elements.-

lVhi'le my present application is con-' cerned only with the interlocking mechanism of a voting machine, I have, shown and described acomplete voting machine, as will be seen by preference to the accompanying five sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, of which,-

Figure l is a perspective view of the machine as seen fromthe exterior, showing the general form of the machine and the arrangement of the voting keys; Fig. 2 is a rear view of four sets of registering devices as they are arranged tocount the votes of two candidates foreach of two oflices; Fig. 3 is a plan view of that part or parts of the machine shown in Fig. 2, part of the shafts H and H being broken away to show the plates S; Fig. 4c is a cross sectional View of one of the sections, showing the upper key set for voting, with the registering bar elevated and the arm carried thereby in position to engage the registering wheel when the registering bar, is moved downward; also showing the registering wheels removed from the lower registering device to more clearly show the construction of the parts; Fig. 5 is a similar view, showing the registering bar at its lowermost position; Fig. 6 is a detail of the operating gears; Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the registering bar raised in the position it occupies when the door is closed on the voter, with the numbering wheels and other parts removed to show the cam by which the keys are returned asfiter being voted; Fig. 8 is a similar view, showing the registering bar at its upper position, and showing the relative position of the swinging arm and its actuating cam before the key is set for voting; and

mg. 9 is a similar view, showing the registering bar at the lower extremity of it'smo'vement, and showing the relative position of.

the swinging arm, the key, and the cam back of the arm and key. In the drawings, A represents the front a wall of the machine, preferably consisting of a large metal plate; A A ,the interior partitions or cross walls of the case, and A? the rear wall. In Fig. 1, I show four horizontal rows or series of keys, each row or series representing the candidates, of a party front wall are mounted the crossjpartitions 'A,'-there' being one partition between the adjacent series of vertical keys, and apartition on the right and left of the right and left set of keys, forming an end wall or frame for the mechanism in the case.

C O are the operating keys, preferably extending through the front wall of the case-"and'outward a sufiicient distance to allow for the horizontal movement for operating the mechanism within, the'. case moved by the key. Suitable means are preferably provided for coloring the 'ends of the keys with a separate color for each horizontal party series. On the left of the bank of keys is a vertical series of keys commonly called straight-ticket keys, by which suitable mechanism is operated for voting,

or-setting in position for voting, the entire 1 party vote.

candidate keys, by which term I shall desig- This is to distinguish from the nate the keys for operating the mechanism for single candidates, as distinguished from the straight-ticket keys. Each key is connected to or formed integral with the actuating plate C. This plate is supported on the adjacent cross partition Aby a slotted connection, this connection consisting of a horizontal slot 0 in the plate, throughwhich passes a supported screw 0. The slot permits a horizontal movement of the actuating plate by the action of the key andlimits this movement within the confinesnecessary to its function.

One. of a series of vertical registering bars D is mounted parallel with each of the cross partitions or frames of the machine,

and is only a sufficient' distance from the frame to permit the actuating plate 0 to lie between the bar and the partition. This bar is held in vertical alinement by guides d, and has a vertical movement. 'Its primary function is to operate such of the registering mechanisms as have been put in position for engagement with the register ing wheels by the operation of the voting keys. The registering bars are thus adapted, through the setting of the voting keys, to actuate any selected one of the registering mechanisms connected with a single' ofiice. This registering bar is raised and lowered within the limits of,,its movement. by the opening and closing of the door of the booth containing the machine, through 'meansconsisting of a horizontal shaft E extending lengthwise through the machine, gears e e arranged to mesh with the rack d d on the several registering bars, by the operation of which each of the registering bars is raised and lowered'as the shaft E is oscillated, and means for oscillating theshaft a fixed and definite distance in each direction, consisting of a mutilated bevel gear (1 on the shaft, and a like bevel gear 05* mounted in a bearing on the frame above the shaft.

' d is a mutilated bevel gear having but twoteeth'd? that mesh with teeth d on the bevel gear d. The bevel gear d is cut away on each side of theteeth 615 d leaving a concave surface at that conforms to, and registers with, the convex surface (Z of the plain portion of the bevel gear clt- This construction is such that after the bevel gear 03* has given the shaft E a partial rotation through the meshing and inter-action of the toothed parts of the two bevel gears, the two bevel gears become locked together by the engagementgof, the concave portion of one.

with the convex surface of .the other, so that the bevel gear 03* can be rotated any distance necessary to give the door of the cabinet the proper travel without movingthe shaft E beyond the limited movement prescribed. This locking or holding of the shaft E against excessive movement operates ,the

same in each direction, so that the opening and closing of the door of the cabinet, through the operation of the bevel gear described, gives to the shaft E and to the registering bars D a fixed definite movement in each direction and holds them against any further or excessive movement in either direction. Any suitable lever mechanism that is desired may be employed between the .door of' the cabinet and'the bevel gear d .The adjustment of the parts of the hereinafter described is such that when the-door of the cabinet is open the registering bar D is at the lowermost point of its travel. The

parts operated by this registering bar will therefore be described from'the lowermost point of the registering bar. This position of the parts is shown in Figs. 5 and 9.

On eachof the registering bars are loosely mounted a series of short arms E E. Each arm is provided with a pin 6' which extends inward through a transverse slot 0 cut in thebar D, and through the slot d in the actuat-,

senses ling plate C to some distance beyond the of its 'movement.

plate to adapt it to enter the depression hereinafter described, in the partition. This construction allows the arm E to have an oscillating movement within the limit prescribed by the transverse slot 6' when the arm is at the uppermost point of its movement.

Back of the registering bar, beyond the plate C and opposite each ofthe arms E, is out a rhomboidal-shaped depression-a in the partition or interior frame A. of the machine. Vlithin this depression is an outstanding cam a, which occupies the central portion of the depression. This depression is rectangular in form, except at'the lower left-hand corner, where the wall is setat an incline a leading from about the center of the left-hand wall downward and to the right to, or toward, the right-hand lower corner ofthis depression. This depression in the partition wall receives the pins 6 and allows the registering barcarrying the arm E to move up and down. When the registering bar D is at the lowermost point of its movement, the pin 6 is carried to the lowest corner of the depression, and if when the downward movementof the registering bar commences, the lower end of any or all of the levers E have been swung to the inward limit allowed to them by the transverse slot 6-, they will be brought back to the forward limit of their movement by the contact of the pin 6 with the com or incline a in the depression. Thus the upper ends of the arms E each can have an inward movement when the registering bars D are at the upper limit of their movement, but when the registering bars are at the lower limit of their movement, each of these swinging arms is held to the outer limit of its movement in the corner of the depression. As the votmg keys are connected with these arms E by the pin 6 and slots 0 in the plate 0, they are likewise fixed or locked in position when the registering bar is at the lower extremity Likewise, as the downward movement of the registering bar carries the upper end of the leverE over to the outward limit of its movement through the action of the cam (1 any or all of the keys that have been pushed in will be returned to their outward limit whenever the registering bar is moved downward. Thus the construction described provides means whereby any one of the levers E mounted on the registering bar can be pushed to the inward limit of its movement by the operation of the voting keys to their outward or normal position when the bar is depressed. Also when the upper ends of the levers E are at the outward limit-(of their movement,

or What may be called their normal position, the registering bar can be moved up and down freely by the opening of the door of the cabinet without opera-ting affecting any part of the rest of the machine. Also, as all of the levers are at the lower limit of their vertical movement, and therefore held fixed when the door is open, no voting can be done on the machine except after the door has been closed on the voter.

I operate the registering wheels through the lugs c on the lower ends of the arms E. in the drawings, F represents thennits regstering wheel, F the tens, and F the hundreds, registering wheels. Each registering wheel consists of a plain disk havingfignres on the periphery, and a toothed wheel having a tooth corresponding wit-h each unit fig ure. Suitable carrying and re-setting mech anisms are employed with these registers, but as-they form no part of the present in vention, they need not be here described.

The unit wheel is moved forward one point as the registering bar D is moved downward whenever the arms E located adjacent the unit wheel are in such a position as to bring the lug at forward a suflicientdistance to come between the teeth of the unit wheel. When the upper ends of the arms E are at the forward end of their movement, and the lower ends of the arms E with the lugs 6' are at the inward end of their movement, the lugs are so far back that they pass up and down freely without engaging with the registering wheels but if one of the keys be pushed out, it carries the upper end of the arm E to the inward end of its movement, and the lower end of the arm E, with the lug 6 to the outward limit of its movement, and in such a position that the lug will engage with a tooth of the registering wheel as the registering bar carries the lovers downward." As the upper ends of the arms E can remain at the inner limit of their movement for only about one-half of the downward movement before the operation of the cam for returning it to its forward position comes into operation, the registering operation takes place during the first half of the downward movement of theregistering bar. The remaining part of the move menthas the effect of returning the arm to its normal position, and of disengaging the lug carried on the lower end of the arm from the registering wheel. Thus, .the downward movement of the registering bar D, induced by the action of opening the door of the cabinet, moves the registering wheel that is con nected with. such key'or keys as have been operated. As means hereinafter described are employed to prevent more than one key of a vertical series being operated, the downward movement of the registering bar registersonly the vote selected by the operation of the single key.

In connection with the means described, for operati-ng'the registering wheels, I provide means for looking the unit registering wheels at all times, except when the mechan- &

ism is moving the registering wheel in the a regular operation of the machine. Th s pivoted on the voting keys.-

means consists of the dog G (Figs. 4 and 5) shaft Hand having. an engagement with the actuating plate 0 through a pin 2 which engages with a slot in the dog nearits outer end; the construction being suchas to cause the dog to move in and out by swinging on its pivot. when the.

actuating plate C is moved in or out by the \Vhen thevoting key is pushed in and the actuating plate forced to the inward limit of its movement, the dog is swung out of its engagement with the registering wheel, but at other times the point 9 of the dog restsibetween thefteeth of the units registering wheel and locks it. Thus the registering wheel is-iu'nlocked .only when a key is voted and left voted during the registering operation of the machine.

I-will now describe the means emplo ed 1 by me to prevent the voting of more t an one key in each candidate series. Pivoted to the partition wall A, and in a depression therein, is a vertical series of locking levers I I. These levers are each pivoted by a screw or pint having a slidable connection with the partition wall ina vertical slot to provide for vertically moving the pivots of the several levers. Each lever has an engagement with its particular actuating plate 0 by a slot and pin connection consisting of the slots in the plate and the pin 21 in the lever. hen the levers are in theirnormal -position,'the upper levers of the series are supported upon the lower lever, the ivoted end of each lever having'a convex orm 2' resting ina concave seat 2' formed in the upper end of the lever below. The upper end of each lever in front of the concave seat isprovided. with a lever is forced inward by the action of the key and actuating plate, passes under the lower-endof the lever above it and raises it,

-' ,and all of the levers above it a distance equal to be :described, whereby its'movement in the ordinary operation of the machine is limited to the distance which one of the cams on the levers is adapted to elevate the lever above it. Thus, when one, of the levers is forced inward, all 'ofthe levers above it and the saddle are lifted to the limit of movement allowed by the travel of the saddle, after which the movement of any other one of the levers is made impossible by the fact that all. of the upward movement allowed to the cam 2', which, when the 7 rear view the levers series the limitation put upon the-saddlc is exhausted. It th-us'becomes impossible .thanone of the voting keysto operate more in each vertical candidate series. After a cey has been voted, however, thevoter may uuvote that key and vote another key in the same series bysimply drawing back'the which permits the saddle and leversv key, above the one drawn back to fall, leaving space for the inward movement of any other of the levers in the series that the voter may see fit to operate by the appropriate key. It

will be readily seen that these levers I.-1nj

each office column, taken together, consti-. tute a distenslblelock bar having sections (the levers) that are subject to actuators. (the plates C) of the difierent party groups that go to make upthat office column, each section being subject to one of the actuators in the ofiice column group.

. The means. I employ for adjusting the vertical movement of the saddle J are preferably so -constructed as to perform a double functlon, namely, to limit the movement of the saddle, and to carry over that movement and connect it with the next series, for multiple or multi-candidate voting, as in cases where there are two or inore candidates to be elected for the same ofiice, such as three udges or ten members of the legislature in;

cities, an additional or secondary vote-limit ing mechanism is essential. In cases where there are four parties in the field and each has ten candidates for the-State legislature, the machine must be constructed so as to ermit the voter actuating any ten of the 'orty keys, and no more. In such a case, the keys for voting the forty candidates would be arranged in four horlzontal'series of ten each, and ten vertical series of four each. To-accomplish this result, I employ the following mechanism,

(Fig. 2),and .in Fig The rear portionof the partition walls is cut away at a, and the saddle J preferably mounted upon the top of the the rear portion remaining.

s. t and 5.

To the vertical side walls of the machine ls-attached a longi- 'series. There is this distinction, however:

the levers I are adapted to be swung through only the one fixed unitary distance, whereas or rotated through one or several unit distances, as may be re uired by the number of levers I in each o co column. In con structing my machine, I form these levers M and support them in exactly the same M must be adapted to be swung-- as shown 1n the upper edge of ticular elect-ion demands way for each vertical series; whether used inconnection with keys for multiple: voting or not leaving thearrangement or adjusts ment of the levers for the purpose ofmulti ple voting to=the=election oflicials; who will arnange them as the necessity of the-par- By this means the same arrangement may be used three 11- out the entire syste'mgieither forthe-eleet-ion of single candidates for ofiice,. or fol-the multiple system and my construction the keys for use-ilrmultiple voting can'be selected from. any part; of the machinedo sired by the simple adjustment of these leverslVL andithe location of the 113111850f the candidates. These levers'M'are triang'a ular in form, as shown i thepivot of the lever being at m in.a= horizontal slot: inthe Plate K lVhere the lever is-to-b'e usedin connection. with; the vertical levers I--, fol-voting the single-candidate system,.its function is merely to fixethe' position of the saddle J; in whieh=case the lever M-itself is flxed' b'ya means of the thumb serewm, which; when set enters .a hole. inthe plate K and holdsthe' l ever-'M at twopoints, and therefore rigid. If: the machine is to be used for single-candidate voting. only, then each of the leversthroughout the length-of the ma"- chine wilhbe' thus fixed, thereby holding. each ofthe saddles J in sueh a=position of vertical adjustmentas to allow but one of the vertical leversJ-to be operated aiidbut one of thefvotingkeys to be Voted; This fixed position of the lever M is shown-in full lines in Fig.-.2.' H however, it isrde sired to use-any part of the ma'chine,',or anynumber of the vertical series of keys, for multiple or .multi-candidate voting; such of the levers M as are used'in conneotion with the-series selected will be released from these levers would be so loosened. In addition-itotheosoillating or rotating movement? allowed thelevers, they have alimited slid able horizontal movement by reasonof thBi fact-that their, pivots may slide loosely in the horizontal slots 70 in the plate-Kg. The

form of the angle of the levers is such that as the free end ofit swings upward-this face on of the=lever will come-incontact with the pivoted end-m of the lever 'next to it, ;and-

' if the lever becarriedupward. after-thus coming! in contact with its nei hbor; it forces such adj-aoentlever tokmo vea on in a hori zontaldirection; Thus,- if there' -'ten can 'd-idates, the lever should be so ad uSted that lovers to be employed, from their fixed posi carried up one point without moving its neighbor; and if any one or the levers be 7 carried upone or .more' points beyond its own one-pointlimit allowed to it, such movement will be carried on to'the remain ing. series-and will= reduee the number of keys-that canbe provide fOI'tll' rig-ht number of point-s I set the' number ofi keys allottedtoFthe whole series'anywhere inthe'series', and thenmove the entirefirst vertical row of three lteys to the'left in-that part of themachin'ede aotedto-multiifle voting. This would carry thelever M a ove the series voted upward threepoints; one of which points'would' be allowed for before the lever would'strike' the pivoted end of the ad aCent lever on the right, looking: from the front of the maehin'eathe' other two points ofelevation wouldtheirfomethisadja'cnt lever to the I righta sufficient distance to take up the as space of the-two points; thus setting the machine'so that only seven of the remaining twenty-seven keys could j be operated, -but these'sev'enkeyscould beselected anywhere from the-twenty}seven. .The' result would 101) be the same if the voter'set the three keys in the vertieal'row on the right of the bank, as the votingiof' them-would'move the lever M upward with the" 'oin't in contact with the pivoted end of ti:

of three "bevoted, the lever M* connected. with the series would moveelther to the left or causethe; others to move to the Tight,- as

the space remaining for the"v'ote' would allow-i. F'rom-- the foregoing-description, it is 115 seen that'th'e 'onlychange to be made in the 'maeh ineto'adjustibfor multiple voting is to unset the thumb-screw m to release the non. p lt ivillib'e readily seen that when' this ast described apparatus is filltlllgd'fOIKlllllhlPlG' orunuIti-candidatewoting, ti e levers M and their thu mb screws m constitutes secondary voteli mitring mechanism com prising aseries 1 2 of' shi ftabl'e elements (the' levers and stops (the thumb-serews m) for hiniting the aggregate movements; of the: series of shiftabletelements; and that the said shift able elements (leVersM) are subject one to 1 operated in the series in proportion; To" ad ust the lever so as, to 7'5 each having ten 80 e fixed leveron the 105 right,'an'd'theremainin two points of'elevation would cause the" ever itself to travel -to thelefta-sufiitziefit distance to take up two oints of allowed-s ace; If'niore than one eyeiani'ntei'me iatevertical'series each of the distensible lock bars made up of .the .levers I, whereby the total number of necessitates such lateral shifting. It will,-

of course, be understood that I do not limit myself to the employment of this interlockmg mechanism for four party rows, but contemplateemploying as many as may be fequired.

To provide for voting a party ticket straight, I arrange a series of longitudinal rock shafts N running the. length of .the machine, one for each party, and each having a tappet n, fixed thereto adjacent to each key and actuating )late C. Each of these tappets rests normally against the shoulder a on the actuating plate G. This construction permits the key and actuating plate to be moved inward freely and away from the tappet; but when the rock shaft is given a partial revolution, carrying the entire series of tappets, eachtappet acts against the shoulder a on the actuating plate 0 adjacent to it and'moves the actuating plate inward in exactly the same manner as it would be moved if its key were pushed in alone.

As the rock shaft swings freely in its bearings, the voter can un-voteany one of the keys that he has voted with the entire party ticket, by drawing out such a key, as any of the single keys will return the rock shaft and straight-ticket key to its normalposition.

Thus a voter, in voting a split ticket, can first vote 1118 pa t-racket a rth er tesuch individual candidates fdrthesarhe ofiice put up by either of the other parties, or he can vote an independent ticket, for which purpose suit-able mechanism may be employed, as indicated by the slots at, and the inde pendentballo't feeding mechanism at"p, 'fp}f and p", in Fig. 1.

The front wall of the case is provided with removable sect-ions A", which fill the space between the vertical series'of keys. These sections are engaged with the case by sli-ppmg the upper end of the section up back of the horizontal strip a, and the lower end is held to the case by the bar a (see Fig. 4). This bar is pivoted at one end to the lower end of the removable sections, and provided near its front end with a cross-cut channel which slips over ahorizo'ntal rod A when the lower end of the bar is loweted. After the rear BlldkOf the bar is lowered/arid the cross channel engaged with the rod, the

bar is helddown by the rear wall of the case, which comes'on top ofit. This construction is such that the removable sections can only be removed and the registering mechanism exposed for resetting by the removal of the rear wall of the case. I do not limit myself to this particular means for protecting the registering mechanism, but the same affords all the security necessary.

'A is a vertically sliding plate held to the removable sections A by screws passing through slots a in the plate, the support.

allowing the plate a limited vertical move-- ment. The object of this plate is to form an interior cover for the openings at in the removable plates A These openings a come opposite to the registering wheels, and, when opened, expose enough of the wheels to permit the vote to be taken off.

a are slots cut' in the plateA and when these slots come opposite the openings 41 the vote of the registering wheels is unobstructed.

To provide for exposing all of the register lng' wheels at one time for the purpose of taking off the vote, I employ the horizontal slide T extending the entire length of the machine, and held to the front wall by a; slot and pin connection. Oppositeeaeh-iof the, plate A, this slide is provided'witlr a.

diagonal slot t, which engages with.qthe pin t on the plate.- This constructionjis. such that the movement of the slide T endiwis'ecauses each and all of the plates A to-move; up and down to expose or cover the'registere in wheels.

hile I have shown and described my lnvention in the form which I at resent consider best ada ted to carry out its purposes;

it will be un ers'tood that'it is capable of modifications, and that-I' -do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the, following claims except as may be necessitated by" the state ofthe prior art.

What I 013.1111 as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is',' 1. In a votin Qmachma'the, combination withthe cahdi ate keys arranged in'party and ofice rows and columns, of the pr mary j interlockin" elements arranged in "corre-rf sponding o ce columns or rows and adapted- 'ito be moved by the operation of the keys to: I afiect the length of the columns of interlockingelementsaccording to the numberof-keys operated in each column, thesecondary 1nterlocking elements, one'for eaeh 'column'of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto andadapted to be moved thereby in proportion beyond a certain amount; connections beg tween each of sa d secondary-elementsand ment without; any movement of anyv portion v of the:primary column, and' stops for the end tothe number of keys operated in its columns'and to transmit move:

ment to its associated elements'whenmovedc 'interlocking elements arranged in wire-- elements of the secondary Seriesto thereby limit the total number of keys that may be operated. V I

2. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys-arranged in party and otiice rows and columns, of the primary sponding oflice columns or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to aifect the length of the columns of interlocking elements according to the number of keys operated in each column, the secondary inoperated, and'means to detachably secur'e said interlocking elements individually in the posit-ion to which they would be moved by the operation of a single key in that column.

' 3(In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party and oiiice rows and columns, of the primary interlocking elements arranged in corre-' sponding oiiice columns or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to aii'ectthe length of the columns of interlocking elements according to the number of keys operated in each column, the secondary interlocking elements, one for each column of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted to be moved thereby in proportion to the.

number of keys operated in its column and to transmitmovement to its assoclated ele ments when moved beyond a certain amount;

horizontal slot and pin connections between each of said secondary elements and its col-'- umn of primary elements, and stops for the end elements of the secondary series to thereby limit the total number of keys that may be operated.

4. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party and office rows and columns, of the primary interlockin elements arranged in, corresponding ofiice columns or rows and adapted tobe moved by the operation of the keys to affect the length of'thel columns of interlocking elements according to the number 7 of keys operated in each COlHll'll'l, the secondary interlocking elements, onefor each bolnmn of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted- "each of said secondary elements and its column of primary elements, stops for the end elements of the secondary series to thereby limit the total number of keys that may be operated, and means to detachably secure said interlocking elements individually in the :position to which they would be moved .by the operation of a single key in that column.

- 5. In a voting machine, thecombination with the candidate keys arranged in party and ofiice rows-and columns, of the second ary interlocking elements, one for each office column of keys and extending-and movable'transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in operative position in, the office, column and to transmit its -movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking element, connections between each of said secondary elements and its primary interlocking means that permit the lateral movement of the secondary element withoutany movement of any ortion of the primary means, and stops or the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated.

6. In. a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged, in party and ofiice rows and columns, of the secondary interlocking'elements, one for each office column of keys and extending and movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in operative position in the oflice column, and to transmit its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking. element, connections between each of said secondary elements and its primary interlocking means that permit the lateral movement of the secondary element without any movement of any portion of the primary means, stops for the 'end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be SlIIlllltaneously operated, and means to detachably secure said secondary interlocking ele-' ments individually in the position to which single key in that column. I

7. In a voting machine, the combmation with the candidate keys arranged ;in party and silica rows and columns, of the secondagy interlocking elements, one for each ofiice c a they would be moved by the operation of a non of keys and extending and movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for eachcolumn of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number-of keys simultaneously in operative position in the oi'fice column, and to transmit its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking element, horizontal slot and pin connections between each of said secondary elements and its column of primary means, and stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated 8. In a voting machine, the combination and pin connections betweeneach of said sec-.

it ondaryelements, and its column of primary means, sto s for the end secondary interlock ing elements so as-to limit the total number ha i g a cam on one end adapted-to move the adjacent -.lever' when thelevleriprovidedwith the cam isoperated,substantially-as described. 7

" of keys that may be simultaneously operated,

and means .toudetachably secure said secondary-interlocking elements individually in the {308E191} tdwhich' they would'be moved by the operation of a single key in that column. 9. The combination: othe levers, each slidable pivot on the frame, and a- 10. The combinationof the levers, each having slidable pivot on the frame, and a cam on one and adapted to move the adjacent lever when the lever provided with the cam is operated; and means for limitingflthe end.-

wise movement of theflevers to predeternined nnmberci points, substantially as described, f' 13. The combination of the levers, each having a slidablerpivot on the irameyand a cam on one end adapted to movethe adjacent j lever when the lever proyided with the cans; 1s oprated, and means for limiting the endwise movement of the lovers to the'dist-ance' the said levers are movedby the operation of a single lever, substantiallyas'described. 12*. The combination of the levers, each having a slidable pivot on the frame, and a cam on one and adapted to move the adjacent lever when the lever provided with the cam is operated, and the saddle for limiting the movement of'the levers, substantially as described.

13, The combination oil the keys arranged season levers operated by said keys, means for raising the series of levers by the operation of a single lever in the series, a horizontal series of levers across the top only of the vertical series, and means for adjusting the lastvertical'leve'rs to apredetermined number of points, substantially asdescribed.

14. The combination of the levers arranged in three or more vertical series, with a horizontal series of levers of the third interact in multi-candidate groups, and

in position to limit the movement. of its series of vertical levers to one point only.

1; The combination of three or more vertical series of levers, with means for extending each of the series lengthwise by the movement of the individual levers, means for limiting the points of movement allowed in a predetermined number three or more of the vertical series of levers, consisting of the series of horizontal levers across the top only ited movement allowed to the whole number of levers and all adapted to interact in multicandidate groups, substantially as de scribed.

vertical levers having a slidable'engagement with the frat-he, and the horizontal levers having a horizontally slidable engagement with the frameand a pivoted engagement withsaid vertical levers, substantially as described. i

17. The combination of the keys, with the vertical levers connected with the keys at one end, and having a slidable pivot inthe i'rameat the opposite end, means for extending the levers by operating one of the keys having a pivot in-the frame at one end and a limited-movement at the other end, and meansconnecting the free end of the horizontal lever with the upperlever of the cooperating vertical series, substantially as described. i

- 18. The combination of the several series of vertical keys, with means tor carrying over from one vertical series to the others ithe number of keys operated in the series, said means consisting of a series of horizontal levers having a sildable pivot at one end, andacam at the opposite end arranged to come in contact with thepivot end of the "adjacent lever, and means gforforcing up the free endof the lever a definite distance substantially as described.

19. The combination of a frame, with keys withdrawable at will slidable on said frame,

frame and slidably pivoted to said keys, 2:,

means for fixing each of the horizontal levers and its connehted lever, the horizontal levers for every key operated in the vertical series,

a series ,of-levers slidably pivoted to said i in vertical series, with the vertical series of i named levers to limit the movement of the a clas one for each vertical series, adapted to of the vertical series arranged with a lim- 16.. The combination. of the keys, with the cam at the each lever adapted to raise I the adjacent lever when operated by its 7, key, and a-saddle for limiting the number.

of keys that' may remain in-operated position.

20; In a voting machine, the combination with a face plate, of vertical partition walls,

- keys projectin through said plate and slid.- ably suppo' ,by said artitions,"a series ofjlevers each-111aving aslldable pivoted connectionwithapartltion and a similar connection with a-key', acam at the end of {each lever adapted to raise the adjacent lever when the key 'provided with the cam is op- 1 erated, and meansto limit the movement of the levers'and; the number of the keys in" operatedr position. I v

, 21; In a voting'machine, the combination of a face plate, with-vertical partitions se- "cured thereto, a plurality. of series-of-keys projecting through said plate and slidably supporte on said-partitions forlongitudi- I nal movement, a plurality of series of'levers, ,yeach' having a slidable pivot in a partition and a slidable pivot connection with .a key, a cam on the end of each lever adapted to raise the adjacent lever when the key of the lever provided with the cam is operated, and a horizontal series of levers to limit the movement of the vertical levers and the number of keys in operated position.

22. In a votin machine, the combination of keys arrange in vertical and horizontal series, with interlocking levers slidably pivoted to said keys also arranged in vertical and horizontal series, and a horizontal series of levers each so positioned as to limit the 'movement of the vertical levers to one step onl' i l 49 2%. In a voting machine, the combination of agroup of keys arranged in a plurality of vertical and horizontal series, with 'a plurality of interlocking members slidably pivoted to said keys and arranged in vertical series, a horizontal series of interlocking members slidably pivoted to'the upper members of each verticalse-ries, and'means for positioning said horizontal members and thereby predetermining the number of keys that may beoperated simultaneously.

24'. In a voting machine, a series of suitably connected single office units, each comprising a plate, .votin mechanism slidabl supported thereby, an limiting me'anssli ably pivoted to'saidfplate's at their lower "ends and to said with members-and con necting means fo'r .the of the "oifice. units. L In a voting machine, the combination of a series of'keys arranged in a plurality of vertical rows, and movable to operative and to normal sitions atwill, with interlocking members ".slidably pivoted to each I key, a-verticaliyislidable member at the upn perend of each seties, and pivoted members suitably connected to form a wholly rigi --m any in tcrl.

imiting mechanisms slidably connected to said vertically movable members to control the number of keys simultaneously in operative position.

26. A'vot1ng machine composed of aseries of segregable machine units, each comprising a plate-and voting and limiting mechanism carried thereby, each unit devoted to a sin, gle silica, and the plates of said unitsbein structureor machine body.therefor,.means interconnecting and grouping the limiting mechanisms of said units comprising a vertically slidable member in each unit, and longitudinally slidable members pivotally connected thereto. I sa 27. In a voting machine, the'combination f with severalgroups of registers and re 's-. ter actuators, assigned to difle'rent olitical parties. but to thesame ollice, of ap urality of distensible primary interlocking mechan? 35 isms having sections that are sub ect tO -one of the actuators of'eachgroup, a a second; ary voteslimiting mechanism comprising-a series of laterallyrshiftable rotary elements, rotated wish each of said distensible-pri, so

coking mechanismsmnd sto foi' limiting the shifting movement th'ereo' and thereby limiting the total number of votes which may be registered -ct'or the particular ofiiee. f

28. In a voting machine, the combinationwith several groups ot-registers "and re 1 ter actuators, assigned tediflerent political parties but to the same"; offieeyof a plizrality I of distensibleprimary interlocking nieohanisms having sections that are subject to one of the actuators of each group, a secondary vote-limiting mechanism comprising a series of laterally-shiftable rotary element's, ro-

tated one by each'of said distensible pri= maryinterlocking mechanisms, stops for I limiting the shifting movement thereof and thereby limiting the total number'of votes which may be registered for the particular oflice, and means. to detachalily secure said rotary elements individually in the position to which they would be moved by the opera" tion of a single actuator in that group.

29. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party p5 and office rows and columns, of the primary interloekin elements arranged in correspending 0' ceeolumns or rows and adapted tobe moved by the operation of the keys to affect the length of the columns of interlocking elements according tothe number of keys operated in each column, a secondary vote-limiting mechanism comprising a=series of laterally-shiftable rotary elements, rotated one by each of-said celumns of primary interlocking elements, and stops for limiting the shifting movement thereof and thereby limiting the total number of votes whie may be registered ferthe particular ofiice;

80. In a voting-machine, the combination 13p,

.with the candidate keys arranged in party andofiice rows and columns, of the primary interlocking elements arranged in corresponding office columns or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to shifting movement thereof and thereby line iting the total number of votes which may be for the particular ofiice, and

registered detachably secure said rotary elemeans to ments individually in the position towhiclr they would be moved by the operation of "a single key in each of their associated col;

umns.

31. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in partyr,

and ofice rows and columns, ofthe laterally-shijtable rotary secondary interlocking elements, one for each ofice column of keys movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted toube moved thereby according to the number'of keys simultaneously in operative position in the ofiice column and to transmit its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking element, and stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated.

32. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged inparty and oflice rows and columns, of the laterally-shiftable rotary secondary interlocking elements, one for each office column of keys movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in operative position in the ofiice column, and to transmit its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking element, stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated, and means to detachably secure said secondary interlocking elements individually in theposition to which they would be moved by the opera tion of a single key inthat column.

33. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged inparty and ofiice rows and columns, of the primary interlockinl elements arranged in corre? sponding 0 cc columns or rows and adapted to be moved 'by the operation of the keys to affect the length of the columns of interlocking eleinents accordin to the number of keys operated in each co umn, the secondary interlocking elements engaging each other directly, one for each column of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted to be moved thereby in proportion to the number of keys operated in its column and to transmit movement to its associated elements when moved beyond a certain amount, and stops for the end( laments of the secondary series to thereby h'niit the totalnumber of keys that may be operated.-

v- 34, In a-votmg machine, the combination I Qwith-"the candidate keys arranged in party and itice rows and columns, of the primary interlockin% elements arranged in corresponding 0 cs columns or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to afiect the length of the columns of interlocking elements according to the number of keys operated in each column, the second ary interlocking elements engaging each ,other directly, one for each column of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted to be moved thereby in proportion to the number of keys operated in its column and to transmit movement moved beyond a certain amount, stops for the end elements of the secondary series to thereby limit the total number of keys that may be operated, and means to detachably secure said secondary interlocking elements individually in the position to which they would be moved by the operation of a single key in that column. I I

35.1n a voting machine, the combination with the candidate'keys arranged in party and ofiice rows and columns, of the secondary interlocking elements engaging "each other directly, one for each oifice column of to. i t s'associated elements when keys, and "extending and movable trans-.

versely to thecolumns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys, ex'tending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in. operative position in the ofiice'column, and to transmit its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking element, and stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated.

36; In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arrangedin party and office-columns or rows, of the secondary interlocking elements engaging each other directly, one for each oifice column ofkeys, and extending and movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the numberof keys simultaneously in operative position in the pffice column, and to transmit itsmovementmroportionally to the associated secondary in 1-30 1 llO iis,

terlocking element; stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to. limit the total number of keys that may he simulta--. neously operated, and means to detachably secure said secondary interlocking elements individually in the position to which they would be moved by'the operation of-a single key in that column.

37. 111 an interlocking mechanism for 'votinterlocking devices and voting keys, and a series 0.1": interlocking cam plates, one for each oflice row actuated bythe operation of the voting keys, said plates each adapted to move independently and transversely of said otlice row interlocking devices,.an'd hav;

shifting laterally said cam plates consisting of a plurality of oflice groups of keys, one group for each cam plate.

39. In an interlocking mechanism for vot- -ing machii1es, a plurality of independently and laterally movable and pivotally mounted cam plates, one for each office to be voted, and means for successively and pro said cam plates, consisting of a plurality of ofiice groups of keys, one group foreach cam plate, said cam plates contacting with each other and stops for limiting the rotation and lateral movement of the cam plates in'proportion to the number of keys. operated.

40. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party and ottice rows and columns, of the primary interlocking elements arranged in corresponding oflice columns 'or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to affect the length of the columns of interlocking elements according to the number of of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted to be .moved thereby in proportion to the number mit movement to its associated elements when moved beyond a certain amount; connections between each of said secondary ele ments and. its column of primary elements that ermit the lateral movement of the secon ary element without any inevitable swinging movement of any-portion thereof, and stops for the end elements of the sec ondary series to thereby limit. the total numher of keys that may be operated.

ing machines, a plurality of otfice rows of gressively rocking and shifting laterally keys operated in each column, the secondary I interlocking elements, one for each column of keys operated in its column and to trans 41. In a voting mach1ne, the combination- With the candidate keys arranged in party and oiiice rows and columns, of the primary interlocking elements arranged in corresponding ottice columns or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to attect the length of the columns of interlocking elements according to the number ofkeys operated in each column, the secondary interlocking elements, one for each column of prin'iary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted to be moved thereby in the same direction in proportion to the number of keys operated in its column and to transmit movement transversely to its associated elements when moved beyond a certain amount, connections between each of said secondary elements and its column of primary elements that permit the lateral movement of the secondary element without any movement of any portion of the primary column, stops for the end elements of the second series to thereby limit the total number of keys that may be operated, and means to detachably secure said interlocking elements individually in the position to which they would be moved by the operation or" a single key in that column.

-i2; In a voting machine, the combination With the candidate keys arranged in party r and oifice rows and columns, of the second ary interlocking elements, one for each oflice column of keys and extending and movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column .of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in operative position in the otlice column and to transmit, its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlockingelement, connections between each of said secondary "elements and.

its primary interlocking means that permit the lateral movement of the secondary element Without any effective lengthening or no shortening-of said connections, and stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keysthat may be simultaneously operated.

43. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged inparty and oflice rows and columns, of the secondary interlocking elements, one for each o'lticc column of keys and extending and movable transversely to .the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys eX-, tending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in operative position in the office-column, and to transmit its movement proportionally to the associated secondary interlocking element, connections be. tween each of said secondary elements and its primary interlocking means that permit the lateral movement of the secondary ele- Q ment without any effective lengthening or shortening of said connections-stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated, and 'means to detachably secure said secondary interlock.

ing elements individually in the position to];

which they would be moved by the operation of a single key in that column.

44. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party and eiiice rows and" columns, of the primary interlocking elements arranged lll'COITGSPODding oflice columns of rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to affect the length of the columns of interlocking elements according to the number of keys operated in each column, the secondary interlocking elements engaging each other.

directly,one for each column of primary elements, arranged and movable transversely thereto and adapted to be moved thereby in the same direction in proportion to the nnm ber of keys operated in its column and to transmit movement transversely to its associated elements when moved beyond a certain amount, and stops for the end elements of the secondary series to thereby limit the total number of keys that may be operated.

' 45. In a votingmachine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party and ofiice rows and columns, of the primary interlocking elements arranged in correspending office columns or rows and adapted to be moved by the operation of the keys to affect the length of the columns of intermeans to' detachably secure said secondary interlocking elements individually in the po- 'sition toxvhich they would he moved by the operation of a single key in that column.

4-6. In'a voting machme, the combmation with the candidate keys arranged in'party and oiiice rows and columns, of thesecondury interlocking elements engaging each, other directly, one for each office column of keys, and extending and movable transversely to the columns, primary interlocking means for each column of keys, extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in operative position in the ofiice column, and to transmit its movement proportionally in the same direction to the associated secondary interlocking element, and stops for the endsecondaryinterlockin elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated.

47. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate keys arranged in party and ofiice columns or rows, of the secondary interlocking elements engaging each other directly, one-for each o'flice column of keys, and extending and movable transversely to the columns,,primar-y interlocking means for each column of keys extending parallel thereto and adapted to be moved thereby according to the number of keys simultaneously in 0p-' -erative position in the oflice column, and to transmit its movement proportionally in the same direction to the associated secondary interlocking element, stops for the end secondary interlocking elements so as to limit the total number of keys that may be simultaneously operated, and means to detachably secure said secondary interlocking elements individually in the position to which they would be moved by the operation of a single key in that column;

In testimonyv whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES A. BENKE.

Witnesses S. E; Tnonm's, lnnNn Ginnnn'r.

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