US947841A

US947841A - Mechanical ballot.

Info

Publication number: US947841A
Application number: US28211105A
Authority: US
Inventors: David L Newcomb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1905-10-10
Filing date: 1905-10-10
Publication date: 1910-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 1927-02-01

Description

.-D. L. NEWGOMB.

` MBCHANIAL BALLOT.

APPLICATION FILED 0011.10, 1905. Patented Feb. 1, 1910. xj%\ 3 j 7 3\ a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

- G CGNST ITU TIUNAL IN AMENDMENTS Gw/ A. y 7

Atly. Cien. tty Arb? een inmune m Tracks.

,Prm n...

@w |il r l gIl 1 wzas'ses; @wl/'a5' 22 9 fnvenaf,

Td gf; Aw; izviljyeicom 7 2 4 d 5J /f/ afm] A il J 4: gt@

ANDREW. s. Gamm ce.. Pmmmnocmpums. wusmncvow. n. cA

n. L. NEWCOMB. MBGHANIGAL BALLOT. APPLICATION yI EILIBI)l 00T. 10, 1905.

Patented Feb. 1, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

11. L ,NE-WCOMB. MECHANICAL BALLOT.

APPLIATION FILEDOU 947,841. T10 1905 Patented Feb. 1,1910.

3 SHBETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID L. NEWCOMB, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

MECHANICAL BALLOT.

T o all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, DAVID L. NnWooM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los ringeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Mechanical Ballot, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a ballot for that class of voting machines invented by me and referred to and which comprises independent and detached means in the nat-ure of a mechanical ballot constructed to be arranged by the voter to indicate the vote he desires to cast, and means constructed to be operated thereby to register the vote so indicated, whereby each voter may be furnished at the polls with an independent detached ballot he can privately tix to indicate his vote while other voters are arranging like ballots which they have been furnished, and when any voter has so fixed his ballot the same can be applied to the registering mechanism to register the vote; the principle of said voting machines being that the ballot is a mechanical means which is independent of and detached from the registering means so that the preparation of any ballot docs not interfere with the casting of any other ballot, set forth in my applications for patents filed in the United States Patent Office as follows: Serial Number 725,723, tiled July 31, 1899; allowed May 25, 1900; renewed April 14, 1902; Ser. No. 102,916; Serial Number 107,359, tiled May 14, 1902; Serial Number 111,561, tiled June 13, 1902; Serial Number 101,773, tiled June 17, 1903; patented March 17, 1908, No. 882,160; and in applications for patents for mechanical ballots tiled by me in the United States Iatent O'Hice as follows Serial No. 48,521, tiled Feb. 23, 1901; allowed Sept. 12, 1902; patented May 1, 1906, No. 819,800; renewed Sept. 6, 1904; Ser. No. 223,497; Ser. No. 167 ,921, filed August 1, 1903; patented March 10, 1908, No. 881,821; Ser. No. 209,231, tiled May 28, 1904; Ser. No. 229,998, filed Oct. 25, 1904, with Harry A. Brooks, and in which class an independent and separate portable and detachable mechanical ballot. is employed to actu-ate counters or registering mechanisms, said ballot being an element of the voting machine.

In using a mechanical ballot it is desirable that each. ballot be self-contained; that is, there should be no detached or separate Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 10, 1905.

Patented Feb. 1, 1910.

Serial No. 282,111.

pieces which are apt to become lost or misplaced and thereby prevent the proper operation or preparation of the ballot. It is also desirable that said members be returned to their normal position before the ballot is entirely removed from the machine to insure secrecy. This is done automatically in the machine which I have invented for use with my improved ballot.

This invention relates to a portable ballot which is provided with movable members permanently attached to the ballot and adapted to be operated by the voter for indieating a choice of candidates. The ballot, after having been prepared by the voter is adapted to be placed in a suitable machine which registers the vote according to the position occupied by the movable members as prepared by the voter, I regard this as a pioneer invention in the features hereinafter detailed.

The invention includes means which may readily be set as desired previous to the voters preparation of the ballot, whereby a certain limited number of movable members or tappets in a definite block on the ballot may be freely operated by the voter, irrespective of sequence or position, for cumulative voting, provision being made for segregating one or more sections of the ballot which it may be desired to vote cumulatively. then one or more sections of the ballot have been so set aside for cumulative voting, the remainder of the ballot is still adapted for the regular segregative voting,

An object of the invention is to provide a superior, simple, eifective, and positivelyacting mechanism for accomplishing the foregoing, which is light, strong, accurate, easily manipulated, and proof against fraudulent operation.

The invention also includes means whereby a row or series of the movable members may, by a single movement of the hand of the voter, be thrown from the inoperative position into a position for operating registering mechanism to vote a straight party ticket.

Further objects are to provide means to be applied to the portion of the ballot devoted to cumulative voting, whereby in cases where two parties unite in support-ing the same candidate, Said candidate can be voted for under the heading of but one of said parties; to provide for voting alternatively on various questions, as constitutional amendments; to provide for independent voting for non-nominees without permitting duplicate voting, to provide for selective voting, as in the case of presidential electors.

The invention is also applicable as a voting device in which the intended vote may first be indicated on a sheet which may or may not then be used in a voting machine for the actuating of counters or for otherwise arriving at the result of the election.

In the siibjoined drawings and specific detailed description I have set forth what I at. present regard as the best forni in which I contemplate embodying the invention; but I do not limit myself to such forni, as I desire to generically andspecilically claim the invention in all of its features.

The accompanying` drawings illustrate an embodinient of the invention I at present deem most desirable, but I do not limit the invention to any specific form.

Figure 1 is a fragmental plan view of a ballot, part of the casing being broken away to show the interior construction, and the middle portion of said ballot being omitted to contract the view. Owing to the size of the view and the smallness of certain detail features, and owing to the thinness of the trackers to which the tappets are connected, single lines have been used to represent said trackers. This view illustrates the general arrangement of the tappets and also illustrates the use of the device to be operated in voting straight party ticket. Fig. 1a is a. fragniental section on line aim ivm, Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental plan of a ballot vith the upper plate thereof removed. Fig. is a fi'aginental, sectional view showing a longitudinal side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. vs -m3, Fig. 1, shows the line of section, except that the top plates are sectioned at the tappets. Fig. et is a section on line aft-aft, Fig. showing a rib or partition for supporting and guiding certain interior mechanism. Fig. 5 is a fragmental si( e view of one of the extensors or locking plates which are operated by the tappets. Figs. and 7 are detailed fragmental, sectional views lookiiig in the opposite directions froin line UU-af, Fig. 3, showing means for adjusting and Vholding in place the eX- tensors shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 8, taken on line argv-.r2 Fig. 3. is a fraginental view showing a number of extensors in horizontal section of locking mechanism. Fig. 9 is a cross section on line feg, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the spacer used to adjust the locking mechanism to determine the number of candidates that may be voted for out of a certain total. Fig. 11 is a vertical, fragmental, sectional view of the ballot illustrating means for preventing a vote from being cast for the same candidate under the headings of both of two parties which imite in supporting such candidate. Fig. 1Q is a fraginental plan view of one of the strips which forni the upper cover of the ballot. Fig. 13 is a plan view of a pair of tappets to be used in voting for or against adoption of constitutional amendments; said pair of tappets being both shown in the recumbent or inoperative position. Fig. 14e is a perspective view of the device which the voter may use to throw a row or series of the tappets from the reciimbent to the upright position by a single movement of the hand. Fig. 15 is a section on line icm-zc, Fig. 11. Fig. 1G is a sectional vie f' as though looking from the right toward Fig. 11, an additional portion of the ballot being shown to show another tappet at the left, not shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 1T is a detail view of the tappet for holding the independent ballot slip shown at the upper right portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 1S is an enlarged fraginental perspective view to show more clearly the construction and disposition of the parts going to make up the ballot. Fig. 19 is a fraginental section of the ballot showinga tappet provided with a perfor-atm' by which a paper or paste-board sheet may be perforated for indicating choice of candidate.

The ballot comprises a thin, rectangular case or frame A having a bottom plate 1, side walls Q, a series of top plates 3, and ribs 4 having notched ends fz. and a base flange 5, and arranged between the bottom and top plates.

6 is a bottom retaining-plate, and 7 a top retaining-plate, each provided with notches S and engaging the notched ends of the ribs 4 to hold the same in place. The ribs 4 and the lower retaining-plate 6 are preferably soldered to the bottom plate 1, and the upper retaining-plate 7 is detachably fastened to the upper edges of the ribs.

9 designates a series of tappet shafts or pintles extending preferably through the ribs e from one, nearly to the other of opposite walls 2 see Fig'. la. 10 designates movable members or tappets each comprising a lever having a substantially semi-circular fulcrum-plate 11 curved concentrically with the shaft 9 and closing a slot 1Q foi'ined in the top plate 3 through which the tappet extends. Lach tappet is provided below the top plate with a perforated heel 13. A finger 14 projects from the plate 11 and is adapted to be adjusted in an upright and in a reciiinbent position, and is also provided with a shoulder 15 to engage the top plate 3 when the finger is upright. The end 1G of the linger 14 is preferably beveled at its under side so that the tappet may be readily lifted by the voter.

17 is a rest preferably formed in the. shape of an angle bar extending lengthwise over JEhe top of the ballot and having its lower member secured thereto by any suitable means, as by soldering. The tappet finger 14v is arranged to lie in a horizontal position when it engages the rest 17. The tappets are arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows. A longitudinal row of tappets B is provided for each political party, said rows extending transversely to the direction of movement of the tappets. The number of transverse rows C ot tappets may be varied as desired to accommodate the number of otlices to be filled under the respective parties.

Vote-limiting mechanism is provided as hereinafter described, the same being capable ot adjustment tor a pre-determined extension to limit the number of tappets which may be at one time moved to voting position within certain sections of the ballot. EX- tensors in the form of trackers 18, pivoted to heels 13 ot the tappet are provided for operation by the tappets, respectively, to extend said mechanism step by step as the tappets are successively raised until the limit of such extension is reached, whereupon t'urther raising of tappets is prevented. Said extensors and the extensible mechanism operated thereby constitute combined means for limiting the number of tappets 10 which may be moved to the operative position and for frictionally holding the tappet 10 against accidental displacementfrom the operative or voting, and inoperative or non-voting positions. The limit of tappets to be raised may be set at any number from one to many. Said vote-limiting mechanism preferably comprises swinging plates 19 formed as spoons, the bowls or hollow knobs 2O ot which afford inclined faces or cams that nest together when the tappets are wholly depressed in non-voting position, and which may be spread apart by the eX- tensor 1S engaging the bowl ot one spoon and torcing it out of the bowl with which it nests.

The swinging plates 19 are provided at one end with ears 21 for pivot pins 22 seated in the retaining plates 6 and 7, and with ways formed by pertorations 23 and intermediate cross bars 24 that are alternately bowed in reverse directions to form a suit-y able guide and support for the trackers or extensors 1S which are tieXible and are provided with extensor heads 25 and extend longitudinally through the ways in the swinging plates 19 respectively. The heads 25 serve as spreader plates, each being provided with an orifice 26 to register with the bowls or hollow conical knobs of the spoons when the tappets are fully depressed.

The swinging plates 19 are arranged in groups or series each pertaining to one of the transverse rows of tappets, and the knobs or bowls oit each series or group nest with each other, and the orifice 26 of each spreader plate receives a knob of a swinging plate so that when a spreader plate is moved by the operation of raising a tappet, as shown in Fig. 8, the spreader plate will engage the knob and move it ont ot the hollow in its companion knob so that the spreader plate acts as the eXtensor to shift the swinging plates 19 laterally.

Adjustable means in the torni of removable stops are provided tor limiting the lateral movement oi? the swinging plates. Such means may consist ot' an adjustable plate or spacer 27 having oppositely-extending lugs 28, 2S, which tit into

seats

29 and 30 at bottom and top of the case or Ytrame A.. The lower seats 29 are in the torm ot sockets, and the upper seats 30 are notches in the edge of a l[lange 31 at the upper edge ot the side walls 2 of the frame.

82 is a bead on top plate 33 to hold the top lugs of stops 27 in the seats 3G.

rl`he swinging plates or saoons 19 are divided into groups corresponding to the transverse rows C o' the tappets, each group containing a swinging plate and extensor for every tappet in th-e horizontal row, and said groups are separated from each other by means ot specially formed swinging plates 19 which I call dividers and which are longer than the other swinging plates 19 of such group.

The adjusting plates or stops 27 are equal in width to the space allowed between the divider ot one group and that ot the adjacent group, and when the adjusting plates are all in place they engage the ends ot the divider swinging plates 19', 19, and hold them fixed so that the spreading action which results trom the movement ot any extensor in any group will be confined to that group; but when any adjusting plate is withdrawn, it releases the divider which engages the same and allows it to swing the same as the other swinging plates. Pret-erably, each adjusting plate is slotted at its midwidth and straddles its divider so that when all the adjusting plates are in place all the dividers are lined against swinging, and when any adjusting plate is withdrawn, two adjacent groups will be thrown into one. By removing two adjacent dividers three groups will be thrown into one. Preferably, the upper lng 28 ot the adjusting plate is bent over to t'orm a handle by which it may be easily withdrawn. Any other suitable means may be employed, it desired, for holding the divider plates trom swinging. The lower seats 29 are preferably -form-ed in a strip Bet having pertorations to 'form the sockets or seats 29. Said strip is fastened to the bottom plate by soldering or any other suitable means.

35 designates longitudinal flanges on-the upper and lower edges ot the dividers to strengthen and stitten the same.

ln the ballot I have made, each transverse row ot tappets has eight tappets, every eighth swinging plate is a divider, and the tracker for each divider swinging plate is j pivoted to the tappet farthest from the swinging plates. The horizontal space alloted to each transverse row C of tappets, and consequently to each group of extensors with swinging plates. halt' an inch. The eXtensors with swinging plates are made of strips of thin sheet metal, the aggregate thickness of which is a scant seven-sixteenths of an inch for each group, so that there a play of fully one-sixteenth of an inch for the swinging-plates of each group, and the knob 20 of its adjacent swinging-plate projects through its eXtensor one-sixteenth of an inch, so that when the extensor is fully moved by the raising of a tappet, the knob for its plate will be moved to spread the plates apart one-sixteenth of an inch, thus practically taking up all of the play in said group and preventing` the raising of any other tappet in that group. Any number of groups may be thrown together by removing the appropriate spacers 27. That is to say, each group of swinging plates provides for a full play substantially equal to the space that will be taken up by the operation of any one of the extensors, and when a nmnber of groups are thrown together, and a number of tappets equal to the number of said groups have been raised, the displaced knobs will have taken up the play to such an extent that another tappet can not be raised, because the knob which projects through its extensor cannot move out of the way, as there is no open space in the group or series of groups that can accommodate such movement.

ln order that the tappets may be moved freely, a slight clearance is allowed in each group. and when a considerable number of said groups are thrown together, the aggregate clearance may be such as to allow the raising of an additional tappet. ln order to prevent such a contingency a shim 3G having a supplemental knob 20 is provided and may be inserted into the bowl of any of the swinging plates and held in place by the extensor thereof, thus taking up a space equal to the thickness of said shim. The shim is d-esirably of the same thickness as a swinging plate. and any number of shims required may be used to accomplish the desired result.

When the spacer for the group allotted to any single transverse row of tappets is in place. the voting` for that group is called segregative voting, choice being allowed for one candidate only for the office allotted to that row and group. llfhen the ballot is to be used for selective, or for cumulative voting. an appropriate number of spacers will be removed, thus throwing the swinging I plates for a number of transverse rows into l a single group, whereupon any of the tappets in such group aggregating any number l to the full number of spacers removed, plus l one, can be erected. Means are provided for t preventing a candidate supported by two l parties from being voted for under the headj ing of more than one party; such means will I be understood by reference to Figs. 2, ll, l5, j and 1G.

3T is a lever pivoted between its ends. and 38 and 39 designate two connecting rods slidingly pivoted to the tappets appropriate i to the office and the parties for which the candidate is nominated.

38 is a push rod and 39 a pull rod; the push rod being adapted to push its arm of the lever when the tappet to which it is attached is raised and thereby operate the lever to pull the other rod 39 to depress the tappet to which it is attached. W'hen the tappetthus depressed is elevated, it acts upon the pull rod 39 to pull the lever 37 and thereby push the` rod 38 to depress the other tappet.

Preferably, the lever 37 is pivoted to a standard 40 having perforated bent arms All to pass through openings Ll2 provided therefor in the ribs. Vings 43 are struck up opposite openings 42 when said openings are formed. Arms fll embrace said wings, bcing held by a pin 44e passed through the perforations of the arms 41.

Each of the connecting rods 3S and 39 will be of appropriate length to reach from its arm of the lever 37 to connectwith the pivot p on the heel of the tappet with which it is to be connected. By this means, any two tappets of any transverse row of tappets can be connected together, so that whenever one of the tappets is erected the tappet connected thereto will be depressed. By arranging the connecting rods to slide on the tappet heel pivots p, as shown, both of the tappets may be depressed but only one erected. The heel pivots 7) are preferably formed by bending the heels of the tappets. (See Fig. 1G.)

The push rod 3S is forked at its tappetengaging end so that itV can be pushed into place on the heel pivot of one tappet, and the push rod is hooked at. its tappet-engaging end so that it can be hooked onto the heel pivot of another tappet. By this construction the standard 40 with its lever and connecting rods can be putin place and removed again without disarranging the tappets or their connections.

4G an erector to be used in voting a straight ticket; the same consists in a body having inclined face l? to run along underneath the depressed tappets and to force them into erect position. Said erector may be made in any suitable way, but as shown is made of sheet metal comprising a` base plate 4S on which the face 47 is fastened.

it-9 is a handle by which to push the erector along a row of tappets to erect the saine. Each tappet rest 17 extends parallel with a vertical row of tappets and forms a guide for one edge of the base plate 4S, while the other edge of said base plate will rest upon the fulcrum plates 11 and against shoulders l5 of a row of tappets acent the row which is to be erected in voting a straight ticket.

Means are provided for voting on questions which can be decided by a negative or a'tlirmative vote. For this purpose detachable alternative voting devices 50 are provided each comprising a base 51, a standard having sloping

shoulders

53, 54, at its ends, and two

tappets

55, 56, are pivoted by a pivot 57 against the ends of said standard.

5S is a spring engaging the pivot 57 to force it toward the base 51. The tappets 55 and 5G are each provided with an eccentric heel 59 which is held againstthe base 51 by means of the spiring 58 inside the standard, which may be a piece of india rubber compressed against the top of the hollow standard,` and which forces the pivot 57 toward the base 5l. (See Fig. 3.)

The tappets 55 and 5G are definitely spaced apart by the standard against the ends of which they are held by the heads of the pivot 57 which is preferably riveted at its ends against the tappets to hold the same lirmly against the ends of the standard and against the shoulders thereof. The heels of the tappets are beveled to engage the sloping shoulders so that when one tappet is raised it is forced away from the standard by the action. of the beveled heel against the shoulder, thus drawing the other depressed tappet against its end of the standard. The tappets are spaced apart the Width of the standard inside the shoulders so that when one of the tappets is raised, thereby shifting it and the other tappet and their connecting rivet, the heel of the other tappet is held by the shoulder that engages the same and is thereby prevented from being erected so long as the other tappet is up, double-headed pivot 57 limiting the increase in the separation of the tappets to the height of shoultlGI'S 54:.

(51 designates a number of seats into which the bases 5l of the alternative voting devices 50 may be slipped t0 occupy any de-A sired position on the face of the ballot where such seats are arranged.

A vacant space E is provided adjacent the seats Gl for the reception of a ticket F indicating questions to be voted on yes or no. .Each of the seats is provided at the end thereof nearest the edge of the ballot, with stops (i2 to prevent the alternative voting device from sliding out of the seats eX- cept inwardly.

G3 designates a socket at the outer end of the base 51 through which a wire 6ft may be passed, the same engaging the outer ends of the seats G1, thus to prevent accidental withdrawal of the alternative voting devices from their seats.

For the purpose of voting an independent ticket a slip holding tappet 65,-see Figs. l and 17,-is rovided, the saine being independent of all the other tappets and provided with a tooth 66 to engage an independent ticket slip 67 to hold the same While the tappet is erected. G8 designates a spring for yieldingly holding the tappet 65 erected independently of any of the other tappets.

In case it may be desirable to indicate a vote by perforating a sheet of paper or paste-board, any or all of the tappets may be provided with a perforator 69 adapted to project downward below the bottom plate l of the mechanical ballot when the tappet is in depressed position, and to be drawn up into the ballot frame A when the tappet is erected in voting position. ln this way the perforated ballot, not shown, may be produced having perforations for all candidates that are not to be voted for, whereby such ballot is inserted into a voting machine to actuate counters in the same manner substantially as the erect tappets of the mechanical ballot shown herein will .operate said counters, not shown.

It is not new to use a perforated ballot for actuating the counters of a voting machine, and I have not shown such ballot in the drawings, as its construction is well known in the art.

lVit-h the exception of the names of candidates running independently without regular nomination, and without being regularly on the ticket, the tappets are arranged to point toward the naines, 70, of the candi dates to which they are respectively appropriated, so that when the voter iS arranging his ticket he will lift the tappet which points to the name of the candidate for whom he wishes to vote.

In the independent, or non-nominee column or vertical row of tappets, there will be nov printed ticket containing the names of the candidates, but separate loose strips 67 containing the names of the otiices to be voted for, will be provided in the booth, not shown, so that the independent voter may take one of the slips 67, and after writing thereon the names of the candidates to fill the various offices he wishes to vote for, it will then be fastened in place by lifting the tappet 65 so that the tooth 66 will engage the ballot slip 67 and hold it in place. Then the voter, after having written in their appropriate places on the slip 67 the names of the unnominated candidates for whom he wishes to vote, will erect the tappets appropriate to the office allotted to such candi- Cil date. In connection with this, a voting machine should be used provided with a printing attachment which will be actuated by the erected tappets of the independent row, to print upon the independent slip a sign or symbol to indicate upon said slip the fact that the tappet for the name has been erected, and in counting the ballots, no independent vote will be recognized except the authenticated symbol be found appropriately printed thereon; thus proifing that the appropriate tappet1 was erected, and thus to preclude unauthorized voting' for any other candidate.

In practical use, the polling place will be provided with ainechanical voting machine having counters adapted to be actuated by the tappets of the mechanical ballot embodying' this invention, and with booths and mechanical ballots to accommodate the voters. voter will be admitted to a private booth furnished with a mechanical ballot, and he will thereupon proceed to indicate his vote by erecting the appropriate tappets. lf he intends to vote a straight ticket, he will apply the erector 4G with one edge of its base 4S resting on the fulcruin plates 11, and against the shoulders 15 of one row of tappets, and the other edge engaging the rest 17, the tip or thin edge of the wedgeshaped erector -LtG being inserted under the foremost tappets of the row he desires to elevate.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 11 it will be seen that the base plate 4-8 of the erector is rectangular, while the face plate 4T slopes upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and wedge-shaped, the edge T1 being beveled, so that as the erector is pushed forward up along the row of tappets it will successively erect the tappets, operating upon about five of the tappets at one time and bringing` them into different degrees of erection until fully erected. ln this way the force necessary to move the erector simply that which is sufficient to overcome the friction and resistance of a comparatively small number of tappets. By use of this erector the necessity of internal erecting mechanism is avoided, and considerable simplicity gained, and at the same time, ease of operation is increased. lllhcn the voter has thus erected his straight ticket, if he desires to split the ticket, voting for various selected candidates in any of the otl er columns, he may vote for I such candidate by first depressing the tappct appropriate to the candidate he does not wish to vote for, and then elevating the tappet appropriate to the candidate for like otiice for whom he does wish to vote. In this way the voter can select and indicate any number of candidates variously nominated, or he may vote independently by using independent slip 67 in the manner herein-above described. lVhen the tappets have all been appropriately arranged to indicate the'vote desired to be cast, the mechanical ballot may be placed in its shield shown in Fig. la, constructed so as not to disturb the raised tappets, whereupon the same may be placed in the voting machine with perfect secrecy. Then the shield being removed, the voting machine, not shown, may be operated, and the ballot then removed from such machine which is constructed as set forth in said former applications, to depress the tappets before the ballot is linally removed, thus preserving the secrecy of the vote. ln the independent or non-noininee column or vertical row of tappcts, adjacent tappets are spaced apart by sleeves 75 mounted on pintle El, and springs To are provided attached to the heels of the tappets of said row, said springs constituting resilient means tending to complete the movement of the tappets as they near one or the other of the two extreme positions to which said tappets may be adjusted. Springs "(6 tend to hold the tappets firmly against the group of trackers on the opposite side thereof. This construction keeps the trackers more securely in position and prevents undesirable loosen/ess of the vote-limiting mechanism.

The ballot herein set forth is simple in construction. It will be noted that the tappets are all pivoted to swing in the same direction, and the cover formed in strips, each strip being adapted to tit between two rows of tappets, and being provided with cuts which form the slots 12 whereby said strips aie adapted to fit astride the tappets. The upper and lower sides of the ba lot may be fastened thereto by screws TT which engage the ends of upright sleeves TS (see Figs. 2 and 1S), said sleeves being desirably internally threaded to receive the screws.

lllhat I claim is:

1. A. mechanical ballot provided with pivoted levers, said levers being movable ilito a position substantially at right angles to the ballot to indicate a choice of candidates.

ik mechanical ballot provided with spring-pressed movable members for indicating a choice of candidates.

A mechanical ballot provided with permanently attached movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, and means for limitingthe number of selections so made.

l. mechanical ballot provided with permanently attached movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, and extensible means for limiting' the number of selections so made.

5. A mechanical ballot provided with permanently attached movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, and extensible means arranged in series for limiting` the selections so made.

G. A mechanical ballot provided with movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, and stop-controlled means :tor limiting the number of selections so made.

7. A mechanical ballot provided. with movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, trackers tor each member, said trackers being arranged in a plurality ot scries and provided with means tor limiting the movement of the levers of each series independently of the other series.

S. A mechanical ballot provided with movable members for indicating a choice ot candidates, trackers for the members respectively, said trackers being arranged in a plurality of series, the tracker at one end of each series being secured against longitudinal movement, and the tracker at the other end being provided with means for limiting the movement of all the levers ot saidseries.

9. A mechanical ballot provided with movable members or indicating a choice of candidates; a plurality of series ot extensors, and means tor limiting the number of selections so made when there are more selections to be made than there are series.

10. A mechanical ballot provided with movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, a plurality of series ot extensors, and means for connecting a plurality ot said series and limiting the number ot selections so made.

11. A mechanical ballotprovided with movable members for indicating a choice ot candidates, a plurality of series ot extensors, and adjustable means for connecting a plurality of said series and limiting the number of selections so made.

12. A mechanical ballot provided with movable members for indicating a choice of candidates, a plurality of series of extensors, said series being grouped into systems, the series of the two systems being staggered relatively to each other, and means tor limiting the number of selections so made.

13. A portable, detached mechanical ballot comprising a case or frame, tappets pivoted in the case or frame and provided with a linger outside the case and a heel inside the case, and means inside the case connected with the heel of the tappet for limiting` the .number of tappets that may be simultaneously raised.

14. A mechanical ballot comprising a case, tappets pivoted thereto, and a tappet erector for engaging and actuating the tappets.

15. A mechanical ballot comprising a case, tappets pivoted thereto, and a tappet erector for engaging and actuating a plurality of said tappets successively.

16. A mechanical ballot comprising a case, tappets pivoted thereto, and a wedge-shaped tappet erector for engaging and raising the tappets.

17. A mechanical ballot provided with a plurality of rows of tappets projecting from the case, and a tappet erector constructed to run along and be guided by one row ot tappets and to engage and erect another row o i tappets.

18. In combination, a mechanical movable ballot provided with rows of movable members adapted to actuate vote-registering mechanism, and a device adapted by one movement thereof to move a row of said members from a ,voting to a non'\*oting position.

19. In combination, a mechanical movable ballot provided with rows ot movable memn bers adapted to actuate vote-registering mechanism, and a device adapted by one movement thereof to move a row ot said members relatively to the ballot from a recumbent to an upright position.

20. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, two pivoted tappets, a lever pivoted between its ends, and means connecting each end ot said lever with one of said tappets.

Q1. in a mechanical ballot, in combination, pivoted tappets adapted to swing from a recumbent to an upright position, and means adapted to automatically depress one of said tappets when the other is raised.

2Q'. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, pivoted tappets adapted to swing from a recumbent to an upright position, means adapted to automatically depress one of said tappets when the other is raised, said means allowing both tappets to lie in a recumbent position at the same time.

Q23. In a mechanical ballot, in combina tion, two movable tappets adapted to actuate registering mechanism, and means adapted to automatically move one ot said tappets into a non-voting position when the other tappet is moved to a voting position.

24. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, two movable tappets adapted to actuate registering mechanism, and means adapted tc automatically depress one ot said tappets when the other is raised.

In a mechanical ballot, in combination, two pivoted tappets adapted to actuate registering mechanism, a support, a lever pivoted to said support, and an arm pivoted to each end of said lever and operatively connected with a tappet.

26. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, two pivoted tappets adapted to actuate registering mechanism, a support, a lever pivoted to said support, and an arm pivoted to each end ot said lever and slidingly pivoted to a tappet.

27. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, two pivoted tappets adapted to actuate registering mechanism, and means adapted automatically to depress one ot said tappets when the other is raised, said means including an arm slidingly pivoted to a tappet.

28. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, two pivoted tappets adapted to actuate registt ing mechanism. a support, a lever pivoted thereon, an arm pivoted to one end of said lever and having a hook einbracing a projection on one ot' said tappets. and an arm pivoted to the other end ot' said leper and havingl a tork embracing a projection on the other tappet.

2f?. ln a mechanical ballot of the class described. in combination, a pair of tappets adapted to be used in voting on constitutional amendments. a standard to which said tappets are pivoted. said standard provided with two be veled shoulders adapted to force the tappets apart as the same are moved to an operative position, and means vfor limiting the increase in the separation of the tap pets to the height ot' one of said shoulders.

llt), ln mechanical ballot ot' the class dcscribed. in combination, a pair of tappets adapted to be used in voting on constitutional amendments. a standard to which said tappets are pivoted, said standard provided with two beveled shoulders adapted to force th tappets apart as the same are moved to an operative position, and a double-headed pivot pin for said tappets. the distance between the heads ot said pin being such as to limit the increase in the separation of the tappets to the height ot' one of said shoulders.

3l. ln a mechanical ballot, in combination, rows ot tappets pivoted to swing in the same direction, and a case provided with a cover t'ormed in strips, each strip adapted to lit between two rows of tappets and provided with slots adapted to lit astride thel tappets ot' one ot' said rows.

232. mechanical ballot provided with a case, a partition therein, said partition having a wingl struck up therefrom, a standard provided with arms adapted to extend through the opening in thc partition caused b v t'orming the wing and embrace said wing. a pin 'tor preventing` said arms `trom being withdrawn. two pivoted tappets, and a lever pivoted to said standard and operatively connected with said tappets.

323. ln a mechanical ballot, in combination. members adapted to be moved into a voting position for actuating registering mechanism, and combined means tor retaining said members in the voting position and limiting the. numbers ot members that may be operated.

34. A 'mechanical ballot provided with members adapted to be moved from a nonvoting to a voting position to indicate a choice ot candidates, and resilient means tending to complete the i'novement of said members as they near one or the other of said positions.

35. A mechanical ballot, comprising in combination, a series of spoons, the bowls of adjacent spoons nesting in each other, and

means tor moving the bowl ot one spoon out ot the bowl otl another.

t. )t mechanial ballot, comprising in combination. an apertured extensor. a swinging spoon extending longitudinally along said extensor and forming a guide. therefor, the bowl ot said spoon normally projecting through said aperture, and means for causing a relative longitudinal movement between said spoon and said extensor.

3T. A mechani al ballot having vote-limiting' mechanism including elongated plates. one ol said plates having an aperture and the other having a projection normally extending into said aperture, one ot said plates being adapted to support and guide the other, and means 'for moving one of said plates longitudinally along the other.

3S. A mechanical ballot, comprising in combination, an apertured extensor, a swinging plate on each side ot said extensor, said swinging' plates each having a hollow knob, the convexity of one ot said knobs normally extending through said aperture and nesting in the concavity ot the other knob, means for moving said extensor longitudinally ot said swinging plate, and means t'or holding said swinging plate against. longitudinal movement.

39. A mechanical ballot. comprising in combination, movable members t'or indicating` a choice ot candidates, a plurality of spoons the bowls of which normally nest in each other, and means ope 'atively connected with said movable members and adapted to withdraw the bowls ot' the spoons from each other.

40. ln a mechanical ballot, in combination, movable tappetsy tor indicating a choice ot candidates, a series ot' plates having hollow knobs normally spooning into each other, and movable extensors having apertures through which said4 knobs normally extend, said extensors being operatively connected with said tappets.

ll. In a mechanical ballot. in combination, pivoted tappet's for indicating a choice of candidates, a series` ot plates having hollow knobs normally spooning into ach other, and movable extensors having' apertures through which said knobs normally extend, said extensors being operatively connected with said tappets.

el?. A mechanical ballot, comprising in combination, a series ot swinging plates having hollow knobs normally nesting into each other, means for withdrawing the knobs t'rom each other, and adjustable stops dividing the swinging plates into groups and limiting the number of knobs which may be withdrawn from each other in each group.

425. A mechanical ballot, comprising in combination, a series of groups ot' swinging plates, said plates having hollow knobs nesting into each other, means for withdrawing the knobs from each other, and stops between the groups, said stops adapted to be removed to throw two or more groups into one.

4a. A mechanical ballot provided with vote-limiting mechanism including groups of spoons nesting into each other, means for throwing a plurality of said groups into one, and a shim adapted to be inserted into the bowl of one of said spoons.

45. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, a tappet having a perforator adapted to produce a perforated ballot when said tappet is operated, and vote-limiting mechanism connected with said tappet.

4G. In a mechanical ballot, in combination, tappets movable from a non-voting to a voting position for independent voting, votelimiting mechanism operatively connected with said tappets, and means for detachably holding adjacent said tappets a slip of paper indicating oflices to be filled.

47. A mechanical ballot provided with tappets adapted lto be moved from a recambent to an upright position to indicate a choice of candidates, and a shield adapted to conceal said tappets, said shield being adapted to be applied to and removed from the ballot without disturbing said tappets when raised.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California this ith day of September 1905.

DAVID L. NEVCOMB.

In presence of- JAMES R. TowNsENn, JULiA TowNsnND.