US971666A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

J. H. DEAN.

VOTING MACHINE.

APYLIOATION FILED JULY z5, 1905.

Patented oem, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. H. DEAN.

* VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25, 1905.

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Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

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VOTING MACHINE.

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APPLICATION ILED JULY 25, 1905.

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VOTING MACHINE.

PPLIOATION FILED JULY 25, 1905.

Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

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J. H. DEAN. VOTING MAGHINB. APrLIoATIoN FILED vJULY 25, 1906.

JAMES H. DEAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AssIGNon, BY MrsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To

EMPIRE VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, A .CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

verme-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

l Application led July 25, 1905. Serial No. 271,216.

To all whom 'it may. concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES H. DEAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illmois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines, of which I do declare the following to be a full, clear', and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this .speclcation The present invention has for its main ob- .ject to provide improved mechanism for enabling avoter to cast his ballot for a candidate or candidates other than those .whose names appear in the several party groups on the in achlne.A The necessity of enabling a voter, when voting for any of the regular party candidates Whose names appear upon the machine, to retract his ballot up to the time he leaves the booth, has long been recognized.' But while provision `has been made for allowing such retraction of ballots cast for such party nominees or candidates, still, no provision has been made, heretofore', whereby a like retraction of the votersballot could be had when he cast his ballot for" a person Whose name does not appear on the machine as a candidate oi any one of the I 4specified political parties. By my present invention the voter is enabled to cast a ballot for any one or a number of persons whose names do not appear upon the machine as nominees of the regular political parties and the voter isenabled, by my invention, to cast his ballot for any persons who may be named as candidates by political part-ies, by petition or otherwise, in event the number of parties is in excess of the group capacity of the machine; that is to say, where the parties making nominations exceed in number the number of party groups for Which the machine is organized. Not only is the voter thus enabled to cast his independent ballot, but with my invention he is enabled` 1 movement so restricted that while this device is enabled to restore to normal position any ballot keys of its group that may have been actuated by the voter, it is prevented from moving the ballot keys to the voted position.

The invent-ion has for its further obj ect'to improve in various respects the mechanism for enabling the voter to markan independent ballot, and these several objects of invention are accomplished by the features of novelty hereinafter described, illustratedin the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this speciication.

In carrying out my invention, I refer to parts of. the voting machine as more directly appertain to the operation of the mechanism whereby the independent ballots are printed or marked, but for a better understanding of the parts with which this mechanism is associated in a complete machine, I desire to make reference to a companion application for Letters Patent tiled by me in the Patent Oiiice on the 27th day of December,

1.904, serial No. 238,388.

Figure 1 is a View in front elevation of a voting machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view upon an enlarged scale (full size) in vertical section, through that portion of the upper part of the machine containing the independent' ballot Aprinting mechanism and adjacent parts. Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section on line 33 of Fig. 2, certain of the type carrying plungers being shown in plan and others in horizontal section. Fig. 4 1s a detailview in horizontal. section on line '4-4 of Fig. 2, this view showing merely one of the removable sections and its contained parts. Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section o-n ,line 5--5 of Fig. 4.' Fig. 6 is a detail view in side elevation of one of the ballot keys. Fig. 6a is a detail plan View of mechanism for holding a ticket in position to be printed. Figs. 7 and 8 are views in vertical transverse section through voter departs from the the upper part of the inclosing vcasing at the rear, showing in elevation .various parts,

' whereby the straight ticket shafts, the actuator shafts, etc., are connected and operated. Fig. 9 is a view in rear elevation with the upper part of the backoft-he casing broken away. Fig. 10, is a View in .vertical section from front to rear on line 10-10 of Fig. 2.-

' .delivery of independent ballots to the inte- I'atin han le'27ar when he enters the booth. 1n

rior of the casing. It will be understood that the casing of the machine is contained within a suitable booth, as indicatcdin Fig. 1 of the drawings. of vertical posts 1, four in number; these posts being connectedat their tops-by 'suitable cross-bars and a swinging'ront bar' from which the curtains of the booth will be` suspended. Inasmuch asthe mechanism for operating the front' curtain bar 18 of the booth forms nov lart of t-he present in'- vention, it will be su cient to state that this front bar v18 will hang downward in vertical position ,when the booth is empty, and willv be raised to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 by the voter manipulating an -operlever 27 through the medium of a my present construction, asin that set forth in my above mentioned application No. 238,388, the shifting of the operating" lever 27 not only serves to raise andv lower the front curtain of the booth, but serves also,

as the voter lleaves the booth (and for such purpose shifts the lever 27) to lower the front curtain rod .18, to' cause the registration of a'll the ballots thatthe voter has cast. On

the other hand, the oppositeshifting of the operating lever 27 to lraise the curtain rod 1S and close the booth as another voter enters the booth, will serve not merely to close the curtain' of the booth, but also to place the Various parts of the/mechanism within the machine in position to enable .the voter to cast his ballots.

-Through the top plateof the inclosing casing of the machine extend a number of rows of ballotvkeys, each row comprising,-

keys invnumber corresponding to the number of oiiices that may bevoted for, and these several rows (with the exception of one row of ballot keys commonly designated the independent or A irregular voting keys) are commonly designated party rows or AFgroups*of k'eysJj Adjacent each of the keys of the several 'rows orvgroups will be This booth m'ayconsist marked ithenames of the otiices for which corresponding ballots' may be cast, and, in proximity to the names of such oiiices, will appear the names ofthe various candidates of the several political parties. Adjacent the row of independent ballot keys will ap` pear, upon the top plate of the machine, merely the names of the oiices to which candidates are to be elected. As the arrange- Y ment of party rows or groups of keys is well understood, and is fully set forth! in my above mentioned application, it is no-t deemed necessary to illustrate the complete rows of keys; nor is it deemed-necessary to.

illustrate the mechanism-whereby the keys of Vthe dierent party groups enable, the voter to effect a registration ofhis ballot.

From front to back of the machine, and parallel with the rows of ballot keys, extend 4a corresponding number of straight ticket shafts 210, these shafts enablingl the voter,

who desires to cast ballots for all the candidates of any one political party, to do so 'by the sim le manipulation of the corresponding stralght ticket shaft. Adjacent the rows of ballot keys there extend also a plurality of actuator shafts 200, the movement of which Causes the registration of the ballots in accordance with the ballot keys that have been actuated by the voter. The specilic mech#- anism whereby the voter is enabled to cast hisvballot for any of the candidates whose names a pearvn on the machine, -the mechanism w ereby t e registration of the ballots is effected, and the mechanism wherebythe casting ofstraight ticket ballots may be accomplished, form no part of the present invention; -but to a better understanding of the present invention, the illustration of such parts to some extent seems necessary.

In Fig. 1 there are shown leight rows of 4ballot keys 160. The row of keys 160 appearing upon the left-'hand side of the ma chine 1n Fig. 1 constitutes the independent ballot keys, while the remaining seven rows of keys 'belong to the various party groups.

It will be understood, of course, that the keys inpeach party row or group, and, as well, also, the row of independent ballot keys, may include as many keys as are deemed necessary. lIn Fig. 1 .of the drawings there are shown eight ballot keys 160. Each of these keysA 160 may comprise a squared upper portion that extends through the top' of the inclosing casing, this upper portion having connected thereto a plate metal body or wer portion that passes between suitable guides 4 (see Fig. 2). Each of the keys 160 is shown as provided with offset lugs 161that engagel slots 162 in a 'sliding indicator -plate 163, so that the shifting of the keys serves to e'ect a corresponding movementv of the indicator plates 1n orderto show to the voter that the ballot key depressed is actuating the mechanism within the casing. Each of the ballot keys 160 (of the independent ballot keys) is formed with a hole 164, through which extends loosely a pin 165 projecting from a plate 166 that is mounted to slide in vertical direction as the ballot key is-moved. Each of the plates 166 (see Figs. 3 and 5) is formed with. a long slot 167, the purpose of which will presently appear. Each plate 166 is mounted in manner free to slide between arms 170 "and 171 that project laterally from the die Shifters 172. Each of the arms 170 andl 171 is formed with a hole 173, adapted to receive the stem 180 ofla plunger 181, whereby the marking type will be carried. Preferably, the plunger 181 is formed with a chamber in which is set the die carrier, the outer portion of which carries the die or type 182. As shown, the die carrier is formed of two parts, viz: the parts 183 and 184, these parts being screw-threaded together. As shown, the part 183 is formed with a reduced stem that enters a correspondingly threaded hole formed through the part 184. A slot 185 is formed through the outer portion 183 of the die carrier and through this slot 185 passes a pin 186, the ends vof which are embedded in the outer end of the plunger 181; By means of the sleeve or part 184 that sets upon the stem of the part 183 of the die carrier, the part 183 can be adjusted so as to cause the type or die 182 to properly make its impression upon the ballot, as will presently appear; and the pin 186 not-only holds the type or die in proper position, but also allows for its adjustment, as last described. Upon the outer ends of the plungers 181 are the lugs or flanges 187 that set within, and are adapted to engage, lateral lugs or eXtensions 175 formed at the ends of the dieshifters 171. Each die-shifter 171 serves to shift two dies and each die shifter is mounted between a series of spacing-sleeves 176 that. are carried by plates- 177 fixedl to the side plates 178 of the sections, (see Figs. 2 and In each of the ballot keys 160 is formed a slot 167 through which projects the short end 168 of a rocker-arm 169 that is mounted upon the independent or irregular straight ticket shaft 190. The opposite ends of the rocker-arms 169 are connected to links 191 that lead downward to interlocking mechanism that may be of any suitable construction. The purpose of this interlocking mechanism, as well understood` is to limit the number of ballot keys that the voter is at libe-rtv to operate. and, preferably, this interlocking mechanism will comprise a series of slide blocks, the spreading of which will be effected by the lifting of the links 191. The

particular construction offinterlocking mechanism preferably employed will form the subject-mattei' of a separate application about to be filed by me in the United States Patent Oiice and to which application reference may be had for a more complete understanding of the exact construction of such interlocking mechanism shown on lSheet 2 of the drawings. As shown, the lower ends of each pair of links 191 of each rocker-arm 169 are connected by a pin217 and this pin 217 sets in a space 230 formed between the adjacent slide- blocks 221 and 222. The slide- blocks 221 and 222 comprise suitable plates to which'are secured pins or studs 225 that extend above and below a supporting bar 224 along which the slide-blocks are free to move within lcertain limits. Adjacent the Aslide-block 221 and at the right thereof are the slide-blocks 220 that are also supported uponthe bar 224, the blocks 220 being` notched orl cut away at their corners to admit the cross-pins 217l thatunite the lower ends of the links 191 that lead to the rockervarms 169. 1t will be understood by those familiar with this class of machines that all the interlocking slide-blocks mounted upon the bar 224 are so disposed that they can be separated only a distance sufficient to permit a connecting pin 217 at the end of one pair of links 191 to riselabove the space 230 and between the upper portions of theslideblocks, and when any pin 217 is thus lifted it will prevent the lifting of a pin 217 corresponding to any other ballot key and, hence, will prevent the operation of such ballot key and consequently will prevent the casting of more than one ballot for any one office.

There will be a rocker-arm 169 for each of the ballot keys 160,4 and each rocker-arm, as

shown, is mounted upon a sleeve 192 through the squared hole of which passes the straight independent ballot shaft 190. Each rockerarm 169 is formed with a segmental slot 193, into which extends a lug 194 that is formed on the sleeve 192, the lug 194 being much shorter than the length of the segmental slot or space 193. To the outer end of each of the die-Shifters 171 is connected a pair of links 210', the opposite ends of which links vare pivotally connected to an arm `211 that projects from a sleeve 212 that is mounted upon a rocker-shaft 213, the move` ment of this shaft being from the position shown by full lines to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

By reference to Figs. 7 and 8 of the draw ings, it will be seen that the end of the rocker-shaft 213 is connected by an arm with a link 23,9, to which link are connected the arms of the various actuator shafts 200, whereby the movement of the register wheels within the inclosing casing will be effected. This movement of the registerwheels, however, vforms no part of the presvent invention, and, being completely set forth in my companion application No. 238,388, above-mentioned, need not be herein described. iBy reference alsoto Figs. 7 and 8 it will be seen that the independent straight ticket shaft 190 carries at its end an arm 195 that is united by a link 196 to a rocker-arm 197 that is pivotedupon the stud 198, the opposite end of this rocker-arm 197 being connected by a link or rod 199 to an arm 281 projecting downwardly from a bar 278 that is mounted to slide transversely at the back of the machine. The bar 278 is provided with a number of slots 277 into which extend studs 276 that project from the' arms 275 at the ends of the straight ticket shafts 210. The bar 278 is adapted to restore the straight ticket shaftsl to normal position, and, by reason of th connection of this bar to the independent straight ticket shaft, in' manner above described, the movement of the bar 278 will also serve to restore the independent ballot keys to normal position. To the bar 278 is connected an' arm 281 to which is pivotally attached the inner end of a shifter-bar 282, the free end of which .extends outside of the machine, where it will be under the control ofl the oficer of election. This lshifter-bar is shown as furnished at its end with a hole 282a to enable the bar to be conveniently grasped by the hand of the oflicer under whose immediate control this bar is, and the bar 282 is formed at some distance from its v outer end with a hole 282b to enable a lock (such as the hasp of a padlock, or other locking device) to be passed through the barin order to limit the extent to which it may be moved inward, under certain conditions to be presently stated. The underside ofthe bar 2 82 is provided with a shoulder 283` adapted to engage with a pin 283s, this pin serving to prevent the shifting of the bar 282 inward, so long as the pin 2831` is in engagement with the shoulder 283. When, however, the bar 282 has been lifted bly the election oflicer,.so that its shoulder 283 clears the pin'283a, the bar 282 may be shifted back and forth to effect a' corresponding shift of the bar 278.

i Under the laws of some States, the voting of straight tickets is forbidden, such laws requiring that the voter shall operate each individual ballot key `corresponding to the olice for which a ballot is cast. Now, if the hasp of a padlock or other locking devicebe inserted inthe hole 282b of the bar 282, this bar 282 can then be moved inward only to the extent'shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing; and this restriction lof the inward movement of the bar 282 correspondingly limits ythe inward movement of the bar 278.

vWhen the movement of bars 282 and 278 is thus limited, the crank-arms275 on the straight ticket shaft 210 cannot betur-ned to the left beyond the vertical position; nor, can the crank-arm 195 on the end ofthe shaft 190 be turned to the right beyond a' that Athe limited movementof the crankarm 195 from the position shown in Fig. 7, to the vertical positionshown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, willsimply cause the rockersleeve 192 and its lug 194 (see Fig. 2) to turn until the lug 194 contacts with the shoulder at the lower end of the segmental slot 193 of the rocker-arm 169. Hence, this movement of the independent straight ticketshaft 190 and of the crank-arm 195 will not effect any downward movement of the independent ballot keys 160. Consequently, it

will be necessary -(when the movement of the bar 282 is restricted as above described) for the voter to depress individually each of the ballot keys 160 corresponding to the individual ballots that he wishes to cast. If, however, the inward movement of the bar 282 is not restricted as above described, and` this bar 282 and the bar 278 be moved in' ward to the full extent, then the voter, by manipulating the independent straight ticket 'shaft 190, can turn this shaft and its. 'crank-arm 195 to the-left .(from the position shown in Fig. 7) to a point beyond the vertical, and, as the crank-arm 195 passes this vertical position, the lug 194 (see Fig. 2) will engage the shoulder of the lower end of the segmental slot 193 and will turn all the rocker-'arms 169 on such shaft in the direction of the arrow, (Fig. 2), thereby causing these rocker-arms to move downward simultaneously with all of the independent ballot keys 160. It-will, therefore, be seen that whether the movement of the bars 282 and 278 be restricted or not,

all the ballot keys may be simultaneously restored to raised or normal position. But,

if the movement ofthe bars A282 and 27 8 be restricted, then the simultaneous depression, or voting movement, of the ballot keys 160, by'the operation of the independent straight ticket shaft 190, is prevented, thereby requiring the individual manipulation of the severalind'ependent ballot keys-160 by the voter. The bar 282 is shown as provided with a hole 282d adapted to receive the hasp of a padlock, the wire of a seal, or the like,

in order to permit the machine to be locked so that the bar 282 cannot be shifted, and when lthe bar is thus locked, the operation of all the mechanism controlled by said bar 282 is prevented.

Parallel with the independent ticket shaft extends the ballot holding shaft 4:00, that is furnished with sleeves 401 carrying ballot holding arms 402, adapted.

straight ,along the shaft 400 to rto receive his ballots. shown the Anected the arm 258 that is united 257 and a link 256 to a slidnigplate 252, a

to be projected through a slot 64a in the wall 63 of the inclosing casing, this slot 64a" being located at a distance below the slot 64b through which'the dies or types 182 will beprojected. These arms 402 may be flat plates arranged a suflicient distance apart sustain a paper ballot when it has been inserted in the passageway or throat 63a of the casing. Upon the end of the shaft 400, and preferably at the back of the casing crank-arm 404 that is connected yby a link 405 with a rocking lever 406 that is pivoted on a pin 280 projecting from the wall of the inclosing casing, this pin passing through a slot 279 formed in the bar 278. The lower end of v'the rocking-lever 406 is provided with a pin.407 that projects into a slot 408 formed in a bar 408, one end-of which is connected to an elbow lever 287 that is pivoted upon a stud 288 that is mounted in supporting plates within the inclosing casing. A spring 410 connects the lower arm of the lever 406 with one end ofthe bar 4082* and serves to holdthe pin 407 normally at one end of the slot 408. Tho upper end of the elbow lever 287 is arranged in position to be engaged by a pin 286 that projects from the bar 278 while the lower end of this elbow lever 287 is provided with a stud 289' adapted to enter a cam-slot 290 of a cam-block 291. shown by dot-ted lines in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings. Above the cam-block 291 is mounted another cam-block 246 in the slotA of which projects a pin 244 at the lower end of an elbow lever 242 that is pivoted,

connected to the bar 239. The cam-blocks 291 and 246, which form no part of the present invention. but are fully set forth in my companion application No. 238,388, serve to etl'ect the movement of the elbow levers 287 and 242 when one voter shifts the operating lever 27 (see Figs. 1`and 9) l'to lower the curtain rod, as he leaves the booth, and when another voter, entering the booth, reversely shifts the operating lever 27 to raise the curtain rod and place the mechanism within the inclosing casing in position In Fig. 9 I have power portion of the operating lever 27 where it is pivotally mounted o n the back of the main casing, the upper portion of this lever being broken away. vTo the pivot shaft of the operating lever 27 is` con by a pin plate-spring 255a 256 normally 252.`

serving to brace the link against the .sidebfl the .plate 'From the inner end" of Athe plate 252 (see Figs. 7 and 8), is fixed a.

project the studs 251A and 294 through slots 250 and 293 in a plate 247, and from the outer end of the plate 252 project similar studs 251 and 294 through slots 250 formed in the plate 247. The studs 251 and 294 serve to transmit movement from the plate 252 to the cam-blocks 246 and 291, as will be readily understood by reference to my application No. 238,388 before referred to.

From the foregoing description, the manner in which a voter may castan inde endent or regular ballot will be seen to e as follows: If it be assumed that the voter desires to vote an independent straight ticket (2'. e., to cast all the ballots that he is entitled t-o cast for parties whose names do not appear in the party groups upon the machine), then,l as he enters the booth, he will turn the operating lever27 so as to raise the front curtain of thev booth, and this movement of the operating lever 27 will serve to shift the cam-blocks 291 and 246, as fully set forth -in my above mentioned application No.` 238,388, so as to cause the upper end of the elbow lever 287 to be moved away from the pin 286 of the bar 278. This move- -ment of the upper end of the elbow lever 287 will shift the bar 408EL toward the right, thereby permitting the spring 410 to turn the' lever 406 and cause the rod 405 to swing the crank-arm 404 toward the left (Fig. 7), and thereby move thev card-holding arms 402 into the passageway 63a, where they will be' in readiness to sustain any ballot that may be placed within the passage way 63a. The movement of the cam-block 246, which will occur slightly in advance of the movevment of thecam-block 291, will have shifted the elbow lever 242, thereby causing the upper end of this elbow lever242, through the medium of the rodl 241 and the lever 240, to move vthe bar 239 toward the left ,(Fig. 7) thereby causing the crank-arm` 213a on the end ofthe shaft 213 to swing toward the left, and this movement of the rocker-shaft 213 will turn the crank-arm 211 (see Fig. 2) from the position shown by full lines to the position shown by dotted lines, in Fig. 2. Inasmuch, however, as this movement of the crank-arm 211, and consequent movement of the parts actuated thereby, must occur before any of the individual Y ballot keys 160 have been actuated, it follows that no movement of the dieser type 182 will be effected thereby. The election otlicer having control of the bar 282 will now lift the bar from off 'the pin 283a and move `the bar to its full extent, no padlock hasp being at such time within the holes of the bar. If, now, thevoterdesues .to cast all his ballots for persons whose names do not appear upon themachine, he will write upon a paper ballot '(to be furnished for such purposeA and provided with spaces arranged in accordance with the oflices for which ballots i may be cast) the names'of the persons for .independent ballot keys are thus movedstraight ticket shaft 190, and, by so doing,

will cause all of the rocker-arms 169 upon this shaft to turn in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 2) and to carry downward all of the independent ballot keys 160. As these downward, they will carry with them the slide plates166 until the upper uncut portions of these plates come oplposite the inner ends'of the stems 180 of t e plungers 181. The voter will then shift 'the operating lever 27 in order to lower the front curtain-rod of the booth to permit him to pass from the booth; and, in thus shifting the operating lever 27 he will cause the cam-blocks 246 and 291 to be moved from the position seenin Fig. 8 to the'position shown in Fig. 7. This movement of the cam-blocks will first cause the cam-block 246 to shift the lever 242 in order to move the bar 239 toward the right, thereby turning the'shaft- 218 and its crank-arms 211 from the position shown by dotted lines to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This shifting of the shaft 213 and its arms 211 will cause the dies or types 182 of 4all the plungers 180 to be moved outward and to impress or mark the ballotV at such times supported by the ballot holding arms 402 within the passageway' 63a. If no inking ribbon, or like device, be employed within the passageway 63, then the marking of the ballot will depend simply upon the embossing of the ballot b the dies or types 182. The movement o the shaft 213 and its crank-arms from the osition shown by .dotted lines to the position shown by full lines in Fi 2 ofthe drawings not only servesV to e ect the outward movement of forces the lever 406 through the rod 405'to closing casing of the machine.

turn the ballot holding shaft 400 luntil the .ballot-holding arms 402, carried by such shaft, vare moved out of the passageway 63 so as to permit the ballot to drop into the -in- This same movement of the elbow lever 287 causes its upper end to engage the pin 286 on the barl 278, thereby moving the bar 278`toward the left from the position shown in Fig. 8 of the dra-wings.. As the bar 278 is thus moved toward theA left, it will--through the medium of the rod 199, the lever 197, the link He will then in-v 196 and crank-arm 195-turn the independ- I.

ent straight ticket shaft 190 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 7, and, at the same time, will turn the various other straight ticket shafts (corresponding to,the party groups), so as t0 restore to normal position the ballot keys of such groups. This movement of the inpendet straight ticket shaft will cause the rocker-arms 169 of such shaft to be turned' in the direction the reverse of that shown by the arrow in Fig. 2 of the drawings, thereby lifting all of the independent ballot keys 160 to normal position, and in readiness to be actuated bythe next voter.

If it be assumed that the machine is being operated under the laws of a State in whichthe voting of straight tickets is forbidden,

then. the election oiicer will Vinsert the hasp of apadlock in the hole 282b of the barv 282, so as to limit the inward movement of such bar and of the bar 278. 'The bar 278,.thus` restricted, can be moved inward only to the extent shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and, as above explained, with the bar 278 in such restricted position, the voter cannot, by the operation of the independent straight ticket shaft 190, depress theindependent ballot keys 160, but must, by his hand, individually, depress such keys. Again, if it be assumed that' the voter desires to cast certain ballots for parties-whose names appear upon themachine, and to cast certain other ballots for lparties whose names do not appearupon the machine, he will depress'certain of the independent ballot keys 160 corresponding to the offices other than those the keys of which he has depressed in one or 4It will beunderstoo'd, of course, that the depression of the independent ballot keys 160, yby turning the rocking arms 169, will lift the rods 191 that extend v:to .the interlocking mechanism. The object in providing the plates 166 with long slots to in-- sure the complete depression of ballot ke'ys 160 and consequent movement of .the interlockingl mechanism before the solid portions of theplates 166 can'be brought into position to cause the corresponding types or dies to be shifted to mark the ballots.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim lvas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isf- 1. Avoting machine comprising in comi lot key and controlling parts connected therewith being retractile bythe voter until said-operatingimeans has been caused to actuate the ballot-marking mechanism.

3. A voting machine comprising in combination mechanism for placing an inde pendent ballot beyond the voters control,

means for marking said independent ballot,

means for operating said ballot -marking mechanism, a ballot key arranged to control vthe actuation of the ballot-marking mechanism by its operating means, and the controllin parts connected therewith being retracti e by the voter until said operating means has been caused to actuate the ballot-marking mechanism and until said mechanism for placing the independent ballot beyond the voters control has been brought intooperation. v

4. A voting machine comprising in combinationmechanism for marking a ballot, means for operating said mechanism and a ballot key arranged to control the actuation of the ballot-marking mechanism by its operatingmeans, said ballot key being retractile -by the voter and means independent of said ballot key for imparting movement to the means whereby the ballot-marking mechanism is operated.

A5. voting machine comprising an inclosing casing provided with a passageway adapted to receive independent ballots, in combination withmeans for holding said independent ballots within said passageway, a4 marking mechanism for marking said ballots, means for operating said ballot-marking mechanism and a ballot key arranged to control the actuation of the ballot-marking mechanism by its operating` means, said ballot key being retractile by the voter until said operating means has been caused to actuate the ballot-marking mechanism and until the ballot-holding device Ywithin said passageway has been released.

6. A voting machine comprising in combination a plurality of devices for marking a ballot, operating mechanism for effecting the 'impression of said ballot-marking devices, a plurality of ballot keys arranged to control the actuation of the ballot-marking devices by said operating mechanism and means whereby several of said ballot keys may be 'simultaneously shifted.

7. A voting machine comprising in combination a plurality of devices for marking a. ballot, means for operating said ballotsaid ballot key ballot marking.

,said ballot keys to marking devices, a plurality of ballot keys arranged to control the actuation ot the ballot-marking devices by their operating means, means whereby several of said ballot keys may be simultaneously shifted in one direction to enable them to control the actuation of the ballot-marking devicesand may be shifted in the opposite direction to restore normal position, and means whereby the simultaneous shifting of said ballot keys to control the actuation of the ballot-marking devices may be locked or dogged.

8, A voting' machine comprising in combination mechanism for marking a ballot, a ballot key, means controlled by said ballot 4key for causing the ballot marking mechanism to be actuated, and an interlocking device connected to said key, said ballotkey being arranged to set said interlocking device before said key shifts to operative position, and means whereby the actuation of the ballot marking mechanism is'controlled.

9. A voting machine comprising in combination, a movable die or type for marking a ballot, a ballot keya slotted plate arranged to be shifted by said ballot key for causing the ballot marking dies or type to be actuated, and an interlocking device operated by said key, said slotted plate serving to enable the ballot key to set said'interlocking device before said slotted plate is brought to position for causing the ballot marking dle or type to be actuated.

l0. A voting machine comprising in combination, a plurality ot' independently movable ballot keys, a plurality of ballot marking devices corresponding to said keys, mechanism common to all of said ballot marking devices for causing them to mark the ballots, and means controlled by each of said keys whereby the ballot marking device corre,

spending to said keymay be caused to mark the ballot when said 'common actuating mechanism is operated.

11.l A voting machine comprising in combination, a' ballot key, means controlled by said ballot key for causing a ballot marking mechanism to be `actuated, and a ballot marking mechanism comprising a movable die and means for adjusting the position of said die in theldirection of its movement to insure the accurate operation of said die.

12. A voting machine comprising in combination, a plurality of ballot marking devices, a plurality of ballot keys, mechanism whereby any number of said ballotmarking devices may be simultaneously vactuated to cause them to mark the ballot, and suitable means connected with said ballot keys and arranged intermediate between said marking devices and said actuating mechanism whereby, by the shifting of said ballot keys, any one or more of said marking devices ico dies,` a plurality of independently movable carrying dies, a plurality of independently movable ballot keys, a plurality of individual shifters for' moving said plungers to cause the dies to mark the ballots and a plu'- rality of devices controlled by said ballot keys whereby the shifter mechanism maybe caused to actuate any one or more of the die- 'carrying plungers.

14. A voting machine comprising in combination a plurality of die-carrying plun-A gers for marking ballots, a plurality of ballot keys corresponding to said die-carrying plun gers, means shiftable by said ballot keys for controlling 'the actuation of said die carrying plungers, a shiftingv mechanism whereby any one or more of said diecarry ing plungers may be actuated, said shifter mechanism Comprising a shaft and togglelinks whereby the plungers are actuated.

v 15. A voting machine comprising inv combination a plurality of die-carrying plungers, a plurality Aof ballot keys, movable plates connected to said ballot keys through which plates the stems of said plungers may pass, a die-shifter carrying said plate and in which Said plate is movably mounted and means for moving said die-shifter back and forth t0 operate the die-carrying plunger.

16. A voting machine comprising in combination a plurality of ballot-marking dies, plungers for carrying safid dies, a die-shifter p-L'Qvided with arms perforated to permit the passage therethrough of stems projecting from the Adie-carrying plungers, and movable plates, carried by said die-Shifters and arranged to be. moved by the ballot keys to prevent the passage of the plunger stems through Said shifter arms and to cause the plungers to be moved by said arms. 17.V A voting machine comprising in combination a ballot key, means controlled by said key for causing a ballot-marking die to be, actuated, and a support for said die formed of screw-threaded adjustable sections. y

18. A voting machine comprising in combination a die for making a ballot, a screwthreaded sleeve or part for adjusting said die, a plunger for supporting said die, a ldieshifter for actuating sa-id plunger, a. ballot key and means controlled by said ballot key for determining .the operation of said dieshifter.

19. A voting machine comprising in combination a die for marking a ballot, a plunger chambered to receive said die,a pin connecting said die to theplunger, an adjustable screw-threaded part Wlthin said plunger for determining'the exact movement of the die,-

marking device from said passageway when A the actuation of4 the ballot-marking device has occurred.

21. A voting machine comprising in combination a casing having a passageway for a paper ballot, a device for marking said ballot, means for holding said ballot temporarily in said passageway during the operation of the marking device, means for'shiftf ing said marking device, a ballot key for controlling the operation of said marking device, and means whereby the retraction of said ballot marking device is effected before the ballot is released byits holding means.

9.2. A voting machine comprising in combination a casing having a passageway for a paper' ballot, a type or die for marking said ballot, a shaft provided with an arm 'arranged to extend into said passageway and beneath the marking device for temporarily holding theballot in position to be marked, means for shifting said marking device, a ballot key and a part shiftable by said ballot key for`- determining the operation 'of any onel of said ballot-marking devices.

23. A voting machine comprising in combination a. casing havmg a ypassageway for paper ballots, meansfor detaining said ballots in said passageway, a plurality of ballot-marking devices arranged above said ballot-dctaining means, a plurality of ballot keys and means controlled thereby whereby any one or more of said ballot marking devices may be moved to be' actuated and a shift-ing device whereby the simultaneous movement o f all the ballot-marking devices that are to be actuated is effected and means for simultaneously restoring to normal position the various ballot keys that have been actuated.

24. A voting machine comprising in combination a casing havinga passageway to receive a paper ballot, a series of die-carrying plungers lfor marking said ballot, a series of die-Shifters for moving said plungers, a plurality of ballot keys corresponding in arrangement to said die-carrying plungers, means whereby each of said ballot keys is enabled to controlv the actuation of its corresponding die-carrying plunger and v means for shifting said ballot holding device and for restoring said ballot keys to normal position.

`25. A voting machine comprising a plurality of irregular vote indicators, one for each ofiice to be filled, and a plurality of ballot impression devices, each having an impressionlface different from the others and controlled, one by each of said vote indicators, substantially as described.

26. A votingmachiiie comprising a plurality kof irregular voto indicators, one for cach office to be filled, and freely movable into and out of set position to change the vote, plurality of ballotiinpression devices each having an impression face different from vvthe others and each controlled 'by one of said indicators, and means for causing an impression to be made from impression devices correspondingl to v indicators left in set position.

' 27, A voting machine comprising a plurality of irregular vote indicators movable into, and out of voted position to change'an irregular vote, oneindicator for each office to be lled, a plurality of ballot impression devices one corresponding to each indicator and each Yhaving an impression character different from the others andv means for causing the. ballot impression to be made subsequently to the movement of the irregular indicator to voted position.

28. A voting machine comprising a plurality .of irregular vote indicators movable into and out of voted position to change an irregular vote, one indicator for each office to be filled, a plurality of ballot impression devices one corresponding to each indicator and each having an impression character different from the others and means for causing the ballot impression to be made and the ballot fed subsequently to the movement of the irregular indicator to.voted position.

29. A voting machine comprising a plurality of irregular vote indicators movable into and out of voted position to change an irregular vote, one indicator for each office to be filled, a plurality ofballot'impression devices one corresponding to each indicator,` and each having an impression character',

different fromthe others Vto identify the ballot with the corresponding oiiice to be filled, and meansfor causing the impression to be made and the ballot to be deposited subsequently to the movement of the irregular indicator to voted position.

, 30. In a voting machine, the combination of a plurality of irregular vote indicators movable into and out of voted position to correct or change an irregular vote, a plurality of ballot impression devices one corresponding to each indicator, each of said indicators being arranged to place the corresponding Vimpression device into and out of condition for operation, and means for effecting the impression of the devices in operative condition upon a ballot.

31. The combination of an oscillating shaft, a Ycrank thereon, linksy connected to said cran-k; a die shifter connected to .said links and lreciprocated thereby, a normally inactive die positionedi'n line with said reciprocating die shifter and separated therefrom by a` plate movable transversely to said die and die shifter to fill the opening between I- them and compel them to move in unison. I

32. The combination of an oscillating shaft, a crank thereon, links connected to said crank; a die shifter connected to said links and reciprocated thereby, a normally inactive die positioned in line with `said reciprocating die shifter and separated therefrom by a plate movable transversely to said die and die Shifters to fill the opening between them and compel them to move in unison, and means for moving transversely a plurality of said plates inunison.

33. A voting machine comprising a plura'lity of irregular vote indicators, one for each ofice to be lled, and a plurality of ballot impression devices, each having antiinpression face and controlled, one by each of said vote indicators.

34. In voting machines, t-he combination with a holder for independent and irregular ballots, of a series of' printing heads, keycontrolled means for setting said heads and motor devices for eiecting the relative movement between said ballot holder and said. printing heads.

35. In voting machines, the combination with a holder for independent or irregular ballots, of a series of movable printing'heads coperating therewith, key-controlled means for blocking the movement of said heads and motor mechanism for shifting said ballot holder to and from said heads.

36. In voting machines, the combination with a sliding holder for independent or irregular ballots, of a series of loosely mounted printin heads cooperating therewith, key-control ed means for blocking the move'- ment of said heads, a receiver for the ballotsv and motor devices for moving said ballot holder to and from said piintin .heads and for delivering the ballot to sai receiver. i

37. In voting machines, the combination withv a receiverfor independentl or irregular ballots, having la slot, of a shifting ballot holder normally in line with said slot, a series of printing'heads, keys for blocking said heads' and motor mechanism for shift'- ing said ballot holder-out 'of line with said 125 slot as the voter is admitted to the machine and for advancin said holder to and .from said printin heads and back into line with said slot as t e voter leaves the machine.

38. In voting machines, ""ae combination with a shifting holder for irregular or independent ballots, of a series-of slidable printmechanismbeing arranged to shift -said 10 holder in advance of said loekingand restoring devices both as the voter enters and as he leaves the machine.

JAME/s H. DEAN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE P. FISHER, Jr., KATHARINE GERLACH.

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