US972214A

US972214A - Voting-machine.

Info

Publication number: US972214A
Application number: US1315700A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Howard Mcelroy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1900-04-16
Filing date: 1900-04-16
Publication date: 1910-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 1927-10-11

Description

EH. MGELRUY.

I VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16,1900.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

4 $HEETSSHEET 1. A

J. H. MGELEOY.

VOTING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16,1900. 972,214, Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a a r J. H. MOELROY.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGAIION FILED APR. 16,1900.

Patented Oct. 11, 191 0.

4 SHEHTS-SHEETv 3.

THE NORRIS Psmxs ca. WASHINGTON, u. c

J. H. MOELRUY.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16,1900. v

' Patented 001?. 11, 1910 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

2/1/7325 58/6 fy Jar/626222 WW y WW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HOWARD MCELROY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VOTING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN HOWARD MoEL- ROY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of voting machines which are used in general elections to register instantaneously and automatically the choice of the voter of all the candidates presented for the various offices to be filled.

My present invention is concerned first with a novel arrangement and construction of the operating or setting keys. As these devices have been hitherto constructed they have been of two classes: let, those in which the keys were locked in their operative position or 2nd, those in which they were freely movable into and out of operative position. A serious objection to the first class exists in that in case a wrong key is depressed, it cannot be corrected, and also, if straight ticket mechanism is employed to operate or set for operation all the keys in any party row or column, and it is desired to scratch a single candidate in that party, it is necessary to push in each candidate key separately, as if they are operated by straight ticket mechanism, none of them could be scratched. A serious objection to the second class resides in the fact that a key may be only partly operated, and the voters attention not be called to the fact, and he may thereby lose his vote or prevent the machine from operating as intended. I11 my improvement, I overcome these objections to both classes by arranging the key so as to insure its being fully operated, and retained, and by further arranging it so that any illdividual key can be unlocked and returned at pleasure, thus permitting correction of errors or scratching after a straight ticket ballot is indicated.

A further feature of my invention is found in the straight ticket ballot mechanisms. As these mechanisms have been hitherto constructed for key machines, a separate straight ticket actuating mecha nism has been employed for each party, or possiblyfor each two parties. In my im proved construction, I employ an adjustable mechanism which can be moved so as to cooperate with the keys of any party group, i

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 16,

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

1900. Serial No. 13,157.

thereby decreasing the amount of mechanism that must be employed.

Another feature of my invention is found in the novel form of the fluid interlocking mechanism employed, which is a modification of that claimed in my application No. 729,274L, filed September 2, 1899.

Another feature of my invention resides in the novel and improved free or irregular balloting mechanism which I employ.

Other features of my invention are found in the novel booth and re-setting mechanism operated thereby.

Finally, still other features of my invention are found in the combination and details of construction, all of which will be fully set out in the claims.

To more fully illustrate my invention, I annex hereto three sheets of drawings, in which the same letters of reference are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, of which- Figure 1 is a front view of the booth and machine, a portion of the curtain being broken away to disclose the construction of the straight ticket mechanism, and the arrangement of thekeys upon the ballot plate; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail View in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale; Fig. 1 is a similar view, on the same line, but with the curtain carrying arm and its supporting bracket removed; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 1 in section on the line 55 of Fig. 3; Fig. (3 is a plan view of the same mechanism with. the top of the casing removed; Fig. 7 is an elevation of a portion of the front plate of the casing, in section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 8; Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the same mechanism, on the line 88 of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a portion of the interlocking frame, the ends of which are in central section to more clearly disclose the construction there of; Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the straight ticket mechanism; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 1 1 is a front elevation of the top of the machine with the front part of the casing removed and with the registers omitted, showing the connections for raising and lowering the register frame; and Fig. 15 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the right hand side of the machine with the parts in section just back of the front casing in the upper portion of the figure; with the parts in section just back of the register frame in the intermediate portion; and with the parts in section through the irregular ballot storing chambers in the lower portion of the figure.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, I inclose the operating mechanism of the machine in a rectangular casing A, which is supported by the preferably removable legs B at a convenient height so that the front plate or ballot C of the machine is at a convenient height for manipulation by the average voter.

To screen the voter from sight while he is operating the machine, I employ a curtain D, which is suspended, preferably by the rings E, from the curved rod F, which is of the shape best shown in Fig. 2, and which is pivotally mounted in the upper corner of the casing A by means of the removable bearing pin G which passes through the top of the casing, the cylindrical bearing sleeve H which is preferably integral with the rod F, and into the bracket J projecting inwardly from the side and front wall of the casing A. As seen in Fig. 5, an aperture is cut in the corner of the casing of a size just sufficient to admit the journal H, which completely fills the aperture, so as to prevent the insertion of anything into the aperture. The rod F is arranged so as to turn from the closed position, shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the machine normally standing in the open position, so that the ballot plate is open to the inspection of the voter who may desire to study it before entering the machine to cast his vote. WVhen the machine is in its open position, the keys can be moved freely in and out by the voter, but nothing is effected by their movement. WVhen the voter is ready to cast his ballot, he brings the rod F and the curtain to their closed position, with himself on the inside, in which position the machine is ready to be operated.

As it is desirable to prevent any incomplete operations of the machine, I provide a complete stroke mechanism for compelling v the complete opening and closing of the booth. For this purpose, the segmental rack K extending something over a quarter of a circle and having teeth on the inside, is secured to the under side of the top of the casing in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4t. Cooperating with this rack is a dog L which is pivotally mounted upon the top of an extension M of the journal H. This dog has the two arms N and O cooperating alternately with the teeth of the rack K in the customary manner, being held in either position by means of the leaf spring P secured upon the side of the journal H and having its end adapted to cooperate with the angular end Q of the dog L in either position of adjustment. To throw the dog L from one position to the other at the end of the desired stroke, I employ the pins R and S projecting downwardly from the under side of the rack K and cooperating with the third arm T of the dog in the customary manner. With this construction, it will be readily perceived that after the rod F is started to be swung to its open position, its movement cannot be reversed until said position is reached, and conversely, when it is started to be closed, its movement cannot be reversed until it is completely closed, thus preventing any attempt at manipulation of the machine by partial movements of the curtain which might not be noticed by the election officials.

In the construction herein shown, I mount the registers in a vertically moving frame, which consists of the comparatively heavy end pieces U and V, and the thinner pieces IV parallel thereto, the end pieces U and V and the intermediate pieces WV being connected by cross pieces at the top and bottom, as well as by the intermediate pieces or plates X, which are interposed between each horizontal row of registers. This register frame is mounted just back of the front plate C and bet-ween it and the intermediate partition Y, and is hung by the vertical link Z secured to the center of the top side thereof to the horizontal lever A, which is pivoted to the front side of the partition Y, as indicated at B,-in Fig. 6. The other end of this lever is enlarged, as at C, the inner end thereof being curved on the arc of a circle of which the pin G is a center, and is provided with the cam groove D with which an anti-friction roller E journaled upon a stud F projecting from the extension M, cooperates. IVith the shape and location of the cam slot or groove D shown, it will be apparent that as the booth is opened, the outer end of the lever A will be raised, thus lowering its inner end and the register frame, so that when the booth is opened, the register frame is in its lower position and is out of engagement with the keys, as will be subsequently described.

Each register consists of a series of wheels G, which with their attached transmitting gears are mounted upon the parallel vertical rods .H, of which there are four, for each register, and which I conveniently extend from the top to the bottom of the register frame, thus making a cheap construction of the bearings for the wheels. The rodI-I to the left has rotatably mounted thereon the five-sided disk J, which has the sides K 00- operating as delay surfaces with the surface L formed on the side of the under half of the key M, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. At each angle of this disk, I provide the notches N, which cooperate with the pin 0 secured on the under side of the key M in the same plane as the surface L, and located in the recess P formed in the surface L, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. Vith this construction, it will be apparent that as the key N is pushed in, the pin 0 will engage the adjacent notch N and rotate the disk J through an angle of 72 degrees, or

V one-fifth of a complete rotation. It will be apparent that the disk is locked from rotation except by the key when it is in engagement therewith, and if the key be pushed in to advance the disk, and be retracted while the register is in engagement therewith, the disk will be carried back to its original position and the registration caused thereby canceled. By this construction, it will be seen that if the key is operated, and if for any reason it is desired to erase the vote before the voter has left the machine, the key is retracted and the vote is erased. If, however, a vote is to be counted, the voter leaves the booth, and as he leaves the booth, the register frame is lowered to carry the disk J out of engagement with the key, and the keys are returned by the means to be described while they are out of engagement with the register, so that the vote thus castis counted. Secured on the under side of the disk J is a gear pinion Q which meshes with a gear pinion R of twice the diameter and number of teeth, which is rigidly secured to the primary registering wheel G through the intermediate collar S and disk T. This disk T is the ordinary single tooth Geneva stop carrying disk which cooperates with the disk U secured to the tens registering wheel G, which in the same way carries its tens over to the hundreds disk.

The key M, the outer portion of which is square in cross sect-ion except where it is cut away to form the locking surface L, slides horizontally through the apertures formed in the front plate C and the partition Y, and may have its inner portion V rounded and taking into the circular aperture TV formed in the vertical strip X, which is attached to the rear partition Y. The end of the part V of the key M is cut away, as at Z (see F i g. 8), to cooperate with a re "crsely cutaway portion A formed on the circular stem B of the plunger G which cooperates .with the interlocking mechanism in a manner to be subsequently described. The stem B normally rests in the aperture \V and in a circular aperture D registering therewith in the partition Y. A helically coiled expand ing spring E is secured to the outer end of the portion V of the key M, preferably by passing it through the body of the key, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and has its other end resting against or secured to the strip X so that when the key is pushed in,

the spring is put under tension, and tends to return the key to normal positlon.

To hold the key in its operated position, I pivotally secure to say the left hand side thereof the latch F which is of the shape clearly shown in Fig. 8. This latch is formed with the hook G on its inner end, which when the key is pushed in to the limit of its inner movement falls by gravity and catches over the beveled lug H a series of which, corresponding in number and location to the keys, are secured to or formed integral with the right hand sides of the vertical strips U and of the register frame. In order to prevent any possible cramping of the latch by friction against the sides of the aperture through which it moves at the time that it is in position to fall into engagement with the lug H I form the head of the screw J by which the latch is secured to the key of a sufficient thickness so that when it is screwed in place, its outer side will project a trifle beyond the edge of the latch. As seen in Fig. 8, this screw is located so that when the key is pushed into its operated position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the screw J 2 is in the center of the aperture formed by the partition, and thus crowds the latch away from the edge of the partition so that it will fall freely when it reaches this position. As will be seen from Fig. 8, the central portion of the latch is just the width of the aperture, while its outer end is narrowed off to permit the latch to fall when the key is pushed in, while its wider middle portion causes the latch to be carried up to the full line position of Fig. 8, when the key is withdrawn, From an inspection of the full and dotted line positions in Fig. 8, it will be apparent that after the key has been pushed in and locked, whether individually or by the straight ticket mechanism, if it is desired to retract the key, the voter can press upon the upper edge of the latch and raise the hook G out of engagement with the lug H so that the key can be returned by the spring E After any key is returned, any other key in the same row can be pushed in. It will also be apparent that when the register frame is lowered as the booth is opened, the lugs H moving down, the hooks G of the latches will be .released therefrom and the keys are free to be thrown back by the spring E The shape of the latches cooperating with the apertures will prevent them from falling practically any farther than the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, so that the downward movement of the frame eventually releases all the keys and permits their return to normal position.

To prevent the simultaneous operation of more than the required number of keys in each row or group, I employ the interlocking mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and this consists of a pair of vertical end pieces or posts K which have the funnel-shaped openings L into the small vertical channels M extending therethrough. These end posts K are connected by the cross pieces N at the top and bottom and the intermediate tubes 0 which correspond in number to the number of horizontal rows of keys. These tubes 0 have placed just inside of them the thin rubber tubes P and the ends of bot-h the outer and inner tubes are closed by the connection Qf which consists of the central circular flange having the tubular end B projecting into the inside of the rubber tube P, which is cemented or otherwise secured thereto so as to form a fluid-tight joint. The other reduced tubular end S of the connection Q is screw-threaded into the horizontal apertures T which extend through the posts K the other ends of these apertures T being closed by the screwthreaded plugs U formed with the squared or other shaped end V adapted to receive a wrench or other implement by which the plug U can be screwed in or out to diminish the capacity of the tube. Interposed between the apertures T and extending through the posts K at right angles thereto, are the stop cocks which are arranged to close or open the channel M at any point at which such an adjustment may be desired. The tubes 0 have cut into their front sides a series of openings X which are of a shape, preferably oval, corresponding to the cross section of the ends of the plugs G which normally rest in said openings and in direct contact with the rubber tube P, which, of course, has no opening therein. It will be apparent that when a key M is pushed in, after it has taken up the lost motion between the end of the key and the plug 0 it will force the plug G into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 9, in which position the rubber will be forced in and the capacity of the tube for the fluid which is inclosed therein will be diminished. As this fluid, which is preferably a heavy non-volatile oil, such as glycerin, which will not deleteriously affect the rubber, is incompressible, it will be apparent that if the capacity of the tube is limited, only a single key can be depressed in any horizontal row, if the horizontal row lacks only a certain amount of being full. It will be equally apparent that if several rows are connected together, so that the fluid can circulate freely through all of them, that as many keys in the group can be depressed as is provided for by the amount of space left in the group which is not filled with oil. It will be equally apparent that by shifting the positions of the stop cocks V any desiredarrangement and grouping of the keys can be effected. In adjusting the mechanism prior to an election, the lowermost stop cocks W ,which are beneath the lowermost tube 0 are closed,

and all the other stop cocks are opened. One key in each horizontal row, or as many as are to be operated, are pushed in and held by their latches. Oil is then poured in at one of the funnel-shaped apertures L and the air in the tubes is displaced, escaping at the aperture in the other post. After the tubes are filled with oil, as many of the stop cocks WV are turned into their closed position as may be necessary to form the proper groupings. In Fig. 10, the three upper stop cocks being closed, it will be seen that the two upper tubes are separated from each other and form two separate sets, one for each group in which a single candidate is to be elected. The next three stop cocks are left in their open position, and those immediately below them closed, so that the lowermost four tubes shown in the figure are grouped together to form a multi-oflice group. in this manner, it will be seen that any desired grouping and arrangement of the registers can be readily effected. After the stop cocks are adjusted as desired, the keys are tested in their operation, and if any of them are operated with too much efiort, one or bot-h of the plugs U corresponding to the row in which it is located are screwed out a trifle to increase the space in the tube, care being taken not to increase it sufliciently so that two keys can be operated. Conversely, if it be found that two keys can be operated, or nearly so, the corresponding plugs are screwed in to diminish the space to just sufficient to permit the easy operation of a single key. in connection with the inulti-ofice groups, this adjustment becomes of even greater importance. The frame work made by this interlocking mechanism is secured and supported by the partition Y, it being conveniently supported by eye-lugs Y taking over the pintles Z carried by the rear side of the partition Y. The rear side A of the casing is preferably hinged as at B at one end to form a door, the other end of which is locked, and by unlocking it, access is readily given to the interlocking"mechanism to make any desired changes in the arrangements thereof.

To provide for casting the free ballot, z'. 6., for some candidate not regularly nominated by any of the parties, and not provided with a register, I employ the following mechanism. For the purpose of operatingthismechanism, I employ keys M preferably arranged in the column at the right hand side of the machine, which difier from the ordinary keys in that they are not provided with the register operating mechanism, but have projecting therefrom at one side the arm C the shape of which in cross section is best shown in Fig. 8, its shape being adapted to just fill an elongated aperture D formed in the front plate of the machine. The portions of the division plates X extending between the end piece V and the adjacent vertical partition IV are set at an angle, as best shown in Fig. 8. The part of the front plate C which is cut away to form the aperture D is extended back as shown in Fig. 8 at E lVhen the key for this free balloting apparatus is operated, and caught, the parts are in the position shown in the central portion of Fig- 8, and I provide the small tubes or capsules F which are constructed of two parts and into which a small strip of paper upon which the name of the candidate has been written can be placed after it has been rolled up. These tubes are of such a size as to prevent the insertion of more than one of them in the space formed when the key is pushed in, and it will be seen that if the voter should attempt to beat the machine by releasing the key with a view to operating another candidate key, the capsule F will be forced back out of the aperture. The flange E is employed to prevent the voter from inserting some implement under the capsule after the key is pushed in and flipping it over the arm C. hen the voter leaves the booth, and the register frame is lowered, as soon as it reaches the position indicated by the dotted line position of one of the plates X in Fig. 8, the capsule F escapes beneath the arm C and this escape is effected before the frame has moved far enough to release the latch G from the lug H After the capsule has passed this arm, it rolls on down through the elongated aperture G in the partition Y, and into the receptacle formed by the inclined plates H which extend between the partitions Y and Y. These plates I-I preferably have their edges turned up and down to form flanges by which they can be secured to the sides of the partitions Y and Y. To give access to these pockets to remove the ballots, I form in the end of the casing a vertical door J, which is secured by a lock K which cooperates with the end of the casing. Inside of this door, I form another door If, which is hinged at the other end and formed with a lock 1 which cooperates with the vertical end piece V of the register frame, the slot in which, with which the locking bolt cooperates, being long enough to permit of the vertical movement of this frame. The partition Y is cut away as at N to receive the door L and its right hand end is cut away completely, so as to give access to the right hand end of the channels formed by the partitions H when the doors J and L are opened.

The front plate C of the machine immediately surrounding the ballot plate or keys may be formed of a thin metal sheet, out of which apertures are stamped for the keys M and the latches F. I preferably turn the stamped out portions of this plate around as shown at O in Figs. '7 and 8 to form guides for the vertical. ballot strips P which are placed between each row of keys and have the names of the candidates and the offices and parties printed thereon. These ballot strips are preferably metallic, or they may be of glass and have the ballot strips made of thin paper and secured back of them. These ballot strips are secured in position in any desired manner, as by locking bars arranged horizontally across the machine at the top and bottom of the rows of keys. The front plate C is preferably formed with the apertures Q stamped therein just below the position of the register wheels when they are in engagement with the keys, and in position so that they will register therewith when they are in their lowermost position, as when the register frame is down. Of course, I might place these apertures Q just above the position shown, in which they would be in register with the figures on the registering wheels when the same were in engagement with the keys and locked from movement thereby. These apertures are usually closed by the ballot strips P, so that the voter when the machine is in use cannot see how the election is progressing.

Instead of employing a straight ticket actuating mechanism for each party column, as heretofore, I employ an actuating member that is common to all of the columns, such as is illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 to 13. For this purpose, I secure upon the front plate of the machine, above and below the keys, the bars R which are preferably Hshaped in cross section. Extending vertically from the top to the bottom bar is another bar S", which has the T-shaped heads T formed just above both of the bars R These T-shaped heads carry the cen trally disposed anti-friction rollers U journaled therein on horizontal axes, and designed to support the weight of the bar so that it can be rolled along freely on the guide bars R To prevent binding and to cause the bar to move along easily, I also provide the four anti-friction rollers V, which are journaled on vertical axes and cooperate with the upper grooves formed in the bars R To prevent the bar S from being lifted, intentionally or otherwise, out of its engagement with the supporting ways or bars R I provide the hook V on its lower end, which engages with the channel on the under side of the lower piece R and which may be secured in place by a screw bolt X indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12. Pivotally mounted upon the bar S )referably on the journals made by using the screw bolt X at the bottom and a corre sponding screw bolt Y at the top, is a frame consisting of the comparatively short horizontal arms Z and the connecting piece A which has in its center the handle 13*. By

reference to the figures, it will be apparent that when this apparatus is brought in proper relation to a row of keys, and the handle B is swung to the left, the bearing surface 0* of the piece A will be brought against the ends of all the keys in that row and they can be pushed in until they are caught by the latches. To accurately position this mechanism, and prevent its being operated until it is in proper place, I form on the inner ends of the horizontal arms Z the cross pieces D*, the left hand ends of which are preferably rounded, and cooperate with the notches E formed in the lower portion of the upper bearing bar R By the use of this construction, it will be seen that by grasping the handle 13*, the mechanism can be readily slid along until the lugs or cross pieces D are opposite the notches 13* adjacent to the party rows to be operated, after which the handle 15* is swung into the dotted line position of Fig. 11, thereby operating at once all the keys. After this straight ticket is voted, if it is desired to scratch any candidate of the party, his register key can be released and unoperated, as previously set out, after which the key for the candidate desired can be operated.

It will be noted that when the booth is opened by reason of the curtain rod being swung to the clotted-line position shown in Fig. 2, the candidate indicators or keys M can be moved into and out of operative position by the voter without effecting the operation of the registers, inasmuch as the keys are not then in operative engagement with the registers. It will also be noted that when the booth is closed, with the curtain in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the movement of the keys into position or out of position does not finally determine the operation of the registers, as that is effected by the opening movement of the bail F carrying the curtain. It will also be noted that the operation of the registers is finally determined during the opening movement of the bail F, as in that case the keys which have been set are disengaged from the registers by the movement of the register frame before the keys are returned, therefore causing the registers to be operated, an action which, of course, would not occur if the keys were returned before the registers were moved out of engagement therewith.

While I have herein shown and described a novel combination of elements in which a frame carrying the registers is moved into and out of engagement with the operating keys so that the registers can be actuated and unactuated at will while the voter is in the booth, and the registration will be finally determined by the keys that are left in operated position as the voter leaves the booth by reason of the register-frame moving to carry the registers away from the keys as the booth is opened, I do not herein claim this construction, as it is covered by my prior application No. 8568, filed March 12, 1900.

While I have shown my invention as embodied in the form which I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood 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 of the art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, and an individual locking and releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely to hold it in its advanced position and for releasing it without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated.

2. In a voting machine,the combination of the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, and locking and releasing mechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position, comprising a latch movable relative to said key and engaging with a normally stationary part of the machine, a portion of said latch projecting outside of the casing adjacent the key in both of its positions for releasing it without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated.

3. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallyingmechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking and releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position and for releasing it without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated, and means for releasing all the operated keys by the resetting of the machine.

it. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking and releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely to hold it in its advanced po sition and for releasing it without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated, and means for releasing all the operated keys by the resetting of the machine, said means comprising a movable frame with which all of said locking mechanisms engage.

In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a phirality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, locking and releasing mechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position comprising a latch movable relative to said key and engaging with a lug, a portion of said latch projecting outside the casing adjacent the key in both its positions for releasing it, and means for releasing all the keys simultaneously comprising a movable frame carrying all the lugs with which the latches engage.

(3. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking and releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position, and for disengaging it without thereby releasing any other keys, and means for automatically returning each of said keys to its normal position.

7. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plu rality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking and releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely to hold it in its ad anced position, and for disengaging it without thereby releasing any other keys, and means for automatically returning each of said keys to its normal position when released, said means consisting of a spring cooperating with said key and put under increased tension by its advance.

S. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, an individual locking and releasing mechanism for each key cooperating with each key solely to hold it in its advanced position and for disengaging it Without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated, means for releasing all or" the locking mechanisms simultaneously, and means for automatically returning all of said keys to their normal positions when released.

9. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, locking and releasing mechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position comprising a latch movable relative to said key and engaging with a normally stationary part of the machine, a portion of said latch projecting outside of the casing adjacent the key in both of its positions for disengaging it without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated, and a spring cooperating with each of said keys and put under increased tension by their advance to return them to normal position when released.

10. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a corresponding plurality of vote tallying mechanisms controlled thereby, locking and releasing mechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position, said mechanism comprising a latch movable relative to said key and engaging with a lug, a portion of said latch projecting outside the casing adj acent the key in both its positions for disengaging it, means for releasing all of said keys simultaneously comprising a moving frame carrying all of the lugs with which the latches engage, and means for automatically returning all of said keys to their normal position when released consisting of a spring cooperating wit-h each of said keys and put under increased tension by its advance.

11. In a voting machine, the combination of the casing, with a plurality of push keys mounted to reciprocate therein, with a corresponding number of latches one of which is pivoted to the side of each key and formed with a hook to engage a normally stationary part of the machine, and a projecting portion for releasing the latch from its engagement without thereby releasing any of the other keys that may be operated.

12. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, a plurality of latches corresponding in number to said keys, one latch being pivotally engaged with each key and so shaped relative to the aperture for the key in the case as to be held up thereby until the nose of the latch is over the lug with which it engages.

13. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing, with a key mounted to recipro cate through an aperture therein, a latch pivotally engaged with said key, and a movable frame carrying a latch with which the hook of said latch engages, said latch being so shaped relative to the aperture in the cas ing as to prevent its following the lug when the frame is moved so as to carry the lug out of engagement with the latch.

let. In a voting machine, the combination of a casing with a key mounted to reciprocate through an aperture therein, a latch pivoted to the side of each key and having a hook, a movable frame carrying the lug with which the hook on said key engages, said latch being so shaped relative to the aperture through which it moves as to be held up by said aperture until the nose of l the latch is over the lug, and also to preof the casing, with a plurality of keys mounted to reciprocate therein, locking and releasing mechanism cooperating with each key to hold it in its advanced position, and for disengaging it without thereby releasing any other key that may be operated, a frame carrying a plurality of registers normally in engagement with said keys to be operated thereby as the keys are advanced and retracted, and mechanism for reciprocating said frame to disengage the registers from the keys and to release the locking mechanisms of the keys simultaneously.

17 In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and office rows and all movable relative to each other, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column.-

18. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and oflice rows, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, said mechanism comprising a swinging bar having its ends adjustably supported beyond the ends of the columns of keys.

19. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and office rows, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, said mechanism comprising a swinging bar pivoted upon another parallel bar having its ends adjustably supported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns of the keys.

20. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and oflice rows, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relatively to the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, said mechanism comprising a swinging bar pivoted upon another parallel bar having its ends adjustably supported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns of the keys by means of T -shaped heads engaging with grooved cross pieces.

21. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and office rows, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relative to the party coliunns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, said mechanism comprising a swinging bar pivoted upon another parallel bar having its ends adjustably supported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns of keys by means of the antifriction rollers substantially as shown and described.

22. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and office rows, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, said mechanism comprising a swinging bar having its ends adj ustably supported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns of keys, and locking and guiding mechanism to prevent the swinging of the bar except when correctly positioned relative to the rows of keys.

23. In a voting machine, the combination with plural series of keys arranged in party columns and ofiice rows, of a straight ticket operating mechanism adjustable relative to the party columns and movable relative thereto to operate all the keys in any desired column, said mechanism comprising a swinging bar having its ends adj ustably supported upon the face of the machine beyond the ends of the columns of keys, and locking and guiding mechanism to prevent the swinging of the bar except when correctly adjusted relative to the rows of keys comprising lugs on the bar adapted to enter notches on the cross pieces when the key is swung.

2st. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of a corresponding plurality of registers whose operation is controlled by said keys, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number that may be operated simultaneously, and a plurality of gravity latches, one associated with each key and extending without the casing, and serving to hold the key in its operated position and to release it when desired.

25. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of a corresponding plurality of registers operated thereby as the keys are set, and unoperated as the keys are individually re-set, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number that may be operated simultaneously, a plurality of gravity latches, one associated with each key, and serving to hold the key in its operated position, and means for simultaneously releasing the latches and returning the keys without unoperating the registers as the machine is re-set.

26. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of a corresponding plurality of registers directly operated and unoperated thereby, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number that may be operated simultaneously, a plurality of gravity latches, one associated with each key, and serving to hold the key in its operated position, means for releasing the latches one by one, and springs for returning the keys when the latches are released.

27. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of a corresponding plurality of registers directly operated and unoperated thereby, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number that may be operated simultaneously, a plurality of gravity latches, one associated with each key, and serving to hold the key in its operated position, means for releasing the latches one by one, springs for returning the keys when the latches are released, and means for moving the registers out of en gagement with the keys and releasing all the latches as the machine is re-set.

28. In a voting machine, the combination with a plurality of keys, of a corresponding plurality of registers directly operated and unoperated by the movement of said keys, a frame carrying said registers and movable relative to the keys, lugs carried by said frame, a plurality of gravity latches, one associated with each key, and serving to engage the corresponding lug on the frame and hold the key in its operated position, mechanism interposed between said keys to limit the number that may be operated simultaneously, and means for moving said frame so that the latches may be disengaged from their lugs and the registers from the keys so that the latter may be returned without unoperating the registers.

29. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, an individual register for each key whose operation is controlled thereby, a locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated posit-ion from which they can be released singly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any other key whatsoever and re turned to their unoperated position; substantially as described.

30. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, an individual register for each key whose operation is controlled thereby, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any other key whatsoever, and means for automatically returning any key that may be released.

31. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reeiprocated therein, an individual register for each key whose operation is controlled thereby, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any other key whatsoever and returned to their unoperated position, and resetting means for simultaneously releasing all said keys; substantially as described.

32. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, an individual register for each key whose operation is controlled thereby, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter without affecting the locking mechanism of any other key whatsoever, means for automatically returning any key that may be released, and resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing all of said keys; substantially as described.

33. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter and returned to their unoperated position thereby unoperating the register; substantially as described.

3st. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter, and means for automatically returning any key that may be released thereby unoperating its register; substantially as described.

35. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released by the voter and returned to'their unoperated position thereby unoperating their registers, and resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing and returning all of the operated keys without thereby unoperating the registers; substantially as de scribed.

36. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter, means for automatically returning any key that may be thus released, thereby unoperating its register, and resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing and returning all the said keys to their unoperated position without thereby unoperating the registers.

37. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may be operated simultaneously, a locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter and returned to their unoperated position; substantially as described.

38. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers to be operated as its inclividual key is pushed in, interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may be operated simultaneously, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter, and means for automatically returning any key that may be thus released thereby unoperating its register; substantially as described.

39. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may be operated simultaneously,

locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly by the voter and returned to their unoperated position thereby unoperating their associated registers, a resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing and returning all said operated keys without thereby unoperating their registers; substantially as described.

40. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing, of the keys adapted to be reciprocated therein, a corresponding number of registers each adapted to be operated as its individual key is pushed in, interlocking mechanism for limiting the number of keys that may be operated simultaneously, locking mechanism for holding said keys in their operated position from which they can be released singly, means for automatically returning any key thus released thereby unoperating its associated register, and resetting mechanism for simultaneously releasing and returning all operated keys without thereby unoperating their registers; substantially as described.

41. In a voting machine, the combination with keys devoted to the candidates of different parties, of a straight ticket-operating mechanism adjustable relatively to said keys to operate the keys of all of the candidates of any desired party, depending upon the adjustment of said mechanism; substantially as described.

42. In a voting machine, the con'ibination with the plural series of ballot indicators grouped according to parties and offices and all movable relative to each other, of adjustable straight-ticket mechanism which may be first adjusted for the chosen party and then operated to move all of the ballot indicators of the party chosen to operative position.

43. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged in transverse office and party rows and all movable relative to each other, of an adjustable straight-ticket mechanism which may be first adjusted for the chosen party and then operated to move all of the keys of the party row chosen to operative position.

4A. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having the register-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keys mounted to reciprocate in said wall, the register frame adjacent said front wall, registers associated with the keys carried by the frame, and means for reciprocating the frame and bringing the registers into alinement with the apertures.

45. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having the register-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keys mounted to reciprocate in said wall, the register frame adjacent said front wall, registers associated with the keys carried by the frame, means for reciprocating the frame and bringing the registers into alinement with the apertures, the ballot strips covering the apertures, and means for securing the ballot strips in position.

46. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having the register-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keys mounted to reciprocate therein, the register frame adjacent to said wall, the registers associated with the keys and carried by the frame, and means for reciprocating the frame to carry the registers into and out of engagement with the keys and to bring the figures thereon in alinement with the apertures.

47. In a voting machine, the combination with the casing having the register-inspecting apertures in the front wall thereof, of the keys mounted to reciprocate therein, the register frame adjacent to said front wall, the registers associated with the keys and carried by the frame, means for reciprocating the frame to carry the registers into and out of engagement with the keys and to bring the figures thereon in alinement with the apertures, the ballot strips covering the apertures, and means for securing the ballot strips in position.

48. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged in party columns and otfice rows, of the register carrying frame having the units, tens and hundreds wheel shafts for each column extending vertically therein, the register wheels on said shafts carrying mechanism between each set of register wheels, connections between the units wheels and the keys whereby they are operated and unoperated as the keys are moved in and out, and means for moving all the register wheels and the keys simultaneously relatively to each other to disengage the units wheels and keys so that the keys may be reset without unoperating the registers.

49. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged in party columns and office rows, of the register carrying frame having the units, tens and hundreds wheel shafts for each column extending vertically therein, the register wheels on said shafts carrying mechanism between each set of register wheels, connections between the units wheels and the keys whereby they are operated and unoperated as the keys are moved in and out, and means for moving the register frame to disengage the units wheels from the keys while the latter are reset.

50. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth opening and closing element, of candidate registers, cooperating candidate indicators movable into and out of opera tive position by the voter when the booth is opened or closed without finally determining the operation of the registers, and connections between the registers and indicators for finally determining the operation of the registers during the opening move ment of the element.

51. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth opening and closing element, of a movable frame, candidate registers carried by said frame, cooperating candidate indicators movable into and out of operative position by the voter when the booth is opened or closed without finally determining the operation of the registers, and connections between the register-carrying frame and the booth opening and closing element for moving the frame and carrying the registers out of engagement with the indicators as the booth is opened, so that the indicators can be re-set without affecting the registers.

In a voting machine, the combination with a booth opening and closing element, of a movable frame, candidate registers car ried by said frame, cooperatng candidate indicators movable into and out of operative position by the voter when the booth is opened or closed without finally determining the operation of the registers, connections between the register-carrying frame and the booth opening and closing element for moving the frame and carrying'the registers out of engagement with the indicators as the booth is opened, so that the indicators can be reset without affecting the registers, and means for returning the indicators during the opening movement after the frame has been moved to carry the registers out of engagement with the indicators.

JOHN HOlVARD MOELROY.

Witnesses SAMUEL E. I-IIBBEN, Hirr'rm O. IIALVORSON.