US989017A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

W. LANGRILL.

VOTING MACHINE;

LPPLIOTION FILED "Im`10',"I909.

Patented Apr. 11, 1.911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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WlTNESSESI afa/6m W. LANGRILL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNI: 1o, 190e.

Patented Apr. 11,1911.

5 SHEETSPSHEET 2.

M INVENTOR WITNESSES:

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VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION 'FILED JUNE 10, 1909.

989,017. Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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' W. LANGRILL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNI: 1o, 1909.

Patented Apr. 11, 1'911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

lawfm y ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

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W. -LANGRILLI VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNB1o,1som

989,017. Patented Apr. 11,1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

ff) M MMKINVENIQR ATTORNEY Ani arios.

WILLIAM LANGRILL, OF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

VOTING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM LANGRILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to voting machines.

One object is the provision of improved means for locking the booth or the machine against operation until a vote has been registered.

Another object is the provision of simple and novel means for registering a party vote.

Another object is the provision of improved registering mechanism for recording the vote.

Another object is the provision of improved key resetting means.

Another object is the provision of means for permitting the voter to vote for two or more candidates in different parties for the same oliice, where two or more candidates are to hold the same otlice.

Another object is the provision of improved means for voting yea or nay on questions submitted to the people.

Another object is the provision of novel means for automatically resetting the means preventing the depression of two or more keys, for candidates for the same o'liice, when it is desired to split a ticket.

Other novel features reside in the construction ot a machine, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face view of a voting machine embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a top plan view, parts being omitted to better disclose the construction, Fig. 3 is a horizontal crosssectional view on line m-x of Fig. l, Fig. et is a vert-ical cross-sectional view on line y/-y or Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a rear view, Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating a portion of the key resetting means, Fig. 7 is a detail view ot the gate locking mechanism, Fig. 8 is a detail view of the mechanism for permitting a voter to vote for a plurality of candidates for a single otiice, Fig. 9 is a detail view ot the means enabling the voter to vote yea or Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. June 10, 1909.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

serial no. 501,291.

nay on questions submitted to him, and FiO. 10 is a detail sectional view of the key support, Fig. 11 is a detail of the means by which the party levers communicate their movement to the party lever shaft.

This invention is in iine with those shown in my prior Patents, No. 856,267, dated J une 11, 1907, No. 860,675, dated July 23, 1907, and No. 864L,173, dated Aug. 27, 1907, to which reference is made for such further description as may be necessary to a complete understanding of the invention.

To effect the various functions necessary for the proper registration of the voters choice and the resetting of the machine in readiness for the next voter, I utilize a plurality of selective keys, a party-lever mechanism for actuating any one series of keys simultaneously, a key-return mechanism actuated through the operation of the party lever on the keys, and normally adapted to prevent the operative movement of the keys until a party lever is actuated, a locking means for normally preventing a vote for two or more candidates for the same oiice, release means for permitting the voter to vote for two candidates in different parties for the same office, where such oliice is to be held by a plurality of men, means set by the keys for registering the voters choice, and means for resetting the keys, registering` the voters choice and locking the booth.

yIn addition thereto I provide means for voting yea and nay on questions submitted.

The machine comprises a casing A containing the mechanism. Such casing may be inclosed within a booth or screened by curtains, in any usual or convenient manner, not shown.

Within the casing is located the support-- ing frame work 1. The selective mechanism consists of a plurality of vertically extending rows of keys 2, 2, adjacent which are located the names of the candidates and the oilices for which they are running, the names for each party being arranged in vertical lists respectively. The heads of the keys may bear numerals if desired, which correspond with the numerals on the vertically arranged rows of registering devices hereinafter set forth. The keys are movable inwardly in a rectilinear line.

Thebody portions 3 of the keys may be slidingly supported in any suitable manner, as on the flanged shelves et, 11, and in order that any of the keys may be removed for repair or substitution, l may provide the spring plates 5, suitably supported adjacent the shelves and having their free ends engaging the body portions. These springs also operate to maintain the keys in the positions to which they have been moved, against accidental displacement. rEhe inner ends of the keys preferably pointed or beveled as at G and are adapted to actuate a locking mechanism which norn'ially prevents the operation of more than one key for a candidate ruiming' for one office.

Associated with the keys is a plurality of horizontally extending lines of movable sect-ions 7, there being a line of sections for each horizontal line of candidates for the same office. The sections are received in ways 7a formed on the vertical rear face of the frame work, and consist of separate lengths of suitable material7 the adjacentl ends of which normally lie in alinement with the pointed ends G of the keys and are recessed to receive such pointed ends. A sheet 8 slotted in alinement with the pointed ends of the keys, maintains the sections in position in the ways.

Means as the leaf springs 9 engage the end sections of each horizontal line, to maintain the adjacent ends of the sections normally in contact. rllhe depression of a key will cause the pointed end to enter the recess between two adjacent sections and spread the sections apart so as to move the recesses out of alinement with the remaining keys in the horizontal row, thereby preventing the remaining keys from being operatively actuated because their points will engage the sections. The sections are spread apart against the tension of the springs E) which return the sections to normal position, as soon as the keys are reset, and because of the springs at both ends of a line of sections, the recesses between the sections are always brought into alinement with the ends of the keys. The projection of the pointed ends of the keys between the sliding locking sections of the mechanism operates to set the registering mechanism.

The registering mechanism preferably comprises a vertically sliding sash B, guided in any convenient manner. rllhis sash lies parallel with the slotted sheet S, the vertical bars l0 of the sash being loca ed adjacent the vertical. rows of slots ll in the sheet. rllhese bars carry vertical rows of pawls l2, lying in the paths of movement of the beveled ends of the keys and adapted to be thrown into position to actu-ate any suitable registers 13, by the engagement of the keys therewith. As one means of effecting this result, l preferably, though not necessarily, recess the vertical bars 10 to receive the pawls. ln the form shown, such pawls are shaped something like a truncated isosceles l bar and provided with a laterally extending linger 14 adapted to be projected into alinement with the wheel l5 of a register 13. That side face of the pawl opposite its pivotl point 1G normally lies over and partially covers the adjacent slot l1 in sheet 8, in such manner that the end of the key will engage the pawl near that end opposite the pivotal point, in order to throw the pawl laterally and project the linger. rThe rotation of the pawls is limited in one direction by the rests l? on the bars l0, and, owing to the fact that the pivotal point is otl'set from the center of gravity, the pawls will always return to normal position from their tilted position, upon the withdrawal of the keys.

ln order to register the voters choice, I provide a shaft 1S having arms 19 to which the sash is connected by means of links 20, the partial rotation of the shaft in one direction being adapted to move the sash in one direction to bring the projected fingers 1e*- into engagement with the wheels l5 of their respective registers 13, the partial rotation of the shaft in the reverse direction operating to return the sash to normal position.

ln order to enable the voter to vote a straight party ticket with the expenditure of the least time whereby to facilitate the voting, l provide a series of party levers controlling the actuation of their respective vertical rows o keys. These party levers Q1 are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends, the outer ends of the levers projecting through openings in a cover Q2 in position to be grasped and pulled down by the voter. rlhe inner ends of the levers have secured thereto the vertical depending bars 23, connected by links 2li to the frame work in order to have a parallel motion vertically Studs Q5 project laterally from the keys into the paths of movement of the bars so that the movement of the lever will advance the bar in a vertical plane to engage the studs and depress all the keys in one party line simultaneously. rilhe lever, when released, will return to its original position, owing to the weight of the bars 23 and links, or it may be returned in any other convenient manner.

t is desirable that the machine be so a1'- ranged that the keys are not operatively depressible until a party lever has been actuated, the means for rendering the keys inoperable also forming a portion of the resetting means, and as one construction for accomplishing this end, l preferably mount the party levers loosely on a single shaft 2G journaled to the frame. This shaft is provided with abutments 2T adapted Ato be eugaged b v dogs 28 carried by the respective levers. The abutments lie in contact with the dogs so that movement of the levers is communicated to the shaft.

triangle pivoted Vat one lower corner to the ried by the shaft are pivotally secured at Arms 29 carj their outer ends, to a holding frame 30y which is also connected by links 31 to the frame work 1 so that the frame is moved in an oblique line toward and from the frame work, remaining parallel with the frame work at all times. The holding frame 30 is provided with vertical rods 32 lying adjacent the respective vertical rows of keys and in the path of movement of the studs 25. Normally, these vertical rods lie closely adjacent the studs when the keys are not depressed, and prevents the operative engagement of the keys and pawls in any suitable manner, as by its own weight. rllhe ends of 'this obliquely moving frame may be eX- tended if desired, for frictional engagement with the plates 33 on the inner faces of the casing A. The holding frame is pushed back out of the way by the actuation of any one of the party levers to throw the keys of any one party line into operative engagement with the pawls and is held in such position by its engagement with the friction plates 33.

In order to operate the registering devices and reset the selective mechanism, I may utilize the mechanism shown in my Patents, Nos. 860,675 and 864,173, consisting of a swinging gate 34 connected to the vertically obliquely moving resetting frame 35 by means of the links 36, 37, such resetting frame being connected to the shaft 18, by means of the lever 38, stud 39, and arm 40 on the shaft, as shown and described in the above mentioned patents. lIhe gate is provided with the catch and guarded ratchet plate 4l described in my Patent Number 860,675, for insuring that the vote is registered before the next voter enters the booth. rlhe gate 34 may be connected with the door of a booth or a curtain lever, so that it will be operated by the voter upon entering and when leaving the booth. The opening movement of the gate draws the sash B in a direction to cause the fingers 14 of the pawls to engage the wheels 15 on the registering devices 13 and also throws the horizontally moving resetting frame 35 toward the front of the machine and into engagement with the vertically moving holding frame 30, disengaging the latter from its friction-holding plates 33. The holding frame, by its engagement with the studs 25, returns the depressed keys of the selective mechanism to normal position.

As one means for locking the voter in the booth until he has pulled a party lever, I provide the shaft 26 on which the party levers are mounted, with a tongue 42 adapted to be engaged by a hooked catch 43 on the gate. The partial rotation of the shaft imparted thereto by the actuation of a party lever swings the tongue out of engagement with the catch, thereby permitting the gate to be swung open. The shaft 26 may also carry a hammer 44 adapted to impinge against a bell 45 when the party lever is returned to normal position after being operated. As one means for permitting a voter to choose two or more candidates in different parties for the same oflice, where such office is to be held by two or more persons, I have provided the following construction.

It will be remembered that the insertion of the inner end of a key between the sliding sections causes the adjacent recessed ends of such sections to move out of alinement with the remaining keys in the same horizontal row. Therefore, ordinarily it would be impossible to depress a key indi eating a candicate of a different political party for the same office. But as it often happens that two or more candidates are to be elected to the same oiiice and the voter may desire to split his ticket, I provide sliding locking sections having cut away portions 46, in addition to the recessed ends, which sections are insert-ible in place of the sections ordinarily employed in those hori- Zontal lines of sections corresponding with the names of the candidates ruiming for election to the multiple-candidate oiiice. In order to operate those lines of sections to enable a voter to split his ticket, I provide the linger levers 47 pivoted intermediate their ends. The outer ends of such levers project in front of the machine and the inner' ends of the levers are engaged with the respective lines of sliding sections.

To prevent the voter from voting for more candidates than are required for the office, I provide certain sections in those lines actuated when voting for candidates for a multiple-candidate otiice, with laterally projecting pins 48 adapted to engage and operate the opposite ends of a locking lever 49 pivoted intermediate each two lines of locking sections equipped for voting for a multiplecandidate for oflice.

In operation, the voter entering the booth will close the door which operates the gate 34 to engage its latch 43 with the tongue 42 on the party lever shaft 26, locking the voter in the booth. The voter then pulls a party lever which releases the tongue from the latch and simultaneously throws inall the keys of the party whose lever is actuated. If he desires to vote a straight ticket, he now leaves the booth, the opening of the door of which swings the gate to register his choice and reset the mechanism for the next voter. Should the voter desire to split his ticket, he pulls out those keys indicating candidates whom he does not wish to vote for, in the row depressed by the actuation of the party lever. This permits the springs 9 controlling the positions of the locking sections in the candidate lines among whom he wishes to make a choice, to instantly return the sections to normal position. rlhereupon the voter depresses the key of the candidate in some other party for whom he desires to vote. Y'Vhere two or more candidates are to be elected to the same oHice, the names ot' the respective candidates of each party for that oilice are arranged under one another, and it may occur that the voter in splitting his ticket, linds that he wishes to vote for two or more candidates whose names are arranged in the same horizontal line. To accomplish this, he will withdraw the keys indicating the names of all the candidates for that otliee in the party whose party lever he has actuated. Then he will depress the key indicating the name of that candidate in another party for whom he wishes to vote. `"Text he will actuate the linger l-ever 47 in the same horizontal line with the names of the candidates for whom he wishes to vote. This operates to move the locking sections controlling the depression ot the remaining keys in that line so that the cut-away portions t6 lie in alinement with the ends of the remaining keys which permits the voter to depress one or more additional keys in the same line for the remaining candidates whom he desires to elect to lill the multiple-candidate otlice. Simultaneously with the actuation oi such iinger lever, the pin carried by one of the sections of the line controlled by such inger lever, is brought into engagement with the adjacent end of the locking lever el!) whose opposite end engages the pin on a section in the horizontal line ot sections next adjacent. This operates to slide the last named line ot sections along so that the recessed ends of the sections lie out of alinement with the ends of the keys, and also the lever 49, by its engagement with the pins e8, when moved to the positions just above stated, operates to prevent the return of the sections to normal position even though it be attempted to operate the iinger lever 4S controlling such sections. in this manner, the voter is prevented from voting' for more candidates than are necessary to lill the oiiiee. lt is obvious that the length of the cut-away portions t6 determines the number of candidates in any one horizontal line who can be voted for, so that a larger cut-away portion would be necessary where three candidates a rc to be elected to the same otlice than where there are but two to be elected.

It frequently happens that questions are submitted to the voter for determination as, for instance, whether to bond the city, county, or State, as the case may be, for improvements and the like and it is necessary that the voter shall vote in the aiiirmative or negative thereon. To accomplish this purpose, a vertical column ot keys 50 is provided which are similar to the keys 2. rilhe inner ends of the keys 50 pass through slots l1 in the sheet 8 and actuate pawls carried essere by the sash so that the foregoing description will sui'hee. lll ch compartment devoted to a question is provided with two keys for voting atlirmatively and negatively respectively, and in order to prevent the voter from depressing both keys, I provide a gravity plate 5l, pivoted intermediate its ends between the slots ll on the sheet 8, the lower end of vthe plate being' heaviest so that normally the plate is vertical with its edges overlying' the slots l1. The depression ot' one ot the question keys causes its beveled inner end to engage and swing the gravity plate so that one end or the otherthereot` will lie over the slot ll which is in alin-ement with the remaining question key to block the latter and prevent it from engaging the pawl, even though it be operated.

My invention is simple, compact, and not easilyliable to get out ot order. The machine is easily accessible for adjustment, inspection and repair, and it is evident that changes might be made in the term and arrangement o'f the several parts described, without departing :trom the spirit and scope oit my invention.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, what l claim as new, is

1. In a voting machine, a selective mechanism comprising a plurality of keys, a holding trame normally positioned to maintain the selective mechanism inoperative, means tor moving the holding 'frame in one plane ot movement to permit the operation ot the selective mechanism, means engaged by the holding :trame to retain it in such withdrawn position, a resetting device movable in a plane transverse to that traversed by the holding frame and adapted to engage and return it to normal position, and means for actuating the resetting' device.

Q. ln a voting machine, a selective mechanism comprising a plurality of keys, a holding trame normally positioned to maintain the selective mechanism inoperative, means Jor movingthe holding trame in one plane of movement to permit the operation of the selective mechanism, a trictional member engaged by the holding trame to retain it in such withdrawn position, a resetting device movable in a plane transverse to that traversed by the holding trame and adapted to engage and return it to normal position, and means for actuating the resetting device.

A voting machine comprising a selective mechanism consisting of a. plurality of keys arranged in rows, a party lever for each row, a shaft on which the party levers are loosely mounted, means on the shaft adapted to be engaged by any one of the party levers when actuated, to impart a partial rotation to the shaft, a holding' frame connected to the shaft and normally adapted to maintain the selective mechanism in inoperative position, the holding frame being retracted by the actuation of a party lever to permit the operation of the selective mechanism.

4;. A voting machine comprising a selective mechanism arranged in rows, registers engaged by the selective mechanism, registering and resetting mechanisms, a gate, the actuation of which operates the registering and resetting mechanisms, party levers loosely mounted on the shaft for actuating the respective rows of the selective mechanism, a shaft on which the party levers are loosely mounted, means on the shaft adapted for engagement by the respective levers, and a locking means normally connecting the shaft and gate when the latter is in closed position.

5. A voting machine comprising` a selective mechanism arranged in rows, registers adapted for engagement by the selective mechanism, registering and resetting mechanisms, a swinging member, the actuation of which operates the registering and resetting mechanisms, a shaft, party levers loosely journaled on the shaft, means on the shaft adapted for engagement by the party levers to actuate the shaft, and coacting locking members carried by the shaft and swinging member respectively, to retain the latter in one position until the shaft is actuated.

6. A voting machine comprising a selective mechanism arranged in rows, registers adapted for engagement by the selective mechanism, registering and resetting mechanisms, a swinging member, the actuation of which operates the registering and resetting mechanisms, a shaft having a tongue thereon, party levers loosely journaled on the shaft, means on the shaft adapted for engagement by the party levers to partially rotate the shaft, and a latch on the swinging member adapted to take over the tongue when the voter has closed the booth, to lock the voter in until he has actuated a party lever.

7. A voting machine comprising a selective mechanism, a movable sash, tripping means pivotally supported on the sash and normally adapted to lie at one limit of their movement, registers with which the tripping means engage, the selective mechanism adapted to engage and move the tripping means out of normal position to enable the latter to engage the registers, the selective mechanism engaging and maintaining the tripping means in set position during the movement of the sash in one direction, and means for withdrawing the selective mechanism to permit the tripping means to automatically return to normal position.

8. A voting machine comprising a selective mechanism, consisting of a plurality of keys arranged in rows, ways, a plurality of locking sections received in each way, the joints of the locking sections normally lying in alinement with the inner ends of the keys, a slotted plate closing the ways, the slots in which plate lie in alinement with and receive the inner ends of the keys, movably supported gravity-operated pawls partially overlying such slots and adapted to be actuated by the keys, and registers operated by the pawls during their engagement with the keys.

ln testimony whereof, I aliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLAM LANGRILL. 1Witnesses Guo. B. VVILLooX, RALPH S. WARFIELU Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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