US996027A - Interlocking device for voting-machines. - Google Patents

Description

C H. OCUMPAGH. INTERLOCKING DEVICE POR VOTING MACHINES.

` APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. 1907. l 996,027. Patented June 2o, 1911.

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C. H. OGUMPAUGH. INTERLOGKING DEVICE FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MY 4, 1907.

Patented June 20, 1911.

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C. H. OGUMPAUGH. INTERLOGKING DEVICE PoR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLIATION FILED MAY 4, 1907. 996,027. Patented June 20, 1911.

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G. H. OGUMPAUGH. INTBRLOGKING DEVICE E0R1.voTING MAGHINES.

o. H. OGUMPAUGH. INTERLOCKING DBVIGE FOR VOTING'AMACHINES.

v APPLICATION FILE MAY 4, '1907. 996,027. Patented June 20, 1911.

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0. H. OGUMPAUGH. INTERLOGKING DEVISE FOR VOTING MACHINES.

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CHARLES H. OCUIVIPAUGH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

INTERLOOKING DEVICE FOR VOTING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Original application iiled February 20, 1896, Serial No. 580,131?. Divided and this application filed May 4,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES II. OCUM- PAUGH, a resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Interlocking Devices for 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 pertains `to make and use the same.

The invention relates to voting machines, and has for its object to provide efficient and simple vote-indicator-interlocking devices.

The invention consists in the construction hereinafter described and pointed out.

This application is a division of application #580,017, filed February 20, 1896.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention and form part of the specifcation,-Figure 1 is a partial perspective of vote-indicators or pushes and interlocking devices; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the selective voting mechanism, showing the keys or pushes and sliding key-bars, the counters, the interlocking and restoring mechanisms, and the straight ticket device, the key or indicator plate and the rear wall of the booth being shown in section; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. I is a side elevation of the interlocking mechanism in the multicandidate group, showing the parts above the line 19-19, Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism of the multicandidate group, showing the arrangement for four vertical rows of pushes; Fig. 6 is a partial perspective, illustrating the locking mechanism for the multicandidate group; Figs. 7, 8 are partial elevations of the same; Figs. 9 and 10 represent a modied form of the interlocking devices between the pushbars; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of irregular voting mechanism including parts of interlocking devices; Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively a side elevation and a plan view of a modified form of the same; Fig. 14 is a view of a detail; Figs. 15 and 1G are partial perspective views showing, respectively, the interlock connection between the irregular vote devices and regular vote devices of the kind shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and group voting devices such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The letter B Figs. 2 and 3 denotes the key Serial No. 371,939.

plate and B1 .the rear wall of a booth or chamber, and Gr a door in said wall.

C1 indicates inclosing walls and I a rocking shaft connected to a turn-stile-operated shaft g, Fig. 1, connected to a turnstile not shown herein.

S indicates registers, and Q key-returning and register-actuating bars operatively connected to shaft I by arms g1.

U are pivoted locking dogs moved by the bars R and returned by means of pins h1 on bars Q.

Dliand D2 are fixed supports, and 02 fixed to D2 to support the inner ends of the push or key bars.

Y indicates straight ticket shafts which are rocked by pushes or keys having pins a3 engaging arms Z1 fixed on said shafts. These shafts have each an arm K1 coperating with lugs 2 on the key bars whereby the actuation of any key s moves inwardly all the keys 4in the same party row and puts corresponding registers S in situation to be actuated by the return of the keys through the medium of bars Q.

s, p, and u denote pushes or keys for straight, selective and irregular or independent voting respectively. These are fixed to bars R1, R2, etc.

The interlocking mechanism comprises a series of pivoted slats V, V1, etc., corresponding in number with the push-bars,- each slat being connected with one of the push-bars, so that, when its bar is actuated, it swings or moves into notches in the key bars, and serves to prevent their movement. The key bars R, etc., are each provided with a series of notches, 81, Fig. 3,-which in the particular arrangement shown, are in the lower edges of the bars. rI`he slats V, V1, etc., are pivoted on one edge in the plates C1 C1 or other suitable supports, as indicated at jl, j2, Fig. 2. Each of the slats is provided with an arm 001, which is connected to one of the bars by a pin and slot, or other suitable device. When the bar is pushed in, its corresponding slat is caused to swing on its pivot so that its free edge enters the notches in all the other bars, which represent the same office, and locks them against being pushed inward. The position of one of the slats, V4, at this time, is indicated by dott-ed lines in Fig. 3. Each slat is provided with a notch, s3, Fig. 2, where it crosses the bar to which it is connected so that it may swing upward when its bar is actuated. Then the bar is retuined, b y the action of the rock shatt I the slats are swung back to their original positions, and the pushes or keys are then all unlocked, so that selective voting may be again practiced.

It will be understood that the number of push-es, bars, and interlocking slats `will be made to correspond with the number of parties, and the candidates to be voted itor,- the accompanying drawings showing only so many of such parts as may be requisite for a clear understanding ot the principle on which my interlocking devices operate.

In Figs. E) and 10 I have represented a modified arrangementof the interlocking slats, in which they are caused to move endwise to engage with the notched push-bars, instead of swinging on pivots. Each bar is connected to its corresp mding locking slat by the bell-crank pivoted to any suitable suppo1't,-such as a bar X, Fig. 10, extending across the machine,-the arrangement being such that when one of the bars is push-ed in, its corresponding interlocking slat shitted endwise laterally of the push-bar., as indicated by the full and dotted lines, with regard to the bar It and the slat VG, Fig. t). The bars are provided with the notches s2, in which the slats engage when shifted laterally,`it being understood that each of the slats is provided with a corresponding notch where it crosses a bar to which it is connected by one of the bellcranks 022,-so that the bar is free to move inward. It the bar It be pushed inward, the slat V will be shi'tted laterally and will engage with the notches at s2 on the lower side ot the bars RT, is, and will lock these tast. In a similar manner, it' the bar R7 be actuated, the slat VT will lock the bars It, R3. The slats may be supported by the bars X, or by any other suitable device,pro vision being made Yt'or allowing them tree endwise movement. Each of the push-bars in this arrangement is provided with a locking dog, counting mechanism and returning devices in a manner similar to that already described.

The irregular voting' devices may be brietly described in connection with Figs. 11, 12, and 13. It will be seen from Figs. 11 and 13 that each ot the irregular voting levers i is provided with a type wheel H, which is rotated by the swinging ot the lever, and which is mounted on a sliding' carriage L, which can be pressed toward the paper J by the lever fr. rIhe carriage and type wheel may be arranged in any suitable manner tor the purposes mentioned, but in practice I provide lever r with a segment 'U which engages with a gear fw attached to the type wheel II. K is a` support for the irregular printing mechanism, attached to the key plate or other suitable part of the machine. The type wheel II. and its connected parts are carried by a suitable trame L, supported on plate K in suitable manner so as to reciprocate thereon, as by screws and slots .r in Hang-es extending outward trom the trame. The reciprocating movement ot' the trame and type wheel, received from lever r, is indicated b v full and dotted lines in Figs. 11 and 12. This movement brings the type wheel II in contact with the paper J supported by the roller M, which is sustained by a stud in plate K. rl`he return movement ot the carriage and type wheel is secured by a suitably arranged spring', or by the weight N, carried by a bellcrank lever pivoted to plate K, and bearing by its bent end against the carriage. The carriage L is made el any suitable-shape, being in the drawing shown as bent upward over the type wheel and provided with flanges at its sides. The toothed segment at the inner end ot.' lever fr, and the type wheel I-I and gear to are arranged to turn on pivots attached to the carriage. Inside the carriage a plate i/ may be arranged to carry the gear and type wheel. Any suitable mechanism may be employed to impart to the paper a step by step movement between the impressions made by the type wheel. An ordinary pawl and ratchet mechanism may be employed for this purpose,the pawl being pivotally attached to the carriage, and the ratchet wheel to one o't the rollers over which the paper runs, or other suitable mechanism may be employed for this purpose. I prefer the mechanism shown in the drawings, in which the toothed wheel (Y) is operated positively by the vibration ot the pallets z, .el on the lever P which receives its motion from carriage L. Lever I is pivoted at a2 to a support on plate K, and receives a vibratory motion from carriage L by a bell-crank lever, or by the inclined slotted arm b2 engaging with a pin on the carriage. The reciijirocating movement ot' the carriage imparts a to-and-t'ro movement to the pallets, which causes the toothed wheelV Q to have a corresponding intermittent motion, and this actuates drums el, c on which the paper is wound. The band ot' paper is unwound from one of the rollers and wound onto the other as the printing operation proceeds. rIhe construction is such and so arranged as to move the paper at each printing operation the proper distance suitable for the type used on wheel II. In order to avoid the use ot' ink I wind a strip otl carbon manifold-paper in with the band ot' paper J, either outside or inside, or between two bands, the paper being arranged to more in the proper direction, and the roller M presenting a proper surface against which the impression may be made. vtoller M is sustained by a stud rising from the baseplate K, and rolls c1, c2 revolve on suitable shafts. The construction is such that the voter by the use of a lever r1, type wheel H1 and gears lv1, w1 can print the name of his candidate and also the name of the office.

To provide for interlocking the irregular, selective and straight ticketI devices, one of the interlocking slats, such as V9, Figs. 2, 3 and l5, is extended beyond the selective voting mechanism, and operates to prevent the type-wheel H of the irregular vote mechanism Figs. 12, 13, from being pushed against the paper. rlhe push u of the irregular voting mechanism is provided with a push-barwhich is connected with the slat V0 by a pin and slotted arm w10 in a manner like that shown at @01,Figs. 2 and 3. The slat V0 journaled at js in part C2, rests in contact with the carriage L of the irregular vote mechanism or a lug m2 thereon, as indicated by the full lines in Fig. 1l and prevents any printing being done, until, by operating the push u, the voter turns the slat Vf up out of the path of the carriage, and at the same time locks all the push-bars in the same horizontal line,-that is, all the voting devices for candidates for the same office, so that they cannot be operated. The push-bar of push u is also provided with a locking dog, and the restoring mechanism as already described. The voter after having actuated the push a is free to print the name of his preferred innominate candidate cn the band of paper, but he cannot vote for any regular candidate for the particular ofhce represented by the pushes in that horizontal row, because the slat V9, being engaged with the notches in the push-bars of such row, prevents the operation of any of them, while. at the same time it prevents the voter from using any of the straight ticket voting mechanisms. rlhe extended Slat V is most clearly shown in Fig. 15 in which said slat is shown passing through an opening n in the partition C1 and under the several notched bars in one horizontal row.l whereby when slat VD is turned up by the irregular-releasing push u in the same row all the notched bars of the row will be engaged and locked at the same time that the irregular device is released. 0010 is the arm connected tothe push u to turn bar V9. If the voter uses a regular push button p, the corresponding notched bar is displaced longitudinally so that its notch which is normally over slat V9 will be at one side and a solid edge of the notched bar will be over slat V9 thus locking it against turning. A inger e2, Fig. 11, attached to the slaat VJ opposite the printing roll M, serves to make the impression of a line or row of dots on the band of paper between each irregnlar vote. T he end of the linger z2 is pressed against the paper supported by the roll M of the irregular vote mechanism when the slat V9 is in position to prevent the movement of the type wheel toward the paper, and this pressure makes a mark on the paper between each impression of an irregular vote. lVhen the slat V9 is rocked up so as to permit the type wheel to print on the paper, the arm z2 is moved out of contact with the paper but when the type wheel is locked by the slat the arm 22 is swung against the paper and produces an impression thereon, by pressure on the carbon manifold paper, and this impression comes between and separates registration of irregular votes. This arrangement facilitates the counting of the irregular vote, which is done by removing the paper from the rolls and counting the number of votes cast for the irregular candidates.

To provide for interlocking the multican didate group the push bars in any one vertical row are provided with the interlocking rods L1, etc., of the same class or type, being substantially identical in form and operation. These rods are `pivoted at one end to their respective push-bars, at c3, and so bent and shaped that their other' ends are engaged by the slots y2 side by side on the rod 11. Fig. 5 represents the parts below line 20-20, Fig. 4. The slotted end of adjacent interlocking rods L1, L2, etc., cross each other at substantially right angles, and each of the bars is provided with the in clined surface or interlocking wedge x3, see Fig. 14. The arrangement is such that when one of the interlocking rods is thrust inward as indicated with regard to rod Ll by the full and broken lines in Fig. et, the wedge on it enters beyond the edges of the other rods, and partially fills the space allotted to the rods lengthwise on the rod Il. Beyond the wedges 003, the interlocking rods terminate in a flat proj ection w3, which is thinner than the body of the rod. At each end of i the rod 11 are placed the collars or abutments c6, o7, Fig. 5, which are placed at such a distance that the proper number of interlocking rods may be thrust inward,-the slot y2 sliding on the rod 11,-but that no more can be actuated because the thickened por-- tions of the rods occupy all the space between the abutments, and no other wedges can enter. In the unvoted position, the wedges 'x3 on each of the rods, is outside of the adjacent rods, but when the push bars are actuated, the corresponding interlocking rods are thrust inward (see full and dotted lines, Fig. 4) and their thickened portions till up the space between the abutments. lVhen this interlocking mechanism is adapted to three or more vertical rows of pushes, as indicated in Fig. 5, suitable spacing blocks. a5, 1.1.6, may be employed,-being arranged to slide lengthwise of the rod Il. 1n the particular instance shown, where four rows of five pushes each are grouped together by the same interlocking mechanism,

the ten interlocking` rods of each pair of rows are conveniently brought together, by bending the rods toward each other, as shown, and these two sets are separated by the sliding spacing block nih-the block uc being' also used, if desiied,-and the abutnieiits o, n?, are separated by such a distance as will only permit iive of the wedges m3 to be inserted between them. rIhen the voter can vote for any tive of the twenty candidates, voting ior all the live candidates of a particular party, or splitting his voting as he may desire, but after he has voted for tive, he cannot vote for any ot the others iii the group, since the wedges till the whole space allotted to the rods lengthwise on the rod Il. It will be understood that the interlocking rods are pivoted on their respective push-bars in such manner as to permit the requisite amount of lateral movement to the rods. The length of the spacing block or blocks is of course proportioned for this purpose. It will le understood that the system may be adapted to any other number of rows of pushes, In the instance shown, the voter can vote for any live candidates out of the twenty,-such tive being selected from any of the parties, but after voting for his iive. preferred persons he cannot vote for any of the other candidates. In the multicandidate group, each of the push-bars R1, etc., Fig. 4, at one side of the g'roup, provided with cams which operate a slat V which interlocks with the irregular-vote printing-mechanism of the same horizontal row of candidates in which an irregular-vote printing mechanism is shown opposite each row of candidates for the same otiice by the ditferent political parties. This mechanism consists of an interlocking slat, V0, et and 5, which prevents the operation of the printing mechanism, as shown in Fig. ll, and which is provided with arms carrying the lugs r, fr, Fig. 4, which are acted on by the inclined surfaces a", s on the push-bars R10, etc., F ig. 4. By this construction the irregular-rote priiiting-inecliaiiism is interlocked with the regular voting mechanism, the printing mechanism being provided with a lugl m2, as in Fig'. ll, which bears against the slat. In this :ase each bar in the vertical row nearest the irregular voting' devices stands for an irregular vote, instead of a regular-candidate vote, and each bar in said i'ow takes the place ot a push bar n, such as described in connection with Fig. l.

The construction of the interlocking devices of the inulticandidate group or groups may be variously modified or altered,-the essential feature of tliethickeiied rods being employed, as indicated in Fig. 5 which is a view of those parts located below the plane of line 20, 20 of Fig. 4. The interlocking slats L1, L2, etc., may be arranged to slide eiidwise as indicated in Figs. 5, G, instead of being pivoted, and they may be placed either above or below the push-bars. The pushbars may be provided with holes or openings in which projections on the interlocking slats engage, or vice versa.

IVhat I claim is,

l. In an interlocking mechanism for voting machines, a plurality of rods having thin and thickened parts, the altei'iiate proximate rods being arranged at di'tt'erent angles with respect to the direction ot their operative movement, and abutments, said rods having' each an eiidwise movement whereby a thickened part may be interposed between and in contact with the thin parts oli' the other rods to crowd them against the abutnieiits, substantially as described.

2. plurality of interlocking rods having each a ditlerent angular relation to a transverse line at which alternate rods cross each other, each rod being provided with a thickened part normally out oi operation, and adapted to be moved to cause its thickened part to contact with the adjacent rods and crowd the remaining rods laterally, substantially as described.

In a voting machine, a plurality ot voting keys and push bars, interlocking mechanism, comprising a plurality ot' movable rods pivotally connected to said push bars and having thin and thickened parts whereby the movement of a pi'edeteriiiined number less than the whole will bring into contact the thick and thin portions of adjacent rods and lock the whole.

il. In a voting machine, the combination of sliding interlocking parts, a guide for the same, said parts alternately movable in dii"- terent directions so to cross each other, being slotted to pass above and below said guide, voting keys and push-bars connected thereto, the latter being movable with said keys to move the interlocking parts and spread the saine, substantially as described.

5. In a voting machine, the combination of a rod extending lengthwise ot the niachiiie, interlocking parts supported on said rod and transversely and longitudinally sliding thereon, alternate rods extending in ditlierent directions so as to cross each other at said rod, and each having a wedge part, the thicker parts of the crossing bars being norn'ially out of Contact with each other, and voting keys operatively connected to said bars to move them to interlock.

(i. In a voting machine interlocking mechanism, keys in pai'ty and ottico rows, a sliding bar 'for each key in line therewith and directly moved by its key, an interlocking bar for each sliding bar having one end loosely connected to its sliding` bar so as to be moved longitudinally thereby, and its opposite end also movable transversely, a support for said opposite ends transverse 'to the party rows and in a plane betw en the beginning and the end of said party rows, whereby a part 'of the interlocking bars of each party row reach said support from one side, and a part from another side, thus crossing and interlocking at said support.

7 In a voting machine interlocking mechanism, keys in party and oiiice rows, a sliding bar for each key in line therewith and directly moved by its key, an interlocking bar for each sliding bar having one end loosely connected to its sliding bar so as to be moved longitudinally thereby, and its op-A posite end also movable transversely, a support for said opposite end transverse to the party rows and in a plane between the beginning and the end of said party rows, whereby a part of the interlocking bars of each party row reach said support from one side, and a part from another side, thus crossing and interlocking at said support, the sliding bars in each oiiice row being in pairs and the interlocking bars of each pair being side by side on said support, and sliding spacing devices between interlocking bars of successive groups.

S. In a voting machine --interlocking mechanism, keys in party and oiiice rows, a sliding bar for each key, an interlocking member operatively connected to each bar and key, there being an opening in each bar, a resetting device in each of said openings made operative by movement of the corresponding key, which device when moved in reverse direction pushes its sliding bar back to normal position, and means controlled by an outgoing voter after indicating his vote to move all oit' the operative resetting devices in their respective bar-openings.

9. In a voting machine, regular and irregular voting devices, keys in party and oiiice rows, one key for each regular device, a pivoted slat for each irregular device normally locking it, releasing keys one for each of said pivoted slats to unlock the corresponding irregular voting device, interlocking means operated by such releasing key to prevent voting a regular device, and means operated by movement of the regular keys to prevent turning said pivoted slats to release the corresponding irregular voting devices.

1G. In a voting machine, regular groupvoting keys, an interlocking bar for each key, irregular voting devices, a releasing key for each irregular voting device, and means operated by each of said releasing keys to unlock the corresponding irregular voting' device and to prevent operation of one of said group keys.

Il. In a voting machine, regular voting means con'iprising` regular keys in rows, interlocking bars one for each regular key, irregular voting devices, a releasing` key and sliding bar for each irregular device, an interlocking bar operatively connected to each of said sliding bars and in cooperative relation to the interlocking bars of the regular keys, each of said sliding bars having locking and releasing cams, and locking devices for the irregular voting devices controlled by said cams on operation of the sliding bars.

l2. In a voting machine, interlock mechanism comprising an interlock bar having an edge oiiset with an inclined portion, said offset bearing a lateral cam-projection, and means for guiding the bar comprising a stationary part engaged by said inclined portion of the bar.

13. In a voting machine, interlock mechanism comprising a guide for interlock members, stops co-acting therewith, and interlock members coperating with said guide and equipped with wedges adapted to act directlyvupon each other and the adjacent interlock members, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES I-I. OCMPAUGH.

Witnesses E. C. IIEMPEL, It. CoPLrN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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