USRE11784E - best available cop - Google Patents

Description

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VOTING lMMIHINE.

(Application led Oct. 9, 1899.)

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BEST AvAxLABL COP No. |I,784. lReissued Nov. 7, |899. H. C. H. COOPER, Decd.

VOTING MACHINE;

(Applicatipn filed Oct. 9, 1899.)

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BEST AVMLABLE COP `nissgm'a Nov. 7, |899.

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VUTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 9?..1899.)4

BEST AVAILABLE COFD` Reissued Nov. 7, |899.

H. C. H. COOPER, Decd.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application led Oct. 9, 1899.)

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VOTING MACHINE.

JApplicaton led Oct, 9, 1599.*

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Beit known that HENRY C. H. COOPER, late tion with the interlocki a citizen of the United States and resident of 19 is a side View of th Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua, in mechanism for delive 5 the State of New York, did invent certain Im into the ballot-recepta provements in Voting-Machines, of which the the cam on the door or tur following is a specification, reference being In the accompanying d had to the accompanying drawings. key-plate, which is arrang The invention relates to improvements in position, so as to form one voting-machines,designed more particularly compartment, as is for use on that type of positive-acting votingmachines. machines which were iirst shown in Patent B are the keys for selective voti No. 526,668, issued September 25, 1894, to S. the keys for strai FEST AVAiLABLE COF UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MACHINE COMPANY, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNEE OF HENRY C. II. COOPER, DECE OriginalNo. 614,419, dated November 15,1898. Application for re E. Davis, but capable of use in other relation s. key is detached.

issue filed October 9, 1899. Serial No. 733,122.

view of the irregular, showing the connecng mechanism. e same, showing the ring the ballot- Fig. 2O represents rawings, A is the ed in the rertical side of the voting- 6o usual with this class of ght-ticket voting. provided with a counter, and i In the accompanying drawings, representlocking mechanism is employed betwee ing the improvements, Figure 1 is a front eledifferent count vation of the key-plate of a voting-machine lective mechanism and t embodying the improvements arranged for counters. six parties and for candidates for three dif- -keys corresponding to t zo ferent olices. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of dates for the same oicea the same, the door being open. Fig. 3 is a lines, the keys for all th front elevation of one of the counter-sections particularpolitical part Fig. 4.- is a side view of the im- Zontal rows. proved voting-machine as seen from the left with any suitable entr in Fig. 2, the casing next the observer being and suitable connections a removed. Fig. 5 is a front view of the shuta voter on leaving the boo ter by which the counters are covered until ratus into the normal pos the close of an election. Fig. 6 isa rear elenext voter. vation of one of the counters. Fig. 7 is a side accompanying view of the palleted lever, the toothed wheel, derstood that s and circular plate ot'one of the counters. Fig. ranged in any 8 isaside view of one of the palleted yokes and The construction of theim the disk which operates it. Fig. 9 isacentral in described differs from th vertical section on the line 9 9, Fig. S. Fig.l0is said Davis patent in t aside viewot'one ot' the counters as seen from the straight-ticket vot the right hand in Fig. 6. Fig. 1l represents separate countersand a modified form' of the units or tens disk deanism and the singlet-ached. Fig 12 is a side view of the upper anism being intercha part of one of the interlocking rods, showing The voting appar the channel for the interlocking blocks in secback with a door D, Fig. 2

ers and also between'the he straight-ticket gement shown the he different candi- 7 re placed in vertical e candidates for any yoccupying the horing-booth is provided e and exit doors, 75 re arranged so that th resets the appaition ready for the not shown in the drawings; but it will be un- 8o uch part ot the machine is arsuitable or pr In the arran The booth is elerred way. proveniente hereat shown in the wo important features, 8 5 es being registered on the group-voting mechcandidate-voting mechprovided at the 9o but this is only Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of the used to inspect the ma interlocking mechanism. Fig. 14 represents counters, and it may the upper end of one of the interlocking rods during the whole of as seen from the side opposite to that shown the counting of. the in Fig. 12. Fig. 15 represents the lower part plate is provided w of the key-platewith the improved irregularcounters, which a voting mechanism. Fig. 16 is a rear elevasuitable shutter or tion of the improved irregular-voting mechis in progress, anisln. Fig. 17 is a side view of the same, the voting is o 5o partially in section, showing the connection election oiiicia with the interlocking rod. Fig. 18 is a side the front of th chinery and to set the be locked and sealed an election, including The key- 95 ith apertures opposite the pertures are closed by a shutters while the election but which are opened when ver, so as to permit the proper roo ls to inspect the counters from e plate and to count `the votes slots in the plate,

. the keys cust for the different candidates and to anl nounce the result. By taking olt. the vote from the front ot' the key-plate one set ot ballots or ballot captions is dispensed with, i since two such sets must be used when the vote is examined from the rear-one in front g and one on the back-and thereby either rel duce the amount of printing or dispense it entirely and pre arise through accident or design from misplaced cards or other causes. In the construction the figures on the counter are displayed at the close of the election in immediate proximity to the placard indicating the l office and the name of the candidate. l The improved votingmachine dilers in l other respects from those described in the said patentot Davis and in the Davis patents of November l2 and 19,1895, as willbe pointi ed out later. Provision may be made forl irregular balloting in any suitable way-such, l for inst-ance, as that shown inthe said Davis i patents or as described hereinafter. The key-plate is provided with a series of movable parts or keys, which may be either pushes or pulls or, as panying drawings, levers B C, Fig.`l, which are moved downward by the voter to operate or indicate the corresponding'counters. The voting apparatus is inclosed within a suitable supporting frame or box G, which sustains the parts and protects them from injury or interference. The key-plate forms the front of the box or inclosure and the door D the back or rear side. The keys project through being provided, ifdesired, (see C, Fig. 17,) withcnrvcd wings inside the plate to keep the slots closed in all positions of the keys. In the construction shown in Fig. 17 one of these wings works inside the keyplate and the other, which is on the lower edge ot' the key, travels down outside, the plate, the edges of these wings being curved on a circle from the center h. The counters in each vertical line are supported in a removable channel or section F, to which B are also pivoted. The channel F is shaped like a trough, with its open side behind, the front side, which corresponds to the bottom of the trough, being provided with apertures k', through which the counters are read off, and the two sides being perforated to support the pins or studs which carry the counters and their operating parts. The channeled sections facilitate the construction and assembling of the machine, since all the counters and their connected parts for any one vertical line may be put together on the bench and the -channel then placed inthe machine as a whole, ready for use, it only being necessary to connect the interlocking rods o; to the levers J. The removal or ,replacement of the counter channels or sections is made from the front of the machine, the key-plate A when put on serving to hold the sections in place. The base b of the machine is provided with a series of lugs A correspondi with l vent errors which might plate A when attached holding the channels l disk.

B4 eEsT Avumete coi'y or projections c of a size corresponding with the 'width of the channels between the sides, which lugs serve to secure the channels in place when the latter are inserted over them. ng series of lugs b on the transverse plate c serve to secure the upper ends of the channels, which are slipped over the ugs from the front ot the apparatus, the keyin place over the lugs. In this way provision is made for easily inserting or removing the channels with their counters and keys.

The method of actuating the counters from the keys will be understood from Figs. l5 to 1l, inclusive. Each of the counters consists of three numbered disks I I' I2, of which I is the units-disk,l' the tens-disk,and l2 thehundreds- The disks consist of a circular plate d, having a flange e turned or drawn on it, the flange being marked with the figures 0 to 9 in any suitable way. The counter-disks are supported so as to revolve freely on a stud o, secured in the sidewalls of the channels F in any suitable way. Each of the counter-disks is provided with a toothed or star wheel f, which is secured to the disk by the rivets g.

J is the palleted lever, which actuates the units-disk, and J J 2 the palleted yokes, which actuate the tens and hundreds disks, respectively. The lever and yokes are pivoted so as to turn freely on the stud h, secured in the side walls of the channel in any suitable way. The key B is also pivoted on the stud h, which on one side extends beyond the side walls of the channel. The key B is provided with a projecting ip t' at its lower end, which reaches under the lever J and causes the latter to swing on its pivot when the outer end of the key B is depressed. The movement is indicated by the full and dotted lines in Fig. 7. The lever J is made of such a shape, as shown, that when it swings fully the inclined pallets Z Z', Fig. 7, with which it is provided, engage with the teeth of the star-wheel lVhelr the voter depresses the outer end of the key B, the lever J is raised. The pallet l' swings inward and engages with one of the teeth ot the wheel f. The units-disk I partakes of this movement, being secured to the star-wheel F by the rivets g. 'When the voter leaves the booth, the lever J is returned to the normal position, and this motion engages the palletl between two of the teeth of the wheel f and imparts t0 it the twentieth of a revolution necessary to bring the next igu re into proper position relative to the aperture k', igs. 3 and 7, in the front of the channel F, through which the indications of the counter are visible. It will be observed that one or the other of the pallets Z l' is all the time in the path of revolution ot the teeth of the star-wheel f and that thus any accidental movement of the numbered disk is prevented. It will also be understood that since the counting movement of the disk is not completed until the voter leaves the booth it is impossible to repeat a vote or otherwise tamper with the counter. At its rear end the lever J is provided with a stud m, to which the interlocking rods ay are pivoted. These studs m are made of different lengths, the shortest beingl on the lever of the upper counter in the construction shown, as indicated in the rear View, Fig. 2, so that the interlocking rods a are straight and parallel with each other, each lower stud m being enough longer than the one next above it to allow its interlocking rod to pass by the rod attached to such higher stud. The lever J also carries a stud n, which produces the return movement of the yokes J J2 when the appara-tus is reset to normal position. These studs n are all of the same length, eX- tending over both of the yokes.

When the units-disk has made a complete revolution1 it is necessaryy to shift the tensdisk I' a tenth of a revolution. This is ac, complished by a swinging movement of the palleted yoke J', which is moved in one direction by the units-disk I and in the opposite direction by the stud fn on the lever J. The pallets Z2Z3 of the yoke J act on the teeth of the star-wheel f, which is attached to the tens-disk I". The pallet Z2 of the yoke J' is provided with a pin 1J, which projects into the open spaceinside the flange e of the unitsdisk I and at the proper time encounters the inclined flange q, by which the pin p is forced outward, this movement disengaging the pallet Z2 from the star-wheel and engaging the pallet Z3 with it on the opposite side, thereby imparting one-twentieth of a revolution to the wheel f' and the tens-disk l'. The liange q is so placed on the units-disk relatively to the figures on the flange that it encounters the pin p at the time the units-counter, as viewed through the aperture Zt, is changing from 9 to 0, at which time the tensdisk should change from O to 1. The flange q is attached tothe units-disk in any suitable waysuch as bythe rivets g, which fasten thestarwheel to the disk. In Fig. 11 a plate is indicated by the dotted lines t, which may'be secured to the units-disk by the rivets c, the flange q being bent up from such plate. A circular flange u, Fig. 1l, may also be employed of a diameter sufficientto pass just outside the pin p, whichl operates to prevent any accidental movelnentot` the yoke Jwhen the lever J is raised. In this case the flange fu, should be cut awayjust in front of and be hind the flange q to permit the movement of the pin, and the two flanges may be formed in one piece and secured to the disk by the rivets g, as before described. The flange u may be bent outward, as indicated by the dotted lines it', Fig. l1, so as to insure the engagementof the pin p inside of it. The yoke J' is pivoted so as to swing freelyon the stud h, and it is extended upward between the disks, as indicated at t, to prevent the disks from comingin contactwith each other. The return movement of the yoke J which completes the counting movement of the tens- 784 EEST VAlLABLE CO? disk, is secured by the downward motion of lthe lever J, acting through the stud ny on the upper edge of th'e arm w on the yoke.

The method of imparting one-tenth of a revolution to thc hundreds-disk l2 when the tens-disk l' has made a complete revolution is similar to that already described for operating the tens-disk from the units-disk. The tens-disk I' is provided with a flange-line q, and the yoke J`Az is provided with a pin corresponding to pin p. The operation of the parts is exactly similar to that already described. The yokes J' and Pare interchangeable with each other, and so, also, are the disks I and l2, except that the latter, in case only three counters are used, counting up to 099, need not be provided with the flange q.

The resetting of the counters at zero is easilyaccomplished. The door D being open,

shows the figure 8 through the opening Zr, raises the lever J, and then by w'orking the arms u.' of the yokes J J2 rotates the disks I l2 until the figures il" on them show through the aperture Zt. This occurs when the gures 4 on the disks are visible from the back on a level with the stud o. Either of the disks may be so set before the other. The up-anddown movement of the lever J also sets the units-disks at 9, and then a single movement of the key B and resetting-bar Y changes position the machine is in condition to begin an election. When the circular flange u is employed,the resetting can only be done when the units and tens disks are in such position that the pin p can pass through the openings between the flange q and the ends of the flange u, preferably through the space cc betweenq and the front end of the flange it. The disks will then show between 4 and on the horizontal line from the back.

It is desirable to give a voter a visible indicationV of the operation of the voting apparatus, so that he may know that he has voted.v This is accomplished by allowing a portion of the units-disk or the edge of a plate revolving therewith to be seen through an opening o in the key-plate and by so marking or coloring thesurface so visible that a change of the marking or coloring may be observed by the voter everytime the units-disk moves. For instance, au opening being made through the key-plate opposite the row of characters jij, Fig. G, on the units-disk l, the change from voter. The character may be alternately O and X, or a cross, in a visible manner. Any other suitable character may be employed, or the spaces may be of diderent colors-say red and white-and then the visible portion of the disk would change from red to white, or vice versa, at each voting operation.

A circular plate p', Figs. 6 and 7, may be attached to the units-disk on the outer side of the star-wheel, and the edge of this disk suitably marked or colored may be displayed all the disks from 999 to 000, in which one character to another will be visible to the the election official sees that the units-disk y IOO IOS

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through an opening in the key-plate. This plate falso serves asa guide for the lcvcr J. i

In any ari-augment provision should bc made for preventing the voter from seeing any of the figures on the counter-disks, either by bringing the units-disk or the edge ot`the plate p' close against the key-plate or by cxtending flangcs backward from the edges of. the aperture in the key-plate.

The arrangement of the sh utter by which the figures on the counters are covered during the progress ot' an election will be understood from Figs. 1, 4, and 5. In the construction shown the shutter consists ot` a number of strips of sheet metal L, one foreach channeled section, and all being attached to the cross-bar M, so that they may be shifted simultaneously. Each of the strips is provided with a series of apertures N, Figs. 1 and 5, which correspond with the apertures 7i' through the key-plate A. The strips L are arranged in front ot the sections and normally while an election is being held with the openings N out of register with the openings t. In this position the counters are protected from view by the shutter; but at the close of the polls the shutter is shifted by any suitable means,so that the openings Ncome opposite the holes-k when the indications o'n the counters are exposed. It will be observed that the openings k' in the front wall of the channeled sections come opposite the openings lc in the key-plate. The strips L slide between the front of the section and the key-plate, being guided in any suitable way, if necessary. The shaft O, crank P, and'connection Q form a convenient way of shitting the shutter, so as to cover or uncover the. figures on the counters. This shaft extends across the machine, being supported in suitable bearings and provided with the crank P, which is connected with the cross-bar M by the link Q. The shaft O is provided at one side on the machine with the handle R, and it may be arranged so as to be locked in either or both positions of the shutter, or other devices may b e employed to hold the shutter in the open or closed position. A lock S, Fig. 4, the bolt of which engages with a pin or pins or in a notched plate attached to the shaft O, answers this purpose effectively, the keys being held by the election oiiicials until the close of the polls.

In case the movement of the counter be made visible an additional opening o', Figs. 1 and 5, is made through the shutter in such position as to display the row of characters y, Fig. 6, on the unit-disk, or the row of characters or party-colored spaces on the edge of the circular plate p', while the figures on the counters are covered. These openings o register with the openings k in the key-plate, so that .the characters or colors are visible through them. It will, however, be understood that the device for rendering the movement of the counter visible may be employed on voting-machines which are read from the essi Avait/intreccia back and are not provided with shutters, in which case the apertures ffwould be iliade in the key-plate and in front of the channeled section. It will also be understood that the shutter may be made in onc piece and that various dil'lcrent devices for shifting and locking it may be adopted.

The construction and operation of the interlocking mechanism will be understood from Figs. 3, i, l2, 13, and 1i. Each of the levers J is pivoted to an interlocking rod CL, and these interlocking rods are provided near their upper ends with the thickened or wedgelike portions S, which when one of the rods is raised by the operation of its key force the interlocking blocks e3, Fig. 13, apart, so that they till the whole space betweenthe abutments T T', and thus prevent the raising of any other rod and the actuation of any other key in the same vertical line. The blocks e3 are slightly movable laterally in their support-s, and the rods a are permitted also the requisite amount of lateral movenient. The upper parts g of the interlocking rods and the blocks are made ot' such thicknesses that when one of the wedges s is thrust in between them the rods at each side of the series bear against the abutments T T and none of the other wedges can be inserted, so that the voter finds it impossible to vote for more than one of the candidates for any particular oice. The lower ends of the interlocking blocks are preferably rounded or beveled. The bar U extends across the machine, being sustained in any suitable manner, and supports the blocks and the abutments. The blocks are made somewhat wider than the upper portions of the interlocking rods, as indicated in Fig. 12, so that they rest at their lower corners on the bar U, which is perforated to allow the rods to pass through it. The channel 7L serves to hold the blocks in place on the bar U, being provided with anges which are fastened to the bar. The abutments are prevented from moving lengthwise in the channel by the bolts, screws, or pins t", which pass through the vertical sides of the channel. These pins or screws are made removable for the purpose ot adapting the machine to multicandidate voting,as hereinafter described. The interlocking rods a may be hollow, being formed by drawing a metallic strip of suitable width through a die and having their lower ends attened and perforated for attachment to the studs on of the levers J. At their upper ends the tubular rods are brazed or otherwise secured to the strip j', which has its edges turned over to form the wedge or wedges s and to which the trips Z are pivoted at m', Figs. 12 and 14. At their upper ends the stripsj form thin portions g', which are located between the interlocking blocks e3 and by which the interlocking rods are held inline and in proper engagement with the interlocking blocks. In the particular construction shown the strips j are secured to the tubular rods by' IOC IIO

having their lower ends inserted and brazed in the longitudinal joint of the hollow rods.

When one of the interlocking rods is raised by the actuation of its corresponding key and counter, the catch or dog Z engages with the trip-shaft V and holds the rod elevated until the apparatus is restored to normal position by the voter While passing out of the booth. (See full and dotted lines, Figs. 2 and 13.) The key will not remain depressed or the rod elevated until the dog has engaged with the trip-shaft, so that the voter knows that he has not properly operated the counter until the key stays down, the weight of the interlocking rods and attached parts serving to return the key from any position to which it may have been moved until the dog is actually engaged with the trip-shaft. The shaft V is provided with a projecting lip n', with which the point of the dog Z engages, asindicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 12. A stationary rod g', extending across the machine between the dogs and the interlocking rods, prevents the dogs from moving too far, and anotherl movable rod or bar Z4 rests on the upper or rear side of the dogs. This rod Z4 is hung on arms u2 n3, pivoted to the frame of the machine, and serves to prevent any unnecessary movement of the dog and also positively forces the dog Z into engagement with the lip n'. An excessive outward movement of the dog Z may be prevented by carrying the flange s down, as indicated at s', Fig. 14, so that it will arrest the movement of the dog at vits farthest point. The dog is tripped and the rod released by the partial rotation of the trip-shaftV in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 12 by the movement of the door or turnstile as the voter passes out of the voting-compartment. Any suitable means of securing this result may be adopted; but in the arrangement shown the shaft or pintle W, Fig. 4, of the door or turnstile is provided with a cam or crank w', which, through the connection y' and crank z', imparts a partial rotation to the rock-shaft X, which by crank a2, connection b2, and crank c2 transmits the requisite movement to the trip-shaft V. The rock-shaftX extends across the machine, being supported in any suitable journals. The cranks a2 c2 and connection b2 may be located at one end of the machine and either inside or outside the casing. It is needless to remark that any connections or moving parts outside of the case should be protected, so that they cannot be interfered with. As the trip-shaft V turns, the lip Ia' raises the dog and rod slight-ly, and, passing underneath the point of the dog, allows it to escape from its engagement, so that the rod and dog may assume their normal position, as indicated in Fig. l2. Provision is made for restoring the parts to their normal position by the movable bar Y, which extends along over t-he interlocking rods and may rest thereon. one of the interlocking rods is raised, the bar Y is elevated, (see full and dotted lines,Figs.

lVhen I BEST AVAiLABLE CGP' 2 and 13,) and it remains in that position until forced downward positively by the movement of the door or turnstile as the voter leaves the voting-compartment. This movement is secured from the rock-shaftX; but as it is necessary that the dog or dogs Z should be unlocked before the rod or rods are depressed the construction is such that the tripshaft V is moved first. This is secured by the slots in the links d2, Figs. 2 and 4, which permit the cranks c2 to move a certain distance (during which time the dogs are unlatched by the trip-shaft V) before the bar Y is depressed by the pins in the cranks e2 arriving at the lower ends of the slots. The bar Y is then pressed downward and, acting on the ends g of the interlocking rods, forces them back to their normal positions, completes the movement of the counters, and restores all parts of the machine to the position necessary for the next voting operation.

Provision is made for straight-ticket voting-that is, the ease when a voter desires to vote for all the candidates of any one partyby arranging a row of keys, levers, and counters preferably at one side ot the select-ivevoting mechanism, so that the voter can indicate his political preference by a single movement, thereby reducing the time occupied in voting and increasing the capacity ot' the machine. Suitable interlocking mechanism is employed between the straight-ticket and the selective voting mechanism, so that a voter' having actuated the straight-ticket counter of any political party cannot thereafter vote for any other party. In this case in order to ascertain the total vote it will be necessary at the close of the election to add the number shown on the straight ticket counter to the number indicated by the counter devoted to any particular candidate of the same party, the sum of these numbers giving the whole vote cast for such candidate. Thus suppose it be required to find the vote for the republican candidate for lieutenantgovernor. The number on the counter at 03, Fig. 1, is added to the number on the counter at 04, and the sum of these numbers represents the whole vote for this candidate. In a similar manner the vote for any other candidate is determined.

Thekeys for actuating the straight-ticket counters are represented at C in the accompanying drawings, the counters being of the same construction as those alreadydescribed, mounted in a removable section F, and provided with interlocking rods, locking-dogs, and interlocking blocks in a manner similar to that previously set forth. The interlocking with the selective-voting counters is pro- IOO IOS

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vided for by attaching a wedge or interlock- BEST AVAILABLE @OiD` straight-ticket counters can be raised. The movement of any of the interlocking rods which will engage the dog with the trip-shaft and insert the thickened portion of the rod between the interlocking blocks will also insert the wedge t" between or alongside of the interlocking blocks e. On the contrary,when one of the straight-ticket counters has been operated the wedge t" cannot be inserted between the abutments, the bar Y cannot be raised, and consequently none of the selective-voting counters can be actuated. It will be seen that by this arrangement provision is made for positively interlocking the straightticket counters and the seleeti ve-votin g mechanism, so that they can not be voted simultaneously. The wedge 'u' is provided with a thin shank which extends up through the bar U and is pivoted to the bar Y at w', Fig. 2. The bar Y is arranged to move up and down in suitable guides, or it may be swung by arms c3, pivoted on a transverse shaft a3, Figs. 2 and 4. In order to restore the straight-ticket counters to normal position, the pivoted plate K may be used, which is lifted up by any one of the interlocking rods and is forced downward by the pinf2 on the arm g2 on the rockshaft X. (See Fig. 4.) The plate K extends over all the interlocking rods of the straightticket counters and is provided with a flange h, which is pivoted to the frame at i2 and extends upward into the path of the pin f2. It will be observed that when the rock-shaft X moves the trip-shaft V will be operated before the pin f2 encounters the iiange h2. The trip-shaft and its longitudinal flange or ledge 'n' are conveniently formed by bending a strip of suitable metal around a shaft, leaving the ledge to project, and by securing the parts together by pins or screws.

In order to provide for the irregular votethat is, for the votes which may be cast for persons not put in nomination by any of the political parties-the irregular voter is fur# nished with a box or ballot-holder of any suitable or' preferred form, and the voter having placed his ballot, either Written or printed, in the holder inserts the latter in an opening on the key-plate, which operates the interlocking mechanism, so that the voter cannot vote for any other candidate for the same oice, and when the voter leaves the booth the ballot-holder is delivered into the ballotreceptacle. The ballot-holder may be round or fiat and open at one end or separable'in any suitable way. In Fig. l5 of the accompanying drawings is represented the orifice Q' for the inserticn of the ballot-holder as having the form of a truncated cone and the holder H' of a corresponding form. Behind the key-plate is placed a suitable inverted trough or guide L', which is provided at the bottom with the movable door or support for the holder N'. The inclination of the sides of the guide outward prevents the stuing of it with paper or Waste, since anything which will notfall out of it Wh en the door N' swings downward will be ejected by the return movenient of the plunger P'. The door swings downward and opens the bottom of the guide and returns to place before the plunger is moved. The guide is conveniently formed of sheet metal, being provided with suitable flanges by which it is attached either to the key-plate or to the bed R', Figs. 17 and 1S, or the ballot-holder guide may be att-ached to the channeled sections already described, which sustain the counters of each vertical line. When the ballot-holder is inserted in the guide, the plunger P' is forced backward, as represented bythe full and dotted lines in Fig. 18, and this movement is transferred to the interlocking rod a4 by the bell-crank lever S'. The irregular interlocking rod d4 is provided at its upper end with the wedge and trip, the same as the interlocking rods already described, and is operated in the same way to prevent voting for any regular candidatev in the same vertical line, the only difference being that in a machine arranged for handling the votes of six peliticalparties if the irregular-voting mechanism is employed there will be seven interlocking rods and their corresponding interlocking blocks and other parts. lVhen the rod CL4 of the irregular-voting device is thrust upward, its wedge fills the alloted space between the interlocking block, and none of the other interlocking rods of the same series can be operated, and consequently none of the counters in the same vertical line can be operated. It will also be observed that if one of the straight-ticket counters is operated the irregnlars are then locked out, and vice versa. Consequently the simultaneous use of any of the irregulars is prevented. Each of the irregular plungers P' is provided with a lever S' and an interlocking rod a4. The levers S' are pivoted on a rod U', extending across the machine and supported at its ends and intermediately, if required, by the brackets V', attached to the bed R'. At one end the levers S' are pivoted .to the corresponding interlocking rods and at the other end to the arms T3, attached to the plunger P'. Each plunger and its arm may be made in one piece or connected together in any suitable way. rlhe levers S' are each provided with a stud m2, Fig. 17, which brings the interlocking rods a outside of the rods a of the selective-voting counters. The plunger may be arranged to slide in any suitable guides, and for this purpose its stem maybe a straight rod; but it is preferred to swing it on the link G, Figs. 17 and 18, which may be conveniently pivoted on the stud h of the lowest counter which is next above the irregular mechanism. The plunger and its stem being thus supported by the link G' and the long arm of the lever S' will travel in a course sufficiently straight for its purpose. When the restoring-bar Y, Fig. 2 descends, the interlocking rods a.l are forced downward, and the plum-gers P', if any have been used, are returned to the normal position indicated IOO IIO

im esst Avait/iets coil" f by the full lines in Fig.v18; but before this occurs, as already described, the trip-bar is rocked and the dogs Z are unlocked, and ad vantage is taken of this to open antl close the doors N at the bottom of the ballot-holder guides before the plunger is returned by the descent of the bar Y. This is accomplished by the slotted plate Z', which is actuated by connections with door or turnstile or with the rock-shaft X and is arranged to act on the lever C',Which is connected withthe rock-shaft D', to which the doors N' are secured. It will of course be understood that suitable openings are made in the bed R to permit the doors N' to swing downward, as indicated in Figs. 18 and 1Q. In the particular arrangement shown the rock-shaft X isprovided with an arm F' and connection K', Fig. 17, which operates the sliding plate Z'. This plate is arranged to slide in any suitable guides, and it and its connected parts may be duplicated at each end of the machine. lts lower end may be guided by an opening in thebed R', while its upper end slides in any suitable ways on the side frame of the machine. As the plate Z descends it actuates the lever C by means of a double-inclined slot, so as to open and close the door at the bottom of the ballot-holder guide before the plunger is returned by the descent of the bar Y. The slot in the plate is indicated at X', Figs. 17 and 19, and it acts on the pin its on the lever C', which is connected with the rock-shaft D by the link o2 and the crank z2. The slot X has a double-inclined portion t2 t3 at its lower end, which acts on the pin n3 on the lever C' to swing it first one way and then in the other, which motion is transmitted to Athe rock-shaft D' to open and close the doors N' at the bottoms of the guides for the ballotholders. The lever C' swings on a pivotjz, carried by the side frame of the machine or, asin the construction shown, by the standard O', fastened to the bed R'. In this arrangement the bracket O is provided with a slot D3, Fig. 19, to permit the movement of the pin us. As the rock-shaft X turns and the slotted plate Z' descends the first action of the slotted plate is to open and close the door N', after which the straight part of the slot X' holds the door closed during the remaining portion of its travel. The door is opened and closed when the voter ent-ers the booth and the vplate Z is raised; but this movement has no eiTect on the voting, either straight-ticket, selective, or irregular. The interior of the ballot-holder guide is given a form corresponding with that ofthe opening Q in the key-plate, and the upper part of the ballot-holder guide L' is slotted to permit the movement of the arm G'. The return of the door N before the plunger VP' moves insures the ejection of any article or substance which may have been maliciously inserted in the guide L'. When the irregular device is applied to the channel-section, the front of the Section is provided with an opening corresponding in shape with Q in the key-plate. Below the doors N the machine is provided with suitable chutes by which the ballotholders are guided during their delivery into the ballot-receptacles at the base of the machine,.which receptacles are kept locked dur ing the election, to be opened at it close to allow the election-inspectors to ascertain the straggling or irregular Vote by counting the ballots in the ballot-holders. In case of any irregularity in any of the irregular votes, such as two names on the same ballot, such vote will be rejected, exceptin the presidential or group sections or lines.

It will of course be understood that the improved voting-machine will be provided with as many sections or lines of counters (with irregulars, if desired) as there are ofces to be filled at any election at which the machine is to be used. In order to adapt the machine to multicandidate or group voting-that is, where each party has the right to nominate two or more candidates for the same oiiiceone or more of the pins t" in the abutments T T T2 are removed, so as to allow lateral movement in the channel 7L to the abutment, which is normally held in place by the pin. Suppose it is required that the machine be adapted to a multicandidate group of twothat is, two candidates for coroner, say, are nominated by the same political party. Then the pin L" in the abutment is thus allowed a certain amount of lateral movement. Under this arrangementanytwo of the interlocking rods in the right-hand section of Fig. 2 can be thrust upward, or any two in the next adjacent section, or any one of the sections and any one in the other; but after two such rods have been operated no others in either of the sections can be thrust upward. The'voter, therefore, can vote for any two regular candidates out of the twelve, and he cannot vote for more than two. The voter can also use the irregulars or he can use oneirregular and one counter. moving two or more of the pins t" the system maybe extended to multicandidate groups where three or more candidates are proposed by the same party for the same office and that by again fastening the abutment or abutments in place the machine can be readapted to voting for single candidates for any particular office, each line ot' counters then becomingindependent of thosein adjacentlines. It will also be observed that the improved machine, if provided with a sufficient number of lines or series of counters, will permit the use of anynumber of groups each of any required number of candidates and that such group or groups may be arranged in any desired relation with the single-candidate lines. An irregular slide or slides is also included in the group arrangement, and the sections or lines of counters, with or without the irregulars, are equally locked out by the use of a straight ticket, Whether arranged in a group or groups or for single-candidate voting orin IOO It will be obvious that by re- Y any required relative arrangemei'it for these two styles of voting.

In Fig. O there is shown a cam of a t'orm nectiou y"and rock-shaft X.A It will be understood that the rock-shaft may be operated by any suitable mechanism from the dooror turnstile of the voti11g-compartment.

It will be obvious to the skilled constructor that many alterations or changes from the invention herein described may be made without departure from the fundamental principles thereof. Thus any suitable form of counter or registering device may be rendered visible for the purpose of taking the count from the same side of the key-plate on which the voting is done, and any such suitable counter may be provided with a marked or party-colored portion which is visible to the voter to show that the mechanism operates at the time he votes. 'lhestraight-ticket counters may be of a construction diiierent from the selective-voting,r counters, `and they may be arranged horizontally instead of vertically. The arrangement of the connections between the inlet or outlet doors and the restoring mechanism may be of any preferred kind. The interlocking mechanism may be variously modified.

Some of the improvements herein described may be employed in connection with a votingmachine which reads from the back or rear. The studs m may be dispensed with, the levers being bent t-o properly connect with the interlocking rods. Any suitable locking devices may be employed on the interlocking rods and any suitable tripping mechanism. Rollers may be employed for the interlocking blocks. The relative dimensions of the starwheels, counters, levers, and yokes may be varied. The counter-disks may be placed on separate axes instead of upon one, as shown. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for closing the doors of the irregular before the plunger returns, and the resetting or restoring mechanism may .be of any suitable arrangement or construction.

It will be understood that instead of usingthe shaft U the lever S' of the irregularplunger may be pivoted on a suitable stud carried by an a-rm or arms n2, Fig. 18, attached to the section F. In this case the irregular device can be inserted in the machine along with the section, it being only necessary to connect the interlocking rod a4. The guide L' is attached to the section in any suitable Way, as by the flanges m2, Fig. 18. As the guide'L is not as wide as the channel F, the opening foi' the door N is formed through the lug e3 at the lower end of the section. The parts of this lug then project between the guide and the inside of the section, so as to secure the latter in place.

This specication covers the improvements in the general interlocking arrangement of group and single voting, leaving all other in- BEST AVAlLABLE CGP" i ventious herein described, particularly as to counter-operating mechanisms, shutters, and visible-counters, and other devices to be claimed in divisional applications, which present other and different pateutable inventions not herein claimed, and so believed to be outside of any present decisions.

One of the principal features of the invention is that some of the kinds of voting mechanism contained therein are interchangeable. By this term interchangeable is meant that one kind of voting mechanism may be transformed into another kind. For example, two or more single-caudidate-group-voting mechanisms may be combined into a multicandidate-group-voting mechanism. Two or more multicandidate-groupvoting mechanisms may be combined into a larger multicanddate group voting mechanism. In short, any number of single-candidate group-voting mechanisms and multicandidate-group-voting mechanisms may be combined into a multicandidate -group-voting mechanism. Conversely, a multicandidate group may be split up into single-candidate groups or multicandidate groups, or both.

The invention having thus beendescribed, what is claimed as new is- 1. The combination, in a voting-machine, of a series of straight-ticket counters, their actuating mechanisms and interlocking blocks and rods, a corresponding series of selectivevoting counters, their actuating mechanisms and interlocking blocks and rods, the movable restoring-bars, and an interlocking Wedge attached to one of the bars, substantially as de scribed.

2. The combination, in a voting-machine, of a series of straight-ticket counters, their actuating mechanisms and interlocking blocks and rods, a corresponding series of selectivevotingcounters, their actuating mechanisms and interlockingblocks and rods, the movable restoring f bars, an interlocking Wedge attached to one ot the bars, and mechanism operated by the voter on leaving the booth for depressing the restoring-bars, substantially as described.

The combination, With the interlocking rods of the selective-voting mechanism, of the restoring-bar Y, the interlocking rods of the straight-ticket-votng mechanism, the restoring-bar K, interlocking blocks e', and the interlocking Wedge 1; attached to the bar Y, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a voting-machine, of two or more series of two or more counters in each series, an irregular-voting device interlockin g with one of the se ries, interlocking mechanism for the counters in each series, comprising interlocking blocks and interlockingrods, a movable abutment between the interlocking rods of each series of counters, means for rendering the abutment stationary, movable parts or keys corresponding to each counter, the resetting mechanism actuated by the voter after voting, and operating through IOO IIO

11.784 QEST Mercante coe suitable connections to register a vote en the selected counters, whereby only one counter in each series, or only two or one counter and an irregular in the same series may be operated, or each series can be set for single-candidate voting independent of the adjacent series, as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, in a voting-machine, of a group-voting mechanism comprising two or more series of two or more counters in each series, interlocking mechanism between the counters of each series comprising movable interlocking blocks and interlocking rods, stops at the ends of the outermost interlocking blocks, and a detachable part adapted to be placed between the innermost interlocking rods of adjacent series, whereby any or all the series of counters in the group-voting mechanism may be arranged for inter-locked single-candidate voting, as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, in a voting-machine,Y

of the interlocking rods of two or more series of two or more counters in each series, the interlocking blocks for each series, an abutment between the innermost rods of each series, and means for rendering the abutment stationary or movable, whereby group-voting mechanism and single-candidate-voting mechanism are made interchangeable, as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination, in a voting-machine, of the interlocking rods of two or more series of two or more counters in each series, the interlocking blocks for each series, the channel for supporting the same, the abutment or abutments in the channel between the innermost interlocking rods of each series, and the removable device or devices--such as the pin or pins-adapted to render the abutment or abutments stationary, whereby group-voting mechanism and single-,candidate-voting mechanism are made int-fi "hangeable, as and for the purposes set forth.

S. The combination, in a voting-machine, of variable group-voting mechanism interchangeable with single candidate voting mechanism, such mechanisms comprising two or more series of two-step counters, suitable counter-actuating devices and similar interlocking devices comprising a set of interlocking blocks and interlocking rods for eac-h series of counters and a changeable device between each set of interlocking mechanism, whereby the series of counters may be arranged for group or single-candidate voting, as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination, in a voting-machine,

of group-voting mechanism variable in the number of candidates party in the group, single candidate presented by any one and interchangeable with voting mechanism, each comprising a series of two o r more counters and corresponding counter-actuating mechanisms and each series containing similar interlocking mechanisms consisting of interlocking blocks and interlocking rods, and a changeable device between each series whereby the single-candidate mechanism may be changed into group-voting mechanism or the size of the group may be varied, or the groupvoting mechanism may be changed into single-candidate mechanism, as and for the purposes set forth.

lO. The combination, in a voting-machine, of group-voting mechanism variable in the number of candidates presented by any one party in the group, and interchangeable with single candidate voting mechanism, each mecha-nism comprising a series of two or more two-step counters in each series, and suitable counter-actuating mechanisms adapted to actuate two-step counters, and each series containing interlocking blocks and interlocking rods, and a changeable device between the interlocking mechanism of each series,whereby the single candidate mechanism may be changed into group-voting mechanism or the size of the group maybe varied, or the groupvoting mechanism :may be changed into single-candidate-voting mechanism,-as and for the purposes set forth.

ll. The combination, in a voting-machine, of a plurality of series of counters and counteractuating mechanisms each series provided with interlocking mechanism arranged to permit voting for more than a single candidate in each series, and a changeable device between the interlocking mechanisms of all the series, whereby any two or more of the series may be connected together so as to permit group-voting for two or more candidates simultaneouslyin each group, in any required location relative to the ungrouped single-candidate-voting mechanism, as and for the purposes set forth.

l2. The combination, in a voting-machine, of variable group-voting mechanism variable in the number of candidates presented for any vone party in the group, and .interchangeable with single candidate voting mechanism, each comprising a series of two or more counters and counter-actuating mechanisms, and each series comprising interlocking mechan-` isms consisting of interlocking blocks and interlocking rods, a changeable device between each series whereby the group-voting mechanism maybe changed into single-candidatevoting mechanism, or vice versa, and the resetting mechanism whereby all the parts are restored to normal postion ready for the next voter, whether set for group or single-candidate voting, as and for the purposes set forth.

13. The combination, in a voting-machine, of interchangeable single candidate and group voting mechanism, each comprising a series of two or more two-step positivelyactuated counters, suitable counter-actuating mechanism, and interlocking mechanism adapted to be changed from one kind of voting to the other, as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination, in a voting-machine, of interchangeable single candidate and IOO IIO

Xi b pv group voting mechanism, each comprising a series of two or more two-step positively-actuated counters, suitable counter-actuating mechanism, interlocking' mechanism adapted to be changed from one kind of voting to the other, and suitable resetting mechanism for the voting mechanism, however set, as and for the purposes set forth.

15. The combination, i1.; a voting-machine, of groups of interchangeable singlecandidate and group voting mechanisms, said groups being capable of combination and division, and each comprising a series of two or more positively-actuated counters, suitable countenactuatin g mechanism, and interlocking mechanism adapted to be changed from one kind of voting to the other, as and for the purposes set forth.

16. The com binatiou in a voting-machine of interchangeable single-candidate and group voting mechanisms, said groups being capable of combination and division and means in each groupglimiting the number of keys or actuators which can be voted in each to a predetermined number, said means locking the group when the predetermined number has been Voted, whether voted successively or simultaneously, as and for the purposes set forth.

BEST vAMeLgcoP 17. The coni in tion in a voting-machine of interchangeabwsingle-candidate and multicandidate groupl voting mechanisms, said groups being capable of combination and division and means inf'each group limiting'the number of keys or actuators which can be voted in each to.l a predetermined number, said meansv permitting the simultaneous operation of two 013g more keys or actuators in any one channel or group, as and for the purposes set forth.

1S. InaVoting-maehine,the combination of a series of locking-blocks, spreaders operated by the keys or actuators and adapted to Work between contiguous blocks, means for communicating the motion from the blocks of one series to another and locking devices for securing said means against movement, whereby said means will constitute fixed stops for the blocks of its series, as and for the purposes set forth.

UNITED STATES VOTING MACHTNE COMPANY, B v ARTHUR C. WADE,

President.

Witnesses:

A. GILBERT, FRANKA KIEFER..

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