USRE11933E - Voting-machine - Google Patents

Description

No. ||,933. Ressud Sept. 24, |901.

C. DE cunas.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Aliplication filed Apr. 13, 1901 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. ",933. neissued sagit.V 24, moe. c. DE cRoEs.

VUTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 13. 19031.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

azac zas .-51

VTESSES: JVVATOR.

' (Mr/zwei gym-LM.

to aciuate the lock-outs for the remaining registers of a horizontal row after` one register in such row may have been operated.

lwill now proceed to describe the devices for registering the different votes.

Adjacent to the supports 8 are other similar members or supports 10, and in the rear vof these supports 8 and 10 are other suitable -vided with crown-wheels 14, situated in suitable positions, so as to be engaged by the blade of'a key 15. (Shown in brokenlines in Fig. 5.) The key employed may be similar to a drawer-lock key having a socket in the end of its stem to it over and be guided by the key-post 9.V Thus it will be seen that when the key is inserted and rotated on the key- -post the blade of the key will swing into engagement with the adjacent crown-wheel and cause the driving-roller attached thereto to partially rotate, and the parts are so designed Y and arranged that when operated the band will move a proper distance to bring the next succeeding number thereon opposite the opening 5. w

Infront of the casing 1 is a movable platform 16, nponwhich the person must stand to register a vote-that is to say, this platform is pivoted and is held normally in an elevated position by the spring 17. This platform is connected with the upright parts of the device,.so that when it is lifted it moves the parts into Vsuch positions that a key cannot be inserted within Aany of the keyholes suiciently far to register a vote. In the particular construction illustrated said platform is provided with t'wo rearwardlyextending arms 18, pivoted at their rear ends to the casing ofthe machine and connected by means of upwardly-extending rods or chains 19 with t'he pivoted lever 20 near the upper end of the casing. The forward ends of the pivoted lever 20 are notched, as shown at 21, to receive the ends of the main operating-bar 22. The said bar 22 rests within the notches of the levcr andis capable of a longitudinal movement with relation thereto, as seen. The said main operating-bar 22 is employed for preventing the use of the key-posts 9 in the horizontal row behind said vba r, and thereby locking ont the registers in said row. It is also Y employed for controlling the vertically-movinglocking-ont members, as will be seen hereinafter. In operating the key on said keyposts behind said bal-22 the votes for the entirelnumber of candidates on a ticket are registered by the registers adjacent to said lposts representing all the candidates. In the lower edge of saidbar 22 are aplurality of notches 23 to receive the blade of the key. The parts are so arranged, however, that when the platform iselevated the forward ends 0f the levers 20 are depressed, and therefore the lower edge of the bar 22 in the notches rests upon the ends of the posts 9. To .register a so-called.

straight party vote it is necessary that the key should pass inward until it bears against the support 8, and it is seen, therefore, that the edge of this bar, resting upon the post 9, will prevent the insertion of the key far enough to allow the blade thereof to reach the crownwheel of the drivin g-roller. It will be seen also that upon depressing the platform the said bar 22 will be raised so that the post 9 will be clearand permitted to receive the key, so that the key can operate the crown-wheel. In registering a vote representing all candidates on a ticket the key is turned to the left, and it first engages a tooth of the crown-wheel, and then the key strikes the side of the notch 23 and moves the main operating-bar 22 to the left. This has the effect, as -will be hereinafter explained, of preventing further voting not only for the whole number of candidates, but for the individuals.k To lockout the registers for all the candidates of an entire ticket by thus registeringone vote, the said bar is provided with downwardly-extendin g fingers 24: on the side of the notch, and when the bar is moved to the left, as shown, it moves a nger to the left and adjacent to the key, so that an attempt to rotate the key a second time or to insert it in any of the other'keyholes for another attempt to rotate the same will be key with a finger. also impossible to return the keyto its first position and diminish the number registered, for in turning the key to the left the longitudinally-movable bar is moved until the projections 31 'of the frame 30 enter the notches or depressions in the longitudinal bar, which will be described` hereinafter. rlhe said operating-bar cannot be moved to its original position until thevoter leaves the platform, since only the upward movement of the platform permits and causes the parts to return to their normal positions.

returned to its normal position by means of a spring-pressed follower 25. This follower is situated within a chamber 26 at one side of the casin g and is provided-with springs 27. Within the casing is a. pivoted bell-crank lever 28, having oneV end connected with the. follower 25, While its other end is connected The said bar is.

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prevented by the contact of the blade of the It will be noted that it is IIO with the forward end of the lever 20. In this .for registering the individualvotes upon each ticket.

Mounted in upright guides just'behind the I- front piece of the casing and behind the bar 22 is a rectangular frame-30.' This frame extends from the bottom almost to the top of the machineand is provided at its upper corners withforward projections 3l, that nor- 'mally rest upon the upperl edge` of the operl ating-bar 22,.

In this way it is seen that when the operating-bar israised this frame is raised likewise. There is a depression or notch 32 in the upper edge of the main operating -bar adjacent 'the point upon which these projections rest to allow the`frame to fallwhen the bar 22 is moved longitudinallythat is to say, when the bar and the frame are in elevated positions. The sides of the frame are provided with guides to receive a plurality of longitudinally-movable bars 33. These bars 33 are situated opposite each set of rollers and are movable in an upright direction with the frame, while they are adapted to be moved longitudinally by the key. Each one of the bars is provided with a notch 34 situated'opposite a post-9, for the key. When the frame is at the lower limit of its movement, thelsaid bars stand opposite the ends of the posts to prevent the insertion of the key; but whein the frame is raised by the operating-bar all of these bars 33 are raised also and the ends of the posts 9 are exposed,

so that the key can be inserted tobe turned Yand cause the rotation of the adjacent roller ger 37. The plate 35 is provided withadownand the longitudinal movement of thebar 33. It is noted,'of course, that in .this position the follower 25 would recede, so that the bars 33- can move longitudinally. Itis obvious, further, that bythe longitudinal movement of a bar 33all notches 34 of the sa'me bar will appear in. changed positions, so that the bar at-one side of each notchwill stand in the path of the blade of the key to prevent the insertion and turning of the key in any one of the remaining keyholes for movving this bar. The movement of any one of rthe bars 33 serves, further, to prevent the full insertion of the key'in any of the keyholes for movinglthe mainoperating-bar 22. f This constructioncomprises a horizontallysliding plate 35-at the upper endof the casing, which is provided with a slot 36, having a tinwardly-projecting arm 38, that lies fiat against the end piece of the frame 30, and when the follower is retracted bythe depression of the platform it is seen that this arm 38 is moved by the longitudinal movement of and consequently slides the plate side and brings the linger 37 across hole. be moved by the key by the insertion thereof in any of the keyholes for this purpose. The said main operating-bar 22 and the frame 30 move by gravity, it being noted that in a larger machine they possess sudicient weight to carry outl this operation. It will thus be seen that when the platform is raised all the registers are locked out automatically, and it is obvious that the rods or chains 19 may within the scope of my invention be connected to andbe operated by suitable boothdoors, simple lneans well known being employed in forming a suitable connection. It will be noticed also that in the act of locking out the registers the follower 25 will push the plate 35 back to its original position and at the same time push the bars 33 thatl may have lbeen moved in voting also to theirvformer positions.

vIt should be understood .that the plate 35 (although broken away in the views) extends a bar 33, 35to one the key- It is obvious that the other bars 33 can gaged by the follower 25 to substantially the opposite side of the frame 30. The main operating-bar, as will be seen, may move a prescribed distance vertically with relation to the frame 30; but the bars 33 are so mounted on the front of the frame 30 that they may move only ina horizontal direction relatively to the fram'e 30 and obviously with. said frame vertically.

I will now proceed to describe the manner.A

in which the machine is used to register votes.

The different tickets exposed are marked a., b, c, and d, beginning from the left. It' the voter desires to vote for all candidates on any one of the tickets, he steps upon the platform, which raises the forward end of theY lever 20 and retracts the follower 25. The upward *movement of the operating-bar, caused by the raises thc frame 30,

elevation of' the levers,

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and thus all the key-posts become unobstructed to the reception of the key. The voter then places the key, for instance, in-the upper keyhole at the left of ticket a and turns the key to the left. turning` the roller asnicient distance to bring the next number upon the band, representing all of the candidates' on this ticket, in position behind the opening 5, while at the same time it strikes against the side of the notch 23 in thebar 22 and moves this bar to the left. The movement of the bar to the left carries the operative parts thereof at the sides of the notches 32 to the left, so that the notches range with the projections 3l of the rectangular frame, and this allows this rectangular `frame to fall, which 'has the effect of moving the bars 33, carried thereby, against the ends of the posts 9. The voter then withdraws the key, and it is obvious that he cannot place it in any other keyhole of the machine, since he is prevented from turning it within an upper This has the'eltect of keyhole by reason of the ingers 24 of the bar 22 and by reason of the fact that the bars 33 stand against the ends of the posts 9 at their keyholes. When the voter steps oit the platform, the latter rises and permits the bar 22 to fall, while it allows the follower to move backin place. The follower consequently engages the shoulder 29 of the bar 22 and moves it to the right to bring the upper edge thereof below the projections 31 of the frame 30. It the voter does not care to vote the straight ticket, as it is called, but-, for instance, should desire to vote for one candidate upon each of these tickets, providing, of course, that none of 'the diiierent candidates are for tl-.e same oice, he does not place the key in the upper keyhole, but will proceed in the following manner: We will suppose he desires to vote for the first candidate in ticket a, the second in ticket b, the third in ticket c, and the fourth in ticket d. He irst places the key in the second keyhole adjacent ticket a, and by turning the key to the left he turns the roller and the band and then moves the upper bar 33 to the left. This not only has the eiect of moving the bar 33 to the left, so that the notches the turning of the key 34 therein prevent vwithin the keyhole, so that the candidates for 'the same oice on the other tickets cannot be voted for, but the movement of this bar longitudinally moves the arm 38 and sliding plate 35 to the left and moves the finger 37 of the sliding plate across all the upper keyholes, and this prevents the complete insertion of the key therein. Then the voter may remove the key and vote for any other candidate in the other tickets by inserting the key respectively in the third, fourth, and fifth keyholes opposite tickets b,c, and d. It will be seen, further, that the stops upon the supports 8 and 10 prevent the upward movement of the bars 33 and also that when the voter steps ol the platform the returning follower strikes' against the arm 38 and moves the bars 33 to their longitudinal position. It is noted, of course, that when the lower keyholes are used the operating-bar 22 is not used.

Thecasing can be locked in such a manner that it will be inaccessible except to authorized persons and can be made to accommodate any number of tickets or candidates upon each ticket as found most convenient.

Having thus described my invention, what I-claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A voting-machine including a series of registers provided each with a toothed wheel, akey adapted to engage any one of the toothed wheels, also horizontally-moving lock-fout members whereby the key may be prevented from engaging the toothed wheels.

2. A voting-machine including a main opl erating and lock-out bar combined, key-posts situatedsoasto be locked out by the vertical movement of' the main operating and lockand an insertible key whereby the registers 9o 5. A votin g-machine including a verticallyand a series of vertically-moving andr l the vertically-moving frame,a follower .en gagout bar combined, a frame controlled vertil cally by the said bar and operating jointly with said bar so as to vlimit the horizontal movement thereof whereby said key-posts may also be locked out by the horizont-al movement of said bar.

3. A voting-machine including a series of key-posts, a series of registers each provided with a toothed wheel mounted rotatively adjacent a key-post, vertically-movin g lock-outs for the key-posts, also horizontally-moving lock-o u ts for the key-posts, and a key whereby 'l the toothed wheels may be engaged.

4. A voting-machine including a rectangular frame, a main'operating and lock-out bar mounted so as to slide longitudinally across the frame toa limited extent and in vone of its positions supporting the frame, longitudinally-sliding lock-out bars mounted on'y the frame, means for elevating and depressingV the lock-out bars, a serles of registers so situated as to be in range of the lock-out bars,

may be operated when not locked'out.

sliding frame,a main operating-bar sliding longitudinally and whereby the frame may be suspended, longitudinally-sliding lock-out bars supported by the frame, a series of vregisters, a key whereby the registers may be operated and the lock-outbars actuated, and a follower whereby the lock-out bars may be actuated in a direction opposite to that in which they may be moved by the key.

6. A voting-machine including a series of registers, means for actuating the registers,

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a frame having projections thereon, a main operating-bar whereby the frame may be elevated when in contact with the projections and having notches wherein the projections may enter ywhereby the frame may .be permitted to descend, means whereby the main operating-bar may be elevated, means Whereby the registers may be operated, and lockout members carried by the frame whereby operation of' the registers may be prevented.

7. A voting-machine including a series of registers, a key for actuating the registers, a vertically-moving frame, a combined main operating-bar and lock-out bar controlling the vertical movement of the frame and having a plurality of notches and adjacent fingers at an edge thereof whereby the bar may be operated by the key when operating a register and whereby other registers may be locked out.

8. A voting-machine including a series of registers, means whereby the registers may be actuated, a vertically-moving frame, a series of longitudinally-moving members whe"eby the registers may be locked out supported by ing all the longitudinally-moving members and normally preventing the movement thereof, means whereby the follower may be withdrawn to permit the operation of said memprevented, a frame whereby the lock-out bar bers, and means whereby the follower may be caused to return said members to their normal positions after having been operated.

9. A voting-machine including a series of registers each provided with a toothed or crown wheel, a key-post situated adjacent to a toothed Wheel, a key having a soeketto receive the key-post and having a blade to engage the teeth of the toothed wheel, a vertically-sliding frame, a series of lock-out bars mounted slidingly upon the frame and carried vertically thereby and having each aseries of notches wherein the key may enter and operate the bar and a register and also lock out other registers.

10. A voting-machine including a series of registers, a series of key-posts situated adjacent to the registers, a key whereby the keyposts may be engaged and the registers operated, a vertically-sliding frame, a series of sliding lock-out bars mounted on the frame .so as to be operated by the keyvaud caused to prevent the engagement of other key-posts by the key, and a horizontally-sliding plate having notches and fingers at an edge thereof whereby when one of the lock-out bars may have been operated another lock-out bar and a plurality of registers may be closed against operation thereof.

11. A voting-machine includinga series of registers, means whereby the registers may be actuated, a series of lock-out members -whereby operation of the registers may be prevented, a plate having notches and adjacent fingers corresponding in number to the number of registers in a horizontal row, an

arm attached to the plate whereby when engaged by a lock-out member said tin gers may be moved and lock ont a horizontal row of registers against operation thereof, and a follower whereby said arm may be engaged and the lock-out members that may have been operated moved back to their normal positions. y

12. A voting-machine comprising a casing having keyholes therein, a plurality of registers, a key insertible in the keyholes whereby the registers may be engaged and operated, a sliding lock-out bar movably supported whereby the keyholes may be closed to the key and operation of the registers prevented, and means whereby the lock-out bar may be controlled.

13. A voting-machine comprising a casing having a. front piece provided with a plurality ofkeyholes, a plurality ot' registers situated near the keyholes, a key insertible in the keyholes whereby the registers may be operated, a sliding lock-out bar movably supported whereby the keyholesimay be closed to the key and the operation of the registers may be moved across the keyholes and removed therefrom in avertical direction, and

Ameans whereby the frame may be automatically operated by the voter when takin-gl a f position to vote.

14. A voting-machine comprising a casing having a front piece provided with a plurality of keyholes, a plurality of registers in proximity to the keyholes, a key insertible in the keyholes whereby `the registers may be operated, a lock-out bar normally closing the keyholes to the key and having notches permitting the key to have access to a register and whereby the bar may be moved to close other keyholes to the key, and fingers on the locky out bar whereby said other keyholes may be directly closed and the operation of the corresponding registers prevented.

l5. A voting-machine comprising a casing having openings and keyholes therein, a longitudinally-sliding bar having notches at the lower edge thereof situate adjacent the keyholes, fingers attached to said bar adjacent `to said notches, levers engaging said bar, and

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17. A voting-machine comprising a casing having a front piece provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, registers situated adjacent said keyholes at said openings and provided with toothed wheels, key-posts supported in positions registering with said keyholes a key attachable to said keyposts whereby to engage said toothed wheels and operate said registers, a longitudinally-movable main operating and lock-out bar combined having notches at an edge thereof to receive the key whereby the said bar may be moved longitudinally, fingers on said bar whereby said key-posts may be closed to the key, means whereby said bar may be elevated, a sliding plate having notches therein situate adjacent the notches in said bar and provided with ngers adjacent the notches there'- in, and means whereby said plate may be operated to also lock out the key from said posts.

18. In a voting-machine, a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, vote-registers situated adjacent said keyholes at said openings and provided with toothed wheels, longitudinally-movable bars situated adjacent said keyholes and provided with notches at edges thereof, key-posts situated opposite said keyholes, means whereby said vbars maybe elevated, and a key attachable to said key-posts only when said bars are elevated, whereby said vote-registers may be operated, and means whereby said bars may be depressed to lock out said registers.

19. In a voting-machine, a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, vote registers mounted at said openings, toothed wheels mounted adjacent said keyholes and connected with said registers, said keyholes and openings and said toothed wheels and registers being arranged inshorizontal rows having a series of each in each row, a main operating-bar situated adjacent the upper series of keyholes and provided adjacent said keyholes with notches and iin gers, a plurality of lock-out bars situated-adjacent the lower series of keyholes, a bar for each horizontal row below said upper series, a connection between said main operating-bar and the lock-out bars for raising the latter by the movement of the former, and means connected with the casing wherebythe main op- 'erating-ba'r'may be raised.

20. In a votingmachine,a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes Vand openings in horizontal serial rows, registers situated adjacent said openings and provided with toothed .wheels situated adjacent said keyholes, a longitudinally-movable main operating-bar situated adjacent to the upper horizontal row of keyholes and provided with notches adjacent said keyholes and also provided 'with recesses in the upper edge thereof, means for elevating said bar, a frame having projections resting upon the upper edge of said bar adjacent said recesses, a. plurality of guides situated on said frame, a plurality of lock-out bars mounted on said guides and provided with notches adjacent the lower rows of keyholes, and key-posts supported opposite said keyholes.

21. In a voting-machine, a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings in horizontal rows, key-posts opposite said keyholes,toothed wheels adjacent said key-posts, vote-registers at said openings operated by said toothed wheels, a` longitudinally-movable main operating-bar adjacent the upper row of keyholes and provided with recesses,

in its upper edge and notches in its lower edge and having a shoulder near one end thereof, a: movable spring-pressed member connected to said casing and also connected with said main operating-bar for lifting the same, and a spring-pressed followeffor engaging said shoulder and moving said operating-bar longitudinally, said follower being' also connected with said movable springpressed member.

22. In a voting-machine, a casing provided with 'a plurality of keyholes and openings in horizontal rows, key-posts opposite said keyholes,toothed wheels adjacent said key-posts,-

vote-registers at said openings connected with said toothed wheels, a longitudinallymovable main operating-bar adjacent' the upper row of keyholes and provided with recesses in its upper edge and a shoulder near one end thereof, a movable spring-pressed member connected to said casing and also connected with said main operating-bar for lifting the same, a spring-pressed follower for engaging said shoulder and moving said operating-bar longitudinally, said follower being also connected with said movable spring-pressed member, a lock-out plate for said upper row of key-posts and provided with a projecting arm whereby said plate may also be moved bysaid follower.

23. In a voting-machine, a casing provided with va plurality of keyholes, key-postsopposite said keyholes, toothed wheels adjacent said key-posts, vote-registers connected with said toothed wheels, a ballot supported at a side of each vertical row of keyholes, a longitudinally-movable main operating-bar adjacent the upper horizontal row of keyholes and provided with notches at its lower edge adjacent said keyholes, a movable springpressed member for lifting said operatingbar and whereby the same may be permitted to descend, a plurality of longitudinallymovable lock-out bars provided with notches adjacent the lower rows of keyholes, a frame carrying said lock-out bars and connected with said main operating-bar, a sliding plato situated adjacent said operati ug-bar and provided with fingers and notches adjacent the fingers thereof, an arm attached to said plate situated at the end of the said frame and over the ends of said lock-out bars, a springpressed'follower situated opposite said arm, and a shoulder on said operating-bar also opposite said follower.

24. In a registering-machine, a casing hav'- ing openings and keyholes therein, a longitudinally-sliding bar situated adjacent said keyholes, notches and fingers at the lower edge of said bar, and a movable platform in front of said casing and connected with said bar for moving the same.

25. In a registering-machine, a casing having a front piece provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, rollers situated adj acent said keyholes and provided with bands IOO IIO

and toothed wheels, longitudinally-movable operating-bars situated adjacent said keyholes, posts opposite said keyholes, and a movable platform connected with said operating-bars for elevating the same. 26.y In a registering-machine, acasing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, rollers situated adjacent said keyholes and provided 'with bands and toothed wheels, longitudinally-movable bars'situated adjacent said keyholes and provided with notches at their lower edges, posts situated opposite said keyholes, and a movable platform conneeted with said bars for raising the same.

27. In a registering-machine, a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, rollers situated adjacent said keyholes and provided with bands and toothed Wheels, a main operating-bar situated adjacent the upper keyholes and provided adjacent said keyholes with notches and fingers, a connection between said main operating-bar and a plurality of operatin g-bars for raising the latter by the movement of the former, and a for lifting the same,

movable platform connected with said operating-bar for raisingl the same.

28. In a registering-machille, a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, rollers situated adjacent said keyholes and provided with bands and toothed wheels, a,longitudinally-movable vmain operating-bar situated adjacent to the upper keyholes and provided with notches adjacent said keyholes, depressions in the upper edge of said main operating-bar, a movable platform connected with said operating-bar for raising the same, a frame having-projections resting upon the upper'edge of said main operating-baradjacent said depressions, a plurality of lock-out bars situated in said frame and provided with notches adjacent the lower keyholes, and posts opposite said keyholes.

29. In a registering-machine, a casing provided with a plurality of keyholes and openings, posts opposite said keyholes, dinally-movable main operating-bar adjacent the upper keyholes and provided with depressions in its upper edge and with a shoulder and notches in its lower edge, amovable spring-pressedplatform in front of said casing connected with said main operating-bar and a spring-pressed fola longitu-` edge adjacent said `ke'yholes, amovable spring-pressed platform for lifting said voperatingfbar, a plurality of longitudinally-Inovable bars carried by a frame connected with said operating-bar, notches in said barsl situated adjacent the lower sets of keyholes, a

sliding plate situated adjacent said operating-bar and provided with fingers adjacent said notches therein, a downwardly-extending arm upon said sliding plate situated over the end of said frame and over the ends of said bars, anda spring-pressed follower situ ated opposite the said arm and a shoulder on said operating-bar and connected with said movable platform. l

- In testimonywhere'of I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLEMENT DE CROES. Witnesses: Y JOHN N. CARDER, FRANK G. HARDING.'

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