GB1198115A - A Push-Button Selector with Interlock Mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1,198,115. Voting machine. J. KOSMIS. 8 Aug., 1967 [9 Aug., 1966], No. 36398/67. Heading G4T. [Also in Division E2] A push-button control for a voting machine includes an interlock mechanism comprising a channel guide containing cylindrical members co-operating with the push-button stems, the stems passing through apertures in the guide and the cylindrical members being urged together by spring-loaded members to limit the number of buttons operable at a time. A voting machine is provided with columns of push-buttons 2 freed by operation of a pushbutton II at the top of a column. The pushbuttons II co-operate with an interlock mechanism consisting of cylindrical elements 27 separated by spacers 28 urged together by spring-loaded elements. The spring-loaded element 31 at the right-hand end of guide 7b may be latched in position by an armature 34 to prevent actuation of the voting machine when a solenoid 33 is de-energized. Each column of push-buttons 2 co-operates with cylindrical elements 8 in a guide 7, which are urged together by spring-loaded members 11, 24. A recess 26a in a control bar 26 co-operates with a member 24 when the selected pushbutton II is depressed, to free the corresponding column of push-buttons. In addition, the control bar 26 rotates a rod 40 through interengaging means 46, 47 to place pins 41, 45 in the positions shown. Each push-button is associated with a counter 35 having an actuating member 37a moved adjacent the counter on depressing a push-button and actuated by a pin 41. Operation of a vote button energizes solenoid 57 to move a bar 43 whereby cams 44 engage pins 45 to lift the associated rods 40 and register the votes on the counters 35. The solenoid 57 opens contacts in the circuit of solenoid 33 to prevent operation of the pushbuttons 2, II, while votes are being registered. The push-buttons 2, II carry hook arms 15, 53 co-operating with pins 18, 52 on latch bars 20, 51 respectively, movable to release the pushbuttons through movement of the rod 40. The guides 7, VII are formed from sections 7a, 7b, so that their lengths may be varied. Each section carries a pivoted member movable beneath the adjacent push-button to prevent operation thereof, Fig. 7 (not shown).