US1036464A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

J. H. DEAN.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 17, 1908.

Patented Allg. 20, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHBET l.

J. H. DEAN.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLIQATION HLBD $32117, 190e.

1,03 6,464. Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. H. DEAN.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED sBPT.17, 1908.

Patented Aug. 20, 191.2.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. DEAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 EMPIRE VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F YORK.

VOTING-MACHIN E.

LOSGAG-t.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A110120, 1912.

Application led September 17, 1908., Serial No. 453,480.

To all 'tc/wm t may concern.' Be it known that I, IA-Mns H. DEAN., a citizen of the United States, and a residentof Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and uset'ul Improvements in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a speciiication.

The invention relates to4 voting machines, and more particularly to the irregular voting mechanism of a machine especially adapted for ballots such as are used in Massachusetts and Minnesota.

In most States the names of the candidates upon the paper ballots are arranged in part-y columns from top to bottom of ythe sheet and in office rows extending from side to side thereof, and voting machines are usually provided with ballot indicators or keys arranged in a corresponding manner in party columns and oiee rows. In Massachusetts and Minnesota, however, thereis no vparty column or separa-tion of the candidates names into party groups. 4The names are arranged in columns on ,the ballot, but each column contains the candidates of all parties for a number` of different oiliccs; for example, the candidates of all parties for governor will appear one below the other at the'head of the first column, then will follow the names of the candidates ot' all parties for lieutenantJ governor, and so on.

In prior voting machines employing the office row and party column arrangement of /keys there usually a single irregular voting mechanism associated with each otiice row ot keys and interlocked,l therewith so that the voter can not register a vote both for a regularv and an irregular candidate in a single ofce group and can not cast more votes than he is entitled to, either for regular or irregular candidates in a multi-candidate group. Such an irregular voting meehanism, however, can not be employed unless the names of the candidates for the different ocesare arranged in separate rows. v

The present invention seeks to provide a simple and er'fectivc form of irregular voting mechanism which can be employed witha machine in which the same arrangement of the candidates names can be preserved :is is non7 employed upon the paper ballots in the States of Massachusetts and Minneseta, that is to say, one in which there are seve al columns of lie-ys opposite which the candidates7 names may be arranged and in which the keys of each column may be divided rinto a number of separate groups representing different oiiices, in accordance with the varying requirements of the different elections'.

The invention consists in the features of improvement, combinations and arrangements of parts, hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

The invention is shown applied to the type of'voting machine set forth in priorapplications tiled by me December 27, 190%,Serial No. 238,888, and April l, 1907, Serial No. 865,639, although it will be understood that the invention could be adapted to other types.`

In-the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section extending from side to side of the machine Fig. 2 is a view of parts shown in F ig. l but. in shifted position; Fig. 3 is a vertical section extending from front to rear of the machine, taken in part on lines 3-3 of Figs. l and 4 and in part on line 3--8'1 of Fig. l; Fig. 4' is a. view of the rear Of the machine4 with the top plate moved, the trame shownl in .section and yparts broken away to illustrate the construction; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section' on line I.5*5 0f Fig. 1.

As in theconstructions shown in the prior applicationsL referred to, the machine is provided with a box-like frame or casing l, havin g ballot indicators or voting push keys 2 at the lathorizontal top of the machine frame and arranged in columns extending from front `to rear thereof. These keys are arranged in removable units orcounter sections, with'two keys, the counters controlled thereby and locking and restoring devices for the keys mounted in each section. These counter sections comprise connected side plates 3 that are mounted in. the upperl portion of the machine trame upon horizon# tal supporting bars t that extend from front to rear of the machine. Each key ex-1 tends through guide opening at the upper portion of the counter section and is provided with a 'tail piece 5, which entends between a pair of ouide oins or rollers 6 at the llower portion of l" counter section., The counters for the two lreys et and each comprises a set of counter wheels 11 that is movable in aXial direction upon the guide pins 12 extending between the side lplates 3 of the counter sect-ion. The tail portion 5 of each key is provided with a cam slot 13 (see Fig. 3), which is arranged to engage a pin 14 connected to the holder' 11 of the corresponding actuator. The keys are vertically movable to and from voted position to shift ythe. corresponding actuators into and out of operative relation with the counters. The counter actuators of the several sections are arranged in line and are provided with' a series of square-openings through which a set of actuator shafts 14 extend. These actuator shafts are oscillated by the operating mechanism to advance the counters corresponding to the voted keys.

The tail portion of each key is 'slotted to engage one end of a rock arm 16. The rock arms engaging the two keys of each section are arranged on the same side thereof and are loosely1 journaled upon the ends of a hub 17 that is rotatably mounted between the side plates 3 of the counter section. Laterally extending lugs 18 `on the hub 13 are arranged to extend between the pairs of shoulders 19 and 20011 the rock arms 16. The hubs 17 of the several counter sections are arranged in line and are provided with square openings through which removably extend a set of locking and restoring shafts 21. These shafts are normally held in the position shown in the drawings with the lugs 18 on t-he hubs engaging the shoulders y19 on the rock arm 16 and holding the latter and the keys locked against movement with the keys in their normal, raised position. When a voter is admitted to the machine these shafts are unlocked so that the keys may be depressed to voted position.

The operating mechanism controlling the yactuator shafts 15 and locking and restoring shafts 21 is arranged at the rear of the machine in a removable, main operating section, consisting of a pair of side plates 22 connected at intervals and spaced apart by a series of shouldered rivets 23. .A series of crank arms 24 are `rotatably mounted in suitable openings in the side plates 22 of the main operating section and the hubs of ,these arms are provided with square openings to engage the actuator shafts 15. The rock arms 24 are connected by a common bar 25 and the end rock arm 24'* is in the .form of a bell crank and is connected by a vertical, depending link 26 to a bell `crank 27 pivotally mounted in the main operating section adj acent its ing rolle-rs plate 32 is incense lower edge. A horizontal link 28 connects end of an operating shifter or bell crank 29 which is pivotally mounted in the main operating sect-ion. The other arm of the shifter 29 is provided with a projecting pin 30, which engages a cam slot A31 in a shifting orsliding carriage arranged upon the rear face of the main operating section. This carriage comprises a cam plate 32, hav- 33 at grooved guides 34 that are iXed to the rear -face of the main operating section. A ratchet 'plate 55 secured to the sliding cam connected by a link 36 to a main operating lever 37 at the back of the machine. The lower edge of the ratchet plate is provided with a series of teeth 3S, which are arranged .to be engaged by a full stroke dog 39, pivoted upon the back plate 4() of the machine so as to compel the complete shift of the operating mechanism in one or the other direction.

A iseries of rock arms 41, journaled between the side plates 22 of the main operating section, are provided with square openings and are arranged to engage the rear ends "of the locking and restoring shafts 21. These rock arms are provided with enlarged friction rollers at their ends and are arranged to be engaged by a series of lugs 42 on the locking and restoring bar 43. This bar is arranged to shift in the horizontal direction within the main operating section and is provided with horizontal slots 44, through which a 'pair of supporting pins 45 extend. The lugs 42 on the locking and restoring bar 43 normally engage the arms 41A to lock the shafts 2l and voting keys controlled thereby against movement. The locking bar 43 is shifted in one direction to release the shafts 21 and voting keys by a judges intervening bar 46, which -is arranged at one end of the main operating section and projects through the frame of the machine at oneside thereof and adjacent its rear face. This bar is slidably mounted upon a pair of pins 47 which engage the slots therein, and a shoulder 49 on the bar is arranged to engage the end of the locking and restoring bar 43, when the judges intervening bar is pushed in, to shift the bar 43 and release the shafts 21 and voting keys. A The bar 43 is shifted in the opposite direction, at 'the end of the voting operation, by a` bell crank or shifter 50 pvoted between the side plates 22 and the main operating section and having a pin 51 at its upper end arranged to engage one of the lugs 42 of the locking and restoring bar. The opposite arm of the bell crank or shifter 50 is provided with a projecting pin 52, which engages the cam slot 53 in the plate 32.

The operating carriage is shownat the the bell crank 27 to the lowerl its corners engaging Yferred to.

left in Fig..4 and in the position assumed by the parts after the main'operating lever 37 has been shifted by the voter and just before the bar 46 has been pushed in by the judge of election to release the voting keys. Normally the operating carriage and handle 37 are at the right hand side of the machine when viewed from the rear,

as in Fig. 4. In this normal positionof theon the shifter 50 away from the lug 42 on? the bar 43, and, at the end of this move-j ment, the carriage trips a latch 55, whichv normally locks the judges interveningr vbar: 46 so that the latter may be pushed 1n by P the judge of election to shift the bar 43 and release the keys. TheA voter may then opcrate -the keys to indicate his choice, and; when he has done so he restores the oper-i ating mechanism to normal position by reli turning the lever 37 to the right. This first f rocks the shifter or bell crank 29 to oscil` y' late the actuator shafts 15 and advance thegv counters corresponding to t-he voted keys.

The shifter 50 is then rocked to restore thelocking bar 43 and return the shafts 2l and voting keys and actuators to normal position. ,The restoring shift of the bar 43 also returns the judges intervening bar 46 into engagement with the latch 55, so that thev machine can not be again unlocked until after the next voter has again shifted the lever 37 to the left to unlock the latch.

The parts thus far set forth are more fully described in the prior applications reof keys extending from side to side of the machine was provided with a set of'inter? locking devices so that yeach row of keys` could he arranged in a single candidate group or the interlocking devices of several chosen rows could be connected to form a multi-candidate group.

In the present machine the rows of keys fromside to side are in no way connected by interlocking mechanism. Instead, to adapt the machine to the Massachusetts or Minnesota form of ballot, each column of keys is provided with a set of interlocking devices Awith means whereby they may be divided into groups with any number of keys in each group, and with the number of keys which may be operatedtin each group limited to a'fnyfdesired number. This interlocking mechanism comprises a series of suitable guides, one for each column of keys, which In the construction' shown ini said prior applications, however, each row` tions thefplates are provided with outwardlyy v projecting parts forming a guide channel 57 for a row of interlocking blocksy or spaces 58. A series of spreaders 59 extend between the blocks 58 and are connected by rods 6'0 to the tail portions of the rock arms 16. Each guide is provided with a series of seats for the grouping pins 61, and these seats are arranged at a distance apart equal to one step of the interlocking mechanism, so that any number of keys and spreaders may be .arranged in a group and the keys and spreaders in each group which can be moved to voted position maybe limited to any desired number. This interlocking mechanism is more fullyset forth in the companion application filed by me September 17, 1908, Serial No. 453,47 9. f

Tol prevent a voter from casting ballots both for regularly nominated candidates and for irregular or independent candidates whose names do not appear upon the face of the machine, each of the regular candidate keys is provided with' means whereby, if it is voted, it will cancel an irregular vote for the same oiice if attempt be made to cast one. In the particular embodiment of the invention set forth each key is provided with an impression device, preferably in the form of a perforating rod I62.` The upper hooked ends of these rods 62 engage openings in the lower ends ofthe tail pieces 5 of the severalfkeys and the rods extend downwardly from the keys through openings in a series of guide'bars 63.` Each of these guide bars is arranged in a seat 64. formed by outwardly projecting portions ofl two vertical plates 65 and 66. Each pair of plates 65 and 66 are connected together. and

suitably spaced apart as shown, and are se`-v cured at their front and rear ends to the vframe of the machine.n The vertical plate 66 is shorter than its companion plate. 65 anda horizontal plate 67 extends laterally from its lower edge. The plates 67 eitend from frontto rear of the machine and are provided at their edges with downturned lips 68 and form the upper half of a series of guides or holders for paper ballot-s upon which the names of irregular candidates are written by the voter. There is one of these guides for each column of keys and 4the lower part of each-guide is formed by a plate 69. Each of the plates 69 is secured at one edge, adjacent the edge of the upper plate 67, to a horizontal shaft 70 that extends from front to rear of the machine and is journaled at its ends in the Vmachine frame. By shifting or rocking the shaft 70 vthe plates 69 may be shifted either to the horirear ends with upwardly 'extending crank arms v72-that are connected by a common horizontal bar 73. @ne ofthe shatts is provided with a depending armV 74 connected by ferent columns of` keys.

a horizontal link 7 5 to one arm'o a bell crank 76 that is journaled upon the rear plate of the machine at one vside thereof. 'lhe other arm ot the bell crank is connected by a ver tically extending link 77 to a crank arm. 7 8. rllhis arm` is mounted upon "a 'short shaft 79 that extends through the plates 22 in the mainl operating section and kengages the hub ot a crank arm 80, ournaled in the main operating section. rlhe arm 80 is connected by a horizontally extending link to the shifter or bell crank 50, which operates the locking and restoring bar 43. "W hen the operating lever 37 (see Fig'. 4) is at the right, or in normal position, the restoring shifter will be rocked from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and i and the holder plates 69 :tor the irregular ballots will be in the vertical position shown in Fig. 2. Before the voter operates the machine andbefore the keys can be unlocked he must, shitt the.

operating mechanism to the position. shown inlig. e. 'llfhis moves the bell crank or shifter 50 and the' holder plates 69 will be swung by the` connections described lto the horizontal position shown in; Fig. l. ,'lhe iront plate 82 of t-he machine is provided with a series ot slots, one opposite each pair of plates 67 and 69. lrregular paper ballots or cards will'be provided of such size that they may be inserted by the voter through the slots 82 int-o position between the holderl plates 67 and 69. 'lhese cards will be pro? vided with blank spaces`for'- the names of candidates of diiderent oilices and the arrangement or cards will correspond to the arrangement or theodice groups inthe dit- 'lFliere will be, ci course, separate cards for each column ot keys. llt the machine is provided with t'our columns of keys, as in the lorm shown, there will be toursets of irregular'cards.

lt' a voter desires to cast a vote for` an irregular candidate'tor va'particular oice, he will select the proper card, write the candidates name at th place indicated on the card and insert it in one ot the slots 82 in 'the face of the machine opposite the proper column ci' keys. His vote for this irregular candidate is then completed and when the operating mechanism is restored normal as the voter leaves the machine, the

holder plate 69 will be rocked back to vertical position, and any irregular ballots which or to the incassa may have been cast will be deposited in the bottom ot the box-like trame or casing of the machine. lt will thus be seen that the voter, does not have to'operate any key or other device in casting `a vote for an irregular candidate. l-le can. not, however, vote for bot-h regular and irregular candidates for the same otlice, since if. he should first vote for an irregular candidate by writing his name on the card and placing it in position between a pair of the holder plates 67 and 69, any attempt to cast a vote for a regular candidate t'or the same otlice by depressing one of the keys would cancel the vote cast tor the irregular candidate,'this cancellation being effected by `the piercing needle or impressionvdevice 62, which would' be forced through the card within the holder by the act of voting the key. lf he should irst lvote for one ci the regularly nominated candidates the perito-rater or impression device 62 would 'be shifted down through the slot formed by the holder plates 67 and 69 andthe irregular ballot could notbe placed in position to be deposited wit-hin the machine. v y.

llt should be noted that the lower ends of the'perforating rods or impressiony devices 62 are sharpened'so that .they will readily pierce outer edge of each swinging holder plate 69 the irregular ballots, and that the is provided with a series of openings 83 `eriorators are ro'ected P P through which the depressed to voted posi-- when the keys are tion. 1 l

Means are provided whereby the operation of the machine will mark any irregular ballots which are cast and no irregular ballot will be valid or will be counted unless it is so marked, sothatit is.' impossible to stuit the machine with irregular ballots.v

These marking or impression ldevices arealso arranged toidenti'ty the irregular ballots cast with theproper columns. rl`hcse impression devices are in the form ot reciprocating plungers Slbarranged .at the rear ot the machine to slide vertically through guides 85 upon a cross bar 86. vrllhe lower ends of the plungers are arranged to extend through openings 87 in the rear ends of the plates 67 of the several ballot holders or guides and are provided with numbers or letters which differ from one another so that 'the cards marked thereby may be properly identified with the different columns ot keys. The upper ends of the plungers are connected by a series of links 88 to a series or' arms 89. rlhese arms are mounted between their ends upon the pivot pins 96 carried by a bar 91 that is ked tothe inner tace et the. top plate d() of themachine. rl`lie upper ends 'et t-he arms 69 are' connected by a common bar or link 92 and this bar is connected by a link 93 to an extension ot the link 28, which is connected "to the ira 'las

operating shifter or bell crank 29. This pression devices one controlled by each of bell crank, as stated, is shifted vby operating mechanism, When the voter leaves the machine, before the bell crank 50 is moved, so that, betere the plates 69 are swung down to deposit any irregular ballots which may have been placed in the holders the impression devices 8a Will be shifted to mark the ballots. This marking of the ballot-s may make an impression in the material thereof or means may be provided for inking the marking devices. In the arrangement shown a short piece ot inkingribbon 94 is mounted upon the rear portion ot each plate 69. It extends through slots 95 in the plate and is connected at one end to a stop pin v 96 and at the other end to a roller pivotally mounted on the under side of the plate. rlhis ribbon is arranged just above the corresponding1 impression device, so that, When the latter is forced downwardly it Will torce the card against the ribbon and makea mark corresponding to the tace of the impression device upon the under side ot the irregular ballot or card.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details set forth Without departure from the essence of the invention, which broadly-comprises means controlled by each of the regular candidate keys for preventing the voter from casting a ballot both for the regular candidate and for an irregular candidate for the same oiice. rlhe column of keys 2a are for voting on questions.

I claim as my invention 1. In a voting machine, the lcombination with a series ot regular candidatekeys and counters therefor, ot a series of separate independent perforating devices, vone operated by each key, a card ballot for voting for candidates not nominated, said perforating devices operating to perforate said ballot and indicate thereon the votes cast ttor regularly nominated eandidates'and eX- pose fraudulent votes for irregular candidates. l

2. In voting machines, thecombination with ay series of regular candidate keys and counters controlled thereby, of means for casting a vote for an irregular candidate,

land Acontrolled by each regular candidate key for canceling a vote cast for an irregular candidate for the same otlice.

3. In voting machines, the combination with a series of regular candidate keys and counters controlled by said keys, of a .series of means for depositing a ballot for irregular candidates, and impression devices one operated by each of said regular candidate keys for marking the irregular ballot tov cancel votes thereon.

4. In vot-ing machines, the combination with a series of regular candidate keys and counters controlled thereby, a series of imsaid keys and means for holding an irregular paper ballot in the path of movement ot said impression devices.

5. In voting machines, the combination with a series ot regular candidate keys and counters controlled thereby, of a shittable holder itor receiving and depositing an irregular paper ballot and a series ot impression devices one controlled by each ot said keys for impressing the irregular paper ballot when in position upon said holder.

6. In voting machines, the combination with means for voting for regularly nominated candidates comprising a series of counters and controlling keys therefor, and means control-led by said regular candidate keys for canceling an irregular ballot cast `tor the corresponding oiiices.

7. In voting machines, the combination With a series of regular candidate keysvand counters controlled thereby, of a holder for receiving and depositing an irregular paper ballot, a series of impression devices for marking the irregular ballot, one controlled by each of said keys, operating mechanism controlling the movement of said. keys and counters and moans actuated by said operating mechanism for shifting said holder to deposit the irregular paper ballot.

8. In voting machines, the combination Wit-l1 a column of keys, counters controlled thereby, a holder for irregular paper ballots arranged below said column ot keys and a series of impression devices for the paper ballots one controlled by each of said keys.

9. In voting machines, the combination with a number ot columns of keys for voting for regular candidates and a series of counters controlled by said keys, ot a series of holders for irregular paper ballots, one for each column of keys, a set of impression devices for said irregular paper ballots, one controlled by each or' said keys, a set of impression devices for marking the irregular paper ballots, one for each column of keys, operating mechanism for said last set of impression devices and means actuated by said operating mechanism for controlling the movement of said reys and counters.

10. In voting machines, the combination with a number of sets of keys for voting for regular candidates and a series ot counters controlled by said keys, of a number of holders for irregular paper ballots, one for each set of regular candidate keys, a number of impression devices for marking the irregular paper ballots in the separate holders, mechanism for completing the operation of said keys and counters, and means controlled by said mechanism for operating said impression devices.

l1. In voting machines, the combination with a series of regular candidate keys, in-l t-erlockingmechanism between said, keys and4 Aa series of counters controlled thereby, a series of impression devices connected to and shifted by said keys as the latter are moved tto and from voted position, and means `or holding an irregular ballot in position to be markedl by said impression devices.

12. ln voting machines, the combination with a series of regular candidate keys, interlocking mechanism between said keys and a series of counters controlled by said keys, ofl means for depositing an irregular paper ballot, and a series of punches controlled by `said keys Jrior piercing the irregular paper ballot to cancel votes thereon.

13. In voting machines, the combination with a series or' regu-lar candidate keys, in-

terlocking mechanism between said keys, and a series of counters controlled by said keys, of a holder corresponding to said keys or receiving an irregular paper ballot, and

a series ofA separate, independent devices connected to and shifted by said keys and arranged to. prevent the insertion of an irregular paper ballot in said holder when cih-,oedeem any one of said regular keys is in voted position.

14C. lin voting machines, the combination ywith a number of columns of keys for votand restoring said keys, for actuating said second set of impression devices and for operating said shiftable holders.

. JAMES H. DEAN.

Witnesses:

HARRY L. CLAPP, KATHARINE GULACH.

irregular paper ballots, one

f Lic

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