US1105598A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

C. G. ABBOTT.

VOTING MAOHINB.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 13, 1911.

I 1,105,598 Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

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WITNESSES:

' AT'TORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS CO4. PHOTO-LHHLL. WASHINGTON I). C.

C. C. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED I'EB.13,1911.

1,105,598. Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

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c. 0. ABBOTT. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION I'ILEI D FEIB. 13, 1911.

1,105,598. Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I "E l Z Z I lVENTgZZ ATTORN EY HE NORRIS PETERS C0,. PHOTO-LITHCL, WASHINGTON, D, Q

C. G. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 23.13, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR A'TTORNEY HE NORRIS PETERS (0L PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. C.

G. C. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETSSHEBT 5.

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES: j u M THE NORRIS PETERS CO1. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON D. C.

C. G. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 11:11.13, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

- 10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

I'HE NORRIS PETERS (1)..

G. C. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED ran. 13, 1911.

1,105,598. Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETSSHEBT 'I.

MUG

WITNESSES: 43 lNVENTOR 24w. Dew. m Awzm 296 AiTORNEY THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON. D. C.

G. G. ABBOTT. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETSSHBET 8.

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308 INVENTOR ,g/ ZM WITNESSES:

AT'TORNEY 'IHE NORRIS PETERS ((1. PHOTO'LITHO" WASHINGTON. D. C.

G. C. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1911.

1,105,598. Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETSSHBET 9.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR I'HE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTD-LITHQ. WAbHINUTON. D. r

O. O. ABBOTT.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION llLEDlEB. 13, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

10 SHEETSSHEET 10.

A .1 13 mw Q 1% Sm IH I. Mn $3 THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. L), C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES C. ABBOTT, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO TRIUMPH VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PITITSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

VOTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES C. ABBOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsfield, county of Berkshire, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improve ment in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the portion of the mechanism of a voting machine which has to do with the casting of the votes, and to certain parts connecting this portion of the mechanism with the counting mechanism and with the paper feed mechanism used in independent vvoting, and for convenience is herein shown as embodied in a machine of the general type shown and described in Letters Patent No. 914:,006, granted to me March 2, 1909.

The general object of the invention is to provide voting mechanism that will render 1t easy for the voter to vote for the candidates of his choice whether in one or in a plurality of party lines, will protect the voter against knowledge by others as to how he has voted, and will render it impossible for the voter to vote fraudulently.

One of the objects of the invention is to improve, simplify, and make more reliable and convenient of operation certain parts of the mechanism shown and described in my prior application for Letters Patent, filed July 28, 1909, Serial No. 509,991.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the counting mecha nism may be reset after the entire vote has been cast and recorded.

A further object of the invention is to adapt the machine for use in primary voting; In carrying out this portion of my invention I have provided means for looking all of the party levers against operation by the voter and means for locking all of the lines of individual voting members except those occupied by the candidates of the party for whom the voter is entitled to vote, said last named voting members being unlocked and in a condition to be operated whether said members occupy one or a plurality of lines. I have further made provision whereby the locking means for the lines of individual voting members may be controlled or adjusted to unlockthe voting members in the line or lines occupied by any desired party, the lines occupied by all other parties being locked.

With the above and other objects in view, I have devised the novel mechanism which I will now describe, referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and using reference characters to indicate the several parts.

Figure l is an elevation partly broken away showing the voting mechanism assembled, the parts being in the normal position, that is, before any of the mechanisms of the machine have been operated; Fig. 1 is an elevation of the entire machine looking from the rear or voting face thereof. Fig. 2 is a detail elevation, as viewed from the right, Fig. 1, of the means for locking the resetting lever when an independent shutter is opened, the casing parts being shown in section; Fig. 3 is a detail elevation on an enlarged scale of one end of one of the party lines showing the corresponding party lever in section; Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of certain parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 3 partly broken away of the lower party line and showing an interlocking member and the mechanism connecting the releasing and restricting mechanisms; Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of one of the interlocking members and the supporting channel therefor; Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the resetting shaft and parts associated therewith; Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the channels for sup porting the interlocking members; Fig. 10 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of the main operating shaft and bar, the shafts for operating the counter grids of the counting mechanism, the paper feed shaft of the independent voting mechanism, and the shaft for setting the counters; Fig. 11 is an elevation, partly broken away, one of the counter grid operating shafts shown in Fig. 10, the main operating bar and the paper feed and counter setting shafts being shown in section; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the counter setting shaft shown in Fig. 10, the counter grid operating shafts being shown in section; Fig. 13 is a detail view of the connections between the main operating bar and one of the counter grid operating shafts; Figs. 14 and 15 are detail sections taken on the lines l4l14 and 15 45, respectively, Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a detail ele vation, on an enlarged scale and partly broken away, of the connections between one of the counter grid operating shafts and the paper feed shaft; Fig. 16' is a central vertical section of parts shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 17 is a detail plan View, partly broken away, of the parts shown in Fig. 16; Figs. 18 and 19 are sections taken on the lines 1818 and 1919, respectively, Fig. 16; Fig. 20 is a front elevation, partly in vertical section, of the key bar and bolts for locking the party lines for primary voting; Fig. 21 is a plan view with the framework in section of one of the primary locking bolts, the key bar, and the means for operating the same, shown in Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is an elevation with the framework in section of the parts shown in Fig. 21 as viewed from the left in Fig. 20; Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail of certain parts shown in Fig. 21; Fig. 24 is a detail elevation, viewed from the left in Fig. 21, of the latch for locking the key bar operating shaft in position during primary voting; Fig. 25 is a front elevation of the entire primary locking mechanism; Fig. 26 is a detail elevation of the key bar which carries the keys for controlling the primary locking bolts; Fig. 27 is a similar view showing the keys in position; Fig. 28 is an elevation of the same parts as viewed from the left in Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is an enlarged detail of a portion of Fig. 28 illustrating the form of the keys and the manner of securing the same in position on the key bar; Fig. 30 is an elevation of the restricting shaft and the parts associated therewith; Fig. 31 is a simi lar view showing some of the parts in section and in a different position; Figs. 32 and are detail sectional views taken on the lines 322-l2 and 3333, respectively, Fig. 31; Fig. 3 1 is a detail sectional view showing the ends of the two parts of the restricting shaft and the sleeve connecting the same; Fig. 35 is a fragmentary plan View, with the casing parts in section, of a train of mechanism for locking and unlocking one of the party lines for primary voting.

The machine, as to its general organization and principles of operation, is of the type fully described in Letters Patent No. 914,006, hereinbefore referred to. Said machine comprises mechanism for casting the votes, or by which he voter indicates his choice, herein, for convenience, referred to as voting mechanism,- mechanism for registering the vote so indicated, herein referred to as counting mechanism and DitYilFlllSli-l operated by the voter when he approaches and leaves the machine, and

herein referred to as main operating mechanism, which cooperates with the voting mechanism to unlock, reset, and lock the same, and which actuates the counting mechanism to register the vote. These mechanisms, with the exception of certain keys and levers which are operated by the voter or the custodian, as hereinafter ex )lained, are inclosed within an upright casing, the rear of which constitutes the voting face of the machine, and upon this are displayed the names of the candidates to be voted for. As shown in the patent above referred to the names of party candidates are placed in horizontal lines, called party lines, and the names of all candidates for the same office are placed in vertical columns, called ofiice columns, although of course the mechanism may be arranged otherwise if preferred. Upon the voting face of the machine are also voting keys corresponding in number and arrangement to the candidate names, said keys forming parts of voting members which extend within the casing and are there provided with counter dogs. The voting members are connected in party lines by party bars to each of which is connected a party lever which may be operated to move all of the voting members in that line into voting position, as in casting a straight party vote. The counting mech anism comprises a bodily movable counter carrier or grid which carries a plurality of counters equal in number to the voting mem bers and which are engaged and disengaged by the counter dogs when the corresponding voting members are moved into and out of voting position. The main operating mechanism includes a main operating lever, arranged at one side of the casing, and which is moved in one direction when the voter passes to the machine and in the opposite direction when he leaves it. The entrance movement of this lever operates through suitable mechanism, to unlock the voting mechanism, while the exit movement thereof operates to reset the voting mechanism and lock the same. Also, at each actuation of the main operating lever, movement is imparted to the counter grid, the entrance movement being an idle movement. At the exit movement of the counter grid all counters which have been engaged by voting members are operated to register a vote.

30 denotes the individual voting members as a whole, which I shall hereafter refer to as voting members.

31 denotes the party bars which corre spond in number with the party lines of the machine, 32 (see Figs. 3 and 6) the resetting bars which correspond in number with the party bars, 33 a special resetting bar, and 34 a locking bar.

35 denotes an operating bar for the re- 13o setting mechanism and 36 a cam bar which is actuated by suitable connections with a main operating shaft (see Figs. 1 and 10) previous to the casting of a vote. These connections are not shown, as they form no portion of the present invention. The cam bar is provided with a plurality of vertical slots 37 and with a plurality of cam slots 38.

43 denotes the framework of the machine which is formed of sheet metal forming a casin g and providing the necessary supports, guides and bearings for the various bars and other parts of the machine, except as hereinafter pointed out. The party bars and resetting bars are connected to the cam by means of double links 1 1 provided with pins 17 which pass through slots 18 in the party and resetting bars and with pins 4.9 carrying rollers which engage slots 38 in the cam bar. Special resetting bar 33 is connected to the cam bar by means of links 190 which are pivoted to the bar 33 at 191 and carry a roller which engages one of the cam slots in the cam bar.

50 denotes latches which are pivoted at 51 to suitable parts of the framework and provided with pins 5 1 which engage vertical slots 37 in the cam bar. The forward encs of the latches are arranged to coact with dogs 57 rigidly secured to the resetting bars and to lock these bars until the latches are raised.

59 denotes bell cranklevers pivoted at 189 in the framework. One arm of each lever is provided with a pin 60 which. lies in a slot61 in operating bar 35. The other arm of each lever is provided with means to engage the dogs 57 on the resetting bars.

66 denotes the resetting shaft which is journaled in'the framework and carries a resetting lever 67 (see Fig. 7) lying outside the case of the machine.

68'is a crank on shaft 66 which is connected to operating bar 35.

70 denotes a cam projection on bar which cooperates with a lug 71 on special resetting bar 33 to retract said bar, that is, move it toward the right, when operating bar 35 is pulled down by operation of the resetting lever, as will be more fully explained.

76 (see Figs. 3 and 6) denotes the party levers pivoted in the framework and extending through slots in the back plate. The inner end of each party lever, indicated specifically by 81, extends through a slot 82 in the corresponding resetting bar and through a slot in a link 84: connected to the correspond ing party bar 31 by means of a stud 85 which passes through a slot 86 in the corresponding resetting bar. At the left end of each of the party lines, and operatively connected, by means hereafter more fully scribed, with the corresponding party and resetting bars, is a wedge plate 88. Each openings.

wedge plate is provided on both upper and lower sides with inclines 89 at its rear ends and inclines 90 at its forward ends. Intermediate the wedge plates 88 are other wedge plates guided for free vertical movement in the framework and covered by a plate 98. A fixed wedge plate 97 forms a stop for the upper end of the wedge system. The lower wedge plate 88 engages a wedge plate 100 which, in turn, engages at its lower side a wedge bar 103 supported and guided by a pin 105 riveted in the framework. The wedge system is not shown nor described in detail since, except as to certain features hereinafter referred to, it forms no portion of the present invention, it being sufficient to say that when a party lever is moved to voting position the corresponding wedge plate 88 is moved to the left, the effect of which is to lock the wedge system, thereby locking all of the other party levers in the non-voting position.

106 denotes a lug riveted to each party bar and having an incline 107 which is engaged by a double catch 109 pivoted at 110 (see Fig. to the framework. The two arms of the catch lie on opposite sides of the locking bar 3 1 which is provided with an aperture 111 which receives a stud 112 lying between the arms of the catch and serving as a space block.

1.13 denotes a plate rigidly secured to each resetting bar 32 and having notches 114 adapted to be engaged by the corresponding catch to lock the resetting bar in its normal position and, by reason of the engagement of this bar with the voting members, to lock said voting members.

126 denotes the restricting shaft as a whole and 127 (see Fig. 30) the restricting lever which lies outside the framework of the machine on the back. In accordance with the present invention, the restricting shaft is made in two parts, as will presently be more fully described.

128 denotes an arm secured to the restricting shaft.

131 denotes the releasing shaft. The functions and mode of operation of the restricting and releasing shafts will hereafter be more fully explained.

14:3 denotes an extension of locking bar 84 at the upper end of which is a hook 146 in position to be engaged by a projection 1-17 on the clutch operating slide 1%18 which controls the paper feed mechanism (not shown).

150 denotes one of the independent shutter The shutter operating mechanism is not illustrated and described in de tail as specifically it forms no portion of the present invention.

The parts last referred to constitute portions of the independent voting mechanism. For the purposes of the present invention this mechanism may be of any suitable form,

but for convenience of description the same may be considered as of substantially the construction and arrangement shown and described in my former Letters Patent No. 914,007, dated March 2, 1909.

The voting members 30 comprise oscillatory shafts journaled in the fran'iework and having voting levers 151 (see Fig. lying outside the machine in front.

152 (Fig. 3) denotes arms on the voting member shafts, said arms carrying pins 165 which pass through slots 193 in the resetting bars and through slots 192 in the party bars. Said party and resetting bars serve to connect the voting members in party lines as above referred to. Each voting member is also provided with a lug 155 (see Fig. which is adapted to engage a cam plate of an interlocking member 156. The interlocking member used is the one illustrated and described in my former Letters Patent No. 900,905, dated October 13, 1908, and comprises cam plates 157 (see Fig. 41), side plates 15S and stud and slot connections between said plates acting to shorten the mem ber when a cam plate is moved laterally. \Vhen a voting member is actuated, the lug 155 of said member engages a cam plate of the corresponding interlocking member, forces said cam plate laterally, shortening and imparting rigidity to the member and looking all of the other cam plates so that under ordinary conditions no other voting member in that column can be operated as it will be locked in the nonvoting position by the corresponding cam plate of the interlocking member. The number of interlocking members in the machine corresponds with the number of columns of names of candidates.

159 denote the retricting members which lie in a horizontal line below the lower line of voting members and comprise oscillatory shafts journaled in the framework in the same manner as the voting members. Each restricting member is provided with a lug 100 which is adapted to engage a cam plate 157 of an. interlocking member in the same manner as the lugs 155 of the voting members. The restricting members 159 are pref era bly provided with special means for looking the lower line of voting members, but such means forms no part of the present invention and is not shown. 177 (see Fig. 30) denotes a second arm extending from the restricting shaft 120. A link 178 (see Fig. 4:) pivoted to this arm is arranged to be operatively connected with the restricting members 159 in such a manner that when the restricting lever 127 is moved to restricting position the restricting members operativelv connected therewith will he turned to bring their lugs 160 into engagement with the cam plates of the interlocking members, thereby locking all of the voting members in the corresponding columns in nonvoting position. These connections are not shown in detail specifically they form no part of the present invention.

The mechanism thus far described is not generically claimed herein as it is covered by H e claims of my prior application Serial 1. 509,991, aforesaid, although the present nvention comp modificatimis of cort..n parts of this mechanism as will now be described.

In accordance with the present invention, the left hand end of each link 81 (as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 41-) is arranged to abut a ainst the era-responding wedge plate 88. By tl s arrar ement movement of a party lever into voting position causes the link 8-1 connected therewith to force the corresponding wedge plate 8b into locking position while permitting free vertical movement of said wedge plate.

201 denotes studs riveted to the ends of the resetting bars and received. in openings 202 in the wedge plates, 88, said openings being of a greater vertical. width than the stu 201 to permit the necessary veremcnt of the wedge plates, and bemg extended to the left, preferably to the the plates, as shown, to permit inndent n'iovement to the left of the resetting bars as 1 necessary in split and restricted voting. Upon the return of the resetting Jars to normal portion the studs 201 cause the withdrawal of any wedge plate 88 which ha; been moved into locking position.

The plates 113 (see Fig. 3 also Fig. 3,) which are riveted to the resetting bars 32 are each provided with an upstanding arm lniving an inclined end flange 205 and a second flange or offset portion 200. The notches 111 may be formed by cutting away the metal of the bars and the arms 203 may be made integral with the bars, if preferred.

207 denotes angular lugs secured to the locking bar 31 in position to be engaged by the inclines 205 when the resetting bars are moved to the left.

denotes dogs pi oted at 209 to brackets 210 secured to the framework. Each dog is formed with a substantially straight surface or edge .211 adapted to engage a notch in the offset 206 and terminating in a recess 212. A tooth 213 on each dog 208 is adapted to e age notches o1: teeth 9.1.42 in or on the corr sponiling link R1- for a purpose presently to be explained.

215 1 and denotes a link connected to the arm 1.98 on the restricting shaft by a pivot 9-10.

917 is a double arm secured to releasing shaft 121. The branches of arm 217 stradde a projection 218 formed on the right hand end of wedge bar 103 and carry a pin which passes through a slot 220 in the projection 218 and through a slot 221 in the link 215, said pin being provided with a head outside said link to retain the same in position.

140 denotes a lip at the left end of special resetting bar 33 which is adapted to be engaged by a lug 141 on the right end of the wedge bar, and also to engage an outwardly extending inclined lug 222 on a plate 223 which is riveted. to vertical locking bar 34 to force said bar downward, should it not drop by gravity when re leased by the arms 203 on the resetting bars 32, when special resetting bar 33 is moved toward the right.

224 denotes an inclined lip at the right end of the wedge bar 103 adapted to engage an inclined surface 225 on the plate 223 to move locking bar 34 upwardly when wedge bar 103 is moved to the left.

226 denotes a dog pivoted on a fixed pivot 227 to the wedge bar 103 and provided with a projection 228 extending through a slot 229 in the link 215 and provided with a retaining washer 230 held in place by a cotter pin 231. The dog 226 when turned upwardly on its pivot, as will be more fully described, is adapted to be engaged by the lip 140 on the special resetting bar.

The resetting shaft 66 is journaled in the framework and in a bracket 232 (see Figs. 7 and 8) riveted thereto and is provided with a sleeve 235 between said framework and crank 68. Beyond the bracket 232 the shaft is provided with a spring 233 secured at one end to the bracket 232 and at the other in a slot in the end of shaft 6 6 by means of a cotter pin 234. The spring .233 serves to return the resetting lever 67 to its normal position after it has been operated. The crank 68 on the shaft 66 is made double to straddle the operating bar 35, the two arms of said crankbeing con nected by a pin 23G passing through a slot 310 (see Fig. 8) in said bar.

237 denotes a manually operated latch pivoted on a stud 238 projecting from the framework and adapted to be turned from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, which position it occupies in ordinary elections, into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in full lines in Figs. 7 and 8 to lock the resetting mechanism.

239 (see Figs. 1 and 2) denotes an extension of the operating bar 35, provided at its upper end with a hook 240.

241 denotes a block riveted to the clutch controlling bar 148 and carrying a plate 242 to which is riveted a catch plate 243 which, when the bar 148 is moved to the left in Fig. 1, is adapted to be engaged by the hook 240.

244 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 9) denotes channel bars extending longitudinally of the interlocking members to support the same. The cam plates 157 are received in the grooves of the channel bars 244 while the side plates 158 rest upon spaced strips or flanges 245 with which said channel bars are provided.

200 (see Fig. 10) denotes the main operating shaft provided outside the casing with a main operating lever (shown in Fig. 1

246 denotes an arm secured to the shaft 200 and to which is pivoted one end of a link 247 provided at its opposite end with an aperture 248.

249 denotes the main operating bar which is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in suitable brackets 253, supported by the framework, and to which is secured a plate 250. The plate 250 is provided with an aperature 251 and with a pivoted latch 252. The apertures 248 and 251 are adapted to receive a detachable connecting pin 251 which is retained in place by the latch. 252, and when the parts are so connected oscillation of the shaft 200 will produce a corresponding reciprocation of the bar 249. In Fig. 10 these parts are shown in full lines in their normal connected position and in dotted lines in their disconnected position.

254 denotes counter grid operating shafts journaled in the brackets 253 and provided with pinions 255 (see Figs. 10 to 15) adapted normally to coiiperate with rack teeth 256 formed on the main operating bar 249. When the pin 251 is removed to disconnect the link 247 from the plate 250, the bar 249 may be moved longitudinally toward the right in Fig. 10 to carry the racks 256 out of mesh with the pinions 255, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

257 (see Figs. 16 and 18) denotes eccentrics fast on shafts 254 and having straps 258 which are connected with the counter grid or carrier, indicated by 311, which is not shown in detail as specifically it forms no portion of the present invention, but which may be substantially as shown and described in my former Letters Patent No. 873,401, dated Dec. 10, 1907. For the purposes of the present description, it will be sufficient to say that this counter grid carries a plurality of counters equal in number to the number of voting members 30. The voting members comprise dogs which are adapted to engage and disengage the corresponding counters when the voting members are moved into and out of the voted position. At each actuation of main operating bar 249, as when a voter passes to or leaves the machine, movement is imparted to the counter grid, the entrance movement being necessarily an idle movement. At the exit movement of the counter grid, all counters which have been engaged by voting members are operated to record a vote.

259 denotes spiral gears fast on the shafts 254. The gear 259 shown at the right in Fig. 10 (see also Figs. 13, 14 and 15) is provided with a hub 260 having-a recess 261 adapted to receive a pin 262 projecting from the main operating bar 249, the purpose of which is to serve as positioning means, 2'. e. to insure the engagement of the racks 256 with the pinions 255 in the proper relative position after the disengagement of these parts for setting the counters as will be presently more fully described. It will be obvious that the rack 256 cannot be moved from the position shown in Figs. 14 and 15 into engagement with the pinion 255 except when the shaft 254 is in such an angular position that the pin 262 can enter the recess 261. The two shafts 254 are always connected for rotation in unison, so that it is necessary to provide the above described positioning means for one of these shafts only.

263 denotes spiral pinions meshing with the spiral gears 259 which are fixed to a counter setting shaft 264. The shaft 264 is journaled in the framework and is provided outside the casing with a squared end 265 adapted to receive a suitable socket wrench or crank.

266 denotes the paper feed shaft of the independent voting mechanism. Secured to the shaft 266 is a spiral gear 267 meshing with a spiral pinion or gear 268 formed on a sleeve 269 (see Figs. 16 and 19) loose on the shaft 254, but held against movement longitudinally thereof by the eccentric 257 and a collar 270 pinned to the shaft. The gear 267 is provided with an annular flange 271 having a portion cut away as indicated at 272.

273 denotes a sleeve having flanges or projections 274 embracing the gear 267 and held thereby against rotation. Engagement of one of the flanges 274 with the flange 271 prevents the sleeve 273 from moving upwardly except when said flange is opposite the cut away portion 272 as shown in Fig. 16.

275 denotes a clutch member having a shoulder 276 engaging the lower edge of the sleeve 273 and held thereby with its clutch face 277 in engagement with a complementary clutch face 278 formed on the eccentric 257. The clutch member 275 is transversely slotted to receive a flattened enlargement formed on the sleeve 269, as shown in Fig. 19, whereby the pinion 268 is rotated through said clutch member from the eccentric 257. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 16, however, the clutch member 275 may be raised to unclutch the pinion from the shaft 254.

The restricting shaft (see Figs. 30 to 34) is herein shown as formed in two parts indicated specifically by the numerals 279 and 280, said parts being journaled in the framework and in a bracket 284. The ends of these parts are slightly separated and are provided with transverse slots 281 and 282 respectively. The arm 177 is secured to the part 279 and the arm 128 to the part 280.

283 denotes a sleeve connecting the ends of the parts 279 and 280 and provided with transverse pins 285 and 286 adapted to enter the slots 281 and 282 respectively, said pin 286 being extended outwardly to furnish means whereby said sleeve may be manually operated. The sleeve 283 is flattened or cut away for a portion of its length on one side, as indicated at 287, to cooperate with the straight edge of a flange 288 depending from an angular plate 289 riveted to the bracket 284 and having a portion extended downwardly to form a bearing for the sleeve 283. The normal position of the parts is shown in Fig. 31, in which the pins 285 and 286 are shown in position in the slots 281 and 282 and the two parts 279 and 280 of the shaft 126 therefore coupled by the sleeve At this time the end of the sleeve 283 is engaged by the flange 288 and held thereby in operative or coupling position. Upon turning the restricting lever 127 to restricting position the flattened portion 287 of the sleeve 283 is brought opposite the edge of the flange 288. The sleeve may thereupon be moved to the right from the position shown in Fig. 31 to that shown in Fig. 30, the slot 282 being of a suflicient depth to permit this movement. This causes the pin 285 to be moved out of the slot 281 into the space between the ends of the shaft parts 279 and 280, thereby uncoupling these parts. It will be observed that the sleeve 283 is permanently connected with the part 280 by the continued engagement of the pin 286 in the elongated slot 282, so that when the sleeve has been 1110"8(l to the right the engagement of the flange 288 with the flattened portion of the sleeve, causes the shaft part 280, the arm 128 thereon, and the mechanism controlled by said arm to be locked in restrictingposition. Themechanism controlled by the arm 128 includes the releasing mechanism for the individual voting members and the wedge bar 103 for locking the party levers. The lever 127 may now he returned to non-restricting position. This causes the slot 281 to be turned out of alinement with the pin 285, thereby locking the sleeve 283 in uncoupling position, and causes the shaft part 279, the arm 177 thereon, and the mechanism controlled by said arm to be returned to non-restricting position. The mechanism controlled by the arm 177 includes the restricting members for locking the individual voting members.

204 (see Figs. 1, 3, 4, 20 to 23 and denotes primary locking bolts or members. These bolts are equal in number to the number of lines of voting members, are guided in suitable parts of the framework, and are movable from an inoperative or retracted position into an operative position in which their rear ends shown at the left in Figs. 21 and 22 are adjacent the studs 201 riveted to the ends of theresetting bars 32. As shown in Fig. 3 the resetting bar 32 is in its extreme position toward the right, and the corresponding bolt 204 when in operative position as shown in Fig. 35 serves to lock the bar 32 in this extreme position, and, by the engagement of the pins 165 with the ends of the slots 193, to lock the voting members in the corresponding line in non-voting position.

290 (see Figs. 26 to 29) denotes a key bar or carrier slidably mounted in a guideway formed by the front of the machine casing, through which the forward ends of the bolts 204 project, and a cover plate 291 secured thereto, said cover plate having an index opening 292.

293 (Fig. 25) denotes party markers arranged according to statutory provision and each designated by an identifying symbol, herein shown as letters A, B, C, etc. The key bar 290 is shown as composed of three plates riveted together, the central plate being provided with a series of projecting lugs or teeth 294. The lugs or teeth 294 may, for convenience, be considered as arranged in groups, there being a number of teeth in each group equal to the number of party lines and the individual teeth of each group being designated on the key bar by symbols corresponding to the symbols displayed by the party markers, as clearly shown in Figs. 20, 26 and 27. The several groups are further distinguished by designating characters, preferably numerals 2, 4 3 77 4 4 77 295 denotes a shaft ournaled in the framework and provided outside the casing with an operating knob or handle 296. The shaft 295 carries a pinion 297 adapted to coiiperate with rack teeth 298 formed on the key bar 290. By rotating the shaft 295 the key bar can be moved longitudinally to bring any desired symbol opposite the index opening 292.

299 (Figs. 21 and 22) denotes a washer loosely surrounding the shaft 295 and fixed against rotation to the framework. 300 denotes a second washer mounted on the shaft 295 for rotation therewith but movable longitudinally thereof.

301 denotes a collar pinned to the shaft 295 and between which and the washer 300 is interposed a spring 302. The washers 299 and 300 are formed with interengaging angular recesses and projections and being held in yielding engagement by the spring 302 form a yielding lock for normally holding the shaft 295 in certain predetermined angular positions. These positions are such as will hold the key carrier 290. with the symbols carried thereby exactly opposite the index opening 292. The shaft 295 is longitudinally movable in its bearings to carry the pinion 297 into and out of engagement with the rack 298.

303 (Figs. 21 and 24) denotes a latch pivoted at 304 to the framework and provided with a projection 305 adapted to occupy a position between the collar 301 and the framework to hold the pinion 297 in engagement with the rack 298.

306 denotes a spring for normally holding the latch 303 in locking position.

307 denotes numbers carried by the key bar 290, which members, for convenience, I denominate keys since they perform the function of operating the locking bolts or members 204 to lock and unlock the respective lines of voting members, as will be explained. As shown the keys comprise flat strips of metal bent to form angular oftsets or cam portions 308. The keys may be applied to the key carrier in any required position and are held in place thereon by engagement with the teeth 294, the offset portion 308 embracing one of these teeth, as shown most clearly in Fig. 29. The primary locking members 204 are provided with notches 309 adapted to receive the edges of the keys 307. The arrangement is such (see particularly Figs. 21 to 23) that when the straight portion of any key is in engagement with the notch 309 of the corresponding lockin member said member will be retracted or moved toward the left as shown in Figs. 21 and 22 into locking position with its rear end in a position to be engaged by the stud 201 on the resetting bar 32, as shown in Fig. 35 thereby locking the corresponding party line. Then the key carrier 290 is raised from the position shown in Fig. 22 into a position to bring the cam portion 308 into engagement with the notch 309 the locking member is projected forwardly or moved toward the right in Figs. 21 and 22 and the corresponding party line unlocked. The several keys 307 (see Fig. 27) are preferably provided with designating characters corresponding to the designating characters or numerals provided on the key carrier 290 to indicate the respective groups of teeth 294. The keys are applied to the key carrier in such a manner that when the symbol A on the key carrier is opposite the idex opening 292 party line A will be unlocked and the remaining party lines locked. When the knob 290 is turned to bring the symbol B opposite the index opening party line B will be unlocked, party line A will be locked, and the other party lines will remain locked. In this manner any desired party line can be unlocked leaving all other party lines locked.

This, in the construction shown, is accomplished by placing key 1 with its offset portion 308 on the tooth 294 designated by A (as shown the first group of teeth is not indicated by numerals, which may, however, be applied if desired), the key 2 with its offset portion on the tooth B the key 3 on the tooth C and so on. Should any party occupy more than one line, the keys will be correspondingly arranged to cause both or all of these lines to be simultaneously locked and unlocked. For eX ample, should the party B occupy the second and third lines, key 1 will be placed with its offset portion on tooth A, key 2 on tooth B key 3 on tooth B key 4 on tooth C and so on as will be obvious. In order that the keys may at all times be in engagement with their respective notches 309 these keys are preferably formed with their offset or cam portions 308 at a progressively varying distance from their upper ends, as shown most clearly in Fig. 27. In order to remove the key carrier from the machine for the purpose of arranging the keys, the latch 303 is raised permitting the spring 302 to move the pin ion 297 out of engagement with the rack 298. The key carrier may then be withdrawn downwardly from beneath the cover plate 291.

The above described primary locking mechanism, per se, constitutes the subject matter of a divisional application filed Jan uary 12, 1912, Serial No. (369,252, and is not separately claimed herein, although said mechanism in its relationship to other parts of the machine as a whole constitutes a portion of the present invention, and to this end certain of the claims hereunto appended include features of said mechanism in combination with certain other features of the machine not covered by my divisional application aforesaid.

The main operating mechanisms-The machine is of course normally locked. This position of the parts is shown in Fig. 1. The first act of a voter is to operate entrance mechanism which oscillates the main operating shaft 200 (see Fig. 10) and raises the cam bar 36 from the position shown in Fig. 1. The means for operating the shaft 200 and the connections between this shaft and the cam bar 36 are not shown as they form no part of the present invention. As the cam bar moves upward the cam slots 38 will move the links 44 to the left, the pins 47 (see Fig. 1) moving in the slots 48, and will also. by means of links 190, move special resetting bar 33 to the left to release the locking bar 34. During the latter portion of the upward movement of the cam bar the pins 54 will be engaged by the lower ends of the slots 37 and the latches 50 raised to unlock the resetting bars. This oscillation of the shaft 200 also causes the main operating bar 249 to be moved longitudinally toward the left in Fig. 10, the counter grid operating shafts 254 to be turned by the racks 256 and pinions 255 and the counter grid to make its idle movement and the paper feed shaft 266 to be turned by the pinion 268 into the position shown in Figs. 11, 16 and 17, the paper feed mechanism being, of course, disconnected. \Vhen the voter leaves the machine after having cast his vote, he operates exit mechanism which turns the shaft 200 back to its normal position and lowers the cam bar 36. The effect of this movement is, by means of links 44 and. 190, to return the party bars, resetting bars and special resetting bar 33 to their normal positions by movement to the right, and also through the engagen'ient of pins 165 of the voting members with slots 193 in the resetting bars to return all operated voting members to their normal position, to withdraw any operated wedge plate 88 or the wedge bar 103, if it has been operated, leaving the wedge system unlocked, to draw down locking bar 34, if it does not drop, and with it extension 143, thereby locking the independent voting shutters, and to lower catches 109 into engagement with the notches 114 on the resetting bars, and also to lower the latches 50 to lock the party bars. This return movement of the shaft 200 also causes the main operating bar 249 to be moved toward the right, which causes rotation of the shafts 254 and 266. Rotation of shafts causes actuation of the counter grid and consequent operation of the counters corresponding to such voting members as have been moved to the voting position. Rotation of shaft 266 causes operation of the paper feed mechanism if the clutch controlling bar 148 has been moved to the left in Fig. 1 by the opening of an independent shutter. The setting of the voting mechanism for causing the above operations upon the return of the main operating bar 249 to normal position will now be described.

Th wotin 07)cmfi0n.The voter having operated the entrance mechanism, as above described, and entered the voting booth, let us suppose, first that he desires to vote a straight, party ticket; second, that he desires to scratch or split; and, third, that he desires to vote for a portion only of the offices to be voted for, or scattering, or independently. lVhen a party lever is operated, 2'. 0., pulled. its inner arm 81, by engagement with the link 84 connected with the corresponding party bar. causes said party bar to' be operated which carries all the voting members in that particular line to the voting position and causes the lugs 155 of the voting members to engage the corresponding interlocking members, thereby locking the voting members in all other party lines and also the independent voting mechanism in nonvoting position, as heretofore explained. The movement of the link 84 to the left causes said link to move the corresponding wedge plate 88 toward the left, thereby looking all of the other party levers in non-voting position, as already explained. During the movement of the party bar toward the left the catch 109 will ride up the incline 107 clearing the notches 114 on the resetting bar and leaving said bar unlocked and free to be moved toward the left by a voting memher. At this time the flange 205 on the arm 203 comes in contact with the angular lug 207 and gives an additional upward movement to the locking bar 34. The last effect of this movement is to unlock all other party lines and the independent voting mechanism by raising the catches 1 09 and extension 1&3, thereby permitting split voting. This unlocking does not take place, however, until the slack is taken out of the interlocking members, so that it is impossible at this moment to operate a voting member in some other party line. As soon as the catch 109 corresponding with the operated party bar starts up the incline it commences to raise locking bar 3-1, through the engagement of stud 112 with aperture 111 in the locking bar. The first portion of this movement, however, does not raise the catches 109 of th other party lines, which are not raised until the locking bar has moved upwardly suiiiciently to cause the lower sides of apertures 111 to engage the corresponding studs 112. lVhen the locking bar is raised by the operation of a party lever, extension 143 is raised also and the hooked upper end 1 16 thereof is raised above the projection 14-7 on the clutch controlling bar 1 18 of the paper feed mechanism, permitting this bar to be moved to the left by theopening of an independent shutter. (Not shown.) It will of course be understood that the interlocking member prevents the opening of an independent shutter when any of the regular voting members in the same ofiice column is in voting position. This is not fully illustrated herein, as it forms no part of the present invention. Having cast a straight party vote the voter should he desire to scratch any of the candidates of his party does so by moving the voting members corresponding n ith the candidates for whom he does not desire to vote from the voting position to which they have been moved by the party lever and party bar to the non-voting position. This movement is permitted by the slots 193 in the corre sponding resetting bar. Should he desire to split, that is, cast votes for candidates of another party, he does so by moving the corresponding voting members from the nonvoting to the voting position. This movement is permitted by the slots 192 in the party bars. It will of course be understood that having scratched a candidate he relieves the tension on the corresponding interlocking member so that a vote may be cast for any other candidate for the same oilice.

In order to prevent a voter who has voted a party ticket and then split upon one or more candidates of his party from after ward operating the same party lever again, the dogs 208 are provided. These dogs engage teeth 21 1'on the links 8i corresponding with actuated party bars, and are provided with surfaces 211 which are engaged by oil'- sets 206 of arms 203 extending from the resetting bars moved toward the left by operation of the party lever, the corresponding link 84 moves to the left beyond dog 208 before offset 206 passes into the recess 212 and permits the dog to drop down far enough to engage the teeth, but when a voter scratches a candidate for whom he has already voted, the return of the corresponding voting member from the voting to the non-voting position will, through the engagement of the pin 165 of the voting member with the slot 192 in the party bar, move said bar to the right far enough to permit the dog to engage the teeth 211 on the link S t, and thus render it impossible to again operate the party bar by means of the party lever unless the mechanism be reset as hereinafter described.

The releasing mechanism .Should a voter not wish to vote any party ticket but prefer to vote scattering for the candidates of different parties or to vote for candidates for a part only of the ofiices to be voted for, he is not obliged to operate a party lever 76 but may operate the releasing lever carried by the releasing shaft 131, the effect of which is to look all the party levers and to unlock all the voting members. The pin 219 carried by the arm 217 on the releasing shaft is at the left end of slot 220 in the projection 218 of the wedge bar 103. hen the releasing shaft is turned from right to left by the releasing lever wedge bar 103 is moved toward the left which looks the wedge system and makes it impossible to operate any party lever. At the same time the lip 224- on the wedge bar raises the looking bar 34, and an instant after the locking of the party levers by means of the wedge s stem studs 112 carried by double catches 109 will be engaged by the lower walls of apertures 111 in the locking lever and continued movement of the releasing lever and the locking bar 31 will raise all of the catches 109 and release the party bars, leaving all the voting members and the independent mechanism free to be operated. It will be seen that after the releasing lover has been operated it will be impossible to return the same and unlock the party levers or to lower locking bar 31 as the pin and slot connection between the arm 217 and Vhen the party bar is I wedge plate 103 renders this impossible, the pin 219 merely moving in the slot 220 when the releasing lever is operated, but without imparting movement to the wedge bar and 1 locking bar.

The resetting mccham'sm.-This mechanism is provided in order to enable a voter who changes his mind and wishes to change his entire vote to return all operated voting mechanism to its normal or non-voting position without operation of the counters by operating the resetting lever 67. The effect of this would beto reset the voting members and the party levers and to unlock the wedge system, which would be otherwise impossible, as the releasing of the voting members to their non-voting positions, a. 6., scratching, would not unlock the wedge system and enable him to operate another party lever. Operation of the resetting lever and shaft 66 by means of crank 68 draws down operating bar 35 which is provided with slots 61 corresponding with the party lines. lVhen a party bar is operated the corresponding bell crank lever 59 is turned on its pivot from left to right by means of the do 57 which is secured to the resetting bar and engages one arm of said lever. This does not change the position of the operating bar, but carries cross pin 60 to the upper end of slot 61 so that when the resetting lever is operated the operating bar will swing the bell crank lever back to the position shown in Fig. 1 and return the resetting bars to their normal position through the engagement of said lever with the dogs 57 secured to said bars. The downward movement of the operating bar also acts to move special resetting bar 33 toward the right through the engagement of cam projection on the operating bar with lug 71 on the bar 33. The special resetting bar in turn acts to return locking bar 34 to its normal position through the engagement of lip 140 on bar 33 with lug 222 extending from plate 223 which is rigidly secured to the locking bar. And furthermore bar 33 with draws wedge bar 103, if it has been operated, through the engagement of lip 140 with the lug 141 on the wedge bar, thus leaving the entire machine as it was before the operation of a party lever or the releasing lever, provided, however, that the voter has not opened an independent shutter. If a voter elects to vote independently, that is, not for the candidates, of any party, but upon a ticket of his own making, which he must do by means of the independent voting mechanism which specifically forms no portion of the present invention, he must open one or more of the independent shutters (not shown). The opening of an independent shutter moves the clutch controlling slide 148 for the paper feed mechanism toward the left, causing projection 147 to pass under hook 146 on extension 143 of locking bar 3% and causing catch plate 243 to pass under hook 240 on extension 239 of the operating bar 35. Thereafter it is impossible to unlock the wedge system or to operate the resetting mechanism in any manner until the operation of the exit mechanism when the voter leaves the machine. In other words, it is impossible for a voter to vote independently and thereafter operate the resetting lever and cast a second vote by means of the regular voting mechanism.

The restricting mcc7Lanis 1n.The restricting lever 127 lies outside the casing of the machine on the front. When a voter of limited franchise, that is, one who is entitled to vote for candidates for certain offices only, approaches the machine the custodian operates the restricting lever, the effect of which is to turn shaft 126 and operate arm 177 thereon, said arm being connected with mechanism heretofore described for locking the voting members in the office columns on which the restricted voter is not entitled to vote. The restricting shaft also carries arm 128 which is pivoted to the link 215, said link having slots receiving studs carried respectively by the arm 217 on the releasing shaft and by the dog 226 pivoted to the wedge bar 103. Then the custodian operates the restricting lever he causes the link 215 to be lifted, thereby swinging the dog 226 upwardly and bringing its right end into the path of movement of the lip 140 at the left end of special resetting bar 33. lVhen the voter operates the entrance mechanism and raises cam bar 36, special resetting bar will be moved toward the left. The effect of this movement will be to move the dog 226, and with it the wedge bar 103, toward the left. The movement of the wedge bar locks the wedge system and by the engagement of its lip 224 with the plate 223 raises the bar 34, thereby unlocking the voting members. It will be apparent that owing to the loose connection between the link 215 and the dog 226 the restricting mechanism will not be returned to normal position by the downward movcn'ient of the cam bar caused by operation of the exit mechanism when the restricted voter leaves the machine, and so long as restricted voters continue to vote the custodian has nothing further to do. It will of course be understood that when a restricted voter leaves the machine the lowering of the cam bar by the exit mechanism withdraws wedge bar 103 and lowers locking bar 34 in precisely the same manner as when a voter with unlimited franchise leaves the machine, the only difference being that after a restricted voter has voted if the next voter is a restricted voter no operation of the restricting lever is required, but if the next voter is a nonrestricted voter the custodian must return

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