US3914577A - Voting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent ''''X'''' when a key is voted.

Description

l VOTING MACHINE [75] lnventors: Cothburn M. ONeal, Dallas; Alfred M. Mayo, Richardson, both of Tex.; George William Childs, deceased, late of Dallas, Tex., by Patricia M. Childs, executrix [73] Assignee: Riverside Press, Inc., Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 473,927

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 309,174, Nov. 24, 1972, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl 235/54 A [51] Int. Cl. G07C 13/00 [58] Field of Search... 235/54 A, 54 D, 54 R, 55 A, 235/51 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 856,997 6/1907 Cutter et al 235/55 A 3,168,240 2/1965 ONeal 235/54 R 3,312,390 4/1967 Sh0up..... 235/54 R 3,524,969 8/1970 ONeal 235/54 R Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hubbard, Thurman, Turner & Tucker [57] ABSTRACT A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card appara- Oct. 21, 1975 tus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A rowof adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically foundofi a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated. cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent X when a key is voted.

9 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures 32 88 [I00 I16 39 33 as I 6O l l -l- J v I l l l l l l I I I l 79 95 90 9 86 8584 90b 93 7/ 92 96b I I 850 I 6 I I [Lfl i 1 l l M US. Patent ()ct.21, 1975 Sheet1of14 3,914,577

FIG.I

U.'S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet3of 14 3,914,577

0 O O O O O U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 4 of 14 US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 SheetSof 14 3,914,577

U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 FIG. 20

Sheet 7 of 14 US. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet80f14 3,914,577

FIG. 24

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet9of 14 3,914,577

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 10 of 14 3,914,577

FIG. 28\

FIG. 30

U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Shcct11of14 3,914,577

NOM

VON 0; I

mww wonwm Ovm U.S. Patent Oct.2l, 1975 Sheet 12 of 14 3,914,577

VOTING MACHINE This is a division of application Ser. No. 309,174, filed'Nov. 24, l972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,826.

This invention relates to voting machines and more particularly is directed to improved voting machines of thegeneral construction described in prior U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,l68,240 and 3,524,969.

A large number and variety of mechanical voting machines'can be found in the prior art. Machines most commonly found in use today are of the type as shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,002 and the patents referred to therein. Q

These machines are generally referred to as levertype voting machines and have found general acceptance and are widely used. In lever machines, multiple horizontal or vertical rows of selector levers are interconnected by cranks or similar mechanisms to counter mechanisms'which register the number of votes cast for a particular candidate or issue.

Machines of this general type have a number of disadvantages. One of the foremost disadvantages of the lever-type machines is their extreme size and weight, often in excess of 500 pounds. Because of the weight, a single machine requires the effort of several men' to transport the machine from its place of storage to the polls. Furhter, the large size requires an extreme amount of storage space when it is considered that a city of, for example, one million people may own or lease several thousand voting machines. Transportation and storage of the machines during periods of non-use can constitute a major financial burden on a governmental unit.

Aside from the above-mentioned problems of storage and transportation, the lever-type machines require complex procedures on the part of the custodian to prepare the machine for voting, particularly when the machine is to be used in primary elections. In primary elections it is common that one or more candidates will beselected by the voter from a larger group running for the office and, accordingly, the columns must be broken down into subgroups of the correct number of candidates. The subgroups are established by various interlock arrangements which usually require that grouping pins or compensators be inserted in the columns to serve as barriers to permit only a selected number of voting keys to be depressed within the column. This can be a difficult operation requiring skill and much preparation time on the part of reelection officials in order to insure proper machine functioning.

Another disadvantage of the lever-type voting machine is that the accompanying ballot is often confusing and difficult for the voter to understand because it does not duplicate the format of the traditional paper ballot. This is especially true of machines'having horizontal selection rows which require a specialized ballot format to adapt to the machine. It is generally accepted practice for conventional paper ballots to display the candidates in a vertical rather than a horizontal arrangement.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple to operate, console type voting machine of substantially reduced size and weight to facilitate handling and storage. The present invention employs a very efficient, compact selector mechanism using displaceable steel balls arranged in columns which permit lists of candidates for more than one 'office to be placed in a single column. Further, the

colums can be set so that one or more selections from that list can be made by the voter. Such an arrangement would be typically used in a primary election. The voting machine of the present invention also permits adjacent vertical columns to be mechanically interlocked so that the selection groups on the ballot can be arranged horizontally as is necessary in a general election.

The present invention further has provision for straight party, write-in, and random voting procedures and insures that the voter cannot disenfranchise himself by casting two opposing votes. The voting machine of the present invention also makes chain voting impossible. A unique clutch mechanism performs multiple functions including a clearing and locking function after each voting cycle and when a straight party selection is made.

The present invention also permits insertion of a computer compatible card into the machine on which card is recorded the voters selections. This card may then be processed by computer to expedite computation of the election results and minimize decoding and transcription. The machine adapts to the requirements of almost any election and the ballot can be arranged in a format familiar to most voters. The buttons are depressed and the voted buttons are easily identifiable to the voter by an X appearing at the voted button. In summary, the present invention provides a voting machine having improved interlock systems to render the machine simple, efficient, lightweight, and yet at the same time highly versatile and applicable to a variety of voting procedures and adaptable to the various voting laws and requirements in effect in the various jurisdictions throughout the country.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following drawings and descriptions in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the voting machine of the present invention with a representative ballot in place;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the voting machine with the ballot removed;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are elevational views of a voting key;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail views of the end of the voting key;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the voting key and associated button;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the button shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are oppositeside elevational views of the individual voting machine columns, FIG. 10 being inverted;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along lines 1l-ll of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing the end of the lockout bar mechanisms;

FIG. 13 is a partial detail view showing a cam arrangment;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a ball housing blockand cam;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the ball housing block of FIG. 14;

FIG-16 is a partial detail view showing the relationship of a key overlying a ball housing block;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

I FIGS. 20 to 22 are detail views of drive assembly clutches; v k

FIG. 23 is .a sectional view taken along lines 2323 of FIG. 19 with the mechanism shown in a locked position;

mechanism shown in a voted position;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 19 with the straight party mechanism in a nonvoted position;

FIG. 26 is a view similar straight party mechanism in a voted position;

FIG. 27 is a detail view of a part of the straight party mechanism; I

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a portion of the column assembly as seen along lines 28-28 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 29 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 but with the main voting button mechanism shown in an alternate position;

FIG. 31 is a partial sectional view generally taken along lines 25 25 of FIG/19 with structure removed to more'clearly illustrate the motor control switch;

FIG. 32 is a" view similar to FIG. 31 showing the motor control switch in an actuated position;

FIG. 33 is a partial sectional view generally taken along lines 25'25 of FIG. 19 with structure removed to more clearly illustrate the actuation of the motor control switch in the straight party cycle;

FIG. 34 is a view similarto FIG. 33 showing the switch in an actuated'position;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart representation of the clear cycle operation; and

FIG. 36 is a flow chart representation of the straight party cycle. g I

The voting machine is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated by the numeral 10. The machine would generally be incorporated in an appropriate voting machine cabinet, not shown, when placed in use. The cabinet would provide for either a vertical or horizontal mounting of the mechanisms for voter access depending on preference and voting requirements. The machine generally has a basic frame structure comprising opposite side members 12 and 13 and opposite end members 14 and 15. A top panel 16 is carried by the frame structure and has provision for mounting of the ballot 20. The ballot is divided into a series of eight vertical selection columns identified 18a through 181'. It should be noted, as used throughout this description, the term horizontal means a plane parallel to ends 14 and of the machine. The term vertical" refers to a plane parallel to sides 12 and 1 3.

Ballot is not a typical ballot one would find when voting but rather is a representative ballot to illustrate the. operation .of the machine. Left hand columns 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are set up in a format corresponding to that used in most general and some city elections in which several political parties offer candidates for the same offices, as are listed in column 18A. As shown, the voter wouldmake a choice for the office of, president from either columns 18b, I80, or 18d and, once having voted one of the selections, is not permitted by the in- FIG. 24 is a view simila r to FIG. 23 but with the to 1 1G125 but with the terlock system of the present invention to make another selection for that office. Column 18/1 illustrates a typical primary election ballot wherein one selection is chosen from several candidates to be the particular partys candidate in the general election. It willbe appreciated that any other number of rows could as well be provided. At the top of each of columns 18b to 18d is a straight party button 21 which, as will be more fully explained hereafter, when depressed will cause all the 1 voting keys in the associated vertical column to be depressed, clearing all other buttons on the machine. A slot 25 in the upper right hand of the machine is provided to accept a data processing card which is punched in response ,to the voting operation. A reset-, ting lock 26 is used to lock or release the mechanism after each vote is recorded preparing the machine for the next voter. Lock 28 operates thecolumn lockouts to lock outof operation certain selected columns or partial columns. The keys for lock. 26 and 28 are retained by the election judge or official on duty at the election location. When the voter has completed making selections, main vote button 44 initiates the machine through its operative cycle. A tray 30 accessible through front 15 contains the tally counters and a public counter. One tally counter is provided to correspond to each of the voting buttons on the machine. For a more complete description and understanding of the operation of the candidate counters and the card insert and card punching mechanism, please refer to commonly assigned co-pending application entitled Punch Assembly and Method of Making Same", U.S. Ser. No. 309,192 and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.. 3,821,522, granted June 28, 1974, entitled Counter, both filed concurrently herewith.

FIG. 2 illustrates a machine of the present invention with the ballot 20 and cover plate 16 removed to expose the basic components of the machine. The rectangularly arranged frame members 12, 13, 14, and 15 support eight vertical column members 31 through 38. Each of the columns 31 to 38 are similar in construction and each is generally elongate and provided with a vertical row of slots 39 therein which slidably receive the end key slides 40. Slot 146 provides access to a cam device for setting up vertical selection subcolumns. The details of the key slides are shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 and are discussed in the followingparagraphs. The purpose of the present brief description is to outline the interaction of the main components so that the operation of the voting machine will be more easily understood. To make a selection, key slides 40 are manually depressable through a voting button 23 extending through the panel 16 and ballot 20. Tray 30 containing the tally counters is horizontally positioned subjacent columns 31 to 38 and depression of a key slide 40 will [engage a corresponding counter in the tray 30 through plunger 54 at the terminal end of slide 40. The counters sponding key slide by cam surfaces on the slides 40. Rightward movement of a transverse bar 48 into the punch bank selector 42 will block a corresponding I punch selector bar 49 so that upon actuation of the voting cycle by main voting button 44, the car inserted in slot of card punching mechanism 43 will be perforated in a pattern corresponding to the voters choice. Clearing of the machine and actuation of the straight party cycle is by virtue of the multiple clutch crive mechanism 50 shown at the upper portion of the machine. An electric motor 45 powers the mechanism through the clearing and straight party cycles as will be 7 explained. Provision can be included for manually driving the machine by a crank in case of a power failure.

The foregoing is just a brief description of the various main components to the machine so that their relative location and interrelationship may be appreciated. The operation and mechanism of the counter assembly and the punch mechanism form no part of the present invention but rather are the subject of the separate aforementioned patent applications. The present invention concerns itself with the voter selection mechanism and more particularly with the interlock arrangement for setting up and limiting voting selections and the clutchdrive mechanisms for clearing the machine and for voting a straight party ticket.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, the voting key slide 40 is shown in detail. The key slide 40 comprises an essential part of the machine which is operative to register the voters selections. Key 40 extends laterally in slots 39 in each of the columns and each is manually depressable through button 23 by the voter. Each key 40 includes an upper generally rectangular shank portion 52 and a lower extension 51 having opposite sides 77 and 78. Opposite transverse slots 65 and 66 extend across the intermediate portion of the key 40. Angular cam surfaces 55 are provided on one edge of the key. The cam surface 55 on each slide is associated with the end of transverse punch actuator bars 48. The longitudinal position of cam surfaces 55 along extension 51 varies with the column in which the key slide 40 is located. For example, cam surfaces 55 on the key slides located in column 38 are immediately adjacent the shank 52 and the location of the corresponding cam surfaces 55 is displaced downwardly for the slides in each leftwardly successive row. In this way, all rods 48 that are associated with the keys in a horizontal row of key slides are in vertical alignment beneath the columns. The rods 48 are configured to avoid interference with the adjacent key slides.

Inward of the lower end of the key 40 a shoulder 59 projects laterally. Shoulder 59 is adapted to be engaged by a clear bar of the drive mechanism 50 to return the key to a non-actuated position. Extending from the opposite side of the key is projection 58 which is adapted to be engaged by a bar in drive 50 to pull the associated key 40 downwardly when a straight party button 21 is actuated on the machine. The clear and straight party mechanism is actuated by drive mechanism 50, as will later be explained.

An important feature of this invention is the vertical interlock arrangement which limits the number of voting buttons a voter can depress within a column by blocking the remaining slides when the predetermined number of selections has been made. The vertical interlock is achieved by camming accurate steel balls in a tool line extending through the columns along a cam surface on the keys 40. Each key is provided with cam means 56 including adjacent circular bores 67 and 68 extending through the shank of the key slide. A semicircular camming surface 69 extends approximately at a 30 angle from the edge of hole 67 at surface 77 toward the edge of bore 68 at surface 78. Axial slot 70 extends between bores 68 and 69 through the intermediate cam surface 69.

The vertical interlock mechanism permits the election official to set up the machine in vertical selection column as, for example, would be necessary in a primary election. Other elections may require that the machine be programmed horizontally as in a general election. Accordingly, an important feature of the present invention includes means to selectively interlock adjacent horizontal keys to define a selection group and so that only one key can be voted within the group. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cam 79 is provided on the upper end of the slide 40 in opposite sides which cooperate with horizontal locking pins to prevent actuation of more than one key within a group. The cam means include bore 71 that extends transversely through the shank portions 52 of the slide 40. Cam 79 includes generally V-shaped surfaces 72 and 73 which intersect bore 71 at the longitudinal centerline of the shank portion. As best seen in FIG. 7, surfaces 72 and 73 diverge outwardly to oppositely arranged lands 74 and 75, respectively, which are all commonly defined within recess 76 in the opposite edges of the key 40.

FIGS. 9 to 1 1 and 16 to 18 best show the relationship of the slides 40 in the columns. Keys 40 are all received in adjacent vertical columns 31 to 38 aligned vertically and horizontally. Each column contains a selected number of keys. The following description is with reference to column3'3 'which is typical. Column 33 is a generally elongated rectangular section and has an aligned series of slots 82 which receive the main body portion of keys 40. Enlarged slots 39 aligned with slots 82 extend to the surface of the column. A shoulder 84 at the bottom end of each slot 39 serves as a stop to engage outwardly extending flange portion 60 of the associated key. Thus, looking at FIG. 11, which is a sectional view through a portion of adjacent columns, key 40 is shown in a normal unactuated position; when actuated it will be moved inwardly until flange 60 contacts shoulder 84 at the bottom of slot 39. An over center toggle pin, not shown, may be associated with each key slide 40 to give the key a positive action. Cross bore 85, approximately corresponding in diameter to the cross bore 71 in the shank portion of key slide 40, intersects column slot 82 and terminates in' rectangular slot 86 which extends longitudinally incolumn 33. Horizontal interlock bar 90 is slidable in slot86. Another longitudinal channel 91 extends the length of column 33 perpendicular to the axis of key slide 40 and intercepts slots 82 and houses vertical interlock ball housing blocks 110 which, as will be described later, are interposed between and cooperate with vertically adjacent keys 40 in the vertical interlock mechanism.

As seen in FIG. 11, a pair of plungers 92 and 93 in the form of pins having rounded ends are positioned in cross bore 85. The pins are dimensioned so that pin 92 extends from the center line of the slide key at the apex of the cam surfaces 72 and 73 to the edge 89 of the column 33 next adjacent column 34. Similarly, plunger 93 extends leftwardly from the center line of slide 40. Column 32 next abuts column 33 at edge 88 having bore a in direct alignment with slot 86 of column 33. Similarly, at side 89, adjacent column 34 has its interlock bar b in direct alignment with bore 85 of column 33.

The subscripts a, b, etc., here and throughout the speci fication, designate identical or similar elements.

Interlock bar 90 extends the vertical length of col umn 33 in slot 86. A number of cross bores 95 are provided in bar 90 and are spaced so that the distance between bores 95 is half the distance between adjacent vertical cross bores 85 in the columns. Every other bore 95 houses a compression spring 96 forming a socket 97. A slidable plunger 94 extends in bores 95 not housing a spring. I

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the interlock bar 90 is vertically shiftable relative to the associated column to move either a plunger 94 or a spring socket 97 in axial alignment with column cross bores 85. An' actuating handle 100 is connected to the lower end of bar 90 and projects into recess '101 in the column. Manually moving actuator handle 100 will displace bar 90 to position the bar in accordance with the election requirements.

It will thus be understood, referring to FIG. 11, that as key 40 is depressed in response to a voter operation, the cam surface 79 will be urged between adjacent plungers 92 and 93 parting them in opposite directions. If it is desired to horizontally interlock adjacent vertical columns, as for example when the machine is set up as shown in ballot columns 18b, 18c and 18d of figures, actuator 100 in column 33 is moved to position interlock bar 90 to align plungers 94 in the bar with bores 85 of the column. The interlock bars in columns 32 and 34 are similarly positioned. For example, when a key 40 in column 33 isdepressed, associated plunger 93 will move leftwardly urging adjacent plunger 94 in bar 90 leftwardly into engagement with pin 92a located in the adjacent column Pin 92a in adjacent column 32 will be moved into blocking engagement beneath the apex of associated cam 79a of the key slide in that column.

Column 34 located immediately adjacent side 89 of column 33 has been preset having its interlock bar 90b positioned with spring sockets 97b in axial alignment with cross bores 84 of column 33. Upon depression of a key slide 40 in column 33, pin 92 will simply move into engagement in socket 97b causing spring 96b to be depressed. The axial motion of plunger 92 will not be transferred across interlock bar 90b to prevent the actuation of the key slides in column 34. Therefore, looking at an arrangement of FIG. 1, it will be seen that by selectively positioning interlock bar 90, horizontal listings of candidates may be made and the selection limited to one candidate from the preselected row or group across the columns. The interlock bar between adjacent columns can be positioned to either interlocking or isolate the columns, as the case may be. An entire or partial horizontal row of key slides 40 may be locked out by virtue of cams 102 as seen in FIG. 13. Cams 102 are rotatively mounted oncam shaft 103 immediately adjacent column 38. Each cam aligns with cross bore 85i in that column. To look out a horizontal row of keys, associated cam 102 is rotated into engagement with pin 921' to move the horizontal interlock pins 92 in each column into blocking engagement'w'ith the keys 40. A partial horizontal row can be locked out by interrupting the movement of pins 92 by moving interlock bar 90 to align spring sockets 97 with the pins 92. The horizontal lock is particularly useful in accommodating more unusual election requirements. The opera tion of cam shaft 103 is controlled by the election judge.

The present invention also has provision for selectively interlocking the voter selections in a vertical column and for establishing subcolumns or groups. As seen in FIG. 9, a series of ball housing blocks are received in channel 91 and form part of a vertical interlock system that limits the selections that can be made in a'column. Blocks 110 are alternately interposed between adjacent key slides 40. The construction of the individual ball housing 1 10 is best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15'.

Each block 110 consists of a main body portion 111 which is generally rectangular having flanged portions 1 l2 and 1 13 extending at right angles from top surface 1 14 and bottom surface 116, respectively. Flanges l 12 and 113 are each of a depth approximately one-half of the width of the keys 40. A slot 115 extends along one side of the block to receive a corresponding transverse flange in column channel 91 to serve as a guide for lateral adjustment of blocks 110. Projecting from the back of block 110 are legs 118, 119, and 121. A U-shaped opening 122 is defined between upper legs 118 and 120 and a similar opening 123 is defined be tween legs 119 and 121. Transverse slots 124 and 125 extend in the opposite sides of the block between the upper and lower legs.

Biasing spring 128 extends from the center of the front face 129 of the block. A bore 130 vertically extends between top side 114 and bottom 116 of the block. Spaced from bore 130 is a socket or blind bore 131. Bore 130 and blind bore 131 are of the same diameter. Socket 131 houses a biasing spring 134 which is compressible to'accept a single interlock ball. Parallel guide members 132 and 133 at one edge of surface 114 are respectivelyaligned with the center of bores 130 and 131. At the other edge adjacent the bores 130 and 131, keeper members 135 and 136 are biased outwardly by virtue of a spring, not seen, acting within a receiving bore in the block. Keepers 135 and 136 serve to maintain alignment in the row of interlock balls as will be more fully appreciated.

Slots 124 and 125 at the end of cam housing block 110 receive cam member 140 which carries cam 142. Eccentric actuator shaft 144 adapts the cam for manual actuation. As'seen in FIG. 11, cam 140 is positioned with shaft 144 supported in slot 124 and 125 so that cam member 142 abuts block end 147; Shaft 144 extends parallel to the keys 40 in holes 146 in each of the columns. Cam 140 is adjustable by insertion of a tool into hole 146 to rotate the can through shaft 144.

Ball housing 110 are sequentially arranged and oriented in the columns so that face 114 of a block 110 abuts surface 77 of a key slide 40 and opposite surface 78 engages the surface 116 of the next adjacent block 1 10 with the longitudinal axis of slide 40 transverse to block 110. Spring 128 extending from the ball housing blocks engages side wall 89 of the next column to bias the blocks into channel 105. Thus, it will be observed that block 110 can laterally be displaced by rotation of shaft 144, causing cam 142 to bear against surface 147 moving the block against the 1281-" In the normal position, blocks 110 are oriented with hole 67 of key slide 40 in line with bore 130 of the cam blocks 110. Projection 133 on the side 114 of the adjacent ball housing block 110 aligns with slot 70 on the surface 77 of the key slide 40. Thus, in the assembled position, there is a pattern as disclosed in FIGS. 16 to force of biasing spring" 18 with a continuous column or tool line 150 assembled with identical steel balls 151 extending vertically through the column. The outer hole 68 in each key slide 40 also contains a steel ball 152 identical to balls 151 contained within the tool line 150.

By laterally displacing a ball housing block 110 relative to the associated key 40, a column can be divided into several subcolumns. As is the case in many primary elections, a single candidate is to be selected from a number of primary candidates. One voting key slide 40 would be associated with each of the candidates for the particular office. A subcolumn would be indexed by moving the cam block 110 adjacent the keys defining the group in the subcolumn to a blocking position relative to the associated key slide 40. For example,'looking at FIGS. 17 and 18, upper and lower blocks 110 and 1100 have been moved to separate a subcolumn of candidates for a particular office. To accomplish this, cam shaft 144 was rotated 180 by an appropriate tool causing cam member 142 to bear against surface 147 of the cam block and urge the block against the bias of spring 128 to the position relative to the respective keys shownin FIG. 18. In this blocking position, socket 130 of ball housing block-110 and'110c now align with too] line 150. This establishes a three candidate subgroup with a" voter being able to select one of the three keys 40, 40a, and 40b.

To understand what occurs when a key in a subcolumn is'voted, assume that the voter has made a selection on the voting machine causing key slide 40b to be depressed. As the key slide 40b is moved inwardly, ball llb in hole 67b of key slide 40b will be forced or cammed upwardly by cam 56b into bore 130a of the next upper adjacent ball housing block 1 a. When the key 40b is fully depressed ball l52b will have been introduced into the tool line 150 causing the tool line to advance upwardly by one ball diameter against the action of spring 134 in socket 131 in the upper terminal ball housing block 110. Spring 134 in the terminal ball housing block will not allow the tool line to advance more than one diameter into the socket 131, so that it is impossible for more than one additional ball to be introduced into the tool line. Ball 152b in bore 68b of the key slide will now occupy a position in the tool line. Should the voter attempt to actuate another key slide, such actuation will be resisted as there is not room in the tool line for any additional balls, hence only one key can be moved in each series or subcolumn.

If it is desired to vote for more than one candidate out of a series, as for example in an election for city council, the upper end of the columns are used to index a subcolumn. Referring to FIG. 9, a receiver assembly 160 is provided to permit multiple selections to be made. A number of adjacent ball housing blocks corresponding to the number of candidates are positioned having their bores 67 in alignment so that a continuous column of balls extends in the tool line. Receiver passageway l6l aligns with bores 67. A guide passageway 162 extends in the column parallel to the receiver passageway. A slider 164 has a tubular stop v165 in passage 161 and tubular guide member 166 in passage 162.

Web 166 interconnects the tubular members. The inner end of stop 165 engages the uppermost ball in tool line 150. Slider 164 is spring biased by spring 170. Adjusting pin 168 abuts the upper end of slide 164. Pin 168 is inserted into vertically spaced grouping holes 169. By vertically adjusting the position of pin 168, the

effective length of the tool line can be changed so that a predetermined number of balls can be introduced into the tool line. For example, if it is desired that three candidates be selected from the series, pin 168 is moved upwardly a corresponding number of grouping holes 169 to permit slider 164 to be displaced upwardly to admit three additional balls 151 into tool line 150. As explained above, each time the voter depresses the voting key, the action of the associated cam surface 56 will cause an additional ball to be moved into the tool line. When three candidates have been voted, a continuous column of balls will be formed in the tool line extending between the lower terminal ball housing block and slider 164 of the receiver 160. No additional selector keys can be depressed as they will be opposed by a solid chain of balls. It will be noted that the arrangement of the present invention has several advantages in that if a voter changes his mind he may simply pull the voting key out of its original position which will effectively remove one ball from the tool line thus permitting another selection to be made. Similarly, since the actuation of any one key in' the series does not block the tool line at that position, the selections do not have to be made in any order. That is, the voter does not or is not required to vote for a number of candidates in ascending or descending order as was necessary with certain prior art types of vertical interlocks.

Clutch drive system 50 of the voting machine controls the registering operation of the machine and clears or depresses predetermined voting keys in accordance with the operational mode. Functionally, the drive system cooperates with the keys in the individual voting columns to perform the following functional operations:

l. Prevents actuation of the main voting button until at least one key in any of the columns has been depressed;

2. Automatically depresses all the keys under a party heading if the voter selects a straight party ticket;

3. Clears all previously depressed selector keys when a straight party button is actuated;

4. Automatically locks all voting keys and all remaining straight party buttons during a straight party voting cycle;

5. Clears all voting keys on the machine and restores them to an up position at the completion of the voting cycle;

6. Automatically locks out all voting keys in the machine after the completion of each voting cycle;

7. Provides a key controlled lock to be operated by the election judge to release all buttons to prepare the machine for the next voter; and

8. Permits selected columns or partial columns to be completely locked out by the election judge in accordance with the requirements of the particular ballot.

The mechanism of the main drive system 50 will best be understood by understanding operational sequence of events that occur in the voting cycle. When inactive, before the beginning of an operational voting cycle, the voting machine is in a locked condition which does not permit operation by a voter until the machine is placed in a ready condition by an appropriate election official or judge outside the voting booth.

All the voting keys are locked in an up position by means of the clear mechanism, a bar which extends the full length of each vertical column and engages each of the voting keys. The clear bar, as will be explained in

Claims (9)

1. A voting machine comprising: a frame member having a multiplicity of elongated voting keys arranged in substantial alignment in at least two adjacent columns having adjacent keys, said keys manually slidable relative to said frame member from a non-voted to a voted position; a cross bore in said frame member substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said keys; cam means associated with said keys at said cross bore; plunger means positioned in said cross bore and arranged relative to said cam means whereby actuation of one of said keys to a voted position causes said cam means on said voted key to diSplace said plunger means and whereby said plunger means can be moved into a blocking position at the cam means of an adjacent key in a non-voted position thereby preventing actuation of said non-voted adjacent key; and interlock means positioned in said bore between said adjacent keys having first means preventing the movement of said plunger means to said blocking position and second means transferring the movement of said plunger means to said blocking position whereby said interlock means can be positioned to establish an interlocked selection group including a predetermined number of adjacent keys.

2. The voting machine of claim 1 wherein said interlock means comprise a bar slidable relative to said keys having a first and second position relative to said cross bore, said preventing means comprise a pin in alignment with said cross bore in said first bar position to transfer cam actuated plunger means movement to said non-voted adjacent key, and said tranferring means comprise compressible means aligned with said plunger means in said second bar position to receive the plunger means displaced by the cam means of said voted key and isolate said adjacent non-voted key.

3. The voting machine of claim 2 including means associated with said bar for shifting said bar between said first and second positions.

4. The voting machine of claim 2 wherein said cam means is associated with each of said keys and is of a general V-shape and said plunger means comprise pins oppositely extending from said cam means whereby said pins are oppositely displaced by said cam means.

5. The voting machine of claim 2 including multiple rows of said voting keys and further including lockout cam means for selectively locking out partial or entire rows of keys, said lockout cam means including a cam member carried on a cam shaft associated with said plunger means at the end of one of said rows of keys, said cam shaft adapted for manual actuation having a position engaging and moving the associated plunger means into blocking engagement with the non-voted keys in said one row.

6. The voting machine of claim 5 further including multiple position control means for positioning said cam shaft.

7. In a voting machine with a frame member having a multiplicity of elongated voting keys arranged in substantial alignment in a plurality of columns and rows substantially perpendicular to each other, said keys manually slidable relative to said frame member from a non-voted to a voted position, the combination comprising in each column: a plurality of cross bores in said frame, each substantially parallel to one of said rows of keys; a plurality of cam means each associated with one of said keys at one of said cross bores; a plurality of plunger means each one positioned in one of said cross bores and arranged relative to said cam means at said one cross bore whereby actuation of one of said keys to a voted position causes said cam means on said voted key to displace the plunger means in the cross bore corresponding to the row of said voted key into a position blocking the cam means of each of the keys in a non-voted position in the row of said voted key thereby preventing actuation of said non-voted keys; and interlock means positioned in each of said bores between adjacent columns having a first interlock position preventing movement of each of said plunger means to said blocking position and a second interlock position transferring the movement of each of said plunger means to said blocking position whereby said interlock means is positioned to establish an interlock selection group of keys in each of said rows between predetermined columns.

8. The combination of claim 7 and further comprising in said each column a longitudinal bore in alignment with said keys of said column and intersecting the cross bores in said column, and wherein said interlock means comprises a slide bar slidably disposed in said longitudinal bore having a plurality of plunger transmiTting means and a plurality of plunger isolating means alternately spaced along said slide bar, whereby in said first interlock position said plunger isolating means are in alignment with said cross bores of said column and in said second interlock position said plunger transmitting means are in alignment with said cross bores of said column.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein each of said plunger transmitting means comprises a plunger pin slidably disposed in a cross bore in said slide bar, and wherein each of said plunger isolating means comprises a compression spring positioned in a cross bore in said slide bar.

Images