Patent GB-189915899-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Voting Machines.
Inventor: WEIGAND JOHN BERNHARD
Filed: 1899-08-03
Granted: 1900-01-27
Abstract: 15,899. Weighed, J. B., and Lonsdorf, F. A. Aug. 3. Voting-apparatus.-Horizontal and vertical tiers of registers are mounted as drawers in a cabinet, and are marked with the names of the candidates, the horizontal rows being marked with the name of the office for which the candidates have put up. The voters may then vote for one candidate in each horizontal row independently, or on the " straight ticket" for all the candidates in a vertical row. Fig. 3 is a plan, and Fig. 5 a sectional elevation of a portion of the cabinet. To vote for a candidate independently his push-rod F is thrust in by the button F<1>, when a pawl f rotates the shaft C by means of a ratchet-wheel C<1> and through the gear C' d turns the units-wheel D<1> of that candidate's register. " Carrying" is performed by ten-toothed wheels d<1>, d<3>, d<5> engaging single-toothed discs C<3>, C<5>, C<7>, loose on the shaft C but connected respectively to the wheels C<2>, C', C<6> gearing with the wheels d, d<2>, d<4>. To set the counters to zero after voting, the shaft D is turned by a key, and pawls u on discs U, secured to the shaft, catch on pins u<1> locking the wheels and discs together as the zeroes come into line. The numbering-wheels are opposite apertures in the fronts B of the cabinet drawers, but are normally concealed by slides E which can be moved back simultaneously on turning the rod E' by the handle e<2>, pins e on the rod engaging the slides. When any push-rod F is thrust in, a pin f<4> upon it rocks the cross-shaft G, which is held in its displaced position by a spring I pressing on a flat formed upon it. Pins g' on the shaft then rock detents H into notches in all the other push-bars in that horizontal row, and lock them against actuation. More than one push in the same horizontal row cannot be actuated, as the rods are so shaped as to act upon the locking-slide through which they pass ; this slide permits one only to move at a time. A slide J, which may be actuated by the door of the voting chamber, is lifted, as the voter leaves, and the pin j rocks the shaft G back again to release the row of pushes. To vote a "straight ticket," a button M' on the push-rod M, one situated at the top of each vertical column, is thrust in, and a cam m upon it depresses the rod K which carries a series of pawls actuating all the ratchet-wheels C<x> of the shafts C in a vertical row. The rod L is simultaneously raised by a cam l, and operates the locking-mechanisms of all the other registers in each horizontal row. Means are also provided for locking all the slides K when a push F<1> has been actuated, so that the machine cannot then be worked by the pushes M<1>; a slide N<1>, somewhat similar to J and working therewith, releases these locking-means. The ends of the push-rods carry pins o, which perforate a sheet of paper, marked similarly to the front of the machine, and so keep a record of each vote. This paper is placed on a spring frame R pivoted to a door A' at the back of the apparatus ; the name of the voter is written upon it and, after it has been perforated, it slips through a slot into a receptacle at the bottom of the cabinet.