Patent GB-1350418-A (GB)
Title: Voting machine
IPC: G07C13/00
Filed: 1971-12-20
Abstract: 1350418 Voting apparatus; counters AVM CORP 20 Dec 1971 [28 June 1971] 59151/71 Headings G4T and G4D [Also in Division B6] A voting machine comprises selectively operable voting keys 18, a counter 214 associated with each key, the actuator 216 for each counter being movable from an inoperative position (right hand side of Fig. 7) to its operative position (left hand side of Fig. 7) by depression of the corresponding key 18, the key mechanism arrangement being such that only one actuator 216 can be moved to its operative position by each voter, a handle 20 movable by the voter from a first position, displaced clockwise from that shown and in which the keys are depressible, to the position shown, such handle movement operating the operatively-positioned actuator 216 to register the vote, the keys being inoperable when the handle 20 is in the position shown, and a latch 84 for automatically fastening the handle 20 in the position shown and releasable by an election official. Handle 20 linkage and control,-The handle is connected by links 67 and 64 to bars 48 and 50 so that, on clockwise movement of the handle, bar 48 shifts to the right and bar 50 with associated side arms 56, 58 lifts. The latch 84 engages bar 48 and is releasable through Bowden cable 40 and linkage 88, the handle then automatically moving clockwise under the bias of weight 46. The latch is automatically reengaged upon returning the handle 20 by the downward movement of side arm 58, lug 108 pivoting lever 110 which engages pin 112 fast with linkage 88. A pawl 76 is lifted clear of a rack 78 attached to bar 48 when one of the keys 18 is depressed. If the voter fails to record a vote by incorrectly operating the machine, pawl 76 prevents return of handle 20 to the position shown. A pawl 120 co-operating with rack 124 ensure that a full stroke is imparted to bar 48 in either direction. Key mechanism; moving counter actuator to operative position.-Each key 18 includes a stem 152, guided by rollers 170, 172, 174 and mounting a pin 166, the latter being received in a slot 180 of a bar 182. On depressing a key, the associated pin 166 first moves bar 182 to the left to release a previously set key (which is then reset by spring 158) and then moves into recess P3 where it is held. A pin 168 pivots arm 156 during the latter part of key depression to move counter actuator 216 into its operative position where it engages a pinion 220, Fig. 4. A pin 192 (Fig. 9) on each key stem 152 trips a bar 82 during key depression to lift the pawl 76 clear of the rack 78. A lug 194 (Fig. 9) of the depressed key stem enters a crowding lock mechanism 196. On completion of vote registering, bars 182 are moved to the left to lock the keys against setting, by cam faces 240 engaging pins 166. Registering the vote; stepping counter wheels.- As the handle 20 is returned to the position shown, side arm 56 descends, a lug 132 immediately engaging the assembly of bars 182 to prevent leftward movement of same and thus preventing both setting of cleared keys and clearing of the set key. The operativelypositioned actuator 216 is acted upon by a yoke 224 carried by ladder 226 to step the lowest order counter wheel 218, Fig. 4, of the associated counter 214. The lug 132 then moves into alignment with an aperture in the assembly of bars 182 and a flange 134 pivots a lever 232 to move the bar assembly to the left to first release the set key and then to lock all keys against setting by means of the cam faces 240. Illumination of operating instruction panels (Figs. 1 and 13) not shown, is automatically effected at appropriate times in the machine cycle.  Printing records of votes cast (Figs. 3, 11 and 12) not shown.-When polling is over, a vertical bar is moved transversely across the back of the machine and rollers, carried by the bar, urge a sheaf of carbon-backed record sheets against the counter wheels.