Patent GB-1246565-A (GB)
Title: Voting equipment
Inventor: JOHNSON JOHN WILLIAM LEWIS
IPC: G07C13/00
Filed: 1969-05-10
Abstract: 1,246,565. Voting machine. BELL-FRUIT MFG. CO. Ltd. 10 Aug., 1970 [10 May, 1969], No. 23902/69. Heading G4T. A voting machine comprises a number of selector buttons 3 (Fig. 6) each corresponding to a particular candidate, a vote registering handle (6) (Fig. 1, not reproduced), a slot 2 (Fig. 2) for receiving a ballot paper 151 associated with an individual voter, and recording means 8, 9, 10 which can be set by the selector buttons 3 and actuated by the registering handle (6) to record a serial number on an inserted ballot paper 15<SP>1</SP> and the serial number together with a vote identifying symbol on a second recording paper 11 in the machine. As described, the serial number is held by a set of interconnected printing rollers 8. Each of a number of printing blocks 9 holds a different vote identifying symbol such as A, B, C or D and is linked to an associated selector button 3. An inked tape 12 and paper tape 11 are fed between the printing means 8, 9 and a movable printing platen 10. Voting.-A candidate is selected by depressing a selector button 3 (Fig. 6) which lights an associated lamp (4) (Fig. 1) and causes shoulders 22 (Fig. 6) of an associated arm 21 to cooperate with a pair of rollers 19 to force a number of tubes 16 longitudinally along a supporting rod 17. The tubes 16, which are constrained against rotation, are moved so that some of the supported rollers abut against the shoulders 22 of the remaining, non-depressed arms 21 to so prevent depression of another button 3. The button arm 21 is cranked to carry a tooth (24) (Fig. 7, not reproduced) which co-operates with a spring-urged latch (25) to hold the button depressed. The button 3 can be released by a reset button (5) that pivots the latch (25). The depression of the selector button 3 (Fig. 6) lowers the corresponding printing block 9 (Fig. 2). The voter then inserts his ballot paper 151 into the slot 2, where it is adjacent the printing rollers 8, and pulls the vote registering handle (6). Through linkage, the printing platen 10 is moved towards the printing rollers 8 and blocks 9 to print the serial number on both the ballot paper 15<SP>1</SP> and paper tape 11, and the vote identifying code on the ballot paper 15<SP>1</SP>. On release of the registering handle (6), the serial number on the rollers 8 is advanced by one digit, the paper and inked tapes 11, 12 are advanced a step, and the machine elements returned to their starting positions. Finally, the voter inserts his ballot paper 15<SP>1</SP> into a ballot box. The vote is registered on a total vote counting meter (7) (Fig. 1) visible to the voter; counters internal to the machine each count the number of operations of an associated selector button 3 together with the registering handle (6). In alternative embodiments, selector switches and printing bands may be employed, or magnetic recording tape, and the date and polling station number recorded on the machine tape 11 (Fig. 2). Fraud may be reduced by a machine examination of ballot paper 15<SP>1</SP> inserted in the slot 2, to identify punched holes or printed symbols and so prevent voting more than once. (Not further disclosed.)