IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING SECRET VOTES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Cooper Warburton, of No. 2, Exchange
Buildings, Bristol, Telegraphist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING SECRET VOTES."
Sealed the 10th August 1869, and dated the 18th May 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Cooper War-
burton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 18th May 1869.
I, EDWARD COOPER WARBURTON, of No. 2, Exchange Buildings,
Bristol, Telegraphist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING SECRET VOTES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
registering secret votes.
The apparatus which I employ, when simply votes aye or no require
to be recorded, consists in two channels formed in a suitable case, which
I prefer should form part of the door of a closet in which the voter is

page_text: enclosed whilst voting; into one or other of these channels, which
correspond the one to an affirmative the other to a negative voto, the
voter whilst hidden from view deposits the ballot ball, which in running
down the passage into which it is introduced touches two triggers, the
first as it moves drives one step forward the first of a train of counting
wheels, which give motion to tell-tale hands or dials visible to the voter
and to those exterior to the voting closet. The first triggers of both the
ballot ball passages are geared together so that the tell-tale hands which
they actuated indicate the total number of voters using the apparatus;
after moving the first trigger the ball rolls on down the passage and
touches a second and independent trigger, which also in a similar
manner actuates counting wheels indicating on dials the number of
motions of the trigger, and consequently the number of voters placing
the ball in this passage, and as each passage is thus furnished with dials
in connection with it, the indications on these dials will shew the
numbers of the affirmative and negative votes. These dials are enclosed
with covers which are kept locked and need not be removed until the
final enumeration is to be made. The ball after moving the second
trigger passes into an inclined delivery channel common to the two
passages and is delivered into a bag on the outside of the voting closet,
from whence it is taken by the ballot master, and by him passed on to
the next voter to be similarly used.
Where, as frequently happens in parliamentary elections, the question
is such as to admit of several answers 1 employ a separate passage for
each possible answer, and from these the voter chooses that corresponding
with the vote he desires to give, all the passages being clearly marked,
and in the passage so selected he places the ballot ball; the ball in passing
down the passage acts on a trigger, as before, corresponding with the
second trigger of the apparatus already described, and this trigger makes
an electrical contact which causes the excitement of an electro-magnet
at a distance, and thus by attracting its armature gives motion to a
counting train which indicates the total number of voters polled; the
trigger of each ballot ball passage when moved making a contact for
the electrical counter. The indications of this counter are visible both
within the voting closet and exterior to it. The ball having done its
work escapes into a pocket exterior to the voting closet, as before.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Cooper Warburton in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 18th November 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
COOPER WARBURTON, of No. 2, Exchange Buildings, Bristol, Tele-
graphist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Eighteenth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
O second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Edward Cooper Warburton, Her special
licence that I, the said Edward Cooper Warburton, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Cooper
Warburton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to tinie and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, usc, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING S.CRET VOTES," upɔn
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edward Cooper Warburton,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
5 Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that. the said Edward Cooper Warburton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
registering secret votes.
The apparatus which I employ, when simply votes aye or no require
to be recorded, consists in two channels formed in a suitable case, which
I prefer should form part of the door of a closet in which the voter is
enclosed whilst voting; into one or other of these channels, which
correspond the one to an affirmative the other to a negative vote, the

page_text: voter whilst hidden from view deposits the ballot ball, which in running
down the passage into which it is introduced touches two triggers, the
first as it is moved drives one step forward the first of a train of counting
wheels, which give motion to tell-tale hands on dials visible to the voter
and to those exterior to the voting closet. The first triggers of both the
ballot ball passages are geared together so that the tell-tale hands which
they actuate indicate the total number of voters using the apparatus;
after moving the first trigger the ball rolls on down the passage and
touches a second and independent trigger, which also in a similar
manner actuates counting wheels indicating on dials the number of
motions of the trigger, and consequently the number of voters placing
the ball in this passage, and as each passage is thus furnished with dials
in connection with it, the indications on these dials will show the
numbers of the aflirmative and negative votes. These dials are enclosed
with covers which are kept locked and need not be removed until the
final enumeration is to be made. The ball after moving the second
trigger passes into an inclined delivery channel common to the two
passages and is delivered into a bag on the outside of the voting closet,
from whence it is taken by the ballot master, and by that person passed
on to the next voter to be similarly used.
Where, as frequently happens in parliamentary elections, the question
is such as to admit of several answers I employ a separate passage for
each possible answer, and from these the voter choses that corresponding
with the vote le desires to give, all the passages being clearly marked,
and in the passage so selected he places the ballot ball; the ball in
passing down the passage acts on a trigger, as before, corresponding
with the second trigger of the apparatus already described, and this
trigger makes an electrical contact which causes the excitement of an
electro-magnet at a distance, and this by attracting its armature gives
motion to a counting train which indicates the total number of voters
polled; the trigger of each ballot ball passage when moved making a
contact for the ellectrical counter. The indications of this counter are
visible within the voting closet and exterior of it. The ball having
done its work escapes into a pocket exterior of the voting closet, as
before.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood
141

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF TILE DRAWINGS.
Sheet 1. Figure 1 shows the apparatus which I employ in order that a
ballot ball in passing along a passage may make an electrical contact ;
circles in this Figure indicate the pitch lines of a train of wheels and
pinions driven forward from the ratchet wheel C by the upward and
downward motion of the lever A (centred at D), into which are brazed
or otherwise fastened into flat springs (1 and 2) hooked at their points
conformably with the ratchet wheel (C) teeth and lightly embracing
such wheel on opposite sides. The wheels contain 60 teeth, the pinions
6 teeth, and the ratchet wheel ten teeth, each for indicating numbers
on suitable dials decimally. The upper surfaces of the ratchet teeth
are to be slightly rounded for easier friction. The screw heads b, b, b,
indicate the fastenings to the bars dividing the two train wheel plates.
The projections shown at the corners of the back plates of the machines
are the countersunk holes for securing the machines into position.
Figure 2 is a top view of the above also showing the front plate of the
two plates within which the wheel train is contained with its outer
attachments, a side elevation of which is shown in Figure 3. The
trigger B is fastened to the same axle as the driving lever A, such axle
being brought over (allowance being made in the front plate) to a
bracket bearing E screwed to the front plate, so that the movement of
the lever A is identical with the trigger B. The trigger B is however
prolonged in one piece at an angle to form through a regulating screw F
(gripped by a slit in its lower end) an electrical connection with the
spring G to which it has access through a hole I in the insulator H,
and to which such spring is rivetted. The insulator H (of which 1, 2, 3,
are respectively plan, front, and back views) is an angular piece of hard
insulating substance (such as ebonite, ivory, &c.,) suitably rigid, fastened
to the front plate of the machine by screws countersunk to the level
of its substance. The light spring G (to the upper part of which is
fastened a piece of brass capable of sustaining a screw for connecting a
battery wire thereto) is rivetted or otherwise fastened to the insulator H
and springs from the back thereof when the screw F presses against it
through the hole I on depression of the trigger B. K is a cylinder
rivetted to the front plate by which a screw is gripped in a slit for regit.
lating the upward motion of trigger B. Lis a cylinder also rivetted to the
front plate and slotted to allow a milled edged and screw tapped centre
disc to revolve therein upon an axle which which is also threaded along

page_text: its entire length, one of this axle's sides being filed flat lengthwise to
prevent revolution in its bearings in 1 which are made conformable
to the shape thus produced, the object being to cause a to-or-fro motion
of the axle for tightening or relaxing the spiral spring M (governing the
trigger) when the milled headed dise is revolved. 1 and 2 to the left of
Figure 5 shews other views of K and L. 4 is a transverse view of the
lever A and trigger B showing their position upon the same axle and
one of the flat springs driving the ratchet wheel. A ball of suitable
size and weight rolling over the trigger B is the driving power used.
The two battery wires are respectively connected one to the screw on
the upper part of the spring G and to a screw in any part of the machine
plates, circuit being closed on the contact of screw with spring G,
Figure 4, (which is to be considered as perpendicular instead of hori-
zoutal as shown) is a machine of similar construction as the above-
described, but with a suitably longer back plate and driven by the
excitation of an electro-magnet. N when the circuit of a battery connected
therewith is closed. A. soft. iron armature B however takes the place
of the trigger B above referred to and moves by magnetic attraction.
The bracket to which the electro-magnet is fastened has one of its
angles slotted so as to move in check screws for regulating the distance
from armature B as shewn. Other particulars are explained above in
regard to its other parts. This electro-magnetic indicator having suitable
terminal connections to the magnet coils may be enclosed in a case
similar to a clock's, and any number of them may be placed in the
battery circuit for convenience. Figure 5 is a top view of Figure 4, and
explains itself. Figure 6 is a dial suitable to above apparatus and is
capable of registering with two pointers, any number up to 100 hundreds
(10,000), but its arrangement may be varied according to the number of
pointers used and the number to be indicated (see dial on Sheet 2).
The wheel axles are prolonged through the side plates and to pass
through the sides of the box in which the machinery is fastened. The
dials can form a portion of the side of the box by attachments being
countersunk therein, or be fastened to the plates of the apparatus as
mast suitable.

page_text: all round for securing by screws to the inside of the box. Figure 2 is a
transverse section of the guides with the leather buffers running their
entire length, and the ball P in position upon them. Figure 3 shows
the indicating and contact making machinery, as shown on Sheet 1, and
fully described above. The ball enters at the top of the channel and
passes out at the bottom rolling in its passage over the trigger B, the
metal of the channel being slotted to allow the trigger free action
through it. When the ball passes out of the channel it is received
upon a false bottom in the ballot box. This bottom is inclined at an
angle suitable to allow the ball to certainly roll down its slope and thus
pass out by gravitation into a netted pocket placed either immediately
at the end of the false bottom prolonged from one side of the box
through the wall or partition of the ballot room, or (according as the
ballot box is placed in the ballot room) at the end of such inclined
plane or planes as may be continuously necessary to reach outside the
ballot room. A side view and section of the false bottom are shown in
Figures 4 and 5, the leather buffer covering the groove being necessary
to quict action. Figure 6 is a dial suitable to the indicating machinery,
being divided and marked for a pointer on cach wheel axle. As many
arrangements of this apparatus as may be required for parliamentary
and other elections are to be placed side by side at convenient distances
from each other, and above the false bottom in one box of dimensions
simply suitable to the size of the machinery, and are to be connected
together electrically by concealed wires. All the springs G being con-
nected to one of the battery wires, and all the side plates of the machines
to the other battery wire, so that the action of the ball on any oue
trigger will cause the registration of number on the electro-magnetic
indicator, or as many indicators as may be in circuit. The ball P is to
be engraved on its equatorial zone with some motto for identification,
and in regulating the apparatus for work the spring should be so
adjusted as that independently of the centrifugal and other force on the
ball's motion the weight of the ball alone should be sufficient to depress
the trigger to its full purpose. I prefer an ivory ball but do not limit
the material.
Sheet 3. This sheet is intended to show the arrangement of apparatus
for recording simple negative and affirmative votes; I prefer that it
should be enclosed in a suitable case forming the upper panel of the
door of a closet in which the voter is enclosed while voting, but it may

page_text: be independently arranged as a box for hanging upon any door or
partition. The guides or channels and other apparatus are nearly
identical with those previously explained, but as no electricity is applied
therewith the indicating machinery need not be supplied with adjuncts
necessary to it, and they are consequently omitted. Figure 1 shows
the guide passages. Figure 2; this machine is similar in action to
those already described, but it has (two) compound triggers B, B, placed
on opposite axles and into two grooved discs Q, in the upper part of
which (discs) are inserted eyelets R for coupling a spiral spring S across,
as shown. Simultaneous motion of the two opposite triggers is produced
by gearing both their axles together by toothed wheels T containing
each an equal number of teeth for the sake of uniform motion. Into
one of the discs in a position suitable to moving the ratchet wheel C is
inserted the driving lever A, as shown, whose motion is checked by the
screw Kinserted into the bar b dividing the plates. This apparatus is
provided with a dial plate on each side. A hinged door or lid is provided
to the case back and front (inside and outside the closet) having an
opening therein to show these two opposite dials at all times but totally
covering the two lower or secret dials when the lid is shut and locked
up. The lid outside the closet would be for shutting up the necessary
two lower dials, and the lid inside for getting at the machinery for
adjustment, &c. Figure 3 is a right-hand end elevation of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows the grooved discs with eyelets, triggers, and driving lever;
Figures 5 and 6 described in previous Sheets; Figure 7 is the receptacle
for letting the ball pass out of the hole in the closet door panel.
Sheet. Figure 1 is a sectional plan of the closet door case attached
to the panel which forms its back part and containing the apparatus
shewn on Sheet 3; Figure 2 shews the dials outside when lid is open;
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the box lid for inside and outside of the
closet, the circular opening therein being made to disclose the middle
thoroughly opposite dials at all times. The escape hole in the panel
is furnished on the outside with a suitable netted pocket for receiving
the ball after performing its functions.
Sheet 5 is a plan of a polling booth arranged so that the voter may give
any one of a number of possible votes. The voter after being sworn in
the usual way proceeds to door 1 of the ballot room where he is presented
with the ball by the ballot master from within the official space; he
goes into the ballot room by door 2 and exercises his choice of any

page_text: of the marked holes by placing the ball he holds into one of them and
passes on to the "egress." The ballot master watches the motion of
the dial, say at D, and if all right he permits the voter to leave the
booth and takes the ball from the pocket to identify it and pass it on to
the next voter. A, B, C, D, are positions suitable to fixing against the
walls and partitions the electro-magnetic indicator.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim, the
constructing apparatus for registering secret votes, substantially as above
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Cooper Warburton, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Fifteenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.