IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN VOTING BY BALLOT
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Turnbull, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
TO BE USED IN VOTING BY BALLOT."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Turnbull at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1876.
ALEXANDER TURNBULL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN VOTING BY BALLOT."
This Invention relates to apparatus designed to facilitate the operations connected
with voting by ballot and to save a large portion of the time, labor, and expense
incurred with the ordinary system of voting papers; also with the improved
apparatus the state of the poll at a station can be instantly ascertained at any time,
and the apparatus can be modified to suit any system of voting in use or likely to
come into use.
In one modification of the improved apparatus, the parts acted on by each voter
consist of handles which are in a private compartment of the polling booth, and
there is a crank handle in a separate compartment to which an authorised person
or officer has to give a turn, after each voter has operated, in order to rearrange the
apparatus for the next voter. The same officer or another one has to ascertain that
each voter's name is on the list of voters, and to mark against his name on the list
a number shown him by a counting indicator formning part of the apparatus. These
arrangements may be modified in different cases; all other necessary operations,
however, are automatically effected by the apparatus:
The apparatus is fitted with as many voting handles as there are candidates, but
a machine inade for a particular number of candidates can be used for any less
number on the action of the surplus handles being stopped. It is, however, preferred
to construct the apparatus in sections, each section containing all the parts necessary
for one candidate, and being arranged to couple on to other sections, so that at each
election at which the apparatus is to be used as many sections as there are

page_text: candidates may be combined. Each voting handle has put on it or in close
proximity to it the name of one of the candidates; and the voter pulls out the
handle corresponding to each candidate he wishes to vote for, a bell within the
apparatus being sounded whenever a handle is drawn out the proper distance. The
rod of each handle by means of a pallet attached to it acts on certain notched discs
or wheels carried on a long transverse horizontal spindle which is in line with a
short spindle having the officer's crank handle fixed on it; and the long spindle is
turned in proportion to the number of votes each voter records, that is, the number
of times each voter pulls out a voting handle. The voter is prevented from drawing
out more than one handle at a time, by a set of notched plates, there being one such
plate for each handle. Each handle rod has fixed to it a snug which crosses the
edges of all the plates, and when one rod is drawn its snug enters a notch in its own
plato, and in doing so acts, if necessary, on the bevelled entrance of the notch so as
to move the plate a little transversely, and this movement causes that plate to
obstruct the snugs of all the other handle rods. Each plate has notches for all the
snugs, but one notch (in a different position in each plate) is made a little to one
side of the average position, which very simple arrangement gives the desired result.
If a voter tries to pull two handles at once, the notched plates stop both handles
before they are drawn out to an effective distance.
The apparatus is arranged so that each voter cannot record more than a certain
number of votes, the long spindle having fixed on it, opposite each handle rod, n
disc or wheel with as many ratchet-shaped notches as there are votes allowed, and
beside ench such number-limiting wheel, as it may be termed, there is loose on the
spindle a wheel with ratchet teeth all round it, which wheel may be termed the
candidate's counting intchet. With this arrangement each voter can record all his
votes for one candidate or he may distribute his votes as he likes; when the voter
pulls any handle the long spindle is turned to the extent of a notch or tooth of the
wheels for each pull by the action of the pallet or pawl of the handle rods, but
as soon as the number of votes allowed have been recorded the unnotched or
unrecessed parts of the number-limiting wheels are brought under the pallets and
prevent their acting further on the candidates' counting ratchets. If the voter is to
be prevented from recording more than one vote for one candidate an additional
wheel with a single notch is put loosely on the long spindle opposite each handle
rod. In a similar way the votes allowable for one candidate may be limited to any
less number than the total number the voter is allowed, the additional wheel being
notched accordingly.
The short spindle of the officer's crank handle acts on a counter, the indications of
which are always visible, showing the number of persons who have voted, and it puts
the parts in position for the next voter, not by turning anything back, but by
turning the long spindle so as to complete a full revolution acting on an arm on the
long spindle through an arm and pin which allow the long spindle to turn in
advance. The crank handle is prevented from turning the wrong way by an
ordinary ratchet wheel, and from turning too far by a spring catch which is released
by a cam on the long spindle as soon as the latter is moved to the extent of a vote.
Each candidate's counting ratchet wheel acts tooth by tooth on a lever which
nets on a candidate's counter, and also on a counting wheel fast on a spindle having
also fast on it counting wheels acted on by all the other candidates' counting
ratchets, so that an indicator in connection with the spindle shows the aggregate
number of votes. The indicators of the separate candidate's counters are concealed
by covers, excepting when the state of the poll is being ascertained from them by
the proper officer.
When it is considered desirable to be able to refer to the votes recorded by any
particular voter, in the event, for example, of his right to vote being challenged, a
strip of paper is arranged to be wound from one bobbin to another by wheel work,
connecting it with the vote recording mechanism, and is punched or marked to
correspond with the votes, numbers being printed or marked on it at the same time

page_text: A
to show by comparison with the list of voters by whom any votes are made.
punch or marker is provided for each voting handle and by the position of its hole
or mark across the breadth of the paper indicates the candidate voted for. Each
punch or marker is made to act by a spring, or as is preferred by a weight, and is
lifted or drawn back by the action of the lever herein-before described as moved by
the candidate's counting ratchet.
In another modification of the apparatus the voter records his votes by dropping
tickets down slots in a case, there being a slot and internal mechanism connected
therewith for each candidate. Each ticket in descending first encounters a projec-
tion on a tumbling piece which it turns into a position to prevent the passage directly
downwards of a second ticket. All the tumbling pieces that have been acted on by
one voter, are restored to their original positions by means of the officer's crank
handle which is connected with a counter as in the other modification. The ticket
after passing the tumbling piece next encounters and passes a trigger which strikes
a bell, and it proceeds downwards to a lever which it bears down and then leaves,
the lever acting on the candidate's counting mechanism, and on the aggregate vote
counting mechanism, which inay be arranged as in the other modification. The
tumbling pieces first acted on by the tickets may be arranged to act on sets of
notched and ratchet wheels on a long spindle as in the other modification.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Turnbull in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
March 1877.
ALEXANDER TURNBULL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN VOTING BY BALLOT."
My said Invention relates to apparatus designed to facilitate the operations
connected with voting by ballot, and to save a large portion of the time, labor, and
expence incurred with the ordinary system of voting papers; also, with my
improved apparatus the state of the poll at a voting station can be instantly
ascertained at any time, and my apparatus can be modified to suit any system of
voting in use or likely to come into use.
In one modification of my improved apparatus the parts acted on by each voter
consist of handles, which are in a private compartment of the polling both; and
there is a crank handle in a separate compartment to which an authorised person or
officer has to give a turn after each voter has operated in order to rearrange the
apparatus for the next voter. The same officer or another one has to ascertain that
each voter's name is on the list of voters and to mark against his name on the list
a number shown him by a counting indicator forming part of the apparatus.
These arrangements may be modified in different cases; all other necessary
operations however are automatically effected by the apparatus, which comprises a
set of notched plates contrived for preventing the effective pulling of more than
one voting handle at once, also certain partially notched or toothed wheels contrived
so as to limit the total number of votes allowed to each voter, and if required to
limit the number of votes each voter may give to a single candidate; and also
mechanism for counting the votes, and for recording them in such a way that the
votes of any particular voter can be subsequently referred to if necessary.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append three Sheets of explanatory Drawings,
to be hercin-after referred to, and representing one modification of my improved
voting apparatus. In these Drawings the same reference numerals and letters are
used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.

page_text: Figure 1, on Sheet 1 of the Drawings, is a sectional front elevation of the
apparatus which the voter has before him when he is in the private compartment of
the polling booth.
Figure 2 is a sectional back elevation of the apparatus as having a cover 1, which
is hinged to it, turned down so as to exhibit the state of the poll. This cover is
closed and locked, excepting at the times when the state of the poll is to be
ascertained, but it does not necessarily cover a counting indicator which shows the
total votes recorded.
The apparatus is fitted with as many voting handles 2 as there are candidates,
but a machine made for a particular number of candidates can be used for any less
number on the action of the surplus handles being stopped. I prefer however to
construct the apparatus in section, and it is shown as so constructed in the accoin-
panying Drawings, each section 3 containing all the parts necessary for one
candidate, and being arranged to couple on to other sections 3, so that at each
election at which the apparatus is to be used as many sections as there are
candidates may be combined. A separate end section 4 is combined with the others
to contain parts in immediate connection with the crank handle 5, which is the
handle herein-before referred to as having to be turned by the officer after each
voter has recorded his votes.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the end of the apparatus visible in the officer's
compartment, and has on it a counting indicator showing the number of votes, also
an opening covered with wire gauze, through which the striking of bells within the
apparatus can be plainly heard.
Figures 5 and 6, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, are horizontal and vertical sections
of one section 3 of the vote-recording mechanism for one candidate, and Figures 7
to 10 show certain of the wheels separately.
Figures 11 and 12, on Sheet 3 of the Drawings, are horizontal and vertical
sections of the end section 4 of the apparatus.
The Figures on Sheets 2 and 3 of the Drawings are drawn to a larger scale than
those on Sheet 1.
Each voting handle 2 has put on it or in close proximity to it, as indicated by
the letters A, B, C, D, in Figure 1, the name of one of the candidates, and the voter
pulls out separately the handle corresponding to each candidate for whom he wishes
to vote, a bell 6 within the apparatus being sounded whenever a handle is drawn
out the proper distance. The rod 7 of each handle 2 by means of a pallet 8 jointed
to it acts on certain notched discs or wheels carried on a long transverse horizontal
spindle 9 consisting, in this example, of several short lengths, of which there is one
in each candidate section 3 and one in the end section 4, and which are coupled
together by pinned discs 10. In the end section 4 there is in line with the spindle 9
a short spindle 11 which projects through the end of the casing and has the officer's
crank handle 5 fixed on it externally, and it is by means of this short spindle 11
which is not itself acted on by the long spindle 9 that the parts are rearranged by
the officer for each fresh voter in a manner herein-after explained.
The voter is prevented from drawing out more than one handle 2 at a time to
an effective distance by a set of notched plates 12, shown in transverse vertical
section in Figure 6 and separately in Figure 4. The apparatus is in the Drawings
shown as arranged with sections 3 for four candidates, and there are four of the
plates 12 to correspond. For other numbers of candidates these plates must be
changed, so that there may be as many plates and as many notches in each plate
as there are candidates in each case. Each handle rod 7 has formed or fixed on
it a snug or tongue 13, which crosses the back edges of all the plates 12, these plates
being laid flat one on the other in a metal frame 14 (Figure 6), which is covered by
a wooden or other case 15 placed across the tops of the sections 3. When one
handle rod 7 is drawn its snug 13 enters a notch (for example, a,) in its own
plate (A), and in doing so acts, if necessary, on the bevilled entrance of the notch
so as to move the plate a little transversely (towards the right hand in Figure 6),

page_text: and this movement causes that plate (A) to obstruct the snugs of all the other
handle rods. Each plate 12 has notches for all the snugs 13, but one notch (in a
different position in each plate, as a, b, c, d,) is made a little to one side of the
average position which evry simple arrangement gives the desired result. If a
voter tries to pull two handles at once, two notched plates will be acted on in
such a way that both handles will be stopped before they can be drawn out to an
effective distance. In some cases a single plate might be arranged on the same
principle as the plates 12, herein-before described, to prevent two bandles from
being effectively acted on simultaneously but would require longer movements of
the snugs 13 and of the plate.
The apparatus is arranged so that each voter cannot record more than a certain
number of votes, the long spindle 9 having fixed on it opposite each handle rod 7
a disc or wheel 16, shown separately in Figure 9, with as many ratchet shaped
notches as there are votes allowed, supposed to be two in this example, and beside
each such number-limiting wheel, as it may be termed, there is loose on the spindle
a wheel 17, Figure 8, with ratchet teeth formed all round it, which wheel may be
termed the candidate's counting ratchet.
With the arrangement, so far described, each voter can record all his votes for
one candidate, or he may distribute his votes as he likes. When the voter pulls
out any handle 2 the long spindle 9 is turned to the extent of a notch or tooth of
the wheels 16, 17, for each pull by the action of the pallet or pawl 8 of the handle
rod 7, but as soon as the number of votes allowed have been recorded the unnotched
or unrecessed parts of the several number-limiting wheels 16 are brought under the
pallets 8, and prevent their acting further on the candidate's counting ratchets 17.
If each voter is to be prevented from recording more than one vote for one
candidate an additional wheel 18, Figure 7, with a single notch is put loosely on
the long spindle 9 opposite each handle rod 7. In a similar way the votes allowable
for one candidate may be limited to any less number than the total number
allowed to each voter when that total is any number more than two, the additional
wheel 18 being notched accordingly in each case.
The short spindle 11 in the end section 4, and moved by the officer's crank
handle 5, acts by an arm or wiper 19 on a counter, the indications of which are
always visible, as in Figure 3, showing the number of persons who have voted.
The details of the counter are not shown, but it may be of any suitable known
kind. The parts in the sections 3 are put into position for the next voter, not by
turning the handle 5 and spindle 11 backwards, but by making them turn the long
spindle so as to complete a full revolution, the spindle 11 having fixed on it an
arm 20 which acts on a pin 21 on a disc 22, adjustably fixed on the long spindle 9.
With this arrangement the long spindle 9 can move in advance when acted on
through any of the voting handles 2 without moving the officer's crank handle 5.
The crank handle 5 is prevented from being turned the wrong way by an ordinary
ratchet wheel 23 fixed on the short spindle 11 and acted on by a catch 24, whilst
it is prevented from being turned too far by a catch 25 acted on by a spring, and
which is moved out of the way at the proper times by a cam surface formed on
the disc 22 fixed on the long spindle 9. The disc 22 is adjustably fixed to a smaller
disc or boss permanently fixed on the spindle 9, and can be adjusted in different
positions to suit different numbers of total votes allowed to each voter. In the
end, section 4, there is, also a small counter 26 (of any suitable known kind) for
showing the total number of votes recorded (which number will not correspond
with the number of voters when any of them records less than the number of votes
allowed him). This counter 26 is acted on by a wheel 27 fixed on the long
spindle 9, and which may be formed, as shown in Figure 10, with only as many
ratchet-shaped notches as there are votes allowed to each voter, or may have
ratchet notches all round it (like the wheel 17, Figure 8). The weighted lever 28,
through which the wheel 27 acts on the counter 26, is made with an elongated
boss and with an arm 29 to be acted on by a cam 30 fixed on the short spindle 11,

page_text: so as when the crank handle 5 is turned to prevent any action on the counter. In
one case the wheel 27, and in the other case the cam 30, has to be changed or
adjusted for every different number of votes allowed.
Each candidate's counting ratchet wheel 17 (Figure 8), herein-before described as
loose on the long spindle 9 acts tooth by tooth on a weighted lever 31 which acts
on a candidate's counter (of any suitable known kind), and the counter 20
showing the aggregate number of votes recorded might be worked from the several
candidate's counters 32 instead of by the wheel 27, as herein-before described.
When the weighted end of the lever 31 is raised it lifts the clapper 33 and allows
it to strike the bell 6 just when the voting handle is pulled out to its full distance,
the finger of the short arm of the lever 31 then clearing the point of a tooth of the
wheel 17. After the voting handle 2 has been drawn out its full distance and let
go it is drawn in again by a spring 34 connected to the inner end of the handle
rod 17, but violent concussion is prevented by a stud 35 on the rod encountering a
small piece of rubber held in a socket 36 and acting as a buffer. The voting
handle 2 and rod 7 do not return unless pulled out their full distance, being pre-
vented by ratchet teeth 37 formed on the rod and engaging with a vertically sliding
catch 38, the rod of which extends down, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 6.
A pin on the short arm of the lever 31 raises the catch 38 whenever the vote
recording stroke is fully accomplished, so that the handle rod 7 is then set free to
be drawn back by the spring 34. Small brake wheels or discs 39, 40, are fixed on
the number limiting wheel 16 and on the candidates' counting ratchet 17, and are
formed with finely undulated edges which are pressed by blocks acted on by springs,
as indicated by dotted lines at 41 in Figure 6, and these arrangements prevent the
wheels from being jerked too far by any sudden action on the voting handles.
When a wheel like the one 18, Figure 7, is used to limit the number of votes for
one candidate to less than the total number of votes allowed to each voter, it is
connected by a slot and a pin to the wheel 16, Figure 9, which limits the total
number of votes; but as the wheel 16 receives by the action of the officer's crank
handle 5 a rearranging novement short of a full turn to the extent of the total
votes allowed, whilst the wheel 18 requires a full turn less only the smaller
number; this wheel requires a further rearranging movement beyond what the
wheel 16 gives it by means of the pin and slot. Such further movement is obtained
by a second pin on the wheel 16, shown dotted in Figures 9 and 7, which pin
acting on a lever 42 fast on a spindle having on it a second lever 43 makes the
latter by acting on a pin on the wheel 18 turn that wheel to the necessary extra
extent owing to the different distances of the pins from the centre, and to the
different lengths of the levers 42, 43.
When it is considered desirable to be able to refer to the votes recorded by any
particular voter, in the event, for example, of his right to vote being challenged, a
strip of paper 44 is in each candidate's section 3 (in the modification of my apparatus
shown in the Drawings), arranged to be wound from one bobbin 45 to another 40
by means of the drum or pulley 47 which has ratchet teeth on its end, and is armed
with fine points to enter the paper strip and ensure its movement, a roller 48 being
provided to insure the paper's contact with the drum 47. The drum 47 is moved
by a pawl lever 49 which acts on its ratchet teeth, and the lever 49 is acted on by a
wheel 50 (Figure 5) fixed on the long spindle 9 made like the wheel 27, Figure 10,
with as many notches as there are votes allowed to each voter.. The strip of
paper 44
has numbers printed on it by types or equivalent surfaces on the drum 47, such types
being inked by a small roller 51, receiving ink from a roller 52, covered with an absor-
bent material which can hold a supply adequate for several hours use of the apparatus.
The votes are recorded on the strip 44 by a punch 53, partly indicated by dotted
lines in Figure 6, and which is operated by the weighted lever 31 herein-before
described as acting on the candidates counter 32. A small spring is applied to
raise the punch quickly clear of the paper 41 after each stroke, and a small box 54
is placed under the resisting die or bolster 55, to receive the punchings. The parts

page_text: are arranged so that the numbers printed on the strip correspond with those allotted
to the respective voters.
In the modification described there is a separate recording strip 44 for each
section 3, that is for each candidate, but in a modification constructed in a single
section for two or more candidates one recording strip may be used for all of them,
the several punches acting at different points in the width of the strip. The several
drums 47 may all be driven from one movement in the end section 4, their spindles
being constructed to couple together when the sections 3 and 4 are combined, and
it will be desirable in some cases to drive their spindle or spindles through spur
gearing instead of through the pawl lever 49.
Instead of there being a separate bell 6 in each of the sections 3, there may be a
single bell in end section 4 to be acted on as each vote-recording action is accom-
plished by the wheel 27 or a similar one fixed on the long spindle 9, and appliances
may be added for striking the same bell or a separate one on the officer's action on
the crank handle 5 being completed.
In another modification of the apparatus the voter records his votes by dropping
tickets down slots in a case, there being a slot and internal mechanism connected
therewith for each candidate. Each ticket in descending first encounters a pro-
jection on a tumbling piece which it turns into a position to prevent the passage
directly downwards of a second ticket. All the tumbling pieces that have been
acted on by one voter are restored to their original positions by means of the officer's
crank handle which is connected with a counter, as in the other modification. Tho
ticket after passing the tumbling piece next encounters and passes a trigger which
strikes a bell, and it proceeds downwards to a lever which it bears down and then
leaves, the lever acting on the candidates' counting mechanism and on the aggregate
vote counting mechanism. The tumbling pieces first acted on by tho tickets may
be arranged to act on sets of notched and ratchet wheels on a long spindle, as in
the other modification.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and original
and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
1. The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus to be used in
voting by ballot, substantially in the improved modes herein-before described.
2. The preventing of the effective drawing out of more than one handle at once
by means of a notched plate or plates, arranged and acting substantially as herein-
before described.
3. The limiting of the number of votes allowed to each voter or the number to
be given to one candidate by means of partially notched discs or wheels, arranged
and acting substantially as herein-before described.
4. The rearranging of the vote-recording mechanism for each fresh voter by means
of an officer's crank handle and parts connected therewith, acting substantially as
herein-before described.
5. The providing of a reference record of the votes by mechanism arranged to
punch or mark a strip or strips of paper, substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
6. The providing of the apparatus with a counting indicator showing the number
of voters, with a counting indicator showing the total number of votes recorded,
and with separate counting indicators showing the numbers of votes recorded for
the several candidates, the last indicators having a cover or covers to be opened
only at the periods for ascertaining the state of the poll, all substantially as herein-
before described.
7. The constructing of the apparatus in sections, each of which contains recording
mechanism for one or more candidates, and which sections can be combined
together in any required numbers and with an end section, and the adapting of the

page_text: connections and details to admit thereof, substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Turnbull, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
ALEXANDER TURNBULL. (L.S.)