Improvements in Voting Machines and Booths therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Voting Machines and Booths therefor.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by the Trommlitz Vote Register Company,
of 420, Ernest & Cranmer Building, Denver, in the County of Arapahoe, State
of Colorado, United States of America, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in voting machines and booths therefor,
my object being to provide an apparatus of this class which shall be simple in
construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable and efficient in use; and to these
ends the invention consists of the features, arrangements and combinations herein-
after described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to
the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated and embodiment thereof
In this drawing
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the booth and machine, the upper front portion
of the latter being exposed.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the machine, shown on a larger scale.
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear view of the same.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear view of the mechanism enclosed by the box
or case, the rear wall and the counting registers attached thereto being removed.
Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line X-X, Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the case showing an individual push
key connected with the lever for actuating the count-registering mechanism, the
parts being shown in their normal position.
Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the same parts in the actuated position.
Figs. 8 and 9 show, in plan view, the outer slides in the positions corresponding
respectively with the positions of the parts in Figs. 6 and 7.
Figs. 10 and 11 are similar views of the inner or auxiliary slides.
Fig. 12 illustrates both the individual and straight ticket push keys and their
connections shown in their normal position.
Fig. 13 shows the positions of the same parts when actuated by a straight ticket
push-kev.
Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the rock shaft carrying dogs which
actuate the bell crank levers during the operation of voting straight tickets.
Fig. 15 is an elevation of the slide-supporting guide bridge.
Fig. 16 is an elevation of the bearing for the rock shaft shown in Fig. 14, the
shaft being shown in cross section.
Fig. 17 shows the slide stop in two positions, that is to say, in elevation and
plan view.
Fig. 18 is a section taken through the upper part of the casing and illustrating
the straight-ticket push-key lever.
Fig. 19 is a section taken on the line 7-7, Fig. 18.
Fig. 20 illustrates the mechanism attached to the exit door of the booth.

page_text: Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the slide adapted to move in a guide attached to
the exit door of the booth.
Fig. 22 is a section taken on the line W-W, Fig. 21.
Fig. 23 is a detail view of the rod connected with the slide-releasing mechanism.
This rod is actuated by the mechanism mounted on the exit door of the booth.
Fig. 24 is a cross section taken through the rock shaft 32 above the actuating
dog.
Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view of the individual push key locking slides, showing
also the lever with which they are connected for operating the straight-ticket
push-key locking slide.
Fig. 26 is a rear view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the slide for the straight-
ticket push-keys and the slides for the individual push keys, also the lever con-
necting the one slide with the other slides, the locking positions of the slides and
the corresponding position of the lever being indicated by dotted lines.
Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in these views. The
numeral 5 designates the booth. provided with an entrance door 6 and an exit
door 7. The door 7 opens outwardly and actuates devices for releasing the push
keys from the locking action of the slides, all as hereinafter set forth.
The voting machine is located within the booth. In Fig. 1, the upper front
portion of the case is exposed. In this specification, the side of the machine
provided with the push keys is termed the front, and the opposite side the rear.
The mechanism of the voting machine proper will be first described after which
the slide-releasing mechanism and its connections with the exit door will be
explained.
The
The mechanism of the machine is enclosed within a suitable case. The front
and rear sides of this case are detachable. The outer front plate S is provided with
slots 8 of sufficient width to expose the names of the candidates on tickets 12
which are inserted between the outer plate and the inner plate 9. The slots are
closed by plates 10 composed of glass or other suitable transparent material. The
outer plate 13 of the rear side of the case is also slotted to expose the names on
tickets which are placed between the plate 13 and the inner plate 14. These
tickets correspond with the tickets placed on the front side of the machine.
plates 13 and 14 are further provided with openings 13ª and 14, in one of which is
set a transparent plate 15. These openings are located opposite the count-regis-
tering devices 16 which are of ordinary construction. These registering devices are
attached to the inner surface of the plate 14. and are utilized in counting
the votes. The number of these registering devices correspond with the number
of the candidates on all the tickets. There is one of these devices located
adjacent the name of each candidate on each ticket, and the number of votes cast
for any candidate is indicated by the register, and may be read through the
openings in the rear wall of the case, through which the figures of the register
are seen.
The mechanism for actuating these counting registers, and through the instru-
mentality of which the voting is accomplished, will now be described. This
mechanisnt allows the voter to vote the straight ticket by pressing a suitable push
key placed adjacent the head of the ticket, or to vote for individual candidates by
pressing the push keys adjacent the names of the candidates.
The front wall of the case is provided with two sets of push keys, that is to
say, those actuated in voting separately individual candidates and referred to in
this specification as individual push keys: and those actuated in voting straight
tickets and referred to herein as straight-ticket push keys. The individual push
keys are designated in the drawing by the numeral 17, and the straight ticket push
keys by the numeral 18. These push keys 17 and 18 are provided with notches 17"
and 18 adapted to be engaged by locking slides 19 and 19ª as hereinafter fully
explained.
Both sets of these push keys are also provided with wedge shaped inner extremi-
ties as shown at 17 and 18c respectively, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

page_text: To the inner extremity of each push key 17 is pivotally attached one extremity
of a link 20, whose opposite extremity is movably connected with one arm 21°
of a bell crank lever 21, fulcrumed on a rod 22 suitably supported on the inner front
plate of the case. The opposite arm 21" of this lever is adapted to engage a pres-
sure foot 16 of the registering device 16. As the push key is pressed, this foot is
forced inwardly and the registering mechanism actuated (see Fig. 7). Each lever 21
is provided with a third arm 21 which projects outwardly, or in the direction
opposite the arm 21ª, to engagement with a step 23 made fast to a slide 19. Hence,
as the lever is actuated by the push key, the arm 21d of the lever forces the slide 19
into the notch 17ª of the push key. As shown in the drawing, the slides 19 are.
provided with openings to allow the push keys to pass therethrough. Each
slide 19 is of sufficient length to co-operate with all the individual push keys
located in the same horizontal plane, that is to say, all the push keys adjacent the
names of all the candidates for the same office on the various tickets. Hence, as any
one of these individual push keys is pressed and the slide 19 actuated the said slides
enter the notch 17ª of the actuating push key and moves to a position in the rear
of a shoulder 17d formed on the inner extremity of each push key in the same plane
or series, thus locking all the corresponding push keys from movement until the
slide is returned to its normal position. The slide also, when in this position,
prevents the return movement of the actuating push key. Each slide 19 is held
in place and guided during its movement by blocks 24 made fast to the plate 9 in
These blocks are provided with recesses 24 (see Fig. 15) adjacent the
plate 9, through which the slide passes. The slides 19 are all connected with a
Screw 55. They are all provided with angle arms 19", except the slide in line with
the screw. Each slide is slotted as shown at 19d to allow it to move freely on the
connecting screw. Each slide 19 is provided at the extremity remote from the
screw, with a tooth or projection 198 which, as the slide is actuated by the lever 21,
is engaged and held in the adjusted position by a dog 25 movably mounted on a
shaft 26 and provided with an arm 27. These arms are engaged by leaf springs 27.
All of the slides 19 are simultaneously released from the dogs 25 by mechanism
which will now be described.
the case.
Loosely mounted on the shaft 26 are two arms 28 which support a rod 29
to which is attached one extremity of a rod 30. This last named rod is actuated
by a dog 31 mounted on a vertical shaft 32 journaled on the booth adjacent the exit
door 7 (see rig. 1). As the shaft is turned, the dog 31 engages the vertical face of
a lug 33 on the rod 30 and actuates the latter which in turn, moves
the rod 29 to engagement with all the arms 27 of the dogs 25, thus
actuating the dogs 25 sufficiently to disengage them from the teeth 19% of the
slides, thus releasing the slides which are returned to their original or normal posi-
tion through the instrumentality of the pressure feet 16 of the registers 16, which
force the levers 21 to their normal position, or that shown in Figs. 5 and 12 of the
drawing. The levers in turn force the push keys outwardly, the slides 19 being
returned to their normal position by the inclined faces of the notches 18.
To operate the elements just described, the shaft 32 mounted on the booth as
aforesaid, is turned by a bar 34 (see Figs. 21 and 22), one extremity of which is
fast on the shaft 32, while the other extremity is provided with a cross-head 35
which slides in a retaining guide 36 fast on the exit door. As this door is opened
outwardly, the bar 34 is swung sufficiently to actuate the shaft 32 for the purpose.
stated. The door and all the working parts connected therewith are returned to
their normal position through the instrumentality of suitable automatic door
closing mechanism 37 (see Fig. 1), which may be of any suitable construction
and therefore, is not described in detail.
Hence, all the push keys 17 are locked at their inward limit of movement when
once pressed in the act of voting for a candidate, until the voter leaves the booth
by the exit door. At the same time, all the push keys adjacent the name of the
other candidates for the same office are locked against inward movement as fast
as the voter presses the push keys in voting for one set of candidates, and these

page_text: keys cannot be again moved until the voter has left the booth by the exit door,
as heretofore stated. This construction and arrangement prevents the voter from
voting more than once for the same candidate, and also from voting for more
than one candidate for the same office.
To vote straight tickets, the push keys 18 are actuated; these are located at
the heads of the tickets adjacent the emblems (see Figs. 2 and 18). To facilitate
the operation of these push keys, since considerable pressure is required, levers 57
are employed. Each of these levers is fulcrumed on a post 38 supported on the
front wall of the case, and engages the push key 18 at a point between the fulcrum
and the lever extremity. Each key 18 is connected at its inner extremity with a
link 20 of substantially the same construction as the links 20 connected with the
push keys 17. The inner extremity of each of these links 20 is pivotally connected
with a crank arm 39, whose opposite extremity is made fast to the rock shaft 40,
upon which are secured a number of dogs 41 which correspond with the number of
candidates on the tickets. These dogs are so located that when the rock shaft is
actuated by the pressure of the push key 18, each dog 41. engages
the arm 21 of the lever 21 and actuates the lever sufficiently to
register a vote for each candidate on the ticket, in the same manner
as explained when describing the action of the individual push keys in connection
with the same levers. The locking slide 19 for the straight-ticket push-keys
is substantially of the same construction, so far as its body portion is concerned, as
the slides 19. To the extremity of the slide 19ª corresponding with the slotted
extremities of the slides 19, is pivotally connected one extremity of a lever 42 which
is fulcrumed at 43 on the plate 9, its opposite extremity being connected with the
screw 55 which passes through the slots 19d of all the slides 19, but is not fastened
to the plate 9. It is evident that all the slides 19, as well as the push keys 17
adjacent the names of all the candidates on the straight ticket voted, are actuated
by the pressure of a straight-ticket push-key.
23
As the slides 19 are moved in the direction indicated by arrow 12 (see Figs. 4
and 26), the lever 42 is turned on its fulcrum, moving the slide 19ª in the opposite
direction, or that indicated by arrow "c." The push keys 18 are provided with
bevel-faced notches 18" located on the opposite sides of the push keys, from the
corresponding notches in the push keys 17. The slide 19* enters the notch 18ª
of the push key actuated, and at the same time passes to the rear of shoulders 18d
formed on the inner extremities of the other straight-ticket push-keys. Hence,
when any straight-ticket push-key is pressed, all the other push keys are locked
against movement until the voter leaves the booth by the exit door, and the slides
are released.
As soon as the individual push keys locking slides 19 are released, the action of
the feet 16 on the levers 21 forces the individual push keys 17 outwardly.
During this movement the action of the beveled faces 17ª of the keys 17, forces the
said slides to the right (referring to Figs. 4 and 26), leaving the lever 42 free to
move from the dotted line position shown in Fig. 26, to the full line position in
the same fig. The straight-ticket push-key locking slide 19 is then free to move
toward the left which it does in the following manner:As the levers 21 are acted
on by the feet 16 of the counting-registers, and forced outwardly, returning
the individual push keys to their normal position, the arms 21° of these levers act
on the dogs 41 of the rock shaft 40 and impart a partial rotation to the said shaft,
whereby the lever arm 39 fast on the shaft 40, acts on the link 21 of the straight-
ticket push-key 18 and thrusts the latter outwardly to its normal position. As
this key 18 moves outwardly, the action of its beveled face 18ª on the slide 19
together with the influence of the spring 44 on the lever 42, serves to throw the
slide 19 toward the left releasing all of the straight-ticket push-keys (see full
lines in Fig. 26).
To prevent the actuation of two push keys simultaneously by the voter, I employ
auxiliary locking slides 45 shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11. These slides are
divided into sections 45° which are supported by the blacks 24 the lattan hai

page_text: provided with recesses 24° (see Fig. 15) which said sections engage. They are
held in place by a bridge plate 24 attached to the top of the block. The sec-
tions 45 have semi-circular extremities 45°. When in their normal position,
these extremities of any two adjacent slides engage each other and form circular
openings 46. Each terminal 45° is provided with an inwardly projecting
tongue 45d which protrudes into the opening 46 and lies in the path of
the wedge shaped terminal or extremity 17" or 18 as the case may be,
of the push key. Hence, as any push key is thrust inwardly, it forces the.
two terminals 45° apart (see Fig. 11), thus moving all the other sections of the
same slide sufficiently to bring the tongues 45ª of the sections into
a position to form stops against the inward movement of any other
push key in the line of the slide. The end sections of the slide 45
are only allowed sufficient movement to permit the complete operation
of a single push key at one and the same
time. This necessary but
limited expansion of the slide 45 is permitted by means of bow-shaped leaf
springs 47 mounted on stops 48 made fast to the plate 9. These springs are
engaged by the ends of the terminal sections of the slide, and normally hold the
sections in contact to form a practically continuous slide 45.
When a single push key is pressed inwardly, these springs yield sufficiently to
allow the slide to expand just enough to permit the complete operation of the
single push key, but no more. These auxiliary locking slides are employed with
both individual and straight ticket push-keys, and their construction is sub-
stantially the same in both cases. These slides for the individual push keys, are
provided with openings 458, through which the projections 21 of the levers 21 pass.
These openings are sufficiently large to permit the slides and levers to move and
perform their functions without interfering with each other.
From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved voting machine
will be readily understood. Hence, to avoid repetition, only a brief continuous
description of the operation will be given.
The yoter enters the door 6 of the booth, and if desirous of voting a straight
ticket, he presses the lever 57 located directly above the emblem of the straight-
ticket which he desires to vote. This action forces a push key 18 inwardly,
actuates the crank arm 39, turns a rock shaft 40 and the dogs 41 mounted thereon
and actuates a series of levers 21 which the dogs 41 engage. These levers 21
engage feet 16 of the counting registers, thus actuating the latter by virtue of the
construction and arrangement of the parts heretofore described. At the same time,
the locking slide 19", and all the locking slides 19 are actuated, as well as the
individual push keys 17 adjacent the ticket voted. Hence, it is now impossible to
move any other push key of the machine until the voter leaves the booth.
If, on the contrary, he desires to vote a mixed ticket, that is to say, for one or
more candidates on the several tickets, he presses a push key 17 for every can-
didate and as fast as he presses the push keys he locks all the other push keys
adjacent the names of the candidates for the same office on all the tickets; the
actuated push key being at the same time locked at its inward limit of movement
(thus preventing voting more than once for one candidate) all by virtue of the
construction heretofore fully explained. When the first individual push key is
pressed, the lever 42 is actuated and the slide 19ª moved to a position locking
all the straight-ticket push keys, and these remain locked, thus preventing the
movement of individual and straight-ticket push-keys by the same voter.
As the voter leaves the booth, and swings the exit door 7 outwardly, the move-
ment of the rod 34 turns the shaft 32 and brings the dog 31 in engagement with
the lug 33 on the rod 30 and actuates the latter sufficiently to disengage the
dogs 25 from the teeth 198 of the slides 19, thus releasing the slides, and permitting
them, together with the push keys and other mechanism, to return to their normal
position. The exit door is then closed through the instrumentality of the auto-
matic door-closing mechanism 37, after which the machine is ready for the next
voter

page_text: By virtue of the well known construction of the counting registers, the vote
registering operation is not complete until the locking slides are released and
the pressure feet on the registers allowed to return to their normal position.
Hence, the complete registration of the vote can only be effected by opening the exit
door of the booth, as is necessary as the voter passes out.
The push keys 17 and 18 are provided with recesses 17h and 18h respectively,
into which the tongues 45d of the expansion slides 45 project when the push keys
are thrust inwardly in the act of voting.
The tongues 45d of these slides lie in the path of and are engaged by the wedge
shaved extremities of the push keys, as the latter are pressed inwardly in the act of
voting. By virtue of this engagement, the slide 45 is expanded sufficiently to
prevent the inward movement of another push key controlled by the same slide.
In order to allow the proper inward movement of the push keys, the recesses 17h
and 18h are formed to allow the tongues 45d to enter them. In the absence of
these recesses, the tongues would interfere with the movement of the keys.
The outer plates 8 and 13 of the case are held in place by hinged clasps A and
1 (see Fig. 5). There are two pairs of these clasps and the extremities of each
pair overlap each other on the ends of the case. These overlapping extremities
are apertured to receive eyes mounted on the case in which may be inserted
detachable keys for holding the clasps in place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable casing and counting
registers, of push keys movably mounted on the case and projecting thereinto,
cach key being provided with a notch formed in its body portion, an integral
slide apertured to receive a number of push keys, and levers actuated by said
keys for operating the counting registers and the said slide, whereby the latter
is made to enter the notch of the working push key and moved to a position
adjacent the inner extremities of the idle push keys, and suitable means for locking
the slide in the shifted position.
2. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of an individual push key mounted on the case and projecting thereinto,
a bell crank lever enclosed by the case, one arm of the lever being connected with
the inner extremity of the push key, while the other arm of the lever acts on the
pressure-foot of a counting register, and a push-key locking-slide, the lever being
provided with a third arm for actuating this slide and the push key being provided
with a bevel faced notch, which the slide engages.
3. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of a number of individual push keys corresponding with the number
of candidates for the same office on the several tickets, said push keys being
provided with bevel faced notches, a bell crank lever connected with each push
kev and adapted to act on a counting register as the push key is pressed, a locking
slide apertured to allow the push keys to pass therethrough, each lever being pro-
vided with a third arm for actuating the slide, which is adapted to engage the
notch of the actuated push key and shoulders on the other push keys, and suitable
means for locking the slide in the shifted position.
4. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers of a series of individual push keys corresponding with the number of can-
didates for the same office on the several tickets, said push keys being provided
with bevel faced notches, a bell crank lever connected with each push key and
adapted to act on a counting register as the push key is pressed, a locking slide
apertured to allow all of the push keys to pass therethrough, each lever being
provided with a third arm for actuating the slide, which is adapted to engage the
notch of the actuated push key and shoulders on the other push keys, and suitable
means for locking the slide in the adjusted position..

page_text: 5. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case provided with
counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set of candidates
for the same office, said keys being adapted, when actuated, to move inwardly, a
bell crank lever connected with each push key and adapted to engage a counting
register an integral locking slide, apertured to receive each series of push keys, said
slide heing engaged and operated by the lever connected with any one of any series
of mush keys, said lever being provided with a third arm for operating the locking
slide, means for locking each slide in the adjusted position, and means for releas-
ing the locking slides.
6. The combination with a booth, and a suitable case, located therein, and
equipped with counting registers of a series of individual push keys for each can-
didate for the same office, a bell crank lever connected with each push key and
adapted to engage the pressure-foot of a counting register, a locking slide for each
series of push keys, each slide being adapted to move independently of the
other slides, each lever in any series being provided with an arm to actuate to
corresponding slide as a push key is pressed, the push key being provided with
bevel faced notches, the locking slide being adapted to engage the notch of the
actuated push key, means for locking the slides in the adjusted position, and means
operated from the exit door of the booth for releasing the slides from the locking
mechanism.
7. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case equipped with
counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set of candidates
for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket push-key for
each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and adapted to act on
a counting register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket push-key for.
actuating all the levers connected with the individual push keys for all the can-"
didates on any ticket, an integral locking slide 19 for each series of individual
push keys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on the several
tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other corres-
ponding slide, a locking slide 19* for the series of a straight-ticket push-keys, and
a suitable connection between said slide and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19ª is
actuated by the movement of any slide 19. said connection comprising a lever ful-
crumed on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other arm
with a number of slides 19, which are arranged one above another, and slotted to
receive a screw pin, which is fast in the lever, said screw pin normally engaging
one extremity of each slot.
8. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case equipped with
counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set of candidates
for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket push-key
for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and adapted to
act on a counting register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket push-key
for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push keys for all of the
candidates on any ticket, said means comprising a rock shaft and dogs mounted
thereon, the dogs being arranged to engage the individual push-key levers, and
the rock shaft being connected with a straight-ticket push-key, an integral lock-
ing slide 19 for each series of individual push keys corresponding with all the can-
didates for the same office on the several tickets, each slide being capable of
operation independently of any other corresponding slide, a locking slide for the
series of straight-ticket push-keys, a suitable connection between each slide 19ª
and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19ª is actuated by the movement of any slide
19. said means comprising a lever fulcrumed on the case, one arm being connected
with the slide 19ª and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which are arranged
one above another and slotted to receive a screw pin, which is fast in the lever said
screw pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, and means for locking the
slides 19 in the adjusted position.
9. In a voting machine and booth, the combination with a suitable case
equipped with counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set

page_text: of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket
push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and
adapted to act on a counting register suitable means operated by a straight-
ticket push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push
keys for all the candidates on any ticket, a locking slide 19 for each series of
individual push keys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on
the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any
other corresponding slide, a locking slide 19ª for the series of straight-ticket push-
keys a suitable connection between said slide 19* and each slide 19, whereby the
slide 19 is actuated by the movement of any slide 19, means for locking the
slides 19 in the adjusted position, comprising dogs adapted to engage projections
formed on the slide extremities, and means operated from the exit door of the
booth for releasing the slides 19, said means comprising a rock shaft, arms made
fast to the rock shaft, a transverse rod mounted on said arms and a rod con-
nected with the transverse rod at one extremity and with the door of the booth at
the opposite extremity.
10. In a voting machine and booth, the combination with a suitable case
equipped with counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set
of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket
push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and
adapted to act on a counting register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket
push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push keys
for all the candidates on any ticket, an integral locking slide 19 for each
series of individual push keys corresponding with all the candidates
for the same office on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation
independently of any other corresponding slide, an integral locking slide 19
for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, a suitable connection between said
slide and each slide 19, whereby the slide 193 is actuated by the movement of any
slide 19, said connection comprising a lever fulcrumed on the case, one arm being
connected with the slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which
are arranged one above another and slotted to receive a screw pin, which is fast
in the lever, said screw pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, means
for locking the slides 19 in the adjusted position, means operated from the exit
door of the booth for releasing the slides 19, and suitable means for returning the
slides to their normal position.
11. In a voting machine and booth, the combination with a suitable case
equipped with counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set
of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket
push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and
adapted to act on a counting register, suitable means operated by a straight-
ticket push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push
keys for all the candidates on any ticket, a locking slide 19 for each series of
individual push keys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office
on the several tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any
other corresponding slide, a locking slide 19 for the series of straight-ticket
push-keys, a suitable connection between said slide and each slide 19, said connec-
tion comprising a lever fulcrumed on the case, one arm being connected with the
slide 19 and the other arm with a number of slides 19, which are arranged one
above another and slotted to receive a screw pin, which is fast in the lever, said
screw pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, spring-held dogs engag
ing the slides 19 and holding them in the adjusted position, said dogs being
provided with arms, a movable device located within the case and in whose path
all the arms of the said dogs are located, a rod connected with said device, a
mechanism operated from the exit door of the booth for actuating the said rod and
disengaging the dogs from the slides 19.
12. In a voting machine and booth, the combination with a suitable case
equipped with counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for each set

page_text: of candidates for the same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket
push-key for each ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and
adapted to act on a counting register, suitable means operated by a straight-ticket
push-key for actuating all the levers connected with the individual push keys for
each set of candidates for any ticket, a locking slide 19 for each series of individual
push keys corresponding with all the candidates for the same office on the several
tickets, each slide being capable of operation independently of any other corres-
ponding slide, a locking slide 19ª for the series of straight-ticket push-keys, a
suitable connection between said slide and each slide 19, whereby the slide 19ª is
actuated by the movement of any slide 19, said connection comprising a lever ful-
crumed on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the other with
a number of slides 19, which are slotted to receive a screw pin, which is fast in
the lever, said screw pin normally engaging one extremity of each slot, spring-held
dogs engaging the slides 19 and holding them in the adjusted position, said dogs
being provided with arms, a movable device located within the case and in whose
path all the arms of the said dogs are located, a rod connected with said device,
and mechanism operated from the exit door of the booth for actuating the said rod
and disengaging the dogs from the slides 19, said mechanism comprising a rock
shaft mounted on the booth adjacent the exit door, and a dog mounted on said shaft
and adapted to engage a lug with which the rod is provided.
13. The combination with a suitable case and counting registers, of a series of
push keys projecting into the case, a number of levers, each provided with three
arms, one of which is engaged by a push key, while another acts on a counting
register, a push key locking slide actuated by a third arm of any lever, and au
auxiliary expansion locking slide adapted to be actuated by any push key of
the series, whereby it becomes impossible to actuate more than one push key of the
series at the same time.
14. The combination with a suitable case and counting registers, of a series of
push keys projecting into the case, a number of levers, each provided with three
arms one of which is engaged by a push key, while another acts on a counting
register, a push key locking slide actuated by the third arm of any lever, the
push keys being provided with wedge-shaped inner extremities, and an auxiliary
expansion locking slide, composed of sections and having limited end-wise move-
ment, said sections having semi-circular terminals which normally engage
each other and form openings for the push keys, each terminal having an inwardly
projecting tongue which is engaged by the wedge of the push key, said key being
provided with recesses which the tongues enter when the push key is thrust
inwardly, whereby as any push key is pressed, the slide is expanded only
sufficiently to allow the single key to perform its function this preventing the
simultaneous operation of several push keys of the same series.
15. The combination with a suitable case and counting registers, of a series of
push keys projecting into the case, a number of levers, each provided with three
arms, one of which is engaged by a push key, while another acts on a counting
register, an integral push key locking slide actuated by the third arm of any lever
said keys being provided with wedge-shaped inner extremities, an auxiliary expan-
sion slide composed of sections, stop blocks provided with springs which the
extremities of said slide engage, whereby the expansion or end wise movement of
the slide is limited and the parts returned to their normal position when released,
said slide having terminals which normally engage each other, any two terminals
enclosing an opening for the entrance of the wedge of a push key, whereby, as any
push key is pressed, the slide is expanded only sufficiently to allow that key to per-
form its function thus preventing the simultaneous operation of more than one
push key of the same series.
16. The combination with a suitable case and counting registers of push keys
mounted on the case and projecting thereinto, an integral push key locking slide
apertured to receive the push keys which are formed with notches,
their inner extremities being provided with wedges and shoulders at

page_text: the base of the wedges, levers, each provided with three arms, one
connected with the push key, another engaging a counting register, while the
third actuates the locking slide, and an auxiliary expansion slide actuated by the
wedges of the push keys to prevent the simultaneous operation of a number of
pusn keys.
17. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of a push key mounted on the case and projecting thereinto, a lever
enclosed by the case, one arm of the lever engaging the inner extremity of the push
Key, while the other arm of the lever acts on a counting register, a push key lock-
ing slide actuated by the lever and engaged by an inclined face formed on the
key, whereby, as the latter is returned to its normal position, its imparts the
reverse movement to the slide.
18. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case equipped with
counting registers, of a series of individual push keys for all the candidates for the
same office on the several tickets and a single straight-ticket push-key for each
ticket, a lever connected with each individual push key and adapted to act on a
counting register, a rock shaft, dogs mounted on the shaft and adapted to engage
the levers as the shaft is operated, a crank arm fast on the shaft, a link connecting
the straight-ticket push-key with the crank arms; a locking slide 19 for each series
of individual push-keys, a locking slide 13ª for the series of straight-ticket push-
keys, and a connection between the slide 19 and all the slides 19, whereby the
movement of any slide 19 actuates the slide 19ª, said connection comprising a
lever fulcrumed on the case, one arm being connected with the slide 19 and the
other with the slides 19 which are slotted to receive a screw pin, which is fast in
the lever.
19. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of a series of straight-ticket push-keys provided with notches, a series of
individual push keys notched on the side opposite the notches of the straight-ticket
push-keys, an integral locking slide apertured to receive the straight-ticket
push-keys, a separate integral locking slide aperture to receive the individual push
keys, a lever connecting the two slides, means actuated by the push keys for operating
the counting registers and shifting the individual push keys locking slide whereby
the said lever is actuated and the straight-ticket push-key locking slide shifted in
the opposite direction, the notch of the actuated push key or keys being engaged by
their corresponding slides.
20. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of a series of push keys for operating the counting registers, each
kev being provided with a notch, an integral locking slide apertured to receive
the keys, and levers, one of which is actuated by any push key of the series for
shifting the locking slide, whereby it is made to engage the notch of the actuated
push key and move to a position adjacent the inner extremity of the other push
keys, whereby all the push keys of the series are locked from movement.
21. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of a series of notched push keys mounted on the case and adapted to
project thereinto, an integral push key locking slide apertured to receive the push
keys, an auxiliary endwise expansible locking slide composed of sections and
located to the rear of, but in line with the integral locking slide, the sections of
the auxiliary slide having semi-circular terminals which normally engage each
other and form openings for the entrance of the push keys, the expansion of the
slide being only sufficient to permit the entrance of a single push key at one time,
levers located within the case, each lever being provided with three arms, one being
connected with a push key, another engaging a counting register, while the third
projects through an opening formed in a section of the expansive slide to engage-
ment with the integral locking slide.
22. In a voting machine, the combination with a suitable case and counting
registers, of a series of straight-ticket push-keys and a number of series of
individual push keys, a locking slide 19ª for the series of straight-

page_text: ticket push-keys and a locking slide 19 for each series of individual
push keys, a lever fulerumed on the case and having one arm connected
with the locking slide 19 and the other arm connected with the several locking
slides 19, the slides 19 being slotted to receive a pin fast in the lever, whereby the
movement of any one of the slides 19 actuates the lever and moves the slide 19ª in
the opposite direction, a spring engaging the lever and acting to return it and
the slide 19 to their normal position, means actuated by any push key for operating
the counting registers and one or more slides 19, whereby the lever and the
slide 19 are actuated, thus locking the straight-ticket push-keys and one or more
of the series of individual push keys.
Dated this 14th day of December A.D). 1899