Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893

page_text: Referring particularly to Figures 4, 7 and 8, A indicates the booth or chamber
containing the operating parts, preferably constructed of metal of suitable thickness
formed in sections adapted to be bolted together and capable of being readily taken
apart and stored or of being set up in a room where the election is to be held.
Extending across this chamber is a partition or wall B dividing the booth into
compartments or chambers, the one C containing the counting and operating
mechanism, accessible only to the judges and inspectors of election. The other
compartment D is accessible to the voter through the usual entrance door E.
Inside the booth is a compartment G formed by a partition H and an interior
door J, the exit door K from the chamber opening from this compartment G, and
suitable interlocking devices, such as shown in my U.S. Letters Patent No. 424,332
for instance, are arranged between the doors J and K and between the door K and
the operating devices, so that the latter door cannot be opened from the interior
until the door J is closed and locked, thereby preventing the voter after he has
cast his ballot from returning to the chamber D, and also providing for the release
of the balloting devices, when the door K is opened, so that they may be actuated
by the next voter passing into the booth through the door E. Arranged upon the
door K is the cam k operating on the end of a lever in, which through the rod m¹
and crank m² actuates the shaft m³ located in the chamber C for the purpose of
releasing the balloting mechanism, as in my before mentioned Patent.
The ballot indicating devices are push keys located in the chamber D and
accessible to the voter and are indicated by F in Figure 7 and may be constructed
as shown in the Patent, but preferably as shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17 and
hereinafter described, and in order to prevent the opening of the entrance door E
while the exit door K is slightly open and before the push keys have returned to
their normal position I provide interlocking mechanism between said entrance and
exit doors, consisting in the present instance, of a bolt 1 arranged to be projected
by a spring 2 to lock said entrance door by engaging with the jam or inside of the
casing said bolt being pivoted at one end to a small lever 3 against the other end
of which a slide 4 projects; said slide passing in proximity to the door K through
the partition H and adapted to engage a beveled projection 5 arranged in proximity
to the lock on said door; the arrangement being such that when the door K is
closed the projection 5 will push in the bolt 4 and through the lever
will be retracted against its spring, unlocking the door E, but when said door K is
opened, the spring 2 will throw out the bolt I and lock the door E until the door K
is closed again. See Figures 4 and 11. By this means it is impossible for the
door-keepers or any one outside of the booth to ascertain which of the ballot keys
have been operated, by opening the door E and looking in, before the voter has
left the booth and closed the door behind him.
the bolt 1
In the practical operation of my improved machine it has been found desirable
to limit the time that a voter may remain in the booth and in order that this may
be accurately determined without dispute, I provide a clock or timing mechanism
which is preferably continuously running, but the indicating hand of which is set
back to zero each time the entrance door to the booth is closed; this arrangement
being shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5, in which 6 indicates a clock preferably
located within the booth and having its face visible from the exterior; said clock
having but a single hand 7 connected by a flexible connection 8, preferably
embodying a spring, with one end of a lever 9 pivoted to the casing and having
its lower end arranged in proximity to a cam 10 located on the door E, as shown in
Figures 4 and 6, the end of the lever being held by a spring 11 normally in contact
with said cam and the construction being such that when the door E is opened and
closed by the voter entering the booth, the lever 9 is moved over to the position
shown in dotted lines Figure 4 and the hand of the clock is drawn back to zero, or
as shown, to XII, and the time allowed the voter within the booth is always
measured from a determinate point thus avoiding the necessity of calculation. The
connection between the hand of the clock and the running mechanism is preferably
a loose or frictional one, so that the hand can be returned to zero without materially

page_text: interfering with its proper operation, and the latitude of movement allowed it is
preferably slightly greater than the longest time that a voter is allowed within the
booth.
In the event that it is necessary for an officer to enter the booth to eject_an
unruly or dilatory voter it is desirable that he be prevented from ascertaining what
the votes or ballots, if any, cast by the voter are, I provide a flexible curtain 15
adapted to be wound upon a shaft 16 journaled in suitable bearings in the frame;
said curtain extending over the ballot push keys F, so as to effectually hide them
from view within the booth. The end of the shaft extends out through the casing
and is provided with a squared end to which a crank 17 is adapted to be applied,
and one of the bearings 18, in which the end of the shaft is mounted, has an angular
seat in its lower side with which an angular portion 19 of said shaft co-operates,
so that when the curtain is entirely wound upon the shaft the latter will be
maintained in position by the co-operating angular surfaces, but when it is desired
to lower the curtain it is only necessary to apply and operate the crank and allow
the curtain to unroll. Other suitable retaining devices could be employed instead
of those described if desired, but I prefer the latter on account of their
simplicity.
The ballot push keys employed in the present machine resemble somewhat
those shown in my U.S. Patent No. 424,332 and are constructed as shown
particularly in Figures 15 and 16, the casings being made in two parts 100 and 101,
the upper and lower parts of vertically adjacent key casings being fastened to. the
partition B by single bolts 102. The push keys proper consist of a hollow
cylindrical body 103 having a head on the outer end, the inner end being preferably
flat and pointed or bevelled at the sides, as shown, for co-operating with the counter
slide 21, and also provided with the slot 104 and aperture 105, which latter is
adapted to be engaged by the retaining dogs or pawls 22. The lower part 101 of
the key casing is provided with a vertical lug or arm having a lateral extension 106
over which the spring 107 is passed and by which it is retained and centred, the
spring passing within the cylindrical body 103 of the key. This arrangement
enables me to not only shorten the key, but as well to employ a long spring
and the cylindrical portion gives a broad bearing for the key, making the
structure more solid. The body or barrel of the key, near its middle, is provided
with two or more lugs 108 and the parts of the casing are also provided with
lugs or flanges 109 between which and the end of the casing is arranged a
crimped ring or washer 110 somewhat elastic so that when the key is released
this washer will operate as a buffer to check the outward movement of the key
and prevent too much shock, when thrown outward by the spring 107. In
Figure 15 a plan of one of the key casings complete is shown, another with the
top removed and the one to the left with the upper part of the casing and key
removed.
The keys devoted to candidates for the same office are arranged in the same
horizontal line and interlocking devices are arranged between them to prevent
the operation of more than one indicating a single vote in the same line. The
counters 20 may be of any suitable construction, but I prefer to make them as
shown in Figure 14, embodying indicating wheels 21¹ preferably set at an angle
to the case and having carrying teeth 221 engaging the teeth on the next succeeding
wheel. The slide 21 is provided with the ears or lugs 231 operating in slots in
the casing, is retracted by the spring 24¹ and carries at its outer end a double-
toothed pawl 25' thrown in engagement with the teeth of one of the counter wheels
or disks by a spring 26'. All the counters and push keys are preferably the same
and with the slides and keys are arranged to engage the retaining dogs or pawls 22
as in my previous Patent; said retaining pawls being adapted to be released by a
vertically moving rod 23 having the projection 24 thereon and connected by
arms 25 with the shaft m³, which is actuated by the exit door in the arrangement
shown in Figure 1. The upper two rows of counters and actuating and releasing
devices shown are of the above construction and the vertical row at the left is

page_text: supposed to be devoted to questions for and against which a popular vote is desired,
the pivoted lever 27 being adapted to co-operate at its ends with the slides 21 of
adjacent counters, so that if the upper slide is actuated by the ballot push and a
vote is registered "for," the lower end will be moved over against the lower slide
and its operation will be prevented, substantially this arrangement having been
described in my before mentioned Patent. As these counters are usually devoted
to questions of appropriations, it is desirable sometimes that non-taxed voters be
not allowed to vote on them and for the purpose of enabling them to be locked
from operation when desired, I arrange a sliding bar 30' preferably of angle iron
on the partition B; said bar having a series of arms or projections 31¹ arranged
normally above the key apertures, but capable of being moved down, so that said
arms will project in line with the keys and prevent their inward movement, and in
the present arrangement this movement is caused by forming a recess 32¹ in the
bar, in which operates a cam or crank arm 331 (see Figure 16) on the end of a
shaft 34 extending to the exterior of the booth where it is provided with a
handle 35; the arrangement being such that when the handle is raised, as in full
lines, Figure 5, the bar 30¹ is raised and the keys are released, but when in the
position in dotted lines, said bar is dropped and the keys in the column prevented
from operation, as will be understood. This locking arrangement is only shown as
applied to the lower end counters in Figure 1 for the purpose of simplifying, but
it is obvious that it is to be applied, if desired, to the whole vertical line. Often-
times it is desirable to lock the keys devoted to candidates for a particular office
from operation to prevent persons not entitled, from voting for such candidates and
in order that this may be accomplished, I provide a shaft 30 supported in a suitable
bearing 31 and extending into the chamber C from the outside of the booth and
locate a handle 32 on its outer end, while its inner end is provided with a web or
hook 33 adapted to co-operate with one of the sliding blocks 34, forming a portion
of the interlocking mechanism between the keys in the row devoted to this particular
office, see Figures 12 and 13, so that when the handle 32 is in the position termed
open" in Figure 5, the sliding block 34 will not be acted upon by the hook 33 on
the shaft and the normal operation of the keys can take place, but when said handle
is turned down to the position shown in dotted lines in said figure, the hook will
hold the block 34 stationary and prevent the operation of any of the keys in the
row, in the same manner that the locking of the keys would be accomplished if one
of them in the row were actuated to register a vote.
66
When there are a number of the same offices to be filled and each party has
several nominees, or when it is desired to permit what is termed " cumulative"
voting, provision must be made for allowing each voter to cast as many ballots as
he may be entitled to, whether for the same or different candidates, and no more,
and in my before mentioned Patent I have provided one means of accomplishing
this result in which the voter is permitted to vote for any two of a number of
candidates. For the purpose, however, of increasing the capabilities of the machine
and also of providing simple mechanism for accomplishing this and other results
hereinafter described I prefer to use the mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 15
in the drawings. In the present embodiment of this portion of my invention I have
shown a construction in which there are presumed to be five candidates for the same
office, nominated by each party, whether there be more than three parties or not,
the counters of these candidates being indicated by 40 and being in all respects the
same as the ones employed for the other candidates and each provided with a
slide 41 corresponding to the slide 21 of the other counters and arranged to be
actuated by ballot push keys in the same manner, the counters indicated being
located in the five lower rows of those shown in the drawings excluding the vertical
line of counters on the left, which, as before stated, are devoted to questions for and
against which a popular vote is desired. Each of the horizontal lines of the
counters 40 is provided with a longitudinally movable bar 43 supported in suitable
guides or supports 44 arranged on the counters themselves, or on the partition B,
each of these bars being provided with an arm 45 encircled by a spring 46 arranged

page_text: between the shoulder on the arm and one of the guide plates 44, as shown in
Figure 15, and each operating to project said bars to the left Figure 1. To the
outer (right hand) end of each of these bars is pivoted a pawl 47 provided with
ratchet teeth on its under side, at its outer end, while its inner end is provided with
two downwardly projecting arms or lugs 48, 49 on opposite sides of its pivot
adapted to engage a lug 50 formed by the plate 51 secured to the partition B
through a plate X, or one of the counter casings. A pin 52 is located on the
pawl 47 and is adapted to be engaged by a spring 53 secured to the upper side of
the said bar and in one position pressing down on the pin tending to press the teeth
of the pawl into engagement with corresponding ratchet teeth formed on a wheel 54
secured to a pinion 55 and mounted upon a stud or screw 56 and in its other
position below the pin, tending to raise said outer end and bring the lug 48 down
in line with lug 50. The movement of the bars 43 to the left is arrested by the
arm 49 on the pawl 47, which is the longer of the two, engaging the stop 50,
thereby holding the pawl 47 out of engagement with the wheel 54, in the position
shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2 against the tension of its spring 53. The
gears 55 with which the pawls on the bars co-operate, mesh with the teeth of a
vertically moving rack 60 arranged to move in suitable guides, with one of which 61,
an adjustable stop 62 arranged on said bar is adapted to co-operate, to limit the
longitudinal movement, and engaging with the ratchet wheel 54 of one of the
series, is a spring 63 adapted to enter the space between the teeth on said wheel and
hold it accurately in any position in which it may be moved; the outer end of said
spring passing over the shoulder 64 on a vertically movable bar 65 connected by a
crank 66 with the rock shaft m³, the construction being such that when said rock
shaft is operated and the bar 65 raised, the spring will be released from the
ratchet wheels 54 and the bar 60 permitted to drop to its lowest or normal
position.
Each of the bars 43 is provided with a pivoted pawl 70 having a series of teeth
on its under side corresponding in number and size with those on the pawls 47,
arranged to be engaged by the slide 41 of the counter to which it is devoted; said
pawls 70 normally resting upon the slides 41 of the counters, and when the push
keys devoted to these counters are actuated, the pawls and bars move to the right,
the pawl 47 at the end of the bar being moved down into engagement with its
co-operating wheel 54 as soon as the arm 49 leaves the projection 50, turning
said wheel 54 and its connected gear and moving the rack bar 60 vertically a
distance equal to one vote, for instance. When the slides 41 are actuated by the
push keys, the retaining dogs 22 drop behind them and the end of the dogs engaging
the apertures 105 in the keys retain them both, as described above and contained in
my last mentioned Patent. The pins 24 on the releasing rods 23 are arranged to
co-operate with both the dogs 22 and pawls 70, so that the bars 43 may be returned
to normal position by their springs 45 when the voter leaves the booth, the pawls 47
sliding back over the teeth on the wheels 54 without affecting the operation of the
latter.
The proper designation of the push keys on the inside of the booth is accomplished
by the employment of printed ballot cards 120 containing the candidates' names
and held in metal frames 121 secured to the rear side of bars or uprights 122
fastened to the front of the partition B. These frames 121 are provided with small
lugs 123 on their rear sides and on the front with lugs 124, the space between said
lugs being open at one end and sufficient for the accommodation of the card and a
glass, or transparent cover 125; the open end of the frame is adapted to be closed
by the bar 122 when secured to it, as in Figure 18. The other end of the frame is
close to the key casing and the removal of the card is prevented though the card
can be slipped in between the rear lugs 123 and the transparent cover when the
frames and bars are removed from the partition. The operation of this portion of
my invention will now be readily understood from an inspection of Figure 1. The
parts being in the position shown in said figure, that is, all of the ballot pushes are
released and in operative position and all of the bars 43 are projected to the left

page_text: and the pawls 47 are held out of engagement with their co-operating ratchet wheels.
Assuming that the voter is entitled to vote for any five candidates, after entering
the booth he operates one of the push keys, the end of which operates the slide 41
of the counter to the right in said figure and said slide carries with it the bar 43 of
the line in which it is located, being connected through the medium of the pivoted
pawl 70 and when the inward movement of the key is completed it becomes locked,
as before described, through the pawl or dog 22 which engages the aperture in the
key and prevents the return of the counter slide 41 to first position. As soon as the
bar starts to move, the arm 49 of the pawl 47 leaves the stop 50 and the pawl 47 is
forced by its spring into engagement with its ratchet wheel 54 at the end and the con-
tinued movement caused by the movement of the slide 41 turns the ratchet wheel 54
the distance of one tooth and through the connected gear 55 raises the rack 60 a certain
determinate distance. The voter now operates the other keys either in the same,
or different lines, and the operation of one moves the bar 43 of the line in which it
is, a determinate distance to the right, raises the rack 60 a corresponding distance
until the whole number of votes to which the voter is entitled have been registered
and counted, at which time the adjustable stop 62 on the rack 60 has come into
engagement with the stop or guide 61 and all further movement of said rack is
thereby prevented, so that should an attempt be made to cast another vote for any
of the candidates, if it is a key operating on a bar 43 that has not been voted upon,
the said bar will move only a sufficient distance to engage its pawl 47 with its
appropriate ratchet wheel, but said wheel being engaged with the rack, and the
rack being arrested, cannot turn, and therefore the key cannot be pushed a sufficient
distance to register a vote on the counter, all of the slides 43 will be locked and the
operation of any more keys prevented. After the first vote has been registered and
the pawl 47 of any bar has been thrown into engagement with its ratchet wheel and
a voter desires to vote for a candidate whose key is contained in a lower line, the
first mentioned gear will be rotated and the pawl allowed to slip over the teeth of
the ratchet. As the bars 43 are moved the distance of one tooth on the pawl 70
each time one of the counters is operated it will be seen that when said bar is moved
by a counter slide the pawls will slip over the slides of the unoperated counters
and the second tooth of each will become engaged with said slides and so on with
all the counter slides connected by that particular bar, and as the pawls 70 each
have one tooth more than the number of counters contained in that line and as the
slides are locked after they have been moved, the proper number of votes only can
be registered in that line as the movement of the bar will be arrested by the
shoulder on the projection 4) coming into engagement with the bracket 44 after
the appropriate number have been voted.
The spring 63 co-operating with the teeth of the upper wheel 55 serves to
properly position both the wheels and the rack 60, being engaged between the
teeth. After the voter has finished operating the push keys in the booth or
chamber, if he has voted as many times as he is entitled to, he will be prevented
from operating any more keys by the arrest of the rack bar 60 and he then leaves
the booth, passing through the doors J and K, as before, operating the shaft m
when the latter door is opened raising the arms 25 and 66 through the mechanism
described. The rods 23 connected to the arms 25 operate through the pins 24 to
release the retaining dogs 22 co-operating with the keys and at the same time said
pins co-operate with the pawls 70 on the sliding bars and raise them out of
engagement with the counter slides, thereby permitting the springs 46 to retract all
of said bars to the left in normal position. At the same time the bar 65 is raised
and the spring arm 63 is, by means of the incline 64 on said bar, drawn out of
engagement with the ratchet wheel 54 and the rack 60 allowed to drop to lowest,
or normal, position. This downward movement, if desired, being gradually arrested
and the jar checked by means of a suitable spring buffer, or retarding device.
In order that the machine may be adapted for any number of candidates for the
same office, the stop 62 is capable of adjustment on the rack 60, so that greater or
less movement may be allowed the latter before the stop engages with the abutment

page_text: or guide 61. The parts having now returned to normal position, another voter may
be admitted to the booth and the same operation will take place as before.
In order that the push keys in the lines of counters actuated by the movable
bars 43 may be locked to prevent the operation of any key in the line, I arrange
upon one end of said bars small hooks or projections 75, as shown in Figures &
and 15 and extend a shaft 76 through the front of the booth where it is provided
with a handle 77; said shaft having on its inner end a hook 78 adapted when the
handle on its outer end is turned to the position indicated in full lines Figure 5, to
be out of line with the hook 75 on the bar, but when turned to the position shown
in dotted lines in said figure the hook will engage with the hook 75 on the sliding
bar 43 and will prevent its movement. This is but one form of a bar locking
device, which I have found to be convenient, but other equivalent means could be
readily employed.
When it is desired to use these sliding bars as a means connecting the several
keys in a certain line and preventing the operation of more than one of them, it is
only necessary to raise the pawls 47 on their outer ends and insert the spring 53
under the pin 52, thereby maintaining the pawls in the position shown in dotted
lines Figure 2, bringing the projection 48 on their inner end down into line with
the stud 50 and maintaining it there so that the operation of any key in the line
will move the bar 43 one unit to the right and its further movement will be
arrested by the engagement of the arm 48 and the stop 50 and as the counter
slides are connected through the pawls 70 with said bar, the movement of any other
in that line will be prevented and the one first operated will be locked by the
retaining dog 22. In the operation of the cumulative arrangement, previously
described, it will be noted that the short arm 48 of the pawl 47 will move over
the projection 50 without engaging it. Though I prefer, in many instances, to
employ both the sliding block locking-devices shown in my previous Patent, it will
be seen that the sliding bar arrangement herein shown is adapted by reason of the
adjustment of the pawl 47, just described, to be applied to all the keys of the
machine and by the use of this arrangement the construction of the parts is very
much simplified and in some instances its use is preferable.
In order that persons not regular party nominees may be voted for and the
same secrecy and security against fraud may be obtained that is possessed by the
ballots cast by those voting the regular tickets, I provide means shown in detail in
Figures 19 to 23 and also in Figure 1 at the upper right-hand corner. In carrying
out this portion of my invention I form an aperture 200 in the partition B
surrounded by a frame 121 containing the card having the office to which
the device is devoted, as "governor," printed thereon and held by the transparent
plate 201 also having an aperture therein corresponding to one in the card and
partition.
Secured to the rear side of the partition B is a frame consisting of side pieces 202,
front pieces 203, and top, and journaled in the sides of the frame are two rollers 204
and 205 to which are connected the ends of a continuous web or band of paper, said
paper passing from one roller to the other, over a paper support 206, preferably of
sheet metal, the portion of the paper in front of the support being directly behind
the opening 200, so that it may be written upon by inserting a pencil through said
aperture, as in dotted lines Figure 21, or a paster may be attached. The roller 204,
which I term the take-up roller, is provided en one end with a ratchet wheel 207
and pivoted to the side picces 202 of the frame are arms 208, 209, carrying at their
outer ends a cover plate 210 arranged when the parts are in the raised position
shown in full lines in Figures 20 and 21 to come just in rear of the aperture 200
and to cover the paper web passing behind it. Pivoted to the arm 208 is a
pawl 211 engaging the ratchet wheel 207 and adapted to be held in engagement by
a spring 212 and the upper part of said aim 208 is provided with an extension 213
projecting over and forward and normally resting upon a sliding block 214 movable
in suitable bearings and normally projected by a spring 215 into position under said
extension. Secured to the front of the partition B is a key in all respects the same

page_text: as the other ballot push keys having the inclined end and perforation 105, said key
being adapted when pushed in, to engage the block 214, move it back and permit
the dropping of the cover plate from the aperture 200 and the engagement and
retention of the key by the co-operation of the extension 213 with the aperture 105
therein, permitting the voter to write the name of the candidate for whom he
desires to vote on the paper, the pencil being inserted through the aperture 200.
An arm or extension 216 on the arm 208 projects outward and in position to be
engaged by one of the pins 24 on the releasing rod 23 so that when said rod is
raised the extension 216 will be raised and the key released and at the same time
the pawl 211 will engage and rotate the winding roll far enough to move the portion
of the paper written upon away from the opening 200, will raise the cover plate
over the aperture and cause its retention there, as the block 214 resumes its normal
position beneath the extension 213.
It is intended that one of these individual voting devices shall be placed at the
end of each row of candidates for the same office and in Figure 1 I have shown one
applied to the right-hand end of the top row of counters, and it is, of course,
desirable that the other voting devices in the same row shall be locked or rendered
inoperative the same way that the other regular push keys are locked, when one of
their number is actuated, and an arrangement for accomplishing this is shown in
Figure 23. In the top rows of counters shown the interlocking devices between the
keys are the sliding blocks 34 described in my before mentioned Patent, the last one
of the regular series being indicated in Figure 23 by 220, and on top of the casing
of the irregular device is arranged the end sliding block 221 corresponding to the
block 34 in Figure 12, and between these two blocks 220 and 221 the end of the
key is adapted to be inserted as with the other counter-actuating keys the manner
of preventing the operation of more than one key in the row being to slide the
blocks laterally and prevent the entrance of a second one as understood by those
skilled in the art.
Though but one of these irregular devices is shown herein, it will be understood
that any number could be employed and other interlocking devices between the
keys of candidates for the same office could be used by slight modifications in
construction.
In operation the voter enters the booth as before and if he desires to vote for any
person not nominated for an office, he presses the key devoted to irregular candi-
dates, shown in Figures 19 and 20, this operation locking and preventing the
operation of all the other keys in the row and causing the cover plate to move from
the opening 200; then with a pencil he writes the name he wishes to vote on the
paper exposed and leaves the booth. When he passes out of the exit door, all the
keys operated are released and among them the one on the irregular voting device,
the operation of releasing, covering the aperture again, winding the paper forward
and leaving the apparatus in condition for another voter, as will be understood.
Though this irregular voting device is especially desirable in connection with a
machine embodying mechanical counters, it is obvious that, if desired, it could be
utilized in other connections, or by itself and the release or resetting could be caused
by other means than that shown, viz.: the connections with the booth door.
A hood M is arranged over an aperture N in the entrance door E of the booth
inclined away from the partition B so that though persons outside of the booth can
converse and give directions to the voter being inside, it is impossible to see the
voter or the ballot keys and thereby ascertain how he has voted.
The movable rack bar 60 is simply one form of connecting device between the
ratchet wheels and having a determinate movement, to which the motions of the
bars 43 are communicated, and I do not wish to be understood as confining myself
to precisely this construction, though I prefer it, and in the claims mention it as a
bar. Also that though in this construction the keys actuate the movable key bars 43
through the slides of the counters they could as well operate directly upon the pawls
on said bars, but the construction and operation are much simplified by the present
arrangement.

page_text: It will, of course, be understood that after the voting has been completed the
total number of votes for the candidates can he readily and at once ascertained by
an inspection of the counters in the chamber C, while the irregular candidates
voted for and the number of their votes can be ascertained. by removing the
paper strip from the rollers, one or both of said rollers being removable for this
purpose.
Various other modifications of the instrumentalities shown for carrying out my
invention can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and
I therefore do not desire to be confined to precisely the arrangement herein
shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, 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 two or more series of keys and two
or more series of corresponding counters, of a progressively moving bar, a stop for
arresting it after a predetermined movement, and two or more series-connecting
devices actuated by any of the keys of a series and each operating independently
on the movable bar, substantially as described.
2. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, and two or more movable bars, one for each series,
actuated by the operation of the keys, of a progressively moving bar and connections
between it and the bars actuated by the keys, and a stop for arresting the movement
of said progressively moving bar, substantially as described.
3. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, two or more movable bars, one for each series, actuated
by the operation of the keys, and retaining devices for said keys, of a progressively
moving bar, a stop for arresting it and ratchet connections between the key bars
and the bar having the stop, whereby the last mentioned bar may be moved by any
of the key bars, substantially as described.
4. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, two or more movable bars, one for each series, actuated
by the keys, having a pawl thereon, and retaining devices for the keys, of a
progressively moving bar, a stop for arresting it, and ratchet connections connected
to said bar with which the pawls on the key bars co-operate, substantially as
described.
5. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, two or more movable bars, each having pawls thereon
corresponding to the keys in the series, and a pawl actuating a stop device, of a
movable bar, a stop for arresting it, and ratchet connections therewith actuated by
the pawls on the key bars, substantially as described.
6. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, a series of movable bars having a series of pawls thereon
corresponding to the keys in the series and a pawl actuating a stop device, of a
movable rack bar, and a stop for arresting it, pinions engaging the bar and ratchet
wheels connected to them, with which the pawls on the bars co-operate, substantially
as described.
7. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, a series of movable bars, having pawls thereon, counters
having slides actuated by the keys and engaging the pawls on the bars, and the
pawls on the bars engaging a stop device, of a movable rack bar and a stop for
arresting it, pinions engaging the bar, and ratchet wheels connected to them with
which the pawls on the hars co-operate, substantially as described.
8. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, a series of movable bars having a series of pawls
thereon of the movable rack bar and the stop for arresting it, pinions engaging the
rack, and ratchet wheels connected to them, pawls mounted on each of the
B

page_text: movable bars and normally out of engagement with the ratchet wheels, but adapted
to engage and rotate them when the movable bars are actuated, substantially as
described.
9. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of progressively movable
bars, a series of ballot-indicating keys operating on each bar, retaining devices for
the keys, a series of ratchet wheels and connections between them for causing their
simultaneous operation and a stop for arresting them after a predetermined move-
ment, of pawls on the movable bars engaging the ratchet wheels, substantially as
described.
10. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of progressively movable
bars and retaining devices therefor, a series of ballot-indicating keys for each bar,
springs for retracting them and key retainers, a series of counters actuated by the
keys, and a series of ratchet wheels, one for each bar, connections between them
for causing their simultaneous operation, and a stop for arresting them after a
predetermined movement, of pawls arranged on the bars adapted to engage the
ratchet wheels and releasing devices for releasing the key retainers, substantially
as described.
11. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of progressively movable
bars, and retracting devices therefor, a series of ballot-indicating keys operating
on each bar, springs for retracting them and key retainers, a series of ratchet
wheels connected for simultaneous operation, a stop for arresting them after a
predetermined movement, and a spring projection engaging one of the wheels for
positioning them, of pawls arranged on the bars adapted to engage the ratchet
wheels and releasing devices for releasing the key retainers and the spring pro-
jection, substantially as described.
12. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more movable bars having
pawls thereon and adapted to be actuated by ballot-indicating keys, of two or
more ratchet wheels engaged by said pawls connected for simultaneous operation
and a stop for arresting them after a predetermined movement, substantially as
described.
13. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating keys, two or more movable bars, one for each series having pawls thereon,
of two or more ratchet wheels arranged to be engaged by said pawls and connected
for simultaneous operation and a stop for arresting them after a predetermined
movement, substantially as described.
14. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more movable bars adapted
to be actuated by ballot-indicating keys, two or more ratchet wheels connected for
simultaneous operation, and a stop for arresting them after a predetermined move-
ment, of pawls arranged on the movable bars normally out of engagement with the
wheels, but adapted when moved to engage and actuate said wheels, substantially
as described.
15. In a voting machine, the combination with two or more series of ballot-
indicating keys, two or more movable bars, one for each series, springs for actuating
said bars in one direction, and devices for retaining the bars when actuated against
the spring, of two or more ratchet wheels connected for simultaneous operation, a
stop for arresting them and pawls on the movable bars engaging the ratchet wheels
and devices for releasing the retaining devices and allowing the bars to return to
normal position, substantially as described.
16. In a voting machine, the combination with the movable bar adapted to be
actuated by a ballot-indicating key, of the pawl pivoted on the bar, a ratchet wheel
adapted to be engaged by the pawl and a lug co-operating with the pawl holding it
out of engagement when moved in one direction and permitting its engagement
with and causing the actuation of the wheel when moved in the other direction,
substantially as described.
17. In a voting machine, the combination with the movable bar adapted to be
actuated by a ballot-indicating key, of the pawl pivoted on the bar, having two pro-
jections, a ratchet wheel adapted to be engaged by the pawl, a stationary lug

page_text: arranged to engage one or the other of the projections on the pawl, depending on
the position of the latter, and retaining devices for holding the pawl in one of two
positions, substantially as described.
18. In à voting machine, the combination with the movable bar adapted to be
actuated by a ballot-indicating key, of the pawl pivoted on the bar, and having a pro-
jection thereon, a ratchet wheel adapted to be engaged by the pawl, a stationary
lug arranged to be engaged by the projection on the pawl when moved in one
direction, thereby permitting only a limited motion of the bar, and a retaining
device for holding the pawl in this position, substantially as described.
19. In a voting machine, the combination with the movable bar adapted to be
actuated by a ballot-indicating key, of the pawl 47 pivoted on the bar having the
projections 48 and 49, the ratchet wheel with which the pawl engages, the
stationary lug 50 and the spring 53 co-operating with the pawl, substantially as
described.
20. In a voting machine, the combination with the movable bar adapted to be
actuated by a ballot-indicating key, and retaining devices for holding the bar when
actuated, of the pawl 47 pivoted on the bar, the ratchet wheel with which it
engages, the retaining spring 63 and the movable releasing bar 65, substantially as
described.
21. In a voting machine, the combination with a ballot indicating key, a counter
actuated thereby, and a movable bar operated by the movement of the key, of a
locking device for preventing the movement of said bar when desired, substantially
as described.
22. In a voting machine, the combination with a ballot indicating key located in
a booth or chamber, a counter actuated thereby, and a movable bar operated by the
movement of the key, of a locking device for co-operating with said bar and
preventing its movement, actuated from the exterior of the booth when desired,
substantially as described.
23. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of ballot-indicating keys,
of a progressively moving bar actuated by the movement of any of the keys in the
series, and a locking device for preventing the movement of said bar when desired,
substantially as described.
24. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth or chamber and a series
of ballot-indicating keys actuated from the interior thereof, of a bar actuated by
the movement of any of the keys in the series and having a projection thereon, a
shaft having a hook adapted to co-operate with the projection and lock the bar
when turned to one position and adapted to be operated from the exterior of the
chamber, substantially as described.
25. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth or chamber, the series of
ballot-indicating keys located therein and the sliding blocks arranged between them,
of the shaft extending to the exterior of the booth and having a projection for
engaging one of the blocks and thereby preventing the operation of any key in the
series, substantially as described.
26. In a voting machine, the combination with the plate or support having a
series of apertures therein, a series of ballot-indicating push keys on one side of
the plate operating through said apertures and counters on the other side
actuated thereby, of a bar sliding on the plate having a series of fingers or
projections and means for moving said bar to bring the fingers in line with said
apertures and prevent the operation of the keys when desired, substantially as
described.
27. In a voting machine, the combination with the partition or support, the
ballot-indicating keys and counters actuated thereby, of the angular plate moving
on the support having fingers or projections for co-operating with the keys, and
the shaft having the eccentric portion for controlling said plate, substantially as
described.
28. In a voting machine, embodying a booth or chamber containing ballot-
indicating devices, the combination with the door, of a clock mechanism and

page_text: connections between said door and clock, whereby the latter will be set when the
door is closed, substantially as described.
29. In a voting machine embodying a booth or chamber containing ballot-
indicating devices, the combination with the door, of a clock mechanism having a
movable hand and elastic connections between said door and hand whereby when
the door is closed the hand will be returned to the starting point or zero,
substantially as described.
30. In a voting machine embodying a booth or chamber containing ballot-
indicating devices, the combination with the door, of a clock having a movable
hand, the lever actuated by the movement of the door and the elastic connections
between the lever and hand, substantially as described.
31. In a voting machine, the combination with the booth or chamber having the
entrance and exit doors, of ballot-indicating apparatus located in the booth and
interlocking devices between the said entrance and exit doors whereby the former
cannot be opened until the latter is closed, substantially as described.
32. In a voting machine, the combination with the booth or chamber having
entrance and exit doors, ballot-indicating apparatus located inside the booth and
connected to the exit door so as to be reset or released when the door is moved of
a lock for securing the entrance door and connections between said exit door and
the lock preventing the opening of the entrance door until the exit door is closed,
substantially as described.
33. In a voting machine, the combination with the booth or chamber having
entrance and exit doors, ballot-indicating apparatus located inside the booth and
connected to the exit door so as to be reset or released when the door is moved, of
a spring bolt for securing the entrance door and connections between it and the exit
door whereby said bolt is held retracted when the exit door is closed, substantially
as described.
34. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth or chamber and ballot-
indicating devices located therein, of a curtain or cover for concealing said
indicating devices, operated from the exterior of the booth, substantially as
described.
35. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth or chamber, and ballot-
indicating devices located therein, of a shaft capable of rotation from the exterior
of the booth, a curtain connected thereto arranged to cover the ballot-indicating
devices, substantially as described.
36. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of counters, ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, for actuating them, and interlocking devices between
the keys for preventing the operation of more than a predetermined number, of a
cover plate for normally concealing a marking surface, as paper, an operating
device, as a key, for removing the cover plate, said device being connected with
the first mentioned interlocking devices between the ballot-indicating keys,
substantially as described.
37. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of counters, ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, for actuating them, retaining devices for the keys
actuated, of a cover plate for normally concealing a marking surface, as paper, an
operating device, as a key, for removing said cover plate from the paper, a retaining
device for engaging the key when actuated, interlocking devices between the key
and the ballot-indicating keys, whereby only a predetermined number may be
operated, releasing mechanism for releasing all of the keys and connections between
it and the cover plate for restoring the latter to normal position, substantially as
described.
38. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of counters, ballot-
indicating devices, as keys, for actuating them, retaining devices for the keys
actuated, of a cover plate for normally concealing a marking surface, as paper, a
winding device or reel for moving the paper, an operating device as a key for removing
said cover plate, a retainer engaging the key when actuated, interlocking devices
between the key and the ballot-indicating keys whereby only a predetermined

page_text: number may be operated, releasing mechanism for releasing all of the keys actuated,
and connections between the releasing mechanism, the winding reel and the cover
plate whereby the reel will be operated and the cover plate restored to normal
position when the keys are released, substantially as described.
39. In a voting machine, the combination with the plate having an aperture
therein, the paper support in rear of the aperture, the movable cover plate, the
arm or extension connected to the cover plate and the movable support for said arm
adapted to hold the cover plate over the aperture, of the movable key arranged
when operated to remove the arm support, remove the cover plate from the
aperture and become engaged with the arm, substantially as described.
40 In a voting machine, the combination with the plate having the aperture
and the frame secured thereto having the paper support and the paper rolls
journaled therein, of the two arms pivoted to said frame having the cover plate
thereon, the extension on one of the arms adapted to engage a key, a support for
the extension, a key adapted to engage and move the support and become engaged
by the extension, substantially as described.
41. In a voting machine, the combination with the plate having the aperture,
the paper support in rear of the aperture, the cover plate and the arm connected
thereto, of the spring operated block adapted to support the arm on the plate, and
the spring retracted key for moving the said block and becoming engaged with the
arm, and resetting devices for raising the cover plate, substantially as described.
42. In a voting machine, the combination with the plate having an aperture
therein, the paper support in rear of the aperture and the movable cover plate, of
the key for removing the cover plate from the aperture, the retainer for holding
the key when actuated connected to the cover plate, and the movable bar for
returning the cover plate to normal position and releasing the key, substantially as
described.
43. In a voting machine, the combination with the plate having an aperture, the
paper support in rear of the aperture, the movable cover plate and rolls containing
paper, one of them having a ratchet wheel thereon, of the movable key, the sliding
block, the key retainer thereon connected to the cover plate, the pawl carried by
the cover plate and the movable bar for resetting the cover plate, substantially as
described.
44. In a voting machine, the combination with a series of ballot-indicating keys,
counters actuated thereby, and sliding blocks arranged between the keys, of a
plate having an aperture therein, a cover plate normally covering the aperture, a
key for removing said cover plate from the aperture and arranged to operate the
blocks arranged between the other keys, substantially as described.
45. In a voting machine, the combination with the stationary key casing having
a lug therein, of the ballot-indicating push key movable in the casing having the
solid inner end, the hollow body portion and the central recess, and the key
retracting spring located within the hollow body of the key and engaging the lug,
substantially as described.
46. The ballot-indicating key provided with the hollow body and the lugs
thereon, in combination with the key casing, the spring operating to project the
key, and the spring washer surrounding the key and arranged between the lugs on
the key and the casing for reducing the shock, substantially as described.
47. In a voting machine, the combination with the stationary key casing having
the lug therein provided with the longitudinal projection, of the ballot-indicating
push key having the solid inner end, the hollow body portion and the central
recess, and the key retracting spring located within the hollow body of the key
engaging the lug, substantially as described.
48. In a voting machine, the combination with the ballot push key having the
beveled end, of the counter embodying a casing having a slot in the top and at the
front and rear, a train of registering wheels, and a slide having a beveled end with
which the key co-operates and the lateral lugs operating in the slots in the casing,
substantially as described.

page_text: 49. In a voting machine, the combination with a booth or chamber and a series
of ballot-indicating keys located therein, a movable bar having pawls thereon
corresponding to the keys in the series, said pawls being operated upon immediately
by the keys and a locking device for arresting the movable bar operated from the
exterior of the booth, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of April 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.