A Vote Recording and Counting Machine.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 30th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Vote Recording and Counting Machine.
We, WALTER HEARN, Clerk, of No. 3 Cambridge Road, New Malden, Surrey
and WILLIAM FREDERICK LEWIS, Export Merchant, of No. 11 Queen Victoria
Street in the City of London do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
The invention consists of a machine for counting or recording votes by means
of numbered discs which on introduction into the machine allow knobs to be pulled
out, these knobs correspond to the names of the candidates to be supported and
the pulling out of the knob counts one upon the counting mechanism of the
machine in the said knob returning to its norinal position.
The apparatus may also be used for counting and other similar purposes. The
numbered voting disc to be counted is pushed in through a slot in the upper part of
the machine whence it slides down between parallel guides fixed at a suitable angle
on to a second inclined plane until it is stopped by coming against the upper end of
a pivoted rod which projects just above the surface of the inclined plane and at the
back of which a pair of electrical contact points are fixed. At a few inches beneath
the slot and parallel guides is fixed a sliding horizontal bar or rod which is manipulated
by a knob or handle in the front of the machine.
The projecting stop and contact points are fixed at the upper end of a rod moving
on pivots below the horizontal bar and placed in front of a pin projecting from the
horizontal bar. A second pivoted rod is fixed a little above the horizontal bar and
the end of this rod projects above the surface of the inclined plane at a distance
from the projecting stop and spring contacts just equal to the width of the voting
disc which rests between these two projections.
If a disc of the proper size and weight has been introduced, the pulling out of the
knob will cause the pin on the horizontal bar to move forward the first named
pivoted rod, the upper end of this will push forward the disc and by means of the
opposite edge of the disc push forward the second named pivoted rod which carries
a pawl or similar device actuating a ratchet wheel connected with a series of
counting wheels. The first named pivoted rod is pivoted at such an angle in
relation to the inclined plane that as it moves forward the projecting end is
gradually lowered until it sinks below the surface of the inclined plane and allows
the disc to slip off into a suitable receptacle, and thus allows the recording
mechanism to count one as soon as the knob is released.
On releasing the knob after the disc has fallen out it as well as the pivoted rods
springs back to the original position. The horizontal bar also carries a double rack
detained and released by detents connected with the armature of an electro magnet
so that when the armature is attracted the bar can only be moved forward, while
when it is released the bar can only be moved backward. This electro magnet is
put in circuit by the closing of the said contact points when a disc of proper size
and weight has been introduced. One slot and one knob with the magnets, bars &c.
corresponds to the name of each candidate for election. The sets are placed side by
side and each surmounted with the name of a candidate and a dial on the side of
the machine indicates the total number of votes to which one' voter is entitled.
Above the inclined parallel guides is fixed a third pivoted inclined plane which
when released by a small electro magnet falls down on to the parallel guides and
diverts the route of the disc into a receptacle for spoiled or attempted fraduluent
votes and on attempting to pull out the knob no vote can be recorded but an alarm
bell is rung. Just beneath the second named inclined plane is arranged a forked
pivoted inclined plane which when raised by the action of an electro magnet lifts

page_text: the disc or other object resting against the stop above the same and allows the disc
or other object to slide down into the receptacle for spoiled and fraudulent votes,
this forked inclined plane also raises with it the third named pivoted inclined plane
and restores it to its original position. The electro magnet which raises the forked
inclined plane is thrown into circuit by a contact worked by the door by which the
voter leaves the voting chamber the action of these electro magnets restores the
entire apparatus to the original position ready for the next voter.
All the electro magnets regulating the knobs are electrically connected in
parallel, while all those which release the third named pivoted inclined planes are
connected in series consequently directly the disc closes the spring contact all the
third named pivoted inclined planes fall simultaneously so that no more discs can
operate the counting mechanism. The knob regulating magnets are so adjusted
that being in parallel if more than one is thrown into circuit simultaneously the
current passing through each is insufficient to attract its armature and consequently
no vote can be recorded with any of them and if attempted the alarm bell will ring.
For each series of slots and knobs may be provided an electro magnet always in
circuit which actuates a pawl raising a rack which when fully raised puts the
maguets controlling the third named pivoted inclined planes in circuit but this
device is only required to adapt the machine for plural voting or plumping. By
varying the depth of fall of this rack the machine may be set to allow of one voter
voting for any given number of candidates or plumping for one vacancy. The
invention provides that directly the last vote is recorded the pointers under each
name indicate in plain figures the exact total number of votes polled for each
candidate and if any dispute should arise the accuracy of the record &c. can be
easily verified by a scrutiny of the numbered discs in the receptacle.
Morcover by arranging the machine so that the counted discs for all the
candidates fall into a common receptacle the voting will be absolutely secret, that
is, it will be utterly impossible by scrutiny or otherwise to ascertain what candidate
was supported by any given voter, although the total record of votes and the
qualification of voters may still be scrutinized.
The machine also makes fraduluent voting impossible besides detecting any
attempt at fraud or mischief.
Dated this 28th day of November 1891.
W. HEARN.
WILLIAM F. LEWIS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Vote Recording and Counting Machine.
We, WALTER HEARN, Clerk of 3 Cambridge Road, New Malden Surrey, and
WILLIAM FREDERICK LEWIS Export Merchant of No. 11 Queen Victoria
Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-—
The invention consists of a machine for counting or recording votes by means of
numbered discs which on introduction into the machine allow knobs to be pulled
out. One slot and one knob are provided for each name or candidate for election
each knob being connected with a series of counting wheels which it actuates in
returning to the normal position.
The apparatus may also be used for counting coins or other similar purposes.
In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts.
Fig. 1. is a sectional elevation of the upper compartment of our improved
machine.
Fig. 2. is a front view of the latter and
Fig. 3. shews details of a simpler form of machine.

page_text: The numbered voting disc to be counted is pushed in through one of a row of
slots a placed along the upper part of the front of the machine, whence it slides
down between parallel guides fixed at a suitable angle and passes on to the end
of a lever c pivoted at d. The disc is prevented from slipping off by resting
against the end e of a bent lever pivoted at 9 and provided with a rod / carrying
the armature . An electro magnet M put in circuit by a contact worked by the
door by which the voter leaves the voting chamber attracts the armature and so
raises the bent lever thus allowing any spurious disc or other object resting
against it to slide down a second inclined plane j through the machine into a box
beneath for uncounted discs.
C
If a disc of proper size and weight is introduced through the slot it will cause
the lever c to descend until the end of the rod k rests against the upright rod
the disc also rests upon and closes the electrical contact points m which are
electrically connected with the electro magnet N which attracts its armaturen and so
releases a horizontal bar which is connected with the rod p of the knob K projecting
from the front of the machine about 6 inches below the corresponding slot. The
knob K and horizontal bar o can now be pulled forward.
As the rod is in the path of the upright rod it is moved forward and the
pawl at the end of the rod passes over one tooth of the ratchets connected by
gearing with the unit wheel w of the registering counter A. The knob K is pulled
forward until the end of the lever touches the stop when the disc slips off
through u into a box beneath for counted votes.
The knob is now released and springs back together with the lever c to the
normal position and in so doing the pawl gathers up one tooth of the ratchet and
so causes the counter to register one unit. The horizontal bar o carries a double
rack detained and released by detents connected with the armature n of the
electro magnet N so that while it is magnetised the bar can only be moved
forward, and while it is unmagnetised the bar can only be moved backward.
Above the inclined parallel guides b is fixed a third pivoted inclined plane
and provided with an upright arm a' which, when released by the electro magnet
attracting its armature, falls down on to the parallel guides and forms with them
a continuous inclined plane from the slot to y so that any disc put through the slot
will now slip off at y through the machine into the box for uncounted discs and
on anyone attempting to pull out the knob no vote can be recorded but an "alarm
bell is rung by the closing of the contact points b¹. A pair of contact points
parallel with the points A may also be provided in such a manner as to be closed
by the disc striking them in falling and so sound the alarm even before the handle
is pulled.
The inclined plane is restored to the normal position by being lifted by the
end of the bent fever when the voter leaves the chamber. The magnets M. of
the whole series of slots and knobs are connected electrically in series in one circuit
so that directly the voter leaves the chamber the entire apparatus is restored to
the normal position ready for the next voter.
All the electro magnets N controlling the knobs K are electrically connected
in parallel series while all the magnets which release the inclined planes are
connected in series in the same circuit consequently directly the disc closes the
spring contact m all the inclined planes z fall simultaneously so that no more
discs can operate the counting mechanism until the voter has passed out of the
chamber.
Each machine is provided with an electro magnetic cut out also in series with
the knob regulating magnets N this cut out is so adjusted that it does not act when
one knob regulating magnet is in circuit but directly two or more are put in circuit
they being in parallel decrease the total resistance of the circuit and allow to
pass sufficient current to actuate the cut out which breaks the circuit and so
prevents any of them from releasing the knobs consequently no vote can be recorded,
and if attempted the alarm bell will ring.

page_text: Instead of electrically connecting the series of electro magnets O directly with
the electro magnets N as described above the following arrangement may be substi-
tuted Each machine may be provided with an electro magnet I electrically
connected directly with all the electro magnets N so that whenever the circuit is
closed by the introduction of a disc the electro magnet I attracts its armature
which causes the pawl c¹ to gather up one tooth of the rack so that on its release
the rack is raised one tooth for each disc introduced. As soon as the rack d¹ is
fully raised it closes the contact points e¹ and thus puts the series of electro
magnets O in circuit so that when the next disc is introduced all the inclined
planes fall simultaneously and 110 more discs can operate the counting
mechanism.
When the voter passes out the upright arm g' attached to and moving with
the bent lever pushes back the pawls c c thus allowing the rack d' to fall
down again until it rests against the snail f¹ after the manner of a striking
clock.
The snail is connected with a pointer in the centre of a dial on the side of
the machine so that it may be turned round and set to allow the rack ' to fall the
depth of different numbers of its teeth according to the position of the snail.
For example if the voter is entitled to four votes the snail will be set so that the
rack can fall the depth of three teeth. The voter is provided with four discs
and can introduce them one by one either into one or into several of the slots and
for each disc introduced the rack is raised one tooth therefore after the third disc
the rack is fully raised and the fourth disc causes the inclined planes z to fall.
The apparatus is contained in a case about 3 feet high and divided into 3 compart-
ments C. C¹ C³ each provided with a door, locked by a special key. The lowest
compartment contains 2 cells S. S. of any good constant galvanic battery and
an ordinary trembling electric bell B; the second compartment contains the
boxes D for receiving the discs; and the upper compartment Fig. 1 contains the
counters, magnets &c.
The machine may be made in a cheaper form Fig. 3 by omitting the knobs K
the horizontal bars o and their fittings. In this form the magnet N attracts a
simple armature carrying an upright arm which is thus moved out of the path
of the rod k. The weight of the disc upon the end of the lever c, then causes it
to descend until it touches the stop when the disc slips off through and the
lever springs back to its normal position and in so doing moves the ratchet wheel
of the counter one tooth.
The electrical connections are the same as in the other form.
As soon as the last voter has passed out the official unlocks the uppermost door
which displays to the candidates or their agents the results as indicated by the
counters under each name, the counter dials, and names of candidates should be
protected by glass covers so that they cannot be tampered with. In case of dispute
as to the correctness of the indication or qualification of voters the second door
may be unlocked and the discs taken out and counted or scrutinised. By arranging
the machine so that all the counted discs fall into a common receptacle the voting
will be absolutely secret, that is, it will be quite impossible by scrutiny or any other
means to ascertain what candidate was supported by any given voter, although
the accuracy of the machine and the qualification of voters may still be scrutinised.
The machine renders fraud or mistake in voting impossible, besides detecting any
attempt at fraud or mischief.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is : :-
1. The improved vote recording and counting machine arranged constructed and
operating substantially as herein described and shown.
2. In a vote recording or counting machine regulated by electricity the use of

page_text: the metal discs or other suitable objects to actuate or release the mechanism for
operating a series of counting wheels or similar registering device, substantially as
hercin described and shown.
3. A vote recording or counting machine regulating electricity comprising a
series of counting wheels or similar registering device corresponding to each name
or candidate and actuated either by metal discs or other suitable objects
introduced into the machine or by the pulling out of knobs released by the
introduction of such discs or objects, substantially as herein described and shown.
4. In a vote recording or counting machine a set of electro magnets electrically
connected in parallel for controlling the operating mechanism in combination with
an electro magnetic cut out, and a set of electro magnets electrically connected in
series for controlling the introduction of the metal discs or other objects into the
operating mechanism, substantially as herein described & shown.
Dated this 29th day of August 1892.
F. G. CASSELL,
Of Cassell & Co.,
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, Agent for the Applicants.