Improvements in Apparatus for Recording Votes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Recording Votes.
We, ERNEST GEOFFRION, of 2465, Notre Dame Street, Architect, and CHARLES
EDOUARD BELANGER, of 2021, Notre Dame Street, Book Keeper, both in Montreal,
Canada, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in voting machines.
The object of our invention is to provide a construction by means of which a
vote will be registered for the candidate for whom the voter is voting, and on
the register of the total number of voters, at the same time, giving an indication
of the voting by sounding an alarm. A further object is to provide a construction
in which when the voting lever has been depressed, will become automatically
locked and cannot be again operated until released. A further object is to pro-
vide a construction by means of which it is possible for the person in charge of
the machine to determine whether or not the voting levers are in operative or
inoperative position. A further object is to provide a construction by means of
which the operating handles which are exposed during the use of the machine,
can be readily removed, and the opening through which said levers operate auto-
matically closed to prevent any access to the interior of the voting machine. A
further object of our invention is to provide a construction which is neat and
attractive in appearance, durable in construction, simple and efficient in operation,
and which can be made at a moderate cost.
To these and other ends, our invention consists in the improved construction
and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out
in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicate
similar parts in all of the figures.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved machine, the cap or cover being
removed in order that the mechanism may be more clearly shown,
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of our machine, taken on the
line 2-2 of Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken centrally through the counting
wheels.
Figure 4 is
vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking toward
the front of the machine.
Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 2.
Figure 8 is a detail of the locking arms and their operating mechanisms.
Figure 9 is a perspective detail of the mechanisms for operating the total vote
register.
Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the same, taken on the line 10–10
of Figure 9.

page_text: Figure 11 is a detail of the front end of one of the voting levers.
Figure 12 is a detail of the rear end of the lever used to return the mechanism
to its normal position.
Figure 13 is a detail of the spring pawl for moving the voting mechanism
forward.
Figure 14 is a detail of the mechanism for preventing the return of the voting
mechanism after it has been moved forward during the voting operation.
Figure 15 is a detail showing the construction of the band carrying the
indicating band.
Figure 16 is an enlarged view showing the mechanism for preventing the
depressing of more than one handle.
Figure 17 is a similar view showing the parts in position when one of the
handles is depressed.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in Figure 16.
Figure 19 is a detail of the guides for the slides shown in Figure 19.
There have been heretofore, several voting machines devised, which are adapted
to register the vote of the people, by means of the pressing downwards of levers
or the pushing of buttons, but in each of these construction it is intended that a
plurality of candidates be voted for, together with a plurality of offices which
are to be filled. This necessitates the use of an excessingly complicated machine,
which performs its work only when the machine is used in its entirety.
Machines of this character are not suitable for use where there are but few
candidates, as they tend to complicate instead of facilitating the progress of
the election.
The present construction is intended primarily for use with two or more
candidates, and a machine of this class can be readily used in assemblies, Houses
of Parliament, etc., as well as for general elections, the machine being so con-
structed as to be compact and easily transported. To enable a better under-
standing of the drawings, we now present a detail description of the invention
as disclosed in the drawings.
1 designates a casing, formed of the sides 2 and 3, the front 4, the back 5,
and top and bottom 6. The top and bottom, the sides 2 and 3 and the front 4
are fixedly secured together, while the portion of the back, designated as 8, is
removably secured at the back of the device. These are formed in this manner
for a purpose hereinafter described.
Within the casing is mounted a transverse shaft 9, on which are secured the
individual counting wheels 10, having their peripheries arranged with numbers
placed thereon consecutively, the numbering on each wheel being similar. The
wheels 10 are formed substantially as shown in Figure 3, in cross section, the
outer side of each of said wheels being provided with a series of extending por-
tions 11, each of which is formed with teeth 12. The teeth 12 are arranged to
rotate said wheel by the mechanism presently to be described, and also serving
to form a stop against the return movement of said wheel, the larger toothed
portion serving to move the wheel forward, while the smaller toothed portion
prevents said wheels returning.
The wheels 10 are adapted to be actuated by means of suitable uprights 13,
each of which is provided with a spring pawl 14, having its free end provided with
laterally extending portions 15 adapted to pass through an opening within the
upright, as best shown in Figure 13. The lower end of the upright 13,
is removably secured to a lever 16, pivotally mounted at the rear of
the machine, as at 17, said lever having its front end arranged to receive the
voting handles 18, said handles being removably secured to said lever, as shown.
The voting handles extend outwardly though the front of the machine, suitable
openings 19 being arranged within said front to allow of the vertical movement
of said handles. As shown in Figure 11, the connections between the upright 13,
and the lever 16, is a loose one, the end of the upright 13 passing through a
suitable slot 20 formed in the lever 16, said slot allowing of a movement of the

page_text: end of the upright when said lever is oscilated on its pivot, thereby keeping
the upright in a true vertical position at all times.
It will be readily seen that, when one of the handles 18 is moved downward,
the pawl 14 will engage with one of the teeth on the wheel 10, causing said wheel
to be moved on its pivot, exposing, as hereinafter shown, the next succeeding
number on the periphery of said disk. To cause said upright 13 to have a true
vertical movement, we provide suitable rolls 21 pivotally mounted on the side,
said rolls being adapted to embrace said uprights 13.
To prevent the return rotary movement of said wheels 10, we provide a suit-
able catch 22, formed substantially as shown in Figure 14. This catch com-
prises a pivotally mounted pawl 23, said pawl being adapted to be held in
contact with the teeth 12 of the extending portion 11 by means of a spring 24,
the pawl and spring being mounted within a suitable casing 25 as shown. As
shown in Figures 4 and 5, the catch is secured to the side 2 and 3, the pawl 23
extending into the path of movement of the teeth 12 of the extending portions 11,
said pawl allowing a wheel to move in one direction, being the movement for-
wardly but preventing such movement rearwardly in an obvious manner. By
this construction it will be seen that the wheels 10 may have a rotatory move-
ment in one direction, but can have such movement only a distance of one tooth,
the movement of one tooth carrying a new number into sight. It will also be
seen that by the construction of the pawl 23 in the manner shown, that the
wheel can only move forward one tooth, the voting handles being regulated to
impart a vertical movement to the upright 13 to a limited extent, the friction of
the pawl 23 preventing any liability of the wheel being carried forward more
than one tooth by giving a quick impulse to the voting handles.
In machines of this character, it is desirable that in addition to the number
of individual voting wheels used that a total wheel be provided, by means of
which it is capable of automatically registering the total number of votes for
both candidates in order that a true statement may be had and also by means of
which comparison may be made to ascertain if the combined vote of the two
candidates tally with that of the total number of voters voting. In the present
construction, this is accomplished by means of the mechanism which is now to
be described.
26 designates a circular disk, pivotally mounted on the portion 7 of the
front 4, as best shown in Figure 5. The disk 26 has a rearwardly extending
flange 27, which has its edge portion arranged with teeth 28. The face of the
flange 27, is provided with a series of pins or teeth 29, which are adapted to
enter into suitable openings 30, arranged within a steel band 31, which partially
encircles said flange, said band extending downwardly and around suitable
idlers 32 secured near the lower end of the portion 7, as best shown in Figure 7.
By the use of the pins or teeth 29, and the openings 30, it will be readily seen
movement of the disk 26, will cause said steel band to move in a corre-
sponding direction. A suitable band 33, preferably formed of rubber, is secured
to the face of the band 31, in order that said band 33 may have a movement
similar to and with said steel band. The front face of the band 33, is provided
with a series of consecutively arranged numbers, as shown, said numbers being
adapted to be exposed successively as hereinafter set forth.
that an
To rotate the disk 27, we provide the construction best shown in Figures 9
and 10 of the drawings, which construction we will now describe.
34 designates a partition, mounted horizontally within the casing, near the top
of the machine. To the under side of this partition, and at one side thereof is
mounted a casing 35 formed substantially as shown in Figure 9. Within the
casing 35, and extending vertically through the partition 34, is a rod 36, having
a forwardly extending angular portion 37, to the end of which is secured a
spring pawl 38, formed similarly to the pawl 15. A spring 39 is located on the
rod 30, between the casing 35 and the arm or portion 37, said spring serving
to normally hold said rod in its raised or upper position. The rod is also pro-

page_text: vided with laterally extending arms 40, which are adapted to be acted upon by
the angular portion 41 of the upright 13. By this construction it will be readily
seen that when the voting handles are pressed downward, the angular exten-
sions 41 of the upright 13 will be drawn downwardly by the movement of said
handles, thereby drawing the rod downwardly, against the action of the spring 39,
the drawing down movement of said rod causing the pawl 38 to contact with the
teeth 28 causing the disk 26 to move the distances of one tooth, which exposes
the next succeeding number on the face of the band 33. Upon release of the
voting handles, the spring 39 will force the rod 36 upwardly and place it in
position for the next downward movement of the voting handles and the
uprights 13. As both uprights are connected operatively to the arm 40, it will
be seen that this downward movement of the rod 36 will be had regardless of
which of the uprights 13 may be pressed downward.
To prevent a return movement of the disk 26, we place a suitable spring
stop 42 on the front 4, said spring having its free end located in the path of
movement of the teeth 28, which allows of a movement of the disk 26 in one
direction, but which prevents its movement in the opposite direction, the free
end of said spring engaging with one of the teeth.
In order that no voter may be able to vote successively for one candidate, it
is necessary that the voting handles be locked in a position where it will be
impossible to move them until unlocked, the unlocking being at a point where
the voter cannot manipulate it. This locking mechanism is preferably formed
as shown in Figure 8, consisting of the frame 43, within which are mounted two
spring bolts 44, adapted to normally extend outwardly from the frame into the
path of movement of the voting handles. These bolts are arranged so that when
the voting handle is depressed, the handle will cause the bolt 44 located in its
path of movement, to be forced inwardly on its bearing, allowing the voting
handles to pass below the poll. Immediately upon its passage past the bolt,
the spring located on said bolt will cause the bolt to be moved forwardly over the
voting handles, thus locking said handle in position, the movement of the handle
having recorded the vote and at the same time the number of the vote, as herein
before set forth.
To release said handles, we connect the inner end of said bolt to a suitable
rocking lever 45, pivotally mounted as at 46, the connection being by means of
suitable chains or ropes 47, as shown in Figure 4. The rear end of the lever 45,
is provided with a removable handle 48, which extends outwardly through the
rear of the casing, a suitable slot 49 being formed for its passage therethrough
and also to allow of its movement on its pivot. The lever 45 is held normally
in an inoperative position, by means of a suitable spring 50, interposed between
the under side of said lever, in rear of its pivot point, and the bottom 6, as shown
in Figure 5.
From this it will be seen that when either of the voting handles are moved
downward, the handles being held in a downward position by means of the
bolts 44, when it is desired to release said bolt, the rear end of the lever 45, or
rather the handle 48, is depressed, raising the forward end, which causes the
chain 47 to draw the bolts inward, until said bolts are out of the path of move-
ment of the voting handles, whereupon a slide plate 51 at the front of the casing
will cause said handles to move upward, the plate 51 being provided with a
spring 52 for this purpose, the spring 52 and plate 51 being adapted to hold said
voting handle in their upper position.
As it is essential that notice be given to the keepers of the election, that a
vote has been recorded, we place on the upper side of the partition 34, a suitable
bell 53, having its mechanism so arranged that upon the drawing downward of
a pawl beyond a predetermined distance, the bell mechanism will operate and
sound the gong, the parts returning to their normal position when the handle has
been released. This mechanism is operated by means of a suitable frame 54,
hingedly connected to the under side of the partition 34. This frame is con-

page_text: nected to the bell mechanism, and has forwardly extending arms 55 located below
the angular extension of the upright 13, as shown in the drawings. This con-
struction causes the frame to be moved or oscillated downwardly each time
either one of the voting handles is operated, which downward movement of the
frame serves to sound the alarm, to indicate that a vote has been made, thus
indicating also to the officer of the election that it is necessary to release the
voting mechanism in order that the next voter may be able to vote.
As an additional indicator, we provide the rear of the machine with a suitable
opening. On the inner side of the back, are arranged suitable guides 56, said
guides being located on opposite sides of said opening. Mounted to have a
vertical movement within said guides, is a suitable plate 57, having its face which
rides against the back 8, provide with suitable indicating marks, such as colors,
said marks being distinguishable through the opening. Said plate is connected
to one end of a cord, or a series of cords, which lead upwards and forwardly over
suitable pulleys, and downwardly inside of the front 4, the free end of said
cord being connected to the levers 16. A suitable spring 58, is also connected
to said plate and to the back, said spring serving to normally hold said plate in
a lower position, where but one of the marks can be seen through the opening
in the back. When either of the levers 16 is depressed, during the operation of
voting, the downward movement of said lever causes the cord to be drawn upon
thus raising the plate 57 within its guide, moving the mark formerly seen
through the opening out of its position in rear of said opening, bringing into
view through said opening, the remaining mark. As long as the voting levers
are at their depressed position, said second mark will be in position to be seen
through the opening, and will remain in such position until the lever 45 is
operated to release the voting handles, whereupon the spring 58 will move said
plate to its initial position.
By this means, it will be possible for the officers of the election to disregard the
sound of the gong, yet be able to distinguish as to whether the vote has been
registered and the levers locked.
As heretofore stated, the voting handles 18, and the removable handles 48, are
removably connected to their respective levers. The object of this removal, is
to so close the interior of the machine, as to prevent any access there to after the
election has been closed. This is accomplished by means of the plate 60, mounted
in suitable guides 61, said plates being adapted to be forced downwardly by
reason of springs 62, interposed between the top of said plate and a suitable
support 63. One of said plates is located above each of said handles, and when
the handles are removed, and withdrawn from the lever to which they are con-
nected and from the machine, said plates will automatically pass downward within
the casing and thereby close the opening for the passage of said handles. It
will be understood of course that these plates will move during the operation of
the handle, but as the plate rests on the handle, there will be no deleterious effect
from such movement of said plate.
Upon removal of the handles, they are placed within a suitable receptacle 64,
provided on the inner side of the back S, said receptacle being closed by means of
a suitable door 65, which is normally kept locked, and can be opened only by
the proper officer.
The front of the machine, is provided with suitable openings, through which
the numbers located on the wheels 10 and the band 33, may be seen, the opening
being large enough to allow of the inspection of but one number, this number
being the number of the last vote. These openings are kept closed during the
period of voting, by means of suitable caps 66 which caps are secured thereon
prior to the commencement of voting, and are removed after the voting is
finished, whereupon an inspection of the exposed numerals will give the total
vote of each candidate, besides giving a register of the number of persons who
have voted.

page_text: If desired, the casing may be provided with suitable openings 67, as shown in
Figure 1, by means of which the sound of the bell may be more easily heard.
As it is necessary that means may be provided for preventing the depressing
of more than one of the handles at the same time, in order that no inaccuracies
in the recording of the vote may occur, we provide the following described
mechanism.
The slide plate 51, one of which is provided for each operating handle, is
mounted in guides 68 secured on the sides of the casing, and in guides 69 formed
within a supporting frame 70 located intermediate the handles. This plate is
formed substantially as shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18 of the drawings, being
located below the handle and subjected to its movement.
The frame 70, is provided with a plurality of guides 69, as shown in Figures 19
and is also provided with a slot 71, within which is pivotally mounted a toothed
wheel 72. The toothed wheel 72 is adapted to be rotated by means of suitable
depending tooth bars 73, one of which is secured on each plate 51, said bars 73
being pressed inwardly toward the wheel 72, by means of springs 74 as shown.
The normal position of the slide plate 51, is as shown in Figure 16, in which
position the teeth of the bar 73 are out of engagement with the wheel 72, caused
by the use of inclined guides 75 formed on the frame 70 which contact with the
inclined face 76 of the bars 73.
As will be readily seen, when one of the handles is depressed, the plate 51
will be forced downward carrying with it the bar 73, which, by the action of the
spring 74, will contact with the wheel 72, the downward movement causing the
wheel to be rotated, this movement continuing until the handle passes below
the bolt 44, which locks the handle as hereinbefore set forth. When in this
position, any attempt to force another handle downward will be frustrated, as it
will be impossible to move the opposite bar 73 downward. Should the attempt
be made to force both handle bars down at the same time, neither could pass
downward as the wheel 72 cannot rotate in both directions at the same time.
Upon the release of the handle 18, the spring 52 will cause it to move upwardly,
allowing the bars 73 to pass upwardly, the inclined faces 75 and 76 causing the
bar to move away from the wheel 72."
While we have shown the front of the casing as removable, yet we do not limit
ourselves to such construction, may make the same a part of the casing, and
instead of forming the rear portion 8 removable, we may make the same in the
form of a door which is hingedly connected and capable of being securely locked.
Where the casing is made metallic, the latter construction is desirable.
The operation of our machine is believed to be clear, but in order that no
doubt may be had as to such operation, we will now proceed to give a detailed
description, the election being one where candidates of different parties are to
be voted for.
The names of the candidates are first placed above the individual vote counting
wheels openings, as shown in Figure 1, and each of the wheels 10 and the disk 20
set at the zero mark. The cap 66 is placed in position, when the machine is
ready for the voting to begin. The first voter passes into the voting booth, and
after deciding on the candidate he intends voting for, he presses the proper
handle 18, which serves to move the wheel 10 in rear of the name of the candidate
for whom he is voting, forward one notch, thus causing said wheel to pass for-
ward and expose the numeral 1 through the opening. At the same time the
total wheel or disk has been moved forward one notch, exposing the numeral 1
on the band 38, making the total vote read "1" and the candidate ".1." As
before explained, the pressing down of the voting handles locks the mechanism
so that no further vote can be had until the rocking lever 45 has been operated.
When the handle 18 was depressed, the bell was rung and the plate 57 changed,
thus indicating that the vote has been recorded. Upon this voter leaving the
booth, the officer of the election operates the rocking lever 45, releasing the

page_text: handles, and placing the machine in position for voting by the next voter. If
the next voter voted for the candidate of the other party, the same operation
will be repeated, with the result that each wheel 10 will expose the numeral "1"
while the disk 26 will have the number "2" exposed.
While we have in this description of the operation, stated that numbers will be
exposed, it is to be understood, that by reason of the use of the cap 66, these
numbers are not visible to the voter, the statement as to exposure being made
for the purpose of describing the operation clearly.
After all the voters have voted, the handles 18 and 48, are removed, and the
opening through which they pass will be closed by the plates 60. The handles
are then placed in their receptacle 64, which is then locked, to prevent any
person except the proper authority from having any access to the interior of the
machine. The cap 66 is now removed, whereupon the vote for each candidate
will be seen through the proper openings, together with the total votes, which
total vote should equal the vote of the two candidates being voted for.
When it is again desired to use the machine, the door is unlocked, the
handles 18 and 48 having been taken from their receptacles, after which the
plates 60 in the front of the machine are raised, and the handles 18 inserted in
their proper position. The wheels 10 and the disk 26 are also rotated to expose
the zero mark, after which the handle 48 is inserted through its opening, the
plate 60 which had covered it having been raised, and the door closed and locked,
the handle 48 being then placed in its proper position. The machine is then
ready for voting and the voting operation heretofore described, takes place.
66
The advantages of our construction are many, including the ease with which
the machine can be operated, its absolute prevention of any repeating," the
ability to entirely close the machine in order that it may be kept from being
tampered with, the readiness with which the returns can be obtained, its neat and
attractive appearance, durability of construction and its low cost of manufacture.
While we have shown the machism as arranged for use with but two candidates,
it is obvious that by increasing the number of wheels 10 and the voting handles 18,
and duplicating the independent mechanism of each handle, more candidates may
be voted for, and we desire it to be understood that such additions will fall within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
While we have herein shown a preferred form of carrying our invention into
effect, yet we do not desire to limit ourselves to such preferred details of con-
struction but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will
serve to carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as
such modifications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of our said
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A voting machine, comprising a casing; a series of rotatable wheels
mounted therein; a total wheel rotatably mounted therein; and means for
imparting a step by step movement to each of said counting wheels independently,
said movement serving to impart similar movement to the total wheel at each
movement of said counting wheels, substantially as described.
2. A voting machine, comprising a casing; a series of independent pivotally
mounted counting wheels located within said casing; means actuated by the
voter, for imparting a step by step movement to one of said wheels; means for
looking said voting means after said wheel has been actuated; and means for
releasing said voting means without disturbing the position of said counting
wheels, substantially as described.
3. A voting machine, comprising a casing; a series of individual counting
disks pivotally mounted in said casing; a voting handle for each of said wheels;
means, connected to said handle, for imparting a step by step movement to said

page_text: wheels, said means being operative in but one direction; locking mechanism for
said handle when in its lower position; and means for releasing said locking
mechanism, without disturbing the position of said counting wheel, sub-
stantially as described.
4. A voting machine, comprising a casing; a series of individual counting
wheels; pivotally mounted within said casing; voting handles pivotally connected
within said casing and extending outwardly there from; connections operated
by said handles, for imparting a step by step movement to said wheel; means for
preventing a return movement of said wheel; independent locking bolts for
each handle, said bolts being adapted to hold said handle in its lower position;
means for releasing said handle; and means for returning said handle to its
upper or initial position, substantially as described.
5. A voting machine, comprising a casing; vote registering mechanism located
within said casing; voting handles extending outwardly through said casing,
said handles having a pivotal movement within said casing, said handles also
being removably connected to the registering mechanism; and means for closing
said casing when said handles have been removed, substantially as described.
6. A voting machine, comprising a casing; vote registering mechanism
located within said casing; removable handles connected to said registering
mechanism, said handles extending outward through the casing, mechanism
within said casing adapted to close the opening through which said handles
extend into said casing; and a receptacle located within said casing, and normally
locked, for receiving said handles after their removal, substantially as described.
7. In a voting machine, the combination with the vote registering mechanism;
of a plurality of indicating mechanisms said mechanisms being adapted to
indicate the registering of a vote, substantially as described.
8. In a voting machine, the combination with vote registering mechanism; of
indicating mechanism operated by the registering of the vote, for indicating
visually and auricularly that a vote has been registered, substantially as
described.
Ta thin fith dove of A 1900
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.