An improved voting machine accommodating with improved facility a large variety of preprogrammed procedures, featuring improved "security" provisions obviating fraud potentials inherent in other machines and voting systems, and including improved overvote prevention means and means insuring failproof recording and totalizing of all intended vote selections.

Current U.S. Class:	235/54R
Current International Class:	G07C 13/00 (20060101); G07c 013/00 ()
Field of Search:	235/51,54,54(A),54(D),54(F)

Bean and Bean

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Claims

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1. A voting machine including in combination: a cabinet having front and rear openings; a voting format panel standing vertically within said cabinet and facing forwardly through said front opening, said panel carrying a plurality of voter selection indicia; a voter selection mechanism associated with each of said selection indicia and having an actuating device extending forwardly of said panel for manual operation by the voter; a voting counter operably associated with each of said mechanisms and including counter indicia visably readable through said rear opening; means normally locking said voter selection mechanisms against voter operation; a machine control device operable by the voter to release said locking means whereupon said selection mechanisms may be individually operated by the voter from nonvoting to voting conditions, said machine control device being subsequently operative by the voter to cause registration of votes in counters associated with voted ones of said selection mechanisms and to cause said voted ones of said selection mechanisms to be restored to nonvoted condition and again lock all of said selection mechanisms against operation; a security door normally closing said rear opening to prevent reading of said counter indicia; security locking means operable by a voting supervising official to open or close said machine for voting, said security locking means when in machine open condition constraining opening of said security door to prevent observation of said counter indicia but permitting operation of said machine control device and when in machine closed condition preventing operation of said machine control device, but permitting opening of said security door; and voting machine custodian controlled security means including custodian resettable security means coupled to said machine control device and said official security means, said resettable security means being maintained in an inoperable set condition by said machine control device prior to initial operation thereof by a voter and being movable to an operative tripped condition upon initial operation of said machine control device, said resettable security means when in said inoperable position permitting operation of said official security means between machine closed and machine open conditions and when in said operable condition preventing operation of said official security means between machine closed and

2. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said custodian controlled security means includes a counter security panel detachably mounted within said cabinet rearwardly of said counters, said panel having openings therein in readout alignment with each of said counter indicia whereby said counter indicia may be read upon opening of said security door, said panel when mounted preventing resetting of said counters; means to releasably lock said panel in mounted position; and a custodian controlled locked door, said resettable security means and said panel locking means

3. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said official security means includes: a lock operable by an official to close or open said machine; a yoke mounted for movement for movement between machine closed and open positions when said lock is operated to close or open said machine, respectively; an interlock bar fixed to said yoke, said interlock bar constraining opening of said security door when said yoke is in said open position and permitting opening of said security door when said yoke is in said closed position; an entrance control mechanism operable by a voting supervising official only after movement of said yoke to open position to permit operation of said machine control device; said resettable security means includes a crank pivotally mounted on said yoke and coupling said yoke to said entrance control mechanism; a security interlock bar pivotally mounted on said crank; means tending to lock said security interlock bar such as to constrain movement of said yoke into said open position; a bellcrank pivotally supported on said cabinet; means tending to pivot said bellcrank from said set to said tripped condition, said bellcrank permitting operation of said interlock bar locking means only when in said tripped condition; and means coupling said bellcrank to said machine control device for releasably retaining said bellcrank in said set condition, said coupling means releasing said bellcrank for movement into said tripped condition upon

4. A voting machine according to claim 3, wherein said interlock bar locking means includes a side opening notch in said interlock bar, a bracket fixed to said cabinet and spring means tending to move said notch into locking engagement with said bracket, said bellcrank when in set condition preventing locking of said notch and bracket against the bias of said spring means.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is of course requisite in a voting machine system that all vote selections be accurately recorded and embodied in the voting totals, and that the voter be prevented from overvoting, such as for more than a legally prescribed number of candidates and/or referendums, questions, or the like. Furthermore, in order to obviate the fraud potentials inherent in systems such as wherein uncounted paper ballots are transported from the voting precincts to a central counting facility, as is required for example in connection with paper or punch card balloting systems or the like, the voting totals must be irrevocably established at precinct levels.

Systems involving "hand counting" of ballots and/or interpretation of mutilated or questionably marked ballots necessarily involve such time delays and/or fraud opportunities as to be unacceptable, compared to systems providing unquestionably authentic totals at the instant of closing of the polls. A suitable voting machine or system must of course also embody means whereby management of the voting systems strictly under control of only the responsible officials.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved, self-contained, voting machine unit comprising a completed vote recording and tabulating system which includes facilities for adjusting the machine to meet various election law requirements and for obviating the aforesaid voting fraud potentials.

Another object is to provide a machine as aforesaid comprising a minimum of mechanical and/or electrical complexities.

Another object is to provide a voting machine as aforesaid which produces at precinct level a vote record which is free from any "questionables" such as may require interpretation by partisan attendants, as in the case of systems employing punched cards or the like wherein mutilated or otherwise questionable ballots are often encountered.

Another more specific object is to provide in a machine as aforesaid improved means for "locking out" legally unavailable voting counters, so as to positively control voter operation of the machine within permissible parameters.

Another object is to provide a machine as aforesaid embodying improved means for preventing the voter from selecting more than a prescribed number of multiple choice selections.

Another object is to provide in a machine as aforesaid improved means for assuring voter privacy throughout the voting operation and absolute secrecy with respect to the individual voter's selections.

Another object is to provide in a machine as aforesaid improved means visually confirming to the voter before leaving the machine that his intended vote selection has been accurately entered in the machine for inclusion in the totals to be recorded.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawing illustrating by way of example one physical form of the invention.

IN THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a machine of the invention set up for voter operation and including a privacy curtain arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a closeup perspective view of the voting machine per se;

FIG. 3 is a "closeup," enlarged scale front view of the voter-controlled panel portion of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the machine with parts thereof cutaway to show the interior mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary skeletonized view in perspective showing components of the vote registering mechanism and the associated interlocks;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view taken as suggested by line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as suggested by line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as suggested by line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view corresponding to a portion of FIG. 10, but showing the counter mechanism in a different operative position;

FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 11 but shows the mechanism in counter reset position;

FIG. 13 is a disassembled perspective view of the counter mechanism actuator;

FIG. 14 is a similar view of the actuator pinion;

FIG. 15 is a skeletonized view in perspective of the machine main drive and entrance control mechanisms;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as suggested by line 16-16 on FIG. 7;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the counter reset mechanism as suggested by line 17-17 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view taken as suggested by line 19-19 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 20 is a rear elevational view of the machine with cover plate portions thereof broken away to show the interior thereof;

FIG. 21 is a wiring diagram of the remote control and vote selection indicator illumination system; and

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view illustrating how a plurality of voting machines of the present invention may be operationally monitored from a remote control console by a single precinct officer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally stated, the machine of the invention comprises a compactly constructed apparatus carried by a single frame which may be enclosed for storage-transport purposes within any suitable containerlike structure; whereby upon arrival at the voting precinct the mechanism may be lifted out of its container and rested thereupon at such elevation as to present at typical voter eye level the main front panel portion carrying thereon the balloting format. This format typically includes ballot labels carrying names and/or other descriptive material relating to candidates and/or referendum questions, for a given election.

Individually depressible selector buttons are provided in association with each candidate or party listing or referendum question position for operation by the voter in accordance with his preference. Interlock means are provided to prevent the voter from overvoting. Special custodian-controlled means are provided for programming the machine so as to limit the voter to use of only certain portions of the voting format if and when required; all of which will also be described in more detail hereinafter.

Draw curtain means may be provided to encompass the space around and in front of the voting panel when a voter is in the act of voting. After the voter enters said space the election official actuates the machine "entrance control mechanism," either at the machine per se or for example via the remote control console as shown in FIG. 22. The voter may thereupon move a lever, thereby unlocking the machine for voting. When the voter completes his selection by depressing a selector button on the space corresponding to his preference, the associated display frame is illuminated by a "back light" thereby showing an X in silhouette to visually confirm the accuracy of the entering of his intended selection.

The voter then returns the lever to its "home" position, whereupon his selection will be automatically recorded in a tabulating counter system which is completely enclosed interiorly of the machine. At the same time the selector button control system is restored to nonvoting position and the back-light illumination is cut off, thereby obviating any external evidence of his voting selection. The voter than opens the curtain and exits, and the machine is then ready to receive the next voter.

THE MACHINE CASING FRAME AND CURTAIN SYSTEM

As shown by way of example in FIG. 1, the machine is adapted to be stored and/or transported within a containerlike base such as is designated 100 which is of generally rectangular boxlike form. In lieu thereof the machine may be shipped in a flexible padded covering or container. The machine per se is enclosed within a case which is designated generally at 102 and which is readily liftable from within its shipping container to rest upon any suitable support in operating position such as shown in FIG. 1. Holddown and positioning devices such as shown at 103 may be provided to firmly secure the voting machine in operative position.

Upon placement of the machine case in position as shown, curtain support posts 104 may then be slip-fitted into operative position such as shown in FIG. 1, and a curtain rod 105 mounted thereon. A pair of curtains 106-106 are then suspended from the curtain rod as by means of hooks 107. Thus, the curtain arrangement provides means for totally enclosing the voter throughout the period when he is actuating the vote selection mechanism; thereby insuring complete voting privacy. Then at the end of the election period the curtain support mechanism is simply removed from the machine case, and the machine case and the curtain appliances may then be stored away in protected position within the storage container for transport and/or storage purposes pending subsequent uses of the machine. As best shown in FIG. 6, the front portion of the machine is protected when not in use by means of a vertically swingable door 108; the hinge device thereof being arranged so that the door is readily swung upwardly and then rearwardly so as to lie on top of the cabinet (FIGS. 2, 3) when the machine is in use.

It is to be understood that in lieu of the curtain system hereinabove described, the machine may be set up in any suitable secluded area to insure voter secrecy, such as for example in any conventional type voting booth, or the like.

THE VOTING PROCEDURE

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, when the machine is thus set up for use and as the voter approaches the machine he comes face-to-face and at optimum eye level with the front panel portion of the machine which presents the ballot format. This panel, as shown herein, structurally comprises a vertically standing metal plate designated 110, which is framed by side plates 112-112; a top plate 113; and a bottom plate 114. The front panel plate 110 is provided with candidate display "windows" 115 and is apertured to accommodate the corresponding voter-actuated buttons which are indicated at 116. Each button is arranged to actuate a spring-loaded contractable pusher link 117 (FIG. 6) which engages at its rear end with a bellcrank 118 which is pivotally journaled upon a support angle 119 which extends from a second vertically standing panel plate 120 positioned centrally within the machine casing.

Each bellcrank 118 is pivoted to its support angle 119 as indicated at 122 (FIGS. 4, 6, 7) and carries a stud 124 which extends into an aperture formed in a lift plate 126 which is carried by means of slot and pin connections 128 on the support angle 119. Hence when one of the selector buttons 116 is depressed its corresponding lift plate 126 rises (assuming that this action is not forestalled by the interlock system as will be explained hereinafter). When a lift plate 126 is raised it operates through a projecting pin 129 (FIGS. 7, 16) to cause a rocker arm 130 to pivot about the axis of its support shaft 132 which journals the rocker on a support channel 133 and the center panel plate 120. The shaft 132 is keyed to the rocker 130 so as to rotate therewith. At its rear end the shaft 132 carries a U-shaped actuator arm 134 (FIGS. 6, 10, 16) terminating at its rear end in a crank arm 136 which engages the vote register actuator 138 of the count accumulating unit 140 which corresponds to the depressed selector button; for vote registering purpose as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

As illustrated at FIGS. 2, 3, card holders are mounted on the panel 110, whereby candidate names and descriptive information, as well as referendum question labels or the like, may be inserted at appropriate positions above the voting buttons. Thus the voter is instinctively guided to press upon the correct button designating his choice. Also, as indicated at 142, the front panel plate 110 includes an "abstention" vote button which is so designated and thereby enables a voter to complete a voting sequence without voting for any indicated candidate, if he so prefers. As used hereinafter, the term "voter selection" will refer to a voter operation of a button assigned either to a candidate name; a referendum question; or an abstention voting operation; as the case may be.

ELECTION OFFICIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE MACHINE

Prior to opening of the polls, the election official checks the vote register counters at the rear of the machine to be assured that they are all preset at zero readings. He does this by opening a main rear security door portion 144 of the machine casing, which is hingedly connected to the machine case as indicated at 146 (FIGS. 6, 20). The door 144 swings downwardly thereby exposing to view a counter "security" panel as indicated at 148. The panel 148 is multiple apertured as indicated at 149 whereby the rear surfaces of the counterwheels 150 which show the totals of the count accumulations for each register unit 140 are exposed for readout view by the election official. He thereupon checks each counter station to make certain that the counterwheels all show zero readings. The back door 144 is controlled by means of a key lock 152 (FIGS. 6, 20).

However, the lock 152 is overcontrolled by a master control lock which is shown at 154 (FIGS. 2, 3, 18). This overcontrol arrangement is provided by means of an interlock bar 156 (FIG. 18) which is lifted when lock 154 is opened (by means of a key, not shown) so as to displace upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 18. The upper end of interlock bar 156 is notched as indicated at 157 to accommodate the flanged end portion of a locking bolt 158 (FIGS. 18, 20); the end of the locking bolt 158 being pivotally connected to the cam 159 of lock 152 (FIG. 20). Thus, upon key-release of lock 152 the cam 159 thereof is freed, wherefore the manual operating knob 160 is released and may be rotated. Such rotation of the knob 160 draws upon the locking bolt 158 and its counterpart 161 so as to retract their outer ends away from locking engagements with flange portions 162 of the machine casing at opposite sides thereof. Thus, the door 144 is "unlocked" to permit it to be swung downwardly for access to the interior of the machine as explained hereinabove.

Therefore, it will be understood that whenever the voting machine has been "opened" for voting purposes by unlocking of lock 154 (FIG. 2) the back door control knob 160 will be held against opening; thereby preventing any observation of the voting totals while the voting process is in progress. As will be explained hereinafter, if the master control lock 154 is locked in order to allow lock 152 to be key-actuated and knob 160 turned for opening of the door 144, the machine cannot be again voted until such time as the machine is cleared by an official machine custodian who is in possession of the necessary keys and knowledge as to how to perform the task of resetting the master control lock 154. It is to be understood that the precinct election officials will not be furnished with either the necessary keys or knowledge how to perform the aforementioned task. Therefore, this system prevents any possibility of observance of voter trends by anyone having only the key for the lock 152.

Unlocking rotation of the barrel of the lock 154 also operates to raise yoke 163 which in turn lifts security interlock bar 164 via pin 165 (FIG. 18) and rotates bellcrank 166 on its pivot 166A which thereupon causes the lower end of crank 166 to clear a flange portion 167 of a vertical lock bar 168. The lock bar is slidably mounted on the machine casing as by means of slot and pin devices 169. This freeing of the lock bar 168 permits the machine to be "opened" by an election official by depression of an entrance button 175 which extends through a sidewall portion of the machine casing so as to be externally available to the election official so as to permit only a qualified voter to enter the machine.

Depression of entrance button 175 rotates crank 176 causing strap 172 to rise and rock beam 170 (FIGS. 18, 15). Such rocking of the beam 170 causes it to push downwardly at its other end against a vertical strut 178 (FIGS. 15, 18, 19) which in turn causes a bellcrank 179 to rotate. This drives a flexible strut 180 to drive a crank assembly 182 so as to lift a stop pin 184 out of its holding socket 186 in a control disc 188 which is keyed to a drive shaft 190. The drive shaft 190 is journaled in the lower portion of the machine frame and carries a voter operating handle 192 at its front end. A spring detent device as indicated at 177 is employed in conjunction with the vertical strut 178 so as to maintain the bar 178 in its down position, thus biasing the lock pin 184 towards an up and out of locking position relative to the disc 188.

VOTER OPERATION OF THE MACHINE

When the voter "enters" the machine, after it has been "opened" by the election official, the machine is still locked against voting until the voter moves the handle 192 from its left hand position as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, over to its broken-line right hand position as shown in FIG. 3. This action operates through shaft 190 and crank arm 194 (FIG. 15) to drive struts 196 and 210 to rotate bellcranks 197-197A so as to raise struts 198 and 198A. This lifts side arms 200 and 202, which are mounted to be vertically slidable on opposite sidewall portions of the machine casing.

As best shown at FIG. 19, when the control handle 192 is moved from left to right, a ratchet toothed portion 204 of the disc 188 cams aside a locking pawl 206. This automatically operates to prevent the handle 192 from being returned toward "home" position until it has first been moved completely to its right hand machine "open" position. As best shown at FIG. 4, when the control handle 192 has been swung fully to its right hand position, a locking pawl as illustrated at 208 engages behind a pin 209 carried by a link 210 which is a counterpart of link 196. This operates to hold the mechanism against premature closing before the voter registers any choice. Finally, as the control handle 192 is pulled into its extreme right-hand side position, the side arms 200 and 202 thereupon reach their uppermost displaced positions, at which time they trip the locking (spring loaded) bellcranks 212, 214 at opposite sides of the machine (FIG. 5). This action releases a spring-loaded main control bar 216 which is hung by means of springs 218 from the machine frame.

The control bar 216 is normally in its "down" position as shown in FIG. 5, but when it rises as explained hereinabove, it thereby releases interlock straps such as are indicated at 220 whereby the machine may now be voted. As shown at FIG. 5, a side arm 202 carries adjacent its upper end a lift plate 222 which engages a pin 224 carried by a cam unit indicated generally at 225 (FIGS. 5, 17). As the cam unit rises it laterally displaces, by means of a pin 226, a horizontal strut 228 which in turn rotates bellcranks 230, 230. This action depresses a rod 232 which in turn carries a plurality of hangers 234 corresponding to each vertical column of vote registering counters (FIG. 7). Each hanger 234 suspends therebelow a ladder-shaped operator 236 for the counterwheel units of its column. The ladder 236 pivotally operates yokes 238 which rotate the actuators 138 into such positions as to be ready to accept a voter's input through means of a pushbutton 116, as explained hereinabove. Thus, whenever a pushbutton 116 is pressed inwardly by the voter this motion is transmitted through a link 117 and crank 118 so as to actuate member 136 thereby displacing the actuator 138 sidewise on its shaft. This causes the actuator to become engaged with the actuator pinion 240 (FIGS. 8--14).

When the voter depresses any one of the pushbuttons 116, this automatically results in lifting of the interlock strap 220 corresponding to the connected push button. The wedge-shaped lower end portion thereof is thus raised into blocking engagement between the rollers of an interlock channel 241 FIGS. 5, 6, 7) of the type more fully described for example in prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,174,684; thereby locking the other interlock straps against upward movements. The voter is thereby prevented from actuating any additional vote selection mechanisms. The upward motion of the voter-actuated interlock strap also raises the machine release bar 242 FIGS. 5, 6) which is suspended by swing links 244-244 from the machine frame. These links cause the bar 242 to be displaced arcuately upwardly and toward the right as viewed in FIG. 5, whereby a release plate 246 which is carried by the bar 242 is elevated and engages a pin 248 carried by the bellcrank 208. This causes bellcrank 208 to be lifted out of interfering engagement with pin 209 of strut 210. Thus, the mechanism is released so that the voter may now return the main control handle 192 toward the left to its "home" position (FIG. 15).

As the voter moves the handle 192 toward the left, the link mechanisms 196, 197, 198 and 210, 197A, 198A operate to lower the side arms 200--202. As best shown in FIG. 5, the side arm 202 via its bracket 222 displaces the cam unit 225 downwardly. This in turn causes horizontal strut 228 to shift toward the right as shown in FIG. 5, or toward the left as shown in FIG. 7. This action causes the hangers 234 to rise, thereby displacing the ladders 236 upwardly and rotating the actuators 138. However, it will of course be understood that only the one actuator corresponding to the previously pressed voting button (having thereby been laterally displaced so as to engage its pinion pin 240) will be thereupon responsive to the raising of its ladder 236 so as to cause its registering unit to record a vote.

Sequentially following the vote registering operation the return bar 216 is driven downwardly by means of pressure pad portions 249--250 extending laterally from the side arm 200, 202 (FIGS. 5, 15, 18), against the action of its support springs 218, 218, as to the position shown at FIG. 5. The bellcranks 212--214 thereupon swing inwardly in response to the pull of tension springs 252-252 so as to lock the bar 216 in its lowermost position. At the same time, the control disc 188 has rotated in counterclockwise direction so that the locking pin 184 (FIGS. 15, 19) drops into the disc slot 186, thereby locking the disc. During the latter part of the disc rotation the pin 184 rides on the disc surface 254 (FIGS. 15, 19).

The ratchet portion 204 and the directional control pawl 206 are so arranged relative to the notch 186 in the control disc 188, so that the pin 184 now drops into the notch 186. The notch 186 is laterally dimensioned so as to permit the disc 188 to rotate slightly further until the ratchet pawl 206 comes free of the toothed portion 204 of the disc, whereupon the mechanism is disposed in the condition illustrated at FIGS. 15, 19. Thus the voter is prevented from recycling the machine.

As explained hereinabove when the entrance button 175 is depressed causing strut 178 to lower (FIGS. 15, 18, 19) pin 256 thereon depresses one end of a rocker arm 258 against the action of a tension spring 259. At this time the bellcrank 177 moves into holding position against a dwell portion 260 of the strut 178. The bellcrank 177 is spring biased as illustrated at 262 to such a degree as to hold the strut against upward displacements in response to the pull of the spring 259 upon the rocker 258. However, the force of the spring 262 is not sufficient to materially interfere with voter operation of the main control lever 192 when he wishes to return it to its home position following a voting operation. The side arm 200 also carries a laterally extending bracket 264 which is disposed in vertical registry with a cam-shaped end portion 266 of the rocker 258.

When the voter swings the control lever 192 from the left toward the right in order to prepare the machine for voting, the bracket 264 rises and cams by the nose portion 266 of the rocker 258; the rocker 258 rocking momentarily on its pivot to permit the bracket bypass. Thus, the bracket 264 is now disposed above the nose portion 266 of the rocker. After the voter has made his selection and pulls upon the lever 192 so as to draw it toward home position, and during the latter part of this motion, the bracket 264 descends into abutting engagement with the nose 266 of the rocker 258 and causes the latter to rotate, thereby lifting it upwardly toward the position thereof shown in FIGS. 15, 18. As the lever 192 reaches is home position the bracket 264 slides past the rocker 258 and releases it so as to return to the position thereof shown at FIGS. 15, 18. As the bracket 264 operates to bias the rocker and the strut 178 upwardly, the flexible link 180 accommodates this action in spite of the fact that the pin 184 is at that time riding on the disc surface 254. Then, when the pin 184 drops into the notch 186, the strut 180 contracts, thereby restoring the mechanism to the condition illustrated herein. At the same time bellcrank 177 is cammed out from the locking detent 260 on strut 178 by the vertical motion thereof.

FURTHER SECURITY

The present invention also embodies a further security feature preventing an election official or the like from opening door 144 covering the counter compartment during the regular voting hours, such as with a view to ascertaining the voting trend prior to the conclusion of the voting day. This mechanism includes a locking crank 270 (FIG. 18) which is pivotally mounted on a stationary structure as indicated at 272 and is spring biased as indicated at 274. At one end the crank 270 carries a roller 275 which is arranged to ride along one edge of the security interlock bar 164. The opposite end 276 of the crank 270 is arranged to abut the bottom side of the pad 249 which is carried by the side arm 200.

When the machine is first opened by the election official, by rotating the master control lock 154, the security interlock bar 164 is thereby raised above the position thereof shown in FIG. 18. As the interlock bar 164 rises, it slides upwardly through a slotted portion of a guide bracket 277 and is held firmly thereagainst by means of a tension spring 278. Although the bellcrank 270 is now released from the interlock bar 164, it nevertheless remains in the position shown at FIG. 18. Thus the end portion 276 is bearing upwardly against the pad 249 of the side arm 200. However, when the first voter moves the control lever 192 to the right to "open" the machine for voting, he thereby causes the side arm 200 to rise as explained hereinabove. This action releases the bellcrank 270 to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 18 in response to the spring 274.

During all further and normal voting sequences this mechanism will remain in the hereinabove described position. However, in the event that an election official or the like may manipulate lock 154 for any purpose prior to the end of the voting day, the rotation of the lock 154 will cause the interlock bar 164 to drop back down to the elevation thereof shown in FIG. 18. The bar 164 is provided with a notch 280 which thereupon permits the spring 278 to draw the lower end of the bar toward the left as viewed in FIG. 18 into bracket 277, thus providing an automatic interference with any attempt to again raise the security interlock bar 164. In consequence, any attempt to reopen the lock 154 will fail, and the machine cannot be reopened for further voting until and unless a qualified machine custodian is called to the scene to clear the machine for reoperation. This of course will be done only at the request of responsible officials, and this obviously provides a suitable detriment to any attempt at premature readings of the machine totals.

As illustrated at FIGS. 5, 6, 7, each actuator arm 134 corresponding to a voter button 116, is pivotally connected as indicated at 282 (FIG. 7) to a corresponding horizontally extending totalizer bar 284 which is horizontally slidable by means of pin and slot connections 286 on the machine frame. The parts are so arranged that rotations of any actuator arm 134 will cause its corresponding totalizer bar to be displaced laterally to the right as shown in FIG. 5. The bars 284 are pin-connected as indicated at 288 to a vertically extending actuator bar 290 which is swingably mounted on pivot links 291. Therefore, whenever any one of the totalizer bars 284 is displaced to the right, it causes the actuator bar 290 to displace arcuately toward the right and upwardly. This causes the actuator 138 of a totalizing counter (which is designated generally at 295) to be positioned relative to its pinion 240 so as to register a count upon return of the main control lever 192, as explained hereinabove. Thus, each time a vote is registered in response to depression of any one of the vote buttons 116 the counter 295 will add one more count to its total.

As explained hereinabove, a "nonvote" button 142 is provided for operation whenever a voter does not wish to vote for any candidate or issue such as may be listed on the ballot format. Upon depression of the button 142 an abstention sequence will be established. This will allow the control lever 192 to be returned to its home position as explained hereinabove and will add a count to the abstention counter as indicated generally at 296 (FIGS. 5, 6). Any such abstention vote, however, is not added to the totalizer counter 295. A public counter as indicated generally at 298 is also provided and is operably connected to the horizontal strut 228 so that each and every operative cycle thereof will cause a count to be added to the public counter 298; thus providing a record of the total number of voters operating the machine during any voting day.

CUSTODIAN PREPARATION OF THE MACHINE FOR VOTING

It will, of course, be understood that all of the counters are readily resettable to zero readings by a qualified custodian preliminary to use of the machine for any voting day. For this purpose he simply opens the bottom door 300. The bottom door 300 is controlled by a lock 302 and a control handle 304 which operates locking bolts 306, 306 extending into locking engagements with the machine frame flanges 162, 162 at opposite sides of the machine (FIG. 20). Upon lowering of the bottom door 300 the custodian thereby gains access to a hidden swing latch as illustrated at 310 which is pivotally mounted on a horizontal angle 311 comprising a portion of the casing frame upon which the lower end of the security panel 148 rests. The latch 310 engages with a stud 312 extending inwardly from the security panel 148, thereby normally retaining the panel 148 in the locked position as shown in FIG. 20. Thus, when the custodian manually releases the latch 310 as explained hereinabove, the security panel is freed to be lifted relative to the keyhole slot and pin locks as indicated at 313 (FIG. 20) and is thereby released for removal, to gain access to the machine interior for resetting the counters to zero readings, or for servicing purposes.

In order to reset the counters the custodian must first insert his key into control lock 154 (FIGS. 2, 18). In order to open the lock however, he must then raise the "after election" latch 270, thereby freeing bar 164 and allowing the key to open lock 154. He then depresses entrance button 175 thereby freeing the main operating handle 192 allowing him to move it into the voting position, thereby raising the cam 225. He may then further displace horizontal strut 228 by actuation of a pivotally mounted crank 314 which is fork-shaped at one end (FIG. 5) and on its opposite end carries a lock housing 316. The housing 316 carries a spring loaded plunger 318 which normally locks the arm 314 to the cam plate 225.

In order to release the counters for resetting, the plunger 318 is manually retracted, thereby allowing the crank 314 to be rotated in counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 5. Because the form portion of the crank 314 is engaged with pin 226, this action displaces the bar 228 toward the left, thereby positioning all of the actuators 138 in relation to their pinions as illustrated at FIG. 12. Thus, the counter units are freed so as to be resettable by the custodian to their zero positions. He does this by manually rotating the reset buttons on the counter units as illustrated at 320 (FIG. 8).

Upon completion of the resetting operation, the mechanism is restored to normal condition by the custodian by first raising the stud 248 on the gravity latch 208 (FIG. 15) thereby causing the forked end of the latch 208 to be free of pin 209 carried by bar 210. This permits the custodian to return the main control handle 192 to a midpoint position of its travel. Then the custodian raises the "after election" latch 270 to the position shown in FIG. 18, thereby pulling bar 164 toward the right. The custodian then returns the control handle to its "home" or nonvoting position while holding latch 270 in its elevated position. As side arm 200 lowers into its normal position as shown at FIG. 18, its foot portion 249 engages surface 276 of the latch 270 and thus holds latch 270 in its normal position as shown at FIG. 18. The counters are now reset to zero, in preparation for the next election.

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The machine is provided on the lower rear door panel 300 with a pair of inlet power receptacles as shown at 400--402 (FIGS. 20, 21) whereby to adapt the machine to operate from different power sources; such as for example from a 115 or a 230 volt source, at either 50 to 60 cycles. A cover plate 404 (FIG. 20) is slidably mounted on the door panel so as to cover either receptacle while the other is in use. As shown in FIG. 21, the power lines from the receptacles lead to the primary of a transformer 405, the secondary of which delivers 115 volts to a terminal board 406 regardless of which power source is being used. From terminal board 406 the 115 volts AC is supplied to solenoid 408, the function of which will be described later. Also, the 115 volts is supplied to the primary windings of transformer 410. The output from the secondary windings of stepdown transformer 410 is 6 volts AC and is employed as the source for powering the remaining electrical devices within the machine and control console.

As described hereinabove, when any individual machine is to be used, the entrance button 175 thereof (FIG. 15) may be manually depressed, thereby releasing the machine for voting. As shown at FIG. 21, 6 volts AC is applied to one side of all of the mercury switches 415 (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 16, 18, 21) from one side of the secondary of transformer 410 through terminal strip 414. The other side of each mercury switch 415 is then connected to one side of the filament of a corresponding "back light" lamp 416, and the other side of the filament is connected to ground. One terminal on the secondary of transformer 410 is grounded. Therefore, the "back light" lamps 416 are illuminated whenever their respective mercury switches 415 are closed. The mercury switches 415 are closed as the result of depressing their associated vote buttons 116, causing angular displacements of their carrying arms 130, as described hereinabove. Such angular displacements of the switches cause them to close, and the corresponding "back light" lamps are illuminated. A silhouette X mark carried by a transparent cover panel in front of each lamp as illustrated at 418 (FIG. 19) visually confirms to the voter that his intended selection has been made. As explained hereinabove, as the voter moves the control handle 192 to the left in order to register his vote, this action through linkage mechanism including bar 220 operates to return the previously displaced arm 130 to its nonvoted position; thus opening the previously closed mercury switch and extinguishing the back light.

As illustrated at FIGS. 21, 22, in lieu of manual entrance control, release of the machine of the invention for voting may be electrically and remotely controlled. For example, as illustrated at FIG. 22, this system facilitates remote control of a plurality of such machines as indicated individually at 102, 102, 102, by a centrally located election official from a control console 255. In such case, the console (FIG. 21) may include a pushbutton switch 420 and an "on" signal light 422 corresponding to each voting machine to be "entrance" controlled; and the electrical system is so arranged that whenever a switch 420 is depressed by the election official, a circuit controlling the coil 424 of a holding relay 425 is closed. Coil 424 is then energized by the 6 volt AC received from the secondary of transformer 410, thus pulling the armature of relay 425 down and closing the relay contacts, thereby completion three separate circuits, as follows.

1. A 6 volt AC holding circuit to keep coil 424 energized and the contacts of relay 425 closed, notwithstanding pushbutton 420 is only a momentary type switch. Switch 420 opens when manually released thereby breaking the circuit used to originally close the contacts in relay 425. The contacts of relay 425 must remain closed during most of the voting sequence, as will be described hereafter.

2. Another 6 volt AC circuit is established to illuminate the corresponding lamp 422 on the control console, showing to the election official that the designated machine has been opened for voting. Again the source of power is obtained from the secondary of transformer 410, and this circuit is completed when relay 425 has been closed through a second set of relay contacts.

3. Through a third set of closed contacts in relay 425, solenoid 408 is provided with 115 volts AC thus energizing its coil and actuating its armature in a downward direction. This straight line displacement pulls the entrance mechanism bar 178 (FIG. 15) which it is attached to in such a direction as to mechanically open the machine for voting as described hereinabove. When bar 170 moves into the unlocked position, it opens snap switch 426 (FIGS. 15, 16, 18, 21) controlling the circuit to solenoid 408, and thus deenergizes its coil. However, the entrance mechanism remains in the vote position because of the detent 260 on bar 178 engaging with bellcrank 177.

As the voter moves the control handle 192 towards his right, a snap switch 427 (FIGS. 19, 21) is opened, thereby preventing any overcontrol interferences from the console. As the handle reaches its extreme right-hand position a snap switch 429 (FIGS. 19, 21) opens, causing the console lamp 422 (FIG. 21) to go out. The holding relay 425 operates until such time as the voter has completed his selection and moves the main control handle 192 towards its "home" position, whereupon return of the entrance control linkage bar 170 to locking position causes a snap switch 428 (FIGS. 15, 21) to open, thus deenergizing relay 425.

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