US755836A - Voting-machine. - Google Patents

Description

N 755,836. PATENTED MAR. 29, 1-904. A. P. BARDWELL.

VOTING MACHINE.

N0 MODEL. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1903. 3 SHEETS QHEET 1 I avvoemboz "bl \l c 3 M H. M QM: Q 1 Q H "3U. \lmm m3 J g wrmn w $3 mm. mm wmq m emi l eowo mi 0; fl i o PATBNTED MAR. 29, 1904.

A. F. BARDWELL. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 27. 1903 s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

THE uomus PUERS co., PHOTO'UTHO wsnmmou. uv c.

No. 755,836. PATENTED MAR. 29, 1904.

A. F. BARDWELL. VOTING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1903. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

NO VOTE 1x 1 mwaeo I w Q n/ pq Wm M W Wu: Noams PETERS cov PHOYO-LH'PK/u wnsnmamu. n. c.

Patented March 29, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR FRANCIS BARDWELL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK ALBERT B ARDWELL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '7 55,836, dated March 29, 1904;.

Original application filed November 21, 1902, Serial No. 132,349. Divided and this application filed May 27, 1903. Serial To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR FRANoIs BARD- WELL, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Boston, in the county of Sufi'olk and 5 State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates generally to improvements in registering-machines, and particularly to that class of registering-machines the purpose of which is to register votes.

One object of my invention is to provide means whereby the voter may obtain access to one set or portion of the vote-registering devices while he is denied access to the remaining set or portion of the vote-registering de-' vices.

In carrying out this object in the construction hereinafter described'the mechanism is so arranged as to permit the voter after he has passed the warden or precinct officer to raise the entrance-bar (thereby releasing or rendering operative the vote-registering devices) and to pass to the front of the machine.

Although the voter has gained access to the front of the machine and has released the vote-registering devices, he has not yet obtained access to the vote-registering devices, for the register-actuators are covered by cover-slides which prevent access to them. To render a set of these register-actuators accessible, the voter actuates a selecting device by which he uncovers and renders accessible to himself the register-actuators of that set, the rest of the register-actuators remaining inaccessible to him, and, further, by the operation of the said selecting device he denies himself the privilege previously had of rendering accessible any of the register-actuators other than those of the selected set. By these means a voter who desires to operate among the register-actuators assigned to one of two alternative systems or kinds of voting for candidates may do so and yet find himself restricted to a legal ballot-that is, unable to operate among the registeractuators of or assigned to the other of said two systems or kinds of voting.

The assignment of the regis- (No model.)

ter-actuators is made by labels, as is hereinafter described; but neither the register-actua- 5 tors nor the registers of the two sets differ in any way, nor do the limiting devices thereof diifer in construction or arrangement. With said register-actuators are combined means by which the voter is enabled to select which of two alternative sets of register-actuatorshe shall make accessible to himself, the registeractuators of both sets being normally inaccessible. Hence I provide no mechanism for one system of voting distinctive from that pro- 6 vided for the other or alternative system or method of voting, the counting devices, their actuators, and limiting devices being the same in whichever method of voting is selected by the elector; but having elected to cast 5 his vote by one of the two alternative methods in preference to the other the voter is barred from voting by the other method. Moreover, (and this is very important,) no interlocking devices between the voting mech 7o anisms of one system and those of the other system are used in my new construction. From all this results the important advantage that my machine is interchangeable, the voting mechanisms of one system being like those of the other system, and the operation of one voting mechanism assigned to one system in no wise aifects the operation of any voting mechanism assigned to the other system. As before stated, the assignment is a mere matter of labels and not of differing structures. The number of sections which go to make up or are assigned to either system is not important, and while I have shown herein only one section as constituting one of the 8 5 sets it is obvious more than one may be assigned to either set.

showing, on a larger scale, parts of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear view of so much of my machine as is necessary to illustrate my invention, the registers being removed. Fig. i is a sectional view on line A A, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on lineB B, Fig. 4i. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line (1 C, Fig. 3; and Figs. 7 and 8 are details of the actuating devices for the coverslide mechanism.

In my new voting-machine access is obtaincd to the register-actuators through keyholes, as in the machine described and shown in the patent granted me April 8, 1902, No. 696,925; but in the latter machine the voter after passing the entrance-bar has access to all the actuators of the machine, whereas in my new voting-machine all the register-actuators are inaccessible to the voter after he has passed the entrance-bar. In my new votingmachine, moreover, the turning of a registeractuator belonging to one of two alternative systems or methods of voting that is, a register-actuator of a voting mechanism assigned by label to one of said methodsdoes not in any wise affect the operation of a voting mechanism or of its actuator belonging or assigned to the other set or system.

In the machine herein described the voter is not given access to all the actuators, although all the actuators are after the voter has passed the entrance-bar free to be turned forward, provided access can. be obtained to them through their respective keyholes. Covering devices are provided by which the keyholes are rendered inaccessible to the voter until he by throwing a lever renders accessible to himself the keyholes of the actuators assigned to one class of voting and by the same operation denies himself the privilege previously had of gaining access to the covered keyholes of the actuators assigned to the other class of votingthat is, means are provided by which the voter may select and uncover either of two sets of the covered keyholes, but he cannot uncover both sets, and by uncovering one set he destroys his privilege of uncovering the other set and gaining access to the register-actuators of that set.

Extending from top to bottom of each section-plate a and secured to the front face thereof along its central line is a keyholestrip 29, formed with keyholes 30, through which access is obtained by means of a key to the slotted front end of the actuator "16. There is a keyhole for the actuator of each register Z. Over the keyhole-strips 29, secured to those section-plates (t in which are journaled the front ends of the actuators u, assigned to voting for candidates, are mounted cover-slides, the inturned edges 34 of which embrace the side edges of the keyhole-strip 29. Each of the cover-slides is provided with a series of apertures 35, one for each keyhole 30 in the keyhole-strip 29, covered by it; but in the initial or normal position of the cover-slides the apertures do not register with their adjacent cooperating keyholes. Secured to the lower end of each of the cover-slides is a slotted rack-bar 36, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of the pinion 37, and through slots in which pass securing-screws into the web (7, upon which are mounted. the pinions 37. Meshing with said pinions 37 are two transverse horizontallyslidable rack-bars 38 39, which ar supported by the web 9. Outside the casing (/f of the machine, and therefore accessible to the voter after he has passed the GTIUHHCGTlJiLI', is a crank-arm 40, suitably secured to one of the pinions 37, (to the one on the left of Fig. 2 in the construction herein shown.) The knob L1 affords the voter a suitable meansby which he is enabled to rock the arm 40, and thereby to actuate the intermeshing. toothed mechanism described. A modified construction is shown in Fig. 3, wherein the front easing (0* of the machine is formed with a vertical slot 42, through which passes the shank of the knob i3, and said shank is secured in a hole 44: in one of the vertical rack-bars 36, (to the one on the left of Fig. 2 in the construction herein described and shown.) By moving the knob 43 up and down the intermeshing toothed mechanism just described will be actuated, as will be readily understood from Fig. 1. ()b viously it is immaterial to which pinion 37 the arm 40 is secured or to which rack-bar 36 the knob 43 is attached, and, again, obviously the knob &3 may be connected to either of the transverse rackbars 38 39 to reciprocatesaid rack-bars, with precisely the same effect upon the intermeshing toothed mechanism.

In my new machine the cover-slide 32 hides the keyholes through which is obtained access to the voting mechanisms assigned by label to one class or method of voting for candidates, while the cover-slides 33 similarly conceal the keyholes through which is obtained access to the voting mechanisms as signed by like 111 BMIS to the other or alternative method of voting for candidates. Vhile only one cover-slide 32 is herein shown, it is obvious that as many such slides will, and without departing from the spirit of my invention, may be provided as there are sections or columns assigned to that system or method of voting.

As above stated, the apertures in the keyhole cover-slides do not initially register with their cooperating adjacent keyholes 30, but are initially either above or below said keyholes. In the case of the cover-slide 32, which covers the keyhole-strip on the sectionplate a, in which are rotatably mounted the actuators assigned to one of the two alternative methods of voting, the apertures are initially below the keyholes with which they are designed to register, and thereby give access to the register-actuators of that section or column, while in the other cover-slides, 33,

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the apertures are initially above the keyholes with which they are designed to register for a similar purpose. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the register-actuators of column P are assigned to voting for candidates by one of the alternative systems or methods of voting, while the remaining columns are assigned to like voting by the other of said systems.

When the crank-arm is so moved as to cause the apertures 35 in the cover-slide 32 to register each with its cooperating keyhole, the apertures 35 in the other cover-slides, 33, are moved still farther out of register with their cooperating keyholes, and, similarly, when the apertures in the cover-slides 33 are made to register each with its cooperating keyhole the apertures in the cover-slide 32 are moved still farther out of register each with its cooperating adjacent keyhole. This results from the arrangement of the apertures with relation to their respective cooperating keyholes, the apertures in the cover-slide 32 being each below its cooperating keyhole, while in the other cover-slides, 33, each aperture is above its cooperating keyhole. Hence if the voter so moves the arm 40 as to obtain access to the voting mechanisms assigned to one of the two alternative ways of voting for candidates he denies himself the privilege previously had of gaining access to the other voting mechanisms assigned to the other of said alternative ways, and vice versa. Not only does the voter move the apertures still farther out of register, as described, but he also looks the transverse rack-bars 38 39, so as to maintain the said apertures in that position and to prevent his bringing them by the reverse movementof the arm 40 into register each with its cooperating keyhole. Thus having elected to move one set of apertures into register, as described, he cannot subsequently move the other set of apertures into register also, or having elected to vote by one of the alternative methods permitted he cannot subsequently vote by the other of said methods.

The locking device for the transverse rackbars 38 39 is constructed and arranged as follows: At or near the ends of said rack-bars 38 39 are riveted blocks 45 46, respectively, and to the web (1 are secured two flat springs 47, the free ends of which are connected by a cross-plate 48. WVhen the parts are in their initial position, the blocks 45 46 he under the cross-plate 48, as is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1; but when the voter throws the arm over to one side or the other the rack-bars 38 39 are moved in opposite directions, thereby separating the bloc-ks 45 46 from each other.

The adjustment of the parts is such that just as the throw of the arm 40 in either direction is completed and the desired set of apertures are brought into register each with its cooperating keyhole, and not before, the blocks 45 46 pass from under the cross-plate 48 and permit the springs 47 to force the crossplate 48 between said blocks, thereby preventing the reverse movement of said rack-bars by the same voter until in passing through the eXit from the machine he resets the mechanism to its normal or initial position. Obviously, then, the voter does not deny himself access to either set of keyholes (or of actuators or voting mechanisms) until he has completed the throw of the arm 40, and has thereby brought the apertures and keyholes of the selected set into operative register with each other.

Upon leaving the machine the voter restores the parts to their initial position and blocks further movement of the transverse rack-bars 38 39 until the entrance-bar is raised by an other voter. The mechanism by which these results are accomplished is as follows: The web q is formed with a horizontal slot 49, through which projects a screw 50,that secures a T-shaped resetting-bar 51 to the resettingslide 52. When the resetting-slide 52 is moved from its releasing to its locking position by raising the exit-bar 53, the resetting-bar 51 is moved to the right in Fig. 1. Near the middle of the shank of the resetting-bar 51 is formed an incline 54, which leads from the upper surface of the head of said bar, and when the said bar 51 is moved, as described, by the raising of the exit-bar 53 the incline 54 rubs under the cross-plate 48 and raises it from between the blocks 45 46, in which position it is held by the head of said bar 51. Further movement of the resetting-slide 52 in the same direction causes one of the cars 55 on the resetting-bar 51 to engage the nearest block on one of the transverse rack-bars and to move it to the right in Fig. 1. Thus the transverse rackbars 38 39, the cover-slides 32 33, and the arm 40 are restored to their initial position. Between the web 9 and a flat spring 56'is secured a block 57 and to the free end of said spring is secured a cross-bar 58, formed with a hole in each end, through which holes project guide-pins 59 from the web q. Projecting from the crossbar 58 is a conical pointed stud 60, that passes through a hole in the web q, Fig. 6. The resetting-slide 52 is formed at one end with a lip 61, which rubs against the point of the stud 60 when the entrance-bar 62 is raised, and thereby moves the resetting-slide 52 from its locking to its releasing position. This movement of the resetting-slide 52 forces, through the contact of the lip 61 with the stud 60, the cross-bar 58 from the web (1 a distance suificient to permit either of the rack-bars 38 39 to pass between it and the web 9. When, however, the resetting-slide 52 is moved by the raising of the exit-bar 53 from its releasing to its lockin g position, (at the end of which movement the parts are restored to their initial position and held therein by the resetting-slide, as is fully described in said Patent No. 696,925,) the lip 61 is moved out of contact with the stud 60, thereby permitting the spring 56 to force the cross-bar 58 against the web 1, and thus to block the path of travel of the rack-bars 38 39. Thus the actuating mechanism of the cover-slides is prevented from being operated until another voter upon entering raises the entrance-bar, andthereby moves the resetting-slide 52, as described.

In order to maintain the cover-slides 32 33 from contact with the casing of the machine, U-shaped clips 138 are provided, as shown in Fig. 5.

Cards or labels are secured to the face of the machine, as is fully described in my said Patent No. 696, 925. These cards indicate fully to the voter to which of the alternative methods of voting are assigned the voting mechanism, the keyhole leading to which is in the center of the card, and with such particularity that the voter may readily select which of the keyholes he shall uncover in order to pursue that one of the alternative methods of voting preferred by him, and so among which set of actuators he shall operate. The register-actuators, the registers, and the limiting devices may be as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 15 of said patent.

The operation of my new voting machine is as follows: The voter is handed by the precinct oflicer a key similar to that shown in Fig. 15 of said patent. He then raises the entrance-bar 62, (the bar on the right of Fig. 3,) and by means of the chain 124:, which connects the detent 125 with the resetting-slide 52, he draws said slide toward the entrance end of the machine. In thus moving from the exit end to the entrance end of the machine the resetting-slide moves from its locking to its releasing position. in its locking position the lower ends of the inclines 126 of the resetting-slide 52 rest upon the studs 127, projecting from the lower ends of the resetting-strips 67 and hold said strips in their lowered position, so that they cannot be raised therefrom. In its releasing position the upper ends of the inclines 126 are over the studs 127 and free vertical movement is permitted all the resetting-strips 67. The voter finds covered the keyholes of all the columns. If he wishes to vote for candidates by the method to which are assigned the veting mechanisms concealed by the cover-slide 32, (as to which assignment he is fully informed by the notice printed upon the labels over said voting mechanisms,) he throws the arm 10 to the left in Fig. 2, and thereby so actuates the intermeshing toothed mechanism shown near the bottom of Fig. 2 that the apertures 35 in the cover-slide 32 of the de sired set of voting mechanisms come into register with the keyholes through which access is obtained to the actuators of said voting mechanisms, while the apertures in the coverslides of the other columns are by the same operation moved still farther out of mg ister with their cooperating keyholes. Just as the apertures of the cover-slide 32 come into register with their cooperating adjacent keyholes, as described, the cross-plate 1-8 is forced by its sprin s 17 between the blocks 4:5 16 on the transverse rack-bars 38 39, thereby preventing any further movement of the arm 40 by the voter until by raising the exitbar on passing out he resets the machine, as set forth in said patent. The voter now inserts the key in the keyhole in the center of the card over the voting mechanism he desires to actuate, and the bitted end of the key engages in the slotted front end of the register-actuator. By giving the key a half-turn to the right the voter casts his vote by actuating the counting mechanism, as described in the said patent. Having expressed his choice in one of the alternative methods permitted by my new construction that is, having actuated the voting mechanisms assigned to one of the alternative methods of voting and to the extent legally permissible--the voter has exhausted his privileges, except that of changing his vote. This he may still do by turning the key backward, as in unlocking a door, therebyrestoring the voting mechanism to its original condition and turning ofl his vote, and only his vote; but he cannot operate in the columns the voting mechanisms of which are assigned to the other of the alternative systems of voting, not because the actuators of these voting mechanisms are locked against rotation, but because the keyholes through which access is obtained to said actuators are covered by the slides and are therefore inaccessible. In my new machine every actuator is free to rotate and maybe rotated, provided access can be obtained to it through its keyhole. Upon passing out the voter raises the exit-bar 53, (the bar on the right of Fig. 1,) and thereby draws the resetting-slide 52 from its releasing to its locking position. In the movement of the resetting-slide 52 from the entrance end to the exit end of the machine the inclines 126 rub against the studs 127 on the ends or the resetting-strips 67, and thereby draw down any resetting-strip 67 which is in a raised position, and the downward movement of the resetting-strip 67 restores to their initial position such of the twin-cared slides 75, spreader-rods 91, spreaders 92, and indicator-plates 120 as have been moved therefrom, all as described in the said patent.

The mode in which the cover-slide-actuating mechanism is restored to its initial position by the raising of the exit-bar 53 and blocked from movement in that position has already been described.

So far as known to mejl am the first to provide a voting-machine in which the actuators of the counting mechanisms are initially inaccessible to the voter after he has been given access to the face of the machine through the entrance. Again, so far as known to me I am the first to provide a voting-machine in which the actuators of the counting mechanisms, though unlocked after the voter passes the entrance, are inaccessible to him and the first to provide means by which the voter may render accessible to himself certain of these actuators and by the same operation render the remainder of the actuators permanently inaccessible to himself. So far as known to me in voting-machines heretofore made the actuators of the counting mechanisms are accessible to the voter after he has passed the entrance and gained access to the face of the machine. Further, in such machines the operation of keys or actuators in a certain group or series are designed to'cause the locking of keys or actuators of other groups or series, there being an interlocking mechanism between the several groups or series. By my invention I do away with such interlocking mechanism between the several groups or series, and one section may be of precisely the same construction as that of all the other sections.

I/Vhat I claim is 1. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of register-actuators; a plurality of independentlyoperable covers, each of which normally covers a plurality of said register-actuators; and means operable to shift any given cover.

2. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of register-actuators; a plurality of independently operable covers, each of which normally covers a plurality of said register-actuators; and means operable to shift any given cover and simultaneously to lock the other covers against operation.

3. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of series of register-actuators; a plurality of covers, one for each of said series; and means operable to shift any one of said covers. x

4:. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of series of register-actuators; a plurality of covers, one for each of said series; and means operable to shift any one of said covers and simultaneously to lock the others of said covers against operation.

5. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of series of register-actuators; a plurality of covers which normally render said register-actuators inaccessible; and means whereby the operation of one of said covers to expose and render accessible a predetermined one of said series results in looking the other of said covers against actuation and thereby retains the other of said series in an inaccessible condition.

6. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators, access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover which normally covers said holes and thereby renders said register-actuators inaccessible to the voter; and means operable by the voter for so moving said cover as to render a plurality of said register-actuators accessible to the voter.

7. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover-slide formed with apertures which are normally out of register with said holes, said slide thereby rendering the register-actuators normally inaccessible to the voter; and means under control of the voter for so moving said cover-slide as to bring said apertures and said holes into register with one another and thereby to render said register-actuators accessible to the voter.

8. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover which normally covers said holes and thereby renders said register-actuators inaccessible to the voter; means designed and adapted to be freely operable by the voter for so moving said cover as to render a plurality of said register-actuators accessible to the voter; and means which automatically lock said moving means when said registers are made accessible to the voter.

9. In a votingmachine; the combination of.

.to their original position and thereby renders said register-actuators again inaccessible.

10. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover which normally covers said holes and thereby renders said register-actuators inaccessible to the voter; means adapted and designed to be freely operable by the voter for so moving said cover as to render a plurality of said register-actuators accessible to the voter; devices which prevent the actuation of said moving means; and mechanism adapted and designed to be freely operable by the voter for releasing said devices.

11. Inavoting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover-slide formed with apertures which are normally out of register with said holes, said slide thereby rendering the register-actuators normally inaccessible to the voter; means under the control of the voter for so moving said coverslide as to bring said apertures and said holes into register with one another and thereby to render said register-actuators accessible to himself; and means for locking said moving means after their operation by the voter.

12. In a voting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators, access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover-slide formed with apertures which are normally out of register with said holes, said slide thereby rendering the register-actuators normally inaccessible to the voter; mechanism under control of the voter for so moving said coverslide as to bring said apertures and said holes into register with one another and thereby to render said register-actuators accessible to himself; means for locking said mechanism after its operation by the voter; and means for releasing and restoring said mechanism to its original position.

13. In avoting-machine, the combination of a casing formed with a plurality of holes; a plurality of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; a cover-slide formed with apertures which are normally out of register with said holes, said slide thereby rendering the register-actuators normally inaccessible to the voter; mechanism under control of the voter for so moving said coverslide as to bring said apertures and said holes into register with one another and thereby to render said register-actuators accessible to himself; means for locking said mechanism in its initial position; and means for releasing said locking means to permit the operation of said mechanism.

1 1. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; a cover mounted in said frame, which cover normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; and mechanism designed and adapted to be freely operable by the voter for so moving said cover as to render a plurality of said actuators accessible to the voter.

15. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; a cover mounted in said frame, which cover normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; mechanism designed and adapted to be freely operable by the voter for so moving said cover as to render said actuators accessible to the voter; and means for locking said mechanism automatically when said registering-actuators are rendered accessible to the voter.

16. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; a cover mounted in said frame, which cover normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; mechanism for so moving said cover as to render said actuators accessible to the voter; means for locking said mechanism when said actuators are made accessible to the voter; and means for releasing said locking means and restoring said mechanism to its initial position.

17. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators'mountcd therein; a cover mounted in said frame, which cover normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; mechanism for so moving said cover as to render said actuators accessible to the voter; devices which prevent the actuation of said mechanism to render said actuators accessible to the voter; and means for releasing said devices, said means being designed and adapted to be freely operable by the voter.

18. The combination in avoting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actu ators mounted therein; a cover-slide mounted in said frame and formed with holes, which cover-slide normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; and mechanism for so moving said cover-slide as to render said actuators accessible to the voter through said holes.

19. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; a cover-slide mounted in said frame and formed with holes, which cover-slide normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; mechanism for so moving said cover-slide as to render said actuators accessible to the voter through said holes; and means for locking said mechanism after its operation by the voter.

20. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actu ators mounted therein; a cover-slide mounted in said frame and formed with holes, which cover-slide normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; mechanism for so moving said cover-slide as to render said actuators accessible to the voter through said holes; means for locking said mechanism after its operation; and means for releasing and restoring said mechanism to its initial position.

21. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; a cover-slide mounted in said frame and formed with holes, which cover-slide normally renders said actuators inaccessible to the voter; mechanism for somoving said cover-slide as to render said actuators accessible to the voter through said holes; means for locking said mechanism in its initial position; and means for releasing said looking means to permit the operation of said mechanism.

22. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of covers, one for each of said series, which covers make normally inaccessible to the voter the several series of register-actuators, each the lIO series covered by it; and mechanism for so moving said covers as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series inaccessible to him.

23. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of cover-slides, one for each of said series, which cover-slides make normally inaccessibleto the voter the several series of register-actuators, each the series covered by it; and mechanism for so moving said cover-slides as to make accessible at the will. of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series thereof inaccessible to him.

24. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of covers, one for each of said series, which covers make normally inaccessible to the voter the several series of register-actuators, each the series covered by it; mechanism for so moving said covers as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series inaccessible to him; and means for locking said mechanism after its operation.

25. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of covers, one for each of said series, which covers make normally inaccessible to the voter the several series of register-actuators, each the series covered by it; mechanism for so moving said covers as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series thereof inaccessible to him; means for locking said mechanism after its operation; and means for releasing said mechanism and restoring it to its initial position.

26. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of covers, one for each of said series, which covers make normally inaccessible to the voter the several series of register-actuators, each the series covered by it; mechanism for so moving said covers as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series thereof inaccessible to him; means for looking said mechanism in its initial position and means for releasing said locking means to permit the operation of said mechanism.

27. The combination in a voting-machine of amachine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of cover-slides, one for each of said series, which cover-slides make normally inaccessible to the voter the several series of registeractuators, each the series covered by it; mechanism for so moving said cover-slides as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series thereof inaccessible to him; and means for locking said mechanism after its operation.

28. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of cover-slides, one for each of said series, which cover-slides make normally inaccessible to thevoter the several series of registeractuators, each the series covered by it; mechanism for so moving said cover-slides as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series thereof inaccessible to him; means for locking said mechanism after its operation; and means for releasing said mechanism and restoring it to its initial position. i

29. The combination in a voting-machine of a machine-frame; a plurality of series of register-actuators mounted therein; a plurality of cover-slides, one for each of said series, which cover-slides make normally inaccessible to the voter the several series of registeractuators, each the series covered by it; mechanism for so moving said cover-slides as to make accessible at the will of the voter certain of said series of register-actuators and the remaining series thereof inaccessible to him; means for locking said mechanism in its initial position; and means for releasing said locking means to permit the operation of said mechanism.

30. The combination in a voting-machine of a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators, access to which is obtained through said holes; with a cover for each of said series of register-actuators, said covers being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; and mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said covers into register with their adjacent holes and so to move the remaining covers that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their cooperating holes.

31. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators, access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover-slide for each of said series of registeractuators, said cover-slides being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; and mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said cover-slides into register with their adjacent holes and so to move the remaining c0ver-slides that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their cooperating holes.

32. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover for each of said series of register-actuators, said covers being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said covers into register with their cooperating holes and so to move the remaining covers that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their oooper ating holes; and means for locking said mechanism after its operation.

33. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover for each of said series of register-actuators, said covers being formed with apertures normall y out of register with said holes; mechanism by whiclrthe voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said covers into register with their cooperating holes and so to move the remaining covers that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their cooperating holes; means by which said mechanism is locked after its operation; and means for releasing and restoring said mechanism to its initial position.

34. In a votingmachine, the combination with a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators, access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover for each of said series of register-actuators, said covers being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said covers into regis ter with their cooperating holes and so to move the remaining covers that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their cooperating holes; means for locking said mechanism in its initial position; and means for releasing said locking means to permit the operation of said mechanism.

35. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover-slide for each of said series of registeractuators, said cover-slides being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said cover-slides into register with their cooperating holes and so to move the remaining coverslides that their apertures lie still farther out of register with thei r cooperating holes; means by which said mechanism is looked after its operation; and means for releasing and restoring said mechanism to its initial position.

36. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing formed with holes and a pinrality of series of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover-slide for each of said series of registeractuators, said cover-slides being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said coverslides into register with their cot'apcrating holes and so to move the remaining coverslides that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their cooperating holes; and means for locking said mechanism after its operation.

37. In a voting-machine, the combination with a casing formed with holes, and a plurality of series of register-actuators access to which is obtained through said holes; of a cover-slide for each of said series of registeractuators, said cover-slides being formed with apertures normally out of register with said holes; mechanism by which the voter is enabled to bring the apertures of certain of said cover-slides into register with their cooperating holes and so to move the remaining coverslides that their apertures lie still farther out of register with their cooperatin g holes; mechanism for locking said mechanism in its initial position; and means for lGlQEISlIlQ, said locking mechanism.

38. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a rack-lair for each of said cover devices, a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rackbars common to and meshing with all said pinions; and a device for actuating said rackbars.

39. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a rack-bar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rackbars common to and meshing with all said pinions; adevice for actuating said rack-bars; and mechanism for locking said actuating device.

4L0. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and cover devices therefor; of a raclvbar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rack-bars common to and meshing with all said pinions; a device for actuating said raclebars; means for locking said actuating device after its op eration; and means for releasing and restoring said actuating device to its initial position.

4C1. In a votingmachine the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a raclebar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said raclebars; a pair of rackbars common to and meshing with all said pinions; a device for actuating said .racl -bars; means for locking said actuating device in its initial position; and means for releasing said actuating device to permit its operation.

&2. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a raclebar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rackbars common to and meshing with all said pin ions; and a device under control of the voter for actuating said rack-bars.

a3. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a rack-bar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rackbars common to and meshing with all said pinions; a device under control of the voter for actuating said rack-bars; and means beyond the control of the voter for locking said actuating device after its operation by the voter.

4% In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a rack-bar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rackbars common to and meshing with all said pinions; a device under control of the voter for actuating said rack-bars; means for locking said actuating device after its operation by the voter; and means under control of the voter for releasing and restoring said actuating device to its initial position as he passes from the machine.

45. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators and of cover devices therefor; of a rack-bar for each of said cover devices; a pinion for and meshing with each of said rack-bars; a pair of rack bars common to and meshing with all said pinions; a device under control of the voter for actuating said rack-bars; means for looking said actuating device in its initial position; and means for releasing said locking means to permit the operation of said actuating device.

46. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators, a cover device therefor and means for actuating said cover device; of an exit bar; a resetting mechanism operatively connected with said exit-bar and said actuating means to restore said coVer device to its initial position; and means to lock said actuating means in their initial position.

47. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators, a cover device therefor and means for actuating said cover device; of an exit-bar; and a resetting mechanism operatively connected with said exit-bar and said actuating means to restore said cover device to its initial position.

48. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of register-actuators, a cover device therefor, and means for actuating said cover device; of an entrance-bar; an exit-bar; a resetting mechanism operatively connected with said bars; and means to lock said actuating means, which locking means are released by the movement of the resetting mechanism caused by the operation of the entrance-bar.

49. In a voting-machine, the combination with a plurality of series of register-actuators, a cover device for each of said series, means for actuating said cover devices to render certain of said series accessible to the voter and the remainder of said series inaccessible to him, and means for locking said actuating means after their operation; of an exit-bar;

and a resetting mechanism operated by said eXit-bar to release and restore said actuating means to their initial position.

50. In a voting-machine, the combination of an entrance-bar; an exit-bar; a resetting mechanism operatively connected with each of said bars; a plurality of series of registeractuators; a cover for each of said series; means for actuating said covers to render accessible to the voter certain of said series and the remainder inaccessible to him; means for locking said actuating means in their initial position; and means for locking said actuating means after their operation by the voter.

51. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of covers; actuating means therefor; a device which prevents the movement of said actuating means from their initial position; a resetting mechanism operatively connected with and driven by an entrance-bar to release said device to permit the movement of said actuating means from their initial position; said entrance-bar; means for automatically locking said actuating means after their operation by the voter; and an exit-bar operatively connected with said resetting mechanism and by the operation of which the said mechanism is moved to release said actuating means and to restore them to their initial position. v

52. In a voting-machine, the combination of a plurality of vote-registering devices; actuators therefor; means which prevent the operation of said actuators; devices which cover said actuators and thereby render them inaccessible to the voter; an entrance-bar; a resetting mechanism moved by said entrancebar to release said preventing means to permit the operation of said actuators; means under control of the voter for actuating said cover devices to uncover said actuators after said actuators have been released; means for locking said cover-device-actuating mechanism after its operation by the voter; and an exit-bar which is operatively connected with said resetting mechanism and by the operation of which said cover device actuating mechanism is released and restored to its initial position and said actuating mechanism and said preventing means are locked in their initial position.

53. In a voting-machine, the combination of a coverslide mechanism; operating means therefor under control of the voter; means which lock said cover-slide mechanism after its actuation; an eXitbar operatively connected with a resetting mechanism; said resetting mechanism Which, when moved by the operation of said exit-bar, releases said coverslide mechanism and restores it to its original IIO position; means for locking said cover-slide mechanism in its original position; and an entrance-bar which is connected with said resetting mechanism and by its operation causes the resetting mechanism to release the lastnamed locking means.

54. A voting-machine made up of a casing formed with holes; a plurality of voteregistering devices mounted within said casing; actuating mechanism for said devices; access to which is obtained through holes in said easing; cover devices for said holes by which access is denied initially to said actuating mechanism; and means by which said cover devices are operated to afford access to only a part of said actuating mechanism, the remainder of said actuating mechanism being rendered permanently inaccessible to the voter by said means.

55. A voting-machine made up of a casing formed with holes; a plurality of vote-registering devices mounted within said casing; actuating mechanism for said devices, access to which is obtained through holes in said casing; cover devices for said holes by which access is denied initially to said actuating mechanism; means by which said cover devices are operated to afford access to only a part of said actuating mechanism, the remainder of said actuating mechanism being rendered permanently inaccessible to the voter by said means; and a resetting mechanism.

56. A voting-machine made up of a casing formed with holes; a plurality of vote-registering devices mounted within said casing; actuating mechanism for said devices, access to which is obtained through said holes; cover devices for said holes by which access is denied initially to said actuating mechanism; means by which said cover devices are operated to afford access to only a part of said actuating mechanism; the remainder of said actuating mechanism being rendered permanently inaccessible to the voter bysaid means; means for locking said operating means in their initial position; and means for releasing said locking means.

57. In a voting-machine the combination with a casing and a plurality of register-actuators mounted therein; of a cover-slide; and means which hold said slide off said casing to permit its free actuation.

58. In a voting-machine, a plurality of counting mechanism; a plurality of actuators therefor; means normally concealing said ac tuators; and operating means therefor both rendering some of said actuators accessible and rendering others of said actuators inaccessible.

59. The combination of a plurality of operating mechanisms, resettingmechanisms, and concealing mechanisms eflective to conceal some of the operating mechanisms after one.

of the operating mechanisms is operated and until reset by the resetting means.

60. "he combination of a plurality oi series of concealed voting devices with a selecting mechanism by which the voter is enabled to select and expose certain of said series and simultaneously lock the others of said series against exposure. 1

61. The combination of a plurality of series of concealed voting devices with a selecting mechanism by which the voter is enabled to select and expose certain 01'' said series and simultaneously lock the others of said series against exposure; and resetting means.

' 62. The combination of a plurality of series of concealed voting devices with a selecting mechanism by which the voter is enabled to select and expose certain of said series and simultaneously lock the others of said series against exposure; means for restoring said mechanism to its initial position and looking it therein; and a releasing device to permit its operation.

68. The combination of a plurality of series of concealed voting devices with a selecting mechanism by which to select and expose certain of said series for operation and simultaneously lock the remaining series against exposure; resetting means operated by an exitbar; and said exit-bar.

64:. The combination of a plurality of series of concealed voting devices with a selecting mechanism by which to select and expose for operation certain of said series and simultaneously lock the remaining series against exposure; resetting means operated by an exitbar; said exit-bar; means for locking said mechanism in its initial position; means for releasing said locking means; and an entrancebar by which to operate said releasing means.

ARTHUR F ANCIS BARDWELL.

Witnesses:

F. M. BARDWELL, L. L. BARDWELL.

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