Page:Patent for Legislative Voting-Register US27753.pdf/4

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. J. W. WYIETIMIORIE, OIF IEIRIE, PENNSYLVANIA. LEGISLAVE WOTING-REGISTER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 27.753, dated April 3, 1860.

their construction and mode of operation; To all whom it may concern: IBe it known that I, JPROAFE. W. WETyroRE, and my invention consists First. In arrang of the city and county of Erie, in the State ing the names of the voters in a series of 60 of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new blocks or types, each one of which moves 5 and useful Improvements in Apparatus for independently of the others, and is brought Taking, Counting, and Recording Votes in in contact with the sheet upon which the of the voter is to be printed by means Legislative Bodies, of which the following name of mechanism under the exclusive control of isencea full, clear, and exact description, refer being had to the accompanying draw the votor whilst at his seat; by which means O ings, which make part of this specification, any interference with the proper recording of the vote is effectually prevented. Sec and in which Figure 1 represents, in perspective, a Ondly. In arranging the printing mechan model of an apparatus for taking votes, ism in such relation to that by which the embracing my improvements, as it would ballot-balls are released from their boxes, 70 5 appear to a spectator in front and on One that they shall both be operated simultane and by the movement of the same side of the same. Fig. 2 represents a sim ously, parts; by which arrangement one acts as a ilar view of the same as it would appear to check upon the other. Thirdly. Making a spectator in rear and on One side thereof. Fig. 3 represents a plan or top view of the ballot-boxes of such capacity as to contain 20 same showing more especially the arrange each but One ballot-ball at a time, and pro viding them with doors, slides, or valves at ment of the mechanism by which each voter top and bottom, in order to prevent the prints his name at the moment of voting. passage of more than one ballot-ball at each Fig. 4 represents a plan of the under side of yote. Fourthly. In constructing ballot 80 the same inverted, showing more particul with an entrance door, slide, or valve, larly the mechanism by which the print boxes ing and balloting mechanisms are operated. Operated by, and under the exclusive control Fig. 5 represents a view of one side of the of the speaker, clerk, or other proper officer, an exit door, slide or valve, operated by, same With the casing of the compartment and and under the exclusive control of the voter which contains the balloting and counting himself; providing an important mechanisms removed, in order to show more Safeguard thereby against fraud. Fifthly. In pro clearly the arrangement of the parts of the same. Fig. 6 represents a view, in perspec viding an automatic counting apparatus, op tive, of the ballot boxes as seen from be erated by clock-work, or its equivalent, to 90 optically the number of votes cast; neath, showing the arrangement and mode indicate 35 of operation of the slides for releasing the thereby providing a means by which each person present can See the result of the vot ballots at the proper moment, and Fig. 7 ing at once, and without the possi represents a section of the parts shown in bilityindicated of error. Sixthly. In operating the Fig. 5, but arranged in a different manner; mechanism of the counting, indicating, or in order to show some of the various ... O lmodifications of which my invention is registering apparatus by the fall or passage of the ballot-balls themselves; so that each Susceptible. It has long been regarded as a great de ballot-ball, as it passes into the receptacle prepared for it, registers itself on the indi sideratum to devise some means by which cator; and thus furnishes an additional test OC to dispense with the long and tedious process of the accuracy of the other parts of the ap heretofore employed for taking the yeas and paratus. Seventhly. In arranging a print nays in legislative or deliberative bodies. ing mechanism, a balloting mechanism, and To this end numerous devices have been em ployed but either from too great complexity a counting or registering mechanism in such of parts, or from a Want of adaptation to the relation to each other that they are all put 50 purposes for which they were designed, they in operation by the same movement and each have all, so far as my knowledge extends, serves as a test of the accuracy of the opera tion of the others and consequently, of the failed to attain practical success. of the result of the vote. It is the object of my invention to com correctness accomplish these objects I provide, near 10 bine the advantages of the previously exist theTochair of the speaker or president, a closet ing machines for accomplishing this pur or chamber to contain the balloting and pose while avoiding the defects incident to