Counting device for punch type ballot card

Claim 2

In a device for processing a plurality of alike cards having a plurality of alike index point areas each of which may or may not have an aperture: a base having inner and outer surfaces and provided with apertures corresponding to said index point areas, adapted to separately and sequentially support said cards on its outer surface in a predetermined position, a sensing element connected to the inner surface of said base and supported for swinging movement toward and away from an index point area on said cards, means urging said element toward said area for inserting said element through said base and cards if a card aperture exists at said area, said means having insufficient force to urge said element through said cards if no card aperture exists at said area, means to move said element away from said area, and a counting device, having a visible accumulating register mounted at the outer surface of said base adjacent said point area and having trip-lever means adapted to be actuated by movement of said element through a card aperture at said area followed by movement of said element away from said area, to register the presence of an aperture at said area and to maintain a running total count of the number of times an aperture has been registered at said area for the number of cards checked.

Claim 3

In a device for processing a card having a row of index point areas each of which may or may not have an aperture: first means including a base for supporting said card in a predetermined position at one side thereof for visual inspection during the processing thereof, a plurality of sensing elements corresponding to said areas respectively and supported at the other side of said base for sensing cycle movement composed of movement toward and away from said areas, second means urging said elements from retracted positions toward said areas for inserting said elements through said card To projected visually inspectable positions at areas provided with apertures, the force of said second means being insufficient to urge said elements to projected positions at unapertured areas, means to move said elements to retracted positions, a plurality of counters having visible registers mounted on the base at said one side thereof adjacent the cards corresponding respectively to said elements with each adapted to be actuated by movement of its corresponding element through said card to a projected position followed by movement of the same toward a retracted position, said second means being operable to hold said elements in said projected position for visual inspection of said elements before said elements are returned to their retracted position.

Claim 4

In a device for processing a card having a row of index point areas each of which may or may not have an aperture: first means including a base for supporting said card in a predetermined position at one side thereof for visual inspection during the processing thereof, a plurality of sensing elements corresponding to said areas respectively and supported at the other side of said base for sensing cycle movement composed of movement toward and away from said areas, second means urging said elements from retracted positions toward said areas for inserting said elements through said card To projected visually inspectable positions at areas provided with apertures, the force of said second means being insufficient to urge said elements to projected positions at unapertured areas, means to move said elements to retracted positions, a plurality of counters having visible registers mounted on the base at said one side thereof adjacent the cards corresponding respectively to said elements with each adapted to be actuated by movement of its corresponding element through said card to a projected position followed by movement of the same toward a retracted position, said second means being operable to hold said elements in said projected position for visual inspection of said elements before said elements are returned to their retracted position.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 2 wherein means is provided for removing said card from said device, said means including means for first returning said elements to their retracted positions and means for then driving said card out of said device in a generally lengthwise direction.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 3 wherein said means for driving said card applies a mark to said card to indicate that said card has been processed.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 3 including positioning means provided with a vertically disposed stop member against which one side edge of said card is abutted, means for raising the marginal portion of said card adjacent said one side edge above said stop member before actuation of said means for driving said card.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 5 wherein said means for driving said card comprises a wheel in engagement at its periphery with the underside of said card.