US3881092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voting machine
Assignee: FLUID LIFT INTERNATIONAL Inc PO BOX 16266 FORT WORTH TX 76133 A TX CORP
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Filing: 1974-05-28
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1994-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent X when a key is voted.
Inventors
- 👤 Cothburn M O'neal
- 👤 Alfred M Mayo
- 👤 George William Childs
- 👤 Executrix By Patricia M Childs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:08
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
552 words
A voting machine comprising: a plurality of columnar frame members; a plurality of selection keys arranged in said frame in alignment in vertical columns and horizontal rows, laterally moveable between a first non-voted and second voted position; tally means actuable by said keys; vertical interlock means for limiting the number of selections that may be made within a vertical row of keys, said vertical interlock means comprising first cam means associated with said keys including a through bore in said keys, block means vertically interposed between adjacent keys, saiD block means having a through bore, said block means shiftable from a first position relative to said vertical keys wherein said block means through bores align with the through bores in said keys to a second blocking position, shiftable interlock ball means in said key through bores and associated with said key cam means and said block means through bores, whereby said keys and block means define a continuous ball column in said respective first positions, means for establishing a vertical subcolumn in which a preselected number of vertically aligned keys may be voted, said means including means for shifting preselected block means to said second position to intercept said ball containing column at a predetermined location to establish one limit of the subcolumn and ball receiving means located at the other limit adapted to accept a predetermined number of balls, whereby movement of selected keys to said voted position will cam a predetermined number of additional balls into said ball column and said ball receiving means thereby preventing actuation of additional voting keys when said predetermined number of balls have been caused to move into said ball receiving means; horizontal interlock means including second cam means carried on said voting keys, horizontally displaceable plunger means associated with said second cam means and actuable whereby movement of a key will cause said second cam means to cam said associated plunger means toward siad adjacent keys, and transfer means for selectively transferring the displacement of said cammed plunger to the plunger associated with said adjacent key to move said adjacent plunger into blocking engagement with its key thereby preventing actuation of said adjacent key; a drive system including a clearing mechanism for each of said rows of keys, said clearing mechanism including abutment means on said keys, first linkage means in operative engagement with said abutment means and moveable with said keys and adapted to return said keys to said first non-voted position, power means for said drive system including a drive shaft, clutch means including a driver member connected to said drive shaft and a driven member connected to said first linkage means and adapted to drive same, means for selectively engaging said clutch to actuate said bar to return said keys, registering means actuable by said keys to register voter selections; said drive system further including a straight party mechanism at selected rows of keys having second abutment means on said keys, second linkage means adapted to engage said second abutment means to move said keys to a voted position, second clutch means including a driver member connected to said drive shaft and a driven member connected to said second linkage means and adapted to drive same; and means for selectively engaging said second clutch means to actuate said second linkage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
552 words
A voting machine comprising: a plurality of columnar frame members; a plurality of selection keys arranged in said frame in alignment in vertical columns and horizontal rows, laterally moveable between a first non-voted and second voted position; tally means actuable by said keys; vertical interlock means for limiting the number of selections that may be made within a vertical row of keys, said vertical interlock means comprising first cam means associated with said keys including a through bore in said keys, block means vertically interposed between adjacent keys, saiD block means having a through bore, said block means shiftable from a first position relative to said vertical keys wherein said block means through bores align with the through bores in said keys to a second blocking position, shiftable interlock ball means in said key through bores and associated with said key cam means and said block means through bores, whereby said keys and block means define a continuous ball column in said respective first positions, means for establishing a vertical subcolumn in which a preselected number of vertically aligned keys may be voted, said means including means for shifting preselected block means to said second position to intercept said ball containing column at a predetermined location to establish one limit of the subcolumn and ball receiving means located at the other limit adapted to accept a predetermined number of balls, whereby movement of selected keys to said voted position will cam a predetermined number of additional balls into said ball column and said ball receiving means thereby preventing actuation of additional voting keys when said predetermined number of balls have been caused to move into said ball receiving means; horizontal interlock means including second cam means carried on said voting keys, horizontally displaceable plunger means associated with said second cam means and actuable whereby movement of a key will cause said second cam means to cam said associated plunger means toward siad adjacent keys, and transfer means for selectively transferring the displacement of said cammed plunger to the plunger associated with said adjacent key to move said adjacent plunger into blocking engagement with its key thereby preventing actuation of said adjacent key; a drive system including a clearing mechanism for each of said rows of keys, said clearing mechanism including abutment means on said keys, first linkage means in operative engagement with said abutment means and moveable with said keys and adapted to return said keys to said first non-voted position, power means for said drive system including a drive shaft, clutch means including a driver member connected to said drive shaft and a driven member connected to said first linkage means and adapted to drive same, means for selectively engaging said clutch to actuate said bar to return said keys, registering means actuable by said keys to register voter selections; said drive system further including a straight party mechanism at selected rows of keys having second abutment means on said keys, second linkage means adapted to engage said second abutment means to move said keys to a voted position, second clutch means including a driver member connected to said drive shaft and a driven member connected to said second linkage means and adapted to drive same; and means for selectively engaging said second clutch means to actuate said second linkage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The voting machine of claim 1 further including cam means adapted to sequentially control the operation of said drive system clearing and straight party mechanisms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The voting machine of claim 2 including lockout means engageable with said first linkage means to hold said first linkage in a position corresponding to said key first position thereby preventing actuation of said keys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The voting machine of claim 3 including key actuated lock means operatively controlling said lockout means adapted for operation by an election official.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The voting machine of claim 4 wherein said first and second linkages are parallel pivotal linkages and said means for selectively engaging said clutches comprise yoke means adapted to bring said driver and driven members into operative engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The voting machine of claim 5 wherein said transfer means comprise a bar interposed between adjacent vertical column of keys slidable relative to said vertical keys, said bar extending longitudinally and having first and second positions relative to said keys, said first bar position placing a pin in Alignment with the adjacent key associated plungers and a second position wherein compressible means are aligned with said adjacent key associated plungers to isolate the movement of one key from the next adjacent horizontal key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The voting machine of claim 6 including control means to operatively cycle said machine to register said voter selections on said tally counters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The voting machine of claim 7 including means interlocking said clear mechanism to said control means whereby said main control means remain inoperable until movement of a selected key to said voted position clears said interlock means through said clear linkage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The voting machine of claim 8 wherein said tally means comprise mechanical counters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The voting machine of claim 9 further including selective column lockout means associated with said vertical column of keys, said column lockout including latch means having a first position engageable with said first linkage to prevent displacement of keys in said vertical row of keys and a second non-latching position, and cam means associated with said latch means adapted to selectively position said latch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The voting machine of claim 1 wherein said power means include an electric motor and a motor control circuit, switch means in said circuit, pivotal arm means carrying said switch, voter operable means adapted to move said switch arm to a position energizing said motor, and spring means adapted for returning said pivot arm to a position de-energizing said switch upon completion of said clearing cycle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The voting machine of claim 11 wherein said straight party mechanism includes voter actuated means adapted to pivot said switch arm to a position energizing said motor to sequentially admit the clearing and straight party mechanism, and locking means securing said switch in said actuated position after completion of said clearing cycle until said straight party cycle is released.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The voting machine of claim 12 wherein said spring means are secured to said pivotal arm at one end and at the other end to a member positionable by means engaging and positioned by said clearing mechanism wherein said spring is tensioned to return said arm only when all said rows of keys are cleared.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |