US3746248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voting machine
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for selectively producing electrical pulses representative of a particular selection made by the operator of the apparatus. The apparatus is disclosed in the form of a voting machine built up of modular components which fit together to form any of a plurality of different voting arrangements. The voting machine is substantially tamper-proof and has the following basic components: an input module, a frame assembly, a first control module, a first vote module, a second control module, a second vote module, a terminal module, a write-in module, a slave input module, and a third control module. The modules may be placed together in selected fashion to define a voting machine for voting in any type of political race and which will prevent overvoting. The different modules fit together in such manner that they cannot be separated without a key to unlock the same, thereby reducing the possibility of tampering with the election results. Moreover, each module is constructed in such manner that the module may be checked prior to assembly of the voting machine to insure proper functioning of the module once it is assembled.
Inventors
- 👤 R Martin
- 👤 C Pittman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:45
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A vote counting module for use in a voting machine having a power supply means comprising; a power operable vote counting means contained in said module, said vote counting means detailed for serially accumulating individual votes cast for a candidate in an election, said counting means including selectively operable control means movable between an operable counting input condition and an inoperative condition and wherein a count of one is registered in said counting means when said counting control means is in said operative input condition and in response to a power input pulse delivered from said power supply means and wherein said vote counting module includes first and second group of operative and releasable connecting elements detailed for operatively connecting said module to a second module having complementary connecting elements, said releasable connecting elements detailed for transmitting power to said counting control means and for transmitting power from one group of said connecting elements to said other group of connecting elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A vote counting module for use in a voting machine having a power supply means comprising; a power operable vote counting means contained in said module, said vote counting means detailed for serially accumulating individual votes cast for a candidate in an election, said counting means including selectively operable control means movable between an operable counting input condition and an inoperative condition and wherein a count of one is registered in said counting means when said counting control means is in said operative input condition and in response to a power input pulse delivered from said power supply means and wherein said vote counting module includes first and second group of operative and releasable connecting elements detailed for operatively connecting said module to a second module having complementary connecting elements, said releasable connecting elements detailed for transmitting power to said counting control means and for transmitting power from one group of said connecting elements to said other group of connecting elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vote counting module as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said vote counting module includes an operative interlock means operatively associated with said counting means, said interlock means including means detailed for rendering said counting means inoperative in response to an interlock pulse transmitted thereto from one of said groups of releasable connecting elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
A vote counting module for use in an assembly of a plurality of such modules comprising: a. a housing having opposed sides and a front surface; b. said front surface of said housing providing an area for displaying a name of a candiate; c. control means on said front surface of said housing adjacent said area, said control means being actuatable by a voter to indicate his selection of said candidate; d. connection means in at least one side of said housing for interconnection with a connection means of a next adjacent module when such next adjacent module is nested therewith and being readily disconnectable with such connection means of said next adjacent module when the individual module is removed from its nested condition; e. counter means in said housing for serially counting the number of votes for such candidate; and f. circuit means within said housing for electrically connecting said control means, said counter means, and said connection means, the circuit being so arranged that when said control means is actuated, it conditions said counter means for counting a unit receipt of a pulse through said connection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
A vote counting module for use in an assembly of a plurality of such modules comprising: a. a housing having opposed sides and a front surface; b. said front surface of said housing providing an area for displaying a name of a candiate; c. control means on said front surface of said housing adjacent said area, said control means being actuatable by a voter to indicate his selection of said candidate; d. connection means in at least one side of said housing for interconnection with a connection means of a next adjacent module when such next adjacent module is nested therewith and being readily disconnectable with such connection means of said next adjacent module when the individual module is removed from its nested condition; e. counter means in said housing for serially counting the number of votes for such candidate; and f. circuit means within said housing for electrically connecting said control means, said counter means, and said connection means, the circuit being so arranged that when said control means is actuated, it conditions said counter means for counting a unit receipt of a pulse through said connection means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |