Portable self-contained voting booth

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to voting booths usable during elections. More particularly, this invention relates to the field of portable self-contained voting booths, the components of which may be retracted into and upon a compact carrying case for ease of storage and handling. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the field of multipurpose voting booths usable in elections irrespective of the particular type of ballot to be employed in a given election.

2. Description of the Prior Art

So far as is known, a voting booth incorporating all the , characteristics and improved features disclosed herein has not ¹been known heretofore. While attempts have been made to provide portable voting booths, devices developed and known heretofore have been generally restricted to utilization with only one type of voting system, such as punchcard-type ballot ₂o voting systems or write-in type ballot voting systems. Such restricted capability makes known portable booths limited in utility and adaptability for their intended purpose.

So far as is known, entirely self-contained, portable and lightweight voting booth structures of the type disclosed ₂5 herein, which are usable with punchcard-type ballots, write-in type ballots and other types of presently known ballot systems commonly employed in elections have not been known heretofore. More specifically, so far as is known, an entirely self-contained voting booth, usable with various type ballot 30 systems and having retractable leg structures in conjunction therewith and forming an integral part thereof which permit the booth to be self-supporting and yet which do not interfere with utilization of the booth on another supporting surface when desired, has been unknown heretofore. 35 booth that may be entirely enclosed within and upon a compact case for ease of storage and handling; the provision of a self-contained voting booth which may be easily transported to a polling place and simply erected thereat; the provision of an improved voting booth which may be utilizable with various types of voting ballot systems, such as punchcard systems and write-in systems; and the provision of a voting booth having supporting leg structures integral with the carrying case thereof which are retractable relative to such case during transportation and storage. These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following description in which reference is directed to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the voting booth of this invention collapsed within its carrying case.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the closed carrying case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the voting booth fully erected.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 4—4 of FIG. 3 showing details of the retractable leg structure of the subject voting booth.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view showing the voting booth erected for use with one type of punchcard-ballot vote registering device.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing the voting booth erected for use with a write-in type ballot system.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are isometric views showing the voting booth erected for use with other types of punchcard ballot-type voting systems.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 9—9 of FIG. 3 which illustrates internal structural details of the carrying case of the self-contained voting booth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates generally to an improved voting booth construction, and particularly to a portable self-contained voting booth which is foldable entirely within and upon a compact carrying case so as to be easily handled during transportation to a polling place and for easy storage at predetermined locations, such as at the polling place, between elections. More particularly this invention relates to a portable voting booth in which all components thereof are integrally connected within or upon a compact carrying case, and to a booth which when erected is usable with a wide variety of known ballot systems, such as punch card systems, write-in systems and the like.

The voting booth of this invention includes integral leg structure extensible and retractable relative thereto so that the booth may be self-supporting when desired yet so that the booth may be supported upon another supporting surface when use of the leg structures is not required or permitted at a particular polling place.

The carrying case includes two hingedly interconnected sections which define a base and rear wall of the voting booth when erected, as well as two hingedly connected sidewall panels which are retractable into one of the case sections and which provide sidewall privacy panels when the case is opened and the booth is erected. Shelf structure is hingedly mounted within one of the case sections for pivotal movement between a retracted position and an extended position when a voting booth is to be used in a write-in ballot system or when a particular type of punchcard-type ballot device is used. Additionally, one of the case sections includes support means upon which known types of punchcard ballot vote registering devices are utilizable. As a result, the voting booth of this invention is employable by government entities having diverse types of voting systems presently in effect in their jurisdictions.

From the foregoing, it should be understood that objects of this invention include the provision of an improved portable and self-contained voting booth; the provision of a voting

The voting booth construction of this invention has been ₄θ designed so as to be completely self-contained in and on a compact carrying case, the sections of which form portions of the voting booth when the same is erected for use. In that regard, the voting booth of this invention is further designed to be usable with various types of voting systems presently used 45 by diverse governmental entities, such as voting systems employing write-in type ballots as well as more modern systems utilizing punchcard-type ballots and the like intended to be counted automatically in computers programmed to read the ballot information punched in the ballots. To that end, the 5q present invention includes means therein for readily and rapidly adapting the same to accommodate write-in type ballots as well as to accommodate automatic punch-type vote-registering devices which receive therein punch-type ballots.

While the particular type of ballot employed and the voting 55 devices utilized in conjunction with such ballots form no part of this invention, by way of background, several prior art patents illustrate vote-registering devices utilizing punchcard and the like type ballots. Harris U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,409 dated Mar. 15, 1966 and Harris U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,038 dated Aug. 60 17, 1965, show punchcard-type voting devices which are capable of handling a substantial slate of candidates and election questions. Abissi U.S. Pat. No. 2,949,292 dated Aug. 16, 1960, and Laframboise et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,007,620 dated Nov. 7, 1961, show somewhat more compact vote-registering 65 devices adapted to accommodate punchcard-type ballots therein.

The voting booth construction of this invention is adapted to utilize the voting devices of any of the patents noted, as well as to accommodate more conventional write-in type ballot 70 systems in which a voter utilizes a marking pen, stamp or the like to register his choice on the face of a paper ballot. The present invention thus is incorporated into a versatile, selfcontained voting booth which is efficient, lightweight, compact, and attractive from both the standpoint of cost and ap75 pearance.

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While the voting booth of this invention has been designed to be self-supporting on leg structures provided integrally therewith, it has the further advantage of being usable when Mme Vh “^r'^{S are} retracted by positioning the same upon some other supporting surface. Thus, for example, the subject **^{tranSpOrted im}<> hospitals and placed on the beds, bedside or other tables for use by patients who are confined to beds or wheel chairs. Thus, the utilization of absentee paper write-in ballots by patients and the like may be obviated to those areas where punchcard voting systems haw been adopted. Utilization of the booth without employing its template? ^{eXtended in other} environments also is conli.M ^CX^the_f^°^Oth,?^referabIy “ ^{provided with} an integral toerecrfk ft h?' seh^contained and self-sufficient nature 15 thereof is further enhanced. Additionally, because of the compact nature of the booth when closed within its casing c^ govemmenta! entity can realize savings of many thousands th ^d° ^{atS a}n^ually^,n the cost of storage and transportation of the compact voting booth units.

Furthermore, the carrying care for the voting booth has sufficient space on the interior thereof so that vote registering bZIfoH^ ^{punchcard baUot} systems may be retained in th! bootit during storage; also, additional election related equip™ ! ^SUC.^h “ ^Pr-^{CmCt flagS and Λβ ,ike}- may be stored for to!X* ^Additional’y’ the carrying bX . ? “ ^{8eneraUy hoU}°^W’ ^when Punchcard-typ!

ba n ,7T ? ^e Τ ’ ^{Λβ SmaI1} P⁰*⁰”⁸ P^uncbed from to! for dknn^!⁾I|^{may be}u^{coIlected w}*toin the base of the booth for disposal following the election. Thus a neat polling place is Xfcted ^m8 °^{f punchcard vote} tegiste^g devices is

Also booths normally are used only once or twice a year bv a given governmental entity, and the possibility of damage theretois obviated during storage because of the sturdy natufe J? ^ca[^{ry,ng ca}se m which the booth components are enScetd ' °°^{th U nOt} “ ^USe· ^Additionally, mainS-SSE? °^f 'Π' ^{fM USe} “ ^{Simple and}refeX?;!/⁰^⁰?^{8 preliminar}y considerations in mind, reference is directed to the drawings for an illustration of the details of construction of the subject invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the voting booth is shown in enclored^Pwitoin^>nditiOn “ ^{WhiCh 811 co,n}P°ⁿ“* thereof are enclosed within or upon a sturdy compact carrying case wfllVe dictated? V 7^hi'u ^{the Carrying case dbn}ensions ^d,c.^tat*d ^,arge,y by the erected size of a particular booth required by a particular governmental entity, and while this invention may be incorporated into voting booths of varying sizes dictated by particular needs, in the commercial X SiorX Γ° ^S‘^{rated in FIGS}· ^{1 and 2}>^the booth is in!v 23 i?hl ^Ck^m™^C· ^construction which is approximatecuhie di7 ^by?° ^{mches deep b}y ^{4 inches} thick. The cubic displacement of such a booth when collapsed and en- 55 wMch neS'ita^{3 Ο3Γ}7^ίη8 Τ’ “ ^aP^prox>mately 1 cubic foot *1^eW «onng for large quantities of such booths matX ·^ΡΤ’ 77 ^{fuUy erected}> ^such a booth is approxith! ton and ? ^by.²°^{inches deep} by ²3 inches wide at legs are is?’*? ^{Y 34 inches at Λβ bottom when} the 60 ^ex.^{tended ,n} the manner to be described.

The weight of a ready-to-use booth will vary depending upon the type of ballot system to be utilized by a Articular en? 8 to 2? ^{SUcb We}‘^{ght wU1} generally lie within the range of only ⁸‘° ²⁰ PT? ^{As a resu,}‘> the booth is easily handled by on! 65 person, including female precinct workers.

bJto m_aX^mat7^ia'^{S fr}°^{m Which Λβ} components of the fo^d made may vary, the carrying case preferably is formed from ngid plastic, metal, or wood fiber. The internal frnT”? thereof to be described similarly may be formed 70 from rigid yet lightweight plastic or the like.

^{1 i}n^C'^{UdeS two c}°operable sections 2 and know! f 'V^nd *?^tegraUy mterconnected with each other in reckon⁰?'· ^A_v^Carryi« ^{handle 4} is Pivotally secured to are section 2 in known fashion. Also, suitable latch means 75 (not shown) are provided to permit the case sections to be wHl* “ΪΞ? ^to’^{ether for tran}’Portation and storage. As will be described, when the carrying case is opened during erection of the booth, case section 2 is positioned to extend generally at right angles to case section 3 with section 2 formmg a rear wall of the voting booth and care section 3 foretiX base of the voting booth. uunjiormmga fi.^ ^^P?^rtani.^{featUre Of Λ}“ “vention which imparts great flexibility to utilization thereof is the inclusion therein of’sup^{defined by a p,urality of} extensible and retractable leg structures so that the booth is imparted with self-supporting capability. As seen in FIG. 2, such leg structures when retracted are receivable within the confines of bare case section 3 and are generally surrounded by such care recwifh h ^{the ,eg} structures cannot interfere r_n?forth^dhn8 °^{f Case during} ‘^ransportation and storage and furthermore will not project beyond the confines of the bottom plane of the care 3 so that the care may be positioned upon a supporting surface if the legs are not required at a particular polling place, such as in a hospital as noted previously.

As seen in FIG. 2, the present embodiment includes four such leg structures, designated 6,7,8 and 9 respectively. Each leg structure is hmgedly secured adjacent one end thereof to the case section 3 and is positioned within an elongated recess or well provided therein to preclude any portion of the leg rtruciure from projecting beyond the confines of the case when the leg structures are retracted. Two parallel wells designated 11 and 12 respectively, are provided and each is ^p°s>tioned to receive a pair of the leg structures therein

All of the leg structures preferably are identical in construction and only one such leg structure will be described in detail with similar reference numerals being used in the drawings to identify similar components of the other leg structures. It will e seen from FIG. 2 that the leg structures are retractable in pairs and positionable in parallel relationship in the respective receiving wells 11 and 12. »pci-uve

Taking FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be , h ^ean^hu^{eg structure is} pivotally mounted within its associated well by means of a generally U-shaped mounting racket 13 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured in its associated well. Each leg structure includes at least two relatively movable extensible and retractable sections 14 and 15.

⁴⁵ rio^h_a°n^r|^{OUter SeCtlOn 14} “ °^{f ,arger} cross-sectional dimension than lower or inner section 15 so that section 15 may be telescopically received within the other section. While toe respective leg sections may take any suitable configuration desired, m the embodiment shown, such sections are generally ’ seen°7n^aFIcXT^^r-^,\^Cr°^SS’^{SeCtiOnaI confi}8uration as seen in FIG. 4. If desired, to conserve material and to minimize weight, the inner section 15 may be U-shaped in cross-sectional configuration as seen in FIG. 3. As noted from omert;cⁿtion^ri4^Ct,°ⁿ “ “ ^{fit within}

,. ^{A Ρ1}μ°1^{Ρίη 16 extends} through mounting bracket 13 and through the outer leg section 14 so that the leg structure is pivotally mounted relative to the carrying case. To maintain the leg structures m the extended position, a suitable brace ^lecha^,sm ^,s Provided which in the embodiment fllustrated is defied by an elongated brace 17 operatively connected at one end by a pivot pin 18 to the outer section 14 of the leg structure. At its other end, brace 17 includes an integral pro?

Λ ^Ck “ ^{81idab,y receivable} within a slot (not shown) formed in the sidewall of the well in which the leg S? ^ratractabIe·^The P^urPO“ of pin 19 is to engage in a notch (not shown) formed in the aforementioned slot when *_r£⁸ is pivoted to its extended position or to its

SnehT . ‘° ^malntain same in the position chosen.

Such a notch and pm detent arrangement is known in the art detau”^{8 tO foIdabIe Ieg} devices and has not been illustrated in ucicUl.

^{provided in} conjunction with leg sections 14 and 15 o maintain section 15 in the extended or retracted position relative to section 14. In the embodiment shown in

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FIG. 4, such latch means comprises a spring-loaded detent 21 positioned within the leg section 15 normally urged outwardly towards locking position by a coil spring 22 engaged with an enlarged shoulder 23 of the detent. A engageable portion 24 of the detent projects through aligned recesses 26 and 27 provided in the respective let sections. Recess 27 through outer leg section 14 is enlarged by countersinking or the like to permit full retraction of the detent into the inner section 15 when it is desired to move the leg sections relative to each other. As seen from FIG. 3, a similar recess 27 is provided adjacent the upper end of leg section 14 so that detent 24 may project therethrough to hold the leg sections against extension when the let sections are retracted.

When moved from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2 to the extended position shown in FIG. 3, each of the leg structures extends generally at approximately 100° relative to the bottom plane of case section 3. Thus the lower foot ends of the leg structures are widely spaced from each other and stability is insured when the voting booth is fully erected. While only two leg sections in each leg structure have been illustrated in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that more than two sections may be utilized if required or desired to meet particular design needs.

As noted from FIG. 3, the present self-contained voting 25 booth further includes means which define sidewalls when the booth is erected. Such means in the embodiment illustrated comprises a pair of cooperable panels 31 and 32 which are hingedly connected by elongated hinges 33 and 34 to the in- ------------------------_a „„ _{vajlulualra 15}.

side of case section 2 along opposite margins thereof. When 30 sues, shelf structure 41 may be moved to the extended posithe case is closed, such panels 31 and 32 are pivoted to overlie ---*- - - < — - - · each other and to be received within case section 2. However, when the booth is erected, such panels may be pivoted outwardly to extend generally at right angles to case section 2 and to case section 3 in the manner seen in FIG. 3. Preferably de- 35 tent means, generally designated 36 are provided between the respective sidewall panels 31 and 32 and the bottom case section 3. Such detent means includes a projecting pin 37 over which a socket member 38 mounted on the sidewall panel is positioned in snap lock relationship. At the interface of case section 2 a recess 39 is provided to accommodate the projecting pin when the case is folded.

Also included within case section 2 is retractable shelf structure generally designated 41 which is defined in the embodiment illustrated by two hingedly connected shelf sections ⁴⁵42 and 43 having hinges 44 interposed therebetween and interconnecting the same. A spring retaining clip 46 is secured to the inside of case section 2 and normally engages the shelf structure to retain the same in the retracted position shown in FIG. 1. A finger hole 47 is provided in shelf structure 42 to facilitate manual retraction and extension thereof. The spring clip is formed of a suitable metal which permits the same to be repeatedly bent out of the position shown in FIG. 3 during retraction and extension of the shelf structure. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 5, hinges 48 are employed to mount shelf section 43 to the interior of case section 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the voting booth is adapted to accommodate therein a punchcard-type ballot and a vote-registering device designated 51 is supported in the booth for the purpose. Such device generally is of the type shown in the aforementioned Abissi and Laframboise et al. patents and such device functions generally in the described manner shown in those patents. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the voting device 51 is supported by a mounting panel 52 having a recess 53 formed therein in which the voting device 51 is secured. Thus, the mounting panel and voting device are insertable as an integral unit into the voting booth.

Panel 52 and its associated voting device may be retained as an integral part of the booth depending upon use intended for the booth. However, as noted the voting booth of this invention is imparted with flexibility which permits the same to accommodate readily other types of vote registering devices as will be described. In that connection, the base case section 3 includes means for supporting panel 52 therein, as well as other panels to be used in conjunction with other vote recording devices. As shown in FIG. 9, the supporting means by which panel 52 is mounted in the case and to which such panel may be secured by bolts, screws or the like if the same and the voting device carried thereby are to be retained as an integral part of a particular voting booth, comprises a circumferential ledge 54. Such ledge extends around the outer margin of the case section 3 and is secured therein in any suitable fashion, such as by adhesive or screws. Ledge 54 thus defines a boundary surface upon which panel 52 may rest and to which such panel may be secured as described.

Still referring to FIG. 3, desirably the voting booth of this invention includes a light source to illuminate the voting surface upon which a voter is casting his ballot. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, such light source is generally designated 61 and comprises a fluorescent fixture including a light shield 62 mounted within case section 2. Although not shown, a socket at one end of the light fixture preferably is formed through a side margin of case section 2 into which a male electrical plug is insertable to provide power to the light source.

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate the flexibility of the present invention which permit the same to be used in conjunction with various types of ballot systems. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, a voting device 51 of the type described previously is positioned in the base section 3 of the booth and is maintained therein by the aforementioned support panel 52. Should a particular governmental entity wish to utilize a write-in type ballot for a particular election, such as one having only a few candidates or istion shown in FIG. 6. In that arrangement, the shelf may be positioned to overlie the voting device 51 or, if the voting device employed is too large to permit such a overlying relationship, the entire panel 52 may be easily removed and retained at a suitable place pending its reintroduction into the device following use of the booth for a write-in type election. Also, as seen in FIG. 7 the shelf structure may be utilized to support thereon another variety of a voting device, designated 64, which employs a punch stylus 66 in conjunction therewith. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the voting device is merely resting upon the shelf structure and such a device does not require the recess 53 required by the device 51 noted previously.

Thus, the integral shelf structure provides the flexibility and adaptability which characterize the versatility of the present self-contained voting booth. When the shelf structure is extended, as will be noted from FIGS. 6 and 7, section 42 thereof rests upon and is supported by the interface edge of case section 3. As additional support for the shelf structure, although the hinge structure 44 chosen therefor normally provides sufficient support, additional supporting means may be provided if required, such as rubber bumpers (not shown) or the like positioned along the inner face of the case section 3 and projecting upwardly therefrom toward the shelf structure. Additionally, it will be noted that case section 3 is preferably dimensioned so that the aforementioned leg structure receiving wells 11 and 12 also provide inner support for the shelf structure when the latter is extended.

Finally, referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of this invention is disclosed in which a modification of a voting device corresponding functionally generally to the device 51 mentioned previously is employed. Such device is designated 71 and comprises an essentially self-contained unit of the type 65 shown in the aforementioned Harris patents. In that regard, such device is mounted upon a special supporting panel 72 which is positioned and secured on the supporting ledge 54 mentioned previously in the fashion described. This arrangement includes its own light source, designated 73, which is 70 pivotal from the extended position shown in solid lines in FIG.

to the dotted line retracted position shown in that figure. An electrical cord 74 is provided in conjunction with the light source which may be engaged with an electrical outlet. When not in use the cord 74 preferably is coiled in the fashion shown 75 in FIG. 8 and held in place behind the aforementioned spring

3,620,587 clip 46 so that it does not interfere with folding of the voting booth into its compact case assembly.

From the foregoing it should be understood that this invention discloses and involves a completely self-contained portable lightweight voting booth construction which is easily transportable and storable, as well as one which is characterized by wide adaptability and facility to accommodate use therewith of various ballot systems.

Having .thus made a full disclosure of this invention reference is directed to the appended claims for the scope of protection to be afforded thereto.