EP2490184A1

EP2490184A1 - Disassemblable ballot box

Info

Publication number: EP2490184A1
Application number: EP12386005A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Konstantinos Papadopoulos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-21
Filing date: 2012-02-16
Publication date: 2012-08-22
Also published as: GR20110100096A; GR1007743B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new type of ballot box, which is assembled from different parts and does not constitute a single unit. The four side walls (1) are assembled between them by using single angles (2) which have incisions (3), while at the top a cover (4) having a slot (5) for vote casting is arranged, while internally by means of pins in the holes (6), the ballot box is closed securely. The base (9) is secured by a rod (8), which locks with two padlocks in holes (7). The new type of ballot box allows easy storage and a replacement of any part that may have been worn, thereby saving space and cost.

Description

The present invention relates to a new type of ballot box, which may be assembled and disassembled so that it can be stored easily and quickly.
Until now, ballot boxes are wooden boxes with a narrow slot at their upper part, so that the voter can cast his vote, while at the same time no one can gain access to its interior. These boxes are locked during voting and are opened only after completion of voting in order to count the votes. The material of which the ballot boxes are made has changed over the years, thus recently ballot boxes made of Plexiglas or glass or another suitable material have been available, so that the voters may confirm that the ballot box is initially empty and no stealing occurs. Furthermore, instead of the conventional ballot box, a plastic box or a strong bag for collecting the votes may be employed. The problem of the already available ballot boxes lies mainly in the fact that due to their size they require large storage areas. Considering the continually increasing electorate, it is clear that the need for more ballot boxes leads to a demand for larger storage areas. Further disadvantages appear when a part of the ballot box is broken or worn, since it s necessary to replace the old ballot box with a new one. Further problems regarding the variations of the conventional ballot box are that in time the special bag may be punctured or torn. Recently attempts have been made to create new types, mainly from polycarbonate material, without leading to a ballot box that can be easily disassembled in order to occupy a small space during storage.
The present invention presents a ballot box made of Plexiglas or other suitable material, which is assembled from the various constituting parts easily and is ideal for storage in a limited area. Furthermore, due to its different constituting parts, a replacement of a part in case of wear is easy, since the ballot box has a smaller weight compared to the conventional wooden ballot boxes.
These and further features and advantages of the present invention will be understood by the following detailed description. The invention will be fully understood with reference to the accompanying figures, which depict an exemplary embodiment thereof.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the new type of disassemblable ballot box.
Figure 2 shows a plan view of the base of the ballot box with the securing rod thereof.
Figure 3 shows in detail the joint of the side walls by using a joining angle.
Figure 4 shows in perspective view the said joint of the side walls.
Figure 5 shows a plan view of the single joining angle.
Figure 6 shows a side view of the single angle..

The ballot box of the said invention consists of four side walls (1), figure 1, made of, exemplarily, Plexiglas, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or other suitable material. Furthermore, the walls may be colorless or colored depending on the individual needs. The assemblying of the walls is effected by the use of four single angles (2), figure 4, which may be made of the same material as the walls of the ballot box, or may also be fabricated from any other suitable material. The angles (2) have incisions (3), figure 5, in which the walls (1) are fixed and held. The fact that each angle is fabricated as a single part provides rigidity to the construction and assemblage, while in parallel it gives the impression that the ballot box is a single construction. On the other hand, if a part is worn or damaged it can be replaced without requiring a full replacement of the ballot box.
At the top, the new type of disassemblable ballot box has a cover (4), figure (1), which has a slot (5) for casting the votes therein. The cover has at two opposite points holes (6) in which pins fit from the interior of the ballot box, so that they hold the cover (4) with the walls (1) and the angles (2). The pin may be fabricated from a plastic or any other suitable material so that they fit and prevent opening of the cover. In this way, intervention or opening of the ballot box through its cover may be prevented.
The base of the ballot box (9) may be arranged either inside or outside of the side walls (1), as appropriate. The base (9), which may also be fabricated from any suitable material, also has holes (7), similarly to the cover (4). By means of the holes, a rod (8) passes through the imaginary axis of the base (9) and is secured by two padlocks at the ends. In this way, it is ensured that access to the interior of the ballot box is possible only by the authorized representative. The disassemblage is effected by following the reverse process, firstly removing the padlocks and the rod (8) so that the base (9) of the ballot box is removed. Then the pins are removed from the holes (6) of the cover (4), so that the cover is removed and then the side walls (1) and the angles (2) are removed.
As shown in figure 2, the new type of disassamblable ballot box is cubic, however it may have any other desired and suitable shape, such as parallelepiped.
It should be noted that the description of the invention was made with reference to an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment. Thus, any change or modification regarding the shape, size, dimensions, manufacture and assembly materials and components employed, application fields, as long as not constituting a new inventive step and not contributing to the already known art, are considered as included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A new type of disassemblable ballot box, characterized in that it consists of four individual side walls (1) connected between them by single angles (2), while it has a cover (4) with a slot (5) for casting the votes and holes (6) in which pins fit in order to prevent opening of the ballot box, and a base (9) having holes (7) in which the ballot box is secured by means of padlocks and a rod (8).
A new type of disassemblable ballot box according to claim 1, characterized in that the angles (2) have incisions (3) in which the side walls (1) are fixed during assemblage of the ballot box.