GB2436086A

GB2436086A - An information recording device

Info

Publication number: GB2436086A
Application number: GB0705091A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Mcgonagle; Richard Bell
Original assignee: Pakflatt Ltd
Current assignee: Pakflatt Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-16
Filing date: 2007-03-16
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Also published as: GB0705091D0

Abstract

Portable device 10 for recording information has a housing 12 which retains an information recordal medium 16 which may be paper drawn from a roll within compartment 30. The housing has an aperture 19 providing access by a user to information fields 60 of the information recordal medium. The information recordal medium may be displaced relative to the aperture by use of handle 40. The device may be used with ballot papers in an election. It may have a series of cover elements (80, figure 10) which are sequentially displaced by movement of a carriage (82, figure 10).

Description

AN INFORMATION RECORDING DEVICE

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a device for recording information.

Background to the Invention

Circumstances exist where confidential information is required to be recorded and compiled from a number of sources. For example, in some UK elections every voter is -required to provide a signature. The signatures of all voters are then compiled in a list known as the Corresponding Numbers Lists. Data protection requires that the compiled information is stored confidentially. A further example could be the signing in of visitors and/or staff to a company facility or the like, where the identity of previous signatories needs to be kept confidential.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a device for recording information, the device comprising a housing adapted to retain an S...

:. 25 information recordal medium defining two or more, for example, a plurality, of information fields; the housing *1*S defining an aperture providing access to at least one information field of the information recordal medium; and means to displace one of the information recordal medium and the aperture relative to the other of the information recordal medium and the aperture.

Y10354 -Specification as ti'ed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees Preferably, the housing is adapted to releasably retain the information recordal medium.

In a preferred embodiment, the information recording device comprises at least one rotatable spindle to which the information recorda]. medium is connectable, the spindle being rotatable in order to displace the information recorda]. medium relative to the aperture defined by the housing.

Preferably, the aperture defined by the housing further comprises a lip arranged to separate first and second layers of the information recordal medium as the medium is displaced relative to the aperture.

Preferably, the housing, or at least a portion thereof, is rigid or semi-rigid. The housing may be of any shape or size though it is preferable that the housing is portable.

A means of marking information, such as a pen or pencil, may be provided (optionally, releasably attachable) on the device. *I..

A magnifying device may be provided, optionally releasably 25 attachable to the device, for the visually impaired or partially sighted. S...

S

* From a further aspect, or in an alternative embodiment, the housing includes a clip, the clip being adapted to releasably retain and display a portion of the information recordal medium in the form of a strip thereof.

Y10354 -Specification as fi'ed -16 March 2007 App!eyard Lees The clip preferably comprises a plate for receiving the information recordal medium, means for biassing the plate outwardly of the housing, and means for retaining the plate, the biassing means being arranged to urge the plate towards the retaining means.

The clip may be located in the recess defined by the housing but, in other embodiments, the clip may be mounted on the face of the housing.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing comprises an array of cover elements singly and sequentially displaceable to define a movable aperture in the housing, through which individual portions (desired information fields) of the information recorda]. medium can be accessed.

Preferably, the device comprises means to displace one cover element at a time.

Preferably, the displacing means comprises a carriage :. displaceable about the housing to act against one or, optionally, both opposite ends of a respective cover * S** element such as to displace same. S... *..*

25 Preferably, the carriage is displaceable along a first track, for example a first set of tracks formed in, or provided on, the housing.

*55555

I

Preferably, the carriage comprises a stop on one or both sides thereof, each stop being reversibly displaceable against one or both respective end(s) of a cover element in order to effect the displacement of said cover element.

Y10354 -SpeCification as filed-16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees Preferably, each stop is displaceable along a second track, for example a second set of tracks formed in, or provided on, the carriage.

Preferably, each cover element comprises a tapered end, and each stop comprises a correspondingly tapered lug which engages, in use, the respective tapered end.

Preferably, the device comprises locking means which are adapted to permit the uni-directional displacement of the carriage relative to the housing.

Preferably, the locking means may be disengaged to facilitate the reverse displacement of the carriage.

Preferably, each stop is spring biassed into contact with the respective end of the housing.

The information recording device has been developed :. especially for use during elections. The device may display ballot information such as the signature of a voter I...

and store a plurality of the voter signatures. The *.S.

information recording device, however, may not be used solely for this purpose. The device may be used to record other forms of information. * * * S..

S.....

* In the first and second embodiments, the information recordal medium is separate from an information storing means. Such a separate information storing means comprises, in the preferred embodiments hereinafter described, a sheet of paper or labels on a backing sheet.

Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appeyard Lees In use, a voter might sign his/her signature in an information field on that portion of the information recordal medium accessible through the aperture or window of the device, the device then displacing the recordal medium relative to the device in order to obscure said signature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Four embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar numerals are used to indicate like parts and in which: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of part of an information recording device, when not in use.

FIGURE 2 shows a transverse sectioned view of part of the information recording device of Figure 1.

:. FIGURE 3 shows a plan view of part of the information recording device of Figure 1, when in use. S... S.

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view of part of the information * 25 recording device, for use with either the Figures 1-3 embodiment or the Figures 5-7 embodiment. * * 0SSs

S.....

* S FIGURE 5 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of part of an information recording device, when not in use.

FIGURE 6 shows a perspective view of part of the information recording device of Figure 5 and illustrates Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees the movement of a clip when a force is applied against a resilient biasing means.

FIGURE 7 shows a plan view of part of the information recording device, of Figure 5, when in use.

FIGURE 8 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of an information recording device; FIGURE 9 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the device illustrated in Figure 8.

FIGURE 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the device of Figures 8 and 9.

FIGURE 11 illustrates a perspective view of a part of the device of Figure 8.

FIGURE 12 illustrates a perspective view of the device of Figure 8, having a magnifying attachment secured thereto. S. * .

:..::: FIGURE 13 illustrates a partial perspective view of the *SS* device of Figure 15. *S..

S *..*

FIGURE 14 illustrates a partial plan view of the device of Figure 15. *5I* * * **..

S

S.....

* FIGURE 15 illustrates a plan view of a fourth embodiment of an information recording device according to the present invention.

FIGURE 16 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 15.

Y10354 -Specification as tiled -16 March 2007 App!eyard Lees FIGURE 17 is a partial perspective view of an elongate cover element for use in the device of Figure 15.

FIGURES 18 and 19 show, in conjunction with Figure 15, the sequential displacement of cover elements of the device of Figure 15.

FIGURES 20-23 illustrate the underside of the information recording device and show how the information recordafl.

medium in the third or fourth embodiments of the invention may be secured in place.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown, generally indicated as 10, an embodiment of a device for recording information, according to a first embodiment of the invention. The device 10 comprises a display housing 12. Preferably the housing 12 is manufactured from rigid :. material e.g. plastics. The housing 12 may serve as a means of displaying information. The housing 12 may be any **S.

shape or size, though it is preferable that the device for S...

recording information 10 is portable. In Figure 1, the housing 12 is substantially rectangular in shape comprising first and second parts 15, 15' shaped to provide at least one substantially flat face 13. It is envisaged that the *SS*SS * first and second parts 15, 15' may be releasably connectable by an inter-engaging male and female mechanism (not shown). The housing 12 is shaped to define an aperture 19, preferably located on the face 13. The aperture 19 may be of any shape or size provided it allows V 10354-Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees a desired portion (for example, a field or a row of fields) of information recordal medium 16 e.g. writing material such as paper, card or labels on backing (shown in Figure 3) to be presented within it or exposed by it. In the embodiment shown, the aperture 19 is substantially rectangular in shape.

Referring to Figure 2, the interior of the housing 12 is shaped to define first and second compartments 30, 32. A respective compartment 30, 32 may house a roll of information recordal medium 16, such as a roll of labels on a backing sheet. Preferably, the compartments 30, 32 are substantially parallel with one another and are both partially open to the interior of the housing 12 by means of a respective mouth 34, 34' . In Figure 2, a first compartment 30 is located substantially parallel with a first edge of the housing 12 while a second compartment 32 is located substantially parallel with a second edge of the housing 12. The aperture 19, defined by the housing 12, is located between the compartments 30, 32. A support member 36 is provided between the compartments 30, 32. The member 36 is provided beneath, preferably substantially parallel to and adjacent the face 13 such that the member 36 spans : across at least the aperture 19. In the preferred embodiment, the member 36 extends between the first and second compartments 30, 32. The arrangement is such that when a roll of information recordal medium 16 is housed in * the first compartment 30, a free end portion may be unwound and passed through the open mouth 34 of the first compartment 30, and fed towards the second compartment 32 such that the information recordal medium 16 may enter the second compartment 32 through the second open mouth 34'.

Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees The information recordal medium 16 may therefore span the housing 12 between the compartments 30, 32. The free end of the information recordal medium 16 may be guided by the member 36 such that it passes across the aperture 19. A portion of the information recordal medium 16 may therefore be presented within or exposed by, the aperture 19.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the information recording device 10 also comprises at least one spindle 38. The spindle 38 is mountable within at least one of the compartments 30, 32 in a substantially central and parallel arrangement and is rotatable about an axis indicated as A-A'. The spindle 38 may be rotated by the provision of at least one handle 40 connectable to an end of the spindle 38 and exposed, for rotation by a user, on the exterior of the housing 12. The arrangement is such that, upon rotation of the handle 40 in a first direction, the spindle 38 similarly rotates in the first direction and, upon rotation of the handle 40 in a second opposite direction, the spindle 38 similarly rotates in the second opposite :. direction. The roll of information recordal medium 16 housed within the first compartment 30 may be wound around ***.

a spindle (not shown) provided in the first compartment 30, : or alternatively simply housed in the compartment 30 without a spindle. The free end of the deployed information recordal medium 16 that enters the second * .*.

compartment may be releasably coupled to the spindle 38 of * the second compartment 32. By rotating the handle 40 in a first direction, the spindle 38 will rotate in the same first direction and the information recordal medium 16 may be wound around the spindle 38. By rotating the handle 40 in an opposite direction, the spindle 38 will rotate in the V 10354-Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees opposite direction and the information recordal medium 16 may be unwound from the spindle 38.

As shown in the embodiment in Figure 3, the information recordal medium 16 may comprise a plurality of adhesive

labels 60, each defining an information field on a

removable carrier material 62. The plurality of adhesive labels 60 may be arranged in rows. At least one and preferably at least two adhesive labels 60 may be arranged in a respective row.

During use, the first and second housing parts 15, 15' may be detached to allow access to the interior of the housing 12 and a roll of the information recordal medium 16 may be provided in the first compartment 30. The free end of the roll of the information recordal medium 16 may be deployed from the first compartment 30, and guided by the member 36 towards the second compartment 32 such that the free end is coupled to the spindle 38 of the second compartment 32.

The first and second housing parts 15, 15 may be :. reconnected such that a portion of the deployed information recordal medium 16 is presented within the aperture 19. A user may rotate the handle 40 in the first direction to present a label 60 / row of labels 60 within the aperture 19. A user may record information e.g. his signature, on the labels 60 using the member 36 as support. User information 61 may be displayed on the housing 12 as shown * in Figure 3 preferably on a removable tag or label.

In the embodiment illustrated, the user information 61 comprises instructions regarding ballot papers for an election and the recorded information comprises a voter's Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees signature for each ballot paper. The adhesive labels 60 may be colour coded. For example, the adhesive label 60 that requires the voter's signature for ballot paper 1 may be white while the adhesive label 60 that requires the voter's signature for ballot paper 2 may be aqua. A voter may use the information recording device 10 as a support to sign a respective adhesive label 60 for each ballot paper that they will subsequently mark.

When the labels 60 are signed, the handle 40 may be further rotated in the first direction to move the exposed label 60 or exposed row of labels 60 away from the aperture 19 and to move a further row of labels 60 into register with the aperture 19. The signed exposed adhesive labels 60 may then be removed from their carrier material 62 and transferred to the separate information storing means 70 (shown in Figure 4). In the preferred embodiment, at least one edge of the aperture 19 comprises a lip 42, as shown in Figure 2. The lip 42 is arranged to separate an adhesive label 60 from its carrier material 62, as the information :. recordal medium 16 is moved relative to the face 13. This :..::: separation step may be facilitated by shaping the support I..

member 36 to define a step in register with the lip 42.

Referring to Figure 4, the separate information storing means 70 may comprise a document 72 with a tabular format.

The document 72 may comprise a plurality of columns and * rows of information fields 74, each information field 74 being shaped and dimensioned for receiving one adhesive label 60. The information fields 74 may be similarly colour coded as the labels 60 such that, for example, a white label 60 is attached to a white information field 74 Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees and an aqua label 60 is attached to an aqua information field 74, etc. In the embodiment shown, the document 70 may include a list of numbers 76 comprising a respective number, in sequence, for each row of information fields 74.

This allows an easy calculation of the number of signatures for each ballot.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings, there is shown, generally indicated as 110, an alternative embodiment of an information recording device. The information recording device 110 comprises a housing 112 for providing means for displaying information. The housing 112 may be any shape or size, though it is preferable that the housing 112 is portable. In Figure 5, the housing 112 is substantially rectangular in shape with at least one substantially flat face 113. Preferably, the housing 112 is manufactured from rigid or semi. rigid material e.g. card or plastics. The housing 112 may therefore provide a rigid and flat surface for use as a support to write on. A clip 114 is connectable to, or provided on, the housing 112. A medium for recording information 116 (shown in Figure 7) is :,::1 releasably attachable to the housing 112 by means of the clip 114. The preferred clip 114 comprises a plate 118; resilient biassing means such as a spring (not shown); and a...

at least one securing means 120, the biassing means being arranged to urge the plate 118 towards the securing means I... * S 120. a

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plate 118 is substantially rectangular in shape. The plate 118 may, however, be of any shape and size provided it may receive a desired information recordal medium 116. The plate 118 is Y10354 -Specification as filed-16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees locatable within an aperture 119 defined in the housing 112. The aperture 119 is sized and shaped to receive the plate 118 in a substantially coplanar relationship with the housing 112. The plate 118 may be movable within the aperture 119 in a direction (see white arrow of Figure 6) substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face 113.

The plate 118 may be biassed by the spring towards the mouth of the aperture 119 and displaced from the mouth of the aperture 119 when a force is applied against the bias of the spring. At least one retaining or securing means 120, e.g. in the form of one or more lips or flanges, limits the movement of the plate 118 outwardly of the housing 112. In the embodiment shown, the securing means comprises two elongated L-shaped members. One limb 122 of a respective L-shaped member is connectable to a wall of the aperture 119 such that the transverse limb 122' extends partially across the aperture 119 at or adjacent the mouth.

In the embodiment shown, the securing means 120 are attached to opposite walls of the aperture 119. There are, however, a number of possible arrangements of the securing means 120. The plate 118, when biassed by the spring, may abut against the transverse limb 122' of the securing means to limit the movement of the plate 118. S. S. * *5S

Referring to Figure 7, user information 161 may be displayed directly on the housing 112, preferably on a removable label or tag. The information recordal medium *555 116 may comprise a plurality of adhesive labels 160, attached to their carrier material 162 or other backing, *.** and arranged in a row or strip. The strip of adhesive *SSS..

* * labels 160 may be secured to the clip 114 by trapping one Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees or both edges thereof between the plate 118 and one or both limbs 122.

When the information recording device 110 is in use, user information 161, e.g. ballot related instructions, may be displayed on the housing 112 and a strip of adhesive labels may be coupled to the clip 114. The strip of adhesive labels 160 is coupled to the clip 114 by applying a force against the bias of the spring such that the plate 118 is displaced away from the transverse limb or limbs 122' of the securing means 120. This allows the strip of adhesive labels 160 to be placed on the plate 118. The applied force is then removed and the plate 118 moves towards the limb or limbs l22. Hence, the plate 118 and information recordal medium 116 abut against the transverse limb or limbs 122' of the securing means 120 such that the information recordal medium 116 is secured. In this embodiment, the information recording device 110 is used to display information regarding an election and each label 160 may be used to record a voter's signature. The adhesive labels 160 may be colour coded.

Once the information recording device 110 has been used, e.g. one or more of the labels 160 has been signed, the adhesive labels 160 may be removed by applying a force **S.

against the bias of the spring such that the plate 118 is displaced away from the transverse limb or limbs 122' of the securing means 120. The applied force may then be removed and the plate 118 may return to its rest state. * I

The labels 160 may then be detached from the carrier 55I5sq * * material 162 and transferred to a separate information storing means e.g. the document 70 as shown in Figure 4.

Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees The information recording device 110 may then be used by another user by providing the clip 114 with fresh information recordal medium 116, as described above.

In the context of ballots, the first and second embodiments described above allow each voter to provide at least one signature or piece of information on a transferable medium, e.g. an adhesive label, the medium subsequently being transferred to a storing medium, e.g. the document 70, by a suitable party, e.g. an election official. Hence, voters do not need to see the storing medium, so that privacy of earlier voters is protected.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 12, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of an information recording device, generally indicated as 210, which is adapted to enable the recording of information onto recordal medium 216. In the current embodiment, the functions of the separate recordal medium 16, 116 and the information storage means 70 have been combined and take the form of a sheet of paper formatted as a corresponding numbers list (CNL) -the reference numeral 216 is hereinafter used to refer to the combined recordal and storage function enabled herein. It will, of course, be appreciated that the recordal medium 216 could be of any other suitable form, for example a list of visitors to a company facility or the like. The corresponding numbers list 216 shown includes three columns of information, with the rightmost column being intended * * for the signature of each voter. The CML 216 is also divided into rows, each row representing a single voter, and requiring a signature from that voter in the right-hand Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees box. As mentioned above, data protection requires that the signature and corresponding information of each voter is stored confidentially. The device 210 of the embodiment illustrated, allows a voter to sign the required portion of the corresponding numbers list, and for their signature and corresponding voter information to then be obscured, while simultaneously allowing the next voter to sign the next row on the CNIJ 216.

The device 210 comprises a housing 212 being a support member 236 and a face 213 which define a pocket or compartment 230 therebetween for receiving the corresponding numbers list 216 therein. The corresponding number list 216 is thus effectively contained between the support member 236 and the face 213, as illustrated in Figure 8. The corresponding number list 216 is thus substantially obscured by the face 213. Referring in particular to Figures 9 and 11, it can be seen that the face 213, although apparently a solid surface, is in fact formed from a plurality of elongate cover elements 80 which extend laterally across some or all of the full width of the support member 236 and, therefore, the corresponding numbers list 216, when located in the device 210. As will be described in detail hereinafter, the cover elements 80 are singly and sequentially displaceable in order to define * * ***.

an aperture 219 in the housing 212, which enables a voter to apply their signature to the corresponding numbers list ** 216. Once a voter's signature has been applied, the cover element 80 directly below the aperture 219 is displaced * *** * * upwardly to obscure said signature, while simultaneously revealing the next empty row on the CNL 216, in order to allow the next voter to sign.

Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees When the CNL 216 is first placed into the device 210, the first row on the CNL 216 is exposed for signature by the first voter in question. Once the first voter has signed, the first cover element 80 is moved up one position in order to obscure or cover this row of the CNL 216, whereby the next row on the CNL 216 is exposed. Thus the aperture 219 is movable, incrementally, down the length of the housing 212, revealing a single row of the CNL 216 at a time. This process is repeated until each row of the CNL 216 has been signed by the respective voter. In order to protect the privacy of each of the voters, it is necessary that, once a cover element 80 has been moved upwardly to obscure the respective row, it is locked in position.

Again this operation will be described in detail hereinafter.

In order to effect the single and sequential displacement of the cover elements 80 as hereinbefore described, the device 210 comprises displacing means in the form of a carriage 82, slidably mounted on a set of first tracks 84 formed on either side of the support member 236 such that the carriage 82 can be displaced downwardly along the length of the support member 236. The carriage 82 extends laterally beyond at least one edge of the support member s..

236, and includes a stop 86 mounted on at least one, *...

optionally either or both sides thereof. Each stop 86 is slidably mounted on a set of second tracks 88, **1S perpendicularly to the direction of displacement of the carriage 82. Each stop 86 is spring biassed into register * with a respective serrated edge 90 of the face 213, but may be displaced laterally away from same on the set of second Y 10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees tracks 88. The serrated edge 90 is in fact defined by a tapered end 92 of each of the cover elements 80, which, in combination, give the face 213 its serrated edge 90. Each stop 86 is provided with a correspondingly tapered lug 94, and thus as the carriage 82 is, in use, displaced downwardly along the support member 236, each stop 86 will be ratcheted past the tapered end 92 of each of the cover elements 80.

In particular, the carriage 82 will be displaced past a single cover element 80 at a time, providing an indexed or incremental displacement ofthe carriage 82. In drawing the carriage 82 downwardly, the respective tapered end 92 and tapered lug 94 will act like a cam and follower, forcing the respective stop 86 outwardly on the set of second tracks 88. Once the tip of the tapered end 92 and the lug 94 have past one another, the spring biassing of the stop 86 will force the stop 86 inwardly, thereby forcing the next cover element 80 upwardly to obscure the last signed row of the CNL 216. This upward displacement of the cover element 80 will therefore reveal the next empty row on the CNL 216, allowing the next voter to sign via the aperture 219 defined in the housing 212. Once this voter has signed, the process is repeated, drawing the carriage 82 downwardly past the next cover element 80. * S *S..

*.r In order to protect the privacy of each voter, it is ** essential that, once a particular cover element 80 has been displaced upwardly, it is locked in this position. To this *SSS * S 30 end, the device 210 comprises locking means (not shown) *..S..

* * which are adapted to constrain the carriage 82 to unidirectional movement downwardly along the support member Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees 236 and, in particular, in the direction facilitated by the racheting of the stops 86 about the serrated edge 90 of the face 213. Once the carriage 82 has been displaced along the full length of the face 213, and thus each row of the CNL 216 has been signed, the CNL 216 is simply removed from the device 210 for safe storage. The locking means (not shown) may then be released by an official, for example by means of a key or the like, which then allows the carriage 82 to be reset, or displaced back into position in register with the very first cover element 80. At this point, the locking means are re-engaged, and the next blank or unsigned CNL 216 inserted into the device 210.

The device 210 of this third embodiment therefore provides a mechanism to quickly and easily obscure all previously signed rows on a sheet of paper or similar recordal medium, while also exposing the next row to be signed. The device is lightweight, in particular when formed from plastics, and is portable, making it extremely versatile and suitable for easy transport and/or storage.

Referring now to Figures 13 -23, there is illustrated a further preferred embodiment of an information recording device, generally indicated as 310, which is adapted to enable information recordal on an information recordal S's medium 316 which, as in the third embodiment, takes the form of a sheet of paper formatted as a corresponding numbers list (CNL). Again, it will be appreciated that the recordal medium 316 could be of any other suitable form, S.. * S

*.. 30 for example, to record signatures of visitors to accompany facility or the like. The corresponding numbers list 316 shown illustrates three columns of information, with the Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees left-most and centre columns being for non-confidential information and the right-most column being intended for the signature of each voter. The fourth embodiment of the invention operates the same single and sequential displacement of cover elements 380, as described in relation to the third embodiment and as is illustrated in sequence, in Figures 13, 14 and 15 (showing one displayed row); Figure 18 (showing the stop being forced outwardly by a cam/follower mechanism) and Figure 19 (showing the stop being forced between one cover element and the next cover element, to access the next row).

In this fourth embodiment, each cover element 380 has a tapered profile, as is illustrated in Figure 17. In addition, each cover element 380 is obscured in the area above the voter's signature, so that a voter cannot see the signatures of earlier voters on the CNL 316. In the present embodiment, each cover element 380 is provided with one or more windows, to enable the reading of information in those columns providing non-confidential information fields. However, it will be appreciated, that each cover element 380 may not be provided with these windows.

In order to effect the single and sequential displacement 25 of the cover elements 380 as hereinbefore described, the * . device 310 comprises displacing means in the form of a carriage 382, slidably mounted on a set of first tracks 384 *. formed on either side of the support member 336 such that the carriage 382 can be displaced downwardly along the length of the support member 336 (see exploded view of *S...* * Figure 16) . The carriage 382 extends laterally beyond at least one edge (optionally both edges) of the support Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appteyard Lees member 336, and includes a stop 386 mounted on at least one, optionally either or both sides thereof (preferably both sides thereof). Each stop 386 is slidably mounted on a set of second tracks 388, the second tracks being perpendicularly to the direction of displacement of the carriage 382. Each stop 386 is spring biassed into register with a respective serrated edge 390 of the face 313, but may be displaced laterally away from same on the set of second tracks 388. The serrated edge 390 is in fact defined by a tapered end 392 of each of the cover elements 380, which, in combination, give the face 313 its serrated edge 390. Each stop 386 is provided with a correspondingly tapered lug 394, and thus as the carriage 382 is, in use, displaced downwardly along the support member 336, each stop 386 will be ratcheted past, in turn, the tapered end 392 of each of the cover elements 380.

In particular, the carriage 382 will be displaced past a single cover element 380 at a time, providing an indexed or incremental displacement of the carriage 382. In drawing the carriage 382 downwardly, the respective tapered end 392 and tapered lug 394 will act like a cam and follower, forcing the respective stop 386 outwardly on the set of second tracks 388. Once the tip of the tapered end 392 and the lug 394 have past one another (as is shown in Figure * * **** 18), the spring biassing of the stop 386 will force the *...

stop 386 inwardly (as is shown in Figure 19), thereby * forcing the next cover element 380 upwardly to obscure the last signed row of the CNL 316. This upward displacement of the cover element 380 will therefore reveal the next ****.* * empty row on the CNL 316, allowing the next voter to sign via the aperture 319 defined in the housing 312. Once this Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees voter has signed, the process is repeated, drawing the carriage 382 downwardly past the next cover element 380.

Figures 20-23 indicate a locking means which may also be applicable to the third embodiment of the device according to the invention. Each of Figures 20-23 illustrate the underside of the information recording device 310 and show, in sequence, an obscured locking means which may be released by an official, to allow the carriage 382 to be reset and to allow insertion of a fresh corresponding numbers list 316.

Figure 20 shows an exploded view of the information recording device of the third or fourth embodiments of the invention. There is illustrated a support member 336 having an aperture 50 shaped and dimensioned to receive a hinge tab 52 which is covered, in use, by a cover 54. When assembled, the underside of the information recording device cannot readily be disassembled since the locking means is now obscured.

The device 310 of this fourth embodiment again provides a mechanism to quickly and easily obscure all previously :. signed rows on a sheet of paper or other recordal medium, whilst also exposing the next row to be signed. *.S.

: The present invention is not limited to the embodiments *. described herein, which may be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

* * Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this Y10354 -Specification as filed-16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, 25 abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel * * * *S.

combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. S.. S... * S *..S S *

Y10354 -Specification as tiled -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees

Claims

CLAIMS: 1 A device for recording information, the device comprising a

housing adapted to retain an information recordal medium defining a plurality of information fields; the housing defining an aperture providing access to at least one information field of the information recordal medium; arid means to displace one of the information recordal medium and the aperture relative to the other of the information recordal medium and the aperture.

2 A device according to Claim 1, in which the housing is adapted to releasably retain the information recordal medium.

3 A device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the housing, or at least a portion thereof, is rigid or semi-rigid.

4 A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which a magnifying device may be provided, optionally releasably attachable to the device, for the visually impaired or partially sighted. :. 25

S A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in *I..

which the housing comprises an array of sequentially * *** *..: displaceable cover elements arranged to define a movable ** aperture in the housing, through which at least one information field of the information recordal medium can be * * accessed. * *

Y10354 -Specification as filed-16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees 6 A device according to Claim 5, in which the device further comprises means to displace one cover element at a time.

7 A device according to Claim 6, in which the displacing means comprises a carriage displaceable about the housing to act against at least one end of a respective cover element such as to displace same.

8 A device according to Claim 7, in which the carriage is displaceable along a first track formed in, or provided on, the housing.

9 A device according to Claim 7 or 8, in which the carriage comprises a stop on at least one side thereof, the, or each, stop being reversibly displaceable against at least one respective end of a cover element in order to effect the displacement of said cover element.

10 A device according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, in which the carriage comprises a stop on each side thereof, each stop being reversibly displaceable against the respective end of a cover element in order to effect the displacement of said cover element. * * *** U

11 A device according to Claim 9 or 10, in which each **** stop is displaceable along a second track formed in, or provided on, the carriage. * S

12 A device according to any one of Claims 5 to 11, when S.....

* dependent on any one of Claims 9 to 11, in which each cover element comprises a tapered end and each stop comprises a Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees correspondingly tapered lug which engages, in use, the respective tapered end.

13 A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, in S which the device further comprises locking means which are adapted to permit the uni-directional displacement of one of the information recordal medium and the aperture relative to the other of the information recordal medium and the aperture.

14 A device according to Claim 13, in which the locking means may be disengaged to facilitate the reverse displacement of the one of the information recordal medium and the aperture relative to the other of the information recordal medium and the aperture.

A device according to any one of Claims 7 to 12, in which the device further comprises locking means which are adapted to permit the uni-directional displacement of the carriage relative to the housing.

16 A device according to Claim 15, in which the locking means may be disengaged to facilitate the reverse displacement of the carriage.

*... 25 * . 17 A device according to any one of Claims 10 to 16, in * I..

1.: which each stop is spring biassed into contact with the respective end of the housing. ***

18 A device for recording information, substantially as * hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1-4, 5-7, 8-12 and 13- 23 of the accompanying drawings.

Y10354 -Specification as filed -16 March 2007 Appleyard Lees