Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to improve delivery vehicles with storage compartments for items and product containers. In some embodiments, the storage compartments have a plurality of horizontally-mounted support rails mounted on opposite sides of the storage compartment to receive the product containers and retractable retaining elements disposed adjacent ends of the support rails proximate storage compartment openings to help retain the product containers. In another configuration, the horizontally-mounted support rails are movable, such that the product containers supported by the support rails permit are movable. By one approach, the delivery vehicle includes a conveyor mechanism to move the horizontally-mounted support rails.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin arrangement includes first and second intersecting aisles, a first walling of a cabin monument bordering the first aisle, and a second walling bordering the second aisle. The wallings extend from the floor region of the cabin to a ceiling region of the cabin, and form an angle less than 180°. A first access opening is arranged in the first walling and is closable through a first door, and a second access opening is arranged in the second walling and is closable with a second door. A door blocking unit has blocking means designed for preventing an access to the first access opening and the second access opening. The door blocking unit is switchable between at least two operating modes. In a first operating mode, only the first access opening is accessible. In a second operating mode, only the second access opening is accessible.

Abstract: A system and a method for dynamic in flight seat management of an aircraft are provided. The system comprises an on board memory unit for storing the current booking status of the seats of the aircraft. Furthermore, the system comprises an output unit for providing the current booking status to a user and an input unit for receiving requests from a user to change the booking status. Therein, the system is adapted to change the booking status in real-time during the flight. In this way, passengers can book a time-limited upgrade during the flight.

Abstract: The lockout cabinet can comprise a body with a front opening circumscribed by a front edge, and a rear wall recessed from the front edge, for receiving lockout equipment, a first side laterally opposite a second side, and a tab extending from the first side, passed the front edge, and having a plurality of shackle engagement apertures interspaced from one another in an orientation parallel to an adjacent portion of the front edge; and a door matching the shape of the front opening, being hingedly connected to the second side of the body and having a slot shaped and positioned for the tab to extend through it when the door is closed, with the plurality of shackle engagement apertures on a side of the door opposite the body, able to receive a corresponding plurality of padlock shackles for preventing subsequent unauthorized opening of the door.

Abstract: A secure deposit box and method of construction thereof are presented. An inner door is affixed to a top inner surface of a housing and movable on a top edge around a sphere of rotation defined by a bottom edge. An outer door is affixed to a front side of the housing and moveable on a bottom edge. A connecting member is attached on one end to a side edge of the inner door and on the other end to a corresponding side edge of the outer door. An inner panel is fixedly attached to the bottom edge of the outer door, moveable on a proximal edge in the same direction as the outer and inner door, and has a distal edge defining a sphere of rotation which is distinct from the sphere of rotation for the inner door. No overlap exists between the inner door and the inner panel.

Abstract: A secure mailbox for parcels and method of construction thereof are presented. A mail shelf is affixed to an inner surface of a housing. An inner door is pivotably affixed to a bottom surface of the mail shelf and is rotatably movable on a top edge around a sphere of rotation defined by a bottom edge. A mail deposit having an outer door and inner door is constructed. The outer door is pivotably affixed to a front surface of the housing and is rotatably moveable on a bottom edge. The inner panel is affixed to the bottom edge of the outer door and includes a distal edge defining a sphere of rotation which is rotatably distinct from the sphere of rotation for the inner door. At least one connecting member is rotatably attached on one end to the inner door and on the other end to the mail deposit.

Abstract: A locking device is adapted for receipt within the main cavity of an underground enclosure. The locking device includes a container having a main body and a container top which define an interior compartment for holding the items of the underground enclosure. The main body is adapted to be assembled in the main cavity of the underground enclosure and is sized to be retained within the underground enclosure. The container top has a selective open position to allow access to the interior compartment of the main body and a selective closed locked position to deter access thereto. An arm assembly coupled to the container top is moveable between an extended engaged position to retain the container top on the container and a collapsed disengaged position to allow release of the container top from the container.

Abstract: A theft-resistant mailbox for parcels and method of construction thereof are presented. An inner door is pivotably affixed to a top inner surface of a housing and is rotatably moveable on a top edge around a sphere of rotation. An outer door is pivotably affixed to a front surface of the housing and is rotatably moveable on a bottom edge. At least one connecting member is rotatably attached on one end to a side edge of the inner door and on the other end to a common side edge of the outer door. An inner panel is fixedly attached to the bottom edge of the outer door and is rotatably moveable on a proximal edge in the same direction as the outer and inner door. The inner panel is comprised of a distal edge defining a sphere rotatably distinct from the sphere of rotation for the inner door.

Abstract: A locker that may either be opened in a keyed or keyless manner includes a locking mechanism formed predominantly of sheet components. The locking mechanism is designed to be carried by the frame of the locker, and is particularly suited to enable the locker to be used as an evidence locker or similar restricted access storage compartment. Various spring biases are used to force the locking mechanism to a locked position when the locking mechanism is appropriately triggered, such as by a pushbutton. The locking mechanism is designed to be substantially tamper proof and cannot be reset to an unlocked position without a key, if equipped, or access to a lock resetting lever arm that is only accessible through a rear opening of the locker.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus including: a plurality of doors for opening a sheet conveying path are provided vertically adjacent to one another in an apparatus main body, and openably and closably about an axis provided in a vertical direction; and a restricting mechanism, which restricts, before an upper door of the plurality of doors is closed, the closing of a door just below the upper door.

Abstract: A columbarium apparatus comprises a columbarium structure defining a plurality of niches. Each niche has an open end, and a horizontal ledge extends from the structure near the bottom wall of each niche. An inside door is configured to cover the open end of the niche and is attached by a first set of tamper resistant hardware, and an outside door is configured to cover the inside door and conceal the first set of tamper proof hardware, and is attached by a second set of tamper resistant hardware such that an inner face of the outer door is supported by an outer face of the inside door, and such that a lower edge of the outside door is supported by the ledge. A vertical channel is provided to facilitate attachment of the outside doors.

Abstract: A collection safe is provided, especially for charitable donations, for installation in a wall of a building. The collection safe has a rectangular box formation and includes a first door on one side of the box for receiving donations and a second door on the opposing side of the box to provide access to the interior. The first door is connected to a pair of side walls which extend into the interior of the box. A baffle extends and is connected to the side walls so that the baffle is oriented 90° relative to the first door. The baffle has a free end with a jagged edge such as sharp teeth that terminates less than one inch from the first door to deter the retrieval of the donations from the first door. The space between the jagged edge of the baffle and the first door provides a slot for receiving the donation past the baffle to the floor of the collection safe.

Abstract: The locking mechanism described herein is for use in an enclosure, which is part of a product delivery system. The locking mechanism uses existing locks and latches, and configures them using linkages into a mechanism that is not currently available. The mechanism has a latch that holds the door of the enclosure closed. This latch stays in a normally unlocked state until deliberate acts are taken to lock the latch. When a delivery is made, the delivery person opens the unlocked door, makes the delivery, and then closes the door and turns the rotary latch counter clockwise until it latches in the locked position. There are three independent and distinct ways to unlock the mechanism: (1) a key can be used to unlock the mechanism; (2) a combination lock can be used to unlock the mechanism; or (3) an emergency release paddle, for child safety is located on the lower back cover of the lock, and can be pushed to unlock the mechanism.

Abstract: A security entrance system for controlling access from an infeed area (98) to a protected area (100) has a structure (24) defining a chamber disposed between the infeed area, the protected area and a temporary containment area (201), with a first door (38) at the infeed area portion of the chamber, a second door (46) at the protected area portion of the chamber, and a third door (47) at the temporary containment area portion of the chamber. A person entering the protected area must pass through a contraband detector such as a metal detector (90,92) and enter the chamber. If no alarm was provided by the detector, the doors allow exit from the chamber into the protected area. If an alarm was provided by the metal detector, the doors only allow the person to enter the temporary containment area. The chamber is weighed or otherwise examined after at least some cycles of operation to assure that no contraband was concealed within the chamber.

Abstract: A non-contact food/cuff pass apparatus and system is disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a hollow body adapted to be affixed to a prison door aperture. The hollow body includes a door on one end. The other end is open to be affixed to the prison door aperture. A locking lever is connected to the main body. The locking lever is adapted to lock the body to the prison door. The interior of the body is used to place items to be passed to and from a prisoner.

Abstract: A security system having a series of adjacent bullet-proof transparent chambers for successive passage of persons in a queue. A door interlock system controls passage of individuals along with intermittent movement of a conveyor for inspecting hand-carried articles. The system includes manual and automatic controls for detaining a suspected individual and unlocking doors to allow release of other individuals in the chambers. A matrix of such chambers is shown, which handles security check-in for several queues of airline passengers.

Abstract: An aircraft security system comprises a transparent bullet-proof security chamber interposed between the pilot area and the passenger area, and providing the only means of passage to the pilot area. The security chamber has a cockpit door to the cockpit area and passenger door to the passenger area. The passenger door must be closed when the cockpit door is open and vice versa. A third, or entry door, may be used to facilitate boarding the aircraft. All doors are closed and locked when sensors indicate unauthorized entry of a passenger into the security chamber.

Abstract: A security entrance system for controlling access from an infeed area (98) to a protected area (100) has a structure (24) defining a chamber disposed between the infeed area and the protected area, with first doors (38) at the infeed end of the chamber and second doors (46) at the protected area end of the chamber. A person entering the protected area must pass through a contraband detector such as a metal detector (90, 92) and enter the chamber. If no alarm was provided by the detector, the doors allow exit from the chamber into the protected area. If an alarm was provided by the metal detector, the doors only allow the person to pass back from the chamber into the infeed area and away from the protected area. The chamber is weighed or otherwise examined after at least some cycles of operation to assure that no contraband was concealed within the chamber.

Abstract: A snack dispenser consists of a series of tiers stacked to resemble a wedding cake. Each tier includes a trough divided into slots. A snack may be placed into each slot. The front of each slot is transparent. The troughs or trays are mounted on a rotatable carousel. The carousel is covered with a backshell and a transparent front shell. The front shell has transparent doors therein. By inserting a proper amount of money and aligning the carousel so that the desired snack is beneath a door; the door may be opened and the customer may withdraw his snack from that slot. The opening of the door blocks the rotation of the carousel, blocks the opening of the remaining doors, and also resets or cancels the credit of the coins inserted. When the single door is closed again, all doors will be blocked so that a person can not again open a door until proper coins are inserted. To service the dispenser the front shell is removed. A segment of all tiers is removed.

Abstract: A pass through closure and delivery device permitting material to be safely passed through a slot in a partition or prison cell door. A container having first and second openings and first and second doors associated with each opening is disclosed for mounting on a partition or cell door having a slot therethrough. Each door on the container includes a latch that is operable from only one side of the cell door. A cam-operating attaching mechanism allows the container to be releasably mounted to a pair of track members affixed to the cell door with the slot therebetween. Using the pass through delivery device and the method of the present device, food or other materials can be safely delivered to an inmate inside a locked cell by mounting the container of the pass through delivery device on the cell door with one of the openings adjacent the first door covering the slot in the partition.

Abstract: An access control vestibule having first and second locking single doors, an access control chamber formed between the two doors, magnetic locks for each of the doors, a metal detector located between the doors to detect for a weapon, the doors are manually operable and swing towards the outside of the chamber, the frame of the vestibule is rectangular and formed of a metal material, the door frames being formed of a metal material, transparent ballistic resistant panels are mounted in the side walls of the chamber and the door frames, ultrasonic sensors are positioned above the first and second halves of the chamber to detect for the presence of more than one person within the chamber or for the presence of an object such as a weapon on the floor of the chamber, an ultrasonic sensor located above the metal detector, a touch-sensitive pad located on the inside of the exit door of the chamber, a control device to prevent both doors from being opened at the same time and to prevent the second or exit door from

Abstract: An access opening closure device is provided for enabling passage of food or medication into a confined spaced without providing direct access from within the confined space to outside of the confined space. The device includes a housing defining a receptacle, an access door and a top cover. The top cover and the access door are independently movable between open and closed positions to provide access to within the receptacle.

Abstract: Pass through interlock systems for sanitized environments or "clean rooms" are disclosed which allow for the transfer of objects from outside the sanitized environment without introducing undesirable contaminants therein. The system comprises a frame, box like structure juxtaposed on the back end of a frame, two doors oppositely disposed to each other, an electric mortise lock with solenoid or electric motor, first and second sensors and an electronic controller with power source, that is programmed to automatically lock one door when the opposite door is opened.

Abstract: A fail-safe access control chamber security system (ACCSS) including a bullet-proof access control unit (ACU) having an entrance chamber and an exit chamber. The entrance chamber includes a first interlocking door providing passage from a non-secure area into the entrance chamber and a second interlocking door providing passage from the entrance chamber to a secure area. The entrance chamber includes a first floor mat and a second floor mat located between the first and second doors to determine the location of a person within the entrance chamber. A metal detector is provided between the first and second floor mats and the system includes arrangements for preventing entrance into the secure area if a weapon is present. Control circuitry prevents the simultaneous opening of the first and second doors. The exit chamber includes a third interlocking door for providing passage from the secure area into the exit chamber and a fourth interlocking door providing passage from the exit chamber to the non-secure area.

Abstract: The system includes a vestibule and a plurality of emergency exits interconnecting the secure area with the outside environment. The vestibule comprises a pair of security doors and the emergency exits comprise security doors having locking means and means for disabling the locking means in response to any one of several preselected egress corroborating events that are not likely to be associated with adversarial activity. The various preselected events may include non-emergency situations such as a request to leave or disable made by two persons within the secure area, a request to leave or disable made by a single person within the secure area plus security guard affirmation, and a request to leave or disable made by a single person within the secure area plus the expiration of a time delay triggered by the request.

Abstract: An armored combat vehicle, especially a military tank, with at least one entry-and-exit hatchway in the top. The hatchway closes with a hatch completely covering it. At least two additional moving roof-protection hatches above the hatch that completely covers the hatchway extend in the same plane at least when they are closed, each covering part of the hatchway and both covering it completely.

Abstract: The safe is an upwardly opening box-like structure. A door panel has at least one door closure cushioning and delaying apparatus connected to the door panel and to the structure. A locking shelf has at least one slotted port. A locking initiation member has a lower section adjacent a drill resistent reinforcement place. The locking initiation member has a locking tongue that slidingly and releasingly locks into a locking tongue recess in the bolt plate. Locking tabs on the bolt plate extend through the slotted ports and under the lentil support shelf when the bolt plate is rotated to a locked position. At least one position retaining pin in the bolt plate aligns the locking tabs in the slotted ports and to limit lateral and longitudinal movement of the bolt plate. The control handle has a reduced diameter section that breaks when a preselected amount of torque is applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A revolving door assembly includes a pair of part-cylindrical wall portions partly surrounding the rotational path of a revolving door and partly defining a passage. Pairs of part-cylindrical wall panels are provided in association with the part-cylindrical wall portions, such wall panels being movable along paths concentric with the rotational path of the revolving door and being adapted to close and open the passage substantially in syncronism with the continuous rotation of the revolving door. Thereby passage will remain checked during such rotation, alternatingly by the revolving door alone and by the door in cooperation with the wall panels of each pair, whereby a draft-free passage will be maintained.

Abstract: A waterbed pedestal for supporting a waterbed frame and mattress on its top surface, the pedestal of the type comprising a plurality of panels assembled to form head, foot, and left and right side faces. The pedestal includes a cavity that is positioned to extend underneath a waterbed mattress so that the mattress covers the top of the cavity, and that opens at its front in one of the faces of the pedestal. A safe is positioned in the cavity and secured to the pedestal. A removable panel is positioned over the front of the cavity to close the cavity and hide the safe.

Abstract: A security box with a door combined with an electricity charged cover, an alarm, an electrical insulator inner cover between the box and charged cover, an electrical insulator outer cover outside of the charged cover, switch means for activating the alarm when the outer cover is traversed and remote switch means for deactivating the charged cover and alarm.

Abstract: A shelter 20 to enable occupants thereof to survive a near-strike nuclear detonation as well as chemical, biological and conventional weapons attacks can be assembled by four men in thirty minutes. Panels 38 are lightweight laminates of plastics and reinforcing fibers. As installed underground, the arched roof 26 of the shelter 20 is supported on a drive ring base member 28, which is crushable to absorb, attenuate and help divert the airslap force of a nuclear detonation.

Abstract: A fire resistive cabinet for storing easily damageable electronic data storage materials such as floppy discs to protect them against the deleterious effects of high temperature and high humidity. The cabinet includes an outer housing of fire resistive construction and an insulated inner container. A combined infrared barrier and vapor barrier is formed as a bag which contains the inner insulated container. An endothermic phase transformation material is carried in the double walls of a moisture proof bag and fits inside the polyurethane foam insulation of the inner container. An insulated removable cover closes an opening into the inner insulated container. The width and height of the container are identical so that the container can be inverted to provide either a right hand or a left hand swing for the insulated door of the fire resistive cabinet.

Abstract: A locking cover for preventing unauthorized access to the control panel of an air conditioner. The locking cover is adapted for use with an air conditioner having a control panel seated between a frame connected to the control panel access opening and a spongy pad. The locking cover defines a plate having a side wall to elevate the plate above the knobs of the control panel. The wall has an outwardly extending flange which is adapted for removably inserting between the panel and the frame wherein the gap for the insertion is provided by pressing the panel to compress the spongy pad. A key lock mounted adjacent to the opposite edge of the plate is rotated so that a latching member moves to a locking position between the panel and the opposite side of the frame.

Abstract: A "do it yourself" burglar-resistent safe is provided at extremely low cost. The present apparatus and method make it possible and practical for almost any person, even a person having a low degree of manual skill and even a low intelligence, to construct his or her own safe with precision.In a preferred embodiment, a plastic liner is precision saw-cut or molded at the factory to provide various slots or grooves adapted to receive the inner edge portions of steel bars having predetermined sizes. The customer purchases the liner and bars in unassembled condition, together with a bottom, a firecap mold, and a strong steel door with associated lock. At any desired region of his home, the customer provides form means sufficiently large to receive the liner and having as much capacity as the customer wishes.

Abstract: This invention provides a hingeless safe door assembly that can be flush mounted in a recessed safe compartment built into a wall or floor. Thus, a frame and flush cover plate holds the door assembly recessed away from the wall or floor for access to locking and latching mechanisms integral in the removable door.A latch bolt operating mechanism axially moves a master bolt, and other slave bolts are similarly axially moved by a pivoted lever that engages both the master and slave bolt for concurrent axial movement between latched and unlatched positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a floor safe from water damage including an outer shell member mounted in an annular area formed between the case or housing of the floor safe and the foundation in which the floor safe is mounted; a protective enclosure including a lower rim portion is mounted over the floor safe case and held in position by retainer pins which extend through the outer shell member into engagement with the lower protective cap rim portion, the protective enclosure trapping air between the enclosure and the floor safe for providing an air pressure barrier to resist the intrusion of water into the area of the openable floor safe top.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine for delivering soft ice cream or the like to ice cream cones or other containers. A pivotally mounted arm receives a cone and then moves to a product-dispensing station. The product is dispensed into the cone until a weight-responsive structure associated with the arm senses the predetermined weight of the product and stops delivery of the product to the cone. Then the arm is moved so that it deposits the cone in a delivery chamber and then is moved out of the delivery chamber back to a position to receive another cone. Mechanical latch structures are provided for latching the door to the delivery chamber in closed position until the arm has been completely withdrawn from the delivery chamber and a rod connects the arm to the latch for effecting unlatching of the door in response to movement of the arm so that the door is unlatched after the movement of the arm out of the delivery chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable safe which when locked wedges itself in a drawer to resist being either opened or removed from the drawer without first being unlocked.

Abstract: An article vending machine, said machine having an article delivery chute, and an article delivery opening at the lower end of such shute, and a door for closing such opening, in which the improvement comprises a chute closure operable to close the chute and being moveable between chute closing and chute opening positions, and having linkage extending between the door and the chute closure whereby opening of the door automatically procures movement of the chute closure.

Abstract: A "do it yourself" burglar-resident safe is provided at extremely low cost. The present apparatus and method make it possible and practical for almost any person, even a person having a low degree of manual skill and even a low intelligence, to construct his or her own safe with precision.In a preferred embodiment, a plastic liner is precision saw-cut or molded at the factory to provide various slots or grooves adapted to receive the inner edge portions of steel bars having predetermined sizes. The customer purchases the liner and bars in unassembled condition, together with a bottom, a firecap mold, and a strong steel door with associated lock. At any desired region of his home, the customer provides form means sufficiently large to receive the liner and having as much capacity as the customer wishes.

Abstract: A cabinet for the secure storage of a gun adapted to be mounted in the recess of a wall wherein an outer door of the said cabinet provides a disguised appearance of a decorative wall article. Directly behind the said outer door is a lockable transparent inner door whereby the user of the cabinet may conveniently inspect and display the contents thereof. An adjustable fixture inside of the cabinet retains the gun in a desired position and accommodates a range of styles and sizes of small guns. To allow quick access to the gun during day or night means are provided in said retention fixture for quick release of said gun and the interior of the cabinet is illuminated when the cabinet is opened.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a wall safe designed such that it may be conveniently built into and secured to any new or existing structure such as a building, vehicle, or the like. The wall safe comprises a top, bottom, and four side walls, one of which has a door providing access to the interior. The door is movably secured to the side wall near the top of the opening by means of concealed hinges at opposite sides thereof. Additionally, the safe is provided with a removable shelf which appears to be the bottom of the safe but conceals a secret compartment therebelow. In one embodiment, the wall safe is sized to fit between existing or new studs or joints of a conventional wood frame building. In another embodiment, the invention is provided with a flanged bottom portion to aid in embedding the safe in a concrete floor or the like.In yet another embodiment, several of the wall safes may be assembled or stacked together to form a table like structure suitable for hotel lobbies or the like.

Abstract: A user access compartment for an automated teller machine which dispenses currency and/or receipts through an opening in the protective cabinet of the machine. The compartment is generally cylindrical in shape having an access opening therein, and the compartment is pivotally mounted on a frame located in the machine. A currency dispenser located in the machine dispenses currency into the compartment upon command from a valid customer of the machine. An arcuately shaped door panel normally closes the opening in the cabinet.

Abstract: A water barrier for floor safes comprising a removable lid having an elastomeric sealing O-ring extending around the periphery of a relatively rigid rim thereof to engage the inner surface of the case of a floor safe, the lid having a hollow central knob which facilitates removal of the lid and which extends over the safe door lock. The portion of the lid within the peripheral rim is relatively flexible whereby to flex in response to changes in atmospheric pressure against the lid.