Abstract: There is disclosed and claimed a system for and a method of performing interactive data exchange, for example as part of a financial transaction, between a user base and a remote network. The system includes a request data input device 20. A telephone network 22 is connected to the device for transmitting the request data to the network 28. At the user base there is also provided a receiver for receiving response signals from the network and which signals include encoded response data. A signal decoder 14 is provided at the user base to decode the response data. A display 12 displays the response data interactively with the request data.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall and roof unit for easy and cost efficient home construction. The wall unit of the present invention is formed of a steel frame, a molded external panel formed into the shape of traditional building materials and features, and a layer of insulation material. The wall unit may be assembled in a quality controlled off-site factory.

Abstract: A supporting device for prefabricated building components, particularly for prefabricated units made of concrete or the like, with high resistance to earthquakes, comprising a bush-like seat which is formed in one face of a first unit and a supporting element which is detachably inserted in the seat. One end of the supporting element protrudes from the seat and from the face of the first unit and forms a resting region for a second unit. The device comprises shock-absorbing means which are interposed between the supporting element and the first unit and/or between the supporting element and the second unit.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a Hewlett-Packard Unix-based server, client PCs, client RF (radio-frequency) terminals, and various other peripherals, running warehouse management software developed specifically for high-volume bakeries. Personnel, which include auditors, parkers, checkers, shippers and receivers, are equipped with real-time hand-held RF data terminals. The terminals display information, accept keyed entries, and scan bar codes on production lines, racks, warehouse and truck locations, trucks and products. The system has one server and multiple PC's associated with multiple production lines. The PC's provide information of product made, batch sequences, expected count, current count and batch complete. The auditor supplies racks to the production line and identifies planned racks, marks and places them for movement by the parkers to the shippers.

Abstract: A fire-proof refuge shelter includes a plurality of partition walls joined together by bolts and screws to form a closed box provided with a pair of sliding doors, characterized in that: each of the partition walls being made of a surface layer, an intermediate heat-resistant layer and an inner heat-resistant cement layer, the surface layer being made of fire-proof glass fiber or calcium silicate or mineral fiber, the inner heat resistant layer being a fire-proof sound absorbing board made of lightweight bone concrete or made by solidation of heat resistant concrete, and the intermediate heat resistant sand layer being made of non-combustible clay, silicon stone or substance primarily consisting of carbon, whereby oxygen tanks, flashlights and so on are arranged inside the shelter for people who waits for rescue.

Abstract: A currency processing machine in which a user deposits funds including coins of mixed denominations and paper notes is provided. The currency processing machine comprises means for receiving and counting the paper notes, a hopper for receiving the coins of mixed denominations, and means for determining the amount of the deposited funds. A sorting device sorts the mixed coins into denominations. A coin receptacle station for each denomination receives the sorted coins. Each of the coin receptacle stations includes a plurality of coin receptacles for holding the sorted coins and a coin distribution mechanism for selectively distributing the sorted coins between the plurality of coin receptacles.

Abstract: An improved construction panel is diclosed comprising a foam core with thin metal skins attached to top and bottom surfaces of the foam core having am improved snap together joint. The joint includes a sealant pocket and stabilizing members. The sealant pocket further includes a bead or a protrusion to positively define a vertical sealant space between adjacent and connected construction panels.

Abstract: A temporary display sequence change method which keeps track of replaced data. A first sequence for displaying first pieces of information by an EPL is determined. A second sequence by which the EPL currently displays second pieces of information is determined. If at least one of the pieces of first information is different from the pieces of second information, whether the one piece replaces another piece of second information is determined. If the one piece does not replace the other piece, the one piece of information is obtained. If the one piece does replace the other piece, the one piece of information is obtained and the other piece and its memory location are stored. A first change sequence message including the one piece of information is sent. The first pieces of information are displayed in accordance with the first sequence for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A reinforced roofing underlayment positioned between a roof support structure and an overlayment in order to provide a waterproof barrier for the roof structure. The roofing underlayment including an interwoven scrim comprising a mesh of interwoven strands of thermoplastic having a tensile strength sufficient to resist tearing when exposed to tensile loads from various directions. The interwoven scrim having a layer of waterproof material affixed to at least one side of the scrim in order to provide a weather-resistant barrier which prevents moisture and other external elements from passing through the roofing underlayment. The waterproof material is preferably a layer of thermoplastic film which is co-extruded over both sides of the scrim. The roofing underlayment may also include a slip-resistant outer surface in order prevent a person installing the roofing underlayment from slipping while walking on the roofing underlayment.

Abstract: An underground below-building bunker has bunker quarters (1) positioned under ground (2) below a dwelling-related structure (3), such as a garage, a room or a hallway of a dwelling (4). A floor-entry door (5) such as a trapdoor, horizontal slide door or other through-floor entry leads to a vertical passageway (6) where a bunker door (7) provides entrance to a stairway (8) or ladder (9) to a bunker floor (10). A buffer zone of protection is provided in the vertical passageway intermediate the floor-entry door and the bunker door, which in combination provide a predetermined level of protection against foreseeable hazards. The ground below the dwelling-related structure has a depth at which enclosure structure (12) of the bunker quarters can provide protection against predetermined hazards. Air vents (15, 17) into separate portions of the bunker quarters provide safety redundance of air from safe-air sources (19).

Abstract: There is provided an attachment structure of a seat belt system for a rear seat in which a seat belt retractor can be attached without causing an increase in vehicle weight and an increase in manufacturing cost, and the use feeling of the seat belt system is not lowered. The seat belt retractor is fixed to a bracket in the vicinity of a coupling portion. The coupling portion is defined by a D-pillar at one side of the rear of a body shell, a side rail, and a rear rail.

Abstract: A joist support system and apparatus. The system may include a joist rim that has at least one attachment tab integrally formed therein to facilitate attachment of a joist to the joist rim. Reinforcing ribs are preferably provided adjacent the attachment tabs for providing desired structural integrity to the attachment tab connection. The system may also include a C-shaped joist that has a plurality of oval-shaped openings therein to enable components such as ducts, wires, piping, etc. to pass therethrough. The joists may also be provided with a plurality of mounting holes that are adapted to accommodate wire retainer members for supporting insulation between respective joists. The system may also include pre-formed blocking members that are sized to extend between adjacent joists and be attached thereto to provide lateral support to the joists.

Abstract: An insert for a glazing unit includes a body having a width and a height. The insert is configured to fit within the spacer of the glazing unit. A typical glazing unit has at least two outer glazing sheets separated by a substantially rigid, U-shaped spacer disposed about the perimeter of the sheets to create an interior cavity between the outer sheets and the spacer. The width and height of the body of the insert are adapted to allow the insert to fit within the U-shaped spacer. The spacer has a longitudinal length dimension substantially equal to the perimeter of the glazing sheets. The body of the insert also has a longitudinal length dimension substantially equal to the length of the spacer. The body of the insert is fabricated from a non-flowable material having substantially stable dimensions. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert includes an inwardly facing, intermediate glazing sheet-receiving channel that is adapted to slidably receive and position an intermediate glazing sheet.

Abstract: A bicycle frame with a seat tube, whose upper end is designed to hold a seat pillar and at whose lower end is situated a bottom bracket shell, and to a pair of chainstays, which are essentially parallel to each other and at their front end are pivotally mounted at a first pivot point on the seat tube at a distance from the bottom bracket shell, and at their back end are connected with dropouts to hold a rear wheel axle.

Abstract: A multi-sheet glazing unit includes a spacer frame having a pair of legs joined to a base to provide a U-shaped cross-section. A sheet e.g. glass sheet is secured by a moisture-impervious adhesive to the outer surface of each of the legs of the spacer frame. A plurality of sheet retaining members in a spaced relationship to one another is maintained on the legs of the spacer frame between the glass sheets and spaced from the base. The sheet retaining members each have a pair of flexible fingers mounted on a platform member, angled away from the platform member toward one another and spaced above the platform member. A sheet mounted between the fingers is maintained spaced from the outer sheets. A method for making the unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A railroad theme restaurant with educational and entertainment aspects is provided, housed in a round building structure, having a model train food delivery system running on a network of model train tracks configured to service numerous seating modules for the rapid and accurate delivery of food orders to restaurant patrons. The model train food delivery system incorporates novel insulated insets to accommodate the transport of various food dishes and drink containers from a food preparation area to the dining tables. An inset storage area and loading dock facilitates the rapid loading of food orders and unloading of empty insets. Restaurant employees assume the titles, dress and mannerisms of railroad yard workers as they perform their regular duties adding to an overall interesting and fun atmosphere. The railroad track network is controlled by numerous electric switches and electronic sensors which detect the position of trains and direct the movement of food delivery train cars and returning trains.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismically retrofitting pre-existing household brick chimneys is described to meet current building codes. Vertical steel rebar and horizontal chimney anchors are inserted into the chimney and a polymer concrete is poured between the liner and the brick masonry thereby bonding to the chimney, the vertical steel rebar, and the horizontal chimney anchors. The horizontal chimney anchors are coupled at one end to the external face of the chimney and at another end to the interior frame of the house. Holes are vertically drilled into the masonry of the chimney base in order to anchor the steel rebar at one end. Holes are drilled through the chimney and into the interior of the house at an appropriate point to properly anchor the pre-existing chimney to the house. A polymer concrete that has similar heat properties to other fireplace components is poured into the chimney around a chimney liner in order to reinforce and provide resiliency.

Abstract: Building system comprising individual building elements (1), each element having an upper and a lower surface which are substantially parallel to each other and each building element having at least one opening (10, 11) extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the building elements being such that they can be positioned on top of each other so that openings of different elements are aligned with respect to each other, characterized in that in each opening a connecting element (30) can be placed by means of which the building element belonging to it can be connected with a predetermined pressure to the building element located immediately below the first building element.

Abstract: By using a thermal insulation foam/film laminate wherein each major planar surface of a foam panel has a facer film bonded thereto that meets certain performance criteria rather than a foam panel by itself, composite walls that have a foam panel sandwiched between concrete layers can be made with fewer steps.

Abstract: A roof cladding panel is profiled in its longitudinal direction and stepped in its transverse direction and comprises two straight side edges (4, 5) which are connectable to adjacent panels, a lower edge (2) which is generally wave-shaped and connectable to an adjacent panel, and an upper edge (3) which preferably is straight and connectable to an adjacent panel. Two diagonally opposite corners (8, 9) of the panel are obliquely cut, and an upper cut corner of one panel is adapted to be matchingly assembled with a lower cut corner of another panel in a four-corner joint including also non-cut corners of a third and a fourth roof cladding panel.