Abstract: A method of and apparatus for securing valuable articles wherein the articles are provided within a tamper evident primary container (10) or envelope, the primary container is contained within a secondary container (60) or box, and dispensing means (12) is provided in the secondary container (60) selectively to dispense a staining medium. The invention provides that the primary container (10) is partitioned into first (30) and second (32) portions that communicate with each other through at least one path (34.1); the articles to be secured are inserted into the first portion (30) which is then sealed (26); and the dispensing means (12, 42) is arranged to dispense the staining medium into the second portion (32) when activated. A plurality of spaced flow paths (34.2) may be formed between the first (30) and second (32) portions, the paths being arranged to prevent access to the first portion through the second portion.

Abstract: A system for managing bets comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores information associated with a field of participants for an event, each participant associated with particular odds for the event. The processor receives a bet that a lead participant from the field of participants will finish in a particular subset of finishing positions in the event, wherein the bet is associated with customized odds. The processor further select one or more additional participants from the field of participants to add to the bet such that the odds associated with the lead participant combined with the odds associated with the one or more selected additional participants at least approximates the customized odds for the bet.

Abstract: This invention relates to operating mechanisms for hydraulic control systems and it is an object of the invention to provide an operating mechanism which is self-locking. The mechanism includes a bar which is slidable in a channel, one face of the bar being cut away to provide two inclined surfaces. Rollers are retained by springs in the spaces between the inclined surfaces and one side of the channel. A plate is also located between the bar and the said side of the channel and a control member serves to displace this plate along the channel. The arrangement is such that, when the plate is displaced in either direction, it pushes a respective one of the rollers towards one end of the bar, thereby allowing it to roll down the inclined surface. On the other hand, if a force is applied to the bar in either direction, a respective one of the rollers will move up the inclined surface and wedge against the side of the channel, thereby locking the bar in position.