Abstract: A system for performing regulated transactions is used with a network that is commonly accessible by a plurality of communication terminals. A gatekeeper, coupled to the network, permits access to the system only if authorization information, as indicated by an authorization signal received by the gatekeeper from a communication terminal via the network, complies with at least one predetermined criterion. The authorization information includes information independent of information supplied by a communication terminal user and independent of information indicative of a communication line coupled to the user's communication terminal. A host, coupled to the gatekeeper, receives a first signal from the user's communication terminal through the network and sends a second signal through the network to the user's communication terminal in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A game of chance and a method for playing the game involve a plurality of distinct game participants. A plurality of drawing elements correspond to each one of the game participants, the plurality of drawing elements being the same in number for each one of the game participants. A selection device randomly selects drawing elements from among all of the plurality of drawing elements corresponding to all of the plurality of game participants one at a time during the game, each drawing element capable of being selected only once during the game. There is a termination point toward which a game participant progresses when one of the plurality of drawing elements corresponding to the game participant is selected by the selection device. The game participant reaches the termination point when a sufficient quantity of the plurality of drawing elements corresponding to the game participant has been selected.

Abstract: A method of playing a game of chance, and the game of chance, include a plurality of playstations, one of which is chosen by a player for entering a quantity of player symbols, e.g., numbers. A unique game symbol is assigned to each playstation of the plurality of playstations, the game symbol being chosen from a set of game symbols, e.g., numbers. A quantity of winning symbols is randomly selected from the set of game symbols. The player wins the game if a predetermined number of the player symbols match the winning symbols or if the game symbol assigned to the player's playstation is related to one of the winning symbols in a predetermined manner, e.g., if the game number assigned to the player's playstation matches one of the winning numbers or is numerically adjacent to one of the winning numbers.

Abstract: An upholstery attachment device and upholstered article, each according to the invention, each include a first elongated portion extending along at least a length of a perimeter edge of an upholstery covering and a second, cooperating elongated portion aligned with the first elongated portion to extend along the upholstery covering perimeter edge. The first elongated portion defines a first upholstery covering gripping member or jaw and the second elongated portion defines a second upholstery covering gripping member or jaw. The first and second upholstery covering gripping members are positioned relative to one another in a position of abutting one another or being, at most, slightly spaced apart to clamp the upholstery covering perimeter edge between the two gripping members.

Abstract: A process for molding upholstered chair cushions comprising placing a sheet of upholstery fabric between two dies, one having sculptured effects thereon, the dies being movable toward each other to form a cavity between them. A cushion assembly having a thickness (with the upholstery) greater than the distances between the dies in the cavity is placed in the cavity after having been coated on at least one side adjacent the upholstery with an air permeable adhesive. The dies are urged together to compress the cushion in the cavity to force the fabric and the cushion to conform to the shape of the first die. Hot vapors are injected into the cavity to shape the cushion and the fabric generally to the sculpted configuration of the sculpted die.

Abstract: A drop-in type shifter for an automotive transmission is provided that is spring biased with relatively flat washer-like springs. The shifter comprises an elongate shift stick having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is manually actuable and the lower end is adapted for insertion in an automotive transmission for changing the drive ratio of the transmission when the shift stick is pivoted. A base is provided for mounting the shifter on the transmission and a spherical socket is disposed on the base. A spherical ball is disposed on the shift stick between the upper and lower ends of the shift stick and the ball is received in the spherical socket for pivotally mounting the shift stick on the base. A channel is provided which bisects the socket. The ball is provided with a rocking shaft having first and second ends disposed on adjacent sides of the ball and extending into the channel for stabilizing the pivotable shift stick for pivotable movement about first and second orthogonal axes.