Abstract: The present invention relates to valve apparatus for regulating flow. The apparatus comprises a valve housing having a bore. A piston member (7) is movable within the bore, a first spring member biasing the piston member in a first direction within the bore. A first rod (12) extends through the piston member, the first rod having an end (13) for engaging a second spring member (14) provided between the end (13) and a spring seat (8). The piston member (7) and spring seat define a chamber (9) which houses the second spring member (14) and into which the first rod is slidably received. Further, a second rod extends from the spring seat and is coupled to valve member seat. A damping means is provided to damp the movement of the chamber (9) within the bore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valve apparatus for regulating flow. The apparatus comprises a valve housing having a bore. A piston member (7) is movable within the bore, a first spring member biasing the piston member in a first direction within the bore. A first rod (12) extends through the piston member, the first rod having an end (13) for engaging a second spring member (14) provided between the end (13) and a spring seat (8). The piston member (7) and spring seat define a chamber (9) which houses the second spring member (14) and into which the first rod is slidably received. Further, a second rod extends from the spring seat and is coupled to valve member seat. A damping means is provided to damp the movement of the chamber (9) within the bore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valve apparatus (1) comprising a valve member (4) moveable for controlling flow through a fluid carrying bore (3). The valve member comprises a valve element (13) coupled to a stem element (5) extending within a stepped stem bore (8) in a stem body, the stem element projecting out from the stem body (2) through a stem bore opening. The valve member is further provided with a pressure-energizable multi-element stem seal (9) within the stem bore, the stem element having a profile which inhibits compete removal of the valve member through the stem bore opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus (10) comprises a purchaser's device running a purchaser program (12) which is operable by the purchaser and a vendor's device running a vendor program (16) which is operable by the vendor. The purchaser's device (12) and the vendor's device (16) are in data communication with each other by way of a communication channel (26). The purchaser program is configured to encrypt a payment message and to convey a payment request to the vendor program by way of the communication channel (26). The payment request comprises the encrypted payment message. The payment handling apparatus is configured to encrypt a confirmation message and to convey a confirmation code to the purchaser program in dependence on receipt of the payment request by the vendor program. The confirmation code comprises the encrypted confirmation message.

Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus (10) comprises a purchaser client (12) operable by the purchaser and a vendor client (16) operable by the vendor, the vendor client being in data communication with the purchaser client. The payment handling apparatus (10) also comprises a purchaser server (14) in data communication with the purchaser client (12) and a vendor server (18) in data communication with the vendor client (16) and the purchaser server (14). The purchaser client (12) and the purchaser server (14) being configured such that under purchaser operation the purchaser client is operative to receive from the purchaser server an authorisation code for a payment to be made by the purchaser to the vendor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus (10) comprises a purchaser's device running a purchaser program (12) which is operable by the purchaser and a vendor's device running a vendor program (16) which is operable by the vendor. The purchaser's device (12) and the vendor's device (16) are in data communication with each other by way of a communication channel (26). The purchaser program is configured to encrypt a payment message and to convey a payment request to the vendor program by way of the communication channel (26). The payment request comprises the encrypted payment message. The payment handling apparatus is configured to encrypt a confirmation message and to convey a confirmation code to the purchaser program in dependence on receipt of the payment request by the vendor program. The confirmation code comprises the encrypted confirmation message.

Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus comprises a purchaser client (12) operable by the purchaser, a vendor client (16) operable by the vendor and a purchaser server (14) which stores bank account information of the purchaser and which is in data communication with the purchaser client. The payment handling apparatus (10) also comprises a vendor server (18) which stores bank account information of the vendor and which is in data communication with the vendor client (16) and the purchaser server (14). The payment handling apparatus (10) is configured such that there is no data communication between the purchaser server (14) and the vendor client (16) and between the vendor server (18) and the purchaser client (12). The purchaser client (12) is operative in dependence on purchaser operation to receive a unique code from the purchaser server 14.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle is provided with a vehicle body and at least one tow hook. The vehicle body has a front end and a rear end. The at least one tow hook is pivotally connected to the front end of the vehicle body and may pivot between a stored position at least partially recessed within the vehicle body and a deployed position extending beyond the vehicle body to facilitate access to the at least one tow hook. The vehicle may further have an actuator to cooperate with the at least one tow hook to pivot the at least one tow hook relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle may further have a pair of tow hooks on the front end and a pair of exhaust members mounted within a pair of exhaust apertures formed in the rear end.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle is provided with a vehicle body and at least one tow hook. The vehicle body has a front end and a rear end. The at least one tow hook is pivotally connected to the front end of the vehicle body and may pivot between a stored position at least partially recessed within the vehicle body and a deployed position extending beyond the vehicle body to facilitate access to the at least one tow hook. The vehicle may further have an actuator to cooperate with the at least one tow hook to pivot the at least one tow hook relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle may further have a pair of tow hooks on the front end and a pair of exhaust members mounted within a pair of exhaust apertures formed in the rear end.