Abstract:
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a retractable roof system for a hard top vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a rigid roof portion that resides above a vehicle body forward a rear storage space when closed. Additionally, the storage space includes a lid adjacent the roof portion. Lastly, a motor is operatively configured to assist in the simultaneous movement of the roof portion and lid to a recessed, open position. Further provided is a method of retracting a rigid vehicle roof.
Abstract:
Feedstock for steel production in an arc furnace comprising a first influent comprised of cured and bound solid pieces comprised of a mixture of carbon materials, including a dominate amount of low grade coal, and a second influent comprised of ferrous material comprising scrap iron and/or steel for full reaction with the carbon material to produce the alloy.
Abstract:
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a retractable roof apparatus for a hard top vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a roof portion that resides above a vehicle body forward a rear storage space when closed. Additionally, the storage space includes a lid that is configured to descend into the storage space as the roof portion moves to an open position, resting above the lid. Lastly, the open position preserves the vehicle side profile and permits storage space access. Further provided is a method of retracting a rigid vehicle roof.
Abstract:
A door control apparatus useable in buildings or other facilities having many locked doors or rooms and requiring controlled access to the rooms, utilizes paging transmitters and paging receivers to transmit information from a central control system to individual door control units located at each controlled door. The door control unit may include a card reader for reading an entry card. Card identification information is transmitted wirelessly from a main paging transmitter connected with the control system and is received by the door control units at selected doors to define the card or cards which are to be accepted at each door control unit to open a controlled door. The invention also allows all or selected doors to be unlocked by a transmitted command from the control system to allow fast entry through such doors to fire crews or other emergency personnel. The door control unit may also transmit data to the control system using paging technology.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for a guest having a valid general purpose credit card to register at a place of lodging having a computer, and which uses the general purpose credit card as a key to the assigned room. The method involves the inserting of a general purpose credit card into a card reader of a guest accessible registration terminal, the card reader reading the credit card information and delivering the information to a computer. The computer stores the card information, and the terminal, by means of registration software obtains further information from the guest, assigns the guest a room, and informs the guest of the room assignment, after which the credit card becomes a key to the guest room. When the credit card is inserted in the proper card reader at the assigned guest room door, the computer will actuate the lock and allow the guest access. The apparatus comprises a registration terminal accessible to a guest, the terminal having a terminal credit card reader, a keyboard, display screen, means to transmit guest and credit card information to the computer, and a plurality of remote general purpose credit card readers disposed at guest room entrances, each connected to the computer to actuate the door lock release apparatus at the assigned guest room when the guest credit card has been read by the guest room card reader and approved by the computer. Alternatively, wireless forms of communication such as commercially available pagers may be used so as to eliminate further expenses for modification and wiring.