What is claimed is:
1. A method for executing and financing transactions of goods and commodities as a parent company, said method comprising the steps of:
incorporating a wholly owned financing subsidiary company and a wholly owned trading subsidiary company;
approving sellers to participate according to a seller participation agreement;
approving buyers to participate according to a buyer participation agreement; and
securing capital to facilitate financing through the financing subsidiary.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to sell goods to the trading subsidiary on terms and conditions as agreed.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to only hold the trading subsidiary responsible for payment on terms agreed to with the trading subsidiary.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of agreeing to look only to the trading subsidiary for payment on terms agreed to further comprises the step of varying the terms based on the creditworthiness of the seller.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said step of varying the terms based on the creditworthiness of the seller further comprises the step of determining the creditworthiness of the seller by the parent company and a supplier of capital.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to assign all of the rights in a shipment to the trading subsidiary.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing that the buyer has a right to enforce any claims for non-conformity of shipment and non-performance.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to resolve any disputes with a buyer in accordance with a dispute resolution mechanism selected by the parent company.
9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to grant the trading subsidiary a security interest in seller’s right to receive payment in order to secure seller’s obligations under the participation agreement.
10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to assign the trading subsidiary receivables and rights to the financing subsidiary and the supplier of capital.
11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to indemnify the trading subsidiary for losses resulting from seller non-performance.
12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving sellers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to waive any set-off rights the seller may have against the buyer or the trading subsidiary as applicable to any receivable held by the financing subsidiary.
13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to pay the purchase price to the trading subsidiary for orders within an agreed upon time period by a method and at a place previously agreed to.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to pay ancillary charges for at least one of shipping, handling, insurance and taxes.
15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to be subject to suspension for a specified period in the event of a dispute as to conformity of goods shipped.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said step of agreeing to be subject to suspension further comprises the step of being obligated to pay at the end of the suspension period.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said step of being obligated to pay further comprises the step of paying with interest if the dispute is not resolved in the buyer’s favor.
18. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing to only hold seller responsible for performance or conformity of goods.
19. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate further comprises the step of agreeing on a timing of transfer of title and risk of loss.
20. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate according to a buyer participation agreement further comprises the step of agreeing to provide security for the buyer’s obligations.
21. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate according to a buyer participation agreement further comprises the step of agreeing to indemnify the trading subsidiary for losses resulting from buyer non-performance.
22. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate according to a buyer participation agreement further comprises the step of agreeing to waive any set-off rights the buyer may have against the seller or the trading subsidiary as applicable to any receivable held by the financing subsidiary.
23. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of approving buyers to participate according to a buyer participation agreement further comprises the step of agreeing to the assignment of the trading subsidiary receivables and rights to the financing subsidiary and a supplier of capital.
24. A system for executing and financing transactions of goods and commodities for a parent company through a wholly owned financing subsidiary and a wholly owned trading subsidiary, said system comprising:
at least one computer;
a server configured to approve sellers of goods and commodities according to a seller participation agreement and approve buyers of goods and commodities according to a buyer participation agreement;
a network connecting said at least one computer to said server; and
a user interface allowing a user to input and receive information relating to the buying and selling of the goods and commodities.
25. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server is further configured to facilitate securing of capital for a transaction through the financing subsidiary of the parent company.
26. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to facilitate sales of goods and commodities to the trading subsidiary of the parent company according to agreed upon terms and conditions within the sellers participation agreement.
27. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to, after a sale of goods or commodities, notify the trading subsidiary for payment on terms agreed to with the seller.
28. A system according to claim 27 wherein said server configured to vary the terms based on a creditworthiness of the seller.
29. A system according to claim 28 wherein said server configured to determine the creditworthiness of the seller based on input to the server by at least one of the parent company and a supplier of capital.
30. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from a seller agreeing to assign all rights in a shipment to the trading subsidiary.
31. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from a seller agreeing that a buyer has a right to enforce any claims for non-conformity of shipment and non-performance.
32. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from sellers agreeing to resolve any disputes with a buyer in accordance with a dispute resolution mechanism selected by the parent company.
33. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from sellers agreeing to grant the trading subsidiary a security interest in seller’s right to receive payment in order to secure seller’s obligations under the participation agreement.
34. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from sellers agreeing to assign the trading subsidiary receivables and rights to the financing subsidiary and the supplier of capital.
35. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from sellers agreeing to indemnify the trading subsidiary for losses resulting from seller non-performance.
36. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from sellers agreeing to waive any set-off rights the seller may have against a buyer or the trading subsidiary as applicable to any receivable held by the financing subsidiary.
37. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to pay the purchase price to the trading subsidiary for orders within an agreed upon time period by a method and at a place previously agreed to.
38. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to pay ancillary charges of at least one of shipping, handling, insurance and taxes.
39. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to be subject to suspension for a specified period in the event of a dispute as to conformity of goods shipped.
40. A system according to claim 39 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to an obligation to pay at the end of the suspension period with interest if the dispute is not resolved in the buyer’s favor.
41. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing on a timing of a transfer of title and risk of loss.
42. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to only hold seller responsible for performance or conformity of goods.
43. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to provide security for the buyer’s obligations.
44. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to indemnify the trading subsidiary for losses resulting from buyer non-performance.
45. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to waive any set-off rights the buyer may have against a seller or the trading subsidiary as applicable to any receivable held by the financing subsidiary.
46. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server configured to accept input from buyers agreeing to the assignment of the trading subsidiary receivables and rights to the financing subsidiary and a supplier of capital.
47. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server is configured to allow a user to input data via the Internet.
48. A system according to claim 24 wherein said server is configured to receive user data via an Intranet.
49. A system according to claim 24 wherein said network is one of a wide area network and a local area network.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An airship recovery system comprising:
a first cushion pad configured to apply a suction force to an outer portion of a hull of an airship;
a selectively movable arm; and
a pivot device coupled between the first cushion pad and a first end of the arm, the pivot device configured to allow the first cushion pad to rotate about at least one horizontal axis with respect to the arm.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a frame coupled to a second end of the arm;
an actuator coupled between the arm and the frame, the actuator configured to receive a command signal and move the arm in response to the received signal;
a sensor configured to detect the location of the airship relative to the system and provide a signal comprising information regarding the location of the airship; and
a controller coupled to the actuator and the sensor, the controller configured to receive the signal from the sensor and provide the command signal to the actuator so as to move the first cushion pad toward a desired contact location on the hull of the airship.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor element selected from the group consisting of: Ground Positioning Satellite (GPS), radar, laser, and infrared.
4. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:
a transmitter coupled to the controller, the transmitter operable to transmit signals to the airship regarding the position of the first cushion pad during an approach mode.
5. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:
at least one second cushion pad; and
at least one lever, wherein the at least one lever is coupled at a first end to the at least one second cushion pad and coupled at a second end to the frame.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein
the at least one second cushion pad is configured to apply a suction force to the hull of the airship.
7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising:
at least one wheel coupled to the frame to allow the frame to move from a first location to a second location.
8. The system according to claim 6, wherein:
the at least one second cushion pad comprises a second cushion pad and a third cushion pad;
the at least one lever comprises a second lever coupled to the frame at a second end and the second cushion pad at a first end and
a third lever coupled to the frame at a second end and the third cushion pad at a first end.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first cushion pad comprises:
a circular disk coupled to the pivot device; and
a cushion rim coupled to the circular disk, the cushion rim configured to conform substantially to the outer surface of the airship.
10. The system according to claim 7, further comprising:
a first module comprising the first cushion pad;
a second module
comprising the at least one second cushion pad; and
an engine configured to move the system to a desired location.
11. The system according to claim 1 comprising:
a valve coupled to the first cushion pad, the valve operable to receive air from the atmosphere to decrease suction force between the first cushion pad and the airship.
12. The system according to claim 10, further comprising:
a winch operable to reel in a tether attached to the airship; and
a third module comprising the winch.
13. A method of recovering an airship, the method comprising the steps of:
creating a suction force on a first cushion pad;
moving the first cushion pad into sealing contact with a hull of an airship; and retaining the airship on the first cushion pad with the suction force.
14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of:
moving the retained airship by moving the first cushion pad so as to bring the hull of the airship into contact with at least one second cushion pad.
15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
creating a suction force on the at least one second cushion pad; and
retaining the airship on the first and the at least one second cushion pads with the suction force.
16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of moving the first cushion pad comprises moving an arm that is coupled to the first cushion pad in response to a signal received from a sensor configured to detect a location of the airship.
17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:
moving the retained airship by moving the first and the at least one second cushion pads from a recovery area to a storage area.
18. An apparatus to recover an airship, the apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a suction force generator;
a first cushion pad coupled to the suction force generator, the first cushion pad configured to apply a suction force to an outer rounded portion of a hull of the airship;
a movable first arm coupled at a first end to the first cushion pad and at a second end to the frame;
a pivot device coupled between the first end of the first arm and the first cushion pad and configured to allow the first cushion pad to move relative to the first arm about a horizontal axis;
an actuator coupled between the first arm and the frame, the actuator configured to receive a command signal and move the first arm in response to the received signal;
a sensor configured to detect the location of the airship relative to the system and provide a signal comprising information regarding the location of the airship; and
a controller coupled to the actuator and the sensor, the controller configured to receive the signal from the sensor and provide the command signal to the actuator so as to move the first cushion pad toward a desired contact location on the hull of the airship.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein:
the sensor is further configured to detect an approaching airship; and
the controller is configured to automatically provide the command signal to the actuator to move the first cushion pad toward a predetermined reinforced area on the airship.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor element selected from the following group: Ground Positioning Satellite (GPS), radar, laser, and infrared.
21. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising:
a second cushion pad;
a third cushion pad;
a second arm coupled to the frame at one end and the second cushion pad at another end; and
a third arm coupled to the frame at one end and the third cushion pad at another end.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein:
the first, second, and third cushion pads each comprise a circular disk with a cushion rim; and
the cushion rims are configured to conform substantially to the outer rounded portion of the hull of the airship.
23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein:
the suction force generator is further coupled to the second and third cushion pads; and
the second and third cushion pads are further configured to apply a suction force to the outer rounded portion of the hull of the airship.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising:
means for relocating the frame from a first location to a second location.