1.-20. (canceled)
21. A chair comprising:
a base;
a seat and a backrest mounted to and supported by the base;
a pair of tilt mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of the base, wherein each tilt mechanism has a U-shaped spring to which the backrest is secured, wherein each U-shaped spring defines a pair of flexing members fixedly secured to the base at an inner end and a rounded outer end opposite the inner end; and
a pair of backrest mounting assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the base, the backrest being mounted on the backrest mounting assemblies,
wherein the backrest is rearwardly tiltable via the tilt mechanisms from a resting position to a reclined position in response to a rearwards thrust applied to the backrest, and elastically returns to the resting position after removal of the rearward thrust by operation of the tilt mechanisms,
wherein the backrest mounting assemblies are mounted to the tilt mechanisms and wherein each backrest mounting assembly comprises a lower clamp adapted to receive the rounded end of one of the U-shaped springs, coupled to an upper portion that is interconnected with the backrest.
22. The chair of claim 21, further comprising a pair of cantilevered spring rods each having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is received within the backrest and the second end is received by the upper portion of one of the backrest mounting assemblies.
23. The chair of claim 22, wherein each backrest mounting assembly is configured to force the rounded outer end of the U-shaped spring downwardly under a rearward thrust applied to the backrest to allow for tilting of the backrest relative to the seat.
24. The chair of claim 21, wherein the U-shaped springs are horizontally mounted on the base.
25. A chair comprising:
a base;
a seat and a backrest mounted to and supported by the base;
a pair of tilt mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of the base, wherein each tilt mechanism has a U-shaped spring to which the backrest is secured, wherein each U-shaped spring defines a pair of flexing members fixedly secured to the base at an inner end and a rounded outer end opposite the inner end; and
a pair of bushings disposed on each U-shaped spring, the bushings being configured to engage the stop and to dampen sound and impact at the rounded end of the U -shaped spring;
wherein the backrest is rearwardly tiltable via the tilt mechanisms from a resting position to a reclined position in response to a rearwards thrust applied to the backrest, and elastically returns to the resting position after removal of the rearward thrust by operation of the tilt mechanisms,
wherein each tilt mechanism further includes a stop configured to set the resting position of the back and provide a predetermined amount of preload on the U-shaped spring.
26. A tilt mechanism for use with a chair having a seat and a backrest coupled to a base, the tilt mechanism comprising:
a U-shaped spring mountable on the base having a rounded outer end and a cantilevered inner end, wherein the cantilevered inner end comprises a pair of flexing members;
a backrest mounting assembly interconnectable with the backrest and the outer end of the U-shaped spring; and
a support member configured to be positioned adjacent the base of the chair, wherein the support member receives a portion of the U-shaped spring and defines a mounting location for the seat;
wherein the backrest mounting assembly is urged downward upon application of a rearward force to the backrest of the chair such that the rounded end is deflected downwardly to enable the backrest to tilt rearwardly with respect to the seat of the chair,
wherein the backrest of the chair elastically returns to an initial position upon removal of the rearward force in response to an upward biasing force applied by the U-shaped spring, and
wherein each of the flexing members includes an indentation configured to receive a protrusion associated with the support member.
27. A tilt mechanism for use with a chair having a seat and a backrest coupled to a base, the tilt mechanism comprising:
a U-shaped spring mountable on the base having a rounded outer end and a cantilevered inner end, wherein the cantilevered inner end comprises a pair of flexing members;
a backrest mounting assembly interconnectable with the backrest and the outer end of the U-shaped spring;
a stop configured to set an initial position of the backrest; and
a pair of bushings disposed on the U-shaped spring, the bushings being adapted to engage the stop and to dampen sound and impact at the rounded end of the U- shaped spring,
wherein the backrest mounting assembly is urged downward upon application of a rearward force to the backrest of the chair such that the rounded end is deflected downwardly to enable the backrest to tilt rearwardly with respect to the seat of the chair and wherein the backrest of the chair elastically returns to the initial position upon removal of the rearward force in response to an upward biasing force applied by the U- shaped spring.
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. A method, comprising:
a) distributing digitized versions of bank checks to banks in a check-clearing process;
b) using some of the digitized versions to print paper versions of bank checks;
c) delivering the paper versions to recipients; and
d) in response to requests from recipients or transferees of recipients, providing access to a database which stores information printed on the paper versions to allow verification of content of the paper versions for any of the recipients or transferees of recipients.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein data from files which store information printed on the paper versions are transmitted to recipients when the database is accessed.
3. Method according to claim 2, further comprising:
e) printing a serial number on all paper versions.
4. Method according to claim 3, wherein no two serial numbers are alike.
5. A method of operating a clearing system for bank checks, comprising:
a) digitizing bank checks, drawn on multiple banks, into respective digital counterparts;
b) generating a database containing selected information from each check; and
c) distributing the digitized checks to banks on which the checks are drawn;
d) generating paper versions of selected checks based on the their digital counterparts, all paper versions having unique serial numbers; and
e) sending the paper versions to recipients.
6. Method according to claim 5, further comprising:
f) making data available from the database to a recipient, thereby allowing the recipient to ascertain validity of a paper version.
7. A method comprising:
a) maintaining a check-clearing system which collects paper bank checks after initial deposit, each paper bank check being drawn on a drawee-bank,
b) for each paper check collected, creating a data version from which an accurate representation of the paper check is recoverable;
c) placing the paper checks into storage;
d) sending the data versions to respective drawee-banks;
e) using some of the data versions,
i) recovering accurate paper representations of the corresponding paper checks;
ii) causing each paper representation to bear a unique serial number, wherein no two serial numbers are alike;
iii) sending the recovered paper representations to recipients, some of which comprises drawee banks of the respective checks; and
f) storing selected information contained in the paper representations into a database.
8. Method according to claim 6, further comprising:
g) making access to information stored in the database available for the recipients of the recovered paper representations.
9. Method according to claim 8, wherein access to the information in the database relating to a check is made available for a recipient of the corresponding paper representation of the check, to allow verification of content of the paper representation of the check.
10. Method according to claim 7, further comprising:
g) sending the information selected from a check to the recipient of the recovered paper representation of the check.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the selected information is transmitted to the recipient prior to sending the paper representations.
12. In a system wherein a check clearing system (A) collects deposited bank checks, (B) creates digital images of collected checks, and (C) distributes the digital images to banks, a method comprising:
a) generating a paper representation of a check from its corresponding digital image, and sending the paper representation of the check to a requesting party;
b) maintaining in a database a record of information printed on the paper representation of the check; and
c) transmitting the information for the party to allow verification of content of the paper representation of the check when the party identifies a serial number printed on the paper representation of the check.
13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the serial number printed on the paper representation of the check is unique.
14. In a check-clearing system, the improvement comprising:
a) digitizing paper checks into digitized versions;
b) printing some paper representations of the checks from the corresponding digitized versions;
c) storing in a database information printed onto the paper representations; and
d) making the database available for holders of the paper representations to allow the paper representations to be verified.