Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for simultaneously managing paper-based documents and digital images of the same are disclosed. When used in conjunction with a digital filing apparatus, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,165, users of the present invention will be able to deploy a comprehensive system to manage both paper-based documents and the corresponding digital images of the paper-based documents in a digital filing operation. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage and retrieval process, for both the paper-based document and the digital image of the paper-based document.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination of three interconnected gyroscopic ring-like rotating masses, with each of the three ring-like masses rotating in a separate plane. Each of the three interconnected rotating masses will share substantially the same center of gravity and generate a separate yet interactive kinetic energy and angular momentum in each of the three planes, thereby providing resistance to rotational forces from external sources.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for retaining keys is disclosed. The present invention provides a tensioning mechanism within the body of the key-retaining apparatus for “pinching” the shaft of a key when the shaft is inserted into the body of the key-retaining apparatus. The tensioning mechanism may take the form of a spring-loaded mechanism or a tensioned piece of metal that is selectively pressured against the shaft of the key when the key is inserted into the body of the key-retaining apparatus. Additionally, a thong or strap may be provided for securing the key-retaining apparatus to a purse, backpack, etc.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for suspending rebar is disclosed. The rebar isolator of the present invention comprises a pointed metal spike or stake with one or more hollow-bodied rebar supports. Each of the hollow-bodied rebar supports has a support arm which supports the horizontally-positioned rebar. In addition, the spike or stake portion of the rebar isolator has a number of crimped zones which prevent the support arms from shifting downward or rotating in place when the concrete is poured over the horizontally-positioned rebar. The number of crimped zones corresponds to the number of hollow-bodied cylindrical rebar isolator supports and one crimped zone is located immediately below each of the support arms.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for a digital filing system is disclosed. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage, and image retrieval process. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for easy and effective indexing, imaging, storing, retrieving and managing of paper-based documents, transforming them into electronic documents using a system which incorporates many existing office resources. The proposed system and method implements a desktop solution for digital filing, which can be made available to each worker. Uniquely, the digital filing system of the present invention also allows users to index and label documents prior to scanning/imaging by using either a dedicated desktop labeling mechanism or pre-printed labels.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object-oriented disabling mechanism which selectively disables object methods. The object-oriented disabling mechanism prevents the selected methods from being called on an object by other programs or processes via various alternative embodiments. A first preferred embodiment of the object-oriented disabling mechanism works in conjunction with a plurality of method tables to restrict method calls on an object. An alternative preferred embodiment of the object oriented disabling mechanism works in conjunction with a read flag and a write flag to define which methods can be called on an object. Another alternative preferred embodiment of the object oriented disabling mechanism uses software “locks” and a lock conflict matrix associated with the object to determine which methods can be called on an object.