Abstract: A reusable hanger that inserts and removes from a mounting surface without tools comprising a metal shank having a point on one end and a hook on the other, with a specially formed detent medially located between the point and the hook, and a flange that encases the detent and fixates to the shank. The detent provides improved adhesion between the flange and the shank, while further providing a sheer point along the shank, thereby reducing damage to the supporting surface if a user overloads the hook. The flange serves several purposes, it is the finger push location for the user to install the hanger without tools by pushing and/or twisting the flange such that the point pierces the support surface and inserts until the flange stops flush against the support surface. Once flush, the flange provides compressive support structure between the support surface and the shank, thereby increasing loading capacities of the hook.

Abstract: The hanger with decorative flange is a metal pushpin having a smooth shank ending in a sharp point at one end defining a pin and an integrally formed hook at the opposite end. An ornamentally shaped plastic or metal flange is medially disposed on the shank. The flange serves as a stop to prevent the shank from penetrating too far into a ceiling, wall, or other supporting surface. The flange may be disk-shaped, or may have other ornamental shapes, e.g., a heart, a butterfly, a star, etc., and may have decorative designs or indicia formed thereon. The hanger is installed by pushing the pin in a supporting surface so that lightweight objects may be supported by or suspended from the hook, and when the hanger is removed, the only damage from insertion into the supporting surface is a small pinhole.

Abstract: Switching apparatus is used in combination with a multiplicity of mass storage units to provide a user of a digital computer with privacy from other local users and from users on a connected network. When the computer is connected to the network, the private files are protected from computer viruses, worms, and other pieces of destructive code. When the computer is not connected to a network, various local users can maintain their own programs and data files in complete privacy from other local users. A given digital computer can be converted into the equivalent of two digital computers, each of which can be provided with its own operating system. Hardware-controlled dual booting is made possible also.

Abstract: Switching apparatus is used in combination with two hard disk drives to enable one to configure one of the hard disk drives as a master and the other as a slave, without moving either hard disk drive from the computer in which it is installed and without moving any jumpers previously placed on configuration pins built into the hard disk drives. Thus, it becomes a simple matter to convert a given digital computer into the equivalent of two digital computers, each of which can be provided with its own operating system. The two operating systems may be the same or they may be different The advantages of this hardware dual-boot system over previously used software dual-boot systems include simplicity of installation, imperviousness to crashes during installation, and free access to files on either hard disk that are compatible with the operating system in use at any given time.

Abstract: Switching apparatus is used in combination with a multiplicity of mass storage units to provide a user of a digital computer with privacy from other local users and from users on a connected network. When the computer is connected to the network, the private files are protected from computer viruses, worms, and other pieces of destructive code. When the computer is not connected to a network, various local users can maintain their own programs and data files in complete privacy from other local users and safe from any harm that may have been intended by malicious action directed at the computer from the network. Special-purpose computers and other digital systems can also be protected by the use of such a switched mass memory system.