Abstract: An ergonomic clipboard that can be easily grasped by persons of various body shapes and sizes. Preferably, the ergonomic clipboard comprises a writing board including a surface having a clamp attached to it, a top edge, a first side edge sharing a first corner with said top edge and having two recesses, each of which recesses being configured to engage with the crook of an arm of a user, a second side edge sharing a second corner with said top edge and that is opposite said first side edge, said second side edge having a protrusion and an adjacent notch that are configured to be graspable by the fingers of the same arm of the user, and a bottom edge sharing a third corner with said first side edge and a fourth corner with said second side edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allowing a user to use the same mechanism to connect a container to another object and to open a normally-closed opening in the container. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a closure body having an opening therein; a stopper that closes the opening; and a carabiner that comprises a spine that is fixed to said body and a gate that is operably connected to said stopper. In use, this embodiment of the invention is operated by moving the gate to a full open position, which causes the stopper to move away from the opening.

Abstract: Asymmetrical joint systems, structures having interlocking joints, methods of fabricating asymmetric joint systems and methods for fabricating structures having interlocking joints. In a preferred embodiment, the invention a joint system comprising an asymmetrical mortise into which an asymmetrical tenon fits. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a diamond-shaped bracing system. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a rotational lockdown component.

Abstract: Asymmetrical joint systems, structures having interlocking joints, methods of fabricating asymmetric joint systems and methods for fabricating structures having interlocking joints. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a structure that incorporates a rotational diamond-shaped bracing system. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of assembling such a structure.

Abstract: A transaction card having two embossed account names, two embossed account numbers, two magnetic strips, an embossed expiration date, a card issuer logo, a security hologram, and a single signature block all placed in such a way that the embossed elements do not overlap the magnetic stripes or the signature bar and thus the cards may be manufactured using conventional manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: Asymmetrical joint systems, structures having interlocking joints, methods of fabricating asymmetric joint systems and methods for fabricating structures having interlocking joints. In a preferred embodiment, the invention a joint system comprising an asymmetrical mortise into which an asymmetrical tenon fits. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a diamond-shaped bracing system. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a quadrilateral structure that incorporates a rotational lockdown component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for counting the number of days that a wearer of contact lenses has used a particular pair of disposable contact lenses. In a preferred embodiment, a digital contact case is provided which comprises a body having two cups for contact lens storage and two reed switches, two caps for covering the cups, each cup having a magnet mounted thereon that closes one of the reed switches when one of the caps is snapped onto one of the cups. Each time both caps are snapped onto the cups, both reed switches are closed and a signal is sent to a microprocessor which increments by one the count of the number of days of contact lens use on a digital display. When the count reaches the number of days recommended by the contact lens manufacturer, the old pair of contact lenses is thrown away, a new pair is placed in the cups and the counter is reset by pressing a reset button.