Abstract: A retractable stair system for vehicles. The apparatus includes stairs which are retractable into a frame, or extendable to provide a set of stairs with relatively uniform height therebetween. Indexing plates with locking notches and companion latches with latch tongues to fit in the notches enable adjustment of the height of a top step S1 in a set of steps in an extensible-retractable stairs assembly. Extensible legs are provided which are individually vertically adjustable to provide secure engagement with an uneven substrate such as rocky ground or a sloping surface. Foot pads are pivotally attached to the extensible legs. The combination of vertical adjustability, the selection of a desired number of stairs, and individual top stair height adjustability, make the unit adaptable for use in a variety of vehicles.

Abstract: A method for the retrieval from an electronic dictionary of a word which is known or believed to exist but can not be brought to mind or a word that is thought may exist, to replace a pedestrian word or phrase. A complete thesaurus and dictionary are needed to establish numeric codes. The numeric codes designate synonym groups and are assigned to thesaurus entries and are thereafter transferred to corresponding dictionary entries and their definition words. The synonym groups can be expanded to include related words and words that are not technically synonyms. Words having no synonyms are assigned unique numeric codes or can be included within the synonym groups of one or more related words. The user enters one or more search words which are thought may exist in the definition of the word sought. After locating the numeric code(s) for the search word(s) the dictionary is searched for words having those numeric code(s) within their definitions.