Abstract: Fire spikes and fire spike tips adapted to penetrate a surface and distribute a fire suppressant, such as, water, on the opposite side of the surface are provided. The fire spike tips include a cylindrical body having a first end adapted to be received by a conduit and a second end having a pointed projection adapted to penetrate the surface; an internal cavity in the cylindrical body having an open first end and a closed second end; a plurality of first orifices in the body, each of the plurality of first orifices directed in a first substantially radial direction; and a plurality of second orifices in the body, each of the plurality of second orifices directed in a second direction which at least partially intersects with the first direction of the plurality of first orifices. Kits for the fire spikes and methods of suppressing fire are also provided.

Abstract: A sandwich press or food holder for use with a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven. Sidewalls of the press that define a space in which a food item is received can have one or more ridges that define a convex surface inside the cavity and a concave surface on an exterior of the sidewall. The concave surface can be positioned adjacent a heating element when the press is received in a cooking cavity of the appliance. One or more openings can be provided in the sidewall, e.g., to allow radiant energy to pass and/or steam to escape. A handle can permit two-handed manipulation of the press and can have a gripping portion that is offset from an area directly above the press.

Abstract: Fire spikes and fire spike tips adapted to penetrate a surface and distribute a fire suppressant, such as, water, on the opposite side of the surface are provided. The fire spike tips include a cylindrical body having a first end adapted to be received by a conduit and a second end having a pointed projection adapted to penetrate the surface; an internal cavity in the cylindrical body having an open first end and a closed second end; a plurality of first orifices in the body, each of the plurality of first orifices directed in a first substantially radial direction; and a plurality of second orifices in the body, each of the plurality of second orifices directed in a second direction which at least partially intersects with the first direction of the plurality of first orifices. Kits for the fire spikes and methods of suppressing fire are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training firefighters and other first responders are provided. The systems include a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. The data detected by the sensors can be retrieved for later review, analysis, and training. The systems may include at least one video recorder and/or at least one infrared image recorder each configured to detect images that can be stored for later retrieval and a synchronizing device adapted to synchronize the sensor data with the recorded images for later review. Methods of implementing the systems and portable cases enclosing the system are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training firefighters and other first responders are provided. The systems include a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. The data detected by the sensors can be retrieved for later review, analysis, and training. The systems may include at least one video recorder and/or at least one infrared image recorder each configured to detect images that can be stored for later retrieval and a synchronizing device adapted to synchronize the sensor data with the recorded images for later review. Methods of implementing the systems and portable cases enclosing the system are also provided.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven, has a lifting arm including ribs that form a support surface for a food product in a cooking cavity of the appliance. Each rib can include an opening configured to permit infrared radiation from a heating assembly to pass through the rib to the food product supported by the lifting arm and/or to reduce a thermal mass and capacitance of the lifting arm. The heating assembly can include a support and/or heating element with a curved shape having a concave side facing a cooking cavity. The support and/or heating element can have a planar shape when unstressed and a curved shape when stressed. The heating element may be coupled to the support so as to be slidably movable relative to the support, e.g., so the heating element can slide relative to the support.

Abstract: Fire spikes and fire spike tips adapted to penetrate a surface and distribute a fire suppressant, such as, water, on the opposite side of the surface are provided. The fire spike tips include a cylindrical body having a first end adapted to be received by a conduit and a second end having a pointed projection adapted to penetrate the surface; an internal cavity in the cylindrical body having an open first end and a closed second end; a plurality of first orifices in the body, each of the plurality of first orifices directed in a first substantially radial direction; and a plurality of second orifices in the body, each of the plurality of second orifices directed in a second direction which at least partially intersects with the first direction of the plurality of first orifices. Kits for the fire spikes and methods of suppressing fire are also provided.

Abstract: A heating assembly for a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven, has a support and/or heating element with a curved shape having a concave side facing a cooking cavity. The support and/or heating element may be flexible, e.g., having a planar shape when unstressed and a curved shape when stressed. The support and/or heating element may define a sheet, e.g., having a length and width. The heating element may have openings in the sheet. The heating element may be coupled to the support so as to be slidable movable relative to the support, e.g., so the heating element can slide relative to the support when the support and heating element are bent into a curved shape.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven, has a lifting arm including ribs that form a support surface for a food product in a cooking cavity of the appliance. Each rib can include an opening configured to permit infrared radiation from a heating assembly to pass through the rib to the food product supported by the lifting arm and/or to reduce a thermal mass and capacitance of the lifting arm. The heating assembly can include a support and/or heating element with a curved shape having a concave side facing a cooking cavity. The support and/or heating element can have a planar shape when unstressed and a curved shape when stressed. The heating element may be coupled to the support so as to be slidably movable relative to the support, e.g., so the heating element can slide relative to the support.

Abstract: Fire spikes and fire spike tips adapted to penetrate a surface and distribute a fire suppressant, such as, water, on the opposite side of the surface are provided. The fire spike tips include a cylindrical body having a first end adapted to be received by a conduit and a second end having a pointed projection adapted to penetrate the surface; an internal cavity in the cylindrical body having an open first end and a closed second end; a plurality of first orifices in the body, each of the plurality of first orifices directed in a first substantially radial direction; and a plurality of second orifices in the body, each of the plurality of second orifices directed in a second direction which at least partially intersects with the first direction of the plurality of first orifices. Kits for the fire spikes and methods of suppressing fire are also provided.

Abstract: A toaster includes a housing that defines one or more cooking cavities. Each cooking cavity has a lift to lower and raise a food product inside the cooking cavity depending on food product type, and heating elements to cook the food product arranged inside the cooking cavity. The toaster includes a user interface operable to control a cooking cycle inside the one or more cooking cavities. The user interface can be used to select a combination of food product, cooking mode, and doneness level, and to initiate a cooking cycle performed by the toaster.

Abstract: A sandwich press or food holder for use with a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven. Sidewalls of the press that define a space in which a food item is received can have one or more ridges that define a convex surface inside the cavity and a concave surface on an exterior of the sidewall. The concave surface can be positioned adjacent a heating element when the press is received in a cooking cavity of the appliance. One or more openings can be provided in the sidewall, e.g., to allow radiant energy to pass and/or steam to escape. A handle can permit two-handed manipulation of the press and can have a gripping portion that is offset from an area directly above the press.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training firefighters and other first responders are provided. The systems include a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. The data detected by the sensors can be retrieved for later review, analysis, and training. The systems may include at least one video recorder and/or at least one infrared image recorder each configured to detect images that can be stored for later retrieval and a synchronizing device adapted to synchronize the sensor data with the recorded images for later review. Methods of implementing the systems and portable cases enclosing the system are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for determining peers of a user by evaluating persons identified from a calendar of the user. In use, a system identifies a calendar of a user. The system further identifies events saves in the calendar of the user. One or more persons are then identified by the system from the events. Moreover, for each of the identified persons, the system evaluates the person in terms of information gathered from the events and determines whether the evaluating indicates that the person has a particular type of relationship with the user. When the system determines that the evaluating indicates that the person has the particular type of relationship with the user, then the system identifies the person as a peer of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for training firefighters and other first responders are provided. The systems include a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. The data detected by the sensors can be retrieved for later review, analysis, and training. The systems may include at least one video recorder and/or at least one infrared image recorder each configured to detect images that can be stored for later retrieval and a synchronizing device adapted to synchronize the sensor data with the recorded images for later review. Methods of implementing the systems and portable cases enclosing the system are also provided.

Abstract: Fire training props and methods of using fire training props are provided. The props may be suitable for table-top training and include an enclosure; at least one internal panel positioned within the enclosure and defining a plurality of internal volumes within the enclosure; a transparent top panel positioned on the top of the enclosure; at least one side aperture and a side aperture cover in at least one of the sides of the enclosure; and at least one panel aperture having an aperture cover in the at least one internal panel. When a source of visible fluid, for example, smoke, is introduced to the enclosure, a flow of the visible fluid in the enclosure can be monitored by a user through the transparent top panel. Aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted for training firefighters and other first responders on the dynamics of fire, for example, in an engaged structure.