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: A work related feedback system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, a system is made accessible to a user via a network, where the system has memory and at least one processor. Further, individuals having a work-based relationship with the user are determined, by the system. The user is then allowed, by the system, to provide feedback for the individuals.

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 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: 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: 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 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 method includes providing a user interface to a sender of a gift via an electronic display. The user interface configured to allow the sender to create a media message. The method further includes storing the media message in a database; associating the media message with a shipping status of the gift; verifying that the gift was delivered to a recipient of the gift; and delivering the media message to the recipient upon verification that the gift was delivered to the recipient.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for collective purchasing via an online store are disclosed. The disclosed methods and systems allow a group of people to make a collective online purchase of a single product or a service. A user may select a product in the online store and send a request to purchase a share of the product. To purchase the share of the product, the user may make monetary or non-monetary contributions to purchase the share of the product. Additionally, the user may invite other users to purchase other shares of the product, and each time a new share is purchased, it may be added to collective purchased share. If the amount of the collective purchased share is equal to or exceeds the total cost of the product, the product may be purchased and delivered to an intended recipient in the form of a gift or donation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in fire extinguisher training are provided. These methods and apparatus are implemented electronically without the need for an open flame. The training apparatus includes a display having a plurality of light sources adapted to display a varying light pattern simulating a dynamic flame; a sensor adapted to detect a stimulus emitted by one of a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher simulator and output a signal corresponding to the detected stimulus; and one or more processors adapted to receive the output from the sensor and vary the light pattern simulating the dynamic flame on the display in response to the stimulus detected by the sensor. The methods and apparatus may be used to train firefighters in the proper use of a fire extinguisher, for example, training in the techniques typically required when suppressing class A, B, C, D, and K type fires.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in fire extinguisher training are provided. These methods and apparatus are implemented electronically without the need for an open flame. The training apparatus includes a display having a plurality of light sources adapted to display a varying light pattern simulating a dynamic flame; a sensor adapted to detect a stimulus emitted by one of a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher simulator and output a signal corresponding to the detected stimulus; and one or more processors adapted to receive the output from the sensor and vary the light pattern simulating the dynamic flame on the display in response to the stimulus detected by the sensor. The methods and apparatus may be used to train firefighters in the proper use of a fire extinguisher, for example, training in the techniques typically required when suppressing class A, B, C, D, and K type fires.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in fire extinguisher training are provided. These methods and apparatus are implemented electronically without the need for an open flame. The training apparatus includes a display having a plurality of light sources adapted to display a varying light pattern simulating a dynamic flame; a sensor adapted to detect a stimulus emitted by one of a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher simulator and output a signal corresponding to the detected stimulus; and one or more processors adapted to receive the output from the sensor and vary the light pattern simulating the dynamic flame on the display in response to the stimulus detected by the sensor. The methods and apparatus may be used to train firefighters in the proper use of a fire extinguisher, for example, training in the techniques typically required when suppressing class A, B, C, D, or K type fires.

Abstract: A collapsible bicycle trailer provides a trailer for pulling children with a bicycle which is telescopically collapsible, thus decreasing its footprint and allowing for more compact shipment and storage. The collapsible bicycle trailer also has side rails that fold over so as to lay flat against the chassis and a tow bar that folds inwardly to lie along the chassis. The collapsible bicycle trailer allows for compact and economical shipment and storage and allows for easy and quick assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in fire extinguisher training are provided. These methods and apparatus are implemented electronically without the need for an open flame. The training apparatus includes a display having a plurality of light sources adapted to display a varying light pattern simulating a dynamic flame; a sensor adapted to detect a stimulus emitted by one of a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher simulator and output a signal corresponding to the detected stimulus; and one or more processors adapted to receive the output from the sensor and vary the light pattern simulating the dynamic flame on the display in response to the stimulus detected by the sensor. The methods and apparatus may be used to train firefighters in the proper use of a fire extinguisher, for example, training in the techniques typically required when suppressing class A, B, C, D, or K type fires.

Abstract: A tent having window shelf that extends into a tent from the bottom of a window opening. The shelf may be formed, for example, by an inner covering of the window. The inner covering may include an outer support such as a pole so that it may maintain its configuration when folded down, and a fabric strip or other structure for maintaining the inner covering in a horizontal position so that it may serve as a shelf. A clasp or a plurality of clasps may be provided for attaching an inner covering of a tent window and permitting the inner covering to drape over the opening for the window without completely closing the opening.

Abstract: Emergency workers and other personnel are often endangered by losing contact with other personnel, for example, firefighters working in hostile conditions. Methods and devices for improving the survivability and reducing the potential for injury or death of emergency personnel and others are provided. The methods and devices monitor the distance of members of a group to, among other things, minimize or prevent personnel from being separated from the group. Devices worn by members of a group monitor the distance between members by monitoring the characteristics of wireless communication, for example, signal strength, between members. If the distance between members exceeds or is less than a predetermined distance, an alarm is sounded to alert members to the potential for contact between members or loss of a member of the group.

Abstract: A tent having window shelf that extends into a tent from the bottom of a window opening. The shelf may be formed, for example, by an inner covering of the window. The inner covering may include an outer support such as a pole so that it may maintain its configuration when folded down, and a fabric strip or other structure for maintaining the inner covering in a horizontal position so that it may serve as a shelf. A clasp or a plurality of clasps may be provided for attaching an inner covering of a tent window and permitting the inner covering to drape over the opening for the window without completely closing the opening.

Abstract: A dynamic resource allocation scheme is disclosed which allows flexibility in granting resources to a requestor, while maintaining a safety buffer should other requesters need resources. A portion of available resources are declared to be a “safety buffer”, and all of the available resources are divided amongst the requesters. The resulting divisions are each requestors “fair share”. A requestor is granted resources so long as their resource usage is less than their fair share and so long as there are any available resources. A requestor is also granted resources, even if they are currently exceeding their fair share if the available resources exceed the safety buffer. The application of these two rules results in a dynamic resource allocation scheme which decreases the number of times a request is denied without unfairly limiting the access to resources by other requesters.

Abstract: A dynamic resource allocation scheme is disclosed which allows flexibility in granting resources to a requestor, while maintaining a safety buffer should other requesters need resources. A portion of available resources are declared to be a “safety buffer”, and all of the available resources are divided amongst the requesters. The resulting divisions are each requestors “fair share”. A requestor is granted resources so long as their resource usage is less than their fair share and so long as there are any available resources. A requestor is also granted resources, even if they are currently exceeding their fair share if the available resources exceed the safety buffer. The application of these two rules results in a dynamic resource allocation scheme which decreases the number of times a request is denied without unfairly limiting the access to resources by other requesters.