Abstract: A combination cart and safety ladder assembly for storing items selected for purchase and retrieving items from otherwise unreachable store shelves. The combination has a base, a plurality of wheels joined with the base, a cart section, and a ladder section having a plurality of steps. Preferably, the ladder section is moveable between a first position in which the ladder section prevents the wheels from transporting the base and a second position in which the wheels are free to transport the base. Most preferably, a resilient member biases the ladder section to its second position such that the wheels are free to transport the base unless the biasing force is overcome. When a user mounts the steps, the biasing force of the resilient member is overcome thereby moving the ladder section into its first position for preventing movement of the base and safely allowing the user to retrieve an item.

Abstract: A method and system of allocating data for subsequent retrieval. The method and system optionally including allocating data to a plurality of devices for storage, associating the data with the device providing the storage thereof, and providing retrieval information to facilitate retrieval of the data as function of the devices associated with the storage thereof. The method and system may further include features for controlling information associated with the allocated and/or features for associated one or more pieces of metadata to control access to allocated data once retrieved.