Abstract: A step sensor for mounting on a ladder having a step. The step sensor adapted to be mounted to the ladder. The step sensor includes a housing that holds a power source and electronic circuitry. An emitter is connected to the electronic circuitry and emits a light source over a top surface of the step. A sensor is also connected to the electronic circuitry and receives reflected light from the light source that is reflected by an object on the step. A noise generator generates an alert noise in response to the reflected light being detected by the light sensor, whereby the presence of an object is detected on the step and the alert is generated by the noise generator. A ladder including such a step sensor.

Abstract: A thermal system for separating out co-mingled metals in almost pure form, the system including a tunnel kiln having temperature zones through which the co-mingled metals are conveyed and progressively heated until at least one metal of the co-mingled metals melts thereby separating the melted metal from the other metal or metals of the co-mingled metals. The system includes molten metal catch basins for collecting the melted metal which are arranged beneath a conveyor on which the co-mingled metals are transported within the kiln. The catch basins are tapped to the outside of the kiln so that as the various metals melt out at progressively higher temperatures, they can be collected into cast iron chills or other collection devices to form pure ingots.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The separating apparatus includes a cyclonic separator having at least one cyclone and a collector having a wall and a base member, the base member being held in a closed position by a catch and being pivotably connected to the wall. The appliance further includes a main body which incorporates an actuator for operating the catch. The actuator has a slidably mounted rod which is movable between an inoperative position and an actuating position in which the rod contacts part of the catch so as to allow the collector to be opened for emptying purposes. This arrangement allows the catch to be released without the user actually touching the collector.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The appliance also includes a body housing a fan and motor for drawing air into the appliance via the dirty air inlet. The separator includes at least one cyclone. The separator and the body are releasably connected together around a chamber in the airflow path which is formed partly by the body and partly by the separator, the chamber housing a filter which is located upstream of the fan and motor and downstream of the cyclone.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The separating apparatus includes a cyclonic separator having at least one cyclone and a collector having a wall and a base member, the base member being held in a closed position by a catch and being pivotably connected to the wall. The appliance further includes a main body which incorporates an actuator for operating the catch. The actuator has a slidably mounted rod which is movable between an inoperative position and an actuating position in which the rod contacts part of the catch so as to allow the collector to be opened for emptying purposes. This arrangement allows the catch to be released without the user actually touching the collector.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The appliance also includes a body housing a fan and motor for drawing air into the appliance via the dirty air inlet. The separator includes at least one cyclone. The separator and the body are releasably connected together around a chamber in the airflow path which is formed partly by the body and partly by the separator, the chamber housing a filter which is located upstream of the fan and motor and downstream of the cyclone.

Abstract: A system and method for providing integrated customer care, managing complex data relating to services and presenting information for selection and interaction by end users. The present invention delivers, tracks, presents and manages various aspects of customer care using a customer centric paradigm. An integrated macro-framework is utilized to provide a consistent and efficient single-point of entry GUI tool for accessing and navigating through various displays relating to the processing of data, reports, billing, work-flows, service orders and other aspects of customer care.

Abstract: A foldable stairway ladder for use in accessing items includes a structure that can be conveniently folded to reduce the amount of space taken up by ladder when not in use. The ladder consists of a stairway section connected to a platform, in turn rotatably connected to a support. The foldable ladder is also provided with a manually operable folding system adapted to fold the stairway section and support relative to each other. Additionally, the support may have a member capable of extending the length of the support, thus facilitating the ease by which a use can fold the stairway ladder.

Abstract: An enclosed cage adapted to transport and transfer animals, particularly primates, whereby the animals are transferred from the cage without any physical contact between the animal and its handler. The cage comprises a back panel slidably connected to the frame and a floor pivotally connected to the front end of the cage and rotatably connected to the base of the back panel. The floor is generally coextensive with the width and height dimensions of the interior portion of the cage. The sliding motion of the back panel causes the floor to raise from its normal horizontal position and sweep through the interior of the cage until it opposes the front opening of the cage thereby effectively forcing the monkey to exit the transport cage.