Abstract: A portable media device for use in cooperation with passenger entertainment systems installed in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The portable media device is configured to communicate with one or more content sources, which provide viewing content and which may be proximate to, and/or remote from, the portable media device. Preferably being configured to wirelessly communicate with the content sources, the portable media device can select content from any available content source and can download and present the selected content in any conventional manner. The selected content can be streamed to the portable media device for contemporaneous presentation and/or stored by the portable media device for viewing at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle once travel is completed. As desired, the portable media device likewise can be configured to transmit appropriate upload content to the content sources.

Abstract: A door hinge includes a support plate, resilient fingers, and a hinge-pin cylinder. The support plate includes first and second edges, and the flexible fingers extend out from the first edge and curve toward the second edge at a distance spaced apart from the support plate. The hinge-pin cylinder is joined to the ends of the fingers to define a hinge line located inward from an outer edge of a door jamb to which the door is pivotally mounted.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a bicycle front fork comprises telescopically related inner and outer tubes and an elastomeric spring received within the inner tube and engaged between a lower cap on the inner tube and a preload piston. A through-tube extends concentrically downwardly from an upper cap on the outer tube and is axially coupled to and rotational relative to the outer tube. The preload piston is on the lower end of a rod that is received in the through-tube and is axially adjustable relative to the through-tube to vary the preload of the elastomeric spring. A hydraulic damper composed of a cylinder member received within a lower portion of the inner tube and affixed to the inner tube and a hollow piston telescopically received by the through-tube and affixed to the upper cap includes a controllable bypass for changing the flow of hydraulic liquid between portions of the cylinder chamber on opposite sides of the piston.

Abstract: A caliper brake for a wheel of a bicycle comprises a pair of pivot mounts, each of which is adapted to be mounted on a bicycle member laterally of a wheel rim, one on either side of the wheel. A brake arm is pivotally mounted in cantilevered relation on each pivot mount adjacent its lower end, is biassed away from the wheel rim, and has a brake shoe affixed to it intermediate of its ends. A pivot bolt is affixed to a member of the bicycle above the wheel, and a spring retainer is mounted in a fixed position on the pivot bolt. A cam member is pivotally mounted on the pivot bolt adjacent to the spring retainer. A brake lever cable is connected directly to the upper end of one brake arm, and a sheath of the brake lever cable terminates at an end in engagement with the cam member. One end of a cable is affixed to the upper end of the other brake arm and at its other end to the cam.