Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a proximity alert to the operator of a vehicle, such as a vehicle approaching a pedestrian crosswalk. A fixed or mobile controller (beacon) component when activated transmits a signal relating to a potential hazard, and a software application (“app”) installed on a smartphone or other device provides the receiver/notification component. The app delivers an audible, visual, and/or tactile alert to drivers via their smartphones, tablet computers, or mobile devices installed in their vehicles that they are approaching an “activated” pedestrian crosswalk, intersection, railroad crossing, road hazard or work zone, emergency vehicle, or even a bicyclist when they are equipped with a beacon.

Abstract: An in-roadway warning light (IRWL) apparatus incorporates a dove prism in the light beam path to embed an air gap inside the IRWL signal head housing and ensure that light from the LEDs is projected in the desired direction, while simultaneously providing moisture protection for the LEDs and associated electronics in the housing.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for and between a monitored (“smart”) pedestrian crosswalk and an approaching vehicle, alerting the operator of the vehicle to the presence of a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The invention uses wireless electronic communication for transmitting signals to vehicles or motorists equipped with a compatible receiver. The communication is then interpreted by the receiver to provide an “alert” (audible and/or visual) to the motorist.

Abstract: With interactive voice response services, it can be frustrating for a user to become stuck in a dialogue where the same question is asked repetitively. Here the wording of questions used by the system are varied throughout the dialogue depending upon how many times a user has visited a particular dialogue state during the call history. Furthermore the wording of the question is also varied in dependence upon the way in which the question was asked the last time the user was in a particular dialogue state.

Abstract: With interactive voice response services, it can be frustrating for a user to become stuck in a dialogue where the same question is asked repetitively. In his invention the wording of questions used by the system are varied throughout a dialogue depending upon how many times a user has visited a dialogue state ever in their call history. Furthermore the wording of the question is also varied in dependence upon the way in which the question was asked the last time the user was in a particular dialogue state.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to the approach of a train in a crossing. The system includes a plurality of surface mounted lights partially embedded in and placed across a roadway. Once activated, the flashing lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the train is approaching, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to an intersection stop requirement. The system includes a plurality of above-pavement, surface mounted lights, installed in a fashion similar to currently used road reflectors, and which are partially embedded in a roadway and placed across the roadway, e.g., adjacent to and parallel with the existing stripes or stop bars designating an intersection, and constructed so that they are impervious to vehicle traffic over them. Once activated, the lights flash in the direction of oncoming traffic, and emanate directly from the roadway, to warn drivers of approaching vehicles that a stop may be required at the intersection, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to the presence of a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The system includes a plurality of surface mounted lights partially embedded in and placed across a roadway. The lights are activated by the pedestrian, either by manual switch or by a sensor, before he enters the crosswalk. Once activated, the flashing lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the pedestrian may have entered the crosswalk, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A suspension assembly, including inner and outer tubes that are adapted to the telescope with respect to each other. A self-contained shock-damping cartridge is disposed in the tubes and is removable as a unit. The cartridge has first and second chambers, which contain hydraulic fluid. A shaft movably extends substantially completely through both chambers, and a piston is associated with the shaft and the chambers such that movement of the shaft within the chambers forces hydraulic fluid from one of the chambers to the other, thus damping telescoping movement between the tubes. The cartridge is sealed to substantially prevent the hydraulic fluid from entering and exiting therefrom during telescoping movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which is mounted via brackets to the steering tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which is mounted via brackets to the steering tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: A marital aid containing an elongated shaft which is transparent, and which has a vibrating motor which vibrates the shaft and an internal source of illumination which shines through the transparent shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer steer tube which is adapted to be mounted in and extend through the head tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner steer tube telescopes within the outer steer tube. A shock absorbing system is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer steer tube and the outer surface of the inner steer tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to transmit the torsional steering force from the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which can be mounted in and extend through the head tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer steer tube which is adapted to be mounted in and extend through the head tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner steer tube telescopes within the outer steer tube. A shock absorbing system is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer steer tube and the outer surface of the inner steer tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to transmit the torsional steering force from the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: A fish hook remover, designed to minimize damage to an artificial fly and to minimize human contact with a fish during fish hook removal, comprises an elongated body having a removal tip integral to a first end of the elongated body, and a handle attached to a second end of the elongated body. The removal tip comprises a guide region and a tubular head. The tubular head defines a slot on its surface and a chamber on its interior, and is positioned relative to the elongated body such that an axis defined by the chamber of the tubular head is offset by more than zero degrees but less than ninety degrees from an axis defined by the elongated body. The removal tip is designed to allow a user to easily slide a fishing line, which is tensioned by the weight of a caught fish, into the tubular head chamber via the slot.

Abstract: An improved bicycle suspension system wherein the suspension system's characteristics change according to whether a rider is in a standing position or a sitting position. In a standing position, the rider's weight is placed primarily upon the pedal assembly of the bicycle, thereby creating an upward force on the swing arm which places a first compression force upon a shock absorber. In a sitting position, the rider's weight is also placed on a seat of a seat frame. This places a downward force on the seat frame which places a second compression force on the shock absorber. Thus, in the sitting position, the combination of the first and second compression forces, measured as a leverage ratio, is placed upon the shock absorber. In this sitting position situation, the shock absorber is more responsive to irregularities in the road, and provides a softer ride with greater traction and control.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer steer tube which is adapted to be mounted in and extend through the head tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner steer tube telescopes within the outer steer tube. A shock absorbing system is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer steer tube and the outer surface of the inner steer tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to transmit the torsional steering force from the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer steer tube which is adapted to be mounted in and extend through the head tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner steer tube telescopes within the outer steer tube. A shock absorbing system is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer steer tube and the outer surface of the inner steer tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to transmit the torsional steering force from the outer tube to the inner tube.

Abstract: The storage device of this invention provides an improved accessory holder for standard ring binders having a plurality of ring guides attached to a binder spine-mounted back plate. The device comprises a generally hollow housing member conditioned for placement against and attachment to the binder back plate, and within the rings themselves, so as not to interfere with the sheets or other contents of the binder. The housing member has a central cavity for holding accessory items such as pencils, rulers, and the like, and includes a cap or door for access to the central cavity.