Abstract: A basketball shooting practice return apparatus includes a framework for mounting on a backboard, support members pivotally mounted to the framework below guide elements on the framework and above a hoop on the backboard, a retrieval net assembly supported by the support members and spaced outwardly and hanging downwardly from above the hoop, a net positioning mechanism operable for selectively applying and releasing a pulling force upon the retrieval net assembly and support members from the direction of the guide elements above the backboard so as to be able to pivotally move the net assembly and support members between a raised inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from the backboard and a lowered vertical position extending downwardly from the backboard and to hold the retrieval net assembly and support members at any stationary position therebetween, and a basketball return structure associated with the retrieval net assembly.

Abstract: A basketball shooting practice return apparatus includes a framework for mounting on a backboard, support members pivotally mounted to the framework below guide elements on the framework and above a hoop on the backboard, a retrieval net assembly supported by the support members and spaced outwardly and hanging downwardly from above the hoop, a net positioning mechanism operable for selectively applying and releasing a pulling force upon the retrieval net assembly and support members from the direction of the guide elements above the backboard so as to be able to pivotally move the net assembly and support members between a raised inclined position extending forwardly and upwardly from the backboard and a lowered vertical position extending downwardly from the backboard and to hold the retrieval net assembly and support members at any stationary position therebetween, and a basketball return structure associated with the retrieval net assembly.

Abstract: A protective sheath for a temperature sensing device for use in determining the temperature of molten metals. The temperature sensing device, such as a thermocouple, is encased in a molybdenum tube which is coated with successive porous layers of molybdenum, a plurality of layers of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Mo in a decreasing concentration of Mo in proceeding from the inner to the outer layers, and a layer of substantially pure Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3. The Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer may be covered with an outer coating of a material, such as boron nitride, to protect the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer from attack by slag. Alternating layers of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and boron nitride may be applied as outermost sacrificial layers.

Abstract: A protective sheath for a temperature sensing device for use in determining the temperature of molten metals. The temperature sensing device, such as a thermocouple, is encased in a molybdenum tube which is coated with successive porous layers of molybdenum, a plurality of layers of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Mo in a decreasing concentration of Mo in proceeding from the inner to the outer layers, and a layer of substantially pure Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3. The Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer may be covered with an outer coating of a material, such as boron nitride, to protect the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer from attack by slag. Alternating layers of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 and boron nitride may be applied as outermost sacrificial layers.