Abstract: Devices and associated methods for an outdoor portable light are described. In one embodiment, an outdoor portable light can comprise a frame including a frame segment having a frame segment length and cross-sectional area, and a light segment having a light segment length and cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to the frame segment length and cross-sectional area. In one aspect, the light segment can comprise a light source housing holding a light source strip. Methods for stabilizing an outdoor portable light and facilitating assembly and disassembly of an outdoor portable light are also provided.

Abstract: A weight measuring hitch ball assembly is described. The assembly can include a hitch ball having a ball and a lower portion. The assembly can also include a body portion defining a hitch ball opening that slidably receives the lower portion of the hitch ball. The assembly can further include a load measurement device operably associated with the body portion and the hitch ball to determine a magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball. Additionally, the assembly can include a hitch mount interface configured to interface with an attachment structure that facilitates coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly to a tow vehicle.

Abstract: A weight measuring hitch ball assembly is described. The assembly can include a hitch ball having a ball and a lower portion. The assembly can also include a body portion defining a hitch ball opening that slidably receives the lower portion of the hitch ball. The assembly can further include a load measurement device operably associated with the body portion and the hitch ball to determine a magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball. Additionally, the assembly can include a hitch mount interface configured to interface with an attachment structure that facilitates coupling the weight measuring hitch ball assembly to a tow vehicle.

Abstract: A weight measuring hitch ball assembly is described. The assembly can include a hitch ball having a ball and a lower portion. The assembly can also include a body portion defining a hitch ball opening that slidably receives the lower portion of the hitch ball. The assembly can further include a load measurement device operably associated with the body portion and the hitch ball to determine a magnitude of a force acting on the hitch ball. Additionally, the assembly can include a retention coupling operable with the hitch ball and the body portion to secure the hitch ball to the body portion. The retention coupling can have a retention protrusion and a retention wall defining at least a portion of a retention opening operable to receive at least a portion of the retention protrusion therein. With the retention protrusion extending into the retention opening, the retention wall can provide a mechanical barrier to the retention protrusion that prevents removal of the hitch ball from the hitch ball opening.

Abstract: A landscape edging block can include a shaped structure having a first and a second end. The first end can include a surface that is concave simultaneously along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. On the contrary, the second end can include a surface that is convex simultaneously along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The shaped structure can include a top and sides configured to resemble decorative stone. Additionally, first end of the block can be configured to engage a second end of a second block in order to form a landscaping border.

Abstract: A gardening barrier system and associated methods is disclosed. The system may include molded panels made from an aggregate material. Each panel may have a display side with a façade resembling a wall of vertically stacked and offset pieces of wall building materials and a protrusion at an end of the panel resembling an offset piece of the wall and the wall building materials. The protrusion can include a rounded end to allow adjacent panels to be assembled at an infinitely adjustable angle relative to one another. The protrusion can be sized to minimize a gap between adjacent panels and the rounded end can be sized to approximate a size of a rounded edge of the wall building materials of the façade to minimize an appearance of a transition between adjacent panels.

Abstract: A landscape edging block can include a shaped structure having a first and a second end. The first end can include a surface that is concave simultaneously along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. On the contrary, the second end can include a surface that is convex simultaneously along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The shaped structure can include a top and sides configured to resemble decorative stone. Additionally, first end of the block can be configured to engage a second end of a second block in order to form a landscaping border.

Abstract: A gardening barrier system and associated methods is disclosed. The system may include molded panels made from an aggregate material. Each panel may have a display side with a façade resembling a wall of vertically stacked and offset pieces of wall building materials and a protrusion at an end of the panel resembling an offset piece of the wall and the wall building materials. The protrusion can include a rounded end to allow adjacent panels to be assembled at an infinitely adjustable angle relative to one another. The protrusion can be sized to minimize a gap between adjacent panels and the rounded end can be sized to approximate a size of a rounded edge of the wall building materials of the façade to minimize an appearance of a transition between adjacent panels.

Abstract: Modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures are not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures.

Abstract: Modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures are not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures.

Abstract: Modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures are not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures.

Abstract: Modular landscape devices, systems, and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a modular landscape device can include a plurality of molded structures formed from an aggregate material, where each molded structure has a display surface and a buried surface. The device also includes at least one tether connecting the plurality of molded structures together to form the modular landscape device. In one aspect, each of the plurality of molded structures are not in contact with another of the plurality of molded structures.

Abstract: A landscape edging block can include a shaped structure having a first and a second end. The first end can include a surface that is concave simultaneously along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. On the contrary, the second end can include a surface that is convex simultaneously along a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The shaped structure can include a top and sides configured to resemble decorative stone. Additionally, first end of the block can be configured to engage a second end of a second block in order to form a landscaping border.

Abstract: A height adjustable basketball standard comprises a fixed support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a playing surface. A lifting link has a base end and a traveling end. The base end is pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and the traveling end is pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A parallel link has a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A drive mechanism is coupled to the support pole and engages the lifting link. The drive mechanism is configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the playing surface. The drive mechanism engages the lifting link in a manner sufficient to vertically move the backboard assembly about 1 inch upon moving the force application point of the lifting arm about ? of an inch.

Abstract: A height adjustable basketball standard, including a fixed support pole configured to support a backboard assembly above a playing surface. A lifting link is provided which includes a base end, a traveling end, and a hollow section therebetween. The base end of the lifting link is pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole while the traveling end is pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A parallel link is also included and positioned within at least a portion of the hollow section of the lifting link, the parallel link including a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A drive mechanism, coupled to the support pole and engaging the lifting link is configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the playing surface.