Abstract: The present invention provides a basketball hoop including a frame having a cavity for releasably holding a plurality of backboard pieces therein to form a planar backboard, a basketball hoop pivotally attached to the frame, and a projector assembly coupled to the basketball hoop. When a slam-dunk force is applied to the basketball hoop, the force rotates the hoop downward, causing a projector to pivotally swing forward. The projector applies an ejection force to a rear surface of the plurality of backboard pieces ejecting the backboard pieces from the cavity of the frame, simulating a shattering backboard caused by a slam-dunk. The backboard pieces are preferably fabricated of a safety material, such as foam, rubber, and the like. The arrangement pattern of the backboard pieces may be applied upon the frame to aid in reassembly thereof.

Abstract: A kit for forming a raceway assembly including a plurality of members can include a plurality of portions including channel portions and coupling portions, each of the portions extending in an axial direction and having a plurality of walls defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. Each channel portion may have at least one opening in at least one wall, and each of the coupling portions has at least one hole in at least one wall. Each coupling portion may be adapted to receive one or more of the channel portions so that axial directions of the received channel portions are aligned with the axial direction of the coupling portion and so that at least one of the openings of each received channel portion is aligned with at least one of the holes. The coupling portions and channel portions may have inter-engageable features which preclude movement of the received channel portions relative to the coupling portion other than in the axial directions thereof.

Abstract: A kit for forming a raceway assembly including a plurality of members can include a plurality of portions including channel portions and coupling portions, each of the portions extending in an axial direction and having a plurality of walls defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. Each channel portion may have at least one opening in at least one wall, and each of the coupling portions has at least one hole in at least one wall. Each coupling portion may be adapted to receive one or more of the channel portions so that axial directions of the received channel portions are aligned with the axial direction of the coupling portion and so that at least one of the openings of each received channel portion is aligned with at least one of the holes. The coupling portions and channel portions may have inter-engageable features which preclude movement of the received channel portions relative to the coupling portion other than in the axial directions thereof.

Abstract: A kit for forming a raceway assembly including a plurality of members can include a plurality of portions including channel portions and coupling portions, each of the portions extending in an axial direction and having a plurality of walls defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. Each channel portion may have at least one opening in at least one wall, and each of the coupling portions has at least one hole in at least one wall. Each coupling portion may be adapted to receive one or more of the channel portions so that axial directions of the received channel portions are aligned with the axial direction of the coupling portion and so that at least one of the openings of each received channel portion is aligned with at least one of the holes. The coupling portions and channel portions may have inter-engageable features which preclude movement of the received channel portions relative to the coupling portion other than in the axial directions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods of crosslinking carbon nanotubes to each other using microwave radiation, articles of manufacture produced by such methods, compositions produced by such methods, and applications for such compositions and articles of manufacture. The present invention is also directed toward methods of radiatively modifying composites and/or blends comprising carbon nanotubes with microwaves, and to the compositions produced by such methods. In some embodiments, the modification comprises a crosslinking process, wherein the carbon nanotubes serve as a conduit for thermally and photolytically crosslinking the host matrix with microwave radiation.

Abstract: An approach for providing consumer-level off-site data storage for electronic media is disclosed. A tracking system can be deployed at a retailer location for receiving and tracking deposited electronic media by customers, who are consumer-level users (i.e., residential or small office users). The tracking system generates unique identifiers (e.g., barcodes) associated with the physical media in response to input information about the physical media and an owner of the physical media. The physical media is stored according to one of the unique identifiers that specify location of the physical media within a storage facility of a storage provider.

Abstract: A solid propellant composition of an oxidizer, a fuel, a binder, and at least one other additive has an improved binder system comprising a non-crystalline polyether having a molecular weight of 1250-9000 (such as Teracol TE and ER-1250/25) and an energetic plasticizer (such as BuNENA, EthylNENA, TEGDN, and DEGDN plasticizers). Propellants of this invention can be used, for example, in ground-launched interceptors, air launched tactical motors, and space boosters.

Abstract: A solid propellant composition comprising an oxidizer, a fuel and a binder, wherein the binder comprises, based on the weight of the total propellant composition:(a) from about 3 to about 12% of a non-crystalline polyether having a molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 9,000, and(b) from about 1 to about 12% of an inert plasticizer. Propellants of this invention can be used, for example, in ground-launched interceptors, air launched tactical motors, and space boosters.

Abstract: A machine for segregating and packaging a plurality of articles in a wrap-around carton first separates a selected number of articles from those on an infeed conveyor, brings the selected articles together with an opened carton blank, and wraps and secures the carton blank about the articles.