Abstract: A pruning shear with offset cutting blade is disclosed which includes in combination a pair of pivotally interacting blades which are capable of closing upon one another to sever a twig or small branch. A first blade is designed as a cutting blade having one side ground to form a gradually sloped first bevel. A more sharply sloped second bevel angularly intersects the first bevel to define an offset cutting edge. The second blade is provided with a pair of laterally spaced support anvils, which anvils define a clearance space to receive therein at least the cutting portions of the cutting blade. The cutting edge of the pruning shear cutting blade is pivotally movable into the clearance space in a manner to always position the cutting edge in spaced relationship to each of the support anvils.

Abstract: The sponge mop includes a hollow cylindrical body which terminates at its lower end in a bridge which supports rollers in spaced alignment a predetermined distance on each side of the axis of the body for sponge squeezing purposes. An operating handle is axially movable through the body and is engaged at one end with a sponge carrier to pull the sponge through the rollers for water wringing purposes and to push the sponge below the rollers for work purposes.

Abstract: A compacter for maintaining compressible items in a tightly wrapped condition to make them easily transportable is particularly useful by campers and backpackers to wrap items of bedding, such as sleeping bags, mattresses, foam rubber pads, blankets, and the like. The compacter includes a flexible and durable strap for encircling the item to be compacted with the end margins of the strap adjacent to each other. The strap is rolled up from the end margins on an elongate, rod-like section of a rigid winder to tighten the strap about the material to be compacted. The winder includes a lever section that extends transversely of the rod-like section to provide a mechanical advantage for rolling up the strap. After the strap has been rolled up a latching device is connected to the lever section to prevent it from rotating to unwind the strap.