Abstract: A device and associated method for lifting leaves from a pile in larger quantities that is traditionally possible using a shovel or rake is described. Broadly, the device comprises a plastic or fabric flexible rectangular sheet having at least a pair of parallel elongated rods affixed to opposing sides of the sheet. At least some embodiments further include an elongated handle, often in the form of a rod, connected with and extending outwardly from one of the elongated rods.

Abstract: A rake having a self-cleaning mechanism and method of its manufacture. The rake comprises a handle, a body, a plurality of tines extending from the body, a push-rod extending along the handle to the body, a push rod actuator for extending and retrieving the push-rod, an actuator bar slidingly attached to the body and connected to the push-rod, at least one extender connected to the actuator bar, and a cleaning bar attached to the extender(s). The cleaning bar has a plurality of cleaning channels, one for each tine and is extended and retrieved along the tines when the push-rod actuator is actuated. Each of the cleaning channels has a shape and a size that generally corresponds to a shape and a size of a respective one of the tines. Upon actuation, cleaning bar moves along the tines such that the cleaning channels remove debris from the tines.

Abstract: A lawn rake having means to minimize lateral spill of debris. A laminar side skirt, preferably made of flexible plastic and trapezium shape, is secured by a suitable clamp to at least a pair of extreme tines at each side of the lawn rake at a point near the rake head. Each laminar side skirt is hinged to the most extreme tine by means of rings spaced along the tine length.

Abstract: Providing a longitudinal U-shaped rake head attached to a pole by a connector. The rake head, in relation to the pole, has multiple upwardly curved fingers spaced apart by a groove. Each finger has a split end with a slot separating pointed ends of each finger. The rake head is pulled towards a person holding the pole along a screen surface imbedded with pine needles. The pulling motion removes the pine needles from the screen and impales them on the rake head.

Abstract: A rake system for removing underwater vegetation comprising a plate assembly, a handle assembly, and a line. The plate assembly comprises first and second engaging members each defining an engaging edge. The handle assembly is attached to the plate assembly. The line is attached to the handle assembly. During use, the user grips the handle assembly to toss the plate assembly to a first underwater location. The user then pulls the line to displace the plate assembly from the first underwater location along a harvest path. The engaging edges of the engaging members are adapted to engage the underwater vegetation to fix the underwater vegetation relative to the plate assembly such that continued pulling on the line removes the underwater vegetation in a harvest region defined by the harvest path.

Abstract: The invention comprises a lake bottom cleaning device. The device has a self supporting base and a elongated boom mounted centrally of its length to the base as a location spaced above the bottom of the base, whereby the base may support the base and boom on the bottom of a lake with the boom spaced parallel above the bottom of the lake. The boom has flexible depending weed engaging means and the boom has a hollow interior with water ports in their outer ends directed in a manner whereby the boom may be connected to a source of water under pressure which water may be delivered into the boom and out the outer ports at the outer ends of the boom with the water propelling out the boom ports providing a jet action to propel the boom to rotate about its rotational mounting to the base with the depending drag means depending onto the lake bottom to engage and drag and clean the lake bottom of weeds on the lake bottom as the boom is rotating by the water propelling action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manually handling large quantities of debris and placing such debris into containers. The method and apparatus is directed to a rake panel utilized in combination with a rake. The rake panel includes a panel and an open sleeve configured to removably attach with a rake via an interference fit. In one embodiment, the open sleeve removably attaches to a rake shaft, and in another embodiment, the open sleeve removably attaches to a rake head. The rake panel therefore is easily attachable and removable to and from a rake and, therefore, easily accessible with the rake. The rake panel also simplifies handling debris by simply sandwiching large quantities of debris between the rake panel and a rake head, making for easier cleanup.

Abstract: A leaf rake is provided with a tine section formed of one solid piece of either plastic or sheet metal. Additionally, in lieu of small individual tines, the edge of the rake is composed of a series of rounded, semicircular, scalloped edges.