Abstract: An adaptor accommodates both of the most predominant sizes of downspouts and, when positioned between an upper and lower section, diverts rainwater through an opening in a sidewall to a collection system such as one or more rain barrels. Preferably, the collection system is attached to a soaker hose which provides on-demand irrigation of a treated plot of soil. A central passageway accommodates rainwater which exceeds the capacity of the collection system.

Abstract: A series of channels formed in the bow portion of the deck create both a series of wave breakers and a plurality of footrests inside the passenger compartment of this sit-in kayak. The kayak is integrally molded in a single piece and has a contoured seat with a downwardly sloping, rearwardly directed portion. A combination of the footrests and the downwardly sloping, rearwardly directed portion increases leverage available during paddling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a multi-colored, injection molded product. A nozzle which has at least two separate feed passageways receives the primary resin stream from the primary feed tube. Two separate fluid-operated cylinders add different colorant masses to the separate portions of the feed stream through lateral openings into the two passageways. Blending of the two different masses is prevented in the nozzle and blending with the primary resin stream is minimized during feed to the mold to optimize the brightness of the colors in the end product.

Abstract: Injection molded sections of decorative edging for use in lawn and garden applications are provided with an alignment feature to facilitate proper orientation on insertion. The edging has an arcuate upper surface which makes proper alignment difficult. This difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that the sections may be angularly positioned relative to an adjacent section through a 60.degree. arc. The alignment feature may be etched onto the surface or molded on the surface by a modification to the mold and is positioned between 1/3 and 2/3 of the way from the lower edge to the upper surface of the edging section. The alignment feature is driven to a point just below the surface of the ground.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle assembly useful with load-lifting hand tools. The assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve with an external thread, the sleeve being received over the end of the primary handle before its operating member is attached thereto. An auxiliary handle is connected to the sleeve by an attachment nut which has a single turn thread which engages the external thread of the sleeve. The sleeve and primary handle turn freely relative to the attachment nut to permit dumping of the load carried by operating member. The load application point of the auxiliary handle can be moved up and down the primary handle by relative rotation between the attachment nut and the sleeve to optimize the lifting capabilities of the modified tool for a particular user.

Abstract: A hose storage device has a tub shaped base and a hemispherical top that is attached to the base by a clamshell hinge. The storage device can be anchored in place in a yard by U-shaped stakes that are inserted through pairs of openings. The storage device is decorated to appear like a fanciful character statue, a galapagos tortoise, for example, so that it can remain in the yard as a lawn or garden decoration. A center post in the tub provides a bearing surface for a reel which includes a handle to facilitate coiling and fixtures to which the hose can be connected so that it need never be removed from the reel. A downwardly extending nipple provides a place to connect a short length of hose to a spigot, a clearance passageway being afforded by an inwardly extending reinforcing rib in the tub.

Abstract: Lawn edging is made in discrete, rigid one foot sections each with an integral water conduit with sprinkling orifices, each section having an integral male fitting at one end and a female fitting at the other. The two fittings are oriented in a vertical direction and define a pivot axis for adjacent edging sections. The conduit is generally trapezoidal in shape and has a flat upper surface which serves as a force-receiving surface. A special section has a hose attachment to permit distribution of water in one or both directions from the special section. A bottom section is divided into subsections with each section having insertion facilitating elements including v-shaped points and a sharpened leading edge and removal inhibiting elements including teeth formed on a v-shaped tangential flange.

Abstract: A one-piece injection molded tool handle having a body with a tang end for attaching to a tool and a handle end with a D-handle molded to the body. The body has a hollow defined by an inside generally frustoconical surface extending from the tang end outwardly to the handle end and diverges outwardly at an angle of about 1/2.degree.. The outside surface of the body is defined by a first outside generally frustoconical surface extending from the tang end and diverges downwardly and outwardly at an angle of about 3/4.degree. toward the handle end. A second outside surface extends from the first frustoconical outside surface to the handle end and diverges outwardly at an angle of about 1/4 degree. The frustoconical surfaces result in the wall of the handle being thickest at an intermediate part of the handle. A cylindrical tool receiving extension is integrally attached to the tang end of the handle body.

Abstract: A mop bucket and a cover for the mop bucket. The cover has a mop receptacle and a splash guard integrally molded together using thermosetting plastic. The cover has a unique mop receptacle that facilitates a liquid to be wrung from a mop. The receptacle has a mop receiving hole in the bottom to receive a stored mop handle. The splash guard guides the mop yarns from the bucket into the receptacle and prevents liquid from splashing out of the bucket when the bucket is moved over uneven floors. The cover and bucket are balanced about the handle for carrying.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand having a cylindrical water container and a skirt having a downwardly and outwardly extending skirt. Screws on the top of the tree stand engage the sides of a tree trunk and a pointed member on a non-circular metal disk engage the bottom of the tree trunk. The metal disk is received in a non-circular boss attached to the bottom of the container so that the disk may be rotated and its edges bite into the internal walls of the boss opening.