Abstract: A garden tool includes a work-engaging head joined by a shank to a plastic handle. The handle has a relatively rigid plastic core body. A cavity is formed in the handle to divide it into forward and rearward portions. The cavity is filled with a flexible and resilient material to accommodate flexing of the rearward portion relative to the forward portion. A flexible and resilient gripping sheath covers the outer surface of the core body except for the cavity. In one embodiment the cavity is in the core body and includes a notch. For digging tools, such as trowels, the notch is formed on the lower side of the core body adjacent to the distal end, while for pulling or raking tools, such as plows, the notch is formed on the upper side of the core body adjacent to the working end. A recess may be formed in the core body opposite the notch for cooperation with the notch to define a narrow hinge.

Abstract: A garden tool includes a work-engaging head joined by a shank to a plastic handle. The handle has a relatively rigid plastic core body. A cavity is formed in the handle to divide it into forward and rearward portions. The cavity is filled with a flexible and resilient material to accommodate flexing of the rearward portion relative to the forward portion. A flexible and resilient gripping sheath covers the outer surface of the core body except for the cavity. In one embodiment the cavity is in the core body and includes a notch. For digging tools, such as trowels, the notch is formed on the lower side of the core body adjacent to the distal end, while for pulling or raking tools, such as plows, the notch is formed on the upper side of the core body adjacent to the working end. A recess may be formed in the core body opposite the notch for cooperation with the notch to define a narrow hinge.

Abstract: A self-standing toothbrush having a cup-shaped member disposed of on its base is disclosed. The cup-shaped member substantially enhances the stability of the toothbrush when it is disposed in an upright position relative to a support surface.

Abstract: Shears have two crossed pivotally interconnected levers, each having a blade end and a handle end, and normally biased open. Upper and lower handles are, respectively, connected to the handle ends of the levers, the upper handle having a low-friction outer surface and including front, rear and medial portions, while the lower handle has a high-friction outer surface with a downwardly convex lower portion. The front portion of the upper handle projects upwardly to stop forward movement of the hand. The medial portion is of reduced cross section to facilitate hooking of the user's thumb thereover. The rear portion has a laterally upwardly and inwardly sloping upper surface. An elastomeric loop depends from the lower handle rearwardly of the front portion of the upper handle and receives therethrough only the middle finger of the user's hand.