Abstract: A grill cleaning tool assembly for effectively cleaning rounded grills and smokers includes a curved ash scoop apparatus and a curved ash scraper apparatus. The curved ash scoop apparatus comprises a scoop back having an arcuate scoop back bottom edge conforming to the contour of a rounded grill or smoker. A scoop body is coupled to the scoop back and extends from a scoop back bottom edge perpendicular to a scoop back front side. A scoop handle is coupled to the scoop back back side. The curved ash scraper apparatus comprises a scraper blade having a blade front side, a blade back side, a blade top edge, and a blade bottom edge. The blade bottom edge is arcuate and conforms to the contour of the scoop back bottom edge. A scraper handle is coupled to the blade back side.

Abstract: A sifting waste scooper including a rod assembly and a basket assembly is disclosed herein. The rod assembly includes a telescoping rod and a battery. The battery is located at the bottom portion of the telescoping rod. The rod assembly further includes an LED attachment disposed at top portion of the elongated rod. The basket assembly is located the distal top portion of the elongated rod. Furthermore, the basket assembly includes a grated basket having a plurality of holes to allow soil and sand to sift through the basket while collecting waste. The basket assembly further includes a scraper along the outer portion of the grated basket to allow a user to pick up animal waste. The shifting waste scooper allows a user to pick up small objects of waste in soil or sand without having to carry the soil or sand into a waste container.

Abstract: Pet litter box cleaning system including a base structure, sieve member, and, optionally, trash receptacle is provided. The base structure includes a bottom wall and side wall(s) extending upward from the bottom wall except in one portion to leave an open side for receiving the sieve member therethrough. In a first embodiment, the sieve member includes a back wall for extending across the open side, a sifter and handle. In a second embodiment, a door serves to close the open side and the sieve member does not include a back wall. The trash receptacle may extend from an upraised wall of the base structure. In use, the sieve member is inserted in the base structure to clean litter of waste by lifting the sieve member by the handle whereby clean litter passes through the sifter and waste collects on the sifter which then is disposed of into a trash receptacle.

Abstract: A litter scoop for pelleted pet litters is provided. Embodiments include a scoop having a sieved top scoop portion, a solid bottom scoop portion, and a hollow tubular handle in fluid communication with the bottom scoop portion. The bottom scoop portion includes a floor having a back edge proximal to the back end of the scoop and in fluid communication with the handle, and a wall extending upward from the floor's side edges and leading edge. The top scoop portion has openings sized such that unused litter pellets cannot pass through the openings and used litter passes through the openings. The wall of the bottom scoop portion is shaped such that a leading edge and side edges of the top scoop portion are engageable with an upper edge of the wall such that the bottom scoop portion and the top scoop portion are spaced from each other.

Abstract: An ash remover for removing ashes from a wood burning stove or fireplace includes a housing with top and bottom walls, spaced-apart side walls, a rear wall, and a front door. A fixed gripping handle projects outwardly from the rear wall of the housing. A pivotable gripping handle is mounted to the side walls of the housing of the ash remover. The ash remover may be used in combination with a sifting tool to separate burning embers from ashes prior to removing the ashes from the wood burning stove or fireplace.

Abstract: A manure fork has an elongate handle with a fork head mounted thereupon. The fork head includes a rear frame, a tine frame, and a pair of side panels. The rear frame has a pair of side edges, a lower edge that extends a width. The tine frame includes a lateral body that abuts the lower edge of the rear frame and extends the width of the rear frame, and a plurality of tines extending outwardly from the lateral body such that the tine frame is disposed in a generally planar configuration, the tine frame further having side edges. A plurality of cable ties are provided that each wrap around the lower edge of the rear frame and the lateral body of the tine frame for further securing the tine frame to the rear frame.

Abstract: A screened earth-moving bucket with vibration. The bucket includes a bottom, side plates, a back plate, and an attachment for connecting to a work machine. The bucket also includes at least one screen part having a plurality of adjacent bars to form a screen. At least one bar included in the screen part is vibrated by a vibrator unit so that the vibrated bar moves in relation to the bucket.

Abstract: An improved snow shovel for reducing the suction of snow to shovel while still maintaining the overall strength of the shovel. The improved snow shovel has a face or blade scoop portion that has an array of vertical or longitudinally extending slots or slits that penetrate through the entire blade scoop portion of the snow shovel. The array is arranged with the slots aligned vertically in a top to bottom arrangement. The slots are disposed in a set of preferably one to two slots per set. The sets of slots are arranged in a symmetric pattern on the face of the shovel to ensure uniform distribution of the reduction of snow to the shovel and to ensure uniformity of the overall strength of the shovel. The shovel face can be flat or curved.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mucking livestock enclosures and separating bedding material from animal waste are disclosed. Various embodiments are directed toward a mucking device having a scoop portion with a basket connected to a handle and a sliding lid that can be opened and closed by sliding a rotating sleeve along an inner shaft of the handle. The scoop of the mucking device can be inverted by rotating the inner shaft relative to the rotating sleeve, thus causing the basket to be disposed above the lid. Bedding material can be sifted out of the basket while retaining the animal waste. Once a desired amount of bedding material has been separated, the scoop can be opened by sliding the rotating sleeve along the inner shaft to open the lid and thus release the retained animal waste and residual bedding material. Other embodiments are directed toward methods for using the mucking device.

Abstract: A mechanically fastened digging and sifting scoop for digging and sifting objects from a medium is provided. The device includes a head, a means for manipulating the head, and a connection means. The connection means allows the combination of materials with different compositions to be mechanically fastened together.

Abstract: A tool for removing sheathing and decking material includes a head having a rear end, front end, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls having pairs of aligned holes, a rear wall connected to the bottom and side walls, a front wall extending between the bottom and side walls, an interior space defined by the bottom, side, rear and front walls, a support wall disposed in the interior space and extending between the side walls, and a tubular member integrally connected to the rear and support walls. A handle is configured to extend into and be removably connected to the tubular member of the head. A fulcrum member is selectively removably received by one of the pairs of aligned holes formed in the side walls of the head so that the fulcrum member extends in a preselected angular orientation relative to the handle during a removal operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mucking livestock enclosures and separating bedding material from animal waste are disclosed. Various embodiments are directed toward a mucking device having a scoop portion with a basket connected to a handle and a sliding lid that can be opened and closed by sliding a rotating sleeve along an inner shaft of the handle. The scoop of the mucking device can be inverted by rotating the inner shaft relative to the rotating sleeve, thus causing the basket to be disposed above the lid. Bedding material can be sifted out of the basket while retaining the animal waste. Once a desired amount of bedding material has been separated, the scoop can be opened by sliding the rotating sleeve along the inner shaft to open the lid and thus release the retained animal waste and residual bedding material. Other embodiments are directed toward methods for using the mucking device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mucking livestock enclosures and separating bedding material from animal waste are disclosed. Various embodiments are directed toward a mucking device having a scoop portion with a basket connected to a handle and a sliding lid that can be opened and closed by sliding a rotating sleeve along an inner shaft of the handle. The scoop of the mucking device can be inverted by rotating the inner shaft relative to the rotating sleeve, thus causing the basket to be disposed above the lid. Bedding material can be sifted out of the basket while retaining the animal waste. Once a desired amount of bedding material has been separated, the scoop can be opened by sliding the rotating sleeve along the inner shaft to open the lid and thus release the retained animal waste and residual bedding material. Other embodiments are directed toward methods for using the mucking device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mucking livestock enclosures and separating bedding material from animal waste are disclosed. Various embodiments are directed toward a mucking device having a scoop portion with a basket connected to a handle and a sliding lid that can be opened and closed by sliding a rotating sleeve along an inner shaft of the handle. The scoop of the mucking device can be inverted by rotating the inner shaft relative to the rotating sleeve, thus causing the basket to be disposed above the lid. Bedding material can be sifted out of the basket while retaining the animal waste. Once a desired amount of bedding material has been separated, the scoop can be opened by sliding the rotating sleeve along the inner shaft to open the lid and thus release the retained animal waste and residual bedding material. Other embodiments are directed toward methods for using the mucking device.

Abstract: The invention provides a device designed to turn a shove blade into a sifting tool. The Separator allows water, mud, sand and fine materials to escape through the openings in the scoop or blade, while larger and heavier materials remain in the shovel blade. The Separator comprises contractor grade, square bladed transfer shovels having openings in the scoop. The edges of the blade are manufactured from a fool grade and tempered steel. The scoop is comprised of a steel grate which can be made in various diameter gauges.

Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to an improvement in a mucking rake that can also be adapted for landscaping use. The invention possesses parallel replaceable tines that are spaced apart at variable distances through the use of individual modular tines and/or spacers. The tines can also be manufactured in a wavy shape to enable the debris to be sifted and collected onto the rake without having to dispose of the debris each time debris is sifted and collected.

Abstract: A magnetic raking device for cleaning up of dangerous ferro-metallic particles in and around construction jobsites, parks and playgrounds. A device able to perform the duties of both a conventional rake and a magnetic pick up device in one simple step. A hand operated magnetic raking device comprises a housing with a magnet or magnets placed inside. Teeth extending away from the housing are shaped in a fashion as to provide maximum agitation in surfaces such as grass, gravel and hard packed dirt. Device can be used inverted with the teeth facing up along smooth surfaces to pick up ferro-metallic particles without agitation. A handle is mounted to the housing to provide for easy push/pull use of the device. Length of head and handle may vary according to size and scope of area to be raked and cleaned of ferro-metallic particles such as nails and screws.

Abstract: A sifter device includes a proximal end having an arm support ring through which a user's hand and lower arm passes. A pair of elongated arms is arranged on opposite sides of the arm ring. A basket scoop, having a cutting edge, is arranged at a distal end of the device for scooping a medium that contains a detected metallic object that is retrieved. A grip is arranged along the pair of elongated member and includes an end that extends beyond the elongated members to be used in hanging the device from an article of clothing during metal detecting search activities when not digging or sifting in the medium. For example, an operator's belt or pants pocket may be used to hang the device from an article of clothing when not in use, preferably on the back pocket out of the way of the magnetic field generated by the metal detector.

Abstract: A shovel apparatus having a handle assembly at one end, a blade at the other opposed end, and a shaft therebetween connecting the blade to the handle assembly. The blade, in turn, comprises a substantially flat, somewhat trapezoid-shaped base portion and an integral, continuous wall portion upstanding from the edge of the base portion on three sides thereof to form generally a scoop. The fourth edge of the base member defines an opening for the scoop and also defines a substantially straight leading edge of the blade. A pattern of openings, preferably in form of groups of elongated slots, is provided in the body member and in at least a portion of the upstanding continuous wall portion.

Abstract: An example sifter shovel assembly includes a handle and a scoop secured to the handle. The scoop includes an outer edge portion. An apertured area of the scoop has a plurality of apertures extending through the scoop and an unapertured area of the scoop extends from the outer edge to the apertured area. An example method of assembling a sifter shovel includes creating a plurality of apertures in a sheet of material and forming the sheet of material into a general scoop shape. The example method then secures a handle to an unapertured area of the sheet of material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device useful for separating manure from bedding material when mucking an animal's stall. The device has a handle and a scoop. The scoop has a blade and multiple holes which allow bedding material, such as wood chips, to fall through but which is small enough to retain manure clumps in the scoop. A method of use of the device is also taught.

Abstract: A magnetic sweeper includes an upper body portion and a base assembly disposed below the upper body portion and a frame. The body defines a cavity with an open bottom portion. The base assembly includes a non-magnetizable frame and a magnetizable plate supported by the frame and a non-magnetizable collection basket disposed below and offset from the magnetizable plate. A pair of wheels and handle are provided for guiding and propelling the sweeper over a selected area of ground. In addition, the sweeper includes a battery and a solar cell for charging and recharging the battery as well as a pair of coils connected to the battery for generating a magnetic field to thereby magnetize the plate to attract ferro-metallic debris. Further, a mechanism is provided for dropping the ferro-metallic material into a collection basket.

Abstract: A sifting shovel for sifting particulate matter from a volume of material comprising a shovel head and a handle with an end fixed to the shovel head. The shovel head has a base plate, a sifting plate disposed in spaced relation relative to the base plate, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a proximal end wall. The sifting plate has a plurality of apertures therein, and the base plate, the sifting plate, and the first and second side walls have distal ends that together define an open mouth of the shovel head. The open mouth can have a minimum opening height greater than a maximum aperture dimension, and the shovel head can have a truncated wedge shape. At least a portion of the handle can be disposed below a longitudinal center of gravity of the sifting shovel, such as by forming a bend in the handle, to enable the sifting shovel to tip automatically.

Abstract: A device (10) for sieving and/or mixing is disclosed which includes a base (12) and a container (13) mounted thereon for rotation about an axis which is substantially horizontal. The container has a peripheral wall (14) extending angularly about and longitudinally relative to the axis, and an opening (25) extending longitudinally relative to the axis to provide for movement of material into and out of said space. Means to drive the container angularly about the axis are provided so that any material which is introduced into the container may be processed as required by rotation thereof. The peripheral wall is configured with an internal baffle to prevent material from being delivered when the container is rotated one way, but delivers material from within said space through the opening when the container is moved angularly about its axis in the opposite direction being a predetermined direction of rotation for delivery.

Abstract: An example sifter shovel assembly includes a handle and a scoop secured to the handle. The scoop includes an outer edge portion. An apertured area of the scoop has a plurality of apertures extending through the scoop and an unapertured area of the scoop extends from the outer edge to the apertured area. An example method of assembling a sifter shovel includes creating a plurality of apertures in a sheet of material and forming the sheet of material into a general scoop shape. The example method then secures a handle to an unapertured area of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A magnetic raking device that agitates a ground surface and uses magnetic attraction for collecting ferro-metallic debris, such as nails and screws, at construction jobsites and other locations, includes a release mechanism that temporarily eliminates magnetic attraction of the debris to the rake, thus allowing collected debris to drop from the rake, such as into a trash or recycling container. One type of release mechanism physically removes one or more magnets from the rake body to eliminate magnetic attraction to the rake body. One type of release mechanism uses electromagnets in the rake body that attract ferro-metallic debris when current is allowed to run through the electromagnets, and that allows the debris to drop from the rake when the current is interrupted. The magnetic rake may be used in an inverted position to attract ferro-metallic debris without agitating, and may be used in a non-magnetic state as a conventional rake.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a shovel having a scoop with a bottom perforated by apertures and a movable sifting plate held in one of a plurality of possible positions by means of a retainer plate. The sifting plate may have apertures which do not overlap the apertures of the scoop in a first position, thus keeping the bottom of the shovel scoop closed for use as a shovel. In a second position, the sifting plate apertures may overlap the apertures of the scoop bottom so as to provide a degree of sifting ability. Either set of apertures may have a screen thereacross. The retaining plate may be biased by a spring so as to hold the sifting plate in position.

Abstract: The multi-purpose rake includes a rake head and a detachable pole for pulling the rake across a surface. The rake head has a frame with two arced end ribs, an upper and a lower crossbar extending between the end ribs. The upper crossbar has a sleeve or other attachment means extending therefrom for receiving and retaining one end of the pole. A wire mesh cage is formed into an arc to conform to the end ribs and is attached to the ribs and the upper and lower crossbar. In the preferred embodiment, the end ribs are formed from a continuous panel so that the ends of the rake head are fully closed. The detachable pole is preferably constructed in multiple sections that can be broken down for easy transport. Optional clips or other retainers may be disposed on the rake head for retaining the pole sections for easy transport and storage. An optional handhold can be provided for facilitating transport of the disassembled rake.

Abstract: A screening apparatus is removably connected to a prime mover having an excavating bucket or loading shovel. The screening apparatus includes a material feed conveyor that feeds material to a screening device. A mounting mechanism and associated adjustment mechanism are used to detachably and movably mount the screening apparatus to support structure on the prime mover, with the conveyor being located adjacent the bucket or loading shovel for receiving unscreened material into the screening apparatus from the bucket or loading shovel during use.

Abstract: A screening apparatus (6) is removably connected to front arms (7) of an excavator (1) by means of quick release couplings to enable the screening apparatus to be quickly attached and removed as required. Material is fed to the screening apparatus (6) by means of a conveyor (2) attached to the side of the back-hoe excavator (1). The excavating shovel (5) is used to load material into hopper (9) at the lower end of the conveyor (2) to allow the material to be conveyed upwardly. The excavator (1) can move on wheels (3). The screened material may fall directly to the ground or onto a stock piling conveyor located adjacent the screening apparatus (6). The screening apparatus may also be mounted on a tracked excavating machine.

Abstract: A segregator bucket comprises an open-fronted shell including a pair of opposed sidewalls and a rear wall, the rear wall including a plurality of curved, transversely spaced primary ribs defining spaces therebetween, a cage member being mounted in the shell between the opposed sidewalls thereof and comprising a plurality of curved, transversely spaced secondary ribs defining spaces therebetween, the cage member being rotatable relative to the shell about an axis extending transversely of the shell between a loading position in which the secondary ribs are received within, substantially to close, the spaces between the primary ribs and a discharge position in which the secondary ribs are displaced from, to open, the spaces between the primary ribs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chloride-selective electrodes which comprise insoluble metal salt layer and a protecting membrane formed of hydrophilic polyurethane thereon, wherein the hydrophilic polyurethane coated chloride-selective electrodes show fast activation and response time and are usefully employed to accurately measure the chloride by reducing the interference from bromide and iodide or preventing the surface of the electrode from protein adsorption.

Abstract: A stall cleaner that scoops material, such as a mixture of wood shavings and animal manure, sifts selected material out of the scooped material and collects remaining material in a receptacle. The cleaner includes a stationary portion and a vibrating portion. The stationary portion includes a frame that is supported by wheels. A scoop is located at a front end of the frame. A handle is provided on a rear end of the frame. The vibrating portion of the apparatus includes a tray that is supported by the frame. The tray has a rigid perimeter that surrounds and supports a plurality of spaced longitudinal elements. A motor rotates an off-center weight to impart vibration to the tray, causing smaller particles to fall through the tray. A receptacle is located behind the frame on the apparatus. The receptacle is positioned such that materials slide off of the rear end of the tray into the receptacle.

Abstract: In combination a screen, a shaker, a conveyor and carbody device which is attachable to a vehicle of choice, such as an hydraulic excavator, a backhoe, etc., and when installed thereon allows the vehicle to perform as a padding machine.

Abstract: A lawn and garden pan having a substantially horizontal bottom wall panel having a substantially triangular configuration. The front end of the pan is open and it has numerous teeth extending forwardly along its entire length. The bottom wall panel has numerous sifting holes spread out over substantially its entire surface. The left and right side walls extend upwardly from the lateral edges of the bottom wall panel and their top ends curl outwardly and downwardly to form an inverted U-shaped configuration that forms a natural contour to seat between the palm of a person's hand and the thumb. A person can grip the pan for holding purposes along the entire length of the edges of the pan except its front end into which lawn debris can be raked or swept.

Abstract: The present new, improved rock screed bucket has a solid rectangular back plate together with a framework having a rectangular bottom and a pair of generally triangular shaped sides. The solid rectangular back plate acts as a backstop. The rectangular bottom supports a heavy duty grading screen. A mounting frame is mounted to the rear of the solid rectangular back plate through a plurality of shock absorbing spacers. The conventional arm structures and conventional hydraulic system of a conventional tractor or skid loader connect to the mounting frame. By rapidly moving the conventional arm structure and conventional hydraulic system any material in the rock screed bucket can be shaken and thus screened. In a second embodiment, a hydraulic shaker may be attached to the top of the rock screed bucket to shake the rock screed bucket. The hydraulic shaker is conventional and derives its power from the conventional hydraulic system of the tractor or skid loader.

Abstract: A sifter employing a scoop formed from sheet metal provided with substantially diamond shaped apertures having inwardly extending declining walls with respect to the top surface of the scoop to facilitate separation of different size particles, such as horse manure from saw dust or wood chip particles.

Abstract: A material moving tool is provided and includes a blade and a handle for manipulating the blade. The blade has an outside perimeter defining the area of the blade. The blade has a plurality of ring shaped apertures therethrough. The blade has a material supporting surface defined by the outside perimeter and the apertures, and is from between 80% to 50% of the area of the blade. When the blade of the material moving tool is inserted in material, it has an effective area described by the perimeter of the blade immersed in the material, and a plurality of ring shaped apertures through the effective area of the blade. The blade has an effective material supporting surface defined by the perimeter of the blade immersed in the material and the effective apertures, and is from between 80% to 50% of the effective area of the blade.

Abstract: A shovel is disclosed having a conventional shovel handle and yoke with the surface formed of flattened expanded metal. The flattened expanded metal is conventional and of the type that forms a grid of four sided diamond shaped openings having an elongate dimension and a short dimension. The flattened expanded metal is aligned parallel to the handle of the shovel and cut to a width and length sufficient to form the shovel body. The left and right edges as well as the top of the expanded metal are lined with straight bars to impart even and uninterrupted side edges and a foot hold top edge adjacent the yoke. The flattened metal forming the body of the shovel is given a conventional arcuate section and formed from metal having sufficient strength that all necessary support for the shovel surface is from the flattened metal. The front edges are cut to expose the elongate diamonds of the flattened expanded metal in a serrated configuration with at least the front serrated edge being hardened.

Abstract: A shovel device is arranged to include a shovel blade having first and second ends, including a concave front wall coextensive with a convex rear wall, with spaced parallel ribs extending in a parallel relationship parallel to themselves and to the side walls of the shovel blade, with a mesh screen positioned over the ribs permitting sifting of soil enhancing its aeration during a shoveling procedure.

Abstract: A combination sand rake and shovel providing the ability to clean sandy with a tool having two configurations. When configured as a shovel, the debris may be lifted directly from the sand. When configured as a rake, the debris can be screened in a direction parallel to the grounds surface.

Abstract: A hand tool for sifting soil in gardens, recovering buried articles and for other similar purposes where aggregate materials are to picked up and filtered to separate larger particles from smaller sized granules and powders. The device comprises essentially a "Y" shaped frame with the single end extended as a handle and with the forked end forming a triangular container open at the top with two sides similar, a straight, approximately flat blade supported at each end by the ends of the frame, the blade being the third side of the container, and a bottom planar surface perforated to allow the passage of materials. The tool can be made in different sizes and with different kinds of perforated surfaces, depending upon the purpose and size of particles to be retained.

Abstract: A combined tool for retrieving buried objects comprises an elongate handle having a first digging tool at one end and a second digging tool at the other end, one of said digging tools comprising a digging implement for digging in compacted material, and the other digging tool comprising a sifting implement for sifting loosened material to separate objects buried therein. The handle may be folded to make the tool more compact for storage or carrying, and a comb or toothed device may be attached to the sifting element to facilitate use of the tool in material containing stones, seashells, or the like, or in wet sand or the like.

Abstract: Beach cleaning apparatus that includes a generally U-shaped bracket that opens downwardly, a handle attached to the bracket to manually pull the bracket forwardly, an open mesh bag, fastener mechanism for releasably securing the adjacent parts of the mouth portion of the bag to the bracket, a knife blade extending between the legs of the bracket and a retainer bar secured to the bracket and knife blade for retaining the lower edge portion of the mouth of the bag therebetween. The mesh of the bag is of a size to permit passage of sand and small stones therethrough, but retain larger objects within the bag.

Abstract: In combination a screen, a shaker, a conveyor and carbody device which is attachable to a vehicle of choice, such as an hydraulic excavator, a backhoe, etc., and when installed thereon allows the vehicle to perform as a padding machine.