Abstract: A golf ball retrieval device is disclosed that includes a plurality of claws are disposed adjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of the plurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least one pivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members extend transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws and are arranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, in which the plurality of claws are movable relative to one another between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the locking mechanism in a first position, and to secure the plurality of claws in the expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in a second position.

Abstract: A golf ball retrieval rake including a telescopic handle and an attachment member on a handle front end which connects the handle to a scoop member. The scoop member includes a J-shaped plate having cylindrical tines disposed on a front side of the plate, which are provided to drag and pull a golf ball into the scoop member to bring the golf ball out of a hazard. Obround slots through a bottom side of the plate, obround openings in the side walls and in the plate rear side, and holes in the rear side permit drainage from the scoop member when a golf ball is retrieved from a water hazard on the golf course and to shake sand from the scoop member when a golf ball is retrieved from a sand trap. A single removable zippered cover encompasses the attachment member, the scoop member, and the tines.

Abstract: A sanitary scoop that includes a scoop portion, a handle portion, a shield portion, a partition wall formed between the scoop portion and the handle and shield portions, and a tab. The sanitary scoop is constructed to allow placement of the scoop in various orientations while maintaining sanitation of the scoop portion.

Abstract: A litter box cleaning kit includes a litter shovel having a nonporous bottom section for collecting non-solid waste, a curved section having a plurality of openings for collecting and sifting solid waste, a bag holder for positioning disposal bags in an open configuration and a caddy for storing each of the shovel, bag holder and disposal bags.

Abstract: A sanitary scoop that includes a scoop portion, a handle portion, a shield portion, a partition wall formed between the scoop portion and the handle and shield portions, and a tab. The sanitary scoop is constructed to allow placement of the scoop in various orientations while maintaining sanitation of the scoop portion.

Abstract: An ice fishing device compromising of an ice scoop/skimmer with handle having a proximal and distal end, a retractable device, and an apparartus used to secure the invention to the fisherman or other convenient location. This may be to the ice fisherman's clothing/gear such as but not limited to a belt loop, zipper, pocket, or built-in loop that is commonly found on ice fishing garments. After use and when simply released from the fisherman's hand, this ice scoop/skimmer automatically retracts back to its original position typically near or at the waist level of the fisherman. This invention keeps the scoop in a readily accessible and convenient location after each use and prevents the fisherman from repeatedly bending over to retrieve his/her scoop and also minimizes the chance of losing the scoop/skimmer.

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 tool for separating animal waste from litter. The tool includes a scoop portion having a bottom, sidewalls and handle. The gripping portion of the handle is composed of flexible material providing a comfortable grip that is easy to clean. Silicone and thermoplastic rubber are excellent choices for such material. The handle is made to telescope from the scoop portion for ease of use and storage. The bottom and sidewalls have cut out portions to facilitate the passage of litter but not a substantial amount of animal waste.

Abstract: A cat litter scoop has one or more adjustable screens that adjust the effective opening in a scoop portion of the cat litter scoop. In some embodiments, the cat litter scoop may include two screens, one lying atop the other, wherein at least one of the two screens is adjustable relative to the other. In some embodiments, both screens of the cat litter scoop may be adjustable. In this embodiment, one screen may be adjustable backward and forward and the other screen may be adjustable from side to side, allowing the holes of the screen to become smaller in order to capture the clumps of urine such that they would be removed from the litter material.

Abstract: A pet waste scoop, e.g., cat litter scoop, having a relatively large mouth opening includes body having an open end opposite a closed end and defining an interior therebetween for receiving pet waste for easy disposal thereof. A handle is integrally formed with the body and extends downwardly toward the closed end a predetermined distance such that the user may easily grasp the handle for manipulating the pet waste scoop while maintaining his or her hand a safe distance from the pet waste to be scooped. A plurality of elongate slot-shaped apertures that can be curvilinear are formed within a front surface opposite the handle for sifting the litter scooped with the pet waste scoop. The apertures are defined by a number of rounded elongate sifting bars that also can be of curvilinear construction and configured to prevent pet waste and/or litter build up within the apertures.

Abstract: A sifting scoop for removing pet waste from litter in a litter box having a handle carrying a sifting cup having a mouth wider than a downstream pet waste retaining pocket formed by the cup. The handle overlies the sifting cup providing a waste shield. The handle includes a grip attached by a bridge to the cup that provides a hand guard and scoop hanger with the grip serving as a leg when the scoop is stood uprightly on a pedestal formed by a cup endwall. The cup has a first sifting portion formed in a litter-engaging surface on the side opposite the handle with the sifting portion formed by a plurality of elongate slots that are wavy or S-shaped extending longitudinally in the direction of scooping. The cup has a second sifting portion having slots in the end wall inline with litter being scooped.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking up material is disclosed that has a scoop section with a bottom, a leading edge, two spaced apart side walls extending up from opposed sides of the bottom, and a back between the two side walls extending up from the bottom opposite the leading edge. The scoop has a cavity formed within the bottom, the side walls, and the back, and having an open front end and extending rearward therefrom. The scoop has a handle connected to and extending rearward and downward from the back of the scoop section. The handle and back are fixedly or adjustably attached to one another. The scoop cavity has an extended cavity section disposed under the handle that is a contiguous part of the cavity. The scoop is ergonomically designed for reducing stress related fatigue, strain or injury to the upper or lower extremities, or shoulder or neck.

Abstract: A scoop device having a scoop and a handle with an articulated connection that allows for a sift plate to be operated by manual manipulation of an actuator bar. The actuator bar is operatively connected to the sift plate by means of a reciprocating bar in an articulating manner. The sift plate is positioned to slide along the bottom of the scoop. The actuator bar, which is contained within and a part of the handle, may be spring biased. The scoop bottom and sift plate may include slotted openings. Manipulation of the actuator bar causes the reciprocating bar to rotate, in turn causing the sift plate to move back and forth, thereby sifting, straining or otherwise separating fresh particulate from scoop.

Abstract: A cat litter scoop has a handle part and a scoop part. The handle part includes a releasable locking mechanism and a button for releasing the locking mechanism. The scoop part is connected to the handle part via the releasable locking mechanism. When the scoop part is soiled, such as after scooping cat litter, a user presses the button to release the locking mechanism and jettison the scoop part and the user has no contact with the cat litter and no contact with the soiled scoop part. Preferably, the scoop part is biodegradable and may include paper pulp.

Abstract: A rake having a handle, and a rake head. The rake head includes a frame having a neck dimensioned to receive one end of the handle; a plurality of tines, the plurality of tines comprising: a movable inner tine section, the movable inner tine section having a first movable inner tine section, a second movable inner tine section and at least one fixed inner tine between the first movable inner tine section and the second inner tine section; and a fixed outer tine section on each side of the inner section; a support member extending across the plurality of tines, the support member comprising a plurality of supports positioned between the tines; and at screening material, which separates a wanted material from an unwanted material.

Abstract: A fecal matter scooper having a manipulable handle attached to an elongate handle extension from which a pair of opposable scoop jaws extend that define a fecal matter holding scoop bucket when disposed in a closed position and which define a pedestal or base upon which the scooper can be stored in an uprightly standing position when the jaws are disposed in an open pedestal position. When stored uprightly, the handle can be grasped to pick up and maneuver the scooper without the user having to bend over. A biasing arrangement is disposed in operable cooperation with at least one jaw for urging at least one of the jaws toward such an open pedestal position. In a method of operation, at least one of the jaws is perforate enabling sifting unspoiled litter back into a litter box when removing clumped fecal matter or urine from the litter box.

Abstract: The present invention is a foldable device for retrieving golf, tennis, or other balls. The invention comprises an elongated shaft having handles at one end and a pair of elongated arm members hinged to the shaft at an opposite end. When fully deployed, the arm members form a V-shaped collection member adapted to be moved along the surface of a putting green or tennis court to gather scattered balls within a first region of the collection member and then collect the gathered balls within a second region of the collection member for eventual lifting and transport.