Abstract: A vegetation hanger includes a linear plate and an aperture. The linear plate includes a first edge, a second edge, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The first edge includes at least one ridge disposed along the first edge. The aperture is disposed centrally along the linear plate and configured to slidably engage with a bar.

Abstract: An adjustable guided rake apparatus and method, which enable an adjustable guided rake user to configure an adjustable rake guide to a specified height in relation to a secondary surface, which will then define the height of the grading edge of the grading rake head in relation to a primary surface. The adjustable guided rake user is able to move the grading rake head along a primary surface, in order to shift material along the surface, while the adjustable rake guide runs along the secondary surface, guiding the grading rake head.

Abstract: A pole attachment mechanism for removably attaching swimming pool maintenance accessories to an end of a pole. The pole attachment mechanism includes a thumb-press which, when pressed, the pegs projecting from the shaft of the pole attachment are retracted thereby permitting the pole to be received over the retracted pegs or to be released from pegs.

Abstract: A landscaping tool comprising a rigid shaft having a proximal and distal end and presenting a central axis, a rake head having a rake base, and a plurality of tines extending outwardly from the rake base. The rake head is oriented from about 90° to 120° relative to said central axis. A brace comprises two arms, each of the arms joined to the head at opposing sides and extending from the head and converging at the shaft. The device optionally further comprises additional heads.

Abstract: An ergonomically-configured handle for tools such as cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a handle for a broom or mop (for example) is formed with curved end terminations to reduce back strain and provide ease of use. A first curved end termination is attached to a tool head (such as a brush, rake head or the like) via an elbow joint. A straight section of handle is then attached to the first curved end termination, where a second curved end termination is then attached to the opposite end of the straight section. A handle grip may be disposed over the termination of the second curved end termination.

Abstract: A glove rake having a palm section, a knuckle section, and finger elements extending from the knuckle section. Each finger element is independently secured to a rake element having a lower section into which the finger element is positioned and an elongated rake section rigidly secured and extending from the lower section. Each finger element is permanently attached to its respective rake element by a sleeve member which encompasses and covers both the finger section and the entire lower section of the rake element. The sleeve member and rake element are secured to finger elements above the knuckle section of the glove rake in order to allow the wearer to independently and separately move and rotate each finger element. The finger elements can be moved either one at a time, in tandem, or together to accomplish a variety of gardening, landscaping, and yard work tasks.

Abstract: A handle attachment mountable to an elongated shaft of a tool such as a shovel or rake is disclosed. The handle includes a contiguous, elliptical shaped elongated body including a first hook having fastening means configured to removably connect the handle attachment to the elongated shaft, a first elongated section mountable at an acute angle to the shaft, a second elongated section contiguously connected to the first elongated section and configured to mount substantially parallel with the shaft, a third elongated section contiguously connected to the second elongated section, and a second hook contiguously connected to the third elongated section and having a second fastening means configured to removably connect the handle attachment to the elongated shaft. The first and second fastening means are configured to enable lateral and rotational movement about the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A rake is described that is particularly adapted for removing vegetation and other debris from ponds and other bodies of water. The rake includes a debris collector, an elongated handle having a distal end attached to the debris collector, and a proximal end, and a flotation mechanism that has a raised position and a lowered position, whereby the debris collector is held above the water when the flotation mechanism is in the lowered position and is lowered into the water when the flotation mechanism is moved to its raised position. A preferred flotation mechanism includes a rotatable shaft with opposed ends; parallel connector arms having proximal ends attached to the ends of said rotatable shaft and extending to one side of said shaft, and distal ends; floats attached to the distal ends of said connector arms; and an actuator to rotate said rotatable shaft to raise and lower said floats.

Abstract: Handles allow hand tools, implements or other utensils to operate within their arc of natural use, motion and attack without requiring extension, flexion, radial deviation, or ulnar deviation of the wrist from the neutral plane of the forearm. The preferred embodiments further include a grip shaped to increase the effectiveness of the tool and minimize antagonism between muscles and tendons of the wrist, forearm and upper arm, while maximizing the effectiveness of the gripping force delivered to it by the user. Maintaining the wrist and forearm in a neutral position increases a tool user's potential strength by increasing the synergy between large muscles of the forearm and upper arm and shoulders. It also decreases compression of the tendons and nerves in the carpal tunnel and between the wrist and forearm.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to supporting a user's arm in order for the user to utilize a maintenance tool with one hand. The support wraps around the user's arm keeping the apparatus stable while in use and allowing the user to derive more power from the user's arm. A handle for the user to grasp ensures the maintenance tool does not slip up and down or rotate about the user's arm. The apparatus enables the user to simply “sweep” their arm to perform various tasks, based upon a chosen maintenance tool. The arm support extends down from the handle portion, with a maintenance tool at the end. The apparatus is extendable such that it is comfortable for different users based on their weight, weight or other factors.

Abstract: The invention is a versatile plastic-molded pool cover dredging tool having first portion of a solid uniplanar support panel connected to a second semi-cylindrical portion. The semi-cylindrical portion include a set of fingers extending from a solid horizontal portion formed perpendicular to the uniplanar support panel. The set of fingers extends downward in a first cylindrical arc, the set of fingers being connected at a second horizontal portion, then the set of fingers extending upward in the first cylindrical arc. The tool also includes two end structures located at each end, extending downward from the support panel in a second cylindrical arc. The tool may be attached to any type of pool pole and be used in other home and gardening purposes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elongate wooden handles for floor mops and the like comprises (a) splitting a green bamboo cane lengthwise and then spreading it into the shape of a sheet, (b) planing both surfaces of the sheet to give it a substantially uniform thickness, (c) cutting the bamboo sheet into an elongate section of selected width, (d) drying that bamboo section, (e) providing an assembly comprising a pair of dowels, at least one elongate core member, said bamboo sections and an adhesive, with the bamboo section wrapped around the dowels and the core member and the adhesive disposed between the bamboo section and the dowels and core member, (f) heating that assembly under pressure so the adhesive will bond the dowels and core member to the surrounding bamboo section and thereby form an elongate pole, and (g) turning the elongate pole to a selected outer diameter.

Abstract: A rake head comprising at least one substantially rigid helical coil portion and at least one resiliently deformable helical coil portion. The substantially rigid helical coil portion is supported. The deformable helical coil portion is able to flex by bending, and is compressible under the influence of external forces.

Abstract: A smoothing/sifting rake, fork, pitchfork, or similar forked hand tool or attachment or tool head for mechanized machinery has specially welded tines. The tines each have a lower section located on the backbone of the tool head and a working section extending outwardly from the backbone. Each tine also has two longitudinally extending lateral surfaces, two vertical surfaces and a transversely extending back edge surface therebetween. In one embodiment, welds extend the full longitudinal length of one of the lateral surfaces, the full length of a vertical surface, the transverse length of the back edge surface and down the second vertical surface to the junction between the bottom of the vertical surface and the second lateral surface. Welds can also extend partially along the longitudinal length of the second lateral surface for a distance not to exceed three quarters of its length. For heavy duty applications, welds are optionally applied to the back edge surface.

Abstract: A fixed tine leaf rake having a plurality of tines connected to a brace, by a plurality of crimps with each crimp being about two millimeters or less in diameter. A curved tine support bar that has a plurality of openings fastened to the plurality of tines such that each tine fits through one of the openings. The support bar distributes the pressure exerted on each of the tines. A handle sleeve is connected to the brace by a plurality of rivets, with each of the rivets being about three millimeters or less in diameter. A handle inserted into the handle sleeve allows the user to comfortably use the fixed tine leaf rake.

Abstract: A novel rake minimally consists of: at least two tine frames, each tine frame having a plurality of tines coupled thereto; a tine frame coupling for coupling to proximal ends of each of the tine frames; pivot mechanisms coupled between the tine frames and the tine frame coupling; a rake handle coupled at a proximal end to the tine frame coupling, and adapted for being grasped at a distal end for raking activity; and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the tine frames into an operational raking configuration, and adapted to unlock the tine frames for transition to a non-raking stowage configuration. When the tine frames are unlocked, the tine frames are adapted to have their distal ends pivoted toward the distal end of the rake handle into the stowage configuration with the distal ends of the tine frames being at least in close proximity of the rake handle.

Abstract: A grading rake having a handle and a rake head, and having stiff but bendable, flexible polymer tines in the rake head, with the tines angled back toward the handle, and with the end of the tines truncated and parallel to the plane of the handle and rake head.

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: The object of the invention is a rake, which can be said to be a combination of the rigid garden rake and the flexible leaf rake. This result can be achieved by giving the garden rake a flexible frame (A), which, down to its prong part (B;D), can be divided in two or more parts (G;H;I).

Abstract: A rake having a plurality of rake assemblies, each having a loop portion on the rear end thereof and a tooth portion on the front thereof. The loop portion has a predetermined thickness corresponding to openings in a rake head. A projection on the rear side of each one of the openings in the rake head is provided so that the loop portion of the rake tooth assembly can pass through an opening and over the projection. This arrangement, in conjunction with the portion of each rake tooth assembly abutting the front side of the rake head, holds the rake tooth assembly in place. A method of attaching a rake tooth assembly to the rake head and also a method of detaching a rake tooth assembly from a rake head for replacement purposes.

Abstract: A flexible member is provided for use with a hand tool having a working implement and a handle. The flexible member includes an elongated member having a first end configured for attachment to the working implement and a second end configured for attachment to the handle. The elongated member defines a plurality of notches. The elongated member is made of a resiliently deformable material. The notches alternately face opposite directions along the length of the elongated member. The first end of the elongated member is configured for threaded or mechanical attachment to the working implement. The second end of the elongated member is configured for threaded or mechanical attachment to the handle.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement to the common leaf and lawn rake in that, with a simple adjustment, the rake can be converted from a pull type rake to a push type rake. The pull rake is required in some circumstances where pushing is not practical. However, being able to adjust the pull rake to a push rake, and any angle in between, gathering leafs or debris of the like will require much less energy and less dexterity. The combination of being able to pull or push the rake so that the tines interact with the ground the same in either mode, enables the user to fully and efficiently clean an area by being able to access all areas and expanding the least amount of energy during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A rock rake includes a succession of elongated strips. The strips may be arranged as nested bands. Each successive band has a perimeter which is larger than the previous band. The bands have an inner surface for pushing objects along the ground. A base member is attached to the nested bands. The base member includes a pole or handle or supports a pole or handle for guiding the rake. A picking member may also be attached to the base member to dislodge embedded rocks from the ground during use of the rake.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn implement for breaking up caked litter on the floor of a poultry house includes a stationary blade which passes beneath the surface of the litter and a rotary rake whose tines are flattened and are inclined at an oblique angle to radial planes of the rake. The tines break up caked litter as they turn; their inclination causes sweeps the litter particles toward one end of the blade, away from the wall of the house.

Abstract: A flexible member is provided for use with a hand tool having a working implement and a handle. The flexible member includes an elongated member having a first end configured for attachment to the working implement and a second end configured for attachment to the handle. The elongated member defines a plurality of notches. The elongated member is made of a resiliently deformable material. The notches alternately face opposite directions along the length of the elongated member. The first end of the elongated member is configured for threaded or mechanical attachment to the working implement. The second end of the elongated member is configured for threaded or mechanical attachment to the handle.

Abstract: The ergonomic rake includes an elongated handle having a first end and a second end. The handle further includes a flexible portion defined by a plurality of bends formed adjacent the second end for allowing the handle to flex when downward pressure is applied by a user of the rake. The ergonomic rake further includes a rake head having a web portion and a plurality of rake tines extending from the web portion. The rake head is connected to the second end of the handle. The rake head is preferably secured to the second end of the handle such that the rake head and handle remain connected when the rake is in use. The flexible portion of the handle may form between about 10% and 30% of the overall length of the handle.

Abstract: Drying of wet ground surfaces provided with stalks includes removing droplets from stalks with comb-shaped projections, and guiding the removed droplets along the projections toward lower edges of the projections and from there onto the ground surface.

Abstract: A hand held garden rake configured to enhance downward force for digging and raking. The rake has a rod frame which extends from tines located at the front end of the rake to a brace located at the rear of the rake. The frame is bent to extend back towards the front end of the rake, at which point the frame terminates in an upwardly extending handle. The brace rests on the forearm, so that additional force is developed when the tines of the rake are urged downwardly into the ground. The vertical orientation of the handle is more natural and comfortable than would be a horizontal orientation. The handle is provided with a molded grip for cooperating with a user's hand. The brace has a resilient cushion for comfort when pressing downwardly on the tines.

Abstract: A coupling device for connecting a handle part and a tool part includes a plug and a socket. The plug has a main portion, an end portion, and a notched portion between the main portion and the end portion. The socket has a proximal base end, a body portion, and a locking member. The body portion extends from the base end and has an axial, plug receiving bore that opens through a distal end of the body portion. The locking member is positioned between the base end and the plug receiving bore. The locking member includes a leaf spring cantilevered axially on one side of the body portion of the socket. The leaf spring supports a latch bar that engages the notched portion of the plug when the plug is inserted through the open end of the plug receiving bore. The latch bar is spaced from the leaf spring so that the end portion of the plug passes between the latch bar and the leaf spring when the plug is inserted through the open end of the plug receiving bore.

Abstract: A harvester push tool has a concave body portion with broad and flat fingers extending therefrom to facilitate the harvesting of grounded nuts or other items. Grounded nuts or fruit are those that have either naturally fallen to the ground or are on the ground as a result of mechanically shaking the tree during the harvesting process.

Abstract: A device for removing aquatic vegetation including a substantially planar member defining a plurality of elongated constricted slots communicating with a marginal edge of the planar member to form a plurality of closely spaced elements for receiving and grasping aquatic vegetation. An elongated handle is connected to the planar member for dragging the planar member in proximity to aquatic vegetation for removal thereof.

Abstract: A garden tool including a head having a front edge with an upturned edge formed thereon and a rear edge with a point thereon. Also included is a handle mounted on the head for utilizing the same to till soil.