A resilient rod that provides adjustable directional resistance is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod and a position of an applied force with respect to a fulcrum point. In another aspect of the invention, at least one spine may be attached to the beam to increase a diameter of the beam along one axis. A resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod, a position of an applied force and an orientation of the at least one spine with regard to the direction of the applied force. In other aspects of the invention, the resilient rods may be incorporated into various equipment that provide for adjustable resistance levels. In still other aspects of the invention, the resilient rod may be incorporated into medical devices that provide adjustable support for injured limbs or joints.

A sand trap rake includes an elongate rake head having a first, front end and a second, back end. The rake head defines a raking direction aligned with a direction extending from the first end to the second end. A plurality of tines are spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the rake head, transverse to the raking direction. The rake further includes a first elongate smoothing member disposed forwardly from the first end of the rake head, and a second elongate smoothing member disposed rearwardly from the second end. Longitudinal extents of the first and second smoothing members are generally aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rake head. The rake may be used to repair a sand surface by pushing or pulling the rake head along the surface so that sand is directed through the tines and over at least one of the first or second smoothing members.

A sand trap rake includes an elongate rake head having a first, front end and a second, back end. The rake head defines a raking direction aligned with a direction extending from the first end to the second end. A plurality of tines are spaced apart along a longitudinal direction of the rake head, transverse to the raking direction. The rake further includes a first elongate smoothing member disposed forwardly from the first end of the rake head, and a second elongate smoothing member disposed rearwardly from the second end. Longitudinal extents of the first and second smoothing members are generally aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rake head. The rake may be used to repair a sand surface by pushing or pulling the rake head along the surface so that sand is directed through the tines and over at least one of the first or second smoothing members.

Hand tools having a hand guard for protecting a user's working hand are provided. In one embodiment, the hand tool may be a paint roller that includes a roller assembly having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and a hand guard attached to the roller assembly. The roller assembly may include a handle portion extending from the proximal end of the roller assembly, and a support portion extending from the distal end of the roller assembly to the handle portion. The support portion may include a support arm assembly attached to the handle portion and a cover support positioned at the distal end of the roller assembly and rotatably attached to the support arm assembly. The hand guard may be positioned over a top surface of the handle portion and may include a plurality of walls defining an interior space configured to receive a user's hand therein.

Hand tools having a hand guard for protecting a user's working hand are provided. In one embodiment, the hand tool may be a paint roller that includes a roller assembly having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and a hand guard attached to the roller assembly. The roller assembly may include a handle portion extending from the proximal end of the roller assembly, and a support portion extending from the distal end of the roller assembly to the handle portion. The support portion may include a support arm assembly attached to the handle portion and a cover support positioned at the distal end of the roller assembly and rotatably attached to the support arm assembly. The hand guard may be positioned over a top surface of the handle portion and may include a plurality of walls defining an interior space configured to receive a user's hand therein.

Hand tools having a hand guard for protecting a user's working hand. In one embodiment, the hand tool may be a hand rake that includes a rake body having a proximal end and an opposite distal end and including a handle portion and a rake portion. The handle portion may extend from the proximal end of the rake body and include a finger opening configured to receive a user's fingers therethrough. The rake portion may extend from the distal end of the rake body to the handle portion and include a plurality of tines. A hand guard may be attached to the rake body and positioned over a top surface of the handle portion and may include a plurality of walls defining an interior space configured to receive the user's hand therein. In other embodiments, the hand tool may be a grabber or a paint roller.

Hand tools having a hand guard for protecting a user's working hand. In one embodiment, the hand tool may be a hand rake that includes a rake body having a proximal end and an opposite distal end and including a handle portion and a rake portion. The handle portion may extend from the proximal end of the rake body and include a finger opening configured to receive a user's fingers therethrough. The rake portion may extend from the distal end of the rake body to the handle portion and include a plurality of tines. A hand guard may be attached to the rake body and positioned over a top surface of the handle portion and may include a plurality of walls defining an interior space configured to receive the user's hand therein. In other embodiments, the hand tool may be a grabber or a paint roller.

A combination yard tool assembly for raking, receiving and moving leaves includes a blade that has a scalloped edge. The scalloped edge is used to rake leaves and receive the leaves on the blade. The blade comprises a front side, a back side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The front side is concavely arcuate from the bottom edge to the top edge. The bottom edge comprises a serrated edge that includes a plurality of alternating concave indentations and points. The indentations extend inwardly from the front edge a distance greater than 1.5 inches. A plurality of ridges is attached to the front side and extends outwardly therefrom. A handle is attached to the blade and extends upwardly therefrom.

A combination yard tool assembly for raking, receiving and moving leaves includes a blade that has a scalloped edge. The scalloped edge is used to rake leaves and receive the leaves on the blade. The blade comprises a front side, a back side, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The front side is concavely arcuate from the bottom edge to the top edge. The bottom edge comprises a serrated edge that includes a plurality of alternating concave indentations and points. The indentations extend inwardly from the front edge a distance greater than 1.5 inches. A plurality of ridges is attached to the front side and extends outwardly therefrom. A handle is attached to the blade and extends upwardly therefrom.

The invention comprises a rake that functions in the same position both when pulled and pushed and its stiff tines (39) are flexibly (9) pivoted or fastened with a spring (9) onto the rake head (16) that consists of an axle (16) made of a tubular section that is open is one side and the tines (39) have double ends (17).