Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A household implement comprising: a tool member including an operative element and an extension attached to said operative element; a first casing member; a second casing member; first coupling means for connecting said extension to said first casing member to enable relative rotation between said tool member and said first casing member about a first axis; second coupling means for connecting said first casing member to said second casing member to enable relative rotation therebetween about a second axis, said first casing member and said second casing member cooperating to at least substantially enclose said tool member in a storage configuration of the household implement; and gripping means on at least one of said first casing member and said second casing member for enabling a user to manipulate said tool member so as to place said operative element in contact with a surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A household implement comprising: a tool member including an operative element and an extension attached to said operative element; a first casing member; a second casing member; first coupling means for connecting said extension to said first casing member to enable relative rotation between said tool member and said first casing member about a first axis; second coupling means for connecting said first casing member to said second casing member to enable relative rotation therebetween about a second axis, said first casing member and said second casing member cooperating to at least substantially enclose said tool member in a storage configuration of the household implement; and gripping means on at least one of said first casing member and said second casing member for enabling a user to manipulate said tool member so as to place said operative element in contact with a surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The implement according to claim 1, further comprising support means for maintaining said tool member in a predetermined orientation with respect to said first casing member and said second casing member in an operative configuration of the implement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implement according to claim 2 wherein said support means includes a planar flange piece rigidly attached to said extension proximately to said first axis and opposite said operative element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implement according to claim 1 wherein said second axis is parallel to said first axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implement according to claim 1 wherein said second axis is substantially orthogonal to said first axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implement according to claim 5 wherein first axis and said second axis lie in a common plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implement according to claim 5 wherein said second axis is located in a plane spaced from said first axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implement according to claim 1 wherein said gripping means includes an aperture formed in said one of said first casing member and said second casing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implement according to claim 1 wherein said first casing member and said second casing member are substantially identical to one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implement according to claim 9 wherein first axis and said second axis are parallel to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The implement according to claim 1 wherein first casing member comprises a housing and said second casing member comprises a door attached via said second coupling means to said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implement according to claim 1 wherein said tool member comprises a plunger and said extension comprises an elongate rod component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
105 words
A tool assembly comprising: a tool member including: (i) an operative element; (ii) an elongate extension attached to said operative element; and (iii) a flange connected to said extension at an end thereof opposite said operative element; a housing large enough to contain said tool member; closure means operatively connectable to said housing for enclosing said tool member therein; locking means for locking said flange to said housing so that said operative element is spaced from said housing; and gripping means on said housing for enabling a user to manipulate said tool member so as to place said operative element in contact with a surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A tool assembly comprising: a tool member including: (i) an operative element; (ii) an elongate extension attached to said operative element; and (iii) a flange connected to said extension at an end thereof opposite said operative element; a housing large enough to contain said tool member; closure means operatively connectable to said housing for enclosing said tool member therein; locking means for locking said flange to said housing so that said operative element is spaced from said housing; and gripping means on said housing for enabling a user to manipulate said tool member so as to place said operative element in contact with a surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The implement according to claim 13 wherein said locking means includes a recess in said housing for receiving said flange.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implement according to claim 13 wherein said closure means includes a door pivotably attached to said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implement according to claim 13 wherein said locking means includes a plate and an aperture in a wall of said housing traversable by said plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implement according to claim 13 wherein said locking means includes a surface of said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implement according to claim 13 wherein said tool member is pivotably attached to said housing at an end of said tool member opposite said operative element.