Longitudinal activation of integral cover for lint removal tool

Abstract

Lint removal tool including a handle, an inner assembly rotatably attached to the handle, and an outer cover translationally attached to the handle. The handle has a free end and a connecting end. The inner assembly rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the outer cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lint removal tool comprising:
 a handle having a free end and a connecting end;   an inner assembly rotatably attached to the handle;   an outer cover translationally attached to the handle,   wherein the inner assembly rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the outer cover.   
     
     
         2 . The lint removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein in the retracted position, at least a portion of the free end of the handle is positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The lint removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein in the retracted position, at least a portion of the free end of the handle is positioned within the inner assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The lint removal tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a roll of lint removal tape positioned on the inner assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The lint removal tool of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the lint removal tape is exposed when the handle is in the extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The lint removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the inner assembly comprises:
 an inner cover;   an inner core; and   a sleeve.   
     
     
         7 . The lint removal tool of  claim 6 , wherein the sleeve is positioned within the inner core. 
     
     
         8 . The lint removal tool of  claim 6 , wherein the inner core is positioned within the inner cover. 
     
     
         9 . The lint removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting end of the handle includes a plurality of posts that engage with a plurality of helical ridges within the inner assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A lint removal tool comprising:
 a handle;   an inner core;   a sleeve; and   a housing having an inner cover and an outer cover,   wherein the outer cover is fixed relative to the handle,   wherein the inner cover rotates around an axis of the handle when the handle is longitudinally activated between an extended position and a retracted position.   
     
     
         11 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein in the retracted position, a majority of the handle is positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein in the extended position, the housing is in an open position. 
     
     
         13 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein in the retracted position, the housing is in a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , further comprising a roll of lint removal tape positioned on the inner core, wherein the roll of lint removal tape is configured to be housed within the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The lint removal tool of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the lint removal tape is exposed when the handle is in the extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The lint removal tool of  claim 14 , wherein the lint removal tape is completely housed within the housing when the handle is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         17 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein the outer cover has a diameter larger than a diameter of the inner cover such that the inner cover can nest within the outer cover. 
     
     
         18 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is positioned within the inner core. 
     
     
         19 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein the inner core is positioned within the inner cover. 
     
     
         20 . The lint removal tool of  claim 10 , wherein the handle includes a plurality of posts that engage with a plurality of helical ridges within the inner core.