Patent ID: 7302887

Claim:
A kitchen hand tool comprising in combination: a pivoting handle; a stationary handle; a basket and a crush paddle, both of the basket and the crush paddle are pivotally attached to said stationary handle by a spring loaded shaft means; a spring loaded driving latch pawl secured to the pivoting handle by a spring loaded shaft means for engaging a drive gear; the spring loaded driving latch pawl secured to the pivoting handle for engaging said drive gear providing a means for controlling the movement of the crush paddle; said crush paddle further consisting of a ratcheting tooth portion; a drive spring and shaft as means for securing the stationary handle to the pivoting handle creating a spring loaded pivoting handle, when attached to the stationary handle; a locking pawl secured by a spring-loaded shaft as means for securing the locking pawl to said stationary handle and engaging said drive gear; said pivoting handle secured to said stationary handle by a securing shaft; said drive gear secured to said stationary handle by said securing shaft allowing said pivoting handle together with said drive gear to move freely; and said drive gear engages the ratcheting tooth portion of said crush paddle providing the means for controlling movement of said crush paddle.