Cord-reel apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the same

Abstract

A cord reel apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The cord reel apparatus includes a cord reel, a regulation lever, and a release level. The cord reel is rotatably disposed in the vacuum cleaner and is elastically biased to retract a power cord. The regulation lever is in the cleaner body to pivot between a first position to restrict a rotational movement of the cord reel and a second position to release the restriction. The release lever is in the cleaner body to pivot the regulation lever to the second position and includes a button. The button includes a first push portion and a second push portion. The first push portion can be pushed in a vertical direction when the cleaner body on its rear portion. The second push portion can be pushed in a vertical direction when the cleaner body stands upright.

1 . A cord reel apparatus for use in a cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a cord reel that is rotatably disposable in the cleaner body and is elastically biased in a direction for retract rotation of a power cord;   a regulation lever that is disposable in the cleaner body to be pivotable between a first position to restrict a rotational movement of the cord reel and a second position to release the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and   a release lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body to pivot the regulation lever to the second position and comprises a button, the button comprising a first push portion that is formed on an end for protrusion out of the cleaner body and is able to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion on the cleaning surface, and a second push portion that is able to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface if the cleaner body stands upright.   
   
   
       2 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the release lever comprises a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body,
 wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body and is pivoted in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.   
   
   
       3 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the regulation lever further comprises:
 a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever; and   a brake block that prevents the rotary roller from being rotated if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.   
   
   
       4 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the regulation lever further comprises an elastic member that presses the second brake lever to pivot in a direction in which the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel. 
   
   
       5 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the button is disposable in a button mounting recess formed on the cleaner body, the button mounting recess being larger than the button. 
   
   
       6 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first push portion is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface such that that it is pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion parallel with the cleaning surface,
 wherein the second push portion is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface such that it is pushed in a vertical direction with respect to cleaning surface if the cleaner body stands upright.   
   
   
       7 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a roller member that is rotated in contact with the power cord if the power cord is retracted or released through a cord hole formed in the cleaner body. 
   
   
       8 . A vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a brush assembly that travels along a cleaning surface and draws in dirt-entrained air from the cleaning surface;   a cleaner body that is connected to the brush assembly and comprises a dust collector and a power cord;   a support unit that detachably supports the cleaner body with respect to the brush assembly such that the cleaner body is mounted to the brush assembly in an upright type cleaning mode and the cleaner body is dismounted from the brush assembly in a canister type cleaning mode; and   a cord reel apparatus that is disposed in the cleaner body,   wherein the cord reel apparatus comprises:   a cord reel that is rotatably disposed in the cleaner body and is elastically biased in a direction for retract rotation of the power cord;   a regulation lever that is disposed in the cleaner body to be pivotable between a first position to restrict a rotational movement of the cord reel and a second position to release the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and   a release lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body to pivot the regulation lever to the second position and comprises a button, the button comprising a first push portion that is formed on an end protruding out of the cleaner body and is able to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface in the canister type cleaning mode and a second push portion that is able to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface in the upright type cleaning mode.   
   
   
       9 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the release lever comprises a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body,
 wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body and is pivoted in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.   
   
   
       10 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the regulation lever further comprises:
 a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever; and   a brake block that prevents the rotary roller from being rotated if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.   
   
   
       11 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the regulation lever further comprises an elastic member that is disposed between the second brake lever and the cleaner body to press the second brake lever to pivot in a direction in which the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel. 
   
   
       12 . The vacuum cleaner as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the button is disposed in a button mounting recess formed on the cleaner body and the button mounting recess is larger than the button. 
   
   
       13 . A cord reel apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a rotatable cord reel that is elastically biased in a direction for rotation of a power cord in a retraction direction;   a regulation lever pivotable between a first position to restrict a rotational movement of the cord reel and a second position to release the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and   a release lever configured to pivot the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having a first push portion and a second push portion, the first push portion being configured to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner is in a canister mode and the second push portion being configured to be pushed in the vertical direction when the vacuum cleaner is in an upright mode.   
   
   
       14 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the release lever comprises a first brake lever that extends from the button and wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivoted in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever. 
   
   
       15 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the regulation lever further comprises:
 a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever; and   a brake block that prevents the rotary roller from being rotated if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.   
   
   
       16 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the regulation lever further comprises an elastic member that presses the second brake lever to pivot in a direction in which the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel. 
   
   
       17 . The cord reel apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a roller member that is rotated in contact with the power cord if the power cord is retracted or released.