Drain cleaner cord retention system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11298730-B2
Application number	US-201816212940-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2018
Priority date	Dec 14, 2017
Publication date	Apr 12, 2022
Grant date	Apr 12, 2022

Abstract

Electrical power supply cord retention systems are described. Also described are drain cleaning machines using such cord retention systems. In addition, methods of selectively retaining power cords in association with drain cleaning machines are described.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electrically powered machine comprising:
an enclosure and a frame;
an electric motor supported on the frame;
an electrical power supply cord for providing electric power to the electric motor, wherein the cord defines a distal end at which is located an electrical plug;
a selectively moveable member for actuating the machine, wherein the selectively movable member is positionable between a first position and a second position, wherein machine use is enabled at the second position, and wherein the selectively movable member includes a cord hold adapted to retain the electrical power supply cord when the selectively movable member is at the first position and release the cord when the member is at the second position.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine is a drain cleaning machine.

3. The machine of claim 1 wherein the selectively movable member is in the form of a lever pivotally secured to the machine.

4. The machine of claim 1 wherein the cord hold includes a distally located hook portion.

5. The machine of claim 1 wherein the cord hold is integral with the member.

6. The machine of claim 1 wherein the cord hold is located on a lead face of the member.

7. The machine of claim 1 wherein the member defines a proximal end at which the member is pivotally secured to the machine, and an opposite distal end, wherein the cord hold is located adjacent to the proximal end.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein the cord hold is located within a length region of about 20% of the distance between an axis of pivotal securement defined by the member to the machine.

9. The machine of claim 7 wherein the cord hold is located within a length region of about 10% of the distance between an axis of pivotal securement defined by the member to the machine.

10. The machine of claim 2 further comprising: a second cord hold.

11. The machine of claim 10 wherein the second cord hold is located along an exterior surface of the enclosure.

12. The machine of claim 1 further comprising: a latch assembly including a latch pin positionable between (i) an engaged position in which the selectively movable member is secured at the first position, and (ii) a disengaged position in which the member is movable away from the first position.

13. The machine of claim 12 wherein upon the latch pin being at the disengaged position, the selectively movable member can be moved to the second position.

14. A drain cleaning machine comprising: a frame assembly; an electric motor supported on the frame; an electrical power supply cord for providing electric power to the electric motor, the cord defining a distal end at which is located an electrical plug; a lever pivotally secured to the drain cleaning machine, the lever positionable between a first position and a second position at which machine use is enabled, the lever including a cord hold configured to retain the cord when the lever is at the first position and release the cord when the member is at the second position.

15. The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 wherein the cord hold includes a distally located hook portion.

16. The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 wherein the cord hold is located on a lead face of the lever.

17. The drain cleaning machine of 14 wherein the cord hold is located within a length region 20% from the axis of pivotal securement of the lever to the machine.

18. The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 wherein the cord hold is located within a length region 10% from the axis of pivotal securement of the lever to the machine.

19. The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 further comprising: a second cord hold.

20. The drain cleaning machine of claim 19 wherein the second cord hold is located along an exterior surface of the drain cleaning machine.

21. The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 further comprising: a latch assembly including a latch pin positionable between (i) an engaged position in which the lever is secured at the first position and (ii) a disengaged position in which the lever is positionable from the first position.

22. The drain cleaning machine of claim 21 wherein upon the latch pin being at the disengaged position, the lever can be positioned to the second position.

23. A method for retaining and releasing an electrical power supply cord used in a drain cleaning machine, the machine including (i) an enclosure and frame defining an exterior surface and an interior region; (ii) an electric motor supported on the frame, (iii) an electrical power supply cord for providing electric power to the electric motor, the cord defining a distal end at which is located an electrical plug, and (iv) a selectively moveable member for actuating the drain cleaning machine, the member positionable between a first position and a second position in which machine use is enabled, the member including a cord hold adapted to retain the cord when the member is in the first position and release the cord when the member is in the second position, the method comprising: positioning the member in the first position; wrapping the cord between the cord hold and at least one other location on the drain cleaning machine to form a wound cord; positioning the member from the first position to the second position, thereby imparting slack into the wound cord and enabling release of the cord from the cord hold.

Assignees

• Ridge Tool Co

Inventors

• Kruepke Scott
• Skrjanc Robert
• Chartier Glen R
• Azzam Ben
• Yrad Billy

Classifications

• B08B9/045 Primary

  the cleaning devices being rotated while moved {, e.g. flexible rotating shaft or "snake"}(B08B9/047 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02G7/05

  Suspension arrangements or devices for electric cables or lines · CPC title

• B65H75/4476

  with stored material wound around two spaced supports · CPC title

• H02G15/007

  Devices for relieving mechanical stress · CPC title

• E03C1/30

  Devices to facilitate removing of obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks {(for use in sewer pipes or both in waste and sewer pipes E03F9/00)} · CPC title