Cord retainer

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a cord retainer that has a friction fit connection with an accessory receiver. The cord retainer is arranged to be selectively and detachably coupled to the accessory receiver. The vacuum cleaner may include a plurality of accessory receivers at different locations, and the cord retainer may be arranged to be selectively and detachably coupled to any one of two or more of the accessory receivers.

1 . A vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a tank defining an interior space;   a vacuum pump arranged to draw a vacuum in the interior space;   an accessory receiver arranged to selectively and detachably receive a vacuum accessory; and   a cord retainer for receiving a cord, wherein the cord retainer is arranged to be selectively and detachably coupled to the accessory receiver by a friction fit.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of accessory receivers, wherein the cord retainer is arranged to be selectively and detachably coupled to each one of the plurality of accessory receivers separately. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory receiver comprises a first socket, and the cord retainer comprises a coupling portion received by the first socket, wherein the coupling portion has a friction fit with the first socket. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory receiver comprises a boss, and the coupling portion comprises a second socket that receives the boss, wherein the coupling portion has a friction fit with the boss. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the second socket comprises a peripheral wall defining in interior surface, an exterior surface, and a rim defining an opening into the socket portion. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein the rim is crenellated. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the tank comprises an opening into the interior space, and further comprising a lid covering the opening, wherein the accessory receiver is carried by the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 7 , the lid comprising a lid cage and a cover, wherein the lid cage releasably attaches to the tank and carries the vacuum pump, the cover covers the vacuum pump, and the accessory receiver is defined by the cover. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of the accessory receivers. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 7 , further comprising an accessory holder coupled to the lid, wherein the accessory receiver is defined by the accessory holder. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 10 , wherein the accessory holder comprises a plurality of the accessory receivers. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the cord retainer comprises retainer portion coupled with the coupling portion, wherein the retainer portion is arranged to receive a cord. 
     
     
         13 . A cord retainer to be coupled to any one of a plurality of accessory receiver of a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a coupling portion that couples to the accessory receiver with a friction fit; and   a retainer portion extending from the coupling portion.   
     
     
         14 . The cord retainer of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling portion comprises a socket that receives a boss of the accessory receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The cord retainer of  claim 13 , wherein the socket comprises peripheral wall with a rim, the rim being crenellated. 
     
     
         16 . The cord retainer of  claim 13 , wherein the retainer portion is in the form of a hook comprising:
 an arcuate back wall having a concave side that intersects with the coupling portion; and   a peripheral skirt that depends downwardly from an outer peripheral edge of the back wall on the concave side.   
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 selecting an accessory receiver from a plurality of accessory receivers on the vacuum cleaner, wherein each of the plurality of accessory receivers is adapted to releasably receive a cord retainer; and   coupling the cord retainer to the selected accessory receiver with friction fit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the selected accessory receiver comprises a first socket, the cord retainer comprises a coupling portion, and the step of coupling comprises inserting the coupling portion into the first socket. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the selected accessory receiver comprises a boss, the cord retainer comprises a coupling portion forming a second socket, and the step of coupling comprises receiving the boss within the second socket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cord retainer comprises a coupling portion having a crenellated rim, the crenellated rim resiliently engaging at least one of a socket or a boss of the accessory receiver.