GB2455379A

GB2455379A - Cord reel apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2455379A
Application number: GB0814063A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dong-Hun Yoo; Joo-Sung Moon
Original assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-05
Filing date: 2008-07-31
Publication date: 2009-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-31
Also published as: KR20090058923A; AU2008203381B2; AU2008203381A1; GB2455379B; GB0814063D0; US20090144927A1

Abstract

A cord reel apparatus 200 for a vacuum cleaner includes a cord reel 210, a regulation lever 240, and a release lever 220. The cord reel 210 is rotatably disposed in the vacuum cleaner and is resiliently biased to retract a power cord 205. The regulation lever 240 is mounted in the cleaner body 10 to pivot between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel 210, and a second position releasing the restriction. The release lever 220 is mounted in the cleaner body 10 to pivot the regulation lever 240 to the second position, and includes a button 224. The button 224 includes a first push portion 221 and a second push portion 223. The first push portion 221 can be pushed in a vertical direction when the cleaner body 10 is on its rear portion in a canister cleaning mode. The second push portion 223 can be pushed in a vertical direction when the cleaner body 10 is upright in an upright cleaning mode.

Description

Cord Reel Apparatus This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and in particular to a vacuum cleaner having a cord reel apparatus.

In general, a vacuum cleaner performs a cleaning operation by drawing in dust-carrying air from a surface to be cleaned, by separating dust from the air, and then by discharging clean air to the outside. Such a vacuum cleaner has an extension pipe pivotably connected to a nozzle unit and to a cleaner body via a handle and a flexible hose. Accordingly, the nozzle unit draws in dust-carrying air from the surface to be cleaned, the air then flowing into the cleaner body through the extension pipe, the handle, and the flexible hose. The dust is separated from the air by a dust collector disposed in the cleaner body, and then clean air is discharged to the outside.

Japanese Patent No. 2005-0095275 discloses a vacuum cleaner that is convertible between an upright vacuum cleaner and a canister vacuum cleaner. In order to use the vacuum cleaner as an upright vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body is mounted on the extension pipe in an upright position, and is located on an upper portion of the nozzle unit; and, in order to use the vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body is dismounted from the extension pipe and is laid on its rear portion on a surface to be cleaned.

A cord reel apparatus is provided in the vacuum cleaner to allow a power cord to be retracted or released. More specifically, the power cord is wound around a cord reel, and is retracted into the cleaner body by pushing the top of a button in a vertical direction with respect to the surface to be cleaned.

If such a cord reel apparatus is used with a vacuum cleaner that converts between upright and canister modes, there is no problem in pressing the button in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned in the canister cleaning mode.

However, when the cleaner body stands upright with respect to the surface to be cleaned in the upright mode, the user should push the top of the button in a direction parallel to that surface in order to retract the power supply cord. To this end, there is a problem in that the cleaner body is pushed backwards, and so the user is required to support the rear portion of the cleaner body with his/her other hand to prevent the cleaner body from being pushed backwards.

Exemplaiy embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome all the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may not overcome any of the problems described above.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a cord reel apparatus that has an operating button that can be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned regardless of the position of an associated vacuum cleaner, thereby improving a user's convenience.

The present invention provides a cord reel apparatus for use in the cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a cord reel that is rotatably disposable in the cleaner body and is resiliently biased in a direction for retracting a power cord; a regulation lever that is disposable in the cleaner body for pivotal movement between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel;, and a release lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body for pivoting the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being formed on an end of the button for protrusion out of the cleaner body, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion on that surface, and the second push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is upright.

The release lever may comprise a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body, and the regulation lever may comprise a second brake lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body and is pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.' The regulation lever may further comprise a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever, and a brake block for preventing the rotary roller from rotation if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.

The regulation lever may further comprise a resilient member that is disposed between the second brake lever and the cleaner body for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.

The button may be disposable in a button mounting recess formed in the cleaner body, the button mounting recess being larger than the button.

The first push portion may be arranged to be parallel to the surface to be cleaned so that it is pushable in a vertical direction with respect to that surface if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion parallel to that surface, and the second push portion may be arranged to be parallel to that surface so that it is pushable in a vertical direction with respect to that surface if the cleaner body is upright.

The cord reel apparatus may further comprise a roller member that is rotatable in contact with the power cord if the power cord is retracted or released through a cord hole formed in the cleaner body.

The invention also provides a vacuum cleaner comprising: a nozzle unit for travelling along a surface to be cleaned and drawing in dust-carrying air from said surface; a cleaner body that is connected to the nozzle unit, the cleaner body being provided with a dust collector and a power cord; a support unit for detachably supporting the cleaner body with respect to the nozzle unit so that the cleaner body can be mounted on the nozzle unit in an upright cleaning mode, and the cleaner body can be dismounted from the nozzle unit in a canister 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 resiliently biased in a direction for retracting the power cord; a regulation lever that is disposed in the cleaner body for pivotal movement between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and a release lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body for pivoting the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being formed on an end of the button protruding out of the cleaner body, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface in the canister mode, and the second push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface in the upright mode.

The release lever may comprise a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body, and the regulation lever may comprise a second brake lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body and is pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.

The regulation lever may further comprise a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever, and a brake block for preventing the rotary roller from rotation if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.

The regulation lever may further comprise a resilient member that is disposed between the second brake lever and the cleaner body for pressing the second brake lever to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.

The button may be disposed in a button mounting recess formed in the cleaner body, the button mounting recess being larger than the button.

The invention further provides a cord reel apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable cord reel that is resiliently biased in a direction tending to rotate a power cord in a retraction direction; a regulation lever pivotable between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; arid a release lever configured to pivot the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in canister mode, and the second push portion being configured to be pushable in the vertical direction when the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode.

As described above, it is possible to retract the power cord simply by pushing the button of the cord reel apparatus in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned with one hand regardless of whether the cleaner body stands up or is laid on its rear portion on said surface. Accordingly, the user can operate the cord reel apparatus conveniently, and accordingly can use the vacuum cleaner more conveniently.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in the upright mode, the vacuum cleaner being constructed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of the vacuum cleaner of Figure 1 in the canister mode; Figure 3A is a view of a cord reel apparatus forming part of the vacuum cleaner, and shows the cleaner in the canister mode on its rear portion on a surface to be cleaned; Figure 3B is a view of the cord reel apparatus of Figure 3A with its button pushable in a vertical direction with respect to the surface to be cleaned; Figure 4A is a view of the cord reel apparatus with the vacuum cleaner in its upright mode; Figure 4B is a view of the cord reel apparatus of Figure4A with the button pushable in a vertical direction with respect to the surface to be cleaned; and Figure 5 is a view of a cord hole area formed on the cleaner body.

In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements in the different figures. The matter defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be carried out without all this specifically- defined matter.

Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail, since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a vacuum cleaner 100 which is convertible between an upright vacuum cleaner and a canister vacuum cleaner, and includes a cleaner body 10, a nozzle unit assembly 20, a flexible hose 30, and a handle 40.

The cleaner body 10 houses a suction motor (not shown) for generating a suction force to draw in dust-carrying air from a surface to be cleaned, and a dust collector (not shown) to filter dust from the air drawn in from that surface.

The nozzle unit assembly 20 draws in the dust-carrying air while traveling along the surface to be cleaned, and includes a nozzle unit 21 and an extension pipe 26.

The nozzle unit 21 is pivotably connected to the extension pipe 26 and houses a drum brush (not shown) for brushing the surface to be cleaned, and also has a suction port (not shown) through which dust-carrying air drawn in from that surface.

The extension pipe 26 has one end connected to the nozzle unit 21, and the other end connected to the handle 40, so that the air drawn in through the nozzle unit flows into the cleaner body 10 via the handle and the flexible hose 30. The extension pipe 26 has a first mounting protrusion 28 (see Figure 2) and a second mounting protrusion 29 (see Figure 2) formed at one side thereof, which protrusions serve as a support unit for supporting the cleaner body 10 upright on the top of the nozzle unit 21 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used as an upright vacuum cleaner, as shown in Figure 1.

Accordingly, in order to use the vacuum cleaner 100 as an upright vacuum cleaner, the user mounts the cleaner body 10 to the extension pipe 26 by means of the first and the second mounting protrusions 28 and 29. In contrast, and in order to use the vacuum cleaner 100 as a canister vacuum cleaner, the user dismounts the cleaner body 10 from the first and the second mounting protrusions 28 and 29, and lays the cleaner body 10 on its rear portion 12 on a surface to be cleaned. The length of the extension pipe 26 may be adjusted by a length-adjusting unit 23 formed on the extension pipe.

The flexible hose 30 interconnects the handle 40 and the cleaner body 10 to allow the dust-carrying air drawn in from the nozzle unit 21 to flow into the cleaner body 10 via the extension pipe and the handle 40.

The vacuum cleaner 100 further includes a cord reel apparatus 200, which will now be described with reference to Figures 3A to 4B.

Figure 3A is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 when the vacuum cleaner is laid on its rear portion 12, so that the rear portion is parallel to the surface to be cleaned, and the vacuum cleaner is.ini the canister mode. Figure 3B is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 of Figure 3A with a button 220 pushable in a vertical direction with respect to the surface to be cleaned. Figure 4A is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 when the vacuum cleaner 100 stands upright in order to be used in the upright mode. Figure 4B is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 of Figure 4A with the button 220 pushable in a vertical direction with respect to the surface to be cleaned.

The cord reel apparatus 200.allows a power cord 205 to be released from, or retracted into, the cleaner body 10, and includes a cord reel 210, a release lever 220, and a regulation lever 240, as shown in Figures 3A to 4B.

The cord reel 210 is rotatably disposed in the cleaner body 10, so that the power cord 205 can be wound around the cord reel. The cord reel 210 is urged to rotate in a direction P to retract the power cord 205 by a rotational. force generated by a spring -7..

(not shown). That is, the cord reel 210 is resiliently biased with respect to the cleaner body 10 in the retract direction P of the power cord 205.

The release lever 220 is pushed to pivot from a first position, where the regulation lever 240 restricts rotation of the cord reel 210, to a second position, where the regulation lever releases the restriction. The release lever 220 includes a button 224 and a first brake lever 230.

The button 224 has a part received in a button mounting recess 15 formed in the cleaner body 10, the button mounting recess being larger than the button, so that there is a guaranteed space in which the button can move up and down, and so that the button can be pivoted at a slight angle.

The button 224 protrudes from the cleaner body 10, and includes a first push portion 221 that is formed on top of the button 224, and a second push portion 223 that is formed on a side surface of the first push portion. The first push portion 221 is used to push the button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used in the canister mode, as shown in Figure 3A. The second push portion 223 is to used to push the button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to. be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used in the upright mode, as shown in Figure 4A. The first push portion 221 is arranged parallel to the surface to be cleaned, so as to be pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned, when the vacuum cleaner 10 is laid on the rear portion 12 with the rear portion parallel with that surface. The second push portion 221 is arranged parallel to the surface to be cleaned, so as to be pushable in a vertical direction with respect to that surface when the vacuum cleaner 10 is in the upright mode. A plurality of protrusions 22la and 223a are formed on the first and second push portions 221 and 223 of the button 224 to increase the frictional force between the button and the user's hand, and so to allow the us'er easily to push the button.

The first brake lever 230 has one end connected to the button 224 so as to extend away from the button, and is pivotable about a first pivot shaft 232 with respect to the cleaner body 10. If the user pushes the button 224, using either the first or second push portion 221, 223, a free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 pivots about the first pivot shaft 232 in association with the movement of the button 224, The regulation lever 240 restricts or releases the cord reel 210 in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake member 230, and includes a second brake lever 241, a rotary roller 250, a brake block 260, and a resilient member 270.

The second brake lever 241 has one end connected to a second pivot shaft 242, so as to be pivotable about that shaft with respect to the cleaner body 10, and has its other end adjacent to the rotary roller 250. The second brake lever 241 is in contact with the free end 230a of the first brake lever 230, so that the second brake lever is pivoted in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever 230. An extension piece 244 protrudes from the second brake lever 241 over a predetermined distance, and a protrusion 246 extends upwardly from the extension piece.

The resilient member 270 is disposed between the protrusion 246 and the cleaner body 10, for resiliently biasing the second brake lever 241 so that an end thereof gets closer to the cord reel 210.

The rotary roller 250 is disposed on the other end of the second brake lever 241, and is partially in press-contact with an outer surface of the cord reel 210. The rotary roller 250 has a cylindrical shape, and is rotatable about a shaft 251 disposed on the second brake lever 241 The brake block 260 provides friction so as to prevent rotation of the rotary roller 250 if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with cord reel 210, and prevents the cord reel from being rotated. The brake block 260 is rib-shaped so as to protrude from one side of the second brake lever 241, and a lower surface of the brake block is remote from the outer circumference of the rotary roller 250 by a predetermined distance. The brake block 260 is integrally formed with the second brake lever 241, and may be formed by an injection moulding process.

The resilient member 270 is disposed between the second brake lever 241 and the cleaner body 10 to generate a resilient force to pivot the second brake lever in a direction in which the rotary roller 250 is brought into press-contact with the cord reel 210.

The cord reel apparatus 200 is designed so that the power cord 205 can be easily retracted or released, without being in direct contact with the cleaner body 10.

Referring to Figures 3A and 5, the cleaner body 10 has a cord hole 19 through which the power cord 205 is retracted, and another rotary roller 207 is provided in the cord hole. Accordingly, when the user holds a plug 205a provided at the free end of the power cord 205 and pulls the power cord out, or when the power cord is retracted by the cord reel apparatus 200, the power cord does not contact the cleaner body 10, instead contacting the rotary roller 207, so that rotation of the rotary roller enables the power cord to be easily retracted or released.

Operation of the cord reel apparatus 200 will now be described with reference to Figures 3Ato4B.

If the vacuum cleaner 100 is used as an upright vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body 10 is mounted to the extension pipe 26 so that it stands upright with respect to a surface to be cleaned, as shown in Figure 1. Accordingly, the first push portion 221 of the button 224 faces the front, while the. second push portion 223 faces upwards, as shown in Figure 4A.

In this state, the user holds the plug 205a and pulls the power cord 205 out, and then connects the plug to a power supply to perform an upright vacuum cleaning operation.

After cleaning, if the user pushes the second push portion 223 of the button 224 in order to retract the power cord 205 into the cleaner body 10, the second push portion is downwardly inclined with respect to the surface to be cleaned. This is because the button mounting recess 15 is larger than the button 224.

As the button 224 is pushed, the free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 is pivoted up about the first pivot shaft 232; and, in association with this pivotal movement of the first brake lever 230, the second brake lever 241 is pivoted about the second pivot shaft 242 in a direction tending to move the rotary roller 250 away from the cord reel 210. If the rotary roller 250 moves away from the cord reel 210, the cord reel is rotated by a spring (not shown) disposed in the cord reel, thereby winding the power cord 205 thereon, as shown in Figure 4B, and the power cord is completely retracted into the cleaner body 10.

On the other hand, if the vacuum cleaner is used as a canister vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body 10 is dismounted from the extension pipe 26, and is laid on the rear portion 12 parallel with a surface to be cleaned, as shown in Figure 2. Accordingly, the first push portion 221 faces up, and the second push portion 223 faces the side of the first push portion, as shown in Figure 3A.

In this state, the user holds the plug 205a and pulls the power cord 205 out, and then connects the power cord 205 to a power supply in order to perform a canister vacuum cleaning operation. After cleaning, if the user pushes the first push portion 221 of the button 224, in a vertical direction with respect to the surface to be cleaned, in order to retract the power cord 205 into the cleaner body 10, the first push portion is downwardly inclined. This is because the button mounting recess 15 is larger than the button 220.

As the button 224 is pushed, the free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 is pivoted up about the first pivot shaft 232; and, in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever, the second brake lever 241 is pivoted about the second pivot shaft 242 in a direction tending to move the rotary roller 250 away from the cord reel 210.

If the rotary roller 250 moves away from the cord reel 210, the cord reel is rotated by a spring (not shown) disposed in the cord reel, so that the power cord 205 is wound around the cord reel, as shown in Figure 3B, and thus is completely retracted into the cleaner body 10.

In a conventional method of operating a cord reel apparatus in an upright vacuum cleaning mode, the user is required to support the cleaner body with one hand, while pushing the button of the cord reel apparatus with the other hand. However, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user can retract the power cord 205 simply by pushing the button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a -Il-surface to be cleaned with one hand in either the upright mode or the canister mode, i.e., regardless of whether or not the cleaner body 10 is vertical or is laid on its rear portion 12 on that surface.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present invention can be readily applied to other types of apparatus. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiment is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. -12- Cord Reel Apparatus This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and in particular to a vacuum cleaner having a cord reel apparatus.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present invention can be readily applied to other types of apparatus. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiment is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. -12-

Claims

Claims I. A cord reel apparatus for use in the cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a cord reel that is rotatably disposable in the cleaner body and is resiliently biased in a direction for retracting a power cord; a regulation lever that is disposable in the cleaner body for pivotal movement between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and a release lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body for pivoting the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being formed on an end of the button for protrusion out of the cleaner body, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion on that surface, and the second push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is upright.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the release lever comprises a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body, and wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body and is pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.
3. 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 for preventing the rotary roller from rotation if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the regulation lever further comprises a resilient member for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.
5. 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. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, wherein the first push portion is arranged to be parallel to the surface to be cleaned so that it is pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion parallel to said surface, and wherein the second push portion is arranged to be parallel to said surface so that it is pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is upright.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, further comprising a roller that is rotatable 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 nozzle unit for travelling along a surface to be cleaned and drawing in dust-carrying air from said surface; a cleaner body that is connected to the nozzle unit, the cleaner body being provided with a dust collector and a power cord; a support unit for detachably supporting the cleaner body with respect to the nozzle unit so that the cleaner body can be mounted on the nozzle unit in an upright cleaning mode, and the cleaner body can be dismounted from the nozzle unit in a canister 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 resiliently biased in a direction for retracting the power cord; a regulation lever that is disposed in the cleaner body for pivotal movement between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and -14 -a release lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body for pivoting the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being formed on an end of the button protruding out of the cleaner body, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface in the canister mode, and the second push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface in the upright mode.
9. A 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, and wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body and is pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.
10. A 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 for preventing the rotary roller from rotating if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.
11. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the regulation lever further comprises a resilient member that is disposed between the second brake lever and the cleaner body for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.
12. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11, wherein the button is disposed in a button mounting recess formed in the cleaner body, the button mounting recess being larger than the button.
13. A cord reel apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable cord reel that is resiliently biased in a direction tending to rotate a power cord in a retraction direction; a regulation lever pivotable between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing 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 first and second push portions, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in canister mode, and the second push portion being configured to be pushable in the vertical direction when the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode.
14. 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 pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the regulation lever further comprises: 20, a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever; and a brake block for preventing the rotary roller from rotation if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the regulation lever further comprises a resilient member for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising a roller member that is rotatable in contact with the power cord if the power cord is retracted or released.
18. A cord reel apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings.
19. A vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings. -17-

19. A vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings. -17-

Claims I. A cord reel apparatus for use in the cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a cord reel that is rotatably disposable in the cleaner body and is resiliently biased in a direction for retracting a power cord; a regulation lever that is disposable in the cleaner body for pivotal movement between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and a release lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body for pivoting the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being formed on an end of the button for protrusion out of the cleaner body, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion on that surface, and the second push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is upright.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the release lever comprises a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body, and wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivotably disposable in the cleaner body and is pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.

3. 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 for preventing the rotary roller from rotation if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the regulation lever further comprises a resilient member for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.

5. 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. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, wherein the first push portion is arranged to be parallel to the surface to be cleaned so that it is pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is laid on its rear portion parallel to said surface, and wherein the second push portion is arranged to be parallel to said surface so that it is pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface if the cleaner body is upright.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, further comprising a roller that is rotatable 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 nozzle unit for travelling along a surface to be cleaned and drawing in dust-carrying air from said surface; a cleaner body that is connected to the nozzle unit, the cleaner body being provided with a dust collector and a power cord; a support unit for detachably supporting the cleaner body with respect to the nozzle unit so that the cleaner body can be mounted on the nozzle unit in an upright cleaning mode, and the cleaner body can be dismounted from the nozzle unit in a canister 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 resiliently biased in a direction for retracting the power cord; a regulation lever that is disposed in the cleaner body for pivotal movement between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing the restriction of the rotational movement of the cord reel; and -14 -a release lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body for pivoting the regulation lever to the second position, the release lever comprising a button having first and second push portions, the first push portion being formed on an end of the button protruding out of the cleaner body, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface in the canister mode, and the second push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to said surface in the upright mode.

9. A 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, and wherein the regulation lever comprises a second brake lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body and is pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.

10. A 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 for preventing the rotary roller from rotating if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.

11. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 10, wherein the regulation lever further comprises a resilient member that is disposed between the second brake lever and the cleaner body for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.

12. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 11, wherein the button is disposed in a button mounting recess formed in the cleaner body, the button mounting recess being larger than the button.

13. A cord reel apparatus for use in a vacuum cleaner, the apparatus comprising: a rotatable cord reel that is resiliently biased in a direction tending to rotate a power cord in a retraction direction; a regulation lever pivotable between a first position restricting rotational movement of the cord reel, and a second position for releasing 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 first and second push portions, the first push portion being pushable in a vertical direction with respect to a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum cleaner is in canister mode, and the second push portion being configured to be pushable in the vertical direction when the vacuum cleaner is in upright mode.

14. 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 pivotable in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the regulation lever further comprises: 20, a rotary roller that is disposed at one end of the second brake lever; and a brake block for preventing the rotary roller from rotation if the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the regulation lever further comprises a resilient member for pressing the second brake lever so as to pivot in a direction tending to bring the rotary roller into press-contact with the cord reel.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising a roller member that is rotatable in contact with the power cord if the power cord is retracted or released.

18. A cord reel apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings.