AU2008203381B2

AU2008203381B2 - Cord-reel apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the same

Info

Publication number: AU2008203381B2
Application number: AU2008203381A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joo-Sung Moon; Dong-Hun Yoo
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-05
Filing date: 2008-07-29
Publication date: 2013-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-29
Also published as: GB0814063D0; GB2455379B; US20090144927A1; GB2455379A; AU2008203381A1; KR20090058923A

Abstract

CORD-REEL APPARATUS AND VACUUM CLEANER HAVING THE SAME A cord reel apparatus (200) for a vacuum cleaner (100) is provided. The cord reel apparatus (200) includes a cord reel (210), a regulation lever (240), and a release 5 lever (220). The cord reel (210) is rotatably disposed in the vacuum cleaner (100) and is elastically biased to retract a power cord (205). The regulation lever (240) is in the cleaner body (10) to pivot between a first position to restrict a rotational movement of the cord reel (210) and a second position to release the restriction. The release lever (220) is in the cleaner body (10) to pivot the regulation lever (240) to the second position and to includes a button (224). The button (224) includes a first push portion (221) and a second push portion (224). The first push portion (221) can be pushed in a vertical direction when the cleaner body (10) on its rear portion (12). The second push portion (224) can be pushed in a vertical direction when the cleaner body (10) stands upright.

Description

S&F Ref: 886455 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd., of 271, Oseon of Applicant: dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju-city, Republic of Korea (South) Actual Inventor(s): Dong-hun Yoo, Joo-sung Moon Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Cord-reel apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the same The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(1 339334_1) CORD-REEL APPARATUS AND VACUUM CLEANER HAVING THE SAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention: [00021 Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present disclosure relate to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner having a cord reel apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art: 100031 In general, a vacuum cleaner performs a cleaning operation with respect to a cleaning surface by drawing in dirt-entrained air from the cleaning surface, separating dirt from the air, and then discharging cleaned air to the outside. Such a vacuum cleaner has an extension pipe pivotably connected to a suction port assembly and also connected to a cleaner body via a handle member and a flexible hose in sequence. Accordingly, the suction port assembly draws in dirt-entrained air in contact with the cleaning surface, and the air drawn in through the suction port assembly flows into the cleaner body through the extension pipe, the handle member, and the flexible hose. The dirt is separate from the air by a dust collector disposed in the cleaner body and then cleaned air is discharged to the outside. 100041 As one of such conventional vacuum cleaners, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2005-0095275 discloses a vacuum cleaner that is convertible between an upright type vacuum cleaner and a canister type vacuum cleaner. In order to use the vacuum cleaner as an upright type vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body is mounted on the extension pipe in an upright position and is located on an upper portion of the suction port assembly, and, in order to use the vacuum cleaner as a canister type vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body is dismounted from the extension pipe and is laid on its rear portion on a cleaning surface. - 1 - [0005] 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 along a cord reel and is retracted into the cleaner body by pushing a top of a button in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface. [00061 If such a cord reel apparatus is applied to the vacuum cleaner that converts between an upright and a canister type vacuum cleaners, there is no problem in pressing the button in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface in the canister type cleaning mode. However, as the cleaner body stands upright with respect to a cleaning surface in the upright type mode, the user should push the top of the button in a parallel direction with respect to the cleaning surface in order to retract the power supply cord. To this end, there is a problem in that the cleaner body is pushed backward and thus the user is required to support a rear portion of the cleaner body with his/her other hand to prevent the cleaner body from being pushed backward. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [00071 Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present disclosure is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may not overcome any of the problems described above. [00081 An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a cord reel apparatus that has an operating button that can be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface regardless of a position of a vacuum cleaner, thereby improving a user's convenience, and a vacuum cleaner having the same. [00091 The present invention provides a cord reel apparatus, comprising a cord reel that is rotatably disposed in a cleaner body of a vacuum cleaner and is elastically biased in a direction for retract rotation of a 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, and a release lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body to pivot the regulation lever to the second position and includes a button, the button including 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 if the -2cleaner 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. [0010] The release lever may include a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body, and the regulation lever may include a second brake lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body arid is pivoted in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever. [0011] The regulation lever may further include 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. [0012] The regulation lever may further include 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. [0013] The button may be disposed in a button mounting recess formed on the cleaner body and the button mounting recess may be larger than the button. [0014] The first push portion may be 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, and the second push portion may be 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. [0015] The cord reel apparatus may further include 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. [0016] The present invention also provides 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 includes 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 -3 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, and a release lever that is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body to pivot the regulation lever to the second position and includes a button, the button including 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. [00171 The release lever may include a first brake lever that extends from the button and is pivotably disposed in the cleaner body, and the regulation lever may include 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. [0018] The regulation lever may further include 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. [0019] The regulation lever may further include 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 that the rotary roller is brought into press-contact with the cord reel. [00201 The button may be disposed in a button mounting recess formed on the cleaner body and the button mounting recess may be larger than the button. [0021] 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 cleaning surface with user's one hand regardless of whether the cleaner body stands up or is laid on its rear portion on the cleaning surface. Accordingly, the user feels convenient when operating the cord reel apparatus and accordingly can use the vacuum cleaner more conveniently. -4- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00221 Above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings of which: 100231 FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a vacuum cleaner when it is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [00241 FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the vacuum cleaner when it is used as a canister type vacuum cleaner according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [00251 FIGS. 3A is a view illustrating a cord reel apparatus of the vacuum cleaner that is laid on its rear portion on a cleaning surface in order to be used as a canister type vacuum cleaner; [00261 FIGS. 3B is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus of FIG. 3A with a button pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface; [00271 FIG. 4A is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus of the vacuum cleaner that stands upright in order to be used as an upright type vacuum cleaner; 100281 FIG. 4B is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus of FIG. 4A with the button pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface; and [00291 FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a cord hole area formed on the cleaner body according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [00301 Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 100311 In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matter defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure. Thus, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be carried out without this specifically defined matter. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the disclosure with unnecessary detail. -5 - 100321 Hereinafter, a vacuum cleaner 100 having a cord reel apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, FIG. I is a view illustrating the vacuum cleaner 100 when it is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the vacuum cleaner 100 when it is used as a canister type vacuum cleaner. 100331 Referring to FIGS. I and 2, the vacuum cleaner 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is convertible between an upright type vacuum cleaner and a canister type vacuum cleaner and includes a cleaner body 10, a brush assembly 20, a flexible hose 30, and a handle member 40. [00341 The cleaner body 10 includes therein a suction motor (not shown) to generate a suction force to draw in dirt-entrained air from a cleaning surface and a dust collector (not shown) to filter dirt from the air drawn in from the cleaning surface. 100351 The brush assembly 20 draws in the dirt-entrained air while traveling along the cleaning surface and includes a suction port assembly 21 and an extension pipe 26. [00361 The suction port assembly 21 is pivotably connected to the extension pipe 26 and has a drum brush (not shown) disposed therein to brush the cleaning surface and also has a suction port (not shown) through that the dirt is drawn in from the cleaning surface. [00371 The extension pipe 26 has one end connected to the suction port assembly 21 and the other end connected to the handle member 40 such that the air drawn in through the suction port assembly 21 flows into the cleaner body 10 via the handle member 40 and the flexible hose 30. The extension pipe 26 has a first mounting protrusion 28 (see FIG. 2) and a second mounting protrusion 29 (see FIG. 2) formed at one side thereof, which serve as a support unit to support the cleaner body 10 standing upright on the top of the suction port assembly 21 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, in order to use the vacuum cleaner 100 as an upright type 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 type 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 cleaning surface. Also, the length of the extension pipe 26 may be adjusted by a length adjusting unit 23 formed on the extension pipe 26 if necessary. -6- [00381 The flexible hose 30 is interconnected between the handle member 40 and the cleaner body 10 to allow the dirt-entrained air drawn in from the suction port assembly 21 through the extension pipe and the handle member 40 to flow into the cleaner body 10. [00391 The vacuum cleaner 100 further includes the cord reel apparatus 200, which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4B. 100401 For reference, FIG. 3A is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is laid on the rear portion 12 so that the rear portion is parallel to a cleaning surface to be used as a canister type vacuum cleaner, and FIG. 3B is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 of FIG. 3A with a button 220 pushed in a vertical direction with respect to the cleaning surface. FIG. 4A is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 when the vacuum cleaner 100 stands upright in order to be used as an upright type vacuum cleaner, and FIG. 4B is a view illustrating the cord reel apparatus 200 of FIG. 4A with the button 220 pushed in a vertical direction with respect to the cleaning surface. [00411 The cord reel apparatus 200 allows a power cord 205 to be released from or retracted in the cleaner body 10, and includes a cord reel 210, a release lever 220, and a regulation lever 240 as shown in FIG. 3A to 4B. [00421 The cord reel 210 is rotatably disposed in the cleaner body 10. The power cord 205 is wound along the cord reel 210, and 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 (not shown). That is, the cord reel 210 is elastically biased with respect to the cleaner body 10 in the retract direction P of the power cord 205. [00431 The release lever 220 is pushed to pivot from a first position where the regulation lever 240 restricts the rotation of the cord reel 210 to a second position where the regulation lever 240 releases the restriction. The release lever 220 includes a button 224 and a first brake lever 230. [00441 The button 224 has a part received in a button mounting recess 15 formed on the cleaner body 10, and the button mounting recess 14 is formed to be larger than the button 224 such that it guarantees a space where the button 220 can move up and down and also can be pivoted at an inclination angle. [00451 The button 224 protrudes from the cleaner body 10 and includes a first push portion 221 that is formed on the top of the button 224 and a second push portion 223 that is formed on a side surface of the first push portion 221.. The first push portion 221 is used to push the -7button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used as a canister type vacuum cleaner, as shown in FIG. 3A. Conversely, the second push portion 223 is to used to push the button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner 100 is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner, as shown in FIG. 4A. The first push portion 221 is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner 10 is laid on the rear portion 12 so that the rear portion is parallel with the cleaning surface. The second push portion 221 is arranged parallel to the cleaning surface to be pushed in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface when the vacuum cleaner 10 stands upright with respect to the cleaning surface. A plurality of protrusions 221 a and 223a are formed on the first and the second push portions 221 and 223 of the button 224 to increase a friction force between the button 224 and the user's hand and thus to allow the user to easily push the button 224. 100461 The first brake lever 230 has one side connected to an end of the button 224 as if it extends from the button 224, and is pivotable about a first hinge shaft 232 with respect to the cleaner body 10. If the user pushes the button 224 using either first or second push portions 221, 223, a free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 pivots about the first hinge shaft 232 in association with the movement of the button 224. [00471 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 an elastic member 270. 100481 The second brake lever 241 has one end connected to a second hinge shaft 242 to pivot around the second hinge shaft 242 with respect to the cleaner body 10 and has the other end where the rotary roller 250 is disposed. The second brake lever 241 is disposed in contact with the free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 such that the second brake lever 241 is pivoted in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever 230. Also, an extension piece 244 protrudes from the second brake lever 241 to a predetermined distance and a protrusion 246 extends upwardly from the extension piece 244. [00491 The elastic member 270 is disposed between the protrusion 246 and the cleaner body 10 to elastically bias the second brake lever 241 in a direction in which an end of the second brake lever 241 get closer to the cord reel 210. -8 - [00501 The rotary roller 250 is disposed on the other end of the second brake lever 241 and partially in press-contact with an outer surface of the cord reel 210. The rotary roller 250 has a cylindrical shape rotatable about a rotary shaft 251 disposed in the the second brake lever 241 The brake block 260 gives a friction so as not to rotate the rotary roller 250 if the rotary roller 250 is brought into press-contact with cord reel 210, and prevents the cord reel 210 from being rotated. The brake block 260 is shaped in a rib that protrudes from one side of the second brake lever 241, and a lower surface of the brake block 260 should be away from an 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 molding process. 100511 The elastic member 270 is disposed between the second brake lever 241 and the cleaner body 10 to generate an elastic force to pivot the second brake lever 241 in a direction in which the rotary roller 250 is brought into press-contact with the cord reel 210. 100521 According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cord reel apparatus 200 is designed such that the power cord 205 can be easily retracted or released without being in direct contact with the cleaner body 10. Referring to FIGS. 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 19. Accordingly, when the user holds a plug 205a and pulls out the power cord 205 or when the power cord 205 is retracted by the cord reel apparatus 200, the power cord 205 does not contact the cleaner body 10 and instead contacts the rotary roller 207 such that the rotation of the rotary roller 207 enables the power cord 205 to be easily retracted or released. [0053] Hereinafter, operation of the cord reel apparatus 200 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4B. 100541 If the vacuum cleaner 100 is used as an upright type vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body 10 is mounted to the extension pipe 26 such that it stands upright with respect to a cleaning surface as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the first push portion 221 of the button 224 turns to face the front, while the second push portion 223 turns to face up, as shown in FIG. 4A. 100551 In this state, the user holds the plug 205a and pulls out the power cord 205 and then connects the plug 205a to a power supply to perform an upright type vacuum cleaning operation. After the cleaning, if the user pushes the second push portion 223 of the button -9- 224 in order to retract the power cord 205 in the cleaner body 10, the second push portion 223 is downwardly inclined with respect to the cleaning surface. This is because the button mounting recess 15 is larger than the button 224. [00561 As the button 220 is pushed, the free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 is pivoted up about the first hinge 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 hinge shaft 242 in a direction in which the rotary roller 250 moves away from the cord reel 210. If the rotary roller 250 moves away from the cord reel 210, the cord reel 210 is rotated by a spring (not shown) disposed in the cord reel 210, thereby winding the power cord 205 thereon as shown in FIG. 4B and the power cord 205 is completely retracted in the cleaner body 10. 100571 On the other hand, if the vacuum cleaner is used as a canister type vacuum cleaner, the cleaner body 10 is dismounted from the extension pipe 26 and is laid on the rear portion 12 parallel with a cleaning surface as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the first push portion 221 turns to face up and the second push portion 223 turns to face the side of the first push portion 221, as shown in FIG. 3A. 100581 In this state, the user holds the plug 205a and pulls out the power cord 205, and then connects the power cord 205 to a power supply in order to perform a canister type vacuum cleaning operation. After the cleaning, if the user pushes the first push portion 221 of the button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface in order to retract the power cord 205 in the cleaner body 10, the first push portion 221 is downwardly inclined. This is because the button mounting recess 15 is larger than the button 220. 100591 As the button 224 is pushed, the free end 230a of the first brake lever 230 is pivoted up about the first hinge shaft 232, and, in association with the pivotal movement of the first brake lever 230, the second brake lever 241 is pivoted about the second hinge shaft 242 in a direction in which the rotary roller 250 moves away from the cord reel 210. If the rotary roller 250 moves away from the cord reel 210, the cord reel 210 is rotated by a spring (not shown) disposed in the cord reel 210 such that the power cord 205 is wound around the cord reel 210 as shown in FIG. 3B and thus is completely retracted in the cleaner body 10. [00601 In a conventional method of operating the cord reel apparatus in an upright type vacuum cleaning mode, the user is required to support the cleaner body with his/her one hand while pushing the button of the cord reel apparatus with the other hand. However, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can retract the power cord - 10- 205 simply by pushing the button 224 in a vertical direction with respect to a cleaning surface with his/her one hand in any mode of an upright type vacuum cleaning mode or a canister type vacuum cleaning mode, i.e., regardless of whether the cleaner body stands up or is laid on its rear portion 12 on the cleaning surface. [00611 The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure 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. - 11 -

Claims

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 5 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 10 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. 15

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 20 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 25 brought into press-contact with the cord reel. - 12-

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 5 disposablein 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 10 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 15 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. - 13 -

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 5 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 1o 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 is 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 20 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 25 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. - 14-

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 s 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. 10

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 15 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 20 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. 25

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 -

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 5 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 io roller member that is rotated in contact with the power cord if the power cord is retracted or released.

18. A vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A cord reel apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with is reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 18 July, 2008 Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON - 16-