# US 11,298,730 B2 · Drain cleaner cord retention system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,730 B2 - Document ID: US11298730B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/212,940 - Filed: 2018-12-07 - Published: 2019-06-20 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-14 - Assignees: Ridge Tool Company - Applicants: Ridge Tool Company - Inventors: Scott Kruepke; Robert Skrjanc; Glen R. Chartier; Ben Azzam; Billy Yrad - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298730B2 ## CPC - B08B 9/045: the cleaning devices being rotated while moved {, e.g. flexible rotating shaft or "snake"}(B08B9/047 takes precedence) - B65H 75/4476: {with stored material wound around two spaced supports} - H01R 13/6392: {for extension cord} - B08B 2209/027: for cleaning the internal surfaces - E03C 1/30: 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)} - H02G 7/05: Suspension arrangements or devices for electric cables or lines - H02G 15/007: Devices for relieving mechanical stress - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1 wherein the machine is a drain cleaning machine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1 wherein the selectively movable member is in the form of a lever pivotally secured to the machine. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1 wherein the cord hold includes a distally located hook portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1 wherein the cord hold is integral with the member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1 wherein the cord hold is located on a lead face of the member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2 further comprising: a second cord hold. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10 wherein the second cord hold is located along an exterior surface of the enclosure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) 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. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 wherein the cord hold includes a distally located hook portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 wherein the cord hold is located on a lead face of the lever. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The drain cleaning machine of claim 14 further comprising: a second cord hold. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The drain cleaning machine of claim 19 wherein the second cord hold is located along an exterior surface of the drain cleaning machine. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) 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. ### Claim 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.