Power tool cord retainer

A power tool with a power cord retaining device for retaining a power cord to a power cord receptacle of the tool, the power tool comprising:

• a power tool housing comprising an electrical power jack and having a first surface;
• a retaining member disposed partially within the power tool housing and having one end pivotally supported within said power tool housing, said one end having a second surface, said retaining member being adapted to hold a plug of a power cord to said power jack when said retaining member is in a retracted position and to allow said plug to be removed from said power jack when said retaining member is moved into an open position;
• a release button attached to said retaining member;
• a biasing member for biasing the second surface of the retaining member into contact with the first surface within the power tool housing, said retaining member being moveable rotationally in a first direction to said retracted position when said first and second surfaces are in contact but not movable in a second direction toward said open position when said surfaces are in contact;
• said release button being accessible by a user and manually engageable to urge said first and second surfaces apart from one another, to thereby enable said retaining member to be moved freely into said open position to allow said plug to be removed from said power jack.

A method for securing a power cord plug to an AC power jack of a power tool comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing of the power tool comprising a power cord retaining member having a release button, said retaining member being adapted to engage said power cord plug and to hold said plug engaged to said AC power jack;
• using a biasing member to bias a portion of said retaining member into engagement with a portion of the housing of the power tool, wherein said retaining member is moveable in a first direction into a plug engaging position but not in a second direction opposite to said direction toward a release position away from said AC power jack;
• engaging the release button to urge said portion of said retaining member out of engagement with said portion of said housing, thereby enabling said retaining member to be urged into said release position;
• while holding the release button engaged, rotationally moving the retaining member in said second direction to said release position to permit said power cord plug to be inserted into said AC power jack;
• connecting said power cord plug to said AC power jack;
• releasing said release button;
• and
• urging said retaining member in said first direction into said plug engaging position to thereby hold said power cord plug engaged in said AC power jack, said retaining member being prevented from moving in said second direction unless said release button is engaged.