Multi-stepped appliance accessory holder

• US 7,237,300 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Holsten, Stuart V, Tomasiak, Mark J, Martin, Michael F
• Primary Examiner(s): Till; Terrence R.
• Application Number:
  US10/249,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20040124199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 153/23, 153/53
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-stepped accessory holder for an appliance having accessories that have dissimilar inner diameter connections, such as accessories with a male and/or a female ends. The female end of an accessory has a first inner diameter, and the male end of an accessory has a second inner diameter. The accessory holder includes a base having a first perimeter, and an upper portion mounted atop the base that has a second perimeter. The second perimeter of the upper portion is smaller than the first perimeter of the base. When the female end of an accessory is placed upon the accessory holder, the female end engages the first perimeter of the base. If it is desired that an accessory'"'"'s male end be placed upon the holder, the male end engages the second perimeter of the accessory holder'"'"'s upper portion.

Claims

1. A holder for holding accessories of an appliance, the accessories having a first inner diameter connection and/or a second inner diameter connection, the first inner diameter connection being larger than the second inner diameter connection, the holder comprising:

at least two post members, the post members each having a lower step and an upper step mounted atop the lower step;

a first perimeter formed by the lower step; and

a second perimeter formed by the upper step, the first perimeter being larger than the second perimeter, the post members being positioned apart within the holder wherein when an accessory'"'"'s first inner diameter connection is placed upon the holder,

the first inner diameter connection engages the lower step of each post member, and when an accessory'"'"'s second inner diameter connection is placed upon the holder, the second inner diameter connection engages the upper step of each post member.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the post members are positioned apart within the holder so that removal or insertion of the accessory is complemented in relation to the holder'"'"'s location relative to the appliance, the accessories, or a component of the appliance.

3. A method for holding accessories of an appliance, the accessories having a first inner diameter connection and/or a second inner diameter connection, the first inner diameter connection being larger than the second inner diameter connection, the method comprising:

placing the first inner diameter connection on a first member, the first member having a first perimeter that is engaged by the first inner diameter connection; and

placing the second inner diameter connection on a second member,

the second member having a second perimeter that is engaged by the second inner diameter connection, wherein the first perimeter is larger than the second perimeter.