Thread Number: 20683
Anybody ever hear of a retractable cord for a Kirby? |
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Post# 231520   5/6/2013 at 19:12 (3,978 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)   |   | |
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This looks, and works like a coiled telephone cord. It was held inside the hollow handle with the machine end exactly like that of a standard Kirby. The user simply stretched out the desired length, letting it fully retract when through.
The idea was that of Charles H. MacFarland. He was one of the top designers and made a number of parts for Kirby in the 40's and 5o's, in fact he was the man who designed the Belt Lifter, brush for the crevice tool, deodorizor on the Sani-Em-Tor, Handi-Butler, hose coupling, Roller waxer and Rug Renovator. While I doubt if it was ever used, the patent was filed on April 26, 1947, and granted on August 19, 1952. This is but a few patents I now have on file. |
Post# 231536 , Reply# 2   5/6/2013 at 20:12 (3,978 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 231537 , Reply# 3   5/6/2013 at 20:17 (3,978 days old) by Paul (USA)   |   | |
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The feature must have been too cost prohibitive to implement.
Very interesting!
Paul |
Post# 231670 , Reply# 5   5/7/2013 at 15:28 (3,977 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)   |   | |
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A friend who was a child in the mid to late 1950s told me that her mother bought a Kirby in about that time frame that came with a slot in the handle to put quarters in, to pay for the Kirby! (after a small down payment)
Once full, you emtied out the quarters and took the money to your local Kirby Dist. She said that is how her mother paid for, and bought her Kirby, as they could not afford to pay otherwise, or all at once. I asked her what color the bag and handle were, she said the bag was gray, and the handle and trim were red. So, evidently a 516, 517, 560 maybe? Not sure, but she swears this is how they bought it. |