Similar to your Kenmore upright is the canister. Here is a video clip by another with similar issue of trying to open the darn thing up. I hope this gets you closer to solving your problem with the vacuum. If not with a few Kenmore vacuum "search" in youtube I think you will find what you need.
PEACE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0aaoPzCAcM Kenmore 116 26212690 vacuum cleaner disassembly to motor
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