Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum cleaner housing and a pivotable handle with a grip portion. The handle is pivotably secured to the vacuum cleaner housing in such a manner that the turning axis of the handle is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is in a working position on a horizontal surface. The handle is maintained in a generally vertical position when the vacuum cleaner is in the working position. When an operator lifts the vacuum cleaner housing from the working position using the handle, the vacuum cleaner housing pivots to a substantially vertical position, with the position of the grip portion relative to the operator's hand remaining substantially unchanged during the lifting.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, selectively transmits packets of message data between a sending and a receiving station. When a packet of message data is received at a receiving station, the receiving station acknowledges reception thereat of the packet with an acknowledgment response signal, transmitted back to the sending station. If the sending station fails to detect an acknowledgment response signal, a packet of activity-request data is sent to the receiving station. If the receiving station fails to acknowledge reception of the packet of activity-request data, a determination is made that the receiving station would be unlikely to be able to receive an additional packet of message data. A channel to be used to transmit the packet of message data can instead be reallocated for other purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the activation status of a receiving station of a communication system. A sending station determines the activation status of the receiving station to be active, possibly inactive, or inactive. When the receiving station is only temporarily unable to receive signals transmitted thereto by the sending station, the sending station is less likely to determine the receiving station to be inactive as the receiving station is first determined to be possibly inactive.