Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a housing, a source of vacuum, and an air chamber located in the housing and connected to the source of vacuum. The housing includes a bottom member, a top member and a handle contacting and extending from a top surface of the top member. The handle is separately connected to the bottom member such that the handle is supported by both the top and bottom members. The air chamber is located in the housing between the top and bottom members with an inlet aperture and an exhaust aperture located at the exterior of the housing. The air chamber is comprised of two half sections that combine to form an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and an impeller chamber. An impeller of the source of vacuum is located in the impeller chamber. The source of vacuum has a motor with a first end connected to the impeller and a second end forming a drive shaft to drive a belt connected to a rotatable brush assembly.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a source of vacuum, a hose removably connected to an intake section of the housing, a rotatably driven brush located at the intake section, and a system to automatically stop the brush from being driven when the hose is disconnected from the intake section. The hose is located on an exterior of the housing and connects the intake section to the source of vacuum. The hose is flexible and expandable with a relatively compact, free-standing, curved shape when connected between the intake section and the source of vacuum, but can be expanded in general accordion-like fashion when the hose is removed from the intake section to expand to about four times its compact length. The system to automatically stop the brush can also automatically reengage driving of the brush when the hose is reconnected to the intake section.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a source of vacuum, a hose removably connected to an intake section of the housing, a rotatably driven brush located at the intake section, and a system to automatically stop the brush from being driven when the hose is disconnected from the intake section. The hose is located on an exterior of the housing and connects the intake section to the source of vacuum. The hose is flexible and expandable with a relatively compact, free-standing, curved shape when connected between the intake section and the source of vacuum, but can be expanded in general accordion-like fashion when the hose is removed from the intake section to expand to about four times its compact length. The system to automatically stop the brush can also automatically reengage driving of the brush when the hose is reconnected to the intake section.

Abstract: A portable game board assembly is comprised of a pair of elongated tray elements which are hinged along one elongate side and open along that side between the hinge elements. The tray elements may be pivoted into a closed position to define a container. Stored in each one of the tray elements is a game board element which may be removed therefrom and rotated 90 degrees so as to extend across the hinged margin of the tray elements and secured in that position to rigidify the tray elements and provide a stable assembly. The playing board surface is provided by a paper or other printed web disposed below the transparent bottom wall of the game board elements and visible therethrough. The tray elements may be formed so as to provide compartments along the margins thereof for storage of game pieces and desirably include latch elements on the side opposite the hinges to close the two tray elements in assembly.

Abstract: A motion sensing device wherein a conductive ball is movable with a cavity defined by a base member defining a cylindrical cavity and a closure member to make and break electrical contact between top and bottom contact members of a first potential and sidewall contacts of another potential.

Abstract: A game assembly for competitive use employs loose pieces which are configured for selective emplacement upon lowered platforms. When one player succeeds in placing all of his pieces, he may actuate a release mechanism to propel the opponent's platform upwardly, so as to eject the pieces that he has succeeded in placing thereupon. A timer is provided which will automatically effect release of both platforms, in the event that neither player has completed the puzzle during the period of time allotted.