Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of an input device for a computing system. The input device includes a input surface on which one or more input characters are shown and one or more sensors to detect which input character is pressed or selected by the user. In one example, the input device may include one or more piezo-electric sensors that detect an acoustic pulse created when the user taps on the input surface to indicate a selected input. Each character of the input surface of the input device creates a different acoustic pulse signature when tapped such that, upon detection and receiving of the acoustic pulse at the piezo-electric sensors, the input device or computer system may compare the received pulse to a database of stored pulse signatures to determine which character on the surface of the input device was tapped by the user.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a filter assembly 12 disposed on grill 16 between the bag chamber 7 and motor chamber 13. Bag chamber 7 has a cover 8. Filter assembly 12 has an upstanding wall 15 provided with a covering of resilient material, e.g. rubber. The cover 8 is formed with a grill 14 in a lower region. When the filter assembly is correctly installed, and the cover 8 is in position, the resilient covering of the upstanding wall 15 rests in sealing contact against the inner surface of the cover 8 and over the grill 14. If the filter assembly 12 is absent, the grill 14 provides direct fluid communication between the bag chamber 7 and the atmosphere. The cleaner will be ineffective in picking up dirt thereby alerting the user to the absence of the filter assembly.

Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of an input device for a computing system. The input device includes a input surface on which one or more input characters are shown and one or more sensors to detect which input character is pressed or selected by the user. In one example, the input device may include one or more piezo-electric sensors that detect an acoustic pulse created when the user taps on the input surface to indicate a selected input. Each character of the input surface of the input device creates a different acoustic pulse signature when tapped such that, upon detection and receiving of the acoustic pulse at the piezo-electric sensors, the input device or computer system may compare the received pulse to a database of stored pulse signatures to determine which character on the surface of the input device was tapped by the user.

Abstract: One particular implementation conforming to aspects of the present disclosure takes the form of an input device for a computing system. The input device includes a input surface on which one or more input characters are shown and one or more sensors to detect which input character is pressed or selected by the user. In one example, the input device may include one or more piezo-electric sensors that detect an acoustic pulse created when the user taps on the input surface to indicate a selected input. Each character of the input surface of the input device creates a different acoustic pulse signature when tapped such that, upon detection and receiving of the acoustic pulse at the piezo-electric sensors, the input device or computer system may compare the received pulse to a database of stored pulse signatures to determine which character on the surface of the input device was tapped by the user.

Abstract: A changeover valve, for an upright vacuum cleaner, comprises a movable valve member (31) connected via a flexible duct to a dirt separator of the cleaner, and a valve body (30) having inlet ports (32, 33) connected, respectively, to an air inlet in the underside of a floor-engaging unit of the cleaner and, via a flexible hose, a suction nozzle of the cleaner. The valve member (31) is movable relative to the valve body (30) for selective alignment with either of the inlet ports (32, 33).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor-engaging portion provided with a first air inlet, an upright portion pivotally connected at its lower end to the floor-engaging portion, a handle upstanding from the upper end of the upright portion, a first or lower end of the handle being detachably engaged with an socket on the upright portion of the cleaner, a rigid tubular duct extending along the handle from a second air inlet at the lower end of the handle to an outlet disposed remote from that end of the handle, and a flexible hose connected to the outlet on the handle. The rigid tubular duct has, at the first end of the handle, an elongate portion which has either a transverse dimension or a cross-sectional area which is substantially uniform over its length.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a body including a dust separator, a floor engaging head having a first dirty air inlet on its underside, a handle detachably mounted in a socket on the body and having a second dirty air inlet at its lower end, a flexible hose extending between the center of the handle and the body, a valve, and a valve actuator disposed in the socket for configuring the valve to connect the dust separator to the first or second inlets respectively when the handle is engaged and disengaged from the body. When engaged to the body, the upper end of handle is used to propel and guide the cleaner while suction is applied to the first dirty air inlet in the floor engaging head. Once detached, the handle is immediately ready for use as a tool for above-floor cleaning without the user having to manually divert the suction or fit cleaning tools.

Abstract: A changeover valve, for an upright vacuum cleaner, comprises a movable valve member (31) connected via a flexible duct to a dirt separator of the cleaner, and a valve body (30) having inlet ports (32, 33) connected, respectively, to an air inlet in the underside of a floor-engaging unit of the cleaner and, via a flexible hose, a suction nozzle of the cleaner. The valve member (31) is movable relative to the valve body (30) for selective alignment with either of the inlet ports (32, 33).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a filter assembly 12 disposed on grill 16 between the bag chamber 7 and motor chamber 13. Bag chamber 7 has a cover 8. Filter assembly 12 has an upstanding wall 15 provided with a covering of resilient material, e.g. rubber. The cover 8 is formed with a grill 14 in a lower region. When the filter assembly is correctly installed, and the cover 8 is in position, the resilient covering of the upstanding wall 15 rests in sealing contact against the inner surface of the cover 8 and over the grill 14. If the filter assembly 12 is absent, the grill 14 provides direct fluid communication between the bag chamber 7 and the atmosphere. The cleaner will be ineffective in picking up dirt thereby alerting the user to the absence of the filter assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a floor-engaging unit having a suction inlet, an upright body mounted to said floor-engaging unit and including means for creating a suction and means for separating and collecting dirt from an airstream drawn in by said suction, a unit having a handle and a tubular portion extending from said handle, said tubular portion forming a suction inlet and being coupled to said body via a flexible hose, and said tubular portion being attachable to said body with said handle projecting for the user to grasp for manoeuvring the cleaner over the floor, wherein said tubular portion comprises first and second tubes which are telescopically coupled together to enable said tubular portion to be extended when detached from said body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a rigid dirt receptacle 14 having an outlet at one end, through which the collected dirt and dust can be emptied, a flap 16 for closing the outlet, and an actuator 58 for moving the flap 16 between a closed position and an open position, the actuator 58 being operable to control the position of the flap 16 between the open and closed positions. A location is provided at a partially opened position of the flap 16, at which position fine dirt and dust can be emptied through the restricted outlet in a controlled manner. The restricted size of the outlet retains any coarse and fibrous dirt inside the receptacle 14. Once the fine dirt has been emptied, the flap 16 can be moved to its fully open position to allow the coarse dirt and fibrous matter to be emptied from the receptacle 14 separately from the fine dust.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a body 10 including a dust separator 13, a floor engaging head 11 having a first dirty air inlet on its underside, a handle 12 detachably mounted in a socket 15 on the body 10 and having a second dirty air inlet at its lower end, a flexible hose 20 extending between the centre of the handle 12 and the body 10, a valve 23, and a valve actuator 21 disposed in the socket 15 for configuring the valve 23 to connect the dust separator 13 to the first or second inlets respectively when the handle 12 is engaged and disengaged from the body 10.