Abstract: A method of assembling a wet/dry vacuum and a wet/dry vacuum assembly in which each of the component parts of the assembly are placed in a fixture and attached to a unit without requiring reorienting the assembly. More specifically, the method includes attaching the various components of the wet/dry vacuum to a lid component, without requiring reorienting the assembly, simplifying the assembly process.

Abstract: A method of assembling a wet/dry vacuum and a wet/dry vacuum assembly in which each of the component parts of the assembly are placed in a fixture and attached to a unit without requiring reorienting the assembly. More specifically, the method includes attaching the various components of the wet/dry vacuum to a lid component, without requiring reorienting the assembly, simplifying the assembly process.

Abstract: The vacuum includes a body having a main air passageway, and first and second air passageways diverging from the main passageway. The first air passageway defines a blower port. A closable door having an open and a closed position directs air flow from the main air passageway to either the first or second diverging air passageways to switch between vacuum and blowing modes. In one embodiment the wet/dry vacuum assembly is arranged such that each of the component parts may be placed in an assembly fixture and attached to a unit without reorienting the assembly.

Abstract: An improved muffler for vacuum cleaners and other product applications is disclosed. The muffler includes a muffler body or enlarged head with a smaller hollow shaft extending from an open end of the muffler body or enlarged head for attachment to an exhaust of a vacuum cleaner or other application. The smaller hollow shaft terminates short of a transverse end wall of the muffler body. The transverse end wall may be constructed as a separate cover element. A noise dampening element is positioned adjacent the transverse end wall and also along an inner circumferential wall of the muffler body in order to dampen noise transmitted from the vacuum cleaner exhaust that passes through the smaller hollow shaft into the muffler body for absorption by the noise dampening element prior to being diverted by the transverse end wall in an opposite direction through the open end of the muffler body.