Abstract: A vacuum appliance is disclosed, comprising a collection canister and a powerhead housing a motor and impeller assembly for establishing vacuum pressure within said canister. In one embodiment, the appliance is of the wet/dry variety. A filter assembly comprising a rigid filter cage around which a filter is disposed. The filter cage is supported on an underside of the powerhead and extends into the collection canister such that the bottom of the filter assembly is at or substantially near the bottom of the collection canister. As a result, deflection of the collection canister as a result of vacuum pressure built up in the canister is resisted by the rigidity of the filter cage. In one embodiment, a frame within the powerhead serves the dual functions of supporting the motor and defining one wall or surface of an impeller chamber in which an impeller rotates to create the vacuum pressure.

Abstract: A sanding apparatus is disclosed which includes a motor and mechanical drive system for imparting rotational and oscillator motion to an output shaft thereof. The motor shaft extends upwardly through a worktable. In one embodiment, the sanding apparatus is convertible between two or more modes of operation. In a spindle sanding mode, a sanding spindle is coupled to the motor output shaft, such that the spindle rotates and oscillates with respect to the worktable. In a belt sanding mode of operation, a belt sanding belt/pulley assembly is attached to the motor shaft. The belt/pulley assembly includes a drive drum and a driven drum about which a sanding belt is entwined. When operated in belt sanding mode, the entire belt/pulley assembly, including the drive drum and the driven drum oscillate up and down with respect to the worktable. In an edge sanding mode of operation, the worktable is articulated so that at least a portion thereof is angularly adjustable with respect to the belt/pulley system.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum appliance having a non-cylindrical collection canister is disclosed. In one embodiment, the collection canister has substantially cylindrical ends and substantially flatter sides. A collection canister lid is adapted to engage the canister around a top perimeter thereof, supporting the canister such that the lid cooperates with the canister to resist the collapse of the canister when subjected to vacuum forces resulting from operation of the vacuum.

Abstract: A caster foot assembly for use with an appliance such as a wet/dry vacuum is disclosed. The caster foot assembly comprises a body; at least one vacuum accessory securing post in the body; and a caster receptacle in the body, wherein the securing post and the caster receptacle vertically overlap within the body to lower the center of gravity of the appliance. Furthermore, a portion of the top surface of the securing post is angled to facilitate the securing of accessories to the caster foot assembly.

Abstract: A television signal processor selectively processing each television signal transmitted by a plurality of different television systems and displaying the processed television signal using any of multiple displays having different synchronizing frequencies and aspect ratios. The television signal processor includes a signal processing device for decoding a received signal in accordance with the system generating the received television signal, and a control mechanism for processing a television signal from the signal processing device in accordance with specification data corresponding to a display for displaying the television signal.

Abstract: An image signal processor for processing a received image signal. The received image signal can be at least one of an analog image signal and a digital image signal. The processor converts the analog image signal into first digital image data and converts the digital image signal to second digital image data. The processor selects at least one of the first and second digital image data as input image data. The input image data is then decode-processed based upon a selected at least one of a plurality of processing programs. The selected at least one processing program corresponds to the selected at least one of the first and second digital image data.