Abstract: A drain system for a wet/dry vacuum, including: a generally U-shaped dolly having wheels mounted thereon for rotation; a collection drum having an inside bottom surface defining a plane, the collection drum adapted to be mounted to the dolly; a drain opening defined by the collection drum, the drain opening defines an inside lower surface, the inside lower surface generally in line with the plane defined by the inside bottom surface of the collection drum and the drain opening being positioned generally opposite the closed end of the U-shaped dolly; and a cap having first and second ends, the first end adapted to mate with the drain opening in a sealed manner, the second end defines a member adapted to extend out from the collection drum, the member has a length sufficient to prevent the collection drum from completely tipping over.

Abstract: A wet/dry vac comprises a generally U-shaped dolly having wheels mounted thereon; a collection drum; a dolly; a lid coupled to the collection drum; a powerhead assembly coupled to the lid; an inlet port disposed in one of the lid or the collection drum; and a receptacle coupled to the input port. The dolly includes a collection drum, the dolly comprises a generally U-shaped member, which is adapted to have wheels mounted thereon, and at least two mounting members situated on either side of the open end of the U-shaped member. Each mounting member is adapted to mate with a corresponding mounting cavity defined by the collection drum. The dolly further includes a locking member adapted to snap into a locking cavity defined by the collection drum. The dolly further includes at least two extending members. Each extending member is adapted to mate with a recess defined by the collection drum.

Abstract: A device for connecting a hose to an article, such as a wet/dry vacuum, includes a first member having first and second ends, with the first end adapted to be coupled to the hose. A receptacle has first and second ends. The first end of the receptacle is adapted to be mounted to the article, and the second end is adapted to be connected to the second end of the first member. A locking member is mounted on one of the first member or the receptacle for securing the first member to the receptacle, and at least one sealing member is situated about one of the second end of the first member or the second end of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the sealing member seals against an external surface of the receptacle, and in an alternative embodiment, the sealing member seals against an internal surface of the receptacle.

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: 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.

Abstract: A two stage vacuum cleaner filter is disclosed. The filter includes a first stage outer filter extending in a closed circumferential path with a second stage inner filter located in immediate proximity to and within the first stage outer filter. Sealing elements for securing opposite ends of the first stage outer filter and second stage inner filter to each other are provided. The second stage inner filter stops particles that might leak through the first stage outer filter.

Abstract: A motor manufacturing and its method of assembly are disclosed. The motor includes lower and upper end frames with bearings, an armature assembly rotatably mounted in the bearings of the lower and upper end frames, and a winding field assembly supported between the lower and upper end frames and surrounding the armature assembly. The method includes the steps of inserting one end of the armature assembly into the bearing of the lower end frame, positioning the winding field assembly over the armature assembly while also stacking the winding field assembly on the lower end frame, stacking the upper end frame on the winding field assembly while also positioning an opposite end of the armature assembly into the bearing of the upper end frame, and securing the lower end frame, winding field assembly and upper end frame to each other.

Abstract: A snap together wet nozzle for use with a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The snap together wet nozzle includes an elongated U-shaped nozzle housing with closed ends including a connecting tube passageway for association with the vacuum cleaner. An elongated squeegee is mounted within the elongated U-shaped housing and is held in releasable locking engagement between a locking squeegee bar and the elongated U-shaped housing. The locking squeegee bar has a plurality of spaced squeegee prongs for reception within spaced complementary configuring openings in the elongated squeegee element, the spaced squeegee prongs being cooperatively engaged by a plurality of spaced prong receptacles formed in the elongated U-shaped nozzle housing. Complementary releasable locking means are associated with the elongated U-shaped nozzle housing and the locking squeegee bar for releasably holding the locking squeegee bar and associated elongated squeegee element relative to the elongated U-shaped nozzle housing.

Abstract: A portable hand held vacuum cleaner is disclosed as having a housing with a handle to lift and operate the vacuum cleaner, and a nozzle/debris container releasably locked to the housing. The housing contains a motor driven blower that draws air and debris (wet or dry) into the nozzle/debris container for depositing the debris therein, while allowing air to be exhausted through the blower and then through the housing to atmosphere. The blower is constructed with first and second jointly rotatable elements having a series of circumferentially spaced blower exhaust passageways and a transversely extending blower passageway adjacent the nozzle/debris container, for increased efficiency. A combined filter and seal is positioned in sealing engagement between the housing and the nozzle/debris container while affording filtering of debris from air between the nozzle/debris container and the blower in the housing.

Abstract: A portable hand held vacuum cleaner is disclosed as having a housing with a handle to lift and operate the vacuum cleaner, and a nozzle/debris container releasably locked to the housing. The housing contains a motor driven blower that draws air and debris (wet or dry) into the nozzle/debris container for depositing the debris therein, while allowing air to be exhausted through the blower and then through the housing to atmosphere. The blower is constructed with first and second jointly rotatable elements having a series of circumferentially spaced blower exhause passageways and a transversely extending blower passageway adjacent the nozzle/debris container, for increased efficiency. A combined filter and seal is positioned in sealing engagement between the housing and the nozzle/debris container while affording filtering of debris from air between the nozzle/debris container and the blower in the housing.

Abstract: A portable hand held vacuum cleaner is disclosed as having a housing with a handle to lift and operate the vacuum cleaner, and a nozzle/debris container releasably locked to the housing. The housing contains a motor driven blower that draws air and debris (wet or dry) into the nozzle/debris container for depositing the debris therein, while allowing air to be exhausted through the blower and then through the housing to atmosphere. The blower is constructed with first and second jointly rotatable elements having a series of circumferentially spaced blower exhaust passageways and a transversely extending blower passageway adjacent the nozzle/debris container, for increased efficiency. A combined filter and seal is positioned in sealing engagement between the housing and the nozzle/debris container while affording filtering of debris from air between the nozzle/debris container and the blower in the housing.

Abstract: A wheeled hand cart for use with a wet/dry utility vacuum cleaner drum is disclosed. A pair of wheel frames are mounted to the drum in spaced relationship to each other along a lower outer periphery of the drum. Each wheel frame has a horizontally extending passageway and a vertically extending channel that intersects and extends across each horizontally extending passageway. An upright handle section is positioned within the vertically extending channel of each wheel frame and has a transverse opening which is in alignment with the horizontally extending passageway of each wheel frame. Horizontally extending passageways of the spaced wheel frames are in alignment with one another to receive a wheel axle extending therethrough and also through the transverse openings of the upright handle sections. The wheels are mounted on the wheel axle for wheeled movement of the hand cart. A handle interconnects the upright handle sections to facilitate movement of the drum by the wheeled hand cart.

Abstract: A multi-purpose floor cleaning tool for use in picking up or collecting wet or dry media is disclosed, and includes a first passageway connecting a first side of the tool to a vacuum line, a second passageway connecting a second side of the tool to the vacuum line, and an adapter for optionally closing off the second passageway during use of the first passageway or for closing off the first passageway during use of the second passageway. One of the passageways is used exclusively for dry media whereas the other passageway is used exclusively for wet media. This requires re-positioning of the tool for the proper orientation of the dry or wet media passageway, as desired.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a tank having an interior space for receiving dirt and debris, the tank providing an access opening, a blower assembly including a housing for closing the access opening, the housing providing, within the boundary of the access opening, an intake port for the tank, and the blower assembly including a motor and a blower for drawing air from the tank to create a vacuum therein. An impermeable flexible bag is disposed in the tank to provide a lining, the bag having a mouth in registry with the access opening such that dirt and debris entering the intake port are deposited into the bag. The bag has at least one vent opening therein for establishing venting between the interior of the bag and the space between its exterior and the internal surfaces of the tank to equalize the air pressure within the bag and the tank or the bag is disposed in the tank in such a manner as to establish such venting and equalize the air pressure.