| BLACK & DECKER INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120126639 | STATOR HOUSING ASSEMBLY HAVING OVERMOLDED MAGNETS - A permanent magnet electric motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a stator housing having opposed axial ends and magnets affixed to an inner surface of the stator housing, and overmold material overmolded around the plurality of magnets to securely hold the plurality of magnets to the inner surface of the stator housing. The thickness of the overmold material, as measured from the inner surface of the stator housing to an inner surface of the overmold material, is greater at edges of the magnets than at a center of the magnet. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120113571 | Cord Protector for Power Tools - A power tool having a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a power cord connected to the motor, and a cord protector operably engaging the power cord. The housing includes a labyrinth that engages the cord protector providing an additional frictional force on the power cord. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111918 | MULTISTAGE SOLENOID FASTENING TOOL WITH DECREASED ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND INCREASED DRIVING FORCE - A fastening device that drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece generally includes a tool housing and a multistage solenoid contained in the tool housing. The multistage solenoid includes an armature member that travels through at least a first stage, a second stage, and a sense coil disposed therebetween. A driver blade assembly includes a blade member connected to the armature member. The driver blade assembly is operable between an extended condition and a retracted condition. A control module determines a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage and the second stage based on a signal from the sense coil. The trigger assembly is connected to the control module and partially contained within the housing. The trigger assembly is operable to activate a driver sequence that moves the driver blade between the retracted condition and the extended condition. The control module adjusts a force imparted on the armature by at least one of the first stage, the second stage, and a combination thereof based on the signal from the sense coil. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120098183 | UNIVERSAL FENCE ASSEMBLIES FOR POWER TOOL TABLES HAVING MULTI-POSITION STOP ASSEMBLIES - A fence assembly includes a fence body having front and rear faces that define a width and top and bottom faces that define a height of the fence body. The fence assembly includes at least one stop assembly, each stop assembly including a stop arm that is moveable from a first position in which the arm overlies one of the faces of the fence body and a second position in which the arm extends away from one of the faces. The fence body has a high-profile position in which the front and rear faces are perpendicular to a table and a low-profile position in which the front and rear faces are parallel with the table. The stop arm overlies one of the front and rear faces when the fence body is in the high-profile position and one of the top and bottom faces when the fence body is in the low-profile position. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097729 | POWER TAKE OFF FOR CORDLESS NAILER - A power tool that includes a structure; a flywheel coupled to the structure; a driver that is translatable along a driver axis; and a follower assembly having an actuator and an activation arm assembly. The actuator is coupled to the activation arm assembly. The activation arm assembly is coupled to the structure and includes a pinch roller. Actuation of the actuator causes the pinch roller to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120087712 | PAINT APPLICATOR - A kit of parts including a paint applicator and a supply part for attachment to a paint container, through which paint may be supplied to the paint applicator. The paint applicator includes an applicator head; a substantially rigid elongate support having a hollow interior for supplying paint to the applicator head; and an inlet part through which paint may be drawn into the hollow elongate support. The inlet part and the supply part are arranged to fit together such that paint may be drawn through them and into the hollow elongate support. The inlet part and/or the supply part includes an indicator arranged to indicate when they are fully fitted together for use. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087710 | PAINT APPLICATOR - A paint applicator including a main body, the main body including an applicator head and a substantially rigid elongate support extending therefrom, and a stand attached to the main body. At least part of the stand is movable with respect to the main body, between an operational position wherein it projects from the main body, and a non-operational position. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087709 | PAINT APPLICATOR - A paint applicator including an applicator head for carrying an applicator attachment, a substantially rigid elongate support having a hollow interior for supplying paint to the applicator head, a pivot mechanism interconnecting the elongate support and the applicator head, and a flexible conduit interconnecting the hollow interior of the elongate support and the applicator head. The pivot mechanism includes a detent arranged such that it releasably secures the applicator head in any of a plurality of discrete preset orientations with respect to the elongate support. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083193 | UNIVERSAL ABRASIVE DISC - An abrasive disc adapted to mount on a surface of a sander, such as an orbital sander, having either five or eight dust extraction holes is provided. The abrasive disc includes a plurality of apertures arrangeable to at least partially overlap each of the five or eight dust extraction holes of the orbital sander. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081074 | STATE OF CHARGE INDICATOR FOR A BATTERY CHARGER - A method is provided for indicating state of charge of a battery being charged by a charger. The method includes: supplying a charging current from a battery charger to a battery pack; determining voltage of battery cells residing in the battery pack; and illuminating a visual indicator on the battery charger to indicate state of charge of the battery pack, where brightness of the visual indicator correlates to the voltage of the battery cells in the battery pack. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080206 | Dust Extraction For Power Tools - A power tool including: a working head for holding a working element; a motor having a motor output shaft for driving said working head; a duct having an inlet locatable in proximity to a point of contact between the working element and a workpiece; a dust collection chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet from said duct, and an outlet in fluid communication with atmospheric air; and a fan operable to transport air from the inlet of said duct to the inlet of said dust collection chamber. The power tool further includes a first, drive wheel mounted on the motor output shaft; a second, driven wheel mounted on a second shaft; and a drive belt connecting the first, drive wheel to the second, driven wheel, for transmitting power from the motor output shaft to the second shaft; wherein the fan is also mounted on the second shaft. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120077424 | ANGLE GRINDER - An angle grinder is provided including a trigger assembly for selectively actuating the angle grinder. A particle separation assembly is provided for the removal of any dust, particle, or artifacts that may have entered into the housing of the angle grinder. A brush biasing system is also provided to ensure proper and efficient operation of the motor of the angle grinder. An overload monitoring system is included to monitor the loading on the motor. A clutch mechanism is also included to prevent overloading on the motor of the angle grinder. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the wheel spindle from rotating during installation or removal of a grinding wheel on the wheel spindle. An anti-locking flange system is also included to prevent the over-tightening of the flanges and the grinder wheel during the operation of the angle grinder. A gear case labyrinth feature is also provided. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074658 | Power Tool with Integrated Bit Retention Device - A power tool having a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, and a spindle drivingly attached to the electric motor. The spindle includes a cavity adapted for receiving a bit therein and a window extending through the spindle in communication with the cavity. The power tool further has a retention device including a bit engaging member disposed within the housing and operable to extend through the window and retain a bit within the cavity. The power tool still further has an actuator operable by a user externally of the housing to disengage the bit engaging member from a bit received in the cavity and, finally, a mechanical interconnection system operably coupled between the actuator and the retention device to actuate the retention device in response to the actuator, wherein the mechanical interconnection is disposed within the housing. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074656 | TOOL CHUCK WITH INDICATOR MECHANISM - A power tool constructed in accordance to one example of the present teachings can include a housing having a handle and body portion. A motor can be disposed in the body portion and a drive spindle drivingly connected to the motor. A chuck can comprise a chuck spindle that supports a plurality of chuck jaws. A first sleeve can rotationally communicate with the chuck jaws to move the chuck jaws between a clamping position and a non-clamping position. An indicator mechanism can be disposed on the chuck having a first and second visual indicator. The indicator mechanism can move from a first position to a second position upon rotation of the first sleeve to a location that corresponds to a predetermined clamping force attained by the chuck jaws. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120025476 | Tool Chuck with Sleeve and Clutch Mechanism To Remove Operator Variability - A tool chuck may include a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis. A sleeve may be mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position and a second axial position. A clutch part provided on the sleeve. The clutch part may engage with a cooperating clutch part when the sleeve is in the second axial position. The clutch part may have a working surface that faces in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120000053 | Adjustable and Removable Keel Assembly and Blade Guide for a Jigsaw - A method of positioning a shoe member and a keel assembly relative to a housing of a jigsaw is provided. The method may include securing the keel assembly to the housing so that the keel assembly extends from the housing beyond the shoe member. The housing and the keel assembly may be pivoted relative to the shoe member in a manner such that a position of the housing relative to the keel assembly remains unchanged. A portion of the keel assembly may be uncoupled from the housing. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110318976 | UNIVERSAL TERMINATION SYSTEM FOR POWER TOOLS - A universal termination system is provided for power tools. The universal termination system includes criteria for each of the main switch platforms that define the number, type, location and orientation of the terminations. That is, the number, type, location and orientation of the terminations in each main switch platform are standardized and the power tools that use that type main switch platform use the main switch platform having the standardized terminations. That is, power tools that use push button switches use the push button switch with the standardized terminations, power tools that use overhang switches use the overhang switch with the standardized terminations, and power tools that use in-line VSR switches use the in-line VSR switch with the standardized terminations. In an aspect of the invention, a right-angle pin terminal is received in one or more sets of the standardized terminations. In an aspect of the invention, the switch body has features that cooperate with the right-angle pin terminals to reduce the risk of shorting adjacent terminals. In an aspect of the invention, a switch has standardized connections on a bottom of a switch body that mate with terminals of a plug-in control module. In an aspect of the invention, a switch for a hand-held power tool has cord set terminations that are screw-tab terminals. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318122 | DRILL PRESSES HAVING LASER ALIGNMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREFOR - A laser alignment system for a drill press includes first and second adjustable laser assemblies mountable on the drill press. Each adjustable laser assembly includes a base firmly affixed to the drill press, a rotatable element mounted on the base and being adapted to selectively rotate relative to the base, a pivotable element mounted on the rotatable element and being adapted to selectively pivot relative to the rotatable element, and a laser mounted on the pivotable element and being adapted to move simultaneously with the pivotable element. The laser alignment system includes a pivot adjusting mechanism coupled with the pivotable element for selectively pivoting the pivotable element relative to the rotatable element, and a rotation adjusting mechanism coupled with the rotatable element for selectively rotating the rotatable element relative to the base. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110308038 | VACUUM CLEANER - A vacuum cleaner ( | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306451 | DRILL PRESSES HAVING SPRING-LOADED DRIVE BELT TENSIONERS - A drill press includes a motor having a rotatable shaft and a stepped motor pulley mounted on the rotatable shaft, a rotatable spindle and a stepped spindle pulley mounted on the rotatable spindle, and a stepped center pulley located between the motor pulley and the spindle pulley. A first drive belt connects the center pulley with the motor pulley, and a second drive belt connects the spindle pulley with the center pulley. A spring-loaded drive belt tensioner applies tension to the first drive belt. The belt tensioner has a first position for applying a first level of tension to the first drive belt and a second position for applying a second level of tension to said first drive belt that is less than the first tension level. When the belt tensioner is in the second position, the positions of the belts on the stepped pulleys are changeable. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303722 | Magazine Assembly For Nailer - A cordless nailer is provided having a magazine assembly with improved features. An improved latch mechanism for clearing nail jams is provided that reduces wear on the latch. A driver retention feature is provided to retain a drive blade from accidentally escaping the nailer. A pusher assembly is provided having a simplified and efficient construction. A pusher retention feature is provided that prevents the driver blade from impacting a nail pusher. A nail retention feature is provided to allow easy loading and unloading of nails into the nailer. Finally, a method of assembling the magazine assembly is provided. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303425 | TILLER HOUSING - A tiller includes a tiller frame and an upright assembly extending from the frame. The frame is supported by at least one wheel and defines a cavity. A transmission assembly is supported by the frame and has an output member that is configured to be drivingly coupled to a first power source in a first battery-powered configuration and to a second power source in a second electric-powered configuration. A tilling implement includes a drive shaft that is driven by the output member. The tilling implement comprises at least one tine plate. The cavity is configured to removably receive a battery in the first battery-powered configuration and removably receive a ballast in the second electric-powered configuration. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110298313 | Motor With Permanent Magnets and Method of Manufacturing Power Tool With Same - A permanent magnet electric motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has a stator housing with at least a North pole and a South pole, each pole including permanent magnets affixed to an inner surface of the stator housing, where at least two of the magnets within a pole have dissimilar characteristics, e.g., different widths or different grades of demagnetization resistance. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110290354 | Compressible Fluid Discharge Muffler - A noise reduction device including a tubular body having an open first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a cavity located between the first end and the second end. The second end of the tubular body being disposed opposite the first end. The second end has at least one opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the first end. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110285358 | UNIVERSAL POWER TOOL BATTERY PACK COUPLED TO A PORTABLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A portable internal combustion engine and a charging device that generates AC power are supported on a manually movable frame. A coupling mechanism which can include a starter circuit and starting device, or a charging circuit and charging device, or both device couples a battery receptacle terminal block to the internal combustion engine. The battery receptacle can include various features to permit and retain electrical coupling between a battery pack for a cordless power tool. For example, key protrusions and corresponding recesses can be associating with latching projections. Additionally or alternatively, cooperating rails and recesses may be associated with the battery pack and receptacle, respectively. Spring loaded movable clips or resilient flexing clips can be included to act on the battery pack. An electrical cord may also be used to couple receptacle terminals to the coupling mechanism. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110281507 | Large Angle Grinder - An angle grinder is provided including a radial fan assembly. The radial fan assembly is configured to direct exhaust radially outwardly and axially away from a user of the angle grinder. Brush card assemblies for an angle grinder are also provided. The brush card assemblies provide for the securing of brush cards to a field case of the angle grinder by the interface between the field case and brush cards. Additionally, a spindle lock mechanism and a safety mechanism for an angle grinder are provided. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278966 | Motor With Overmolded Permanent Magnets - A permanent magnet electric motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has a stator housing with at least a North pole and a South pole. Each pole includes at least two permanent magnets arranged on an inner surface of the stator housing near the pole tips and an overmold of magnetic material molded around the permanent magnets and over the inner surface of the stator between the permanent magnets. Alternatively, an overmold of magnetic material may be provided over an inner surface of the stator, where the thickness of the overmold layer is greater near tips of each pole than in the middle portion of each pole. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278341 | Pneumatic Fastener - A nose casting assembly for a pneumatic fastener includes a body having a driver channel formed therein for receiving a driver blade. The body includes a first end having an aperture for allowing passage of a driver blade into the channel. The body further includes a second end configured for allowing a fastener to be expelled from the nose casting assembly. The body further includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface having a loading aperture formed therein for allowing passage of a fastener into the driver channel. Additionally, the interior surface includes a nose casting groove formed therein, the nose casting groove extending linearly along the interior surface of the body towards the second end of the body, wherein the nose casting groove is configured for receiving the shank of a fastener being utilized with the pneumatic fastener for preventing the fastener from becoming wedged between the driver blade and the interior surface of the nose casting assembly when a shank of a fastener is oriented toward the driver blade. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277740 | TILE SAW WITH A TILE HOLD DOWN DEVICE - A tile cutting machine includes a tub for receiving water and a tile supporting surface for supporting thereon a tile to be cut. A cutting head assembly is positioned above the tile supporting surface and includes a motor driven blade. A tile hold down mechanism extends downwardly from the cutting head assembly to engage the tile and apply downward pressure thereto to hold the tile in place during the cutting process. The tile hold down mechanism may take the form of flexible hold down feet, downwardly biased rollers and/or bristle skirts. The tile supporting surface may be fabricated of a high friction material and include a plurality of nubs to cooperate with the hold down mechanism to hold the tile stationary with respect to the supporting surface during the cutting process. The tile cutting machine provides for a method of cutting tile where a user does not have to hold the tile with their hands during the cutting operation. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110275292 | BELT SANDER - A belt sander is disclosed that may include a sanding assembly having a first roller and a second roller, the sanding assembly being configured to receive a sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller to define a sanding surface therebetweeen. The belt sander may include a motor operationally coupled to the sanding assembly and opposite the sanding surface, the motor being configured to rotate at least the first roller and thereby rotate the sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller, as well as a handgrip formed around at least a portion of the motor and substantially encasing the motor. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271945 | TILE SAW - A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis, a table slidingly disposed on the first rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly, the saw assembly comprising a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, the saw assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch electrically connected to the motor and disposed on the support assembly so that, when the motor assembly is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the switch remains stationary. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110266759 | OSCILLATING TOOL - A clamp arrangement for securing first and second accessories to an oscillating power tool can include a tool body including a motor that drives the first accessory. A clamp assembly can include a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the first accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp member of the clamp assembly is offset from the first accessory permitting removal of the first accessory while the first clamp member remains coupled to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly further includes a second clamp member that cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the first accessory between the first and second clamp members. An auxiliary attachment surface is configured on the second clamp member and selectively connects with the second accessory while the first accessory is concurrently retained by the clamp assembly. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265336 | LASER LINE GENERATOR HAVING THREE INTERSECTING LIGHT PLANES - An improved laser line generating device is provided for use in construction layout tasks. The laser line generating device is comprised of a first laser light generator operable to emit from a housing a first plane of light having a fan angle greater than 180° and arranged in the housing to project the first plane of light perpendicular to a horizontal plane; and a second laser light generator operable to emit from the housing a second plane of light having a fan angle greater than 180° and arranged in the housing to project the second plane of light perpendicular to the first plane of light and perpendicular to the horizontal plane, such that the first plane of light intersects with the second plane of light at two points. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110248669 | BATTERY PACK IDENTIFICATION SCHEME FOR POWER TOOL SYSTEMS - A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248653 | CONTROLLED POWER FADE FOR BATTERY POWERED DEVICES - A method is provided for operating a power tool having a motor powered by a battery. The method includes: delivering power from the battery to the motor in accordance with an operator input; detecting a condition of the power tool indicating a shutdown of the power is imminent; and fading the power delivered from the battery to the motor, in response to the detected condition, through the use of a controller residing in the power tool. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110248650 | Power Tool with Light Unit - A power tool includes a housing coupled to an electrical power source, a motor contained in the housing, and a motor control circuit that controls output speed of the motor. A light unit is coupled to the housing to illuminate a work surface. A light unit control circuit controls illumination of the light unit. A switch unit is coupled to the housing and selectively operable to control the operation of the motor control circuit and the light unit control circuit. The light unit control circuit includes a timer configured to cause the light unit to illuminate a first brightness level when the switch unit is actuated, and to remain illuminated at the first brightness level for a predetermined time period after the trigger is actuated. The predetermined time period restarts if the switch unit is not deactivated before the end of the predetermined time period. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110239472 | Lower Blade Guard - A power tool for cutting a workpiece including a casing, an auxiliary handle assembly extending from the casing, a motor disposed at least partially in the casing, and a drive transmission operably coupled to the motor. The drive transmission outputs a driving force to a circular cutting blade in response to an input from the motor. The power tool further includes a movable blade guard pivotally coupled about an axis relative to the casing. The movable blade guard includes an inboard surface, an outboard surface, and an edge surface defining a cavity for receiving the circular cutting blade. The outboard surface defines a cam having a camming tip and a camming portion. The camming portion extends substantially along a radial line from the axis. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110232112 | Power Tools - A power tool is provided with a perforated material remover to remove perforated material from power tool cutting implements. The power tool also includes a rip guide which has a long guide edge and two attachment points to the shoe/base of the saw. The rip guide is attached to the base/shoe via a pair of L-shaped openings that accept L-shaped support arms of the rip guide. The rip guide can also be folded for compact storage. The power tool also includes dual bevel scales for quickly and easily setting the bevel angle on the power tool. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110226110 | Tile Saw - A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis, a table slidingly disposed on the first rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly, the saw assembly comprising a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, the saw assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch electrically connected to the motor and disposed on the support assembly so that, when the motor assembly is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the switch remains stationary. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110220379 | HOUSING AND GEARBOX FOR DRILL OR DRIVER - A power tool with a handle housing, a motor, an output member and a cassette. The handle housing that defines a handle. The motor is received in the handle housing. The cassette is received in the handle housing and includes a transmission housing, a multi-stage transmission received in the transmission housing, and a rear thrust washer. The transmission housing has a first end with first and second circumferentially extending channels formed therein. The rear thrust washer has a body and first and second lock members that extend radially from the body. Each of the first and second lock members is received in an associated one of the first and second circumferentially extending channels. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110203821 | POWER SCREWDRIVER HAVING ROTARY INPUT CONTROL - A power tool includes an output shaft configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis, a motor drivably connected to the output shaft to impart rotary motions thereto, and a rotational motion sensor spatially separated from the output shaft and operable to determine the user-imparted rotational motion of the power tool with respect to the longitudinal axis. A controller is electrically connected to the rotational motion sensor and the motor. The controller determines angular velocity of the power tool about the axis, rotational displacement of the power tool about the axis, and/or a direction of the rotational displacement using input from the rotational motion sensor. The controller then controls the motor according to the angular velocity, the rotational displacement, and/or the direction of the rotational displacement. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110186179 | Router Table - Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a router table may comprise a table top, a mounting can, a sleeve, and an adjustment mechanism. The table top may have an aperture and a plurality of support members; the support members may be configured to support the table top. The mounting can may be attachable to the table top in a vicinity of the aperture. The sleeve may be engaged to the mounting can, and may be configured to receive a router and to position a router bit of the router along an axis extending through the aperture. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to move the sleeve within the mounting can and relative to the table top to thereby move the router along the axis and position the router bit at one of a plurality of positions relative to the table top. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110180284 | SAFETY MECHANISM FOR A ROTARY HAMMER - An improved method is provided for controlling a power tool having a rotary shaft. The method includes: disposing an inertial mass in a housing of the power tool, such that the inertial mass is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation which is axially aligned with the rotary shaft; monitoring rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass during operation of the power tool; and activating a protective operation based on the rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110164935 | Pocket Hole Jig System - A pocket hole jig tool system includes a base on which a workpiece is supported. A drill guide support is slidably mounted to the base. Drill guide bushings are movably mounted relative to the drill guide support for clampingly engaging the workpiece and for guiding a drill for engaging the workpiece. A stop collar assembly is adjustably mounted relative to the drill guide bushings to automatically ensure a proper pocket hole location and depth for the workpiece inserted in the tool system. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110163701 | Battery Pack for Cordless Power Tools - A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as the pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110162757 | ROUTER TABLE - Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a router table may comprise a table top, a mounting can, a sleeve, and an adjustment mechanism. The table top may have an aperture and a plurality of support members; the support members may be configured to support the table top. The mounting can may be attachable to the table top in a vicinity of the aperture. The sleeve may be engaged to the mounting can, and may be configured to receive a router and to position a router bit of the router along an axis extending through the aperture. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to move the sleeve within the mounting can and relative to the table top to thereby move the router along the axis and position the router bit at one of a plurality of positions relative to the table top. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110148425 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AN OPEN CELL TAP IN A BATTERY PACK - A method is provided for detecting an open cell tap condition in a battery pack. The method includes: applying a detection voltage across an electrical impedance that is coupled to a measurement node, where the detection voltage exceeds voltage measures at a node disposed between serially coupled battery cells of the battery pack and the measurement node is coupled by a circuit path to said node; measuring the voltage at the measurement node while the detection voltage is being applied; and detecting a break in the circuit path when the voltage measured at the measurement node is substantially equal to the detection voltage. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110139305 | Planer and Thicknesser - A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passageway that substantially extends through the frame. The planer and thicknesser further comprises an upper table having front and rear sections mounted on the frame, wherein a slot is located between the front and rear sections of the upper table, and a lower table moveably mounted within the passageway. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that a portion of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a portion of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it covers a portion of the cutting drum to a second position where it does not cover a portion of the cutting drum. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110133496 | ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM - An anti-theft system for securing a removable battery to a power tool. The system employs a tamper-proof retainer to ensure that the retail display of a combined power tool and its associated battery can be displayed as a single unit without fear of theft of the battery. This may be achieved by the tamper-proof retainer securing a battery release latch against its release position hence securing the battery to the tool in a manner preventing the removal of the battery by a potential thief. The tamper-proof retainer either prevents removal of the battery from the power tool, as removal of the tamper-proof retainer is impossible, or, if it is destroyed by a thief, then it permanently secures the battery to the power tool. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110123362 | AIR COMPRESSOR - An air compressor assembly can include a support structure with a compressor mechanism, at least one fluid tank, a pair of wheels, and a handle attached thereto. The air compressor assembly can be configured with the compressor mechanism having a perpendicular orientation relative to the at least one fluid tank so as to provide a relatively narrow assembly and to facilitate servicing and/or maintenance of the assembly. Furthermore, the wheels and handle can be configured so that the assembly can be relatively easily located in a balanced transport position. Additionally, an accessory support plate can be attached to the top of the assembly to serve as a dolly. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123353 | AIR COMPRESSOR WITH SHUT-OFF MECHANISM - A compressor system is disclosed, comprising a first pump driven by a D/C motor, a second pump driven by an A/C motor, and a switch which allows a user to manually selectively engage of one of the D/C motor or A/C motor, including a gauge having a user settable shut-off mechanism which interrupts power to at least one of D/C or A/C motors. Also disclosed is a gauge configured to display system pressure independent of the user settable shut-off mechanism. A gauge having a rotatable bezel with a needle stop comprising a first needle rotatably coupled to a gauge shaft, and a second needle fixable coupled to the gauge shaft, and a spring disposed between the first and second needles, the spring configured to bias the first needle into the second needle so changes in pressure causes rotation of both is also disclosed. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110094053 | Wet And/Or Dry Vacuum With Floor Collector - A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110090726 | PORTABLE ALTERNATING CURRENT INVERTER HAVING REDUCED IMPEDANCE LOSSES - A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110088267 | Worm Drive Saw - A power tool for cutting a workpiece including a casing, an auxiliary handle assembly extending from the casing, a motor disposed at least partially in the casing, and a drive transmission operably coupled to the motor. The drive transmission outputs a driving force in response to an input from the motor. A spindle locking mechanism is provided that is selectively positionable between a retracted position spaced apart from the drive transmission and a locked position engaging the drive transmission. The spindle lock mechanism thereby prevents rotation of the drive transmission in response to actuation of a pad member. The pad member can be positioned adjacent to the auxiliary handle to permit single-handed holding of the power tool and actuation of the pad member. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110081214 | Dust Collector for use with Drill Bit or Drill Bit Depth Stop - A dust collector is disclosed for use with a drill bit or a depth stop that is coupled to a drill bit. The dust collector includes a rear attachment portion configured to be axially fixed to a drill bit or to a drill bit depth stop that is axially fixed to a drill bit. An intermediate non-collapsible portion is attached to a front end of the rear attachment portion. The intermediate non-collapsible portion defines a dust-collecting pocket and is structured to inhibit collapse as the drill bit is inserted into a workpiece. A front collapsible portion is attached to a front end of the intermediate non-collapsible portion and at least partially collapses as the drill bit is inserted into a workpiece. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110079124 | POWER TOOL SAFETY MECHANISMS - A sensing mechanism ( | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110058361 | LANTERN APPARATUS - A lantern apparatus including a main housing including a lamp and a reflector, and a plurality of flashlights that are removably engageable with the main housing. The apparatus is arranged such that when the flashlights are engaged with the main housing they are spaced apart from the reflector and oriented so that light emitted from the flashlights is reflected by the reflector. Both the reflected light from the flashlights, and light emitted by the lamp, is emitted from the main housing. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058356 | POWER TOOL WITH LIGHT EMITTING ASSEMBLY - A power tool including an end effector rotatable with respect to the housing, a collar non-rotatably coupled to the housing, an annular printed circuit board (PCB) rotatably fixed with respect to the housing, and a light element operatively connected to the PCB and adjacent to the end effector and in a recess of the collar and located to illuminate a workpiece machined by the power tool. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110058288 | PROTECTIVE REDUNDANT SUBSYSTEM FOR POWER TOOLS - A protective redundancy circuit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor. The protective redundant subsystem is comprised of: a motor switch coupled in series with the motor; a motor control module that controls the switching operation of the motor switch; and a protective control module that monitors switching operation of the motor switch and disables the power tool when the switching operation of the motor switch fails. In the context of an AC powered tool, the switching operation of the motor switch is correlated to and synchronized to the waveform of the AC input signal. During each cycle or half cycle, the motor control module introduces a delay period before closing the motor switch and the protective control module determines the operational status of the motor switch by measuring the voltage across the motor switch during the delay period. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110056715 | REDUNDANT OVERSPEED PROTECTION FOR POWER TOOLS - An overspeed protection subsystem is provided for a power tool having an electric motor. The overspeed protection subsystem is comprised of: a motor switch coupled in series with the motor; a motor control module interfaced with the motor switch to control switching operation of the motor switch; and an overspeed detection module that determines rotational speed of the motor and disables the power tool when the rotational speed of the motor exceeds a threshold. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110048988 | Method And Package For Displaying Magnetic Tool Container - A display package includes a blister assembly and a storage container. The blister assembly includes a front blister surface having a first opening therein and a rear blister surface coupled to the front blister surface and defining a first cavity. The storage container includes a first container portion secured within the first cavity, a second container portion hingedly coupled to the first container portion for pivotal displacement between an open position and a closed position, and a magnet fixed to an outer surface of the second container portion. The magnet is located at or beyond an outer perimeter of the blister assembly when the first container portion is secured within the first cavity. The magnet is configured to secure the display package to a metallic structure. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110030164 | Hand-Held Cordless Vacuum Cleaner - A hand-held vacuum cleaner with a container for the storage of dirt and debris therein. To provide improved efficiency and performance, the hand-held vacuum may employ a primary HEPA filter, a device for swirling a dirt and debris laden air flow and/or a mechanized filter cleaning device. Swirling may be employed to direct entrained dirt and debris in a desired direction relative to the container to slow the rate with which dirt and debris accumulates on the primary filter and/or to centrifugally remove dirt and debris from the air flow. Mechanized cleaning is employed to shake, scrape or otherwise remove accumulated dirt and debris from the primary filter. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110018377 | ELECTRIC MOTORS HAVING EMI REDUCING CIRCUITS AND METHODS THEREFOR - An electric motor having a circuit for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) includes a field stack such as a stator, an armature including a shaft, a commutator mounted on the shaft, and an armature core electrically connected to the commutator, whereby the armature core is rotatably mounted within the field stack. The electric motor includes a brush assembly adapted to deliver electrical power to the commutator. The circuit includes a delta capacitor network and a conductive lead electrically interconnecting the delta capacitor network and the brush assembly. In one embodiment, the circuit includes motor field windings or coils, and a power source electrically interconnectable with the delta capacitor network and the motor field windings. In one embodiment, the motor is a universal motor. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20100323592 | Switch Mechanism for a Power Cutter - A switch mechanism includes a support structure and an electric switch having an activator moveable between a first position where the electric switch is ON and a second position where the electric switch is OFF. A cam is connected to a first actuator, moveably mounted on the support structure, so that movement of the first actuator results in movement of the cant A bar is connected to a second actuator, moveably mounted on the support structure, so that movement of the second actuator results in movement of the bar. The cam engages the activator so that movement of the cam by movement of the first actuator results in the activator moving between its two positions. The bar engages the activator so that movement of the bar by movement of the second actuator results in the activator moving between its two positions. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100319474 | TRANSMISSION AND VARIABLE RADIALLY EXPANDING SPRING CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves. A first gear assembly has a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear. A second gear assembly has a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear. The first gear assembly and the second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along the shaft member to a position where at least one of the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with the shaft member when a value of torque at the shaft member is below a torque threshold value. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100293745 | Filter Cleaning Mechanisms - In one aspect, the present invention provides a filter cleaning mechanism comprising: a filter material ( | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100282485 | POWER TOOL WITH INTEGRATED BIT RETENTION DEVICE - A power tool having a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, and a spindle drivingly attached to the electric motor. The spindle includes a cavity adapted for receiving a bit therein and a window extending through the spindle in communication with the cavity. The power tool further has a retention device including a bit engaging member disposed within the housing and operable to extend through the window and retain a bit within the cavity. The power tool still further has an actuator operable by a user externally of the housing to disengage the bit engaging member from a bit received in the cavity and, finally, a mechanical interconnection system operably coupled between the actuator and the retention device to actuate the retention device in response to the actuator, wherein the mechanical interconnection is disposed within the housing. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100281697 | Hedgetrimmer with Rotatable Rear Handle - A hedgetrimmer having a housing, a motor located within the housing for driving a reciprocating blade for cutting vegetation. A front handle located at a front end of the housing and a rear handle located at a rear end of the housing. The rear handle having a trigger to actuate the motor, the rear handle being rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The rear handle is lockable at one of several positions so that a user can grip the two handles in the most comfortable position for the desired cutting operation. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100276244 | Transmission and Variable Radially Expanding Spring Clutch Assembly - A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a cylindrical outer surface in which longitudinal grooves are formed. Rolling members are disposed in the longitudinal grooves. A gear member having lobes the lobes is disposed between the rolling members and over the shaft member. A clutch spring that at least partially encircles the rolling members and the lobes is also disposed. The clutch spring includes a reduced torque condition that at least defines the clutch spring stretching to accommodate the rolling members leaving the longitudinal grooves and moving to the outer cylindrical surface such that the clutch spring forms a generally elliptical shape in the reduced torque condition. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100273031 | Battery Pack For Cordless Devices - A battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a printed circuit board electrically connected to the terminal block, at least one battery cell, and a spark gap device on the printed circuit board to provide electrostatic discharge protection and disposed between the printed circuit board and the terminal block. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100263891 | SAFETY MECHANISM FOR A ROTARY HAMMER - An improved method is provided for controlling a power tool having a rotary shaft. The method includes: disposing an inertial mass in a housing of the power tool, such that the inertial mass is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation which is axially aligned with the rotary shaft; monitoring rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass during operation of the power tool; and activating a protective operation based on the rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100260565 | Depth Gauge For Drill Bit - A drill bit has a shank portion having a plurality of SDS-type slots, a cutting portion comprising at least one cutting flute, and an intermediate portion connecting the shank to the cutting portion, the intermediate portion including at least one additional slot. A depth gauge includes a body configured to receive the drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and having an inward projection to removably couple the body to the at least one additional slot in the drill bit, and a cap coupled to the body such that the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a predetermined depth, wherein the cap is movable relative to the body among a plurality of positions, wherein each of the plurality of positions corresponds to a different predetermined drilling depth. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100257990 | TABLE SAWS HAVING INTEGRATED CONTROL SYSTEMS - A power tool having an integrated control system includes a workpiece supporting surface, a cutting instrument extendable above the workpiece supporting surface, a guard assembly securable above the workpiece supporting surface for covering at least a portion of the cutting instrument, the guard assembly having a first state for providing a first level of protection and a second state for providing a second level of protection, a motor coupled with the cutting instrument, and a power switch operable for starting the motor for driving the cutting instrument. The power tool includes a control system in communication with the guard assembly for determining if the guard assembly is in the first state or the second state. Before the motor is started, the control system automatically disables the motor if it determines that the guard assembly is in the second state. The control system includes a bypass switch for enabling starting of the motor when the guard assembly is in the second state. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100252295 | MID-HANDLE DRILL CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY PROCESS - A power tool can include a gear case, a motor having first and second sets of lead wires, a housing assembly, and a field case. The field case may include a front portion configured for engaging the gear case and a rear portion. The housing assembly may include first and second generally symmetrical housing segments configured for engaging the field case and forming a mid-handle grip. The first set of lead wires may be routed through the front portion of the field case directly to a trigger switch assembly. A method for assembling a mid-handle power tool is also provided and may include routing lead wires through a ventilation path between the field case and trigger assembly. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252293 | Ergonomic Handle for Power Tool - An ergonomic handle for use with a power tool defines a first region that includes a switch, adapted to receive a thumb and forefinger when the forefinger is actuating the switch, a second region adapted to receive a middle finger, a third region adapted to receive a ring finger; and a fourth region adapted to receive a pinky finger. Each of the second, third, and fourth region includes a generally oval cross section having a major axis and a minor axis. The longest major axis is in the third region, the shortest major axis is in the fourth region, the shortest minor axis is in the second region, and the longest minor axis is positioned in the fourth region. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100239381 | Small Hole Saw Mandrel Assembly - A holesaw mandrel assembly has a mandrel with a first shanking end, a body, and a second extending end that includes a threaded spud to receive a holesaw. A first member is secured on the second end. The first member is axially slidable on the second end. The first member also includes a friction surface to contact the holesaw. The friction surface moves between a first engaging position and a second disengaging position. A mechanism on the mandrel moves the friction surface between its engaged and disengaged positions. The mechanism includes a biased collar and a bearing race. A mating connection enables rotation of the collar which, in turn, enables the friction surface to move between its engaged and disengaged positions. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100219593 | Bit Retention Device - A bit retention device includes a shaft having a sidewall defining a hexagonal cavity extending from a first end thereof and a ball groove extending through the sidewall and communicating with the hexagonal cavity. A ball is disposed in the ball groove and a ball spring engages the ball and biases the ball toward the first end. An actuator sleeve surrounding the shaft includes an internal ramp engaging the ball. The internal ramp includes a shallow ramp portion having a first angle of inclination with respect to a center axis and a steep ramp portion having a second angle of inclination with respect to said center axis of said shaft that is greater than the first angle of inclination. A spring biased plunger assembly is disposed in the bore for biasing a bit received in the bore in a direction toward the insertion end. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100215453 | ROUTER - A router includes a motor assembly, at least a first rail and at least a first rolling element pair mounted to the motor assembly, where the first rolling element pair engages the first rail. The router may further include a second rail and a second rolling element pair mounted to the motor assembly, where the second rolling element pair engages the second rail. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215450 | Depth Gauge For Drill Bit - A depth gauge for use with a drill bit includes a body configured to receive a drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and configured to removably couple the body to the drill bit, and a cap configured to be removably coupled to the body. The cap can be coupled to the body in one of a first position relative to the body where the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a first depth, and a second position relative to the body where the cap contacts the workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a second depth that is different from the first depth. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100214768 | Light for a power tool and method of illuminating a workpiece - A power tool including a end effector rotatable with respect to the housing, a collar rotatable with respect to the housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) rotatably fixed with respect to the housing, and a light element operatively connected to the PCB and adjacent to the end effector and in a recess of the collar and located to illuminate a workpiece machined by the power tool. A method of providing light for a workpiece being machined by a power tool including locating lighting elements around a spindle of a power tool, aligning the lighting elements to shine light on a workpiece being machined by the power tool, operatively connecting the lighting elements to a PCB, containing and supporting the PCB with a guide, supporting wires configured to provide power to the PCB with the guide, locating the lighting elements, PCB and guide in a rotatable collar, and preventing the lighting elements, PCB and guide from rotating when the collar rotates. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100213900 | BATTERY PACK FOR CORDLESS POWER TOOLS - A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as they pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100206703 | Trigger Assembly Including A Flexible Bend Sensor - A flexible sensor is disposed in a power tool. The flexible sensor has an electrical resistance that varies based on a radius of curvature of the flexible sensor. A trigger partially disposed in the power tool, operates to apply a bending force at an engagement point on the flexible sensor to bend the flexible sensor and alter the radius of curvature. A controller outputs an electrical signal to the power tool based on the electrical resistance to control a function of the power tool. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100206591 | MULTI-MODE DRILL WITH MODE COLLAR - A drill includes a housing and a motor coupled to an output member by a transmission. The transmission can selectively couple the output member to an output spindle through a low speed output gear or a high speed output gear for rotating the output spindle at a first speed or a second speed, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, a low speed mode can be provided by actuating an electronic switch that limits the speed of the motor. A rotatably fixed hammer member and a rotatable hammer member can be mounted around the output spindle. A mode collar can be rotatably mounted on the housing and around the output member for movement to positions that correspond to various mode of operation, including a low speed mode, a high speed mode, and a hammer-drilling mode. In the hammer-drilling mode, the transmission operates in the high speed mode. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100206278 | POWER CUTTER - A power cutter including a two stroke internal combustion engine mounted within a housing and a carburetor for providing aerated fuel for the engine. The carburetor is capable of operating in at least two modes of operation, a first mode when the engine is cold and a second mode when the engine is hot. A temperature sensor is mounted on the engine and provides an engine controller with a signal which is a function of the temperature of the engine; the carburetor comprising an electrically controlled cold start mechanism which switches the carburetor between its two modes of operation, wherein, when the electronic controller determines that the engine is cold, it provides an electrical signal to the electrically controlled cold start mechanism to cause it to change the mode of operation of the carburetor to its first mode. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100200380 | Switch Assembly for a Power Tool - A switch assembly for a power tool comprises a switch member and a fixing part. The switch member comprises a finger grip part, a retaining part for retaining the switch member on a power tool, and an opening extending at least partially through the switch member, the retaining part arranged to project laterally with respect to an axis of the opening. The fixing part is arranged to be located in the opening. The switch assembly is arranged such that when the fixing part is at a first location in the opening, the retaining part adopts a retention configuration in which it projects laterally to a predetermined extent. When the fixing part is removed or at a second location in the opening, the retaining part adopts an insertion configuration in which it does not project laterally or projects less than the predetermined extent. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100193564 | Adjustable Handle for Pneumatic Fastener - An apparatus and method for adjusting the handle position of a pneumatic fastener handle. The pneumatic fastener includes a base, a main body, and a magazine for carrying fastening members. The main body and magazine are fixed to the base. A pneumatic inlet is mounted onto the main body. A handle assembly is mounted on the main body of the pneumatic fastener. The handle assembly includes a housing having a hollow recessed area. The housing can have an aperture through a lateral side configured to receive a retaining member. A handle extends partially within the housing and is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position, different from the first position. When the handle is in a desired position, the retaining member secures the handle in place within the housing. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100192387 | PORTABLE TRIMMER HAVING ROTATABLE POWER HEAD - A portable, hand-operated trimmer has a head module that is removably connected to a power control module. The head module has a power head enclosing an electric motor that is operatively connected to a trimming blade. The power head is selectably settable in a plurality of angular positions with respect to a head support, including a neutral position representing 0 degree rotation, 45 degree flexion and dorsiflexion positions, and 90 degree flexion and dorsiflexion positions. The power head also encloses a stator cartridge that is connected to the housing of the power head by a plurality of fastening members. The head support rotates about the stator cartridge and is engaged by way of a movable engagement pin that is received within a selected recess defined in the stator cartridge. The power head housing and stator cartridge further define molded sockets to receive corresponding pivot arms of the head support. An O-ring is disposed about one of the pivot arms to dampen free rotation. The power control module provides power to the power head through a removable rechargeable battery or through direct connection to conventional household power. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100182780 | FLASHLIGHT - A flashlight in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes a main housing having a lamp housing. A mounting mechanism and mating features are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the main housing and the lamp housing. In an aspect, a flexible conduit connects the main housing and lamp housing. The flexible conduit can be formed in an arc having an apex that lies directly above a center of gravity of the flashlight when the main housing and the lamp housing are coupled, thereby allowing the flashlight to be balanced when the flexible conduit is used as a carrying handle. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100146763 | Router base securing mechanism - The present invention is directed to a mechanism and method for providing above the table securing/unsecuring of a router motor housing. The mechanism of the present invention employs a mechanical connection included on a pivot member to couple with a wrench device extended through the tabletop. The mechanism permits a user to adjust or release the motor housing without having to reach under the table surface. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100141207 | Cordless Power System - A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger. In an aspect, the battery pack validates the cordless device or charger to which it is mated. In an aspect of the invention, the cordless system uses any of a wired interface, radio frequency interface, an optical interface or a magnetic interface to communicate information between the battery pack and the cordless device or charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an aspect, female terminals are used in a terminal block of the battery pack to protect against foreign objects contacting the terminals. In aspect, the terminals in the terminal block of the battery pack are staggered or scattered to reduce the likelihood of a short circuit. In an aspect of the invention, the battery pack has a trap door that closes when the battery pack is not mated to a cordless device or charger to protect the terminal block of the battery pack. In an aspect of the invention, multi-spring, split contact terminals are used in the terminal block of at least one of the cordless system components. In an aspect of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100135741 | Drill Bit Including One Piece Cutting Head - A cutting head for a drill bit has a body with an overall cruciform shape. One pair of opposing arms defines a main cutting edge. The other pair of opposing arms defines an auxiliary edge. The main cutting edge is defined by rake surfaces and relief surfaces. Each rake surface and relief surface is defined by a plurality of facets. The main cutting edge includes a chisel edge. A first pair of planar rake facets, one on each end of said chisel edge, and a first pair of planar relief facets, adjacent said chisel edge, defines a portion of the cutting edge. A remaining portion of the main cutting edge is defined at the apex of a plurality of curved rake facets and curved relief facets. The auxiliary edge is defined by a plurality of curved surfaces. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100133762 | Universal Tool Bit Shank - A universal tool shank can include an elongate body having first and second portions. The first portion can include at least one flat thereon for engagement with a recess in a first tool. The second portion can include at least one protrusion extending radially outwardly therefrom for engagement with a recess in a second tool. The first and second portions can be disposed axially apart from one another. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100118523 | FLASHLIGHT - A flashlight in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an ID module for generating an ID signal indicative of a power mode of the flashlight. In an aspect, the flashlight mates with a removable battery pack that regulates at least one of an output voltage and output current in accordance with the ID signal. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the ID module is mounted. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a soft-start module and a bulb, wherein the soft start module increases power to the bulb at a controlled rate when the flashlight is turned on. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a lamp housing having a lens retained by a bezel. The lens includes an axially extending peripheral edge. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a main housing having a lamp housing. A mounting mechanism and mating features are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the main housing and the lamp housing. In an aspect, a flexible conduit connects the main housing and lamp housing. The flexible conduit can be formed in an arc having an apex that lies directly above a center of gravity of the flashlight when the main housing and the lamp housing are coupled, thereby allowing the flashlight to be balanced when the flexible conduit is used as a carrying handle. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100116866 | MULTISTAGE SOLENOID FASTENING DEVICE - A device that generally includes a multistage solenoid having at least a first stage, a second stage and an armature member that travels therebetween. The device also includes a control module connected to the multistage solenoid. The control module detects a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage, the second stage and a combination thereof. The control module adjusts a magnetic field of the at least one of the first stage, the second stage and the combination thereof based on the position of the plunger armature relative thereto. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100108341 | Battery pack, charger and terminal block arrangements for cordless power tool system - A battery pack, charger, and terminal blocks for the pack, charger and a cordless power tool are provided. The pack includes battery cells disposed between end caps within a bottom housing of the pack, and a potting boat for housing pack electronics electrically connected to the cells between the end caps and disposed within a pack top housing. A pack terminal block is connected to the potting boat within the top housing. The charger and the power tool each include a terminal block for providing electrical connections between the charger/tool and the battery pack. The terminal block is configured to float side-to-side to provide displaceable movement of the terminal block within the charger housing or tool housing for aligning the battery pack terminal block therein. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100108337 | COMPLIANT SHIFTING MECHANISM FOR RIGHT ANGLE DRILL - A compliant shifting mechanism can change the operation of a power tool between first and second operating conditions. The shifting mechanism can provide two distinct forces on a gear set during movement of the gear set between the two operating conditions. The shifting mechanism can provide a user with a tactile sensation of the completion of the transition between the two operating conditions without the gear set completing the full transition. A shifting mechanism can automatically complete the change between operating conditions, regardless of an alignment between the gear set and another component. The two distinct forces can be a torsional resistance force and a bending resistance force. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100107423 | HANDLE AND ATTACHMENTS FOR RIGHT ANGLE DRILL - A power tool can utilize a handle that engages with a large portion of the housing and can distribute the stresses incurred by the handle over a larger area. The handle of the power tool can be a stick handle or a guard handle. The handle may be utilized to position sensors therein at positions that are remote from the working bit of the power tool. Accessory handles, such as a bail handle and a side handle, can be mounted to a single set of machined passages on the housing. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100090420 | Tool chuck with sleeve and clutch mechanism to remove operator variability - A tool chuck may include a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis. A sleeve may be mounted on the chuck body for movement between a first axial position and a second axial position. A clutch part provided on the sleeve. The clutch part may engage with a cooperating clutch part when the sleeve is in the second axial position. The clutch part may have a working surface that faces in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100085021 | METHOD FOR STEPPING CURRENT OUTPUT BY A BATTERY CHARGER - A battery charger is provided for implementing a charging method having a stepped output current. The battery charger includes: a power supply circuit that receives an AC input signal and outputs a DC output signal. The power supply circuit includes a power supply controller configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of current being output by the power supply circuit via an amplifier and operates to control current output by the power supply circuit in accordance with the feedback signal. A charger controller is interfaced with the power supply controller to implement a charging method having a stepped output current. The charger controller may set the output current level by adjusting gain of an operational amplifier having a negative feedback configuration with the feedback signal input to a non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier, where the charger controller sets the output current level by changing the resistance at an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100079098 | GENERIC MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of different motors used in a corresponding plurality of power tool applications requiring different operational characteristics. In one implementation a method involves the use of a single universal control module to store a generic, non-application-specific control algorithm. The generic, non-application-specific control algorithm has at least one programmable constant. The programmable constant is selected to transform the generic, non-application-specific control algorithm into an application-specific control algorithm. The programmable constant represents a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application to implement a phase control over the specific, selected motor. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079097 | GENERIC MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM - A method for controlling the operation of a motor utilizing a generic motor control module. The method includes sampling at least one motor operating criterion during operation of the motor and executing a generic control algorithm at a predetermined periodic interval. Execution of the algorithm provides a firing angle, duty cycle, or other suitable control function solution for an electronic valve for each periodic interval, thereby controlling the behavior of the motor. Additionally, the method includes firing the electronic valve at the calculated timing during each periodic interval such that the motor functions in accordance with desired motor operational parameters. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100065601 | Magazine Assembly For Nailer - A cordless nailer is provided having a magazine assembly with improved features. An improved latch mechanism for clearing nail jams is provided that reduces wear on the latch. A driver retention feature is provided to retain a drive blade from accidentally escaping the nailer. A pusher assembly is provided having a simplified and efficient construction. A pusher retention feature is provided that prevents the driver blade from impacting a nail pusher. A nail retention feature is provided to allow easy loading and unloading of nails into the nailer. Finally, a method of assembling the magazine assembly is provided. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100058908 | Table Saw Guard - A table saw guard assembly for guarding a blade on a table saw is provided. The table saw guard assembly includes a support structure and a hood assembly including at least one of a front curtain, first side curtain, second side curtain and top curtain, wherein each of said curtains are independently moveable and/or removable from the hood assembly. Furthermore, a table saw guard assembly is provided including a quick release mechanism for connecting the hood assembly to the support structure. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100058553 | Utility Vacuum - A utility vacuum that may be configured to employ a disposable bag or removable and reusable container for the collection of dirt and debris that are drawn into the utility vacuum. The utility vacuum may employ one or more movable legs that are movable between an extended position, which provides relatively stable operation of the utility vacuum, and a retracted position, which reduces the footprint of the utility vacuum so that it is easier to store. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100054881 | Metal Cutting Drill Bit - A combination drill bit for use in both hand held drills and stationary drill presses has a shanking end, a working end and a helical flute portion between the shanking and working ends. The helical portion has a helix length (L) of | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100043603 | POWERED RATCHET ASSEMBLY AND RELATED METHOD - A powered ratchet tool generally includes a housing having a handle portion with a trigger assembly. A motor has an output shaft member that rotates about a longitudinal axis. A ratchet assembly includes a ratchet hub member that connects to the output shaft member. A selector member connects to the ratchet assembly and is operable to change the ratchet assembly between a tighten condition and a loosen condition. A drive member is connected to the ratchet assembly. The drive member rotates about the longitudinal axis about which the ratchet hub, the selector member and the output shaft member rotates. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100038979 | Power Tool With Motor Air Flow Path Control - In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a power tool has an electric motor having a stator disposed in a field case. The stator has field coils having opposed axial ends that extend axially outwardly from opposed axial ends of a lamination stack of the stator. An armature is disposed in the stator and has a shaft on which a fan is disposed. There are gaps between the opposed axial ends of the respective field coils. The fan baffle includes an air direction member that extends into one of the gaps to direct air flow between the armature and the stator. In an aspect, the fan baffle includes a plurality of such members, one for each gap. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100038872 | BLOWER CART - In various exemplary embodiments, a cart for holding and transporting a portable blower includes one or more of the following: a rotary member configured to receive a housing of a portable blower; a cylindrical base member for supporting the rotary member; a tubular member attached at a lower end thereof to the rotary member and the base member in such a way as to permit the rotary member to be rotatable while supported on the base member; a handle attached to an upper end of the tubular member; and at least one wheel attached to the cart for guiding the cart over a surface. The cart may also include a tube locking member for adjusting the height of the tubular member, a cord retention system for securing the cord of the blower in place, a stand for holding the cart upright, and a tool storage member. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100033036 | Motor With Permanent Magnets and Method of Manufacturing; Power Tool With Same - An electric motor has a rotor and a stator. The rotor or the stator has arced permanent magnets that have essentially the same inner radius (IR) and outer radius (OR). In an aspect, the stator has a stator housing having a plurality of poles. Each pole includes a plurality of flat magnets affixed to an inner surface of the stator housing. In an aspect, flats on the outside of the stator housing key the stator assembly in a power tool housing. In an aspect, flat magnets are pre-magnetized, pre-assembled with alternating magnetic polarities, inserted into a stator housing, and remagnetized to a final, desired magnetic polarity configuration. In an aspect, pre-magnetized magnets and unmagnetized magnets are pre-assembled with unmagnetized magnets between magnetized magnets, the pre-assembled magnets inserted into a stator housing, and the unmagnetized magnets magnetized to a final, desired magnetic polarity configuration. In an aspect, pre-magnetized magnets are inserted between anchors inwardly extending from an inner surface of a stator housing with the anchors retaining each magnet placed in the stator housing between anchors from being angularly displaced by subsequently inserted magnets. In an aspect, pre-magnetized magnets are inserted in recesses in an inner surface of a stator housing with the recesses retaining each magnet placed in the stator housing between anchors from being angularly displaced by subsequently inserted magnets. In an aspect, each pole has at least three magnets, at least one of the magnets being thinner than the other magnets. In an aspect, the outer most magnets are made of magnetic material that is more resistant to demagnetization than at least one of the other magnets. In an aspect, the magnets of each pole are unevenly spaced over the pole In an aspect, a power tool includes such an electric motor. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100032468 | MULTISTAGE SOLENOID FASTENING TOOL WITH DECREASED ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND INCREASED DRIVING FORCE - A fastening device that drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece generally includes a tool housing and a multistage solenoid contained in the tool housing. The multistage solenoid includes an armature member that travels through at least a first stage, a second stage, and a sense coil disposed therebetween. A driver blade assembly includes a blade member connected to the armature member. The driver blade assembly is operable between an extended condition and a retracted condition. A control module determines a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage and the second stage based on a signal from the sense coil. The trigger assembly is connected to the control module and partially contained within the housing. The trigger assembly is operable to activate a driver sequence that moves the driver blade between the retracted condition and the extended condition. The control module adjusts a force imparted on the armature by at least one of the first stage, the second stage, and a combination thereof based on the signal from the sense coil. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100013336 | Anchoring System For A Stator Housing Assembly Having An Overmolding; Power Tool With Same - A permanent magnet electric motor has a stator and a rotor The stator has a stator housing with opposed axial ends and features skived in the stator housing to extend radially inwardly from an inner surface of the stator housing proximate to at least one of the axial ends of the stator housing. An overmolding of material is molded around the features. In an aspect, the overmolding of material is a magnetic composite material and is molded to form magnets. In an aspect, magnets are placed on the inner surface of the stator housing and the overmolding of material is a plastic that is over molded around the magnets and the features. In an aspect, the features hold the magnets in place during the molding of the overmolding around the magnets. In an aspect, the magnets have essentially the same inner radius and outer radius and the overmolding of material is thicker at edges of each magnet than at the center of each magnet. In an aspect, the magnets are flat magnets and the overmolding of material is thicker at edges of each magnet than at the center of each magnet. In an aspect a power tool has such a permanent magnet DC motor. In an aspect, a power tool has a housing with a permanent magnet electric motor in the housing, with an member coupled to the electric motor. The electric motor has a rotor and a stator but not an end plate. The stator has a stator housing having opposed axial ends and a plurality of magnets affixed to an inner surface of the stator housing and an overmolding of material molded around the magnets. The overmolding of material includes a pilot feature that mates with a pilot feature of a bearing support of the power tool. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100011530 | Vacuum Filter Cleaning Device - A vacuum may include a housing defining a suction inlet opening and a debris chamber in communication with the suction inlet opening, a suction device disposed in the housing for providing a vacuum pressure to the inlet opening, a filter disposed in an airflow path between the suction inlet opening and the suction device, and a motor driving a device for disengaging debris from the filter. The device for disengaging debris from the filter may include at least one finger disposed on a belt or a rake. The device for disengaging debris from the filter may include a vibration device that induces a vibration in the filter. A controller can allow electric current to actuate the device for disengaging debris from the filter. The controller can have a plurality of operational modes. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100007655 | ENERGY USAGE DISPLAY DEVICE - A home energy display that receives energy consumption data from a sensor or other source mounted to a home's electric meter. The display can accommodate various pricing structures including tiered rates and time-of use rates and shows various energy consumption information, including real time energy consumption and its associated cost. The display can also “zero out” a home's energy use to provide a base line so that any additional use (e.g. by a single or group of appliances) can be calculated. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100007513 | Communication Protocol For Remotely Controlled Laser Devices - A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100000846 | Switch Mechanism for a Power Cutter - A switch mechanism for a power tool switchable between an ON and OFF state including a support structure; a first actuator rotatably mounted on the support structure and which is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first actuator is capable of being releasably latched in either of the first or second positions. The first actuator includes a recess. A second actuator is a slidable button located inside of the recess of the first actuator so that the first actuator at least partially surrounds the second actuator, and is linearly slidable within the recess between a first position and a second position. The second actuator is biased towards its first position. Movement of the first actuator from its first position to its second position, when the second actuator is in its first position, switches the switching mechanism to its ON state; and movement of the first actuator from its second position to its first position, when the second actuator is in its first position, switches the switching mechanism to its OFF state. Movement of the second actuator from its first position to its second position, when the first actuator is latched in its second position, switches the switch mechanism to its OFF state. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100000752 | Resilient Stop Assembly For Impact Tool - A resilient stop assembly for an impact tool includes first and second resiliently deformable parts, and a substantially rigid part situated between the deformable parts. Each of the first and second resiliently deformable parts and the substantially rigid part comprises: first and second opposite impact surfaces, at least one peripheral surface joining the impact surfaces, and an aperture extending entirely through the part between exit openings in the impact surfaces. The first impact surface of the second resiliently deformable part is separated from the second impact surface of the first resiliently deformable part by contact of those first and second impact surfaces with the substantially rigid part. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100000067 | Battery For A Power Tool With A Battery Pack Ejector - A power tool has a mechanism for ejecting a battery pack which includes a receiving frame which defines a cavity to receive a battery pack. A receiving member is adjacent the cavity. The receiving member meshes with a member on the battery pack to hold the battery pack in the cavity. A biasing member is in the cavity adjacent the receiving member. The biasing member ejects the battery pack from the ejecting mechanism. A member retains the biasing member in the cavity. The member guides a portion of the battery pack meshing with the receiving member into contact with the biasing member such that when the battery pack is locked onto the frame, the biasing member is in a compressed condition and when the battery pack is an unlocked position, the biasing member ejects the battery pack from the frame. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20090311061 | Impact Resistant Tool Bit and Tool Bit Holder - An impact resistant tool or tool bit holder has an active end for driving a fastener and a shanking end for securing to a power tool. The active end includes a body with a bore to receive the shank and a pocket to receive a damping mechanism. The shank includes an end to engage the bore in the body, and a pocket to receive the damping mechanism. The shank is received in the bore in the body for limited rotation with respect to the body. A damping mechanism is positioned in the pockets to provide damping between the body and the shank during torque loading. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090304042 | NON-CONTACT THERMOMETER - The present invention is drawn to a non-contact thermometer that is operable to emit a first light having a first color to create a spot of a first color at a reference target and to detect the temperature of the reference target. The non-contact thermometer is additionally operable to establish a temperature difference threshold. In use, once a temperature difference threshold is selected and once the temperature of the reference target is detected, the non-contact thermometer may detect a temperature of another target. Further, if the detected temperature of the other target is outside of the temperature difference threshold as compared to the temperature of the reference target, the non-contact thermometer is operable to emit a second light having a second color to create a spot of a second color at the other target. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302088 | Anchor Installation Tool - An anchor installation tool has an elongated member with a body portion and a head portion. The body portion includes an internal bore to receive a drill bit. The head portion projects from and has a diameter smaller than the body portion. The head portion is coaxial with the body portion. An anchor guide has a sleeve-shaped body with a bore throughout the body. The bore has a portion sized to fit over the body portion and a portion to fit over the head portion. The guide slides on the body and head portions. A mechanism retains the anchor guide onto the body portion. The retaining mechanism enables sliding of the anchor guide and prohibits removal of the anchor guide from the body portion. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090301278 | MITER SAWS HAVING LOCKING ASSEMBLIES FOR OPTIMAL POSITIONING OF CUTTING BLADES - A miter saw includes a base, and a table disposed on the base, the table having a top surface extending between a front end and a rear end of the table. The miter saw also includes a cutting assembly overlying the table, the cutting assembly including a rotatable cutting blade having a peripheral cutting edge, and a motor for driving said cutting blade. At least one guide rail is connected with the table and coupled with the cutting assembly for guiding sliding movement of the cutting assembly over the table between a rear-most position and a forward-most position. The miter saw includes a locking assembly coupled with at least one of the cutting assembly and the at least one guide rail for locking the cutting assembly in an intermediate position located between the rear-most position and the forward-most position. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090295169 | STARTER SYSTEM FOR PORTABLE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE ELECTRIC GENERATORS USING A PORTABLE UNIVERSAL BATTERY PACK - A portable power driven system has a manually movable frame. In one example, an internal combustion engine and a generator device that generates AC power are supported on the frame. The internal combustion engine drives the generator device. An electrically powered starting device is coupled to the internal combustion engine. A control panel is coupled to the frame and includes at least one AC outlet and a battery receptacle that is electrically coupled to the starting device. The battery receptacle is materially the same as a foot of a cordless power tool that receives a battery pack. According to one aspect, the battery pack for the cordless power tool may be permanently mounted in the battery receptacle and provides electrical power to the starting device. The battery receptacle may be contained in an enclosure. The enclosure may provide biasing members urging the battery pack into the battery receptacle. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294508 | Fastener Driving Tool - A fastener driving tool arranged to drive fasteners into a workpiece includes at least one electric motor having a central stator and an external rotor arranged to rotate around the stator. The rotor may be in the form of a flywheel. The tool includes an energy transfer member such as a driver arranged to transfer kinetic energy from the rotor to a fastener held in the tool, thereby to drive the fastener from the tool into a workpiece. The electric motor may be a brushless motor. The tool may include two such motors, arranged such that both of their rotors propel the driver simultaneously. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294507 | Fastener Supply Assembly - A fastener supply assembly for a fastener driving tool includes an outlet passage arranged to expel fasteners from the assembly to a workpiece during use, a magazine comprising a plurality of supply channels arranged to hold fasteners and supply them to the outlet passage, and a channel selector. The channel select has an opening and is arranged to selectively connect, via its opening, the outlet passage with each respective supply channel of the magazine, by movement of the channel selector relative to both the magazine and a longitudinal axis of the outlet passage. The movement of the channel selector may comprise rotation about the longitudinal axis of the outlet passage. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294505 | Fastener Driving Tool - A fastener driving tool arranged to drive fasteners into a workpiece includes a support, at least one wheel movably mounted on the support, a driver arranged to contact and he guided by the wheel when the wheel is in an operative position in use, a nose part retractable relative to the support, and a connection mechanism to operatively interconnect the nose part with the wheel. The tool is arranged such that, in use, the retraction of the nose part causes the connection mechanism to move the wheel from an inoperative position to the operative position. Subsequent forward movement of the driver guided by the wheel toward the nose part causes the operative interconnection between the nose part and the wheel to be broken. Forward movement of the nose part relative to the support, subsequent to the operative interconnection between the nose part and the wheel being broken, causes the operative interconnection between the nose part and the wheel to be re-formed. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294504 | Fastener Driving Tool - A fastener driving tool arranged to drive fasteners into a workpiece includes a support, a pair of sub-assemblies movably mounted on the support, each sub-assembly comprising a motor and an associated flywheel, and a nose part retractable relative to the support. The tool is arranged such that, in use, when the nose part is retracted, its movement relative to the support mechanically forces the sub-assemblies toward each other. The forcing of the sub-assemblies toward each other by the retraction of the nose part may move the sub-assemblies from an inoperative position to an operative position. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090294502 | Fastener Driving Tool - A fastener outlet assembly for a fastener driving tool includes: an outlet passage arranged to expel fasteners from the assembly to a workpiece during use, the outlet passage having one or more walls; and a detector arranged to detect whether a fastener is present in the outlet passage. The detector comprises at least part of a cover that provides at least part of a wall of the outlet passage, the cover being movable with respect to the remainder of the outlet passage to open the outlet passage and gain access thereto. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090293991 | Planer - A hand held electrically powered planer including a housing; an electric motor mounted within the housing; a work piece engaging shoe mounted on the underside of the housing having an aperture formed therethrough; and a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the housing, which is capable of being rotatably driven by the electric motor when the electric motor is activated. A part of the cutting drum protrudes through the aperture to engage a work piece. A cutting blade is mounted on the cutting drum. A rear handle is mounted on the housing and includes an elongate shaft attached at one end only to the rear of the housing and extends forward in a lengthwise direction over a portion of the housing toward the front end of the housing. A grip is mounted or formed on the elongate shaft and there is a front handle which is mounted on the free end of the shaft forward of the grip. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090288937 | AUTOMATIC LIGHT SWITCH AND RELATED METHOD - An automatic switch control fits over a switch on a wall to move a toggle of the switch between an on position and an off position. The automatic switch control generally includes a housing and a wheel member rotatably supported by the housing. The wheel member has a cam member with a ramp surface. An electric motor is operable to rotate the wheel member about an axis of rotation that is generally perpendicular to the wall. A first plunger mechanism has a first spring member that is operable to urge a first cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. A second plunger mechanism has a second spring member that is operable to urge a second cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. The second plunger mechanism is disposed on an opposite side of the toggle from the first plunger mechanism when the automatic switch control is installed over the switch. The electric motor is operable to rotate the cam member to position the first plunger mechanism in a retracted condition and to position the second plunger mechanism in an extended condition that is operable to move the toggle to the on position. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090288533 | AIR DEFLECTOR ASSEMBLIES FOR MITER SAWS - A saw includes a rotatable cutting blade having a first side, a second side, an outer edge and a front end region, a motor for driving the cutting blade, and a blade guard covering at least a portion of the blade. The saw has an air deflector assembly positioned in proximity to the front edge region of the cutting blade, the air deflector assembly having a first deflector device positioned substantially adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the first side of the rotatable cutting blade, and a second deflector device. The second deflector device is movable between an operating position whereby the second deflector device is positioned substantially adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the second side of the blade, and a non-operating position wherein the second deflector device is spaced apart from the blade by a greater distance than in the operating position. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090284022 | PORTABLE POWER DRIVEN EQUIPMENT WITH INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COMBINED BATTERY CHARGING AND STARTING CIRCUIT WHERE THE BATTERY IS A REMOVABLE BATTERY PACK - A portable generator system having a generator for generating an electrical output signal, an internal combustion engine for driving the generator, a starter for starting the internal combustion engine, an alternator for generating an AC signal for powering a charger assembly, a battery pack, and a charger subsystem. The charger system has a charger assembly that receives the AC signal and generates a DC charging signal for recharging the battery pack. The charger assembly has a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is used to apply an output of the battery to energize the starter. The second switch, when placed in a Start position, enables current from the battery pack to energize the starter while inhibiting the application of the DC charging signal to the battery pack. When placed in the Charge position, the second switch inhibits the battery pack output from energizing the starter while enabling the DC charging signal to be applied to the battery pack. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090277014 | Scoop and Blade Guard for Hedge Trimmer - A blade guard for a hedge trimmer that can cut trimmings from a hedge includes a cutting arm member with a first set of the cutting blades that extends laterally from the cutting arm member. The blade guard generally includes a first housing member and a second housing member movable between an open condition and a closed condition. A connecting member on the blade guard member that is operable to releasably couple to the cutting arm member. The first housing member and the second housing member in the open condition establish an opening between the first housing member and the second housing member. The blade guard in the open condition is operable to catch the trimmings in the opening between the first housing member and the second housing member. The blade guard in the closed condition is operable to cover the first set of the cutting blades. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090275273 | Power Tool Having an Electronically Commutated Motor and Double Insulation - A power tool has a housing a housing having an electronically commutated motor disposed therein. The motor has a rotor and a stator. The rotor has permanent magnets. The stator has a lamination stack and windings wound therein. Features are provided to provide double insulation. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090271944 | Vacuum Cleaner Control System - The present invention provides a vacuum cleaner control system comprising a first user-operable control for switching a suction source of the vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition, a second user-operable control for switching a rotatable brush in a floorhead of the vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition, a third user-operable control for switching a filter cleaning mechanism for cleaning a filter of the vacuum cleaner between an on condition and an off condition, a detector for detecting when a handle of the vacuum cleaner is tilted between a substantially vertical, storage position and an angled, use position, and an electronic circuit for receiving input signals from the first, second and third user-operable controls and from the detector. The electronic circuit has a first output for switching the suction source on and off, a second output for switching the floorhead brush on and off and a third output for switching the filter cleaning mechanism on and off. The vacuum cleaner control system further comprises a display, and the electronic circuit further comprises an output for driving the display, and the display comprises an input for receiving the output from the electronic circuit. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090271941 | Upright Vacuum Cleaners - The present invention provides an upright vacuum cleaner ( | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090265943 | Portable Band Saw - A portable band saw includes a serviceable/replaceable bumper system for allowing the band saw to be easily repaired if damaged from being dropped. An auxiliary handle is adjustably mounted to the band saw and is releasable from its position if subjected to a large force so as to avoid damage to the handle and tool housing. An adjustable guide shoe includes a toolless adjustment. The front and rear section of the band saw are disposed on opposite sides of a polymeric field case. Compression rods are used to isolate compression forces from the polymeric field case. An electric box assembly including a plastic component box is disposed between the field case and a front section of the band saw. A crash guard is mounted adjacent to the field case and includes a sight guide along an edge thereof and a rear blade guard formed integrally therewith. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090260495 | Workpiece adjusting method and apparatus for a miter saw - A workpiece adjusting mechanism for a miter saw is provided. The workpiece adjusting mechanism may include: a table for supporting a workpiece to be cut by the miter saw; an engager for engaging the workpiece, the engager configured to move the workpiece with respect to the table; and an actuator configured to control the engager to move the workpiece with respect to the table. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090260179 | Vacuum Cleaner - A portable vacuum cleaner having a fan which draws air inwards through inlet duct and inlet to coarse filter element. Larger dirt particles are trapped within coarse filter element, and the filtered air passes through fine filter element and into fan, where it is expelled through outlet duct and outlet aperture. A cleaning member mounted on the coarse filter element that engages the fine filter element so that upon remove of the coarse filter element, the cleaning member slides along the fine filter element removing particles thereon. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090221221 | Low Height Quarter Sheet Sander - A reduced height quarter sheet sander has a housing having first and second halves mated together. An upper portion of the housing provides a handle. An electric motor is disposed in the housing. The electric motor has a stator and an armature. The stator has field coils and the armature has an armature shaft on which a commutator is affixed. A pair of brush boxes is disposed in the housing on opposite sides of the commutator. The brush boxes lie in a horizontal elevation when the sander is upright. An orbit mechanism is coupled to the armature shaft and a platen is coupled to the orbit mechanism. In an aspect, a switch disposed in the handle of the housing and a terminal block (at which a cordset that enters the housing terminates) disposed in the handle of the housing have generally the same horizontal elevation as the brush boxes (when the sander is upright). In an aspect, first and second halves of the housing have lower screw bosses generally on opposite sides of the electric motor that extend across the housing from one half to the other half, the stator disposed in the housing so that the field coils extend across the housing from one half to the other half and outside the lower screw bosses wherein bottoms of the field coils are horizontally adjacent or below the lower screw bosses when the sander is upright. In an aspect, the sander has a vertical height of that does not exceed 135 mm. In an aspect, the sander has a vertical height that does not exceed 130 mm. In an aspect, the sander has a vertical height that does not exceed about 125 mm. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090211932 | Tool Container - A tool storage container has a two sided base. Covers are secured to each side of the base via a pair of latches. The base includes a wall portion which provides a plurality of tool holding receptacles. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090211664 | Planer and Thicknesser - A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passageway that substantially extends through the frame. The planer and thicknesser further comprises an upper table having front and rear sections mounted on the frame, wherein a slot is located between the front and rear sections of the upper table, and a lower table moveably mounted within the passageway. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that a portion of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a portion of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it covers a portion of the cutting drum to a second position where it does not cover a portion of the cutting drum. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090209379 | LATHE BELT TENSION DESIGNS - A belt tensioning device is provided for an apparatus such as a lathe which includes a centering member adapted to be attached to a workpiece and is supported for rotation about an axis. A motor is spaced from the centering member and is supported by a pivot member. A drive pulley is attached to the motor and a driven pulley is attached to the centering member. A belt is engaged between the drive pulley and the driven pulley for transmitting driving torque from the motor to the centering member. A belt tensioning device is provided for moving the pivot member between a first position wherein the belt is tensioned between the drive and driven pulleys and a second position wherein the belt is loosened between the drive and driven pulleys. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090206783 | Soft start for electric motor of a power tool - A power tool has an electric motor with field windings. In an aspect of the invention, each field winding includes two coils wound with the same number of turns of the same gauge magnet wire. When the motor is first energized, the two coils of each field winding are connected in series, reducing in-rush current. Upon expiration of a soft start period, which can be after the motor reaches a predetermined speed or upon expiration of a predetermined time period, the two coils of each field winding are connected in parallel. In another aspect of the invention, an electric motor used in a power tool includes field windings that are connected in series with a separate start winding when the motor is first energized. Upon expiration of the soft start period, the start winding is bypassed. In another aspect of the invention, the separate start winding includes two sub-windings. The two sub-windings are connected in a way that magnetic field created by the two sub-windings is counterbalanced so that the overall magnetic force created by the start winding in the motor armature is minimized or zero. Also, the voltage across the two sub-windings is minimized or zero. In another aspect, the field windings are connected in series with a start impedance when the motor is first energized and a time delay relay having a set of delay contacts coupled across the start impedance energized. Upon expiration of the soft start period, the time delay contacts close, bypassing the start impedance. In an aspect, the motor is a universal motor. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090202363 | Cooling arrangement for a portable air compressor - A portable air compressor assembly includes a tubular frame having side sections and an assembly longitudinal axis. A support plate between the side sections supports a power unit having a longitudinal axis arranged perpendicular to the assembly longitudinal axis. A compressor having a compressor head and longitudinal axis is mounted to the support plate with the compressor longitudinal axis parallel to the power unit longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the assembly longitudinal axis. A fan connected to the power unit generates an air flow. A ducted cover enclosing the fan includes an air passage directing the air flow from the fan to the compressor head. The ducted cover includes inner and outer covers each including a portion of the air passage. An air scoop extends into the outer cover portion of the air passage to redirect the air flow. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090200891 | Electric Motor Having A Field Assembly With Slot Insulation - An electric motor has a field assembly, such as a stator, for a dynamoelectric machine has field coils that are wound to a net shape. Lead wires are brought out from the ends of each field coil. The field coils are insulated with insulating sleeves or insulating slot liners. The field coils are assembled with stator core pieces, such as pole pieces and return path pieces, into the stator. The stator core pieces are formed prior to being assembled with the field coils. In an aspect of the invention, the pole pieces and return path pieces are separately formed and then assembled together with the field coils, which have also been separately formed. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090199928 | POWER PLANER - A planing machine including a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. The planing machine may have panel mounted on at least one one of the base and the carriage assembly and extending between the carriage assembly and the base housing for preventing user contact with the cutterhead. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090195204 | Power Tool Having Motor Speed Monitor - A hammer drill comprising a body ( | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090183888 | FASTENING TOOL - A power tool for operating on a workpiece, the power tool having a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. A controller is connected to the motor and receives user inputs for turning on the motor and a power tool battery pack is connected to the controller and the motor. At least one light is connected to the controller for illuminating the workpiece. The controller can turn on the light in a predetermined pattern to alert the user to a tool condition, such as the charge level being below a predetermined level. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090183336 | Outlet Box For Power Tool Sense - A vacuum electronic power tool sense system senses the operation of a power tool that is plugged into an auxiliary outlet box and the vacuum source is automatically operated to facilitate user clean-up of debris generated by use of the power tool. The auxiliary outlet box can be removably mounted to the vacuum housing. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090178819 | Adjustable exhaust assembly for pneumatic fastener - An adjustable exhaust assembly for a pneumatic fastening tool having body and a handle extending from the body, the handle defining an inlet channel for receiving input of pressurized gas and an outlet channel for outputting exhaust. The adjustable exhaust assembly includes a base non-rotatably attachable to an end of the handle opposite the body. The base has a plate and a boss extending from the plate. The boss is configured to receive an air hose and defining an inlet opening configured to direct compressed air to the inlet channel. The plate has an outlet opening in communication with the outlet channel. A substantially annular and cap is rotatably received about the boss. The cap defines a substantially annular channel in communication with the outlet opening of the base and an outlet port defined in a portion of a circumferential wall of the annular cap and in communication with the annular channel. Rotation of the cap about the boss moves the outlet opening among a plurality of radial positions relative to the boss. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090174563 | BATTERY IDENTIFICATION FOR BATTERY PACKS WITH INTER-CELL TAPS - A battery charger comprises a first electrical contact that receives a positive contact of an attached battery pack; a second electrical contact that receives a negative contact of the attached battery pack; a plurality of inter-cell electrical contacts that selectively receive inter-cell contacts of the attached battery pack; a measurement module; and a control module. The inter-cell contacts of the attached battery pack are connected to nodes between cells of the attached battery pack. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090173765 | PROFILE LIFTER FOR A NAILER - A driving tool that includes a frame, a motor assembly and a resilient member. The motor assembly is coupled to the frame and includes an electric motor, a flywheel driven by the electric motor, a pinch roller and a driver disposed between the flywheel and the pinch roller. The pinch roller is selectively movable from a first position to a second position to drive the driver into engagement with the flywheel. The driver is movable between a returned position and an extended position. The resilient member is coupled to the frame and biases the driver away from the flywheel to reduce or eliminate contact between the flywheel and the driver when the flywheel is at rest, the driver is in the returned position and the pinch roller is in the first position. A method for operating a driving tool is also provided. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090166393 | MULTISTAGE SOLENOID FASTENING DEVICE - A method of driving a fastener into a workpiece with a tool generally includes retracting a trigger into a housing of the tool to execute a driver sequence and establishing a magnetic field in a multistage solenoid. The magnetic field is established in at least one of a first stage and a second stage. The method includes drawing an armature member to an extended condition from a retracted condition with the magnetic field and determining a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage and the second stage. The method also includes directing power between the first stage and the second stage during the driver sequence based on the position of the armature member. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090159737 | Tool for Manufacturing Coils for Dynamoelectric Machines and Method Therefor - A tool and method for winding and forming a field coil for field assembly, such as a stator, includes separable tool halves defining a winding cavity therebetween. The winding cavity receives magnet wire that is wound therein, such as by rotating the tool or a winding nozzle. The magnet wire generally conforms to the shape of the winding cavity such that when the tool halves are separated, a field coil having a net shape is produced. Once the magnet wire is sufficiently deposited within the winding cavity, wires of the coil may be bonded together either through a resistive heating process such as by passing an electrical current through the coil or through other heating or chemical bonding methods to thereby maintain the net shape of the field coil once it is removed from the tool. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090146614 | Protection Methods, Protection Circuits and Protection Devices for Secondary Batteries, a Power Tool, Charger and Battery Pack Adapted to Provide Protection Against Fault Conditions in the Battery Pack - In a cordless power tool system, protection methods, circuits and devices are provided to protect against fault conditions within a battery pack that is operatively attached to a power tool or charger, so as to prevent internal or external damage to the battery pack or attached tool or charger. The exemplary methods, circuits and devices address fault conditions such as over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-temperature, etc. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090145568 | Process of Manufacturing Power Tool Component - A method of making a wear and fatigue resistant component of a power tool (e.g., a clutch) includes providing a quantity of base steel and a quantity of alloying elements to be added to the base steel to form a desired alloyed grade of steel. The base steel and alloying elements are combined and melted to produce a molten alloyed steel (e.g., SAE 9310 or AISI M2). The molten alloyed steel is cast using a near-net-shape investment casting process to form a component of a power tool. An edge of the component is pre-radiused. and the component is case hardened after the edge of the component has been pre-radiused. In one implementation, the component is a clutch that has a lifespan of at least twice a lifespan of a second clutch that has not been pre-radiused prior to case hardening. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090145520 | JOIST DRILL - A power tool for drilling a hole in a workpiece made of wood or a wood material. The power tool generally includes a tool housing defining a handle and a motor contained within the tool housing that includes an output shaft that spins about a motor axis. A gear housing is connected to the tool housing. An output spindle is supported for rotation about a spindle axis in the gear housing. The spindle axis is disposed about ninety degrees from the motor axis. A gear portion on the output shaft is engaged to a gear portion on the output spindle. The motor and the gear portions are configured to rotate the output spindle at a speed in range from about five thousand revolutions per minute to about twenty-five thousand revolutions per minute. A cutting member is connected to the output spindle. The cutting member includes fluted cutting blades. A carriage assembly includes a base member and a head member connected by a first post having a first compliant member and a second post. The head member slides relative to the first and second posts and against a force exerted by the first compliant member when the head member is moved toward the base member to pass the cutting member through the base member to engage the workpiece. The base member includes a generally planar face on a bottom surface of the base member that is generally perpendicular to the spindle axis. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090145280 | Reciprocating Saw Blade with Plunge Nose - A reciprocating saw blade has a body with two ends and two edges. The first end is a shanking end to secure the blade with a reciprocating saw. The second end is a plunging end to enter into a workpiece. The first edge has a plurality of teeth and gullets. A second edge opposes the first edge. The plurality of teeth has a first tooth immediately adjacent the plunging end. The first tooth is a full tooth and is also a raker or unset tooth. The first gullet adjacent the first tooth has a size at least 1.5 times the gullet size of the remainder of the plurality of gullets. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090144992 | Jigsaw Blade - A jigsaw blade has an elongated body with a first and second end, a cutting edge and an opposing back edge. A plurality of teeth is formed on the cutting edge. The first tooth of the plurality of teeth is immediately adjacent the second end of the blade. The first tooth is raker tooth and has a rake face and a clearance face. The rake face and clearance face intersect to form a cutting edge of the first tooth. The second end defines a plunging nose. The second end includes a nose end surface that extends between the cutting edge and the back edge. The nose end surface is on an angle of about 35° with respect to a line defined by tips of the plurality of teeth. The nose end surface intersects the first tooth relief surface to form an angled cutting edge with a leading sharp point. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090144931 | Hand-Held Cordless Vacuum Cleaner - A hand-held vacuum cleaner with a container for the storage of dirt and debris therein. To provide improved efficiency and performance, the hand-held vacuum may employ a primary HEPA filter, a device for swirling a dirt and debris laden air flow and/or a mechanized filter cleaning device. Swirling may be employed to direct entrained dirt and debris in a desired direction relative to the container to slow the rate with which dirt and debris accumulates on the primary filter and/or to centrifugally remove dirt and debris from the air flow. Mechanized cleaning is employed to shake, scrape or otherwise remove accumulated dirt and debris from the primary filter. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090134195 | PUSHER BEARING AND PUSHER BLOCK FOR MAGAZINE - A magazine for a fastening tool drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece. The magazine generally includes an outer case and an inner rail movable relative to the outer case. The inner rail is extendable from the outer case to permit adding the one or more fasteners to the magazine. A bar extends between a front end and a rear end of the inner rail. A pusher bearing slidably receives the bar. A spring biases the pusher bearing toward the front end. A pusher block is coupled to the pusher bearing and disposed over the bar. The pusher block is operable to rock about the pusher bearing as the pusher block is sliding through the inner rail to urge the one or more fasteners toward the front end. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090133559 | Power tool - A power tool comprising a housing displaceably mounted to a foot plate, a blade, a motor, an electric switch and an interlock for controlling movement of the housing with respect to the foot plate. The interlock has a control button mounted to one of the housing or foot plate which cooperates with a channel fixed in relation to the other of the housing or foot plate. The control button can select between a plunge cut mode wherein the blade can protrude below the foot plate, or a blade change mode wherein the blade is prepared for a blade change operation. The channel comprises a major leg in communication with a minor leg. Cooperation between the control button and the major leg selects the plunge cut mode. Cooperation between the control button and the minor leg selects the blade change mode. The interlock may also comprise a housing lock and a spindle lock. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090129876 | Multi-speed drill and transmission with low gear only clutch - A multi-speed drill includes a housing with a motor including an output member. A constant mesh parallel axis transmission can be disposed in the housing and can include a high speed and low speed gears. A clutch member can be associated with the low speed gear. A conical spring can bias the low speed gear and the clutch member together for torque transfer up to a predetermined torque level. Above the predetermined level, cam surfaces between the low speed gear and the clutch member move them apart, thereby limiting torque transfer to the output spindle. In the high speed mode the torque transfer between the input pinion and the output spindle bypasses the clutch member. The maximum torque level capable of being generated at the output spindle in the high speed mode can be less than the predetermined torque level. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126964 | Mid-handle drill construction and assembly process - A power tool can include a gear case, a motor having first and second sets of lead wires, a housing assembly, and a field case. The field case may include a front portion configured for engaging the gear case and a rear portion. The housing assembly may include first and second generally symmetrical housing segments configured for engaging the field case and forming a mid-handle grip. The first set of lead wires may be routed through the front portion of the field case directly to a trigger switch assembly. A method for assembling a mid-handle power tool is also provided and may include routing lead wires through a ventilation path between the field case and trigger assembly. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126958 | Multi-mode drill and transmission sub-assembly including a gear case cover supporting biasing - A multi-mode drill can include a transmission to transfer torque from an output member of a motor to an output spindle. A transmission housing encloses the transmission in an interior cavity formed by a gear case shell and a cover plate. The cover plate can be coupled to the outer shell via screws. A static shift rod can be supported at one end by the cover plate. A shift bracket can be mounted on the shift rod and biased to a mode position by a biasing member exerting a force between the shift bracket and the cover plate. A shift pin can be supported adjacent one end by the cover plate and biased to a mode position by a biasing member exerting a force between the shift pin and the cover plate. A spindle biasing member can bias the output spindle against the cover plate. The shift pin can actuate an electronic switch. A motor housing can be coupled to the transmission housing with fasteners so that the cover fasteners are not accessible. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126957 | Multi-mode drill with mode collar - A drill includes a housing and a motor coupled to an output member by a transmission. The transmission can selectively couple the output member to an output spindle through a low speed output gear or a high speed output gear for rotating the output spindle at a first speed or a second speed, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, a low speed mode can be provided by actuating an electronic switch that limits the speed of the motor. A rotatably fixed hammer member and a rotatable hammer member can be mounted around the output spindle. A mode collar can be rotatably mounted on the, housing and around the output member for movement to positions that correspond to various mode of operation, including a low speed mode, a high speed mode, and a hammer-drilling mode. In the hammer-drilling mode, the transmission operates in the high speed mode. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126956 | Multi-mode hammer drill with shift lock - A shift bracket can be mounted on a shift rod for movement between a first, high-speed drilling mode and a second, low-speed drilling mode. Cooperating shift lock surfaces can be associated with the shift bracket and the shift rod, respectively. For example, a groove in the can create a shift lock surface on the shift rod. The shift bracket can be moved into a locked configuration where the cooperating shift lock surfaces can engage each other preventing movement of the bracket out of the high-speed drilling mode. The hammer mode can correspond to the high-speed drilling mode, but not to the low-speed drilling mode. A spring member can bias the bracket toward the locked position. An actuation member can be coupled to the shift bracket to overcome the biasing member and to rotate or perpendicularly move the bracket into an unlocked position. The actuation member can also move the shift member from the first mode to the second mode. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126955 | Hammer drill with hard hammer support structure - A drill housing supports an output spindle comprising a material that is relatively soft. The non-rotating hammer member can be mounted around the output spindle, adjacent its forward end, and adjacent the relatively soft material of the drill housing. The non-rotating hammer member can include support slots located along its edge. Support rods that are made of a relatively hard material can extend through the support slots to support the non-rotating hammer member. A plurality of recesses can be provided in the relatively soft material of the drill housing to support the non-rotating hammer member. A hammer mode shift mechanism can be configured to move the non-rotating hammer member along the support rods between a first position corresponding to a non-hammer mode and a second position corresponding to a hammer mode. The relatively hard support rods support the non-rotating hammer member to thereby resist damage to the relatively soft material of the housing member. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126954 | Multi-mode drill with an electronic switching arrangement - A drill includes a housing with a motor coupled to an output spindle via a transmission. A mode collar can be rotatably mounted on the housing for movement that corresponds to different modes of operation. The mode collar can be coupled to an electronic switch to operate a movable member thereof. The coupling can include a switch housing including a slide member, an actuation spring member and a return spring member. The mode collar can have a cam surface and a cam follower in the form of a shift pin that moves the slide member, causing actuation of the switch. The actuation spring member provides a biasing force that is sufficient to overcome a biasing force of a switch spring member to move the movable member into the actuated position. The mode collar can also enable and disable contact between a fixed hammer member and a movable hammer member mounted around the output spindle. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090126184 | Method of making an armature - An armature for an electric motor has a lamination stack on a shaft with a commutator mounted on one end of the shaft. Magnet wires wound in slots in the lamination stack, the commutator and armature shaft are at least partially encapsulated in thermoset. The commutator has a commutator ring divided into a plurality of segments with slots between the segments that are filled with a second plastic when the commutator is made by molding a core of the second plastic, such as phenolic, in the commutator ring before the commutator ring is mounted on the armature shaft. Prior to molding the thermoset, the commutator ring is sealed. The seal prevents the thermoset from flowing into the slots between the commutator ring segments or over the commutator ring. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090120657 | SAFETY MECHANISM FOR A ROTARY HAMMER - An improved method is provided for controlling a power tool having a rotary shaft. The method includes: disposing an inertial mass in a housing of the power tool, such that the inertial mass is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation which is axially aligned with the rotary shaft; monitoring rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass during operation of the power tool; and activating a protective operation based on the rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090116917 | Large Holesaw Mandrel Assembly - A holesaw mandrel has a mandrel body with at least one bore, a pilot drill bit bore, and a first end coupled with the body. The first end is coupled with a driver. A second end extends from the body and includes a threaded spud. A sliding collar is axially movable on the mandrel body. The sliding collar includes at least one pin extending the bore in the mandrel body. A resilient member is positioned adjacent the threaded member to provide enhanced securement of the holesaw. The sliding collar is magnetized to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the holesaw. A positioning member is in the pilot drill bore to provide a desired orientation of the pilot drill bit. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090115145 | THREE POSITION SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATED CHUCK - A automated chuck is provided with at least three user selectable operating modes, thereby enabling different functions to be performed during tightening and loosening of the chuck. In one exemplary implementation, the different user selectable operating modes of the chuck may be used to actuate a motor direction switch of the drill. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090114697 | MAGAZINE FOR WIRED-COLLATED FASTENERS WITH AUTOMATIC LOADING - A fastening tool includes a housing assembly having a nosepiece and a magazine assembly that is coupled to the housing assembly. The magazine assembly includes a canister, a door structure, a feed pawl and a follower structure. The canister is configured to hold a plurality of collated fasteners and has a first canister portion and a second canister portion that is movable relative to the first canister portion between a closed position and an open position. The fastening tool further includes a coil feeder assembly having an indexing pawl. The indexing pawl advances a fastener into operative engagement with the feed pawl upon movement of the second canister portion from the open position to the closed position. The movement of the indexing pawl may be effectuated by an electric actuator. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090114314 | Router - A router includes a motor housing, a motor provided in the motor housing driving a collet for turning a cutting tool, and a base for resting on a workpiece. Support columns mounted to the base allow the motor housing to move relative to the base in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the cutting tool. The support columns are spaced apart in a direction transverse to the rotational axis, and the motor housing is connected to the support columns by means of support members spaced apart in a direction parallel to the rotational axis. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090114313 | Handle Assembly - An apparatus for providing convenient grasping of a router adjacent base/motor housing includes a base for supporting a motor housing for driving a working tool. A generally L-shaped handle including a connecting member and grasping member is connected to the base for permitting a user to comfortably manipulate the power tool adjacent the motor housing. In further aspect, a removable a generally L-shaped handle includes a channel extending through the handle for directing dust and debris away from the working tool. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090114312 | Depth Adjustment Mechanism - A router includes a motor housing containing a motor and coupled to a tool holder configured to receive a tool bit that is driven rotationally by the motor. A base receives the motor housing for movement in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the motor housing. A depth adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of a position of the motor housing relative to the base along the axial direction. The depth adjustment mechanism has a threaded shaft rotationally coupled to one of the motor housing and the base and a thread engaging member coupled to the other of the motor housing and the base. The threaded shaft is engageable with the thread engaging member. A seam defined in the base adjacent to the depth adjustment mechanism. A clamp arm clamps across the seam between an open position and a closed position, whereby when the clamp arm is in the open position, the threaded shaft may be rotated to move the motor housing in an axial direction relative to the base, and when the clamp arm is in the closed position, movement of the motor housing relative to the base in an axial direction is prevented. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090104857 | IN-LINE SANDER - An in-line profile sander is disclosed. The in-line profile sander includes a sander housing configured to be grasped by a user. A plurality of interchangeable profile sanding pads can be mounted at a head of the housing. The sander includes an in-line oscillating mechanism for moving the profile sanding pads in a linear oscillating motion. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090101376 | MODE CHANGE MECHANISM FOR A POWER TOOL - A power tool ( | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090096421 | METHOD FOR BALANCING CELLS IN A BATTERY PACK - A method is provided for charging a plurality of cells in a battery pack to a target charging value. The method includes: delivering a charging current to the plurality of cells; monitoring cell voltage of each cell in the plurality of cells to determine when at least one of the cells reaches the target charging value; and diverting the charging current around the cells having reached the target charging value and cooperatively adjusting the charging current so that a current received by the cells having reached the target charging value is substantially zero. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090096419 | BOTTOM BASED BALANCING IN LITHIUM ION SYSTEM - A method comprises discharging each of a plurality of cells of a battery pack, stopping the discharging of a selected cell of the plurality of cells when the selected cell reaches a predetermined capacity, and charging the plurality of cells after the discharging has stopped for all of the plurality of cells. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090095360 | Vacuum With Multiple Exhaust Points - A vacuum is provided with multiple exhaust points which provide for quieter, lower velocity discharge of the air from the vacuum source. The multiple exhaust points are supplied from a radially extending chamber that is defined between upper and lower panels. The radially extending chamber has both vertical and radial sections that operate to slow the velocity of the exhaust air to reduce the noise generated by the vacuum. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090095141 | ADJUSTABLE FENCE FOR A MITER SAW - A miter saw includes a base, a table rotatably coupled with the base, and a cutting assembly connected to the table. The miter saw includes a fence assembly attached to the base and overlying the top surface of the table. The fence assembly has a fixed fence with a front face, a rear face, a top surface extending between the front and rear faces, and an elongated tongue projecting from the top surface. The fence assembly also has a movable fence with a front face, a rear face and an elongated groove formed in an underside thereof adapted to engage the elongated tongue for guiding movement of the movable fence over the fixed fence. The fence assembly includes at least one spring projecting from the elongated tongue for urging the movable fence toward the rear face of the fixed fence and into enhanced surface contact with the fixed fence. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090092499 | Air Inlet Cover - In a first aspect, the present invention provides an air inlet cover ( | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090090609 | Rotating Dual Switching Mechanism - The present invention provides a rotating dual switching mechanism comprising: a first switch ( | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090079151 | Dolly frame generator - The present invention is directed to a generally L-shaped frame assembly or dolly for mechanical devices, such as generators. The assembly includes a first and second frame portions. The first frame portion includes intermediate segments which are substantially equal or greater than the length of the mechanical device so as to protect the device and provide a lifting point for hoisting. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090077820 | Control of Reciprocation Speed and Orbital Magnitude of a Jigsaw with a Plurality of Material and/or Task Descriptive Icons - A jigsaw generally includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A single control member is connected to the housing and configured to be accessible by a user. A reciprocating shaft moves at a reciprocation speed and at a magnitude of orbital motion when the trigger assembly is in a retracted condition. The single control member is operable to be positioned among a plurality of positions. Each of the positions corresponds to a predetermined combination of values of the reciprocation speed and the magnitude of the orbital motion. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090077819 | Cutting Angle Indicator in Jigsaw Housing with Positive Lock in Separately Assembled Shoe Sub-Assembly - A jigsaw generally includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A shoe member is pivotally connected to the housing. A locking mechanism has an unlocked condition that permits the shoe member to pivot relative to the housing and a locked condition that prevents the shoe member from pivoting relative to the housing. A stop member extends from the housing and the shoe member is configured to be moved axially relative to the housing so that a portion of the shoe member engages the stop member to prevent the shoe member from pivoting relative to the housing. The stop members provide an additional positive lock for the shoe member at a certain cutting angle. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090077818 | Housing of a cutting tool including blade storage, integral blade guard and motor ventilation pathway - A jigsaw that uses a cutting blade generally includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A blade storage compartment is recessed in the housing. A platform is provided in the blade storage compartment having a first edge that at least partially defines a first recess that extends further into the housing beyond the platform. A member is connected to the platform that produces a magnetic field that releasably secures the cutting blade to the platform. The magnetic field is configured to permit a user to tilt the cutting blade about the first edge of the platform into the first recess to overcome the magnetic field and remove the cutting blade from the storage compartment. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090077817 | DASH-DOT LASER CUTTING GUIDE TILTABLE FROM A HOUSING FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT - A jigsaw generally includes a housing that contains a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A reciprocating shaft is connected to the motor that extends from the housing toward a cutting area. A laser module is contained with a housing operable to produce a laser light pattern forward of the cutting area. An upper connection portion releaseably connects the housing of the laser module to the housing of the jigsaw. A lower connection portion pivotally couples the housing of the laser module to the housing of the jigsaw to permit the housing of the laser module to tilt away from the housing of the jigsaw to provide access to a rear area of the laser module. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090077816 | ADJUSTABLE AND REMOVABLE KEEL ASSEMBLY AND BLADE GUIDE FOR A JIGSAW - A jigsaw includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A shoe member is pivotally connected to the housing of the jigsaw and establishes an angle therebetween. The jigsaw includes a keel assembly includes a blade member that generally extends from the housing beyond the shoe member. The keel assembly remains generally in line with the housing as the angle between the shoe member and the housing varies. The jigsaw also includes a latch assembly capable of retaining and releasing the keel assembly from the housing. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090077814 | Cutting Angle Indicator in Jigsaw Housing with Dust Extraction - A jigsaw generally includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. The housing defines a window. A shoe member pivotally connects to the housing. An indicator wheel is disposed in the housing so that a portion of the indicator wheel is visible through the window, wherein pivoting of the shoe member relative to the housing causes the indicator wheel to rotate. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090065225 | SWITCHABLE ANTI-LOCK CONTROL - A power tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A kickback sensor can sample successive periods of current through the motor and produce an output in response thereto. An anti-kickback control device can remove energy from the output member in response to the output of the kickback sensor. A switch can have a first setting and a second setting. The first setting can correspond to a first operating condition of the anti-kickback control device. The second setting can correspond to a second operating condition of the anti-kickback control device. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090064810 | TRANSMISSION AND VARIABLE RADIALLY EXPANDING SPRING CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves. A first gear assembly has a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear. A second gear assembly has a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear. The first gear assembly and the second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along the shaft member to a position where at least one of the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with the shaft member when a value of torque at the shaft member is below a torque threshold value. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090058368 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RE-INITIATING CHARGE CYCLE FOR BATTERY PACK LEFT IN A CHARGER - A system and method is provided for initiating a charge cycle for a battery pack left in a battery charger. The battery pack includes a battery control unit which is operable to place the battery pack in a sleep mode after a predefined period of inactivity. The battery charger in turn is operable to deliver a charging signal to the battery pack in response to the battery pack entering a sleep mode. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090050235 | Router Table - Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a router table may comprise a table top, a mounting can, a sleeve, and an adjustment mechanism. The table top may have an aperture and a plurality of support members; the support members may be configured to support the table top. The mounting can may be attachable to the table top in a vicinity of the aperture. The sleeve may be engaged to the mounting can, and may be configured to receive a router and to position a router bit of the router along an axis extending through the aperture. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to move the sleeve within the mounting can and relative to the table top to thereby move the router along the axis and position the router bit at one of a plurality of positions relative to the table top. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090049972 | Footplate - A footplate for a power tool for guiding the tool along a guide, the footplate having on its lower surface at least one dual-restriction , wherein the first part of the dual-restriction is for engaging a rail extending in a longitudinal direction of a first guide on the upper surface of said first guide and the second part of the dual-restriction is for engaging a rail extending in a longitudinal direction of a second different guide on the upper surface of said second guide, where the first and second parts of the or each dual-restriction each has a fixed side wall, and where the first and second parts of the or each dual-restriction have an adjustable side wall arranged opposite to a respective fixed side wall. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090049970 | Anti-Kickback Device - The present invention provides an anti-kickback for arresting movement of a rail accommodated within an elongate channel. The anti-kickback device includes a slide member arranged to slide along a slide surface between an extended position and a retracted position. The device further includes a resilient member, housed in a sleeve, which biases the slide member along the slide surface. The slide member, when in the extended position, is designed to urge the rail into abutment with a wall of the channel to arrest movement of the rail accommodated within the channel. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090049651 | Vibration Dampening Mechanism For Power Tool - A powered hammer includes a body in which is disposed a motor and a hammer mechanism driven by the motor when the motor is activated. A tool holder is coupled to a front portion of the body and which is capable of holding a cutting tool. The hammer mechanism, when driven by the motor, is capable of imparting impacts to a cutting tool, when held by the tool holder. A handle is moveably coupled to a rear portion of the body for movement toward and away from the body along a tool axis of the tool holder. The handle includes a grip portion and first and second end connection sections coupled to opposite end portions of the grip portion. The first and second end connection sections are slideably mounted on first and second arms that project rearward from the body. A movement control mechanism is mounted inside the handle and coupled to the first and second arms and the handle. The movement control mechanism is configured to ensure that the two end connection sections move toward and away from the body in unison to inhibit angular movement of the grip portion relative to the body. A damping element disposed between the handle and the body to reduce vibration transferred from the body to the rear handle. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090044677 | Anti-Kickback Device - The present invention provides an anti-kickback for arresting movement of a rail accommodated within an elongate channel. The anti-kickback device includes a slide member arranged to slide along a slide surface between an extended position and a retracted position. The device further includes a resilient member which biases the slide member along the slide surface. The slide member, when in the extended position, is designed to urge the rail into abutment with a wall of the channel to arrest movement of the rail accommodated within the channel. The device further includes a manually operable button coupled to the slide member to enable user-operated movement of the slide member towards the retracted position and a lock mechanism for holding the slide member in the retracted position. | 02-19-2009 |
