Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners includes a work contact element configured to move between a first position and a second position. The tool is prevented from driving fasteners when the work contact element is in the first position. The tool further includes an extension member rigidly connected to the work contact element in a releasable connection arrangement. The releasable connection arrangement is configured to maintain a rigid connection between the work contact element and the extension member during normal operation of the tool. The releasable connection arrangement is further configured to release the rigid connection between the work contact element and the extension member during high impact events that are not associated with normal operation of the tool.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus has been developed for coupling a tool member to the output shaft of a power tool without the use of auxiliary hands tools or a shaft-lock lever. The clamping apparatus includes a clamp member and a piezoelectric element. The clamp member is coupled to an output shaft of a motor. The piezoelectric element opposes the first clamp member and is configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to being coupled to a source of electrical energy.

Abstract: An accessory attachment system for a power tool having an elongated housing with a nose portion, an output shaft to which a cutting blade that oscillates through a small angle is attached, the attachment comprising, an accessory interface removably mounted to the nose portion of the housing and a depth guide attachment rotatably mounted to the accessory interface, the depth guide attachment further comprising a relatively thin body portion having a generally circular first opening with a center axis generally parallel to the output shaft, the body portion fitting on the accessory interface and being rotatable thereon and having a second circular opening transverse to the first opening center axis, a depth guide member adjustably mounted on the body portion and having an offset outer end portion, and a locking member configured to secure the depth guide member in a desired position.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor having a motor output shaft and located within the housing, the motor being configured to rotate the motor output shaft about a first axis, a drive component having (i) a body attached to the motor output shaft, and (ii) an output drive pin attached to the body, the output drive pin defining a second axis which is offset from the first axis, the body being caused to rotate about the first axis in response to rotation of the motor output shaft about the first axis, and the output drive pin being caused to be eccentrically driven in response to rotation of the body about the first axis, and further the body having a hub and a counterbalance arrangement attached to the hub, the counterbalance arrangement being positioned and configured to offset forces generated by the output drive pin when eccentrically driven, a linkage configured to oscillate in response to the output drive pin being eccentrically driven, and a tool mount configured to oscillate in response to oscillat

Abstract: Embodiments of a power table saw are described which have a frame structure configured to support a movable saw assembly. The table saw also includes a rip fence attached to the frame structure in a fixed position for contacting a work piece during a cutting operation by said table saw. Further, a table assembly is provided, having a top surface for supporting a work piece, a blade extendable through an opening in the top surface for cutting a work piece, and a motor mounted beneath the top surface for driving the blade. The table assembly is movably mounted on the frame structure so that the table assembly is adjustable, allowing adjustment of the distance between the blade and the rip fence.

Abstract: A device for driving a plurality of fasteners includes a driver assembly having a drive block, a flywheel and a driver mount. The driver mount is configured to move between a first position where the flywheel is removed from the drive block and a second position where the flywheel engages the drive block. The device also includes a work contact element configured to move between an extended position and a depressed position. A blocking arm is connected to the work contact element and configured to move with the work contact element. The blocking arm is positioned in a path of movement of the driver mount when the work contact element is in the extended position. The blocking arm is removed from the path of movement of the driver mount when the Work contact element is in the depressed position.

Abstract: A modular guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top having an opening through which a rotatable saw blade can extend includes a riving knife mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade and having first and second notches with openings facing away from each other. A blade guard assembly is releasably mounted on the riving knife and configured to cover the blade. The blade guard assembly includes a mounting portion configured to receive a top portion of the riving knife having the first and second notches and a release mechanism provided in the mounting portion and having a spring member for engaging the first notch and a latch member connected to the spring member for engaging the second notch. The latch member exerts a force on the spring member to cooperatively hold the first and second notches between the spring member and the latch member to retain the riving knife in the mounting portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of a foot apparatus for use with a power reciprocating saw having a nose portion configured to receive the same, the apparatus comprising an elongated foot stem configured to be inserted into the nose portion of the saw a foot pad having a forward surface for contacting a work piece and having an opening through which a blade extends, a front housing having one end portion with a first pivot connection to the stem and an opposite end portion having a second pivot connection to the foot pad, a compliant element interposed between one of the foot pad and front housing and the stem configured to resist pivoting of the front housing relative to the stem and thereby isolate and dampen vibration and shock that is transmitted to the stem by reciprocating action of the plunger and by cutting of a work piece.

Abstract: A fastener driver comprises a housing and a magazine configured to retain a plurality of fasteners. A driver assembly is positioned within the housing and is configured to provide an expulsion force that expels one of the plurality of fasteners from the magazine. The device further includes a lockout member configured to pivot about a pivot axis between an unlocked position and a lockout position. The pivot axis is configured to move relative to the housing when a work contact element is depressed. The driver assembly is prevented from providing the expulsion force when the lockout arm is in the lockout position. The pivot arm moves from the unlocked position to the lockout position when a low level of fasteners remains in the magazine.

Abstract: A power tool includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a latch pin movable between a first position whereat the latch pin is engaged with the swing arm assembly and a second position whereat the latch is not engaged with the swing arm assembly, a pressure operated actuator configured to force the latch pin from the first position to the second position and to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position, and a control system configured to actuate the actuator.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment is a table saw which includes a latch hold mechanism, a swing arm movable along a swing arm path between a first position adjacent the latch hold mechanism and a second position spaced apart from the latch hold mechanism, a latch movable between a first position whereat the swing arm is maintained at the first position and a second position whereat the swing arm is not maintained at the first position, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the swing arm when the swing arm is maintained at the first position, and a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer a force to the swing arm when the swing arm is maintained at the first position sufficient to move the latch from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A table saw in one embodiment includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a first ratchet member operatively connected to the swing arm assembly, and a second ratchet member movable between a first ratchet position whereat rotation of the first ratchet member in a first and a second direction is allowed, and a second ratchet position whereat the second ratchet member is engaged with the first ratchet member such that rotation in only the first direction is allowed.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position and a second swing arm position, a latch pin pivotable between a first position and a second position, an actuator module configured to receive a plurality of actuators, a first actuating module position within the actuator module configured to align a first of the plurality of actuators with a strike plate on the swing arm assembly, a loader configured to bias a second of the plurality of actuators from a second actuating module position within the actuator module toward the first actuating module position, and a control system configured to actuate each of the plurality of actuators positioned in the first actuating module position to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a latch hold pivotable between a first latch hold position whereat the swing arm assembly can be supported by the latch hold in the first swing arm position and a second latch hold position whereat the swing arm assembly cannot be supported by the latch hold in the first swing arm position, an actuator chamber configured to receive at least one actuator, an opening in the actuator chamber, and a plug aligned with the opening and connected to the latch hold.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a mechanical fuse positioned to maintain the swing arm assembly in the first swing arm position, an actuator configured to apply a force to the mechanical fuse sufficient to break the mechanical fuse and to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position, and a control system configured to actuate the actuator in response to a sensed condition.

Abstract: A table saw in one embodiment includes a motor, a blade operably connected to the motor, at least a portion of the blade positioned within an enclosure, and a dust plate extending within the enclosure and positioned between the at least a portion of the blade and the motor.

Abstract: A rip fence for a table saw including a front rail and a rear rail, the rip fence including a front clamping mechanism positioned adjacent to the front rail and including a locking tip, a pivotable activation plate and a handle, a rear clamping mechanism positioned adjacent to the rear rail, the activation plate being coupled to the rear clamping mechanism where the handle is movable between a release position and a locking position, and including a rolling member movable between an upper end and a lower end of the activation plate, wherein when the handle is moved from the release position to the locking position, the rolling member moves from the upper end to the lower end of the activation plate, causing the activation plate to move the rear clamping mechanism into engagement with the rear rail.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a swing arm movable along a swing arm path between an upper first swing arm position and a lower second swing arm position, a latch hold mechanism movable between a first latch hold position adjacent to the swing path and a second latch hold position whereat at least a portion of the latch hold mechanism is within the swing path, an actuator configured to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position, a swing arm reset configured to pivot the swing arm from the second swing arm position to the first swing arm position, a latch hold reset configured to pivot the latch hold mechanism from the second latch hold position to the first latch hold position, and a control system configured to control the actuator.

Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a table saw with a latch hold mechanism, a swing arm pivotable about a pivot along a swing arm path, a latch movable between a first latch position whereat the swing arm is maintained at a first swing arm position and a second latch position whereat the swing arm is not maintained at the first swing arm position, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the swing arm, at least one swing arm guide extending adjacent to the swing arm path, at least one swing arm support positioned to be in opposition to the at least one swing arm guide along the swing arm path, and a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer a force to the swing arm sufficient to move the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position.

Abstract: A table saw in one embodiment includes a work-piece support surface, a shaping device support shaft automatically retractable along a retraction path to a location beneath the work-piece support surface in response to a sensed condition, a belt positioned across the retraction path, and a control system configured to cause shaping device support shaft to retract along the retraction path in response to a sensed condition.