Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a method for controlling the temperature of a surface. In some embodiments, the method includes applying a variable input to a heat pump (e.g., a Peltier) in thermal communication with the surface. The variable input may vary about a voltage and may include a powered period and an unpowered period. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a temperature of an element in thermal communication with the surface, determining, based on the temperature of the element, whether a temperature of the surface is within a safe temperature range for a user in thermal communication with the surface, in response to determining the surface is not within the safe temperature range, adjusting the voltage of the variable input to the heat pump, and in response to determining the surface is within the safe temperature range, continuing operation of the variable input at the voltage.

Abstract: A power tool having one or more sound damping members which reduce sound and/or vibration from one or more parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce sound and/or vibration from static or dynamic parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce noise and/or vibration from one or more rotating or moving parts of a power tool and its housing or internal structure. Methods, means, controls, systems and practices for reducing or eliminating undesired sound from a power tool are disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A motor-fan assembly is mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an airflow along an airflow path from a dirty air inlet to an air exhaust. A retractable nozzle defines the dirty air inlet and is moveably mounted on the housing. At least a portion of the retractable nozzle is arranged to move between a retracted configuration within the housing and a deployed configuration outside the housing. The portion of the retractable nozzle in the retracted configuration is aligned in a direction along the longitudinal axis and the portion of the retractable nozzle in the deployed configuration is aligned in a direction across the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A chainsaw which has a low profile chain cover and a chain bar tightening clutch system. The chain bar tightening clutch system can have a bar tightening knob which drives a clutch which governs the amount of pressure applied to the chain bar by operating the bar tightening knob. The chainsaw can have a chain bar tensioning system which can have a tensioning drive member in an offset position from the tensioning post which positions the tensioning post to achieve a chain tension and compact chainsaw design. The chainsaw can also have an oil cap with a lock channel having a detent with produces a sound when moved from a disengaged to an engage position with an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A motor-fan assembly is mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an airflow along an airflow path from a dirty air inlet to an air exhaust. A retractable nozzle defines the dirty air inlet and is moveably mounted on the housing. At least a portion of the retractable nozzle is arranged to move between a retracted configuration within the housing and a deployed configuration outside the housing. The portion of the retractable nozzle in the retracted configuration is aligned in a direction along the longitudinal axis and the portion of the retractable nozzle in the deployed configuration is aligned in a direction across the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A power-driven reciprocating tool may include a transmission mechanism that converts rotational force from a motor to linear force to be output by a reciprocating mechanism coupled thereto, and a counterbalancing mechanism coupled to the transmission mechanism to counter-balance forces generated by the reciprocating mechanism. The transmission mechanism may include a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear in meshed engagement with at least one planet gear. In response to a force converted by and transmitted from the transmission mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism may move in a first linear direction, and the counterbalancing mechanism may move in a second linear direction, opposite the first linear direction. The opposite linear movement of the reciprocating mechanism and the counterbalancing mechanism may counteract forces generated by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating mechanism, thus reducing vibration output by the tool.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis. A motor-fan assembly is mounted in the housing and arranged to generate an airflow along an airflow path from a dirty air inlet to an air exhaust. A retractable nozzle defines the dirty air inlet and is moveably mounted on the housing. At least a portion of the retractable nozzle is arranged to move between a retracted configuration within the housing and a deployed configuration outside the housing. The portion of the retractable nozzle in the retracted configuration is aligned in a direction along the longitudinal axis and the portion of the retractable nozzle in the deployed configuration is aligned in a direction across the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A high-volume, low pressure inflator. The inflator includes a housing, a handle formed by the housing, a motor housed in the housing, a trigger configured to activate the motor, an inlet having an inlet axis that is generally parallel or concentric with a longitudinal axis of the motor, an outlet which is transverse to the inlet and a fan configured to draw air in through the inlet and blow air out through the outlet. The inlet is generally transverse to the handle. The position of the outlet is rotatable relative to the handle.

Abstract: A chainsaw which has a low profile chain cover and a chain bar tightening clutch system. The chain bar tightening clutch system can have a bar tightening knob which drives a clutch which governs the amount of pressure applied to the chain bar by operating the bar tightening knob. The chainsaw can have a chain bar tensioning system which can have a tensioning drive member in an offset position from the tensioning post which positions the tensioning post to achieve a chain tension and compact chainsaw design. The chainsaw can also have an oil cap with a lock channel having a detent with produces a sound when moved from a disengaged to an engage position with an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A chainsaw which has a low profile chain cover and a chain bar tightening clutch system. The chain bar tightening clutch system can have a bar tightening knob which drives a clutch which governs the amount of pressure applied to the chain bar by operating the bar tightening knob. The chainsaw can have a chain bar tensioning system which can have a tensioning drive member in an offset position from the tensioning post which positions the tensioning post to achieve a chain tension and compact chainsaw design. The chainsaw can also have an oil cap with a lock channel having a detent with produces a sound when moved from a disengaged to an engage position with an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A power-driven reciprocating tool may include a transmission mechanism that converts rotational force from a motor to linear force to be output by a reciprocating mechanism coupled thereto, and a counterbalancing mechanism coupled to the transmission mechanism to counter-balance forces generated by the reciprocating mechanism. The transmission mechanism may include a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear in meshed engagement with at least one planet gear. In response to a force converted by and transmitted from the transmission mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism may move in a first linear direction, and the counterbalancing mechanism may move in a second linear direction, opposite the first linear direction. The opposite linear movement of the reciprocating mechanism and the counterbalancing mechanism may counteract forces generated by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating mechanism, thus reducing vibration output by the tool.

Abstract: A power tool including a housing comprising a handle section and a motor housing section, a longitudinal axis of the handle section being at an offset angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor housing section. A motor is housed in the motor housing section. An output member selectively driven by the motor. A user actuatable trigger activates the motor and an attachment unit is removably coupled to the power tool. The handle runs from a first end to a second end. The first end is adjacent to the motor housing section and the second end is adjacent to a connection section. The attachment unit is removably coupled to the power tool at the connection section.

Abstract: A power tool having one or more sound damping members which reduce sound and/or vibration from one or more parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce sound and/or vibration from static or dynamic parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce noise and/or vibration from one or more rotating or moving parts of a power tool and its housing or internal structure. Methods, means, controls, systems and practices for reducing or eliminating undesired sound from a power tool are disclosed.

Abstract: A power tool having one or more sound damping members which reduce sound and/or vibration from one or more parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce sound and/or vibration from static or dynamic parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce noise and/or vibration from one or more rotating or moving parts of a power tool and its housing or internal structure. Methods, means, controls, systems and practices for reducing or eliminating undesired sound from a power tool are disclosed.

Abstract: A power tool system which includes a first base unit and a second base unit. The first and second base units each include a housing, a motor housed in the housing, a coupler which is operatively connected to and selectively drivable by the motor and a trigger for activating the motor to drive the coupler. The system also includes a first attachment head which is removably couplable with both the first base unit and the second base unit so that it can be driven by the respective motor of the base unit to which it is attached and a second attachment head which is removably couplable to the first base unit, but which is not couplable with the second base unit.

Abstract: A screwdriving including a housing with a handle section and a motor housing section. A longitudinal axis of the handle section is at an offset angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor housing section. A motor is housed in the motor housing section. An output tool holder is selectively driven by the motor. A user actuatable trigger activates the motor. The screwdriver further includes a bit holder rotatably held on the housing, the bit holder including a first section which includes a plurality of bit retainers; and a second section including a plurality of detents. The screwdriver further includes a pin which engages with the plurality of detents to hold the bit holder in one of a plurality of rotational positions.

Abstract: A power tool system which includes a first base unit and a second base unit. The first and second base units each include a housing, a motor housed in the housing, a coupler which is operatively connected to and selectively drivable by the motor and a trigger for activating the motor to drive the coupler. The system also includes a first attachment head which is removably couplable with both the first base unit and the second base unit so that it can be driven by the respective motor of the base unit to which it is attached and a second attachment head which is removably couplable to the first base unit, but which is not couplable with the second base unit.

Abstract: A chainsaw which has a low profile chain cover and a chain bar tightening clutch system. The chain bar tightening clutch system can have a bar tightening knob which drives a clutch which governs the amount of pressure applied to the chain bar by operating the bar tightening knob. The chainsaw can have a chain bar tensioning system which can have a tensioning drive member in an offset position from the tensioning post which positions the tensioning post to achieve a chain tension and compact chainsaw design. The chainsaw can also have an oil cap with a lock channel having a detent with produces a sound when moved from a disengaged to an engage position with an oil reservoir.

Abstract: A power tool including a housing comprising a handle section and a motor housing section, a longitudinal axis of the handle section being at an offset angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor housing section. A motor is housed in the motor housing section. An output member selectively driven by the motor. A user actuatable trigger activates the motor and an attachment unit is removably coupled to the power tool. The handle runs from a first end to a second end. The first end is adjacent to the motor housing section and the second end is adjacent to a connection section. The attachment unit is removably coupled to the power tool at the connection section.

Abstract: A power tool system which includes a first base unit and a second base unit. The first and second base units each include a housing, a motor housed in the housing, a coupler which is operatively connected to and selectively drivable by the motor and a trigger for activating the motor to drive the coupler. The system also includes a first attachment head which is removably couplable with both the first base unit and the second base unit so that it can be driven by the respective motor of the base unit to which it is attached and a second attachment head which is removably couplable to the first base unit, but which is not couplable with the second base unit.