Abstract: A power tool that includes a housing, a motor, a trigger, a multi-speed transmission and a torque clutch. The housing define a handle. The motor is coupled to the housing. The trigger is coupled to the housing and configured to control operation of the motor. The multi-speed transmission is configured to transmit rotary power between the motor and the output spindle and includes a plurality of planetary stages with a first stage and a second stage that receives rotary power from the first stage. The first stage has a first internally toothed gear element and the second stage having a second internally toothed gear element. The torque clutch limits torque output from the multi-speed transmission to the output spindle. The torque clutch is configured to alternatively ground the second and third internally toothed gear elements to the housing based on a speed ratio setting of the multi-speed transmission.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A power tool having a housing assembly and a drive component that is housed in the housing assembly. The housing assembly has a first housing component, a second housing component, at least one set of mating conically-shaped features, and at least one fastener. Each set of mating conically-shaped features includes a first cone portion and a second cone portion. The first cone portion of each set of mating conically-shaped features is coupled to the first housing component and has a frusto-conically-shaped exterior surface. The second cone portion of each set of mating conically-shaped features is coupled to the second housing component and has a frusto-conically-shaped interior surface that is engaged with the frusto-conically-shaped exterior surface of an associated first cone portion. Each fastener is received through an associated pair of the first and second cone portions and is threadably engaged to one of the first and second housing components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a shield assembly for a handheld tool device such as an angle grinder. The shield assembly is selectively repositionable with respect to the cutting tool. A lock mechanism secures the shield assembly in discrete rotational positions relative to the cutting tool. The shield assembly includes a guard member and a bumper member, and an alignment feature configured to align the relative positions of guard member and the bumper member, thereby positing the members in a predetermined relative orientation. With this configuration, the shield assembly is selectively repositionable via a “hands-free” mechanism that permits a user to adjust the position of the shield assembly by simply contacting the shield assembly against a work surface.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting device comprises, a housing, and a motor located within the housing. The motor comprises a rotating output shaft for driving a pair of reciprocating blades. The vegetation cutting device also comprises a rotatable front handle being rotatably mounted on the housing and is adapted to rotate with respect to the housing. The rotatable front handle comprises, a first trigger wherein the motor is operable on actuation of the first trigger. A release button is mechanical cooperation with the rotatable front handle for actuating rotation of the front handle. The vegetation cutting device also comprises an interlock mechanism mechanically coupling the release button and the first trigger wherein actuation of the release button prevents actuation of the first trigger and actuation of the first trigger prevents actuation of the release button.

Abstract: A right angle attachment for use with a power tool that includes a housing having a handle portion and a gear case attached to the handle portion and supporting first and second right angle gears wherein the first right angle gear is driven by an input shaft that is connected to the drill and the second right angle gear has an opening therein for receiving a hex bit directly therein. A floating magnet head can surround the hex bit to aid in fastener retention and can be movable out of proximity of the hex bit to facilitate easy removal of the hex bit for replacement. An additional magnet can be disposed within the gear case at the base of the hex bit in order to magnetize the hex bit and further enhance the retention of the fastener therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade arranged to be wound on the reel and to be extendable through an opening in the housing, and an end hook member having a mounting portion attached to the elongated blade and a hook portion. The end hook member is capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The rule assembly has a magnet assembly removably attachable to the elongated blade. The magnet assembly has a mounting portion and a magnet. The mounting portion is configured to removably fix the magnet assembly relative to the blade such that a forward surface of the magnet is removably fixed at a position that is aligned with or approximately aligned with a forward surface of the hook portion with the end hook member in its retracted position.

Abstract: A spool cartridge for use in a cutting head of a string trimmer, in which the cutting head includes a locking arm having an engagement end and a balance end. The spool cartridge includes a spool rotatably mounted within a spool cassette housing and has cutting line wound thereon. The spool cassette housing includes one or more openings for the cutting line. An internal gear is formed in the spool and is in geared engagement with a locking assembly. The locking assembly is arranged to be engaged by the engagement end of the locking arm to automatically lock and unlock the spool with respect to the spool cassette housing.

Abstract: A power tool comprising: a housing; a cable outlet with a central axis; an motor; a flexible electrical supply cable; a cable sheath for protecting supply cable projected through the cable outlet and for directing unprotected supply cable away from the central axis wherein the sheath is rotatable to change direction of unprotected supply cable; and locking means for locking the sheath in one of a plurality of rotational orientations. The locking means comprises: a receiving member connected to one of the sheath or the cable outlet; an engaging member connected to the other of the sheath or the cable outlet; and a biasing means for biasing the engaging and receiving members into engagement to lock the sheath in a rotational orientation, wherein movement of the sheath against the biasing means disengages the engaging and receiving members and unlocks the sheath for rotation.

Abstract: A power tool has a housing, an output member coupled to the housing, and a motor, rotational motion sensor, timer, and control circuit in the housing. The timer is initiated, and the rotational motion sensor monitors rotational motion of the housing about an axis. The control circuit determines the direction of the rotational motion of the housing, whether the direction is different from a previous direction of rotational motion of the housing, and whether a value for the timer exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the direction is different from the previous direction and the timer value is less than the predetermined threshold, the control circuit initiates a protective action for the power tool. The control circuit also drives the motor to cause the output member to rotate in a direction that corresponds to the detected rotational motion of the housing.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes: monitoring rotational motion of the power tool about an axis using a rotational motion sensor disposed in the power tool; determining a direction of the rotational motion about the axis; and driving the output member in a direction defined by the detected rotational motion of the tool, where the output member is driven by a motor residing in the power tool. Thus, the output member is drive clockwise when the rotational motion of the tool is clockwise about the axis and the output member is drive counter-clockwise when the rotational motion of the tool is counter-clockwise about the axis.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastening tool may include a tool housing including a dispensing portion for dispensing a fastener, a handle portion and an inlet configured to receive input of compressed air. A cap assembly may include a cap housing having an opening and mounted to the tool housing. A deflector may be configured to direct exhausted air through an outlet in a first direction. The deflector may have a stem received in the opening. The stem may define a bore extending in a second direction that is distinct from the first direction. A locking member may extend at least partially in the bore and be configured to rotatably capture the deflector relative to the cap housing.

Abstract: A power tool is provided which accommodates interchangeable tool heads. The power tool includes: a tool body having a housing and an electric motor mounted within the housing, as well as a tool head that releasably attaches via a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to the tool body. The tool releasably connects to the output shaft of the electric motor when the tool head is attached to the tool body. A tool switch interposed between a power source for the electric motor and the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source to the electric motor. A tool accessory switch interposed between the tool accessory and the power source for the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source via the electrical connection to the tool accessory, thereby providing the tool operator independent control of the tool accessory.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a transmission disposed in the housing and coupled to the motor, an output end effector coupled to the transmission, a control circuit for controlling power delivery from a power source to the motor, and a force sensing electronic clutch including a force sensor coupled to a substantially stationary element of the transmission. The force sensor senses a reaction torque transmitted from the end effector to at least a portion of the transmission. The sensor is configured to generate a first electronic signal corresponding to an amount of the reaction torque. The control circuit compares the first electronic signal with a second electronic signal corresponding to a desired threshold torque value, and initiates a protective operation when a value of the first electronic signal indicates that the reaction torque has exceeded the desired threshold torque value.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; and a cyclonic separation apparatus located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan. The cyclonic separation apparatus comprises: a plurality of cyclones each with an air inlet port and an air outlet port; and a cooling air flow path. The motor comprises a permanent magnet brushless motor, a switched reluctance motor or a flux switching motor. The fan has an outer diameter the same or less than the diameter of the motor. The plurality of cyclones, the motor and the fan are arranged in a circular array about a central axis of the cyclonic separation apparatus. The arrangement comprises a baffle for directing air flow from the fan out of the circular array. The motor is located in the cooling air flow path.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; a body with a handle; a dirty air duct with a dirty air inlet; a battery pack housing at least one rechargeable cell for powering the motor; and a dirt separating means located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan, wherein the dirt separating means comprises: a hollow substantially cylindrical dirt container with a longitudinal central axis; and an air inlet port to the dirt container, wherein the air inlet port is in communication with the dirty air duct and wherein the battery pack has a curvilinear or annular cross-sectional profile transverse to the central axis and a curvilinear inner wall embracing the dirt container.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation apparatus for a vacuum cleaner, the cyclonic separation apparatus comprising: a cyclone with a hollow cylindrical body, a hollow frustro-conical body tapering away from the cylindrical body and a longitudinal central axis through the cylindrical body and the frustro-conical body; a discharge nozzle through the frustro-conical body at a longitudinal end; an air inlet port arranged tangentially through a side of the cylindrical body; and an air outlet port through the cylindrical body at an opposite longitudinal end; a dirt container in communication with the cyclone; and a deflector fin arranged within the cyclone to deflect, in use, air flow from the air inlet port in a helical path around the cyclone and towards the discharge nozzle. A vacuum cleaner comprising a motor coupled to a fan and the cyclonic separation apparatus.

Abstract: A motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement for a vacuum cleaner, the arrangement comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; and a cyclonic separation apparatus located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan, wherein the cyclonic separation apparatus comprises: a plurality of cyclones each with an air inlet port and an air outlet port wherein the cyclones are arranged in a generally circular array about a central axis of the cyclonic separation apparatus; and a cooling air flow path, wherein the motor is nested within the generally circular array of cyclones and wherein the motor is located in the cooling air flow path. A vacuum cleaner comprising the motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement.