Abstract: A keyless chuck includes a jaw housing with jaws that are advanced in respective guideways to grip a tool bit and retracted to loosen the grip on the tool bit. A jaw thrust member is coupled to the jaws and to a threaded spindle and is forced forwardly or rearwardly to advance or retract the jaws. The threaded chuck spindle engages the jaw thrust member through a small-area contact patch to limit the operating friction and thus provide a chuck which can be readily hand-tightened and which self-tightens in response to torque transmitted through the chuck. A lock mechanism is provided to selectively lock a chuck adjusting sleeve relative to the jaw housing to allow uni-directional movement of the chuck adjusting sleeve relative to the jaw housing or selective bi-directional locking of the chuck adjusting sleeve relative to the jaw housing.

Abstract: Two production lines for the manufacture of armatures or stators for electric motors are separated over at least part of their length by a common partition. The juxtaposed proximity of the two production lines allows operations on articles on both lines to be carried out simultaneously by equipment mounted on a common operating head. Shuttles are provided upstream and downstream of coil winding areas so that armature or stator bodies from one production line can be automatically diverted to a winder on the other production line and returned when wound. The height of the laminations is determined by picking a stack close to the maximum height permissible, measuring this height and, if necessary, removing a lamination via a vacuum line mounted on a measuring head. After winding, the ends of the magnetic wires on the armature are stripped using a laser.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor for use in such electrically-powered devices as appliances, power tools, and the like includes a longitudinally-split cylindrical ferromagnetic wrapper having an inner diameter normally less in its free state than the outer cross-sectional dimension of a permanent magnet array. During assembly of the motor, the split wrapper is expanded to fit around the magnet array, and then is allowed to contract to urge the magnet array radially inwardly against cooperating surfaces formed on each of two end caps. This maintains a predetermined orientation or alignment of the magnet array relative to the armature, including, for example, a predetermined air gap between the magnet array and the armature. Accordingly, the conventional requirement for such additional retention mechanisms as spring clips, adhesives, fasteners, and the like, is eliminated.

Abstract: A variable speed trigger switch particularly adapted for use with electric power tools such as drills. The trigger switch features clam shell construction and a single vertically disposed circuit board thereby facilitating assembly and resulting in a low cost and compact unit. Wire connections are kept to a minimum through use of the circuit board in accordance with this invention having power contact resistance and wire terminal connectors formed directly on the board. The trigger switch includes a locking feature enabling the trigger switch to be locked at a desired position and further provides an adjustable detent which can be felt by the user during trigger retraction. The electronics package of the trigger switch employs an electronic motor speed control circuit which provides a combination of open loop and closed loop motor control.

Abstract: A variable speed trigger switch particularly adapted for use with electric power tools such as drills. The trigger switch features clam shell construction and a single vertically disposed circuit board thereby facilitating assembly and resulting in a low cost and compact unit. Wire connections are kept to a minimum through use of the circuit board in accordance with this invention having power contact resistance and wire terminal connectors formed directly on the board. The trigger switch includes a locking feature enabling the trigger switch to be locked at a desired position and further provides an adjustable detent which can be felt by the user during trigger retraction. The electronics package of the trigger switch employs an electronic motor speed control circuit which provides a combination of open loop and closed loop motor control.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor for use in such electrically-powered devices as appliances, power tools, and the like includes a longitudinally-split cylindrical ferromagnetic wrapper having an inner diameter normally less in its free state than the outer cross-sectional dimension of a permanent magnet array. During assembly of the motor, the split wrapper is expanded to fit around the magnet array, and then is allowed to contract, to urge the magnet array radially inwardly against cooperating surfaces formed on each of two end caps. This maintains a predetermined orientation or alignment of the magnet array relative to the armature, including, for example, a predetermined air gap between the magnet array and the armature. Accordingly, the conventional requirement for such additional retention mechanisms as spring clips, adhesives, fasteners, and the like, is eliminated.

Abstract: A variable speed trigger switch particularly adapted for use with electric power tools such as drills. The trigger switch features clam shell construction and a single vertically disposed circuit board thereby facilitating assembly and resulting in a low cost and compact unit. Wire connections are kept to a minimum through use of the circuit board in accordance with this invention having power contact resistance and wire terminal connectors formed directly on the board. The trigger switch includes a locking feature enabling the trigger switch to be locked at a desired position and further provides an adjustable detent which can be felt by the user during trigger retraction. The electronics package of the trigger switch employs an electronic motor speed control circuit which provides a combination of open loop and closed loop motor control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for winding field coils on internal poles of stator bodies, particularly for electric motors, have a magnet wire feeding needle or needles displaced eccentrically from the central armature axis of the stator body. The or each such feeding needle is disposed to reciprocate and partially rotate on an eccentric axis located between the central armature axis and the internal pole being wound. Due to this eccentricity, during the partial rotation of the feeding needle, the end turns of the coil are lifted above the end of the pole and laid more precisely in place. This enables the conventional winding forms to be eliminated allowing a reduction in the length of the reciprocating stroke of the feeding needle and faster winding with reduction in "snap back" effect. A further cost saving occurs from a shorter length of the end turns resulting in less wire being used.