Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing, a cylinder enclosed by the housing, at least one sensor associated with the cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder and having a driver blade depending therefrom. The tool includes at least one signal generator associated with the piston, where movement of the piston relative to the at least one sensor generates a signal. A controller is configured to receive the signal and indicate a fastening result based on the signal.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing, a cylinder enclosed by the housing, at least one sensor associated with the cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder and having a driver blade depending therefrom. The tool includes at least one signal generator associated with the piston, where movement of the piston relative to the at least one sensor generates a signal. A controller is configured to receive the signal and indicate a fastening result based on the signal.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool has a housing including a combustion chamber, where the combustion chamber generates combustion for driving a fastener, and a processor associated with the housing and in communication with the combustion chamber. The processor is configured to cause an initial combustion in the combustion chamber and cause a fastener to be driven when a first actuation event and a second actuation event occur, and is configured to cause at least one subsequent combustion in the combustion chamber and cause at least one additional fastener to be driven when only the first actuation event occurs.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing, a cylinder enclosed by the housing, at least one sensor associated with the cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder and having a driver blade depending therefrom. The tool includes at least one signal generator associated with the piston, where movement of the piston relative to the at least one sensor generates a signal. A controller is configured to receive the signal and indicate a fastening result based on the signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a spark initiator configured to initiate spark events, and a fuel level monitoring system configured for monitoring the fuel level in the fuel cell and indicating the monitored fuel level to a user. Included in the fuel level monitoring system is a programmable control unit configured to control the spark initiator and to count the spark events initiated by the spark initiator, to compare a number of spark events with at least two predetermined ranges of spark events, and to determine the fuel level in the fuel cell based on the determinations. An indicator controlled by the programmable control unit is supplied for providing the user with an indication of the fuel level in the fuel cell.

Abstract: A combustion power framing tool the invention has a nosepiece for driving fasteners, a housing and a combustion chamber that produces primary power held within the housing. A fastener supply, such as a magazine, is attached to the housing to supply the fasteners. The tool has detects a condition and produces a signal based on that condition, then causes the primary power to vary in relation to the signal, returning the primary power to full power following driving of the fastener.

Abstract: A combustion power framing tool the invention has a nosepiece for driving fasteners, a housing and a combustion chamber that produces primary power held within the housing. A fastener supply, such as a magazine, is attached to the housing to supply the fasteners. The tool has detects a condition and produces a signal based on that condition, then causes the primary power to vary in relation to the signal, returning the primary power to full power following driving of the fastener.

Abstract: Each of several, typically three, microprocessorcontrolled modular electronic timers is selectably electrically pluggable to each of several, typically four, custom packaged modular switches. Each modular switch contains an indentical switch circuit that selectively implements the SPST through 4PST, the DPDT, or the DPST switch function. Each modular timer variously provides eight on/off events, either upon five weekdays and upon two weekend days, or upon individual days. Each modular timer may skip timed events during a one to seven day period. An astronomical timer generates an on/off signal at local sunrise and sunset without reference to ambient light conditions. Each timer is readily programmed, and toggled in its on/off signal state, by pushbutton switches. A comprehensive display shows current programmed data and on/off signal status. Each modular switch typically has two pairs of relays that are oppositely controlled.

Abstract: A system for testing a remotely located sensing unit includes a photosensor located within the sensing unit. A control beam of incident electromagnetic energy can be provided from a remotely located portable source such as a flashlight. Directing the beam of radiant energy from the flashlight against the sensor in the unit causes the unit to initiate a test sequence. The unit can be equipped with a photo-detector to terminate an alarm generated in response to a sensed condition. The unit can include a sonic detector. Control circuitry in the unit can decode a sensed encoded incident beam to minimize false tests or to provide multiple remotely initiated functions.

Abstract: A system for testing a remotely located sensing unit includes a photosensor located within the sensing unit. A control beam of incident electromagnetic energy can be provided from a remotely located portable source such as a flashlight. Directing the beam of radiant energy from the flashlight against the sensor in the unit causes the unit to initiate a test sequence. The unit can be equipped with a photo-detector to terminate an alarm generated in response to a sensed condition. The unit can include a sonic detector. Control circuitry in the unit can decode a sensed encoded incident beam to minimize false tests or to provide multiple remotely initiated functions.

Abstract: A flashlight battery charging circuit includes a diode bridge which full-wave rectifies an AC voltage supplied from a 120 VAC supply through a coupling capacitor. The output terminals of the bridge are coupled to the battery through a Zener diode circuit which terminates current flow from the bridge to the battery when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined level. A storage capacitor has one terminal thereof connected to the coupling capacitor and the other terminal thereof connected to the output of the rectifying bridge through a diode and to the battery through a current-limiting resistor and an LED. The storage capacitor is charged during alternate half cycles of the AC supply voltage to a relatively high voltage and on the remaining half cycles is discharged through the current-limiting resistor and the LED to supply to the battery a limited current at a relatively high voltage.