Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an electric motor mounted in the housing, and a switching device for reversing rotation direction of the motor. The switching device includes an actuator slidably secured to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The actuator includes a magnet. A first ferromagnetic member is attached to a first housing section so as to be within range of attraction force of the magnet when the actuator is in the first position and a second ferromagnetic member is attached to a second housing section so as to be within range of attraction force of the magnet when the actuator is in the second position. A hall sensor is attached to the housing so as to be proximate the magnet as the actuator is moved between first and second positions. Proximity of the magnet and hall sensor reverses the direction of rotation of the motor.

Abstract: Ring gears with a cylindrical ring gear body having a wall with a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second ends, the wall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface has a first portion that extends a first sub-length of the ring gear body and a longitudinally spaced apart second portion that extends a second sub-length of the ring gear body. The first portion extends from the first end of the ring gear inward and the second portion extends from the second end of the ring gear inward. The inner surface of the first portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending splines and the inner surface of the second portion is devoid of the splines of the first portion.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having an outwardly extending rotor that defines a drive axis, a housing surrounding the motor, and a gearcase that includes a drive train coupled to the rotor and configured to drive a tool output. The gearcase includes a proximal end and an opposite distal end that is exposed to the outside of the tool forward of the housing. The gearcase includes respective locking elements spaced around the periphery of the gearcase proximal end. A motor mount includes spaced apart locking elements that are configured to engage with respective gearcase locking elements. The proximal end portion of the gearcase is adapted to make contact with the motor mount between the locking elements and then rotate such that the gearcase locking elements engage the motor mount locking elements.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having an output shaft that defines an axis, a drive train connected to the output shaft and operable to drive a tool output and a housing at least partially surrounding the motor and the drive train. The power tool further includes a reference disk fixed to the housing, a collar including internal teeth that engage at least a portion of the drive train and a torque transducer having a hub, a web and a rim. The torque transducer is positioned between the collar and the reference disk such that the rim is connected to the collar and the hub is connected to the reference disk. The web defines a first thickness measured parallel to the axis and the rim defines a second thickness measured in a radial direction with respect to the axis, such that the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an electric motor mounted in the housing, and a switching device for reversing rotation direction of the motor. The switching device includes an actuator slidably secured to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The actuator includes a magnet. A first ferromagnetic member is attached to a first housing section so as to be within range of attraction force of the magnet when the actuator is in the first position and a second ferromagnetic member is attached to a second housing section so as to be within range of attraction force of the magnet when the actuator is in the second position. A hall sensor is attached to the housing so as to be proximate the magnet as the actuator is moved between first and second positions. Proximity of the magnet and hall sensor reverses the direction of rotation of the motor.

Abstract: Ring gears with a cylindrical ring gear body having a wall with a longitudinal length extending between opposing first and second ends, the wall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface has a first portion that extends a first sub-length of the ring gear body and a longitudinally spaced apart second portion that extends a second sub-length of the ring gear body. The first portion extends from the first end of the ring gear inward and the second portion extends from the second end of the ring gear inward. The inner surface of the first portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending splines and the inner surface of the second portion is devoid of the splines of the first portion.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having an outwardly extending rotor that defines a drive axis, a housing surrounding the motor, and a gearcase that includes a drive train coupled to the rotor and configured to drive a tool output. The gearcase includes a proximal end and an opposite distal end that is exposed to the outside of the tool forward of the housing. The gearcase includes respective locking elements spaced around the periphery of the gearcase proximal end. A motor mount includes spaced apart locking elements that are configured to engage with respective gearcase locking elements. The proximal end portion of the gearcase is adapted to make contact with the motor mount between the locking elements and then rotate such that the gearcase locking elements engage the motor mount locking elements.

Abstract: A cordless power tool battery pack including an onboard circuit configured to electronically communicate with an associated battery charging system. The onboard circuit communicates information relating to the batter pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery charging system and charging of the battery pack is controlled based on such communication.

Abstract: A cordless power tool battery pack including an onboard circuit configured to electronically communicate with an associated battery charging system. The onboard circuit communicates information relating to the batter pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery charging system and charging of the battery pack is controlled based on such communication.

Abstract: A cordless power tool battery pack including an onboard circuit configured to electronically communicate with an associated battery charging system. The onboard circuit communicates information relating to the batter pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery charging system and charging of the battery pack is controlled based on such communication.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having an output shaft that defines an axis, a drive train connected to the output shaft and operable to drive a tool output and a housing at least partially surrounding the motor and the drive train. The power tool further includes a reference disk fixed to the housing, a collar including internal teeth that engage at least a portion of the drive train and a torque transducer having a hub, a web and a rim. The torque transducer is positioned between the collar and the reference disk such that the rim is connected to the collar and the hub is connected to the reference disk. The web defines a first thickness measured parallel to the axis and the rim defines a second thickness measured in a radial direction with respect to the axis, such that the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.