Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor, an output member driven by the motor, and a reaming attachment coupled to the output member. The reaming attachment has a front end portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and a reaming portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to remove material from an end surface of a conduit. A rotational motion sensor in the housing is operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about an axis. A controller receives a signal indicative of rotational motion from the sensor, determines a direction of the rotational motion of the housing, and drives the motor in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotational motion of the housing.

Abstract: A power tool has a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a tool holder driven by the motor, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a rotary input rotatable relative to the housing, and a rotational sensor for sensing the rotational position of the rotary input relative to the housing. The rotary input can be a thumbwheel or a handle that rotates relative to the housing. The control circuit receives input from the rotational sensor for controlling motor speed, rotational direction, etc. Other user interface mechanisms are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an output shaft having a tool axis, and a motion sensor that senses motion of the tool housing. A control circuit receives an input signal from the motion sensor, to make a first determination, based on the input signal, whether the tool is being operated in a horizontal mode or a vertical mode. The control circuit makes a second determination, based on the input signal, whether the tool axis is substantially level when the tool is being operated in the horizontal mode or the tool axis is substantially plumb when the tool is being operated in the vertical mode. An indicator receives an output signal from the control circuit that causes the indicator to indicate whether the tool axis is level when being operated in the horizontal mode or plumb when being operated in the vertical mode.

Abstract: A screwdriving tool that includes a driving tool (driver), a sensor, a sensor target and a contact trip assembly that is coupled to the driving tool and has a nose element. The driver has a housing, a motor and an output member that is driven by the motor. One of the nose element and the output member is axially movable and biased by a spring into an extended position. The sensor and sensor target are configured to cooperate to permit the sensor to provide a sensor signal that is indicative of movement of the one of the nose element and the output member. The motor is controllable in a first operational mode and at least one rotational direction based in part on the sensor signal.

Abstract: An impact wrench, includes a housing including a handle. A rotating anvil is supported by the housing and includes a polygonal head adapted for receiving a socket thereon. A socket retention device is mounted to the polygonal head of the rotating anvil for securing a socket to the polygonal head. A socket release mechanism includes an actuator mounted to the housing and operable to disengage the socket retention device from the socket to allow the socket to be removed from the anvil.

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 power tool having a light for illuminating an area proximate a movable end effector. The light may be mounted in such a way as to transmit light through a rotatable collar on the power tool, through or through a member of a housing of the power tool, or from the moving end effector. The light may be powered by a power source that is used for moving the end effector or from a generator that generates electrical power when the power tool is used.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a tool body with a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. The output member defines an output member axis. An end effector is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body. The end effector is configured to retain the accessory. A light source is disposed on the end effector. A consumable tool, such as a holesaw, is removably attachable to the end effector, and has an illumination opening configured to be substantially aligned with the light source. The holesaw may have a generally cylindrical side wall and a base wall that defines a central opening for receiving an arbor, an aperture spaced radially outward by a first distance for receiving a projection on an arbor and an illumination opening spaced radially a second greater distance.

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 power tool includes a housing, an electric motor, an end effector coupled to the motor, a control circuit configured to control electrical power delivery to the motor, and a switch for selectively providing electrical power to the control circuit. The switch includes an elongated outer casing having at least a portion exterior of the housing. The casing is linearly moveable in a first linear direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing. A linkage is disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the casing such that linear movement of the casing in the first direction causes linear movement of the linkage in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction. An electrical switch is disposed inside the housing and coupled to the linkage such that linear movement of the linkage in the second direction causes activation of the electrical switch.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor, an output member driven by the motor, and a reaming attachment coupled to the output member. The reaming attachment has a front end portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and a reaming portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to remove material from an end surface of a conduit. A rotational motion sensor in the housing is operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about an axis. A controller receives a signal indicative of rotational motion from the sensor, determines a direction of the rotational motion of the housing, and drives the motor in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotational motion of the housing.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a power tool, a power tool battery pack and a battery pack charger. The power tool battery pack is separable from and attachable to the power tool, and electrically connectable to the power tool electrical terminals when attached to the power tool. The power tool battery pack has at least one battery cell, a receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the at least one battery cell. The battery pack charger has at least one transmitter coil for generating a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the transmitter coil.

Abstract: A power tool having a rotary impact mechanism and a mode change mechanism. The impact mechanism is driven by an output member of a transmission and includes a hammer and an anvil. The mode change mechanism includes a mode collar that is movable between a first position, in which the mode collar directly couples the hammer to the transmission output member to inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle, and a second position in which the mode collar does not inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor, an output member driven by the motor, and a reaming attachment coupled to the output member. The reaming attachment has a front end portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and a reaming portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to remove material from an end surface of a conduit. A rotational motion sensor in the housing is operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about an axis. A controller receives a signal indicative of rotational motion from the sensor, determines a direction of the rotational motion of the housing, and drives the motor in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotational motion of the housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool body including a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. A chuck is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body and configured to retain the accessory. The chuck has a chuck body that defines at least one light pipe formed therethrough. A light source disposed on a light ring coupled to the tool body and includes at least one light. Each at least one light source aligns with each of the at least one light pipe intermittently during rotation of the chuck.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an output member that rotates about a longitudinal axis, and a motor drivably connected to the output member. A rotational motion sensor is arranged in the housing and operable to detect a user input that includes a rotational motion of the housing in a desired rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the output member. A controller is configured to receive a first input indicative of a user-desired rotational motion of the output member, and a second input, from the rotational motion sensor, indicative of an actual rotational motion of the power tool. The controller determines a user-desired rotational direction of the output member about the axis from the first input, determines an actual rotational direction of the housing about the axis from the second input, and causes the motor to drive the output member to simulate ratcheting movement in the user-desired rotational direction.

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: A power tool having a rotary impact mechanism and a mode change mechanism. The impact mechanism is driven by an output member of a transmission and includes a hammer and an anvil. The mode change mechanism includes a mode collar that is movable between a first position, in which the mode collar directly couples the hammer to the transmission output member to inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle, and a second position in which the mode collar does not inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle. A power tool having an impact mechanism with an external adjusting member that can be moved to vary a trip torque of the impact mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a power tool, a power tool battery pack and a battery pack charger. The power tool battery pack is separable from and attachable to the power tool, and electrically connectable to the power tool electrical terminals when attached to the power tool. The power tool battery pack has at least one battery cell, a receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the at least one battery cell. The battery pack charger has at least one transmitter coil for generating a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the receiver coil, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of power that is provided to the transmitter coil.

Abstract: A bit retention device includes a shaft having a sidewall defining a hexagonal cavity extending from a first end thereof and a ball groove extending through the sidewall and communicating with the hexagonal cavity. A ball is disposed in the ball groove and a ball spring engages the ball and biases the ball toward the first end. An actuator sleeve surrounding the shaft includes an internal ramp engaging the ball. A spring biased plunger assembly is disposed in the bore for biasing a bit received in the bore in a direction toward the insertion end.