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 magnetic drill is provided with an alternate power source. The drill is comprises of: an electric motor for driving a tool; a controller configured to receive an AC input signal and operable to control a drive signal to the electric motor; an electromagnet arranged in a base of the drill housing and operable, in response to a DC voltage, to magnetically couple the base to a surface proximate to the base; an AC/DC converter configured to receive the AC input signal and operates, independent from the controller and in the presence of the AC input signal, to output a DC voltage to the electromagnet; and an alternate power source circuit that monitors the DC voltage output by the converter and, in the absence thereof, provides an alternate DC voltage to the electromagnet.

Abstract: A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell housed in the housing, a wireless transmitter housed in the housing, a button that initiates a pairing with an electronic device so that the battery pack may wirelessly communicate with the electronic device through the wireless transmitter, a connection section including a first electrical connector configured to supply power to a power tool and a charging port configured to supply power to an external device. The charging port can be in an on state in which the charging port is operable to supply power to the external device and an off state in which the charging port is not operable to supply power to the external device.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power tool having a motor powered by a battery. The method includes: delivering power from the battery to the motor in accordance with an operator input; detecting a condition of the power tool indicating a shutdown of the power is imminent; and fading the power delivered from the battery to the motor, in response to the detected condition, through the use of a controller residing in the power tool.

Abstract: A magnetic drill is provided with an alternate power source. The drill is comprises of: an electric motor for driving a tool; a controller configured to receive an AC input signal and operable to control a drive signal to the electric motor; an electromagnet arranged in a base of the drill housing and operable, in response to a DC voltage, to magnetically couple the base to a surface proximate to the base; an AC/DC converter configured to receive the AC input signal and operates, independent from the controller and in the presence of the AC input signal, to output a DC voltage to the electromagnet; and an alternate power source circuit that monitors the DC voltage output by the converter and, in the absence thereof, provides an alternate DC voltage to the electromagnet.

Abstract: A magnetic drill is provided with an alternate power source. The drill is comprises of: an electric motor for driving a tool; a controller configured to receive an AC input signal and operable to control a drive signal to the electric motor; an electromagnet arranged in a base of the drill housing and operable, in response to a DC voltage, to magnetically couple the base to a surface proximate to the base; an AC/DC converter configured to receive the AC input signal and operates, independent from the controller and in the presence of the AC input signal, to output a DC voltage to the electromagnet; and an alternate power source circuit that monitors the DC voltage output by the converter and, in the absence thereof, provides an alternate DC voltage to the electromagnet.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided including a base portion defining an axial opening, a main portion located above the base portion and having a generally-cylindrical upper portion, and a light module secured to a top portion of the generally-cylindrical upper portion of the main portion. The axial opening of the base portion is sized to receive at least a light module of another lighting apparatus therein in a stacked position.

Abstract: An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power tool having a motor powered by a battery. The method includes: delivering power from the battery to the motor in accordance with an operator input; detecting a condition of the power tool indicating a shutdown of the power is imminent; and fading the power delivered from the battery to the motor, in response to the detected condition, through the use of a controller residing in the power tool.

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 portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing.

Abstract: An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power tool having a motor powered by a battery. The method includes: delivering power from the battery to the motor in accordance with an operator input; detecting a condition of the power tool indicating a shutdown of the power is imminent; and fading the power delivered from the battery to the motor, in response to the detected condition, through the use of a controller residing in the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool system including at least one power tool and a battery pack selectively coupleable with the power tool. The battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell housed in the housing, a circuit board housed in the housing, a switch mounted on the circuit board, a button actuatable by a user to actuate the switch mounted on the circuit board and a biasing member which biases the button away from a position of actuating the switch. The biasing member is made of a non-conductive material.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell housed in the housing, a wireless transmitter housed in the housing, a button that initiates a pairing with an electronic device so that the battery pack may wirelessly communicate with the electronic device through the wireless transmitter, a connection section including a first electrical connector configured to supply power to a power tool and a charging port configured to supply power to an external device. The charging port can be in an on state in which the charging port is operable to supply power to the external device and an off state in which the charging port is not operable to supply power to the external device.

Abstract: A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable 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 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 portable power supply includes a housing, and power circuitry providing an output AC waveform having a first positive voltage step level, a second higher positive voltage step level, a third lower positive voltage step level, a fourth negative voltage step level, a fifth higher negative voltage step level, and a sixth lower negative voltage step level.