Abstract: A throttle valve construction for a pneumatic paving breaker and other types of percussion tools employing a reciprocating piston to impart blows to a work steel or the like is disclosed, wherein partial movement of the control lever of the tool from a fully depressed position to a partially depressed position permits the throttle valve to shift to a position which substantially reduces the quantity of air under pressure being supplied to the operating cylinder of the tool so that the reciprocation frequency and kinetic energy of the piston are reduced. The amplitude and frequency of the vibrations generated by the tool and transmitted to the operator thereof are likewise substantially reduced when the tool is operating in this mode, and a significant reduction in the level of the sound emitted by the tool is also obtained.

Abstract: A safety control means for a portable power tool, such as a pneumatically driven hand grinder, wherein fluid supply and discharge passages are provided in the support handles of the tool and are respectively connected to the fluid inlet and outlet of the motor. First and second fluid control members are mounted in the handles on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, of the fluid inlet and outlet of the motor. The first control member is movable to a first position preventing motive fluid from flowing through the supply passage and a second position permitting motive fluid to flow through the supply passage. The second control member is likewise movable to a first position preventing motive fluid from flowing through the discharge passage and a second position permitting flow through the discharge passage. A control lever is pivotally mounted on each of the tool support handles for effecting movement of the respective control members between their first and second positions.