Abstract: A multi-speed, power-driven tool may include a transmission mechanism that transmits power from a motor to an output device. A speed selection mechanism may be coupled to the transmission mechanism, to control a speed reduction through the transmission mechanism, and an output speed of the tool. The transmission mechanism may employ a compound, stepped, planetary gear assembly, to provide for an axially compact arrangement of transmission mechanism components, to reduce an axial length of the tool. The speed selection mechanism may employ a multi-staged grounding device, corresponding to the reduced axial length of the transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A compliant shifting mechanism for a power tool includes a selector, a first shift plate rotatable in response to rotation of the selector, a second shift plate rotatable in response to rotation of the first shift plate, a shift member moveable in response to rotation of the second shift plate to shift between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, a first torsion spring coupled to the first shift plate, and a second torsion spring coupled to the second shift plate. In response to rotation of the selector in a first direction, the first torsion spring may bias the first shift plate in the first direction for shifting compliance in the first direction. In response to rotation of the selector in an opposite second direction, the second torsion spring may bias the second shift plate in the second direction for shifting compliance in the second direction.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, an output spindle extending outward from the housing and configured to be rotationally driven by the motor, a keyed chuck coupled to the output spindle for rotation with the output spindle, and a chuck key holder configured to releasably retain a chuck key with a first shaft with a key disposed thereon for operating the chuck, and a second shaft coupled to the first end portion of the first shaft generally perpendicular to the first shaft, the second shaft including a lever portion. The chuck key holder includes a first recess configured to receive the first shaft and a second recess with a sheath configured to receive the second shaft with the lever portion exposed from the sheath.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.

Abstract: A power-driven tool may include a clutch mechanism selectively provides for engagement between and transmission mechanism and an output mechanism of the tool. The clutch mechanism may include a variable rate, or a dual rate biasing mechanism. mechanism that transmits power from a motor to an output device. A speed selection mechanism may be coupled to the transmission mechanism, to control a speed reduction through the transmission mechanism, and an output speed of the tool. The transmission mechanism may employ a compound, stepped, planetary gear assembly, to provide for an axially compact arrangement of transmission mechanism components, to reduce an axial length of the tool. The speed selection mechanism may employ a multi-staged grounding device, corresponding to the reduced axial length of the transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing containing a motor, an output member configured to be driven by the motor to perform an operation on a workpiece, and a handle having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion. A base is coupled to the second end portion of the handle. A light emitting assembly is pivotably coupled to the base. The light emitting assembly is configured to be operable in a first mode to illuminate a workpiece and a second mode to indicate a condition of the power tool responsive to the power tool signaling the condition to the light emitting assembly.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, an output spindle extending outward from the housing and configured to be rotationally driven by the motor, a keyed chuck coupled to the output spindle for rotation with the output spindle, and a chuck key holder configured to releasably retain a chuck key with a first shaft with a key disposed thereon for operating the chuck, and a second shaft coupled to the first end portion of the first shaft generally perpendicular to the first shaft, the second shaft including a lever portion. The chuck key holder includes a first recess configured to receive the first shaft and a second recess with a sheath configured to receive the second shaft with the lever portion exposed from the sheath.

Abstract: A compliant shifting mechanism for a power tool includes a selector, a first shift plate rotatable in response to rotation of the selector, a second shift plate rotatable in response to rotation of the first shift plate, a shift member moveable in response to rotation of the second shift plate to shift between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, a first torsion spring coupled to the first shift plate, and a second torsion spring coupled to the second shift plate. In response to rotation of the selector in a first direction, the first torsion spring may bias the first shift plate in the first direction for shifting compliance in the first direction. In response to rotation of the selector in an opposite second direction, the second torsion spring may bias the second shift plate in the second direction for shifting compliance in the second direction.

Abstract: A multi-directional compliant shifting mechanism for a multi-speed power tool may couple a movable selector to a power transmission system of the tool, for selecting an operational speed of the multi-speed power tool. The complaint shifting mechanism may provide shifting compliance in a first direction in response to movement of the selector in a first direction, and may provide shifting compliance in a second direction in response to movement of the selector in a second direction. In one example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by interaction of the selector with a camming surface, in combination with a single compression spring. In another example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by first and second springs, selectively acting to provide compliance in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A multi-speed, power-driven tool may include a transmission mechanism that transmits power from a motor to an output device. A speed selection mechanism may be coupled to the transmission mechanism, to control a speed reduction through the transmission mechanism, and an output speed of the tool. The transmission mechanism may employ a compound, stepped, planetary gear assembly, to provide for an axially compact arrangement of transmission mechanism components, to reduce an axial length of the tool. The speed selection mechanism may employ a multi-staged grounding device, corresponding to the reduced axial length of the transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-directional compliant shifting mechanism for a multi-speed power tool may couple a movable selector to a power transmission system of the tool, for selecting an operational speed of the multi-speed power tool. The complaint shifting mechanism may provide shifting compliance in a first direction in response to movement of the selector in a first direction, and may provide shifting compliance in a second direction in response to movement of the selector in a second direction. In one example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by interaction of the selector with a camming surface, in combination with a single compression spring. In another example, this multi-directional shifting compliance may be provided by first and second springs, selectively acting to provide compliance in the first and second directions.

Abstract: Gas monitoring apparatus associated with a remotely operated seabed system, the apparatus including a detector which is adapted so as to enable detection and/or measurement in real time the interception of shallow gas in a bore hole. In one form the gas monitoring apparatus is suitable for use with a drilling rig for drilling into a sea bed, the drilling rig including a drill string. The gas monitoring apparatus includes a housing with a collecting chamber therein for receiving drilling fluid returns which result from a drilling operation. The apparatus further includes a discharge conduit for discharging the drilling fluid returns from the collecting chamber, the collecting chamber and discharge conduit being configured so that the drilling fluid is discharged in a stratified flow which includes a predominantly dissolved gas containing phase, and if present a free gaseous phase.