Abstract: An improved dust collector is proposed. The dust collector comprises an upper duct, and a flexible lower flap connected to the upper dust duct, wherein the lower flap is resilient. Preferably, the upper duct has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, whereas the bottom of the duct is open. The lower flap is disposed in the open portion of the inlet. Furthermore, the upper duct inlet and outlet may have corresponding centerlines, whereas the centerline of the upper duct outlet may be offset from the centerline of the upper duct inlet by a predetermined number of degrees, e.g., about 15°. In addition, the dust collector may further include a wire for maintaining the lower flap in an open position.

Abstract: The miter saw includes a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably connected to the base assembly and having a plane, a saw assembly including a motor and a blade disposed on an arbor, and a pivot arm pivotally attached to the table and supporting the saw assembly. The motor preferably drives a belt, which drives a first gear. The first gear meshes with an idler gear, which in turn meshes with a gear disposed on the arbor.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight and small removable device enhances the operation and utility of a tape measure when measuring metallic or nonmetallic structures. The device comprises a flat base, a small, powerful rare earth magnet secured to one side of the base, and a spring clip that extends from a bottom edge of the base and up its other side and includes a curved surface normally contacting the base to provide a pocket having an entrance slot for insertion of the zero hook. The zero hook is clamped between the base and the spring clip when inserted through the entry slot into the pocket. The small powerful magnet enables use with metallic surfaces behind wallboard, and above, below and beside the zero hook. A plurality of friction enhancing tangs extend from the spring clip in a direction opposite the magnet for gripping nonmetallic surfaces. The device can also be used to retrieve remote metal tools and other objects.

Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A compound miter saw has a unique locking system for locking the bevel angle support housing to the table assembly once the desired bevel angle has been set. The locking system includes a cam and a handle each with an angular cam surface. When the two cam surfaces are aligned, the support housing is free to pivot around a supporting shaft. When the handle is rotated on the shaft, the two cam surfaces are moved to a non-aligned position. This non-alignment of cam surfaces causes axial movement of the cam along the shaft which in turn forces the support housing against the table assembly to lock the support housing in the desired bevel angle.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a unique table assembly which incorporates an orientation system for a group of wear plates and a three position lock system. The wear plates between the table assembly and the base of the miter saw have a different configuration at each end which requires them to be assembled into the table saw with any burred edge being positioned away from the table assembly. The lock system incorporated into the table assembly is movable between three positions. The first position locks the table to the miter saw. The second position permits rotation of the table with a spring loaded detent system releasably locking the table at various miter angles. The third position permits rotation of the table with the spring loaded detent system being disengaged providing free movement of the table.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saws unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: An improved dust collector is proposed. The dust collector comprises an upper duct, and a flexible lower flap connected to the upper dust duct, wherein the lower flap is resilient. Preferably, the upper duct has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, whereas the bottom of the duct is open. The lower flap is disposed in the open portion of the inlet. Furthermore, the upper duct inlet and outlet may have corresponding centerlines, whereas the centerline of the upper duct outlet may be offset from the centerline of the upper duct inlet by a predetermined number of degrees, e.g., about 15°. In addition, the dust collector may further include a wire for maintaining the lower flap in an open position.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight and small removable device enhances the operation and utility of a tape measure when measuring metallic or nonmetallic structures. The device comprises a flat base, a small, powerful rare earth magnet secured to one side of the base, and a spring clip that extends from a bottom edge of the base and up its other side and includes a curved surface normally contacting the base to provide a pocket having an entrance slot for insertion of the zero hook. The zero hook is clamped between the base and the spring clip when inserted through the entry slot into the pocket. The small powerful magnet enables use with metallic surfaces behind wallboard, and above, below and beside the zero hook. A plurality of friction enhancing tangs extend from the spring clip in a direction opposite the magnet for gripping nonmetallic surfaces. The device can also be used to retrieve remote metal tools and other objects.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a unique table assembly which incorporates an orientation system for a group of wear plates and a three position lock system. The wear plates between the table assembly and the base of the miter saw have a different configuration at each end which requires them to be assembled in to the table saw with any burred edge being positioned away from the table assembly. The lock system incorporated into the table assembly is movable between three positions. The first position locks the table to the miter saw. The second position permits rotation of the table with a spring loaded detent system releasably locking the table at various miter angles. The third position permits rotation of the table with the spring loaded detent system being disengaged providing free movement of the table.

Abstract: The miter saw includes a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably connected to the base assembly and having a plane, a saw assembly including a motor and a blade disposed on an arbor, and a pivot arm pivotally attached to the table and supporting the saw assembly. The motor preferably drives a belt, which drives a first gear. The first gear meshes with an idler gear, which in turn meshes with a gear disposed on the arbor.

Abstract: An improved miter saw comprises a base assembly, a table rotatably attached to the base assembly, a saw assembly pivotably attached to the table, a wear ring non-fixedly attached between the base assembly and the table and wear ring. Other inventions are described herein.

Abstract: A worker's glove comprises a glove body having fingers, a palm and a back. A hook-and-loop fastening system mounts a worker's aid device on the glove back. The device is one or more devices selected from the group consisting of a magnetic container, a flashlight, a tape measure, a plumb bob, and a note pad. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic container is a cylindrical cup having a magnet for securing screws, nut, bolts and other magnetizable fasteners within the cup for ready access by the worker. Several different devices can be stacked on the glove back. The devices can also be mounted on the butt end of a drill handle.

Abstract: A worker's glove comprises a glove body having fingers, a palm and a back. A hook-and-loop fastening system mounts a worker's aid device on the glove back. The device is one or more devices selected from the group consisting of a magnetic container, a flashlight, a tape measure, a plumb bob, and a note pad. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic container is a cylindrical cup having a magnet for securing screws, nut, bolts and other magnetizable fasteners within the cup for ready access by the worker. Several different devices can be stacked on the glove back. The devices can also be mounted on the butt end of a drill handle.

Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A compound miter saw has a unique locking system for locking the bevel angle support housing to the table assembly once the desired bevel angle has been set. The locking system includes a cam and a handle each with an angular cam surface. When the two cam surfaces are aligned, the support housing is free to pivot around a supporting shaft. When the handle is rotated on the shaft, the two cam surfaces are moved to a non-aligned position. This non-alignment of cam surfaces causes axial movement of the cam along the shaft which in turn forces the support housing against the table assembly to lock the support housing in the desired bevel angle.

Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.