Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a grinding tool may comprise a housing including a mount, a shaft extending from the mount along a drive axis, where the shaft is configured to support a grinding wheel for rotation about the drive axis, and a guard coupled to the mount. The guard may comprise a central ring extending around the mount, a shroud extending radially outward from the central ring along a first portion of a circumference of the central ring, and a standoff coupled to a second portion of the circumference of the central ring. The standoff may extend from the central ring along a direction substantially parallel to the drive axis such that the standoff limits rotation of the guard about a tipping axis that is substantially perpendicular to the drive axis.

Abstract: Hand-held power tools with an external composite sleeve having a forward portion and a rearward portion and defining an axially extending cavity. The power tools also include an internal metal housing having a substantially cylindrical body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, longitudinally-extending front posts that project radially outward from the cylindrical body. The metal housing resides in the composite sleeve. The front posts can be closely spaced to or abut an inner surface of the forward end (e.g., front cap) of the sleeve. In a front exhaust configuration, the front posts and sleeve cooperate to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart gap spaces, a respective gap space bounded by adjacent posts, an outer surface of the cylindrical body and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a grinding tool may comprise a housing including a mount, a shaft extending from the mount along a drive axis, where the shaft is configured to support a grinding wheel for rotation about the drive axis, and a guard coupled to the mount. The guard may comprise a central ring extending around the mount, a shroud extending radially outward from the central ring along a first portion of a circumference of the central ring, and a standoff coupled to a second portion of the circumference of the central ring. The standoff may extend from the central ring along a direction substantially parallel to the drive axis such that the standoff limits rotation of the guard about a tipping axis that is substantially perpendicular to the drive axis.

Abstract: Hand-held power tools with an external composite sleeve having a forward portion and a rearward portion and defining an axially extending cavity. The power tools also include an internal metal housing having a substantially cylindrical body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, longitudinally-extending front posts that project radially outward from the cylindrical body. The metal housing resides in the composite sleeve. The front posts can be closely spaced to or abut an inner surface of the forward end (e.g., front cap) of the sleeve. In a front exhaust configuration, the front posts and sleeve cooperate to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart gap spaces, a respective gap space bounded by adjacent posts, an outer surface of the cylindrical body and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A pneumatic impact wrench includes a handle assembly graspable by a user, a work attachment connected to the handle assembly, an inlet permitting air flow to drive the impact wrench, an outlet permitting air flow out of the impact wrench, a motor assembly positioned between the inlet and the outlet includes a rotor driven by the air flow between the inlet and the outlet. The motor assembly defines a longitudinal motor axis about which the rotor rotates. An output drive is connected to the motor assembly to selectively rotate in response to rotation of the rotor, the output drive defines a longitudinal output axis about which the output drive rotates, the longitudinal output axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal motor axis, and an impact mechanism is positioned between the motor assembly and the output drive to selectively drive the output drive in response to rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A pneumatic impact tool includes a handle, a work attachment coupled to the handle, an inlet and an outlet permitting air flow through the tool to drive the tool. A motor assembly is functionally positioned between the inlet and the outlet, the motor assembly having a rotor driven by the air flow, and the motor assembly defining a longitudinal motor axis about which the rotor rotates. An output drive is connected to the motor assembly to selectively rotate the output drive in response to rotation of the rotor. The output drive defines a longitudinal output axis about which the output drive rotates, such that the longitudinal output axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal motor axis. An impact mechanism is functionally positioned between the motor assembly and the output drive, such that the impact mechanism drives the output drive with impact forces in response to rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A motor arrangement for a pneumatic tool includes a motor cylinder defining a motor chamber, an inlet passage adapted to receive a flow of motive fluid, forward and reverse passages communicating with the motor chamber, a throttle port, and at least one exhaust port. A motor rotor rotates in a forward direction in response to motive fluid flowing into the motor chamber from the forward passage and in a reverse direction in response to motive fluid flowing into the motor chamber from the reverse passage. A valve actuates to selectively place one of the forward and reverse passages in communication with the inlet passage for the provision of motive fluid from the inlet passage to the selected one of the forward and reverse passages. A throttle mechanism including a throttle actuator extends through the throttle port and is actuable to control the flow of motive fluid through the inlet passage.

Abstract: An angle head for use with a power tool includes an angle housing defining first and second non-parallel axes and a pinion shaft supported within the angle housing for rotation about the first axis. The pinion shaft has a first end that includes a plurality of pinion teeth, and a second end adapted to be engaged by a motor of a power tool. The angle head also includes a bevel gear supported in the angle housing for rotation about the second axis. The bevel gear includes an upper shaft, a toothed portion, and an output spindle. The upper shaft, toothed portion, and output spindle are integrally formed as a single, monolithic structure. The toothed portion is between the upper shaft and output spindle. The toothed portion includes a plurality of bevel teeth in meshing engagement with the pinion teeth such that rotation of the pinion shaft about the first axis causes rotation of the bevel gear about the second axis.