Abstract: An ergonomic, hand-held power tool (10) is disclosed having a housing (12) formed to have a main body portion (14) having a cavity (32) and a handle portion (16) coupled to the main portion (14). The main body portion (14) has a first longitudinal axis (66). The handle portion (16) has a second longitudinal axis (68) formed to be at an acute angle (70) with respect to the first longitudinal axis (66). A flexible material (28) may be attached to the handle portion (16) or used to form an exterior coating on the housing (12) to help minimize any vibration transferred to the operator's hand.

Abstract: A gear shifting power tool (10) includes a rotatably-driven, torque-responsive, gear shift device (30). Rotatably-driven, torque-responsive, gear shift device (30) may include drive spindle (38), plunger (54) positioned within drive spindle (38). Drive spindle (38) has first hole pair (44) and second hole pair (46) in which first ball pair (48) and second ball pair (50) contact plunger (54). Drive clutch member (32) is drivably engaged to drive spindle (38) through ball screw arrangement (64). Drive clutch member (32) disengages from driven clutch member (34) in response to a resistive torque overcoming torque spring (40). Inertial device (62) forces first ball pair (48) into one end of plunger (54) which forces plunger (54) towards reset spring (60). Plunger (54) forces second ball pair (46) into inner axial groove (36) of drive clutch member (32) and prevents drive clutch member (32) from engaging driven clutch member (34) until all rotation ceases.

Abstract: An air tool includes a housing containing an air motor with a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and connectable to an implement for working the surface of a workpiece. Power handle and idle handles have upper and lower ends connected to the housing at angularly spaced locations. Air power is supplied to the motor by an air passage extending through the power handle to an intake at the top of the housing. The upper and lower connections of the handles to the housing have axes extending generally perpendicular to each other and vibration insulators prevent metal to metal contact with the housing. One of the vibration insulators also is used in sealing against the loss of power air before entering the motor. Between their upper and lower ends, the handles are slanted at an angle of about fifteen degrees (15.degree.) relative to the axis of the tool.

Abstract: A pneumatic air feed peck drill adapted to drill in repetitive cycles including a rapid advance phase, a slower drilling phase, and a rapid retract phase. The rapid advance phase ends and the drilling phase begins at a set back position, an adjustable distance from the workpiece, to minimize a drill bit and workpiece damage. The drill includes a drill motor and feed cylinder powered by air to rotate and advance and retract the drill motor. The drill motor and feed cylinder is coupled with an air and mechanical control system including a hydraulic feed control unit having a piston rod coupled with the drill motor to dampen the advance of the drill motor during the drilling phase and to release for rapid retract and advance phases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque-limiting clutch for use in combination with a positive feed drill that has a reversible motor and reversible driving means. A preferred use of the clutch is in combination with a drill that has a reversible motor rapid advance system. The clutch provides direct drive in a forward mode and is torque-limiting in a reverse mode so as to protect the gears from breaking due to excessive torque while the gears are turning in reverse during the rapid advance mode. In the reverse mode, the torque-limiting clutch protects the drill bit as it bears on the workpiece and prevents unscrewing of the drilling and mounting components. In a preferred embodiment the clutch is mounted on a shaft and is comprised of two clutch jaws that drive through lugs mounted on the jaws. The lugs provide direct drive in a forward rotation, but are shaped so as to allow the jaws to disengage when the torque is excessive in a reverse rotation.

Abstract: A positive feed drill assembly having an air powered motor and an automatic drill feed and retract mechanism with a normal feed, drill, and retract sequence of operation is provided with an improvement to control the number of times the drill can be used to make a hole with a particular cutter. The improvement includes an apparatus associated with the automatic feed and retract mechanism for sensing the cycle of each drilling operation. A counter functioning with the sensing apparatus counts the number of drilling operations. A comparator associated with the counter compares the accumulated number of drilling operations with a predetermined number. A signaling apparatus connected with the counter provides a signal to the operator when the drill assembly has performed the maximum number of drilling operations for that cutter so the operator can replace the cutter before using the drill assembly again.

Abstract: A powered hand tool as a housing containing an air pressure driven motor with an output spindle extending from a work side of the housing and a work device such as a grinding wheel mounted thereon. A guard is mounted with the work side of the housing and at least partially surrounds the work device or grinding wheel. A handle mounted with the housing is provided for an operator to hold the tool. An air pressure flow control valve is mounted in the handle and includes a valve actuator member extending from the handle. An actuating lever is secured to the housing by a removable lever mount located in a locking groove in the housing and held in place by a portion of the guard. With the guard in place the actuating lever mount is positioned for hand actuation upon grasping the handle.

Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating in reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. The spindle also carries a collar or other abutment that engages a shift lever at the end of the feed movement. The shift lever is moved by the collar, and, due to its interconnection with the feed gear, moves the feed gear out of engagement with the main drive gear and into the position wherein it is prevented from rotating. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction movement.

Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating in reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. The spindle also carries a collar or other abutment that engages a shift lever at the end of the feed movement. The shift lever is moved by the collar, and, due to its interconnection with the feed gear, moves the feed gear out of engagement with the main drive gear and into the position wherein it is prevented from rotating. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction movement.