Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes a button useful to select a direction of rotation of the power tool. The button can be used to select between forward, reverse, and neutral. The power tool includes a housing which is coupled with an abutment structure which engages with the button. A sawtooth engagement is formed between the abutment structure and the button. The sawtooth engagement can be asymmetric in shape to provide different force vectors depending on whether the button is pushed in a first or a second direction. The sum of the resistive forces can be the same whether the button is pushed in the first or second direction, owing to the asymmetric forces caused by the sawtooth engagement which make up for differences in other internal resistive forces.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of tool extensions and methods of using such tool extensions are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool extension may comprise a drive core configured to transfer rotational torque from a first end to a second end opposite the first end, where the first end is configured to be removably coupled to a tool to receive rotational torque from the tool, the second end is configured to be removably coupled to a fastener to supply rotational torque to the fastener, and the drive core is bendable between the first and second ends. The tool extension may further comprise a shell surrounding the drive core and containing an electro-rheological (ER) fluid configured to transition between a flexible state in which the shell permits bending of the drive core and a rigid state in which the shell resists bending of the drive core.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes a button useful to select a direction of rotation of the power tool. The button can be used to select between forward, reverse, and neutral. The power tool includes a housing which is coupled with an abutment structure which engages with the button. A sawtooth engagement is formed between the abutment structure and the button. The sawtooth engagement can be asymmetric in shape to provide different force vectors depending on whether the button is pushed in a first or a second direction. The sum of the resistive forces can be the same whether the button is pushed in the first or second direction, owing to the asymmetric forces caused by the sawtooth engagement which make up for differences in other internal resistive forces.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a rotary impact tool comprises a motor including a rotor and an input shaft coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith about an input axis, an anvil configured to be rotated about an output axis and including an output shaft, a carrier driven by the input shaft and having a passage extending through a distal end thereof, and a hammer supported and driven by the carrier and configured to impact the anvil to cause the anvil to rotate about the output axis. The anvil may comprise a blade coupled to the output shaft and configured to direct a lubricating fluid through the passage when the anvil or carrier rotates about the output axis.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of tool extensions and methods of using such tool extensions are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool extension may comprise a drive core configured to transfer rotational torque from a first end to a second end opposite the first end, where the first end is configured to be removably coupled to a tool to receive rotational torque from the tool, the second end is configured to be removably coupled to a fastener to supply rotational torque to the fastener, and the drive core is bendable between the first and second ends. The tool extension may further comprise a shell surrounding the drive core and containing an electro-rheological (ER) fluid configured to transition between a flexible state in which the shell permits bending of the drive core and a rigid state in which the shell resists bending of the drive core.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a rotary impact tool comprises a motor including a rotor and an input shaft coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith about an input axis, an anvil configured to be rotated about an output axis and including an output shaft, a carrier driven by the input shaft and having a passage extending through a distal end thereof, and a hammer supported and driven by the carrier and configured to impact the anvil to cause the anvil to rotate about the output axis. The anvil may comprise a blade coupled to the output shaft and configured to direct a lubricating fluid through the passage when the anvil or carrier rotates about the output axis.