Abstract: A power tool with a housing, an electric motor having an output shaft that provides a first output torque, a first gear reduction element driven by the output shaft to provide a second output torque, a second gear reduction element, which can be operated in active and inactive modes, driven by the first gear reduction element to receive the second output torque and to provide a third output torque, a third gear reduction element, which is operable in active and inactive modes, driven by the first gear reduction element to receive the second output torque and to provide a fourth output torque, an output spindle operably driven by the second gear reduction element or the third gear reduction element, and a shift actuator. The shift actuator is employed to position the second and third gear reduction elements to achieve at least three overall speed ratios.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission assembly for a rotary power tool. The transmission assembly includes a plurality of transmission stages, with at least two of the transmission stages employing a movable reduction element that permits the transmission stage to be operated in an active mode and an inactive mode. The movable reduction elements are coupled to a switching mechanism that switches the reduction elements in a predetermined manner to provide at least three-gear reduction or speed ratios.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine assembly for holding and dispensing collated fasteners. The magazine assembly includes a canister and a door that is hingedly coupled to a nosepiece. The canister includes a stationary portion and a movable portion that may be moved relative to the stationary portion to permit access to an interior of the canister, e.g., for loading the fasteners into the canister. The door cannot be moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa without first opening the canister. A method for loading a magazine is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine housing, a nail plate in the magazine housing and an actuator disposed between the nail plate and the magazine housing. The actuator extends outwardly from the nail plate so as to be movable by a user to cause the nail plate to move axially with respect to the magazine housing.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a housing assembly, a magazine assembly and a deflectable finger. The housing assembly includes a nosepiece. The magazine assembly, which is coupled to the housing assembly, is configured hold a plurality of fasteners and sequentially feed the fasteners into the nosepiece. The deflectable finger is coupled to the housing assembly and extends outwardly there from.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a fastening tool. The magazine assembly slides on guide posts that are formed into the nose assembly of the fastening tool and is clamped to the fastening tool via a magazine clamp assembly that requires no tools to operate. The magazine clamp assembly may be partially released to permit the magazine assembly to be partially withdrawn from the nose assembly so that the nose assembly may be maintained without the complete removal of the magazine assembly. The construction of the nose assembly is such that when the magazine assembly is placed in a partially withdrawn state, a portion of the nose assembly mechanically inhibits actuation of the fastening tool trigger system.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastening tool assembly that employs an engine having a sliding sleeve arrangement to control the supply of air to and exhaust from the pneumatic engine. The sliding sleeve arrangement eliminates the need for a conventional main valve and thereby reduces the overall weight and length of the pneumatic fastening tool relative to those tools that employ a conventional engine configuration.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a housing, a nosepiece that is coupled to the housing and a contact trip that includes a lower contact trip, an upper contact trip and a depth adjustment assembly. The lower contact trip is mounted on the nosepiece for translation between an extended position and a retracted position. The upper contact trip is separate from the lower contact trip. The depth adjustment assembly includes a stem, a sleeve that is threadably coupled to the stem, and a knob. The knob is rotatably coupled to the sleeve but axially movable thereon. The stem is coupled to one of the lower contact trip and the upper contact trip and the sleeve is captured by the other one of the lower contact trip and the upper contact trip.

Abstract: An article having a first structure and a second structure. The first structure includes a structural portion and an overmold portion, which is formed from a resilient material and molded onto the structural portion. The overmold portion is configured to perform an auxiliary function, such as creating a seal portion that is configured to sealing engage the second structure, an isolator portion that is configured to contact the second structure and dampen vibrations that are transmitted thereto and/or an auxiliary gripping surface.

Abstract: A multi-speed transmission assembly for a rotary power tool. The transmission assembly includes a plurality of transmission stages, with at least two of the transmission stages employing a movable reduction element that permits the transmission stage to be operated in an active mode and an inactive mode. The movable reduction elements are coupled to a switching mechanism that switches the reduction elements in a predetermined manner to provide at least three-gear reduction or speed ratios.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a housing, which has first and second shell members and an end cap, and a trigger. The first and second shell members define a handle portion that is configured to be engaged by a first hand of a user. The trigger is coupled to the handle portion and configured to be operated by the first hand of the user. The end cap is removably coupled to the first and second shell members and defines an auxiliary gripping structure that is remote from the handle portion and configured to be selectively engaged by a second hand of the user to aid in operating the power tool. The end cap has a structural portion and an overmold portion that is formed from a resilient material. The overmold portion is at least partially interposed between the structural portion and the second hand.

Abstract: An article having a first structure and a second structure. The first structure includes a structural portion and an overmold portion, which is formed from a resilient material and molded onto the structural portion. The overmold portion is configured to perform an auxiliary function, such as creating a seal portion that is configured to sealing engage the second structure, an isolator portion that is configured to contact the second structure and dampen vibrations that are transmitted thereto and/or an auxiliary gripping surface.

Abstract: A portable power tool with a housing, a motor having a motor output member, a driven member and a transmission. The transmission, which is located in the housing, is configured to receive a rotary input from the motor output member and to produce a rotary output that is transmitted to the output spindle. The transmission has a plurality of planetary transmission stages, each of which including a ring gear, a planet carrier and a plurality of planet gears that are supported by the planet carrier for meshing engagement with the ring gear. The transmission further includes at least one member that may be configured in a first condition, which renders at least one of the planetary transmission stages operable in an active mode, and a second condition, which renders at least one of the planetary transmission stages operable in an inactive mode. The transmission is operable in at least three overall speed reduction ratios.

Abstract: An article having a first structure and a second structure. The first structure includes a structural portion and an overmold portion, which is formed from a resilient material and molded onto the structural portion. The overmold portion is configured to perform an auxiliary function, such as creating a seal portion that is configured to sealing engage the second structure, an isolator portion that is configured to contact the second structure and dampen vibrations that are transmitted thereto and/or an auxiliary gripping surface.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a fastening tool. The magazine assembly includes a feed mechanism having a fastener follower that includes a cam device. The feed mechanism also includes a cam follower which is employed to engage the cam device so that fasteners may be loaded into the magazine assembly. The cam follower alternately engages and disengages the cam device in response to movement of the fastener follower relative to the cam device. A method for operating a fastening tool is also provided.

Abstract: A brush assembly for an electric motor has a base which secures the brush assembly to a motor spider. A brush housing is associated with the base and has first and second open ends. A brush defining an axis is movably positioned in the housing between the first and second open ends. The brush extends from one of the open ends of the housing. The brush includes a surface which is at a desired angle with respect to the brush axis. A biasing member exerts a force on the brush to bias the brush into an electrical connection with a commutator. An electrical connector electrically couples the brush to provide an electrical connection between the commutator and a power supply.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a fastening tool. The magazine assembly includes a feed mechanism having a fastener follower that includes a cam device. The feed mechanism also includes a cam follower which is employed to engage the cam device so that fasteners may be loaded into the magazine assembly. The cam follower alternately engages and disengages the cam device in response to movement of the fastener follower relative to the cam device. A method for operating a fastening tool is also provided.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a fastening tool. The magazine assembly includes a feed mechanism having a fastener follower that includes a cam device. The feed mechanism also includes a cam follower which is employed to engage the cam device so that fasteners may be loaded into the magazine assembly. The cam follower alternately engages and disengages the cam device in response to movement of the fastener follower relative to the cam device. The magazine assembly also includes a clamp assembly for coupling the magazine assembly to the body of a fastening tool.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastening tool assembly that employs an engine having a sliding sleeve arrangement to control the supply of air to and exhaust from the pneumatic engine. The sliding sleeve arrangement eliminates the need for a conventional main valve and thereby reduces the overall weight and length of the pneumatic fastening tool relative to those tools that employ a conventional engine configuration.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for a fastening tool. The magazine assembly slides on guide posts that are formed into the nose assembly of the fastening tool and is clamped to the fastening tool via a magazine clamp assembly that requires no tools to operate. The magazine clamp assembly may be partially released to permit the magazine assembly to be partially withdrawn from the nose assembly so that the nose assembly may be maintained without the complete removal of the magazine assembly. The construction of the nose assembly is such that when the magazine assembly is placed in a partially withdrawn state, a portion of the nose assembly mechanically inhibits actuation of the fastening tool trigger system.