Abstract: A chop saw comprising a base table (1, 3), a pivot block (11) attached to the base table (3), a pivot member (21) mounted on the pivot block (11) for relative motion therebetween and a saw blade (15) mounted on the pivot member (21) for movement towards and away from the base table (1, 3) to cut a workpiece positioned on the base table (1, 3), wherein a dust extraction passage (74, 75, 76) for enabling a suction apparatus to extract dust from the base table (1, 3) passes through the pivot block (11) and the pivot member (21). Such an arrangement is neat and compact, and yet provides an efficient dust removal facility.

Abstract: A universal motor comprises an armature 13, brushes 15, 17 and stator or run windings 19, 21. To provide a permanent magnet actuated dynamic brake circuit 22, permanent magnets 23, 25 are located, respectively, in opposed stator poles 27, 29. In the run mode, power is supplied to stator windings 19, 21 from a rectified ac power supply 33, 35. In the brake mode, brake circuit 22 is actuated by short circuiting armature 13. Due to back EMF, the current flows through armature 13 in a direction opposite to that produced by the rectified ac input in the run mode to provide dynamic braking. To precisely and durably mount magnets 23, 25 in stator poles 25, 27; straps 69, 71 extend around and completely entrap magnets 23, 25 in slots 65, 67.

Abstract: A power tool (10) has a working assembly (20) mounted on a first side of a table (16). The table is pivotable about an axis (41 ) with respect to a frame (14) between two working dispositions. A working head (e.g. blade 32) of the assembly (20) is positionable through an aperture in the table so that it can work on workpieces supported above either side of the table. The table is connected to the frame through an intermediate member (46) which is pivoted to the frame. The table has a first wheel (40) fixed thereto and a belt passes around the first wheel and around a second wheel (50) fixed to the frame (14) around the pivot (51 ) of the intermediate member. Pivoting of the intermediate member relative to the frame rolls the first wheel inside the belt and rotates the table between bench mode and snip-off mode.

Abstract: A rotary hammer with a pneumatic hammer mechanism has a reciprocatable piston driven in a guide tube, which piston, through alternating development of overpressure and underpressure at its rear side, moves a ram forward to create an impact on the rear end of the bit and back again, the front side of the ram being connected to the surrounding air via at least one vent opening. The at least one vent opening is at least partially closeable to create a pressure countering the forward movement of the ram.

Abstract: A router (21) has a base (70) joined to a body (60) by columns (62,64), the latter being slidable in sleeves (66) in the body (60). A spring (90) between the base (70) and the body of the router serves as a guard for the router bit (76).

Abstract: A reciprocating saw is provided with a blade-clamping arrangement having the blade clamped by its thin edges between a pair of wedge-shaped jaws carried in a tapered sleeve at the end of the reciprocating drive shaft of the saw, the clamping of the jaws being effected by turning a non-reciprocating knob carried on the head of a saw and the knob being operably connected to the clamping jaws by a two-part stem of which the two-parts are mutually reciprocable whilst being restrained so that they can only be rotated as a unit.

Abstract: A work bench (10) such as a miter/bench saw comprises a fixed table (16) having a rotatable platform (15) rotatably inserted in an opening in the fixed table. A clamp (72) for clamping the rotatable platform at a fixed angular position relative to the fixed table comprises a cut (70) extending through the table and extending outwardly from the circular opening in the table to an edge of the table. A lever (72) presses together the edges of the cut so that the circular opening grips the rotatable platform thereby clamping the rotatable platform at a fixed angular position.

Abstract: A braking system for a powered rotary tool of the type in which a shaft is rotated about an axis by a motor includes a first brake element mounted for rotation with the shaft; a second brake element which is restrained from rotation; a biasing member normally urging the first brake element in an axial direction into braking contact with the second brake element and a brake release subsystem, the brake release subsystem to release the braking contact between the first and second brake elements upon start-up of the motor. On start-up of the motor, the shaft is free to rotate through a small angle of rotation before initiating rotation of the first brake element. The release subsystem includes at lease one pair of co-operating ramp surfaces, one of the ramp surfaces being arranged for rotation with the shaft and the other of the ramp surfaces being arranged for rotation with the first brake element. The braking system of the present invention is particularly suitable for use on a rotary-blade lawn mower.

Abstract: An electrical device 11 (e.g., a battery charger) has a support 53, 55 for simply, economically and stably mounting a large electrical component 21 (e.g., a capacitor) in a housing 13 and relative to a printed circuit board 19. Housing 13 of device 11 has a cover portion 15 and a base portion 17. Cover portion 15 has a first support 53. Base portion 17 has a second support 55. Printed circuit board 19 is mounted in base portion 17. Electrical component 21 has projecting core end segments 61, 63 which are particularly suitable for clamping between legs 67, 69 of support 53 and cradles 83, 89 of support 55.

Abstract: A flange lock for securing a disk 8 on the spindle 10 of a power tool is described. It comprises a boss 11 screwable on the spindle and inner and outer flanges 4,1 non-rotatably mounted on said boss 11 so as to be relatively movable thereon between a first, separated relation rigid with said boss and a second, less separated relation. Separation balls 5 are mounted between the flanges 4,1 and disposable between a first condition in which the flanges are maintained in the first, separated relation and a second condition in which the flanges 4,1 are able to move relatively together to the second, less separated condition.

Abstract: A steam generator has a body (4) of heat conductive material, an electric heating element (6) located within the body (4), an inlet (14) for water to be vaporized, one or more discharge orifices (20) for steam, and one or more elongate convoluted passageways (26) serving to transfer water and/or steam from the water inlet (14) to the one or more steam discharge orifices (20). The steam generator has first and second chambers (8), (22). The first chamber (8) has relatively wide passageways (12) serving to remove substantially any impurities present from, and preheat, the water, to produce steam which contains entrained water droplets, and which is substantially free from impurities. The second chamber (22) has relatively narrow and convoluted passageways (26) to achieve final heating of the steam to convert any entrained water droplets to steam.

Abstract: A releasable locking device for acting between a first member 5 and a second member 3, the two members 3,5 being held against relative motion when the device is in its locking position (FIG. 1) and being free to move relative to each other when the device is in its release position (FIG. 2), the locking device comprising a flanged pin 7 for passing through the first member 5 and engaging a second member 3 and releasable means 17 for acting between the flange 15 of the pin 7 and the first member 5 to drive the first member 5 towards the second member 3 until relative motion between the first and second members 3,5 is prevented. The locking device is particularly suitable for locking a round table 5 and a fixed table 3 of a circular saw base table 1 together when a saw cut is to be made.

Abstract: A workbench comprises a work surface (2, 4) disposed on a supporting structure (3). The work surface comprises a vice jaw member (4) carrying a first vice jaw and a worktable (2) having a second complimentary vice jaw (51a). The worktable, in a working position thereof, lies in the same plane as the jaw member, and the jaws face one another and are adapted to be moved towards and away from one another by vice operating means (9). The worktable is pivotally mounted with respect to the supporting structure about an axis lying adjacent the back edge (51b) of the worktable, thereby enabling the worktable to be pivoted away from the supporting structure to give access to the underside of the worktable.

Abstract: A saw (10) comprises a housing, a drive spindle (20) rotatably mounted in the housing and a circular saw blade (not shown) adapted to be releasably mounted on one end of the spindle. The blade fits over the threaded end (25) of the spindle and a nut (26) clamps the blade to the spindle. The spindle is in the form of a sleeve and is rotatable about a shaft (22) fixed in the housing. The bore (30) through the end of the spindle is of hexagonal section and corresponds with a bore (32) formed in the end of the shaft.A wrench (40) is used to remove the blade and has a socket (48) to engage the nut and a freely rotatable pin (50) which also has a hexagonal section and which is adapted to fit in the bores (30,32) when the socket is on the nut and lock the spindle to the shaft.

Abstract: A self-lubricating gear (20) has a deep circumferential groove (30) closed by an O-ring (42) seated on a shoulder (40) of the groove.Teeth (36) of a meshing gear (38) squeeze the O-ring and release small quantities of lubricant contained in the groove to lubricate the meshing teeth.

Abstract: A plug is suitable for use in preformed blind holes in rigid and soft material and also holes in sheetform material.The plug comprises a head portion (2) joined to a tail portion (10) by four legs (12), all having flexing points (20, 22, 24) towards their ends and in a central portion.The tail portion has a thread formation (16, 18) formed by a moulding process.

Abstract: A lawn mower of the type which collects grass cuttings includes a motor-driven blade rotatable about a sustantially vertical axis, at least one fan rotatable about the same axis, and a grass collecting system of the type in which grass collection is aided by suction from an airstream produced by the fan. It includes a closure which is selectively adjustable to at least two positions: one in which a grass collection aperture in a grass box is closed and a debris collection aperture in the grass box is open, and the other in which the grass collection aperture is open and the debris collection aperture is closed. A second embodiment includes a closure which is selectively adjustable to at least two positions: one in which both the grass collection aperture and the debris collection aperture are open, and the other in which only the grass collection aperture is open.