Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a power brush which projects dirt particles directly into a specially formed and located vacuum nozzle in such a manner that low air consumption can be used. The vacuum nozzle has an inlet extending along the full axial length of the power brush. Inclined grooming brushes may be provided to eliminate wheel tracks. The front wall forwardly of the power brush may be modified to provide front edge cleaning. A cordless upright vacuum cleaner may advantageously be provided having a cleaning performance comparable with that of mains powered upright cleaners.

Abstract: A multi-function hand-held power tool includes an electric motor for driving a tool holder and control means for energizing the motor in accordance with a selected combination of operating conditions under which the tool is to be used. Located on the housing of the tool is a keyboard for inputting to the control means information to define the selected combinations of conditions. The keyboard has a first single key for selecting a tool function, for example drilling, from a defined range of tool functions, a second single key from selecting a required workpiece material for example wood, from a defined range of workpiece materials, and two further keys for selecting, from a defined range, another parameter, for example drill size, appropriate to the selected tool function. A visual display also located on the tool housing is energizable to show symbols indicative of the selected combination of operating conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a protective flap assembly to the deck housing of a lawn and garden device is disclosed. The deck housing includes a horizontal support member having an open end and a closed end at opposite lateral edges thereof. The properties flap assembly has an upper socket portion adapted to surroundingly capture the support member upon inward sliding insertion onto the open end thereof. A lower portion of the protective flap assembly extends downwardly toward the ground. The support member is adapted to inhibit removal of the flap assembly following installation on the deck housing.

Abstract: A unitary end bell 66 includes a body 90 and a bridging section 92, and is assembled with a lamination stack 74 in the formation of a stator subassembly 150. End bell 66 is formed with base surfaces 118 at one end which insulate adjacent portions of lamination stack 74 from coil windings 152, and is further formed with wire-retaining shrouds 110 which retain coil windings 152 in a wound configuration. Bridging section 92, which straddles the other end of body 90, is formed with brush channels 120 for supporting brush boxes and a bearing nest 138 for supporting an armature bearing.Methods of assembling the elements to form stator subassembly 150, and various assembly aids such as shroud support 168 and pallet 212 are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool with a rotary driven tool, in particular a planer or a circular saw, is arranged so that on switching off the drive, which can be switched on and off by means of a trigger (15), a brake element (34), which is ineffective when the drive is switched on, is brought into braking engagement with a brake part (51) rotatingly driven by the drive. The tool comprises a safety element (21) which co-operates with the trigger (15) and which can be displaced between a safety position in which the trigger (15) cannot be moved to switch on the drive, and a release position in which the trigger (15) can be moved into the position to switch on the drive. The safety element (21) is urged by spring pressure towards the safety position and is held in the release position when the trigger (15)L is in the switch-on position.

Abstract: A kit 11 comprises an electrical apparatus 13, a clamp connector 15, a nut connector 17 and an adaptor post 19. Kit 11 enables electrical apparatus 13 to be selectively connected in an automobile in circuit alternatively with an engine starter circuit 21 and a battery 23 having post terminals 25, 27 (FIG. 1) and with an engine starter circuit 29 and an automobile battery 31 having nut terminals 33, 35 (FIG. 2) by appropriate connection of adaptor post 19. Adaptor post 19 is interchangeable between a location (FIG. 2) in which it is clamped in the clamp connector 15 of apparatus 13 and a location (FIG. 1) in which it is threaded into the nut connector 17 of apparatus 13.

Abstract: A device for sucking up material removed by the bit of a portable drill is made in the form of a casing provided with means for securing it to the drill and having at least one portion constituting a handle to enable it to be gripped in one hand by the operator. The device comprises a suction head fitted slidingly on the casing to enable it to be kept close to the point of penetration into the surface of a body to be drilled by the bit fitted on the drill. Disposed inside the casing of the device are a fan with intake connected to said head through a connecting duct and with outlet blowing into a container, supported by the casing, for collecting the aspirated material, an electric motor to actuate the fan, electric batteries to supply power to the motor through an operating switch. The casing of the drill alternatively comprises an electric socket designed to receive a corresponding plug mounted on the vacuum device so as to supply power to the fan motor by taking it from the power supply of the drill.

Abstract: A portable, reversibly driven power tool (11) comprises a reversible motor and an assembly (17) for electrically switching the direction of motor rotation and/or for shifting the commutator brushes (99, 101) for optimizing motor performance in both the forward and reverse directions. Assembly (17) includes a reversing switch (56) and an actuator (19) which is movable between forward and reverse positions for reversing the connections of the reversing switch (56) to reverse the direction of motor rotation. Actuator (19) includes (a) a sleeve (81) connected to the reversing (56) switch and surrounding the motor stator (43) to guide movement of the actuator (19) between the forward and reverse positions and (b) a manual control tab (85) ergonomically located in the motor housing (23) slightly forward of a manual power switch (21) in the tool handle (35).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a power brush which projects dirt particles directly into a specially formed and located vacuum nozzle in such a manner that low air consumption can be used. The vacuum nozzle has an inlet extending along the full axial length of the power brush. Inclined grooming brushes may be provided to eliminate wheel tracks. The front wall forwardly of the power brush may be modified to provide front edge cleaning. A cordless upright vacuum cleaner may advantageously be provided having a cleaning performance comparable with that of mains powered upright cleaners.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical interlock and module system for an electrically powered device such as a cordless, electric lawn mower that includes a normally open interlock switch for controlling the enabling of the power circuit for the lawn mower. A key member is adapted for insertion into a specially configured opening in the mower housing to actuate and close the interlock switch. With the interlock switch closed, energization of the motor is controlled by a separate handle-mounted ON/OFF switch in a conventional manner. In addition, a modular assembly technique is disclosed which facilitates ease of manufacturing while assuring proper alignment between the various components of the interlock system.

Abstract: A control circuit for alternating current motors comprises a bidrectional controlled diode (TRIAC) connected in series to the motor and with its own control terminal connected to a fixed-phase actuating network in order to supply partial power to the motor. The control terminal is also connected to a switching device, piloted by a control signal to supply it, when closed, with a bias current which causes the continuous operation of the TRIAC, so as to supply full power to the motor. The control circuit can be used in conjunction with circuits which measure the current absorbed by the motor and give said control signal to make it switch from the full power condition to the partial power condition and vice versa whenever said current reaches pre-established thresholds. One of these circuits supplies partial power to the motor whenever the current it absorbs is too high, which indicates a mechanical overload.

Abstract: In the compact transmission of a hand-held reciprocating power saw, conversion of rotary to reciprocating motion is through a speed reducing bevel gear set (crown wheel and pinion) closely coupled by an eccentric drive pin in the crown wheel to a reciprocating saw blade carrier bar. A guide or bearing plate extending between the crown wheel and the saw blade carrier bar does double duty, guiding and supporting the saw blade carrier bar on one side and, on its opposite side, providing a thrust surface for the crown wheel. The crown wheel engages the guide plate through a thrust ring about equal in diameter to the diameter of the crown wheel. In this way, the shallow crown wheel may be positioned, supported and stabilized entirely by two simple bearings--a large diameter plain thrust bearing of essentially no radial capacity and a short radial bearing subject to virtually no bending or thrust loads.