Abstract: A jig saw 30 includes a housing 32 and a keyless shoe 54 which can be adjusted relative to the housing to selectively position a cutting blade 48 for effecting a cut perpendicular to the plane of a workpiece 66, or a cut which is bevelled with respect to the plane of the workpiece. A locking mechanism 58 includes a lever 60 which is formed with a locking section 170 having a wide cross section portion and a narrow cross section portion. When making an adjustment, the locking mechanism 58 is unlocked by pivoting the lever 60 so that the narrow portion of the locking section 170 is in a prescribed alignment. After making the adjustment to a desired relative orientation and position between the housing 32 and the shoe 54, the lever 60 is pivoted to the locked position. In this position, the wide portion of the locking section 170 is placed in a prescribed alignment whereby the components of the locking mechanism 58 are locked, or tightened.

Abstract: A key pad (6) is provided for the on/off switch for a powered hand tool (2) in which the on/off switch is of the rocker type in which the switch mechanism is actuated by a rocker member (16) comprising two rocker components (18,20) pivoted about a pivot point (22) and is switched by applying pressure selectively to one of the two rocker components (18,20). The key pad (6) forms a sealed cover for the rocker switch (16) and is moulded from a resilient material, and comprises a pair of actuator pads (8,10), each of which actuator pads (8,10) is associated with a corresponding rocker component (18,20) of the rocker switch (16) and is moulded as a relatively thick pad section (8,10) linked to the key pad wall (12) by a relatively thin deformable circumferential linking section (14) and can be selectively switched between a first stable position and a second stable position in which the actuator pad (8,10) is depressed relative to the first stable position.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw 10 includes a motor 17, a gear train 19, a drive shaft 15 and a blade clamp 13 for clamping a blade 11 in the saw. Clamp 13 includes sleeve 23 with first and second axially spaced and generally opposed projections 37, 39 for clamping an assembly 21 of blade 11 and drive shaft 15. A bias member 55 for clamping and unclamping blade 11 in sleeve 23 is adjustably attached to a top sidewall 33 of sleeve 23 and engages one side of assembly 21 at a location inwardly of first and second projections 37, 39. Bias member 55 forms a moment arm with a portion of sleeve 23 extending between the location of bias member 55 and first projection 37. Projection 37 serves as the fulcrum for the moment arm. The formation of a moment arm increases the effectiveness of the clamping action and more securely retains the blade 11 in the clamp 13.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cordlock retention mechanism for a power tool such as an automotive polisher. The housing includes a pair of electrical contact blades which may be plugged into an extension cord. The retention mechanism includes a lower stationary latch extending from the polisher housing and an upper latch which is pivotably mounted on the housing above the lower latch. The upper latch may be pivoted between an upper position in which it is out of contact with the lower latch to thereby allow access to the blades and a lower position where it is in contact with the lower latch to enclose a space. The lower latch includes a plurality of upwardly extending off-set ribs. The upper latch includes a downwardly extending transverse vertical plate which is disposed in front of the offset ribs when the upper latch is pivoted to the closed position. In order to provide electrical power to the polisher, the plug of the extension cord receives the blades and is disposed within the enclosed space.

Abstract: A power tool has an application mechanism (300) for connection to the output of an epicyclic gearbox provided with a torque control ring. The mechanism has a body (310) journalling a chuck spindle (302). Outside the body is a clutch control arrangement comprising balls (334,336) pressed against the torque control ring by individual springs (330) controlled by a control ring (322) threaded on the body. The mechanism includes a hammer arrangement having rotary and fixed ratchet plates (378,376) and cam ring (308) operable to engage and separate the plates by a lever (360) which projects between the springs (330).

Abstract: A debris blowing apparatus with a motor, a fan driven by the motor, an inlet to the fan and an air outlet from the fan. A portion of the air which is emitted through the outlet is recycled through a metering aperture into the air inlet to maintain a constant load on fan whilst varying the air output.