Abstract: A portable, electric cut-off machine including an electric motor powered abrasive disc. Front and rear handles are provided for convenient two-hand operation of the tool and are electrically isolated for operator protection. A protective guard encompasses substantially 210.degree. of the abrasive disc and is adjustably mounted in novel fashion on the housing and one of the handles. A supporting shoe is adjustably attached to the guard. The tool is constructed so that parts may be reversed for either right-handed or left-handed operators.

Abstract: A workpiece supporting and clamping assembly includes a generally rigid base frame including a spaced apart parallel pair of elongated frame members having a pair of elongated top members mounted on the spaced apart frame members and extending generally transversely thereto. The top members have upper work supporting surfaces lying in a common plane and longitudinally extending opposed side portions defining clamping surfaces. Extensible and retractable clamping means are interconnected between the base frame and one of the top members for moving the latter along the frame members toward or away from the other top member to provide for clamping of the workpiece between the top members. The other top member is indexable along the elongated frame members to any one of a plurality of selected positions thereby to accommodate varying sizes of workpieces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a removable guard arrangement for a power tool having a rotating head for performing work on a workpiece and includes a guard member and a mounting member which is fixedly attached to the tool for accommodating the guard member thereon. The guard member and the mounting member are configured so as to facilitate the removable bayonet engagement of the members. A locking device is provided for locking the guard member in place on the mounting member.

Abstract: Cordless electric tools or the like comprising a power handle and a plurality of diverse tool heads detachably securable thereto. The power handle includes battery means therein and operator controlled switch means, whereas each of the diverse tool heads may include an electric motor and an output means. The tool heads and power handle include interengageable means constructed for quick mechanical and electrical interconnection therebetween facilitating quick connection and disconnection of the power handle from the various tool heads without requiring any special tools or implements. Electrical interconnection is made automatically upon mechanical interconnection. In addition, a battery charger for the battery means may include similar mechanical and electrical connection means operatively engageable with the power handle to afford ready and easy charging of the battery means between uses of the power handle.

Abstract: A safety switch for a cordless electric device such as a lawnmower or other gardening tool. The device includes a cutting or working implement such as a rotating blade, an electric motor, a battery power supply and an electric switch for connecting the battery to the motor. To prevent accidental operation of the device, a switch control lever is provided which requires two separate and independent motions to be made before the switch can be activated. A switch enclosure is provided which receives the switch operating lever in a close fitting manner. Structure is provided for permitting movement of the operating lever to a position external of the housing; from this position, it can be grasped and moved to the switch-actuation position by a separate motion. The structure permitting movement of the lever may comprise, for example, an access opening in the housing which is separate from the opening in which the lever rests or it may comprise an independent lever-operating member.

Abstract: An improved foldable leg assembly for dual-height workbenches and like devices which is simple to construct, requires no foldable braces or stays, employs an extremely simple hinge plate structure to connect same to a workbench base, the legs being oriented and arranged to provide adequate stability in the higher position of the workbench. The dual height workbench includes top members defining a working surface, a base defining longitudinal and transverse axes and support structure for supporting said top members above said base. A plurality of leg members are pivotally attached to said base adjacent outer edge portions of same and movable between inwardly folded inoperative positions corresponding to the lower height of the workbench and outwardly and downwardly inclined operative positions relative to said base corresponding to the higher position of the workbench.

Abstract: A portable power angle tool includes a housing and an operating head for performing work on a workpiece. A power source supplies energy for the operating head and a switch mechanism includes a switch for interrupting the flow of energy to the operating head as well as an angle lever for actuating the switch. The angle lever is mounted on the housing and the arms of the lever extend outwardly away from the bottom of the housing. The lever can be rotated by the operator to a first position whereat one of the lever arms actuates the switch and a second position whereat the lever arms of the angle lever conjointly support the tool on the rest surface. The weight of the tool bearing down on the angle lever tends to hold the lever in its second position when the tool is set down to rest by the operator on the rest surface thereby substantially minimizing the danger that a person stepping on the tool could inadvertently turn on the tool and cause either injury to himself or damage to the workpiece to be worked.

Abstract: In a cordless electric rotary lawnmower, for example, of the type having two counter-rotating blades, a blade configuration providing substantially improved efficiency and performance is disclosed. The lawnmower is battery operated and each blade in a twin blade mower, or the single blade of a single blade mower, is provided with a configuration to maximize cutting effectiveness, air flow and blade life. The blade comprises a generally rectangular strip of metal having a cross section defined by two parallel spaced flat surfaces joined at their ends by generally tapering surfaces. The flat surfaces extend across approximately 50 to 70% of the total width of the blade adjacent the blade ends and preferably extend across about 60%. In addition, the blade deviates from a rectangular strip in that its outer portions are twisted downwardly from a planar portion at the center to define a lift angle to obtain axial air flow.

Abstract: An improved chuck key and spring pocket for holding the key. The key comprises a sliding cross bar having paddle ends, and the spring pocket cooperates with this cross bar. The pocket opening accepts the key in one orientation only, and then the paddles are used to cam the key tightly into the pocket.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bearing arrangement for the shaft of the armature of an electric motor disposed in a support frame and subject to axial thrust. The bearing arrangement includes a bearing housing disposed so as to receive an end portion of the shaft therein and defining a bearing wall for receiving the axial thrust of the shaft. The bearing housing has a structure formed thereon for mounting the bearing housing to the support frame. A bearing at the interface of the bearing wall and the end portion transmits the axial thrust of the shaft to the bearing wall. A shaft bearing rotatably engages the end portion of the shaft and elastic material interposed between the structure and the support frame deforms elastically in response to the axial thrust applied to the bearing wall.

Abstract: A sharpener having a clam-shell housing in which a motor is mounted for driving a grinding wheel disposed adjacent one end of the housing, a chuck which holds either twist drills or a diamond dresser, the chuck being indexable 180.degree. about its axis, and structure for mounting the chuck relative to the grinding wheel so that either the twist drill can be moved in a prescribed manner across the grinding periphery of the grinding wheel, or so that the diamond dresser can be moved across the grinding wheel in order to dress the wheel to a form suitable for sharpening twist drills or the like, and also means for moving the twist drills or the like or diamond dresser towards the grinding wheel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a speed-changing device for a tool having a gear-box housing and a gear assembly arranged in the housing. The gear assembly has a gear cluster which is movable between at least two positions for changing the gear ratio of the gear assembly. The speed-changing device includes an annular guide member adapted to snap into an opening in the gear-box housing for firmly holding the device in the housing. A cylindrical member is rotatably mounted in the annular guide member and defines a longitudinal axis of rotation. A head piece is securely mounted on the cylindrical member and has an elongated projection extending therefrom eccentric to this axis. The elongated projection engages the gear cluster to move the same from one position to another in response to a manual actuation of the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is configured to contact the guide member to conjointly define therewith a sealing interface.

Abstract: A sharpener having a clam-shell housing in which a motor is mounted for driving a grinding wheel disposed adjacent one end of the housing, a chuck which holds either twist drills or a diamond dresser, the chuck being indexable 180.degree. about its axis, and structure for mounting the chuck relative to the grinding wheel so that either the twist drill can be moved in a prescribed manner across the grinding periphery of the grinding wheel, or so that the diamond dresser can be moved across the grinding wheel in order to dress the wheel to a form suitable for sharpening twist drills or the like, and also means for moving the twist drills or the like or diamond dresser towards the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A portable power tool or appliance, such as a cordless grass shear, may be slidably received within a unitary stirrup. A flexible flap on the stirrup carries a detent button that is automatically snapped into a screw-hole on the clam-shell power tool housing, as the power tool is fully seated within the stirrup. The flap may be flexed manually to release the detent button, thereby facilitating quick disengagement between the power tool and the stirrup. The stirrup carries ground-engaging wheels to facilitate manual movement and guidance of the power tool during its stand-up operation. An extension handle in the form of a tubular wand is secured to the stirrup and extends upwardly therefrom. A top handle with a switch is provided on the end of the wand. An electrical cable is connected to the switch, extends downwardly therefrom within the wand, and exits from the stirrup above the power tool. The end of the cable carries a plug adapted to be received within a receptacle on the power tool.

Abstract: A sharpener having a clam-shell housing in which a motor is mounted for driving a grinding wheel disposed adjacent one end of the housing, a chuck which holds either twist drills or a diamond dresser, the chuck being indexable 180.degree. about its axis, and structure for mounting the chuck relative to the grinding wheel so that either the twist drill can be moved in a prescribed manner across the grinding periphery of the grinding wheel, or so that the diamond dresser can be moved across the grinding wheel in order to dress the wheel to a form suitable for sharpening twist drills or the like, and also means for moving the twist drills or the like or diamond dresser towards the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A sharpener having a clam-shell housing in which a motor is mounted for driving a grinding wheel disposed adjacent one end of the housing, a chuck which holds either twist drills or a diamond dresser, the chuck being indexable 180.degree. about its axis, and structure for mounting the chuck relative to the grinding wheel so that either the twist drill can be moved in a prescribed manner across the grinding periphery of the grinding wheel, or so that the diamond dresser can be moved across the grinding wheel in order to dress the wheel to a form suitable for sharpening twist drills or the like, and also means for moving the twist drills or the like or diamond dresser towards the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A power miter saw of the type comprising a bridgeshaped base member and a main swinging lever pivotally mounted therebelow for motion about a vertical axis, the improvements which comprise a one hand operated detent and locking means at the front end of the swinging lever; and an improved saw mounting means at the rear end of the lever which defines the upper and lower limits of motion of the saw, which permits locking the saw down close to the base, and which normally bias the saw to a "ready" position.