Abstract: A battery-operated vacuum cleaner is described which includes a first module including a source of power such as a plurality of battery cells and a second module including a motor, fan, filter and dirt receptacle. The first module may alternatively include means for attachment thereof to a car battery. The motor, fan and filter combination are designed for maximum efficiency so as to provide good cleaning capability with minimum battery drain. The intake portion of the tool is designed, in accord with the particular teachings of this invention, to provide maximum cleaning capability.

Abstract: A safety deflector assembly for the discharge chute of a power lawn mower is provided. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector or guard plate pivotally mounted on the mower deck adjacent to the discharge chute and normally biased toward a guard position, and a latching mechanism automatically operable upon movement of the deflector to its guard position located in the path of movement of material discharged from the discharge chute for latching the deflector in its guard position. The latching mechanism is manually operable to unlatch the deflector to permit manual movement of the deflector away from its guard position out of the path of movement of the discharged material to permit attachment of a grass catcher to the discharge chute.

Abstract: A portable, power operated, hand cultivator comprising a frame having a motor supported thereon which, through a transmission, oscillates two or more generally vertically disposed cultivator tines extending downwardly from the frame. A handle is provided for easy control and manipulation of the device.

Abstract: Securing means particularly for slide-in type battery pack to be used in cordless electric power tools. An L-shaped latch is pivoted on the tool, and its short leg cooperates with a release mechanism at the remote end of the battery pack. A release member, spring loaded on the battery pack, urges the latch away from the pack during disengagement. A thermostated subassembly of the cells within the battery pack is also disclosed.

Abstract: A front loading caulking gun comprising a tube which is open for 90.degree. of its periphery having a latch pivoted at its front end which swings completely out of the way to allow cartridge insertion and removal. It is latched into holes in the sides of the tube to hold the cartridge against the dispersing pressure. The wavy spring metal latch contacts several points around the metal bead at the front end of the cartridge to prevent cocking and to hold the cartridge snugly in the device until the latch is undone.

Abstract: A small motor, for either universal or D. C. applications and useful in the fractional horsepower range, is described. The motor includes a wound armature, commutator and brushes, and a two pole wound field. The motor may be of the series, shunt or compound type. An improved field structure which utilizes an improved cross sectional shape is disclosed.

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 hedge trimmer having two counter reciprocating cutting blades, each of the blades having a yoke at one end defining a cam follower slot, the cutting blades being held together by mounting means which hold the yokes in close face-to-face contact, and a double cam drive engageable with the cam follower slots, the double cam drive being so designed that one cam cannot interfere with the cam follower slot which is adapted to be engaged by the other cam. The cams are so positioned with respect to each other that the periphery of one cam entirely surrounds the periphery of the other cam. The cams, which are circular, are mounted upon one side of a drive member with the axes of the two cams lying on opposite sides of the axis of the drive member.

Abstract: An electric motor housing and heat sink, and the method of assembling the same, in which a housing, constructed of electrically insulating material subject to thermal distortion, includes integral means for orienting and securing a metal heat sink therein, the latter having passages through which cooling air is drawn. The orienting means comprises deformable or meltable means such as pins integral with the housing and adapted to extend through apertures in the heat sink. In addition, a shaft bearing may either be preassembled in the heat sink before assembly to the housing, or the heat sink bored and the bearing inserted therein after the heat sink is assembled to the housing.

Abstract: A battery powered grass shear having improved upper and lower shear blades with improved cutting and durability characteristics and which require less power to operate. The lower shear blade, which is fixed to the housing of the battery powered grass shear, is provided with a forwardly and upwardly extending forward portion provided with transversely spaced apart cutting teeth. The upper shear blade, which is reciprocated relative to the lower shear blade, is formed of a comparatively thin, heat treatable, resilient steel and is normally flat when in a non-stressed state. The upper blade, when assembled to the lower blade is bowed upwardly and the cutting edges of the spaced apart teeth on the upper blade intersect the cutting edges of the spaced apart teeth on the lower blade and make point to point contact throughout the length of the blade as the blades are reciprocated. The cutting surfaces are preferably heat treated to an equal hardness.

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 tool chuck for drills and the like including a body having gripping jaws slideably supported in tapered ways formed in the body. A split nut rotatably supported on the body threadedly engages the jaws and is operable to engage and release the jaws from a bit. The nut and body are interfitted to rotatably support and axially retain the nut on the body. A cup is fitted on the nut to hold it together and on the body and, together with the interfitted body and nut, protects the internal chuck parts from dirt and other foreign material.

Abstract: A rotary power driven portable hand tool having a simplified torque responsive clutch assembly. The clutch includes a spindle having a radially outwardly extending flange, a clutch carrier rotatable about the flange, the clutch carrier carrying a plurality of clutch balls which are forced into engagement with one face of the flange by a compression spring being held in place by adjustable spring retaining means carried by the spindle. In one embodiment the face of the flange contacted by the balls is provided with a cam surface having a plurality of spaced apart recesses, there being a washer interposed between the balls and the end of the spring adjacent the balls. In a second embodiment a sleeve member is keyed to the spindle and is disposed between the compression spring means and the clutch balls, the sleeve member being reversible and having cam surfaces of different ranges on its opposed faces, one of which faces engages the balls to hold them against the face on the flange formed on the spindle.

Abstract: A system for mounting two bearings on a single shaft to achieve self-alignment without spherical bearings. The invention system comprises a cast-in convex curved seat which cooperates with resilient hold down means, whereby the bearings are protected from damage by the force of assembly while the system is substantially self aligning.

Abstract: An improved air reversing valve, as for use with a pneumatic scaler, chisel or the like, comprising throttling means between the two sides of the valve disc whereby the tool's performance characteristics are generally improved. Additionally, the valve is made multi-element whereby its manufacture is simplified, as by powdered metal casting internal passageways in facing surfaces of adjacent parts, rather than cross drilling or the like.

Abstract: A linearly reciprocating fan for cooling a linear motor which drives the fan is disclosed as including a fan blade attached to the linear motor and means for guiding the air flow caused by the reciprocating blade across the linear motor to cool the motor.

Abstract: An improved shifter mechanism for the transmission of a power tool in which the operating lever can be located to either side of the transmission housing. The operating rod has a flat which operates one end of a pivoted shift member, the other end of which moves a clutch member to engage or disengage a rotation clutch. The shifter provides positive action, a long throw, and permits operation in either direction. The clutch itself includes an improved lubrication feature and improved mounting of the fixed clutch member to the armature shaft.

Abstract: A dust cap particularly for use with an overhead rotary hammer. The dust collector is a cup-like member with a bellows side wall, integrally formed in one piece. It has a thickened neck to fit on the tool shank below the chuck, thereby encompassing the chuck and the lower end of the anchor. Dust is efficiently caught in that the bulk of the dust passes through the anchor and chuck, and then directly into the dust collector cup, plus most of the dust outside the anchor is also caught as it falls around the anchor. The bellows side wall facilitates changing tools and removing anchor ends.

Abstract: The embodiment of the battery charging circuit disclosed herein employs a relay which can be operated both mechanically and electrically. Mechanical operation is achieved by a manually operable push button which when depressed closes a relay contact in series with the relay winding. Current then flows into the winding to actuate the relay and provide a current path for the fast charge of a battery. If the battery temperature is elevated above a level considered safe for recharging, fast charging of the battery cannot occur until the battery has cooled. If the push button is depressed while the battery temperature is so elevated, it still closes the relay contact but no current flows into the winding. However, the push button is maintained in a depressed position by engagement with the relay armature. Once the battery cools, the already closed relay contact permits current to flow into the winding to actuate the relay and initiate a fast charge.