Abstract: A brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor is provided with a stator assembly including a stator core and stator windings wound around stator teeth, a rotor shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, and a rotor including a rotor core mounted on the rotor shaft supporting at least one permanent magnet. A circuit board is provided including a main body and at least one leg radially projecting from the main body to support at least one magnetic sensor near the permanent magnet. The leg of the circuit board oriented along a radial plane that intersects the stator windings.

Abstract: An ergonomic tape measure having a side which has a protruding surface that fills at least a part of the gripping cavity of an operator's hand and provides a comfortable and secure feeling grip when holding the tape measure. The tape measure can have a grip swell surface which fills part or all of the gripping cavity of an operator's hand. The tape measure can have a grip swell side center region which protrudes from a grip swell plane and into the gripping cavity of an operator's hand.

Abstract: A clamp arrangement for securing an accessory to an oscillating power tool can include a clamp assembly including a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp is offset from the accessory permitting removal of the first accessory from the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly can further comprise a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members. An attachment plate can carry the clamp assembly. The attachment plate can have a first mating detail formed thereon that is configured to selectively and removably mate with a complementary second mating detail on the power tool in an assembled position.

Abstract: A level comprising a level body and a bubble vial mounted on the level body. The bubble vial includes a bubble vial body comprising a clear material and an internal cavity containing a liquid. A top opening in the level body that interrupts at least a portion of a top wall to accommodate the bubble vial. An internal support structure disposed within the tubular configuration of the level body and spanning longitudinally along the level body so as to be disposed on both sides of the top opening to provide structural support to the level body in the vicinity of the top opening. A carrier positioned beneath the bubble vial and between the internal support structure and the bubble vial. The bubble vial body has a length that is less than a length of the top opening in the top wall of the level body.

Abstract: A tool with a transmission having a reduction gearset and a speed selector. The speed selector has a member, an actuator and a shifter assembly. The member is movable between a first position, in which the member is non-rotatable, and a second position in which the member is coupled to a planet carrier of the reduction gearset for common rotation. The actuator includes a pivoting yoke and a follower that is coupled to the yoke. The follower engages the member so as to be axially movable with the follower. The shifter assembly has a selector switch, a switch fork, and a pair of springs. The selector switch is slidable between a first switch position and a second switch position. The shift fork is slidably coupled to the selector switch and receives the yoke. The springs cooperate to bias the shift fork relative to the selector switch into a neutral position.

Abstract: A flywheel (34) can be mounted on a flywheel carriage (88) that can include a pair of axles (90). The flywheel carriage can be movable along two pairs of guide slots (42) of the tool frame between a disengaged position in which the flywheel is spaced from the fastener driver (26), and an engaged position in which the flywheel is engaged with the fastener driver to drive the fastener driver along a driver axis. A pair of pinch rollers (50) can be coupled to the tool frame and can be engageable with a pinch roller side of the driver profile that is opposite the flywheel side. A plane aligned with an axis of rotation of the flywheel and oriented perpendicular to the driver axis can be located between an axis of rotation of each of the pair of pinch rollers throughout engagement of the flywheel with the fastener driver along the longitudinal flywheel engagement length.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for the custom-printing of an item including, e.g., a) accepting customer request data for a workpiece and customer request data for a graphic design to cover at least a portion of the workpiece; b) accepting workpiece identifier data from a workpiece database based on the customer request data; c) accepting print design data from a print design database based on the customer request data for a graphic design; d) associating the print design data with the workpiece identifier data; e) printing the print design data onto a hydrofilm portion; f) placing the hydrofilm portion onto a fluid surface in a dip tank; g) applying an activator to the hydrofilm portion to yield an activated hydrofilm portion; and h) dipping the workpiece into the dip tank, whereby the activated hydrofilm portion is bonded to the workpiece as a result of the dipping.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing. A motor is housed in the housing. A platen is driven by the motor. The housing includes a first housing part, a second housing part and a third housing part. The housing defines a battery receptacle portion configured to receive a removable battery pack which powers the motor. Each of the first housing part, the second housing part and the third housing part form part of the battery receptacle portion.

Abstract: An electronic module is provided including power switches mounted on a circuit board and configured as an inverter circuit for an electric motor. A sliding member is coupled to an actuator. A power contact switch is provided including a first conductive body, a second conductive body, and a contact switch. The first and second conductive bodies are mounted on a first surface of the circuit board and include pins received through through-holes of the circuit board to make electrical contact with two conductive tracks on a second surface of the circuit board. The contact switch pivotably is secured to the first conductive body and pivotably moveable by the sliding member to make contact with the second conductive body with movement of the actuator. A flyback diode is electrically connected between the first and second conductive track on the second surface of the circuit board parallel to the power contact switch.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw blade includes an elongated blade body extending along a blade axis and having a rear end, a front end, a cutting edge having a plurality of teeth, a non-cutting edge opposite the cutting edge; and a tang coupled to the rear end and configured to be received in a blade holder of a powered reciprocating saw. The cutting edge includes inclined and declined cutting edge portions. The inclined cutting edge portion extends away from the blade axis and toward the front end at an acute first angle and extends from a first tooth to a second tooth. The first tooth is closer to the rear end and closer to the blade axis than the second tooth. The declined cutting edge portion extends toward the blade axis and toward the front end at an acute second angle that is greater than the first angle and extends from a third tooth to the first tooth. The first tooth is closer to the front end and closer to the blade axis than the third tooth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool container system includes a container with base and cover pivotably attached by a hinge, base and cover locking members, and a latch moveable between unlatched and latched positions to allow or prevent movement of the cover relative to the base. The system also includes a utility knife blade retainer configured to be received in and held by the container, the retainer configured to define a generally trapezoidal shape and contact multiple faces of blades received therein. The retainer comprises an engagement feature to engage with the container to limit movement of the retainer. In another embodiment, a knife blade retainer is configured to be received in a container. The retainer includes a generally trapezoidal shape defined therein to contact multiple faces of a trapezoidal shape of blades received therein. An engagement feature engages with the container to limit movement of the retainer within the container.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises: a housing and a motor fan assembly mounted in the housing, the motor fan assembly arranged to generate an air flow. A removable dirt container is mountable on the housing and in fluid communication with a dirty air inlet and the motor fan assembly. A moveable dirt compactor is mounted in the dirt container and moveable between a stowed position and a dirt compacting position wherein the moveable dirt compactor is closer to one end of the dirt container in the dirt compacting position than in the stowed position. Wherein the dirt container comprises a primary handle for actuating the moveable dirt compactor with a first hand and a first auxiliary handle for allowing the user to grip with a second hand.

Abstract: A power tool is provided including a housing, a brushless motor disposed within the housing, a power switch circuit that supplies power from a power source to the brushless motor, and a controller configured to apply a drive signal to the power switch circuit to control the supply of power to the brushless motor. The controller is configured to receive at least one signal associated with a phase current of the motor, detect an angular position of the rotor based on the phase current of the motor within a variable speed range of zero to at least 15,000 rotations-per-minute (RPM), and control the drive signal based on the detected angular position of the rotor to electronically commutate the motor within a torque range of zero to at least 15 newton-meters (N.m.) and a power output of zero to at least 1500 watts.

Abstract: A combustion powered tool uses a fuel canister with a refillable hydrogen storage vessel containing metal hydride. The fuel canister includes a valve assembly with at least one valve to release hydrogen fuel gas. The valve assembly is removable from the refillable hydrogen storage vessel. A coupling device includes a first coupler attached to the refillable hydrogen storage vessel and a second coupler attached to the valve assembly. An outlet adapter is attached to the valve assembly to supply hydrogen fuel gas to the power tool.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool with a protective box assembly including a control circuit and hydraulic pressure sensors is used to operate a prime mover. The control circuit and the hydraulic pressure sensors are used to monitor performance of the hydraulic tool. Systems and methods implemented in a cloud monitor the performance of the hydraulic tool. The systems and methods utilize data collected by the hydraulic pressure sensors, processed by the control circuit, and transmitted via an antenna from the hydraulic tool to the cloud. A first set of systems and methods detect and predict a jam condition in blades associated with the hydraulic tool using statistical analysis of the data. A second set of systems and methods detect faults associated with the hydraulic tool including hydraulic leakage, mechanical wear, and friction.

Abstract: A power-driven reciprocating tool may include a transmission mechanism that converts rotational force from a motor to linear force to be output by a reciprocating mechanism coupled thereto, and a counterbalancing mechanism coupled to the transmission mechanism to counter-balance forces generated by the reciprocating mechanism. The transmission mechanism may include a planetary gear assembly including a sun gear in meshed engagement with at least one planet gear. In response to a force converted by and transmitted from the transmission mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism may move in a first linear direction, and the counterbalancing mechanism may move in a second linear direction, opposite the first linear direction. The opposite linear movement of the reciprocating mechanism and the counterbalancing mechanism may counteract forces generated by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating mechanism, thus reducing vibration output by the tool.

Abstract: When providing alternating current (AC) power to operate AC powered devices such as power tools (such as drills, table saws, miter saws), equipment (such as lawn mowers), and consumer products (such as refrigerators, television, lights) without being tied to a fixed utility power supply typically requires a generator (such as an internal combustion engine based generator) or a battery powered inverter. In order to meet power and runtime needs for these devices, a battery powered inverter must be relatively large and expensive. This simple fact prohibits their use in many environments.

Abstract: An electronic module is provided for a power tool having an electric motor. The module includes a module housing having a radial portion and a cylindrical portion extending from the radial portion away from the electric motor and defining an open end, a printed circuit board (PCB) received within the module housing through the open end thereof, power switches mounted on the PCB, and magnetic sensors mounted on the PCB facing the motor substantially equidistantly from a center of the PCB. The module housing includes openings disposed in the radial portion angularly around a center of the module housing to receive the magnetic sensors therein to allow the magnetic sensors to magnetically interface with the electric motor.