Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of power tools with spindle locks are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may include a drive train including an output assembly, the output assembly including a spindle configured to support a tool element, a power source configured to selectively supply energy to the drive train to cause the output assembly including the spindle to rotate, a switch movable between a first position in which the power source does not supply energy to the drive train and a second position in which the power source supplies energy to the drive train, and a spindle lock configured to automatically engage the output assembly including the spindle when the switch is in the first position and to automatically disengage the output assembly including the spindle when the switch is in the second position, the spindle lock preventing rotation of the output assembly including the spindle when engaged.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of diaphragm pumps including a muffler-mounted sensor are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a diaphragm pump includes a shaft coupled to at least one diaphragm, an exhaust chamber configured to receive a motive fluid that has driven reciprocation of the at least one diaphragm and the shaft, a muffler disposed at least partially within the exhaust chamber, the muffler having a sensor mounting chamber defined therein, and a proximity sensor disposed in the sensor mounting chamber, a sensing end of the proximity sensor being flush with an end of the sensor mounting chamber nearest the shaft.

Abstract: A rotating system includes a drive member and a driven member. The rotating system includes a coupling positioned to rotatably couple the drive member to the driven member and a housing surrounding a portion of the coupling to define an inside and an outside, the housing having a plurality of apertures. A fan is coupled to the coupling and operable to produce a flow of air from the inside to the outside via at least one of the plurality of apertures, and a guide tube is positioned within one of the plurality of apertures to guide a flow of air from the outside to the inside.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of sheet cutting shears are disclosed. A sheet cutting shears may include a tool body and a cutting head. The tool body may include a drive housing and a handle coupled to the drive housing. The handle may be inclined toward the cutting head so that at least a portion of the drive housing located between the handle and the cutting head is within a footprint of the handle when viewed from above. A handle axis and a housing axis may form an acute angle located at least in part between a front side of the handle and a top side of the drive housing. The sheet cutting sheers may further include a trigger configured to move between an off position and an on position, the trigger being spaced apart from the drive housing.

Abstract: Battery packs include a battery pack housing, at least one battery release member held by the battery housing, a (blind) latch held by the battery pack housing in communication with the battery release member that releaseably locks the battery pack to a device, and a tactile feedback mechanism that is held by the battery pack housing and is in communication with the battery release member. The tactile feedback mechanism generates a tactile feedback that reduces or increases an application force required by a user to manually actuate the at least one release member. The tactile feedback transmitted through the at least one battery release member. The tactile feedback is generated when the at least one release member has been manually actuated by the user a sufficient distance to allow the user to easily remove the battery pack from the device.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of torque-limited impact tools are disclosed. An impact tool may include a shaft adapted to rotate about an axis, a hammer having a hammer jaw with an obtuse impact surface, and an anvil having an anvil jaw with an acute impact surface. The shaft may include a first helical groove, and the hammer may include a second helical groove. The impact tool may further include a ball received in the first and second helical grooves, wherein the ball rotationally couples the hammer to the shaft and permits axial travel of the hammer relative to the shaft. The obtuse impact surface of the hammer jaw may be adapted to impact the acute impact surface of the anvil jaw when the shaft rotates in a first direction.

Abstract: Battery cell carriers that have a semi-rigid elastomeric cell carrier body with a plurality of closely spaced apart, substantially parallel and substantially cylindrical channels. Each channel has a length, with neighboring channels sharing a sidewall therebetween. The channels are configured to hold at least a major portion of a length of a respective battery cell.

Abstract: A valve arrangement includes an inlet conduit defining an inlet passage adapted for communication with a supply of pressurized motive fluid, a first planar surface spaced radially from the inlet conduit, first and second supply passages communicating through the first planar surface, and a rotary valve. The rotary valve includes a second planar surface abutting against the first planar surface and a valve passage communicating through the second planar surface. The rotary valve is rotatable to place the inlet passage in communication with a selected one of the first and second supply passages through the valve passage, and is adapted to conduct the pressurized motive fluid from the inlet passage to the selected one of the first and second supply passages.

Abstract: A gas compression system includes a compressor operable to discharge a mixed flow of gas and lubricant, a separator tank including an opening having a first face, and a separator element including a disk portion having a second face and a third face. The separator element is positioned at least partially within the opening and is operable to separate at least a portion of the lubricant from the mixed flow of gas and lubricant. A lid is coupled to the separator tank and includes a fourth face. A one-piece seal ring is coupled to the disk and is compressed between the lid, the disk, and the separator tank to define a first airtight seal between the first face and the second face and a second airtight seal between the third face and the fourth face.

Abstract: Power tool housing shells that matably attach to each other and define an interior cavity that is sized and configured to encase at least a motor associated with a power train for a power tool. Each housing shell is a substantially rigid molded shell body. Each housing shell inner surface includes at least one overmold motor mount member of a resilient material directly, integrally attached to an inner surface of the respective housing shell.