Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a wireless connection using a connection identifier. The systems include a dust extractor and a power tool. The dust extractor includes an extractor electronic processor. The power tool includes a tool electronic processor. The extractor electronic processor is configured to: broadcast a connection advertisement; establish the wireless connection with a power tool when the connection advertisement is received; receive a request for the connection identifier; and provide a response including the connection identifier; provide a first indication of a successful wireless connection.

Abstract: A stackable storage device, container or unit is provided. The storage device includes a storage compartment and an interface to recharge rechargeable batteries for power tools. The storage device is stackable within a modular storage system.

Abstract: Various products that are used to align objects and features in an area are shown. In one example, a laser target provides optical communication between a target area of the laser target and a non-target area that is offset from the target area. Some light emitted towards the target area will be redirected to emit from the non-target area, and some light emitted towards the non-target area will be redirected to emit from the target area. In another example, a laser target includes reflective portions and non-reflective portions that facilitate aiming a laser target towards a center of the laser target.

Abstract: A method for modifying a repeat interval of a locator beacon is described. The method includes transmitting repeatedly, by a beacon transmitter, a first advertising beacon signal through a first number of transmission repetitions spaced at a first repeat interval. The method further includes transmitting repeatedly, by the beacon transmitter, a second advertising beacon signal through a second number of transmission repetitions at a second repeat interval, wherein the second advertising beacon signal includes an identifier that provides identification of the beacon transmitter and user information. The method further includes receiving a modification instruction from a user device. The modification instruction is configured to modify the first repeat interval into a third repeat interval. The method also includes transmitting repeatedly, by a beacon transmitter, the first beacon signal through the first number of transmission repetitions spaced at the third repeat interval.

Abstract: A device or unit with a lighting component is provided. The device includes coupling components that couple the device to stackable storage unit containers. In one embodiment, the device includes a battery interface to couple to a battery for power tools. In one embodiment, the device includes three lights that are pivotally coupled to the housing between a retracted position in which the lights are disposed against sidewalls of the housing, and an open position in which the lights are pivoted above the top panel of the housing.

Abstract: A handheld power tool includes a housing, a tool receptacle disposed on a first end of the housing and configured to receive a tool accessory, a motor positioned within the housing and operatively coupled to the tool receptacle to drive the tool accessory, and a dust collection assembly integrated within the housing. The dust collection assembly includes a fan disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the motor. The fan is configured to generate a suction airflow due to rotation of the motor, and a dust container removably coupled to the housing of the power tool. The dust container is configured to collect dust and other debris generated by the tool accessory during operation of the handheld power tool.

Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A handheld cutting tool includes a motor, a driven gear coupled to the motor and a sprocket coupled for co-rotation with the driven gear, a housing, a guide bar extending from the housing, a chain supported on the guide bar and engaged with the sprocket such that rotation of the sprocket moves the chain along the guide bar, and a battery pack removably coupled to the housing, the battery pack including a foot portion defining a base plane. The center of gravity of the handheld cutting tool is located above the foot portion when the handheld cutting tool is stood upright on the foot portion, thus permitting the handheld cutting tool to balance only on the foot portion of the battery pack.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor housing and a motor supported within the motor housing. The motor includes an output shaft defining an axis. The power tool also includes a bearing configured to support the output shaft for rotation about the axis, an end cap removably coupled to the motor housing, and a bearing retainer integrally formed with the end cap. The bearing retainer is configured to axially and radially secure the bearing to the end cap.

Abstract: A torque wrench including a head, a handle, a primary beam, a secondary beam, and a torque adjustment mechanism. The primary beam couples the head and the handle for co-rotation about the rotational axis and the primary beam includes a first end adjacent the head and a second end adjacent the handle. The secondary beam is coupled to the head for rotation with the head about the rotational axis and the secondary beam is movable relative to the primary beam and the handle. The torque adjustment mechanism adjusts a torque setting of the primary beam relative to the secondary beam. The torque adjustment mechanism includes a thumb adjustment wheel that a user rotates about a first axis to adjust the torque setting by moving the second end of the primary beam relative to the handle along a second axis offset from the first axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for controlling a conduction angle applied to a motor, such as a power tool motor. Operations for controlling the conduction angle includes receiving by a motor controller, a desired speed signal, and monitoring a speed of the power tool motor. The operation further includes a motor controller determining an error value between the desired speed signal and the monitored speed and determining a conduction angle signal based on the error value. The operation also includes the motor controller determining whether the conduction angle signal is greater than the error value and increasing a conduction angle of the power tool motor in response to the conduction angle signal being determined to be greater than the error value.

Abstract: A power tool includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, a motor directly mounted between the housing portions with an output shaft defining an axis, and a gear assembly supported within the housing and including a ring gear directly supported by the housing portions, a pinion gear coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft, and planet gears meshed with the pinion gear and the ring gear. The power tool also includes a drive assembly operably coupled to the gear assembly with a camshaft, an anvil, a hammer configured to reciprocate along the camshaft to impart rotational impacts to the anvil, and a spring biasing the hammer towards the anvil. The ring gear includes lugs engaged with the first housing portion and the second housing portion to rotationally constrain the ring gear.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes an outer cylinder configured to contain a pressurized gas therein, an inner cylinder disposed within the outer cylinder, a piston disposed within the inner cylinder and moveable along the inner cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and moveable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position, the driver blade configured to drive a fastener when moved from the TDC position toward the BDC position, and a two-way valve coupled to the outer cylinder. The two-way valve configured to selectively permit a first flow of gas into the outer cylinder and to selectively permit a second flow of gas from the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A track saw assembly is provided including a track saw (i.e., a circular saw) having a shoe translatable upon a track. Various mechanisms control plunging of a saw unit and saw blade of the track saw relative to the shoe. For example, a plunge lockout mechanism is provided to prevent engagement of a trigger and prevent movement of a plunge mechanism. Various mechanisms control bevel angle adjustment of the saw unit relative to the shoe. For example, a linkage is provided and is operable to shift between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a bevel angle is restricted within a first bevel angle range. In the second position, the bevel angle is restricted within an expanded second bevel angle range. Other concepts relate to the interface between the shoe and the track and a clamp which secures the track to a workpiece.

Abstract: A battery pack charger that includes a housing and a plurality of battery receptacles supported by the housing that are configured to receive a battery pack. The charger includes a plurality of charging circuits connected to the battery receptacles and configured to transmit power to the plurality of battery receptacles. The charger includes at least one sensor to sense available power from a power source. The charger includes a controller operable to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicative of the available power from the power source, receive signals from the plurality of charging circuits indicative of an amount of power needed by the charging circuits to charge the battery packs, and reduce a charging power to at least one of the plurality of charging circuits when the amount of power needed by the charging circuits is greater than the available power from the power source.

Abstract: A drain cleaning machine for moving a snake in a drain. The drain cleaning machine includes a housing, a motor configured to move the snake in the drain, a switch trigger configured to move between a first switch trigger position and a second switch trigger position, an actuating lever moveable between a deactivated position and an activated position, and a switch linkage configured to be moved by the actuating lever between a first switch linkage position and a second switch linkage position. In response to the actuating lever moving from the deactivated position to the activated position, the switch linkage is moved from the first switch linkage position to the second switch linkage position, and in response to the actuating lever moving from the activated position to the deactivated position, the switch linkage is moved from the second switch linkage position to the first switch linkage position.

Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and a lower blade guard covering a lower portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a linkage for raising the lower blade guard to expose the lower portion of the saw blade as the saw unit is lowered toward the base assembly. The linkage is operable to apply a force to the lower blade guard for holding the lower blade guard in a raised position, without any input from the operator of the miter saw and without changing the length of the linkage, to facilitate changing the saw blade.

Abstract: A dual-beam torque wrench with a linear display and a linear locking member is provided. The torque wrench includes a head that couples to a socket to rotate a fastener or bolt. A housing of torque wrench extends from the head to form a handle. Within the housing forming the handle are two beams: a lever beam that transmits the force from the handle to the head and a deflecting beam that couples to the head and not the handle. The deflecting beam deflects away from the lever beam to indicate that a predetermined torque has been applied. A torque adjustment assembly moves the lever beam relative to the head to set the predetermined torque, and a pin follows the linear display to indicate to the user the set predetermined torque.

Abstract: A battery charger and a method of operating a battery charger. The charger may include a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet; a charging circuit operable to output a charging current to charge a battery couplable to the battery charger; a tubular heat sink; and a fan operable to cause air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet and along the heat sink. The charger may include a first switch operable to electrically connect the charging circuit to a power source when the battery engages the charger; and a second switch operable to electrically connect the charging circuit to a battery terminal after the charger terminal is electrically connected to the battery terminal. The charging current or a fan speed may be adjusted based on at least one of the temperature of the charger or a temperature of the battery.