Abstract: A power tool having a rotary implement driven by a four-cycle engine. The engine crankcase is vented via an axial passageway which extends through at least one cam shaft axial shaft of the crankshaft and cam shaft. The rotating shaft member inhibits the escape of oil when the engine is running due to centrifugal force.

Abstract: An in-line oscillating cam assembly which includes a housing, a cam shaft having a longitudinal axis, and a pair of eccentric drive cams longitudinally spaced apart from each other and mounted on the cam shaft eccentrically out of phase. The pair of drive cams have opposed circumferential chamfered surfaces oriented at an inclined angle relative a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cam shaft. The cam shaft is supported upon the housing and is also rotatable about the longitudinal axis. Further included in the assembly is a follower shaft spaced apart from and parallel to the drive shaft, and a cam follower longitudinally fixed to the follower shaft and extending between the pair of drive cams. The cam follower has a pair of opposed frustoconical follower-surfaces engaging the chamfered surfaces of the pair of drive cams. Thus, rotating one of the cam shaft and follower shaft causes the other one of the cam shaft and follower shaft to axially oscillate.

Abstract: Parallel tube type, gasoline powered, blower/vacuums with improved versatility are provided. In one possible feature, a flapper throttle adjacent to the housing for controlling the engine is pivotable from side-to-side with respect to an elongate handle. The elongate handle is sufficiently long to allow a plurality of gripping positions, while the flapper throttle is sufficiently long to allow the operator to access the flapper throttle from different gripping positions on the handle. In another possible feature, a pivotable lever throttle is provided at an interface of the handle forward portion and a transverse grip portion at the handle forward portion end. The lever throttle has a first end accessible to the operator when gripping the transverse grip portion, and a second end accessible to the operator when gripping the handle forward portion.

Abstract: A portable mixer for use for use with an open top mixing container for mixing concrete or the like as having a pair of inboard rotary mixing blades and a pair of outboard mixing blade assemblies mounted on a generally horizontal rotary shaft. The outboard mixing blades are made up of a central hub removably affixed to the shaft. A peripheral ring extends about the hub and is connected to by a plurality of spokes. The peripheral ring has a diameter greater than that of the intermediate blades in order to prevent the intermediate blades from engaging the mixing container. A plurality of rotary disc blades are pivotally mounted on one of the plurality of spokes. The rotary disc blades have a diameter sufficiently large to cause a portion of the rotary disc blades to extend outwardly beyond the peripheral ring in order to engage the mixing container sidewalls.

Abstract: A compression release mechanism for a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine comprises a pressure relief valve assembly and a control member. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a plunger cooperating with a vent passageway through the valve body to selectively allow pressure relief through the vent passageway. The control member cooperates with the plunger and is movable between an engaged position in which the control member urges the plunger toward the open position, and a disengaged position in which the plunger is held in the closed position. When the control member is engaged, the plunger oscillates between the open and closed positions in response to combustion chamber pressures during a combustion cycle which facilitates engine start-up while the compression release mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: A toolless blade clamp is disclosed for mounting a saw blade to the drive shaft of a reciprocating saw, such as a jigsaw. The clamp has a housing formed with a channel into which the blade may be inserted and an inclined track along which a roller is movable. The roller is biased by a spring into engagement with the blade during operation of the reciprocating saw. A release device, also attached to the spring, is pivotally mounted to the housing and may be rotated against the spring load from a locked position adjacent the housing to an unlocked position away from the housing. A pair of elongated links are pivotally connected to the release device and pivotally support the roller therebetween. The links act to translate rotation of the release device to movement of the roller, such that rotation of the release device to the unlocked position pulls the roller away from the blade allowing the blade to be removed from the channel.

Abstract: An armature assembly for use in a motor has an annual creepage shield received on the armature shaft between the bearing and the commutator. The creepage shield has a first face adjacent to the commutator, and a second face adjacent to the bearing. The second face has at least one generally annular surface interruption to increase effective creepage distance between the commutator and the bearing.

Abstract: A hand-held blower and adjustable blower nozzle attachment is disclosed for providing a variable rate air flow discharge from the nozzle attachment. The blower includes a housing having a handle, a discharge portion and a motor with an operatively connected impeller within a chamber connected to the discharge portion. A tubular body is attached to the discharge portion at one end and a blower nozzle attachment at a second end. The blower nozzle attachment includes at least one constrictor flap provided within the nozzle attachment body to change the air flow rate between a low air velocity rate in a first position and a higher air velocity rate in at least one second position. The adjustable blower nozzle attachment is provided with at least one aperture corresponding to the at least one constrictor flap for adjustment of the flap between the first and the at least one second position.

Abstract: An orbital sander includes a motor, a housing, and a drive shaft rotatably driven by the motor about a drive axis. A bearing freely rotatable about a bearing axis is disposed eccentrically with respect to the drive axis to define an eccentric offset. A sanding platen is supported by the bearing. An input sleeve is interposed between the bearing and the drive shaft, and has an input axis spaced from the drive axis. An output sleeve, positioned within and engaging the bearing, encircles the input sleeve and is rotatable about the input axis. The sleeves are circumferentially aligned, thereby minimizing the height of the sander. A stop member cooperates with the sleeves to allow for rotation of the sanding platen while preventing axial movement of the sleeves. The sleeves have cooperating surfaces which limit their relative movement, defining maximum and minimum eccentric offsets based on the direction of motor rotation.

Abstract: A power cord set for use in any one of a number of a plurality of different electric tools is provided in order to minimize inventory costs. A power cords set is made up of an electric cord, an electric plug and a strain relief connector assembly having a flexible body with a non-cylindrical section for attachment to a tool housing and at least two electrical connectors which in turn are electrically connected to the tool's electric powered implement.