Abstract: A switch mechanism for an electrical slide switch that has a detenting or clicking action is disclosed. The switch mechanism provides such detenting action in a mechanism that has a switch lever that moves through an arcuate path of movement and provides a uniform resistance to movement through the entire range of movement of the switch lever.

Abstract: A rip fence used with a table saw, where the table saw has an upper cutting surface with a front edge surface and a rear edge surface. The rip fence includes a main casing having a front clamping mechanism at the front end and a rear clamping mechanism at the rear end. The front clamping mechanisms has a frame with a handle pivotally connected thereto. A link is connected at one end to the handle and at another end to a cam. An activation plate is also connected the cam and to a clamping plate. The handle rotates between a locked position and a released position thereby moving the link to rotate the cam against the activation plate. The activation plate causes the clamping plate to laterally move between a locked position and a released position relative the front edge surface. The handle also causes the rear clamping mechanism to move between a locked and a released position relative the rear edge surface.

Abstract: A scotch yoke mechanism for converting rotational movement into reciprocating linear movement and having an adjustable stroke length. The scotch yoke mechanism includes a stroke length toggle eccentrically connected to a cam such that the stroke length toggle may assume one of first and second positions. The first position defines a first stroke length which is shorter than a second stroke length defined by said second position. Rotational movement of the cam causes the stroke length toggle to assume the first position when the cam is rotated in a first direction to assume the second position when the cam is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A circular saw includes a clutch assembly to surround the rotating blade shaft of the saw. The blade shaft is rotated by a shaft having a gear at one end. The clutch assembly includes a clutch gear to engage with the rotating pinion. The clutch gear is held to the blade shaft by a shaft washer that has a frictional material laminated to one end. The shaft washer is pressed to the clutch gear by spring washers.

Abstract: A table saw has a frame, an upper surface and an auxiliary table and having a dual sliding rail mechanism so that the auxiliary table moves between a first position adjacent the upper surface and a second position separated from the upper surface. The dual sliding rail mechanism includes support brackets that are secured to the front and rear edge surfaces of the table saw, mounting brackets that are connected to the front and rear edge surfaces of the auxiliary table and a front and rear rail having channels that slide over the support brackets and which are secured to the auxiliary table by the mounting brackets. A locking mechanism secures the auxiliary table in any position between the first and second position.

Abstract: An AC to DC power supply is disclosed which converts an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplies the DC output voltage to power devices. The power supply includes a transformer for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage and an energy storage device in the form of a Bolder battery that has low internal resistance and is capable of generating high power generally instantaneously. The energy storage device enables the power supply to meet high electrical loads that exceed the output of the transformer.

Abstract: A tool-less guide shoe that includes a post is received in a hole formed in the nose section of a power saw. The post includes laterally extending locking slots and a longitudinal extending positioning slot. At the upper end of the post, a stop plate is formed at the end of the positioning slot and adjacent to a removal slot. A locking plate is used to secure the guide shoe in a position by fitting in the locking slot. The guide shoe is removed from the saw by placing the locking plate adjacent the stop plate and rotating the post approximately 90° into the removal slot.

Abstract: A guide attachment apparatus for guiding a rotary hand tool of the type which includes an outer enclosure, a rotatable collet adapted to retain a bit adapted for removing grout from a work surface or other activity. The guide attachment apparatus includes a housing and a slide. The housing has a lower portion and an upper portion, with the lower portion having a base that is located in a plane which is at an acute angle from the axis of rotation. The housing further includes a viewing opening, for viewing the bit as it engages a work surface, an opening for receiving the slide, and a locking mechanism for locking the slide in a position relative to the housing. The slide is attachable to the housing and also includes a coupling mechanism to couple the slide to the rotary hand tool.

Abstract: A power supply converts an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage and supplies the DC output voltage to power devices. The power supply includes a housing, a transformer provided in the housing for reducing a voltage level of the AC input voltage and a thermal protection device thermally connected between the AC input voltage and the transformer for electrically disconnecting the AC input voltage from the transformer when activated responsive to the transformer exceeding a predetermined temperature. A rectifier is electrically connected to the transformer for rectifying the AC input voltage reduced by the transformer into the DC output voltage which is supplied to the power devices.

Abstract: An adjustable cutting stroke length is provided by a wobble plate mechanism. A wobble plate mechanism imparts reciprocating linear action to a working end of a reciprocating motorized tool. A drive source is included that has an axially rotatable main drive shaft that is selectively rotatable in one of two opposite directions. The main drive shaft is configured to engage a wobble mechanism that provides the reciprocating linear action to the tool's working end. One of a first stroke and a second stroke is provided to the working end of the tool by the wobble mechanism. When rotation of the main drive shaft occurs in a first direction, the working end is provided with a first stroke. Furthermore, when rotation of the main drive shaft occurs in a second direction, the working end is provided with a second stroke. Elements used for adjusting the stroke length are placed on one axis only.

Abstract: A chuck jaw that is configured and arranged to be used in combination with other chuck jaws for securely retaining a rotatable accessory, such as a drill bit, in position in a chuck assembly, where the chuck jaw includes a chuck jaw body that defines a generally longitudinal axis along the primary extension direction thereof and a chuck jaw tip that is positioned within the chuck jaw body and extends along at least a portion of the generally longitudinal axis of the chuck jaw body. The chuck jaw further includes an insulating material for preventing electrical current from passing between the rotatable accessory and the remainder of the chuck assembly via the chuck jaw.

Abstract: A battery charger is adapted to increase a charge current applied to at least one battery from a predetermined supply voltage. The charger includes a supply voltage generating device coupled to an AC voltage source for generating the predetermined supply voltage and a charging circuit electrically connected to the supply voltage generating device. The charging circuit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor AC coupled to the first capacitor. The charging circuit is adapted to apply the charge current from the supply voltage generating device to the at least one battery through the first capacitor during a first half of a charging cycle, and store the charge current from the supply voltage generating device in the second capacitor during a second half of the charging cycle.

Abstract: A folding table for use with a table saw. The folding table including an upper support surface to hold the table saw and a leg mechanism slidably connecting to the upper support surface through slots in the sides of the upper support surface. An actuator plate is provided to lock the leg mechanism in an open position whereby the legs support the upper support surface and a closed position whereby the leg mechanism is compact and fits closely with the upper support section. The actuator plate moves between a locked position, whereby the leg mechanism is secured in the open or closed position by pins in a curved lateral slot or straight lateral slot in the actuator plate, respectively, and a released position where the pins move between the curved and the straight slots. Indicator tabs can also be provided to show if the actuator plate is in the locked or released position.

Abstract: A power tool has a housing that is surrounded in part by a rubber boot. The housing has an opening through which a fastener connects the housing a component of the housing. The boot has a plug portion formed on the inner surface that fits within the opening to seal the housing. The plug portion can have a seal lip followed by recesses to allow for pressure release.

Abstract: A battery operated power tool having a power tool housing, a battery pack and a battery latch mechanism. The power tool housing has a recess and a latching surface formed into the outer surface of the housing. The battery pack holds battery cells to power the tool. The battery latch mechanism removably attaches the battery pack to the power tool housing and includes a latching member and a spring to bias the latching member between an engaged position where the latching member is connected to the power tool housing and a release position when the latching member is disconnected from the power tool housing. The latching member includes an inner and an outer side with a latch flange on the inner side at one end. Towards an opposing end, the latching member includes a pushing surface on the outer side.

Abstract: A dust collection port for a circular saw is formed on the upper rear end of a blade guard. A spring biased door pivotally moved between a closed position and an open position is provided over the port. The guard includes exit ribs and return ribs in the region of the port where the ribs direct the flow of the dust formed by the saw blade. The door includes ribs on the underside surface to secure a hose in the port when the door is in the open position. When the door is in the open position, dust flows through cavity formed by the guard into the exit ribs and into a hose inserted into the port. In the closed position, the dust flows through the exit ribs and into the return ribs to exit through the open lower end of the guard.