Abstract: A chop saw includes a base assembly and a saw assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly. The base assembly has a workpiece-supporting plane. The saw assembly has a blade and a motor driving the blade. A hinged connection between the base assembly and a saw assembly allows a user to rotate the saw assembly from a position where the plane of the blade extends through the workpiece-supporting plane to a position where the plane of the blade does not extend through the workpiece-supporting plane. In such position, the plane of blade may be substantially parallel to the workpiece-supporting plane.

Abstract: An article of clothing includes a garment body and a heater disposed within to the garment body. A battery holder defines a cavity. A rechargeable battery pack is configured for use with at least one of a power tool and a sensing device. The rechargeable battery pack is slidably received within the cavity and detachably coupled to the battery holder by a latching arrangement. A controller selectively provides power from the rechargeable battery pack to the heater. A user input member for selecting a mode of the controller is coupled to the garment body. An electroluminescent element is disposed on the garment body. The electroluminescent element is electrically connected to the power tool battery pack.

Abstract: A power tool has a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a tool holder driven by the motor, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a rotary input rotatable relative to the housing, and a rotational sensor for sensing the rotational position of the rotary input relative to the housing. The rotary input can be a thumbwheel or a handle that rotates relative to the housing. The control circuit receives input from the rotational sensor for controlling motor speed, rotational direction, etc. Other user interface mechanisms are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A sensing mechanism (12) for detecting user contact with an active portion (26) of the power tool (10) is provided. In addition, a safety mechanism (14) for preventing prolonged user contact with the active portion (26) of a power tool (10) is provided. The safety mechanism (14) is configured to actuate upon receipt of a signal from the sensing mechanism (12). According to a first aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly displace the active portion (26) away from a user extremity. Alternatively, according to a second aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly urge an extremity of the user away from the active portion (26) of the power tool (10).

Abstract: A reciprocating saw with a control system, which includes a rotational rate sensor having a resonating mass and a controller electrically connected to the rotational rate sensor. The rotational rate sensor detects angular or lateral displacement of the resonating mass and generates a signal indicative of the detected angular or lateral displacement, such that angular or lateral displacement is directly proportional to a rotational speed at which the power tool rotates about an axis. Based on the generated signal, the controller initiates a protective operation to avoid undesirable rotation of the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor, an output member driven by the motor, and a reaming attachment coupled to the output member. The reaming attachment has a front end portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and a reaming portion selectively driven in rotation by the output member to remove material from an end surface of a conduit. A rotational motion sensor in the housing is operable to detect rotational motion of the housing about an axis. A controller receives a signal indicative of rotational motion from the sensor, determines a direction of the rotational motion of the housing, and drives the motor in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotational motion of the housing.

Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blower vacuum device and in particular to a blower vacuum device for use in the collection of garden debris. The device is preferably one which is operable in a blowing mode to generate an air stream for blowing the debris into piles and also operable in a vacuum mode to suck debris into the device.

Abstract: A power tool including a housing with an electric motor in the housing. The motor has a stator and an armature, the stator having field coils and the armature having an armature shaft on which a commutator is affixed. A pair of brush boxes are located in the housing on opposite sides of the commutator. An orbit mechanism coupled to the armature shaft and a platen is coupled to the orbit mechanism. The field coils comprise a first field coil facing a front of the sander and a second field coil facing a rear of the sander and the brush boxes are rotationally offset from the field coils with respect to a vertical axis of the sander.

Abstract: A locating device disposable on a surface has a housing, a capacitance sensor, a radar sensor, and an inductance sensor. The locating device also has a motion sensor disposed for detecting at least one motion parameter. A controller receives data from the capacitance sensor, the radar sensor, the inductance sensor and the motion sensor, and determines from the data a presence of objects disposed within or behind the surface. A display is used for displaying a graphical representation of the objects disposed within or behind the surface.

Abstract: A cordless mower includes a deck, a rechargeable battery, a blade for cutting grass, a blade motor and a drive motor. The deck is supported by front and rear wheels and has a top side, a bottom side, a front end and a rear end. The rechargeable battery is supported on the deck. The blade is on the bottom side of the deck and is coupled with a blade motor. The drive motor is connected to the rear wheels for driving said rear wheels to move the mower. The drive motor is located in a chamber at the rear of the mower adjacent the rear wheels. The chamber has an opening therein to allow air to flow through.

Abstract: A power tool having first and second housing portions, a power train, a mounting hub, a lock bar and an actuator. The second housing portion is disposed about the first housing portion for pivoting motion about a pivot axis. The powertrain has an output member that extends from the second housing portion and which is movable relative to an output member axis. The mounting hub is coupled to one of the first and second housing portions. The lock bar is mounted to the other one of the first and second housing portions. The actuator is slidably received in the other one of the first and second housing portions and cooperates with the mounting hub to selectively permit the second housing portion to pivot about the pivot axis relative to the first housing portion.

Abstract: A mode change mechanism for a power tool includes an actuator with a permanent magnet. The actuator is moveable between a first position for a first mode of operation, and a second position for a second mode of operation. A first positioning member is adjacent the first position composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. A second positioning member is adjacent the second position and composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be energized to move the actuator between the first position and the second position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the first position. the actuator is retained in the first position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is retained in the second position. When the electromagnet is energized, the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

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 tool for moving an abrasive media can include a tool body and a drive system housed in the tool body. The drive system can include an output member. A retaining member can be disposed on the tool body. A first platen having a first attachment hub can be selectively coupled with the retaining member in an installed position. The first platen can have a first rotatable member that selectively attaches to the output member in a first mode of operation. A second platen having a second attachment hub can selectively couple with the retaining member in an installed position. The second platen can have a second rotatable member that selectively attaches to the output member in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an oscillating power tool system. The tool system may include an oscillating power tool. The oscillating power tool may include a housing and a clamp assembly for coupling a tool accessory to the housing. The system may also include a dust collection accessory. The dust collection accessory may include a clamp for coupling to the housing and a dust collection apparatus coupled to the clamp for receiving dust generated by the tool accessory. The present invention is also generally directed to a dust collection accessory for a power tool. The accessory may include a clamp for coupling the accessory to a body of the power tool. The accessory may also include a dust collection apparatus coupled to the clamp for receiving dust generated by the power tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for collection of garden waste wherein the apparatus has a vacuuming mode of operation and a dirty fan operation in the vacuuming mode of operation thereof, the apparatus comprising: a hand-holdable unit comprising a motor with an output shaft coupled to an impeller for generation of air flow; a volute enclosing the impeller for direction of air flow from an axial air inlet of the volute past the impeller to a tangential air outlet of the volute; a vacuum tube for conducting dirty air flow to the air inlet of the volute in the vacuuming mode of operation; and a cyclonic separation arrangement for receiving dirty air flow from the air outlet of the volute and separating garden waste from said dirty air flow in the vacuuming mode of operation. A blowervac comprising the apparatus for collection of garden waste.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes receiving an input control variable from an input unit; determining a second derivative of the input control variable; selecting one of a plurality of control profiles based on the control input variable and the second derivative, each control profile correlating the control input variable of the input unit to a rotational speed at which to drive the output shaft; and driving the output shaft at a rotational speed in accordance with the selected control profile.

Abstract: A vibration dampening handle for a powered apparatus includes an elongated gripping member having first and second opposite ends and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, and a wall defining an inner bore and having an inner surface. The inner bore extending along the longitudinal axis at least partially through the gripping member, and opens on at least the first end of the gripping member. A weighted mass is disposed at the second free cantilevered end of the gripping member. An elongate elastic beam member is attached to the gripping member. A portion of the beam member is disposed within the inner bore and is spaced apart from the inner surface. The beam member further includes a first end that extends beyond the first end of the gripping member and includes a fastening member adapted to connect the handle to the powered apparatus.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes receiving an input control variable from an input unit; receiving at least one tool parameter relating to the power tool; determining a derivative of the input control variable; selecting one of a plurality of control profiles based on the control input variable, the derivative of the input control variable, and the tool parameter, each control profile correlating the control input variable of the input unit to a rotational speed at which to drive the output shaft; and driving the output shaft at a rotational speed in accordance with the selected control profile.