Abstract: A washing system and method for load size and water retention detection includes a cabinet, a tub position within the cabinet, a basket with a wash load received therein rotatably supported within the tub, and a drive system for rotating the basket. A controller is operatively coupled to the drive system. The controller rotates the rotatable basket to urge the wash load radially outwardly in the basket and then decelerates the rotatable basket with the wash load urged radially outwardly to or below a predetermined threshold speed. An amount of time from initial deceleration of the rotatable basket until the rotatable basket is at or below the predetermined threshold speed is measured and the measured amount of time is used to determine a parameter of the wash load.

Abstract: A bulk dispensing system for a washing machine is provided. The bulk dispensing system includes at least one bulk storage tank mounted within the washing machine. A tube provides fluid communication between the at least one bulk storage tank and a tub mounted within a cabinet of the washing machine. A pump is operatively coupled to the tube and configured to move fluid from within the at least one bulk storage tank into the tub through the tube. A controller is operatively coupled to the pump and configured to control an amount of fluid moved into the tub.

Abstract: A washing system and method for load size and water retention detection includes a cabinet, a tub position within the cabinet, a basket with a wash load received therein rotatably supported within the tub, and a drive system for rotating the basket. A controller is operatively coupled to the drive system. The controller rotates the rotatable basket to urge the wash load radially outwardly in the basket and then decelerates the rotatable basket with the wash load urged radially outwardly to or below a predetermined threshold speed. An amount of time from initial deceleration of the rotatable basket until the rotatable basket is at or below the predetermined threshold speed is measured and the measured amount of time is used to determine a parameter of the wash load.

Abstract: A drywall routing bit for cutting laterally in a drywall or sheetrock panel includes an elongated body terminating at one end in a tip for penetrating the panel. The bit includes a single helical flute which defines a cutting edge at a helix angle relative to said longitudinal axis of the bit of 36°-38°. The cutting edge of the flute is defined at a rake angle of 20°-26°. The fluted portion of the bit has a web thickness that is 60%-63% of the bit outer diameter, for a ⅛″ diameter bit. The tip of the bit includes angled chisel edges subtending an angle of 113°-123° and following a shallow S-shaped curvature relative to a plane including the subtended angle.

Abstract: A screw holding and driving device (42) for a power drill (40) is characterized by a body (46), a guide tube (48) reciprocatingly retained by the body, a drive assembly (90) held by the body (46) and operatively coupled to the guide tube (48), and, in certain embodiments, a screw depth adjuster (102). The guide tube (48) is configured to allow individual, top loading of screws for driving. The depth adjuster (102) is rotatable on the body to variably set screw driving depth. The body (46) can also include an integrally formed, bit storage caddie (54).

Abstract: A precision drill bit comprises an elongated body having a stepped centering tip at one end and an engagement shank at the opposite end. A first portion of the bit adjacent the tip has an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of a second portion of the bit. At least one cutting flute extends along the length of the bit and exhibits a helix angle of about 38° at the tip. The helix angle decreases to an angle of about 15° at the end of the flute run-out. The helix angle changes progressively and substantially linearly over a number of segments along the length of the drill bit.

Abstract: A drywall routing bit for cutting laterally in a drywall or sheetrock panel includes an elongated body terminating at one end in a tip for penetrating the panel. The bit includes a single helical flute which defines a cutting edge at a helix angle relative to said longitudinal axis of the bit of 36°-38°. The cutting edge of the flute is defined at a rake angle of 20°-26°. The fluted portion of the bit has a web thickness that is 60%-63% of the bit outer diameter, for a ⅛″ diameter bit. The tip of the bit includes angled chisel edges subtending an angle of 113°-123° and following a shallow S-shaped curvature relative to a plane including the subtended angle.

Abstract: A screw holding and driving device (42) for a power drill (40) is characterized by a body (46), a guide tube (48) reciprocatingly retained by the body, a drive assembly (90) held by the body (46) and operatively coupled to the guide tube (48), and, in certain embodiments, a screw depth adjuster (102). The guide tube (48) is configured to allow individual, top loading of screws for driving. The depth adjuster (102) is rotatable on the body to variably set screw driving depth. The body (46) can also include an integrally formed, bit storage caddie (54).