Abstract: An electrical component, such as, for example, a radio, MP3 player, audio component, battery charger, radio/charger, MP3 player/radio, MP3 player/charger, or MP3 player/radio/charger. The electrical component includes a housing and an electrical circuit supported by the housing. In some aspects, the electrical component is an audio component and the electrical circuit is an audio circuit. In other aspects, the electrical component is a battery charger and the electrical circuit is a charging circuit. In further aspects, the electrical component is an MP3 player and the electrical circuit is a MP3 circuit. In yet further aspects, the electrical component is an combination of any or all of a radio, battery charger, and MP3 player and the electrical component can include any combination or all of the audio, radio, and MP3 circuits. A battery may be connectable to the housing and electrically connectable the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by a flexible circuit board. The circuit is operable to control a function of the battery pack.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.

Abstract: A method and system for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack configured to be interfaced with a power tool includes a housing, a cell, a controller, and a circuit. The circuit is operable to enable the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell to the controller is below an operating voltage threshold of the controller.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by a flexible circuit board. The circuit is operable to control a function of the battery pack.

Abstract: An electrical component, such as, for example, a radio, MP3 player, audio component, battery charger, radio/charger, MP3 player/radio, MP3 player/charger, or MP3 player/radio/charger. The electrical component includes a housing and an electrical circuit supported by the housing. In some aspects, the electrical component is an audio component and the electrical circuit is an audio circuit. In other aspects, the electrical component is a battery charger and the electrical circuit is a charging circuit. In further aspects, the electrical component is an MP3 player and the electrical circuit is a MP3 circuit. In yet further aspects, the electrical component is an combination of any or all of a radio, battery charger, and MP3 player and the electrical component can include any combination or all of the audio, radio, and MP3 circuits. A battery may be connectable to the housing and electrically connectable the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by a flexible circuit board. The circuit is operable to control a function of the battery pack.

Abstract: An electrical combination including a driver drill capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, a circular saw capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, and a power tool battery pack operable to supply power to the driver drill and to the circular saw, the battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells each having a lithium-based chemistry.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.

Abstract: A battery pack. The battery pack includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, a plurality of lithium-based battery cells, and a controller. The plurality of terminals electrically connect to an electrical device. The electrical device is able to support the battery pack. Each of the plurality of battery cells are individually tapped and have an individual state of charge. The plurality of terminals includes a sense terminal. The controller is operable to monitor a characteristic of each of the plurality of battery cells and to communicate the monitored characteristic of each of the plurality of battery cells to the electrical device via the sense terminal.

Abstract: Accessories for power tools and combinations are provided. An accessory for a power tool may include a body including a connecting portion for connecting the accessory to the power tool and a communication member positioned on the body for communicating with the power tool. The accessory may be capable of communicating with a power tool and an inventory system via the communication member. A combination may include a power tool including a housing and a motor supported by the housing, and a power tool accessory connectable to the power tool and driveable by the motor, the power tool accessory may communicate with the power tool for affecting operation of the power tool. A combination may include an indication device operable to indicate operation characteristics of the power tool to a user. The communication member may be operable to communicate with the indication device.

Abstract: An electrical component, such as, for example, a radio, an audio component, a battery charger or a radio/charger, is provided. The electrical component includes a housing and an electrical circuit supported by the housing. In some aspects, the electrical component is an audio component and the electrical circuit is an audio circuit. In other aspects, the electrical component is a battery charger and the electrical circuit is a charging circuit. In yet other aspects, the electrical component may define a receptacle capable of selectively receiving batteries of different heights. In further aspects, the electrical component may support a battery inclined relative to a surface upon which the battery sits.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical combination including a driver drill capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, a circular saw capable of producing an average current draw of approximately 20-amps, and a power tool battery pack operable to supply power to the driver drill and to the circular saw, the battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells each having a lithium-based chemistry.

Abstract: Electrical components and vacuums. In some aspects, the invention provides an electrical component including a housing defining a passageway, a motor supported by the housing, the motor being selectively electrically connectable with a power source, a fan connected to the motor and operable to generate an airflow through the passageway, an electrical circuit supported by the housing, the electrical circuit being selectively electrically connectable with the power source, and a power-tool battery electrically connectable with the electrical circuit such that power is selectively transferred between the battery and the electrical circuit, the battery being connectable to the housing. In some aspects, the invention provides a vacuum.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a tool body having a first end engageable with a workpiece and a second end engageable with a spindle of a power tool. A blade extends outwardly from the first end of the tool body and including a cutting edge, the cutting edge being engageable with a workpiece to cut the workpiece. A bit, including a drive shaft and a cutting end extends along an axis of the tool body. The drive shaft extends axially outwardly beyond the first end of the tool body and terminates at the cutting end. The cutting end has a maximum cross-sectional width greater than a maximum cross-sectional width of the drive shaft, and an axial distance from the first end of the tool body to the cutting end is greater than a maximum cutting depth of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.