Abstract: An accessory includes an attachment member, a fastener, a locking member, and an eccentric member. The attachment member has a central axis, which is perpendicular to a first surface of the attachment member. The fastener is connected to at least the attachment member. The locking member is movable into at least (a) a locked position in which the locking member is engaged with the attachment member such that the attachment member is configured to rotate about the central axis, and (b) an unlocked position in which the locking member is disengaged from the attachment member such that the attachment member is configured to rotate about an eccentric axis. The eccentric axis is offset from the central axis. The eccentric member includes a first slot that receives the locking member, a second slot that receives the driving shaft, and a third slot that receives the fastener. The second slot of the eccentric member is structured to align with the central axis of the attachment member.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly may be used with a rotary power tool to provide a reliable and stable connection between the rotary tool and a tool accessory. The mandrel assembly provides a quick-connect/quick-release connection between the tool output shaft and the accessory via a clamping action. In particular, the mandrel assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the accessory may clamped tween a clamping element formed on one end of the mandrel and a collar which surrounds the mandrel and a second configuration in which the accessory may be loaded onto or detached from the mandrel assembly. Movement from the first configuration to the second configuration, and from the second configuration to the first configuration each include axial motion in combination with a rotation of the mandrel in the same direction relative to the collar.

Abstract: A flexible light assembly includes an elongated light transmissible jacket, the jacket including an internal vacancy. The assembly includes a substrate disposed in the internal vacancy. The substrate supports light emitters on a first surface thereof, and includes a reinforcing layer that is fixed to a surface the substrate opposite the first surface. The jacket may also include reinforcing fibers. The flexible light assembly is sufficiently flexible to permit bending such that the flexible light assembly can assume a radius of curvature in a range of 1.3 centimeters to 10.2 centimeters.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly may be used with a rotary power tool to provide a reliable and stable connection between the rotary tool and a tool accessory. The mandrel assembly provides a quick-connect/quick-release connection between the tool output shaft and the accessory via a clamping action. In particular, the mandrel assembly is operable to clamp the accessory between a clamping element formed on one end of the mandrel and a collar which surrounds the mandrel and is spring-biased toward the mandrel end.

Abstract: An oscillating power tool includes a housing and a motor at least partially disposed within the housing and having a rotational output shaft. An eccentric bearing is attached to the output shaft. An oscillating member is coupled to the eccentric bearing to convert rotational movement of the eccentric bearing into oscillating movement. A pivot shaft has an oscillating axis and the oscillating member is arranged on it. A tool engagement area is disposed on the oscillating member for engaging a detachable tool. The tool engagement area substantially surrounds the oscillating axis and has protruding tool connecting members extending parallel to the oscillating axis for axial mounting of the detachable tool to the tool engagement area.

Abstract: A lightbulb socket adapter for a hand-held non-contact voltage tester is disclosed. The adaptor having a first engagement feature configured to at least partially couple with a hand-held non-contact voltage tester and a second engagement feature configured to be at least partially disposed within a lightbulb socket. A first embodiment has an adaptor with a male Edison screw, and a second embodiment has an adaptor with protrusions on elastically deformable limbs configured to snap down into a female Edison screw and unscrew out.

Abstract: An improved detector device for locating studs and other objects behind a substrate (such as a wall) uses one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) in combination with a photochromic compound to mark the locations on the substrate behind which objects are located.

Abstract: A flexible light assembly includes an elongated light transmissible jacket, the jacket including an internal vacancy. The assembly includes a substrate disposed in the internal vacancy. The substrate supports light emitters on a first surface thereof, and includes a reinforcing layer that is fixed to a surface the substrate opposite the first surface. The jacket may also include reinforcing fibers. The flexible light assembly is sufficiently flexible to permit bending such that the flexible light assembly can assume a radius of curvature in a range of 1.3 centimeters to 10.2 centimeters.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a housing that supports a flexible light assembly and can be operated in multiple configurations. The housing includes a cup-shaped opaque stator and light transmissive rotor that rotates relative to the stator. The rotor includes a spool upon which the flexible light assembly can be wound. The light source is configurable between a retracted configuration in which the flexible light assembly resides in the housing and light emitted by the flexible light assembly is transmitted through the rotor, and an extended configuration in which a portion of the flexible light assembly resides outside the housing. In the extended configuration, a portion of light emitted from the flexible light assembly is transmitted through the rotor and another portion of light emitted from the flexible light assembly originates outside the housing.

Abstract: A desktop laser cutter configured to cut a cylindrical workpiece includes a laser, a cutting head that receives an electromagnetic beam from the laser and emits a cutting beam, and a gantry that supports the cutting head relative to a base plate of the laser cutter housing. The gantry can be actuated to move the cutting head within a plane that is parallel to the baseplate. The cutting head emits the cutting beam in a direction parallel to the plane. In use, the cutting head is disposed side-by-side with the workpiece and the cutting beam is applied to a side of the workpiece that faces a sidewall of the laser cutter housing. The workpiece is supported by the gantry to rotate an amount that is a function of movement of the cutting head in a direction parallel to the plane.

Abstract: A hand-held rotary tool includes a housing that encloses a motor having an output shaft. The tool includes a quick connect adaptor configured to connect an accessory to the output shaft. The adaptor includes a driver that is connected to the output shaft and rotates in concert with the output shaft. An outer surface of the driver has a first flat. The adaptor includes a receiver that includes a connector configured to detachably connect with the housing, and a torque transfer device configured to receive the driver. An inner surface of the torque transfer device includes a second flat that engages with the first flat in such a way that rotation of the driver results in rotation the torque transfer device relative to the connector. The adaptor includes an output device that supports the accessory and that is driven by the torque transfer device to move relative to the connector.

Abstract: A smart power hub having a number of electrical connections for power electric power tools. The smart power hub comprises a controller, a processor, and a number of sensors operable to measure operational behavior of the electrical connections or connected electric power tools. The processor may utilize data from the sensors to generate control commands for the controller to control the current output of the number of electrical connections. Additional functions of the processor may provide smart feature operation to connected tools.

Abstract: An improved detector device for locating studs and other objects behind a substrate (such as a wall) uses one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) in combination with a photochromic compound to mark the locations on the substrate behind which objects are located.

Abstract: A hand-held rotary cleaning tool includes a housing that encloses an electric motor and a gear set that connects the motor to an output shaft. The rotary cleaning tool includes at least one cleaning accessory that is detachably connected to the output shaft, and a flexible splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the output shaft and cleaning accessory so as to prevent liquid splash during tool use. The splash guard includes a reinforcing ring that is formed of a material that is less flexible than the material used to form the splash guard body. The reinforcing ring prevents the splash guard from excessive deformation, whereby interference of the splash guard with the cleaning accessory or the output shaft is minimized or avoided. The reinforcing ring may also include other features which enhance the cleaning function of the rotary cleaning tool.

Abstract: An automatic mechanical spool changer for 3-D printers includes a filament guide and a pre-loading device. The input to the filament guide receives at least a primary filament from a primary spool and a secondary filament from a secondary spool. The output from the filament guide connects to an extruder, and the output from the filament guide sequentially and automatically provides the primary filament and then the secondary filament to the extruder. The pre-loading device exerts a pre-loaded force on the secondary filament during the extrusion of the primary filament. After the primary filament passes a predetermined location within the filament guide, the force exerted on the secondary filament threads the secondary filament through the output of the filament guide and into the extruder.

Abstract: A hand-held rotary tool includes a housing that encloses a motor having an output shaft. The tool includes a quick connect adaptor configured to connect an accessory to the output shaft. The adaptor includes a driver that is connected to the output shaft and rotates in concert with the output shaft. An outer surface of the driver has a first flat. The adaptor includes a receiver that includes a connector configured to detachably connect with the housing, and a torque transfer device configured to receive the driver. An inner surface of the torque transfer device includes a second flat that engages with the first flat in such a way that rotation of the driver results in rotation the torque transfer device relative to the connector. The adaptor includes an output device that supports the accessory and that is driven by the torque transfer device to move relative to the connector.

Abstract: A desktop laser cutter configured to cut a cylindrical workpiece includes a laser, a cutting head that receives an electromagnetic beam from the laser and emits a cutting beam, and a gantry that supports the cutting head relative to a base plate of the laser cutter housing. The gantry can be actuated to move the cutting head within a plane that is parallel to the baseplate. The cutting head emits the cutting beam in a direction parallel to the plane. In use, the cutting head is disposed side-by-side with the workpiece and the cutting beam is applied to a side of the workpiece that faces a sidewall of the laser cutter housing. The workpiece is supported by the gantry to rotate an amount that is a function of movement of the cutting head in a direction parallel to the plane.

Abstract: A hand-held rotary cleaning tool includes a housing that encloses an electric motor and a gear set that connects the motor to an output shaft. The rotary cleaning tool includes at least one cleaning accessory that is detachably connected to the output shaft, and a flexible splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the output shaft and cleaning accessory so as to prevent liquid splash during tool use. The rotary cleaning tool also includes a reservoir for storing a liquid cleaning solution, and a liquid delivery line that delivers liquid from the reservoir to the space enclosed by the splash guard.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a laser engraving system includes a laser transmitter and a lens assembly configured to focus a transmitted laser beam onto a workpiece supported by a workpiece support surface. A rail system movably supports a base which in turn supports a mirror and a camera. A controller is operably connected to the camera and is configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory to obtain first image data from the camera indicative of a first location of the laser beam on the mirror when the camera and the mirror are at a first rail system location, obtain second image data from the camera indicative of a second location of the laser beam on the mirror when the camera and the mirror are at a second rail system location, and output a mirror adjustment signal for the mirror based upon the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: An accessory includes a blade, a coupling, and a guide. The blade includes a cutting edge. The coupling includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is attachable to and detachable from the power tool. The second portion is connected to the blade. The guide is structured to guide the blade along a work piece by interacting with a surface of the work piece as the blade moves in an advancing direction. The guide is structured to provide a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the guide is engaged with the coupling such that the guide is attached to the coupling. In the unlocked state, the guide is disengaged from the coupling such that the guide is detached from the coupling.