Abstract: A circular saw having a saw blade depth adjustment detent mechanism for facilitating rapid positioning of a saw blade at predetermined depth positions includes a housing enclosing a motor disposed therein that rotates a circular saw blade. The circular saw includes a foot which rides on a workpiece to guide the saw blade during cutting operations. The saw blade depth adjustment detent mechanism pivotally interconnects the foot to said housing such that the circular saw blade is adjustable to the foot through a number of saw blade depth settings within a range of saw blade depth of cuts relative to the foot. The saw blade depth adjustment detent mechanism includes a saw blade depth detent and a second member having a plurality of spaced saw blade depth recesses that are each matingly engageable with the saw blade depth detent to provide the range of saw blade depths.

Abstract: A preassembled suspended ceiling grid module comprising a plurality of parallel main tees and a plurality of cross tees, the main and cross tees each having horizontal flanges extended to both sides of a central plane, the cross tees being joined at their ends to the main tees with end connections that enable the module to be folded in a plane corresponding to an eventual ceiling plane in a zigzag pattern, such that the cross tees lie in directions generally parallel to the main tees with the cross tees connected on a side of a particular main tee being folded in a common direction relative to their end connection, and where connected to an adjacent main tee being folded in an opposite direction relative to their end connections with said adjacent tee.

Abstract: A preassembled suspended ceiling grid module comprising a plurality of parallel main tees and a plurality of cross tees, the main and cross tees each having horizontal flanges extended to both sides of a central plane, the cross tees being joined at their ends to the main tees with end connections that enable the module to be folded in a plane corresponding to an eventual ceiling plane in a zigzag pattern, such that the cross tees lie in directions generally parallel to the main tees with the cross tees connected on a side of a particular main tee being folded in a common direction relative to their end connection, and where connected to an adjacent main tee being folded in an opposite direction relative to their end connections with said adjacent tee.

Abstract: A retaining system including a power cord retaining system and a cord plug retaining system for use with a power tool. The power cord retaining system is configured for accommodating an extension cord and includes a cord capture formation for retaining the extension cord disposed on the tool, and a cord channel disposed on the tool and configured for supporting a loop of the cord substantially along an arc defined by the loop. In the preferred embodiment, the cord capture formation defines an enclosed aperture for retaining the cord at two points, and the cord channel defines a semi-circular arc for supporting the cord loop substantially along its apex. The plug retaining system is configured for maintaining electrical continuity between the plug and the receptacle and includes a contact portion for engaging a plug or a cord, and an attachment device for attaching the contact portion to the tool.

Abstract: A circular saw has one or more louvers in the housing which direct air exiting the housing toward a work piece, together with openings in other components of the saw located between the louvers and the work piece so that sawdust and other debris that is produced during operation of the saw will be blown out of the way and will not interfere with the line of sight of the user.

Abstract: A brush-holder system for an electric motor which is the type which has a rotating commutator that is journaled in a first motor housing portion, the assembly includes a second motor housing portion configured to be matingly connected to the first motor housing portion and having at least one brush holding pocket therein. The pocket is formed by a structure of the second motor housing portion which defines a support surface on one side thereof and a bridge portion on an opposite side thereof. The system further includes an elongated brush having first and second ends, wherein the first end is configured to be coupled to a biasing member and the second end is configured to contact the motor commutator, and at least one removable brush-holder having a first open end configured to receive the brush therein and to fit in the pocket, and a second open end enabling the brush to extend outwardly therefrom to contact the motor commutator.

Abstract: A repositionable operating lever including a lever body having a handle and a generally hollow cylindrical housing, an inner end portion of which has a multi-faced wall configured to engage a multi-faced head portion of an adjusting member, an adjusting member positioned in the cylindrical housing and having a multi-faced head portion engaging the multi-faced wall of the inner end portion, a generally cylindrical end piece configured to fit within an outer end portion of the cylindrical housing, a biasing member having a inner end and a outer end, and wherein the lever body is capable of being moved in the outer direction relative to the adjusting member by manipulation overcoming the biasing force whereby the multi-faced head portion and the multi-faced wall disengage from one another, permitting relative rotation of the lever body and the adjusting member to reposition the lever body on the adjusting member.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a rotary power tool that includes an elongated locking member that is retained by, and is at opposite first and second end portions within, at least one of a motor housing and a gearbox end casting and being slideable between unlocked and locked positions, the locking member first end portion being accessible by a user to move the locking member to the locked position. The locking member also includes a locking portion intermediate the first and second end portions that is configured to engage the non-circular configured portion of a rotatable armature shaft and prevent rotation thereof when the locking member is in its locked position. A biasing element is also included and configured to bias the locking member toward said unlocked position.

Abstract: A circular saw assembly of the type that includes a motor housing, a handle coupled to the motor housing, a generally circular saw blade disposed within a blade housing at a first end of the motor housing, and a foot member through which the blade extends for guiding the saw assembly along a work surface, where the circular saw assembly including a depth of cut locking system and an angle of cut locking system. The depth of cut locking system includes an arcuate bracket with an arcuate slot, and an engagement member extends through the slot and is operatively connected to the motor housing and slideable in the arcuate slot. The angle of cut locking system includes a bracket having an arcuate slot and an engagement member movable in the slot and configured to the bracket. A biasing member is provided to bias the engagement member, and at least one detent recess is provided to retain the engagement member therein.

Abstract: A circular saw having a saw blade depth adjustment detent mechanism for facilitating rapid positioning of a saw blade at predetermined depth positions includes a housing enclosing a motor disposed therein that rotates a circular saw blade. The circular saw includes a foot which rides on a workpiece to guide the saw blade during cutting operations. The saw blade depth adjustment detent mechanism pivotally interconnects the foot to said housing such that the circular saw blade is adjustable to the foot through a number of saw blade depth settings within a range of saw blade depth of cuts relative to the foot. The saw blade depth adjustment detent mechanism includes a saw blade depth detent and a second member having a plurality of spaced saw blade depth recesses that are each matingly engageable with the saw blade depth detent to provide the range of saw blade depths.

Abstract: A power cord retaining system for use with a power tool configured for accommodating an extension cord includes a cord capture formation for retaining the extension cord disposed on the tool, and a cord channel disposed on the tool and configured for supporting a loop of the cord substantially along an arc defined by the loop. In the preferred embodiment, the cord capture formation defines an enclosed aperture for retaining the cord at two points, defining a cord loop therebetween, and the cord channel defines a semi-circular arc for supporting the cord loop substantially along its apex. A cord lock is preferably formed in association with the cord channel for releasably locking the cord in the channel and preventing unwanted cord release.