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 mixer is provided that is configured for attachment to a power tool for mixing a viscous material, and includes a shaft defining a shaft axis, and a plurality of paddles attached to the shaft and extending radially from the shaft. All of the paddles have generally the same axial distance to the first end of the shaft, and the paddles are configured for rotation about the shaft axis in a direction of rotation. Each of the paddles has a general “S”-shape defined between a top end and a bottom end of the paddle, and between a leading surface and a trailing surface of the paddle.

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 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 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 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 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 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: The invention is a novel power tool with an ambidextrous lock-out mechanism to prevent unintended actuation of a power switch operatively associated with a motor that operates the power tool. The lock-out mechanism has a first unlocking means located to be conveniently operated by the thumb of a right hand and a second actuating means located to be conveniently operated by the thumb of a left hand, both of said first and second unlocking means capable of unlocking the power switch by inactuating the power switch lock mechanism in order to release the power switch and allow operation of the power tool.