Abstract: A power tool includes a leveling device which includes a rotatable member which seeks an equilibrium position which corresponds to a level position. A rotating device includes a member which enables passage of a beam. An electrical circuit which includes an emitting device, a receiving device and an indicating device is electrically coupled such that upon activation, the emitting device emits a beam which passes through the beam passing member. The beam is received by the receiving device which, in turn, activates the indicator device. The indicator is generally a light emitting device which has a varying brightness so that the user may view the indicator from all sides of the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool includes a body housing a motor with a first output shaft and an attachment for engagement with the output shaft. The attachment includes an output shaft which transmits rotational motion derived from the rotational motion of the motor and further includes a gear mechanism enabling a gear change in rotational speed between its input and output. A combination of the body and the attachment thereby provides a plurality of serially-coupled gear mechanisms.

Abstract: A power tool includes a leveling device which includes a rotatable member which seeks an equilibrium position which corresponds to a level position. A rotating device includes a member which enables passage of a beam. An electrical circuit which includes an emitting device, a receiving device and an indicating device is electrically coupled such that upon activation, the emitting device emits a beam which passes through the beam passing member. The beam is received by the receiving device which, in turn, activates the indicator device. The indicator is generally a light emitting device which has a varying brightness so that the user may view the indicator from all sides of the power tool.

Abstract: A power tool includes a leveling device which includes a rotatable member which seeks an equilibrium position which corresponds to a level position. A rotating device includes a member which enables passage of a beam. An electrical circuit which includes an emitting device, a receiving device and an indicating device is electrically coupled such that upon activation, the emitting device emits a beam which passes through the beam passing member. The beam is received by the receiving device which, in turn, activates the indicator device. The indicator is generally a light emitting device which has a varying brightness so that the user may view the indicator from all sides of the power tool.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a power tool is provided on one portion of the tool and comprises a generally cylindrical projection with a side wall having a radial recess extending part-circumferentially along the side wall. A further projection is formed on the side wall which extends in both directions parallel to the axis of the cylindrical projection and in a direction radially outward from the side wall as well.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for a power tool is provided to releasably couple first and second portions of the power tool. The mechanism includes a spring normally biased into a closed position and an actuator enabling the spring to be moved to an open position. The actuator has a spring-engaging surface formed from several individual surfaces which are non coplanar.

Abstract: A first component part (42) for a power tool has a mounting spigot (90) with a channel (239) therein and a second component part (10) of the power tool has a spigot receiving portion (54) with a rib (101) co-operable with the channel. The first component part includes a cylindrical projection with a chamfered edge (250) and the second component part includes a detent. In a first step in coupling the components parts, the channel in the mounting spigot is aligned with the co-operable rib on the spigot receiving portion. Subsequent steps include engaging the further rib of the spigot receiving portion with a channel on a side wall and finally, urging the chamfered edge past the detent.

Abstract: A power tool includes a leveling device which includes a rotatable member which seeks an equilibrium position which corresponds to a level position. A rotating device includes a member which enables passage of a beam. An electrical circuit which includes an emitting device, a receiving device and an indicating device is electrically coupled such that upon activation, the emitting device emits a beam which passes through the beam passing member. The beam is received by the receiving device which, in turn, activates the indicator device. The indicator is generally a light emitting device which has a varying brightness so that the user may view the indicator from all sides of the power tool.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a power tool is formed on one portion of the tool and comprises a generally cylindrical projection (102) with a side wall having a radial recess (290) extending part-circumferentially along the side wall. A further projection (261) is formed on the side wall which extends in both directions parallel to the axis of the cylindrical projection and in a direction radially outward from the side wall as well.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for a power tool releasably coupled first (10) and second (40) portions. The mechanism includes a spring (202) normally biased to a first position in which it is closed and an actuator (208) enabling the spring to be moved to a second position in which it is open. The actuator has a spring-engaging surface (216) formed from several individual surfaces which are non coplanar.

Abstract: A power tool comprises a body (10) housing a motor with a first output shaft (50) and an attachment (42) for engagement with the output shaft of the body. The attachment (42) includes an output shaft which transmits rotational motion derived from the rotational motion of the motor (44) within the body (10) and also has a gear mechanism (48) causing a gear change in rotational speed between its input and output. A combination of the body and the attachment thereby provides a power with a plurality of serially-coupled gear mechanisms.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of coupling two component parts (10) for a power tool when the first component part (42) has a mounting spigot (90) with a channel (239) therein and the second component part (10) has a spigot receiving portion (54) with a rib (101) co-operable with the channel. The first component part includes a cylindrical projection with a chamfered edge (250) and a second component part including a detent such that the alignment of the channel in the mounting spigot with the co-operable rib on the spigot receiving portion is the first step of coupling two components. Subsequent steps include engaging the further rib of the spigot receiving portion with a channel on a side wall and finally urging the chamfered edge past the detent.