Abstract: A power tool having one or more sound damping members which reduce sound and/or vibration from one or more parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce sound and/or vibration from static or dynamic parts of a power tool. The sound damping member can reduce noise and/or vibration from one or more rotating or moving parts of a power tool and its housing or internal structure. Methods, means, controls, systems and practices for reducing or eliminating undesired sound from a power tool are disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is configured to receive an input indicative of a clutch setting for an electronic clutch from the tool operator, where the clutch setting is selectable from a drill mode, an automated drive mode and one or more user-defined drive modes. Each of the user-defined drive modes specifies a different value of torque at which to interrupt transmission of torque to the output spindle. In an automated drive mode, the controller interrupt torque to the output spindle in an automated manner when a fastener being driven reaches a desired stopping position. In a selected one of the user-defined drive modes, the controller sets a value of a maximum current threshold in accordance with the selected one of the user-defined drive modes and interrupts torque to the output spindle when current measures exceeding the maximum current threshold.

Abstract: A hedgetrimmer having a blade assembly that converts between a straight blade configuration and a curved blade configuration. The blade assembly includes a support bar for securing a pair of cutting blades. The support bar is made up of a plurality of rotatable support links allowing the support bar to curve. A switch assembly includes a rigid wire fixedly secured to the support bar. The rigid wire extends and retracts, moving the support bar between its straight and curved configuration.

Abstract: A high inertia driver system for a fastening tool having an electric motor that drives a flywheel to contact a driver blade to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The high inertia driver system also has a return system which prevents the unintentional driving of a second fastener. The return system uses a return spring that controls the recoil energy of the driver blade after driving a fastener into a workpiece. The system achieves a long operational life for the fastening tool by increasing the number of return cycles of the driver blade free of a return spring failure.

Abstract: A hedgetrimmer having a blade assembly that converts between a straight blade configuration and a curved blade configuration. The blade assembly includes a support bar for securing a pair of cutting blades. The support bar is made up of a plurality of rotatable support links allowing the support bar to curve. A switch assembly includes a rigid wire fixedly secured to the support bar. The rigid wire extends and retracts, moving the support bar between its straight and curved configuration.

Abstract: A benchtop tool system having a broad variety of interchangeable heads and types of tools. Each interchangeable head can be a tool having a common attachment interface. The interchangeable tools can be engaged to and driven by a base unit which can be supported by a support arm. The support arm can be movable to configure the orientation of a tool to a desired position. The benchtop tool system can have a detachable stand which allows the benchtop tool system to be used in a variety of operating environments.

Abstract: A power tool is provided including a tool housing in which an electric motor is disposed. The electric motor includes a stator and an armature rotatably received within the stator. The armature has an armature shaft on which a commutator is mounted. The power tool further includes at least one brush assembly disposed around the commutator, the brush assembly including: a brush having two grooves on opposites surfaces therein; a brush holder comprising two support plates arranged defining guiderails that extend into the grooves of the brush to facilitate movement of the brush along a single axis; and a spring contacting the brush that urges the brush radially inwardly along the axis.

Abstract: A handheld power tool is configured to receive an input indicative of a clutch setting for an electronic clutch from the tool operator, where the clutch setting is selectable from a drill mode, an automated drive mode and one or more user-defined drive modes. Each of the user-defined drive modes specifies a different value of torque at which to interrupt transmission of torque to the output spindle. In an automated drive mode, the controller interrupt torque to the output spindle in an automated manner when a fastener being driven reaches a desired stopping position. In a selected one of the user-defined drive modes, the controller sets a value of a maximum current threshold in accordance with the selected one of the user-defined drive modes and interrupts torque to the output spindle when current measures exceeding the maximum current threshold.

Abstract: A power tool is provided including a tool housing in which an electric motor is disposed. The electric motor includes a stator and an armature rotatably received within the stator. The armature has an armature shaft on which a commutator is mounted. The power tool further includes at least one brush assembly disposed around the commutator, the brush assembly including: a brush having two grooves on opposites surfaces therein; a brush holder comprising two support plates arranged defining guiderails that extend into the grooves of the brush to facilitate movement of the brush along a single axis; and a spring contacting the brush that urges the brush radially inwardly along the axis.

Abstract: An automatic switch control includes a wheel member having a cam member with a ramp surface. A first plunger mechanism has a first spring member that is operable to urge a first cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. A second plunger mechanism has a second spring member that is operable to urge a second cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. The second plunger mechanism is disposed on an opposite side of the toggle from the first plunger mechanism when the automatic switch control is installed over the switch. An electric motor is operable to rotate the cam member to position the first plunger mechanism in a retracted condition and to position the second plunger mechanism in an extended condition that is operable to move the toggle to the on position.

Abstract: An automatic switch control fits over a switch on a wall to move a toggle of the switch between an on position and an off position. The automatic switch control generally includes a housing and a wheel member rotatably supported by the housing. The wheel member has a cam member with a ramp surface. An electric motor is operable to rotate the wheel member about an axis of rotation that is generally perpendicular to the wall. A first plunger mechanism has a first spring member that is operable to urge a first cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. A second plunger mechanism has a second spring member that is operable to urge a second cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. The second plunger mechanism is disposed on an opposite side of the toggle from the first plunger mechanism when the automatic switch control is installed over the switch.

Abstract: A cleaning tool including one or more of the following features in various embodiments: a mop head that pivots with respect to a handle assembly to dispose a motorized power head between a mopping position and a scrubbing position; a nozzle assembly connected to the handle assembly and in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, the liquid disposed within the liquid reservoir ejected from the nozzle assembly in response to trigger control by an operator; an absorbent or soil attracting mopping cloth attached to a cartridge support; a mopping cartridge ejection member slidably disposed within the mopping platform and manipulated to eject the mopping cartridge from the mopping platform; and a mopping cloth ejection member disposed on a top surface of the mopping platform and manipulated to eject the mopping cloth from the mopping platform.