Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

Abstract: A powered tool is depicted which includes a transmission that permits an input shaft to rotate in a single rotational direction during operation of the powered tool, but otherwise allowing the rotation of an output shaft to change direction depending on the arrangement of the transmission. In one form a first shaft is coupled with a planetary gearing arrangement which includes planetary gears and a ring gear. A second shaft is coupled with a moveable clutch. When the clutch is moved to a first position it is coupled to bypass the ring gear which provides rotation of the second shaft in the same direction as the first shaft. When the clutch is moved to a second position to engage the ring gear the direction of rotation of the second shaft is opposite the first shaft.

Abstract: An attachment retainer having a collar that, when at a collar locked position, has a first surface that is positioned above an open end of a passageway of a spindle to assist in retaining locking members in locking engagement with a driven tool. When in a collar release position, a second surface of the collar is positioned above the open end of the passageway to provide a space to receive a portion of the locking members so that the locking members can be disengaged from the driven tool. A plunger is displaceable to a position beneath another opening of the passageway to assist in retaining locking members in the passageway. A cam surface of a release ring can engage, and facilitate linear displacement of, release members as the release ring is rotated, which can facilitate axial displacement of the collar from the collar locked position to the collar release position.

Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a power tool is provided. The power tools include a housing that extends along a longitudinally extending axis; an outrunner motor located within the housing; the outrunner motor includes an outboard rotating rotor that rotates around a stator portion of the outrunner motor; and a rotating shaft that is attached to the outboard rotating rotor and disposed through the stator portion; wherein the rotating shaft attaches to rotating structures that rotate an output drive.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool comprises a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a drive train configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the drive train includes an impact mechanism comprising a hammer configured to rotate about a third axis to periodically deliver an impact load to an anvil, the third axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool comprises a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a drive train configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the drive train includes an impact mechanism comprising a hammer configured to rotate about a third axis to periodically deliver an impact load to an anvil, the third axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise an impact mechanism including a hammer and an anvil. The hammer may be configured to rotate and to move between a disengaged position in which the hammer does not impact the anvil when rotating and an engaged position in which the hammer impacts the anvil when rotating, and the anvil may be configured to rotate when impacted by the hammer. The impact tool may further comprise an electronic controller configured to cause the hammer to (i) rotate in the disengaged position until reaching a threshold rotational speed and (ii) move from the disengaged position to the engaged position in response to the hammer achieving the threshold rotational speed.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools with speed controllers and methods of controlling such impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise a ball-and-cam impact mechanism including a hammer and an anvil. The hammer may be configured to rotate about a first axis and to translate along the first axis to impact the anvil to cause rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The impact tool may further comprise a motor and a speed controller. The motor may include a rotor configured to rotate when a flow of compressed fluid is supplied to the rotor to drive rotation of the hammer of the ball-and-cam impact mechanism. The speed controller may be coupled to the rotor and may be configured to throttle the flow of compressed fluid supplied to the rotor based on a rotational speed of the rotor.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, an angle impact tool may comprise a handle assembly extending along a first axis and supporting a motor, the motor including a shaft configured to rotate about the first axis, and a work attachment coupled to the handle assembly. The work attachment may comprise an impact mechanism including an anvil configured to rotate about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis and a hammer configured to rotate about the second axis to periodically deliver an impact load to the anvil, a gear assembly configured to transfer rotation from the shaft of the motor to the hammer of the impact mechanism, and a housing supporting the impact mechanism and the gear assembly. The housing may be partitioned along a first parting plane that is perpendicular to the second axis such that the housing includes first and second housing sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of controlled pivot impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise a hammer configured to rotate about a first axis and to pivot about a second axis different from the first axis, where the hammer includes a cam groove formed in an outer surface of the hammer, an actuator coupled to the cam groove of the hammer and configured to pivot the hammer about the second axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position based on a position of the actuator along the cam groove, and an anvil configured to rotate about the first axis in response to being impacted by the hammer when the hammer is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a clutch may comprise an outer race, an inner race, and an engagement assembly disposed in a space located radially between the outer and inner races. The engagement assembly may comprise a plurality of locking members and a biasing shoe frictionally engaged with one of the outer race and the inner race. The locking members may be configured to move with the biasing shoe within the space between an unlocked position, in which the locking members are free to move relative to the outer race and to the inner race, and a locked position, in which the locking members are wedged between the outer and inner races to couple the outer and inner races for rotation together.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of controlled pivot impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise a hammer configured to rotate about a first axis and to pivot about a second axis different from the first axis, where the hammer includes a cam groove formed in an outer surface of the hammer, an actuator coupled to the cam groove of the hammer and configured to pivot the hammer about the second axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position based on a position of the actuator along the cam groove, and an anvil configured to rotate about the first axis in response to being impacted by the hammer when the hammer is in the engaged position.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools with speed controllers and methods of controlling such impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise a ball-and-cam impact mechanism including a hammer and an anvil. The hammer may be configured to rotate about a first axis and to translate along the first axis to impact the anvil to cause rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The impact tool may further comprise a motor and a speed controller. The motor may include a rotor configured to rotate when a flow of compressed fluid is supplied to the rotor to drive rotation of the hammer of the ball-and-cam impact mechanism. The speed controller may be coupled to the rotor and may be configured to throttle the flow of compressed fluid supplied to the rotor based on a rotational speed of the rotor.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of angle impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an angle impact tool may comprise a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis, an impact mechanism configured to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, and a gear assembly configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive the impact mechanism, the gear assembly comprising a planetary gear set coupled to the output shaft of the motor.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a clutch may comprise an outer race, an inner race, and an engagement assembly disposed in a space located radially between the outer and inner races. The engagement assembly may comprise a plurality of locking members and a biasing shoe frictionally engaged with one of the outer race and the inner race. The locking members may be configured to move with the biasing shoe within the space between an unlocked position, in which the locking members are free to move relative to the outer race and to the inner race, and a locked position, in which the locking members are wedged between the outer and inner races to couple the outer and inner races for rotation together.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise an impact mechanism including a hammer and an anvil. The hammer may be configured to rotate and to move between a disengaged position in which the hammer does not impact the anvil when rotating and an engaged position in which the hammer impacts the anvil when rotating, and the anvil may be configured to rotate when impacted by the hammer. The impact tool may further comprise an electronic controller configured to cause the hammer to (i) rotate in the disengaged position until reaching a threshold rotational speed and (ii) move from the disengaged position to the engaged position in response to the hammer achieving the threshold rotational speed.