Abstract: The present directed to a cordless power tool system including a plurality of cordless power tools, a plurality of fixed voltage and multi-voltage battery packs and a plurality of battery pack chargers. The battery packs include circuitry to indicate various parameters about the battery pack and communicate this indication to the power tools in order to enable the power tools to alter their motor output schemes to improve performance. The indication may include whether the battery pack is a fixed voltage battery pack or a multi-voltage battery pack and when the multi-voltage battery pack is in a first configuration or a second configuration.

Abstract: A power tool system that includes a power tool having a receptacle for receiving a battery pack, the receptacle including a mechanical interface for mating with a battery pack, a first battery pack having a battery pack housing, the first battery pack housing including a mechanical interface for mating with the power tool, the first battery pack housing having a first width dimension in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction in which the first battery pack mates with the power tool and a second battery pack having a battery pack housing, the second battery pack housing including a mechanical interface for mating with the power tool, the second battery pack housing having a second width dimension in a direction generally perpendicular to a direction in which the second battery pack mates with the power tool, wherein the second width dimension being at least about 1.5 times the first width dimension.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises a housing and a module holder. The module holder includes a plurality of core pack modules. Each module may have five sets of battery cells. The five sets of battery cells may be connected in series to each other. The core pack modules of the plurality of core pack modules are connected in series with each other.

Abstract: A method wherein by reducing the amount of current, and therefore torque, to the linear servo motor (50) and/or rotary servo motor (52) of a loader mechanism (9), the loader mechanism is operable for determining proper workpiece positioning in a machine tool such as a gear manufacturing machine, particularly a machine (4) for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a set of battery cells, and a latch assembly mechanism. The latch assembly mechanism includes a user activation button that pivots about a first axis and an engaging portion that pivots about a second axis, where the first axis is parallel to the second axis and the user activation button actuates the engaging portion. In another aspect, a battery pack includes a housing and a set of battery cells. The housing includes a top portion, a first side portion connected to the top portion, a second side portion connected to the top portion, the second side portion opposite the first side portion, and a bottom portion connected to the first side portion and the second side portion, the bottom portion opposite the top portion. An insert is molded into at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a set of battery cells, and a latch assembly mechanism. The latch assembly mechanism includes a user activation button that pivots about a first axis and an engaging portion that pivots about a second axis, where the first axis is parallel to the second axis and the user activation button actuates the engaging portion. In another aspect, a battery pack includes a housing and a set of battery cells. The housing includes a top portion, a first side portion connected to the top portion, a second side portion connected to the top portion, the second side portion opposite the first side portion, and a bottom portion connected to the first side portion and the second side portion, the bottom portion opposite the top portion. An insert is molded into at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

Abstract: It is common for a power tool system from a manufacturer to include a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a battery charger. However, as systems have evolved it has become desirable to provide a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a first battery charger but not a second battery charger. The present disclosure provides a battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a plurality of terminals, and a mechanical lockout for allowing engagement with a power tool and a first battery charger while preventing engagement with a second battery charger.

Abstract: This application relates to a power tool system including a plurality of power tools, a plurality of battery packs and at least one battery pack charger and method for operating the power tools with the battery packs. This application also relates to a method for charging the battery packs and a method for monitoring a state of charge of the battery pack. In one implementation, the system includes an existing battery pack designed to provide (output) a relatively low voltage, an existing power tool designed to operate at the relatively low voltage, a new battery pack designed to provide (output) the relatively low voltage and a relatively high voltage, and a new power tool designed to operate at the relatively high voltage.

Abstract: An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool includes a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool. The adaptor includes a control circuit disposed within the housing. The control circuit is configured to detect a type of the power tool, to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition based on the detected type of power tool.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a set of battery cells, and a latch assembly mechanism. The latch assembly mechanism includes a user activation button that pivots about a first axis and an engaging portion that pivots about a second axis, where the first axis is parallel to the second axis and the user activation button actuates the engaging portion. In another aspect, a battery pack includes a housing and a set of battery cells. The housing includes a top portion, a first side portion connected to the top portion, a second side portion connected to the top portion, the second side portion opposite the first side portion, and a bottom portion connected to the first side portion and the second side portion, the bottom portion opposite the top portion. An insert is molded into at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion.

Abstract: A method wherein by reducing the amount of current, and therefore torque, to the linear servo motor (50) and/or rotary servo motor (52) of a loader mechanism (9), the loader mechanism is operable for determining proper workpiece positioning in a machine tool such as a gear manufacturing machine, particularly a machine (4) for manufacturing bevel and hypoid gears

Abstract: An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool includes a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool. The adaptor includes a control circuit disposed within the housing. The control circuit is configured to detect a type of the power tool, to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition based on the detected type of power tool.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery pack for a cordless power tool including a plastic housing including a mechanical interface for mechanically coupling the battery pack to a corresponding mechanical interface of a cordless power tool. The mechanical interface includes a rail, a groove and a sliding surface. The battery pack also includes a bracket encased within the plastic housing wherein the bracket includes a first portion positioned within the rail of the mechanical interface.

Abstract: An adaptor for connecting a power source to a power tool includes a housing having a first end that is configured to connect to a power source and a second end that is configured to connect to a power tool. The adaptor includes a control circuit disposed within the housing. The control circuit is configured to detect an overstress condition in the power tool and to control the power tool responsive to detecting the overstress condition.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a ladder includes a side rail having top and bottom ends; at least two rungs connected to the side rail; a top cap disposed near the top end of the side rail; and a foot protrusion mounted to the top cap and shaped to physically engage a battery pack slot of a power tool, such that attaching the power tool to the foot protrusion secures the power tool to the top cap. According to another embodiment, a power tool storage apparatus, includes a base member shaped to be secured to a storage surface; and a tool engaging portion extending from the base member. The tool engaging portion is shaped to physically engage a battery pack slot of a power tool, such that attaching the power tool to the tool engaging portion secures the power tool to the storage surface. Other embodiments are also disclosed.