Abstract: Tools providing automatic, smooth shifting between random orbital and rotary motion by simply increasing or decreasing force applied are taught. Exemplar is a finishing tool switchable between grinding rotary action and random orbital sanding action without powering down and without any mechanical manipulation, made possible by having a clutch mechanism affixed directly to the spindle assembly, which also eliminates the need to dissemble the tool in order to change a backup pad, saving time and money. Direct relationship between the clutch and spindle eliminates need for a specialty pad allowing for use of a variety of backup pads, reducing the cost of replacement backup pads and increasing the functionality of the dual-function tool. An additional feature is that the drive head surface is circular and large enough to encompass the device's circular clutch plate, which means that the available friction surface area of the clutch plate is efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A lever longer than wide and bent across its length producing an angle of <180° between an upper surface of a longer first and a shorter second lever end to control the throttle switch of a hand-held tool by hand-rocking the lever about its vertex to exert pressure on or release pressure from the switch, the lever designed to support a user's fingers and palm while using the tool. Attachment tabs extend downwards from opposing sides of the first end adjacent the vertex, each tab having an aperture for accepting an attachment pin so to pivotally engage the lever within pin receiving apertures of the tool to rotate the lever both toward and away from the actuator switch, the second end extending over an exhaust-outlet or air-intake of the hand-held power tool to protect the user's hand from coming into contact with the tool's exhaust-outlet or air-intake.

Abstract: A molded tool casing of at least two sections for air-tightly encasing a tool is taught. A seal is inserted into a groove molded into the sealing perimeter of one section. A protruding ridge is molded into the sealing perimeter of a second section that is to be joined to the first casing section is adapted for compressing the seal into the groove providing for an air-tight seal for the two joined sections. The casing sections are contoured to provide air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving and encasing tool components. Opposing joining perimeters of the air-tightly sealable compartments are adapted with the grooves and protruding ridges, respectively. The tool casing houses a tool, such as a pneumatic tool, such as a central or self-generating vacuum pneumatic tool, or a non-vacuum tool. The tool casing is molded to have a firm inner layer coated by an outer pliant overmolded layer.

Abstract: Tools providing automatic, smooth shifting between random orbital and rotary motion by simply increasing or decreasing force applied are taught. Exemplar is a finishing tool switchable between grinding rotary action and random orbital sanding action without powering down and without any mechanical manipulation, made possible by having a clutch mechanism affixed directly to the spindle assembly, which also eliminates the need to dissemble the tool in order to change a backup pad, saving time and money. Direct relationship between the clutch and spindle eliminates need for a specialty pad allowing for use of a variety of backup pads, reducing the cost of replacement backup pads and increasing the functionality of the dual-function tool. An additional feature is that the drive head surface is circular and large enough to encompass the device's circular clutch plate, which means that the available friction surface area of the clutch plate is efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge tube end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. An orbital sander wherein the pad is supported from the sander housing by columnar units located on opposite sides of the motor. A bore in the motor shaft conducts compressed air through the chamber housing the bearings which support the spindle which mounts the pad.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge tube end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. An orbital sander wherein the pad is supported from the sander housing by columnar units located on opposite sides of the motor. A bore in the motor shaft conducts compressed air through the chamber housing the bearings which support the spindle which mounts the pad.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge tube end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. An orbital sander wherein the pad is supported from the sander housing by columnar units located on opposite sides of the motor. A bore in the motor shaft conducts compressed air through the chamber housing the bearings which support the spindle which mounts the pad.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge tube end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. An orbital sander wherein the pad is supported from the sander housing by columnar units located on opposite sides of the motor. A bore in the motor shaft conducts compressed air through the chamber housing the bearings which support the spindle which mounts the pad.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. The sander has a height of between 83 and 86 millimeters and can weight between 0.8 and 0.75 kilograms. The outer end of the dust discharge tube can extend between about 120 and 157 millimeters from the vertical centerline. A compressed air valve including a first cylindrical wall, a first bore in the first wall, a valve having a base with a second cylindrical wall in engagement with the first cylindrical wall, a second bore in the cylindrical wall, and an inclined surface in the second wall in communication with the second bore.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge tube end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. The sander has a height of between 83 and 86 millimeters and can weigh between 0.68 and 0.75 kilograms. The outer end of the dust discharge tube can extend between about 120 and 157 millimeters from the vertical centerline. A compressed air valve including a first cylindrical wall, a first bore in the first wall, a valve having a base with a second cylindrical wall in engagement with the first cylindrical wall, a second bore in the cylindrical wall, and an inclined surface in the second wall in communication with the second bore.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. The sander has a height of between 83 and 86 millimeters and can weight between 0.8 and 0.75 kilograms. The outer end of the dust discharge tube can extend between about 120 and 157 millimeters from the vertical centerline. A compressed air valve including a first cylindrical wall, a first bore in the first wall, a valve having a base with a second cylindrical wall in engagement with the first cylindrical wall, a second bore in the cylindrical wall, and an inclined surface in the second wall in communication with the second bore.

Abstract: A random orbital sander including a housing, a motor having a vertical axis in the housing, a pad coupled to the motor, a face on the pad extending substantially perpendiculary to the vertical axis, a shroud surrounding the pad, an opening in the shroud, and a dust discharge tube having an inner end in communication with the opening and an outer end on the dust discharge tube end extending at an acute angle to the face of the pad. The sander has a height of between 83 and 86 millimeters and can weigh between 0.68 and 0.75 kilograms. The outer end of the dust discharge tube can extend between about 120 and 157 millimeters from the vertical centerline. A compressed air valve including a first cylindrical wall, a first bore in the first wall, a valve having a base with a second cylindrical wall in engagement with the first cylindrical wall, a second bore in the cylindrical wall, and an inclined surface in the second wall in communication with the second bore.

Abstract: A valve for controlling flow of air comprising in combination a valve housing having a chamber, inlet and outlet air flow paths communicating with the chamber adjacent oppositely facing sides thereof, and a valve seat arranged in one of the flow paths; a valve sleeve supported for rotation within the chamber and having a through opening provided with opposite ends arranged for placing the inlet and outlet air flow paths in flow communication; and a valve member having sealing and operating ends, the sealing end being arranged within one of the flow paths for removable engagement with the valve seat for selectively blocking and unblocking the flow of air through one of the flow paths, the operating end extending into the chamber from one of the flow paths and through one of the opposite ends for receipt within the through opening of the valve sleeve.

Abstract: There is disclosed in connection with a random orbital sander the utilization of improved arrangements for resiliently supporting an air motor, controlling the flow of pressurized air to the motor, and utilizing air exhausted from the motor to withdraw dust from a shroud arranged to collect dust generated incident to operation of the sander. Also disclosed is an alternative dust collecting arrangement, wherein the shroud is connected by a sander mounted duct to a source of vacuum.

Abstract: There is disclosed in connection with a random orbital sander the utilization of improved arrangements for resiliently supporting an air motor, controlling the flow of pressurized air to the motor, and utilizing air exhausted from the motor to withdraw dust from a shroud arranged to collect dust generated incident to operation of the sander. Also disclosed is an alternative dust collecting arrangement, wherein the shroud is connected by a sander mounted duct to a source of vacuum.