Abstract: A power tool is provided including a motor housing; a transmission housing disposed adjacent the motor housing with a gap therebetween; an electric motor including a rotor and a stator mounted within the motor housing; and an intermediate housing disposed between the electric motor and the transmission mechanism. The intermediate housing includes a back wall extending radially adjacent an axial end of the stator and having a through-hole therein through which the motor spindle extends; side walls extending axially from an outer circumference of the back wall internally of the motor housing; and one or more external walls extending substantially-radially outwardly from axial end of the one or more side walls to fill a gap formed between the transmission housing and the motor housing in the axial direction.

Abstract: A range of power tools each includes motor and transmission housings with an electric motor and a transmission mechanism mounted respectively therein, with the transmission mechanism using the rotary output of the motor to drive a cutting tool. An intermediate housing is sandwiched between the motor and transmission housings. Each of the motor housings is the same in shape, and the length of the electric motors in each of the power tool is different to the length of the electric motors in the other power tools in the range. The transmission housing is positioned differently relative to the motor housing in each power tool to accommodate the difference in length in the electric motor in that power tool, the shape of the intermediate housing in each power tool varying relative to the other intermediate housings to accommodate the difference positions of the transmission housings relative to the motor housings.

Abstract: A power tool is provided including a motor housing; a transmission housing disposed adjacent the motor housing with a gap therebetween; an electric motor including a rotor and a stator mounted within the motor housing; and an intermediate housing disposed between the electric motor and the transmission mechanism. The intermediate housing includes a back wall extending radially adjacent an axial end of the stator and having a through-hole therein through which the motor spindle extends; side walls extending axially from an outer circumference of the back wall internally of the motor housing; and one or more external walls extending substantially-radially outwardly from axial end of the one or more side walls to fill a gap formed between the transmission housing and the motor housing in the axial direction.

Abstract: A knob assembly for a power tool comprising: a knob having a slot and knob recess, the slot and knob recess intersecting each other at an intersection within the knob; a latch slideably mounted within the slot; a peg located within the knob recess; wherein the peg and latch engage with each other via the intersection in order for the peg to retain the latch within the slot and for the latch to retain peg within the knob recess.

Abstract: A range of power tools each includes motor and transmission housings with an electric motor and a transmission mechanism mounted respectively therein, with the transmission mechanism using the rotary output of the motor to drive a cutting tool. An intermediate housing is sandwiched between the motor and transmission housings. Each of the motor housings is the same in shape, and the length of the electric motors in each of the power tool is different to the length of the electric motors in the other power tools in the range. The transmission housing is positioned differently relative to the motor housing in each power tool to accommodate the difference in length in the electric motor in that power tool, the shape of the intermediate housing in each power tool varying relative to the other intermediate housings to accommodate the difference positions of the transmission housings relative to the motor housings.

Abstract: A knob assembly for a power tool comprising: a knob having a slot and knob recess, the slot and knob recess intersecting each other at an intersection within the knob; a latch slideably mounted within the slot; a peg located within the knob recess; wherein the peg and latch engage with each other via the intersection in order for the peg to retain the latch within the slot and for the latch to retain peg within the knob recess.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a power tool including a switch member and a fixing part. The switch member including a finger grip part, a retaining part for retaining the switch member on a power tool, and an opening extending at least partially through the switch member, the retaining part arranged to project laterally with respect to an axis of the opening. The fixing part is arranged to be located in the opening. The switch assembly is arranged such that when the fixing part is at a first location in the opening, the retaining part adopts a retention configuration in which it projects laterally to a predetermined extent. When the fixing part is removed or at a second location in the opening, the retaining part adopts an insertion configuration in which it does not project laterally or projects less than the predetermined extent.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a power tool comprises a switch member and a fixing part. The switch member comprises a finger grip part, a retaining part for retaining the switch member on a power tool, and an opening extending at least partially through the switch member, the retaining part arranged to project laterally with respect to an axis of the opening. The fixing part is arranged to be located in the opening. The switch assembly is arranged such that when the fixing part is at a first location in the opening, the retaining part adopts a retention configuration in which it projects laterally to a predetermined extent. When the fixing part is removed or at a second location in the opening, the retaining part adopts an insertion configuration in which it does not project laterally or projects less than the predetermined extent.

Abstract: A reciprocating drive mechanism for a striker in a hammer, a rotary hammer, or a power drill having a hammer action, includes a sinusoidal cam channel formed on a drive member and a cam follower, in the form of a ball bearing, attached to a driven member which, due to the interaction of the cam and cam follower, results in a reciprocating movement of the driven member. Both the drive member and driven member can be rotatingly driven by a motor, their relative speeds resulting in the reciprocating movement of the driven member. The driven member is connected to the striker either via a mechanical helical spring or an air spring.

Abstract: A tool holder for a power tool, in particular a drilling and/or hammering tool comprising a manually actuable sleeve (40) wherein components of the tool holder are held within the sleeve by a snap ring (100) which snap ring is fitted within the sleeve. The snap ring has at least one resilient arm (102) and the sleeve has a corresponding number of through holes (105) which extend to a radially outwardly facing surface of the sleeve, arranged such that the or each arm is engageable with a corresponding through hole in a snap fit. Each arm and through hole cooperate so that the portion (104) of the or each arm which can be viewed from the radially outwardly facing surface of the sleeve appears in the shape of a symbol. Thus, the snap ring (100) has the dual function of maintaining components, such as a locking ring (42) within the sleeve (40) and of providing an external indication to a user of how to actuate the sleeve.

Abstract: This patent relates to a method of assembling a spindle assembly comprising: a tubular spindle (2); a beat piece structure which is capable of being located and slid within a part (6) of the spindle (2); a stop mechanism (20) located within the spindle (2) which prevents the beat piece structure from sliding past it when the beat piece structure is located in and sliding within the spindle (2); and a retention mechanism capable of being located within the spindle (2) and which prevents the beat piece structure from sliding past it when the beat piece structure is located in and sliding within the spindle (2); wherein the method comprises the steps of: i) inserting the beat piece structure into the spindle through one end of the spindle and sliding it along the spindle (2) in one direction until it abuts the stop mechanism (20); ii) inserting the retention mechanism into the spindle through the same end of the spindle (2) until it locates at a predetermined position; iii) sliding the beat piece structure

Abstract: The patent covers a reciprocating drive mechanism for a striker in a hammer, a rotary hammer, or a power drill having a hammer action, which utilise a sinusoidal cam channel formed on a drive member and a cam follower, in the form of a ball bearing, attached to a driven member which, due to the interaction of the cam and cam follower, results in a reciprocating movement of the driven member. Both the drive member and driven member can be rotatingly driven by a motor, their relative speeds resulting in the reciprocating movement of the driven member. The driven member is connected to the striker either via a mechanical helical spring or an air spring.

Abstract: An electrically powered tool having a dust collection unit powered by a motor, which unit can be releasably fitted to the tool includes a plug arrangement and a cooperating socket arrangement, one of which is formed on the tool and the other of which is formed on the unit. A first mechanical fixing arrangement is provided comprising a first projection and a first cooperating recess, one of which is formed on the tool and the other of which is formed on the unit. A second mechanical fixing arrangement is provided and comprises a manually actuable releasable latch arrangement and a second cooperating recess, one of which is formed on the tool and the other of which is formed on the unit. The first and second mechanical fixing arrangements cooperate to secure the dust collection unit to the tool in such a way that the plug and socket arrangements form an electrical connection.

Abstract: A tool holder for a power tool, in particular a drilling and/or hammering tool comprising a manually actuable sleeve (40) wherein components of the tool holder are held within the sleeve by a snap ring (100) which snap ring is fitted within the sleeve. The snap ring has at least one resilient arm (102) and the sleeve has a corresponding number of through holes (105) which extend to a radially outwardly facing surface of the sleeve, arranged such that the or each arm is engageable with a corresponding through hole in a snap fit. Each arm and through hole cooperate so that the portion (104) of the or each arm which can be viewed from the radially outwardly facing surface of the sleeve appears in the shape of a symbol. Thus, the snap ring (100) has the dual function of maintaining components, such as a locking ring (42) within the sleeve (40) and of providing an external indication to a user of how to actuate the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrically powered hammer comprising a hollow spindle within which spindle is reciprocatingly mounted a piston, a ram, a beatpiece having an increased external diameter mid-portion and located within the spindle between the ram and the tool or bit, a two part sleeve arrangement located within the spindle and including an increased internal diameter mid-portion for receiving the increased external diameter portion of the beatpiece and a reduced internal diameter forward and rearward portion for guiding the forward and rearward ends respectively of the beatpiece and where the sleeve arrangement includes a forward sleeve and a rearward sleeve which are both guided with tight radial tolerances and with a slight axial play within and by the spindle and the forward axial movement of the forward sleeve is limited by a reduced diameter portion of the spindle and the forward axial movement of the rearward sleeve is limited by the forward sleeve.

Abstract: A drilling and/or hammering tool which includes a hollow spindle (1) and a tool holder (10) that can be attached to an end (18) of the spindle and removed therefrom. The toll holder comprises a tool holder body (14) which can be fitted within the end of the spindle and releaseably locked therein by means of at least one locking element (32) and a locking ring (42) for releasably holding the or each locking element in a locked position in which the locking element(s) lock(s) the tool holder to the spindle. The tool holder (10) comprises a manually actuable sleeve (40) for rotating the locking ring (42) in a first direction and for rotating the tool holder body (14) in a second opposite direction, and resilient means (62) for urging the tool holder body to follow the movement of the locking ring in the first direction and the locking ring to follow the movement of the tool holder body in the second direction.

Abstract: A dust extraction shroud for a drill, which surrounds a drill bit and which lies adjacent the work surface, comprises a body portion defining a first inlet adapted to engage the work surface and to surround the location at which said bit penetrates the surface. The shroud body further defines a first outlet connected to a source of suction and a third inlet for allowing the bit to pass through said body portion. A first sealing means is arranged in said third inlet for surrounding said bit and resisting the flow of air. Wherein said body portion includes at least one protruding portion defining a second inlet between said protruding portion and an adjacent part of said body, and on a side of said protruding portion remote from the first inlet. The second inlet admits air to enter said body portion and travel to the first outlet.

Abstract: An electrically powered hand held drilling and/or hammering tool having a dust collection unit powered by a motor (51) housed in the unit, which unit can be releasably fitted to the tool. A plug arrangement (12) and a cooperating socket arrangement (28), one of which is formed on the tool and the other of which is formed on the unit, are provided for electrically connecting the power supply for the tool to the motor (51) of the unit. A first mechanical fixing arrangement is provided comprising a first projection (8) and a first cooperating recess (54), one of which is formed on the tool and the other of which is formed on the unit, located adjacent the respective part of the plug and socket arrangements and a second mechanical fixing arrangement is provided, located remotely from the first and comprising a manually actuable releasable latch arrangement (72,66) and a second cooperating recess (60), one of which is formed on the tool and the other of which is formed on the unit.

Abstract: This patent relates to a method of assembling a spindle assembly comprising: a tubular spindle (2); a beat piece structure which is capable of being located and slid within a part (6) of the spindle (2); a stop mechanism (20) located within the spindle (2) which prevents the beat piece structure from sliding past it when the beat piece structure is located in and sliding within the spindle (2); and a retention mechanism capable of being located within the spindle (2) and which prevents the beat piece structure from sliding past it when the beat piece structure is located in and sliding within the spindle (2);

Abstract: An electrically powered hammer comprising a hollow spindle within which spindle is reciprocatingly mounted a piston, a ram, a beatpiece having an increased external diameter mid-portion and located within the spindle between the ram and the tool or bit, a two part sleeve arrangement located within the spindle and including an increased internal diameter mid-portion for receiving the increased external diameter portion of the beatpiece and a reduced internal diameter forward and rearward portion for guiding the forward and rearward ends respectively of the beatpiece and where the sleeve arrangement includes a forward sleeve and a rearward sleeve which are both guided with tight radial tolerances and with a slight axial play within and by the spindle and the forward axial movement of the forward sleeve is limited by a reduced diameter portion of the spindle and the forward axial movement of the rearward sleeve is limited by the forward sleeve.