Abstract: An electric powered rotary saw for cutting medical cast or the like includes a cylindrical housing, a removable longitudinally extending mounting member and a rotary circular saw blade disposed at one end of the mounting member. The saw blade is fixed to a shaft for rotation about an axis which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting member, but slightly offset therefrom. A variable speed electric motor is disposed in the housing and includes a shaft which extends forwardly in a direction parallel with a mounting portion of the longitudinal member. A frusto-conical driver member of an elastomeric material is fixed to the end of the shaft and engages the circular blade to displace a portion of the blade out of its normal plane of rotation by an angle of about 5 degrees and for rotating a circular blade.

Abstract: An electric powered rotary hacksaw includes a cylindrical housing, an integral longitudinally extending mounting member and a rotary circular hacksaw blade disposed at one end of the mounting member. The hacksaw blade is fixed to a shaft for rotation about an axis which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a mounting member. A variable speed electric motor is disposed in the housing and includes a shaft which extends forwardly in a direction parallel with the longitudinal member. A frustoconical driver member of an elastomeric material is fixed to the end of the shaft and engages the circular blade to displace a portion of the blade out of its normal plane of rotation by an angle of about 5 degrees and for rotating a circular blade.

Abstract: An electric powered rotary hacksaw includes a cylindrical housing, an integral longitudinally extending mounting member and a rotary circular hacksaw blade disposed at one end of the mounting member. The hacksaw blade is fixed to a shaft for rotation about an axis which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a mounting member. A variable speed electric motor is disposed in the housing and includes a shaft which extends forwardly in a direction parallel with the longitudinal member. A frustoconical driver member of an elastomeric material is fixed to the end of the shaft and engages the circular blade to displace a portion of the blade out of its normal plane of rotation by an angle of about 5 degrees and for rotating a circular blade.

Abstract: A pipe wrench is provided having a elongated housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and a pipe attachment structure connected to the housing. A rotatable shaft extends from within the housing, transverse to the axis of the housing, and is rotated by the motor. A pair of drive rollers are mounted on the shaft. The pipe wrench further includes a support structure on the housing, a curved retaining arm pivotally mounted on the support structure, and a plurality of free-spinning rollers mounted on the retaining arm. In use, a pipe is placed within the retaining arm in contact with the free-spinning rollers and the handle is moved to bring the drive rollers into contact with the pipe. The motor causes the shaft to rotate which then rotates the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe wrench is provided having a elongated housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and a pipe attachment structure connected to the housing. A rotatable shaft extends from within the housing, transverse to the axis of the housing, and is rotated by the motor. A pair of drive rollers are mounted on the shaft. The pipe wrench further includes a support structure on the housing, a curved retaining arm pivotally mounted on the support structure, and a plurality of free-spinning rollers mounted on the retaining arm. In use, a pipe is placed within the retaining arm in contact with the free-spinning rollers and the handle is moved to bring the drive rollers into contact with the pipe. The motor causes the shaft to rotate which then rotates the pipe.

Abstract: A standard size fastener, such as a nail or screw, is provided with a pointed PVC or similar type material on the fastener tip. The soft end will penetrate wood but not metal materials, such as copper pipe and electrical conduit, when nailing sheathing or sheet rock onto wood framing. The soft front end will squash on impact with metal leaving a rounded blunt shape that will turn or stop when contacting a pipe.

Abstract: A non-contacting sensing method and apparatus is disclosed for positioning a surface, such as the surface of a workpiece. A collimated light beam is projected through a lens having a known focal length onto the surface. Suitable means such as a television camera is positioned to receive light reflected from the surface and provide a series of video pulses, wherein the number of pulses produced per television frame scan corresponds to the size of the light image focused onto the photosensitive element within the camera. The position of the surface relative to the lens is varied until the number of pulses produced per scan is at a minimum.

Abstract: A non-contacting sensing system for measuring dimensions or determining the position of an object, such as a workpiece in an automated machining process. A small diameter light beam is projected and focused at a predetermined location. A television camera, positioned to view the location, receives light reflected from the location and generates a video signal. This signal is provided to a circuit which detects changes in signal magnitude indicative of a change in position of the object relative to the predetermined location.