Abstract: A power tool includes a drive mechanism including an electric motor, a housing, and a spindle rotatable about a longitudinal axis in response to the drive mechanism. The power tool further includes a lockout mechanism including a plurality of detents asymmetrically positioned around the longitudinal axis, where each of the detents are movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The power tool also includes a collar rotatably coupled to the housing, the collar including a plurality of recesses asymmetrically positioned around the longitudinal axis, wherein in the unlocking position, each of the detents is received in one of the recesses and the spindle is axially movable within the housing, and wherein in the locking position, at least one of the detents is not received in one of the recesses and axial movement of the spindle is prevented by the lockout mechanism.

Abstract: A ratchet tool includes a handle housing having a grip and a longitudinal axis, a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output member, wherein the pawl is moveable between a first position to drive the output member in a first direction and a second position to drive the output member in a second direction. A switch disposed in the handle housing having an external actuation surface is slideable with respect to the handle housing in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. A linkage disposed between the switch and the ratchet assembly includes a first portion having a first end coupled to the switch and a second portion having a second end opposite the first end coupled to the ratchet assembly to move the pawl between first and second positions in response to movement of the external actuation surface, the first portion being offset from the second portion.

Abstract: A ratchet tool including a handle housing including a grip, the handle housing defining a longitudinal axis. The ratchet tool also includes a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft. The pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. A switch is disposed in an aperture in the generally tubular surface of the handle housing, the switch having an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand. The switch is slideable with respect to the handle housing in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. A linkage is disposed between the switch and the ratchet assembly configured to move the pawl between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque to the lifter. The fastener driver also includes an input to provide torque to the transmission and a clutch positioned downstream of the input and operably coupled to the output shaft to limit an amount of torque transferred to the output shaft and the lifter. In response to an application of a reaction torque to the output shaft above a predetermined threshold, torque from the input is diverted from the output shaft via the clutch.

Abstract: A rotary power tool comprises a drive mechanism including an electric motor and a transmission, a housing enclosing at least a portion of the drive mechanism, a spindle rotatable in response to receiving torque from the drive mechanism, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, a sleeve bushing supported by the housing, and a bearing rotatably supporting the spindle. The spindle has an outer race. And, the outer race of the bearing moves along the sleeve bushing during reciprocation of the spindle when the first ratchet and second ratchet are engaged.

Abstract: A power tool includes a drive mechanism including an electric motor, a housing, and a spindle rotatable about a longitudinal axis in response to the drive mechanism. The power tool further includes a lockout mechanism including a plurality of detents asymmetrically positioned around the longitudinal axis, where each of the detents are movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The power tool also includes a collar rotatably coupled to the housing, the collar including a plurality of recesses asymmetrically positioned around the longitudinal axis, wherein in the unlocking position, each of the detents is received in one of the recesses and the spindle is axially movable within the housing, and wherein in the locking position, at least one of the detents is not received in one of the recesses and axial movement of the spindle is prevented by the lockout mechanism.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter engageable with the driver blade to return the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation, and first and second planetary stages. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A hammer drill comprises a drive mechanism including a spindle, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, and a hammer lockout mechanism adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a clutch adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a detent radially movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a collar movable between a first rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the first mode and a second rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode. In the first mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is moveable relative to the housing. In the second mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is prevented from moving relative to the housing.

Abstract: An impact tool includes a housing having a handle portion defining a first axis, a motor supported by the housing, and a rotary impact mechanism arranged on the first axis and configured to receive torque from the motor, the rotary impact mechanism configured to convert a continuous rotational input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The rotary impact mechanism includes a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid, an anvil positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a hammer for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil, the hydraulic fluid configured to attenuate a noise of the rotary impact mechanism that is created by the hammer impacting the anvil. An output member for receiving torque from the rotary impact mechanism is arranged on a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: An impact tool includes a housing having a handle portion defining a first axis, a motor supported by the housing and defining a motor axis, and a rotary impact mechanism arranged on a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The rotary impact mechanism is configured to convert a continuous rotational input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The rotary impact mechanism includes a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid, an anvil positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a hammer for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil. The hydraulic fluid is configured to attenuate a noise of the rotary impact mechanism that is created by the hammer impacting the anvil. The impact tool further includes a gear train that receives torque from the motor and includes a rotational input that transfers torque to the rotary impact mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides, in another aspect, an impact tool comprising a housing, a motor having an output shaft defining a first axis, a drive shaft rotatably supported by the housing about a second axis oriented substantially normal to the first axis, a gear coupled for co-rotation with the drive shaft, an impact mechanism coupled between the motor and the drive shaft and operable to impart a striking rotational force to the drive shaft, the impact mechanism including, an anvil rotatably supported by the housing and coupled to the drive shaft, the anvil including a pinion engaged with the drive shaft gear, a hammer coupled to the motor to receive torque from the motor and impart the striking rotational force to the anvil, and a spring washer exerting a preload force on the pinion to maintain the pinion meshed with the drive shaft gear.

Abstract: A ratchet tool including a handle housing including a grip, the handle housing defining a longitudinal axis. The ratchet tool also includes a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft. The pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. A switch is disposed in an aperture in the generally tubular surface of the handle housing, the switch having an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand. The switch is slideable with respect to the handle housing in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. A linkage is disposed between the switch and the ratchet assembly configured to move the pawl between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter engageable with the driver blade to return the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation, and first and second planetary stages. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A ratchet tool has a handle housing and a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft. The pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. A switch in the handle housing has an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand. The ratchet tool also has a rotatable gear having at least one tooth, the rotatable gear operatively coupled to the pawl such that rotation of the rotatable gear effectuates movement of the pawl between the first and second positions. A linkage is operatively coupled to the rotatable gear to effectuate rotation of the rotatable gear by actuation of the switch.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston, a driver blade attached to the piston, the driver blade movable with the piston, a lifter including a rotary component operably coupled to the driver blade to move the driver blade from a driven position to a ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission. The transmission includes an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion in which the cylinder is received and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received to rotatably support the output shaft. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A hammer drill comprises a drive mechanism including a spindle, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, and a hammer lockout mechanism adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a clutch adjustable between a first state and a second state. The hammer drill further comprises a collar rotatably coupled to the housing and movable between a first rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the first mode and the clutch is in the first state, a second rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode and the clutch is in the first state, and a third rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode and the clutch is in the second state.

Abstract: A rotary power tool comprises a drive mechanism including an electric motor and a transmission, a housing enclosing at least a portion of the drive mechanism, a spindle rotatable in response to receiving torque from the drive mechanism, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, a sleeve bushing supported by the housing, and a bearing rotatably supporting the spindle. The spindle has an outer race. And, the outer race of the bearing moves along the sleeve bushing during reciprocation of the spindle when the first ratchet and second ratchet are engaged.

Abstract: A hammer drill comprises a drive mechanism including a spindle, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, and a hammer lockout mechanism adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a clutch adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a detent radially movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a collar movable between a first rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the first mode and a second rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode. In the first mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is moveable relative to the housing. In the second mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is prevented from moving relative to the housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes an electric motor having an output shaft, a transmission having a transmission housing, a spindle rotatable in response to receiving torque from the transmission and a pinion coupled to the output shaft. The pinion includes a bushing portion, a toothed portion for driving the transmission, and a cylindrical portion between the bushing portion and the toothed portion. The power tool further comprises a fan coupled to the bushing portion of the pinion and a bearing arranged between the cylindrical portion and the transmission housing for rotatably supporting the pinion and the output shaft.

Abstract: A rotary power tool comprises a drive mechanism including an electric motor and a transmission, a housing enclosing at least a portion of the drive mechanism, a spindle rotatable in response to receiving torque from the drive mechanism, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, a sleeve bushing on an interior of the housing, and a bearing arranged between the spindle and the sleeve bushing and rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing has an outer race. The spindle is movable relative to the housing in response to contact with a workpiece, causing the first and second ratchets to engage and the spindle to reciprocate while rotating. The outer race of the bearing moves along the sleeve bushing during reciprocation of the spindle when the first ratchet and second ratchet are engaged.