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 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 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 tool includes a housing, a drive assembly including an output shaft extending from the housing such that a tool element for performing work on a workpiece is attachable to the output shaft, and a bushing disposed within the housing. The bushing rotatably supports the output shaft. The bushing is impregnated with lubricant such that the bushing is self-lubricating, and the bushing has an impregnation ratio between about 5% and about 25%.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a front casing coupled to the motor housing portion. The power tool also includes an electric motor positioned within the motor housing portion, a drive assembly having an output shaft to which a tool element for performing work on a workpiece is attachable, and a powdered metal bushing disposed within the front casing that rotatably supports the output shaft.

Abstract: A chuck assembly includes a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws each received within a slot of the chuck body for co-rotation with the chuck body about the axis, a wedge engageable with an outer surface of each jaw, a pusher coupled to the plurality of jaws to bias the plurality of jaws in a forward direction into engagement with the wedge, and a tightening sleeve threadably coupled to the chuck body for relative rotation with the chuck body. The tightening sleeve includes a clamping surface engageable with the wedge for inwardly displacing the plurality of jaws in a radial direction, causing the plurality of jaws to secure a tool bit received within the chuck assembly, in response to rotation of the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body in a tightening direction.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a front casing coupled to the motor housing portion. The power tool also includes an electric motor positioned within the motor housing portion, a drive assembly having an output shaft to which a tool element for performing work on a workpiece is attachable, and a powdered metal bushing disposed within the front casing that rotatably supports the output shaft.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver including 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 operable to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, a transmission for providing torque to the lifter, a first clutch mechanism permitting a transfer of torque to an output shaft of the transmission in a single rotational direction, and a second clutch mechanism limiting an amount of torque transferred to the transmission output shaft and the lifter.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver including 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 operable to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, a transmission for providing torque to the lifter, a first clutch mechanism permitting a transfer of torque to an output shaft of the transmission in a single rotational direction, and a second clutch mechanism limiting an amount of torque transferred to the transmission output shaft and the lifter.

Abstract: A chuck assembly includes a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws each received within a slot of the chuck body for co-rotation with the chuck body about the axis, a wedge engageable with an outer surface of each jaw, a pusher coupled to the plurality of jaws to bias the plurality of jaws in a forward direction into engagement with the wedge, and a tightening sleeve threadably coupled to the chuck body for relative rotation with the chuck body. The tightening sleeve includes a clamping surface engageable with the wedge for inwardly displacing the plurality of jaws in a radial direction, causing the plurality of jaws to secure a tool bit received within the chuck assembly, in response to rotation of the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body in a tightening direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a power tool chuck assembly includes inserting a tool bit within a central bore of a chuck body, displacing a plurality of jaws with the tool bit from an extended position to a retracted position, displacing the jaws from the retracted position toward the extended position with a spring, rotating a tightening sleeve about a rotational axis in a tightening direction, thereby imparting an axial displacement to the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body, inwardly displacing a plurality of clamping nuts in a radial direction in response to engagement between a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve and the clamping nuts, causing respective threads on the clamping nuts and the jaws to engage, and applying a clamping force on the tool bit with the jaws in response to continued rotation of the tightening sleeve in the tightening direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a power tool chuck assembly includes inserting a tool bit within a central bore of a chuck body, displacing a plurality of jaws with the tool bit from an extended position to a retracted position, displacing the jaws from the retracted position toward the extended position with a spring, rotating a tightening sleeve about a rotational axis in a tightening direction, thereby imparting an axial displacement to the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body, inwardly displacing a plurality of clamping nuts in a radial direction in response to engagement between a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve and the clamping nuts, causing respective threads on the clamping nuts and the jaws to engage, and applying a clamping force on the tool bit with the jaws in response to continued rotation of the tightening sleeve in the tightening direction.

Abstract: A chuck assembly, for use with a rotary power tool, includes a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws supported by the chuck body for relative movement therewith between a retracted position for permitting insertion of a tool bit within the chuck body and an extended position for clamping the tool bit, a plurality of clamping nuts surrounding the chuck body and having interior threads engageable with corresponding threads on the respective jaws, a tightening sleeve surrounding and threadably engaged with the chuck body for relative rotation therewith, and a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve for selective engagement with the clamping nuts for inwardly displacing the clamping nuts, causing the respective threads on the clamping nuts and jaws to engage, in response to rotation of the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body in a tightening direction.

Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver including 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 operable to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, a transmission for providing torque to the lifter, a first clutch mechanism permitting a transfer of torque to an output shaft of the transmission in a single rotational direction, and a second clutch mechanism limiting an amount of torque transferred to the transmission output shaft and the lifter.

Abstract: A chuck assembly, for use with a rotary power tool, includes a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws supported by the chuck body for relative movement therewith between a retracted position for permitting insertion of a tool bit within the chuck body and an extended position for clamping the tool bit, a plurality of clamping nuts surrounding the chuck body and having interior threads engageable with corresponding threads on the respective jaws, a tightening sleeve surrounding and threadably engaged with the chuck body for relative rotation therewith, and a wedge defined on the tightening sleeve for selective engagement with the clamping nuts for inwardly displacing the clamping nuts, causing the respective threads on the clamping nuts and jaws to engage, in response to rotation of the tightening sleeve relative to the chuck body in a tightening direction.