Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise an electric motor comprising a rotor configured to rotate about an axis, a stator assembly including at least three windings arranged around the rotor, and at least three lugs affixed to the stator assembly, where each of the lugs is electrically coupled to one or more of the windings. The lugs may all be arranged to one side of a plane that passes through the axis. The power tool may further comprise at least three electrical wires, where each of the electrical wires is removably coupled to one of the lugs, and a control circuit configured to supply electrical power to the windings, via the electrical wires and the lugs, to drive rotation of the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool may comprise an output shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the output shaft including a socket mount having a tip and a solid root, and a socket retainer including (i) a retaining pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move perpendicularly to the axis between a releasing position in which the retaining pin is located entirely within a first space formed in the tip and a retaining position in which the retaining pin extends outwardly through a first aperture formed in the tip and opening to the first space and (ii) a release pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move along the axis to cause the retaining pin to move between the releasing position and the retaining position.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The gear set assembly is located in an interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear that surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. A set of piloting features is provided that is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing, or the front housing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing assembly, an output spindle, and a motor endbell. The housing assembly supports an electric motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the electric motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing assembly, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The motor endbell is located on the housing assembly adjacent the electric motor and opposite the output spindle. An illustrative controller is operable to determine phases of a fastening operation in which the hand-held power tool is operating. The phases of the fastening operation of the hand-held power tool include two phases including: (1) a continuous run phase and (2) an impacting phase.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a motive source, a user interface, and one or more sensors. The motive source includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to support electrical components of the motive source. The user interface is movable between a plurality of mode positions to select one of a plurality of operational modes of the motive source. And one or more sensors are mounted on the PCB and are configured to detect the plurality of mode positions of the user interface.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided that includes a housing assembly to support a motor. An output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing assembly such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the motor. A user interface is located at the housing assembly opposite the output spindle. The user interface is configured to select one of a plurality of modes of operation of the hand-held power tool to regulate power supplied to the motor.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that, in one version, includes a front housing that supports an output drive, and a back cap located opposite the front housing. The back cap receives at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners. A motor housing supports a motor and is located between the front housing and the back cap. The motor includes a rotor that is configured to rotate about a motor axis to drive rotation of the output drive. The fastener is disposed through the back cap, and secures to the front housing coupling the front housing, the motor housing, and the back cap together.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of ratchet tools are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ratchet tool may comprise a handle extending along a handle axis and housing a motor, a head coupled to the handle at a first end of the handle, the head supporting an ouput shaft configured to be driven by the motor to rotate about an output axis, the output axis being substantially perpendicular to the handle axis, a ratchet mechanism coupled between the handle and the output shaft, the ratchet mechanism configured to restrict rotation of the output shaft in a first direction and to allow rotation of the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a direction control configured to switch the first direction associated with the ratchet mechanism between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, the direction control being coupled to the handle and spaced apart from the head along the handle axis.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiment of latches for storage cases are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a latch may comprise a first component coupled to a first tab extending from a case, where the first component includes a plurality of first engagement sections and each of the plurality of first engagement sections has a first aperture formed therein, a second component including a plurality of second engagement sections, where each of the plurality of second engagement sections has a second aperture formed therein and each of the plurality of first engagement sections is engaged with one of the plurality of second engagement sections such that the first and second apertures are aligned along a common axis, and a hinge pin positioned through the first and second apertures, such that the second component is pivotable about the common axis.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise an electric motor comprising a rotor configured to rotate about an axis, a stator assembly including at least three windings arranged around the rotor, and at least three lugs affixed to the stator assembly, where each of the lugs is electrically coupled to one or more of the windings. The lugs may all be arranged to one side of a plane that passes through the axis. The power tool may further comprise at least three electrical wires, where each of the electrical wires is removably coupled to one of the lugs, and a control circuit configured to supply electrical power to the windings, via the electrical wires and the lugs, to drive rotation of the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool may comprise an output shaft configured to rotate about an axis, the output shaft including a socket mount having a tip and a solid root, and a socket retainer including (i) a retaining pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move perpendicularly to the axis between a releasing position in which the retaining pin is located entirely within a first space formed in the tip and a retaining position in which the retaining pin extends outwardly through a first aperture formed in the tip and opening to the first space and (ii) a release pin coupled to the tip of the socket mount and configured to move along the axis to cause the retaining pin to move between the releasing position and the retaining position.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of ratchet tools are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a ratchet tool may comprise an output shaft, a motor, and a transmission coupled between the output shaft and the motor. The transmission may comprise a ratchet mechanism and a speed-sensitive clutch. The speed-sensitive clutch may be configured to (i) connect the output shaft to the motor when the motor provides rotation to the transmission above a predetermined speed so that the output shaft is driven by the motor and (ii) disconnect the output shaft from the motor when the motor does not provide rotation to the transmission above the predetermined speed so that the output shaft is free to be rotated manually without resistance from the motor.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiment of latches for storage cases are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a latch may comprise a first component coupled to a first tab extending from a case, where the first component includes a plurality of first engagement sections and each of the plurality of first engagement sections has a first aperture formed therein, a second component including a plurality of second engagement sections, where each of the plurality of second engagement sections has a second aperture formed therein and each of the plurality of first engagement sections is engaged with one of the plurality of second engagement sections such that the first and second apertures are aligned along a common axis, and a hinge pin positioned through the first and second apertures, such that the second component is pivotable about the common axis.