Abstract: A power tool includes a motor and a controller in a power tool housing. A battery pack interface is defined on and/or in the power tool housing. A receptacle is defined on and/or in the power tool housing to removably accommodate a wireless communication adapter such that the wireless communication adapter is disposed entirely within a shell of the power tool and no portion of the wireless communication adapter extends beyond an outer contour of the power tool housing. At least one communication terminal is disposed within the receptacle and is electrically connectable to the wireless communication adapter. The controller outputs to the at least one communication terminal a signal indicating a charge level of a battery pack attached to the battery pack interface, a number of hours of operation of the power tool, a power tool overheated alert, and/or a battery pack overloaded alert.

Abstract: A power tool includes a power tool housing accommodating a motor; a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor and being configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from a power tool interface of a battery pack; and a wireless communicator configured to be attached to or detached from the power tool housing. The wireless communicator wirelessly transmits data between the power tool and an external device using radio waves. In addition, the power tool housing includes a receptacle opening configured to accommodate the wireless communicator within the power tool housing such that no part of the wireless communicator projects or protrudes beyond an outer surface or contour of the power tool housing.

Abstract: A power tool includes a power tool housing accommodating a motor; a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor and being configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from a power tool interface of a battery pack; and a wireless communicator configured to be attached to or detached from the power tool housing. The wireless communicator wirelessly transmits data between the power tool and an external device using radio waves. In addition, the power tool housing includes a receptacle opening configured to accommodate the wireless communicator within the power tool housing such that no part of the wireless communicator projects or protrudes beyond an outer surface or contour of the power tool housing.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a hand-held power tool having a power tool housing accommodating a motor, and a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor within the power tool housing. A battery pack includes a battery pack housing accommodating at least one battery cell and a power tool interface electrically connected to the at least one battery cell within the battery pack housing. The power tool interface is configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the battery pack interface of the power tool. A wireless communicator is attached to or accommodated within the battery pack housing. The wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device using radio waves while the power tool interface of the battery pack is physically and electrically connected to the battery pack interface of the hand-held power tool.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a hand-held power tool having a power tool housing accommodating a motor, and a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor within the power tool housing. A battery pack includes a battery pack housing accommodating at least one battery cell and a power tool interface electrically connected to the at least one battery cell within the battery pack housing. The power tool interface is configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the battery pack interface of the power tool. A wireless communicator is attached to or accommodated within the battery pack housing. The wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device using radio waves while the power tool interface of the battery pack is physically and electrically connected to the battery pack interface of the hand-held power tool.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a hand-held power tool having a power tool housing accommodating a motor, and a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor within the power tool housing. A battery pack includes a battery pack housing accommodating at least one battery cell and a power tool interface electrically connected to the at least one battery cell within the battery pack housing. The power tool interface is configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the battery pack interface of the power tool. A communicator is attached to or accommodated within the battery pack housing. The communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a hand-held power tool having a power tool housing accommodating a motor, and a battery pack interface electrically connected to the motor within the power tool housing. A battery pack includes a battery pack housing accommodating at least one battery cell and a power tool interface electrically connected to the at least one battery cell within the battery pack housing. The power tool interface is configured to be physically and electrically connected to and disconnected from the battery pack interface of the power tool. A communicator is attached to or accommodated within the battery pack housing. The communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack (40; 40?) includes attaching a portable charger (120) to a user, which portable charger comprises or is attached to a self-contained power supply (130, 140) and wherein a first charging port (132, 146) of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt (144) worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool (10; 10?), and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port (85, 148) that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell (50) of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack (40; 40?) includes attaching a portable charger (120) to a user, which portable charger comprises or is attached to a self-contained power supply (130, 140) and wherein a first charging port (132, 146) of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt (144) worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool (10; 10?), and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port (85, 148) that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell (50) of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack includes attaching a portable charger to a user, which portable charger includes or is attached to a self-contained power supply and wherein a first charging port of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool, and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: An electric power tool of the present invention includes a motor used as a drive source housed in a dual-separated type housing and includes a bearing support member that covers the outer circumferential surface of a bearing of the motor and supports the bearing from outside in the radial direction, and is configured such that the bearing and one end of the bearing support member in the axial direction are inserted in a tool component disposed coaxially, and a protruding portion that is the other end of the bearing support member and axially protrudes from the tool component is supported by receiving portions of a pair of housing parts.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack includes attaching a portable charger to a user, which portable charger includes or is attached to a self-contained power supply and wherein a first charging port of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool, and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: In a terminal structure, at least one pair of left and right clamp pieces are formed in a terminal in which an electrode is slide-inserted. The left and right clamp pieces elastically press the electrode from both right and left sides when the electrode is inserted in the terminal. A contact piece is formed on at least one of left and right sides of the terminal, and is separated in the slide-insertion direction by a slit from a clamp piece-formed portion where the clamp piece is formed. The clamp piece is elastically deformed to contact the contact piece when the electrode is inserted in the terminal.

Abstract: In an electric power tool, a terminal base having a terminal plate attached thereto is provided in a battery holding portion formed in a housing, the terminal plate is slid and mounted on a battery pack, and a buffer material is interposed at least between the terminal base and the terminal plate. A through hole is formed in the terminal plate, and the terminal plate is attached to the terminal base with the through hole being filled with the buffer material.

Abstract: In a terminal structure, at least one pair of left and right clamp pieces are formed in a terminal in which an electrode is slide-inserted. The left and right clamp pieces elastically press the electrode from both right and left sides when the electrode is inserted in the terminal. A contact piece is formed on at least one of left and right sides of the terminal, and is separated in the slide-insertion direction by a slit from a clamp piece-formed portion where the clamp piece is formed. The clamp piece is elastically deformed to contact the contact piece when the electrode is inserted in the terminal.

Abstract: The fixing device includes: a fixing member that includes a conductive layer capable of heating by electromagnetic induction; a magnetic field generating member that generates an alternate-current magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer of the fixing member; plural magnetic path forming members that form a magnetic path of the alternate-current magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating member; a support member that supports the magnetic field generating member; an elastic support member that is arranged between the magnetic field generating member and the plural magnetic path forming members so as to be in contact with the plural magnetic path forming members; and a pressing member that presses the plural magnetic path forming members toward the magnetic field generating member.