Abstract: A sander can include a housing, an indicator disposed on the housing, and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member. A platen can be driven by the output member. A sensor assembly can be configured to sense a condition in which a pressing force in excess of a predetermined force is applied to the sander in a direction normal to the platen and generate a sensor signal in response thereto. A controller can receive the sensor signal from the sensor assembly and control operation of the indicator in response thereto. The sensor assembly can include a force sensing resistor. The force sensing resistor can be disposed adjacent to a gripping portion of the power sanding tool. The indicator can include at least one light source. The controller can illuminate the light source according to a schedule.

Abstract: A sander can include a housing, an indicator coupled to the housing, and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member. A platen can be driven by the output member. A DC generator can be driven by the output member. The DC generator can generate an output signal with a voltage that is related to a rotational speed of the motor. A controller can operate the visual indicator based on the voltage of the output signal. According to additional features, the DC generator can provide electrical power to operate the indicator. An electric power input can be electrically coupled to the motor. The visual indicator can be electrically isolated from the electric power input.

Abstract: A sander can include a housing, an indicator disposed on the housing, and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member. A platen can be driven by the output member. A sensor assembly can be configured to sense a condition in which a pressing force in excess of a predetermined force is applied to the sander in a direction normal to the platen and generate a sensor signal in response thereto. A controller can receive the sensor signal from the sensor assembly and control operation of the indicator in response thereto. The sensor assembly can include a force sensing resistor. The force sensing resistor can be disposed adjacent to a gripping portion of the power sanding tool. The indicator can include at least one light source. The controller can illuminate the light source according to a schedule.

Abstract: A sander can include a housing, an indicator coupled to the housing, and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member. A platen can be driven by the output member. A DC generator can be driven by the output member. The DC generator can generate an output signal with a voltage that is related to a rotational speed of the motor. A controller can operate the visual indicator based on the voltage of the output signal. According to additional features, the DC generator can provide electrical power to operate the indicator. An electric power input can be electrically coupled to the motor. The visual indicator can be electrically isolated from the electric power input.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a moveable catch. An automatic tape measure has a housing and a tape assembly. The tape assembly is supported in the housing and contains a tape switch, a reel, a drive, the movable catch, and a tape adapted to extend and retract from the front wall of the housing. The movable catch is coupled to a distal end of the tape. The movable catch includes a body, a spring, and a tongue. The tongue is pivotably coupled with the body via an axle. Thus, when the tape is extended, the tongue can pivot about the axle when it encounters an object in its path. The spring is positioned around the axle and causes the catch to return to its original, generally perpendicular position once the tongue passes the object.