Abstract: A pistol and/or clam shell style power tool housing. With respect to the pistol style housing, the tool housing includes a body defining a head portion with a handle portion depending therefrom to define a forward and/or a rear junction. A metal reinforcing member is configured to span along an inside surface of the body from the head portion to the handle portion such that the reinforcing member bridges either the forward or rear junction. In at least one embodiment, the reinforcing member is provided along each lateral side of the tool body. With respect to the clam shell style housing, with two opposed body halves interconnected to define the tool housing body, at least one continuous reinforcing ring is positioned about both halves of the tool housing body to prevent splitting between the two halves.

Abstract: A battery pack attachment arrangement comprising a tool having a housing defining a hollow area and an opening into the hollow area. A first support track is defined within the housing hollow area. The first support track has a ramped surface extending between a first portion adjacent a first axial keyway and having a thickness t1 and a second portion spaced from the axial keyway and having a thickness t2 which is thicker than the thickness t1. A battery pack includes a main body and a stem portion extending from the main body. A first key extends radially from the battery pack stem portion. The first key is configured to be received axially through the first keyway and thereafter rotated along the first support track from the first portion to the second portion such that the first key supports the battery pack relative to the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for precision fastening of a fastener. The fastening system includes a motor and a sensor that provides a feedback signal from the motor to a controller. The controller compares the feedback signal to a threshold value to determine if an error condition exists. If the error condition exists, the controller oscillates a rotor to the motor between a first and a second position. In one construction, a resolver provides a signal to the controller representing a position of the oscillating rotor. The oscillating rotor vibrates the housing, thereby alerting an operator of the error condition. In one construction, the fastener device can alert the operator that the fastener is not tightened to a proper torque, and that the fastener is not rotated through a proper angle of rotation.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly comprising a main board, a connector board, and connector pins. The main board has a first face and a second face and terminating in an edge having a mounting area, the mounting area comprising at least one mounting pad on at least one of the first and the second faces. The connector board having a first face and a second face and comprising at least one through hole between the first and second faces. At least one connector pin is disposed in the at least one through hole and having a portion extending beyond each of the first and second faces of the connector board, wherein the edge of the main board and the second face of the connector board are abutted and the portion of the connector pin extending beyond the second face of the connector board is attached to the at least one mounting pad.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly comprising a main board, a connector board, and connector pins. The main board has a first face and a second face and terminating in an edge having a mounting area, the mounting area comprising at least one mounting pad on at least one of the first and the second faces. The connector board having a first face and a second face and comprising at least one through hole between the first and second faces. At least one connector pin is disposed in the at least one through hole and having a portion extending beyond each of the first and second faces of the connector board, wherein the edge of the main board and the second face of the connector board are abutted and the portion of the connector pin extending beyond the second face of the connector board is attached to the at least one mounting pad.

Abstract: A rotary tool, such as an impact wrench, includes a housing having a forward end and supporting a motor. The motor has a motor shaft extending axially through the housing and defining an axis. The rotary tool further includes a frame coupled to the motor shaft and rotatable relative to the housing about the axis in response to rotation of the motor shaft. The frame defines an interior space. The rotary tool also includes a piston supported by the frame and moveable axially in the interior space and an output shaft supported in the forward end of the housing and rotatable about the axis. The output shaft has a plurality of cams. The piston is engageable with the plurality of cams to intermittently hammer the output shaft.

Abstract: A rotary tool, such as an impact wrench, includes a housing having a forward end and supporting a motor. The motor has a motor shaft extending axially through the housing and defining an axis. The rotary tool further includes a frame coupled to the motor shaft and rotatable relative to the housing about the axis in response to rotation of the motor shaft. The frame defines an interior space. The rotary tool also includes a piston supported by the frame and moveable axially in the interior space and an output shaft supported in the forward end of the housing and rotatable about the axis. The output shaft has a plurality of cams. The piston is engageable with the plurality of cams to intermittently hammer the output shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for precision fastening of a fastener. The fastening system includes a motor and a sensor that provides a feedback signal from the motor to a controller. The controller compares the feedback signal to a threshold value to determine if an error condition exists. If the error condition exists, the controller oscillates a rotor to the motor between a first and a second position. In one construction, a resolver provides a signal to the controller representing a position of the oscillating rotor. The oscillating rotor vibrates the housing, thereby alerting an operator of the error condition. In one construction, the fastener device can alert the operator that the fastener is not tightened to a proper torque, and that the fastener is not rotated through a proper angle of rotation.

Abstract: A drive system having a housing and including a frame supported in the housing and defining an axis. The frame is rotatable about the axis and defines an interior space. A piston supported by the frame is moveable axially in the interior space and is rotatable about the axis. The piston divides the interior space and defines first and second chambers and a plurality of channels communicating between the first and second chambers. An inertial valve is coupled to the piston and is moveable between a first orientation, in which a valve stop is spaced a distance from at least one of the plurality of channels to permit lubricant flow along the at least one of the plurality of channels, and a second orientation, in which the valve stop engages the at least one of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: An electronic pendant controller and an overhead lifting system incorporating the same having a housing with at least one electrical control for controlling an input signal, an output signal, and combinations thereof between the pendant controller and a control device for the overhead lifting system. A first electronic interface is provided for conducting a signal between the pendant controller and an end effector attached to the pendant controller. Also provided is an electronic pendant controller and an overhead lifting system incorporating the same, having a housing with at least one electrical control for controlling a signal between the pendant controller and a control device for the overhead lifting system. At least one electrical controls is an analog, bi-directional proportional controller for changing direction and varying speed of the lifting system.

Abstract: A self-shifting transmission apparatus having a rotational drive and a rotational output spindle. A first transmission gear and an overrunning clutch are rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. A centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. The centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected to a shaft which rotates in the overrunning clutch such that upon the drive rotating at and above a predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch engages to rotate the output spindle while rotating the shaft to overrun within the overrunning clutch. Upon the drive rotating below the predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch disengages thereby permitting the overrunning clutch to engage the shaft and rotate the output spindle through the first transmission gear.

Abstract: A particle separator and a pneumatic tool incorporating the same for separating particles from a fluid passed therethrough. The particle separator includes an inlet passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end and an inlet which is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the inlet passageway. A separation passageway is connected to the downstream end of the inlet passageway and connected via a substantially "U"-shaped passageway to a chamber. The inlet passageway, separation passageway, and substantially "U"-shaped passageway are connected in fluid communication to provide a flow path to the chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber of the particle includes a removable plug. In another embodiment, the chamber is vented to provide a bleed-path from the separator passageway to and out of the chamber. Preferably, the bleed-path comprises a labyrinth seal which in a preferred embodiment includes a plug having threads disposed within the chamber.

Abstract: Provided are a clutch ring and an overrunning clutch designed for use with engine starters and the like incorporating a plurality of teeth having ramped surfaces with a helical geometry. Also provided are a clutch ring and an overrunning clutch having teeth with profiles that are crowned.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a self-shifting transmission apparatus having a rotational drive and a rotational output spindle with a ratchet driven by the output spindle. A first transmission gear and an overrunning clutch are rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. A centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. The centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected to a shaft which rotates in the overrunning clutch such that upon the drive rotating at and above a predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch engages to rotate the output spindle while rotating the shaft to overrun within the overrunning clutch. Upon the drive rotating below the predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch disengages thereby permitting the overrunning clutch to engage the shaft and rotate the output spindle through the first transmission gear.

Abstract: A vacuum impregnated porous cylinder is utilized in a vane type air motor to provide a continuous source of lubrication for the vane tips rotating within the cylinder thereby eliminating the need for lubricant dispersion in the air supply.

Abstract: A cylindrical adapter is fitted to the end of a standard vacuum hose having a sliding collar disposed thereon to selectively engage the adapter with a disposable vacuum bag in crimping engagement between the adapter on the collar so as to secure the disposable bag on the adapter and thereafter permit a durable vacuum slidingly engaged on the vacuum hose to be deployed about the disposable bag.

Abstract: A venturi nozzle for high entrainment vacuum use for random orbital sander dust collection having a nozzle design which improves the nozzle jet to promote a uniform velocity profile across the diameter of the jet nozzle as well as a thin shear layer by providing a shallow angle nozzle approach, a smooth transition flow into the nozzle throat and an accurate nozzle departure radius.