Power tool two-stage trigger

A power tool comprising:

• an end effector configured to engage an object to be worked by the tool;
• a power unit;
• a drive assembly configured to drive the end effector responsive to application of input power thereto;
• and
• a motor configured to supply the input power to the drive assembly selectively based on operation of a power control assembly that controls coupling of the motor to the power unit,
• wherein the power control assembly includes a trigger having a full range of motion between a rest position and an actuated position, the power control assembly further defining a transition point between a first region and a second region of the full range of motion,
• wherein the power control assembly includes:
• a first biasing assembly that opposes movement of the trigger in the first region,
• a second biasing assembly that opposes movement of the trigger at least at the transition point, and
• an actuation assembly that translates movement of the trigger into corresponding functionality of the power tool,
• wherein the actuation assembly comprises a cylindrical post and a sliding cap disposed thereon,
• wherein a slot is cut into a curved side of the cylindrical post, and a window is cut into a curved side of the sliding cap such that the slot and the window are aligned to create a passageway from outside the sliding cap to inside the cylindrical post,
• wherein the second biasing assembly comprises a spring disposed inside and along an axis of the cylindrical post, a first ball urged toward the trigger by the spring, and a second ball in contact with the first ball, and
• wherein the second ball partially extends out of the window when the power control assembly is moving through the first region;
• wherein, when the power control assembly is moving through the second region, the window slides out of alignment with the slot to push the second ball and, via direct engagement between the second ball and the first ball, the first ball against the bias force of the spring.

A power control assembly for controlling power delivery in a power tool, the power control assembly comprising:

• a trigger moveable between a rest position and an actuated position, wherein the trigger moves through a transition point between a first region and a second region as the trigger moves from the rest position to the actuated position;
• a first biasing assembly that opposes movement of the trigger in the first region;
• a second biasing assembly that opposes movement of the trigger in the second region;
• and
• an actuation assembly that translates movement of the trigger into corresponding functionality of the power tool,
• wherein the second biasing assembly comprises a spring disposed inside and along an axis of a post, a first ball urged toward the trigger by the spring, and a second ball in contact with the first ball,
• wherein the second ball partially extends out of a slot in the post and a window in a sliding cap when the power control assembly is moving through the first region, and
• wherein, when the power control assembly is moving through the second region, the window in the sliding cap slides out of alignment with the slot in the post to cause an interior surface of the sliding cap to push the second ball and, via direct engagement between the second ball and the first ball, the first ball against the bias force of the spring.