Electrically-powered polisher

An orbital waxer having an electrical motor that is supplied with electrical power by a power cord having a plug on one end thereof, the waxer comprising:

• an upstanding housing for containing a motor and having a central vertical axis extending therethrough and including a lower portion and an upper portion with a substantially flat top;
• an arcuate handle extending away from the housing upper portion and having a distal end spaced from the housing that is at a level generally aligned with the lower portion of the housing;
• a plug receptacle on the lower portion of the housing and having an opening that faces toward the handle end for receiving a cord plug to be attached therein to electrically connect the waxer to an electrical power source for energizing the motor thereof;
• a pad and bonnet assembly that is driven by the motor below the lower portion of the housing in an orbital path for being engaged with a working surface;
• and
• a cord lock at the handle end for capturing a section of power cord therein to limit unintentional disconnections between the receptacle and plug attached therein and cooperating with the plug receptacle to maintain an attached and captured cord in a substantially fixed position relative to the arcuate handle with the location of the cord fixed position keeping the handle free for gripping along its entire extent above the end thereof during operation of the waxer and allowing the housing to be turned over and rested on the flat top thereof for changing bonnets on the pad and bonnet assembly without interference from an attached and captured power cord.

A power waxer having a pad driven by an electric motor, the power waxer comprising:

• a housing containing the motor and having an upper portion and a lower portion with the pad being mounted below the lower portion to be driven by the motor;
• a handle extending away from the upper portion of the housing generally in a vertical plane;
• a rotary switch actuator adjacent the junction of the housing upper portion and the handle and including a curved exterior portion for being rotated by a hand of an operator that is gripping the handle with the exterior portion being curved about a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the vertical plane;
• and
• a linear switch in the housing for linear sliding to a plurality of positions so that when the switch is slid from one position to another position, the motor correspondingly changes from generating one torque output to another torque output, the switch being connected to the rotary actuator so that rotation of the actuator curved portion about the axis causes linear sliding of the switch for changing torque outputs of the motor.

In a power tool having a housing for containing a motor that drives a working element and a handle extending away from the housing for being gripped to control the tool, a motor output control mechanism comprising:

• a linear switch mounted in the housing for being shifted in a linear direction to a plurality of predetermined positions for changing the torque output of the motor applied to the working element;
• a rotary actuator mounted adjacent the handle and rotatable about an axis for shifting the linear switch between the predetermined positions thereof;
• and
• a connection between the switch and actuator for shifting the switch in the linear direction as the actuator is rotated about the axis to change torque outputs of the motor.