Impact Tools With Ring Gear Alignment Features

A hand-held power tool comprising:

• a housing supporting a motive source;
• wherein the housing includes a front endbell;
• an output shaft protruding from an output end at the front endbell of the housing;
• wherein the output shaft is functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power;
• a front housing defining an interior space;
• wherein the output shaft is located in the interior space of the front housing;
• and
• a gear set assembly located in the interior space of the front housing;
• wherein the gear set assembly is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle;
• wherein the gear set assembly includes a ring gear characterized by an annular ring body having a plurality of teeth located on the interior periphery of the annular ring body and a surface located on an exterior periphery of the annular ring body opposite the interior periphery;
• wherein the ring gear surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing;
• and
• wherein the front housing and ring gear include one or more piloting features, each of the one or more piloting features being configured to mate the front housing with the ring gear.

A hand-held power tool comprising:

• a housing supporting a motive source;
• wherein the housing includes a front endbell;
• an output shaft protruding from an output end at the front endbell of the housing;
• wherein the output shaft is functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power;
• a front housing defining an interior space;
• wherein the output shaft is located in the interior space of the front housing;
• and
• a gear set assembly located in the interior space of the front housing;
• wherein the gear set assembly is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle;
• wherein the gear set assembly includes a ring gear characterized by an annular ring body having a plurality of teeth located on the interior periphery of the annular ring body and a surface located on an exterior periphery of the annular ring body opposite the interior periphery;
• wherein the ring gear surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing;
• and
• wherein the ring gear is insert molded into the front endbell of the housing such that ring gear is restrained against both axial and rotational movement relative to the front endbell.