Patent ID: 6864448

Claim:
A power hand tool having an output shaft and means for attaching a working tool for engaging a work portion for performing a work operation thereon, the hand tool comprising: a housing having a motor adapted to be driven by a power source, said motor driving the output shaft during operation; an electrical switch assembly in said housing operatively connected to control the ehergization of the motor; said switch assembly further comprising: an enclosure with an open top; a switch body with multiple switch contacts, said switch body being located in said enclosure and having connectors for connecting to electrical conductors that selectively extend to said motor and the power source; a slide switch mechanism for selectively engaging certain ones of said switch contacts for determining the operating characteristics of said motor; an actuating switch cover operatively connected to said slide switch mechanism, said actuating switch cover being slideable between at least two operating positions, said actuating switch cover being operatively accessible by a user; a compressible seal positioned between said actuating switch cover and said switch body, said compressible seal extending around substantially the entire circumference of a top of the switch body.