Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising at least one cam having a cam surface, an arrangement for actuating the cam for a longitudinal firing movement of the cam surface, a cartridge having a plurality of staple drive members driven by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface, and a plurality of surgical staples respectively associated with the staple drive members for being fired by the longitudinal movement of the cam surface. In one embodiment of the present invention, the staple drive members include at least a pair of alternating first and second staple drive members, the first staple drive member including a laterally spaced pair of staple driving surfaces, the second staple drive member including a single staple driving surface. The first and second staple drive members are disposed such that the staple driving surfaces thereof are arranged in laterally spaced three rows.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to staple a hernia patch to tissue inside a body cavity. The endoscopic surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge pivotally mounted on the distal end of a support tube extending from a handle provided with an actuator mechanism for actuating a staple forming mechanism inside the staple cartridge to fasten staples to the tissue. The staple cartridge is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support tube. The staple actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the staple cartridge in any of the angular orientations. The support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle to adjust the rotational orientation of the support shaft and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support shaft to adjust the rotational position of the staple cartridge relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to perform a surgical technique inside a body cavity. The surgical instrument includes a shaft with a pivotally mounted tip attached thereto, the shaft extending from a handle for gripping the instrument for insertion to the body cavity. The tip of the shaft is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support shaft and is rotatable at any angular orientation of the tip. The support shaft may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle, or it may be fixed with respect to the handle, in which case the handle may be rotated to rotate the shaft inside the body cavity. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises an endoscopic stapling device and the tip of the instrument comprises a staple cartridge which is rotatable 360.degree. about its axes after the cartridge has been articulated with respect to the support shaft.

Abstract: A fastener detection system is provided for both internal combustion and powder actuated fastener driving tools, and similar powered fastener driving tools. A sensor disposed at a portion of a fastener supply path detects the presence or absence of a fastener. In the combustion tool, either or both of fuel delivery and combustion ignition are disabled when no fastener is detected. In the powder actuated tool an indicator notifies an operator when the sensor detects the absence of a fastener. The indicator may also be incorporated into the combustion tool.

Abstract: A drilling and/or chiseling tool includes a striking mechanism (28) driven by a swash pin (12) of a swash mechanism (25). The actuation of the swash pin (12) is effected by a single piece intermediate shaft (11) powered by a drive motor (4). The shaft (11) causes a swash ring (13) from which the swash pin (12) projects, to move due to a rolling track (15) arranged at an angle to the drilling direction of the tool. The drilling direction extends generally parallel to the axis of the intermediate shaft (11). This arrangement greatly assists in the ease of assembly and the economical fabrication of the tool.

Abstract: A binding device accomplishes the transverse binding or stapling of product elements in a folding apparatus that is situated downstream from a rotary printing press. One or more binding cylinders are supported for rotation with, and with respect to, a binding cylinder support which is cooperatively positioned with respect to a collection and counter-cylinder. The binding device minimizes vibrations and maintains staple-forming elements within the binding cylinder.

Abstract: A box nailing machine includes a piston within a cylinder to drive a nail. A main selector valve introduces compressed air into the cylinder and discharges the compressed air from the cylinder. A start operation valve operates the main selector valve. A trigger device for the box nailing machine comprises: a trigger switch operated by a trigger lever; a contact switch operated by the contact arm; an electromagnetic valve serving as the start operation valve; a logical circuit for applying a drive current to the electromagnetic valve when both the trigger switch and the contact switch are turned on; and a controller which includes a timer with a predetermined time limit. The timer is started in accordance with a trigger signal of the trigger switch and prohibits the drive current from the electromagnetic valve when the timer counts the predetermined time period. The timer is reset upon release of the trigger.

Abstract: An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided.

Abstract: A disposable loading unit is disclosed for use in conjunction with a surgical stapling apparatus configured to sequentially apply a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an actuation assembly for effectuating a fastener applying operation, and a housing for receiving and releasably supporting the disposable loading unit.

Abstract: A tool for driving a nail or other fastener is actuated by a caseless propellant charge formed of combustible material that is transported into a combustion chamber on a strip. The propellant charge is ignited by striking a sensitizer portion of the charge at an oblique angle. The ignition member intermixes the sensitizer material with an oxidizer layer of the surface of the propellant charge, resulting in combustion of the charge. When ignited, the propellant charge is compressingly interposed between an orifice plate and a movable portion of the combustion chamber. The orifice plate includes a pedestal with an annular compression surface that separates the surface of the ignition area from the remaining surfaces of the charge, insuring that ignition gases are forced through the charge. An annular C-shaped ring is interposed between the orifice plate and the movable portion of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An adapter for a fastener driving tool for controlling depth penetration of a fastener fired from the tool, comprising a lip portion adapted for attachment to a firing portion of the fastener driving tool and extending downward from the firing portion and substantially across to form a recess. The recess, in corresponding alignment with the firing portions engages the fastener when the fastener is fired from the fastener driving tool to allow for a spacing between the fastener and material.

Abstract: The disclosure presents a guide mechanism for a nailing machine in which series-connected nails are fed from a magazine to a nose portion and the foremost nail of the series-connected nails is driven from a nail ejecting outlet of the nose portion by a driver.

Abstract: A loop pin attaching device for tag hanging is provided with a drive lever which is selectively moveable between a first, unactivated and a second, activated position. A link is rotatably connected with the drive lever and a piston member is connected to the other end of the link, the piston member and link being selectively moveable between first, unactivated and second, activated positions. A pressing body formed with a pipe shape is fixed to a front face of the piston. An insertion guide is dimensioned to allow the pressing body to slide therethrough when the piston member is moved and to receive an insertion portion of a loop pin. A rack gear is rotatably fixed to the link adjacent the second end of the link, and a gear group, formed of at least a first, smaller diameter gear and a second, larger diameter gear, is provided, the smaller diameter gear meshingly engaging the rack gear.

Abstract: A staple driving system for driving insulated staples to secure an object to a base which includes staples having a generally U-shape including parallel legs with free end portions. A molded body formed of insulating material is located on the free end portions of each staple and is slidable with respect thereto when the staple is driven. The molded body has a generally semi-circular recess formed therein between the legs of the staple for surrounding and engaging a cable, wire, or the like. The molded insulating body of one staple is connected by frangible connections to an adjacent molded body of an adjacent staple so that the staples can be shipped and used in a strip. A staple gun having a magazine formed to receive and guide the insulated staples is also provided along with a pusher shaped to cooperate with guide ribs on the magazine while engaging the molded body and the bight of the last staple of a strip in the magazine to accurately guide the staples in the magazine during operation of the system.

Abstract: A fish hook construction is provided including a hook having a barb and a first shank. A second shank is attached to the first shank and is spaced apart from the first shank to permit bait to be positioned on the first shank. A wing is positioned on the second shank which directs movement of the construction when a force is applied to a line attached to the hook construction.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument is provided for applying surgical fasteners, such as staples, to human tissue which is particularly suited for applying one or more rows of fasteners across a tissue lumen. The surgical instrument can be used in thoracic and abdominal surgical procedures where access to the surgical site is restricted. The surgical instrument includes an articulated fastener applying assembly mounted on a rotatable and flexible support shaft assembly to provide more convenient access to restricted surgical sites. The fastener applying assembly has a compact construction including a fixed jaw which supports a fastener cartridge and a movable jaw which supports an anvil for clamping the tissue therebetween. The fastener applying assembly includes a pin placement mechanism which is actuated by the movable jaw to control the movement of a tissue retaining pin on the fixed jaw.

Abstract: Gripping device suitable for percussion tools of the type comprising a sleeve tube made of plastic that fits into the body of the tool, characterised in that it comprises a plastic sleeve tube (1) that is structurally flexible and comprises a plurality of large-diameter annular shapes (1.1) joined to each other by connecting shapes (1.2) of smaller cross-section to define a bellows structure with undulations, and in that, at the location of each ring, an internal circular projection (1.3) is provided that presses against the body of the tool, and in that the sleeve tube has at least one internal collar (1.4) capable of fitting and clipping inside at least one circular groove (2.1) formed on the body of the tool.

Abstract: A rotary percussion drill for mining, rock drilling and similar operations is provided. The drill combines a rotation portion with a percussion portion to impart a simultaneous rotational and reciprocating percussive action to the drill steel or other working element. The frequency of the percussive impact can be varied to drill efficiently rock of different hardness by changing the cross-sectional cam configuration of a camshaft which activates a reciprocating piston imparting percussive action to the drill steel or other working element.

Abstract: Hand tool with an apparatus housing (2) in which the are movably mounted a rotary portion (8) and a reciprocating slide (10) non-rotatably but displaceably mounted in the housing, said slide serving as a holder for a tool (12). The rotary portion (8) has an oblique shaft (32) with a rolling bearing device (36) mounted thereon, which converts the rotation of the rotary portion into a reciprocating movement of the displaceable portion (10). The rolling bearing device (36) comprises one or two rolling bearings with outer ring surface areas, via which the bearing device is in direct driving contact with a driver element (52) at the end of the displaceably mounted slide (10). The driver element (52) is in direct engagement with the outer rings (48, 50) of the bearing device via opposite lateral surfaces (54, 56).

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a cylinder and a drive piston reciprocally movable within the cylinder. A driver is connected to the drive piston and is operable to drive fasteners when the drive piston is moved in a driving direction. The drive piston defines a gas chamber in the cylinder for accommodating a gas. A drive mechanism is provided for moving the drive piston from a first position to a second position in a direction opposite to the driving direction for compressing the gas within the gas chamber. The drive mechanism is operable to permit movement of the drive piston in the driving direction by the pressure of the gas compressed within the gas chamber when the drive piston reaches the second position.