Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing comprising a nosepiece and a handle. The handle can define a first longitudinal axis. A magazine can be connected to the housing for storing a fastener. The magazine can define a second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and a fastener channel for receiving a fastener. The magazine can be movable relative to the housing between an alignment position wherein the distal tip of the fastener engages a workpiece and an activation position wherein the magazine moves toward the housing upon movement of the handle toward the workpiece. A driving mechanism can be disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece. A trigger assembly can be coupled to the housing for activating the driving mechanism upon actuation of a primary trigger and movement of the magazine into the activation position.

Abstract: A pneumatic power tool with a housing assembly, a pneumatic motor assembly, an output member, and a trigger assembly. The housing assembly has a body, a cap member and a gasket assembly. The body defines a motor cavity and an inlet manifold. The cap member defines an air inlet port. The gasket has a first portion being a band formed of a compressible material and a second portion formed of a porous material. The band of the first portion is sealingly abutted against the body and cap member. The pneumatic motor assembly is received in the motor cavity defined by the body. The output member is driven by the pneumatic motor assembly. The trigger assembly is coupled to the housing assembly and is operable for selectively operating the pneumatic motor assembly. Pressurized air received into the air inlet port is filtered by the second portion of the gasket assembly and flows into the inlet manifold when the pneumatic motor assembly is operated. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for loading coil collated fasteners into a fastening tool. The method includes providing internal access to the fastening tool by moving a door structure and a portion of a canister to load the coil collated fasteners.

Abstract: A method for loading coil collated fasteners into a fastening tool. The method includes providing internal access to the fastening tool by moving a door structure and a portion of a canister to load the coil collated fasteners.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine assembly for holding and dispensing collated fasteners. The magazine assembly includes a canister and a door that is hingedly coupled to a nosepiece. The canister includes a stationary portion and a movable portion that may be moved relative to the stationary portion to permit access to an interior of the canister, e.g., for loading the fasteners into the canister. The door cannot be moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa without first opening the canister. A method for loading a magazine is also provided.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastener includes a housing and a handle coupled to the housing. The handle defines an inlet channel for delivering compressed gas to the housing. A trigger valve is in communication with the inlet channel and configured to actuate the pneumatic fastener. A fastener driving assembly is disposed within the housing. The fastener driving assembly includes a cylinder and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder to drive a fastener. A valve piston is coupled to the fastener driving assembly. Actuation of the valve piston causes compressed air to drive the piston within the cylinder to drive the fastener. An outer cap is coupled to the housing and an inner cap is disposed at least partially within the outer cap. The inner cap includes an opening in communication with the trigger valve for porting the compressed air to a region above the valve piston.

Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing comprising a nosepiece and a handle. The handle can define a first longitudinal axis. A magazine can be connected to the housing for storing a fastener. The magazine can define a second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and a fastener channel for receiving a fastener. The magazine can be movable relative to the housing between an alignment position wherein the distal tip of the fastener engages a workpiece and an activation position wherein the magazine moves toward the housing upon movement of the handle toward the workpiece. A driving mechanism can be disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece. A trigger assembly can be coupled to the housing for activating the driving mechanism upon actuation of a primary trigger and movement of the magazine into the activation position.

Abstract: A pneumatic compressor capable of supplying compressed gas to a pneumatic tool. The compressor can be powered alternatively by either a battery or an AC power source. The compressor comprises a permanent magnet DC electric motor and circuitry for converting the AC power source to DC power. The compressor includes a receptacle for accommodating one or more of a plurality of batteries and includes circuitry for using batteries having different voltages. The AC power source may also be used to charge a battery connected to the compressor.

Abstract: A pneumatic power tool with a housing assembly, a pneumatic motor assembly, an output member, and a trigger assembly. The housing assembly has a body, a cap member and a gasket assembly. The body defines a motor cavity and an inlet manifold. The cap member defines an air inlet port. The gasket has a first portion being a band formed of a compressible material and a second portion formed of a porous material. The band of the first portion is sealingly abutted against the body and cap member. The pneumatic motor assembly is received in the motor cavity defined by the body. The output member is driven by the pneumatic motor assembly. The trigger assembly is coupled to the housing assembly and is operable for selectively operating the pneumatic motor assembly. Pressurized air received into the air inlet port is filtered by the second portion of the gasket assembly and flows into the inlet manifold when the pneumatic motor assembly is operated. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a housing, a nosepiece that is coupled to the housing and a contact trip that includes a lower contact trip, an upper contact trip and a depth adjustment assembly. The lower contact trip is mounted on the nosepiece for translation between an extended position and a retracted position. The upper contact trip is separate from the lower contact trip. The depth adjustment assembly includes a stem, a sleeve that is threadably coupled to the stem, and a knob. The knob is rotatably coupled to the sleeve but axially movable thereon. The stem is coupled to one of the lower contact trip and the upper contact trip and the sleeve is captured by the other one of the lower contact trip and the upper contact trip.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a housing, a magazine connected to the housing for storing a fastener, a driving mechanism disposed within the housing for driving the fastener into a workpiece, a trigger assembly pivotally attached to the housing for activating the driving mechanism, the trigger assembly comprising a main trigger, pivotally attached to the housing and a supplemental trigger pivotally attached to the main trigger; and a contact trip assembly comprising an upper contact trip contacting the supplemental trigger, a lower contact trip connected to the upper contact trip, wherein the upper and lower contact trips have teeth that mesh together for locking the upper and lower contact trips.

Abstract: A clip, clip applier and method for ligating a tissue structure is provided. The applier has a two stage actuation. In the first stage, a tissue structure is positioned into the jaws of the clip applier. The jaws close and lock to a preset force to compress and temporarily occlude the tissue structure. If satisfactorily positioned, the second stage is initiated in which a clip is advanced through the shaft of the clip applier in a closed position. At the distal end of the clip applier, the clip is opened slightly to capture the pre-compressed tissue structure, and is placed over the structure. The clip is then dissociated from the business end of the instrument. Preferably the clip comprises two leg members disposed in close proximity to one another joined from opposing directions by a connecting element. The connecting element restricts separation of the leg members with opposing spring members so as to provide substantially uniform parallel deflection of the leg members from each other.

Abstract: A clip, clip applier and method for ligating a tissue structure is provided. The applier has a two stage actuation. In the first stage, a tissue structure is positioned into the jaws of the clip applier The jaws close and lock to a preset force to compress and temporarily occlude the tissue structure. If satisfactorily positioned, the second stage is initiated in which a clip is advanced through the shaft of the clip applier in a closed position. At the distal end of the clip applier, the clip is opened slightly to capture the pre-compressed tissue structure, and is placed over the structure. The clip is then dissociated from the business end of the instrument. Preferably the clip comprises two leg members disposed in close proximity to one another joined from opposing directions by a connecting element. The connecting element restricts separation of the leg members with opposing spring members so as to provide substantially uniform parallel deflection of the leg members from each other.

Abstract: A clip applier and method for ligating a tissue structure is provided. The applier has a two stage actuation. In the first stage, a tissue structure is positioned into the jaws of the clip applier The jaws close and lock to a preset force to compress and temporarily occlude the tissue structure. If satisfactorily positioned, the second stage is initiated in which a clip is advanced through the shaft of the clip applier in a closed position. At the distal end of the clip applier, the clip is opened slightly to capture the pre-compressed tissue structure, and is placed over the structure. The clip is then dissociated from the business end of the instrument. Preferably the clip comprises two leg members disposed in close proximity to one another joined from opposing directions by a connecting element. The connecting element restricts separation of the leg members with opposing spring members so as to provide substantially uniform parallel deflection of the leg members from each other.

Abstract: A shingle gauge for use with a nail driving tool of the type having a magazine which feeds nails into a guide body to be driven through shingle elements into a roof structure and having a shingle element locating surface adjacent the guide body nose. The gauge comprises a mounting bracket fixed beneath the magazine and a gauge element slidably and pivotally supported on the bracket and shiftable therealong toward and away from the locating surface to adjust the distance therebetween to accommodate various sizes of shingle elements. A latch is attached to the gauge element and is capable of a locking engagement with the support bracket at any selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions therealong to locate and lock the gauge element at that selected position.