Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lifter subassembly for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lifter is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and if the driver is mispositioned at the beginning of a lifting phase, the lifter can displace a small distance to allow the lifter to move over the driver's protrusions, thereby allowing the lifting phase to continue without causing a jam. A retainer (or “cam follower”) is positioned along a rounded cam profile surface of at least one lifter disk to prevent the lifter from displacing during later portions of the lifting phase, or during a transition phase. The lifter includes at least two rotating disks with extending pins to engage driver protrusions. One of the lifter disks can have gear teeth on its perimeter, instead of a cam profile surface.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.

Abstract: A clenching adapter for use with automatic nailers tools is provided, which mounts to a nailer tool, and which extends behind a two-layer workpiece and curls the tip of a driven nail on the opposite side of the multiple-layer workpiece. The adapter includes a movable extension link that pivots on a proximal end, due to the action of an air cylinder actuator, and that pivoting motion causes an anvil mounted on its distal end to grasp the opposite (bottom) side of the workpiece, while also positioning the anvil to a location where it intercepts the nail that will be fired through the workpiece by the nailer tool. The anvil mechanism rotates from a “relaxed” position that fits within a gap in the boards of a workpiece, to an actuated “ready” position that receives and curls the nail, for clenching a multi-substrate workpiece. The actuations are automatically sequenced, in one embodiment.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).

Abstract: A clenching adapter for use with automatic nailers tools is provided, which mounts to a nailer tool, and which extends behind a two-layer workpiece and curls the tip of a driven nail on the opposite side of the multiple-layer workpiece. The adapter includes a movable extension link that pivots on a proximal end, due to the action of an air cylinder actuator, and that pivoting motion causes an anvil mounted on its distal end to grasp the opposite (bottom) side of the workpiece, while also positioning the anvil to a location where it intercepts the nail that will be fired through the workpiece by the nailer tool. The anvil mechanism rotates from a “relaxed” position that fits within a gap in the boards of a workpiece, to an actuated “ready” position that receives and curls the nail, for clenching a multi-substrate workpiece. The actuations are automatically sequenced, in one embodiment.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. An improved lifter design has modified lifting pins that reduce the side-forces on the driver. A pivotable latch acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time. An improved latch design has a more durable catching surface.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. An improved lifter design has modified lifting pins that reduce the side-forces on the driver. A pivotable latch acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time. An improved latch design has a more durable catching surface.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A disposable collet adapter for attaching a workpiece to a stud welding tool. One end of the resilient collet adapter slideably mounts to one end of a workpiece and the opposed end slideably attaches to the electrode of the stud welding tool. The opposed ends of the collet adapter are individually tailored so that of the workpiece and the electrode may have distinct cross-sectional profiles. After a welding operation, the collet adapter can be discarded or reused.