Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a moving driver and an anvil moving in the same direction as the driver to pick off a staple from a supply, and to transport it to a forming station. The anvil is there stopped, but the driver continues to move forwardly forming the staple about the anvil. The anvil is locked against retraction until the driver is partially retracted in order to facilitate staple ejection. A drive linkage includes a four-bar linkage and a trigger mounted cam drive for dispersing required input forces over the trigger movement and minimizing force variations and maximum input. Modular features and construction provide use and manufacturing advantages. Methods are included.

Abstract: A driver return assembly for an electro-mechanical fastener driving tool. The tool is of the type provided with a driver which is frictionally moved through a working stroke by means of an electrically driven flywheel which presses the driver against a support element, such as a counter rotating flywheel, a low inertia roller, or the like. The driver return assembly comprises at least one elastomeric cord being attached at one of its ends to the driver and at the other of its ends to an anchor within the tool. The at least one elastomeric cord, between its ends, passes about at least two pulleys. One of the pulleys is mounted on a spring supported shaft to compensate for stretch of the at least one elastomeric cord to assure that the driver is returned to its normal, retracted position after each working stroke.

Abstract: A disposable surgical stapling instrument is taught for forming and implanting surgical staples in the skin or fascia of a patient. The instrument comprises a body made up of two mating halves and having a rear handle portion, a forward portion and a staple magazine portion beneath the forward portion. The forward portion of the body houses a staple driver shiftable therein between a first retracted position and a second extended staple forming and implanting position. A trigger is pivotally mounted within the body and is directly connected to the staple driver to shift the driver between its first and second positions. A portion of the trigger is exposed beneath the body handle portion for actuation by the surgeon. A leaf spring is located within the body above the trigger to urge the trigger to its unactuated position and the staple driver to its first position. The magazine portion houses an anvil plate terminating at its forward end in a coextensive anvil surface located beneath the staple driver.

Abstract: A control arrangement for an electro-mechanical tool is disclosed. The tool may, for example, be a nailer or stapler, and is provided with an impact member which is frictionally moved in a working stroke by means of an electrically driven flywheel, which presses the impact member against the support element, which may be a counter-rotating flywheel. A solenoid is provided to move the impact member into the bite between the flywheel and support element. A trigger actuated switch and a safety switch actuated by contact of the tool with the workpiece must both be actuated in order to energize the solenoid. Circuitry is disclosed which makes possible the energization of the solenoid by closing both switches in any order, or in a desired particular order, and makes possible the provision of a time delay safety.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for driving clamp nails, having a single nose piece making possible the driving of clamp nails into the outside corner of a miter joint, or the inside corner of a miter joint, and having a plate which may be adjusted to position the nose piece at any angle from 45.degree. to 30.degree. off the vertical centerline of the tool. When set at the 30.degree. angle, the nose piece is in the optimum position to drive a clamp nail into an inside right angled butt joint. A safety is provided having a configuration like the nose piece. The tool is provided with a magazine for a stick of clamp nails, and an adjustable rail in the magazine makes it adaptable to clamp nails of different sizes. The guide body through which the clamp nails are fed into position below the drive is provided with a configuration which makes it impossible to feed clamp nails if the stick is inserted into the magazine upside down.