Abstract: A screwdriving tool that includes a driving tool (driver), a sensor, a sensor target and a contact trip assembly that is coupled to the driving tool and has a nose element. The driver has a housing, a motor and an output member that is driven by the motor. One of the nose element and the output member is axially movable and biased by a spring into an extended position. The sensor and sensor target are configured to cooperate to permit the sensor to provide a sensor signal that is indicative of movement of the one of the nose element and the output member. The motor is controllable in a first operational mode and at least one rotational direction based in part on the sensor signal.

Abstract: An assembly that includes first and second housing members, a gasket and a plurality of bolts that exert a clamp force to clamp the gasket between the first and second housing members. The gasket includes a plurality of tab members that engage the interior of one or both of the first and second housing members. The gasket tabs can resist a force exerted by a pressurized fluid within one or both of the first and second housing members. A gasket that is resistant to side loading due to a pressurized fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a feed funnel adapted to position a nail for driving into a workpiece and which can guide the nail during driving. The feed funnel can be part of a magazine interface, or a nosepiece insert, or the feed funnel can be a unitary part. The feed funnel can also be formed by portions of the magazine interface and the nosepiece insert. Methods using the feed funnel for feeding and driving one or more nails are disclosed.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a lockout mechanism which has a dry fire lockout which achieves a controlled lockout override. The lockout mechanism can be part of a fastening tool magazine, a pusher assembly or a nosepiece contact trip. The lockout mechanism can be an angled lockout, a torsion spring lockout, or a fixed member lockout. The fastening tool can have a method of controlling lockout override using a lockout control angle.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A nail channel for a fastening tool. The nail channel can be a unitary piece or have a variety of parts. The nail channel can have a first portion provided by a fastener magazine and a second portion provided by a nosepiece insert. The nail channel can be formed when the nosepiece insert is reversibly engaged with a nose end of a nailer magazine. The nail channel can also position a fastener, such as a nail, for driving into a workpiece. Methods of forming and using the nail channel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nosepiece assembly for a fastening tool that has a contact surface made of a contact material. The contact surface can provide the nosepiece assembly wear resistance against the action of nails and/or a driver blade of a nailer. The nosepiece assembly can optionally have one or more of a nosepiece insert, a nail stop and a blade guide, each of which can be made at least in part of the contact material. The contact material can be investment cast.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a nail stop which positions a nail for driving and is made at least in part of a contact material which can be investment cast and/or hardened. The contact material can resist wear from the action of driving the nail and the movement of a driver blade. The nail stop can be configured to align nails fed from a magazine and can be offset from the longitudinal centerline of the fastening tool. The nail stop can have a head contact length which is 0.5% to 95% of the length of the nail to be driven. The nail stop is used in methods for positioning a nail for driving.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a fastening tool having a spring curl trip actuator. The spring curl trip actuator can be made of a flexible material and can be configured to exert a force upon a trigger switch. The spring curl trip actuator can also absorb force from a contact trip. The spring curl trip actuator can have compact height and length dimensions. The fastening tool can use a method for controlling triggering by using a spring curl trip actuator.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The magazine can also use a lockout mechanism which allows an operator to know when it is appropriate to reload fasteners and which can mitigate damage resulting from an impact upon the fastening tools nosepiece when the lockout mechanism is engaged. The fastening tool can also have a contact trip actuator which is compact and can control the amount of force that is applied to a tactile switch of the fastener driving mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly that includes first and second housing members, a gasket and a plurality of bolts that exert a clamp force to clamp the gasket between the first and second housing members. The gasket includes a plurality of tab members that engage the interior of one or both of the first and second housing members. The gasket tabs can resist a force exerted by a pressurized fluid within one or both of the first and second housing members. A gasket that is resistant to side loading due to a pressurized fluid is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly that includes first and second housing members, a gasket and a plurality of bolts that exert a clamp force to clamp the gasket between the first and second housing members. The gasket includes a plurality of tab members that engage the interior of one or both of the first and second housing members. The gasket tabs can resist a force exerted by a pressurized fluid within one or both of the first and second housing members. A gasket that is resistant to side loading due to a pressurized fluid is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly that includes first and second housing members, a gasket and a plurality of bolts that exert a clamp force to clamp the gasket between the first and second housing members. The gasket includes a plurality of tab members that engage the interior of one or both of the first and second housing members. The gasket tabs can resist a force exerted by a pressurized fluid within one or both of the first and second housing members. A gasket that is resistant to side loading due to a pressurized fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A fastening tool with a magazine housing, a nail plate in the magazine housing and an actuator disposed between the nail plate and the magazine housing. The actuator extends outwardly from the nail plate so as to be movable by a user to cause the nail plate to move axially with respect to the magazine housing.

Abstract: A screwdriving tool that includes a driving tool (driver), a sensor, a sensor target and a contact trip assembly that is coupled to the driving tool and has a nose element. The driver has a housing, a motor and an output member that is driven by the motor. One of the nose element and the output member is axially movable and biased by a spring into an extended position. The sensor and sensor target are configured to cooperate to permit the sensor to provide a sensor signal that is indicative of movement of the one of the nose element and the output member. The motor is controllable in a first operational mode and at least one rotational direction based in part on the sensor signal.

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 includes a housing assembly having a nosepiece and a magazine assembly that is coupled to the housing assembly. The magazine assembly includes a canister configured to hold a plurality of collated fasteners. The fastening tool further includes a feeder pawl assembly coupled to the magazine assembly. The feeder pawl assembly includes a feed pawl and a spreader pawl. The feed pawl is movable in the feed direction to advance a first fastener into the nosepiece during a feed motion. The spreader pawl is adapted to locate between adjacent fasteners and resist movement of one of the adjacent fasteners in the feed direction during the feed motion.

Abstract: An assembly that includes first and second housing members, a gasket and a plurality of bolts that exert a clamp force to clamp the gasket between the first and second housing members. The gasket includes a plurality of tab members that engage the interior of one or both of the first and second housing members. The gasket tabs can resist a force exerted by a pressurized fluid within one or both of the first and second housing members. A gasket that is resistant to side loading due to a pressurized fluid is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly that includes first and second housing members, a gasket and a plurality of bolts that exert a clamp force to clamp the gasket between the first and second housing members. The gasket includes a plurality of tab members that engage the interior of one or both of the first and second housing members. The gasket tabs can resist a force exerted by a pressurized fluid within one or both of the first and second housing members. A method for assembling and operating an article is also provided.