Abstract: A novel drive bit for mounting in a sleeve of a rotary driving tool for driving a slottedd screw having a hollow cap with a threaded interior cylindrical wall having an inner minor diameter comprises a driver portion at one end thereof and a sleeve engaging portion at the other end thereof, wherein the driver portion includes a generally cylindrical aligning portion with a predetermined diameter of between about 85% and about 99½% of the inner minor diameter and a pair of laterally opposed concave surfaces tapering at a predetermined radius of curvature of between about 50% and about 150% of the inner minor diameter to a generally rectangular flat headed tip for engaging the slot of the screw while the generally cylindrical aligning portion aligns the cap and the screw substantially coaxially with the bit.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastener driving tool comprises a slider and a housing defining a chamber, a follower positioned in the chamber to bias fasteners arranged in a strip, and a longitudinal guide member within the magazine chamber to guide fasteners. The longitudinal guide member comprises two fingers that extend inwardly from the slider and prevent the fastener strip from skewing when inside the magazine chamber.

Abstract: An expansion anchor comprises a stud having threads including a root, a land, and a taper extending between the root and the land and a helical member having a leading edge threadingly engageable with the threads, wherein the helical member is movable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position, wherein in the expanded position the leading edge is forced radially outwardly by the land. In one embodiment, the helical member includes a finger extending in a leading direction. A method also is disclosed for anchoring the inventive stud within a hole in a substrate by expanding the helical member until the leading edge is wedged between the land and a wall of the hole.

Abstract: A hanger for mounting an associated object to a wall includes a body portion having a first surface for bearing against the wall. The body portion defines first and second end portions. An upper anchoring portion is formed at the first end for penetrating the wall and for fastening the hanger to the wall. The upper anchoring portion extends rearwardly from the body portion and is formed at an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees relative to the body. The anchoring portion has a piercing portion to enable the anchoring portion to be driven into the wall. At least one barb extends rearwardly from the body portion. The barb is formed intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion and is formed at an angle relative to the body equal to or greater than 90 degrees. A hook portion extends generally forwardly from the body portion at the second end. The hook is positioned longitudinally spaced from the at least one barb. The hanger can be formed as a two part member.

Abstract: In a fastener driving tool, a carrier for holding a plurality of fasteners comprises a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve holding an associated fastener. Each sleeve has a body with an axis and a bore, the bore extending axially through the body and the bore being for receiving the associated fastener. A set of compressible ribs is also included within the bore of the sleeve for gripping a shank of the associated fastener so that the associated fastener is positioned substantially in the axial direction of the sleeve when the fastener is driven. Each rib has a curved portion that is concave with respect to the bore.

Abstract: A tool has an improved nosepiece and shear block assembly that drives a fastener supplied from a plurality of fasteners. The assembly includes a nosepiece that is configured for attachment to the tool and defines a portion of a barrel and a shear block configured to be secured to the nosepiece to complete the barrel. There is an opening in barrel has for receiving a fastener. The assembly also includes a biased fastener-size adjustment device, which exerts a biasing force against fasteners adjacent the opening.

Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and an enlarged base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a lobed free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release the engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool. A modified latch receives the adapter of the fuel cell in a push-and-twist motion to retain it in position.

Abstract: A combustion power framing tool the invention has a nosepiece for driving fasteners, a housing and a combustion chamber that produces primary power held within the housing. A fastener supply, such as a magazine, is attached to the housing to supply the fasteners. The tool has detects a condition and produces a signal based on that condition, then causes the primary power to vary in relation to the signal, returning the primary power to full power following driving of the fastener.

Abstract: A method of securing a wire includes the steps of providing a member having a substrate side and a wire hole, feeding a wire into the wire hole of the member, heading the wire to form a wire head, positioning the wire head adjacent to the substrate side of the member, and fastening the member to a substrate.

Abstract: A powered tool constructed to drive a fastener into a workpiece includes a nosepiece assembly including a back plate and a front plate combining to define a path for a driver blade, the front plate being pivotally movable relative to the back plate between a closed position, in which the front plate and the back plate are in contact with each other, and an open position. The front plate is movable to an interim deflecting position between the closed position and the open position. A handle portion has an outer surface at least partially defining a grip, and an inner surface at least partially defining a chamber. The handle portion includes a substrate having at least one aperture, and an overmold configured for forming a gripping surface on the outer surface and for extending through the apertures into the chamber for forming a resilient mounting point.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool is disclosed having a self contained pre-pressurized pneumatic power source. Operator actuation of a trigger mechanism causes a pressurized medium supplied by the self contained pre-pressurized power source to flow through a valve and to propel a piston connected to a driver blade towards a nosepiece assembly end of the tool. The flow of the pressurized medium through the valve further recoils a spring-biased activating bolt which resets the trigger mechanism.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a housing defining a cavity for insertion of at least one battery, a battery configured for insertion into the cavity and having at least one battery contact element, a terminal module disposed in the cavity, constructed and arranged for engaging the battery and making an electrical connection therewith, the module including at least one terminal module contact element. At least one of the battery and terminal module contact elements incorporates a precious metal alloy and the other of the contact elements is conductive. The respective contact elements are configured for oxidation-free operation in the range of at least about 100 g's.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a flame jet has a volume formed of at least one vertical structure and two opposing horizontal structures. A rotatable fan is located within the volume, and is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the planes of the horizontal structures. The mechanism also contains means for igniting a combustible gas which is contained within the volume, to propel a flame jet outside of the volume.

Abstract: In a waste pulping apparatus, an impeller assembly comprises a rotating blade for pulping solid waste to form a slurry, the rotating blade having an axis of rotation, a base and a plurality of ears that axially extend away from the base. The impeller assembly also includes a sieve ring having axially opposed first and second ends, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface, where the sieve ring encircles the base of the rotating blade at the first end so that a portion of the ears are radially spaced inside the inner cylindrical surface so that the ears rotate within the sieve ring. A plurality of pumping vanes are also provided for pumping the slurry, where each pumping vane has a pumping surface that rotates radially outside the outer cylindrical surface of the sieve ring. Preferably, the pumping vanes can be easily changed to allow for various head condition while providing a predetermined pumping capacity.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool has a tool body with an axis, a piston, a muzzle extending from tool body, and a magazine coupled to the muzzle. The fastener driving tool has an axial locking mechanism associated with a rotatable muzzle to releasably lock the muzzle and coupled magazine in at least one position. The axial locking mechanism comprises male members and female members with the male members biased axially into the female members.

Abstract: A new and improved valve assembly for incorporation within a dual combustion chamber system of a combustion-powered fastener-driving tool comprises a single valve mechanism which can operatively control the ingress of atmospheric air into the combustion chambers, the egress of combustion products out from the combustion chambers, and the fluid flows between the first and second combustion chambers attendant VENTING, MIXING, and FIRING stages of an overall combustion cycle. The valve mechanism may comprise either a rotary valve mechanism, a linear-rotary valve mechanism, or a linear valve mechanism.

Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners into a workpiece includes a fastener supply device removably attachable to the tool and supplying the fasteners to the channel, and a workpiece contact element. There is a first alignment mechanism on the nosepiece and a second alignment mechanism on the workpiece contact element. A threaded adjusting member located on the workpiece contact element and a threadable adjustable mechanism on the nosepiece are configured engage with each other, such that movement of the workpiece contact element due to rotation of the threadable adjustable mechanism causes the first alignment mechanism to engage the second alignment structure. The tool has a sensor held by the housing and a detector within the fastener supply configured to sense the length of the fasteners and communicate the length to the sensor.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a driver having a driver shaft extending therefrom, a first extension member operably connected to the driver and a second extension member operably connected to the first extension member. The tool is for use on roof deck panels. The second extension member slidingly engages the first extension member between a loading position and a driving position. A bearing assembly operably connects the first and second extension members. The bearing assembly is formed from a non-metallic, low-friction material. A portion of the bearing assembly is mounted to one of the first and second extension members for sliding engagement with the other extension member and is disposed to prevent direct contact of the first and second extension members with one another. A fastener receiving member is mounted to the second extension member for receiving fasteners when in the loading position and for supporting and releasing the fasteners when in the driving position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating articles with coating material includes dispensing coating material from a coating dispensing device, maintaining the coating dispensing device at high-magnitude electrostatic potential, coupling articles to a conveyor on hangers constructed from electrically non-insulative strips, and conveying the articles through the dispensed coating material on the hangers.

Abstract: A combustion tool employing a replaceable pressurized fuel cell includes a fuel condition monitor system for monitoring and indicating fuel cell fuel condition. The fuel condition monitor system includes a fuel condition monitor for monitoring at least one of fuel cell pressure and fuel flow from the fuel cell, a control unit connected to the monitor for receiving fuel condition data sensed by the monitor, comparing the sensed data with preset values and determining fuel level in the fuel cell based on the determinations, a metering valve connected to the control unit, providing the exact amount of fuel based upon fuel cell condition, and an indicator connected to the control unit for providing an indication of fuel level.