Abstract: A pneumatically operated and controlled fastener feeder and driver apparatus supplies individual fasteners, such as screws having a head and a threaded shank portion, which are maintained on a carrier strip in a magazine assembly, to a nose assembly of the fastener feeder and driver apparatus. When a fastener is positioned in the nose assembly, a driver member of a power fastener driving tool engages the fastener and positions the fastener such that the fastener extends out from a workpiece engaging surface of the nose assembly. When the fastener is driven into the workpiece to a specified depth, a pneumatically operated and controlled driver mechanism moves the fastener driving tool away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool is provided which employs a drive housing subassembly, preferably in the form of opposed cast metal housing sections, which encloses the flywheel and suitable bearings for rotating the same at high speed. This subassembly also supports the associated idler wheel positioned on the other side of the fastener driving ram from the flywheel and mounts a toggle mechanism for adjusting the idler wheel from an inoperative position, in which the idler is spaced a substantial distance away from the ram, to an operative position close to the ram in response to movement of the tool into engagement with a workpiece. The drive housing subassembly also provides a top opening recess or well which is adapted to receive and position a removable cartridge which includes the ram and an elastic cord return mechanism, this subassembly also defining a vertically extending slot communicating with said recess which is adapted to receive the vertically positioned ram between the opposed flywheel and idler.

Abstract: A strip of fasteners is formed by an elongated flexible web having one or two rows of tabs projecting from one or both of the longitudinal edges of the web. These tabs have fastener holding means formed at their ends for removably carrying nails, screws, or nuts. In one form, the holding means are detachable with the fasteners to provide a washer, and in another form, the detachable end of the holding means provides a locking insert for a self-locking nut. The web is formed both as a strip and as a closed loop. In some embodiments, the fastener is disposed at an angle relative to the web to permit inclination of the strip of loop relative to horizontal while presenting the fasteners to a driving station in a vertical position. A fastener feeding mechanism deflects or bends the strip at a point adjacent the drive path of a fastener driver to "fan out" the fastener carrying tabs so that the tab or tabs carrying the fastener in driving position are spaced from adjacent tabs.

Abstract: A collated fastener strip includes an elongated flexible plastic web having a row of projecting tabs along one or both of its elongated edges. Each tab is provided with an open ended slot with an opening intermediate its end in which is frictionally retained the shank of a nail or screw. The opening is of a quadrilateral configuration to provide improved frictional contact with the fastener shank. The location of the opening intermediate the ends of the slot divide the tab into two arms that can be deflected to accommodate fasteners of different sizes while retaining adequate frictional engagement therewith.

Abstract: A fastener feeding apparatus is used to supply a pair of strips of detachably connected staples to a magazine of a fastener driving device in each loading cycle of the feeding apparatus. A plurality of pairs of strips of staples are supplied to an inclined receiving bin of the fastener feeding apparatus in a nested configuration and a pair of strips slide along the bin until positioned against a stop block in alignment with a pusher mechanism. When the fastener driving device is positioned adjacent an exit chute for receiving the strips of staples, the pusher mechanism engages one of the strips of staples and pushes the one strip of staples toward the exit chute. The other strip of staples is held in place by a stop so that the one strip is separated from the other strip of staples. Once the strips of staples are separated, the stop is retracted and the pusher moves both strips of staples along an orienting device adjacent the exit chute.

Abstract: A resilient anvil for clinching staples driven through a drive track is adjustably mounted on the stapler to permit compensation for wear and to otherwise control the curl or clinch applied to the driven staple. Overlapping or partially aligned openings in the anvil and a fixed adjusting or locating plate provide camming edges or surfaces adapted to be engaged by, for example, an inserted screwdriver bit. When the bit is turned, the position of the anvil relative to the drive track is varied. Threaded fasteners lock the anvil and plate in the adjusted relative positions on the stapler.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a control assembly that allows the tool to be fired sequentially by first placing the tool against a workpiece followed by actuation of a trigger to fire the tool. The control assembly includes a valve assembly that allows the tool to be selectively adjusted to operate in a multi-shot sequence or a single shot sequence. In the single shot sequence the tool may only be actuated once upon placement of the tool against a workpiece and subsequent actuation of the trigger. The tool must be removed and repositioned on the workpiece before the tool can again be fired. In the multi-shot sequence, the tool may be repeatedly fired by repeated actuation of the trigger once the tool has been placed on the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a housing defining a handle portion and a head portion with a nose portion extending therebelow. Mounted within the head portion is a cylindrical sleeve within which is reciprocally mounted a drive piston. A driver for driving fasteners is secured to the drive piston and reciprocates therewith. The tool includes a drive power control for controlling the penetration of the fasteners into a workpiece. The drive power control includes a choke encircling the sleeve to impede the flow of exhaust air from beneath the piston and under the sleeve during a driving stroke. The choke may be moved to a position spaced from the cylindrical sleeve wherein the flow of fluid below the piston is not inhibited. In addition, the tool includes a safety member with a workpiece engaging portion of at least one wear block secured thereto to engage the workpiece and protect the safety member from undue wear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated frame assembly, particularly advantageous for use in forming furniture drawers, includes a first bin for storing drawer back portions, situated generally in an elevated position with respect to the rest of the machine, and a pair of opposed bins for storing drawer side portions in serially arranged fashion. A pushing mechanism feeds the drawer back portions one at a time into engagement with one of the serially aligned drawer side portions of each bin. The pushing mechanism, in the same motion, pushes the engaged back and side portions into engagement with a drawer front portion where the side portions are fastened to the drawer front and back portions. Glue is applied to the drawer back portions before they engage the drawer side portions and glue is applied to the drawer side portions before they engage the drawer front portion.

Abstract: A tool for driving uncollated nails includes a tool body with a nose portion defining a drive track wherein a driver blade moves in drive and return strokes. A magazine carried by the body supports a row of nails, and a pusher urges the nails along a feed path toward the drive track. The magazine is adjustable for tailoring the feed path width to the nail size. Individual nails are advanced from the magazine to a drive position in the drive track by an escapement mechanism operated in timed relationship with the driver blade, and an advanced nail is held in the drive position by a magnet assembly supported by the tool nose portion. Nails are positively advanced and are properly oriented by the escapement mechanism independently of the number of nails, the pusher force, or other conditions in the magazine. The tool magazine is quickly and conveniently loaded with nails supplied in an oriented condition from a loading chute.

Abstract: A feeder for fastener is used to supply uniformly oriented, uncollated fasteners to a detachably mounted loading assembly so that the uncollated fasteners can be loaded into a magazine of the fastener driving tool. The feeder includes a rotatable supply drum mounted on a base into which fasteners may be supplied. Scoops along the inner wall of the drum scoop up a quantity of fasteners as the drum is rotated and supplies the fasteners to an orientation assembly. The orientation assembly receives the unoriented fasteners on a funnel-shaped trough which directs the fasteners toward a rotatable orientation roller disposed on one side of a fastener path. The orientation roller has several notches or grooves that tend to jiggle or agitate the fasteners so that the fasteners are oriented in the fastener path with the heads of the fasteners lying on an orientation rail on the opposite side of the fastener path from the orientation roller.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool for driving fasteners into a workpiece includes a trigger assembly movable from an inoperative position to an operative position and a workpiece responsive assembly also movable from an inoperative position to an operative position as the tool is moved adjacent the workpiece. The tool further includes a safety control assembly coupling the trigger and workpiece responsive assemblies to control operation of the tool. The safety control assembly includes a blocking member that blocks the movement of the workpiece responsive assembly if the trigger assembly is actuated prior to placement of the tool on a workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly for loading a tool for driving uncollated nails. The tool includes a body with a driver blade for driving fasteners supplied from a magazine carried by the body and supporting a row of nails. A pusher urges the nails along a feed path in the magazine. Individual nails are advanced from the magazine to a drive position in the drive track by an escapement mechanism, and an advanced nail is held in the drive position by a magnet assembly. The tool magazine is quickly and conveniently loaded with nails supplied in an oriented condition from a loading chute. The loading operation is automatic in response to engagement of the magazine with the chute, and does not require awkward manipulation of the pusher. Coupling members on the magazine and on the chute are mated by means of ramp and guide structures. In the mated position, stops in the nail path are opened to permit nails to slide from the chute into the magazine.

Abstract: A strip of fasteners is formed by an elongated flexible web having one or two rows of tabs projecting from one or both of the longitudinal edges of the web. These tabs have fastener holding means formed at their ends for removably carrying nails, screws, or nuts. In one form, the holding means are detachable with the fasteners to provide a washer, and in another form, the detachable end of the holding means provides a locking insert for a self-locking nut. The web is formed both as a strip and as a closed loop. In some embodiments, the fastener is disposed at an angle relative to the web to permit inclination of the strip of loop relative to horizontal while presenting the fasteners to a driving station in a vertical position. A fastener feeding mechanism deflects or bends the strip at a point adjacent the drive path of a fastener driver to "fan out" the fastener carrying tabs so that the tab or tabs carrying the fastener in driving position are spaced from adjacent tabs.

Abstract: An electric nailer includes a body and a fastener magazine pivotally connected thereto. The nailer also includes a switch for energizing the nailer that is engagable by a safety to prevent actuation. The safety is moved out of engagement with the switch upon pivoting of the magazine. The magazine includes a pusher assembly defined in part by portions of an elongated tube joined together to define a gap. A pusher is slideably mounted within the gap and biased to push fasteners toward the nose of the nailer. The magazine also includes a fastener track that includes a reduced portion and an enlarged portion to accommodate fasteners of different sizes. A shoe may be releasably attached to the bottom portion of the magazine and in one embodiment is V-shaped including a raised portion at one end. In another embodiment the shoe has a flat workpiece engagement portion.

Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners includes a housing defining a handle portion and a nose portion. A driver is reciprocally mounted within the housing as is an assembly for driving the driver through a fastener driving stroke. A muffler is mounted in the housing adjacent and in fluid communication with the nose portion. The muffler includes a chamber defined within the housing and a tubular muffler element mounted within the chamber. The tubular muffler element includes a plurality of holes therein and communicates with at least one exhaust port. A second muffler element is mounted within the chamber and encircles the tubular muffler element.

Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners includes a casing defining a nose portion and a handle portion within which is a reservoir for pressurized fluid. A driver is mounted in the nose portion that is reciprocated by a piston attached thereto and an assembly for returning the piston to a static position after a driving stroke is also included. The return assembly includes a chamber in fluid communication through an inlet with pressurized air and with an outlet that is in communication with a location beneath the return piston. A diaphragm is mounted within the chamber and is biased by a shoe and spring into sealing engagement with the inlet and the outlet. Another metered inlet is also included in the chamber that is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and controls the sealing action of the diaphragm. The chamber for the return assembly is also in fluid communication with a second chamber within which is mounted a differential area piston.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a body having a handle and a head portion. A drive assembly includes a driver blade movable along a drive path defined by a nose assembly located below the head portion. A magazine assembly extends from the nose assembly and includes a frame member fixed relative to the tool body, a first track member slidably movable relative to the frame member and a second track member slidably movable relative to the first track member. The track members define a fastener slideway opened for loading of fasteners by movement of the second track member. The nose assembly includes a nose member mounted on the first track member, and movement of the first track member opens the feed path for removal of a jammed fastener. One track member is J-shaped for slidably supporting points of the fasteners and one side of the fastener shanks. The other track member slidably supports the opposite side of the fastener shanks.

Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners includes a casing defining a nose portion and a handle portion within which is a reservoir for pressurized fluid. A driver is mounted in the nose portion that is reciprocated by a piston attached thereto and an assembly for returning the piston to a static position after a driving stroke is also included. The return assembly includes a chamber in fluid communication through an inlet with pressurized air and with an outlet that is in communication with a location beneath the return piston. A diaphragm is mounted within the chamber and is biased by pressurized fluid into sealing engagement with the inlet and the outlet. Another metered inlet is also included in the chamber that is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and controls the sealing action of the diaphragm. The chamber for the return assembly is also in fluid communication with a second chamber within which is mounted a differential area piston.