Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a driver and a mechanism for powering the driver through a driving stroke including a trigger pivotally mounted on the tool and adapted for actuation by the finger of an operator. A locking mechanism is included on the tool that is movable from a first position preventing the pivoting of the trigger to a second position wherein the trigger may be pivoted and released a predetermined distance to allow repeated firing of the tool.

Abstract: A tool for driving fasteners includes a driver and a device for actuating the driver through a driving stroke. The tool is operated by a trigger assembly that includes a manually actuated trigger pivotally mounted on the tool and a lever pivotally mounted at a first end to the trigger. Also included on the tool is a safety assembly that before the tool can be fired must be actuated prior to actuation of the trigger. The safety mechanism includes a push rod slideably mounted within the tool with a first end engaging a safety yoke and a second end adjacent the lever of the trigger assembly. The safety yoke is slideably mounted on the nose of the tool and is adapted to extend below the nose of the tool to engage the workpiece upon placement of the tool onto the workpiece. As the tool is placed against a workpiece prior to actuation of the trigger, the yoke and, thus, the push rod are moved upwardly until the second end of the push rod engages the lever placing the trigger assembly in an operative mode.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a magnetized driver or a driver with an embedded permanent magnet that is of a tapered configuration. The tool also includes a fastener feeding mechanism that wedges or ejects a fastener from a fastener strip whereupon the fastener is attracted during free-flight to the driver by the magnet. The tool further includes a stop lever that prevents feeding of fasteners if the driver is in a position other than the full return position.

Abstract: An electric fastener driving tool includes a body of a clam-shell construction formed of two body parts that define a head and handle portions. An open bottom magazine assembly is attached to the tool for supplying fasteners to be driven. The tool also includes a removable nose piece defining a portion of a drive track for a driving blade mounted in the tool. The nosepiece includes different workpiece engaging surfaces on opposite ends such that the tool may be used to drive fasteners into different types of workpieces. The tool further includes a double cone spring for returning the driver to its at rest position.

Abstract: A fastener and method of manufacturing fasteners is disclosed including coating the fastener with a cured, oil-free polyester coating, the cured polyester coating comprising the reaction product of one or more polyols selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, trimethylolethane, 1,2 hexanediol, 1,3 butenediol, and mixtures thereof; one or more dibasic organic acids selected from the group consisting of phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, sebacic acid, fumaric acid, and mixtures thereof; and an aminoplast cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, hexahydroxymethyl melamine, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A compression tacker for driving fasteners includes a frame defining a nose portion and a grip portion. A front jaw is pivotally and removably mounted on the nose portion to define a drive track. A plunger is reciprocated in the drive track. The front jaw includes a locking mechanism that upon actuation by the operator of the tool, unlocks the jaw from the frame and allows it to be pivoted relative to the frame to expose the drive track. A handle for actuating the plunger is mounted on the frame and includes a bearing about which a spring is mounted. A workpiece engaging jaw may be removably fastened to the nose portion. The workpiece jaw includes upper and lower surfaces for engaging different workpieces.

Abstract: An assembly of fasteners for use in a power fastener driving tool includes a number of fasteners having elongated shanks held in spaced apart relation by a pair of strips of frangible plastic material. Each strip includes a series of sleeves holding shanks of the fasteners and a series of spacer segments integrally joining the sleeves. The strip closer to the fastener heads is weaker than the strip closer to the fastener points. As an end fastener is driven from the assembly, the sleeve of the weaker strip associated with the next fastener to be driven is permitted to fracture, while the sleeve of the stronger strip remains intact.

Abstract: A compact tacker for driving fasteners into a workpiece includes a housing defining a handle and a nose portion. A driver is reciprocally mounted within a drive track defined within the nose portion. The tacker also includes a magazine assembly slideably mounted within the housing including a forward end that is positioned adjacent the drive track such that the driver reciprocates between the nose and the forward end of the magazine assembly. A bistable biasing member is mounted within the housing and in a first stable position, biases the magazine toward the nose and in a second stable position biases the magazine assembly away from the nose. In the second position there is defined an open area around the drive track to allow removal of jammed fasteners.

Abstract: An impact tool includes a rotational energy device mounted within the housing of the tool. A driver is reciprocally mounted within the housing and is coupled to the energy device by a toggle member. The toggle member includes a clutch and is actuated to transfer energy from the energy device to the driver. The driver and toggle are driven through a power stroke upon engagement of the clutch with the energy device. Upon completion of the power stroke, the clutch engages a bumper removing the clutch from the energy device and the toggle and driver are returned by a return assembly driven by the energy device.A second embodiment of the tool includes a wheel rotatably mounted on the toggle. The driver is positioned between the energy device and the wheel such that once the wheel is moved by the toggle, the driver engages the energy device and is driven thereby.

Abstract: A fastener feed assembly for a tool such as a power screwdriver having a drive member such as a rotatable bit includes a base fixed to the tool and a nose assembly slidably related to the base. The nose assembly includes a workpiece engaging surface, and when the tool is moved toward the workpiece during a fastener driving operation, the base moves toward the nose assembly. A return spring separates the base and nose assembly when the tool is withdrawn away from the workpiece. A strip of fasteners is fed from a magazine along a feed path through the nose assembly with sequential fasteners located in a drive position. Normally the drive member is spaced from a fastener in the drive position. During movement of the tool toward the workpiece in a driving operation, the drive member moves into engagement with a fastener in the drive position, and then continues to move in order to drive the fastener into the workpiece. A pawl is engageable with the strip in order to advance the strip along the feed path.

Abstract: An electric fastener driving tool includes a body of clamshell construction formed of two, similar, molded plastic body parts. The body includes a head portion and a handle portion, and a magazine for supplying fasteners to be driven is supported by the base of the head portion and by the handle. Walls and projections integral with the body parts define a solenoid chamber within the head cavity and support a switch and circuit board within the handle. The body is held in assembled condition and the magazine is attached to the body by bolts of equal length. A solenoid with a central axial opening is mounted in the solenoid chamber. An armature formed of magnetic and nonmagnetic, electrically insulated segments is slidably mounted in the axial solenoid opening. A spring contacting an integral body wall and the insulating armature segment biases the armature in the return direction.

Abstract: A fastener feed assembly for a tool such as a power screwdriver having a drive member such as a rotatable bit includes a base fixed to the tool and a nose assembly slidably related to the base. The nose assembly includes a workpiece engaging surface, and when the tool is moved toward the workpiece during a fastener driving operation, the base moves toward the nose assembly. A return spring separates the base and nose assembly when the tool is withdrawn away from the workpiece. A strip of fasteners is fed from a magazine along a feed path through the nose assembly with sequential fasteners located in a drive position. Normally the drive member is spaced from a fastener in the drive position. During movement of the tool toward the workpiece in a driving operation, the drive member moves into engagement with a fastener in the drive position, and then continues to move in order to drive the fastener into the workpiece. A pawl is engageable with the strip in order to advance the strip along the feed path.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastener driving tool includes a safety arrangement that requires the tool to be placed against a workpiece before a manual trigger valve is operated in order to permit the tool to fire. Once the tool is placed against the workpiece the safety arrangement prevents "touch" firing by moving the tool toward and away from the workpiece. In two embodiments, the safety arrangement includes a piston valve which is fluid operated to close off a control line to the main valve of the tool whenever the trigger is operated before the tool is placed against a workpiece and when an attempt is made to "touch" fire the tool with the trigger held operated. In a third embodiment, metering orifices in a valve actuated by moving the tool against a workpiece prevent repeated "touch" operation of the tool.