Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: An automatic fastener driving tool with an automatic side-loading magazine can be automatically loaded with fasteners via a high-capacity automatic loading station. The tool and the magazine are moved proximal to the loading station. The magazine door is automatically opened, and the loading station pushes fasteners into the magazine. The magazine door is automatically closed, and the tool and the magazine are moved back to their original position.

Abstract: A powered fastener driving tool including a latch with a position sensor, to detect the position of the driver during tool operation. The sensor communicates to the system controller, which determines, based on the position of the latch, if the motor should be energized or the motor braking energized. This latch sensor detection provides an accurate location of the driver to the system controller, helping prevent wear and tear on the lifter and driver, and increasing the life of the tool. The driver includes a plurality of through holes, in which the latch can engage when properly aligned. When the latch is engaged with a through hole, the sensor communicates to the controller than the motor may be energized. However, when the latch is not engaged with a through hole, the sensor communicates to the controller that the motor brake should be energized.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drives staples, nails, pins, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston further compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. In an illustrated embodiment, the tool exhibits an inverted U-shape tri-chamber design for the central cylinder, a left-side pressure chamber, and a right-side pressure chamber. In one illustrated embodiment, the lifter motor is configured to have its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the working cylinder, thereby making this tool more compact. Other embodiments show the angle to be between 0-90 degrees.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A battery adapter can be used with an off-brand battery manufacturer to energize a power tool. The battery adapter is configured to monitor the voltage, temperature, and power level of the battery. Monitoring these levels helps prevent the tool from overdischarging the battery, as well as to prevent overheating. The battery adapter has a visible battery power level indicator, actuated by a switch, which visibly displays to a user a general indication of power left in the battery. The battery adapter is able to electrically disconnect the battery if the monitored temperature reaches a certain threshold. The battery adapter is also able to electrically disconnect if the battery adapter and off-brand battery are connected to a recharge station.

Abstract: A rotary-to-linear lifter for fastener driving tools is provided that has independently movable lifter pins that lift a driver with driver protrusions during a lift stroke. The lifter includes a central lifter shaft that rotates during a lift stroke, a solenoid that actuates, a plurality of lifter pins, and a lifter base. When the solenoid actuates, the lifter pins protrude from the top of the lifter base, and when not actuated, the lifter pins retract inside the lifter base. Each lifter pin has a set of forward and rearward springs that allow for longitudinal pin movements along the lifter's axis of rotation. If there is interference during a lift stroke, individual lifter pin(s) become blocked, and mostly remain inside the lifter base, until the lifter rotates the affected pin away from the interference. Then that lifter pin will again protrude from the lifter base, ready to engage the driver protrusions.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastener driving tool that forces pressurized gas from a gas supply source into a chamber above a piston enclosed in a working cylinder. During an operational cycle, the pressurized gas is released, forcing the piston to fire. The firing valve seals the pressurized gas utilizing two rolling diaphragm seals, thereby providing less breakdown of hardware and removing the need for lubricant within the firing valve. These diaphragm seals exhibit a smaller diameter than prior diaphragms used in similar pneumatic fastener driving tools.

Abstract: A fastener magazine for a fastener driving tool has a movable guide that allows fasteners of various lengths to be loaded in the magazine. When engaged, the movable guide sequentially directs each fastener's movement during a drive stroke. When disengaged, the movable guide does not interfere with each fastener's movement during a drive stroke. In the engaged position, the movable guide prevents a fastener from complete “backtracking” back into the magazine during a drive stoke, which otherwise could potentially cause a jam condition.

Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.

Abstract: A pneumatic fastener driving tool that forces pressurized gas from a gas supply source into a chamber above a piston enclosed in a working cylinder. During an operational cycle, the pressurized gas is released, forcing the piston to fire. The firing valve seals the pressurized gas utilizing two rolling diaphragm seals, thereby providing less breakdown of hardware and removing the need for lubricant within the firing valve. These diaphragm seals exhibit a smaller diameter than prior diaphragms used in similar pneumatic fastener driving tools.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that forces air from its variable venting volume beneath the piston of the working cylinder and directs that forced air through passageways and toward an electronic controller and/or an electric motor before being vented to atmosphere, thereby drawing heat away from those components during an operational cycle of the movable piston. When the piston returns to its initial position, environmental air is drawn through the same passageways, again past the electronic controller and/or electric motor, thereby twice cooling these “hot” components during a single operational cycle.

Abstract: A clamping connector for an autofeed attachment for a screwdriver tool. The connector has a cam action lever that actuates a clamp. The lever moves between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the clamp slightly deforms to hold the autofeed attachment onto an extension pole and/or the front end of a screwdriver tool (or electric drill). The connector, while either in its ‘clamped’ or ‘open’ state, includes an open central region that allows a rotatable shaft or drive bit to pass therethrough, unimpeded. The connector includes a washer with a flat portion that prevents improper axial rotation of the lever as the lever is actuated, or at any stable position. The flat extension helps guide the lever into pivoting along a longitudinal axis of the attachment. An adjustable bolt adjusts the clamping force, and secures the lever, washer, and clamp together on the autofeed attachment.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).

Abstract: A cordless, hoseless fastener driver tool with a compressed gas pressure chamber has a removable end cap that is securely attached to the tool via four screws. Removing each screw in succession releases the compressed gas in a controlled manner, which then allows a user to safely remove the end cap to access the interior of the tool. The user can perform a maintenance procedure and service the interior mechanical portions of the tool, such as repairing or replacing a driver, a piston, and/or a piston stop, as well as the cylinder sleeve, or other internal components. Once the end cap is removed, the components listed above can be removed (and replaced) without the use of any further tools.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).

Abstract: An automated lift machine that feeds strips of staples into an automated stapling machine that can be used in a production line. The lift machine includes a lifter subassembly and a pusher subassembly, and a magazine for holding multiple strips of staples that are stacked on top of one another. A lift fork extends under of the legs of the second staple strip from the bottom, then lifts up all of the stacked staples in the magazine except for the bottom-most staple strip. After that occurs, the pusher forces the bottom-most staple strip from beneath the stacked staples in the magazine, then pushes that strip toward an exit position, into the feeder for the automated stapling machine. The pusher retracts and the lift fork gently lowers the stacked staples in the magazine until they bottom out, after which the lift fork retracts from the stack.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool with a working cylinder and a piston, the piston outer surface having a lubricant-saturated foam material that stores and dispenses lubricant into the piston-cylinder wall interface, thereby increasing the performance and lifespan of the tool. Another embodiment discloses a two-part piston in which the bottom portion is made of metal and absorbs the main mechanical loading forces of the piston drive and return strokes, and the top portion is made of a non-metallic material that has surfaces that act as sliding bearings against the inner wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.