Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a fastener driver, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners to the fastener driver, a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke, and a motor configured to move the fastener driver through a return stroke. The motor is operable upon completion of the drive stroke, to move the fastener driver partially through the return stroke a predetermined amount to partially pre-compress the spring. The motor is further operable to fully compress the spring after receiving a signal for the drive stroke.

Abstract: A fastener driving device is disclosed. The device includes a housing assembly, and a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly. The device also includes a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners that are provided to the nose assembly, a fastener driver, and a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke. The spring includes a composite material. The device also includes a motor for moving the fastener driver through a return stroke.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated stapler that has a single selectively operable adjuster operatively associated with a staple leg diverter. The single selectively operable adjuster is constructed and arranged to be adjusted within a range of leg deflecting positions to affect the lateral movement of the staple leg diverter. The different leg deflective positions effects an amount to which the diverter will deflect the legs of the driven staple during a drive stroke. A single operation of the single selectively operable adjuster both moves the adjuster and retains the adjuster in an adjusted position within the range of leg deflecting positions.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated stapler that has a single selectively operable adjusting mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be adjusted within a range of leg deflecting positions is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple leg diverting member that is carried by a portable structure for lateral movement into and out of a drive track. Successively driven staples are driven with a selected leg deflection between a minimum deflection and a maximum deflection. The adjusting mechanism is selectively adjusted within the range of positions to adjust the amount of bias of a biasing structure acting on the leg diverting member.

Abstract: A pallet having wooden boards secured together by nails which achieve approved operating characteristics. The nail is embodied in a package secured together by a pair of parallel wires welded to the shanks. Each nail having a shank diameter between 0.078 in. and 0.085 in., each nail is manufactured from steel wire and has a length between 1.50 in. and 2.25 in. The ratio of the head diameter to the shank diameter of each nail is between 2.70 and 3.37.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes various interconnected systems within a device housing for efficiently regulating and transferring compressed gas provided by user-replaceable cartridges to drive a fastener securely into a workpiece. An improved cartridge containment system is provided for loading and securing compressed gas cartridges. An improved gas management system is provided, including an improved multi-function regulator, for managing gas flow. An improved valve system is provided for controlling gas flow, including an improved valve module. An improved drive system is provided for efficiently using compressed gas to drive fasteners.

Abstract: A wire nail for use with a powered nail-driving tool has a full-round head with an axis that is offset from an axis of the integrally formed shank. An outer circumferential surface of the shank is at least as offset from the shank axis in one radial direction as a circumferential surface of the head in that radial direction. Accordingly, such nails may be collated shank-to-shank in a strip of wire nails such that adjoining shanks are both parallel and touching. During manufacture of the wire nail, a notch is formed in the shank at the intersection between the shank and the head. The notch and the head axis are disposed on opposite sides of the shank axis from each other. The notch facilitates improved metal flow during the head-forming procedure and results in strong shank to head connections.

Abstract: A fastener for use in the construction of pallets is provided which includes a head having a head diameter, a single elongate shank having a nominal shank diameter, and a plurality of rings extending outwardly from the shank. Each ring had a crest and a root, with the crest being located closer to the head than the root. The fastener has a bending yield strength of about 100 ksi or greater, and a length of between about 0.5 inch and 1.75 inches. The ratio of the head diameter to the nominal shank diameter is between 2.70 and 3.37, and the plurality of rings are formed so that an average outer diameter of the crests of the rings between a middle ring and the head is greater than an average outer diameter of the crests of the rings between the middle ring and the tip.

Abstract: A method for operating a fastener driving device is disclosed. The method includes moving an input actuator of an actuating assembly into an operative position in response to movement of a contact trip assembly and a trigger member into the operative positions thereof. The contract trip assembly includes an output actuator. The method also includes moving an actuating member with respect to the trigger member between a first position and a second position, and moving a mode selecting member together with the actuating member relative to the trigger member between the first and second positions of the actuating member, and relatively moving the mode selecting member with respect to the actuating member.

Abstract: A fastener driving device for use in driving a fastener into an elongated contoured portion of a workpiece is disclosed. The elongated contoured portion has a surface that is contoured perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the elongated contoured portion. The device includes a contact arm that is operatively connected with the trigger assembly, and a contoured contact foot for engaging the workpiece. The contact arm is constructed and arranged to move relative to a housing assembly of the driving device when the contact foot is pressed against the workpiece. The contact foot has a contoured engaging surface that includes a recess that is shaped to generally complement the shape of the contoured surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a housing containing a chamber for storing compressed air a cylinder structure disposed within the housing, a piston movably disposed within the cylinder, a driver connected to the piston, a main valve cooperable with the cylinder structure and movable between an open position and a closed position. The main valve in its open position allows air to move the piston through a drive stroke. The fastener driving device also includes a trigger valve operable between first and second positions. The trigger valve in its first position communicates air pressure from the chamber to the main valve through a signal passageway so as to retain the main valve in a closed position. The trigger valve in its second position allows the air to be exhausted to atmosphere through the signal passageway to permit the main valve to open. The cylinder and the signal passageway comprise an integrally molded structure.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a housing containing a chamber for storing compressed air a cylinder structure disposed within the housing, a piston movably disposed within the cylinder, a driver connected to the piston, a main valve cooperable with the cylinder structure and movable between an open position and a closed position. The main valve in its open position allows air to move the piston through a drive stroke. The fastener driving device also includes a trigger valve operable between first and second positions. The trigger valve in its first position communicates air pressure from the chamber to the main valve through a signal passageway so as to retain the main valve in a closed position. The trigger valve in its second position allows the air to be exhausted to atmosphere through the signal passageway to permit the main valve to open. The cylinder and the signal passageway comprise an integrally molded structure.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a nose assembly carried by a housing that has a reservoir. The nose assembly has a fastener drive track. At least a portion of the fastener drive track is defined by a movable portion of the nose assembly. A fastener driver is movably mounted in the housing and configured to enter the drive track and drive successive leading fasteners into a workpiece. A head valve is constructed and arranged to be actuated so as to allow the pressurized gas to move the fastener driver through an operating cycle. An actuator is constructed and arranged to actuate the head valve. The actuator includes a trigger valve constructed and arranged to allow passage of the pressurized gas from the reservoir to a chamber above the head valve, and a contact valve operatively connected to the movable portion of the nose assembly.

Abstract: A fastener that may be used in the construction of pallets is disclosed. The fastener includes a head having a head diameter, a single elongate shank having a nominal shank diameter, and a plurality of rings extending outwardly from the shank. Each ring has a crest and a root, with the crest being located closer to the head than the root. The fastener has a bending yield strength of about 100 ksi or greater, and a length of between about 0.5 inch and 1.75 inches. The ratio of the head diameter to the nominal shank diameter is between 2.70 and 3.37, and the plurality of rings are formed so that an average outer diameter of the crests of the rings between a middle ring and the head is greater than an average outer diameter of the crests of the rings between the middle ring and the tip.

Abstract: A fastener driving device is disclosed. The device includes a housing assembly, and a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly. The device also includes a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners that are provided to the nose assembly, a fastener driver, and a spring that moves the fastener driver through a drive stroke. The spring includes a composite material. The device also includes a motor for moving the fastener driver through a return stroke.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a trigger assembly operatively disposed between a contact trip assembly and an actuating assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger member, an actuating member, and an automatic mode selecting mechanism. The mode selecting mechanism includes a mode selecting member having a connection with the actuating member to make the mode selecting member (1) move with the actuating member between first and second positions of the actuating member, and (2) have relative movement with respect to the actuating member so that the mode selecting mechanism (a) retains the actuating member in the first position in response to an initial movement of the trigger member to the operative position, and (b) retains the actuating member in the second position in response to an initial movement of the contact trip assembly into the operative position and a subsequent movement of the trigger member into the operative position.

Abstract: A fastener driving device for driving fasteners into flooring boards is disclosed. In an embodiment, the device includes a housing containing an engine for driving a fastener through a flooring board and into the sub-floor and a magazine for supplying a plurality of fasteners for the engine to drive. The device also includes a shoe that is configured to locate the engine relative to the flooring board so that the fastener is driven into the flooring board at an angle. The device further includes a handle that is slidingly received by the housing. The handle includes a grip for receiving a user's hand. A distance between the grip and the shoe is adjustable.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a housing containing an engine for driving a fastener through a flooring board and into a sub-floor, a nosepiece through which fasteners are driven, a magazine for supplying a plurality of fasteners for the engine to drive, and a shoe mounted for movement relative to the nosepiece. The shoe locates the engine relative to the flooring board so that the fastener is driven into the flooring board at an angle. The shoe includes a bottom workpiece engaging surface for engaging a top surface of the flooring board, and the nosepiece includes a forward workpiece engaging surface for engaging a front surface of the flooring board. The forward surface extends a distance below the bottom surface. One of the bottom surface and the forward surface is movable with respect to the other to adjust the distance that the forward surface extends below the bottom surface.

Abstract: A nail guide mechanism, suitable for use with a wide variety of nail guns, having a mounting bracket to permit ready attachment and/or removal in the field. The guide mechanism, when mounted, is oriented about the channel defined by the nose of the nail gun. The guide mechanism includes a partially pre-compressed spring that induces a bias on a pivoting arm such that the arm is caused to protrude at least partially into the channel. The arm is thus positioned to continuously exert a force on the nails as they are driven down the channel past the arm. Because the spring is only partially pre-compressed, the positioning of the arm is responsive to changes in conditions inside the channel, such as when the head of a nail passes by the arm. The force exerted by the arm, under the influence of the spring, acts substantially along the radial axis of the nail, and is exerted on the nail during at least a portion of the time that the nail is being impelled by the driving mechanism of the nail gun.