Abstract: A novel combustion chamber valve and fuel system for driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a fuel pump disposed parallel to the combustion and piston chambers. Pressure applied a safety at the nose of the tool is activates the fuel pump in a common direction. Pressure applied on a trigger activates the valve system prior to firing in a common direction. The valve system employs a central shaft coupling three valves, an inlet valve using a novel wedged circumferential edge seal, a control valve using a novel edge circumferential seal with a ventilated support, and a charging exhaust valve using a face seal.

Abstract: An exhaust valve comprising an elastomeric flap portion (e.g. of silicone) covering one or more exhaust ports in a normally closed position for a combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed. The elastomeric flap portion is much shorter than a comparable steel reed valve, allowing it to be disposed in small spaces. A single flat piece of elastomeric material can be configured held fixed to a housing surface along a line between one or more pairs of ports such that a flap portion of the material extends to each side of the line and covers one of the pairs of ports. The flat piece can be conveniently held in position against the housing surface by a rib or standoff on the interior surface of an exterior housing.

Abstract: An accessory attachment for a driven fastener hand tool is disclosed comprising a mounting block having an attachment channel and an indexing guide feature. A plate for covering a fastener driving channel of the fastener tool has a nose end with chamfered edges on opposing sides towards the fastener driving channel and the attachment channel has opposing lips for seating against the chamfered edges of the nose end of the plate. One or more bolts through the mounting block at a bottom of the attachment channel press the nose end of the plate causing the opposing lips of the mounting block to press against the chamfered edges thereby securing the mounting block to the nose end of the plate. Alternately or additionally, the mounting block can be used to support a range of accessories including, a non-marring pad, a light, such as an LED, a level, and/or an edge guide.

Abstract: A valve support for use with a valve in a combustion driven fastener hand tool, the valve being formed by a flexible disc affixed to a central shaft having a circumferential edge resting against an anular valve seat affixed to a wall of a combustion chamber with the valve in a closed position is disclosed. The valve support comprises a plate affixed to the central shaft and against the flexible disc, the plate having one or more ports therethrough. In a closed position, the flexible disc has a circumferential edge resting against an anular valve seat affixed to a wall of a combustion chamber but also a central portion of the flexible disc is proximate or contacting a central portion of the support plate on the same side of the disc as the annular valve seat. Various port configuration are possible.

Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a fuel system subassembly including a fuel nozzle and a metering valve, disposed in a common bore of the combustion driven fastener apparatus. The metering valve comprises a hollow cylindrical housing having a cap at each end and a central dual valve stem therebetween. Movement of the dual central valve stem closes an inlet valve at one end and opens an outlet valve at an opposite end in a coordinated manner to release a metered amount of fuel through the outlet valve while preventing additional fuel through the inlet valve. The combustion driven fastener hand tool includes numerous other features affording improvements over the prior art.

Abstract: A novel combustion chamber valve and fuel system for driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a fuel pump disposed parallel to the combustion and piston chambers. Pressure applied a safety at the nose of the tool is activates the fuel pump in a common direction. Pressure applied on a trigger activates the valve system prior to firing in a common direction. The valve system employs a central shaft coupling three valves, an inlet valve using a novel wedged circumferential edge seal, a control valve using a novel edge circumferential seal with a ventilated support, and a charging exaust valve using a face seal.

Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a fuel system subassembly including a fuel nozzle and a metering valve, disposed in a common bore of the combustion driven fastener apparatus. The metering valve comprises a hollow cylindrical housing having a cap at each end and a central dual valve stem therebetween. Movement of the dual central valve stem closes an inlet valve at one end and opens an outlet valve at an opposite end in a coordinated manner to release a metered amount of fuel through the outlet valve while preventing additional fuel through the inlet valve. The combustion driven fastener hand tool includes numerous other features affording improvements over the prior art.

Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having an extruded front body component including two to three parallel bores. A first bore forms a cylinder for the piston which drives the fastener. A second bore forms a primary combustion chamber in which a fuel and air mixture is ignited and directed into the adjacent piston cylinder. A third bore (or alternately an attached component) forms a pathway for the fuel and air mixture to be directed into the primary combustion chamber. The combustion driven fastener hand tool includes numerous other features affording improvements over the prior art.

Abstract: An accessory attachment for a driven fastener hand tool is disclosed comprising a mounting block having an attachment channel and an indexing guide feature. A plate for covering a fastener driving channel of the fastener tool has a nose end with chamfered edges on opposing sides towards the fastener driving channel and the attachment channel has opposing lips for seating against the chamfered edges of the nose end of the plate. One or more bolts through the mounting block at a bottom of the attachment channel press the nose end of the plate causing the opposing lips of the mounting block to press against the chamfered edges thereby securing the mounting block to the nose end of the plate. Alternately or additionally, the mounting block can be used to support a range of accessories including, a non-marring pad, a light, such as an LED, a level, and/or an edge guide.

Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a piston driven by combustion within a chamber, the piston affixed to a driver for forcing a fastener. The piston forms a retention chamber having a lower internal pressure (“vacuum”) than that of the surrounding combustion chamber when the piston is disposed in the starting position for operation of the device. The lower internal pressure of the retention chamber (generated from a previous combustion cycle) momentarily holds the piston in place such that combustion behind the piston must first increase sufficiently to overcome holding force of the retention chamber before the piston moves. Requiring build up of combustion chamber pressure before piston motion greatly improves efficiency and power of the device. Use of the vacuum retention chamber is readily tunable with proper sizing of the chamber.

Abstract: An exhaust valve comprising an elastomeric flap portion (e.g. of silicone) covering one or more exhaust ports in a normally closed position for a combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed. The elastomeric flap portion is much shorter than a comparable steel reed valve, allowing it to be disposed in small spaces. A single flat piece of elastomeric material can be configured held fixed to a housing surface along a line between one or more pairs of ports such that a flap portion of the material extends to each side of the line and covers one of the pairs of ports. The flat piece can be conveniently held in position against the housing surface by a rib or standoff on the interior surface of an exterior housing.

Abstract: A valve support for use with a valve in a combustion driven fastener hand tool, the valve being formed by a flexible disc affixed to a central shaft having a circumferential edge resting against an anular valve seat affixed to a wall of a combustion chamber with the valve in a closed position is disclosed. The valve support comprises a plate affixed to the central shaft and against the flexible disc, the plate having one or more ports therethrough. In a closed position, the flexible disc has a circumferential edge resting against an anular valve seat affixed to a wall of a combustion chamber but also a central portion of the flexible disc is proximate or contacting a central portion of the support plate on the same side of the disc as the annular valve seat. Various port configuration are possible.

Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having a piston driven by combustion within a chamber, the piston affixed to a driver for forcing a fastener. The piston forms a retention chamber having a lower internal pressure (“vacuum”) than that of the surrounding combustion chamber when the piston is disposed in the starting position for operation of the device. The lower internal pressure of the retention chamber (generated from a previous combustion cycle) momentarily holds the piston in place such that combustion behind the piston must first increase sufficiently to overcome holding force of the retention chamber before the piston moves. Requiring build up of combustion chamber pressure before piston motion greatly improves efficiency and power of the device. Use of the vacuum retention chamber is readily tunable with proper sizing of the chamber.

Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having an extruded front body component including two to three parallel bores. A first bore forms a cylinder for the piston which drives the fastener. A second bore forms a primary combustion chamber in which a fuel and air mixture is ignited and directed into the adjacent piston cylinder. A third bore (or alternately an attached component) forms a pathway for the fuel and air mixture to be directed into the primary combustion chamber. The combustion driven fastener hand tool includes numerous other features affording improvements over the prior art.

Abstract: A grip for a handheld airbrush is described. The grip comprises pliant material piece having a first cylindrical passage that includes an open axial seam and a second cylindrical passage that is closed, where the second substantially cylindrical passage intersects the first substantially cylindrical open passage opposite the open axial seam. The pliant material piece fills area between ends of the first substantially cylindrical passage and of the second substantially cylindrical passage. The grip is installed with the second substantially cylindrical passage over the airbrush handle or stem and the first cylindrical passage around the cylindrical body with the airbrush toggle extending through the open axial seam. Depressed regions on opposite sides of the pliant material piece aid a user's grip. The grip may be employed with a secondary toggle grip for a toggle button of the airbrush.