Patents Examined by James L. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4942996
    Abstract: Improvements in a fastener-feeding mechanism for a pneumatically powered, combustion-powered, or other rapidly acting, fastener-driving tool comprising a housing structure, a driver, and a magazine, as well as such a mechanism. The housing structure includes a nosepiece defining a drive track. The drive is mounted for repeatable movement along the drive track. The magazine is adapted to store a strip of collated fasteners, e.g., collated nails, such that a leading portion of the strip extends from the magazine. As a component for feeding fasteners individually and sequentially into the drive track from the leading portion of the strip, a pawl has a groove or grooves adapted to receive one such fastener. A fixed structure confines one of two sides of the leading portion of the strip so as to guide such portion. When in an operative position, a hinged structure confines the other side of such portion so as to guide such portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Wolfberg, Rudolph A. M. Golsch, Frank C. Howard
  • Patent number: 4932479
    Abstract: A vacuum-compression type percussion power tool comprises a housing (12), a cylinder (14) fixed in the housing, a piston (16) reciprocating in the cylinder (14) from a reciprocating drive mechanism such as a crank mechanism (18) driven by an electric motor, or any other suitable drive, a working tool (24) installed in the front part of the power tool, and a floating striker (34) which slides inside cylinder (14) in a space between a tail portion (26) of working tool (24) and the lower end of the piston. The power tool has a sealed auxiliary chamber (54, 56) , which is formed by a hollow casing (48) which surrounds the cylinder, and a space below striker (34). The auxiliary chamber is connected to a main working chamber (38), which is formed between the piston and the striker, through a set of compensation holes (44) and a set of idle-stroke holes (46). The power tool has a pumping chamber (27) which is formed in the upper part of cylinder (14) between the upper end face of piston (16) and a closed cover (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Vladimir Pyatov
  • Patent number: 4919321
    Abstract: An arrangement for riveting of sheet material (33) with devices for drilling (7), for the positioning of rivets (8), for the driving of rivets (9) and for the positioning of a bucking bar device. The arrangement of the invention is characterized in that the three above-mentioned devices (7-9) are so arranged as to be capable of adjustment one at a time, into a certain operating position in relation to a frame (3). The frame (3) is precisely adjustable by means of a robot (6), in relation to the sheet material (33), on one side of the sheet material (33) while the bucking bar device (28) is adjustable on the other side of the sheet material (33) by means of a second robot (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Saab-Scania AB
    Inventors: Sven-Olof Rydstrom, Mikael Johansson
  • Patent number: 4909419
    Abstract: A percussion tool of the repeatedly operating type includes a housing, a striking cylinder received in the housing for movement therealong, and a driving piston received in the striking cylinder for movement therealong. The striking cylinder cooperates with the housing to provide a switch valve means which is responsive to the movement of the striking cylinder along the housing for selectively interrupting fluid communication between the interior of the striking cylinder and a discharge port and communicating the interior of said striking cylinder with a compressed air source when the striking cylinder is at its lower position to thereby move the striking piston to cause an associated striking driver to strike a driven element and for selectively interrupting the communication between the interior of the striking cylinder and the compressed air source and communicating the interior of the striking cylinder with the discharge port as the striking cylinder is moved from its lower to upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamada, Keijiro Murayama, Michiaki Adachi
  • Patent number: 4898315
    Abstract: A fastening apparatus with an improved ejector, is provided with a barrel (3) having a narrowed rear portion (15) upon which an ejection ring (5) may slide. The ring (5) includes two grooves (12, 12') for receiving a clip (22) cooperating with two milled portions (17, 18) of the barrel. The milled portions comprise a front land and a rear land separated by a rearwardly inclined ramp (19) for holding the ring (5), interlocked for translation with the barrel (3), in position until it comes into abuttment against a pawl (30) for retaining an inertia block (4), upon an opening of the apparatus, for proper ejection of a charge case (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Societe de Prospection et D'Inventions Techniques (S.P.I.T.)
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Vernerey
  • Patent number: 4898314
    Abstract: A replaceable, closed, container, cartridge or supply-item cassette holds a roll of stitcher wire from which U-shaped wire staples are to be formed by operation of a stitcher. The wire's end is led from the cassette to the stitcher by way of a flexible tube that terminates in a coupler/handle member. The coupler/handle member includes a releasable wire clamp that is operable to hold the wire's end. The coupler/handle member is constructed and arranged to protect the operator's hands from contact with the wire's sharp, needle-like end. When the coupler/handle member is locked or coupled to the stitcher, the stitcher's wire feed rollers automatically move to a nip-closed position, to entrap the end of the wire, and the wire is automatically released from the wire clamp. The stitcher's wire feed rollers are driven by a stepping motor. The cassette includes a brake that is operable to control the orderly feeding or wire by the stepping motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Stroh
  • Patent number: 4898316
    Abstract: A fastener magazine and guide device for use with a moveable fastening tool. The fastener magazine contains a coil of fasteners and is mounted in a fixed position in close proximity to the fastening tool. A guide is attached at its one end to the fastening tool by an angular tongue, while its other end is mounted near the fastener magazine such that the guide can move with the tool but does not transmit movement to the fastener magazine. The fastener magazine is mounted on an angle to allow for smooth feeding of the fasteners to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Senco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. McLaughlin, Thomas A. McCardle
  • Patent number: 4892244
    Abstract: A lockout mechanism actuable upon the firing of staples in a surgical staple cartridge such that the lockout mechanism prevents the refiring of the spent staple cartridge when that cartridge remains loaded within the surgical stapler. In addition, the lockout mechanism will prevent reloading of a spent staple cartridge within a surgical stapler after the spent staple cartridge has been removed from the surgical stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Fox, Rudolph H. Nobis, Richard P. Nuchols, Mark S. Zeiner
  • Patent number: 4890681
    Abstract: The power drive system of the present invention provides a rotary drive swivel unit which can be tilted along its horizontal pivotal axis until its output shaft is substantially horizontal. A drill pipe provided in a substantially horizontal bed adjacent to the drilling rig is aligned with the output shaft of the rotary drive swivel unit and this joint is made up. The rotary drive swivel unit is raised and the suspended drill pipe reoriented to a vertical position and is aligned over the drill string and added thereto substantially at platform level. The power drive system turns the drill string and advances the drilling downhole. The rotary drive swivel unit disengages from the drill string and the foregoing steps are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Skelly
  • Patent number: 4890778
    Abstract: A power-actuated fastener tool for the driving of a fastener object into hard material such as concrete or metal, the tool being of a type having a relatively movable barrel and housing components, the barrel carrying a power load chamber body and a relatively movable piston member which in muzzleward movement drives the fastener object, and on breechward movement achieves ejection of the spent power load cartridge; and the housing carries a movable firing pin assembly. The housing is provided with an offset axially-extending wall, and its opposite ends serve as abutments co-opereative with a transverse pin, carried by the piston and extending through a slot in the barrel wall, to achieve various operative features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Robert E. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4889191
    Abstract: A gooseneck interposed between a rock drill and supporting jack leg includes an offset pivot bearing for the rock drill and an adjacent pin to facilitate initial insertion of a friction rock stabilizer into a receiving hole. Use of the gooseneck involves alignment of the jack leg and stabilizer, followed by simultaneous operation of the rock drill and jack leg to force the stabilizer into the hole while vibrating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: C. Lovon Fausett, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4887757
    Abstract: A fixation stake for securing articles such as benthic barriers to the earth comprising hollow thin-walled elongated plastic body and an enlarged head portion at one end thereof, and a method and apparatus for inserting the stakes into the ground comprising a rod portion of a size suitable to be inserted through the hollow bore of the stakes, the apparatus having an upright handle portion and a horizontal foot peddle for insertion of the stakes into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Todd J. Bridgewater, John E. Plott
  • Patent number: 4886188
    Abstract: Adhesive is delivered to a work site by providing said component in a cartridge having an orifice at one end and a slideable plunger at the other end. An axial force is applied against the plunger, intermittently pushing the adhesive from the cartridge. The force is applied by an impact wrench producing slow speed, moderate to high torque, and limited duration of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventor: Gene A. Falco
  • Patent number: 4883211
    Abstract: An explosive powder charge operated fastening element setting device includes a housing supporting a handle. A damping unit is arranged between the handle and the housing so that the handle is displaceable in the setting direction of the setting device against a force developed in the damping device. A fastening element guide is mounted in the housing for movement opposite to the setting direction against a spring force. The force of the damping unit is greater than the spring force. The damping unit includes a cylinder containing a first fluid medium acting on a piston pressing, outside the cylinder, against the housing with a second fluid medium within the cylinder pressurizing the first fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Leo Philipp, Ernst Thuer, Gerhard Ehmig
  • Patent number: 4883130
    Abstract: The fastener driving tool of an automatic assembly machine is rotated by a two speed transmission which acts in conjunction with two torque-responsive clutches. Initially, the transmission rotates the driving tool at a high speed to effect fast driving of the fastener. After torque of predetermined magnitude has been applied to the fastener, one of the clutches torques out and, at that time, the transmission rotates the driving tool at a greatly reduced speed by way of the other clutch so that the fastener is rotated slowly during final tightening. When final tightening torque of predetermined magnitude is applied to the fastener, the second clutch torques out to stop rotation of the driving tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Dixon
  • Patent number: 4883212
    Abstract: An explosive powder charge operated setting device includes a housing, a barrel displaceably mounted within the housing, and a combustion chamber located in the rear end of the barrel. An outflow opening extends through the barrel transversely of its axial direction and is in flow communication with the combustion chamber. A slide, including a sealing piston, is displaceably positioned within the outflow opening the regulating the flow of explosive gases out of the combustion chamber. A handle is engaged with the slide for selectively positioning the sealing piston in the outflow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Leo Philipp
  • Patent number: 4883213
    Abstract: An explosive tool driving apparatus is provided having an improved extractor mounted upon its barrel holder, and the claw of which is meant to retain the case of a propulsive charge during opening of the apparatus. A groove for passage of the claw of the extractor is formed within the barrel of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Societe de Prospection et d'Inventions Techniques (S.P.I.T.)
    Inventor: Roland Almeras
  • Patent number: 4882955
    Abstract: A hand-held hammer formed of: a hammer head including a principal elongated body portion of square cross-sectional configuration and having at least one nail striking surface of square shape at one end of the body portion; and an elongated hammer handle affixed at its forward end in substantially perpendicular orientation to the body portion of the hammer head. The hammer head is turned by 45.degree. from the axis of the hammer handle whereby a pair of opposing edges of the head is in alignment with the axis of the handle and whereby the square nail striking surface of the head provides right and left side corners of striking surface area for setting nails and the square shape of the nail striking surface improves the hammer user's nail driving accuracy during the rearward to forward or upward to downward swing movement of the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventor: Davorin Savnik
  • Patent number: 4881604
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a mine shaft roof bolting machine for drilling holes in a mine shaft roof in combination with an apparatus for controlling the thrust applied to the drill rod, commonly known as a pinning rod, to ensure that a buckling failure of the pinning rod will not occur. The thrust is controlled by a computer in conjunction with a solenoid controlled relief valve which is actuated by commands from the computer. The computer determines the length of the pinning rod exposed below the mine shaft roof from data received from one or more of the following sensors: an electronic device for measuring hydraulic cylinder rod extension, contact switches, rotary encoders, proximity switches, and ultrasonic transceivers and associated circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: William C. Orthwein
  • Patent number: 4880064
    Abstract: An improved torque control and fluid shut-off mechanism for a fluid operated tool includes a bit holder and driving clutch member which are connected for uniform cojoint axial movement and independent rotary movement. Spring biased ball bearings provides for cojoint rotary movement which is overcome when the spring biasing force associated with the driving clutch member exceeds a threshold level. A locking sleeve fitted over the driving clutch member cooperates with a control rod for the fluid inlet to the rotary vane air motor to control initiation of operation, termination of operation, and resetting of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Willoughby, Phil D. Thorp