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 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 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 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 with a hanger attachment that is rotatable around the handle of the tool. The hanger is configured to fit a 2×4 rafter or joist on either side of the tool. The rotatable hanger allows for this flexibility in hanging the tool securely on a jobsite. The hanger has a plurality of designed stop positions (detents) around the handle. A user rotating the hanger around the handle will feel the hanger become more secure at one of these designed stop (detent) positions.

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 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 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 gas-spring fastener driving tool has a working cylinder and a pressurized main storage chamber to hold the gases that will drive the cylinder's piston and driver combination. An end cap is placed on the upper (back) end of the pressure chamber, above the cylinder, with a set of seals and a set of fasteners; the fasteners can be removed by a user—one at a time—to safely release the stored gas pressure from the tool, for maintenance or repair of the interior parts. The end cap includes a fill valve positioned along the side of the working cylinder which allows ‘refilling’ gases to flow through passageways in the end cap, then into the working cylinder and pressure chamber, thereby bringing the tool up to its nominal working pressure. In some embodiments, the fill valve can also act as a pressure release valve.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lifter subassembly for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lifter is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and if the driver is mispositioned at the beginning of a lifting phase, the lifter can displace a small distance to allow the lifter to move over the driver's protrusions, thereby allowing the lifting phase to continue without causing a jam. A retainer (or “cam follower”) is positioned along a rounded cam profile surface of at least one lifter disk to prevent the lifter from displacing during later portions of the lifting phase, or during a transition phase. The lifter includes at least two rotating disks with extending pins to engage driver protrusions. One of the lifter disks can have gear teeth on its perimeter, instead of a cam profile surface.

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 fastener driving tool that includes a lifter subassembly for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lifter is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and if the driver is mispositioned at the beginning of a lifting phase, the lifter can displace a small distance to allow the lifter to move over the driver's protrusions, thereby allowing the lifting phase to continue without causing a jam. A retainer (or “cam follower”) is positioned along a rounded cam profile surface of at least one lifter disk to prevent the lifter from displacing during later portions of the lifting phase, or during a transition phase. The lifter includes at least two rotating disks with extending pins to engage driver protrusions. One of the lifter disks can have gear teeth on its perimeter, instead of a cam profile surface.