Abstract: A magnetic braking, governing, or speed retarding system for use with a wheeled conveyance may take advantage of eddy currents induced when a magnet moves past a non-magnetic conductor. A plurality of magnets may be disposed within a rotor that rotates as a wheel axle rotates. The magnets rotate past one or more relatively stationary stators to generate eddy currents that create a resistance on the rotor, thereby acting to retard or slow the rotational speed of the rotor and the axle. The system may be particularly well-suited with a wheeled conveyance such as a sled that is gravity driven and travels downhill along a track. The speed governing system may apply lesser force in relatively flat sections of the track, due to slower wheel rotational speeds, and greater force as the conveyance attempts to pick up speed, e.g., in steeper sections.

Abstract: A self drilling anchor for use in a friable material mounted on a member comprises an elongated body having an axis, an axial bore adapted to receive an elongated fastener, a flared end having torque transmitting surfaces therein, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a drilling tip generally opposite the flared end, wherein the proximal portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter, and a thread height, the intermediate portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion, and the distal portion has a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion.

Abstract: A method of installing a self drilling anchor for use in a friable material mounted on a member comprising an elongated body having an axis, an axial bore adapted to receive an elongated fastener, a flared end having torque transmitting surfaces therein, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a drilling tip generally opposite the flared end, wherein the proximal portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter, and a thread height, the intermediate portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion, and the distal portion has a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion.

Abstract: A fastener system that includes a fastener with a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, where the head has a first pattern formed thereon, and a cap that is configured and arranged to be seated upon the head, where the cap includes a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof. This second pattern is adapted to cooperate with the first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to the cap are transferred to the fastener via contact between the first and second patterns. Furthermore, the second pattern is defined by a closed figure that includes a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between the adjacent points. Several different configurations are available for the second pattern.

Abstract: An improved combustion powered tool for driving fasteners into a workpiece includes a main housing enclosing a cylinder body and an adjacent combustion chamber. The tool includes a workpiece-contacting nosepiece attached to the housing at the end opposite the combustion chamber and holds fasteners to be driven into the workpiece. A reciprocally disposed piston is mounted within the cylinder body, and is attached to an elongate driver blade, the driver blade being used to impact the fasteners and drive them into the workpiece. At the upper end of the cylinder body is disposed a compressible piston retaining device. The retaining device is of sufficient strength to accommodate the weight of the piston and to retard the upward velocity of a returning piston, but is overcome when the tool is fired.

Abstract: A fastener detection system is provided for both internal combustion and powder actuated fastener driving tools, and similar powered fastener driving tools. A sensor disposed at a portion of a fastener supply path detects the presence or absence of a fastener. In the combustion tool, either or both of fuel delivery and combustion ignition are disabled when no fastener is detected. In the powder actuated tool an indicator notifies an operator when the sensor detects the absence of a fastener. The indicator may also be incorporated into the combustion tool.

Abstract: A stand-up fastener driving tool including a rotary driver having a rotatable shaft with a fastener driving member disposed on a distal end thereof and disposed within telescoping upper and lower tubes, wherein the lower tube has a nose-piece with an opening for retaining a fastener therein. The fastener driving member is extendable toward and away from the nose-piece upon contraction and extension of the lower and upper tubes. A plurality of fasteners are retained side by side in a magazine of the tool, and are individually releasable therefrom upon contraction and extension of the upper and lower tubes. A feed tube connects the magazine to the nose-piece, and includes a magnetized wall portion for capturing and retaining fasteners fed from the magazine.

Abstract: An improved combustion powered tool for driving fasteners into a workpiece includes a main housing enclosing a cylinder body and an adjacent combustion chamber. The tool includes a workpiece-contacting nosepiece attached to the housing at the end opposite the combustion chamber and holds fasteners to be driven into the workpiece. A reciprocally disposed piston is mounted within the cylinder body, and is attached to an elongate driver blade, the driver blade being used to impact the fasteners and drive them into the workpiece. At the upper end of the cylinder body is disposed a compressible piston retaining device. The retaining device is of sufficient strength to accommodate the weight of the piston and to retard the upward velocity of a returning piston, but is overcome when the tool is fired.

Abstract: A fastener detection system is provided for both internal combustion and powder actuated fastener driving tools, and similar powered fastener driving tools. A sensor disposed at a portion of a fastener supply path detects the presence or absence of a fastener. In the combustion tool, either or both of fuel delivery and combustion ignition are disabled when no fastener is detected. In the powder actuated tool an indicator notifies an operator when the sensor detects the absence of a fastener. The indicator may also be incorporated into the combustion tool.

Abstract: A self-drilling fastener for use with medium density wood panels, such as oriented strand board (OSB), having a head and first and second shank portions where the first shank portion includes threads for mating engagement with an OSB panel and the second shank portion substantially is formed as a taper shank flat drill which forms the drilling end of the fastener, the taper shank flat drill having conical shaped tapered portions, a triangular drill tip and a pair of wing portions formed on opposite sides of the flat drill forming helical cutting edges.

Abstract: An improved fastener having a non-circular head with a concave recess providing a datum useful in centering the head relative to a non-circular socket of a driving member is disclosed. The recess may have a frusto-conical wall defining an upper, circular edge or substantially triangular walls defining an upper, non-circular edge. An improved tool useful to drive the improved fastener is also disclosed. In the improved tool, a driving member has a tubular extension with a non-circular socket, and a centering pin is axially movable toward and extended position, in which a convex end of the centering pin fits into the concave recess of the screw head when the socket of the tool extension is axially fitted over the fastener head. The centering pin is biased toward the extended position.

Abstract: In a fastener-driving tool, such as a powder-actuated tool, a nosepiece has an aperture, through which a fastener can be axially driven. A shuttle has a passageway to receive the fastener, as guided by a flexible tube, in a fastener-receiving position of the shuttle. A shuttle-moving mechanism is used to move the shuttle from the fastener-receiving position into a fastener-delivery position. A driving mechanism enables the fastener to be axially driven from the passageway, through the aperture, in the delivery position of the shuttle. A magnet or a spring, such as a torsional spring having an arm to engage the fastener, is used to retain the fastener in a pre-driving position. As a stand-up tool, the tool has a primary trigger and a secondary trigger, which enables the primary trigger to be remotely actuated.

Abstract: In a fastener-driving tool, such as a powder-actuated tool, a nosepiece has an aperture, through which a fastener can be axially driven. A shuttle has a passageway to receive the fastener, as guided by a flexible tube, in a fastener-receiving position of the shuttle. A shuttle-moving mechanism is used to move the shuttle from the fastener-receiving position into a fastener-delivery position. A driving mechanism enables the fastener to be axially driven from the passageway, through the aperture, in the delivery position of the shuttle. A magnet or a spring, such as a torsional spring having an arm to engage the fastener, is used to retain the fastener in a pre-driving position. As a stand-up tool, the tool has a primary trigger and a secondary trigger, which enables the primary trigger to be remotely actuated.

Abstract: In a fastener-driving tool, such as a powder-actuated tool, a nosepiece has an aperture, through which a fastener can be axially driven. A shuttle has a passageway to receive the fastener, as guided by a flexible tube, in a fastener-receiving position of the shuttle. A shuttle-moving mechanism is used to move the shuttle from the fastener-receiving position into a fastener-delivery position. A driving mechanism enables the fastener to be axially driven from the passageway, through the aperture, in the delivery position of the shuttle. A magnet or a spring, such as a torsional spring having an arm to engage the fastener, is used to retain the fastener in a pre-driving position. As a stand-up tool, the tool has a primary trigger and a secondary trigger, which enables the primary trigger to be remotely actuated.

Abstract: An improved fastener mountable within a plasterboard wall from one side of the wall and used with a screw comprises a fastener body and a toggle clamp pivotable between an insertion position and a toggle position. The fastener has a drilling tip adapted to drill a hole of sufficient diameter so as to accommodate the fastener, except for the fastener head which is adapted to coact with a driving tool. In a first embodiment, the drilling tip is an integral part of the fastener body and extends axially beyond the toggle clamp in its insertion position. In a second embodiment, the drilling tip is an integral part of the toggle clamp and extends axially beyond the fastener body in the insertion position of the toggle clamp. In each embodiment, the fastener is self-drilling.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching roofing insulation to roof decks. A washer with a broad load-distributing flange has a crushable region which is deformed as the fastener becomes fully seated. This region insures that the joint is loaded with a predetermined force before the depth-sensitive driver disengages reducing the likelihood of overdriving or underdriving.

Abstract: A standup screwgun having the capacity to drive twelve inch fasteners. The feed tube merges with the guide tube at a shallow angle enlarging the interface between the two tubes. Two triangular panel members extend along the interface with a first side of each lying generally on the inner cylindrical surface of the guide tube, a second side lying generally on the inner cylindrical surface of the feed tube and the third side extending angularly between the two tubes forming an inclined camming surface. The panels are spaced apart a distance capable of receiving the fastener shank but less than that of the fastener head. The leading end of the fastener is transferred gradually from the feed tube to the guide tube while the head is cammed laterally over a short length. This same or additional structure can prevent a misoriented fastener from reaching the guide tube and creating a jam.

Abstract: A plastic load-distributive washer for use with compressible materials. An axial projection has a laterally extending external flange and an internal throughbore. A portion of the throughbore has a lateral dimension exceeding the maximum lateral dimension of a fastener head with which it is used and an axial length which is at least several times the height of the fastener head. The washer is free to float with the compressible material subject to loading while the fastener remains unmoved. The washer may also be provided with a flexible snap ring to limit the amount of relative movement and a plurality of one-way fingers which cooperate with projections on the head to restrict relative rotational movement between the washer and fastener in the removal direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a drill bit to a power tool. A first adaptor can be chucked into the tool. A second adaptor has a shank with a first longitudinal groove extending from one end and a second lateral groove intersecting the first. The shank is received in a bore of the first adaptor and a protrusion engages in the first and then the second groove as the shank is inserted and then rotated. The bore has a resilient spring member which engages the shank of the second member and prevents undesired counter-rotation. The first adaptor is equipped with a hexagonal recess which can, alternatively, engage hex-headed fasteners or the hexagonal stem of an internal recess driver attachment.