Abstract: A follower assembly includes a follower mounted on an axle with the axle being coupled to a carrier that is pivotable relative to the frame about a pivot axis. The follower assembly has a locked position in which the pivot axis and axle are positioned relative to each other in a locked over-center position. In the locked over-center position the driver is pinched between the follower assembly and the flywheel subjecting the driver to a pinch force when the driver is in the stall position. When the driver is in the stall position and the follower assembly is in the locked over-center position, pivotal movement of a stall release lever toward the release position forces the follower assembly out of the locked over-center position toward the reverse over-center position in which the relative positions of the pivot axis and axle are reversed and the pinch force is released.

Abstract: A flywheel-driven tool includes a ferromagnetic driver. The driver has a firing position in which the driver is drivingly engaged against the flywheel. The driver also has a home position radially further away from the flywheel than the firing position when the flywheel is spinning in preparation to firing the driver. A magnet is positioned adjacent the driver to exert a magnetic force on the driver to pull the driver into the home position.

Abstract: Compression return springs can be mounted on rails between the driver and an impact absorber. The springs include a plurality of wires twisted together to form a multi-stranded twisted wire member, which forms the coils of the spring. The springs can have an inner diameter that resists movement of the coils along the rails when the spring is at its free length, but has a mounted inner diameter that freely allows such movement. The coil-to-coil pitch of the spring can vary along its length. A motor initially rotates the flywheel without engaging the driver. The driver then contacts the rotating flywheel to propel the driver, which compresses the return springs against the impact absorbers as the driver travels from the returned position to the extended position.

Abstract: A flywheel-driven tool includes a ferromagnetic driver. The driver has a firing position in which the driver is drivingly engaged against the flywheel. The driver also has a home position radially further away from the flywheel than the firing position when the flywheel is spinning in preparation to firing the driver. A magnet is positioned adjacent the driver to exert a magnetic force on the driver to pull the driver into the home position.

Abstract: A follower assembly includes a follower mounted on an axle with the axle being coupled to a carrier that is pivotable relative to the frame about a pivot axis. The follower assembly has a locked position in which the pivot axis and axle are positioned relative to each other in a locked over-center position. In the locked over-center position the driver is pinched between the follower assembly and the flywheel subjecting the driver to a pinch force when the driver is in the stall position. When the driver is in the stall position and the follower assembly is in the locked over-center position, pivotal movement of a stall release lever toward the release position forces the follower assembly out of the locked over-center position toward the reverse over-center position in which the relative positions of the pivot axis and axle are reversed and the pinch force is released.

Abstract: Compression return springs can be mounted on rails between the driver and an impact absorber. The springs include a plurality of wires twisted together to form a multi-stranded twisted wire member, which forms the coils of the spring. The springs can have an inner diameter that resists movement of the coils along the rails when the spring is at its free length, but has a mounted inner diameter that freely allows such movement. The coil-to-coil pitch of the spring can vary along its length. A motor initially rotates the flywheel without engaging the driver. The driver then contacts the rotating flywheel to propel the driver, which compresses the return springs against the impact absorbers as the driver travels from the returned position to the extended position.

Abstract: A power tool that includes a structure; a flywheel coupled to the structure; a driver that is translatable along a driver axis; and a follower assembly having an actuator and an activation arm assembly. The actuator is coupled to the activation arm assembly. The activation arm assembly is coupled to the structure and includes a pinch roller. Actuation of the actuator causes the pinch roller to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel.

Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A knob can be rotatably mounted in the housing around a first axis and define a plurality of locating formations arranged thereon. An adjustment rod can be operatively coupled for movement with the knob. A lower contact trip can be coupled to the adjustment rod. An indexing member can be movable along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The indexing member can be selectively biased into engagement with one of the locating formations upon rotation of the knob to resist rotation of the knob relative to the housing. Rotation of the knob can cause the contact trip to translate toward and away from the housing to define a desired penetration depth for the fastener.

Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A knob can be rotatably mounted in the housing around a first axis and define a plurality of locating formations arranged thereon. An adjustment rod can be operatively coupled for movement with the knob. A lower contact trip can be coupled to the adjustment rod. An indexing member can be movable along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The indexing member can be selectively biased into engagement with one of the locating formations upon rotation of the knob to resist rotation of the knob relative to the housing. Rotation of the knob can cause the contact trip to translate toward and away from the housing to define a desired penetration depth for the fastener.

Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A contact trip assembly can include a contact trip slidably disposed relative to the housing between an advanced position and a retracted position. The contact trip assembly can be operable to activate a contact trip switch in the retracted position. A lock-out mechanism can include a paddle rotatably fixed relative to the housing between a disengaged position wherein the contact trip is permitted to slide between the advanced and retracted position and an engaged position wherein the contact trip abuts the paddle thereby precluding movement of the contact trip to the advanced position.

Abstract: A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A knob can be rotatably coupled to the housing and include a first surface. An adjustment element can have a second surface and a threaded aperture. The second surface can be engaged to the first surface such that rotation of the knob effects corresponding rotation of the adjustment element. An adjustment rod can be threadably received into the threaded aperture. A lower contact trip can be coupled to the adjustment rod. A locating formation can be coupled to one of the housing and the knob. An indexing member can be coupled to the other of the housing and the knob. The indexing member can engage the locating formation to resist rotation of the knob relative to the housing.