Abstract: A high inertia driver system for a fastening tool having an electric motor that drives a flywheel to contact a driver blade to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The high inertia driver system also has a return system which prevents the unintentional driving of a second fastener. The return system uses a return spring that controls the recoil energy of the driver blade after driving a fastener into a workpiece. The system achieves a long operational life for the fastening tool by increasing the number of return cycles of the driver blade free of a return spring failure.

Abstract: A high inertia driver system for a fastening tool having an electric motor that drives a flywheel to contact a driver blade to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The high inertia driver system also has a return system which prevents the unintentional driving of a second fastener. The return system uses a return spring that controls the recoil energy of the driver blade after driving a fastener into a workpiece. The system achieves a long operational life for the fastening tool by increasing the number of return cycles of the driver blade free of a return spring failure.

Abstract: A method of operating a tool is provided for applying fasteners to a workpiece. The method includes energizing a motor to operate the flywheel; applying a first electric pulse to a driver actuator to transitionally drive a driver actuator along a drive axis to drive a lead fastener into a workpiece; energizing the motor for at least a portion of a time following the first electric pulse and prior to a second electric pulse; applying a second electric pulse to a feed actuator to present a subsequent lead fastener into a nosepiece assembly; deenergizing the motor or reducing a supply of electrical energy to the motor for at least a portion of a time during the second electric pulse; and reenergizing the motor after the second electric pulse.

Abstract: A tool is provided for applying fasteners to a workpiece. The tool has a housing with a nosepiece, a motor, a drive actuator, a magazine assembly that holds fasteners, and a feed assembly with a feed actuator configured to move a lead fastener into the nosepiece. A driver in the housing is driven by a drive system that is associated with the driver actuator. A controller is connected to the feed actuator and the drive actuator to implement a firing sequence for driving each lead fastener into the workpiece using the driver and feeding the lead fastener into the nosepiece assembly. The actuators may be in the form of solenoids. The controller is designed to energize and deenergize the motor selectively while the drive actuator and feed actuator are activated.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a magazine securely and releasably retained on the fastening tool by a cam mounted on one of the fastening tool and the magazine. In a single rotary motion, the cam wedges together the housing member of the fastening tool and the housing member of the magazine, while simultaneously rotating cam lobes into respective chambers formed on the fastening tool and the magazine. The cam rotation and magazine retention system is accomplished without tools.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A magazine for use with a fastening tool. The magazine can have a pusher assembly that can be retracted into a recess in the magazine to facilitate loading and reloading of fasteners. The pusher assembly can have a pusher assembly knob which can be reversibly latched to a detent to maintain the pusher assembly in a retracted state. The fastening tool can use a magazine which can be reloaded by a method which has a step of reversibly retracting the pusher assembly into the retracted state to allow for feeding one or more fasteners to the magazine.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a contact trip operatively associated with a contact trip switch to enable a fastener drive system to be fired when the contact trip reaches a firing position, after having engaged a work surface. If a dry-fire condition exists in a magazine connected to the fastening tool, the movement of the contact trip is completely taken up or absorbed by a biasing agent so that the contact trip switch is not closed. The biasing agent also limits the amount of force that can be applied to the contact trip switch in the event an operator slams the contact trip against a work surface or drops the fastening tool nose-first onto an unyielding surface.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a nail stop which positions a nail for driving and is made at least in part of a contact material which can be investment cast and/or hardened. The contact material can resist wear from the action of driving the nail and the movement of a driver blade. The nail stop can be configured to align nails fed from a magazine and can be offset from the longitudinal centerline of the fastening tool. The nail stop can have a head contact length which is 0.5% to 95% of the length of the nail to be driven. The nail stop is used in methods for positioning a nail for driving.

Abstract: A tool is provided for applying fasteners to a workpiece. The tool has a housing with a nosepiece, a motor, a drive actuator, a magazine assembly that holds fasteners, and a feed assembly with a feed actuator configured to move a lead fastener into the nosepiece. A driver in the housing is driven by a drive system that is associated with the driver actuator. A controller is connected to the feed actuator and the drive actuator to implement a firing sequence for driving each lead fastener into the workpiece using the driver and feeding the lead fastener into the nosepiece assembly. The actuators may be in the form of solenoids. The controller is designed to energize and deenergize the motor selectively while the drive actuator and feed actuator are activated.

Abstract: A tool is provided for applying fasteners to a workpiece. The tool has a housing with a nosepiece, a motor, a drive actuator, a magazine assembly that holds fasteners, and a feed assembly with a feed actuator configured to move a lead fastener into the nosepiece. A driver in the housing is driven by a drive system that is associated with the driver actuator. A controller is connected to the feed actuator and the drive actuator to implement a firing sequence for driving each lead fastener into the workpiece using the driver and feeding the lead fastener into the nosepiece assembly. The actuators may be in the form of solenoids. The controller is designed to energize and deenergize the motor selectively while the drive actuator and feed actuator are activated.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a contact trip operatively associated with a contact trip switch to enable a fastener drive system to be fired when the contact trip reaches a firing position, after having engaged a work surface. if a dry-fire condition exists in a magazine connected to the fastening tool, the movement of the contact trip is completely taken up or absorbed by a biasing agent so that the contact trip switch is not closed. The biasing agent also limits the amount of force that can be applied to the contact trip switch in the event an operator slams the contact trip against a work surface or drops the fastening tool nose-first onto an unyielding surface.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a contact trip operatively associated with a contact trip switch to enable a fastener drive system to be fired when the contact trip reaches a firing position, after having engaged a work surface. If a dry-fire condition exists in a magazine connected to the fastening tool, the movement of the contact trip is completely taken up or absorbed by a biasing agent so that the contact trip switch is not closed. The biasing agent also limits the amount of force that can be applied to the contact trip switch in the event an operator slams the contact trip against a work surface or drops the fastening tool nose-first onto an unyielding surface.

Abstract: A fastening tool of the present invention includes a housing having an underside. The fastening tool also includes a magazine and a support foot connected to one of the housing underside and the magazine. Using a system of cooperating detents formed on the support foot and housing underside (or magazine, as the case may be), the support foot can be quickly and easily removably secured to the fastening tool without using any tools.

Abstract: A fastening tool including a magazine securely and releasably retained on the fastening tool by a cam mounted on one of the fastening tool and the magazine. In a single rotary motion, the cam wedges together the housing member of the fastening tool and the housing member of the magazine, while simultaneously rotating cam lobes into respective chambers formed on the fastening tool and the magazine. The cam rotation and magazine retention system is accomplished without tools.

Abstract: A fastening tool of the present invention includes a housing having an underside. The fastening tool also includes a magazine and a support foot connected to one of the housing underside and the magazine. Using a system of cooperating detents formed on the support foot and housing underside (or magazine, as the case may be), the support foot can be quickly and easily removably secured to the fastening tool without using any tools.

Abstract: A fastening tool having a nail stop which positions a nail for driving and is made at least in part of a contact material which can be investment cast and/or hardened. The contact material can resist wear from the action of driving the nail and the movement of a driver blade. The nail stop can be configured to align nails fed from a magazine and can be offset from the longitudinal centerline of the fastening tool. The nail stop can have a head contact length which is 0.5% to 95% of the length of the nail to be driven. The nail stop is used in methods for positioning a nail for driving.

Abstract: A driver rebound plate to prevent a fastener driver from rebounding into the drive path and striking additional fasteners at the end of a drive cycle. The driver rebound plate is formed from an elongated body having a mounting portion at a first end and a bearing portion at a second end. A retaining portion is disposed between the mounting portion and the bearing portion and is adjacent to the mounting portion. An impact portion designed to receive the impact of a driver during a return stroke is disposed between the retaining portion and the bearing portion. The impact portion is bent at an oblique angle with respect to the drive axis.