Abstract: A pneumatic fastener includes a housing and a handle coupled to the housing. The handle defines an inlet channel for delivering compressed gas to the housing. A trigger valve is in communication with the inlet channel and configured to actuate the pneumatic fastener. A fastener driving assembly is disposed within the housing. The fastener driving assembly includes a cylinder and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder to drive a fastener. A valve piston is coupled to the fastener driving assembly. Actuation of the valve piston causes compressed air to drive the piston within the cylinder to drive the fastener. An outer cap is coupled to the housing and an inner cap is disposed at least partially within the outer cap. The inner cap includes an opening in communication with the trigger valve for porting the compressed air to a region above the valve piston.

Abstract: A contact safety and trigger mechanism for use with a pneumatic fastener in order to permit efficient pneumatic fastener actuation mode selection. A rotating rod is included in a contact safety assembly which is constructed to slide toward/away from a driver housing, defining a piston for securing a fastener disposed within the piston's path of travel. The rotating rod includes a first shoulder or ledge and a second shoulder which is off-set from the first shoulder. The rod may be rotated in order to orientate the selected shoulder, to function as a stop for a pivoting trigger assembly, which is constructed to contact a pneumatic valve, to initiate a fastening event in-which a fastener is driven into a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retrofitting a pneumatic tool with a filter. The pneumatic tool has an end cap configured to receive a connector for connecting the pneumatic tool to a source of compressed gas. A retrofit connector is adapted to be received by the end cap of the pneumatic tool in place of the connector. A filter is connected to the retrofit connector independent of the end cap, and configured to filter the compressed gas received from the source. The connector has a first mechanical connection, and a second mechanical connection configured to mate with a third mechanical connection disposed on the end cap. The filter includes a fourth mechanical connection configured to mate with the first mechanical connection of the connector.

Abstract: A nose casting assembly for a pneumatic fastener includes a body having a driver channel formed therein for receiving a driver blade. The body includes a first end having an aperture for allowing passage of a driver blade into the channel. The body further includes a second end configured for allowing a fastener to be expelled from the nose casting assembly. The body further includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface having a loading aperture formed therein for allowing passage of a fastener into the driver channel.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a pneumatic fastener includes a firing valve piston, an O-ring coupled with the firing valve piston, and a guide ring coupled with the firing valve piston. The firing valve piston has a groove disposed within its outer surface. The guide ring is coupled with the firing valve piston via the groove of the firing valve piston such that the guide ring protrudes from the groove of the firing valve piston. The guide ring is constructed to permit pressure equalization from about the valve assembly between the O-ring and the guide ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a head valve assembly for a pneumatic fastener including a piston assembly reciprocated within a cylinder assembly for driving a fastener and a housing having an end cap for at least partially enclosing the head valve assembly. The head valve assembly includes a valve piston for causing supply pressure to be ported to the piston assembly for moving the piston assembly within the cylinder assembly from a non-actuated position to an actuated position for driving the fastener. Further, an inner cap is disposed within the end cap around the valve piston. The inner cap includes an inlet port for porting pressure to the valve piston. In addition, a main seal is coupled to the valve piston for sealing the cylinder assembly from supply pressure while pressure is ported to the valve piston by the inner cap for holding the piston assembly in the non-actuated position.

Abstract: A contact safety and trigger mechanism for use with a pneumatic fastener in order to permit efficient pneumatic fastener actuation mode selection. A rotating rod is included in a contact safety assembly which is constructed to slide toward/away from a driver housing, defining a piston for securing a fastener disposed within the piston's path of travel. The rotating rod includes a first shoulder or ledge and a second shoulder which is off-set from the first shoulder. The rod may be rotated in order to orientate the selected shoulder, to function as a stop for a pivoting trigger assembly, which is constructed to contact a pneumatic valve, to initiate a fastening event in-which a fastener is driven into a workpiece.