Abstract: A variable volume metering chamber and valve assembly for a combustion-powered tool includes a housing defining a metering chamber having an internal volume and including an inlet and an outlet, and a plunger configured for reciprocal movement relative to the chamber for adjusting the internal volume of the metering chamber. The plunger is preferably adjustable by the user to alter the volume of fuel retained in the metering chamber. In the housing, a first valve controls control fluid flow through the inlet, a second valve controls fluid flow through the outlet, and an actuator assembly, connected to the valves, is sequentially operable from a first position, in which the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, to a second position, in which the first and second valves are both closed, and a third position, in which the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The adapter also has a gripping formation that is configured for engagement with a latch, so that the adapter is accommodated in the housing in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release said engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool.

Abstract: A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and an enlarged base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a lobed free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release said engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool. A modified latch receives the adapter of the fuel cell in a push-and-twist motion to retain it in position.

Abstract: A combustion powered tool has a self-contained internal combustion power source constructed and arranged for creating a combustion for driving a driver blade to impact a fastener and drive it into a workpiece. The tool includes a housing constructed and arranged to enclose the power source, a combustion chamber defined at an upper end of the housing and a cylinder disposed be in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. A valve member is disposed to periodically close the combustion chamber. A piston is associated with the driver blade and is configured for reciprocal movement within the cylinder between a start position and a driving position. Also included on the tool is a nosepiece having a workpiece contact element configured for contacting a workpiece. The workpiece contact element is movable relative to the nosepiece, and upon such contact, the movement of the workpiece contact clement causes the valve member to close the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A combustion powered tool having a self-contained internal combustion power source constructed and arranged for creating a combustion for driving a driver blade to impact a fastener and drive it into a work piece includes a housing constructed and arranged to enclose the power source, a combustion chamber defined at an upper end of the housing, a cylinder disposed in the housing to be in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, a piston associated with the driver blade and configured for reciprocal movement within the cylinder between a start position located at a first end of cylinder and a driving position located at a second end of the cylinder, a gas control device for periodically opening the combustion chamber to atmosphere, and a delay apparatus connected to the gas control device for delaying the opening of the combustion chamber until the piston returns to the start position after driving the fastener.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for controlling a fastener-driving tool comprises a workpiece-contacting element, a tool-controlling element movable conjointly with the workpiece-contacting element over a limited range, a spool defining having a threaded connection with the workpiece-contacting element and a swivel connection with the tool-controlling element and having axial ribs alternating with axial ribs, and a spool-restraining element movable along a radial line between a spool-restraining position and a spool-releasing position and biased toward the spool-restraining position. The spool-restraining member is arranged to restrain the spool against rotating at the swivel and threaded connections by projecting into any given one of the grooves, between the fibs nearest to the given one of the grooves, when the workpiece-contacting element is moved inwardly from an outer portion of the limited range but not when the workpiece-contacting element is within the outer portion of the limited range.

Abstract: A magazine for a nail-driving tool, which may be pneumatically powered or combustion-powered, is arranged to store a plurality of plural nail strips in side-by-side relationship. A spring-biased mechanism is used to bias the stored strips toward a side rail. Being movable along a frame between an advanced position and a retracted position, a feeding member in the retracted position engages the shank of an endmost nail of the stored strip nearest to the side rail. A negator spring mechanism biasing the feeding member toward the advanced position includes a leaf spring arranged to be longitudinally pulled between the nail heads of the stored ship nearest to the side rail and the nail heads of the next strip when the feeding member is moved from the advanced position into the retracted position.

Abstract: In a powered fastener-driving tool including a nosepiece arranged to guide a fastener driven by the tool and an actuator movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased toward the extended position for disabling the tool unless the actuator is moved toward the retracted position, an improved mechanism is disclosed for positioning the tool relative to an opening in a workpiece to be fastened to a substrate. The mechanism comprises a probe having a tapered end adapted to extend into the opening of the workpiece for aligning the nosepiece with respect to the opening of the workpiece so that a fastener can be precisely driven through the opening of the workpiece. The mechanism further comprises a pivot pin for mounting the probe pivotally to the actuator via an arm mounted fixedly to the actuator and a bracket mounted fixedly to the arm.

Abstract: An adjustable shear block for guiding fasteners of at least two different lengths as they are driven by a fastener driving tool includes a shear block guide surface connected to the shear block which can be manipulated between a first position for driving substantially longer fasteners and a second position for driving substantially shorter fasteners and prevent the shorter fasteners from tipping or tumbling as they are driven.

Abstract: In a powered tool for dimpling a drywall panel and driving a drywall nail through such panel, into a substrate, a dimpler mounted to a nosepiece of the tool so as to be axially movable over a limited range has an annular portion disposed axially beyond the nosepiece. The tool includes a piston and a driving blade joined to the piston and arranged for driving a drywall nail through the nosepiece and the annular portion, for engaging the annular portion near a distal end of the driving blade, and for driving the dimpler outwardly when the piston is impelled from a retracted position toward an advanced position. The annular portion has a frusto-conical bore. The driving blade has a frusto-conical tip fitting thereinto. A workpiece-contacting shoe is adjustable between a right-angled position relative to the drywall panel and an acute-angled position.