With Control Means Responsive To Sensed Condition Patents (Class 227/2)
  • Patent number: 7646157
    Abstract: A method for controlling a driving tool having a power source, a driver, an actuator, a follower, and a control unit. The power source includes a motor and a flywheel that is driven by the motor. The actuator is configured to selectively move the follower to push the driver into frictional engagement with a surface of the flywheel. The control unit is configured to selectively activate the electric motor and the actuator. The control unit includes a speed sensor that is configured to sense a rotational speed of an element of the power source and produce a speed signal in response thereto. The method includes: directly determining a rotational speed of an element in the power source; controlling electrical power provided to the motor based on the rotational speed of the element in the power source to cause the flywheel to rotate at a predetermined speed; and actuating the actuator when a set of actuating criteria has been met, the set of actuating criteria not including a rotational speed of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Cruise, Paul G. Gross, Jeffrey A. Elligson, James J. Kenney
  • Patent number: 7644848
    Abstract: A surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes an end effector and a handle. The end effector includes a channel, an anvil pivotally attached to the channel, a moveable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned between the anvil and the channel, and a staple cartridge configured for removable receipt by the channel. The staple cartridge includes a sled that is engaged by the cutting instrument during a cutting stoke. The handle includes a motor for actuating the cutting instrument via a main drive shaft assembly. The instrument further includes a first interlock circuit for enabling initiation of motor operation based upon a position of the staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin R. Doll, Eugene Timperman
  • Publication number: 20090321492
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool has a housing, a nose portion, a magazine, a motor, a plunger, a drive mechanism, a trigger switch, a detection switch, an energizing switch, a failure detection circuit. The magazine is configured to store and supply a fastener to the nose portion. The motor is provided in the housing. The a plunger is provided in the housing to move between a top dead center and a bottom dead center. The plunger has a blade for impacting the fastener. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the plunger with power from the motor. The trigger switch is configured to drive the drive mechanism, and operated by a user. The detection switch is configured to be switched according to an arrangement of the drive mechanism. The energizing switch is configured to control power feed of the motor. The energizing switch is switched by the trigger switch and the detection switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Shima, Hiroyuki Oda, Yoshihiro Nakano, Masahiro Inaniwa
  • Publication number: 20090314817
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a tool housing, a power source associated with the housing and including a cylinder head, a cylinder and a piston reciprocating in the cylinder, a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to the cylinder, a chamber switch and a trigger switch; the cylinder head, the valve sleeve, the cylinder and the piston combining to define a combustion chamber, the closing of both switches required for initiating an ignition of the power source for driving piston down cylinder. A fan is disposed in the combustion chamber, and a control system includes a control program associated with the housing, connected to the power source, the chamber switch and the trigger switch, and configured for providing a designated ignition delay period after fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and when the chamber switch is closed, the delay period being variable as a function of monitored tool parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Larry Moeller, Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20090294502
    Abstract: A fastener outlet assembly for a fastener driving tool includes: an outlet passage arranged to expel fasteners from the assembly to a workpiece during use, the outlet passage having one or more walls; and a detector arranged to detect whether a fastener is present in the outlet passage. The detector comprises at least part of a cover that provides at least part of a wall of the outlet passage, the cover being movable with respect to the remainder of the outlet passage to open the outlet passage and gain access thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Stefan D. Gensmann, Markus Rompel
  • Publication number: 20090255972
    Abstract: An electric driving machine includes a remaining fastener sensor 257 which detects the amount of fasteners (e.g., nails) remaining, in an aligned and held manner, in a magazine 2 and which generates a residual-quantity signal (a signal showing depletion of fasteners) when the amount of remaining fasteners has decreased to a predetermined level or less; a remaining fastener detection circuit 406 which outputs a control signal (a signal of level 0) for controlling control means (299, 283, and other means) in accordance with an input of the residual-quantity signal (a switch-on signal) generated by the remaining fastener sensor 257; and a delay circuit 401 for delaying the remaining signal (the ON signal) generated by the remaining fastener sensor 257 by a predetermined period of time (e.g., 20 milliseconds) and inputs the thus-delayed remaining signal to the remaining fastener detection circuit 256 (406).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Yukihiro Shima, Masahiro Inaniwa, Hiroyuki Oda, Takashi Ueda, Yoshihiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7565991
    Abstract: A hand-held drive-in tool for driving fastening elements, includes a driving ram (13) displaceably arranged in a guide (12), a drive unit (14) for displacing the driving ram (13), a press-on element (20) for controlling the safety element (23) of the drive unit (14) and spring-biased in a drive-in direction, and a device for changing a biasing force applied to the press-on element (20) dependent on a special orientation of the press-on element (20) relative to a vector (G) of a gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rolf Erhardt
  • Patent number: 7562443
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling box springs for use in bedding applications. The apparatus comprises a base for supporting a frame and a spring unit, a framework with a plurality of tools coupled thereto. Each tool has an associated module adjuster coupled thereto. A vertical drive mechanism provides relative movement between the tools and the base where the tools may be disposed between a first vertical position and a second vertical position. A horizontal drive mechanism provides relative horizontal movement between the tools and the base. Each tool is configured to secure a respective module of a row of the spring unit to a corresponding target location on the frame when disposed in the second vertical position and each module adjuster is configured to align a respective module with a corresponding fastening location when the tool is disposed in the second vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Brian A. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20090179062
    Abstract: When the plunger is a game moved to a prescribed position Ph of an initial state on the upper dead point side by the drive force of the motor after the plunger is moved to the lower dead point side, the controller of a spring driven-type fastener driving tool reduces the rotational speed of the motor to a prescribed value or less based on the detection signal of the operation detection switch and then stops the slowed down motor. In order to achieve this, the plunger is stopped at a stop position of an initial state that is as close as possible to an upper dead point side drive start position and is subjected to a strong compression force by the drive spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Yukihiro SHIMA, Hideyuki Tanimoto, Hiroyuki Oda, Yoshihiro Nakano, Takashi Ueda
  • Patent number: 7559133
    Abstract: A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Eymard J Chitty, Brian M Taylor, Peter C Thomas, Daniel P Vigliotti
  • Patent number: 7543727
    Abstract: Circuit-breaker arrangement (32) in an indicating arrangement (33) forming part of an electrically powered stapler (1). The stapler comprises a stapling head (2) and an anvil (3). The stapling head comprises an interchangeably fitted staple cassette (5) containing staple blanks (36), and the indicating arrangement. The circuit-breaker arrangement is so positioned that it is moved by the staple cassette from a first to a second position when the staple cassette is fitted to the stapling head and when the power supply via the indicating arrangement changes. The circuit-breaker arrangement (32) comprises an input line (22) and output line (23), of which at least the input line is dimensionally stable and resiliency flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Isaberg Rapid AB
    Inventors: Olle Strååt, Peter Johansson, Mattias Palmquist, Ulf Jönsson
  • Patent number: 7537144
    Abstract: A stitcher system includes a stitcher mechanism for stitching collations of documents and adapted to form stitches from a conductive wire moved into the stitcher mechanism. A non-conductive spool is mounted for rotation on a spindle. A conductive wire is wound on the non-conductive spool. The conductive wire has a tail end adjacent to the non-conductive spool and a lead end remote from the spool. The spool rotates when the conductive wire is moved into the stitcher mechanism to provide conductive wire to be used by the stitcher mechanism to form stitches. A sensing circuit is provided with a circuit path that includes the conductive wire wrapped on the non-conductive spool and a conductive member mounted to engage the wire. The sensing circuit path becomes open when the conductive wire is not wrapped on the non-conductive spool to thereby detect an out of wire condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Marcinik, Anthony H. Vill
  • Publication number: 20090114695
    Abstract: An electric stapler includes a staple sheet storage portion for storing a stack of staple sheets, a magazine storage portion disposed on a rear side of the staple sheet storage portion to store a staple magazine, a first staple feed mechanism operable to pull out a staple sheet from the staple magazine and to feed the staple sheet to the staple sheet storage portion, and a second staple feed mechanism operable to pull out the staple sheet from the staple sheet storage portion and to feed the staple sheet to a driver unit. According to this configuration, a continuous binding processing beyond a capacity of the staple magazine becomes possible by suitably replacing the staple magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Yagi
  • Patent number: 7520414
    Abstract: A hand-held drive-in tool for driving fastening elements (60) in a workpiece (U) includes a drive-in ram (13) displaceable in a guide (12), a spring (31) for driving the drive-in ram (13), a tensioning device (70) for loading the driving spring (31), a locking device (50) for retaining, in its locking position (54), the driving spring (31) in its loaded position thereof (33), and a sliding nut (78) supported on a threaded spindle (76), which is rotatable by the motor (71) of the tensioning device (70), without a possibility of rotation thereabout but with a possibility of an axial displacement therealong, the sliding nut (78) being axially displaceable, upon actuation of the motor (71) of the tensioning device (70) by a control unit (23) of the drive-in tool (10), from the first end position (83) to the second end position (84) for displacing the driving spring (31) into the loading position (33) of the driving spring (33), and being subsequently displaceable from its second end position (84) into the first e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Blessing, Hans Gschwend, Ulrich Schiestl, Robert Spasov
  • Patent number: 7510105
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, a control system operationally associated with the power source, a trigger connected to the control system providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured so that an operator may select between a sequential firing mode in which the trigger must be released between firings, and a repetitive cycle mode in which the trigger is continually depressed between firings. The trigger is connected to the control system so that at least one of the frequency and duration of pulling of the trigger converts the operating mode from the sequential mode to the repetitive cycle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7503196
    Abstract: A rivet monitoring system is provided which has a micro-strain or micro fluid pressure sensor that measures strains or pressures within a tool component. These measured signals are compared to a number of tolerance bands formed about median strain or pressure versus time curve. Various techniques are provided to analyze the measured data with respect to the tolerance bands to determine if a particular rivet set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Eymard J. Chitty, Brian M. Taylor, Peter C. Thomas, Daniel P. Vigliotti, Geoffrey Weeks
  • Patent number: 7500589
    Abstract: A drive-in tool for driving in fastening elements includes a driving ram (13) displaceable in a guide (12) and driven by a drive flywheel (32), a drive unit (30) having an electric motor (31) for rotating the drive flywheel (32), a drive coupling (35) for connecting a coupling section (15) of the driving ram (13) with the at least one drive flywheel (32), and an acceleration device (40) for accelerating the driving ram (13), together with the coupling section (15) in a direction of the drive flywheel (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Iwan Wolf, Ulrich Schiestl
  • Patent number: 7497271
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, at least one fan for associated with the power source, at least one temperature sensing device in operational proximity to the power source and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan and at least one temperature sensing device for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one cooling fan as a function of power source temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Yury Shkolnikov
  • Patent number: 7494036
    Abstract: Even when a transient decrease has arisen in a battery voltage VBAT of a battery pack at startup of a motor that drives a flywheel, a power terminal Vcc and a reset terminal RES (or an input terminal IN of a reset IC) of a microcomputer are replenished with a normal voltage by the voltage accumulated by a capacitor of the backup power circuit, and hence a controller can maintain normal operation without involvement of faulty operation. As a result, even the battery pack whose battery has a smaller amount of remaining energy can be effectively utilized as the power source of an electric driving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Shima, Masahiro Inaniwa, Hiroyuki Oda, Takashi Ueda, Yoshihiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7494035
    Abstract: A pneumatic compressor capable of supplying compressed gas to a pneumatic tool. The compressor can be powered alternatively by either a battery or an AC power source. The compressor comprises a permanent magnet DC electric motor and circuitry for converting the AC power source to DC power. The compressor includes a receptacle for accommodating one or more of a plurality of batteries and includes circuitry for using batteries having different voltages. The AC power source may also be used to charge a battery connected to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Weaver, Barbara A. Rose, Mark W. Wood, Daniel U. Goodwin, Hung T. Du, Alan G. Phillips, C. Kerwin Braddock, James A. Patton, Michael A. Lagaly, Patrick G. Barry, Julie L. Jones, Deborah L. Harr
  • Publication number: 20090014494
    Abstract: A combustion-operated setting tool (10) for driving in fastening elements, includes a combustion drive for driving a setting piston (13) displaceable in a guide cylinder (12) and which drive has at least one combustion chamber (14), a ventilator (16) for the combustion drive, a control unit (30) for controlling the ventilator (16) dependent on a thermal control parameter and having a program for modeling the thermal control parameter based on time data and ventilator operation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Tilo Dittrich
  • Patent number: 7469811
    Abstract: An electric driving machine has a motor for rotating a flywheel, power transmission for converting rotational drive force of the flywheel into rectilinear drive force and transmitting the rectilinear drive force to an actuator which fires a fastener, and engagement/disengagement arrangement which transmits the rotational drive force of the flywheel to a driver blade of interrupts transmission of the rotational drive force. The electric driving machine is provided with a second switching element connected in series with the engagement/disengagement arrangement and a third switching element connected in shunt with the engagement/disengagement arrangement. When a push lever switch is in an OFF position where driving of a fastener is not ready, the third switching element is held in an ON state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Koko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Shima, Masahiro Inaniwa, Hiroyuki Oda, Takashi Ueda, Yoshihiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7467739
    Abstract: A combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool includes a cylinder and a combustion chamber disposed on top of the cylinder that accommodates a gaseous mixture of existing air in the combustion chamber and fuel injected therein. A spark plug generates a spark to combust the gaseous mixture in the combustion chamber. A trigger produces the spark in the spark plug when operated. A piston is movably supported in the cylinder and driven by combustion in the combustion chamber. A driving blade is coupled to the piston for driving a fastener. A spark controller is provided for generating a plurality of sparks in succession with the spark plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhisa Fujisawa, Yoshitaka Akiba, Nobuhiro Takano, Kenro Ishimaru, Tomomasa Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7458244
    Abstract: A feeding unit for feeding an element to a treatment unit of a machine tool, in particular for feeding a rivet to a riveting unit, has a gripping element provided for the fastening element for the automatic take-up of the fastening element from a supply unit and automatic feed to the treatment unit. The gripping element is disposed on a rotary element rotatable about an axial direction, and at least one electromagnet is provided which is configured in such a way that a torque acting on the rotary element is generated by a magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Richard Bergner Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Dehlke, Christian Böhner, Gerd Hartrampf
  • Publication number: 20080251558
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a technique for preventing power tool from being operated by a malfunction of the control circuit. A representative driving power tool includes a movable element, a drive unit to drive the movable element, an actuation circuit to actuate the drive unit, a control circuit and an operation switch that outputs an operation signal. The control circuit outputs a control signal when the operation signal for instructing driving of the movable element is outputted from the operation switch. The actuation circuit actuates the drive unit when the control signal is outputted from the control circuit. Actuation of the drive unit is blocked when the control signal outputted from the control circuit is abnormal. According to the invention, a movable element can be prevented from being moved by malfunctioning of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidekazu Suda
  • Publication number: 20080237290
    Abstract: The tool includes a cylinder inside of which is slidably mounted a piston for driving a fastening element, as a result of the explosion inside of a combustion chamber of a mixture of gas and air that has been injected therein from a gas cartridge, after which the tool has come to bear weight against a support, the head switch has retracted and the combustion chamber has closed, followed by actuation of the trigger switch for controlling the spark plug. The tool also includes an element for determining the rate of fire which includes a real-time clock designed to cooperate with a microcontroller of an operating and control module. The arrangement applies well to fastening tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Societe DE Prospection ET D'Inventions Techniques Spit
    Inventors: Pierrick Calvet, Florent La Bella, Pascale Grandjean, Nicolas Guihard
  • Patent number: 7427007
    Abstract: A combustion-powered nail gun drives nails into a workpiece when both a head switch and a trigger switch are turned ON while a safety switch is turned ON. The nail driving operation cannot be performed if the safety switch is not ON even if both the head switch and the trigger switch are ON. The head switch is turned ON when a push lever is urged against the workpiece. Fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber is ignited when the head switch and the trigger switch are turned ON irrespective of an order in which the head switch and the trigger switch are turned ON, whereby “successive-shot driving” can be performed in which the trigger switch is maintained in its ON position while successively driving a plurality of nails at different locations of the workpiece by repeatedly pushing and releasing the push lever toward and away from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Shima, Yasuki Ohmori
  • Publication number: 20080223896
    Abstract: A fastener placing tool (11) for placing fasteners of the breakstem blind rivet type incorporates a force/stroke monitoring device (22) which comprises an assembly body (24) detachably mounted on the tool between the latter and the anvil (18), a load-cell sensor (33) carried by the assembly body (24) for sensing the force applied by the hydraulic piston (16) to the jaw assembly 17 with respect to the anvil (18), and a non-contact stroke-sensor (35) carried by the assembly body (24) for sensing the position of the jaw assembly (17) relative to the anvil (18). The stroke-sensor (35) operates without physical contact with the jaw assembly (17) or any part of the tool moving therewith. To this end the jaw assembly (17) is connected to the hydraulic piston (16) by means of an adaptor tube (23) which has a conical tapering outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: AVDEL UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Paul King
  • Publication number: 20080223895
    Abstract: A combustion-powered driving tool for driving nails or other fasteners includes a push lever, a push switch, a trigger switch, a combustion chamber, a sparkplug, and a control section. The push switch is provided for detecting that the push lever is pressed against the workpiece and outputs a first signal indicative of a pressed condition. The trigger switch is provided for instructing to drive the fastener into the workpiece. The trigger switch outputs a second signal indicative of an instruction to drive the fastener. The sparkplug is exposed in the combustion chamber and ignites a mixture of air and flammable gas in the combustion chamber to create a driving force for driving the fastener into the workpiece. The control section is responsive to the first signal and the second signal and commences an igniting operation of the sparkplug at a timing after expiration of a prescribed period of time staring from a timing at which the first signal is output from the push switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Haruhisa Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20080223894
    Abstract: A method for controlling a driving tool having a power source, a driver, an actuator, a follower, and a control unit. The power source includes a motor and a flywheel that is driven by the motor. The actuator is configured to selectively move the follower to push the driver into frictional engagement with a surface of the flywheel. The control unit is configured to selectively activate the electric motor and the actuator. The control unit includes a speed sensor that is configured to sense a rotational speed of an element of the power source and produce a speed signal in response thereto. The method includes: directly determining a rotational speed of an element in the power source; controlling electrical power provided to the motor based on the rotational speed of the element in the power source to cause the flywheel to rotate at a predetermined speed; and actuating the actuator when a set of actuating criteria has been met, the set of actuating criteria not including a rotational speed of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Cruise, Paul G. Gross, Jeffrey A. Elligson, James J. Kenney
  • Publication number: 20080210734
    Abstract: In a gas combustion type nail driving device, a head part (3) which is disposed on the front surface of the main body is provided with (a) a guide tube (35) through which a rod (17) and a nail n pass; (b) a main guide body (36) on which the guide tube (35) is disposed; (c) a subguide (37) which makes a pair with the main guide body (36) and forms a nail feed space; (d) a feed motor (48); and (e) a gear unit (46) which is driven by the feed motor (47). The nail connecting body N is fed to the guide tube (35) by the feed gear (73).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: JPF WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutsugu Uejima, Keiji Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7410085
    Abstract: A drive-in tool for driving in fastening elements includes a driving ram (13) displaceable in a guide (12) and driven by a drive flywheel (32), a drive unit (30) having an electric motor (31) for rotating the drive flywheel (32), a drive coupling (35) for connecting a coupling section (15) of the driving ram (13) with the at least one drive flywheel (32), and an acceleration device (40) for accelerating the driving ram (13), together with the coupling section (15) in a direction of the drive flywheel (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Iwan Wolf, Ulrich Schiestl
  • Publication number: 20080185418
    Abstract: A fastening device drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece. The fastening device generally includes a tool housing and a multistage solenoid having at least a first stage, a second stage and an armature member that travels therebetween. The multistage solenoid is contained within the tool housing. A driver blade is connected to the armature member. The driver blade is operable between an extended condition and a retracted condition. A control module determines a position of the armature member relative to at least one of the first stage, the second stage and a combination thereof. A trigger assembly is connected to the control module and activates a driver sequence that moves the driver blade member between the retracted condition and the extended condition. The control module directs power between the first stage and the second stage based on the position of the armature member relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Gross, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Publication number: 20080179371
    Abstract: The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: THE HALEX COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael GARDNER, Glenn A. Baker, Mirko Champa, Jim Bias, Jeff Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7389902
    Abstract: A stapler that requires exertion of less effort comprising a body, an electric motor, a power supply, a power supply switch, a motion transmission mechanism having a gear cluster driven by the electric motor, a staple driving mechanism having a driving blade and a staple magazine driven by the motion transmission mechanism. The motion transmission mechanism comprises a rocking arm, and the rocking arm is a crank which is composed of a connecting shaft and a rocking shaft. The end of the connecting shaft connects to the top of the driving blade. The end of the rocking shaft is a gear, and the gear of the rocking arm has teeth which mesh with teeth of at least one gear of the gear cluster. The motion transmission mechanism comprises a double pole changeover switch and a micro switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Cosimex (H.K.) Limited
    Inventor: Victor Co
  • Publication number: 20080110652
    Abstract: A method of detecting a nail storage state of a magazine employed in a nail gun includes: providing a nail gun having a magazine and a nail hitting groove connected with the magazine; providing at least one sensor disposed on the nail gun for detecting the storage state of the nails in the magazine or times of hitting nails of the nail gun to generate at least one signal; providing a display device or a sound generating device on the nail gun for receiving the at least one signal to generate sounds, texts, or numerals to indicate the user to be aware of the nail storage state of the magazine. The user is conveniently to know the quantity of the storage nails and the time to supplement the nails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Wan-Fu Wen
  • Publication number: 20080099524
    Abstract: A positioning device for a hand-held setting tool (10) having an actuation switch (13) for actuating the setting tool (10), with the positioning device including a rod-shaped holder (21); a connection element (22) for the setting tool (10) arranged at an end of the holder (21), and an actuating switching device including an actuation element (24), a switching link (30) connecting an actuation element (24) to the actuation switch (13), and a safety device (40) for preventing actuation of the actuation switch (13) and having a gravity-controlled intermediate element (41) having an actuation position in which it is positioned between first controlling element (34) and second control element (35) of the switching link (30), and an interruption position (16) in which it interrupts the switching link (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Matthias Blessing, Markus Sprenger, Markus Kieber
  • Patent number: 7354037
    Abstract: A stapler is incorporated in a finishing device associated with a document creating apparatus. The stapler has a control circuit with a memory and is driven by a variably powered motor. An end user inputs the job parameter information at the control panel of the document creating apparatus for each different set of documents to be reproduced and stapled. In response thereto, the control panel sends a particular variable start pulse signal to the stapler control circuit. The control circuit senses the duration of the variable start pulse. Based upon the duration of the variable start pulse signal, the control circuit selects the motion control profile to be provided to the stapler motor from the various profiles stored in the memory of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Olson, Raymond C. Bassett, Charles A. Gerace
  • Patent number: 7346971
    Abstract: A rivet set quality monitoring system is disclosed. A supply pressure sensor monitors the supply pressure to the tool. The tool has a second sensor which monitors strains or loads associated with a rivet set event. A processor evaluates outputs from the pressure sensor to apply a scaling factor to the output of the second sensor which is a function of the output of the pressure sensor. This modified data is analyzed to determine if the rivet set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Eymard J Chitty
  • Patent number: 7334715
    Abstract: A stationary annular abutting member 14E is provided with a first projecting section that operates as part of a ratchet mechanism. A rotational flange section is provided with a second projecting section that operates as part of the ratchet mechanism. The first projecting section projects in the direction from the ON position toward the OFF position of a plunger of a solenoid. The second projecting section projects in the direction from the OFF position toward the ON position of the plunger. When a driven rotor starts rotating and comes to a rotary position slightly short of the rotary position of about ¾ of a full turn in the ON state of the solenoid, the projecting end of the first projecting section and that of the second projecting section are located opposite to each other and the second projecting section rides on the first projecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Oda, Takashi Ueda, Yoshihiro Nakano, Hideyuki Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 7331205
    Abstract: A rivet monitoring system is provided which has a micro-strain or micro fluid pressure sensor that measures strains or pressures within a tool component. These measured signals are compared to a number of tolerance bands formed about median strain or pressure versus time curve. Various techniques are provided to analyze the measured data with respect to the tolerance bands to determine if a particular rivet set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Eymard J Chitty, Brian M Taylor, Peter C Thomas, Daniel P Vigliotti, Geoffrey Weeks
  • Patent number: 7322503
    Abstract: A setting tool for driving fastening elements in a constructional component includes a setting mechanism located in the tool housing (21) and including a drive piston (7) for driving a fastening element (6) in the constructional component (1), a reading device (10) for acquiring information containing in a coding (8) provided on a magazine strip (27) containing the fastening element (6), and control device (15) communicating with the reading device (10) for adjusting setting parameters for a setting process dependent on data acquired by the reading device (10) upon reading out the coding (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Odoni, Ulrich Rosenbaum, Bernard Favre-Bulle
  • Patent number: 7313851
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for monitoring the installation of a blind rivet to attach together top and bottom members. The blind rivet installation tool includes a housing having an anvil seated on the rivet head. A collet is reciprocable within the tool housing and carries jaws for gripping the mandrel of the blind rivet. Retraction of the jaws by the collet displaces the jaws and the mandrel axially and causes the mandrel head to axially collapse and radially expand the hollow shank of the blind rivet into engagement with the bottom member so that the rivet attaches the top member and the bottom member. A first transducer measures the axial load imposed on the mandrel. A second transducer measures the axial displacement of the collet and the jaws and the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, James W. Wells
  • Publication number: 20070289758
    Abstract: A stapler is incorporated in a finishing device associated with a document creating apparatus. The stapler has a control circuit with a memory and is driven by a variably powered motor. An end user inputs the job parameter information at the control panel of the document creating apparatus for each different set of documents to be reproduced and stapled. In response thereto, the control panel sends a particular variable start pulse signal to the stapler control circuit. The control circuit senses the duration of the variable start pulse. Based upon the duration of the variable start pulse signal, the control circuit selects the motion control profile to be provided to the stapler motor from the various profiles stored in the memory of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Steven D. Olson, Raymond C. Bassett, Charles A. Gerace
  • Patent number: 7267256
    Abstract: A driver unit 2 for striking out a staple, and a clincher unit 3 for clinching of legs of a staple are separated vertically from each other. The driver unit 2 and the clincher unit 3, respectively, are provided with drive motors M1, M2. Encoders 21, 40 are formed on respective drive shafts 12, 30, which drive the driver unit 2 and the clincher unit 3, to generate pulse signals P1, P2 upon rotation of the respective drive shafts. A control device 47 inputs thereinto the pulse signals P1, P2 to count the same, and the respective drive motors M1, M2 are controlled by the control device 47 on the basis of count values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7240817
    Abstract: In an electric stapler which is attachably and detachably provided with a staple cartridge 2 attached and detached to and from a magazine portion of a stapler main body 1 and in which in the staple cartridge 2, sheet-like staples a each constituted by connecting a number of staples in a straight form in a sheet-like shape are contained in a cartridge main body 2a in a stacked shape, and the sheet-like staples a are successively guided out to outside of an opening portion of a lower end portion of a front wall of the cartridge main body 2a from the sheet-like staple a at a lower end portion, an engaging plate 3 engaged with the sheet-like staple a at a topmost portion is arranged at an upper portion of the cartridge main body 2a, an inner side or an outer side of the cartridge main body 2a is provided with position detecting mechanism 9 for detecting a position of the engaging plate 3, and a remaining amount of the sheet-like staples a is detected based on detection of the position by the position detecting me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7225959
    Abstract: A portable pneumatic fastening tool has an onboard compressor assembly to alleviate the need for an external air compressor. The onboard compressor assembly includes a motor and a compressor mounted to the tool body. The motor can be powered by a detachable battery mounted to a cover for covering the onboard compressor assembly. A portable pneumatic fastening tool may also be powered by a portable compressor assembly which can be borne by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Patton, Michael Anthony Lagaly, Patrick Gerald Barry, Julie Lynn Jones, Deborah Lynn Harr
  • Patent number: 7165708
    Abstract: An electric stapler comprises a feed mechanism for sequentially feeding a staple from a magazine loaded with a plurality of staples to a striking portion, a striking mechanism for striking the staple fed to the striking portion toward sheets of paper by a driver plate, a clincher mechanism for bending a staple leg struck by the driver plate and penetrated through the sheets of paper along a backside of the sheets of paper, a drive mechanism for driving the feed mechanism, the striking mechanism and the clincher mechanism by the electric motor, a detection mechanism placed in contact with a rotary member provided in the drive mechanism and for detecting a consumed amount of the drive mechanism, and an indicator mechanism for indicating a consumed amount detected by the detection mechanism, thus making it possible to detect an endurance life of the electric stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Motono, Koutarou Koba
  • Patent number: 7163134
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, a control system operationally associated with the power source, a trigger connected to the control system providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured so that an operator may select between a sequential firing mode in which the trigger must be released between firings, and a repetitive cycle mode in which the trigger is continually depressed between firings. The trigger is connected to the control system so that at least one of the frequency and duration of pulling of the trigger converts the operating mode from the sequential mode to the repetitive cycle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7121443
    Abstract: An electric nailing apparatus includes a triggering member, a rotatable rod member including first and second sustaining structures, a transmission rod having a first protrusion structure, a motor member and a ram block sustained against a fixture element via a resilience element. In response to a rotation of a gear member, the ram block glides to compress the resilience element and then touch the first protrusion structure. In response to an external force, the triggering member moves to have the first sustaining structure touch a first switch device to start the motor member. After the ram block touches the first protrusion structure, the second sustaining structure is simultaneously stirred by the transmission rod to have the first sustaining structure detached from the first switch device, thereby stopping the motor member and providing a nailing energy to the ram block in response to a recovery force of the resilience element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: An Puu Hsin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei-Li Sun, Ching-Yi Chen