US3661312A - Detection and cutoff mechanism for power driven devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A power device for operating hand tools of the type having a reservoir of stored energy and a means for automatically releasing the energy to operate a drive piston and a hand tool carrying a collated strip of fasteners, the device being fully operable only when it is properly positioned with respect to a workpiece or structure and has detection means for deactuating the releasing of the stored energy to the drive piston if the power device is not so properly positioned. The detection means also includes cutoff means for separating scrap portions of the carrying medium of the collated strip from the balance of the strip which is within the hand tool and still carrying fasteners.

Description

MECHANISM FOR POWER DRIVEN DEVICES United States Patent [151 3,661,312 Pomernacki 1 May 9, 1972 I541" DETECTION AND'CUTOFF Primary Eraminer-Granville Y. Custer, J r. Attorney-Robert W. Beart, Michael Kovac and Jack R. Halvorsen ABSTRACT A power device for operating hand tools of the type having a reservoir of stored energy and a means for automatically releasing the energy to operate a drive piston and a hand tool carrying a collated strip of fasteners, the device being fully operable only when it is properly positioned with respect to a workpiece or structure and has detection means for deactuating the releasing of the stored energy to the drive piston if the power device is not so properly positioned. The detection means also includes cutoff means for separating scrap portions of the carrying medium of the collated strip from the balance of the strip which is within the hand tool and still carrying fasteners.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures minim 9 me 3; 661 ,312

SHEET 1 BF 5 INVENTOR. Henry Pomernack/ His AH 'ys PATENTEDMM 9 m2 SHEET 3 UF 5 INVENTOR.

PA'TENTEDHM' 9 I972 3.661.312

INVENTOR. Henry Pomernack/ His AH'ys P'ATENrEmm 9 I972 SHEET 5 BF 5 m o m O 5 m 3 02m 02 2 4 35 .M 6 4 "4 4 0 4 2 h 4 5 O 0 WWW m 5 2 w 2 0 h 2 2 m 7 W 4 Mi 3 4 1 a T 2 3 2 r nzwnflo 2 m G 5 4 4 4 Q o m 0 4 4 8 6 3 Henry Pomernac/r/ His Aff'y:

DETECTION AND CUTOFF MECHANISM FOR POWER DRIVEN DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In high velocity impact-type hand tools, safety devices must i be provided to insure that the drive means and the fastener being driven are not actuated until or unless the tool is properly positioned relative to a workpiece so that the fastener per se cannot be released as a free flying projectile. Most devices commercially available utilize powder actuated mechanisms which cannot be actuated except by movement of some mechanical means which permits the firing pin to reach the detonation means. Unfortunately, once the device has been actuated, there is no means of preventing a firing of the tool. Most of the devices have a very fine or low pressure actuating means which can be depressed by the finger of an operator. This creates an inherently dangerous situation since the tool cannot be stopped in the middle of a cycle and great damage can be done through mischievous use of the tool when.

not applied to a workpiece.

SUMMARY This invention relates to a detection device for use with a power operated hand tool to insure that the hand tool is properly positioned relative to a workpiece or structure before it is fully operable. The detection device has sufficient stored energy to deactivate the power source and its reservoir of stored energy in the event that the detection means is not properly actuated by the positioning of the tool. In particular, it is necessary to apply a force greater than the weight of the tool in order to move the detection device and its associated linkage for actuating an electrical circuit. The detection means also includes, as an integral part thereof, a cutoff member for separating scrap portions of the carrying medium of a collated strip from the balance of the strip which still carry fasteners.

In particular, the detection and control means includes a flat blade-like member normally located in an extended position and which must be moved against an automatic spring means in order to actuate the mechanical linkage which closes the electrical circuit for externally controlling the remote supply of power fluid from a pump and reservoir. One extremity of the blade-like member is provided with a cammed surface for engagement with a secondary adjustable cam member to provide an adjustable stop to limit the movement of the detection blade and thereby locate the power driven means in predetermined relationship to the workpiece. Cutoff means in the form of a pair of knives, is internally located within the confines of the blade member for movement in an opposite direction from the movement necessary for use of the blade as a detecting means. Additionally, suitable linkage and hand operated means are provided for actuating the blade in said opposite direction.

Further features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the specification is read in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing it being gripped by an operator;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial section of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

, FIG. 3 is a side elevation in partial section of the power unit used by the invention with the power drive piston in extended position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation in partial section of the power unit shown in FIG. 3 with the power drive piston in retracted position;

FIG.5 is an enlarged partial section of the accumulator piston, the upper end of the power drive piston, and the'brake of the device shown in FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a partial bottom end view in section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the accumulator piston;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view in partial section similar to the view in FIG. 4 but with the power drive piston in extended position and having'the cutoff mechanism mounted on the side thereof, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an expanded perspective view of the elements of the control and cutoff mechanism;

FIG. 11 is partial sectional view, from the bottom of the invention as viewed in the drawings along line 11-11 in FIG. 2, showing a portion of the control means of FIG. 10 in operative relationship to the switch means being controlled;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the'device shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right-hand end of that drawing;

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 13- 13in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective of the feeder finger means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein similar parts are designated by similar numerals, the invention contemplates a new and improved portable power tool with a cylinder body forming a power unit including a reservoir in which a compressible fluid is maintained under pressure. An accumulator piston and a drive piston positioned in said cylinder are simul taneously movable to retracted or cocked positions by the introduction of a non-compressible power fluid into the cylinder in which the pistons are reciprocably movable with the power fluid acting on exposed areas of the drive piston to move it with the accumulator piston until the drive piston reaches its fully cocked position whereupon further movement of the accumulator piston exposes additional areas of the drive piston to pressure of the power fluid. At this point the compressible fluid acting through the accumulator piston upon the power fluid in the cylinder imparts drive movement to the drive piston. The device is fully operable only when it is properly positioned with respect to a workpiece or structure. The tool has means for deactuating a pump used to supply the noncompressible power fluid, before the drive piston reaches its fully cocked position, if the power device is not so properly positioned. The drive piston and thebody cylinder include cooperable means for slowing or braking the movement of the drive piston as it approaches its fully extended position to minimize shocks to the body particularly when the power of the drive piston is not utilized for driving an object, such as a fastener, but rather is actuated in free flight. An automatic recycling feed means is provided which is sequentially operated during each operation of the'power device. The feed means generally acts upon a collated strip of devices which are to be sequentially acted upon by the power device. Further, there is provided a cutoff mechanism for eliminating portions of the collating means used for holding the devices to be acted upon by the tool.

Thus, the device generally includes thepower device 20 having a combined mechanical-electrical control means 22, a feed means 24, and acutoff mechanism 26.

POWER SOURCE Thepower device 20 includes astepped body portion 30 having a central passthrough bore 32 of a predetermined diameter. Thebore 32 is provided with a plurality ofcounterbores 34, 36, 38, 40 and '42 which are each progressively larger diameters for ease in assembly of various items coaxially within the bore.Counterbore 34 accepts a metallic sleeve bearing 44 whilecounterbores 36 and 38 acceptbearings 46 and 48 respectively with a sealingmember 50 being sandwiched between the two bearings and restrained thereby against axial movement. Radially offset inbody 30 from thecentral bore 32 is an axially extendingfluid passageway 60 communicating with the lower extremity ofcounterbore 40, as

viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, and having a pair oflateral ports 62 and 64, for purposes best set forth hereinafter.

Acylinder 70 provided at one end with an external threadedportion 72 is threaded intocounterbore 42 with itsmating threads 52. Thecylinder 70, adjacent said one end, has an annular recess adapted to accept an O-ring sealing member 74 for sealing engagement with an unthreaded portion of the side wall ofcounterbore 42. Thecylinder 70 has abore 76 including ataper 78 at its lower extremity, adjacent said one end, and an enlarged cavity at its opposite or upper extremity forming achamber 80. The upper end of thechamber 80 is threadedly apertured to accept a mating threadedcap 82 and further includes arecess 84 for acceptance of an O-ring seal 86 which is compressibly captured between the flange ofcap 82 and the end wall portion ofchamber 80. Thecap 82 is centrally apertured and provided with acylindrical extension 88 which is tubular in form and extends into thechamber 80 for a substantial portion of the axial extent ofchamber 80. A valve means 90 is positioned within the bore of thecap 82 and communicates withchamber 80 for purposes best set forth hereinafter.

Positioned within thebore 32 is thepower drive piston 100 which includes a preferably cylindricalcentral portion 102 and enlargedupper end portion 104, cylindrical in form and connected to thecentral portion 102 by an upwardly and outwardly taperingportion 106. At the opposite end ofcentral portion 102, the drive piston is provided with agroove 108 forming ashoulder 110 which faces towards the enlarged end portion. The balance of the lower end of thedrive piston 100, in the illustrated embodiment, is a generally reduced cylindrical portion orhammer 112 smaller in diameter than thebore 32 and preferably hardened to serve as the hammer or power impacting portion of the drive piston. Thebearing members 44, 46, and 48 are so dimensioned relative to thecentral portion 102 of thedrive piston 100 as to laterally support the device during its axial movement within thebore 32 and into retracted position withincylinder 76. Theseal 50 provides a sliding seal which prevents egress of fluids aroundpiston 100 betweenbore 32 andcylinder 76.

The upper end surface of theenlarged end portion 104 ofpiston 100 is recessed to form anopen end chamber 114 having abottom wall 115 andside walls 116 which are frustoconical in configuration and have their widest diameter at the free or open end of the chamber.

Positioned within the cylinder bore 76 is a free floatingaccumulator piston 120 having annular recesses intermediate its extremities to accept theseal 122 and lateral circumferentially disposed bearing means 124 and 126. Theseal 122 is preferably a lip seal for sliding engagement with thebore 76 and may be manufactured of urethane. Due to the physical properties of urethane thelip seal 122 is reinforced by a bumn O-ring 128 to provide additional lateral stability to thelip seal 122. Stability of theaccumulator piston 120 withincylinder 76 is enhanced by the bearings 124-126 which preferably are of the self-lubricating variety. They may be fabricated from a lubricious plastic material such as those commonly sold under the tradenames ofnyln or Teflon." Acylindrical projection 130 extends from the lower end oftheaccumulator piston 120 and is so dimensioned as to be accepted within thefrustoconical wall configuration 116 of theopen end chamber 114 located in the enlarged head orend portion 104 of thedrive piston 100. The juncture between theextension 130 and theside wall 116 intermediate the axial extremities ofwall 116 forms an effective seal and yet permits axial separation between the members under specific conditions which will be set forth hereinafter.

Located complementarily withincounterbore 40 and surrounding thedrive piston 100 is abrake mechanism 140 which includes abody 142 having acentral throughbore 144 with a complementary shape slightly larger by a few thousandths of an inch than thecentral portion 102 ofpiston 100, this difference in size being overaccentuated in the drawing for clarity of illustration. Anenlarged counterbore 146 is joined to thebore 144 by twofrustoconical wall portions 148 and 150 each having a different included angle,portion 148 having an angle of approximately 30 measured relative to the axis ofbore 144, whileportion 150 has an angle ofapproximately l5 measured relative to the axis ofbore 144. Thecounterbore 146 is extended axially beyond the on extremity ofbody 142 by means of theflange 154 which has an outerfrustoconical wall 156, having an included angle slightly greater thantaper 78 to provide an upwardly openingthroat 157, as viewed in FIG. 5, between the facing surfaces of the two members. The opposite extremity ofbody 142 as best seen in FIG. 6, is provided with a plurality of grooves which extend radially from anannular counterbore 162 forming a recess around the drive pistoncentral portion 102 when positioned withinbore 144. The side wall of thebody 142 is provided with a plurality offlats 164 which each form arecess 166 extending axially between thebrake body 142 and thecounterbore 40 ofmain body portion 30. The end of the side walladjacent grooves 160 is chamfered as at 167 to form anannular chamber 168 between thebrake 140 and the bottom wall of thecounterbore 40, while at the same time, providing communication between theaxial chambers 166 formed by theflats 164 and thegrooves 160. The axial extent ofbrake body 142 is slightly greater than the axial extent ofcounterbore 40, whereby thebody 142 extends intocounterbore 42 forming anannular cavity 169. The lower extremity ofcylinder 70 when screwed in tightly bears against the upper wall 143 ofbrake body 142,Cylinder 70 further is provided at its free end with a plurality ofgrooves 79 which are generally radially extending and communicate withcavity 169. Thus, free access is provided for fluids introduced throughbore 60 to thechamber 168 for passage either throughgrooves 160 andcounterbore 162 thence upwardly betweenpiston 100 and bore 144, into contact with the undersurface ofportion 106 or, fromchamber 168 throughaxial recess 166 intochamber 169 and thence throughgrooves 79 andthroat 157 into contact with the exposedundersurface area 129 ofaccumulator piston 120, as will be further discussed hereinafter.

Intermediate the extremities of thebody 30, a pair of oppositely disposedslots 170 communicate between the exterior and thebore 32. In the preferred embodiment, thebody 30 has an enlarged upper section and a reduced lower portion and theslots 170 are generally positioned at the juncture between these two sections. Positioned withinslots 170 are a pair offingers 172 each being rotated at one end on apin 174 mounted in the enlarged upper section. Eachfinger 172 has anabrupt shoulder 176 at its opposite extremity. Adjacent to shoulder 176 is a sliding orcam surface 178 adapted to ride on thecentral portion 102 of thepiston 100 and with theabrupt shoulder 176 adapted to cooperate with theshoulder 110 of thedrive piston 100. Aleaf spring 180 is fastened by a rivet or screw 182 at one end and at its opposite orfree end 184 bears against each of thefingers 172 to serve as a biasing means to urge thefingers 172 into engagement with the piston and its associatedshoulder 110. Thefingers 172 effectively control the upper limit oftravel ofpiston 100 while permitting free movement of the piston to an extended or lower position, as viewed in the drawings. It will be apparent that other means such as spring loaded balls or plungers that can be hydraulically or spring actuated will operate effectively as a stop means.

At the free end of thebody 30adjacent bore 32, there is provided a nose piece 190, having a taperedlower portion 192 adapted to permit entry of the tool into confined spaces. The upper portion of nose piece is defined by a pair offlanges 194 which are apertured for acceptance of a pair ofbolts 196 for fastening of the nose piece in embracing relation to thebody 30. The interior of the nose piece is further defined by a fore and aft passageway having a pair of opposedvertical sidewalls 198 and lower inwardly taperingportions 200 which meet in aradiused section 202 on the vertical axis of the nose piece. At the upper end of the passageway defined by walls 198 a track means is positioned and defined by oppositely extendinggrooves 204, while centrally of the nose piece 190 there is located avertical bore 210 which traverses the fore and aft passageway. This particular nose piece was designed to accept a collatedstrip 216 offasteners 217 shown in phantom in which the collating means 216 includes individual plastic elements or holders having laterally extending head means adapted to ride intrack 204 and a body portion adapted to position afastener 217 held by the collating means in coaxial position with the drive piston within thebore 210. Thebore 210 has a dimension sufficiently large to accept thehammer portion 112 of thedrive piston 100 plus the material thickness of the collating means.

In the operation of this power source several physical relationships must be kept in mind. The area of the face orsurface 115 of the piston head, defined by thefrustoconical wall 116, is greater than the cross-sectional area of thedrive piston 100 at theseal 50 so that when theside wall 116 seals between theprojection 130 on the accumulator piston and the drive piston head, any fluid pressure which is exerted on the drive piston tends to move the piston head toward the accumulator piston and hold it in tight engagement therewith. Accordingly, fluid pressure introduced throughport 62 into thebore 60 of the body and thence through thechamber 168,grooves 160 and bore 144, when the accumulator piston and the drive piston are in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 9, will tend to force the drive piston head into engagement with theaccumulator piston 120 and tend to move thedrive piston 100 upwardly as seen in these figures.

Compressed gas is introduced into the power accumulator orcompressed gas chamber 80 throughvalve 90. It will be apparent that when thechamber 80 is charged with a gas under pressure, theaccumulator piston 100 will be forces downwardly, as seen in FIG. 3, to tend to hold the drive piston in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, and with theprojection 130 moved into sealing relationship with thefrustoconical side wall 116. The compressed gas charge that is introduced throughvalve 90 normally has a pressure of approximately 2,000 p.s.i. A suitable gas for use in a device of this type is nitrogen, although other forms of non-explosive, compressible gases can be used with equal facility.

To cause the operation of the power source to perform some work, such as the driving of a nail, a non-compressible fluid is introduced from a reservoir by a pump, neither of which are shown, but which are well known in the art, through theport 62 into thebore 60 and thence through the various passageways into the clearance betweenbore 144 in thecentral body portion 102 of thedrive piston 100, into engagement with theundersurface 106 of thehead 104 of the drive piston. As the power fluid is pumped into the main bore, it causes theaccumulator piston 120 and thedrive piston 100 to be moved upwardly as seen in FIG. 3. The drive piston is caused to move upwardly with the accumulator piston since, as was explained above, 'the area of thesurface 115, as well as the area of the taperedportion 106 ofhead 104 is greater than the cross-sectional area of thepiston 100 at theseal 50 so that the fluid pressure acting on the drive piston tends to force the drive piston toward the accumulator piston. Continued introduction of the power fluid to the bore forces theaccumulator piston 120 and thedrive piston 100 to move upwardly toward the fully retracted positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 4 against the force exerted by the compressed gas in the power accumulator orchamber 80. The drive piston and the accumulator move upwardly until thefingers 172 bring their associatedshoulders 176 into engagement with theshoulder 110 on thedrive piston 100. At this time, the drive piston is in its fully retracted or cocked position. The accumulator piston, however, is free to continue such movement as the pumping of the power fluid continues. Such separation, as seen in FIG. 4, separates the seal between theprojection 130 and theside walls 116. Once this seal is broken, the pressure of the power fluid is now exerted across the whole cross-sectional area of theface 115 of thedrive piston head 104 and as a result, the drive piston is now moved forcibly and with great velocity downwardly due to the force exerted by the compressed gas of the power fluid in the main bore of thecylinder 76. Since the power fluid is non-compressible, it serves as a linkage or transfer means for the force being exerted by the compressed gas through the power fluid against thehead 104 of thedrive piston 100. TI-Ie accumulator moves behind and follows the drive piston but since it extends across the full cross-sectional area of the bore of the cylinder, it moves at a slower speed than the drive piston. Such rapid movement of the drive piston, of course, drives the nail or other fastener into the workpiece or structure.

Thefrustoconical portion 106 at the undersurface ofhead 104, is disposed at an angle of approximately 30 to the vertical axis of thepiston 100. This frustoconical shape of thehead 104, causes the head to tend to trap power fluid in the reduced annular shape ofbore 146 and thence against the double frustoconical counterbore 148-150. Additionally, as the head progresses down thecylinder 76, the power fluid tends to be forced outwardly through thethroat 157 and the associated passageways communicating therewith. As a result, the entrapment of the power fluid betweenfrustoconical face 106 and the reducedbore 146 and its associated counterbores 148-150, slows down the drive piston as it approaches the end of its power stroke and cushions the shock of the engagement between thehead 104 and thebrake 140. Theaccumulator piston 120 is now spaced from the drive piston head due to the presence of the additional power fluid which has been pumped into thecylinder 76. The pump, or course, may continue to pump during the working or driving stroke of the drive piston, but the movement of the drive piston is primarily due to the force exerted by the compressed gas in thechamber 80 which is transmitted through the accumulator piston to the power fluid, acting as a linkage, against thesurface 115.

The power fluid in front of the accumulator piston is now forced by the pressure of the compressed gas in thechamber 80 and thecylinder 76, to move backwardly through the various passages into thebore 60 and out theport 62 into the reservoir, not shown. As a result, the accumulator piston moves downwardly until itsextension 130 once again engages thewall 116 of the drive piston head and again provides a seal between thehead 104 and theaccumulator piston 120. The power source is then again in condition for another cycle of operation.

It will now be apparent that the power source illustrated and described performs work due to theexpansion of the compressed gas in the power accumulator orgas chamber 80 andcylinder 76. The pressure of the gas introduced into thegas chamber 80 may be initially of a relatively large value, say 2,000 per square inch, and with the further compression of the gas in thechamber 80, due to the movement of theaccumulator piston 120 in thecylinder 76 by the non-compressible power fluid, causes it to attain a pressure of a still higher value, say 4,000 pounds per square inch, while the power fluid will reach 6,000 p.s.i. at the time of separation between the power piston and the accumulator piston. Thus, the energy stored in the compressed gas is employed to drive the piston, using the power fluid as a linkage between the accumulator piston and the drive piston, and thus perform such functions as the driving of a fastener into a workpiece. Normally, the volume of the drive piston in its axial movement of approximately 4 inches is equal to the volume of the accumulator piston in its movement of l to 1% inches during the power stroke. The power fluid is virtually non-compressible and has approximately the same displacement. It should be noted that theextension 88 of thecap 82 serves as a safety device to prevent movement of theaccumulator piston 120 out of the cylinder bore 76 into the power accumulator orgas chamber 80. Thus, thepiston 120 is maintained in its oriented position within thecylinder 76, as

well as preventing over-compression of the gas within the chamber by providing a stop to the axial movement of thepiston 120 after separation from piston when it contacts the lower extremity of thetube 88.

It has been found occasionally that theseal 122 under the pressures developed, permits passage of the power fluid intocylinder 76 and comingles it with the compressed gas. Due to the heat generated in the compression of the gas, the power fluid is atomized and can produce an undesirable condition. To this end, a second embodiment of the accumulator piston is shown in FIG. 7, wherein similar parts are designated by similar numerals with the addition ofthe suffix a. This embodiment includes virtually a one piece double piston, includingportion 120a having asingle seal 122a, and theforward projection 130a adapted to seal with the cavity in the end ofhead 104 in he same fashion as the first embodiment. This embodiment includes anextension 220 provided with acircumferential cavity 222 for acceptance of asecond seal 224. At the juncture betweenextension 220 and thebasic portion 120a, there is provided a plurality oftransverse passageways 230 which communicate between the periphery of the piston and acentral bore 232 which opens through the opposite end ofextension 220. The open end ofbore 232 is closed by a threadedplug 234 having a central pass-throughbore 236 providing limited ingress and egress to thebore 232. Positioned withinbore 232 is a free floatingpiston 240 having an annular groove adapted to accept an O-ring seal 242. Thefree end 244 ofpiston 240 is conically shaped and adapted to intersect and close thepassageways 230 communicating with the periphery of the embodiment. In the operation of this device in the environment previously described, it will be appreciated that the compressed gasses fromchamber 80 will pass through thebore 236 and act upon the end of thepiston 240 to maintain it in the seated position shown in FIG. 7. In the event that the power fluid should by-pass seal 122a, it will seek thepassageway 230 and act against the relativelysmall diameter piston 240 to move the piston to the right, as viewed in FIG. 7, against the compressed gas and to form a reservoir within thebore 232. The relative cross-sectional areas ofpiston 240 andseal 224, are such that the piston will be acted upon more readily by the power fluid than the seal and thus the power fluid will be prevented from passing into thecylinder 76 andchamber 80 to comingle and atomize with the compressed gas.

The power source previously described is fitted in the illustrated embodiment to abody shell 250 having acentral aperture 252 defining ahand grip portion 254. Arear aperture 256 is adapted to acceptappropriate fittings 258 for the acceptance and mounting of tubular means 260 carrying the power fluid from its reservoir and supply pump, not shown, to theport 62. Also positioned incasing 250 at its rear or righthand end, as viewed in FIG. 2, areterminal means 264 for providing electrical access to thecontrol cable 266 on the exterior andinternal wiring 268 on the interior of the casing for control of the external pump and its supply of power fluid to the power source. Other details of the casings inbody 250 will be described hereinafter with reference to the specific features being described.

CONTROL MEANS In the operation of the power source, it is necessary to provide mechanical detection means which will insure that the tool is in the proper position for operation prior to the power stroke by the piston. Additionally, control means are provided which are interconnected electrically with the mechanical detection means for purposes of remotely controlling the pump and reservoir which are located at a distance from the power tool. Further, means must be provided for controlling the position of the extreme end of thehammer portion 112 relative to the workpiece since the extended position of the hammer extremity is a definite physical relationship relative to the lower end of the nose piece upon the completion of the power stroke and the extension of thepower piston 100 internally of the body.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 10, there is provided a flatfront face 31 on the lower portion ofbody 30, adapted to accept adetector blade 270 in sliding superposed relationship thereto.Detector blade 270 is basically a rigid, flat structure having alower cutout portion 272 at one end which is greater than and generally complimentary in cross-sectional configuration to the passage through the nose piece defined bywalls 198 and 200. The exterior edge surface at said one end ofplate 270 forms a nose or reducedsection 274 generally complementary to thesloping wall 192 of the nose piece and terminating in aflat surface 276 at its free extremity for contact with the work surface. A pair of lugs ordogs 278 extend laterally from opposite side edges of theblade 270 intermediate their extremities. Anaperture 280, generally rectangular in shape, is positioned centrally and intermediate the extremities of the blade. The opposite orupper end 282, as best seen in FIG. 10, presents a cammed or sloped surface which is non-perpendicular to the side edges of the blade.End 282 is adapted to cooperate withmovable plate 284, as best seen in FIG. 8, having an elongatedtransverse aperture 286 and a retainingscrew 288 afiixed to thefront face 31. Lateral adjustment ofplate 284 will, in cooperation withsurface 282,

determine the extent of movement of thedetector blade 270 in an upward direction, as viewed in the drawing, along thefront face 31. Anelongated cavity 290 is provided inface 31 and adapted to accept aspring member 292 having a diameter substantially equal to the combined measurement of the thickness of theblade 270 and the depth of thecavity 290. Afterspring 292 is positioned within thecavity 290, theblade 270 is positioned with the spring member located within theaperture 280. Aflat cover plate 300 is positioned over theblade 270 and the assembly maintained in place bylateral flanges 302 extending rearwardly fromplate 300 and secured to thebody 30 by suitable means such as ascrew 304 andnut 306. Thecover plate 300 maintains theblade 270 in free sliding relationship to thefront face 31 with thespring 292 centering theblade 270 when forces tending to move the blade in either direction have been removed. The lower extremity ofblade 270 defined bysurface 276 normally extends beyond the free extremity of nose piece before contact with a workpiece.

The effects of movement of the detector blade upwardly againstspring 292 when contacting a workpiece are translated into useable impulses by means ofa pair oflevers 310 and 312 mounted on opposite sides ofbody 250. Thelever 310 has aforward portion 314 terminating in a cammedbulbous tip 316 adapted to be accepted between the adjacent side lugs 278.Lever 310 is provided with a centralpivot point aperture 318 and arearwardly extending arm 320 terminating in a laterally extendingflange 322 having acammed surface 324 adjacent its lower edge, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 10.Lever 312 is provided with aforward portion 330 and a similarbulbous tip 332 for acceptance between thelugs 278 on the adjacent side of 270. Intermediate the extremity oflever 312, there is positioned astud 334 at its pivot point and adapted to. be accepted within thepivot point aperture 318ofthe lever 310.

Within thecase 250 there are positioned twoswitches 340 and 342.Switch 340 is provided with aspring pivot arm 344 adapted to be in contact with thecam 324oflever 310. In the upper portion ofcasing 250, there is provided in the hand grip aperture 252 atrigger switch lever 350 pivoted at 352 and having an upwardly extendinglever 354. Theswitch trigger 350 is adapted to act againstadjustable spring 356 when an upward pressure is brought to bear ontrigger 350, as viewed in FIG. 2, to swingflange 354 into contact withswitch 342.Switches 340 and 342 are connected in series internally of the casing by appropriate means with thecable 268. When thetrigger 350 is squeezed,switch 342 is closed, but the circuit will not be complete unless thedetector blade 270 is moved upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, so as to pivotlever 310 and move thecam surface 324 downwardly to actuateswitch 340 and thereby close the series circuit. If pressure against thenose 276 ofblade 270 is removed, as by removal of the tool from the work surface, the circuitry will be opened and electrical power to the pump which supplies the power fluid will be cut off and the power stroke will be unable to proceed in its cycle. Thus, the tool must be in a predetermined position for driving, as well as having thetrigger 350 depressed in order to carry out its sequence of firing.

CUTOFF MECHANISM The collatedstrip 216 with which the tool is adapted to operate includes a plurality offasteners 217 which are maintained in a predetermined spaced relation by the supporting strip. The proposed strip, which has been indicated will be disclosed in a co-pending application, envisages a series of plastic carrying means for orientation of the fasteners with the head portions of the carrying means being interconnected. After a series of fasteners have been fired, the carrying means or strip, will be ejected forwardly through theaperture 272. At times, when spacing of the environment are tight, it is necessary to dispose of the strip and hence a cutoff mechanism has been provided. Thedetector blade 270 is provided on opposite upper sides of theaperture 272 with a pair of dependingknives 360 having knife edges 361. The back surface of eachknife 360 is coplanar with the surface ofblade 270 riding on thefront surface 31 while the front surface of eachknife 360 is tapered to intersect said back surface and provide thecutting edge 361. The detector blade levers 310 and 312 includeupper extensions 362 and 364 respectively which extend upwardly and rearwardly from thepivots 318 and 334. For operation of this device, amanual lever 370 is mounted onbody 250 and provided with a pair ofarms 372, 374 pivoted centrally thereof at 376 and having cammedsurfaces 378 and 380 at their respective far extremities. Thelever 370 is provided with ayoke connecting portion 382 at its upper extremity forming a handle for manual engagement by the operator. Apin 384 is positioned internally of thehandle 254 ofcasing 250 and asimilar pin 386 extends betweenarms 372 and 374, intermediate the extremities oflever 370. Atension spring 388 extends between thepins 384 and 386 and maintains thelever 370 and its associated cam surfaces 378 and 380 out of contact with theupper portions 362 and 364 of detector blade levers 310 and 312 withpin 386 serving as the stop means which by engaging withcase 250 serves as the lever orientation means.Depressing lever 270 by application of a force to thehandle 382, pivots thelever 370 aboutpoint 376 to bring the cam surfaces 378-380 into engagement with the undersurface of theupper portions 362 and 364 of thelever arms 310 and 312. Thebulbous connections 316 and 332 at the opposite end of the lever arms then act on thelugs 278 to move the detector blade downwardly againstspring 292, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 8, to bring the knife edges 361 into engagement with the collated strip of the type shown in phantom shown in FIG. 2, to sever the used portions of the strip extending outwardly through theaperture 272. Release of pressure onhandle 382 permits thespring 388 to move thelever 370 back to its position of rest, andspring 292 to return theblade 270 to its normal position ofrest.

FEED MECHANISM As has been previously discussed, the collating means 216 for the'fasteners adapted to be used with this embodiment of power tool includes plastic members which are joined at their head and have laterally extending flange means and body means depending from said heads. At the base of thebody shell 250, there is provided a guide rail means 400, see FIGS. 2, l2 and 13, which includes agrooved casting 402 having adownwardly opening slot 404 extending the longitudinal length of the casting 402. Theslot 404 includeslateral grooves 406 which are aligned with and complementary to thegrooves 204 in the nose piece. Suitable flange means 408 are provided to acceptfasteners 410 for mounting the casting relative to thebody 250. The collatedstrip 216 is inserted from the back end of theslot 404, opposite nose piece 190, the heads of the strip riding in thegrooves 406 and the body portions depending downwardly, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

The feed mechanism includes advancing means for sequentially advancing individual fasteners into position under thehammer 112. Referring to FIGS. 2, l3 and 14, the advancing means include fingers means 420 consisting of a pair of narrowsheet metal members 422 interconnected by aflange 424. Anabrupt shoulder 426 is formed at the free end of each of themembers 422, while the undersurface thereof includes a double tapered cam surface designated at 428 and 429. At the opposite extremity of the finger means 420 and connected toflange 424, is an upstandingapertured flange 430 having acentral aperture 432. Each of the finger means 420 include oppositely disposedapertures 434 which are in registry with one another and are positioned adjacent theend carrying flange 430.

Arod 440 is mounted at oneend 442, in thecasing 250 by suitable means, such as screw threads or welding, and extends cantilever fashion into the interior of thecase 250.Rod 440 has mounted thereon acompression spring 444. Thespring 440 normally occupies substantially the entire length ofrod 440. Theaperture 432 offlange 430 of the finger means 420 is positioned on the free extremity ofrod 440 and moved to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, to compress thespring 444. It will be noted that the casting 402 at theend 403 adjacent its juncture with the nose piece 190, is milled away to expose thegroove 406 to theends 426 of the finger means 420. The finger means 420 is pivoted about itsaperture 434 and normally spring urged downwardly tothe left by the weight of the finger means and thespring 444.

Adouble yoke member 450 is pivoted onpin 376 and provides a pair ofarm members 452 extending downwardly and embracing the finger means 420. Apivot pin 454 connects thepivot aperture 434 of the finger means and suitable aperture means in theyoke arms 452. It should be noted that theaperture 432 in the finger means, is slightly larger in diameter than therod 440 so that movement of theyoke arms 452 in a direction to the left in FIG. 2 will always permit the finger means 420 to depend downwardly into thegroove 406 of thetrack 400 and thegroove 204 in the nose piece 190. It should be noted that thespring 444 has a predetermined strength for urging the finger means 420 in the direction to the left toward the nose piece. To control the advancing means, the yoke has a second pair ofarms 456 extending upwardly opposite thearms 452. Thearms 456 have acam surface 458 on their rear edge abutting the spring urged stop means 460 which has a strength substantially from four to six times greater than that ofpower spring 444. The stop means 460 includes acavity 462 in thebody 250, aspring 464 and a cap-like plunger 466 which is freely slidable withincavity 462 and in encompassing relation tospring 464.Plunger 466 acting against the cam surfaces 458 of theyoke 450, tends to urge the finger means 420 in the direction to the right sincespring 464 is many times stronger than thepower spring 444 and thereby overcomes the force ofspring 444.

To overcome the stop 460 apiston 470 is provided in opposition to the plunger 466A cylinder 472 is threadedly mounted in theport 64 and access provided to thebore 60 carrying the power fluid. Suitable seal means 474 is provided within thecylinder 472 acting against a stop 476. Thepiston 470 is so dimensioned that it abutsplunger 466 with one end at all times and in the retracted position, shown in FIG. 2, is seated on ashoulder 478 at its end opposite theplunger 466, thereby controlling the relative movement ofplunger 466 in an outward or direction to the left.

The operation of the feed means is as follows: When thetrigger 350 is squeezed,detector blade 270 is moved to actuateswitch 340, power fluid is introduced through thetube 260 intobore 60. Power fluid then flows fromport 64 into thecylinder 472 and movement of thepiston 470 overrides thespring 464 by moving it to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2. By removal of stop means 460 thepower spring 444 is permitted to act upon theflange 430 and attempt to move the finger means 420 to the left. The power piston in its lower or extended position provides a stop means against which the end of the collated strip can come to rest or, as is shown in FIG. 2 in phantom, thehammer portion 112 projects through the interior of one portion of the collated strip and prevents movement thereof until, during the power cycle, thepower piston 100 is retracted. When thehammer 112 in its upward movement clears the collated strip, theabrupt shoulder 126 engages a complementary shoulder in the strip and moves it forward with a rocking of theyoke 450 as shown in phantom. The collated strip has a series of notch-like grooves for acceptance of the shoulder means 426 of thefinger 420 and the stroke of the finger means is controlled by the movement of theyoke 450 until it touches theplunger 466 in retracted position. This is a calculated position to insure proper positioning of the collated strip beneath the power piston. When the cycle is complete, the fastener is driven through the collated holder into the work structure and the power fluid is then evacuated through thetube 260. This permits thepiston 470 to return to its seated position againstshoulder 478 and thespring 464, being much stronger thanspring 444, swivels theyoke 450 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 2, thereby retracting the finger means with the cam surfaces 428-430 riding across the upper surface of the collated strip until the shoulder means 426 engage the next notch in the strip. The feeding means is then ready for recycling.

It will be noted in FIG. 13 that thebody shell 250 is open on the-left side and bottom to provide access to the interior. A thinsheet metal cover 500 is used to cover the interior of thebody shell 250. Cover 500 has at one extremity, an inwardly and thence upwardly directed bottom ornose portion 502 which protects the strip of collated fasteners from damage as they are moved along thegrooves 406. The upwardly turnedportion 504 terminates in spaced relation to the rail casting 402 to provide aslot 506 which permits the operator to move independent or short sections of collated fasteners along the guide rail. It will be recognized, of course, that power means such as a spring, could be used for this purpose, but it has been found unnecessary when access is so readily available through theslot 506.

Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that an economical, high velocity, high force, power source is combined with a simple, fail-safe positive positioning of a collated strip of fasteners for driving into a work structure. The safety features, such as a detector blade when mechanically moved, provides a circuit actuating means for remotely controlling the reservoir and pump used for introducing the power fluid into the power device.

I claim:

1. A power device for sequentially driving fasteners carried by collating means in strip form, including a body having a bore, a drive piston reciprocably movable in said bore, said piston having one end portion extendable outwardly of said bore, biasing means capable of moving said drive piston from a retracted to an extended position, means controlling said biasing means for actuation of said biasing means, unitary means capable of detecting the positioning of said power device against a workpiece and including means for actuating said control means, said unitary means being provided with means for cutting off said collating means at a predetermined position following the driving of a fastener by the drive piston, said unitary means being spring urged in one direction so that one free extremity is presented in spaced relation to one edge of said power device for contacting said work surface before contact by said power device, movement in the opposite direction by contact with said work surface actuating said control means and means for extending said unitary means in said one direction to actuate the cutoff means.

2. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said unitary means includes a flat blade-like member having an aperture adapted to allow said collating means to pass through said unitary means, the aperture including means for disassociating portions of said collating means from those portions still remaining within said power device.

3. A device of the type claimed in claim 2 wherein the aperture in said flat blade-like member is located adjacent one end thereof and adjustable means is provided at the opposite end thereof for controlling the movement of said blade-like member when urged in said opposite direction.

4. A device of the type claimed in claim 2 wherein said blade-like member is made of substantially rigid sheet material and is tapered adjacent its free extremity, an elongated second aperture positioned intermediate the extremities of said bladelike member, spring means partially positioned within a cavity of said body and partially within said elongated second aperture and acting against opposite ends of said elongated aperture to center said blade-like means in a predetermined position, means for maintaining said blade-like member adjacent said body for rectilinear movement relative thereto.

5. A device of the type claimed in claim 4 wherein said blade-like body is provided with one or more dogs engageable with lever means extending between said blade-like member and said control means whereby movement of said blade-like member causes said lever means to actuate said control means.

6. A device of the type claimed in claim 5 wherein said lever means is adapted to operate in response to a secondary means to cause said blade-like member to move against said centering spring for purposes of actuating said cutoff means relative to said collating strip.

7. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said body is provided with a surface oriented parallel to the axis of said body, said detection means including a flat blade-like member mounted contiguous to and in sliding relationship to said sur face, said surface having an elongated recess therein. said blade-like member including an elongated aperture positioned intermediate its extremities and in communication with said elongated recess, biasing means positioned within said recess and said elongated aperture and serving to normally position said blade-like member relative to said surface, said blade-like member having a portion thereof extending below one edge of said power device, passage means in said blade-like member positioned adjacent to said free extending end allowing the collating means to exit from the device, pressure on said free extending end of said blade-like member causing the member to move on said surface in opposition to said biasing means in the body recess, said blade-like member further including destruction means adjacent the passage means at its extended end for purposes of acting on and destroying the union of a portion of the collated strip relative to the balance of the strip remaining in the power device, said blade-like member including means for transmitting its rectilinear movement to said control means and means adapted to move said blade-like member to actuate the destruction means.

8. A device of the type claimed in claim 7 wherein said blade-like member includes a reduced free extending portion forming a trapezoidal shaped aperture surrounded by a narrow rigid web, a pair of lugs extending laterally from at least one of the elongated edges of said blade-like member, the end of said blade-like member opposite to said narrow end being angularly disposed other than perpendicularly to the side edges, an adjustable stop means mounted on said body in op-' position to said angularly disposed end of said blade-like member for controlling its rectilinear motion in one direction, means engaging said lug means for controlling and manifesting movement of said blade-like member along said surface.

9. A device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said means engaging with said lug means including lever means located between said pair of lugs, said lever means upon movement in one direction actuating switch means for controlling the biasing means on said drive piston, said lever means further having means for actuation of said blade-like member in the opposite direction of actuating said switch to bring the cutoff means into operation, handle means external of said body connected to lever means capable of actuating said control lever means in the opposite direction for actuation of said cutoff means.

ing one aperture located adjacent one end thereof and adapted to allow said collating means to pass through, a second aperture located adjacent the opposite end thereof and adapted to receive spring means operably engaging both the blade-like member and said body to center said blade-like member in a predetermined position, and means responsive to movement of the blade-like member to actuate said control means.

Claims (10)

1. A power device for sequentially driving fasteners carried by collating means in strip form, including a body having a bore, a drive piston reciprocably movable in said bore, said piston having one end portion extendable outwardly of said bore, biasing means capable of moving said drive piston from a retracted to an extended position, means controlling said biasing means for actuation of said biasing means, unitary means capable of detecting the positioning of said power device against a workpiece and including means for actuating said control means, said unitary means being provided with means for cutting off said collating means at a predetermined position following the driving of a fastener by the drive piston, said unitary means being spring urged in one direction so that one free extremity is presented in spaced relation to one edge of said power device for contacting said work surface before contact by said power device, movement in the opposite direction by contact with said work surface actuating said control means and means for extending said unitary means in said one direction to actuate the cutoff means.

2. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said unitary means includes a flat blade-like member having an aperture adapted to allow said collating means to pass through said unitary means, the aperture including means for disassociating portions of said collating means from those portions still remaining within said power device.

3. A device of the type claimed in claim 2 wherein the aperture in said flat blade-like member is located adjacent one end thereof and adjustable means is provided at the opposite end thereof for controlling the movement of said blade-like member when urged in said opposite direction.

4. A device of the type claimed in claim 2 wherein said blade-like member is made of substantially rigid sheet material and is tapered adjacent its free extremity, an elongated second aperture positioned intermediate the extremities of said blade-like member, spring means partially positioned within a cavity of said body and partially within said elongated second aperture and acting against opposite ends of said elongated aperture to center said blade-like means in a predetermined position, means fOr maintaining said blade-like member adjacent said body for rectilinear movement relative thereto.

5. A device of the type claimed in claim 4 wherein said blade-like body is provided with one or more dogs engageable with lever means extending between said blade-like member and said control means whereby movement of said blade-like member causes said lever means to actuate said control means.

6. A device of the type claimed in claim 5 wherein said lever means is adapted to operate in response to a secondary means to cause said blade-like member to move against said centering spring for purposes of actuating said cutoff means relative to said collating strip.

7. A device of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said body is provided with a surface oriented parallel to the axis of said body, said detection means including a flat blade-like member mounted contiguous to and in sliding relationship to said surface, said surface having an elongated recess therein, said blade-like member including an elongated aperture positioned intermediate its extremities and in communication with said elongated recess, biasing means positioned within said recess and said elongated aperture and serving to normally position said blade-like member relative to said surface, said blade-like member having a portion thereof extending below one edge of said power device, passage means in said blade-like member positioned adjacent to said free extending end allowing the collating means to exit from the device, pressure on said free extending end of said blade-like member causing the member to move on said surface in opposition to said biasing means in the body recess, said blade-like member further including destruction means adjacent the passage means at its extended end for purposes of acting on and destroying the union of a portion of the collated strip relative to the balance of the strip remaining in the power device, said blade-like member including means for transmitting its rectilinear movement to said control means and means adapted to move said blade-like member to actuate the destruction means.

8. A device of the type claimed in claim 7 wherein said blade-like member includes a reduced free extending portion forming a trapezoidal shaped aperture surrounded by a narrow rigid web, a pair of lugs extending laterally from at least one of the elongated edges of said blade-like member, the end of said blade-like member opposite to said narrow end being angularly disposed other than perpendicularly to the side edges, an adjustable stop means mounted on said body in opposition to said angularly disposed end of said blade-like member for controlling its rectilinear motion in one direction, means engaging said lug means for controlling and manifesting movement of said blade-like member along said surface.

9. A device of the type claimed in claim 8 wherein said means engaging with said lug means including lever means located between said pair of lugs, said lever means upon movement in one direction actuating switch means for controlling the biasing means on said drive piston, said lever means further having means for actuation of said blade-like member in the opposite direction of actuating said switch to bring the cutoff means into operation, handle means external of said body connected to lever means capable of actuating said control lever means in the opposite direction for actuation of said cutoff means.

10. A power device for sequentially driving fasteners carried by collating means in strip form, including a body having a bore, a drive piston reciprocably movable in said bore, said piston having one end portion extendable outwardly of said bore, biasing means capable of moving said drive piston from a retracted to an extended position, means controlling said biasing means for actuation of said biasing means, means capable of detecting the positioning of said power device against a workpiece comprising a flat blade-like member having one aperture located adjacent one end thereof and adapteD to allow said collating means to pass through, a second aperture located adjacent the opposite end thereof and adapted to receive spring means operably engaging both the blade-like member and said body to center said blade-like member in a predetermined position, and means responsive to movement of the blade-like member to actuate said control means.

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