USRE42987E1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: USRE42987E1
Application number: US12/201,413
Authority: US
Inventors: Yoshitaka Akiba
Original assignee: Hitachi Koki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Koki Holdings Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-23
Filing date: 2008-08-29
Publication date: 2011-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-22

Abstract

A nail gun has a free end19a and central potion of a trigger arm19 positioned within a trigger11, on an upper end12a of a safety portion12 and at a plunger17, respectively. When the trigger11 is pivoted on its pivot end16, pivoting movement of the trigger11 moves a pivot end18 of the trigger arm19 to press the central portion of the trigger arm19 into contact with the plunger17 and, with the plunger17 serving as a fulcrum, to press the free end19a downward against the upper end12a of the safety portion12. If downward movement of the safety portion12 is obstructed when the trigger11 is pivoted, the upper end12a contacted by the free end19a of the trigger arm19 serves as a fulcrum around which the trigger arm19 pivots with movement of the trigger11, whereupon the central portion of the trigger arm19 presses the plunger17 inward so that an activation switch10 activates a blade7 to eject a nail through a nose piece5.

Description

This is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,788, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/119,721 filed Apr. 11, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,018 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/861,546 filed May 22, 2001; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,332; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a nail gun that drives a nail through, for example, the hole of a connection clasp and to a nail gun that can accurately drive nails into a desired drive position.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of different types of clasp fixing nail guns have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,730 discloses a nail gun that separates nails one at a time from a nail band and supplies the nail to a nail injection hole of the nosepiece. The nail tip is protruded from the end of the nosepiece before the nail gun drives the nail.

The nail gun further has a safety mechanism with a work-piece contact member, an intermediate lever, and an operation lever. The work-piece contact member extends from the nose of the nail gun to the base of the intermediate lever. When the trigger of the nail gun is pressed, the operation lever moves toward or away from an activation plunger, depending on the position of the work-piece contact member and the intermediate lever. That is, the work-piece contact member is raised into its lowermost position as long as the nose of the nail gun is not pressed against a work piece. If the trigger is pressed at this time, the intermediate lever pivots greatly and guides movement of the operation lever away from the activation plunger. On the other hand, when the nose of the nail gun is pressed against a work piece, the contact member is raised into its upper position. If the trigger is pulled at this time, pivoting movement of the intermediate lever is restricted so that the operation lever moves into contact with the activation plunger, thereby setting off a nail driving operation. In other words, the safety mechanism prevents the nail gun from firing when no work piece is present by changing the pivot path of the operation lever.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is conceivable to lengthen the stroke of the work-piece contact member, that is, the distance that the work-piece contact member can move, by increasing the length of the intermediate lever. However, the intermediate lever can only be lengthened within the movement range of the trigger. Therefore, it is difficult to lengthen the stroke of the work-piece contact member. As a result, the lower end of the work-piece contact member must always be positioned fairly near the nail ejection opening, even when the work-piece contact member is at its upper dead center. This makes it difficult to see the nail tip so that it is difficult to position the nail at the precise position where it is to be driven into the work piece.

Also, the intermediate lever and the operation lever are provided in a narrow space above the trigger and operate in a fairly complicated manner against urging force of springs. A slight error in component or position dimensions, abrasion caused by friction, or dust, dirt, and the like clinging to components could easily become the cause of misfires. As a result, reliability of the nail gun suffers.

It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the above-described problems and provide a nail gun that more easily allows visual confirmation of the nail tip location and that uses a simpler configuration, which improves reliability by helping prevent the danger of misfires.

In order to achieve the above-described objective, a nail gun according to the present invention includes a body; a nail ejection portion connected to the body and having a tip formed with a nail ejection hole; a magazine connected to the nail ejection portion, the magazine feeding nails one at a time to the ejection portion; a blade supported in the body capable of reciprocal movement in opposing first and second directions and, when activated, driven in the second direction to the nail ejection portion to strike a nail in the nail ejection portion and to eject the nail through the nail ejection hole; an activation switch having a protruding plunger, the activating switch activating the blade when the plunger is pressed inward; a trigger having a trigger pivot end and a trigger free end, the trigger being supported pivotably on the body at the trigger pivot end; a trigger arm positioned within the trigger, the trigger arm having a trigger-arm pivot end, a central portion, and a trigger-arm free end, the trigger-arm pivot end being pivotably disposed at a position between the plunger and the trigger free end, the central portion being disposed at a position adjacent to the plunger; a safety portion having a first-side end disposed in contact with the trigger-arm free end and a second-side end positioned near the nail ejection hole, the safety portion being supported capable of reciprocal movement in the first and second directions between an upper dead center and a lower dead center; and urging means for urging the safety portion into the upper dead center; wherein when the trigger is pivoted on the trigger pivot end, pivoting movement of the trigger moves the trigger-arm pivot end to press the central portion of the trigger arm into contact with the plunger and, with the plunger serving as a fulcrum, to press the trigger-arm free end in the second direction against the first-side end of the safety portion.

With this configuration, a long stroke can be achieved for the safety portion. Therefore, the lower end of the safety portion can be separated from the nail tip in the initial condition, so that whether the nail tip is properly set in the clasp hole can be visually confirmed with ease. That is, the position where nails will be driven into the work piece can be accurately set.

Also, only the trigger arm is provided within the trigger and the safety portion is configured from only the upper safety portion and the lower safety portion. Operations are more reliable because the configuration is so simple.

If movement of the safety portion in the second direction is obstructed when the trigger is pivoted on the trigger pivot end, then the first-side end of the safety portion contacted by the trigger-arm free end serves as a fulcrum around which the trigger arm pivots with movement of the trigger, whereupon the central portion presses the plunger inward so that the activation switch activates the blade.

As a result, a nail driving operation can be reliably performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from reading the following description of the embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing a nail gun according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing connected nails used in the nail gun ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing details of a safety portion and surrounding components of the nail gun inFIG. 1, while the trigger is not pulled;

FIG. 4 is front view showing a cam member of the safety portion;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the cam member ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a back view of the cam member ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the safety portion;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the trigger of the nail gun pulled while the nail gun is pressed against a work piece;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a nail driving operation;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the trigger of the nail gun pulled while no work piece obstructs downward movement of the safety portion;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the cam member pivoted by downward movement of the safety portion in the situation shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a lower portion of the safety portion moving upward when pressed against a work piece while the cam member is pivoted as shown inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a safety portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing disconnection of upper and lower portions of the safety portion ofFIG. 14 when the trigger is pulled while nothing obstructs downward movement of the safety portion; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower portion of the safety portion ofFIG. 14 moving independently upward when pressed against a work piece while upper and lower portions are disconnected as shown inFIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Next, a nail gun according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be provided while referring toFIGS. 1 to 13. To facilitate explanation, the directional terms up, down, front, and rear will be used referring to orientation in which the nail gun is intended to be used and as indicated inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 1, anail gun1 includes anail ejection portion5, amagazine6, adrive portion8, atrigger11, and asafety portion12. Themagazine6 houses connectednails3 that are supplied to thenail ejection portion5. As shown inFIG. 2, the connectednails3 are arranged on a single plane, separated by a fixed distance, and connected by aconnection band3a. Eachnail4 typically has acircular head4a at its upper end, acylindrical body4b, and an acutely pointedtip4c. As shown inFIG. 1, themagazine6 includes afeeder14 and a feeder spring (not shown). Thefeeder14 receives pressure from the feeder spring and feeds thenails4 to thenail ejection portion5, which is formed by anosepiece13 of thenail gun1.

Thenail ejection portion5 is formed at its lower end with anail ejection hole5a. Thetip4c of thelead nail4 within thenail ejection portion5 protrudes downward out of thenail ejection hole5a, so that the position of thenail tip4c can be visually confirmed with ease.

Thedrive portion8 houses ablade7. Theblade7 is capable of reciprocal movement in thedrive portion8 to drive nails supplied to thenail ejection portion5 out from theejection hole5a.

Thenail gun1 also includes a handle9 and anactivation switch10. The handle9 is held by the user to support thenail gun1. Theactivation switch10 is for controlling a nail driving operation of thenail gun1. As shown inFIG. 3, theactivation switch10 includes a downward-protrudingplunger17 substantially at its center. Theplunger17 is supported capable of reciprocal movement in the vertical direction. While theplunger17 is positioned at its lower dead center, theactivation switch10 is maintained OFF, so thenail gun1 remains in a non-activated condition. However, as theplunger17 moves from its lower dead center to its upper dead center, theactivation switch10 is turned ON, so that thenail gun1 starts a nail driving operation.

As shown inFIG. 3, thetrigger11 is supported adjacent to theactivation switch10 on apivot shaft16 so as to be capable of pivotable movement centered on thepivot shaft16. The user uses a finger of the hand he or she uses to hold the handle9 to pull thetrigger11. Thetrigger11 is provided with asupport portion18 that pivotably supports atrigger arm19. Thetrigger arm19 is supported in a posture with the central portion in contact with the tip of theplunger17 and with theother end19a in contact on anupper end12a of thesafety portion12.

Thesafety portion12 is supported capable of reciprocal movement, in parallel with the reciprocal movement direction of theblade7, between upper and lower dead centers as guided by anose13, which configures thenail ejection portion5. Thesafety portion12 is configured from anupper safety portion20, acam member21, and alower safety portion22.

Theupper safety portion20 has a substantial reversed L-shape, and includes theupper end12a, avertical section20c, and ahorizontal section20d. Theupper end12a is disposed in contact with the underside of the free end19aof thetrigger arm19. Aspring15 is disposed beneath thehorizontal section20d for constantly urging thesafety portion12 toward its upper dead center.

Thelower safety portion22 is supported capable of reciprocal movement in parallel with the reciprocal movement direction of theblade7, as guided by

pins

23,24 provided in thenose13. Thelower safety portion22 includes alower end12b and anengagement recess portion22a. Thelower end12b is located near the ejection opening5a of thenail ejection portion5. When thesafety portion12 is in its upper dead center following the urging of thespring15, thelower end12b is retracted above thenail tip4c as shown inFIG. 3. On the other hand, when thesafety portion12 is in its lower dead center, thelower end12b protrudes beyond thenail tip4c of thenail4 in thenail ejection portion5 as shown inFIG. 11. Theengagement recess portion22a is provided in the upper portion of thelower safety portion22 and includes anupper plate22b and alower plate22c, wherein theupper plate22b protrudes further than thelower plate22c. Aspring25 is provided for constantly urging thelower safety portion22 downward when thenail gun1 is oriented as in the drawings. Said differently, when thenail gun1 is oriented for driving a nail upward, for example, into a ceiling fixture, thespring25 prevents thelower safety portion22 from sagging downward.

Thecam member21 is pivotably supported on ashaft20a provided to a lower portion of theupper safety portion20. As shown inFIGS. 4 to 8, thecam portion21 includes alower end21a and twoguide protrusions21b. As shown inFIG. 3, thelower end21a fits in theengagement recess portion22a of thelower safety portion22. As shown inFIG. 4, theguide protrusions21b are provided symmetrically on either side of thecam portion21. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 12, theguide protrusions21b fit inguide grooves5b provided in the side surfaces of thenail ejection portion5. Theguide grooves5b are formed in a diagonally extending shape, so that when theguide protrusions21b move downward in theguide grooves5b, thecam member21 separates from theengagement recess portion22a as shown inFIG. 11.

Next, an explanation will be provided for operation of thenail gun1. In this example, thenail gun1 is used to fix in place aconnection clasp2 shown inFIG. 9. Theconnection clasp3 is preformed with ahole2a. First, thenail tip4c protruding from thenail ejection hole5a is set directly into thehole2a of theconnection clasp2. Because thenail tip4c protrudes from thenail ejection hole5a, thenail tip4c can be easily aligned with theclasp hole2a. Once thenail tip4c is set, thelower end12b of thelower safety portion22 presses against anupper surface2b of theclasp2, so thesafety portion12 is prevented from moving downward.

Next, the user pulls thetrigger11 of thenail gun1. When the user pulls thetrigger11, thetrigger11 pivots centered on thepivot shaft16 toward theactivation switch10, that is, from the orientation shown inFIG. 1 to the orientation shown inFIG. 9. Thesupport portion18 of thetrigger arm19 moves upward so that the central portion of thetrigger arm19 abuts against the tip of theplunger17 of theactivation switch10. As a result, theplunger17 serves as a fulcrum so that force from thesupport portion18 presses theother end19a of thetrigger arm19 down against theupper end12a of thesafety portion12. However, theupper end12a remains in place because theupper surface2b of theclasp2 prevents thesafety portion12 from moving. Therefore, theupper end12a serves as a fulcrum so that force from thesupport portion18 presses the central portion of thetrigger arm19 upward against theplunger17 when thetrigger11 is pulled. When theplunger17 is pressed in, theactivation switch10 is turned ON, thereby starting operation of thenail gun1 so that thenail4 in thenail ejection portion5 is driven downward as shown inFIG. 10.

The above explanation is for the situation wherein thetrigger11 is pulled after thenail tip4c protruding from thenail ejection hole5a was set in theclasp hole2a. Next, with reference toFIGS. 11 to 13, an explanation will be provided for operations performed when thenail tip4c is not set in theclasp hole2a, that is, when the nail ejection port is not located in abutment with a work piece.

In the same manner as described above, when thetrigger11 is pulled in this case, thesupport portion18 of thetrigger arm19 moves so that the central portion of thetrigger arm19 abuts against the tip of theplunger17. Accordingly, the tip of theplunger17 functions as a fulcrum so that force from thesupport portion18 presses theother tip19a of thetrigger arm19 down against theupper end12a. However, because there is no work piece to prevent downward movement of thesafety portion12 in this case, thesafety portion12 moves from its upper dead center to its lower dead center against the urging force of thespring15. Theplunger17 remains positioned at its lower dead center so theactivation switch10 does not turn ON.

As thesafety portion12 moves from its upper dead center to its lower dead center, thecam member21 moves downward with theupper safety portion20. As shown inFIG. 12, the twoguide protrusions21b provided on the side surface of thecam member21 are fitted in theguide grooves5b provided on the outer side of thenail ejection portion5. Therefore, thecam member21 follows the slanted shape of theguide grooves5b in association with downward movement of theguide protrusions21b in theguide grooves5b and pivots on thepivot shaft20a. As shown inFIG. 11, when thesafety portion12 moves downward to near its lower dead center, thecam member21 separates from thelower safety portion22. Described in more detail, thelower end21a of thecam member21 pulls away from thelower plate22c of theengagement recess portion22a, but remains in contact with theupper plate22b. The downward urging force of thespring25 urges theupper plate22b into abutment with thelower end21a of thecam member21. At this time, thelower end12b protrudes beyond thenail tip4c. In this situation, if thelower end12b is pressed against a work piece, or for some other reason thelower safety portion22 is raised upward from its lower dead center, then all that will happen is that as shown inFIG. 13 thelower safety portion22 will move upward against the urging force of thespring25. That is, neither thecam member21 nor theupper safety portion20 will move upward. Accordingly,activation switch10 will not be turned ON, because thetrigger arm19 will not be raised upward.

According to the present embodiment, no other components besides thetrigger arm19 are provided within thetrigger11 and supported pivotably on thetrigger11. Moreover, when thesafety portion12 can move into its lower dead center without obstruction, theplunger17 serves as a fulcrum when theother tip19a of thetrigger arm19 presses theupper safety portion12a down toward its lower dead center. With this configuration thesafety portion12 can have a long stroke, that is, thesafety portion12 moves a long distance from its upper dead center into its lower dead center. Therefore, thelower end12b of thesafety portion12 can be raised up further above thenail tip4c, thereby making it easier to visually confirm the position of thenail tip4c so that the nail will be driven into the work piece with greater positional accuracy.

Also, because thetrigger arm19 pivots with the tip of theplunger17 serving as a fulcrum, the force at which thesafety portion12 can be pressed downward can be increased. As a result, the following effects can be achieved. It will be possible to move the

safety portions

20,22 downward, even if the

safety portions

20,22 become difficult to move downward because dirt and the like cling to the

safety portions

20,22, thecam member21, or other components. This enhances reliability of the nail gun. Also, the

safety portions

20,22 can be reliably lowered, even if the load on thespring15, which is for supporting the

safety portions

20,22 in the upper dead center, is increased because the weight of the

safety portions

20,22 is increased for some reason, for example to increase the strength of, or to lengthen, the

safety portions

20,22.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained while referring toFIGS. 14 to 16. According in the second embodiment, asafety portion120 includes anupper safety portion200, alower safety portion220, and aconnector30. Theupper safety portion200 and thelower safety portion220 are formed with

holes

200e and220e, respectively. Theconnector30 is slidably engaged in the

holes

200e,220e, thereby connecting the

safety portions

200,220 together. Theconnector30 includespins31 on its inside tip. Downward slantinggrooves5e are formed in the inner surfaces of thenail ejection portion5. Thepins31 are fitted in thegrooves5e.

When thesafety portion120 is in its upper dead center as shown inFIG. 14, the

safety portions

200,220 are connected together by theconnector30, and so move vertically in an integral manner. However, when thelower safety portion220 moves downward without obstruction, thepin31 slides inward following theguide groove5e. Once the

safety portions

200,220 move downward by a predetermined amount or more, then as shown inFIG. 15 theconnector30 pulls out of thehole220e of thelower safety portion220. As a result, there is no danger that the nail gun will fire. Also, even if after this thelower safety portion220 is raised upward for some reason, then as shown inFIG. 16 thelower safety portion220 alone will merely move vertically. Again, there is no danger that the nail gun will fire.

Claims

1. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

a blade supported in said body capable of movement in opposing first and second directions and, when activated, driven in said second direction to strike a nail in said nail ejection member;

an activation switch for activating said blade when a predetermined portion of the switch is pressed;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body; and

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with a free end portion of said trigger member and a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said safety mechanism being supported capable of movement in said first and second directions between a first position and a second position, wherein when the trigger member is pivoted, pivoting movement of said trigger member moves to press said predetermined portion of said switching mechanism and to press the free end portion of said trigger member in the second direction against said first member of said safety mechanism.

2. A nail gun as claimed inclaim 1, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is unobstructed, said safety mechanism moves freely in the second direction from the first position to the second position.

3. A nail gun as claimed inclaim 1, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is obstructed trigger member presses the predetermined portion of said activation switch so that said activation switch activates the blade.

4. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body; and

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with a free end portion of said trigger member, a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said safety mechanism including separation mechanism to separate connection between said first and second members of said safety mechanism when said free end portion of said trigger member moves said first member in the second direction by a predetermined amount or greater, said safety mechanism being supported capable of movement in said first and second directions between a first position and a second position, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is unobstructed, said safety mechanism moves freely in the second direction from the first position to the second position, and wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is obstructed said trigger member presses the predetermined portion of said switch so that said activation switch activates the blade.

5. A nail gun as claimed inclaim 4, wherein said separation mechanism includes a cam member pivotably supported at said connecting member of said safety mechanism to engage with a recess portion formed with said second member of said safety mechanism, and wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is obstructed, pressing force of said trigger member free end acts to release the engagement of said cam with said recess.

6. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

an activation switch for activating said blade when a predetermined portion of said switch is pressed;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body; and

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with a free end of said trigger member, a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said first and second members of said safety mechanism being supported in parallel with said nail pushing mechanism to move in said first and second directions, said safety mechanism being supported capable of movement in said first and second directions between a first position and a second position, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is unobstructed, said safety mechanism moves freely in the second direction from the first position to the second position, and wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is obstructed trigger member presses the predetermined portion of said activation switch so that said activation switch activates the blade.

7. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body;

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with a free end of the trigger member, a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said first and second members of said safety mechanism being supported in parallel with said blade to move in said first and second directions, said safety mechanism being supported capable of movement in said first and second directions between a first position and a second position; and

an elastic member for positioning said safety mechanism into said first position, and wherein when the trigger is pivoted, pivoting movement of said trigger moves said trigger member moves to press the predetermined portion of said switch and to press the free end portion of said trigger member in the second direction against said first member of said safety mechanism.

8. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body; and

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with a free end portion of the trigger member, a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said safety mechanism including separation mechanism to separate connection between said first and second members of said safety mechanism when said free end portion of said trigger member moves said first member in the second direction by a predetermined amount or greater, said safety mechanism being supported capable of movement in said first and second directions between a first position and a second position, said first and second members of said safety mechanism being supported in parallel with said nail pushing mechanism to move in said first and second directions, and wherein when the trigger is pivoted, pivoting movement of said trigger moves to press the predetermined portion of the switch and to press the free end portion of said trigger member in the second direction against said first member of said safety mechanism.

9. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body;

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with a free end portion of said trigger member, a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said safety mechanism including separation mechanism to separate connection between said first and second members of said safety mechanism when said free end portion of said trigger member moves said first member in the second direction by a predetermined amount or greater, said safety mechanism being supported capable of movement in said first and second directions between a first position and a second position, said first and second members of said safety mechanism being supported in parallel with said nail pushing mechanism to move in said first and second directions; and

an elastic member for positioning said safety mechanism into said first position, wherein when the trigger is pivoted, pivoting movement of said trigger member moves to press the predetermined portion of the switch and to press the free end portion of said trigger member in the second direction against said first member of said safety mechanism, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is unobstructed, said safety mechanism moves freely in the second direction from the first position to the second position, and wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is obstructed said trigger member presses the predetermined portion of said activation switch so that said activation switch activates the blade.

10. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nail ejection member connected to said body;

a trigger member supported pivotably on said body;

a safety mechanism having a first member disposed in contact with said trigger member, a second member positioned near said nail ejection member and connecting member between said first and second members, said first and second members of said safety mechanism being supported in parallel with said blade to move in said first and second directions, wherein when the trigger is pivoted, pivoting movement of said trigger member moves to press the predetermined portion of said switch and to press a free end of the trigger member in the second direction against said first member of said safety mechanism.

11. A nail gun as claimed inclaim 10, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is unobstructed, said safety mechanism moves freely in the second direction from the first position to the second position.

12. A nail gun as claimed inclaim 10, wherein when movement of said safety mechanism is obstructed said trigger member presses the predetermined portion of said activation switch so that said activation switch activates the blade.

13. A nail gun as claimed inclaim 10, which further comprises a separation mechanism to separate connection between said first and second members of said safety mechanism when said trigger member moves said first member in the second direction by a predetermined amount or greater.

14. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a nosepiece through which nails are ejected, the nosepiece being provided on a lower end of the body;

a magazine housing a plurality of connected nails and that disposes said connected nails one at a time to the nosepiece;

a striking mechanism that strikes a nail disposed in the nosepiece, the striking mechanism being provided in the body at a position above the nosepiece;

a trigger switch that activates the striking mechanism, the trigger switch being provided in the body,

a push portion with an end that is movable following the nosepiece and that is normally positioned in an upper dead center, wherein operation of the trigger switch is enabled when the end of the push portion is prevented from moving downward, at least a tip of the nail disposed in the nosepiece protruding from a tip of the nosepiece and protruding farther in a tip-side direction than the push portion so that the nail tip can be easily aligned with a desired position.

15. A nail gun according to claim 14, wherein

said connected nails are arranged on a single plane.

16. A nail gun according to claim 14, wherein

the tips of the connected nails are arranged in a single line.

17. A nail gun according to claim 14, wherein

said magazine further includes a feeder which feeds said connected nails by pressure from a feeder spring.

18. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a striking mechanism that strikes a lead nail of the connected nails disposed in the nosepiece, the striking mechanism being provided in the body at a position above the nosepiece;

a push portion with an end that is movable following the nosepiece and that is normally positioned in an upper dead center, wherein

operation of the trigger switch is enabled when the end of the push portion is prevented from moving downward,

when the lead nail reaches the nosepiece, at least a tip of the lead nail protruding from a tip of the nosepiece and protruding farther in a tip-side direction than the push portion so that the nail tip can be easily aligned with a desired position.

19. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

at least a tip of the nail disposed in the nosepiece protruding from a tip of the nosepiece and protruding farther in a tip-side direction than the push portion so that the nail tip can be easily aligned with a desired position, and

said magazine is disposed at the position of said tip of the nosepiece.

20. A nail gun for driving a nail into a work piece, the nail gun comprising:

a body;

a push portion with an end that is movable following the nosepiece and that is normally positioned in an upper dead center;

a trigger pivotable in the upward direction;

a first safety member that moves downward in response to the trigger arm pivoting in the upward direction;

a second safety member disposed in parallel with the first member, extending toward the work piece, and including a push portion with an end that is movable following the nosepiece and that is normally positioned in an upper dead center; and

a third safety member which is disposed between and communicates with the first member and the second member, wherein

at least a tip of the nail disposed in the nosepiece protruding from a tip of the nosepiece and protruding farther in a tip-side direction than the push portion so that the nail tip can be easily aligned with a desired position,

activation of the striking mechanism is enabled when the end of the push portion is obstructed from moving downward upon pivoting the trigger in the upward direction,

when downward movement of the push portion is unobstructed, pivoting the trigger in the upward direction will not activate the striking mechanism.

21. A nail gun according to claim 20, wherein

when the trigger is pivoted in the upward direction and the second member has moved downward without obstruction, force applied to the second member in the upward direction will not move the first member upward.

22. A nail gun as claimed in claim 21, wherein

the third member is pivotably supported by a shaft.