US3638532A — Fastener driving tool

Claim 1

Independent Claim 303 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a housing having a cavity defining a fluid reservoir; a cylinder in said housing; a piston slideably mounted in the cylinder; main valve means controlling admission of fluid to and the exhaustion of fluid from one end of the cylinder; pneumatic piston return means including a return air chamber, a cycling valve having a body defining a cycling valve cylinder of the differential type having a small and a large diameter portion and a spool valve element in said cylinder movable through a stroke from a first to a second position, said spool valve element having large and small diameter portions slideable in the corresponding portions of the cycling valve cylinder and having a first sealing means on the large diameter portion of the spool valve element and a pair of spaced second and third sealing means on the small diameter portion of the spool valve element, said body having means defining a first port in the end of said small diameter portion of the cycling valve cylinder, first passageway means extending from said first port, a second port intermediate the stroke of the third sealing means, second passageway means connecting said second port to said main valve means, a third port opening between the second and third sealing means, throughout their stroke, third passageway means connecting said third port to said fluid reservoir, a fourth port opening between the first sealing means and the second sealing means throughout their travel, fourth passageway means extending from said fourth port, a fifth port in the end of said large diameter portion of the cycling valve cylinder, fifth passageway means extending from said fifth port to a source of signal fluid, and control means for selectIvely connecting said first and fourth passageways to said reservoir and to exhaust.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 303 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a housing having a cavity defining a fluid reservoir; a cylinder in said housing; a piston slideably mounted in the cylinder; main valve means controlling admission of fluid to and the exhaustion of fluid from one end of the cylinder; pneumatic piston return means including a return air chamber, a cycling valve having a body defining a cycling valve cylinder of the differential type having a small and a large diameter portion and a spool valve element in said cylinder movable through a stroke from a first to a second position, said spool valve element having large and small diameter portions slideable in the corresponding portions of the cycling valve cylinder and having a first sealing means on the large diameter portion of the spool valve element and a pair of spaced second and third sealing means on the small diameter portion of the spool valve element, said body having means defining a first port in the end of said small diameter portion of the cycling valve cylinder, first passageway means extending from said first port, a second port intermediate the stroke of the third sealing means, second passageway means connecting said second port to said main valve means, a third port opening between the second and third sealing means, throughout their stroke, third passageway means connecting said third port to said fluid reservoir, a fourth port opening between the first sealing means and the second sealing means throughout their travel, fourth passageway means extending from said fourth port, a fifth port in the end of said large diameter portion of the cycling valve cylinder, fifth passageway means extending from said fifth port to a source of signal fluid, and control means for selectIvely connecting said first and fourth passageways to said reservoir and to exhaust.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 59 words

A fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a trigger valve movable between a first position exhausting said fourth port, a second position exhausting said first port to provide single-fire operation of said tool, and a third position connecting said fourth port to the reservoir to provide multiple-fire operation of said tool.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 46 words

A fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 2 and including a safety valve in said first passageway movable between a safety position connecting said first port to said reservoir and a second position connecting said first port to said trigger valve for exhaust thereby.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 1 and including metering means in said fifth passageway regulating the repetitive firing rate of said tool without affecting the single-fire rate thereof.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fifth passageway opens into said return air chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 125 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a piston slideably mounted in a cylinder and movable through a driving and return stroke, control means including manually operable means operable from a normal position to a first operated position for selectively operating said tool through a single-fire operation, wherein said piston automatically moves through a single driving and return cycle while said manually operable means remains in said first operated position, said manually operable means being movable to a second operated position to effect a multiple-fire operation wherein said piston automatically and continuously moves through repetitive cycles of driving and return strokes, and means for adjustably regulating the repetitive cycling rate of said tool during said multiple-fire operation without altering the single firing cycling speed thereof.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 125 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a piston slideably mounted in a cylinder and movable through a driving and return stroke, control means including manually operable means operable from a normal position to a first operated position for selectively operating said tool through a single-fire operation, wherein said piston automatically moves through a single driving and return cycle while said manually operable means remains in said first operated position, said manually operable means being movable to a second operated position to effect a multiple-fire operation wherein said piston automatically and continuously moves through repetitive cycles of driving and return strokes, and means for adjustably regulating the repetitive cycling rate of said tool during said multiple-fire operation without altering the single firing cycling speed thereof.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 6 wherein said tool includes a cycling valve movable between a normal position controlling a power stroke and an actuated position providing the return stroke, and means selectively providing for retention of said cycling valve in said actuated position and for cycling said cycling valve in response to a cycling signal.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 84 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool comprising a driving member operable through cycles of power and return strokes, control means selectively positionable to a first position to automatically operate said driving member through a single cycle with the control means held in the first position and to a second position to automatically operate said driving member through repetitive cycles with the control means held in the second position, and means for adjustably regulating the repetitive cycling rate without altering the single cycle speed thereof.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 84 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool comprising a driving member operable through cycles of power and return strokes, control means selectively positionable to a first position to automatically operate said driving member through a single cycle with the control means held in the first position and to a second position to automatically operate said driving member through repetitive cycles with the control means held in the second position, and means for adjustably regulating the repetitive cycling rate without altering the single cycle speed thereof.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 97 words

A fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 8 and including a cycling valve controlling the movement of said driving member through its strokes, said cycling valve having a differential diameter portion defining first and second surfaces of different area, first passage means connecting said first surface area to a source of signal fluid, and second passage means connecting said second surface area selectively to the atmosphere and to a source of pressurized fluid in response to the selective setting of said control means to said first and second positions for single-cycle operation and multifire operation.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

A fastener driving tool as set forth in claim 9 and including adjustable means for throttling the fluid flow in said first passage.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 156 words

A fluid-operated fastener driving tool comprising a driving member operable through a cycle of a power stroke and a return stroke, a main valve assembly operable to apply fluid to and to exhaust fluid from the driving member to move the driving member through its power and return strokes, a cycling valve opErable between spaced positions to control the operation of the main valve assembly, and manually operable control means operable from a normal position to a single cycle position to control the main valve and the cycling valve to effect a single cycle of the driving member while the manually operable control means remains in said single cycle position, said manually operable control means being operable to a second position to control the main valve assembly and the cycling valve to automatically and continually move said driving member through successive and repeated cycles so long as the manually controlled means remains in said second position.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 156 words

A fluid-operated fastener driving tool comprising a driving member operable through a cycle of a power stroke and a return stroke, a main valve assembly operable to apply fluid to and to exhaust fluid from the driving member to move the driving member through its power and return strokes, a cycling valve opErable between spaced positions to control the operation of the main valve assembly, and manually operable control means operable from a normal position to a single cycle position to control the main valve and the cycling valve to effect a single cycle of the driving member while the manually operable control means remains in said single cycle position, said manually operable control means being operable to a second position to control the main valve assembly and the cycling valve to automatically and continually move said driving member through successive and repeated cycles so long as the manually controlled means remains in said second position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 55 words

The tool set forth in claim 11 in which the manually operable control means includes means operable in one of said first and second positions for applying a bias to the cycling valve and operable in the other of said first and second positions to prevent the application of a bias to the cycling valve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 245 words

A fluid-actuated fastener driving tool operable through a single cycle of a power stroke and a return stroke or a number of cycles each including a power stroke and a return stroke, said tool comprising a cylinder, a piston slideable in the cylinder, fluid-actuated main valve means for alternately supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from the cylinder to move the piston through the power stroke and a return stroke, respectively, a cycling valve operable between two spaced positions and coupled to the main valve means for selectively controlling the connection of the main valve means to fluid and the atmosphere, said cycling valve being coupled to receive fluid admitted to the cylinder by the main valve means and operable to one of its two spaced positions thereby on each tool operation to institute the return stroke of the piston, and manual control means operable from a normal position to a first position to control the cycling valve to remain in said one position until the manual control means is returned to its normal position so that the tool automatically operates through a single cycle, said manual control means also being operable from a normal position to a second position to control the cycling valve to move from said one position to the other of its positions on each return stroke so long as the manual control means is held in its second position so that the tool automatically operates through a number of cycles.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 245 words

A fluid-actuated fastener driving tool operable through a single cycle of a power stroke and a return stroke or a number of cycles each including a power stroke and a return stroke, said tool comprising a cylinder, a piston slideable in the cylinder, fluid-actuated main valve means for alternately supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from the cylinder to move the piston through the power stroke and a return stroke, respectively, a cycling valve operable between two spaced positions and coupled to the main valve means for selectively controlling the connection of the main valve means to fluid and the atmosphere, said cycling valve being coupled to receive fluid admitted to the cylinder by the main valve means and operable to one of its two spaced positions thereby on each tool operation to institute the return stroke of the piston, and manual control means operable from a normal position to a first position to control the cycling valve to remain in said one position until the manual control means is returned to its normal position so that the tool automatically operates through a single cycle, said manual control means also being operable from a normal position to a second position to control the cycling valve to move from said one position to the other of its positions on each return stroke so long as the manual control means is held in its second position so that the tool automatically operates through a number of cycles.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 36 words

The tool set forth in claim 13 in which the cycling valve includes a differential piston operator and the manual control means includes a valve for selectively connecting the differential piston to the atmosphere and fluid.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 224 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a housing, a cylinder in said housing, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder for movement through power and return strokes, cylinder valve means for controlling the admission and exhaust of fluid from one end of said cylinder to drive said piston through a power stroke and permit return thereof, cushioning means positioned in the other end of said cylinder in the path of said piston to stop and cushion power strokes thereof at a normal piston stopping point, an air return chamber, first port means adjacent the cushioning means for supplying air from the chamber beneath the piston to move the piston through a return stroke, means for supplying pressurized air to the chamber incident to each power stroke, and second port means spaced above the first port means and placing the chamber in communication with the cylinder, said second port means being so spaced relative to the cushioning means that when the cushioning means deteriorates a given amount, the piston moves downwardly beyond the normal piston stopping point and the second port means become opened to discharge pressurized air from the chamber into the cylinder above the piston, the second port means being of such size that the air discharged renders the air in the chamber ineffective to move the piston through a return stroke.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 224 words

A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a housing, a cylinder in said housing, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder for movement through power and return strokes, cylinder valve means for controlling the admission and exhaust of fluid from one end of said cylinder to drive said piston through a power stroke and permit return thereof, cushioning means positioned in the other end of said cylinder in the path of said piston to stop and cushion power strokes thereof at a normal piston stopping point, an air return chamber, first port means adjacent the cushioning means for supplying air from the chamber beneath the piston to move the piston through a return stroke, means for supplying pressurized air to the chamber incident to each power stroke, and second port means spaced above the first port means and placing the chamber in communication with the cylinder, said second port means being so spaced relative to the cushioning means that when the cushioning means deteriorates a given amount, the piston moves downwardly beyond the normal piston stopping point and the second port means become opened to discharge pressurized air from the chamber into the cylinder above the piston, the second port means being of such size that the air discharged renders the air in the chamber ineffective to move the piston through a return stroke.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 56 words

THe fastener driving tool set forth in claim 15 in which the piston carries a sealing means disposed between said one end of the cylinder and the second port means when the piston is at its normal stopping point and disposed between said first and second port means when the cushioning means deteriorates said given amount.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 42 words

The fastener driving tool set forth in claim 16 in which the means for supplying pressurized air to the chamber includes a passage through the piston and opening into the cylinder between said sealing means and said other end of the cylinder.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 303 words

A fluid-actuated fastener driving tool operable through a single cycle of a power stroke and a return stroke or a number of cycles each including a power stroke and a return stroke, said tool comprising a cylinder, a piston slideable in the cylinder, fluid-actuated main valve means for alternately supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from the cylinder to move the piston through the power stroke and the return stroke, respectively, a cycling valve operable between two spaced positions and coupled to the main valve means for selectively controlling the connection of the main valve means to fluid and the atmosphere, said cycling valve being coupled to receive fluid admitted to the cylinder by the main valve means and operable to one of its two spaced positions thereby on each tool operation to institute the return stroke of the piston, and manual means coupled to the cycling valve and the main valve means for selectively controlling operation of the tool through a single cycle or a number of cycles, said control means including first valve means operable between operated and released positions for selectively supplying a connection to fluid and the atmosphere to operate the tool, said manual control means also including a second valve means, said second valve means being operable to a first position to control the cycling valve to remain in said one position until the first valve means is returned to its released position so that the tool automatically operates through only a single cycle, said second valve means also being operable to a second position to control the cycling valve to move from said one position to the other of its positions on each return stroke so long as the first valve means is in its operated position so that the tool operates through a number of cycles.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 303 words

A fluid-actuated fastener driving tool operable through a single cycle of a power stroke and a return stroke or a number of cycles each including a power stroke and a return stroke, said tool comprising a cylinder, a piston slideable in the cylinder, fluid-actuated main valve means for alternately supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from the cylinder to move the piston through the power stroke and the return stroke, respectively, a cycling valve operable between two spaced positions and coupled to the main valve means for selectively controlling the connection of the main valve means to fluid and the atmosphere, said cycling valve being coupled to receive fluid admitted to the cylinder by the main valve means and operable to one of its two spaced positions thereby on each tool operation to institute the return stroke of the piston, and manual means coupled to the cycling valve and the main valve means for selectively controlling operation of the tool through a single cycle or a number of cycles, said control means including first valve means operable between operated and released positions for selectively supplying a connection to fluid and the atmosphere to operate the tool, said manual control means also including a second valve means, said second valve means being operable to a first position to control the cycling valve to remain in said one position until the first valve means is returned to its released position so that the tool automatically operates through only a single cycle, said second valve means also being operable to a second position to control the cycling valve to move from said one position to the other of its positions on each return stroke so long as the first valve means is in its operated position so that the tool operates through a number of cycles.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 55 words

The tool set forth in claim 18 in which the cycling valve includes a differential piston operator with two fluid surfaces, one of said surfaces receiving fluid admitted to the cylinder by the main valve means, and in which the second valve means selectively connects the other of said surfaces to the atmosphere and fluid.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-01-31	1975-08-02	1976-02-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-01-31	1979-08-02	1980-02-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-01-31	1983-08-02	1984-02-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fastener driving tool

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