US3774293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener driving tool
Assignee: Signode Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-13
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A fastener driving tool including a piston having a driving element supported eccentric to the axis thereof and reciprocated in a bore by fluid under pressure. A contactor mechanism comprises an inner portion located in the bore in the path of movement of the piston and an outer portion defining a fastener outlet aligned with the path of movement of the driving element. Where the contactor mechanism is a dimpler mechanism, the outer portion has a spherical dimpling surface surrounding the outlet and an expansive energy dissipating surface surrounding the dimpler surface. The dimpler mechanism and piston have cooperating means that cause a deceleration of the piston and an acceleration of the dimpler, rigid striking engagement between the piston and dimpler mechanism being made when their speed or velocity differential has been substantially reduced. The tool also incorporates a safety mechanism that prevents firing until the tool is in engagement with a workpiece, and includes shock absorbing means to prevent damage to the tool when inadequate back-up exists.
Inventors
- 👤 R Golsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:50
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25C; B25C1/00; B25C1/008; B25C1/04; B25C1/041; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49833; Y10T29/49835
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A fastener driving tool including a housing structure; said housing structure having a bore therein; a drive piston in said bore; a fastener driver cooperating with said piston for driving a fastener; a contactor mechanism having an inner end in said housing and which is positioned to be engaged by said piston and an outer end outside of said housing and which is positioned to engage a workpiece; first means interposed between said piston and said inner end for accelerating said contactor mechanism while decelerating said piston when said piston first engages said contactor mechanism; rigid striker means on said piston and said contactor mechanism for direct striking engagement with each other after said piston has beEn decelerated; and said housing structure defining passages for supplying fluid to one end of said bore for reciprocating said piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A fastener driving tool including a housing structure; said housing structure having a bore therein; a drive piston in said bore; a fastener driver cooperating with said piston for driving a fastener; a contactor mechanism having an inner end in said housing and which is positioned to be engaged by said piston and an outer end outside of said housing and which is positioned to engage a workpiece; first means interposed between said piston and said inner end for accelerating said contactor mechanism while decelerating said piston when said piston first engages said contactor mechanism; rigid striker means on said piston and said contactor mechanism for direct striking engagement with each other after said piston has beEn decelerated; and said housing structure defining passages for supplying fluid to one end of said bore for reciprocating said piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 1, in which said first interposed means comprises a resilient member carried by one of said piston and said contactor mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 2, in which said inner end defines an enlarged flange, said resilient member being supported thereon, and in which said rigid striker means includes a stud member on said contactor mechanism extending upwardly toward said piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 3, and in which said rigid striker means includes a projection depending from said piston, said projection being aligned with said stud member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 2 including cushioning means interposed between said contactor mechanism and said housing structure for absorbing energy from said contactor mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fastener driver is secured to said piston and is laterally offset from the central axis of said piston bore, said fastener driver being located between said central axis and the forward portion of said housing structure, and counterbalancing means carried by said piston between said central axis and a rear portion of said housing structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 6, in which said contactor mechanism defines a fastener outlet aligned with said fastener driver and located below the lower end of said bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 6, in which said rigid striker means includes a stud member on said contactor mechanism extending upwardly toward said piston and aligned with said central axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 1 in which said contactor mechanism is a dimpler mechanism defining a fastener outlet and having a dimpler surface surrounding said fastener outlet, and having an expansive energy absorbing surface adjacent said dimpler surface positioned to engage a surface of a workpiece after said dimpler surface engages said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein said expansive energy absorbing surface is a collar surface surrounding said dimpler surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 10 in which said collar surface is flat and is inclined at an angle of less than 30* to a plane normal to the axis of said bore.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 1, including alignment means carried by said tool and positioned to engage a surface of said workpiece for maintaining the axis of said bore substantially perpendicular to the surface of said workpiece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
A fastener driving tool comprising a housing having a piston slidably disposed in a bore of the housing and fluid means for reciprocating said piston, a dimpler mechanism slidably supported on said housing and having an inner end portion located in said bore, said dimpler mechanism having a fastener outlet in its outer end, a convex dimpler surface portion surrounding said outlet for engagement with a workpiece, and an energy absorbing collar portion extending laterally from the periphery of said dimpler surface portion for engaging the workpiece and for dissipating any energy applied to said dimpler mechanism in excess of that required to produce a dimple in said workpiece by said dimpler surface portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
A fastener driving tool comprising a housing having a piston slidably disposed in a bore of the housing and fluid means for reciprocating said piston, a dimpler mechanism slidably supported on said housing and having an inner end portion located in said bore, said dimpler mechanism having a fastener outlet in its outer end, a convex dimpler surface portion surrounding said outlet for engagement with a workpiece, and an energy absorbing collar portion extending laterally from the periphery of said dimpler surface portion for engaging the workpiece and for dissipating any energy applied to said dimpler mechanism in excess of that required to produce a dimple in said workpiece by said dimpler surface portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 13, wherein said collar portion defines an expansive flat surface portion disposed at a small acute angle to an adjacent surface of said workpiece, said flat surface having an arcuate peripheral edge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 14, in which said collar portion is cut-off to accommodate location of said dimpler mechanism in close proximity to a corner of a workpiece, and in which the total area of said expansive Flat surface is greater than the total exposed area of said dimpler surface portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fastener driving tool in accordance with claim 13, in which said collar portion extends completely around said dimpler surface portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a housing having a circular bore, a circular piston reciprocable axially in said bore, means for providing a driving force to reciprocate said piston, an elongate driver element secured to said piston, said driver element being offset to one side of the axes of said bore and said piston, and counterbalancing means secured to said piston on an opposite side of the axis of said piston for counterbalancing the weight of said driver element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A pneumatically operated fastener driving tool including a housing having a circular bore, a circular piston reciprocable axially in said bore, means for providing a driving force to reciprocate said piston, an elongate driver element secured to said piston, said driver element being offset to one side of the axes of said bore and said piston, and counterbalancing means secured to said piston on an opposite side of the axis of said piston for counterbalancing the weight of said driver element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
A pneumatically operated tool in accordance with claim 17, including a dimpler mechanism having a first portion located in the bore in the path of reciprocation of said piston, said dimpler mechanism including a second portion externally of the bore and defining a fastener outlet co-axially aligned with said driver element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
A pneumatically operated tool in accordance with claim 18, in which said first portion includes an expansive flange and a stud extending above an upper surface of said flange, said stud being aligned with the axis of said bore, and resilient member having an upper surface spaced above the upper surface of said stud and defining an opening aligned with said stud.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A pneumatically operated tool in accordance with claim 19, further including a resilient cushion between said flange and said housing adjacent the lower end of said bore for absorbing energy from said dimpler mechanism.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fastener driving tool including a housing structure, said housing structure having a bore therein, a piston in said bore, means for providing a driving force to reciprocate said piston, an elongate fastener driver reciprocable with said piston, a reciprocable contactor mechanism postioned to be engaged by said piston for engagement with a workpiece surface, and control means for controlling the movement of said piston and said contactor mechanism, said control means including safety means for preventing operation of said reciprocating means when said contactor mechanism is in an outwardly projected position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fastener driving tool including a housing structure, said housing structure having a bore therein, a piston in said bore, means for providing a driving force to reciprocate said piston, an elongate fastener driver reciprocable with said piston, a reciprocable contactor mechanism postioned to be engaged by said piston for engagement with a workpiece surface, and control means for controlling the movement of said piston and said contactor mechanism, said control means including safety means for preventing operation of said reciprocating means when said contactor mechanism is in an outwardly projected position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
182 words
A pneumatic fastener driving tool having a housing defining a bore and having a driving piston reciprocable in said bore; a dimpler mechanism extending outwardly from the lower end of said bore and having an inner portion located in the path of movement of said piston; said dimpler mechanism having an outer portion providing an opening for receiving fasteners; a drive element secured to said piston and reciprocable in said opening in said dimpler mechanism, said inner portion of said dimpler mechanism having a stud extending toward said piston; a resilient member surrounding said stud and extending upwardly, said resilient member being located in the path of movement of said piston; means for feeding fasteners to said opening for engagement by said driver element to be driven into a workpiece through a fastener outlet in response to movement of said piston toward said lower end; and cushioning means between said housing adjacent the lower end of said bore and said dimpler mechanism for absorbing excess energy developed by said piston when said piston engages said stud and when inadequate back-up support exists.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
182 words
A pneumatic fastener driving tool having a housing defining a bore and having a driving piston reciprocable in said bore; a dimpler mechanism extending outwardly from the lower end of said bore and having an inner portion located in the path of movement of said piston; said dimpler mechanism having an outer portion providing an opening for receiving fasteners; a drive element secured to said piston and reciprocable in said opening in said dimpler mechanism, said inner portion of said dimpler mechanism having a stud extending toward said piston; a resilient member surrounding said stud and extending upwardly, said resilient member being located in the path of movement of said piston; means for feeding fasteners to said opening for engagement by said driver element to be driven into a workpiece through a fastener outlet in response to movement of said piston toward said lower end; and cushioning means between said housing adjacent the lower end of said bore and said dimpler mechanism for absorbing excess energy developed by said piston when said piston engages said stud and when inadequate back-up support exists.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A pneumatic fastener driving tool as defined in claim 22, in which said dimpler mechanism has a spherical segment surrounding said fastener outlet and an upwardly and outwardly inclined expansive flat surface surrounding said spherical segment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
160 words
A pneumatic fastening tool having a handle and a head portion disposed adjacent thereto in which is located a fastener driver assembly; a dimpler mechanism reciprocable on said head portion and adapted to be driven by said driver assembly; means for controlling the operation of said fastener driver assembly including valve means and a trigger member pivotally connected to said tool, said trigger member having a portion cooperating with said valve means; and a safety mechanism interposed between said trigger member and said dimpler mechanism, said safety mechanism including a safety member with biasing means cooperating therewith normally to maintain said safety member in a first position rendering said trigger member inoperative, and cooperating means between said safety member and said dimpler mechanism for moving said safety member from said first position in response to engagement of said dimpler mechanism with a workpiece and movement of said dimpler mechanism relative to said head portion to render said trigger member operative.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
160 words
A pneumatic fastening tool having a handle and a head portion disposed adjacent thereto in which is located a fastener driver assembly; a dimpler mechanism reciprocable on said head portion and adapted to be driven by said driver assembly; means for controlling the operation of said fastener driver assembly including valve means and a trigger member pivotally connected to said tool, said trigger member having a portion cooperating with said valve means; and a safety mechanism interposed between said trigger member and said dimpler mechanism, said safety mechanism including a safety member with biasing means cooperating therewith normally to maintain said safety member in a first position rendering said trigger member inoperative, and cooperating means between said safety member and said dimpler mechanism for moving said safety member from said first position in response to engagement of said dimpler mechanism with a workpiece and movement of said dimpler mechanism relative to said head portion to render said trigger member operative.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
81 words
A pneumatic fastening tool as defined in claim 24, in which said dimpler mechanism has an enlarged portion adjacent an upper end with a reduced stud extending from said enlarged portion toward said driver assembly, a resilient bumper surrounding said stud, seated on said enlarged portion and extending above a free upper end of said stud toward said driver assembly so that said driver assembly initially engages and compresses said resilient bumper and thereafter engages said stud during a driving stroke.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
62 words
A pneumatic fastening tool as defined in claim 25, in which said dimpler mechanism has an outer portion having an elongate fastener guide opening therein and said driver assembly includes a driver element reciprocable in said opening, and in which said outer portion terminates in a dimpler surface surrounding a fastener outlet, and a force dissipating surface segment surrounding said dimpler surface.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of driving a fastener into a workpiece and forming a dimple in the surface of the workpiece around said fastener with a tool having a reciprocable piston, a driver element secured to said piston and a dimpler mechanism located in the path of movement of the piston, the dimpler mechanism defining a fastener outlet aligned with the driver element; comprising the steps of: moving said piston and driver element to engage one end of a fastener and to drive the fastener through said fastener outlet into the workpiece; decelerating said piston and driver element during the terminal portion of movement while simultaneously accelerating said dimpler mechanism; thereafter rigidly engaging said dimpler mechanism with said piston to move said dimpler mechanism, thereby to drive said one end of the fastener below the surface of the workpiece and to form a dimple in the workpiece surface surrounding the fastener.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of driving a fastener into a workpiece and forming a dimple in the surface of the workpiece around said fastener with a tool having a reciprocable piston, a driver element secured to said piston and a dimpler mechanism located in the path of movement of the piston, the dimpler mechanism defining a fastener outlet aligned with the driver element; comprising the steps of: moving said piston and driver element to engage one end of a fastener and to drive the fastener through said fastener outlet into the workpiece; decelerating said piston and driver element during the terminal portion of movement while simultaneously accelerating said dimpler mechanism; thereafter rigidly engaging said dimpler mechanism with said piston to move said dimpler mechanism, thereby to drive said one end of the fastener below the surface of the workpiece and to form a dimple in the workpiece surface surrounding the fastener.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 27, including the further step of dissipating excess energy developed in said dimpler mechanism within said tool when inadequate back-up support exists.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 27, including the further step of dissipating excess energy developed in said dimpler mechanism in the surface of said workpiece surrounding said recess.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of operating a fastening tool having a piston carrying a driver element and reciprocable between extreme positions with a dimpler mechanism located in the path of movement of said piston, comprising the steps of accelerating said piston and driver element in one direction, decelerating said piston and driver element resiliently while accelerating said dimpler mechanism until said piston and dimpler mechanism are traveling at a substantially reduced velocity differential, and then striking said dimpler mechanism with said piston during a terminal portion of movement of said piston, thereby forcibly to push members to be fastened together toward each other, to produce a recess in one member, and to drive a fastener below the surface of said one member and in the other member.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of operating a fastening tool having a piston carrying a driver element and reciprocable between extreme positions with a dimpler mechanism located in the path of movement of said piston, comprising the steps of accelerating said piston and driver element in one direction, decelerating said piston and driver element resiliently while accelerating said dimpler mechanism until said piston and dimpler mechanism are traveling at a substantially reduced velocity differential, and then striking said dimpler mechanism with said piston during a terminal portion of movement of said piston, thereby forcibly to push members to be fastened together toward each other, to produce a recess in one member, and to drive a fastener below the surface of said one member and in the other member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |