Cartridge containing continuous wire coil and portable device for cutting successive lengths from the wire and driving the same

Claim 2

A portable power-operated device for use with a continuous strand of fastener material for cutting off successive short lengths from the free end portion of said strand and driving the same into a workpiece comprising: a housing structure including (a) a handle portion adapted to be manually grasped by a user for purposes of handling the device, (b) means defining a drive track of a cross-sectional size generally similar to the cross-sectional size of the strand, said drive track including a discharge end and an opposite end and (c) means defining a feed opening intersecting said drive track intermediate the ends thereof including a surface facing toward the opposite end of the drive track which intersects a drive track defining surface to form a strand cutting edge, feed means mounted on said housing structure for effecting a movement of the strand in a direction toward the free end thereof during a feed movement of said feed means, a fastener driving element having a strand cutting end, said element being slidably mounted in said drive track for movement through drive and return strokes between (a) a strand receiving position wherein said cutting end is spaced from said cutting edge in a direction toward the opposite end of said track whereby a free end portion of said strand may be moved through said feed opening angularly past said cutting edge and into said drive track toward the discharge end thereof into an operative position in response to a feed movement of said feed means, and (b) a fastener driving position wherein said cutting end is adjacent the discharge end of said drive track, power operated means carried by said housing structure for effecting successive cycles of movement of said feed means and said fastener driving element, of which each cycle includes (a) a feed movement of said feed means to move a free end portion of said strand into said operative position, (b) a drive stroke of said fastener driving element to cut off a short length from the free end of said strand by a cooperative shearing action between the cutting end of said fastener driving element and said cutting edge and to drive the cut-off length outwardly of the discharge end of said drive track into a workpiece, and (c) a return stroke of said fastener driving means, and manually actuated means including a trigger carried by said housing structure adjacent said handle portion for digital actuation by a user manually gripping said handle portion for actuating said power operated means.

Claim 3

A device as defined in claim 11 including means for varying the extent of the feed movement of said feed means so as to vary the dimension of the strand lengths cut off from the free end portion of the strand and driven by said fastener driving device.

Claim 4

A portable power-operated device for use with a cartridge including a housing enclosed therein a continuous strand of fastener material in coil formation for rotational movement about its axis in response to a longitudinal pull on a free end portion thereof extending outwardly of said housing and holding pawl means within said housing for preventing inward movement of the strand free end portion of said device comprising: a housing structure including (a) a handle portion adapted to be manually grasped by a user for purposes of handing the device, (b) means defining a drive track of a cross-sectional size generally similar to the cross-sectional size of the strand, said drive track including a discharge end and an opposite end and (c) means defining a feed opening intersecting said drive track intermediate the ends thereof including a surface facing toward the opposite end of the drive track, said drive tack defining means including a surface which intersects with the aforesaid surface of said feed opening defining means to form a strand cutting edge, means carried by said housing structure for releasably securing said cartridge in operative relation therein with the free end portion of the strand extending through said feed opening past said cutting edge and into said drive track toward the discharge end thereof, feed pawl means mounted on said housing structure for movement through feed and return strokes between a strand engaging position and a strand releasing position and engageable with a free end portion of the strand for effecting a movement of the strand in a direction toward the free end thereof during a feed stroke of said feed pawl means and enabling the free end portion of the strand to remain immobile by the action of the holidng pawl means of said cartridge during a return stroke of said feed pawl means, a fastener driving element having a strand cutting end, said element being slidably mounted in said drive track for movement through drive and return strokes between (a) a strand receiving position wherein said cutting end is spaced from said cutting edge in a direction toward the opposite end of said drive track whereby the free end portion of said strand may be moved into an operative relation, as aforesaid, in response to a feed stroke of said feed pawl means, and (b) a fastener driving position wherein said cutting end is adjacent the discharge end of said drive track, air pressure operated means carried by said housing structure for effecting successive cycles of movement of said feed pawl means and said fastener driving element each of which includes (a) a feed stroke of said feed pawl means to move a free end portion of said strand into said operative relation, (b) a drive stroke of said fastener driving element to cut off a short length from the free end of said strand by a cooperative shearing action between the cutting end of said fastener driving element and said cutting edge and to drive the cut-off length outwardly of the discharge end of said drive track into a workpiece, (c) a return stroke of said feed pawl means and (d) a return stroke of said fastener driving means, and manually actuated means including a trigger carried by said housing structure adjacent said handle portion for digital actuation by a user manually gripping said handle portion for actuating said power operated means.

Claim 5

A portable power-operated device for use with a cartridge including a housing enclosed therein a continuous strand of fastener material in coil formation for rotational movement about its axis in response to a longitudinal pull on a free end portion thereof extending outwardly of said housing and holding pawl means within said housing for preventing inward movement of the strand free end portion of said device comprising: a housing structure including (a) a handle portion adapted to be manually grasped by a user for purposes of handing the device, (b) means defining a drive track of a cross-sectional size generally similar to the cross-sectional size of the strand, said drive track including a discharge end and an opposite end and (c) means defining a feed opening intersecting said drive track intermediate the ends thereof including a surface facing toward the opposite end of the drive track, said drive tack defining means including a surface which intersects with the aforesaid surface of said feed opening defining means to form a strand cutting edge, means carried by said housing structure for releasably securing said cartridge in operative relation therein with the free end portion of the strand extending through said feed opening past said cutting edge and into said drive track toward the discharge end thereof, feed pawl means mounted on said housing structure for movement through feed and return strokes between a strand engaging position and a strand releasing position and engageable with a free end portion of the strand for effecting a movement of the strand in a direction toward the free end thereof during a feed stroke of said feed pawl means and enabling the free end portion of the strand to remain immobile by the action of the holidng pawl means of said cartridge during a return stroke of said feed pawl means, a fastener driving element having a strand cutting end, said element being slidably mounted in said drive track for movement through drive and return strokes between (a) a strand receiving position wherein said cutting end is spaced from said cutting edge in a direction toward the opposite end of said drive track whereby the free end portion of said strand may be moved into an operative relation, as aforesaid, in response to a feed stroke of said feed pawl means, and (b) a fastener driving position wherein said cutting end is adjacent the discharge end of said drive track, air pressure operated means carried by said housing structure for effecting successive cycles of movement of said feed pawl means and said fastener driving element each of which includes (a) a feed stroke of said feed pawl means to move a free end portion of said strand into said operative relation, (b) a drive stroke of said fastener driving element to cut off a short length from the free end of said strand by a cooperative shearing action between the cutting end of said fastener driving element and said cutting edge and to drive the cut-off length outwardly of the discharge end of said drive track into a workpiece, (c) a return stroke of said feed pawl means and (d) a return stroke of said fastener driving means, and manually actuated means including a trigger carried by said housing structure adjacent said handle portion for digital actuation by a user manually gripping said handle portion for actuating said power operated means.

Claim 6

A portable power-operated device as described in claim 13 wherein said air pressure operated means comprises a pressure reservoir within said handle portion, a drive cylinder within said housing structure, a drive piston slidably mounted within said drive cylinder and connected to move said fastener driving element therewith, a main valve assembly for controlling the communication of air under pressure from said reservoir to said drive cylinder and the exhaust of air under pressure from said cylinder, said main valve assembly having a pilot pressure chamber for operating the same, a pilot pressure valve assembly under the control of said manually actuated means for controlling the pressure within said pilot pressure chamber, a plenum chamber surrounding the lower exterior of said cylinder, inlet opening means for said plenum chamber in said cylinder at a position to communicate the air under pressure acting on said drive piston toward the end of said drive stroke and outlet passage means in said cylinder below said inlet opening means for communicating said plenum chamber pressure beneath said drive piston to effect the return stroke thereof.

Claim 7

A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said air pressure operated means includes a feed cylinder in said housing structure, a feed piston slidably mounted within said feed cylinder and operatively connected to move said feed pawl means, one end of said cylinder being communicated with said pilot pressure chamber, the opposite end thereof being communicated with said plenum chamber.

Claim 8

A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said feed piston is connected to said feed pawl means by an L-shaped piston rod, an elongated hollow plug extending from said feed cylinder receiving said piston rod therein, said plug having a slot communicating with the hollow interior thereof for accommodating the L-shaped configuration of said piston rod, said plug having exterior screw threads thereon, and a pair of adjustable stop nuts engaged on said threads in any one of a multiplicity of adjusted positions to engage the L-shaped configuration of said piston rod and limit the distance of the feed stroke of said feed pawl means thereto to thereby vary the strand length cut off in accordance with the feed stroke.

Claim 9

A device as defined in claim 6 wherein the position of said stop nuts indicates on a scale indicia system carried by said housing structure the dimension of the strand length corresponding thereto.

Claim 10

A device as defined in claim 7 wherein said housing structure includes a nosepiece assembly containing the means defining said drive track, said nosepiece assembly including a lower nosepiece member having an insert member of hardened steel therein, said insert member containing the surfaces defining said cutting edge.

Claim 11

A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said fastener driving element is formed of hardened steel with an enlarged end opposite said cutting end, a piston rod detachably fixed at one end to said drive piston and extending therefrom, and means for detachably fixedly connecting the enlarged end of said fastener driving device with the opposite end of said piston rod.

Claim 12

A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said cartridge securing means includes a fixed mounting rod and a movable locking rod forming a part of a toggle linkage, said locking rod having a bent locking end movable toward said fixed rod into a locking position spaced therefrom and away from said fixed rod into a releasing position.

Claim 13

A device as defined in claim 3 including means for varying the extent of the feed stroke of said feed pawl means within a predetermined range to thereby vary the dimension of the strand length cut off within a predetermined range.

Claim 14

A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing structure includes a nosepiece assembly containing the means defining said drive track, said nosepiece assembly including a lower nosepiece member having an insert member of hardened steel therein, said insert member containing the surfaces defining said cutting edge.

Claim 15

A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said fastener driving element is formed of hardened steel with an enlarged end opposite said cutting end, a piston rod detachably fixed at one end to said drive piston and extending therefrom, and means for detachably fixedly connecting the enlarged end of said fastener driving device with the opposite end of said piston rod.

Claim 16

A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said cartridge securing means includes a fixed mounting rod and a movable locking rod forming a part of a toggle linkage, said locking rod having a bent locking end movable toward said fixed rod into a locking position spaced therefrom and away from said fixed rod into a releasing position.

Claim 17

In combination, a fastener cartridge and a portable air pressure operated fastener driving device, said cartridge comprising: a continuous elongated strand of fastener material wound in a coil formation with a free end section thereof extending outwardly from said coil formation, a cartridge housing structure including (a) means defining an annular space receiving said coil formation therein, (b) means defining an outlet opening through which said free end section extends with a free end portion of said free end section disposed outwardly of said cartridge housing structure and an intermediate portion of said free end section disposed inwardly of said cartridge housing structure between said outlet opening and said annular space, (c) means defining guide surfaces engaging said intermediate portion of said free end section between said outlet opening and said annular space, (d) means mounting said coil formation within said annular space for rotational movement about the axis thereof in response to a longitudinal pull on said free end portion, and (e) means defining exterior access surfaces cooperable with securing means for mounting said cartridge housing structure in operative relation on the portable powder operated fastener driving device, and holding pawl means movably carried by said housing structure adjacent said guide surfaces disposed in cooperating engagement with the intermediate strand portion engaged with said guide surfaces for preventing a longitudinal movement of said free end portion in a direction inwardly of said outlet opening but permitting a longitudinal movement of said intermediate portion outwardly of said oulet opening in response to a longitudinal pull on said free end portion as aforesaid, a tool housing structure including (a) a handle portion adapted to be manually grasped by a user for purposes of handling the device, (b) means defining a drive track of a cross-sectional size generally similar to the cross-sectional size of the strand, said drive track including a discharge end and an opposite end and (c) means defining a feed opening intersecting said drive track intermediate the ends thereof including a surface facing toward the opposite end of the drive track, said drive track defining means including a surface which intersects with the aforesaid surface of said feed opening defining means to form a strand cutting edge, means carried by said tool housing structure engaging said exterior access surfaces for releasably securing said cartridge in operative relation therein with the free end portion of the strand extending through said feed opening past said cutting edge and into said drive track toward the discharge end thereof, feed pawl means mounted one said tool housing structure for movement through feed and return strokes between a strand engaging position and a strand releasing position and engageable with a free end portion of the strand for effecting a movement of the strand in a direction toward the free end thereof during a feed stroke of said feed pawl means and enabling the free end portion of the strand to remain immobile by the action of said holding pawl means of said cartridge during a return stroke of said feed pawl means, a fastener driving element having a strand cutting end, said element being slidably mounted in said drive track for movement through drive and return strokes between (a) a strand receiving position wherein said cutting end is spaced from said cutting edge whereby the free end portion of said strand may be moved into an operative relation, as aforesaid, in response to a feed stroke of said feed pawl means, and (b) a fastener driving position wherein said cutting end is adjacent the discharge end of said drive track, air pressure operated means carried by said tool housing structure for effecting successive cycles of movement of said feed pawl means and said fastener driving element each of which includes (a) a feed stroke of said feed pawl means to move a free end portion of said strand into said operative relation, (b) a drive stroke of said fastener driving element to cut off a short length from the free end of said strand by a cooperative shearing action between the cutting end of said fastener driving element and said cutting edge and to drive the cut-off length outwardly of the discharge end of said drive track into a workpiece, (c) a return stroke of said feed pawl means and (d) a return stroke of said fastener driving meas, and manually actuated means including a trigger carried by said housing structure adjacent said handle portion for digital actuation by a user manually gripping said handle portion for actuating said power operated means.

Claim 18

In combination, a fastener cartridge and a portable air pressure operated fastener driving device, said cartridge comprising: a continuous elongated strand of fastener material wound in a coil formation with a free end section thereof extending outwardly from said coil formation, a cartridge housing structure including (a) means defining an annular space receiving said coil formation therein, (b) means defining an outlet opening through which said free end section extends with a free end portion of said free end section disposed outwardly of said cartridge housing structure and an intermediate portion of said free end section disposed inwardly of said cartridge housing structure between said outlet opening and said annular space, (c) means defining guide surfaces engaging said intermediate portion of said free end section between said outlet opening and said annular space, (d) means mounting said coil formation within said annular space for rotational movement about the axis thereof in response to a longitudinal pull on said free end portion, and (e) means defining exterior access surfaces cooperable with securing means for mounting said cartridge housing structure in operative relation on the portable powder operated fastener driving device, and holding pawl means movably carried by said housing structure adjacent said guide surfaces disposed in cooperating engagement with the intermediate strand portion engaged with said guide surfaces for preventing a longitudinal movement of said free end portion in a direction inwardly of said outlet opening but permitting a longitudinal movement of said intermediate portion outwardly of said oulet opening in response to a longitudinal pull on said free end portion as aforesaid, a tool housing structure including (a) a handle portion adapted to be manually grasped by a user for purposes of handling the device, (b) means defining a drive track of a cross-sectional size generally similar to the cross-sectional size of the strand, said drive track including a discharge end and an opposite end and (c) means defining a feed opening intersecting said drive track intermediate the ends thereof including a surface facing toward the opposite end of the drive track, said drive track defining means including a surface which intersects with the aforesaid surface of said feed opening defining means to form a strand cutting edge, means carried by said tool housing structure engaging said exterior access surfaces for releasably securing said cartridge in operative relation therein with the free end portion of the strand extending through said feed opening past said cutting edge and into said drive track toward the discharge end thereof, feed pawl means mounted one said tool housing structure for movement through feed and return strokes between a strand engaging position and a strand releasing position and engageable with a free end portion of the strand for effecting a movement of the strand in a direction toward the free end thereof during a feed stroke of said feed pawl means and enabling the free end portion of the strand to remain immobile by the action of said holding pawl means of said cartridge during a return stroke of said feed pawl means, a fastener driving element having a strand cutting end, said element being slidably mounted in said drive track for movement through drive and return strokes between (a) a strand receiving position wherein said cutting end is spaced from said cutting edge whereby the free end portion of said strand may be moved into an operative relation, as aforesaid, in response to a feed stroke of said feed pawl means, and (b) a fastener driving position wherein said cutting end is adjacent the discharge end of said drive track, air pressure operated means carried by said tool housing structure for effecting successive cycles of movement of said feed pawl means and said fastener driving element each of which includes (a) a feed stroke of said feed pawl means to move a free end portion of said strand into said operative relation, (b) a drive stroke of said fastener driving element to cut off a short length from the free end of said strand by a cooperative shearing action between the cutting end of said fastener driving element and said cutting edge and to drive the cut-off length outwardly of the discharge end of said drive track into a workpiece, (c) a return stroke of said feed pawl means and (d) a return stroke of said fastener driving meas, and manually actuated means including a trigger carried by said housing structure adjacent said handle portion for digital actuation by a user manually gripping said handle portion for actuating said power operated means.

Claim 19

A disposable fastener cartridge for use with a portable power operated fastener driving device comprising: 1. a spool formed of plastic material including a hub portion and flange means extending radially outwardly from said hub portion, 2. a continuous elongated strand of fastener material wound in a coil formation on the hub portion of said spool in engagement with said flange means with a free end section thereof extending outwardly from said coil formation, 3. a housing structure formed of plastic material including (a) means defining an annular space receiving said spool therein, (b) means defining an outlet opening through which said free end section extends with a free end portion of said free end section disposed outwardly of said housing structure and an intermediate portion of said free end section disposed inwardly of said housing structure between said outlet opening and said annular space, (c) means defining guide surfaces engaging said intermediate portion of said free end section between said outlet opening and said annular space, (d) means mounting said spool within said annular space for rotational movement about the axis thereof in response to a longitudinal pull on the free end portion of said strand section and (e) means defining exterior access surfaces cooperable with securing means for mounting said housing structure in operative relation on the portable power operated fastener driving device, and 4. pawl means movably carried by said housing structure adjacent said guide surfaces, said pawl means having surface means disposed in cooperating peripheral engagement with the intermediate strand portion engaged with said guide surfaces for preventing a longitudinal movement of said free end portion in a direction inwardly of said outlet opening by flexed movement into the strand material in response to such movement but permitting a longitudinal movement of said intermediate portion outwardly of said outlet opening in response to a longitudinal pull on said free end portion as aforesaid.

Claim 20

A disposable fastener cartridge for use with a portable power operated fastener driving device comprising: 1. a spool formed of plastic material including a hub portion and flange means extending radially outwardly from said hub portion, 2. a continuous elongated strand of fastener material wound in a coil formation on the hub portion of said spool in engagement with said flange means with a free end section thereof extending outwardly from said coil formation, 3. a housing structure formed of plastic material including (a) means defining an annular space receiving said spool therein, (b) means defining an outlet opening through which said free end section extends with a free end portion of said free end section disposed outwardly of said housing structure and an intermediate portion of said free end section disposed inwardly of said housing structure between said outlet opening and said annular space, (c) means defining guide surfaces engaging said intermediate portion of said free end section between said outlet opening and said annular space, (d) means mounting said spool within said annular space for rotational movement about the axis thereof in response to a longitudinal pull on the free end portion of said strand section and (e) means defining exterior access surfaces cooperable with securing means for mounting said housing structure in operative relation on the portable power operated fastener driving device, and 4. pawl means movably carried by said housing structure adjacent said guide surfaces, said pawl means having surface means disposed in cooperating peripheral engagement with the intermediate strand portion engaged with said guide surfaces for preventing a longitudinal movement of said free end portion in a direction inwardly of said outlet opening by flexed movement into the strand material in response to such movement but permitting a longitudinal movement of said intermediate portion outwardly of said outlet opening in response to a longitudinal pull on said free end portion as aforesaid.

Claim 21

A cartridge as defined in claim 16 wherein said flange means comprises a pair of axially spaced annular flange portions extending radially outwardly from opposite ends of said hub portion.

Claim 22

A cartridge as defined in claim 17 wherein said continuous elongated strand of fastener material has its opposite end portion connected with said spool in such a way that said opposite end portion is retained against movement away from said spool in response to a pull on the remaining free end portion of said strand after use depletion thereof.

Claim 23

A cartridge as defined in claim 18 wherein said housing structure includes a pair of separate cooperating housing parts moved axially together into peripherally interengaged relation and secured therein.

Claim 24

A cartridge as defined in claim 19 wherein said pawl means comprises a thin bent plate mounted within an internal socket provided by said housing parts.

Claim 25

A cartridge as defined in claim 20 wherein said coil formation rotational mounting means comprises a cylindrical hub portion formed integrally on one of said housing parts centrally within said annular space.

Claim 26

A cartridge as defined in claim 21 wherein said spool hub portion includes a hollow hub rotatably engaging said housing hub portion.

Claim 27

A cartridge as defined in claim 16 wherein said coil formation rotational mounting means comprises a cylindrical hub portion formed integrally on one of said housing parts centrally within said annular space.

Claim 28

A cartridge as defined in claim 23 wherein said spool hub portion includes a hollow hub rotatably engaging said housing hub portion.

Claim 29

A cartridge as defined in claim 16 wherein said housing structure includes a pair of separate cooperating housing parts moved axially together into peripherally interengaged relation and secured therein.

Claim 30

A cartridge as defined in claim 25 wherein said pawl means comprises a thin bent plate mounted within an internal socket provided by said housing parts.

Claim 31

A cartridge as defined in claim 16 wherein said strand of fastener material is a metal wire.