Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
In a powder-actuated tool of the type including a receiver, a barrel telescopically mounted in said receiver and having a bore, and a first piston operatively disposed within said barrel bore; the improvement comprising a muzzle adapter carried on the muzzle end of said barrel and having a bore concentric with said barrel bore, a second piston operatively disposed in said muzzle adapter bore in co-operative relation to said first piston, and retention means on said muzzle adapter for retaining a fastener within said muzzle adapter bore prior to driving thereof, said muzzle adapter bore comprising a first portion, adjacent said barrel, of a size to slidingly admit the shank of said first piston, and a second portion, in the distal end of said muzzle adapter, of a size to slidingly admit a fastener to be driven and of substantially smaller diameter than said first portion; and said second piston comprises a piston head, slidingly fitted in said first portion of said muzzle adapter bore, and a piston shank, slidingly fitted in said second portion thereof, whereby relatively small-diameter washered and non-washered fasteners may be reliably driven into hard receiving materials.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a powder-actuated tool of the type including a receiver, a barrel telescopically mounted in said receiver and having a bore, and a first piston operatively disposed within said barrel bore; the improvement comprising a muzzle adapter carried on the muzzle end of said barrel and having a bore concentric with said barrel bore, a second piston operatively disposed in said muzzle adapter bore in co-operative relation to said first piston, and retention means on said muzzle adapter for retaining a fastener within said muzzle adapter bore prior to driving thereof, said muzzle adapter bore comprising a first portion, adjacent said barrel, of a size to slidingly admit the shank of said first piston, and a second portion, in the distal end of said muzzle adapter, of a size to slidingly admit a fastener to be driven and of substantially smaller diameter than said first portion; and said second piston comprises a piston head, slidingly fitted in said first portion of said muzzle adapter bore, and a piston shank, slidingly fitted in said second portion thereof, whereby relatively small-diameter washered and non-washered fasteners may be reliably driven into hard receiving materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tool of claim 1, wherein said retention means comprises a plurality of retaining members, each of said retaining members being displaceable to a position whereat a portion thereof projects into said second portion of said muzzle adapter bore, and means urging said retaining members toward said projecting positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tool of claim 1, further comprising a tubular, resilient buffer member disposed in said first portion of said muzzle adapter bore, adjacent said second portion of said bore, with said shank of said second piston passing therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tool of claim 1, wherein both of said pistons are displaceable between driving and driven positions, said pistons, in said driving positions, being spaced apart approximately 1/4 inch, whereby tool recoil is minimized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tool of claim 1, further comprising shroud means surrounding the bulk of said muzzle adapter and denying substantial manual contact therewith, said muzzle adapter being moveable relative to said shroud means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A driver assembly, for use with a powder-actuated tool having a tool piston, comprising a tubular muzzle adpter adapted to be carried by the muzzle end of the barrel of the tool, an adapter piston operatively disposed in said muzzle adapter, and retention means on said muzzle adapter for retaining a fastener therein prior to driving thereof, said muzzle adapter being formed with an axial through bore, said bore comprising first and second portions, said first portion being adapted to slidingly admit the shank of the tool piston, said second portion being of substantially smaller diameter than said first portion, and said adapter piston comprising an adapter piston head, skidingly fitted in said first portion of said muzzle adapter bore, and an adapter piston shank, slidingly fitted in said second portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A driver assembly, for use with a powder-actuated tool having a tool piston, comprising a tubular muzzle adpter adapted to be carried by the muzzle end of the barrel of the tool, an adapter piston operatively disposed in said muzzle adapter, and retention means on said muzzle adapter for retaining a fastener therein prior to driving thereof, said muzzle adapter being formed with an axial through bore, said bore comprising first and second portions, said first portion being adapted to slidingly admit the shank of the tool piston, said second portion being of substantially smaller diameter than said first portion, and said adapter piston comprising an adapter piston head, skidingly fitted in said first portion of said muzzle adapter bore, and an adapter piston shank, slidingly fitted in said second portion thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly of claim 6, wherein said retention means comprises a plurality of retaining members, each of said retaining members being displaceable to a position whereat a portion thereof projects into said second portion of said muzzle adapter bore, and means urging said retaining members toward said projecting positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a tubular, resilient buffer member disposed in said first portion of said muzzle adapter bore, adjacent said second portion of said bore, with said piston shank passing therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly of claim 6, further comprising shroud means surrounding the bulk of said muzzle adapter and denying substantial manual contact therewith, said muzzle adapter being moveable relative to said shroud means.