Nail driver

Claim 1

A tool for driving nails and similar fasteners, comprising: (a) an elongate handle having first and second ends; (b) a plunger rod, having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end being fixedly attached to said handle and said handle and said outer end ncluding a driving face; (c) an elongate guide tube including an interior bore in which said plunger rod is slidably disposed, said guide tube having an inner end, an outer end, and a radially extending flange located on said outer end; (d) finger guard means located proximate said first end of said handle and extending radially outward about said handle for preventing a user's fingers from slipping inadvertently from said handle toward said plunger rod during use of said tool; and (e) plunger limit stop means associated with said handle for limiting extension of said plunger rod through said guide tube, selectively either to a first position wherein said driving face is exposed within a first predetermined distance beyond an end of said guide tube or to a second position wherein said driving face is exposed a predetermined countersinking distance beyond an end of said guide tube, said plunger limit stop means including means defining a cavity located at said first end of said handle and surrounding a portion of said inner end of said plunger rod, for receiving said outer end of said guide tube therein to a maximum distance limiting extension of said driving face beyond said outer end of said guide tube to said predetermined countersinking distance, when said plunger rod has been inserted into said guide tube from said outer end thereof, and additionally including means associated with said first end of said handle for preventing said flange from entering said cavity when said plunger rod is inserted into said guide from said inner end thereof.