Modular tool having interchangeable handle and magazine units

Claim 1

A modular pneumatic tool for selectively driving fasteners such as staples and nails from respective magazines therefor, and comprising: an air motor including a cylinder, piston, and firing valve; a fastener driver means, operably connected to said piston, for driving fasteners; an air motor housing confining said air motor and having an open end with said fastener driver means extending therethrough; at least one fastener magazine having forward and rearward ends; at least one handle having a forward end and a rearward end; said magazine and said handle being attached together at respective rearward ends thereof and independent of each other at said forward ends thereof; a mounting plate disposed on a forward end of said handle and adapted to operably interconnect said handle with said air motor and air motor housing; said mounting plate and said forward end of said handle being releasably secured to a side of said air motor housing; an adapter plate means mounted on an underside of said housing and closing off said open end thereof, said driver means extending therethrough, said adapter plate including means on an exterior surface thereof for operatively receiving and attaching said respective nail and staple magazines thereto in an operative position for serially feeding respective fasteners to a position defining a driving station beneath said driver means from which said fasteners can be driven by said driver means extending through said adapter plate; and a forward end of said respective magazines being mountable to said adapter plate means.