A drive blade lubrication assembly for use in a powered fastener driver (10). The powered fastener driver (10) contains a drive blade (42) which snap-fits with a reciprocating piston (58) by a blade seal (103) assembly. The drive blade lubrication assembly contains a lubricant applying member adapted to apply lubricant to a portion of the drive blade (42); and a lubricant storing device which is in fluid communication with the lubricant applying member. The lubricating storing device is adapted to replenish the lubricant in the lubricant applying member. A powered fastener driver (10) containing a drive blade lubrication assembly is also described. The use of the lubricant storing device in the present invention ensures that lubricant is continuously supplied to the drive blade (42) after long time usage of the powered fastener driver (10), so that friction between the drive blade and the blade seal assembly is minimized

A fastener driver includes a housing defining a head portion and a handle portion, a drive mechanism positioned within the housing, and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a primary guide member supported within the head portion of the housing, a secondary guide member spaced from the primary guide member and supported within the head portion of the housing, a piston slidable along the primary guide member and the secondary guide member, a driver blade attached to the piston and configured to be movable along a drive axis, and a biasing member configured to move the piston and the driver blade from a top dead center (TDC) position toward a bottom dead center (BDC) position. A lifter assembly is operated by the drive mechanism to return the piston and the driver blade towards the TDC position, against the bias of the biasing member.

A bracket for attachment to an overhead substrate to carry a suspending wire or rod is formed from metal plate or strap stock having a bend connecting a first generally rectangular section of the stock with a second generally rectangular section of the stock. The first generally rectangular section of stock has a dimple formed on one side of the stock with a corresponding bulge protruding from the other side. The bulge protrudes alongside the second generally rectangular section of stock. The bulge has a base and an apex, a generally conical outside surface adjacent to the first u) generally rectangular section of stock and a through aperture at the apex. The bracket is applied with a tool that can be provided with a washer system to accommodate different fastener lengths and a safety to deactivate the triggering mechanism.

A powered fastener driving tool such as a powder-actuated tool including a housing assembly including a side wall having a first outer section, a raised section, and a recessed section, the raised section including a rim that extends in an outermost plane of a side wall of the housing and a spring-loaded slidable power setting switch partially positioned in and partially extending from the housing. The spring-loaded slidable power setting switch includes a depressible button movable from a resting position in which an outer surface of the button extends outwardly beyond the plane in which the outer surface of the rim lies to a depressed position in which the outer surface of the button extends in a same or substantially same plane in which the outer surface of the rim lies.

A bracket for attachment to an overhead substrate to carry a suspending wire or rod is formed from metal plate or strap stock having a bend connecting a first generally rectangular section of the stock with a second generally rectangular section of the stock. The first generally rectangular section of stock has a dimple formed on one side of the stock with a corresponding bulge protruding from the other side. The bulge protrudes alongside the second generally rectangular section of stock. The bulge has a base and an apex, a generally conical outside surface adjacent to the first u) generally rectangular section of stock and a through aperture at the apex. The bracket is applied with a tool that can be provided with a washer system to accommodate different fastener lengths and a safety to deactivate the triggering mechanism.

A fastener driver includes a housing defining a head portion and a handle portion, a drive mechanism positioned within the housing, and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a primary guide member supported within the head portion of the housing, a secondary guide member spaced from the primary guide member and supported within the head portion of the housing, a piston slidable along the primary guide member and the secondary guide member, a driver blade attached to the piston and configured to be movable along a drive axis, and a biasing member configured to move the piston and the driver blade from a top dead center (TDC) position toward a bottom dead center (BDC) position. A lifter assembly is operated by the drive mechanism to return the piston and the driver blade towards the TDC position, against the bias of the biasing member.

A drive blade lubrication assembly for use in a powered fastener driver (10). The powered fastener driver (10) contains a drive blade (42) which snap-fits with a reciprocating piston (58) by a blade seal (103) assembly. The drive blade lubrication assembly contains a lubricant applying member adapted to apply lubricant to a portion of the drive blade (42); and a lubricant storing device which is in fluid communication with the lubricant applying member. The lubricating storing device is adapted to replenish the lubricant in the lubricant applying member. A powered fastener driver (10) containing a drive blade lubrication assembly is also described. The use of the lubricant storing device in the present invention ensures that lubricant is continuously supplied to the drive blade (42) after long time usage of the powered fastener driver (10), so that friction between the drive blade and the blade seal assembly is minimized.

An improved tool for installing an explosively driven fastener as well as an improved explosively driven fastener for use therewith are disclosed. The fastener includes a nail having a head with an explosive load attached thereto in a plastic cap that includes a buffer. The tool has a plurality of concentric cylinders and springs including a muzzle for receiving the fastener head and explosive load. A spring actuated firing pin ignites the load causing it to explode and drive the nail out of the tool. The explosion also automatically resets the tool. The tool and the fastener provide many advantages over existing explosively driven fasteners and the tools used to install them.

A powered fastener driving tool such as a powder-actuated tool including a housing assembly including a side wall having a first outer section, a raised section, and a recessed section, the raised section including a rim that extends in an outermost plane of a side wall of the housing and a spring-loaded slidable power setting switch partially positioned in and partially extending from the housing. The spring-loaded slidable power setting switch includes a depressible button movable from a resting position in which an outer surface of the button extends outwardly beyond the plane in which the outer surface of the rim lies to a depressed position in which the outer surface of the button extends in a same or substantially same plane in which the outer surface of the rim lies.

An improved tool for installing an explosively driven fastener as well as an improved explosively driven fastener for use therewith are disclosed. The fastener includes a nail having a head with an explosive load attached thereto in a plastic cap that includes a buffer. The tool has a plurality of concentric cylinders and springs including a muzzle for receiving the fastener head and explosive load. A spring actuated firing pin ignites the load causing it to explode and drive the nail out of the tool. The explosion also automatically resets the tool. The tool and the fastener provide many advantages over existing explosively driven fasteners and the tools used to install them.