Variable Action Floor Nailing Gun

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved hardwood floor nail gun that can be used by hardwood flooring contractors to install flooring more efficiently, and with less damage to adjacent walls and other surfaces. More specifically, the improved nail gun is comprised of a number of repositionable components that allow the flooring installer to quickly and efficiently modify the orientation of the said components to satisfy user need and/or preference, or to suit a particular application. The unique and adjustable construct of the improved nail gun also ensures that the nails being used therewith are successfully installed each time regardless of the proximity of the nail gun to an obstacle, such as a wall or other structure.

Claims

1. A flooring installation tool comprising: a body having a first end and a second end, the body including a tube for providing a force of air to a fastener delivery point at a second end a strike bumper positioned at the first end; a base plate; a fastener supply connected to the body; and at least one adjustable grip handle, wherein the flooring installation tool further comprises a first pivot point, a second pivot point and a third pivot point.

2. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the base plate is disposed at the second end of the body.

3. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second adjustable grip handle.

4. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the body is pivotable in relation to the base plate.

5. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism to hold the flooring installation tool in a select one of a plurality of different orientations.

6. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 5, wherein the select one of a plurality of different orientations involves the body and the tube being at an approximate angle of forty-five degrees to a flooring surface.

7. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 5, wherein the select one of a plurality of different orientations involves the body and the tube being at an approximate angle of ninety degrees to a flooring surface.

8. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one adjustable grip and the second adjustable grip are connected to the body by a threaded coupling.

9. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the body pivots in relation to the base plate.

10. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener supply pivots in relation to the base plate.

11. The flooring installation tool as recited in claim 10, wherein the fastener supply is disposed between the base plate and the body.

12. A nail gun for installing a piece of flooring, the nail gun comprising; a body having a first end and a second end; a bumper for receiving a striking force from a hammer, wherein the bumper is positioned at the first end of the body; an air cylinder at least partially enclosed in the body and in mechanical communication with the bumper; a base plate; a first adjustable grip removably connected to the body and having a hand grip area; and a fastener supply containing a plurality of fasteners therein, wherein each of the fastener supply and the body are repositionable between a first position and a second position.

13. The nail gun as recited in claim 12 further comprising a second adjustable grip handle removably connected to the body.

14. The nail gun as recited in claim 12, wherein the body is pivotable in relation to the base plate.

15. The nail gun as recited in claim 12 further comprising a locking mechanism to hold the nail gun in a select one of a plurality of different orientations.

16. The nail gun as recited in claim 15, wherein the select one of a plurality of different orientations involves the body and the air cylinder being at an approximate angle of forty-five degrees to a bottom surface of the base plate.

17. The nail gun as recited in claim 15, wherein the select one of a plurality of different orientations involves the body and the tube being at an approximate angle of ninety degrees to a bottom surface of the base plate.

18. The nail gun as recited in claim 13, wherein each of the first and second adjustable grips is connected to the body by a threaded coupling.

19. A hardwood floor nailing tool comprising; a body having a first end and a second end; an air cylinder enclosed within the body; a striking pad disposed on the first end of the body and in mechanical communication with the air cylinder; a base plate disposed on the second end of the body; a fastener supply for feeding a plurality of individual fasteners into an opening in communication with the air cylinder; a first adjustable grip removably attached to the body via a threaded connection; and a second adjustable grip removably attached to the body via a second threaded connection, wherein the body is repositionable relative to a bottom surface of the base plate.

20. The hardwood floor nailing tool as recited in claim 19, wherein an angle between the body and the bottom surface of the base plate can vary between 0 and 90 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device of the present invention in a first orientation in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein the improved flooring nail gun is about to be struck with an external hammer and is being used to install a piece of hardwood flooring to a subfloor in close proximity to a wall;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device of FIG. 1 in a second potential orientation in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein the improved flooring nail gun is about to be struck with an external hammer and is being used to install a piece of hardwood flooring to a subfloor in close proximity to a wall;

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device of FIG. 1 in a third potential orientation in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a one potential embodiment of the plurality of adjustable soft grip handles of the improved flooring nail gun device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of a one potential embodiment of the plurality of adjustable soft grip handles of the improved flooring nail gun device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein a portion of the nail rack is also depicted;

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0025] As stated above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved hardwood flooring nail gun that has one or more repositionable handles that enable the user to change the orientation of the handle of the nail gun to suit a particular application and avoid damaging an adjacent wall or other nearby surface while in use. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved hardwood flooring nail gun comprised of a repositionable nail rack that enables the user to change the orientation of the nail rack of the improved nail gun to suit a particular application and/or to satisfy user need and/or preference. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved hardwood flooring nail gun comprised of a repositionable body portion that enables the user to change the orientation of the body portion to improve operational efficiencies, and avoid damages to an adjacent wall or other nearby surface. Moreover, there is also a long felt need in the art for an improved hardwood flooring nail gun, the use of which ensures that the nails are always properly installed in the flooring and subfloor, and that no damage is done to adjacent walls and other surfaces. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved hardwood flooring nail gun that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and that is both safe and easy to use.

[0026] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention in a first orientation in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein the improved flooring nail gun 100 is about to be struck with an external hammer 14 and is being used to install a piece of hardwood flooring 12 to a subfloor 10 in close proximity to a wall 16. The improved flooring nail gun 100 is preferably comprised of a body portion or protective cover 110, an air pneumatic tube 112, a light strike bumper or plate 114, a channel style nail rack 120, a nail rack holder 130, a base plate 136 and one or more soft grip handles 140. More specifically, in the particular orientation shown in FIG. 1, the protective cover 110 and the pneumatic tube 112 is orientated to be at an approximately 45 degree angle to the floor, which enables the light-strike bumper 114 to be positioned further away from the wall 16 to give the user additional room in which to strike the strike plate 114 without striking or damaging the wall 16. More specifically, the flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention pivots at the main pivot point 132 to a second position to move the body 110 away from walls 16 and other surfaces or objects that can become damaged if struck by the hammer 14 (or the device 100 itself when jarred by a hammer strike).

[0027] As explained more fully below, when in use, the protective cover 110 is positioned at least partially over the pneumatic tube 112 and is preferably made from a light-weight plastic, or other suitable material that provides an ample level of protection to the pneumatic tube 112 (e.g., in the event it were accidentally struck by the hammer 112). The strike plate or bumper 114 is positioned on a first end of the body 110 and is in mechanical communication with a first end of the pneumatic tube 112, wherein the second end of the pneumatic tube 112 is in communication with a first fastener (not shown) of a plurality of fasteners 122 housed in the channel nail rack 120. In this manner, when the user strikes the strike pad 114 with a hammer 14, the strike pad 114 causes the pneumatic tube 112 to expel a burst of compressed air out of its opposite end, wherein the burst of air drives the fastener 122 into the piece of flooring 12.

[0028] The channel nail rack 120 is preferably a spring-loaded or gravity-fed nail rack that automatically advances the next nail or other fastener 122 into proper position when its predecessor has been properly driven into a piece of flooring 12 by the variable action floor nailing gun 100 of the present invention. Further, the channel nail rack 120 is preferably attached to body 110 via a nail rack holder 130 that enables the channel nail rack 120 to pivot relative to a bottom surface 137 of the base plate 136 or the flooring 10. More specifically, the channel nail rack 120 is permitted to pivot between 0 and 90 degrees (relative to the floor 10, for example) to achieve multiple different orientations, and to enable the user (not shown) to pivot the channel nail rack 120 out of the way so that it does not interfere with the workspace or wall 16. Additionally, fasteners 122 may be any fastener known in the art for application to a piece of flooring 12 such as, but not limited to, a nail, pin, staple, etc.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device of FIG. 1 in a second potential orientation in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein the improved flooring nail gun 100 is about to be struck with an external hammer 14 and is being used to install a piece of hardwood flooring 12 to a subfloor 10 in close proximity to a wall 16. More specifically, the bottom surface 137 of the base plate 136 is resting on a section of hardwood flooring 12 about to be installed adjacent to a wall 16. In this particular embodiment, the body 110 of the device 100 (and hence the air tube 112) is at an approximate angle of 90 degrees (or roughly perpendicular) to the bottom surface 137 of the base plate 136 and/or the floor 10, and immediately adjacent to the wall 16.

[0030] In this manner, when the user strikes the strike pad 114 with the hammer 14, the strike pad 114 causes the pneumatic tube 112 to expel a burst of compressed air out of its opposite end and the burst of air drives the fastener 122 into the piece of flooring 12. At such time, the plurality of fasteners 122 housed in the preferably spring loaded channel nail rack 120 are automatically advanced so that the next successive fastener is immediately available to be driven into the flooring 12 by the variable action floor nailing gun 100 of the present invention. Also, in this particular orientation, the angle of the spring loaded channel nail rack 120 relative to the floor 10 is less than that which is shown in FIG. 1 as the wall 16 is no longer an obstruction, as it was in FIG. 1. Further, in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, the soft grip handle 140 extends outwardly from the front of the body 110 (i.e., in the direction of the spring loaded channel nail rack 120), as opposed to from either of its sides.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of FIG. 1 in yet another potential orientation in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, in this particular orientation, the spring loaded channel nail rack 120 is positioned at an approximate angle of 90 degrees (or perpendicular) to the bottom surface 137 of the base plate 126. The body 110 and enclosed pneumatic air tube 112 of the flooring nail gun device 100 is also positioned at an angle relative to the bottom surface 137 of the base plate 126 so as to enable the user an opportunity to provide sufficient motive force to the nail gun 100 while still avoiding contact with the wall 16 or other surface or object, as the direction of the strike is roughly parallel to the wall or surface. Further, in this particular embodiment, the soft grip handle 140 again extends outwardly from the front of the body 110 (i.e., in the direction of the spring loaded channel nail rack 120), as opposed to from either of its sides.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a one potential embodiment of the plurality of adjustable soft grip handles 140 of the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention may comprise one or more adjustable soft grip handles 140 that may be removably attached to the body 110 by, for example, a threaded connector 144. The threaded connector 144 may be molded as part of the protective body cover 110, though other attachment means are also contemplated to be within the overall scope of the invention including, without limitation, a snap-on or quick connection fastening means. In FIG. 4, both first and second adjustable soft grip handles 140, 146 are being used in connection with the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention, wherein the first soft grip handle 140 extends outwardly from a front of the body 110 (i.e., in the direction of the spring loaded channel nail rack 120), and the second soft grip handle 146 is about to be removably attached to a side of the body 110 (and may be attached to either or both sides at the same time). Indeed, FIG. 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of a one potential embodiment of the plurality of adjustable soft grip handles 140, 146 of the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein a portion of the nail rack 120 is also depicted.

[0033] As stated above, multiple components of the improved flooring nail gun device 100 are repositionable relative to the floor 10 to give the user an almost endless supply of different orientation options for the improved flooring nail gun device 100 and to allow the components to pivot about first and second pivot points 132, 134, as best shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. Further, one or more locking mechanisms 142 may be used to lock the various components (body 110, pneumatic tube 12, channel nail rack 120, soft grip handles 140, 146, etc.) into a desired position or orientation, as best shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Locking mechanisms 142 can be any mechanism known in the art for prohibiting movement between two otherwise repositionable parts including, without limitation, a screw, pin, clamp, etc.

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the improved flooring nail gun device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture, in which the versatility of the device 100 is on full display. More specifically, in addition to the ability to attach the handle 140 to the device 100 on multiple different sides, the device 100 has at least three pivot points. As shown, the first pivot point 600 enables the handle 140 to be rotatably repositioned to provide adequate clearance from any obstacles that may be encountered during use of the device 100, such as a wall 16. As also shown, the second pivot point 610 enables the body 110 to be rotatably repositioned to provide adequate clearance from any obstacles that may be encountered during use of the device 100, such as a wall 16. Finally, the third pivot point 620 enables the nail rack 120 to be rotatably repositioned to provide adequate clearance from any obstacles that may be encountered during use of the device 100, such as a wall 16. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nail rack 120 may be rotated a total of 30 degrees, from a roughly perpendicular position relative to the floor 10 to a roughly 60 degree angle from the floor 10. Additionally, the device 100 may further comprise an air compressor connection tip 630, as best shown in FIG. 6, wherein the connector is repositionable from a first position 631 to a second position 632.

[0035] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the variable action hardwood floor nail gun 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the variable action hardwood floor nail gun 100 and its various components as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that other configurations of the variable action hardwood floor nail gun 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the variable action hardwood floor nail gun 100 and its various components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the variable action hardwood floor nail gun 100 and its components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.

[0036] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0037] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.