Powered fastener driving tool

Abstract

A powered fastener driving tool, and particularly a powder-actuated fastener driving tool including a housing assembly partially defining a plurality of pawl leg pockets, a piston assembly and a barrel assembly removably and partially positionable in a receiver assembly that is partially positioned in the housing assembly, and a plurality of attachment pawls including respective legs positioned in respective ones of the pawl leg pockets and configured to maintain the piston assembly and the barrel assembly removably and partially positionable in the receiver assembly.

Claims

1. A powder-actuated fastener driving tool comprising: a housing assembly including a main housing assembly, a handle assembly extending from the main housing assembly, and a retention collar, the main housing assembly including a first inner pawl engagement surface partially defining a first pawl leg pocket and including a second inner pawl engagement surface partially defining a second pawl leg pocket; a trigger mechanism assembly connected to and supported by the handle assembly; a receiver assembly partially positioned in the main housing assembly, a barrel assembly removably and partially positionable in the receiver assembly; a piston assembly removably and partially positionable in the barrel assembly; a first attachment pawl including a first leg positioned in the first pawl leg pocket such that: (1) when the first attachment pawl is in a first attachment pawl closed position, the first attachment pawl extends through the receiver assembly and engages the barrel assembly to prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly, and (2) when the first attachment pawl is pivoted outwardly from the first attachment pawl closed position to a first attachment pawl open position, the first attachment pawl does not prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly and the first inner pawl engagement surface engages the first attachment pawl to limit an outward movement of the first attachment pawl to prevent the first attachment pawl from being removed from the main housing assembly; and a second attachment pawl including a second leg positioned in the second pawl leg pocket such that: (1) when the second attachment pawl is in a second attachment pawl closed position, the second attachment pawl partially extends through the receiver assembly and engages the barrel assembly to prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly; and (2) when the second attachment pawl is pivoted outwardly from the second attachment pawl closed position to a second attachment pawl open position, the second attachment pawl does not prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly and the second inner pawl engagement surface engages the second attachment pawl to limit an outward movement of the second attachment pawl to prevent the second attachment pawl from being removed from the main housing assembly.

2. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 1, wherein the main housing assembly includes an outer wall that includes the first and second inner pawl engagement surfaces that respectively partially define the first pawl leg pocket and the second pawl leg pocket.

3. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 2, wherein the receiver assembly partially defines the first pawl leg pocket and the second pawl leg pocket.

4. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second inner pawl engagement surfaces of the outer wall includes outwardly angled surfaces configured to be respectively contacted by the first and second attachment pawls when the first and second attachment pawls are in the first and second attachment pawl open positions.

5. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second inner pawl engagement surfaces of the outer wall maintains the first and second legs of the first and second attachment pawls in the respective first and second pawl leg pockets.

6. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 1, wherein the receiver assembly includes a plurality of pawl leg engagement surfaces.

7. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 6, wherein the plurality of pawl leg engagement surfaces partially define the first pawl leg pocket and the second pawl leg pocket.

8. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 6, wherein the first attachment pawl includes: (a) an elongated first body; (b) the first leg at a first end of the elongated first body; and (c) a first barrel engagement hand transversely extending from a second end of the elongated first body, and the second attachment pawl includes: (a) an elongated second body; (b) the second leg at a first end of the elongated second body; and (c) a second barrel engagement hand transversely extending from a second end of the elongated second body.

9. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 8, wherein the first leg includes an angled first housing engagement surface and a second housing engagement surface, and wherein the second leg includes an angled first housing engagement surface and a second housing engagement surface.

10. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 8, wherein the first barrel engagement hand includes a first partially conical transversely extending barrel engagement finger, and wherein the second barrel engagement hand includes a second partially conical transversely extending barrel engagement finger.

11. A powder-actuated fastener driving tool comprising: a main housing assembly including an inner pawl engagement surface partially defining a pawl leg pocket; a receiver assembly partially positioned in the main housing assembly, a barrel assembly removably and partially positionable in the receiver assembly; a piston assembly removably and partially positionable in the barrel assembly; and a first attachment pawl including a first leg positioned in a first pawl leg pocket such that: (1) when the first attachment pawl is in a first attachment pawl closed position, the first attachment pawl engages the barrel assembly to prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly, and (2) when the first attachment pawl is pivoted outwardly from the first attachment pawl closed position to a first attachment pawl open position, the first attachment pawl does not prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly and the inner pawl engagement surface engages the first attachment pawl to limit an outward movement of the first attachment pawl to prevent the first attachment pawl from being disconnected from the main housing assembly.

12. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 11, wherein the main housing assembly includes an outer wall that includes the inner pawl engagement surface that partially defines the first pawl leg pocket.

13. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 12, wherein the receiver assembly partially defines the first pawl leg pocket.

14. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 11, wherein the receiver assembly partially defines the first pawl leg pocket.

15. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 11, which includes a second attachment pawl including a second leg positioned in a second pawl leg pocket such that: (1) when the second attachment pawl is in a second attachment pawl closed position, the second attachment pawl engages the barrel assembly to prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly; and (2) when the second attachment pawl is pivoted outwardly from the second attachment pawl closed position to a second attachment pawl open position, the second attachment pawl does not prevent the barrel assembly from being removed from the receiver assembly and the inner pawl engagement surface engages the second attachment pawl to limit an outward movement of the second attachment pawl to prevent the second attachment pawl from being disconnected from the main housing assembly.

16. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 15, wherein the main housing assembly includes an outer wall that includes the inner pawl engagement surface that partially defines the second pawl leg pocket.

17. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 16, wherein the receiver assembly partially defines the second pawl leg pocket.

18. The powder-actuated fastener driving tool of claim 15, wherein the receiver assembly partially defines the second pawl leg pocket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a powered fastener driving tool and particularly a powder-actuated fastener driving tool of one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the powder-actuated fastener driving tool of FIG. 1, showing certain of the components of the powder-actuated tool of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the receiver assembly and the attachment pawls of the powder-actuated fastener driving tool of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of one the attachment pawls of the powder-actuated fastener driving tool of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the powder-actuated fastener driving tool of FIG. 1, showing the attachment pawls in locked and closed positions relative to the receiver assembly and the barrel assembly such that the attachment pawls maintain the barrel assembly in the receiver assembly and attached to the main housing assembly of the powder-actuated tool.

(6) FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the powder-actuated fastener driving tool of FIG. 1, showing the attachment pawls in unlocked and open positions relative to the receiver assembly and the barrel assembly such that the barrel assembly can be detached from the receiver assembly and the main housing assembly of the powder-actuated tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) While the features, methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and the manners of attachment and connections of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the disclosure as taught herein and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings are not to scale unless noted otherwise.

(8) Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the powered fastener driving tool of one example embodiment of the present disclosure is generally illustrated and indicated by numeral 100. The powered fastener driving tool in this illustrated example embodiment is a powder-actuated fastener driving tool configured to receive a conventional load strip (not shown). This example powder-actuated fastener driving tool may be referred to herein for brevity as the fastener driving tool, the driving tool, or just the tool. Such abbreviations are not meant to limit the present disclosure in any manner.

(9) The fastener driving tool 100 of this illustrated example embodiment includes, among other components that are not shown: (a) a housing assembly including a main housing assembly 200, a handle assembly 300 extending downwardly from the main housing assembly 200, and a retention collar 400; (b) a suitable fastener driving assembly (partially shown) including a receiver assembly 500 partially positionable in or insertable in the main housing assembly 200, a barrel assembly 590 removably and partially positionable in or insertable in the receiver assembly 500, and a piston assembly 580 removably and partially positionable in or insertable in the barrel assembly 590; (c) a fastener guide assembly 600 removably and partially positionable in or insertable in the retention collar 400 and operably connectable to the main housing assembly 200; (d) a plurality of inwardly and outwardly pivotable attachment pawls including opposing attachment pawls 700 and 800; and (e) a trigger mechanism assembly 900 (partially shown) connected to and supported by the handle assembly 300. It should be appreciated that various other components of the powder-actuated fastener driving tool 100 are not shown and are not described below in additional detail. These other components may be well-known conventional components of a powder actuated tool, or may be suitable components needed for the operation of the tool 100, but not relevant for the description of the present disclosure.

(10) In this illustrated example embodiment, the main housing assembly 200 includes a generally tubular outer wall 210 and an inner wall 250 extending from the outer wall 210. The inner wall 250 extends forwardly from the outer wall 210 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. The inner wall 250 has a smaller inner diameter (and a smaller inner circumference) than the outer wall 210 as also best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. As best seen in FIG. 2, this inner wall 250 includes two spaced apart sections 250a and 250b that define opposing spaced apart longitudinally extending openings that enable the inward and outward pivoting of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 as further described below. The outer wall 250 also includes outer threads 251 that facilitate attachment of the inner threaded retention collar 400 to the main housing assembly 200.

(11) As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the generally tubular outer wall 210 includes: (1) a longitudinally extending cylindrical first outer surface 212; (2) an outwardly angled partially conical second outer surface 214; (3) a longitudinally extending cylindrical third outer surface 216; (4) a transversely extending front end surface 220; (5) an outwardly angled partially conical pawl engagement first inner surface 230; and (6) a longitudinally extending cylindrical second inner surface 240. The outer surface 214 extends from and connects the outer surface 212 and the outer surface 216. The outer surface 212 has a smaller outer diameter (and a smaller outer circumference) than the outer surface 216. The transversely extending front end surface 220 transversely extends from and connects the outer surface 216 and the pawl engagement first inner surface 230. The inner surface 240 extends from and is connected to the pawl engagement first inner surface 230.

(12) The pawl engagement first inner surface 230 is configured to be contacted by and to engage the attachment pawls 700 and 800 when the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are in the respective unlocked and fully open positions as shown in FIG. 6. The pawl engagement first inner surface 230: (1) partially defines the respective pawl leg pockets 270 and 280 (also partially defined by the receiver assembly 500); (2) prevents the attachment pawls 700 and 800 from moving further outwardly (than shown in FIG. 6); and (3) maintains the legs 711 and 811 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 in the respective pawl leg pockets 270 and 280. The pawl leg pockets 270 and 280 are thus defined by the outer wall 210 (and the receiver assembly 500 as further described below). The pawl leg pockets 270 and 280 are large enough to allow respective movements of the legs 711 and 811 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 in the respective pockets 270 and 280, but small enough keep the respective legs 711 and 811 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 in the respective pockets 270 and 280, and thus from being dislodged from the respective pockets 270 and 280 and from being disconnected from the main housing assembly 200.

(13) As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the receiver assembly 500 includes: (1) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical first outer surface 552; (2) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical second outer surface 554; (3) a transversely extending third outer surface 556; (4) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical pawl engagement fourth outer surface 558; (5) a transversely extending fifth outer surface 560; (6) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical pawl engagement sixth outer surface 562; (7) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical seventh outer surface 564; (8) an outwardly angled partially conical eight outer surface 566; (9) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical pawl engagement ninth outer surface 568; (10) an inwardly angled partially conical tenth outer surface 570; (11) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical pawl engagement eleventh outer surface 572; (12) a curved transversely extending front end surface 574; and (13) a longitudinally extending partially cylindrical inner surface 576. The first outer surface 552 has a smaller outer diameter (and smaller outer circumference) than the second outer surface 554. The second outer surface 554 has a larger outer diameter (and larger outer circumference) than the fourth outer surface 558. The fourth outer surface 558 has a smaller outer diameter (and smaller outer circumference) than the sixth outer surface 562. The sixth outer surface 562 has a larger outer diameter (and larger outer circumference) than the seventh outer surface 564. The seventh outer surface has a smaller outer diameter (and smaller outer circumference) than the ninth outer surface 568. The ninth outer surface 568 has a larger outer diameter (and larger outer circumference) than the eleventh outer surface 572. The transversely extending third outer surface 556 extends from and connects the second outer surface 554 and the fourth outer surface 558. The transversely extending fifth outer surface 560 extends from and connects the fourth outer surface 558 and the sixth outer surface 562. The eight outer surface 566 extends from and connects the seventh outer surface 564 and the ninth outer surface 568. The transversely extending tenth outer surface 570 extends from and connects the ninth outer surface 568 and the eleventh outer surface 572. The curved transversely extending front end surface 574 extends from and connects the eleventh outer surface 572 and the inner surface 576.

(14) The pawl engagement fourth outer surface 558 is configured to be contacted by and to engage the legs 711 and 811 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 when the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are in the respective unlocked and fully open positions as shown in FIG. 6. The transversely extending third outer surface 556, the pawl engagement fourth outer surface 558, and the transversely extending fifth outer surface 560 are configured to: (1) partially define the pawl leg pockets 270 and 280; (2) prevent the attachment pawls 700 and 800 from moving further outwardly (than shown in FIG. 6); and (3) maintain the respective legs 711 and 811 of the respective attachment pawls 700 and 800 in the respective pawl leg pockets 270 and 280. The pawl engagement sixth outer surface 562, the pawl engagement ninth outer surface 568, and the pawl engagement eleventh outer surface 572 are configured to be contacted by the attachment pawls 700 and 800 when the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are in the respective locked and closed positions as shown in FIG. 5. The barrel assembly 590 is also configured to be engaged by the attachment pawls 700 and 800 and specifically by the barrel engagement hands 712 and 812 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 when the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are in the respective locked and closed positions as shown in FIG. 5.

(15) In this illustrated example embodiment, the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are identical and function in an identical manner. Thus, for brevity, only attachment pawl 700 will be described in additional detail. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the attachment pawls do not have to be identical. It should also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the quantity of attachment pawls may vary.

(16) As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, the attachment pawl 700 generally includes: (a) an elongated body 710; (b) an engagement leg 711 at one end of the body 710; and (c) a barrel engagement hand 712 transversely extending from the other end of the body 710.

(17) In this illustrated example embodiment, the elongated body 710 includes: (1) a longitudinally extending first housing engagement surface 714; (2) a longitudinally extending first receiver engagement inner surface 732; (3) an angled second receiver engagement surface 738; and (4) a curved transversely extending front end surface 740. The first housing engagement surface 714 and the first receiver engagement inner surface 732 face in opposite directions. The curved front end surface 740 extends from and connects the first housing engagement surface 714 and the angled receiver engagement surface 738.

(18) In this illustrated example embodiment, the engagement leg 711 includes: (1) an angled housing engagement outer surface 718; (2) a curved transition outer surface 720; (3) an angled receiver engagement surface 724; and (4) a transversely extending inner surface 728. The outer surface 720 extends from and connects the surface 718 and the surface 724. The surface 728 extends from and connects the surface 724 to the surface 732.

(19) In this illustrated example embodiment, the barrel engagement hand 712 includes: (1) a cylindrical transversely extending inner surface 752; (2) a receiver engagement surface 756; (3) an inwardly tapered or partially conical transversely extending receiver engagement inner surface 770; and (4) a receiver engagement inner end surface 776. The surface 752 extends from and connects the surface 732 and the surface 756. The surface 770 is connected to and extends from the surface 756. The angled or conical transversely receiver engagement inner surface 770 and the receiver engagement inner surface 776 define part of an inwardly extending barrel engagement finger 713 of the barrel engagement hand 712.

(20) In this illustrated example embodiment, the body 710, the engagement leg 711, and the barrel engagement hand 712 are integrally attached and formed. In this illustrated example embodiment, the attachment pawl 700 (as well as attachment pawl 800) is formed from a suitable metal material. It should be appreciated that the attachment pawls can be alternatively formed in accordance with the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the attachment pawls can be made from more than one piece in accordance with the present disclosure

(21) As mentioned above, FIG. 5 shows the attachment pawls 700 and 800 in the respective locked and closed positions, and FIG. 6 shows the attachment pawls 700 and 800 in the respective unlocked and fully open positions. It should be appreciated that in this illustrated example embodiment, the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are independently moveable. When the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are in the respective locked and closed positions as shown in FIG. 5, the barrel engagement hands 712 and 812 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 partially extend into and positively engage opposite sides of the barrel assembly 590 (as further described below) and prevent the barrel assembly 590 from being removed from the receiver assembly 500 and the main housing assembly 200. In other words, in the locked and closed positions, the barrel engagement hands 712 and 812 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 maintain the barrel assembly 590 partially inserted in and attached to the receiver assembly 500 and the main housing assembly 200. When the attachment pawls 700 and 800 are in the respective unlocked and fully open positions as shown in FIG. 6, the barrel engagement hands 712 and 812 of the attachment pawls 700 and 800 do not prevent the barrel assembly 590 from being removed from the receiver assembly 500 and the main housing assembly 200. In other words, in the unlocked and fully open positions, the attachment pawls 700 and 800 enable the barrel assembly 590 that is partially inserted in the receiver assembly 500 and the main housing assembly 200 to be removed from the receiver assembly 500 and from the main housing assembly 200.

(22) More specifically, as further described below, (1) the elongated body 710 is moveable from a first position shown in FIG. 5 to a second position shown in FIG. 6 (and back to the first position); (2) the engagement leg 711 is moveable in the pawl leg pocket 270 from a first position shown in FIG. 5 to a second position shown in FIG. 6 (and back to the first position); and (3) the barrel engagement hand 712 is movable from a first position partially in the receiver assembly 500 and into engagement with the barrel assembly 590 as shown in FIG. 5 to a second position out of contact with the receiver assembly 500 and with the barrel assembly 590 as shown in FIG. 6 (and back to the first position). In the closed position, (1) surface 718 of the leg 711 of the attachment pawl 700 engages surface 230 of the outer wall 210; (2) surface 732 of the attachment pawl 700 engages surface 562 of the receiver assembly 500; (3) surface 732 of the attachment pawl 700 engages surface 568 of the receiver assembly 500; (4) surface 756 of the attachment pawl 700 engages surface 572 of the receiver assembly 500; and (5) surface 770 of the attachment pawl 700 extends into an opening 542 in or defined by the receiver assembly 500. In the closed position, the corresponding surfaces of attachment pawl 800 engage the same respective surfaces of the outer wall 210 of the main housing assembly 200, and the corresponding surfaces of the receiver assembly 500 and the barrel assembly 590. These engagements prevent the barrel assembly 590 from being detached from receiver assembly 500 and from the main housing assembly 200. It should also be appreciated that in this position, the retention collar 400 is or can be positioned around the attachments pawls 700 and 800, around the barrel assembly 590, and around the receiver assembly 500, as generally shown in FIG. 5. This is the assembled position of these components of the tool 100.

(23) To disassemble these components of this tool 100, the retention collar 400 is unscrewed from the main housing assembly 200 and removed from being positioned around the attachments pawls 700 and 800, around the barrel assembly 590, and around the receiver assembly 500. The attachments pawls 700 and 800 are each pivoted outwardly (from the positions shown in FIG. 5 to the positions shown in FIG. 6), and the piston assembly 580 and the barrel assembly 590 are removed from the receiver assembly 500 and from the main housing assembly 200. The attachment pawls 700 and 800 remain attached to the main housing assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 6. In the unlocked and fully open position: (1) surface 714 of attachment pawl 700 engages surface 230 of outer wall 210; and (2) surface 724 of the leg 711 of attachment pawl 700 engages surface 558 of the receiver assembly 500. This configuration keeps the leg 711 of the attachment pawl 700 in the pocket 270. Likewise, in the unlocked and fully open position, the corresponding surfaces of attachment pawl 800 engage the same respective surfaces of the main housing assembly 200 and the receiver assembly 500 and keep the leg 811 of the attachment pawl 800 in the pocket 280.

(24) After the removed components and the accessible area of the main housing assembly are all be cleaned or otherwise serviced, the fully opened attachment pawls 700 and 800 enable the piston assembly 580 and the barrel assembly 590 that have been removed from the main housing assembly 200 to be easily partially inserted back in the receiver assembly 500 and in the main housing assembly 200. Thereafter, the attachment pawls 700 and 800 can be easily pivoted back to their closed and locked positions and the retention collar 400 can be reinstalled over the piston assembly 580, the barrel assembly 590, the receiver assembly 500, and the attachment pawls 700 and 800, and also screwed back onto the main housing assembly 200. It should be appreciated that one or more of the detached components can be replaced if necessary before re-assembly.

(25) It should be appreciated that the attachment pawls and specifically the legs of the attachment pawls are captured by the main housing assembly and facilitate such pivotal movement.

(26) It should also be appreciated that this configuration also causes the attachment pawls to move slightly backwardly or rearwardly when opened.

(27) It should further be appreciated that the engagements of the flat surfaces 714 and 230, and 724 and 558 assist in keeping the attachment pawl 700 in the fully open position to assist in disassembly and reassembly. Likewise, for attachment pawl 800.

(28) This configuration facilitates ease of disassembly and re-assembly of certain components of the tool without the need to struggle to overcome spring forces while trying to hold multiple components of the tool. In other words, the pawl assembly of various embodiments does not include any springs for coupling the attachment pawls to the barrel assembly.

(29) This configuration retains the attachment pawls 700 and 800 when they are in the fully open position attached to the housing so that they do not become lost.

(30) This configuration uses flat surfaces on the end or leg of the pivot portion of each of the attachment pawls to keep the attachment pawls in the fully open positions trapping the attachment pawls between components as opposed to employing springs. This configuration thus eliminates the need for springs to maintain the barrel assembly 590 connected to the receiver assembly 500 and the main housing assembly 200.

(31) It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, and it is understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.