US2957176A

US2957176A - Explosively actuated fastener driving tool with safety and cartridge extractor means

Info

Publication number: US2957176A
Application number: US529842A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W Henning; Rowland J Kopf; Marsh Roger
Original assignee: Olin Corp
Current assignee: Olin Corp
Priority date: 1955-08-22
Filing date: 1955-08-22
Publication date: 1960-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 1977-10-25

Description

2,957,176 00L WITH EXTRACTOR MEANS Oct 25, 1960 R. w. HENNING ETAL ExPLosvELY ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING T SAFETY AND CARTRIDGE Filed Aug. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 25, 1960 R. w. HENNING ETAL 2,957,176 EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING TOOL WITH SAFETY AND CARTRIDGE EXTRACTOR MEANS Filed Aug. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY .RoGERMARsl-l;

ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1960 R. w. HENNING ETAL 2,957,176

ExPLosIvELY ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING Toor. WITH SAFETY AND CARTRIDGE ExTRAcToR MEANS Filed Aug. 22, 1955 4 sheets-sheet s mimi INVENTRSI ROBERT W. HENNING SNNAJNSPF BY Aruba 5 ATTORNEY o n m mm Oct. 25, 1960 R. w. HENNING ETAL 2,957,176

ExPLosIvELY ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING Toor. WITH SAFETY AND CARTRIDGE EXTRACTOR MEANS Filed Aug. 22. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. ROBERT W.HENNING ROWLAND J. KOPF BY ROGER MARSH ATTORNEY United States Patent EXPLOSIVELY A'CTUATED FASTENER DRIVING TOOL WITH SAFETY AND CARTRIDGE EX- TRACTOR MEANS Robert W. Henning and Rowland J. Kopf, Rocky River, and Roger Marsh, Hudson, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Y Filed Aug. z2, 195s, ser. No. 529,s42

a6 claims. (C1. 1-106) This invention relates to a tool for driving fasteners and more specifically to an explosively-powered fastener driving tool.

lIn prior tools of this type it has generally been necessary to at least partially disassemble the tool to extract the expended cartridge and to reload the tool. yIn the past this has been accomplished in some manner such as removing the barrel from the tool or providing a hinged breech block which may be swung clear of the barrel breech usually by disconnecting the handle including the firing mechanism and breech block from the barrel and barrel housing and swinging the members out of the way so that a stud and cartridge may be inserted into the breech end of the bore. In many tools the cartridge is inserted into a plug which isy received in the `breech of the barrel bore Whereuponit is necessary to remove the plug and extract the expended cartridge manice from these hot gases is objectionable in that the shielding makes the tool more bulky and harder to handle.

An additional problem is that of the weight of the tool itself, since many of the -above mentioned problems could be quite simply solved but for the resultant weight, and of course, cost of the tool. Furthermore, reduc#` tions in weight usually lead to a sacrifice of durability and strength.

-lt is therefore an object of this invention to provide a tool in which the expended cartridge may be removed and a new cartridge and stud loadedinto the breech of the barrel of the tool and be ready foruse Without disassembling or loosening any portion of the tool.

A further object of this invention is to provide an extractorwhich is positive in operation, rugged and substantially fool-proof.

ually. The addition of an extractor or extractor-ejector i to a tool may eliminate the removable cartridge plug but lbecause of the higher gas pressure generated in a tool 'over the pressures in firearms, difficulty may be experienced in withdrawing the expended cartridge from the chamber in the barrel bore with an extractor built into the tool because of the forces required to overcome the tendency of the cartridge to jam the chamber. The power to operate the extractor is usually supplied by a spring which may conveniently surround the barrel of the tool and this is generally satisfactory. However, when the spring is exposed there is a tendency for it to collect foreign matter, such as dirt between the coils thereby preventing the barrel from properly seating against the ,breech block. .The higher operating pressures in a tool may also tend to cause the breech portion of the barrel to separate from the breech block resulting in a protecti-ve shield which is usually provided surrounding the ,muzzle of the barrel being forced away from the work surface so that the shield is at least partially `ineffective. Such separation may also cause the cartridge case to rupture or jam in the chamber.

In normal operation the muzzle of the barrel is pressed against the work surface at the time that the fastener is fired from the tool into the work surface. Thus the propellant gas violently impinges the work surface and has a detrimental effect in scorching or otherwise marring the Work surface itself and with certain materials, such as concrete, these gases may tend to blast away a portion of the surface. To alleviate this condition pro- 'pellant gas venting ports may be provided near the muzzle of the barrel so that rather than the full volume and force of the hot gas escaping through the muzzle of the bore a substantial portion of the gas is'dissipated Another object of this invention is to provide a tool in which the barrel is locked against the breech block during the initial expansion of the propellant Igas and which will be released automatically and immediately upon the stud being projected from the barrel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a breec locking mechanism which is automatic, simple in operation, rugged in construction and fool-proof.

Another object of this invention is to reduce the muzzle blast from the barrel of the tool.

Another object of this invention is to dissipate the hot high velocity propellant gases into a closed chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide a propellant Vgas receiving chamber which conforms to and harmonizes with the outside configuration of the tool in such a manner that it will not interfere with or complicate the operation or handling of the tool.

Still another object of this invention is to reduce the weight of the tool by fabricating certain components from relatively light material in such a way that the strength and durability of the tool is not materially affected while maintaining a satisfactory balance or feel of the tool as a whole.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a parti-al sectional view of an embodiment of the invention showing the right side of a tool in the inoperative positon wth the barrel fully extended from the housing and receiver;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the breech portion of the barrel and the extractor assembly of Figure l with the housing and receiver partially broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view relating to other figures of the drawing, such as a fragment of Figure 4, showing an additional embodiment of a barrel return assembly;

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the left side of the tool of Figure l but showing the tool in the operative. or ready-to-iire position;

,Figure 5 is a left side view of the barrel shown in Figure 4 but removed from the tool; v

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken on the lines VI--VL Vil- VII and VIII-VIII, respectively, in

vFigure 4;

.line 10-10 in Figure 9;

Figure l1 is a sectional view similar to Figure 10, but

illustrating thexbarrel Vtelescoped further inward in the tool housing and just before being fully seated in the operative or ready-to-fire position;

Figure 12 is a sectional view similar to Figure l0, but illustrating the barrel in the vready-to-lire position before' detonation of the cartridge;

Figure 13 is a sectional view similar to Figure l0, but illustrating the barrel moved outwardly in the tool housingfrom the position illustrated in Figure l2, and with the extractorV withdrawing the cartridge from the barrel chamber;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line 14--14 in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on the line 15-15 in Figure 12; and

Figure 16 is a side view partly in' cross-section showing still another embodiment of the tool positioned in operative abutment in the ready-to-iire position.

The foregoing objects and advantages are accomplished in the following novel manner. The tool includes an outer aluminum housingv having -a pistol-type hand grip and trigger guard and a hollow substantially cylindrical extension which is provided' with a hand grip portion to aid in holding the tool. A hollow substantially cylindrical steel barrel receiving member is inserted into and closely engages the bore of the aluminum housing extension. Integrally formed on the forward end of the barrel receiver is a safety shield which surrounds the barrel muzzle and cooperates with the work surface in providing a closed chamber about the muzzle when the tool is in the ready-to-re position. The barrel is slidably received in the receiver. The barrel, receiver and housing are held together by a set screw passing through aligned bores in the housing and receiver with the inner end of the set screw received in av longitudinal groove in the barrel to x the housing and receiver relative to each other while permittingV sliding movement of the barrel in the receiver. Gas escape ports pass through the barrel from the muzzle end of the bore to a gas expansion chamber formed by a portion of the wall of the bore of the receiver and a cutout portion in the barrel when the tool is in the operative or ready-to-iire position. The breech end of the barrel is fitted with a gas locking device to aid in maintaining the barrel in the fully retracted position when the cartridge is fired. The gas locking device includes an aperture extending from the barrel bore at a point immediately ahead-of the inner end of the cartridge to the outer surface of the barrel. This aperture has an enlarged portion extending inwardly from the outer wall of the barrel to receive a gas locking plug. Upon tiring of the cartridge, the gas enters the aperture and forces the plug outwardly against the receiver thereby locking the barrel in its fully telescoped position until the stud has passed the gas expansion ports and been discharged from the muzzle of the barrel.

`After firing the tool it is removed from contact with the Work surface at which time either a spring pressed plunger, a spring concentric with the barrel and seated between the muzzle end 'of the barrel and the front of the receiver, or a handle attached to the barrel, or any combination thereof may be utilized in driving the barrel forwardly and outwardly with respect to the housing and receiver from the operative or ready-to-re position to the inoperative position. In one embodiment, as the barrel moves outwardly from the housing the set screw which passes through apertures in the housing and receiver and has its forward end received in the slot in the barrel engages an extractor actuating ring, forcing the ring rearwardly to engage a pair of lugs extending laterally from an extractor. The extractor is received Within and cooperates with the breech portion of the barrel in-` forming a chamber to receive the cartridge. This form of extractor is preferred in tools using rim fired cartridges. Alternatively, if the tool is' designed for center fire cartridgesan extractor mounted on the receiver and having a'hook portion engaged over the rimof the cartridge to prevent movement of the cartridge as the barrel returns to the inoperative position, may be utilized.

The cartridge firing means may be of any suitable type preferably such as that disclosed in copending U.S. application Serial No. 334,817, `tiled February 3, 1953, now Patent Number 2,849,715 granted September 2, 1958'. All movingparts including the firing mechanism are mounted on the receiver, the trigger merely extending through a slot in the housing. An additional feature of the tool resides in the provision of a cutout portion through the housing' and receiver to permit a cartridge andv stud to be inserted into the breech end of the barrel bore when the tool is in the inoperative or safe position.

The invention will be better understood from the following detail description:

The tool housing 1 has a longitudinal bore 2, a pistoltype hand grip 3 for holding the tool ,trigger guard 4 and a cutout portion 5 to facilitate insertion of a stud 6 and cartridge 7 into the tool. The stud is shown as being attached to the cartridge, but a separate cartridge and stud is equally applicable for use in the tool, depending on the individual requirements of the job at hand. 'It is customary to'provide a gas check of some sort, such as a polyethylene wad in the cartridge or a sabot on the stud to create a greater driving force against the stud. Propellent gas pressure ranges upward from 60,- 000 p.s.i. for a 38 caliber tool to 90,000 p.s.i. for a 22 caliber tool. The rear end of the housing is provided with a bore 8 having a reduced inner portion and the forward end of the housing is provided with a smooth bore`9 transverse to and intersecting. the longitudinal bore of the housing for purposes to be described hereafter. To reduce the weight of the housing it is preferably fabricated from aluminum or other light material such as magnesium. A steel or iron barrel receiver 10 is received within and snugly engages the longitudinal bore 2 of the housing 1. A tool barrel 11 is telescopically received in a longitudinal bore 12 in the barrel receiver 10. The housing 1, receiver 10 and barrel 11 are held together as a unit by a set screw 13 passing through the transverse bore 9 in the forward end of the housing 1 and threadably received in an aligned bore 14 in the receiver. 'I'he set screw has an inner end portion 15 which is received in a' -groove 16 in the upper portion of the tool barrel 11. This groove extends to the rear face of the breech of the barrel. The housing 1 and barrel receiver 10 are thereby fixed relative to each other and the barrel is free to slide longitudinally with respect to the barrel receiver. The receiver is provided with a cutout portion 17 similar to and coinciding with the cutout portions in the housing 1, The housing is preferably provided with ridges 13 to aid in holding the tool.

The muzzle end 19 of the barrel is of a substantially smaller diameter than the body of the barrel. In one embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5 a cylindrical cap 20 is fitted over the muzzle end of the barrel and is attached thereto by a crimped portion 21 engaging a peripheral groove 22 in the reduced portion 19 of the barrel muzzle. The cap has a bore 23 aligned with and slightly larger than the barrel bore 24 and protects the muzzle end of the barrel as the tool is pressed against a work surface.

In one embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 2 and 4, the breech end of the barrel bore 24 has a partially cutout portion 25 which receives an extractor 26. The breech end of the barrel bore and the extractor cooperate to provide a chamber for receiving the stud driving cartridge 7. The extractor 26 has a groove 27 extending from a point rearwardly from the end of the extractor nearest the muzzle of the barrel or in other words from the front portion of the extractor and through therear face of the extractor. The breech end of the barrel is provided with a threaded aperture which receives a set screw-,28, thenose of the set screw projecting into the groove 27 in the extractor to slidably retain the extractor in the barrel. A pair of lugs 29 extend transversely from the rear-end of the extractor and are of slightly less width than the diameter of the body of the barrel. These lugs are received in grooves 30 in the breech of the barrel. When the extractor is fully received in the barrel the rear faces of the barrel and extractor are flush with each other. The rear or breech end of the barrel is cylindrical and of less diameter than the body of the barrel and receives an extractor ring 31 which is freely movable, or in effect floats, on the reduced portion of the barrel breech, as shown in Figures l and 2. When the barrel assumes its outwardly fully inoperative safe position, the ring 31 is moved rearwardly by the set screw 13 and engages the extractor lugs 29 forcing the extractor rearwardly thereby withdrawing the expended cartridge 7 from the chamber.

The extractor ring 31 has an internal diameter just slightly larger than the reduced diameter breech portion of the barrel and the inner surface of the ring may be slightly rounded so that the ring may assume the position shown in Figure 2, but not to the extent that it will become displaced from its seat on the barrel. The outside diameter of the ring is less than that of the barrel and the outside surface may also be rounded. The set screw 28 prevents the extractor 26 from being removed from its seat in the barrel when in the position shown in Figure 1 or 2 and this set screw also helps to maintain the extractor lugs 29 in proper alignment with the grooves in the breech of the barrel when the lugs have been moved rearwardly out of engagement with the grooves. Alternately, the lugs 29 and grooves 30 may be of sufficient depth so that they will "not become disengaged from each other when the extractor is in its rearmost position. Grooves and lugs of this latter design have an additional advantage in that greater tolerances are permissible between the ring 31 and the cylindrical reduced portion of the barrel breech while still preventing removal of the ring during operation of the tool. The set screw 13 maintains the barrel 11 in proper alignment with the receiver and housing 1 through contact with the walls of the groove 16 which extend through the reduced diameter breech portion of the barrel. The above referred to extractor is intended for use in conjunction with tools designed for rim re cartridges. When the tool is designed for use with center re cartridges another extractor to be described hereafter is preferred.

Referring to Figures 4 and 8, one side of the barrel 11 is provided with a cutout portion 32 which cooperates with the receiver bore 12 to form a closed chamber 33 when the barrel is in its fully retracted ready-to-re position. Ports 34 are provided between the barrel bore 24 adjacent the muzzle and the cut out 32 so that the propellant gas which drives the stud forward through the bore of the barrel will be partially dissipated through a plurality of these ports into the chamber 33 thereby greatly reducing the muzzle blast from the tool. As will be noted from Figures 5 and 8, ports 34 have a small opening into the barrel bore 24 to offer a minimum of disruption in the smooth bore and to maintain as much strength as possible; and a conical opening 34a enlarging outwardly toward the barrel cutout 32, to offer a minimum resistance to the tlow of the propellant gas and at the same time to aid in dispersing the gas so that it impinges the receiver bore 12 over a wider area. Discharging the propellant gas into a chamber rather than through unprotected ports and into the open air has an additional advantage in that the chamber protects the operator and nearby persons and material from possible burns by exposure to the hot high velocity gas.

Immediately upon tiring the tool there is a tendency for the barrel to moveforwardly away from the breech block 35a. This is caused by the reaction of the propellant gases tending to drive the stud forwardly and the cartridge case 7 rearwardly. To alleviate this tendency a gas locking device 35, shown in Figures 4, 7 and 16, is provided. This lock comprises a lateral bore 36 through the barrel just ahead of the mouth of the cartridge 7. The outer portion of the bore is of greater diameter than the portion opening into the barrel bore. Received in the outer portion of the bore is a gas locking plug 37 of polyethylene or other suitable material such as leather. This plug conforms to the configuration of the enlarged portion of the bore, which is cylindrical although other configurations may be adopted. The inner portion of the plug is provided with a cupped portion 38 here shown as a substantially conical cavity. The function of the cup 38 is to permit the gas to expand the top or inner portion of the plug into tight gas sealing contact with the bore'. The smaller and larger portions of the bore are joined by a conically shaped shoulder to permit more rapid and even dispersal of the gas to the cupped portion 38 of the plug 37.

Upon firing the tool the propellant gas immediately enters the bore 36 and engages the cup portion 38 of the plug 37 forcing the plug outwardly into tight frictional engagement with the bore 12 of the receiver. As previously mentioned the cupped portion 38 of the plug 37 permits the propellant gas to expand this portion of the plug into tight gas sealing engagement with the walls o f the enlarged portion 36a of the bore 36. As the stud 6, driven by the propellant gas passes the ports 34 leading to the gas expansion chamber 33 and leaves the muzzle of the tool the pressure on the gas locking plug 37 is dissipated and the plug is released from its tight frictional engagement with the receiver bore 12.

After the stud 6 has been driven into the work surface W the tool is removed from its operative position with the barrel muzzle cap 20 and shield 39, on the muzzle end of receiver 10 engaging the work surface whereupon, in one embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 4, a spring pressed plunger 40 drives the barrel forwardly. A spring 41 is of sucient strength so that as the tool is suddenly removed from the work surface the force of the spring will be suicient to drive the extractor ring 31 into engagement with the set screw 13, extracting the expended cartridge 7 from the breech of the barrel. The spring pressed plunger 40 is received in a bore 42 in the receiver and has a head 43 eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the plunger. The spring 41 is received between head 43 and a disk 44. An adjusting screw 45 passes through the bore 8 in the housing 1 and is threadably received in a threaded bore 46 in a plug 47 in the rear of bore 42 in the receiver 10. The plug 47 may be secured in the receiver 10 in any convenient manner, such as by the threaded connection shown. By adjusting the screw 45 inwardly or outwardly the pressure of the spring 41 may be adjusted so that the plunger will drive the barrel forward with the proper force.

The barrel may be provided with a handle 47a extending transversely through the cut out

portions

5 and 17 in the housing 1 `and receiver 10 to permit the barrel 11 to be forced forward manually, to eject the cartridge 7, either independently of or in conjunction with the spring pressed plunger 4G. Notches such as 47h may be provided in the housing and the barrel receiver 10 to permit full travel of the barrel 11 between the inoperative position shown in Figure l and the ready-to-re position shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a barrel return mechanism which may be used either in conjunction with the spring pressed plunger return mechanism described above, or independently of the plunger. In this embodiment a compression spring 48 is received on the front end of the barrel 11. One end of the spring engages a seat 49 provided in the forward portion of the barrel receiver 10 and the other end of the spring engages an outwardly extending flange 50 on the muzzle end ofthe barrel.

As shown in the drawing (Fig. 3) the flange 50 is formed integrally with a fitting 51 or is formed integrally with the cap 20 (Fig. 4) either of which is secured on the muzzle end of the barrel as by the threaded connection shown. In Figure 4, after modification according to Figure 3, receiver 10 may be longer and the front end of the bore of the receiver 10 is enlarged adjacent the shield 39 to provide seat 49 and to form with the front end of the barrel 11 an annular place to hold spring 48 adjacent a suitable muzzle fitting such as 20, or 51 (Fig. 3). The remaining structure of this embodiment may be the same as any of the embodiments previously described. This embodiment of the barrel return mechanism provides for assured biased return of the barrel to its fully extended inoperative position and thereafter maintains theI barrel in this position. By providing the tool with both the spring pressed plunger assembly 40, etc., and the spring 48 about the barrel, as shown in Figure 16, an additional advantage is obtained since the additional force of the combined springs act in conjunction with the center fire cartridge extractor, to be described hereinafter, to remove the expended cartridge from the chamber, while additional force on the part of the operator to properly seat the muzzle of the tool against the work surface is required only during the very last portion of barrel travel.

In Figure 16, the tool is shown thrust forwardly with its muzzle cap 120 and the periphery of the skirt of its shield 139 abutted against work surface W. In this position the tool is in ready-to-lre. The tool includes a barrel 111 having a bore 124 in alignment with the bore 123 of cap 120. The latter forms one abutment for the cornpression spring 148 the other end of which seats in spring seat 149 provided in the forward portion of the modied barrel receiver 110 so that the spring may be received on the front end of barrel 111, similar to the manner spring 48 is received on the tool of Figure 3. The tool housing 101 accordingly is modified at its front end.

The barrel receiver 10 may be provided with any other desired type of shield in place of shield 39 or, if so desired, the shield may be eliminated.

In assembling the tool the plunger 40, spring 41 and disk 44 are inserted into the bore 42 in the rear of the receiver 10 and secured in place by plug 47. The firing mechanism is assembled in the receiver. -The extractor ring 31 is positioned on the reduced diameter breech portion of the barrel 11 and the extractor 26 is then inserted into its seat 25 in the barrel. Set screw 28 is then screwed into the threaded aperture in the breech portion of the barrel to retain the extractor in its seat. The extractor lugs 29 prevent the ring 31 from being removed from the barrel. The locking plug 37 is inserted into the aperture 36 and the barrel is then inserted into the receiver bore 12, care being taken not to damage the gas locking plug 37. The receiver 10 is then inserted into the housing bore 2. Aperture 9 in the housing 1 is aligned with threaded aperture 14 in the receiver, set screw 13 is inserted through bore 9 and threaded into bore 14 until the nose port-ion 15 of the set screw is received in the slot 16 of the barrel to a sufficient extent that the nose portion 15 will contact the walls of the groove 16 adjacent the reduced breech portion of the barrel when the barrel is fully extended in the inoperative position. Adjusting screw 45 is then screwed through the threaded bore 46 in plug 47 to engage disk 44 and compress spring 41. The trigger is inserted through aligned slots in the housing and receiver and a pivot pin is passed through a hole 4a in the housing and seated in the receiver and trigger pivot hole to secure the trigger in place.

In the embodiments utilizing the barrel return assembly shown in Figure 3 the tool is assembled lin the manner previously described, noting that the spring plunger assembly may or may not be utilized. Following the -above describedY assembly procedure spring 48 is slipped over the barrel 11 and fitting 51 is secured to the muzzle of the barrel.

In the embodiment of the tool using center fire cartridges the extractor mechanism shown in Figures 9 through 14 may be utilized. Figure 9 shows the barrel 11, with a cartridge 59 in the chamber, midway of its path of travel rearwardly in the receiver and housing'preparatory to ring the cartridge. As best shown in Figures 10-12 in this embodiment the extractor 60` is retained in a slot 61 `in the receiver 10 by a split spring ring 62 which is received in a circumferential groove 63 in the receiver 10. The slot 61 is just wide enough to receive the flat extractor 60 so that there is no appreciable up and down play between the extractor and the slot. The extractor may move forwardly and rearwardly, being shown in its rearmost position in Figures 1l and 12 `and its forwardmost position in Figure 13. By comparing Figures 11 and 12 it will be seen that the extractor 60 may also move inwardly and outwardly with a pivotal movement in the slot 61. In Figure 11 the barrel 11 is shown just before seating against the breech 4block 35a. The rim on the cartridge has engaged a cam surface y64 on the extractor 60 pushing the extractor to its rearmost position as shown and also forcing the extractor outwardly against the resistance of the split spring ring 62. In Figure 12 the tool is in `its ready-to-re position with an extractor hook portion 65 engaging the forward edge of the cartridge rirn. In this position the engagement between the tapered outer surface 66 of the extractor and the split spring ring 62 tends to prevent the extractor from moving forwardly. It will be noted that the barrel 11 has a cutout portion 67 to receive the extractor hook portion 65 and that the receiver has a lug 63 on its inner wall 12. `Figure 13 shows the tool after tiring with the barrel 11 started toward the inoperative position. The extractor hook 65 is in engagement with the rim of the cartridge 59 and the cartridge is shown partially extracted from the barrel chamber. In this position a shoulder 69 on the extractor is in engagement with the lug 68 on the inner surface 12 of the receiver. The lug 68 may be formed integrally with the receiver 1) or it may be riveted, welded or secured to the receiver in any appropriate manner. It should also be noted that in this embodiment a recess 7@ for the cartridge rim Iis provided in the breech block portion of the receiver 19, however, the recess could equally well be formed in the barrel or omitted entirely.

In assembling a tool having this type of extractor it is merely necessary to properly place the extractor 60 in the slot 61 and insert the split spring ring `62 in the slot 63 before inserting the receiver into the housing bore 2.

As was mentioned earlier in the description, the tool housing 1 is preferably fabricated from aluminum or some other light metal such as magnesium in order to reduce the total weight of the tool. It should be noted that the entire rear portion of the tool including the pistol grip and trigger guard is aluminum and is rigidly secured to the tool by the longitudinal extension forming the bore 2 which receives the receiver 1t) and that the aluminum housing 1 has no moving contact relative to the remainder of the tool to cause wear and premature replacement.

In operation cartridge 7 or 59 and stud 6 are inserted into the breech of the barrel bore 24 through the

loading cutouts

5 and 17 in the housing 1 and receiver 1?, respectively. The barrel muzzle cap 2% or 51 is pressed against the work surface into which the stud is to be driven until the breench of the barrel seats against the breech block 35a of the receiver bore and the front of the shield 39 is adjacent the work surface W. The trigger is then depressed ring the cartridge. Immediately after the cartridge 7 has been fired starting the stud 6 through the bore of the tool, the propellant gas pressure enters the aperture 36 causing the gas locking plug 37 to frictionally engage the receiver bore 12 locking the barrel in place. As the stud passes the gas relief ports 34 the propellant 4gas expands into the gas expansion chamber 33 relieving the pressure on the plug 37 and permits the plug to release its hold on the receiver. After the stud has been driven into the work surface and as the tool is removed from the work surface, the barrel will be forced forward by the spring pressed plunger 40, manually by handle 47a, and/or the spring 4S so that in the embodiment employing rim red cartridges the extractor ring 31 engages the set screw 13 and is forced rearwardly against the extractor lugs 29 driving the extractor 26 rearwardly and partially out of the barrel. As may be seen in the drawing, the extractor has a shoulder which engages the iiange on the cartridge so that the cartridge is drawn out of the barrel bore and may be removed to permit the insertion of another stud and cartridge.

It is to be understood that although the foregoing description of this invention specilies certain metals such as. steel for the barrel and barrel receiver member and related moving parts and aluminum or magnesium or other relatively light metal for the housing member as well as polyethylene or leather which should preferably be lubricated in some manner such as by being saturated by oil, this application is not to be so limited since many other materials known in the arts may be substituted for these materials. However, the housing member is preferably of substantially lighter material than the remainder of the tool. It is also to be understood that although the invention is described with particular reference to an explosively powered fastener driving tool, many features of the invention may be utilized in other fields such as in perforating, riveting or impact deforming or working of metals and many other environments wherein it is necessary to drive a member with high velocity and/ or force. Furthermore, in the firearm and related fields certain features such as the extractors, gas locking device, the barrel return mechanisms and the light weight housing may have additional utility. Additionally it should be noted that although the tool is described with particular reference to the utilization of an explosive power charge contained in a cartridge, certain aspects of the tool are equally applicable to tools powered by compressed air or other fluids and to tools wherein the power is provided by a spring or other similar mechanical means. Although many specific embodiments and details are set forth in the foregoing, it will be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and that this invention is therefore not to be limited to such embodiments and details except as set forth in the appendent claims.

We claim: 1. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a bodyportion telescopically receiving a tool barrel hav- 'fastener may be discharged, blast shield means adapted to extend laterally around said muzzle end means to 4reduce the force of said propellant fluid at the muzzle end of said barrel as said fastener is driven through said barrel` bore, said force reducing means comprising a plu- `rality of passageways at the muzzle end of said bore between the interior of said barrel bore and the outer snrface of said barrel and opening into a longitudinal groove opposite said heavy wall, said passageways and said groove forming a closed chamber being of suliicient size "to substantially reduce the muzzle blast of the propellant uid when said barrel and body portions are telescoped sutiiciently until said portion surrounds the grooved part of the barrel, said chambercomprising both a single cutout portion of the outer surface of the barrel intermediate the ends of said barrel and said passageways expanding outwardly toward said cut-out portion.

, 2. In a fastener .driving tool of the class described, the .combination of a tool barrel slidably received ina toolV body portion for sliding movement from an inoperative to a ready to fire position, and pressure sensitive means responsive to ring to lock said barrel in its ready-to-iire position during the time of tiring said tool, said locking means comprising a member mounted in said barrel for movement into engagement with said body portion.

3. In a tool of the class described, a tool body slidably receiving a tool barrel having a bore into which a propellant uid may be discharged, means to lock said barrel relative to said body portion, said means comprising a passageway between the barrel bore and the outer surface of said barrel and means in said passageway to Vtightly engage an adjacent surface on said tool body when said iuid is discharged into said barrel bore.

4. In the tool of claim 3, said means received in said passageway comprising a plug slidably received in said passageway and having means providing a iiuid tight seal with said passageway so that the fluid discharged into the barrel bore will force said plug outwardly and into engagement with said tool body.

5. In a tool of the class described, a barrel portion having a chamber for receiving a propellent gas generating cartridge and an extractor mechanism for removing said cartridge from said chamber, said extractor mechanism comprising an extractor element telescopically received in said barrel portion, an internal surface of said extractor element providing a longitudinal segmental portion of said chamber wall, abutment means on said extractor element projecting laterally outwardly with respect to the chamber axis, means slidably mounted on said barrel portion to engage said laterally extending abutment means on said extractor element to move said extractor element axially outwardly from said barrel portion thereby sliding said cartridge from said chamber, and means carried by said barrel portion for abutment with said element at the extremity of its outward extractive movement to prevent removal of said extractor element from said barrel portion,

6. In a tool of the class described, the combination of means for holding said tool operatively positioned in the hands of an operator, said means consisting of a housing, said housing being open at one end, a barrel receiving member and a barrel both coaxially receivable in said housing and in said member respectively, said ihousing at least partially surrounding, and closely engaging in fixed relationship to said barrel receiving member, said barrel receiving member having a longitudinal bore open at one end telescopically receiving said barrel movable therein with frictional retention, said barrel having a bore for receiving a projectile fastener to be propelled through said barrel bore, positioning means tending to maintain said barrel positioned telescopically outwardly with respect to said receiving member, iiuid force generating cartridge initiating means in said member adjacent the breech end of said barrel to project said fastener through said barrel bore when said barrel is fully received within said receiving member bore, muzzle blast reducing means in said barrel and member to reduce the force of the fluid at the muzzle of said barrel bore, locking means to lix said barrel in its fully received position in said receiving member bore when said barrel is in its fully received position immediately upon introduction of said propellent force into said barrel bore and lateral port means in said housing and member to permit insertion of a projectile into said barrel bore and loading and extraction of said cartridge.

7. In the tool of claim 6 said means for holding said tool in its operative position comprising a pistol-type grip at an extremity of said housing and a tube at the opposite extremity of said housing.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein said housing is fabricated of a material of substantially less density than that of said receiving member and barrel.

9. The tool of claim 6 wherein said barrel receiving member is substantially closed at one end and is provided with means to shield the operator from richocheting fasteners and expended propellant fluid, said shielding means extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of said receiving member bore and from the open end of said 4receiving member bore.

10. The tool of claim 6 wherein said positioning means comprises a compression spring telescopically received on said barrel and having one end engaging said receiving member and the other end engaging an abutment on the end of said barrel.

11. The tool of claim 6 wherein said muzzle blast reducing means comprises a passageway from the bore of said barrel to the outer surface of said barrel, said passageway opening into a closed chamber.

l2. The tool of claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises a passageway between the bore of said barrel and the surface of said barrel adjacent the surface of said bore of said receiving member, and a plunger telescopically received in said passageway to tightly engage said receiving member bore when said propellant fluid is introduced into said barrel bore.

13. The tool of claim 6 wherein said port means comprises aligned openings cut out of said housing and said barrel receiving member.

14. In a tool having a barrel through which a fastener is driven by the force of an explosive cartridge, a housing providing means for holding said tool operatively positioned in the hands of an operator, said housing having a bore coaxially surrounding and closely engaging in xed relationship a barrel receiving member carrying cartridge initiating means, said barrel receiving member having a longitudinal bore telescopically receiving a barrel, positioning means for maintaining said barrel telescopically outwardly in said barrel receiving bore and into an inoperative position with respect to said initiating means of the receiving member, means providing a closed chamber when said tool is in the operative position with the barrel fully received in said barrel receiving member bore, and `a passageway through the barrel wall connecting the barrel bore and said closed chamber, said chamber comprising a portion of the outer surface of said barrel and the adjacent surface of said receiving member bore spaced from said barrel surface, aligned cutout portions in the walls surrounding the bores of said housing and receiving members, said portions forming an opening through which said fastener and said cartridge may be inserted into the bore of said barrel when said barrel is in the inoperative position, means to tix said housing and receiving member relative to each other, said fixing means having a portion extending into said barrel to prevent rotation of said barrel in said barrel receiving member bore and said extending portion abutting with shoulder means on said barrel for preventing removal Of said barrel from said barrel receiving member bore, the last said means comprising a pin extending through said housing and receiving member and projecting into a longitudinal groove in said barrel.

15. In a tool of the class described, a tool barrel telescopically received within a barrel receiving member, said barrel receiving member having a longitudinally extending side port and being received within a bore in a housing member also having a longitudinally extended side port alignable with said rst side port, said barrel having a recess on one side of its exterior in communicating relationship with its bore, means to x said barrel receiving member and said housing relative to each other with said ports in alignment and to prevent rotation in and removal of said barrel from said barrel receiving member while permitting movement of said barrel from a retracted port closing position to an extended port opening position, said means comprising a pin passing through said housing and said barrel receiving member having an end received in a groove in said barrel separate from said barrel recess.

16. In the tool of the class described, a tool barrel having `a longitudinal fastener projecting bore and a barrel sleeve member telescopically receiving said barrel with limited relative telescoping movement between said barrel and member, an intermediate portion of the outer surface of said barrel having a groove on substantially all of one side of its circumference, said groove being completely enclosable by said member to form an otherwise closed expansion chamber for residual gas, said barrel having a plurality of exhaust passageways adjacent the muzzle end extending between said bore and groove, said passageways expanding outwardly from said bore to said groove.

17. In a tool of the class described, a laterally ported housing having a bore open in one end, a laterally ported barrel receiver in said bore and having a tubular portion open at one end, a barrel telescopically received in the bore of said tubular portion, and means to operatively secure together said housing, receiver and barrel, and maintain said ports in alignment, said means comprising a pin passing through said housing and receiver, and projecting into said barrel, said housing being of a substantially less dense material than said receiver and barrel.

18. In a tool of the class described, a housing having a bore open forwardly at one end, closed at the opposite end, and ported adjacent said forward end in one lateral direction, a barrel receiver mounted in said bore and having a tubular portion with a bore open at one end and closed at the opposite end, opposite which end said portion is also laterally ported in said direction, a barrel having lateral passageways adjacent the muzzle on a side disposable in a direction substantially opposite said ports and received in said tubular portion bore for telescoping movement between a telescoped position and an extended position, an exhaust chamber between said barrel and tubular portion on said opposite side adapted for communication with said passageways, means to operatively secure together said housing, receiver, and barrel, while permitting said movement, with said ports maintained aligned for tool loading and extraction in said direction in said extended position and with said chamber and passageways maintained in communication on said opposite side in said telescoped position, said laterally ported ends of said housing and receiver forming a breech structure adapted to opening in said direction, a pistol type hand grip projecting laterally from said closed end in a direction substantially transverse of said other directions.

19. In a tool of the class described, a housing having a bore open at one end, a barrel receiver in said housing bore, said housing and receiver being laterally ported on the same side for loading and extraction, said barrel receiver having a tubular portion open at one end, a barrel telescopically received in the tubular portionof said barrel receiver, said barrel having a slotgenerally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular portion, stop means positioned adjacent each of the longitudinally spaced ends of said slot, aligned apertures through the walls of said housing and said tubular portion and a pin received in said apertures and having one end received in said slot in said barrel, whereby said housing and said barrel receiver are xed with respect to each other with said ports in alignment and the telescopic travel of said barrel in said tubular portion is restricted between said stop means by said pin.

20. In a tool of the class described, a housing having a bore open at one end, a barrel receiver in said bore and having a tubular portion open at one end, a barrel telescopically received in the tubular portion of said barrel receiver, said barrel having a breech and muzzle and a slot extending from a breech end to a muzzle end and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tubular portion, said slot extending over the major portion of the length of said barrel, aligned apertures through the walls of s'aid bore and said tubular portion 13 adjacent the open ends thereof and a pin received in said apertures and having one end received in said slot in said barrel, and means to prevent removal of said barrel from said tubular portion, said means comprising an abutment at the breech end of said slot.

21. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a body portion telescopically receiving a tool barrel having a bore through which a fastener is driven by the force of a propellant fluid introduced into said bore and having a ybarrel Wall heavy on at least one side relative to said bore, said bore having a muzzle end from Which said fastener may be discharged, blast shield means adapted to extend laterally around said muzzle end, means to reduce the force of said propellant fluid at the muzzle end of said barrel as said fastener is driven through said barrel bore, said force reducing means comprising a plurality of passageways at the muzzle end of said bore between the interior of said barrel bore and the outer surface of said barrel and opening into a longitudinal groove opposite said heavy wall, said passageways and said groove forming a closed chamber being of sufficient size to substantially reduce the muzzle blast of the propellent uid when said barrel and said body portion are telescoped until said portion surrounds the ,25

grooved part of the barrel.

22. In a tool of the class described, the combination of a body portion telescopically receiving a tool barrel having a bore through which a fastener is driven by' the force of a propellant Huid introduced into said bore, and having a barrel wall heavy on at least one side relative to said bore, said bore having a muzzle end from which said fastener may be discharged, blast shield means adapted to extend `laterally around said muzzle end, means to reduce the lforce of said propellent uid at the muzzle end of said barrel as said fastener is driven through said barrel bore, said force reducing means cornprising a plurality of passageways at the muzzle end of said bore between the interior of said barrel bore and the outer surface of said barrel and opening into a longitudinal groove opposite said heavy wall, said passageways and said groove forming a closed chamber being of sufficient size to substantially reduce the muzzle blast of the propellent fluid when said barrel and body portion are telescoped until said portion surrounds the grooved part of the barrel, said closed chamber being defined by surfaces of said barrel disposed externally of the barrel bore and an opposite wall of the body portion surrounding said barrel.

23. In the tool of claim 22, the outer surface of said barrel which defines said closed chamber comprising a cut out portion extending over 'a substantial circumferential part intermediate the full ends of the barrel,` said passageways opening into said cut out portion.

24. In a fastener driving tool of the class described, the combination comprising a tool barrel having a bore adapted to receive a fastener and a force applying fluid for driving said fastener through said bore and having a muzzle adapted to be placed in abutment with a workpiece surface, said barrel being telescopically received in a tool body for sliding movement of said body with respect to said tool barrel from an inoperative to an operative position, and means to lock said body in its operative position immediately upon discharge of said uid into said barrel bore.

2S. In a fastener driving tool of the class described, the combination comprising, a tool barrel having a bore adapted to receive a fastener and a force lapplying fluid for driving said fastener through said bore and having a muzzle adapted to be placed in abutment with a workpiece surface, said barrel being telescopically received in a tool body for sliding movement of said body with respect to said tool barrel from an inoperative to an operative position, means to release said fluid into said barrel bore when said body is in said operative position, and means 'to lock said body in its operative position immediately upon release of said lluid into said barrel bore.

26. In a tool of the class described, a combination of a tool body including means telescopically receiving a tool barrel, said barrel having a bore adapted to receive Va fastener to be driven therethrough by a fastener propelling force and having a muzzle adapted to be placed in abutment with a workpiece surface, said barrel and body being slidable with respect to each other from an inoperative to an operative position, and means to lock said barrel and body in their operative position immediately upon introduction of said fastener propelling force into said barrel bore. 27. In a tool of the class described, a `barrel having a chamber for-receiving a fastener propelling cartridge, said barrel being slidably received within a barrel sleeve portion of said tool, cartridge extractor means carried in captive relationship on said barrel adjacent said chamber comprising a sliding segment forming part of said chamber and having opposed lateral projections and a segment actuating ring slidably mounted in captive relationship on said barrel for abutment with said projections, and stop means on said barrel sleeve abuttable with said ring to retain said sleeve and barrel together and to extract said cartridge from said chamber when said sleeve is moved to' adjacent` the extremity of its withdrawal from said barrel. f

`2,8. Ina tool of the class described, a body member having an open front end communicating with a bere telescopicallyreceiving a barrel having a muzzle at the front end'and a chamber at its breech for receiving a cartridge shouldered at its base, said body member being telescopically movable from an extended inoperative position to atretracted position and having a pistol type hand grip extending laterally, said member also having a lateral port longitudinally extending over a major part of the length of said body member and opening to one Side of said grip, extractor means telescopically received in said bore adjacent said chamber and movable into operative engagement only with the shoulder of said cartridge for withdrawing said cartridge from said chamber by engagement with said shoulder when said body member is moved from the operative to the inoperative position, said lateral port in saidbody member communicating with said bore back of said breech and means on said body and barrel disposed between said breech and open end engageable to .move-said'extractor means so as to Withdraw said cartridge from said chamber when said body is telescoped from its operativeposition at which said port is closed by saidlbarrel,v to adjacent its inoperative position with respectto'rsaid barrel at which position said port is fully opened. Y

l A29.' Inv a tool of the class described, a body having a socket having one open end telescopically receiving a barrel, said barrel having a bore for coaxially receiving a fastener to be propelled through said bore by `a uid force introduced into said bore, positioning means mounted between portions of said body and barrel tending to maintain said barrel inoperatively positioned telescopically outwardly with respect to said socket, means mounted on said body to release said fastener driving fluid force when said barrel is fully telescoped into said socket, means adjacent the barrel muzzle to reduce the force of said fluid at the muzzle end of said barrel as said fastener is driven through said barrel bore, and locking means mounted on said barrel to act between said body and barrel to fix said barrel in its fully received position in said socket immediately upon introduction of said fluid force into said barrel bore.

30. In a tool of the class described, `a body member having a longitudinal bore open at one end and substantially closed at the other end, said bore telescopically receiving a barrel having a bore through which a projectile may be propelled by a propellant force released into said barrel bore, positioning means mounted on at least one of said body member and barrel for normally maintaining said barrel inoperatively positioned telescopically outwardly with respect to the bore in said body member, means carried in said body member to release said force to drive said projectile through said barrel bore when said barrel is operatively positioned fully received within the bore in said body member, means positioned adjacent the barrel muzzle to reduce the intensity of said propellant force at the muzzle end of said barrel bore, and locking means mounted to act between said body member and barrel to ix said barrel in its fully received position in said barrel bore immediately upon introduction of said propellant force into said barrel bore.

31. In the tool of claim 30, the addition of means for holding said tool in its operative position, said means comprising a pistol type hand grip at an extremity of said body member, and a barrel receiving tube in the opposite extremity of said body member, saidl tube lining said bore in said body member.

32. The tool of claim 31, wherein said body member comprises an outer housing member including said means for holding said tool and said barrel receiving tube is received in the bore of said housing member, said housing being fabricated of a material of substantially lessl density than that of said receiving tube and barrel.

33. The tool of claim 32 wherein said barrel receiving tube has an open end and wherein the open end of the receiving tube is provided with shielding means to protect the tool operator from debris mobilized by the residue of the propellent force at the barrel muzzle, said shielding means extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool.

34. The tool of claim 30 wherein said positioning means comprises a compression Spring telescopically received on said barrel and having one end lxed with respect to said rst member and the other end xed with respect to said barrel.

35. In a tool of the class described, a body member having a longitudinal bore open at one end and substantially closed at the other end, said bore telescopically receiving a barre1 having a bore through which a projectile may be propelled by a propellant force released into said barrel bore, said member having a longitudinally extending lateral port, positioning means mounted on at least one of said body and member and barrel for normally maintaining said barrel inoperatively positioned telescopically outwardly with respect to the bore in said body member, means carried in said body member to release said force to drive said projectile through said barrel bore when said barrel is operatively positioned fully received within the bore in said body member, means for extracting a cartridge from the bore of said barrel into the bore of said member adjacent said bore,

16 locking means mounted to act between said body member and barrel to x said barrel in its fully received position insaid barrel bore immediately upon introduction of said propellant force into. said barrel bore, and a spring pressed plunger projecting through the substantially closed end of the bore in said body member for engaging said barrel when substantially fully received in said bore, whereby said plunger further biases said barrel so received outwardly with respect to said bore to initially act against said locking means after said release and introduction and at least initiate operation of said extraction means.

36. In a tool of the class described, a tool body having a socket open at one end and substantially closed at the other end, a tool barrel telescopically received in said socket and operatively positioned in said socket when one end of said barrel is substantially in abutment with the substantially closed end of saidsocket, said body being telescopically movable on said barrel from an extended inoperative position to a fully telescoped position corresponding to said operative position, safety means tending to maintain `said barrel telescoped outwardly with respect to the substantially closed end of said socket, said means comprising a spring pressed plunger of a length short of said body movement for engaging Said barrel only over that terminal part of said movement when said barrel is in proximity with said substantially closed end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 11,800 Wesson Jan. 9, 1900 1,317,419 Bergman Sept. 30, 1919 1,388,363 Miller Aug. 23, 1921 2,008,362 Littlehale July 16, 1935 2,045,333 Pipes June 23, 1936 2,112,144 Coupland Mar. 22, 1938 2,457,354 Dial Dec. 28, 1948 2,679,645 Erickson June 1, 1954 2,692,383 Catlin Oct. 26, 1954 2,702,902 Portouw Mar. 1, 1955 2,705,323 Bossong Apr. 5, 1955 2,719,300 Walker Oct. 4, 1955 2,771,323 Skumawitz Nov. 20, 1956 2,773,259 Broughton et al. Dec. 11, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 6,491 Great Britain of 1914 506,769 Belgium Nov. 15, 1951 283,155 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1952 1,040,789 France May 27, 1953 1,073,899 France Mar. 24, 1954 1,083,665 France June 30, 1954 1,083,993 France June 30, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2x95?, 176 October 25, 1960 Robert W. Henning et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column IO, line 61 and 62, strike out "when said barrel is in its fully received position" and insert the same after bore and before the comma in line 60, same column.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of April 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST wr, SWTDER v DAVTD E. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,957,176 October 25, 1960 Robert W. Henning et .alla

It 'is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat-f ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column IO, line 61 and 62, strike out "when said barrel is in its fully received position and insert the same after "bore" and before the comme in line 60, same columno Signed and sealed this 25th day of April 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W, SWIDER DAVID Le. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents