Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25C—HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS
  • B25C1/00—Hand-held nailing tools; Nail feeding devices
  • B25C1/008—Safety devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25C—HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS
  • B25C1/00—Hand-held nailing tools; Nail feeding devices
  • B25C1/04—Hand-held nailing tools; Nail feeding devices operated by fluid pressure, e.g. by air pressure
  • B25C1/041—Hand-held nailing tools; Nail feeding devices operated by fluid pressure, e.g. by air pressure with fixed main cylinder
  • B25C1/043—Trigger valve and trigger mechanism
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25C—HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS
  • B25C1/00—Hand-held nailing tools; Nail feeding devices
  • B25C1/04—Hand-held nailing tools; Nail feeding devices operated by fluid pressure, e.g. by air pressure
  • B25C1/047—Mechanical details

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to powered, fastener-driving tools, wherein the tools may be electrically powered, pneumatically powered, combustion powered, or powder activated, and more particularly to a new and improved fastener- driving tool having a trigger control mechanism that is capable of providing multiple actuation modes without the need to manually adjust the tool.
• Powered, fastener-driving tools typically comprise a housing, a power source, a supply of fasteners, a trigger mechanism for initiating the actuation of the tool, and a workpiece-contacting element (also referred to herein as a "work contact element" or "WCE").
• WCE work contact element
• the workpiece-contacting element is adapted to engage or contact a workpiece, and is operatively connected to the trigger mechanism, such that when the workpiece-contacting element is in fact disposed in contact with the workpiece, and depressed or moved inwardly a predetermined amount with respect to the tool, as a result of the tool being pressed against or moved toward the workpiece a predetermined amount, the trigger mechanism will in fact be enabled so as to initiate actuation of the fastener-driving tool.
• powered, fastener-driving tools normally have two kinds or types of operational modes, and the tool is accordingly provided with some mechanism, such as, for example, a lever, a latch, a switch, or the like, for enabling the operator to optionally select the one of the two types or kinds of operational modes that the operator desires to use for installing the fasteners.
• the depression or actuation of the trigger mechanism will not in fact initiate the actuation of the tool and the driving of a fastener into the workpiece unless the workpiece-contacting element is initially depressed against the workpiece.
• the workpiece-contacting element in order to operate the powered, fastener- driving tool in accordance with the sequential or single-actuation mode of operation, the workpiece-contacting element must first be depressed against the workpiece followed by the depression or actuation of the trigger mechanism.
• the operator can in fact maintain the trigger mechanism at its depressed position, and subsequently, each time the workpiece- contacting element is disposed in contact with, and pressed against, the workpiece, the tool will actuate, thereby driving a fastener into the workpiece.
• trigger assemblies are known wherein mechanisms are provided upon, or incorporated within, the trigger assemblies of the fastener-driving tools for permitting the operator to optionally select the particular one of the two types or kinds of modes of operating the powered, fastener-driving tool that the operator desires to implement in order to drive fasteners into the workpiece in a predetermined manner so as to achieve predetermined fastening procedures.
• One such trigger assembly is disclosed, for example, within U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,664, which issued to Wolfberg on Apr. 8, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as "Wolfberg").
• FIG. 1 of the present application which substantially corresponds to FIG.
• the trigger assembly is disclosed at 16 and is seen to comprise a trigger 18 which includes a pair of spaced apart side walls 20 between which there is interposed a finger contact portion 22.
• the side walls 20 and the finger contact portion 22 effectively define an inner cavity 30 that is open at the upper end portion 32 thereof, and an actuation lever 34 is disposed within the inner cavity 30.
• the actuation lever 34 is pivotally mounted within the inner cavity 30 by means of an end portion 38 thereof, which comprises an eyelet or throughbore 40 within which there is disposed a pivot pin 42, and the actuation lever 34 also comprises a free distal end portion 36.
• An upper corner portion of each one of the side walls 20 is provided with an eyelet or throughbore 26 within which a pivot pin 28 is disposed, and in this manner, the entire trigger assembly 16 is pivotally mounted upon the tool housing 12.
• the pair of side walls 20 are provided with a pair of notches 46,48 within which the pivotal end portion 38 of the actuation lever 34 can be selectively disposed such that the operator can operationally choose which mode of operation the fastener-driving tool will perform, that is, either the sequential actuation mode of operation or the contact actuation mode of operation, and it is seen still further that the fastener-driving tool also comprises a workpiece-contacting element 44.
• the free distal end portion 36 of the actuation lever 34 may be disposed relatively closer to, or farther from, a trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44. More particularly, when the actuation lever 34 is disposed relatively further away from the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44, the fastener-driving tool will be disposed in its sequential actuation mode of operation, whereas when the actuation lever 34 is disposed relatively closer to the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44, the fastener-driving tool will be disposed in its contact actuation mode of operation.
• the fastener-driving tool further comprises a control valve 52 which initiates actuation of the fastener-driving tool, whereby a fastener is driven outwardly from the fastener-driving tool and into the workpiece, and that a coiled spring 54 circumscribes the control valve 52 so as to be interposed between the tool housing 12 and an upper surface portion 56 of the actuation lever 34.
• the actuation lever 34 is effectively biased toward the finger contact portion 22 of the trigger 18 such that the pivot pin 42 of the pivotal end portion 38 of the actuation lever 34 is assuredly seated within one of the notches 46, 48.
• the workpiece-contacting element 44 comprises a plurality of linkage members 62 which effectively integrally interconnect the actual workpiece-contacting member 64 with the trigger end portion 60 thereof.
• FIGs. 1 and 2 of the present application substantially correspond to FIGs. 3 and 4 of Wolfberg. More particularly, in order to actuate the fastener-driving tool, and thereby eject a fastener from the fastener-driving tool and into a workpiece, the free distal end portion 36 of the actuation lever 34 must be disposed within the vicinity of the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44 such that the actuation lever 34 can in fact be moved upwardly toward the control valve 52, by means of the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44, when the workpiece-contacting element 44 is depressed into contact with the workpiece, so as to be ready to be subsequently moved upwardly into contact with the control valve 52 by means of the finger contact portion 22 of the trigger 18 when the finger contact portion 22 of the trigger 18 is in fact depressed or moved upwardly.
• the operator when in fact a sequential actuation mode of operation of the fastener-driving tool is to be performed, the operator will dispose the workpiece- contacting member 64 of the workpiece-contacting element 44 into contact with the workpiece, and subsequently, the operator will effectively move the fastener-driving tool downwardly, or toward the workpiece, causing the workpiece-contacting element 44 to effectively move upwardly relative to the tool housing 12.
• the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44 will engage the free distal end portion 36 of the actuation lever 34 so as to move the actuation lever 34 upwardly toward the control valve 52.
• the entire trigger assembly 16 will be pivotally moved around the pivot pin 28 such that the actuation lever 34 can now in fact contact and actuate the control valve 52 whereby actuation of the fastener-driving tool, as a result of which a fastener is ejected from the fastener-driving tool and into the workpiece, occurs.
• the workpiece-contacting element 44 will be moved downwardly, under the biasing influence of its spring-biasing means, not illustrated, such that the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44 will effectively be released or disengaged from the free distal end portion 36 of the
• the actuation lever 34 will, in turn, move downwardly away from the control valve 52, under the biasing influence of the coil spring 54, so as to attain the position illustrated within FIG. 2 of the present application wherein it is noted that the free distal end portion 36 of the actuation lever 34 is in fact removed from the vertically oriented linear path of movement of the trigger end portion 60 of the
• the fmger contact portion 22 of the trigger 18 is in fact released back to its non- depressed state or position as illustrated within FIG. 1 of the present application, the workpiece-contacting element 44 is released from its depressed state or position with respect to the workpiece whereby the workpiece-contacting element 44 will effectively move vertically downwardly, and prior to the disposition of the workpiece-contacting
• the finger contact portion 22 of the trigger 18 is again depressed or moved upwardly with respect to the tool housing 12.
• the workpiece-contacting element 44 must always be moved into depressed contact 170 engagement with a portion of the workpiece prior to the depression or upward movement of the finger contact portion 22 of the trigger 18 with respect to the tool housing 12.
• FIGs. 3 and 4 of present application which substantially correspond to FIGs. 5 and 6 of Wolfberg, when the fastener-driving tool is desired to be operated in accordance with the contact actuation
• actuation lever 34 is initially moved toward the left such that the pivotal end portion 38 of the actuation lever 34 is now disposed within the notch 46 whereby the free distal end portion 36 of the actuation lever 34 is disposed closer to the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44.
• This movement of the actuation lever 34 may be achieved by inserting a pointed object, such
• the pivot pin 42 comprising a hollow tubular structure or having recessed means formed within an end portion thereof for accommodating the nail or the like.
• all components are disposed at their normal static positions, that is, the workpiece-contacting
• the actuation mode of operation is substantially the same as that previously described in connection with the sequential actuation mode of operation. However, it is to
• the trigger end portion 60 of the workpiece-contacting element 44 can once again move the actuation lever 34 into engagement with the control valve 52 so as to in fact initiate a new actuation mode or cycle within the fastener-driving tool. Therefore, relatively rapid actuation of the fastener-driving tool in accordance with the contact actuation mode of operation can be achieved each time the workpiece-
• a nail or similarly sharp-pointed object must be inserted into at least one of the hollow or recessed ends of the pivot pin 42, and in addition, the pivotal end portion 38 of the actuation lever 34 must be disengaged from one of the notches 46,48, against the biasing force of coiled spring 54, so as to permit the pivot pin 42 to then be inserted into the other one of the notches 46,48.
• Various embodiments of present disclosure provide a new and improved fastener-driving tool which has a trigger control mechanism for alternatively permitting contact actuation and sequential actuation modes of operation without manual adjustment of the tool.
• the present disclosure provides a fastener-driving tool including a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece-contacting element is movable between a rest position and an activated position.
• the tool also includes a trigger movably connected to the housing, where the trigger is movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin and an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger, where the actuation lever is movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position.
• the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
• the actuation lever does not move to the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each respectively moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.
• a fastener- driving tool including a housing and a trigger movably connected to the housing, where the trigger is movable between a rest position and an activated position.
• the tool further includes a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger, where the actuation lever is movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a workpiece-contacting element movably connected to the housing and being movable between a rest position and an activated position.
• the workpiece-contacting element includes a fixed portion and an end portion movably connected to the fixed portion where the end portion is movable between a first position and a second position.
• the fixed portion and the end portion are generally aligned with each other and the end portion is not configured to contact the actuation lever when the trigger is in the activated position and the workpiece-contacting element is moved to the activated position.
• the end portion is at a designated angle relative to the fixed portion and is configured to contact the actuation lever when the trigger is in the activated position and the workpiece-contacting element is moved to the activated position.
• the end portion moves to the second position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the end portion to contact the actuation lever and the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
• the end portion is in the first position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each respectively moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example conventional, trigger control mechanism for a fastener-driving tool in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the actuation lever is positioned upon the trigger assembly at its 245 sequential actuation mode position, the workpiece-contacting element has been depressed against the workpiece, but the finger contact portion of the trigger has not yet been depressed or moved upwardly;
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional, trigger control mechanism for the fastener-driving tool of FIG. 1, wherein the actuation lever is 250 positioned upon the trigger assembly at its sequential actuation mode position, the workpiece-contacting element has been removed from its depressed state against the workpiece, and the finger contact portion of the trigger has been depressed or moved upwardly;
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional, trigger control 255 mechanism for the fastener-driving tool of FIGs. 1 and 2, wherein, the actuation lever is positioned upon the trigger assembly at its contact actuation mode position, the workpiece-contacting element has not as yet been depressed against the workpiece, and the finger contact portion of the trigger has not as yet been depressed or moved upwardly;
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional, trigger control 260 mechanism for the fastener-driving tool of FIG. 3, wherein the actuation lever is positioned upon the trigger assembly at its contact actuation mode position, the workpiece-contacting element has been depressed against the workpiece, and the finger contact portion of the trigger has been depressed or moved upwardly;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective, partially exploded view of an example fastener- 265 driving tool having another trigger control mechanism
• FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an example of the trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the work contact element is in a first or rest position;
• FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG. 6, 270 wherein the work contact element is in a second or activated position;
• FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the trigger control mechanism of FIG. 6, wherein the work contact element and the trigger are in the activated positions;
• FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG. 6, 275 wherein the actuation lever remains in contact with the actuation pin and the trigger remains in the activated position while the work contact element returns to the first or rest position;
• FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG. 9, wherein the trigger returns to the non-activated or rest position after a designated amount 280 of time has occurred or elapsed while the trigger was in the activated position;
• FIG. 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the trigger control mechanism shown in FIGs. 1-10;
• FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of another example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of another example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of another example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the trigger control mechanism of
• FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a further example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG. 16 where the actuation lever is repelled by a magnet on the bottom surface of the trigger;
• FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG.
• FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of another example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of a further example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure where the end portion of the workpiece-contacting element is in the first position;
• FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG.
• FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG.
• FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of another example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure where the end portion of the workpiece-contacting element is in the first position;
• FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG.
• FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG.
• FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of a further example trigger control mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure where an end of a reciprocating pin is engaged with the actuation lever;
• FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of the trigger control mechanism of FIG. 320 26 where the workpiece-contacting element has engaged the actuation lever to initiate an actuation of the tool.
• a trigger control mechanism or assembly is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 1 10. More particularly, it 325 is seen that the illustrated trigger control mechanism 1 10 is adapted to be mounted upon a fastener-driving tool 1 12 which comprises a fastener-driving tool housing 1 14.
• a workpiece-contacting element assembly which comprises a lower workpiece-contacting element 1 16 and is adapted to be disposed on contact with a workpiece, and an upper workpiece-contacting element linkage member 1 18 is slidably mounted in a reciprocal 330 manner upon the fastener-driving tool housing 1 14, and a guide member 120 is fixedly mounted upon the fastener-driving tool housing 1 14 so as to guide the upper free end distal portion of the upper workpiece-contacting element linkage member 1 18 during its movement with respect to the trigger control mechanism or assembly 1 10.
• a control valve mechanism or assembly 122 is mounted upon the fastener- 335 driving tool housing 1 14 so as to initiate either a sequential or contact actuation mode of operation of the fastener-driving tool 1 12 when the control valve mechanism or assembly 122 is actuated by means of the trigger control mechanism or assembly 1 10 as will be described below.
• the control valve mechanism or assembly 122 includes a valve member 124 having a valve stem 128 biased by a spring 125 and configured to be seated upon a valve seat 126.
• the valve stem 128 is configured to be engaged by means of an actuation lever 130 of the trigger control mechanism or assembly 1 10.
• the actuation lever 130 is movable between a first or rest position (FIG. 6) and a second or activated position (FIG.
• the control valve mechanism 122 also includes an electromagnet or electromagnetic coil 134 disposed around a portion of the valve stem 128 and defines a throughbore 129 configured to receive the valve stem 128 such that the valve stem reciprocally moves within the throughbore of the electromagnet.
• the trigger control mechanism or assembly 1 10 includes a trigger member 136 which essentially comprises a hollow housing structure having a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 138 (FIG. 5) to accommodate the actuation lever 130 and the coil spring 132 components therebetween. More specifically, the trigger member 136 has a throughbore 137 (FIG. 5) extending through the pair of oppositely disposed side walls for accommodating a pivot pin 139 (FIG. 5) for pivotally mounting the actuation lever 130 within the trigger member or trigger 136. Additionally, a swivel member 150 is mounted to an end of the valve stem as shown in FIGs.
• the swivel member 150 may be mounted to the actuation lever 130 and pivot when the end of the valve stem contacts and engages the swivel member.
• a trigger position sensor assembly 152 (FIG. 7) includes a signal generator
• the trigger sensor is a Hall affect sensor that senses a signal generated by the signal generator when the signal is within a
• 365 designated distance from the sensor. It should be appreciated, however, that a contact sensor or other suitable sensor may be employed as the sensor.
• a work contact element position sensor assembly or WCE position sensor assembly 158 (FIG. 6) is associated with or mounted on the WCE 1 16 and the tool housing 1 14.
• the WCE position sensor assembly 158 which includes a
• 375 sensor assembly 152 and the WCE position sensor assembly 158 are each suitably connected to a controller such as a circuit board for controlling the operation of the tool.
• the electromagnet 134 is not energized and therefore does not hold the trigger 136 in an actuation or activated position. Initially, the trigger 136 and the workpiece-contacting element 1 16
• the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 contacts or is pressed against a workpiece so that the workpiece-contacting element moves upwardly.
• the sensor 160 on the housing 1 14 senses a signal generated by the signal generator 162 on the workpiece-contacting element, the actuation lever 130 moves to a
• the trigger 136 is pressed or moved upwardly until the sensor 154 senses a signal generated by the signal generator 156 on the trigger and the actuation lever 130 contacts and engages the valve stem 128, which indicates that the trigger is in the activated position as shown in FIG. 8.
• the tool may be operated in the sequential actuation mode or non-powered mode as described above when the tool does not have power, i.e., no battery or dead battery.
• the electromagnet 134 is energized or activated when the trigger 136 is moved to the second or activated position shown in FIG. 9. Energizing the electromagnet 134 causes the actuation lever 130 to be magnetically attracted to the swivel contact member 150. This action holds or secures the actuation lever in a position in which it can be contacted by the workpiece-contacting
• the contact actuation or powered mode causes the tool to be actuated in quick succession for driving fasteners along the edge of a board or other similar workpiece.
• 420 workpiece-contacting element position sensor assembly 158 is not activated for a designated period of time, or if the trigger 136 is released from its activated position, the electromagnet 134 is de-energized and releases the actuation lever 130 to the rest position due to the biasing force of the spring 132 as shown in FIG. 10.
• a timer or other suitable time tracking device is connected to and in communication with
• the electromagnet 134 so that when the designed time period expires or is reached, the electromagnet is de-energized and the actuation lever 130 moves out of contact with the swivel contact element 150.
• FIG. 12 another embodiment of the trigger control mechanism 1 10 is illustrated where the end 170 of the valve stem 128 does not include
• the end 170 of the valve stem 128 contacts the actuation lever 130 directly when the actuation lever is moved into contact with the end 170 of the valve stem 128 such as when the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is moved upwardly due to contact with a workpiece.
• the end 170 of the valve stem 128 contacts the actuation lever 130 directly when the actuation lever is moved into contact with the end 170 of the valve stem 128 such as when the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is moved upwardly due to contact with a workpiece.
• valve stem 128 is configured to have a shape, such as a conical shape or conical contact surface, which engages and contacts the actuation lever. It should be appreciated that the end 170 of the valve stem 128 may have any suitable shape such as a round shape or any other suitable shape. Referring now to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the trigger control
• an electromagnet 172 is connected to an end 176 of valve stem 128 secured in the swivel contact member 150 thereby enabling the electromagnet to directly contact the actuation lever 130 when the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is moved to the activated position.
• the electromagnet or electromagnetic coil 134 on the swivel contact member 150 may be
• the actuation lever 130 includes an electromagnet or electromagnetic coil 173 that is in communication with a controller such as a circuit board via suitable wires or cables.
• the electromagnet 173 is attached directly to the actuation lever 130 in the trigger 136.
• electromagnet 173 includes a groove, notch or indent 180 that matingly engages a protruding lock member 182 on the actuation lever 130 for securing the electromagnet in position relative to the actuation lever. Additionally, a biasing member, such as a coil spring 174, surrounds a portion of the end 176 of the valve stem 128. An end 178 of the spring 174 contacts the actuation lever 130 to bias the actuation lever to the non-activated 460 or rest position shown in FIG. 13.
• the electromagnet 173 on the actuation lever 130 is energized when the tool 1 12 is in the contact actuation or powered mode. Energizing the electromagnet 173 creates a magnetic attraction between the electromagnet 172 and the actuation lever 130 and locks the groove 180 and notch 182 in place thereby holding or securing the actuation lever in a position in which it can be
• the actuation lever 130 remains in a position in which it can be contacted by the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 until the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 remains in a non-activated or rest position for a designated period of time or the trigger 136 is released from its activated position.
• the actuation lever 130 is repelled by a magnet assembly 180 to hold the actuation lever in position next to the actuation pin 181 during contact actuation.
• the magnet assembly 180 includes a permanent magnet 182 on the actuation lever 130, which may be any suitable magnet or a plurality of
• magnets 182 and 184 may be an electromagnet.
• the magnet 182 and the electromagnet 184 are generally aligned with each other so that the permanent magnet is adjacent to the electromagnet when the actuation lever 130 is in a rest position or non-activated position as shown in
• the magnet 182 and the electromagnet 184 are positioned so that the polarities of adjacent sides of the magnet and electromagnet are the same.
• a magnet typically has two sides where one side of the magnet has a north or south polarity and the opposing side has an opposite polarity.
• actuation lever 130 has a first polarity or south polarity and the inner or bottom side 190 of the magnet has a second polarity or north polarity.
• the top side 192 of the electromagnet 184 has a north polarity and the bottom side 194 has a south polarity when the electromagnet is energized or activated. This causes the same polarities of the magnet 182 and the electromagnet 184, which in this example are the north polarities, to
• actuation lever 130 remains in the non-activated or rest position on the inner surface 186 of the trigger 136 due to a biasing force generated by biasing member, such as torsion spring 196, attached to the pivoting end of the actuation lever 130.
• biasing member such as torsion spring 196
• the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is pressed on or against a workpiece thereby causing it to move upwardly within the tool housing 1 14 so that it contacts and pushes the actuation lever 130
• the tool is then actuated by pressing the trigger 136 inwardly causing the actuation lever 130 to contact and press the actuation pin 181 inwardly. This sequence is repeated for each sequential actuation of the tool.
• the electromagnet 184 is energized
• actuation lever 130 causing the actuation lever 130, and more specifically, the magnet 182 on the actuation lever to be repelled by the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnet 184 against the biasing force of torsion spring 196.
• the actuation lever 130 is held in position next to the actuation pin 181 while the electromagnet 184 is energized. In this position shown in FIG. 17, the actuation lever 130 can be quickly and repeatedly contacted by the
• the electromagnet 184 is de-energized which causes the actuation lever 130 to return the rest position due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 196 as shown in FIG. 1 16.
• a timer or other suitable time tracking device is connected to and in communication with the 525 electromagnet 184 so that when a programmed designed time period expires or is reached, the electromagnet is de-energized and the actuation lever 130 returns to the rest position.
• valve member 124 includes a biasing member
• the trigger 136 is then pressed inwardly to engage the actuation pin 181 and initiate an actuation of the tool.
• the processor in the tool initiates contact actuation.
• contact actuation the electromagnet 204 is energized which attracts and holds the actuation lever 130 at a position adjacent to the actuation pin 181. Specifically, the electromagnet 204 pivots to be substantially flush with a surface of the actuation lever
• the electromagnet 204 is de-energized thereby eliminating the attraction with the actuation lever 130 and allowing the actuation lever to separate from the electromagnet and return
• the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 includes a fixed portion 206 and an end portion 208 pivotably connected to the fixed portion.
• the end portion 208 is in communication with a controller or processor in the tool, which sends a signal to the end portion to move or pivot from a first position (FIG. 20) to a second position (FIG. 21) based on whether the tool is in the sequential actuation mode or
• the contact actuation mode may be moved by non-electrical means such as pneumatically by using air pressure generated in the cylinder to move the end portion or any other suitable method.
• the end portion 208 is in the first position where it is vertically oriented and generally aligned with the fixed portion 206.
• the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 moves inwardly relative to the housing 1 14 until the workpiece-contacting element sensor 158, and more specifically, the workpiece-contacting element contacts 160, 162 are aligned as described above.
• the user then presses the trigger 136 inwardly so that the actuation lever 130
• the processor sends a signal to the end portion 208 to pivot or rotate a predetermined distance so that the end portion is at a designated angle relative to the fixed portion 206.
• the end portion 208 is in the contact actuation mode
• the angled end portion 208 contacts the actuation lever 130 and moves it against the actuation pin 181 to initiate actuation of the tool.
• the tool will then be actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is depressed against a workpiece while in the contact actuation mode. As stated above, the end portion 208 moves back to its original vertically oriented rest
• the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 includes a fixed portion 210, a transverse guide member 212 connected to the fixed portion and an
• end portion 214 movably connected to the guide member such that the end portion moves or slides along the guide member between a first position (FIG. 23), where the end portion is generally vertically aligned with the fixed portion, and a second position (FIG. 24), where the end portion is offset from the fixed portion.
• the processor sends a signal to the workpiece-contacting element 1 16, and more specifically, to the end portion 214 that causes the end portion to move to the second position or offset position.
• the end portion 214 is positioned adjacent to a central portion of the actuation lever 130 such that it will contact the actuation lever 130. More specifically, in this position, each time the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is pressed against a workpiece, the workpiece-contacting element moves upwardly into the housing 1 14 and pushes the actuation lever 130 against the actuation pin 181 to initiate actuation of the
• the end portion 214 of the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 remains in the second position until the user releases the trigger 136 or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed without actuation of the tool as described above.
• FIGs. 26-27 another embodiment of the trigger control mechanism 1 10 is illustrated where the actuation lever 130 is held in the bump actuation
• the pin 218 may be part of a reciprocating piston 220 as shown in FIG. 22 that is moved by pressurized air supplied from an internal air source, air forced out of the cylinder of the tool during actuation of the tool or by any other suitable method.
• the pin 218 is in communication with the processor which moves the pin
• the pin 218 is retracted or not in contact with the actuation lever 130 thereby allowing the actuation lever to move between the rest position and the actuation position.
• the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is pressed against a workpiece and the trigger 136 is pressed inwardly to initiate actuation of the tool and
• the pin 218 moves to the second position, which is generally at least partially beneath and in contact with the actuation lever 130 to hold the actuation lever in the activated position.
• the trigger 136 is 625 pressed inwardly so that each time the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is pressed against a workpiece, the tool is actuated and a fastener is driven into the workpiece. Subsequent actuations of the tool are initiated each time the workpiece-contacting element 1 16 is pressed against the workpiece.
• the actuation lever 130 returns to the sequential actuation mode when a user releases the trigger 136 or when a designated
• the processor sends a signal to move the piston 220, and more specifically, the pin 218, to the first position which is away from and out of contact with the actuation lever 130 thereby resetting the actuation mode of the tool by releasing the actuation lever to move back to the rest position.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
• Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-08-27 CA CA2921211A patent/CA2921211C/en active Active
  • 2014-08-27 WO PCT/US2014/053022 patent/WO2015053873A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-08-27 EP EP14766060.9A patent/EP3055105B1/de active Active
  • 2014-08-27 NZ NZ716915A patent/NZ716915A/en unknown
  • 2014-08-27 DK DK14766060.9T patent/DK3055105T3/en active
  • 2014-08-27 AU AU2014332444A patent/AU2014332444B2/en active Active

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