Pushing mechanism for powered fastener drivers

Abstract

A powered fastener driver includes a housing, a nosepiece coupled to and extending from the housing, a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position, and a push mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring organized fasteners from a canister magazine to a drive channel in the nosepiece, the drive blade being movable within the drive channel. The push mechanism includes a feed arm and a connecting rod positioned between the feed arm and the drive blade. The feed arm is engageable with individual fasteners in the nosepiece to sequentially push each of the fasteners into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel. The connecting rod is movable to advance the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to contact with the drive blade as the drive blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 020,739, filed May 6, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to powered fastener drivers and, more particularly, to a driving mechanism for a powered fastener driver. Background Art

[0004] Powered fastener drivers are used to drive fasteners (e.g., nails, tacks, staples, etc.) into a workpiece. Such fastener drivers typically include a magazine in which the fasteners are stored, and a push mechanism for individually transferring the fasteners from the magazine to a fastener driving channel where they are struck by a driver blade during a fastener driving operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention provides a powered fastener driver comprising: a housing; a nosepiece coupled to and extending from the housing; a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position; a canister coupled to the nosepiece in which organized fasteners are received; and a push mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring the organized fasteners from the canister to a drive channel in the nosepiece, wherein the drive blade is movable. The push mechanism includes a feed arm and a connecting rod positioned between the feed arm and the drive blade. The feed arm is engageable with individual fasteners in the nosepiece to sequentially push each of the fasteners into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel. The connecting rod is movable to advance the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to contact with the drive blade as the drive blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a powered fastener driver comprising: a housing; a nosepiece coupled to and extending from the housing; and a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position. The drive blade includes a surface and a fin extending from the surface. The powered fastener driver also includes a canister coupled to the nosepiece, in which organized fasteners are received; and a push mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring the organized fasteners from the canister to a drive channel in the nosepiece, within which the drive blade is movable. The push mechanism includes a feed arm and a connecting rod positioned between the feed arm and the drive blade. The feed arm engages with individual fasteners in the nosepiece to sequentially push each of the fasteners into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel. The connecting rod includes a first member and a second member pivotally coupled to the first member via a floating pivot point. The link is movable to urge the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to contacting the drive blade as the drive blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position. As the drive blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position, the floating pivot point is selectively movable relative to the housing via engagement between the fin and the link, thereby causing movement of the link.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a powered fastener driver comprising: a housing; a nosepiece coupled to and extending from the housing; a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position; a piston coupled to the drive blade for movement therewith; a bumper against which the piston abuts when the drive blade is in the driven position; a canister coupled to the nosepiece in which collated fasteners are received; and a push mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring the collated fasteners from the canister to a drive channel in the nosepiece in which the drive blade is movable. The push mechanism includes a feed arm and a push arm coupled for movement with the bumper. The feed arm is engageable with individual fasteners in the nosepiece to push each of the fasteners sequentially into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel. The pusher arm is movable to urge the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to contact between the piston and the bumper when the drive blade reaches the driven position.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a powered fastener driver comprising: a housing; a nosepiece coupled to and extending from the housing; a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position; a canister coupled to the nosepiece in which collated fasteners are received; and a push mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring the collated fasteners from the canister to a drive channel in the nosepiece, the drive blade being movable within the drive channel. The push mechanism comprises: a feed arm engageable with individual fasteners in the nosepiece to sequentially push each of the fasteners into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel; and a pivot arm positioned between the feed arm and the drive blade. The pivot arm is movable to advance the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to contact with the drive blade as the drive blade moves from the ready position toward the driven position.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a powered fastener driver comprising: a housing; a nosepiece coupled to and extending from the housing; a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position; a piston coupled to the drive blade for movement therewith; a drive cylinder in which the piston is movable; a reservoir cylinder containing pressurized gas and in fluid communication with the drive cylinder, the pressurized gas acting on the piston to bias the drive blade toward the driven position; a canister coupled to the nosepiece in which organized fasteners are received; and a push mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring organized fasteners from the canister to a drive channel in the nosepiece. The push mechanism comprises: a feed arm engageable with individual fasteners in the nosepiece to sequentially push each of the fasteners into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel; and a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder includes a plunger movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The feed arm is coupled to the plunger for movement therewith. The plunger is movable to advance the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to an exchange of pressurized gas with the reservoir cylinder.

[0010] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a powered fastener driver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A plan view of a fastener driver with the housing removed, showing the push mechanism.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded front stereoscopic view of the propulsion mechanism.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Another exploded front perspective view of the pushing mechanism.

[0015] Figure 5A yes Figure 2 A plan view of the push mechanism at the beginning of the firing cycle.

[0016] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the push mechanism at the beginning of the firing cycle.

[0017] Figure 6A yes Figure 2 A plan view of the push mechanism during the firing cycle.

[0018] Figure 6B yes Figure 6A Cross-sectional view of the push mechanism during the firing cycle.

[0019] Figure 7A yes Figure 2 A plan view of the push mechanism during the firing cycle.

[0020] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Cross-sectional view of the push mechanism during the firing cycle.

[0021] Figure 8A yes Figure 2 A plan view of the push mechanism at the end of the firing cycle.

[0022] Figure 8B yes Figure 8A Cross-sectional view of the push mechanism at the end of the firing cycle.

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a fastener driver according to another embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed to illustrate the pushing mechanism.

[0024] Figure 10A yes Figure 9 A plan view of the push mechanism of FIG. 1 is shown showing the push mechanism just before engaging the drive blade.

[0025] Figure 10B yes Figure 9 A plan view of the push mechanism of FIG. 1 , showing the push mechanism being actuated by engagement with the drive blade.

[0026] Figure 11A yes Figure 10A Schematic diagram of the propulsion mechanism.

[0027] Figure 11B yes Figure 10B Schematic diagram of the propulsion mechanism.

[0028] Figure 12 is a plan view of a fastener driver according to another embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed to illustrate the push mechanism.

[0029] Figure 13A is a plan view of a fastener driver according to another embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed illustrating the push mechanism just prior to engagement with the driver blade.

[0030] Figure 13B yes Figure 13A A plan view of the push mechanism of FIG. 1 , showing the push mechanism being actuated by engagement with the drive blade.

[0031] Figure 14 yes Figure 13A A three-dimensional diagram of the driving mechanism.

[0032] Figure 15 is a plan view of a fastener driver according to another embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed to illustrate the push mechanism.

[0033] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the push mechanism.

[0034] Figure 17 is with Figure 15 An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a pushing mechanism for use with a fastener driver.

[0035] Figure 18A is with Figure 15 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of a push mechanism for use with a fastener driver is shown showing the push mechanism in a first position.

[0036] Figure 18B yes Figure 19A Schematic diagram of the pushing mechanism in the second position.

[0037] Figure 19A yes Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the pushing mechanism in the first position.

[0038] Figure 19B yes Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the pushing mechanism in the second position.

[0039] Figure 20is a plan view of a fastener driver according to another embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed to illustrate the push mechanism.

[0040] Figure 21 yes Figure 20 Exploded three-dimensional diagram of the driving mechanism.

[0041] Figure 22 is a plan view of a fastener driver according to another embodiment of the present invention with a portion removed to illustrate the push mechanism.

[0042] Figure 23 yes Figure 22 Plan view of the propulsion mechanism.

[0043] Before explaining any embodiments of the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the application of the present invention is not limited to the construction details and component arrangements set forth in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in a variety of different ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] refer to Figures 1 to 2 , the gas spring powered fastener driver 10 is operable to drive fasteners (e.g., nails) contained within a magazine 14 into a workpiece. The fastener driver 10 includes a housing 16, a cylinder 18 supported by the housing 16, and a movable piston 22 positioned within the cylinder 18. The fastener driver 10 further includes a drive blade 26 attached to and movable with the piston 22. The fastener driver 10 does not require an external source of air pressure, but rather includes a reservoir cylinder 30 of pressurized gas in fluid communication with the cylinder 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder 18 and the movable piston 22 are positioned within the reservoir cylinder 30.

[0045] See also Figure 2 The cylinder 18 and the driver blade 26 define a drive axis 38, and during a drive cycle, the driver blade 26 and the piston 22 are movable between a top dead center ("TDC") position and a bottom dead center ("BDC") or "driven" position. The fastener driver 10 further includes a lift mechanism 42 powered by a motor 46 and operable to move the driver blade 26 from the BDC position toward the TDC position.

[0046] In operation, the lift mechanism 42 drives the piston 22 and the drive blade 26 toward the TDC position by energizing the motor 46. As the piston 22 and the drive blade 26 are driven toward the TDC position, the gas above the piston 22 and the gas within the reservoir cylinder 30 are compressed. Just before reaching the TDC position, the motor 46 is deactivated, causing the piston 22 and the drive blade 26 to stop in the ready position. The piston 22 and the drive blade 26 remain in the ready position until they are released by the user activating the trigger 44. When released, the compressed gas above the piston 22 and within the reservoir 30 drives the piston 22 and the drive blade 26 to the BDC position, thereby driving the fastener into the workpiece. The fastener driver 10 shown thus utilizes the lift assembly 42 and the piston 22 to operate on the gas spring principle to further compress the gas within the cylinder 18 and the reservoir cylinder 30.

[0047] The canister cassette 14 includes organized fasteners 48 arranged in a coil. The cassette 14 is coupled to a nosepiece 50 ( Figures 3 and 4 ), in which the fasteners 48 are received. The fasteners 48 are sequentially transferred or loaded from the magazine 14 to the driver channel 54 in the nose frame 50 by the push mechanism 58. After the fasteners 48 are inserted into the driver channel 54, the driver blade 26 can be moved within the driver channel 54 to discharge the fasteners 48 into the workpiece.

[0048] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pushing mechanism 58 is driven synchronously with the lifting mechanism 42 by a gear train 66 coupled to the transmission output shaft 70 and a cam 62 receiving torque from the gear train 66, thereby rotating the cam 62 together with the lifting mechanism 42. The gear train 66 is composed of a first gear set 71 received on the nose 50. The movement of the sliding body 90 is limited to the direction of the arrows A1 and A2 (as shown in FIG. 1 ) relative to the cassette 14 and parallel to the guide rails 95. Figure 2 It moves linearly back and forth in the direction shown).

[0049] The pushing mechanism 58 further includes a feed arm 94 that is pivotally coupled to the sliding body 90 about a pivot axis 99 that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sliding body 90 along arrows A1 and A2. Since the feed arm 94 is supported on the sliding body 90, the feed arm 94 reciprocates along the directions of arrows A1 and A2 together with the sliding body 90 in response to the reciprocating pivotal movement of the lever 74.

[0050] Prior to the initiation of the firing cycle, the forward-most fastener 48 is positioned in the drive channel 54, the slide body 90 is in a forward-most position relative to the nosepiece 50, and the feed arm 94 is pivoted to an inboard position to thereby cause one of the fasteners 48 rearward of the forward-most fastener 48 to be received in the alignment notch 98 of the feed arm 94 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5BThe forward position of the sliding body 90 coincides with the roller 78, which contacts the valley 104 of the cam 62 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 shown).

[0051] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 The stop pawls 105 are pivotally coupled to a shaft 106 carried on the nose bridge access door 103, which is pivotally coupled to the nose bridge 50. Each stop pawl 105 includes a finger 107 that contacts the fastener 48. Figure 5B ) biases the corresponding stop pawl 105 toward the fastener 48 to maintain the finger 107 in contact with the fastener 48 as the fastener 48 is advanced toward the nosepiece 50. In operation, when the feed arm 94 is moved in direction A1 ( Figure 6B ) is retracted, the finger 107 of each stop pawl 105 remains engaged with one of the sorted fasteners 48 while the feed arm 94 pivots about the same fastener 48. After clearing the fastener 48, the feed arm 94 pivots toward the inboard position and behind the fastener 48 ( Figure 7B As the feed arm 94 moves the fasteners 48 to the drive channel 54, the stop pawl 105 is biased away from the fasteners 48 to allow the collated fasteners 48 to advance ( Figure 8B ). The spring that biases the corresponding stop pawl 105 is then rebounded, thereby positioning the stop pawl 105 between the next two fasteners 48 in the sequence to prevent the organized fasteners 48 from moving toward the canister magazine 14 ( Figure 6B ) moves backward.

[0052] When the firing cycle begins (e.g., by the user pulling the trigger 44 of the fastener driver 10), the motor 46 is activated to rotate the lift mechanism 42 to release the driver blade 26, thereby permitting the gas 30 in the reservoir cylinder to expand and push the piston 22 downward into the cylinder 18. Before the piston 22 reaches the bottom dead center position in the cylinder 18, the driver blade 26 strikes the fastener 48 in the driver channel 54 to discharge the fastener 48 from the nose 50 into the workpiece. During this time, the lift mechanism 42 continues to rotate (i.e., by providing torque to the transmission output shaft 70 via the motor 46) to return the piston 22 and the driver blade 26 to the ready position in the cylinder 18. Simultaneously, the rotating transmission output shaft 70 and the gear train 66 rotate the cam 62.

[0053] The cam 62 rotates approximately 360 degrees so that as the cam surface transitions from the valley 104 to the peak 108 ( Figure 5A 、 Figure 6A and Figure 7A ), the roller 78 follows the cam 62, thereby causing the lever 74 to move about the axis 76 in the direction of the arrow A0 ( Figure 2) is pivoted in the opposite direction. When the lever 74 pivots, the fork 84 pushes the protruding pin 92 of the sliding body 90 to convert the pivotal movement of the lever 74 into the linear movement of the body 90 ( Figure 6A As the body 90 slides away from the drive channel 54 in the direction A1, the feed arm 94 pivots to clear the next fastener in the sequence ( Figure 6A and Figure 6B At this point, the stop pawl 105 remains engaged with one of the fasteners 48 to prevent the collated fasteners 48 from being driven rearwardly toward the canister 14. When the body 90 is in the position furthest from the drive channel 54 (i.e., when the body 90 changes translation direction from A1 to A2), the spring biases the feed arm 94 to the rear of the next fastener 48 in the sequence ( Figure 7A and Figure 7B ). Continued rotation of the cam 62 then causes the roller 78 to transition from the peak 108 back to the valley 104, allowing the torsion spring 77 acting on the lever 74 to rebound, thereby pivoting the lever 74 in the direction of arrow A0 and moving the fork 84, and therefore the body 90, forward. The forward movement of the body 90 in the direction A2 toward the drive channel 54 causes the feed arm 94 to move forward ( Figure 8A and Figure 8B ), and thus push the collated fasteners 48 forward, and push one of the fasteners into the drive channel 54A ( Figure 5A and Figure 5B ). Thus, pivotal movement of lever 74 in the direction of arrow A0 and then in the direction opposite to arrow A0 as described above defines a complete reloading cycle of one of the collated fasteners 48 into drive channel 54.

[0054] Figures 9 to 11B Another embodiment of a push mechanism 58A is shown for use with a gas spring powered fastener driver, similar to that described above and in Figure 1 8. Accordingly, features and elements of fastener driver and pushing mechanism 58A that correspond to like features and elements of fastener driver 10 and pushing mechanism 58 have like reference numerals followed by the letter "A."

[0055] Similar to the actuator 10, the actuator in which the push mechanism 58A is used includes a lift mechanism (not shown) that returns the piston (not shown) and the driver blade 26A from the BDC position toward the ready position by energizing the motor (not shown). The push mechanism 58A differs from the push mechanism 58 in that the push mechanism 58A is actuated by the impact of the driver blade 26A during the retraction stroke of the driver blade 26A from the BDC position toward the ready position.

[0056] See also Figure 10A and Figure 10B , the drive blade 26A includes a fin 200 on its rear surface 202 that is configured to pivot the linkage assembly 204 of the advancement mechanism 58A, thereby causing the body 90A and the attached feed arm 94A to translate back and forth to load the fasteners 48 into the drive channel 54A. The fin 200 includes a first surface 208 that is inclined at an oblique angle relative to the rear surface 202 and a second surface 212 that is perpendicular to the rear surface 202 of the drive blade 26A. The linkage assembly 204 includes a finger 216 that is pivotally coupled to the support arm 220 about a first pivot point 224. A spring 228 rotates the finger 216 in a counterclockwise direction (from Figure 10A 26A. The support arm 220 is pivotally coupled to the fixed portion of the driver 10A via a first fixed pivot point 232. The support arm 220 is pivotally coupled to the lever 74A via a floating pivot point 240, and the lever 74A is pivotally coupled to the fork 84A via a second fixed pivot point 86A. The remainder of the push mechanism 58A (e.g., the body 90A and the attached feed arm 94A) is identical to the body 90 and feed arm 94 of the push mechanism 58.

[0057] When the firing cycle begins, the driver blade 26A moves from the TDC position to the driven position or BDC position. As the driver blade 26A moves toward the BDC position, the distal end of the finger 216 slides along the inclined first surface 208 of the fin 200 to rotate the finger 216 in a clockwise direction (from Figure 11A After the distal end of the finger 216 slides on the second surface 212, the spring 228 rebounds to pivot the finger 216 back in a counterclockwise direction. Figure 10A 20, wherein the distal end of the finger 216 is spaced from the rear surface 202 of the drive blade 26A but can engage the second surface 212 during the retraction stroke of the drive blade 26A. At this point, the remainder of the linkage assembly (including the support arm 220, the lever 74A, and the fork 84A) remains stationary. Thus, the body 90A and the attached feed arm 94A (e.g., Figure 10A The position of the ) remains unchanged.

[0058] However, as the drive blade 26A retracts from the BDC position toward the ready position, the distal end of the finger 216 contacts the second surface 212 of the fin 200 (eg, Figure 10A As shown). Since the finger-shaped member 216 cannot Figure 10AThe position shown is further pivoted in the counterclockwise direction, so continued retraction of the drive blade 26A applies a moment to the support arm 220 about the pivot point 232, causing the support arm 220 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction. Because the floating pivot point 240 is secured to the end of the support arm 220, a moment is also applied to the lever 74A and the fork 84A, causing both to pivot about the pivot point 86A (from the left to the right). Figure 10A In the reference system, in the clockwise direction), and the body 90A and the attached feed arm 94A are translated backward to Figure 10B The position shown now has feed arm 94A positioned behind new fasteners 48A in the collated strip.

[0059] As the drive blade 26A continues to retract to the ready position, further pivoting of the fork 84A is inhibited, while the lever 74A continues to move (in Figure 11B ). Continued movement of lever 74A winds up torsion spring 248 (displayed schematically in FIG. 1 ) disposed between lever 74A and fork 84A. Figure 9 As the finger 216 passes through the transition between the second surface 212 and the first surface 208 of the fin 200, the counterclockwise rotation of the connecting rod assembly (from Figure 11A The torsion spring 250 ( Figure 9 ) starts to rebound, thus moving in the counterclockwise direction (from Figure 11B The torsion spring 248 also rebounds, causing the lever 74A and the fork 84A to return to alignment with each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 11A Continued rotation of lever 74A in the counterclockwise direction rotates floating pivot point 240 downward, thereby pivoting support arm 220 in a clockwise direction about first fixed pivot point 232, thereby maintaining the distal end of finger 216 in engagement with inclined surface 208 of fin 200 as drive blade 26A approaches the ready position. Also, during this time, fork 84A pivots in a counterclockwise direction about second fixed pivot point 86A, translating body 90a and attached feed arm 94A forward and toward drive channel 54A, causing feed arm 94A to push another fastener 48A into drive channel 54A.

[0060] Figure 12 Another embodiment of a push mechanism 58B is shown for use with a gas spring powered fastener driver, similar to that described above and in Figure 1 8. Accordingly, features and elements of fastener driver and pushing mechanism 58B that correspond to like features and elements of fastener driver 10 and pushing mechanism 58 have like reference numerals followed by the letter "B."

[0061] Push mechanism 58B differs from push mechanism 58 in that push mechanism 58B is actuated using the energy of a gas spring during a fastener driving operation. Push mechanism 58B includes a link or push arm 300 extending between a bumper 308 located within cylinder 18B and a fork 84B pivotally coupled to nosepiece 50B. Push mechanism 58B also includes a body 90B and an attached feed arm 94B, both of which are similar to those described above and Figure 1 7D. The pusher arm 300 is coupled to move with a buffer 308, which is supported within the cylinder 18B by a buffer spring (not shown). The spring (e.g., a compression spring) pulls the buffer 308 and the attached pusher arm 300 away from the nosepiece 50B to the left (from the Figure 12 Although not shown, the pushing mechanism 58B also includes a torsion spring (which is similar to Figure 9 The torsion spring 250 in the fork 84B is used to rotate the fork 84B in the counterclockwise direction (from Figure 12 (See the reference frame) bias.

[0062] During a fastener driving operation, as the drive blade 26B approaches the BDC position, the movable piston 22B to which the drive blade 26B is attached strikes the bumper 308. This strike compresses the bumper spring and moves the bumper 308 toward the nose 50B. The pusher arm 300 moves with the bumper 308, causing the cam portion of the pusher arm 300 to slide along the follower portion of the fork 84B, thereby applying a torque to the fork 84B to rotate it clockwise about the stationary pivot point 310, thereby coupling the fork 84B to the nose 50B. The movement exerted on the fork 84B causes the block 90B and the attached feed arm 94B to shift rearward, thereby allowing the feed arm 94B to pick up the next fastener 48B in the collated strip.

[0063] After the movable piston 22B and the drive blade 26B begin to retract toward the ready position, the buffer spring rebounds to push the buffer 308 and the pusher arm 300 away from the nose bridge 50B. This permits the torsion spring acting on the fork 84B to rebound to move the fork 84B in a counterclockwise direction (from Figure 12 54B) pivots and shifts block 90B and attached feed arm 94B forward, positioning another fastener 48B in drive channel 54B.

[0064] Figures 13A to 14 Another embodiment of a push mechanism 58C is shown for use with a gas spring powered fastener driver, similar to that described above and in Figure 18. Accordingly, features and elements of fastener driver and pushing mechanism 58C that correspond to like features and elements of fastener driver 10 and pushing mechanism 58 have like reference numerals followed by the letter "C."

[0065] Push mechanism 58C differs from push mechanism 58 in that push mechanism 58C is actuated using the energy of a gas spring during a fastener driving operation. Push mechanism 58C includes a fork 84C (pivot arm) that is pivotally coupled to nosepiece 50C via a fixed pivot point 400. Push mechanism 58C also includes a body 90C and an attached feed arm 94C, both of which are similar to those described above and Figure 1 To the body 90 and feed arm 94 shown in Figure 8. Figure 13A and Figure 13B As shown, the fork 84C includes a follower portion that can engage the cam portion 402 on the drive blade 26C during movement of the drive blade 26C toward the BDC position. Although not shown, the urging mechanism 58C further includes a spring (e.g., a torsion spring) for urging the fork 84C in a clockwise direction (from Figure 13A and Figure 13B 50C).

[0066] During the fastener driving operation, as the driver blade 26C approaches the BDC position, the cam portion 402 of the driver blade 26C strikes the follower portion of the fork 84C. This strike applies a moment to the fork 84C causing it to rotate in a clockwise direction (from 0 to 100°) about the stationary pivot point 400. Figure 13A The movement exerted on the fork 84C causes the block 90C and the attached feed arm 94C to shift rearward ( Figure 13B ), thereby allowing the feed arm 94B to pick up the next fastener 48B in the collated strip.

[0067] After the movable piston 22C and the drive blade 26C begin to retract toward the ready position, the spring acting on the fork 84C rebounds to move the fork 84C in a counterclockwise direction (from Figure 13B ) pivots and shifts the block 90C and attached feed arm 94C forward ( Figure 13A ), thereby positioning another fastener 48C in drive channel 54C.

[0068] Figure 15 and Figure 16 Another embodiment of a push mechanism 58D is shown for use with a gas spring powered fastener driver, similar to that described above and in Figure 18. Accordingly, features and elements of the fastener driver and pushing mechanism 58D that correspond to like features and elements of the fastener driver 10 and pushing mechanism 58D have like reference numerals followed by the letter "D."

[0069] Similar to driver 10, a driver in which a push mechanism 58D is used includes a lift mechanism (not shown) that returns the piston (not shown) and the drive blade 26D from the BDC position toward the ready position by energizing a motor (not shown). Push mechanism 58D differs from push mechanism 58 in that it is actuated using the energy of a gas spring during a fastener driving operation. Push mechanism 58D includes a pneumatic cylinder 500 that is coupled to a mounting portion of the canister magazine 14D or another portion of the fastener driver. Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, the cylinder 500 includes an outer housing 508 and a plunger 516 extending from the outer housing 508. The plunger 516 includes a piston 517 at one end and a mounting member 518 at the opposite end to which the body 90D is coupled. The cylinder 500 also includes a spring (e.g., a compression spring 528) that biases the plunger 516 toward a retracted position within the outer housing 508, and an inlet / outlet port (not shown) in the rear portion of the outer housing 508 (i.e., opposite the end from which the plunger 516 protrudes) that is in fluid communication with the reservoir cylinder 30 (via an internal or external hose or passage).

[0070] The feed arm 94D is pivotally coupled to the plunger 516 via the slide body 90D. Because the feed arm 94D is supported by the plunger 516, the feed arm 94D reciprocates with the slide body 90D in response to the reciprocating pivotal movement of the plunger 516. In an alternative embodiment, the feed arm 94D may be directly coupled to the plunger mount 618.

[0071] In operation, when the driver blade 26D is in the ready position prior to a fastener driving operation, pressurized gas in the reservoir cylinder 30 (via the inlet / outlet ports) fills the outer housing 508 and applies pressure to the plunger piston 517 sufficient to maintain the plunger 516 in the ready position. Figure 1554D. As shown in FIG. 2 , the force applied to the extended position by the drive blade 26D is increased. After the drive blade 26D moves to the BDC position and strikes the fastener 48D, the pressure within the reservoir cylinder 30D rapidly decreases, thereby also reducing the pressure of the compressed gas acting on the plunger piston 517. This allows the spring 528 to rebound, retracting the plunger 516 into the outer housing 508 and causing the feed arm 94D to slide away from the drive channel 54D, thereby allowing the feed arm 94D to pivot behind the next fastener 48D in the collated strip. As the drive blade 26D returns from the BDC position toward the ready position, the pressure within the reservoir cylinder 30D increases. This pressure increase is communicated to the outer housing 508 via the inlet / outlet ports. When the force applied to the plunger piston 517 becomes greater than the biasing force of the spring 528, the plunger 516 extends from the outer housing 508, moving the attached sliding body 90D and feed arm 94D toward the drive channel 54D to reload another fastener into the drive channel 54D.

[0072] Figures 17 to 18B Another embodiment of a push mechanism 58E is shown for use with a gas spring powered fastener driver, similar to that described above and in Figure 1 8. Accordingly, features and elements of the fastener driver and pushing mechanism 58 that correspond to like features and elements of the fastener driver 10 and pushing mechanism 58E are given like reference numerals followed by the letter "E."

[0073] Similar to driver 10, the driver in which push mechanism 58E is used includes a lift mechanism (not shown) that returns the piston (not shown) and drive blade 26E from the BDC position toward the ready position by energizing a motor (not shown). Push mechanism 58E differs from push mechanism 58 in that push mechanism 58E is actuated using the energy of a gas spring during a fastener driving operation. Push mechanism 58E includes a pneumatic cylinder 600 that is coupled to a mounting portion of the canister magazine 14E or another portion of the fastener driver. Figure 17 As shown, the cylinder 600 includes an outer housing 608 and a plunger 616 extending from the outer housing 608. The plunger 616 includes a piston 617 at one end and a mount 618 at the opposite end to which the feed arm 94E is pivotally coupled, and is movable in an extended position ( Figure 18B ) and retracted position ( Figure 18A) moves between. The plunger piston 617 divides the outer housing 608 into a first side 620 and a second side 624. The plunger piston 616 includes a shut-off valve 636 that selectively fluidly connects the first side 620 with the second side 624 via an axial passage 638 passing through the plunger piston 617. The reservoir 640 is adjacent to the pneumatic cylinder 600 and is fluidly connected to the first side 620 via an inlet / outlet port 644. The cylinder 600 also includes an inlet / outlet port 632 in the rear portion of the outer housing 608 (i.e., opposite the end from which the plunger 616 protrudes) that is in fluid communication with the reservoir cylinder 30 (via an internal or external hose or passage).

[0074] Feed arm 94E is directly connected to plunger 616 and as such reciprocates with plunger 616 in response to reciprocation of plunger 616 between extended and retracted positions. In alternative embodiments, feed arm 94E may be indirectly connected or coupled to plunger 616 via a sliding body (similar to body 90).

[0075] In operation, when the drive blade 26E is in the ready position, the pressure in the first side 620 and the second side 624 of the outer shell 608 and the pressure in the reservoir 640 are maintained in the extended position ( Figure 18B ) and are equal. At this time, the stop valve 636 appears as follows Figure 18A 624. The undeflected state is shown because the pressure of the compressed gas in the first side 620 is equal to that in the second side 624. After the drive blade 26E moves to the BDC position and strikes the fastener 48E, the pressure in the reservoir cylinder 30E drops rapidly, thereby also reducing the pressure of the compressed gas in the second side 624. Because this passage is kept closed by the shutoff valve 636, the pressure in the first side 620 remains constant, thereby creating a force imbalance on the plunger piston 617, causing the plunger 616 to retract into the outer housing 608 and causing the feed arm 94E to slide away from the drive channel 54E. This allows the feeder arm 94E to pivot behind the next fastener 48E in the collated strip.

[0076] As the drive blade 26E returns from the BDC position toward the ready position, the pressure within the reservoir cylinder 30E increases. This pressure increase is communicated to the outer housing 608 via the inlet / outlet port 632. When the pressure of the compressed gas in the second side 624 exceeds the pressure of the compressed gas in the first side 620 and the reservoir 640, the shutoff valve 636 opens to permit compressed gas to pass from the second side 624 to the first side 620 via the passage 638 and create a force imbalance on the plunger piston 617. When the force exerted on the plunger piston 617 (from the compressed gas in the second side 624, which has a larger exposed area than the first side 620) becomes greater than the force exerted on the opposite side of the plunger piston 617 (from the compressed gas in the first side 620, which has a smaller exposed area), the plunger 616 extends from the outer housing 608. This causes the attached feed arm 94E to move toward the drive channel 54E to reload another fastener into the drive channel 54E ( Figure 18B ).

[0077] Figure 19A and Figure 19B Another embodiment of a push mechanism 58D is shown for use with a gas spring powered fastener driver, similar to that described above and in Figure 1 8. Accordingly, features and elements of the fastener driver and pushing mechanism 58D that correspond to like features and elements of the fastener driver 10 and pushing mechanism 58D have like reference numerals followed by the letter "F."

[0078] Similar to driver 10, a driver in which a push mechanism 58F is used includes a lift mechanism (not shown) that returns a piston (not shown) and drive blade 26F from the BDC position toward the ready position by energizing a motor (not shown). Push mechanism 58F differs from push mechanism 58 in that push mechanism 58F is actuated using the energy of a gas spring during a fastener driving operation. Push mechanism 58F includes a pneumatic cylinder 700 that is coupled to a mounting portion of a canister magazine 14F or another portion of the fastener driver. Cylinder 700 includes an outer housing 708 and a plunger 716 extending from outer housing 708. Plunger 716 includes a piston 717 at one end and a mounting member 718 at an opposite end to which feed arm 94F is pivotally coupled, and is movable in an extended position ( Figure 18B ) and retracted position ( Figure 18A) moves between. The plunger piston 716 divides the outer housing 708 into a first side 720 and a second side 724. The first side 720 includes a plunger spring 728 disposed about the plunger 716 for biasing the plunger 716 toward the second side 724. The reservoir 740 is adjacent to the pneumatic cylinder 700 and is fluidly connected to the first side 720 via an inlet port 744a / outlet port 744b. The cylinder 700 also includes an inlet / outlet port 732 in the rear portion of the outer housing 708 (i.e., opposite the end from which the plunger 716 protrudes), which is in fluid communication with the reservoir cylinder 30 (via an internal or external hose or passage).

[0079] Feed arm 94E is directly connected to plunger 716 and as such reciprocates therewith in response to reciprocation of plunger 716 between extended and retracted positions. In alternative embodiments, feed arm 94F may be indirectly connected or coupled to plunger 716 via a sliding body (similar to body 90).

[0080] In operation, when the drive blade 26F is in the ready position, the pressure in the first side 720 and the second side 724 of the outer housing 708 opposes the pressure in the reservoir 740 (via the inlet port 744a / outlet port 744b). Because the exposed surface area of ​​the plunger 717 on the second side 724 is greater than the exposed surface area on the first side 720, the net force exerted on the plunger 717 on the second side 724 is greater than the force exerted by the spring 728, thereby maintaining the plunger 716 in the extended position ( Figure 19B ). After the drive blade 26F moves to the BDC position and strikes the fastener 48F, the pressure within the reservoir cylinder 30F drops rapidly, thereby also reducing the pressure of the compressed gas in the second side 724. This reduces the force exerted on the plunger piston 717 on the second side 724, thereby allowing the spring 728 to quickly rebound and partially retract the plunger 716 to close the inlet / outlet port 744b. With the inlet / outlet port 744b closed and the pressure in the first side 720 remaining substantially unchanged, a force imbalance is created on the plunger piston 717, causing the spring 728 and the compressed gas in the reservoir 740 to push the plunger piston 717 toward the second side 724 and slide the feed arm 94F away from the drive channel 54F ( Figure 19A ). This allows the feeder arm 94F to pivot behind the next fastener 48F in the collated strip.

[0081] As the drive blade 26F returns from the BDC position toward the ready position, the pressure within the reservoir cylinder 30F increases. This pressure increase is communicated to the outer housing 708 via the inlet / outlet port 732. When the force exerted on the plunger piston 717 (from the compressed gas in the second side 724, which has a larger exposed area than the first side 720) becomes greater than the force exerted on the opposite side of the plunger piston 716 (from the compressed gas in the first side 720, which has a smaller exposed area; and the biasing force of the spring 728), the plunger 716 extends from the outer housing 708 ( Figure 19B ), thereby opening the inlet / outlet port 744 to equalize the pressure of the compressed gas in the first side 720 and the second side 724. This causes the attached feed arm 94F to move toward the drive channel 54F to reload another fastener into the drive channel 54F ( Figure 18B ).

[0082] Figure 20 A gas spring powered fastener driver 10G is shown that includes another embodiment of a push mechanism 58G. The driver 10G is similar to the one described above. Figure 1 8. Accordingly, features and elements of drive 1OG that correspond to features and elements of drive 10 have like reference numerals followed by the letter "G."

[0083] Like the actuator 10, the actuator 10G includes a lifting mechanism (not shown) that returns the piston (not shown) and the driving blade (not shown) to the ready position by energizing the motor (not shown). The difference between the pushing mechanism 58G and the pushing mechanism 58 is that the pushing mechanism 58G uses the power from the battery pack 100 ( Figure 1 ) is driven by the electric energy. In particular, the pushing mechanism 58G includes a solenoid 800 ( Figure 21), the solenoid is coupled to the canister 14G via a bracket 804 that clamps the solenoid housing 808 to a mounting portion 812 of the canister 14G. The bracket 804 is secured to the mounting portion 812 of the canister 14G via a plurality of fasteners 814 or the like. A plunger 816 is disposed within the solenoid housing 808 and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, a plunger spring 820 disposed about the plunger 816 biases the plunger 816 away from the solenoid housing 808. In the retracted position, the solenoid 800 is engaged, meaning that the electromagnet attracts the plunger 816 within the solenoid housing 808 against the bias of the spring 820. A plate 824 is coupled to one end of the plunger 816 such that movement of the plunger 816 causes the plate 824 to reciprocate. The push mechanism 58G further includes a sliding body 90G having an opening 828 for receiving the end of the plate 824 to secure the body 90G to the plate 824. The movement of the sliding body 90G is limited to reciprocating linear movement in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 relative to the magazine 14G by the engagement of the guide rails 832 and the grooves 836. A feed arm 94G is pivotally coupled to the sliding body 90G about a pivot axis 99G that is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the sliding body 90G along the arrows A1 and A2 and is biased toward the fastener 48G by a compression spring 844. Because the feed arm 94G is supported on the sliding body 90G, the feed arm 94G reciprocates along the directions of arrows A1 and A2 with the sliding body 90G in response to the reciprocating movement of the plunger 816.

[0084] In operation, after the driving blade (not shown) hits the fastener (not shown), the solenoid 800 is activated so that the plunger 816 is retracted and therefore the body 90G is slid off the drive channel 54G along the A1 direction, thereby allowing the feed arm to pivot to remove the next fastener in the sequence. When the plunger 816 is fully retracted, the body 90G is in the position farthest from the drive channel 54G, thereby allowing the spring to bias the feed arm 94G to the rear of the next fastener in the sequence. At this point, the solenoid 800 is deactivated, thereby causing the plunger spring 820 to bias the plunger 816 outwards. The outward movement of the plunger 816 moves the body 90G, and then the feed arm 94G is moved toward the drive channel 54G. When the plunger 816 is fully extended, the front fastener is delivered to the drive channel 54G by the feed arm 94G.

[0085] Figure 22 and Figure 23 A gas spring powered fastener driver 10H is shown that includes another embodiment of a push mechanism 58H. The driver 10H is similar to the one described above. Figure 18. Accordingly, features and elements of driver 10H that correspond to features and elements of driver 10 have similar reference numerals followed by the letter "H." Furthermore, the following description focuses primarily on the differences between propulsion mechanism 58H and propulsion mechanism 58.

[0086] Like the driver 10, the driver 10H includes a lifting mechanism (not shown) that returns the piston (not shown) and the driving blade (not shown) to the ready position by energizing the motor (not shown). The difference between the pushing mechanism 58H and the pushing mechanism 58 is that the pushing mechanism 58H uses the power from the battery pack 100 ( Figure 1 ) is driven by electrical energy. Specifically, the propulsion mechanism 58H includes an indexing wheel 900 that is rotatably coupled to the nosepiece 50H and feeds the organized fasteners 48H toward the drive channel 54H. The indexing wheel 900 includes a plurality of teeth 904 concentrically arranged about the indexing wheel 900. A worm gear 908 is configured to mesh with a driven gear 910 coupled to the indexing wheel 900. Rotation of the driven gear 910 via the worm gear 908 rotates the indexing wheel 900, thereby propelling the fasteners 48H forward via an arm 904 on the indexing wheel 900. In some embodiments, the worm gear 908 is rotated by an electric motor 912 that is separate from the motor driving the lifting mechanism. The motor 912 can be supported by the housing of the fastener driver 10H, the magazine 14H, or another component of the driver 10H. In other embodiments, the worm gear 908 is rotated by the retraction of the workpiece contact bracket in response to the workpiece contact bracket abutting the workpiece and moving to the retracted position. In a further embodiment, the worm gear 908 is rotated by rebounding from a compression spring that is configured to be compressed by a user.

[0087] In operation, the power source rotates the worm gear 908, which in turn rotates the driven gear 910, which in turn rotates the indexing wheel 900. The system determines when the power source rotates the worm gear 908. The system can actuate the worm gear 908, thereby actuating the indexing wheel 900, based on the position of the drive blade 26H or alternatively based on a timing scheme. As the worm gear 908 rotates, the worm gear 908 rotates the indexing wheel 900. The arms 904 of the indexing wheel 900 are positioned between adjacent fasteners 48H in the collated strip, so that rotation of the indexing wheel 900 pushes the fasteners 48H toward the drive channel 54H.

[0088] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

[0089] Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A powered fastener driver comprising: case; a nosepiece connected to and extending from the housing; a drive blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position; a canister magazine coupled to the nosepiece, the organized fasteners being receivable in the canister magazine; as well as A pushing mechanism is connected to the nose frame and is used to individually transfer the sorted fasteners in the can-type magazine to the drive channel in the nose frame, wherein the drive blade is movable in the drive channel, wherein the pushing mechanism includes a feed arm engageable with respective fasteners in the nosepiece to sequentially push each of the fasteners into the drive channel in response to movement of the feed arm toward the drive channel; and A connecting rod assembly located between the feed arm and the drive blade, the connecting rod assembly comprising: a pivot arm operably coupled to the feed arm, and a lever pivotally coupled to the pivot arm via a first pivot point, and wherein movement of the drive blade from the driven position toward the ready position pivots each of the pivot arm and the lever about the first pivot point in a first rotational direction; a spring disposed between the pivot arm and the lever, wherein the spring is configured to bias the lever into alignment with the pivot arm, and wherein the lever is configured to selectively move in the first rotational direction relative to the pivot arm about the first pivot point against the bias of the spring as the drive blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position; a support arm pivotally coupled to the housing via a second pivot point, wherein the lever is positioned between the pivot arm and the support arm, wherein each of the first pivot point and the second pivot point is fixed relative to the housing, wherein the support arm is pivotally coupled to the lever via a floating pivot point, and wherein movement of the drive blade from the driven position toward the ready position moves the floating pivot point relative to the housing; a finger pivotally coupled to the support arm via a third pivot point, and wherein the finger is selectively engageable with the drive blade; Wherein the linkage assembly is movable to urge the feed arm toward the drive channel in response to contacting the drive blade as the drive blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position.

2. The powered fastener driver of claim 1, wherein: The drive blade includes a surface and a fin extending therefrom, and wherein the linkage assembly includes a finger selectively engageable with the fin of the drive blade to move the linkage assembly.

3. The powered fastener driver of claim 2, wherein: The linkage assembly further includes a spring configured to bias the finger toward a first position, and wherein, during movement of the drive blade from the ready position toward the driven position, engagement between the finger and the fin causes the finger to move toward a second position against the bias of the spring.

4. The powered fastener driver of claim 2, wherein: The fin includes a first surface inclined at an oblique angle relative to a surface of the drive blade, and a second surface extending perpendicularly from the surface of the drive blade, and wherein the finger-shaped member is selectively engageable with each of the first surface and the second surface during movement of the drive blade between the driven position and the ready position.

5. The powered fastener driver of claim 1 , wherein: The linkage assembly further includes a spring that applies a biasing force to the lever in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

6. The powered fastener driver of claim 1, wherein: The pivot arm is selectively movable about the first pivot point in the first rotational direction to move the feed arm away from the drive channel.

7. The powered fastener driver of claim 6, wherein: The urging mechanism further includes a spring that applies a biasing force to the pivot arm in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to move the feed arm toward the drive channel.

8. The powered fastener driver of claim 6, wherein: The push mechanism includes a body, wherein the feed arm is coupled to move with the body, and wherein the pivot arm is a fork configured to receive a protruding pin of the body to convert pivotal movement of the pivot arm into linear motion of the body and the feed arm.

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