Fastener driving tool having a chamber member retention assembly

Abstract

A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a chamber member retention assembly configured to enable a controller of the tool to prevent movement of a chamber member of the tool to an open, unsealed position and to ensure that a combustion chamber of the tool remains sealed until a piston is fully returned to its pre-firing position.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This patent application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 159,696, filed March 11, 2021, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 687,154, filed March 4, 2022, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] This disclosure relates to power fastener driving tools. Power fastener driving tools employ one of several different types of power sources to drive fasteners (such as nails or U-bolts) into a workpiece. The power fastener driving tool uses a power source to drive a piston carrying a driver blade through a cylinder from a pre-firing position to a firing position. As the piston moves to the firing position, the driver blade travels through a nosepiece that guides the driver blade to contact the fastener housed within the tool's nosepiece. The continuous movement of the piston towards the firing position via the cylinder forces the driver blade to drive the fastener away from the nosepiece and into the workpiece. The piston is then forced back to the pre-firing position in a manner depending on the tool's construction and the power source used. The tool's fastener advance mechanism forces another fastener from the tool's magazine into the nosepiece, and the tool is ready to fire that next fastener.

[0004] Combustion-powered fastener drive tools are a type of power fastener drive tool. Combustion-powered fastener drive tools use a small internal combustion component as their power source. For various known combustion-powered fastener drive tools, when the operator presses the tool's workpiece contact element (“WCE”) onto the workpiece to move the WCE from an extended position to a retracted position, one or more mechanical linkages cause: (1) a chamber member to move to a sealed position to seal the combustion chamber, which is in fluid communication with the cylinder; and (2) a fuel delivery system to dispense fuel from a fuel canister into the (now sealed) combustion chamber. When the operator pulls the trigger, the trigger actuates the trigger switch, causing the spark plug to generate a spark and ignite the fuel / air mixture in the combustion chamber. This produces high-pressure combustion gases that expand and force the piston through the cylinder from a pre-firing position to a firing position, causing the drive blades to contact the fastener housed in the nose and drive the fastener away from the nose and into the workpiece. Just before the piston reaches the firing position, it passes through an exhaust check valve defined by the cylinder, and some of the combustion gases pushing the piston are released to the atmosphere through the check valve. This, combined with the heat exchange to the atmosphere and the fact that the combustion chamber remains sealed during firing, creates a vacuum pressure above the piston and retracts it to the pre-firing position. When the operator removes the WCE from the workpiece, a spring biases the WCE from the retracted position to the extended position, causing one or more mechanical linkages to move the chamber components to an unsealed position to deseal the combustion chamber.

[0005] If the chamber assembly moves and the combustion chamber is not sealed before the piston returns to the pre-firing position, a problem may arise related to the operation of certain combustion-powered fastener driving tools. For example, if the operator removes the WCE from the workpiece after firing but before the piston returns to the pre-firing position, this may cause the chamber assembly to move into an unsealed position and fail to seal the combustion chamber. When this happens, at least some vacuum pressure is lost. This may cause the piston to stop before reaching its pre-firing position, which in turn may cause the tool to malfunction the next time the operator attempts to drive the next fastener.

[0006] Some fastener driving tools have two different types of operating modes and one or more mechanisms that allow the operator to optionally select one of the two different operating modes that the operator wants to use to drive the fastener. One such operating mode is known in the industry as a sequential or single-acting operating mode. In this operating mode, unless the WCE is fully pressed against the workpiece, the actuation of the trigger mechanism will not trigger the actuation of the power fastener driving tool (and drive the fastener into the workpiece). In other words, to operate the power fastener driving tool in the sequential or single-acting operating mode, the WCE must first press against the workpiece and then actuate the trigger mechanism. Another operating mode is known in the industry as a contact actuation or impact-triggered operating mode. In this operating mode, the operator can hold the trigger mechanism in or in its actuated position, and subsequently, each time the WCE contacts and fully presses against the workpiece, the fastener driving tool will actuate (thus driving the fastener into the workpiece).

[0007] One problem with various commercially available combustion-powered fastener-driven tools (sometimes called cordless frame nail guns) is that the tools operate in sequential firing mode but not in impact firing mode. Operating such tools only in sequential firing mode can lead to operator fatigue.

[0008] Therefore, a combustion-powered fastener drive tool is needed to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This disclosure provides various embodiments of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool that addresses the aforementioned problems by including a chamber member retaining assembly to ensure that the chamber member does not move into an unsealed position and that the combustion chamber remains sealed until the piston fully returns to its pre-firing position. The chamber member retaining assembly is controlled by a suitable controller and can engage with the chamber member, thereby providing control with the ability to prevent certain undesired movements of the chamber member from the sealed position.

[0010] In various embodiments, the chamber member holding assembly includes a gas-assisted actuation member and an electromagnet that holds the actuation member in a held position. The tool provides gas to move the actuation member from a non-held position to a held position. A controller of the tool energizes the electromagnet to hold the actuation member in the held position. In some embodiments, the actuation member further engages a lever to prevent the chamber member from moving from its sealed position toward its unsealed position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the actuating member directly prevents the chamber member from moving from its sealed position toward its unsealed position. The controller de-energizes the electromagnet based on a specified amount of time, giving the piston time to fully return to its pre-firing position. This allows the tool to operate in impact-firing mode. The operating rate is limited by various factors, including the necessary electromagnet “energizing” time and the time between fastener drive cycles when the tool is repositioned and the combustion chamber receives fresh air. The combustion-powered fastener-driven tool of various embodiments of this disclosure is capable of providing automatic combustion chamber locking control features and impact-firing mode features.

[0012] Various embodiments of the combustion-powered fastener drive tool of this disclosure operate in a default sequential mode and, in response to a user switching mode, operate in a collision-fired mode. In various embodiments, the tool's controller employs a timeout function in the collision-fired mode to prevent tool operation in the collision-fired mode after a specified idle period (e.g., five to ten seconds). The combustion-powered fastener drive tool of various embodiments of this disclosure allows the operator to quickly select between sequential or single-actuation operation modes and contact actuation or collision-fired operation modes.

[0013] Additional features and advantages are described in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, and will become clear from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, which is an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2D yes Figure 1 An incomplete partial cross-sectional view of a fastener drive tool in a resting state, wherein the chamber component is in an unsealed position, the piston is in a fully retracted position, and the chamber component retaining assembly is inactive.

[0016] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C yes Figure 1 An incomplete partial cross-sectional view of a fastener drive tool in a ready-to-fire state, wherein the chamber member is in a sealed position, the piston is in a fully retracted position, and the chamber member retaining member is in an inactive state.

[0017] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C yes Figure 1An incomplete partial cross-sectional view of a fastener drive tool in a firing state, wherein the chamber member is in a sealed position, the piston is in a partially driven position, and the chamber member holding assembly is in an activated state, wherein the actuating member is in a held position, the electromagnet is energized and holds the actuating member in the held position, and the chamber member engaging lever is positioned to engage the chamber member.

[0018] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C yes Figure 1 An incomplete partial cross-sectional view of a fastener drive tool in a firing state, wherein the chamber member is in a sealed position, the piston is fully driven and begins to move back toward the retracted position, and the chamber member holding assembly is in an active state, wherein the actuating member is in a holding position, the electromagnet is energized and holds the actuating member in the holding position, and the chamber member engaging lever is positioned to engage the chamber member.

[0019] Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C yes Figure 1 An incomplete partial cross-sectional view of a fastener drive tool in a firing state, wherein the chamber member has not yet moved (or moved significantly) from the sealed position, the piston moves back toward the fully retracted position, and the chamber member holding assembly is activated, wherein the actuating member is in the holding position, the electromagnet is energized and holds the actuating member in the holding position, and the chamber member engagement lever engages the chamber member to prevent the chamber member from moving.

[0020] Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C This is an incomplete partial cross-sectional view of a part of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, which is another example embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the chamber member holding assembly does not include a chamber member engagement lever, and the engagement of the chamber member is directly engaged by an actuating member.

[0021] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a schematic view of a chamber component holding assembly of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, which is another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 9C This is a schematic view of a chamber component holding assembly of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, which is another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 10A and Figure 10BThis is a schematic view of a chamber component holding assembly of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, which is another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 11A and Figure 11B This is an incomplete view of a portion of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool according to another embodiment of this disclosure, and shows the possible location of its chamber component retaining assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The accompanying drawings and description illustrate certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments; however, the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein can be embodied in various forms. Not all components shown in the drawings and described in the description are essential, and some embodiments may include additional, different, or fewer components. Variations may be made in the arrangement and type of components; the shape, size, and material of components; and the manner in which components are connected without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise stated, any orientation mentioned in this specification reflects the orientation of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, terms relating to installation methods such as mounting and connecting are not intended to be limited to direct installation methods but should be broadly interpreted to include indirect and operatively mounted, connected, and similar installation methods. This specification is intended as a whole and to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of this disclosure and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0026] Now turn to the attached image. Figures 1 to 6C An example embodiment of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool 100 (sometimes referred to as a "tool" for brevity) of this disclosure is shown. The tool 100 generally includes a multi-piece housing 110; a nose assembly 130 including a workpiece contact element 136 supported by the housing 110; a trigger assembly 140 supported by the housing 110; a fastener cartridge 150 supported by the housing 110 and connected to the nose assembly 130; an internal combustion component 200 at least partially within the housing 110; and a chamber member holding assembly 300 supported by the housing 110. Since certain parts of the fastener drive tool 100 (such as the housing 110, nose assembly 130, workpiece contact element 126, fuel delivery system (not shown), and fastener cartridge 150) are known in the art, they are only partially shown in some figures and are not described herein for brevity.

[0027] The internal combustion component 200 of the tool 100 includes: (1) a cylinder 210, which is at least partially within and supported by a housing 110; (2) a piston 220 slidably disposed within the cylinder 210; (3) a drive vane 230 attached to the piston 220 and extending below the piston; and (4) a damper 240 positioned within the cylinder 210 and at the bottom of the cylinder. The piston 220, attached to the drive vane 230, is movable relative to the cylinder 210 between a pre-firing position and a firing position. Near its bottom, the cylinder 210 includes an exhaust check valve or flap valve (not shown) and defines a vent 252 below the exhaust check valve. The exhaust check valve 250 and the vent 252 fluidly connect the cylinder 210 to the atmosphere.

[0028] A chamber member (sometimes referred to in the art as a valve bushing) 260 is at least partially within, supported by, and movable relative to the housing 110. The chamber member or valve bushing 260 partially surrounds the cylinder 210. The chamber member or valve bushing 260 is movable relative to the housing 110, the cylinder head 212, and the cylinder 210 (along with other components) between an unsealed position and a sealed position. The chamber member or valve bushing 260, the cylinder head 212, the cylinder 210, and the piston 220 together define a combustion chamber (not labeled). When the chamber member or valve bushing 260 is in the sealed position, the combustion chamber is sealed. Conversely, when the chamber member or valve bushing 260 is in the unsealed position, the combustion chamber is not sealed.

[0029] A suitable linkage mechanism (not shown) connects the chamber member or valve bushing 260 and the workpiece contact element 136. The workpiece contact element 136 is movable relative to the housing 110, cylinder head 212, and cylinder 210 (along with other components) between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing element (not shown), such as a spring, biases the workpiece contact element 136 to the extended position. Moving the workpiece contact element 136 from the extended position to the retracted position causes the chamber member or valve bushing 260 (via the linkage mechanism) to be in a non-sealed position (see...). Figure 2A and Figure 2B Move to the sealed position (see) Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 6A and Figure 6B ),vice versa.

[0030] In this example embodiment, the chamber member holding assembly 300 of the tool 100 generally includes: a housing 310; a gas-assisted actuation member 330 positioned within the housing 310; and an electromagnet 360 positioned within the housing 310 and configured to hold the actuation member 330 in a held position under the control of a controller (not shown) of the tool 100. The actuation member 330 includes an actuation pin 334 and an actuation plunger 338 connected to the distal end of the actuation pin 334. The tool 100 supplies gas, which causes the actuation member 330 from a non-held position ( Figure 2C , Figure 2D and Figure 3C Oriented towards the holding position ( Figure 4C , Figure 5C and Figure 6C The controller of tool 100 is configured to selectively energize electromagnet 360 to hold actuation member 330 in a fixed position. Figure 5C and Figure 6C The actuating member 330 further engages the chamber member lever 400 to prevent the chamber member 260 from moving from its sealed position toward its unsealed position. The controller energizes the electromagnet 360 for a specified amount of time (e.g., 100 to 160 milliseconds) to give the piston 220 time to fully return to its pre-firing position before allowing the chamber member 260 to move to its unsealed position. Thus, in this example embodiment, the chamber member holding assembly 300 ensures that the chamber member 260 does not move to the unsealed position and that the combustion chamber remains sealed until the piston 220 has fully returned to the pre-firing position. This partially enables the tool 100 to operate in impact firing mode.

[0031] In this example embodiment, the chamber member engagement lever 400 includes an upper arm 410, a central pivot member 430, and a lower arm 450. The upper arm 410 is connected to and extends upward from the central pivot member 430. The upper arm 410 includes a chamber member engagement hand 415 configured to engage the chamber member 260 to prevent the chamber member 260 from moving to an unsealed position. The lower arm 450 is connected to and extends downward from the central pivot member 430. The lower arm 450 includes a connecting handle 455 that facilitates pivotal connection to the actuating member 330. The central pivot member 430 is pivotally attached to a lever support 490, which is attached to the housing 310 via a pivot pin 435. The upper arm 410, central pivot member 430, and lower arm 450 of the chamber member engaging lever 400 are therefore pivotally connected to the actuating member 330, and the movement of the chamber member engaging lever 400 is thus controlled by the actuating member 330 and the chamber member retaining assembly 300 under the control of the controller of the tool 100. It should be understood that the pivot point of the chamber member engaging lever may vary according to this disclosure. It should be understood that the configuration (including shape and / or size) of the chamber member engaging lever (including the upper arm, central pivot member, and / or lower arm) may vary according to this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2D The tool 100 is shown in a resting state, with the chamber member 260 in an unsealed position, the piston 220 in a fully retracted position, and the chamber member retaining assembly 300 in an inactive state. In this example embodiment, the chamber member retaining assembly 300 includes a rubber buffer 370 that provides cushioning behind the electromagnet 360. This allows for a certain amount of compression due to gas pressure on the actuating member 330, allows for adjustment of the stroke of the actuating member 330, and allows for adaptation of the material thickness of the housing 310 of the chamber member retaining assembly 300. In this example embodiment, the chamber member retaining assembly 300 includes a biasing member (e.g., a spring 380) that biases the actuating member 330 to a non-retained position, such as... Figure 2C and Figure 2D As shown.

[0033] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C The tool 100 is shown in a ready-to-fire state, with the chamber member 260 in a sealed position, the piston 220 in a fully retracted position, and the chamber member retaining assembly 300 in an inactive state.

[0034] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C The tool 100 is shown in a firing state, with chamber member 260 in a sealed position, piston 220 in a partially driven position, and chamber member holding assembly 300 in an active state. Actuator 330 is in a held position (resisting bias from spring 380), electromagnet 360 is energized and holds actuator 330 in the held position, and chamber member engaging lever 400 is positioned to engage chamber member 260. In this state, actuator 330 has moved the lower arm 450 of chamber member engaging lever 400 toward electromagnet 360, the entire chamber member engaging lever 400 pivots about pivot pin 435, and the upper arm 410 of chamber member engaging lever 400 pivots inward so that chamber member engaging handle 415 of chamber member engaging lever 400 can engage or be engaged by the chamber member to prevent chamber member 260 from moving to its unsealed position.

[0035] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C The tool 100 is shown in a firing state, with the chamber member 260 in a sealed position, the piston 220 fully driven and beginning to move back toward its retracted position, and the chamber member holding assembly 300 in an active state, with the actuating member 330 in a held position, the electromagnet 360 energized and holding the actuating member 330 in the held position, and the chamber member engaging handle 415 of the chamber member engaging lever 400 positioned to engage or be engaged by the chamber member 260.

[0036] Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C The tool 100 is shown in a firing state, wherein the chamber member 260 begins to move from the sealed position, the piston 220 moves back toward the fully retracted position, and the chamber member holding assembly 300 is activated, wherein the actuating member 330 is in the holding position, the electromagnet 360 is energized and holds the actuating member 330 in the holding position, and the chamber member engaging handle 415 of the chamber member engaging lever 400 engages or is engaged by the chamber member to prevent further movement of the chamber member 260 until the piston 220 returns to its fully retracted position. After the piston 220 has returned to its fully retracted position, the chamber member holding assembly 300 will return to its deactivated state, for example... Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C and Figure 2DAs shown. To this end, the controller will de-energize the electromagnet 360 and thus release the actuating member 330, causing the spring 380 to return the actuating member to its unsecured position. This will cause the lower arm 450 of the chamber member engagement lever 400 to move away from the electromagnet 360, the entire chamber member engagement lever 400 to pivot back about the pivot pin 435, and the upper arm 410 of the chamber member engagement lever 400 to pivot outward, so that the chamber member engagement handle 415 of the chamber member engagement lever 400 is no longer in the position of engaging or being engaged by the chamber member, and thus allows the chamber member 260 to move to its unsealed position.

[0037] Figure 7A , Figure 7B and Figure 7C This is an incomplete partial cross-sectional view of certain components of another example embodiment of the combustion-powered fastener drive tool 1100 of this disclosure, wherein the chamber member holding assembly 1300 does not include the chamber member engaging lever 400, and the chamber member 1260 is directly engaged by the actuating member 1330. In this example embodiment, the chamber member holding assembly 1300 may include a solenoid or gas-assisted actuating member 1330 and may include an electromagnet 1360 that holds the actuating member 1330 in a held position. The tool 1100 causes the actuating member 1330 to move from a non-held position ( Figure 7C Move to the holding position ( Figure 7A and Figure 7B The controller (not shown) of tool 1100 energizes electromagnet 1360 to hold actuation member 1330 in the held position. Figure 7A and Figure 7B In this embodiment, when the actuating member 1330 is in its non-fixed position ( Figure 7C When the actuating member 1330 directly prevents the chamber member 1260 from moving from its sealed position toward its unsealed position, this operates in the opposite manner to the embodiment described above. If this embodiment includes an electromagnet 1360, the controller can de-energize the electromagnet 1360 to engage the actuating member with the chamber member 1260, preventing the piston 1220 from fully returning to its pre-firing position. If this embodiment includes a solenoid, the controller can energize the solenoid to engage the actuating member with the chamber member 1260, preventing the piston 1220 from returning to its pre-firing position. With various such embodiments, the spring can be eliminated.

[0038] Figure 8A and Figure 8BAnother example embodiment of certain components of a chamber member holding assembly 2300 of a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, as shown in this disclosure, is illustrated. In this example embodiment, an actuating member 2330 is integrated into an engine bushing 2310. In this example embodiment, the chamber member holding assembly 2300 includes: a gas-assisted actuating member 2330 positioned within and movable in the engine bushing 2310; and an electromagnet 2360 (and its electrical conductor 2362) positioned adjacent to the actuating member 2330 and supported by a housing (not shown). The electromagnet 2360 is configured to hold the actuating member 2330 in position under the control of a tool controller (not shown). Figure 8A The chamber component holding assembly 2300 further includes a gas pressure supply line 2420 configured to supply gas to move the actuating member 2330 to the holding position. In some embodiments, the gas pressure supply line 2420 is optional. The chamber component holding assembly 2300 further includes a gas pressure inlet valve 2440 configured to allow combustion gases to move the actuating member 2330 to the holding position. The chamber component holding assembly 2300 further includes a biasing member (e.g., a wave spring 2380) configured to bias the actuating member 2330 to... Figure 8B The non-fixed position is shown. The chamber component retaining assembly 2300 further includes a rubber damper 370 that provides cushioning behind the electromagnet 3360. The chamber component retaining assembly 2300 further includes a retaining ring 2450 that is connected to the engine bushing 2310 and configured to limit outward movement of the actuating member 2330. The chamber component retaining assembly 2300 further includes one or more seals 2460 that are configured to provide an hermetically tight seal between the actuating member 2330 and the engine bushing 2310. The chamber component retaining assembly 2300 further includes a spring retainer (e.g., a stainless steel washer) configured to retain the wave spring 2380. In this example embodiment, when the chamber member holding assembly 2300 is activated, the actuating member 2330 moves toward the electromagnet 2360, and the electromagnet 2360 holds the actuating member 2330 in the holding position to prevent the chamber member or valve bushing 2260 from moving downward, such as Figure 8A As shown. In this example embodiment, when the chamber member holding assembly 2300 is not active, a portion of the chamber member or valve bushing 2260 moves between the actuating member 2330 and the electromagnet 2360, as... Figure 8B As shown.

[0039] Figure 9A , Figure 9B and Figure 9CAnother example embodiment of certain components of a chamber member retaining assembly 3300 for a combustion-powered fastener drive tool, as described in this disclosure, is shown. In this example embodiment, an actuating member 3330 is movable toward an electromagnet 3360, which retains the actuating member 3330 in place to prevent downward movement of the chamber member or valve bushing 3260. In this example embodiment, the chamber member retaining assembly 3300 includes a locking bar 3400 configured to engage one or more parts of the chamber member or valve bushing 3260 when in the retained position, such as... Figure 9B As shown.

[0040] Figure 10A and Figure 10B Another example embodiment of certain components of the chamber member retaining assembly 4300 of the combustion-powered fastener drive tool, as shown in this disclosure, is illustrated. This example embodiment is somewhat similar to... Figure 8A and Figure 8B In this embodiment, the electromagnet 4360 is located elsewhere. In this example embodiment, the electromagnet 4360 is positioned to completely or partially surround the actuating member 4330, but when inactive, it is in a direction biased toward the chamber member 4260. In this example embodiment, the actuating member 4330 is integrated into the engine bushing 4310. In this example embodiment, for compactness, the electromagnet 4360 is located around the actuating member 4330. In this example embodiment, the actuating member 4330 is movable relative to the electromagnet 4360, which holds the actuating member or piston 4330 in place to prevent downward movement of the chamber member or valve bushing 4260, such as... Figure 11B As shown. This embodiment also utilizes a stronger magnetic field position (i.e., the actuating member 4330 operates closer to the center of the electromagnet 4360 to obtain a smaller force reduction). In this example embodiment, when not in an active state, a portion of the chamber member or valve bushing 4260 moves between the actuating member 4330 and the buffer 4370 of the chamber member holding assembly 4300, as... Figure 11A As shown.

[0041] Figure 11A and Figure 11B An example combustion-powered fastener drive tool 5100 is shown, and the possible location of the chamber component retaining assembly 5300 of this disclosure is shown in the dashed boxes indicated by reference numerals 5200A and 5300B.

[0042] Various modifications to the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. Not all depicted components in this disclosure may be essential, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components compared to those described herein. Variations may be made on the arrangement and type of components; the shape, size, and material of components; and the manner in which components are attached and connected without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims set forth herein. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, any orientation mentioned herein reflects the orientation of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. This specification is intended as a whole and is interpreted according to the principles of the invention and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A combustion-powered fastener driving tool, comprising: case; The controller is supported by the housing; A chamber component, which is supported by the housing and is movable relative to the housing from an unsealed position to a sealed position, wherein the chamber component does not seal the combustion chamber in the unsealed position and seals the combustion chamber in the sealed position; A trigger, which is supported by the housing and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position; as well as A chamber component holding assembly, the chamber component holding assembly being supported by the housing and comprising: An actuating member, movable from a non-fixed position to a fixed position, wherein the fixed position prevents the chamber member from moving from the sealed position to the unsealed position, and An electromagnet, controlled by the controller and activating to hold the actuating member in the held position. When the actuating member is in the non-fixed position, the chamber member can move between the actuating member and the electromagnet.

2. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The actuating component is a gas-assisted actuating component.

3. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 2, wherein, The gas used for the gas-assisted actuation component can be fluidly received from the combustion chamber.

4. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 3, wherein, The chamber component holding assembly includes a gas pressure delivery pipe.

5. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 3, wherein, The chamber component holding assembly includes a gas pressure inlet valve configured such that the combustion gases can move the actuating component to the holding position.

6. The combustion-powered fastener drive tool of claim 1, wherein the combustion-powered fastener drive tool includes a chamber member engagement lever supported by the housing and positionable to prevent the chamber member from moving from the sealed position to the unsealed position.

7. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 6, wherein, The chamber component engagement lever is supported by the housing and can be positioned by the actuating component.

8. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to energize the electromagnet for a specified amount of time to hold the chamber member in the sealed position, so as to provide sufficient time for the piston supported by the housing to return to the pre-firing position.

9. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The chamber component holding assembly includes a rubber damper positioned to provide cushioning to the actuation component.

10. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The chamber component holding assembly includes a biasing member that biases the actuating member to the non-holding position.

11. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The actuating member can be positioned to directly prevent the chamber member from moving from the sealed position to the unsealed position.

12. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The actuating member can be positioned to directly engage the chamber member to prevent the chamber member from moving from the sealed position to the unsealed position.

13. The combustion-powered fastener drive tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The holding position of the actuating member is closer to the electromagnet than the non-holding position of the actuating member.

14. The combustion-powered fastener drive tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The chamber component retaining assembly includes a locking bar configured to engage a portion of the chamber component.

15. The combustion-powered fastener driving tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The electromagnet extends at least partially around the actuating member.

16. A combustion-powered fastener driving tool, comprising: case; The controller is supported by the housing; A chamber component, which is supported by the housing and is movable relative to the housing from an unsealed position to a sealed position, wherein the chamber component does not seal the combustion chamber in the unsealed position and seals the combustion chamber in the sealed position; as well as A chamber component holding assembly, the chamber component holding assembly being supported by the housing and comprising: A chamber component engaging lever, the chamber component engaging lever being supported by the housing; An actuating member is movable from a non-fixed position to a fixed position, wherein, in the fixed position, the actuating member causes the chamber member to engage a lever in a position that prevents the chamber member from moving from the sealed position to the unsealed position; An electromagnet, controlled by the controller and activating to hold the actuating member in the held position. When the actuating member is in the non-fixed position, the chamber member can move between the actuating member and the electromagnet.

17. The combustion-powered fastener drive tool as described in claim 16, wherein, The actuating component is a gas-assisted actuating component.

18. The combustion-powered fastener drive tool as claimed in claim 17, wherein, The gas used for the gas-assisted actuation component can be fluidly received from the combustion chamber.

19. The combustion-powered fastener drive tool as described in claim 18, wherein, The chamber component holding assembly includes a gas pressure inlet valve configured such that the combustion gases can move the actuating component to the holding position.

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