Apparatus and method for driving fastening elements into a substrate and a nose device

Abstract

The invention discloses an apparatus for driving fastening elements 31, 31a into a substrate, comprising a receptacle 41 for a fastening element 31, 31a, a driving-in element 21, which drives the fastening element 31, 31a from the receptacle 41 into the substrate, and a transport element 45, which may be brought into engagement with the fastening element 31, 31a or a strip 30 comprising the fastening element 31, 31a in order to transport the fastening element 31, 31a in a direction of transport 32 into the receptacle 41. The driving-in element 21 may be brought into engagement with the fastening element 31, 31a or the strip 30 in order to block a movement of the fastening element 31, 31a or the strip 30 in the direction of transport 32. Furthermore, a nose device 40 and a method for driving fastening elements 31, 31a into a substrate is disclosed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving fastening elements into a substrate according to claim 1, a nose device according to claim 9, and a method for driving fastening elements into a substrate according to claim 10.Technical field of the Invention

[0002] Various embodiments of the present invention concern an apparatus and a method for driving fastening elements into a substrate. The invention disclosure describes a new method of the transport and positioning of a flexible strip in a collated magazine which automatically feeds fastening elements into position and ensuring their correct positioning before driving into the substrate.Background of the Invention

[0003] US 2014 / 338505 A1 disclosing a device for driving fastening elements into a substrate, comprising a receptacle for a fastening element, having a passage for a driving-in element, which drives the fastening element from the receptacle into the substrate; a transport element, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening element or a strip comprising the fastening element by a first spring force to transport the fastening element in a transport direction into the receptacle. Furthermore, a retaining element is provided, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening element or the strip comprising the fastening element by a second spring force, in order to block a movement of the fastening element against the transport direction.

[0004] US 2011 / 232430 A1 discloses a power screwdriver including a screw advance mechanism for advancing a screwstrip, and a hinged feed track for feeding the screwstrip to the screw advance mechanism. The screw advance mechanism includes a number of components which cooperate with each other to accurately advance a screwstrip to position each screw within the screwstrip in the target position for insertion into a workpiece. These components include a feed lever, a lifter, a clutch slider and a paddle lever. In general, these components interact with each other to accomplish a number of functions with respect to the screwstrip.

[0005] US 2022 / 111500 A1 discloses a fastener installation systems, devices and methods for driving fasteners, including fasteners, into a surface. The fastener installation systems include an adapter operable to engage a chuck on a power tool on a first end and a fastener delivery attachment on an opposing end. Feed pawl lever and feed pawl engages the fastener strip to advance a fastener into the delivery channel so that the fastener is delivered via the opening in the nose.

[0006] WO 2023 / 225493 A1 discloses a device that positions a series of fasteners in front of a driver, includes a positioner and a coupler. The positioner is operable to locate a fastener in front of the driver, and includes a receiver, a rocker, and a roller. The receiver holds and guides a clip that holds a plurality of fasteners adjacent each other. The rocker moves the clip through the receiver such that each of the plurality of fasteners is sequentially positioned in front of a bit of the driver, ready to be driven into a material. The coupler is operable to couple the positioner with the driver and includes a mount and a body. The mount is operable to releasably fasten the coupler with the driver. The body holds the positioner while the positioner moves relative to the body and has a groove in which the roller travels as the positioner moves relative to the body.

[0007] The disadvantage of those devices is, that the transport mechanism and positioning mechanism comprise a huge number of elements, like levers, rockers, rollers, clutch sliders, which makes these mechanisms very complex and the devices heavy and thus not comfortable for a handheld tool.Summary of the Invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art. It is further an object of the present invention to provide an enhanced apparatus for driving fastening elements into a substrate, which provides a precise alignment of the fastening element and the driving-in element before driving the fastening element into the substrate, especially with a handheld tool. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide an enhanced nose device and an enhanced method for driving fastening elements, which provides a precise alignment of the fastening element and the driving-in element before fastening the fastening element to the substrate.

[0009] At least one of these objects has been solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Other preferred embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0010] In particular, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by an apparatus for driving fastening elements into a substrate, comprising a receptacle for a fastening element, a driving-in element, which drives the fastening element from the receptacle into the substrate, and a transport element, which may be brought into engagement with the fastening element or a strip comprising the fastening element in order to transport the fastening element in a direction of transport into the receptacle. The driving-in element may be brought into engagement with the fastening element or the strip in order to block a movement of the fastening element or the strip in the direction of transport.

[0011] This apparatus allows a precise alignment of the fastening element and the driving-in element immediately before driving the fastening element into the substrate. When the driving-in element is engaged with the fastening element or the strip comprising the fastening element, the fastening element is in the correct position for driving in, which is the key to a successfully functioning collated driving system, especially for a handheld tool. There is no need for a retaining element to block or lock the fastening element or the strip. Thus, apparatus with fewer elements and less complexity are provided. Furthermore, the assembling of the apparatus with fewer elements takes away of the tolerance chain and makes the system less complex.

[0012] The fastening element needs to be aligned precisely so that the driving-in element can engage centrically with the recess of the fastening element, to precisely guide the fastening element to the substrate and drive it in. A poor positioning, for example a movement of the fastening element or of the strip, would cause flipping or flying away of the fastening element leading to lost fastening elements.

[0013] Preferably, said fastening elements are arranged in a flexible strip, which is stored in a feeding magazine and one fastening element after each other is fed to the receptacle of the apparatus during operation. The strip with the fastening elements is transported in direction of transport to the receptacle, and one fastening element after each is provided in the receptacle. During driving the fastening element into a substrate, each fastening element is released from the strip one after each other and the empty strip is leaving the receptacle in direction of transport. Thus, the direction of transport is the direction in which the strip with the fastening elements is moved to the receptacle and the empty strip is leaving the receptacle. During driving the fastening element into a substrate, the fastening element is leaving the receptacle in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the strip.

[0014] Preferably, the driving-in element is extending through the strip during the driving of the fastening element into a substrate. Thus, the driving-in element, for example a driving bit, acts like a positioner for the keeping the magazine strip in place and is blocking any movement of the strip during driving in the fastening element. Such an apparatus comprises a lower complexity in the system by reducing the number of elements and having multi-functional elements.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment a nose device is provided, which is relatively moveable to the driving-in element for engaging the driving element with the fastening element or the strip comprising the fastening element. While using the apparatus, the driving-in element and the nose device have a first position, where the driving-in element is engaged with the fastening element, positioned in the receptacle, and a second position, where the driving-in element is separated from the fastening element. During separation of the driving-in element from the fastening element, a second fastening element may be transferred to the receptacle, when the strip or the further fastening element is transported into the transport direction to the receptacle by the transport element.

[0016] Preferably, the nose device is relatively moveable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport. Thus, the transport of the fastening element is not disturbed by the movement of the nose device relatively to the driving-in element.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the nose device is a depth guide for the fastening element. Thus, the way of the relative movement of the nose device and the driving-in element is correlated to the driving length of the fastening elements into the substrate.

[0018] Preferably, said nose device comprises the transport element for transporting the fastening element in a direction of transport into the receptacle, and a driving device of the apparatus comprises the driving-in element for blocking a movement of the fastening element or the strip in the direction of transport. The nose device and the driving device are separated units, which makes them easy to produce in different production lines.

[0019] Preferably, the receptacle is arranged in the nose device. Thus, the fastening element is covered in the nose device before a fastening takes place. A flipping of the fastening element caused by an external force is prevented.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment said transport element is arranged adjacent to the nose device or is part of the nose device. The transport route for the fastening element or the strip is therefore short. Thus, a compact apparatus is provided and manufacturing of the apparatus or the nose device is less complex.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment said transport element is connected to a moveable guiding element in order to transport the transport element from a first fastening element to a second fastening element or in order to transport the transport element along the strip. In other words, the transport element is transferred from the expanded position to the compressed position during the driving-in element is driving the first fastening element into a substrate, by sliding along the strip. During this transfer, the driving-in element is blocking any movement of the strip or the further fastening element in the direction of transport.

[0022] The transport element may be driven from a compressed position to an expanded position, for example by a spring force of a guiding spring, for loading the second fastening element to the receptacle. In the compressed position, movement of the transport element in the direction of transport is blocked by the driving-in element, which is driving the first fastening element into a substrate. Thus, the guiding element is ready to automatically load the strip for the next movement, while the driving-in element is engaged with the fastening element or the strip.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment said guiding element comprises at least one projection for engaging said guiding element with a housing of the apparatus. The at least one projection may be slid along a casing of the apparatus, which causes the transfer of the transport element from the expanded position to the compressed position. Thus, an effective mechanical transport mechanism is provided.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment the transport element may be brought into engagement with the fastening element or the strip by means of a first spring force. The spring force guarantees constant contact with the strip, thus the spring or the fastening element cannot be lost.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment a transporting spring is provided, which subjects the transport element to the first spring force against the fastening element or strip. Preferably, the transport element is formed by the transporting spring. The transporting spring is a lightweight transport element that can withstand many movement cycles.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a nose device for an apparatus for driving fastening elements into a substrate, while the nose device is couplable to the before mentioned apparatus, and when coupled to the apparatus, the driving-in element may be brought into engagement with a fastening element or a strip in order to block a movement of the fastening element or the strip in the direction of transport. Said apparatus may be used for many different tools. A detachable nose device is a separately purchasing element. The strip may be easily feed to the nose device when the nose device is separated from the driving-in element.

[0027] This nose device is an ideal kit for an apparatus and allows a precise alignment of the fastening element and the driving-in element immediately before driving the fastening element into the substrate. When the driving-in element is engaged with the fastening element or the strip comprising the fastening element, the fastening element is in the correct position for driving in, which is the key to a successfully functioning collated driving system. Furthermore, the assembling of the apparatus with fewer elements takes away to the tolerance chain and makes the system less complex.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the object is achieved by a method for driving fastening elements into a substrate, preferably with an beforementioned apparatus, where said fastening elements are arranged on a strip one after each other and said strip is transported in a direction of transport, said method comprising at least the following steps: a) transporting a first fastening element in a receptacle in direction of transport with a transport element. b) engaging a driving-in element with the first fastening element or the strip in order to block a movement of a second fastening element or the strip in the direction of transport. c) driving said first fastening element into the substrate.

[0029] This method allows a precise alignment of the fastening element and the driving-in element immediately before driving the fastening element into the substrate. When the driving-in element is engaged with the fastening element or the strip comprising the fastening element, the fastening element is in the correct position for driving in, which is the key to a successfully functioning collated driving system. There is no need for a retaining element to block or lock the fastening element or the strip.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, during step c) said driving-in element remains in the strip. Any movement of the strip is blocked.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, during step b) said transport element is moved along the strip and engages with the second fastening element or the strip. The apparatus for driving a fastening element is ready for the next loading of a fastening element.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, after step c) said driving-in element is separated from the strip. The blocking of the strip is released, and the further fastening element is transported in the direction of transport to the receptacle.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, after step c) the second fastening element is transported to the receptacle in direction of transport with the transport element. A fully automated method of driving fastening elements one after each other is provided.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, during step c) said transport element is subjected to a force for transporting the second fastening element or strip in direction of transport.

[0035] By means of the following figures, the invention is explained in more detail by means of examples of embodiments. The list of references is part of the disclosure.

[0036] Positional indications, such as "above", "below", "right" or "left" are in each case related to the corresponding embodiments and are not to be understood as restrictive.

[0037] Indications, such as "first", "second", or "further" are in each case related to the corresponding device and are not to be understood as restrictive or enumeration.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] In order to facilitate better understanding of the present invention, reference is made below to the drawings. These show only exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention. These embodiments, offered not to limit but only to exemplify and teach the invention, are shown and described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement or practice the invention. Thus, where appropriate to avoid obscuring the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those of skill in the art.

[0039] In the figures and the associated description, identical or functionally analogous parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0040] The invention also encompasses individual features shown in the figures, even if they are shown there in connection with other features and / or are not mentioned above. Further, the term "comprising" and derivatives thereof do not exclude other elements or steps. Likewise, the indefinite article "a" or "one" and derivatives thereof do not exclude a plurality. The functions of multiple features recited in the claims may be performed by a single unit. The terms "substantially", "approximately", "about" and the like in connection with a characteristic or a value define, in particular, also exactly the characteristic or exactly the value. All reference signs in the claims are not to be understood as limiting the scope of the claims. Fig. 1 shows a first inventive apparatus for driving a fastening element into a substrate in a sectional view, Fig. 2 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 1 in a further sectional view, Fig. 3 shows the transport mechanism of the apparatus according to Fig. 1 in an expanded position, in a side view, Fig. 4 shows the transport mechanism according to Fig. 3 in a top view, Fig. 5 shows the strip with several fastening elements, Fig. 6 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 1, when the driving-in element is driving a fastening element in a side view, Fig. 7 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 1 blocking the movement of the transfer element in direction of transport in a sectional view, Fig. 8 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 7 in a further sectional view, Fig. 9 shows the transport mechanism of the apparatus according to Fig. 7 in a compressed position in a side view, Fig. 10 shows the transport mechanism according to Fig. 9 in a side view, and Fig. 11 shows the nose device separated from the driver device of the apparatus according to Fig. 1 in a side view. Detailed Description

[0041] Figure 1 to Figure 10 show an apparatus 20 for driving fastening elements 31, 31a, which are temporally held by a strip 30, comprising a driving-in element 21 and a driver device 24. The strip 30 comprising the fastening elements is moveable in a direction of transport 32. The apparatus 20 comprises a nose device 40 with a receptacle 41 for covering one of the fastening elements 31 and with a passage 49 for the driving-in element 21. The apparatus 20 is made, for example, as a screwdriver, which drives a fastening element 31, which was positioned beforehand in the receptacle 41, into a substrate, which is not shown. Furthermore, the apparatus 20 comprises a housing 23, which is separably attached to the drive device 24, such as a battery-powered screwdriver with an electric motor, which preferably holds the driving-in element 21, in order to drive the driving-in element 21, in particular by rotation. The fastening elements 31, 31a are made as screws in this embodiment example. In other examples, which are not shown, the fastening elements are designed as screw anchors, bolts, threaded bolts, nails, rivets, or the like.

[0042] The nose device 40 is relatively moveable to the driving-in element 21 for engaging the driving-in element 21 with the strip 30 comprising the fastening element 31. The driving-in element 21 and the nose device 40 have a first position, where the driving-in element 21 is separated from the strip 30 and the fastening element 31 is positioned in the receptacle 41 - see Figure 1 to Figure 4. The nose device 40 is a depth guide, acting like a pressure sensor, and comprises a transport mechanism, for transport of the fastening element 31 into the receptacle 41. The nose device 40 is relatively moveable in a direction 44 perpendicular to the direction of transport 32. The transport mechanism comprises a transport element 45, which may be brought into engagement with the strip 30 in order to transport the fastening element 31 in a direction of transport 32 into the receptacle 41.

[0043] The transport element 45 is made as a bent leaf spring and thus forms a transport spring. The transport element 45 is affixed to a moveable guiding element 46 in order to transport the transport element 45 along the strip 30. In other words, the guiding element 46 with the transport element 45 is transferred from an expanded position (see Figure 3) to a compressed position (see Figure 9) during the driving-in element 21 is driving the fastening element 31 into a substrate, by sliding the transport element 45 along the strip 30.

[0044] The guiding element 46 has a transport projection 48 for engaging said guiding element 46 with a casing 42 of the nose device 40 or the housing 23 of the apparatus 20. The projection 48 slides along the casing 42, which causes the transfer of the transport element 45 from the expanded position to the compressed position.

[0045] When the nose device 40 is pressed against a substrate, the nose device 40 and the guiding element 46 is moved toward the casing 42 against a guiding spring 47, and the guiding element 46 is correspondingly moved away from the casing 42 by the guiding spring 47, when the nose device 40 is lifted from the substrate.

[0046] When the nose device 40 is pressed against a substrate, the driving-in element 21 and the nose device 40 move into a second position, where the driving-in element 21 is engaged with the strip 30 and the fastening element 31 is leaving the strip 30 towards the direction 44 - see Figure 6 to Figure 10. The driving-in element 21 is extending through the strip 30 during the driving of the fastening element 31 into a substrate. In the second position and during transfer, the driving-in element 21 extends through the strip 30 and is blocking any movement of the strip 30 in the direction of transport 32.

[0047] The fastening elements 31, 31a are arranged in a flexible strip 30, which is stored in a feeding magazine (not shown) and one fastening element 31 after each other is fed to the receptacle 41 of the apparatus 20 during operation.

[0048] A method for driving fastening elements 21 into a substrate (not shown) with an apparatus 20 according to the Figures 1 to Figure 9 is disclosed herein, where said fastening elements 31, 31a are arranged on a strip 30 one after each other and said strip 30 is transported in a direction of transport 32, said method comprising at least the following steps: a) transporting a first fastening element 31 in a receptacle 41 in direction of transport 32 with a transport element 45. b) engaging a driving-in element 21 with the strip 30 in order to block a movement of the strip 30 in the direction of transport 32. c) driving said first fastening element 31 into the substrate towards the direction 44, while the driving-in element 21 remains in the strip 30 and the driving-in element 21 is blocking the movement of the strip 30 in the direction of transport 32.

[0049] During step b) said transport element 45 is moved along the strip 30 and engages by the spring force with the strip 30 in a second position intended for this purpose.

[0050] Afterwards said driving-in element 21 is separated from the strip 30, when the nose device 40 is moved relatively to the driving-in element 21. The blocking of the strip 30 is released, and the further fastening element 31a is transported in the direction of transport 32 to the receptacle 40, when the compressed guiding element 46 with the transport element 45 expands to the first position.

[0051] At the same time, the second fastening element 31a is transported to the receptacle 41 in direction of transport 32 with the transport element 45 and step b) and step c) are repeated, when the nose device 40 is pressed against the substrate.

[0052] Figure 11 shows the nose device 40 separated from the apparatus 20 comprising the driving-in element 21. The nose device 40 and the driving device 24 are separated units.

[0053] This invention was presented based on the example of an apparatus for fastening elements. However, it is also pointed out that the device in accordance with the invention is also suitable for other application purposes.Reference List

[0054] 20apparatus 21driving-in element 23housing 24drive device 30strip 31fastening element 31afurther fastening element 32direction of transport 40nose device 41receptable 42casing 44direction perpendicular to 32 45transport element 46guiding element 47guiding spring 48projection 49passage

Claims

1. An apparatus (20) for driving fastening elements (31, 31a) into a substrate, comprising a receptacle (41) for a fastening element (31, 31a), a driving-in element (21), which drives the fastening element (31, 31a) from the receptacle (41) into the substrate, and a transport element (45), which may be brought into engagement with the fastening element (31, 31a) or a strip (30) comprising the fastening element (31, 31a) in order to transport the fastening element (31, 31a) in a direction of transport (32) into the receptacle (41) characterized in that the driving-in element (21) may be brought into engagement with the fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) in order to block a movement of the fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) in the direction of transport (32) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, a nose device (40) is provided, which is relatively moveable to the driving-in element (21) for engaging the driving-in element (21) with the fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) comprising the fastening element (31, 31a), and preferably is relatively moveable in a direction (44) perpendicular to the direction of transport (32) .

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, said nose device (40) is a depth guide for the fastening element (31, 31a) and preferably said receptacle (41) is arranged in the nose device (40).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, said transport element (45) is arranged adjacent to the nose device (40) or is part of the nose device (40).

5. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that, said transport element (45) is connected to a moveable guiding element (46) in order to transport the transport element (45) from a first fastening element (31, 31a) to a second fastening element (31, 31a) or in order to transport the transport element (45) along the strip (30).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, said guiding element (46) comprises at least one projection (48) for engaging said guiding element (46) with a housing (23; 42).

7. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that, the transport element (45) may be brought into engagement with the fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) by means of a first spring force.

8. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that, a transporting spring is provided, which subjects the transport element (45) to the first spring force against the fastening element (31, 31a) or strip (30) and preferably the transport element (45) is formed by the transporting spring.

9. Nose device (40) for an apparatus for driving fastening elements (31, 31a) into a substrate according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that, the nose device (40) is couplable to the apparatus (20) and, when coupled to the apparatus (20), the driving-in element (21) may be brought into engagement with a fastening element (31, 31a) or a strip (30) in order to block a movement of the fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) in the direction of transport (32) .

10. Method for driving fastening elements (31, 31a) into a substrate, where said fastening elements (31, 31a) are arranged on a strip (30) one after each other and said strip (30) is transported in a direction of transport (32), said method comprising at least the following steps: a) transporting a first fastening element (31, 31a) in a receptacle (41) in direction of transport (32) with a transport element (45). b) engaging a driving-in element (21) with the first fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) in order to block a movement of a second fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30) in the direction of transport (32). c) driving said first fastening element (31, 31a) into the substrate.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that, during step c) said driving-in element (21) remains in the strip (30).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, during step b) said transport element (45) is moved along the strip (30) and engages with the second fastening element (31, 31a) or the strip (30).

13. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, after step c) said driving-in element (21) is separated from the strip (30).

14. Method according to one of the claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, after step c) the second fastening element (31, 31a) is transported to the receptacle (41) in direction of transport (32) with the transport element (45).

15. Method according to one of the claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, during step c) said transport element (45) is subjected to a force for transporting the second fastening element (31, 31a) or strip (30) in direction of transport (32).

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