Push-in tool
The driving tool's innovative design, incorporating a rolling combustion chamber and spring-loaded mechanism, addresses complexity and weight issues, resulting in a simpler and more efficient tool for driving fasteners.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing driving tools with firing release mechanisms are often complex and heavy due to the need for balanced forces applied by feelers.
A driving tool design featuring a combustion chamber that surrounds the drive assembly, with a roller engaging in a rolling manner, allowing for a shorter combustion chamber and simplified operation through a spring-loaded mechanism and guide ribs for movement control.
The design results in a simpler and lighter driving tool with improved operational efficiency and reduced complexity.
Smart Images

Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to driving tools. More specifically, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a driving tool with a firing release mechanism to selectively allow the tool to be fired. Technical background
[0002] Driving tools with a firing release mechanism to selectively allow the tool to be fired are known. These tools typically include a feeler that, when actuated, applies a balanced force to the firing release mechanism. Summary of the invention
[0003] The present invention aims to provide a driving tool with a firing release mechanism that is simpler and / or lighter.
[0004] The invention relates to a driving tool, for example a driving tool for fasteners, the tool comprising a drive assembly operable to drive a fastener and a combustion chamber with a roller which engages in a rolling manner in the drive assembly when the combustion chamber moves along it.
[0005] The inventors found that the presence of a roller to support the combustion chamber during its movement allows the combustion chamber to be shortened.
[0006] The drive assembly can be operated to drive a fastening element along an axis. The combustion chamber can at least partially surround the drive assembly. The combustion chamber can be movable along the axis.
[0007] The driving tool may include a probe. The probe may be connected to the combustion chamber. The probe may be configured to make contact with a substrate, for example, to move the combustion chamber along the drive assembly to selectively allow the drive assembly to operate.
[0008] The invention also relates to a tool for driving fasteners, the tool comprising: a drive assembly operable for driving a fastener along an axis; a combustion chamber at least partially surrounding the drive assembly and movable along the axis; and a probe connected to the combustion chamber and configured to make contact with a substrate in order to move the combustion chamber along the drive assembly to selectively allow the drive assembly to operate; wherein the combustion chamber includes a roller which rolls into the drive assembly when the combustion chamber moves along it.
[0009] The probe can be connected to one side of the combustion chamber. The roller can be mounted on a second side of the combustion chamber. The second side of the combustion chamber can be opposite the first side.
[0010] In some cases, the probe is connected to one side of the combustion chamber and the roller is mounted on a second side of the combustion chamber opposite the first side.
[0011] In some cases, the probe is only connected to the first side of the combustion chamber.
[0012] The first side of the combustion chamber may be roller-free.
[0013] The combustion chamber can be forced into a deactivation position in which the operation of the drive assembly is prevented.
[0014] The driving tool may include a spring-loaded means for forcing the combustion chamber towards the deactivation position.
[0015] The spring-loaded means can be located between the drive assembly and an arm connecting the probe to the combustion chamber.
[0016] The probe can be pivotally connected to the combustion chamber.
[0017] The driving tool may include a stop to limit the movement of the combustion chamber along the drive assembly.
[0018] The driving tool may include a guide to guide the movement of the combustion chamber along the drive assembly.
[0019] The guide may include a pair of guide ribs located on either side of the arm to guide the movement of the combustion chamber along the drive assembly.
[0020] The drive assembly may include a housing. The guide may project, for example radially, from the housing. The housing may include one or more ribs, for example one or more radial ribs. The rib(s) may include one or more contact ribs. The rib(s) may cooperate with an internal surface of the combustion chamber, for example as it moves along the drive assembly.
[0021] More specifically, the drive assembly may include a housing from which the guide protrudes radially, the housing further comprising one or more radial contact ribs which cooperate with an internal surface of the combustion chamber as it moves along the drive assembly.
[0022] The inner surface of the combustion chamber may include one or more ribs, for example, one or more radial ribs. The rib(s) may include one or more contact ribs.
[0023] The rib(s) can cooperate with the casing, for example when the combustion chamber moves along the drive assembly.
[0024] More specifically, the inner surface of the combustion chamber includes one or more radial contact ribs that cooperate with the casing as it moves along the drive assembly.
[0025] The driving tool may include a combustion-powered tool. The driving tool may be equipped with an internal combustion engine, for example, for driving fasteners.
[0026] More specifically, the driving tool may include a combustion tool equipped with an internal combustion engine for driving in fasteners.
[0027] The driving tool may include a nail gun or a stapler.
[0028] To avoid any doubt, all the characteristics described herein also apply to every aspect of the invention.
[0029] To avoid any ambiguity, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example", and any other similar terms used in this document should be interpreted as non-limiting, so that not every feature so described is necessarily present. Brief description of the figures
[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a driving tool as an example; Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 illustrates a view similar to that of the figure 1 with the upper casing removed; [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 illustrates a view similar to that of the figure 2 on the opposite side of the driving tool; [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the tool drive release assembly figures 1 to 3 ; Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the roller, probe, probe arm, and release assembly spring; Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the spring and probe arm region showing the stop to limit the movement of the combustion chamber; and [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the guide rib and probe arm region. Detailed description of the invention
[0031] Referring now to the figures, we can see a fastener driving tool 1. The driving tool 1 includes a power tool, such as a nail gun or stapler. The driving tool 1 includes a body 10 with an upper housing 11, a handle 12 with a trigger 13, and a magazine support arm 14 for holding a magazine of fasteners (not shown) to be driven into a substrate.
[0032] The body 10 of the driving tool 1 houses a drive assembly 2, which has a housing 20 containing an internal combustion engine 21 in this example, for driving the fasteners. More specifically, the drive assembly 2 is operable to drive a fastener along an axis A. The housing 20 comprises a first side 22, a second side 23, a plurality of radial contact ribs 24 spaced around the housing 20, and a pair of guide ribs 25 projecting from the first side 22.
[0033] The driving tool 1 also includes a release assembly 3 (illustrated in the figure 4), which includes a combustion chamber 30. The combustion chamber 30 surrounds the housing 20 of the drive assembly 2 and comprises a first side 31, a second side 32 and an inner surface 33. The combustion chamber 30 is movable along the axis A. The radial contact ribs 24 of the housing 20 cooperate with the inner surface 33 of the combustion chamber 30 and centralize it when it moves along the axis A.
[0034] The release assembly 3 is actuated by a feeler 4 connected to the combustion chamber 30. The feeler 4 includes a plurality of contact points 40 intended to make contact with a substrate, in order to move the combustion chamber 30 along the drive assembly 2 to selectively allow the drive assembly 2 to operate.
[0035] The combustion chamber 30 also includes a roller 5. The combustion chamber 30 is actuated by a spring 6 (illustrated in the Figures 5 And 6 ) towards a deactivation position, in which the operation of drive assembly 2 is prevented.
[0036] The feeler 4 is connected to the first side 31 of the combustion chamber 30 by a feeler arm 7, while the roller 5 is mounted on the second side 32 of the combustion chamber 30, opposite the first side 31. The feeler 4 is not connected to the second side 32 of the combustion chamber 30, and the first side 31 of the combustion chamber 30 is without a roller.
[0037] The roller 5 engages in a rolling manner within the drive assembly 2 as the combustion chamber 30 moves along it. More specifically, the roller 5 comprises a pair of circular rolling elements 50 rotating about an axis 51, which roll along the second side 23 of the housing 20.
[0038] The feeler arm 7 comprises a connecting piece 70, which is pivotally connected to the combustion chamber 30 by a shaft 71, and a bar 72 connecting the feeler 4 to the connecting piece 70. The spring means 6 is located between the drive assembly 2 and the feeler arm 7 connecting the feeler 4 to the combustion chamber 30.
[0039] More specifically, the connecting piece 70 includes a cavity 73, which receives the spring 6. The cavity also surrounds a pair of stops 8 projecting from the first side 22 of the housing 20. The pair of guide ribs 25 is located on either side of the connecting piece 70 to provide a guide for directing the movement of the combustion chamber 30 along the drive assembly 2. It would be appreciated if a separate guide could be provided for this purpose.
[0040] Another stop 9 is mounted on the second side 23 of the housing 20 and cooperates with the roller 5. The stops 8, 9 limit the movement of the combustion chamber 30 along the housing 20 of the drive assembly 2.
[0041] In light of the above description, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention provides a simple guiding and supporting device for the combustion chamber 30. This allows the probe 4 to be connected to only one side of the combustion chamber 30. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this also facilitates the use of a shorter combustion chamber 30 than would otherwise be required.
[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above can vary in many ways, provided they are consistent with the scope of the claims. For example, it is envisaged to provide rollers 5 on both sides or even three or more rollers 5 distributed evenly around the periphery of the housing 20. Other arrangements are also envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference signs
[0043] 1. Fastener driving tool 2. Drive assembly 20. Housing 21. Internal combustion engine A-axis 22. First side of housing 23. Second side of housing 24. Radial contact ribs of housing 25. Guide rib 3. Release assembly 30. Combustion chamber 31. First side of combustion chamber 32. Second side of combustion chamber 33. Inner surface of combustion chamber 34. Radial contact ribs of combustion chamber 4. Probe 40. Probe contact tip 5. Roller 50. Circular rolling elements of roller 51. Roller axle 52. Carrier 6. Spring 7. Probe arm 70. Probe arm connecting piece 71. Probe arm axle 72. Probe arm bar 73. Connecting piece cavity 8. Stop 9. Stop
Claims
1. Fastener driving tool (1), the tool (1) comprising: a drive assembly (2) operable to drive a fastener along an axis (A); a combustion chamber (30) at least partially surrounding the drive assembly (2) and movable along the axis (A); and a probe (4) connected to the combustion chamber (30) and configured to make contact with a substrate in order to move the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2) to selectively allow the drive assembly (2) to operate; wherein the combustion chamber (30) comprises a roller (5) which rolls into the drive assembly (2) when the combustion chamber (30) moves along it.
2. Driving tool (1) according to claim 1, in which the probe (4) is connected to a first side (31) of the combustion chamber (30) and the roller (5) is mounted on a second side (32) of the combustion chamber (30) opposite to the first side (31).
3. Driving tool (1) according to claim 2, in which the probe (4) is connected only to the first side (31) of the combustion chamber (30).
4. Driving tool (1) according to claim 3, in which the first side (31) of the combustion chamber (30) is devoid of roller.
5. Driving tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combustion chamber (30) is forced towards a deactivation position in which the operation of the drive assembly (2) is prevented.
6. Driving tool (1) according to claim 5 comprising a spring-loaded means (6) for forcing the combustion chamber (30) towards the deactivation position.
7. Driving tool (1) according to claim 6, in which the spring means (6) is located between the drive assembly (2) and an arm (7) connecting the probe (4) to the combustion chamber (30).
8. Driving tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the probe (4) is pivotally connected to the combustion chamber (30).
9. Driving tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a stop (8) for limiting the movement of the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2).
10. Driving tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a guide (25) for guiding the movement of the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2).
11. Driving tool (1) according to claim 10 when it depends on claim 7, in which the guide comprises a pair of guide ribs located on either side of the arm (7) to guide the movement of the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2).
12. Driving tool (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the drive assembly (2) comprises a housing (20) from which the guide (25) projects radially, the housing (20) further comprising one or more radial contact ribs (24) which cooperate with an inner surface (33) of the combustion chamber (30) when it moves along the drive assembly (2).
13. Driving tool (1) according to claim 12, in which the inner surface (33) of the combustion chamber (30) comprises one or more radial contact ribs (34) which cooperate with the housing (20) when it moves along the drive assembly (2).
14. Driving tool (1) of any of the preceding claims comprising a combustion tool having an internal combustion engine (10) for driving the fasteners.
15. Driving tool (1) of any of the preceding claims comprising a nail gun or a stapler.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Combustion-powered fastener-driving tool with chamber opening and closing stop
EP2332695A1
Combustion gas-powered fastener driving tool
US4483474A
Combustion-powered tool assembly
US5197646A