Fastener support tool, connected fastener, and manufacturing method for fastener support tool

Abstract

To provide a fastener support tool, a connected fastener, and a manufacturing method for the fastener support tool which can reduce an outer diameter when connecting and winding the fastener in a coil shape while allowing a stable pounding posture of the fastener.SOLUTION: A fastener support tool according to the disclosure includes: a first tab standing from a first part and having a first support part supporting a first position of the fastener in a detachable / attachable manner at a front side of a plate-like member; and a second tab standing from a lower end of a second part and having a second support part supporting a second position above the first position of the fastener in a detachable / attachable manner at a front side of the plate-like member. A first opening for connecting to a lower end and upper end of the first part is formed at the first part, and a second opening for connecting to an upper end of the first opening at the lower end of the second part is formed at the second part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener support, a coupled fastener, and a method for manufacturing a fastener support. [Background technology]

[0002] Fasteners, such as screws and nails, are known for fastening workpieces together by being driven into them. A plurality of fasteners are supported in a linked state by a linking belt to which fastener supports for supporting the fasteners are connected. Such linked fasteners are loaded into a magazine for a driving tool and used. The fasteners set in the magazine are struck by a driver driven by compressed air or the like, whereby they are separated from the fastener supports and driven into the workpieces.

[0003] An example of such a coupled fastener and a driving tool is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Documents 2 and 3 also show examples of coupled fasteners. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,255 [Patent Document 2] Publication number 03-026329 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-206106 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the fastener support described in the prior art document has a configuration in which the head of the fastener is easily affected by the fastener support when the fastener is driven. If the fastener becomes unstable due to the effect of the fastener support, the fastener will tilt relative to the driving member, which is the workpiece, and the fastener will not be driven accurately. As a countermeasure to this, it is possible to support the fastener at a position far away from the fastener support so that the head of the fastener is less likely to be affected by the fastener support. However, if a configuration is adopted in which the fastener is supported at a position far away from the fastener support, the radius of the connected fastener when wound in a spiral shape will be large, and the number of fasteners that can be loaded into the magazine will be reduced.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastener support, a connected fastener, and a method for manufacturing a fastener support that stabilizes the driving posture of the fastener while reducing the outer diameter when the fasteners are connected and wound into a coil. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This application discloses a fastener support. The fastener support includes a plate-like member having a first portion, which is a lower portion, and a second portion, which is an upper portion, a first tab standing upright from the first portion and having a first support portion for detachably supporting a first position of the fastener in front of the plate-like member, and a second tab standing upright from a lower end of the second portion and having a second support portion for detachably supporting a second position of the fastener above the first position in front of the plate-like member. The first portion is provided with a first opening that is connected to the lower and upper ends of the first portion and through which the second tab can pass when the second tab is rotated around the lower end of the second portion as a fulcrum. The second portion is provided with a second opening that is connected to the upper end of the first opening at the lower end of the second portion and allows at least a portion of the fastener from the second position to the upper end of the fastener to be visible from behind. In addition, the first tab has a pair of first legs that stand up from the first portion and connect the first support portion and the first portion across the first opening, and the second tab has a pair of second legs that stand up from a lower end of the second portion and connect the second support portion and the second portion across the second opening.

[0008] The plate-like member is not limited to being rectangular, and may include a member formed in a shape other than a rectangle that extends in two dimensions (up-down and width directions), including, for example, a member formed in the shape shown in this embodiment.

[0009] The fastener support may further include a fastener to be supported. Fasteners include nails and screws. The fastener may further include other members for connecting the workpiece to another workpiece.

[0010] In addition, "the first opening through which the second tab can pass when the second tab is rotated around the lower end of the second part as a fulcrum" includes an opening through which the second tab cannot pass even when rotated when the first tab is in an upright state, and which is formed so that the second tab can pass through when the first tab is rotated (for example, when the first tab is rotated and parallel to the lower part). Here, an "opening" such as a "first opening" includes a configuration that is closed in a normal state when no external force is applied, but is provided so as to be able to form an opening when an external force is applied.

[0011] For example, the first portion may have a first opening that is connected to the lower and upper ends of the first portion and through which the second tab can pass when the second tab is rotated around the lower end of the second portion as a fulcrum. The first opening may be formed by making, for example, three cuts in the first portion. Here, the first cut is formed, for example, in the upper portion of the first portion so as to extend in the width direction. The second cut is formed, for example, in the lower portion of the first portion so as to extend in the width direction. The third cut is formed, for example, in the vertical direction so as to connect the first cut and the second cut. Even with this configuration, when the plate-shaped member is pressed from behind with a member such as a backstop claw described below, the backstop claw can push open both the portion of the first portion to the right of the third notch and surrounded by the first and second notches, and the portion of the first portion to the left of the third notch and surrounded by the first and second notches, thereby corresponding to a configuration capable of forming an opening when subjected to an external force, etc. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of when a member such as a check pawl is pressed from behind the plate-like member, when the second tab rotates and presses the plate-like member from the front, the second tab presses the plate-like member, thereby expanding both the portion of the first portion to the right of the third notch and surrounded by the first and second notches, and the portion of the first portion to the left of the third notch and surrounded by the first and second notches. Therefore, such a configuration also corresponds to a configuration that is provided so as to be able to form an opening when subjected to an external force or the like.

[0012] As a further example, the first opening formed in the first portion may be configured to have an opening provided at the lower part of the first portion that is open in a normal state when not subjected to external force, etc., and a notch extending in the vertical direction to connect this opening to the second opening. According to this configuration, the opening of the "first opening" and the "second opening" are separated in a normal state when no external force is applied (i.e. the plate-like member above the opening is closed), but when an external force is applied, both the part to the right of the notch and the part to the left of the notch can be pushed apart, so this corresponds to a configuration in which an opening can be formed when an external force is applied from, for example, a check pawl, a rotating tab, a fastener, etc. Here, the part of the plate-like member in which the notch is formed that connects the opening of the "first opening" and the "second opening" may be referred to as the "connecting part."

[0013] Similarly, the second opening formed in the second portion may be configured to have an opening provided at the upper portion of the second portion that is open in a normal state when not subjected to external force, etc., and a notch extending in the vertical direction to connect this opening to the first opening.

[0014] However, as disclosed in this embodiment, an "opening" such as a "first opening" also includes a configuration in which an opening is formed in a normal state in which no external force or the like is applied.

[0015] The present application further discloses a connected fastener comprising a plurality of fastener supports and a plurality of fasteners supported by the fastener supports, the first portion of one adjacent fastener support being connected to the first portion of the other adjacent fastener support, and the second portion of one adjacent fastener support being connected to the second portion of the other adjacent fastener support. When the fastener is a nail, the connecting fastener is sometimes called a connecting nail.

[0016] The connected fastener may be a connected fastener to be loaded into a driving tool that drives the fastener into a workpiece. The driving tool includes an engagement claw extending in a vertical direction. The fastener support is configured such that the engagement claw enters the second opening, the area between the pair of second legs, the first opening, and the area between the pair of first legs of the fastener support and is engaged by the engagement claw of the driving tool.

[0017] The present application further discloses a method for manufacturing a fastener support. In this manufacturing method, first, a plate-shaped original member is formed having an upper edge, a lower edge, and a first side edge and a second side edge connecting the upper edge and the lower edge, respectively. Then, a first notch is formed in the original member, the first notch connecting a first position that is closer to the upper edge than the lower edge and closer to the first side edge than the second side edge to an intermediate position that is closer to the lower edge than the upper edge, a second notch is formed in the original member, the second notch is formed in the original member, the second notch is formed in the original member, and the intermediate position is closer to the upper edge than the lower edge and closer to the second side edge than the first side edge to the intermediate position, and an opening is formed between the first position and the second position. A first virtual straight line passing through a position on the first notch closer to the relay position than the first position and a position on the second notch closer to the relay position than the second position is used as a fold line to fold a portion of the original member including the lower edge so as to stand up from other portions, thereby providing a first tab having a first support portion formed to be able to detachably support a first position of the fastener in front of the other portions, and a second virtual straight line passing through a position on the first notch closer to the first position than the relay position and a position on the second notch closer to the second position than the relay position and passing through the opening is used as a fold line to fold a portion of the original member surrounded by the first notch and the second notch so as to stand up from other portions, thereby providing a second tab having a second support portion formed to detachably support a second position of the fastener above the first position in front of the other portions.

[0018] The present application further discloses a fastener support for supporting a fastener extending in the vertical direction. The fastener support includes a connection portion extending in a width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, one first extension portion extending downward from one width direction end of the connection portion, the other first extension portion extending downward from the other width direction end of the connection portion, one first leg portion standing forward perpendicular to the vertical direction and the width direction from one of the first extension portions, the other first leg portion standing forward perpendicular to the vertical direction and the width direction from the other first extension portion, a first support portion connecting one of the first legs and the other of the first legs and supporting a first position of the fastener forward of the pair of first extension portions, and a first support portion having a length shorter than the pair of first extension portions and between the pair of first extension portions. The fastener includes a second extension portion extending downward from the connection portion at a position adjacent to the first extension portion, a second extension portion having a length shorter than the pair of first extension portions and extending downward from the connection portion at a position adjacent to the other of the first extension portions between the pair of first extension portions, a second leg portion standing forward from one of the second extension portions perpendicular to the up-down direction and the width direction, and a second support portion connecting the one second leg portion and the other second leg portion and supporting a second position above the first position of the fastener forward of the pair of second extension portions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fastener support according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fastener support according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the fastener support according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of a fastener support according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a bottom view (underside view) of the fastener support according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of a fastener support according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the interlocking fastener according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] 1 is a plan view (top view) of a connected fastener according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a bottom view (underside view) of the interlocking fastener according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of an interlocking fastener according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of an interlocking fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (rear view) of a fastener support according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram (side view) of a fastener support according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are front views illustrating a manufacturing process for a fastener support according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a driving tool according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13A] 3 is a nose portion of a driving tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13B] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fastener support according to the embodiment of the present invention is fed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiments.

[0021] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views of a fastener support 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front left and rear left, respectively. Fig. 3, Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, and Fig. 5 are a rear view as viewed from the rear, a plan view as viewed from above, a bottom view as viewed from below, and a left side view as viewed from the left, respectively, of the fastener support 10. Fig. 6, Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B, and Fig. 8 are a rear view as viewed from the rear, a plan view as viewed from above, a bottom view as viewed from below, and a left side view as viewed from the left, of the fastener support 10 supporting a fastener F. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a coupled fastener 100 that is wound in a spiral shape.

[0022] For convenience, in this specification, the direction from the fastener body FB (which may be called the "fastener shank") to the fastener head FH is referred to as the upper direction, and the direction from the fastener head FH to the fastener body FB is referred to as the lower direction. These directions may be collectively referred to as the up-down direction, and the direction from the plate member 20 (described later) of the fastener support 10 to the fastener F is referred to as the front direction, and the direction from the fastener F to the plate member 20 is referred to as the rear direction. These directions may be collectively referred to as the front-rear direction. In addition, the direction toward the right as viewed from the front is referred to as the right direction, and the direction toward the left as viewed from the front is referred to as the left direction. These directions may be collectively referred to as the left-right direction or width direction. These names are names for expressing relative positional relationships, and do not represent absolute positional relationships. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the up-down direction is indicated by the Z axis, the front-rear direction is indicated by the X axis, and the left-right direction (width direction) is indicated by the Y axis. The up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction (width direction) are perpendicular to each other.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1 etc., fastener support 10 has two tabs, a first tab 31 and a second tab 32, extending forward from plate-like member 20. As shown in Fig. 8 etc., fastener support 10 is configured to be able to support a single type or multiple types of fasteners F by engaging first tab 31 and second tab 32 with main body portion FB of fastener F.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 9 etc., a plurality of fastener supports 10, each supporting a fastener F, are linked in the left-right direction to form a linked fastener 100. The linked fastener 100 is loaded into a driving tool in a spirally wound state as shown in the figure. When a driver of the driving tool strikes the head FH of the fastener F from above, the fastener F separates from the fastener support 10 and travels downward to be driven into the workpiece. The detailed configuration of the fastener support 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0025] [Plate-shaped member] The fastener support 10 comprises a plate-like member 20 supporting a first tab 31 and a second tab 32. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 etc., the plate-like member 20 comprises a lower portion 21 (an example of a "first portion") which corresponds to the lower part and supports the first tab 31, and an upper portion 22 (an example of a "second portion") which corresponds to the upper part, is provided above the lower portion 21 and is continuous with the lower portion 21, and supports the second tab 32. Figure 3 shows an imaginary line 20L1 which divides the lower portion 21 and the upper portion 22.

[0026] [Bottom (1st part)] A first opening 21OP extending in the vertical direction so as to connect to the lower end and upper end of the lower part 21 is formed in the widthwise center of the lower part 21 supporting the first tab 31. By providing such a first opening 21OP, as shown in the rear view of Fig. 6, a user of the driving tool can visually check from the rear a portion of fastener F of connected fastener 100 from a position supported by support portion 32H of second tab 32 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "second support position FP2" or "second fastener support position FP2") to a position supported by first support portion 31H of first tab 31 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "first support position FP1" or "first fastener support position FP1").

[0027] This first opening 21OP is formed to allow the second tab 32 (described later) to pass through when the second tab 32 rotates (rotates in the direction of arrow AR2 in FIG. 5) about the lower end of the upper portion 22 as a fulcrum. As the fastener F is struck by the driver of the driving tool and moves downward, the front end of the second tab 32 rotates about the lower end of the upper portion 22 as a fulcrum to approach the plate-like member 20, but the second tab 32 collides with the first portion 21, etc., and the rotation is prevented, so that the downward progress of the fastener F is prevented from being impeded. In addition, the first opening 21OP may be formed such that the second tab 32 cannot pass through when the first tab 31 is upright, but the second tab 32 can pass through when the first tab 31 is rotated (for example, when the first tab 31 is rotated and parallel to the lower portion 21).

[0028] 3 and the like, the first opening 21OP in this embodiment is formed to have a maximum width W1 in the width direction. As shown in the figure, the maximum width W1 of the first opening 21OP is larger than the maximum width W2 of the second opening 22OP (described later), and is preferably larger than twice the maximum width W2.

[0029] By forming the first opening 21OP wider than the second opening 22OP in this manner, it is possible to reduce the risk that the fastener head FH of the fastener F will get caught on the fastener support 10, impeding the downward movement of the fastener F, and stabilize the posture of the fastener F. In addition, by forming the first opening 21OP wider, the visibility of the main body portion FB of the fastener F is improved.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first opening 21OP is further formed to include a tapered opening 21OPT whose width increases toward the top.

[0031] By forming the first opening 21OP to include a portion whose width increases upward, in other words, to include a portion whose width decreases downward, it is possible to secure an opening at the center of the width of the plate-like member 20, which is most likely to come into contact with the fastener head FH, and to realize a configuration in which the fastener head FH is less likely to get caught by the fastener support tool 10. In addition, when the fastener support tool 10 supports a fastener F having a large fastener head FH, for example, the fastener F may advance downward while the polygonal or circular boundary edge between the side surface and the bottom surface facing downward of the fastener head FH comes into contact with the opening edge of the first opening 21OP. At this time, the tapered opening 21OPT becomes narrower as it advances downward, so it is possible to promote the fastener F moving gradually away from the plate-like member 20 as it advances downward.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the tapered opening 21OPT is formed in a tapered shape having a straight opening edge, but is not limited to this. For example, an opening may be formed with an opening edge having a curved line such as a rounded shape, as a portion in which the width increases toward the top.

[0033] The tapered opening 21OPT may be formed over the entire first opening 21OP, or may be formed only in a portion of the first opening 21OP (for example, only the upper end or only the lower end of the first opening 21OP). When the tapered opening 21OPT is formed only in the lower end of the first opening 21OP, the portion provided above the tapered opening 21OPT may be formed to have a constant width.

[0034] [Top (second part)] A second opening 22OP extending in the vertical direction is formed in the widthwise center of the upper part 22 supporting the second tab 32 so as to connect to the widthwise center of the upper end of the first opening 21OP at the lower end of the upper part 22 (i.e., the upper end of the lower part 21). By providing such a second opening 22OP, as shown in Fig. 6, a user of the driving tool can visually check from the rear direction a portion of the fastener F of the connected fastener 100 from the second support position FP2 supported by the support part 32H of the second tab 32 to at least a part of the fastener head FH.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the second opening 22OP in this embodiment is further formed to have a maximum width W2 in the width direction. As shown in the figure, the maximum width W2 of the second opening 22OP is smaller than the maximum width W1 of the first opening 21OP. The height of the second opening 22OP in the vertical direction is smaller than the height of the first opening 21OP in the vertical direction. In addition, unlike the first opening 21OP that includes a portion (tapered opening 21OPT) whose width increases toward the top, the second opening 22OP is formed to have a constant width in the vertical direction. However, the second opening 22OP may be formed so that its width varies in the vertical direction (for example, so as to have a tapered shape).

[0036] Unlike the first opening 21OP through which the second tab 32 may pass when driven, the second opening 22OP may be smaller in width than the first opening 21OP because the tab does not pass through it, and is formed to have a minimum width and height to ensure visibility from the back surface of the fastener F. Here, when the head diameter of the fastener head FH is large, the fastener support 10 may support the fastener F so that a part of the fastener head FH enters the second opening 22OP and further so that a part of the fastener head FH protrudes rearward from the second opening 22OP by forming the second opening 22OP so that the height of the second opening 22OP is greater than the height of the fastener head FH. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the distance between the fastener support 10 and the fastener F, and therefore it is possible to promote the reduction in diameter of the spirally wound connected fastener.

[0037] With this configuration, it is possible to ensure the height of the upper portion 22 above the second opening 22OP, and also to relatively increase the width of the portion where the upper portion 22 is connected to the second tab 32, thereby making it possible to suppress deformation of the second tab 32 when supporting the fastener F. However, the second opening 22OP may be formed so that the dimension in the width direction or the dimension in the height direction varies.

[0038] The upper portion 22 in this embodiment further includes a first slit 22S1 that is an opening connected to one end of the upper end of the first opening 21OP in the width direction, and a second slit 22S2 that is an opening connected to the other end of the upper end of the first opening 21OP in the width direction. The first slit 22S1 and the second slit 22S2 are formed by extending in the up-down direction. The first slit 22S1 (second slit 22S2) and the first opening 21OP are connected by making a cut in the upper portion 22 to connect them. Therefore, the first slit 22S1 (second slit 22S2) has an extremely small width at the lower end and is relatively wide at the upper portion. The second slit 22S2 is formed symmetrically with the first slit 22S1, so a detailed description will be omitted. However, the second slit 22S2 does not necessarily have to be formed symmetrically with the first slit 22S1, and may be formed in a shape different from that of the first slit 22S1. For example, the cutout connecting to the first opening 21OP of the second slit 22S2 may have a different shape from the cutout connecting to the first opening 21OP of the first slit 22S1.

[0039] As a result of this configuration, the first opening 21OP is connected to the second opening 22OP at the center of the upper end, connected to the first slit 22S1 at one end of the upper end in the width direction, and connected to the second slit 22S2 at the other end of the upper end in the width direction.

[0040] With this configuration, the first slit 22S1 is formed between the portion of the upper portion 22 that connects to the second tab 32 (the portion between the second opening 22OP and the first slit 22S1 in FIG. 3) and the portion that connects to the first tab 31 (through the lower portion 21) (the portion to the right of the first slit 22S1 in FIG. 3). Similarly, the second slit 22S2 is formed between the portion of the upper portion 22 that connects to the second tab 32 (the portion between the second opening 22OP and the second slit 22S2 in FIG. 3) and the portion that connects to the first tab 31 (through the lower portion 21) (the portion to the left of the second slit 22S2 in FIG. 3). This makes it possible to promote the front end of the second tab 32 to rotate (rotate in the direction of the arrow AR2 in FIG. 5) so as to approach the plate-like member 20 as the fastener F is struck by the driver of the driving tool and moves downward. For example, the width of the first slit 22S1 may be increased so that the portion that connects to the second tab 32 also rotates together with the second tab 32. In this configuration, it becomes possible to easily retract the second tab 32 from the ejection path.

[0041] As described above, according to the plate-like member 20 of this embodiment, in a configuration in which the lower part 21, which is the lower part, supports the first tab 31, which is the lower tab, and the upper part 22, which is the upper part, supports the second tab 32, which is the upper tab, a first opening 21OP is formed in the widthwise center of the lower part 21, which extends from the upper end to the lower end of the lower part 21, and a second opening 22OP is formed in the widthwise center of the upper part 22, which connects (continues to) the first opening 21OP. Therefore, in the widthwise center of the plate-like member 20, which is closest to the area through which the fastener head FH moving downward passes, a large opening is formed, which is the first opening 21OP that connects to the lower end of the lower part 21 and extends upward from the lower end, and the second opening 22OP that is connected to the first opening 21OP and extends further upward from the lower end. As a result, there is no obstacle on the path of the fastener head FH that hinders the progress of the fastener F, so it is possible to drive the fastener F without disturbing the posture compared to the conventional method. Therefore, it is possible to prevent improper driving of the fastener F into the driving member, which is the workpiece, in an inclined state.

[0042] The lower end of the plate-like member 20, i.e., the vertical position of the lower end of the lower portion 21 (corresponding to the Z-axis coordinate) may be constant across the width direction (corresponding to the Y-axis coordinate) as shown in Fig. 3, or may vary depending on the position in the width direction, as opposed to Fig. 3. For example, by modifying the shape of the lower portion 21 in Fig. 3, the lower portion 21 may be formed so that the lower ends of the lower portion 21 at one or both ends in the width direction protrude downward from the lower end of the widthwise center of the lower portion 21 (Fig. 10). Even with such a shape, the lower portion 21 has a first opening 21OP that is connected to the lower end of the center and extends upward, so that it is possible to exert the effect of preventing the fastener F from getting caught on the fastener support 10.

[0043] [First tab] The fastener support 10 includes a first tab 31 and a second tab 32 that detachably support a fastener F. These tabs are provided upright toward the front from a plate-shaped member 20, which is an example of a member extending in two-dimensional directions (YZ plane directions) in the up-down and left-right directions, and are configured to be able to support a fastener F in front of the plate-shaped member 20. As shown in FIG. 5, which is a left side view, the first tab 31 is provided upright toward the front from the lower end of the plate-shaped member 20 (the lower end of the lower portion 21) in a side view. Since the lower end of the lower portion 21 also corresponds to the lower end of the plate-shaped member 20, it can also be said that the first tab 31 is provided upright toward the front from the lower end of the plate-shaped member 20. However, the first tab 31 may be provided upright toward the front so as to be slightly inclined with respect to the plate-shaped member 20. For example, the first tab 31 may be provided upright toward the front so as to be slightly inclined downward with respect to the plate-shaped member 20. In this case, the second tab 32 may be provided standing forward and inclined slightly upward with respect to the plate-like member 20 in order to support the fastener F.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1 etc., the first tab 31 has a first support portion 31H that supports the first support position FP1 (Figure 8) of the fastener main body portion FB, and a pair of first leg portions 31F that connect the lower portion 21 and the first tab 31 by standing upright from the lower portion 21 on either side of the first opening 21OP.

[0045] As shown in the same figure, the front end of the first support portion 31H in this embodiment has a pair of arm-like extending portions (sometimes called "arm portions") having an arc-shaped or cylindrical inner wall surface so as to support the left-facing and right-facing sides of the fastener main body portion FB having a circular cross-section, respectively.

[0046] The front end of the first tab 31 (the front end of the first support portion 31H) is further formed with an opening that communicates with the inner wall surfaces of the pair of arms.

[0047] As the fastener F progresses downward, the front end of the first tab 31 rotates around the lower end of the lower portion 21 as a fulcrum so as to approach the plate-like member 20, and the fastener F is configured to be detachable from the fastener support 10 by slipping through this opening.

[0048] When the first support portion 31H supports the fastener F, the width 31HW (Figure 4B) of the first support portion 31H in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the up-down and front-to-back directions) at a position passing through the central axis of the fastener F is formed to be larger than the width 32HW (Figure 4A) of the second support portion 32H in the width direction at a position passing through the central axis of the fastener F described later.

[0049] By making the width 31HW of the first support portion 31H of the first tab 31 provided below larger than the width 32HW of the second support portion 32H of the second tab 32 provided above, it is possible to increase the fastener holding force of the lower tab from which the fastener F is generally more likely to come off, thereby preventing poor driving in caused by nail dislodging which results in the fastener F coming off and malfunction of the driving tool.

[0050] The rear end (end in the negative direction of the X-axis) of the first support portion 31H is connected to a pair of first legs 31F. The pair of first legs 31F are erected from the lower portion 21 with the first opening 21OP therebetween, so that a space (gap) where no member is present is provided between the widthwise center of the rear end of the first support portion 31H and the plate-like member 20, as shown in FIG. 4(B). That is, an opening 31OP is formed between the pair of first legs 31F of the first tab 31 so as to penetrate the first tab 31 in the up-down direction (note that the first opening 21OP corresponds to an opening formed so as to penetrate the plate-like member 20 in the front-rear direction).

[0051] The shape of the opening 31OP can be determined according to the shape of the pair of first legs 31F. In this embodiment, the pair of first legs 31F are formed so that their width increases as they move away from the lower portion 21. The distance between the pair of first legs 31F is also formed so that it decreases as it approaches the first support portion 31H. As a result, the opening 31OP formed between the pair of first legs 31F of the first tab 31 is formed so that its width increases as it moves closer to the lower portion 21 (moves rearward) when viewed from above.

[0052] With the above configuration, compared to a case where no opening 31OP is formed and a member is provided, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the fastener head FH (particularly the fastener head FH of a fastener F with a large head) will get caught on the first tab 31. As a result, there is less need to support the fastener F in the front, far away from the plate-like member 20, which in turn contributes to a smaller diameter when the connected fastener 100 is wound in a spiral shape.

[0053] In addition, compared to a configuration in which the tab is held by only one leg, by providing a pair of first legs 31F, it is possible to stabilize the rotational direction of the first tab 31, and therefore it is possible to stabilize the direction of travel of the fastener F which descends while in contact with the first tab 31.

[0054] Furthermore, by forming the opening 31OP, when the front end of the second tab 32 rotates around the lower end of the upper part 22 as a fulcrum to approach the plate-like member 20, a gap is created between the front end of the second tab 32 and the rear end of the first support portion 31H, thereby reducing the possibility that the second tab 32 will collide with the first tab 31, etc., and its rotation will be hindered.

[0055] Additionally, in this embodiment, the opening 31OP is formed so that its width increases as it approaches the lower portion 21 (progresses rearward), in other words, its width decreases as it moves away from the lower portion 21 (progresses forward). Here, the opening 31OP may be formed in a tapered shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed in, for example, a rounded shape (curved shape).

[0056] When fastener support 10 supports fastener F with a large fastener head FH, for example, fastener F may advance downward while the polygonal or circular boundary edge between the side surface and the downward-facing bottom surface of fastener head FH comes into contact with the edge of opening 31OP. At this time, first tab 31 rotates, and as a result opening 31OP becomes narrower the further it advances downward, so that fastener F can be encouraged to advance downward while tilting first tab 31 in the direction approaching plate-like member 20.

[0057] [Second tab] As shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings, the second tab 32 includes a second support portion 32H that supports a second support position FP2 (FIG. 8) above the first support position FP1 of the fastener body portion FB, and a pair of second legs 32F that connect the upper portion 22 and the second tab 32 by standing upright from the upper portion 22 with the second opening 22OP in between. As shown in a side view in FIG. 5, the second tab 32 is provided standing upright forward from the lower end of the upper portion 22. However, like the first tab 31, the second tab 32 may be provided standing upright forward so as to be slightly inclined relative to the plate-like member 20. For example, when supporting a heavy fastener F, the second tab 32 may be provided standing upright forward so as to be slightly inclined downward relative to the upper portion 22 (plate-like member 20). In this case, the first tab 31 may be provided standing upright forward so as to be slightly inclined upward relative to the plate-like member 20 in order to support the fastener F.

[0058] 1 and other drawings, similar to the first tab 31, the front end of the second support portion 32H of the second tab has a pair of arm-like extending portions (sometimes called "arm portions") with arc-shaped or cylindrical inner wall surfaces so as to support the leftward and rightward side surfaces of the fastener body portion FB having a circular cross section. The front end of the second support portion 32H further has an opening communicating with the inner wall surfaces of the pair of arms, so that when the front end of the second tab 32 rotates around the vicinity of the lower end of the upper portion 22 as a fulcrum so as to approach the plate-like member 20 as the fastener F advances downward, the fastener F is configured to slip through this opening and be detachable from the fastener support 10.

[0059] As described above, when second support portion 32H supports fastener F, width 32HW (FIG. 4A) of second support portion 32H in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the up-down and front-rear directions) at a position passing through the central axis of fastener F is formed smaller than width 31HW (FIG. 4B) of first support portion 31H described above. Since width 31HW of first support portion 31H provided below is made larger than width 32HW of second support portion 32H provided above, it is possible to increase the fastener holding force of the lower tab from which fastener F is likely to come off.

[0060] Similar to the first support 31H, the rear end (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis) of the second support 32H is connected to a pair of second legs 32F. The pair of second legs 32F are erected from the lower end of the upper portion 22 with the second opening 22OP therebetween, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 4A, a space (gap) where no member is present is provided between the widthwise center of the rear end of the second support 32H and the plate-like member 20. That is, an opening 32OP is formed between the pair of second legs 32F of the second tab 32 so as to penetrate the second tab 32 in the up-down direction.

[0061] The shape of the opening 32OP can be determined according to the shape of the pair of second leg portions 32F, similar to the opening 31OP. As with the opening 31OP, the opening 32OP may be formed so that its width increases as it approaches the second portion 22 (progresses rearward) when viewed from above. In other words, the opening 32OP may be formed so that its width decreases as it approaches the support portion 32H (progresses forward). With this configuration, the second tab 32 can be easily rotated, and therefore it is possible to prevent the second tab 32 from interfering with the progress of the fastener F.

[0062] The above-described configuration makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the fastener head FH will get caught on the second tab 32, compared to a case in which no opening 32OP is formed and a member is provided. As a result, there is less need to support the fastener F at a position far away from the plate-like member 20, which in turn contributes to a smaller diameter when the connected fastener 100 is wound in a spiral shape.

[0063] The length 32L (FIG. 5) of the second tab 32 in the front-rear direction may be greater than the height 21HT (FIG. 5) of the lower portion 21 in the up-down direction.

[0064] With this configuration, when the second tab 32 rotates about the lower end of the upper portion 22 as a fulcrum and becomes parallel to the plate-like member 20, the lower end of the second tab 32 is positioned lower than the lower end of the lower portion 21. This makes it possible to reduce the vertical height of the plate-like member 20 compared to a case in which the front-to-rear length of the tab corresponding to the second tab is smaller than the vertical height of the portion corresponding to the lower portion. By reducing the vertical dimension (height) of the fastener support 10 in this way, it becomes possible to suitably support short fasteners F.

[0065] 6, the fastener support 10 as described above makes it possible to visually view from behind a portion of the fastener head FH of the fastener F from the second support position FP2 through the second opening 22OP, and makes it possible to visually view from behind a portion of the fastener F from the second support position FP2 to the first support position FP1 through the first opening 21OP, and because the first opening 21OP is connected to at least the lower end of the center of the plate-like member 20, it also makes it possible to visually view from behind a portion of the fastener F from the first support position FP1 to the lower end of the fastener F that protrudes below the plate-like member 20. In other words, the fastener support 10 makes it possible to visually view all or most of the portion of the fastener F from at least a portion of the fastener head FH to the lower end of the fastener F from the rear. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when fastener F is spirally wound in a positional relationship inwardly relative to the fastener support 10 that supports this fastener F, a user of the driving tool can easily identify the type of fastener F.

[0066] Furthermore, a first opening 21OP is formed in the widthwise center of the lower part 21 of the plate-like member 20, reaching from the lower end to the upper end of the lower part 21, and further, a second opening 22OP that connects (continues) to the first opening 21OP is formed in the widthwise center of the upper part 22, so that an opening is formed in the widthwise center of the plate-like member 20 that is closest to the area through which the fastener head FH traveling downward passes, from a height equivalent to the fastener head FH of the fastener F to the lower end of the plate-like member 20. This makes it possible to prevent the fastener F from getting caught on the fastener support 10.

[0067] 13B, it is possible to insert an engagement claw (return prevention claw) extending in the vertical direction of the driving tool into the second opening 22OP, between the pair of second leg portions 32F, the first opening 21OP, and the area between the pair of first leg portions 31F. Therefore, when the feed claw (described later) moves in the direction opposite to the feed direction to feed the next fastener F, it is also possible to restrict the movement of the connected fastener 100 so that the connected fastener 100 does not move in the opposite direction.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in the plan view (FIG. 4A) and the bottom view (FIG. 4B), an opening 32OP is formed in the widthwise center portion to separate the second tab 32 from the plate-like member 20, and an opening 31OP is formed in the widthwise center portion to separate the first tab 31 from the plate-like member 20. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the fastener F (particularly a type of fastener F having a large fastener head FH) will be caught by the fastener support 10, compared to when a member is present in this portion. In addition, it is possible to promote the rotation of the second tab 32 and the first tab 31, so that excessive inhibition of the downward movement of the fastener F can be suppressed. In order to promote the rotation of the second tab 32 and the first tab 31, a cut may be formed so as to remove a part of the member of each connection portion between the second tab 32 and the first tab 31 and the plate-like member 20, or at least one of the connection portions, to make the member thinner.

[0069] In other words, the fastener support 10 described above comprises a connecting portion extending in the width direction and four extending portions connected to this member. Here, the connecting portion corresponds to a member provided at the upper end of the upper portion 22 and extending in the width direction. Note that, as shown in Fig. 6 etc., the connecting portion does not necessarily have to be rectangular as long as it is formed so as to connect the respective extending portions to each other.

[0070] The pair of first extension parts are members that connect to the first tab 31. The first extension parts are connected to the connection part and include one first extension part that extends downward from one width direction end part of the connection part (sometimes called "one width direction end part"; Y-axis negative direction end part), and the other first extension part that extends downward from the other width direction end part of the connection part (sometimes called "other width direction end part"; Y-axis positive direction end part). One first extension part corresponds to a member that extends downward at the right end of the upper part 22 of the plate-like member 20 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, and further extends downward at the right end of the lower part 21 to connect to the first tab 31. The other first extension part corresponds to a member that extends downward at the left end of the upper part 22 of the plate-like member 20 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, and further extends downward at the left end of the lower part 21 to connect to the first tab 31.

[0071] Furthermore, fastener support 10 has one first leg portion 31F standing forward from one first extension portion, and the other first leg portion 31F standing forward from the other first extension portion. Fastener support 10 also has a first support portion 31H that connects the pair of first legs 31F together and supports fastener F at a first support position FP1, forward of the pair of first extension portions.

[0072] The pair of second extensions are members that connect to the second tab 32. The second extensions have a length shorter than that of the first extensions. One of the second extensions is formed between the pair of first extensions and adjacent to one of the first extensions corresponding to the right end (end in the negative direction of the Y axis) in FIG. 3 so as to extend downward from the connection portion. One of the first extensions and one of the second extensions are divided by a first slit 22S1. The other of the second extensions is formed between the pair of first extensions and adjacent to the other of the first extensions corresponding to the left end (end in the positive direction of the Y axis) in FIG. 3 so as to extend downward from the connection portion. The other of the first extensions and the other of the second extensions are divided by a second slit 22S2. In addition, a second opening 22OP is formed between the pair of second extensions.

[0073] Furthermore, fastener support 10 includes one second leg portion 32F standing forward from one second extension portion, and the other second leg portion 32F standing forward from the other second extension portion. Fastener support 10 also includes a second support portion 32H that connects the pair of second leg portions 32F to each other and supports fastener F at a second support position FP2 above the first support position FP1, in front of the pair of second extension portions. The fastener support 10 thus constructed also exerts the same effects as those described above.

[0074] 10A and 10B are a rear view and a left side view, respectively, that show a schematic diagram of a fastener support 50 according to a modified example of fastener support 10. As shown in the drawings, fastener support 50 supports fastener F1 (however, in order to easily explain the configuration of fastener support 50, fastener F1 is not shown in FIG. 10A, which is a rear view).

[0075] The fastener support 50 includes a connecting portion 50C extending in the width direction, a first extension portion 51EA extending downward from one width direction end of the connecting portion 50C, a first extension portion 51EB extending downward from the other width direction end, a first leg portion 51FA standing forward from one first extension portion 51EA, and a second first leg portion 51FB standing forward from the other first extension portion 51EB, a first support portion 51H connecting the pair of first legs 51FA and first leg portions 51FB and supporting a first position of the fastener F1 forward of the pair of first extension portions 51EA and first extension portions 51EB, and having a length shorter than the pair of first extension portions 51EA and first extension portions 51EB, and being disposed between the pair of first extension portions 51EA and first extension portions 51EB and the first extension portion 51EA the other second extension portion 52EB having a length shorter than the pair of first extension portions 51EA and first extension portions 51EB and extending downward from the connection portion 50C at a position adjacent to the other first extension portion 51EB between the pair of first extension portions 51EA and first extension portions 51EB; one second leg portion 52FA standing forward from the one second extension portion 52EA; the other second leg portion 52FB standing forward from the other second extension portion 52EB; and a second support portion 52H connecting the pair of second legs 52FA and second leg portion 52FB and supporting a second position of the fastener F1 above the first position and in front of the pair of second extension portions 52EA and second extension portion 52EB.

[0076] At this time, openings 50OP are formed between the pair of first extension portions 51EA and first extension portions 51EB and between the pair of second extension portions 52EA and second extension portions 52EB, the openings 50OP being connected to the lower end of the center of fastener support 50 and penetrating fastener support 10 in the front-to-rear direction. Because such openings 50OP are formed, the user can visually check from a part of the fastener head of fastener F1 to the lower end of fastener F1 from the rear, except for the portions supported by first support portion 51H and second support portion 52H.

[0077] Further, an opening penetrating in the vertical direction is formed between the pair of first leg portions 51FA and first leg portions 51FB. An opening penetrating in the vertical direction is also formed between the pair of second leg portions 52FA and second leg portions 52FB. With such a fastener support 50 as well, it is possible to achieve the same effects as with the fastener support 10.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown by fastener F1 in the figure, when supporting a type of fastener having a fastener head with a large diameter, the fastener may be supported so that part of the fastener head is inserted into the upper opening (e.g., 22OP) not only in fastener support 50 but also in fastener support 10. Furthermore, when the fastener head is large, the fastener may be supported so that part of the fastener head protrudes rearward from the upper opening (e.g., 22OP).

[0079] Such a configuration allows the distance between the fastener and the fastener support to be reduced compared to known fastener supports, facilitating the reduction in diameter of the spirally wound interlocking fasteners.

[0080] [Connected fastener] 6 and other figures, multiple fastener supporters 10, each supporting a fastener F, are connected in the width direction to form a connected fastener 100. The lower part 21 (first portion 21) and upper part 22 (second portion 22) of one fastener support 10 included in the connected fastener 100 are connected to the lower part 21 and upper part 22 of another adjacent fastener support 10, respectively.

[0081] Furthermore, a slit 21S extending upwardly and approaching the upper portion 22 may be formed between the lower portion 21 of one fastener support 10 and the lower portion 21 of an adjacent fastener support 10 so as to reduce the width of the lower portion 21.

[0082] By forming the slit 21S, it is possible to promote deformation and rotation of the first tab 31 connected to the lower part 21 when the fastener F is struck by the driver of the driving tool and moves downward, thereby making it possible to prevent the first tab 31 from excessively hindering the downward movement of the fastener F. With the above-described configuration, the first tab 31 and the second tab 32 rotate so as to be approximately parallel to the plate-shaped member 20, thereby retracting from the injection path within the driving tool 110, thereby making it possible to prevent the progress of the fastener F from being impeded.

[0083] (Manufacturing method) Next, a description will be given of a manufacturing method for fastener support 10. Fig. 11 is a front view (viewed from the positive direction of the X-axis) showing a plate-shaped member after the process of forming cuts and openings in original member 70 and before the process of bending portions of original member 70 that correspond to tabs in the manufacturing process for fastener support 10.

[0084] First, there is formed an original member 70 that is the base of the fastener support 10. The original member 70 is, for example, a plate-like member formed by resin molding.

[0085] The original members 70 have an upper edge 70U, a lower edge 70B, and a first side edge 70L and a second side edge 70R that respectively connect the upper edge 70U and the lower edge 70B, and are formed, for example, in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. Typically, the original members 70 are formed at one time so that the second side edge 70R of one adjacent original member 70 is connected to the first side edge 70L of the other adjacent original member 70. However, the original members 70 may be formed at one time so that the lower edge 70B of one adjacent original member 70 is connected to the upper edge 70U or the lower edge 70B of the other adjacent original member 70, or in a matrix. When multiple original members 70 are formed at one time, a periodically formed member including a portion that will later become a single fastener support 10 corresponds to a single original member 70.

[0086] Next, cuts and openings are formed in multiple places in the base member 70 to form a plate-like member before bending the portions corresponding to the tabs. The order in which the cuts are made in the base member and the order in which the openings are formed are not limited to this, and for example, multiple cuts and openings described below may be formed at the same time.

[0087] For example, the cuts and openings may be formed by pressing the base material with a punch formed according to the shape of the cuts and openings to be formed. Furthermore, forming may be performed simultaneously with the formation of the cuts and openings, and the folding process described below may be performed.

[0088] First, a first cut 70S1 is formed in the original member 70. The first cut 70S1 is a cut that connects the first position 70P1 of the original member 70 and the intermediate position 70MP. Here, the first position 70P1 is a position that is closer to the upper edge 70U than the lower edge 70B of the original member 70, and closer to the first side edge 70L than the second side edge 70R of the original member 70. The intermediate position 70MP is a position that is closer to the lower edge 70B than the first position 70P1, and closer to the second side edge 70R than the first position 70P1. Typically, the intermediate position 70MP is a position that is closer to the lower edge 70B than the upper edge 70U, and corresponds to the middle between the first side edge 70L and the second side edge 70R.

[0089] At the same time, a second cut is formed in the original component. The second cut is a cut that connects the relay position 70MP and the second position 70P2 of the original component 70. Here, the second position 70P2 is a position that is closer to the upper edge 70U of the original component 70 than the lower edge 70B, and closer to the second side edge 70R of the original component 70 than the first side edge 70L.

[0090] In this embodiment, a second opening 22OP is further formed in the fastener support 10 (Figure 3), and at the same time, an opening 70OP4 extending in the vertical direction is formed between the first position 70P1 and the second position 70P2 in the left-right direction and above the relay position 70MP (and opening 70OP3) in the up-down direction.

[0091] In this embodiment, a first slit 22S1 and a second slit 22S2 are formed in the fastener support 10 (Figure 3), and at the same time, an opening 70OP1 corresponding to the first slit 22S1 is formed so that a portion of the first cut 70S1 including the first position 70P1 becomes part of the opening edge, and similarly, an opening 70OP2 corresponding to the second slit 22S2 is formed so that a portion of the second cut 70S2 including the second position 70P2 becomes part of the opening edge.

[0092] The fastener support 10 of this embodiment further includes a second tab 32 including a second support portion 32H having a pair of arm-like extending portions ("arms") for supporting the fastener body portion FB. For this reason, an opening 70OP3 corresponding to the shape of the arms of the second support portion 32H is simultaneously formed so that a cut extending from a part of the first cut 70S1 including the relay position 70MP to a part of the second cut 70S2 becomes part of the opening edge. However, a portion corresponding to the second tab 32 may be formed when forming the base member 70 by resin molding or the like.

[0093] As described above, the original component 70 is formed with a notch connecting the first position 70P1 and the second position 70P2 via the relay position 70MP, an opening 70OP3 that includes the relay position 70MP as the lower end of the opening edge, and an opening 70OP4 above the opening 70OP3 in a region corresponding to between the first position 70P1 and the second position 70P2 in the left-right direction.

[0094] Since fastener support 10 of this embodiment further includes first tab 31 including first support portion 31H, a portion corresponding to first tab 31 including first support portion 31H may be formed simultaneously by simultaneously making incisions so as to cut off lower end edge 70B and lower end portions of first side edge 70L and second side edge 70R of original member 70. However, the portion corresponding to first tab 31 may be formed when original member 70 is formed by resin molding.

[0095] Next, the original component is folded along a predetermined crease to make the portion corresponding to the second tab 32 and the portion corresponding to the first tab 31 stand upright relative to the other portions of the original component 70, thereby manufacturing the fastener support 10. This forming process may be carried out simultaneously with the process of forming the cuts, etc. Also, when performing the process of making the cuts, the portions corresponding to the creases and the portions connected to the adjacent original components may be half-cut to make the cuts. Also, instead of half-cutting, a V-notch or a cut using a perforation may be made.

[0096] As shown in the same figure, the second fold for providing the second tab 32 is set on a second virtual straight line 70L2 parallel to the left-right direction, which passes through a position 70P11 on the first notch 70S closer to the first position 70P1 than the relay position 70MP, and a position 70P21 on the second notch 70S closer to the second position 70P2 than the relay position 70MP, and also passes through the opening 70OP4.

[0097] By folding the portion below the second fold (second virtual straight line 70L2) and surrounded by the first notch S1 and the second notch S2 so that it stands upright from the other portions of the original member 70, it is possible to provide a second tab 32 having a second support portion 32H formed to be capable of removably supporting the second support position FP2 of the fastener F in front of the other portions of the original member 70.

[0098] Here, since the second imaginary straight line 70L2 including the second fold passes through the opening 70OP4, the standing portion from below the second fold (second imaginary straight line 70L2) to the lower end of the opening 70OP4 becomes a pair of second legs 32F.

[0099] That is, the upper portion of opening 70OP4 corresponds to a second opening 22OP that penetrates the plate-shaped member 20 in the front-to-rear direction, and the lower portion corresponds to an opening 32OP that is formed between a pair of second leg portions 32F and penetrates the second tab 32 in the up-down direction.

[0100] As shown in the figure, the fold for providing the first tab 31 is set on a first virtual straight line 70L1 parallel to the left-right direction, passing through a position 70P12 on the first notch 70S1 closer to the relay position 70MP than the first position 70P1, and a position 70P22 on the second notch 70S2 closer to the relay position 70MP than the second position 70P2, and opening 70OP3.

[0101] By folding the portion below the first fold (first virtual straight line 70L1) as a fold so that it stands up from the other portions of the original member 70, it is possible to provide a first tab 31 having a first support portion 31H formed in front of the other portions of the original member 70 so as to be able to detachably support the first support position FP1 of the fastener F.

[0102] In this manner, it is possible to manufacture the fastener support 10. The above-described process of forming the cuts and openings and the bending process may be performed simultaneously on a plurality of connected original members 70.

[0103] Then, the fastener F is inserted between the pair of arms of each support portion so that the first support portion 31H and the second support portion 32H support the fastener F, thereby making it possible to manufacture the fastener support 10 and the connected fastener 100 equipped with the fastener F.

[0104] [How to use interlocking fasteners] Next, a method of using the coupled fastener 100 shown in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the fastener F of the coupled fastener 100 is driven using a pneumatic driving tool 110 that utilizes compressed air. However, the fastener disclosed in this embodiment may be configured to be driven by other types of driving tools (for example, an electric driving tool that drives the fastener using a motor or the like).

[0105] FIG. 12 shows an example of a pneumatic driving tool 110 for driving the fastener F of the linked fastener 100. The driving tool 110 includes a nose portion 120, a magazine 130 installed on the side of the nose portion 120, a body housing 140 as a case, and a grip 150 provided at a substantially right angle to the body housing 140. Inside the body housing 140, there are disposed a striking cylinder (not shown), a striking piston (not shown) slidably accommodated in the striking cylinder, and a driver provided in combination with the striking piston. The driving tool 110 further includes a fastener feed mechanism (not shown) for feeding the linked fastener 100 loaded in the magazine 130 to the nose portion 120. Inside the grip 150, there is provided an air chamber (not shown) for storing compressed air. The compressed air is supplied to the driving tool 110 from, for example, a compressor, which is an external device, using a hose.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 9, the magazine 130 stores the linked fasteners 100 in a spirally wound state such that the fasteners F are on the inside of the fastener support 10 that supports the fasteners F.

[0107] Nose portion 120 is a portion for striking and driving fastener F. The leading fastener F of linked fasteners 100 is supported by fastener support 10 and supplied to the ejection path of nose portion 120 by the feed mechanism. When compressed air stored in an air chamber is filled into the striking cylinder by operating a trigger or the like, the compressed air expands inside the cylinder to drive the striking piston, and a driver coupled to the striking piston enters nose portion 120 and strikes fastener F. This makes it possible to drive fastener F downward into the workpiece.

[0108] The first tab 31 and second tab 32 that supported the struck fastener F are rotated by the fastener head FH moving downward and become approximately parallel to the plate-like member 20. The fastener support 10, which has been separated from the fastener F, is then sequentially discharged from an outlet provided in the nose portion 120 (FIG. 13A).

[0109] Fig. 13A is a diagram showing the internal configuration of nose portion 120 (for convenience, fasteners F in nose portion 120 and a door covering the passage for fasteners F sent from magazine 130 to the ejection path are not shown). Fig. 13B is a perspective view showing the state in which linked fastener 100 and the check claw are engaged.

[0110] A known configuration can be adopted for the feed mechanism for supplying linked fasteners 100 to the injection path of nose portion 120. For example, the feed mechanism may include a feed pawl for engaging with fastener body portion FB of leading fastener F of linked fasteners 100, a biasing member (e.g., a spring) for biasing the feed pawl in a predetermined direction (positive direction of the Y axis in FIGS. 12 and 13A) which is the moving direction of fastener F in order to move the feed pawl in the predetermined direction (positive direction of the Y axis in FIGS. 12 and 13A) in order to supply the leading fastener F that engages with the feed pawl into the injection path, and a biasing member (e.g., a spring) for biasing the feed pawl in a predetermined direction (positive direction of the Y axis in FIGS. 12 and 13A) which is the moving direction of fastener F after fastener F has been supplied to the injection path. The device is equipped with an air cylinder for moving the feed pawl in the opposite direction to the specified direction (the negative Y-axis direction in Figures 12 and 13A) against the biasing force of the member to engage with the next fastener F, and a check pawl 160 (an example of an "engagement pawl") that engages with the fastener support 10 of the connecting fastener 100 so that the connecting fastener 100 does not also move in the opposite direction when the feed pawl is moved in the opposite direction (the negative Y-axis direction in Figures 12 and 13A) by the air cylinder.

[0111] The compressed air supplied to the striking cylinder for driving the driver is configured to be supplied to the feeding air cylinder when the driver completes driving in the fastener F. Therefore, when the driver completes driving in the fastener F, the feeding air cylinder moves the feed pawl in the opposite direction against the biasing force of the biasing member. The feed pawl is swingably connected to the air cylinder so that it moves over the fastener body FB of the next fastener F and engages with the fastener body FB. Since the air supplied to the air cylinder is configured to be exhausted during the operation of the driver and piston that have completed driving in and are returning to their initial positions, after the feed pawl engages with the fastener body FB of the next fastener F, the biasing member moves the next fastener F in a predetermined direction (feed direction).

[0112] In the driving tool 110 configured as described above, the check pawl 160 is disposed, for example, on the inside of a door that constitutes the housing portion of the nose portion 120, so as to engage with the fastener support 10 from the fastener support 10 side, opposite the feed pawl that engages with the fastener F.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 13B, the check claw 160 extending in the vertical direction can penetrate into the second opening 22OP of the fastener support 10, the area between the pair of second legs 32F, the first opening 21OP and the area between the pair of first legs 31F, and engage with the fastener support 10.

[0114] With this configuration, a long opening extending in the vertical direction is formed in the fastener support 10, so that the check claw 160 extending in the vertical direction can enter this opening. This makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the fastener support 10 when the fastener F and the feed claw are engaged. Also, even if the fastener support 10 is shifted in the vertical direction, it can reliably engage with the check claw 160.

[0115] As shown in the figure, a plurality of check pawls 160 may be provided so as to be capable of simultaneously engaging with a plurality of fastener supporters 10. Also, the check pawl 160 does not have to engage with the leading fastener supporter 10.

[0116] Furthermore, because the first tab 31 and the second tab 32 rotate and become substantially parallel to the plate-like member 20 due to the fastener head FH moving downward, the fastener support 10 is discharged in a plate-like state from the driving tool 110. For this reason, the discharge port for the fastener support 10 provided in the nose portion 120 of the driving tool 110 is formed in a shape (for example, a linear shape that is long in the vertical direction and thin in the front-rear direction) through which the fastener support 10 deformed into a plate shape can pass.

[0117] When forming a large discharge port or a discharge port that is bent not only in the vertical direction but also in the front-back direction, the nose portion must be made large in size in order to ensure the strength of the nose portion where high stress occurs. In contrast, by adopting the connected fastener 100 equipped with the fastener support 10 shown in this embodiment, it is possible to form a discharge port that suppresses a decrease in strength compared to the conventional case.

[0118] In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, some components in one embodiment can be added to other embodiments within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art. Also, some components in one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components in other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 10 fastener support, 20 plate-shaped member, 20L1 imaginary line, 21 lower part (first part), 21OP first opening, 21S slit, 22 upper part (second part), 22OP second opening, 22S1 first slit, 22S2 second slit, 31 first tab, 31F first leg, 31H first support, 32 second tab, 32F second leg, 32H second support, 50 fastener support, 50C connection, 50OP opening, 51EA first extension, 51EB first extension, 51FA first leg, 51FB first leg, 51H first support, 52EA second extension, 52EB second extension, 52FA second leg, 52FB second leg, 52H second support, 70 original member, 70B Lower edge, 70L first side edge, 70L1 first imaginary straight line, 70L2 second imaginary straight line, 70MP intermediate position, 70P1 first position, 70P2 second position, 70R second side edge, 70U upper edge, 100 connecting fastener, 110 driving tool, 120 nose portion, 130 magazine, 140 body housing, 150 grip, 160 check pawl, F, F1 fastener, FB fastener body portion, FH fastener head portion

Claims

1. a plate-like member having a first portion which is a lower portion and a second portion which is an upper portion; a first tab extending from the first portion and having a first support portion for detachably supporting a first position of the fastener in front of the plate-like member; a second tab having a second support portion extending from a lower end of the second portion and removably supporting a second position of the fastener that is higher than the first position in front of the plate-like member; a first opening is formed in the first portion, the first opening being connected to a lower end and an upper end of the first portion and allowing the second tab to pass therethrough when the second tab is rotated around the lower end of the second portion as a fulcrum; The second portion has a second opening formed therein, the second opening being connected to an upper end of the first opening at a lower end of the second portion and allowing at least a portion of the fastener to be viewed from the rear from the second position of the fastener; the first tab includes a pair of first leg portions extending from the first portion and connecting the first support portion and the first portion across the first opening; the second tab includes a pair of second leg portions extending from a lower end of the second portion and connecting the second support portion and the second portion with the second opening therebetween; Fastener support.

2. The fastener support according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the first opening in a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction is greater than a width of the second opening.

3. 2. The fastener support according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first support portion in a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction at a position passing through a central axis of the fastener is greater than a width of the second support portion at a position passing through the central axis of the fastener.

4. The second portion further includes a first slit connected to one end of the first opening in the width direction and a second slit connected to the other end of the first opening in the width direction, the second opening is connected to the upper end of the first opening in a region between the first slit and the second slit, the region including a center portion in a width direction of the upper end of the first opening; The fastener support of claim 1 .

5. The fastener support according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening is formed to have a portion whose width increases upward.

6. The fastener support according to claim 1 , wherein the second opening is formed to have a portion whose width increases upward.

7. The fastener support of claim 1 , wherein the length of the second tab is greater than the height of the first portion from the bottom end to the top end.

8. the fastener being supported by the first tab and the second tab; A portion of the head of the fastener is inserted into the second opening. The fastener support of claim 1 .

9. The distance between the pair of first legs becomes smaller as the legs approach the first support portion. The fastener support of claim 1 .

10. The distance between the pair of second legs becomes smaller as the legs approach the second support portion. The fastener support of claim 1 .

11. A connected fastener comprising a plurality of fastener supports each of which supports a fastener, a plate-like member having a first portion which is a lower portion and a second portion which is an upper portion; a first tab extending from the first portion and having a first support portion for detachably supporting a first position of the fastener in front of the plate-like member; a second tab having a second support portion extending from a lower end of the second portion and removably supporting a second position of the fastener that is higher than the first position in front of the plate-like member; a first opening is formed in the first portion, the first opening being connected to a lower end and an upper end of the first portion and allowing the second tab to pass therethrough when the second tab is rotated around the lower end of the second portion as a fulcrum; a second opening is formed in the second portion, the second opening being connected to an upper end of the first opening at a lower end of the second portion and allowing at least a part of a fastener head of the fastener to be viewed from the rear from the second position of the fastener; the first tab includes a pair of first leg portions extending from the first portion and connecting the first support portion and the first portion across the first opening; the second tab includes a pair of second leg portions extending from a lower end of the second portion and connecting the second support portion and the second portion with the second opening therebetween; the fastener being supported by the first tab and the second tab. The fastener support is the first portion of one of the fastener support members is connected to the first portion of the other of the fastener support members adjacent to the fastener support member, and the second portion of one of the fastener support members is connected to the second portion of the other of the fastener support members adjacent to the fastener support member, Interlocking fasteners.

12. The interlocking fastener of claim 11 , wherein the fastener is helically wound in an inboard relationship to the fastener support that supports the fastener.

13. A coupled fastener is loaded into a driving tool that drives the fastener into a workpiece, a plate-like member having a first portion which is a lower portion and a second portion which is an upper portion; a first tab extending from the first portion and having a first support portion for detachably supporting a first position of the fastener in front of the plate-like member; a second tab having a second support portion extending from a lower end of the second portion and removably supporting a second position of the fastener that is higher than the first position in front of the plate-like member; a first opening is formed in the first portion, the first opening being connected to a lower end and an upper end of the first portion and allowing the second tab to pass therethrough when the second tab is rotated around the lower end of the second portion as a fulcrum; a second opening is formed in the second portion, the second opening being connected to an upper end of the first opening at a lower end of the second portion and allowing at least a part of a fastener head of the fastener to be viewed from the rear from the second position of the fastener; the first tab includes a pair of first leg portions extending from the first portion and connecting the first support portion and the first portion across the first opening; the second tab includes a pair of second leg portions extending from a lower end of the second portion and connecting the second support portion and the second portion with the second opening therebetween; and The driving tool is configured so that an engagement claw of the driving tool enters and engages with the second opening, the region between the pair of second legs, the first opening, and the region between the pair of first legs. Fastener support.

14. forming a plate-shaped base member having an upper end edge, a lower end edge, and a first side end edge and a second side end edge respectively connecting the upper end edge and the lower end edge; a first cut connecting a first position, which is closer to the upper edge than the lower edge and closer to the first side edge than the second side edge, to an intermediate position closer to the lower edge than the upper edge; a second cut connecting a second position, which is closer to the upper edge than the lower edge and closer to the second side edge than the first side edge, to the intermediate position; and an opening located between the first position and the second position, a first virtual straight line passing through a position on the first notch closer to the relay position than the first position and a position on the second notch closer to the relay position than the second position is used as a fold line to fold a portion of the original member including the lower end edge so as to stand up from another portion, thereby providing a first tab having a first support portion formed to be able to detachably support a first position of the fastener in front of the other portion; and a second virtual straight line passing through a position on the first notch closer to the first position than the relay position and a position on the second notch closer to the second position than the relay position and passing through the opening is used as a fold line to fold a portion of the original member surrounded by the first notch and the second notch so as to stand up from the other portion, thereby providing a second tab having a second support portion formed to detachably support a second position of the fastener above the first position in front of the other portion. A method for manufacturing a fastener support.

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