Magazine fastener guide for fastener driving tools

Abstract

A fastener magazine for a fastener driving tool has a movable guide that allows fasteners of various lengths to be loaded into the magazine. When engaged, the movable guide sequentially guides the movement of each fastener during the drive stroke. When disengaged, the movable guide does not interfere with the movement of each fastener during the drive stroke. In the engaged position, the movable guide prevents the fasteners from "backtracking" completely back into the magazine during the drive stroke, which could otherwise cause a jamming condition.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 312,129, entitled "MAGAZINE FASTENER GUIDE FOR A FASTENER DRIVING TOOL," filed on February 21, 2022. [Technical field]

[0002] The technology disclosed herein generally relates to linear fastener driving tools, and is specifically directed to a type of fastener magazine that sequentially feeds fasteners into a driver track in a guide body of a linear fastener driving tool. At least one embodiment is disclosed as a fastener magazine for use in a linear fastener driving tool, with a movable guide attached to the magazine. The movable guide can be set in an engaged position, in which the movable guide sequentially guides fasteners from the magazine into the guide body of the tool, so that the fasteners cannot "backtrack" during the drive stroke, thus preventing a potential jamming condition. The movable guide can also be set in a disengaged position, in which the movable guide does not sequentially guide fasteners from the magazine into the guide body of the tool.

[0003] The movable guide is designed to allow the user to load fastener magazines with fasteners of various lengths while preventing potential jam conditions by preventing the fasteners from "backtracking" completely into the magazine during the drive stroke of the tool. This movable guide is sometimes referred to as a magazine "blockout" because when in its engaged position, it can block certain fasteners from being fed into the guide body of the tool. By providing the movable guide near the exit portion of the magazine, shorter fasteners can be used in the magazine without backtracking occurring because the guide includes a ramped portion that "re-aims" the fastener into the fastener / driver track of the tool, thereby preventing any "full backtracking" movement of the fastener.

[0004] A second embodiment is disclosed as a fastener magazine for use with a linear fastener driving tool, the fastener magazine being removably attached to the tool. The tool has a receptacle proximal to a front end, and the fastener magazine has a fulcrum portion corresponding to the receptacle. To attach the fastener magazine, a user holds the fastener magazine at an angle to the front of the tool, places the fulcrum in the receptacle, then "pivots" the fastener magazine toward the tool, and then finally securely latches the fastener magazine to the tool. This "pivot" method of fastener magazine attachment allows a user to quickly clear a jammed fastener without lengthy interruptions to work on the job site.

[0005] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT none. [Background technology]

[0006] Many conventional fastener driving tools use a fastener magazine to hold multiple fasteners that are to be fired in succession. Many fastener magazines are designed to load only one length of fastener. It is time consuming for a user to change magazines simply to change the length of the fasteners while operating the tool.

[0007] Some magazines can be loaded with fasteners of various lengths. However, using fasteners that are too short for the magazine can cause the fasteners to "backtrack" into the magazine during the drive stroke, potentially causing a jam condition. If the fasteners actually "backtrack" all the way back into the magazine during the drive stroke, it can take longer to unjam or repair the tool.

[0008] Typical magazines available in the past are designed to handle only one size (length) of fasteners, such as nails. Thus, if a shorter nail is placed in the magazine, the shorter nail will have a much higher chance of not "feeding" properly into the driver track of the nail gun tool and may actually "backtrack" into the magazine while it is being driven.

[0009] The magazine is also typically fixed to the tool and typically holds a single specific length of fasteners. If a user needs to change the fastener length, either the magazine must be carefully disassembled from the tool and a different magazine containing the new fastener length installed, or the user must change tools completely since the magazine is not removable from the tool and only contains a specific fastener length. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, an advantage of the technology disclosed herein is to provide a fastener magazine having a movable guide for sequentially guiding fasteners during a driving stroke of a fastener driving tool.

[0011] Another advantage is to provide a fastener magazine with a fastener receiving size large enough to allow fasteners of various lengths to be loaded into the magazine, and with moveable guides that prevent "complete backtracking" while also preventing potential jam conditions during the drive stroke.

[0012] Yet another advantage is to provide a fastener driving tool including a magazine that has a fastener receiving size large enough to allow fasteners of various lengths to be loaded into the magazine, and has a movable guide subassembly with a movable gate that presents a ramped portion that guides shorter fasteners into a driver / fastener track of a guide body of the tool, thereby preventing "complete backtracking" toward the magazine.

[0013] Yet another advantage is to provide a fastener driving tool including a magazine having a fastener receiving dimension large enough to allow fasteners of various lengths to be loaded into the magazine and having a movable guide subassembly with a movable gate presenting a sloped portion that guides shorter fasteners into a driver / fastener track of a guide body of the tool, the movable gate being capable of being placed in an "engaged" position such that its sloped portion guides the shorter fasteners, or the movable gate being capable of being placed in a "disengaged" position where the gate is moved into a pocket near a first end of the magazine and is therefore in a non-interfering position that does not contact longer fasteners that may be used with the magazine / tool.

[0014] A further advantage is to provide a fastener driving tool including a removable magazine, where the tool has a (first) magazine attachment point, the magazine has a corresponding attachment portion, and the magazine is attached to the tool at the first attachment point while angling outwardly from the tool, then pivoted towards the tool via the first attachment point, and then securely latched to the tool at the second attachment point along an elongated side of the magazine.

[0015] Yet a further advantage is to provide a fastener driving tool including a removable magazine, wherein the tool has a magazine receiving area including a rounded opening for receiving a cylindrical fulcrum that is part of the magazine, the fulcrum of the magazine is at a location extended from the "feed end" of the magazine (where fasteners in the magazine exit the magazine and enter a guide body of the tool), the rounded opening of the tool in the receiving area has a geometric center, and finally, the fulcrum of the magazine pivots about its geometric center after the fulcrum is initially positioned within its rounded opening, and the magazine is then latched into place by a separate latch mechanism which (when combined with the fulcrum in the rounded opening) holds the magazine securely in place relative to the tool for use in driving fasteners sequentially fed from the magazine.

[0016] Additional advantages and other novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the techniques disclosed herein.

[0017] To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, and in accordance with one aspect, a fastener magazine for a fastener driving tool is provided, the fastener magazine including: (a) a magazine housing including a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners disposed between and movable between the first end and the second end; (b) a mounting bracket on the magazine housing proximate the first end; and (c) a fastener biasing member for biasing the plurality of fasteners toward the first end. (d) a movable fastener guide secured to the mounting bracket, the movable fastener guide having an engaged position and a disengaged position, (e) when in the engaged position, the movable fastener guide sequentially guides one of the plurality of fasteners toward the first end of the magazine to prevent the fastener from completely backtracking by mechanically interfering with movement of the one of the misaligned fasteners, and (g) when in the disengaged position, the movable fastener guide does not mechanically interfere with movement of the one of the plurality of fasteners.

[0018] According to another aspect, a fastener driving tool is provided comprising: (a) an actuation cylinder including a movable piston, the actuation cylinder including a variable displacement volume on a first side of the piston and a variable vent volume on an opposite second side of the piston; (b) a storage chamber; (c) an end cap attached to at least one of the cylinder and the storage chamber near an end portion of the fastener driving tool; (d) a movable driver in mechanical communication with the piston; (e) a guide body that guides movement of the driver; (f) a magazine housing including a first end and a second end, the magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners; (g) a mounting bracket on the magazine housing proximate the first end; and (h) a movable fastener guide secured to the mounting bracket, the movable fastener guide having (i) an engaged position and a disengaged position; (j) in the engaged position, the movable fastener guide sequentially guides one of the plurality of fasteners to prevent the fasteners from completely backtracking; and (k) in the disengaged position, the movable fastener guide does not sequentially guide the plurality of fasteners.

[0019] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a movable guide for use with a fastener magazine for use with a fastener driving tool, the movable guide comprising: (a) a rotatable knob sized and shaped for actuation by a human hand, the rotatable knob attached to a surface of the fastener magazine proximate an outlet end of the fastener magazine; (b) a rotatable gate also located proximate the outlet end of the fastener magazine; (c) a stem between the knob and the gate, the stem having sufficient structural rigidity such that the gate is caused to rotate when the knob is rotated; (d) a spring that generates a biasing force against the knob and against a surface of the fastener magazine; and (e) a spring that is rotatable against the fastener magazine. and a knob retaining pin for securing the knob to a surface of the guide; and (f) the knob and gate are movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, where (i) when the knob and gate are in the disengaged position, the gate is in a non-interfering position and a fastener moving through the magazine does not physically contact the guide, and (ii) when the knob and gate are in the engaged position, the knob retaining protrusion holds the knob in its engaged position until released by action of a human hand, and the gate is in an interfering position such that a misaligned fastener physically contacts a sloped portion of the guide as the fastener is driven by a travel driver of a fastener driving tool adjacent the outlet end of the fastener magazine.

[0020] According to yet another aspect, a method of mounting a removable fastener magazine to a fastener driving tool is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fastener driving tool including at least a housing, a handle portion, a front end subassembly proximal to an outlet end of the tool, the front end subassembly including a rounded receptacle subassembly, and a guide body having a bottom portion and a backplate, the rounded receptacle subassembly including at least (i) an opening in a backplate of the guide body, the opening presenting a geometric center, (ii) a beveled surface, and (iii) a first corner between the opening and the beveled surface; and (b) providing a removably attachable fastener magazine having a magazine housing including a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the magazine housing including a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. and (iii) an extension portion extending between the cylindrical outer surface and the first end of the magazine, the extension portion having an upper surface and a lower surface; and (b) a fastener magazine having a magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners disposed between and movable between an end and a second end of the fastener magazine, the fastener magazine presenting a fulcrum portion including: (i) a cylindrical outer surface; (ii) a side projection proximal to the fulcrum cylindrical outer surface; and (iii) an extension portion extending between the cylindrical outer surface and the first end of the magazine, the extension portion having an upper surface and a lower surface; and (c) mounting the fastener magazine to a fastener driving tool by: (i) inserting the side projection into an opening in a backplate; (ii) rotating the fulcrum portion about a geometric center of the opening in the backplate; (iii) pressing a top portion of the magazine against a bottom portion of the guide body; and (iv) engaging a mounting bracket on the tool with a latch subassembly on the magazine.

[0021] According to a further aspect, a fastener driving tool having a removable fastener magazine is provided, the tool comprising: (a) a nose portion including a housing, a handle portion, and a guide body having a fastener track and a first mounting bracket receiving portion, the nose portion presenting a rounded receptacle subassembly, the receptacle subassembly including: (i) a bottom portion, (ii) a rounded opening in the bottom portion, (iii) a proximal beveled surface of the rounded opening, and (iv) a proximal geometric center of the rounded opening; and (b) a mounting bracket having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. and a removable fastener magazine configured to hold a plurality of fasteners disposed between and movable between a first end and a second end, the removable fastener magazine including a first mounting bracket having a fulcrum portion, the fulcrum portion exhibiting (i) a fulcrum having a cylindrical outer surface, and (ii) an extension portion having an upper surface portion and a lower surface portion, the extension portion extending to the fulcrum, the removable fastener magazine being pivotally attached to the tool at a geometric center of a rounded opening of a rounded receptacle subassembly of the nose portion.

[0022] According to still further aspects, a fastener magazine for a fastener driving tool is provided, the fastener magazine comprising: (a) a magazine housing including a first end and a second end, the magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners; (b) means for securing a movable fastener guide on the magazine housing proximate the first end; and (c) a movable fastener guide having an engaged position and a disengaged position, (d) when the movable fastener guide is in the engaged position, the movable fastener guide includes means for sequentially guiding one of the plurality of fasteners to prevent the fastener from completely backtracking; and (e) when the movable fastener guide is in the disengaged position, the means for sequentially guiding one of the plurality of fasteners does not physically contact the fasteners.

[0023] Further advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings, in which a preferred embodiment in one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the present technology is described and shown. As will be understood, the technology disclosed herein is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects, all without departing from its principles. Thus, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the technology disclosed herein and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the principles of the technology.

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of a fastener magazine mounted on a fastener driving tool constructed in accordance with the principles of the technology disclosed herein;

[0026] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the magazine attached to the tool of FIG.

[0027] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view of a magazine attached to the tool of FIG.

[0028] [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left front perspective exploded view of a guide subassembly ("S / A") of the magazine of FIG.

[0029] [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a magazine attached to the tool of FIG. 1;

[0030] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a right side cross-sectional view of the magazine attached to the tool of FIG. 5 along section line 6-6 with guide S / A removed.

[0031] [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a right side cross-sectional view of the magazine attached to the tool of FIG. 5 along section line 6-6 with guide S / A engaged.

[0032] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the magazine of FIG. 2 along section line 8-8 with guide S / A removed.

[0033] [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the magazine of FIG. 2 along section line 8-8 with guide S / A engaged.

[0034] [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a left side cross-sectional view of the magazine mounted on the tool of FIG. 1 showing guide S / A guiding the shorter length fasteners just after the drive stroke has begun.

[0035] [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view of the magazine attached to the tool of FIG. 1 showing guide S / A guiding shorter length fasteners as the drive stroke continues toward the fastener exit portion of the tool.

[0036] [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a right side cutaway view of the magazine attached to the tool of FIG. 1 showing a shorter length of fasteners beyond guide S / A as the drive stroke continues toward the fastener exit portion of the tool.

[0037] [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view of the magazine installed in the tool of FIG. 1 showing a longer length of fasteners in the magazine.

[0038] [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magazine of FIG. 1, showing guide S / A in a disengaged position.

[0039] [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magazine of FIG. 1 showing guide S / A in an engaged position used with a shorter length fastener.

[0040] [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the magazine of FIG. 1 showing guide S / A in a disengaged position used with a longer length fastener.

[0041] [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the magazine of FIG. 1 showing guide S / A in an engaged position used with a shorter length fastener.

[0042] [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of an adjustable knob used in the guide S / A, constructed according to the magazine principle of FIG. 1;

[0043] [Figure 19] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view in partial section of the guide S / A of FIG. 6 with the gate in its disengaged position.

[0044] [Figure 20] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view in partial section of the guide S / A of FIG. 7 with the gate in its engaged position.

[0045] [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevational view in partial section of the guide S / A of FIG. 10, as a mirror image, with the gate in its engaged position.

[0046] [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a front left perspective view of the second embodiment fastener magazine and fastener driving tool showing the magazine ready to be pivotally attached to the tool.

[0047] [Figure 23]FIG. 23 is a front left perspective view showing the magazine partially pivoted and partially attached to the tool of FIG.

[0048] [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is a front left perspective view showing the magazine fully pivotally mounted and secured to the tool of FIG.

[0049] [Diagram 25] FIG. 23 is a left side view showing the magazine attached to the tool of FIG. 22.

[0050] [Figure 26] FIG. 23 is an enlarged left side view showing the first magazine mounting pivot point of the tool of FIG.

[0051] [Figure 27] FIG. 23 is an enlarged left side view of the magazine of FIG. 22 showing the corresponding magazine mounting pivots.

[0052] [Figure 28] FIG. 23 is a left rear perspective view showing the first magazine mounting pivot point of the tool of FIG.

[0053] [Figure 29] FIG. 23 is a left front perspective view of the magazine of FIG. 22 showing the corresponding magazine mounting pivot; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to the same elements throughout.

[0055] It is to be understood that the technology disclosed herein is not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology disclosed herein is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be considered as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof, herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. Unless otherwise limited, the terms "connected," "coupled," or "mounted," and variations thereof, herein are used broadly and include direct and indirect connections, couplings, or attachments. Moreover, the terms "connected" or "coupled," and variations thereof, are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Furthermore, the term "in communication with" or "in communication with" refers to two distinct physical or virtual elements passing signals or information between each other in some manner, whether the signal or information transmission is direct or whether there are additional physical or virtual elements between them that are also involved in the transmission of the signal or information. Furthermore, the term "in communication with" can also refer to a mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic system in which one end of the "communication" (the "first end") can be the "cause" of some kinetic force (mechanical movement, or hydraulic or pneumatic change of state) that occurs, and the other end of the "communication" (the "second end") can be "affected" by that movement / change of state, regardless of whether there are intermediate components between the "first end" and the "second end."If a product has moving parts that depend on magnetic fields or detects changes in magnetic fields in some way, or if data is passed from one electronic device to another through the use of magnetic fields, then the situations can be referred to as being in "magnetic communication" with each other, where one end of the "communication" can induce a magnetic field and the other end can receive and be acted upon (or otherwise affected) by that magnetic field.

[0056] The terms "first" or "second" preceding an element name, e.g., first inlet, second inlet, etc., are used for distinguishing purposes to distinguish among similar or related elements, results, or concepts and are not necessarily intended to denote order, nor are the terms "first" or "second" intended to exclude the inclusion of additional similar or related elements, results, or concepts, unless otherwise indicated.

[0057] Furthermore, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein include both hardware and electronic components or modules, although for purposes of explanation, the majority of the components may be shown and described as if they were implemented solely in hardware.

[0058] 1, a new embodiment of a fastener magazine generally designated by reference numeral 8 is shown in a left side view. The fastener magazine 8 is shown attached to the fastener driving tool 10 of FIG. 1. The tool includes a pressurized chamber portion 6, an actuating cylinder having a drive piston 20, a nosepiece 92 having an exit end 7 (for fasteners), and a manual trigger 9. The tool includes an outer housing 22, a motor housing 31, an end cap 50, a handle 54, and a battery pack connector 26.

[0059] The magazine 8 includes a latch subassembly 52 (for securely connecting to the tool), a top portion 70 (sometimes referred to herein as the “first end” or the “exit end” of the magazine), a bottom portion 72 (sometimes referred to herein as the “second end”), and a mounting bracket 67 proximal to the first end 70. The magazine 8 is removably attached to the tool 10 at the first end 70 and secured to the tool along its elongated side approximately two-thirds of the way up that side, from the first end to the second end of the magazine, using the latch subassembly 52.

[0060] A movable (or pivotable) fastener guide subassembly (S / A) 60 (sometimes referred to herein as the "blockout S / A") is mounted to the magazine mounting bracket 67. An adjustable knob 64 is shown, which is used to move the guide S / A to either a first (or engaged) position or a second (or disengaged) position.

[0061] 2 shows the tool 10 and magazine 8 in a right side elevational view, and FIG. 3 shows the tool 10 and magazine 8 in a perspective view, essentially showing the same components as FIG.

[0062] 4, guide S / A 60 is shown in an exploded view. Knob 64 is secured to mounting bracket 67 by knob retaining pin 63. Mounting bracket 67 is proximal to the exit end of fastener magazine 8 such that operation of knob 64 has the effect of producing a mechanical action proximal to that exit end (i.e., at first end / top portion 70 of the magazine).

[0063] A spring 66 is disposed about the knob stem 69, and the gate 62 is attached to the knob stem 69 through the use of a gate retaining pin 65. The gate 62 is thus disposed proximate to an exit end 70 of the fastener magazine 8. The spring 66 generates a biasing force that urges the knob 64 away from the bracket 67. The gate 62 has an angled portion 61 that is used to guide a misaligned fastener during the drive stroke, as described in more detail below. The knob stem 69 has sufficient structural rigidity such that the gate 62 is caused to rotate when the knob 64 is caused to rotate.

[0064] 5, there is shown a front view of the tool 10 and magazine 8. As can be seen from this view, the magazine 8 is mounted to the centerline of the tool 10. However, the centerline of the tool is not at the center of mass of the entire tool.

[0065] 6 and 7, the magazine 8 and tool 10 are shown in cross-section along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5. The outer sleeve or wall of the pressure chamber is indicated at 46 and the upper portion of the pressure chamber is covered by an end cap indicated by reference numeral 50. The movable piston 20 is shown as being within the actuating cylinder, the outer cylindrical wall of which is indicated at 44.

[0066] The piston 20 is shown in a "ready" position and can move reciprocally to the left (in this view) toward an end cap 50, or to the right (in this view) toward a piston stop 38 (sometimes called a bumper). The variable volume "above" the piston in this view (reference numeral 40) is called the "displacement volume" and is pressurized, while the volume "below" the piston in this view (reference numeral 42) is a variable volume called the "vent chamber" volume and is open to atmosphere through a vent in the housing. As understood in the art, as the piston moves up and down in a reciprocating motion, the displacement volume increases and decreases with each up and down stroke, and as the piston moves up and down (side to side in this view), the vent chamber volume below the piston increases and decreases accordingly.

[0067] The piston 20 is typically attached to the driver 90 by a pin that is inserted through a small channel that also extends through an opening in the driver. The driver itself passes through an opening in the piston stop 38 and further into the guide body 36, which guides the driver along the driver track during its movement to drive the fastener.

[0068] A main storage chamber, also referred to herein as the "pressure chamber", generally designated by the reference numeral 30, is pressurized with gas. In this embodiment, the pressure chamber 30 comprises an annular space that at least partially surrounds an actuation cylinder wall 44, with the pressurized space at 30 being essentially between an outer surface of the actuation cylinder wall 44 and an inner surface of an outer wall 46 of the pressure chamber.

[0069] The primary purpose of the pressure chamber 30 is to hold additional pressurized gas for use in driving the piston 20 in its rightward or "drive stroke" direction (in this view) to drive a fastener such as a nail or staple. This additional pressurized gas in the pressure chamber allows sufficient force to be applied against the top surface of the piston while driving the nail or staple into a target surface such as a piece of wood. This storage volume 30, which makes up the majority of the pressure chamber, allows a lower overall gas pressure to be used in the overall operation of this fastener driving tool to provide a gas spring effect without the need for the very high pressures that would otherwise be required in the displacement volume above the piston in the actuation cylinder if there was no pressure chamber to hold the additional pressurized gas.

[0070] After the fastener driving tool has been used to drive a fastener, the tool now needs to "lift" the driver 90 back up to its topmost position for a new firing (driving) stroke. This is accomplished by rotating a rotary-linear lifter 100 (also referred to herein as the "lifter") which is actuated by a motor 32 (not shown in FIG. 6). Note that this motor is housed within a motor housing 31 which is part of the overall tool housing 22.

[0071] At least one printed circuit board including a controller is generally indicated by the reference numeral 34 and, in this embodiment, is located proximate to the battery connector 26. The controller typically includes a microprocessor or microcomputer device that functions as a processing circuit. At least one memory circuit including Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices is also typically part of the controller. A non-volatile memory device such as an EEPROM, NVRAM, or flash memory device is typically included for storing user input information (if applicable to the particular tool model).

[0072] Magazine 8 is configured to hold fastener strips, generally indicated by reference numeral 24. Fastener strips 24 typically hold a plurality of fasteners, which may hold fasteners of various lengths, e.g., ½ inch to 1+¼ inch lengths. (Of course, each individual fastener strip will only hold fasteners of one particular length.) Magazine 8 is configured to hold these fastener strips, which are loaded from second end 72.

[0073] For longer fasteners 25, such as one inch nails, the gate 62 is moved to its disengaged position so as not to impede the movement of the nail. Figure 6 shows the gate 62 in the disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the spring 66 biases the gate 62 into a "pocket" 68 (see Figure 8) away from the magazine fastener track 74.

[0074] For shorter fasteners 24, such as ½ inch nails, for example, the gate 62 is moved to its engaged position to help guide the movement of the nail as it is driven into the nosepiece and then into the workpiece. FIG. 7 shows the gate 62 in the engaged position. In the engaged position, the knob 64 is rotated and depressed, which moves the gate 62 toward the center of the magazine fastener track 74 and out of the “pocket” 68 (thereby compressing the spring 66). The angled portion 61 is pivoted toward the exit end 7 of the tool 10.

[0075] 8 and 9 show the magazine 8 along section line 8-8 of FIG.

[0076] 8, the guide is shown in a disengaged position with the gate 62 shown to the left (in this view) of the magazine's fastener track 74 within the pocket 68. As shown in FIG. 8, the gate 62 is completely out of the magazine's fastener track 74 (because the knob 64 is not depressed), thus providing clearance for the longer fasteners 25 to exit the magazine 8 and be driven by the tool 10. When in this undepressed position, the knob 64 is in a distal position spaced apart from the surface of the fastener magazine 8, i.e., the surface of the mounting bracket 67.

[0077] Note that the gate 62 is disposed in a "first plane" in Figure 8, which corresponds to a vertical line (in this view) passing through the center of the gate 62 in its disengaged position within the pocket 68. In other words, the "first plane" intersects with that pocket 68.

[0078] 8, the user-actuable knob 64 extends from a vertical mounting bracket 67 along the knob's stem 69 under the biasing action of a spring 66. This positioning of the knob also causes the gate 62 to be located in a "first plane" within the pocket 68.

[0079] 9, the engaged position of the guide is shown with the gate 62 out of the pocket 68 and in the center of the fastener track 74 of the magazine. In FIG. 9, the gate 62 interferes with the longer fasteners 25, so that the longer fasteners cannot be driven out of the magazine 8. However, in the engaged position, the gate 62 does not interfere with the shorter fasteners 24, but instead guides them out of the tool so that they do not completely "backtrack." The term "backtrack" is defined herein as the fastener "falling" out of the guide body 36 at an angle that causes the fastener to move back into the magazine 8, creating a potential jamming condition. Note that the gate 62 is located in a "second plane" in FIG. 9, which corresponds to a vertical line (in this view) passing through the center of the gate 62 in its engaged position out of the pocket 68.

[0080] As can be seen in FIG. 9, the user-actuable knob 64 does not extend from the vertical mounting bracket 67, but instead is located proximal to that mounting bracket. This location of the knob also causes the gate 62 to be located in a "second plane" outside of the pocket 68. In this "second plane" position, the gate 62 is directly within the fastener track 74 of the magazine, and therefore acts as a guide for the shorter nails and also acts as a blocking component for the longer nails. Note that the "first plane" and "second plane" are substantially parallel to one another.

[0081] 9, the knob 64 is in a proximal position relative to the surface of the fastener magazine 8, i.e., the surface of the mounting bracket 67. To reach this proximal position, the knob 64 is first pushed toward its mounting bracket 67 and then rotated. The user's hand can then be removed from the knob 64, and the knob 64 will remain in its proximal (depressed) position, as the knob retaining pin acts as a detent that holds the knob in its depressed (engaged) position.

[0082] 10-12 show how, in the engaged position, guide S / A 60 guides a misaligned fastener out of the tool, thus preventing complete backtracking.

[0083] 5 and 6 show the tool 10 in the "ready" position, i.e., the tool is ready to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The movable piston 20 is near the top of the actuation cylinder 44 and one fastener is loaded into the guide body 36.

[0084] In FIG. 10, the piston 20 begins its drive stroke (i.e., the piston begins to move toward the piston stop 38 and the exit end 7) and the fastener 24 separates from the fastener strip. Note that the fastener 24 has begun to backtrack into the magazine 8 as shown. However, the fastener has only backtracked onto the angled portion 61 of the gate 62. The fastener makes physical contact with the angled portion 61, which then prevents the fastener 24 from backtracking completely into the magazine 8 and instead begins to guide the fastener toward the exit end 7. The angled portion 61 of the gate 62 is sized and shaped to redirect a fastener to be driven by the tool's travel driver 90 if it becomes misaligned while in the process of being driven from the magazine 8.

[0085] 11, the piston 20 continues its drive stroke and the fastener 24 is guided further along the angled portion 61 of the gate 62. At this point the fastener has been guided almost past the magazine and is "aimed" towards the proper orientation for further travel along the fastener track in the nosepiece.

[0086] Finally, in Figure 12, the piston 20 is halfway through its drive stroke and the fastener 24 has been guided past the "backtrack" point and beyond the magazine. The ramp portion 61 does not interfere with the driver 90 and the fastener is almost out of the nosepiece outlet end 7 of the tool 10. After the fastener 24 has been driven into the workpiece, the lifter 100 returns the driver 90 and piston 20 to the ready position and the next fastener is advanced from the magazine 8. In this manner, each fastener is guided through the ramp portion 61 and then driven into the workpiece during the drive stroke of the tool.

[0087] 11 and 12, the fasteners (e.g., nails) can be seen to be spaced apart while within the fastener track 74 of the magazine. In the example shown in the figures provided herein, these fasteners are fairly large diameter nails with "normal" heads found on framing type nails, which is why the nails are provided in a spaced apart configuration. Moreover, such nails are spaced apart and arranged in a parallel pattern as shown, such that the magazine 8 is essentially perfectly straight along a longitudinal axis extending between its two ends, from its first end at the top (on FIG. 11) to its second (bottom) end.

[0088] In the case of the tool 10 shown in Figures 11 and 12, the nails are typically provided in aligned strips, whereby they are held in place (in their parallel pattern) by the aligned strips. Many conventional nail gun tools use such aligned strips, many of which are made from a flexible plastic material that is strong enough to allow the nails to be handled while a human user is placing the strip in the magazine without falling off the strip or tearing the strip. Once the strip is placed, a pusher 76, sometimes called a "feeder carriage", that is part of the magazine exerts an upward force (in the orientation shown in Figures 11 and 12) on the nails, which tends to urge the aligned strip of nails toward a fastener-receiving area of ​​a driver / fastener track 94 in the guide body 36 of the tool 10 (i.e., toward the first (top) end of the magazine). Once the leading nail enters the driver / fastener track 94, the leading nail is in the proper position to be forced by the driver 90 through the nosepiece 92 at the exit end 7 of the tool. It will be appreciated that the plastic material of the aligned nail strip also has the attribute of being fairly easily torn apart exactly where the leading nail is located at the moment the nail is driven from the driver / fastener track 94 by the movable driver 90.

[0089] Finally, smaller nails, especially nails with very small heads commonly referred to as "finishing nails", may also be used with the techniques disclosed herein. However, such nails are typically mounted on aligned strips of plastic and instead of spaced apart, are lightly glued together along their shafts. However, because such finishing nails do in fact have small heads, when they are glued together, they are therefore arranged in a slightly curved shape and therefore their magazines must also be slightly curved to match that shape. Nevertheless, if a magazine designer wishes to allow for the use of two or more lengths of finishing nails in a single magazine, the Guide / Blockout S / A 60 disclosed herein can be used with such finishing nails to prevent shorter nails (that are usable with that magazine) from backtracking completely as they are pushed into the driver / fastener track of the tool. (The Guide S / A 60 also has the ability to "block" longer nails (that are otherwise usable with that magazine) from being fed through the top of the magazine into the guide body, and thus the term "blockout" can be used for this subassembly 60).

[0090] 13, the magazine 8 is shown with a fastener strip of longer fasteners 25 loaded within the magazine. When the guide S / A 60 is in the disengaged mode, the guide S / A does not interfere with the movement of the longer fasteners 25 as they move from the magazine 8 into the guide body 36 during normal operation. In the disengaged mode, the gate 62 has moved to the side of the magazine's fastener track 74 (i.e., into the pocket 68), thereby allowing unimpeded movement of the longer fasteners 25.

[0091] 14, guide S / A 60 is shown in the disengaged position. Spring 66 biases knob 64 away from mounting bracket 67 and magazine 8. Although not visible in this view, movable gate 62 resides within pocket 68. Ramp portion 61 is pivoted in a direction toward the bottom of magazine 72 (see FIG. 6).

[0092] 15, guide S / A 60 is shown in an engaged position. A human user rotates knob 64 counterclockwise, forcing the knob toward mounting bracket 67 and magazine 8. Although not visible in this view, spring 66 urges movable gate 62 into fastener track 74 of the magazine. Movable gate 62 pivots such that angled portion 61 engages fastener 24 during the drive stroke of tool 10 (see FIG. 7).

[0093] 16, guide S / A 60 is shown in a disengaged position. A spring 66 is secured to knob retaining pin 63 (sometimes referred to as "knob mounting pin" 63). In the disengaged position, knob retaining pin 63 pivots spring 66 such that the spring biases knob 64 away from magazine 8. Knob retaining pin 63 pivots so that it does not rest on an inner portion of mounting bracket 67.

[0094] It should be noted that the longer fasteners 25 are long enough that they cannot be fed into the guide body 36 unless the movable gate 62 is out of the way and positioned in the pocket 68. Thus, to use the longer fasteners in the illustrated embodiment, the knob 64 and gate 62 must be in a disengaged position to allow the longer nails to be fed out of the top (first end) of the magazine from the magazine fastener track 74.

[0095] 17, guide S / A 60 is shown in the engaged position. In the engaged position, knob retaining pin 63 pivots with movable gate 62, and knob 64 is pushed in a direction toward magazine 8, which in turn compresses spring 66. As a result, movable gate 62 pivots out of the pocket and angled portion 61 pivots toward the top (or "exit end") of magazine 70. Knob retaining pin 63 moves just enough to "hold" guide S / A 60 in place by resting on an inner portion of mounting bracket 67. A shorter fastener 24 is shown in FIG. 17. The shorter fastener 24 is not so long that it interferes with movable gate 62 when guide S / A 60 is in the engaged position.

[0096] 18, guide S / A 60 is shown in a perspective view. Note that FIG. 18 shows the disengaged position. Spring 66 is secured to knob retaining pin 63. Angled portion 61 is pivoted to a downward position.

[0097] 19, a portion of guide S / A 60 is shown showing movable gate 62 in its disengaged position. (The fasteners shown are of the "short" variety in this view.) The "leading" fastener 24 has just entered the driver / fastener track 94 of guide body 36 and is immediately in its proper position to be driven through nosepiece 92 and out of the exit end 7 of the tool. The ramped portion 61 of gate 62 faces downward (in this view) so that it is in a non-interfering position with respect to the movement of fastener 24 as it is driven through driver / fastener track 94. However, this is not the recommended position of gate 62 for use with "short" nails, as these nails may have a tendency to "fall" outside of driver / fastener track 94 as they exit the tool.

[0098] FIG. 20 is an enlarged side elevational view of the guide S / A of FIG. 7 with the ramps in their engaged positions. The "leading" fastener 24 (the "short" fastener) has just entered the driver / fastener track 94 of the guide body 36 and is immediately in its proper position to be driven through the nosepiece 92 and out the exit end 7 of the tool. The ramps 61 of the gates 62 face upward (in this view) so that if the fastener 24 becomes misaligned as it is driven through the driver / fastener track 94, the ramps 61 of the gates 62 are in an interference position with the movement of the fastener 24. Thus, if one of these fasteners begins to "backtrack", the ramps 61 will prevent complete backtracking from occurring. (See FIG. 21). For such "short" fasteners, this orientation of the gates 62 is the recommended position.

[0099] Figure 21 is an enlarged side elevation view of the guide S / A of Figure 10, in a mirror image, with the ramps in their engaged position. A "lead" fastener 24 begins to "backtrack" as it is driven by the driver 90. However, the ramps 61 are contacted by the front tip of that lead fastener and "re-aim" (or "guide") the lead fastener in real time back to its correct path, which is the driver / fastener track 94. This mechanical interference contact between the fastener and the ramps of the movable gate 62 prevents complete backtracking from occurring, thus preventing a potential jam.

[0100] 22, a second embodiment fastener magazine 8 for fastener driving tool 10 is shown in a front quarter perspective view. FIG. 22 illustrates a first step in installing magazine 8 to tool 10. In this first step, a human user places magazine 8 at an angle relative to tool 10 to align fulcrum 130 on the magazine with rounded receptacle subassembly 110 on the tool. Rounded receptacle S / A 110 has a generally cylindrical shape.

[0101] Tool 10 has a nosepiece 92 and a rounded receptacle subassembly ("S / A") 110 on the guide body 36 proximal to the nosepiece. This rounded receptacle S / A is sometimes referred to herein as the first attachment point.

[0102] The magazine 8 presents a fulcrum 130 proximal to the fastener exit portion of the guide body. The magazine 8 also includes a magazine latch release handle 160 (manually operated), a magazine latch pivot pin 162, a magazine latch pin 164, and a magazine latch contact support 166. The magazine latch contact support 166 mates with a tool bracket 172 (sometimes referred to herein as the second attachment point). The tool contact support structure 170 holds the tool bracket 172. A curved opening 174 on the tool bracket 172 receives the magazine latch pin 164. These components 160, 162, 164, and 166 are all part of the latch subassembly 52.

[0103] 23, a second step of mounting the magazine 8 to the tool 10 is shown. In this second step, a human user pivotally mounts the magazine to the tool by inserting the magazine's fulcrum 130 into the tool's rounded receptacle S / A 110. In this second stage, the magazine 8 is now pivotally moveable toward the tool 10, with the fulcrum 130 engaged with the rounded receptacle S / A 110. While the magazine is mounted to the tool, the fulcrum portion (at the fulcrum center 132) is rotated about the geometric center 114 of the opening 116 in the backplate 152.

[0104] It should be noted that the magazine 8 can only pivot towards the tool 10 in a single plane of motion without departing significantly from that single plane because the fulcrum 130 is engaged with the rounded receptacle S / A 110. This engagement prevents significant movement of the magazine outside of the plane in which it can pivot as it is moved towards the tool. That is, the overall shape and structure of the fulcrum 130 and the cylindrical opening 112 (see FIG. 26) of the receptacle S / A 110 together prevent the magazine from moving in any other plane once the fulcrum 130 (which in this embodiment has a significant width dimension that is larger in size than its rounded outer diameter) is initially positioned within that cylindrical opening 112. (See also FIGS. 27 and 29 for the relative dimensions of the approximate size and shape of the fulcrum 130 in the illustrated embodiment; see discussion below). Another way to describe this movement is that when the side projections 136 engage the openings 116 in the backplate, the fastener magazine 8 can rotate in a planar direction towards the body of the tool.

[0105] 24, the third and final step of mounting the magazine 8 to the tool 10 is shown. FIG. 24 shows the magazine 8 fully pivoted and mounted to the tool 10. The magazine 8 is engaged with the rounded receptacle S / A 110 via the fulcrum 130 and is simultaneously secured to the tool via the magazine latch pin 164, which is engaged with the tool bracket 172. (In this configuration, the magazine latch pin 164 acts as a "retaining pin" by latching against the tool bracket 172 via its curved opening 174.) As the magazine latch pin 164 engages the tool bracket 172, the top surface of the magazine mounting bracket 150 is (simultaneously) pressed against the bottom portion 122 of the guide body 36.

[0106] The physical shapes of the upper portion of the magazine and the lower "receiving portion" of the guide body must, of course, correspond to one another so that they are physically interfittable. To that end, the guide body includes a bottom portion 122 that receives the upper portion 150 of the mounting bracket of the magazine. The opening 116 in the backplate is sized and shaped to receive the side projection 136 of the fulcrum portion, and the rounded (cylindrical) opening 112 in the receiving portion (or receptacle portion) of the guide body is sized and shaped to receive the cylindrical outer surface 134 of the fulcrum. Additionally, there is a geometric center proximal to this rounded opening 112 that comes into play during mounting of the magazine 8 to the tool 10.

[0107] To disengage the magazine 8 from the tool 10, a human user first manually actuates the magazine latch release handle 160. This movement disengages the magazine latch pin 164 from the tool bracket 172. The human user then pivots the magazine 8 outwardly and away from the tool 10 while the magazine fulcrum 130 is still engaged with the tool's rounded receptacle S / A 110.

[0108] 25, the magazine 8 is shown in a left side view fully installed in the tool 10. This view shows how the fulcrum 130 fits fairly snugly into the main opening 120, see below for further details regarding these components.

[0109] 26, the nosepiece 92 and rounded receptacle S / A 110 are shown enlarged in a left side view. The rounded receptacle S / A 110 includes a cylindrical opening (or "female portion") 112, a geometric center 114, an opening in the backplate 116 of the guide body, a main opening 120, a substantially flat bottom portion 122 of the guide body, and a first corner 124 at the bottom portion of the main opening 120. This first corner 124 has the appearance of an edge in FIG. 28, but is not a sharp edge, and therefore, it is relatively easy to slide the magazine fulcrum 130 past this first corner (or edge) 124, but the first corner 124 helps to hold the fulcrum 130 within the main opening 120 when inserted.

[0110] When a human user begins to attach the magazine 8 to the tool 10, the fulcrum 130 is engaged with the rounded receptacle S / A 110 by moving the magazine's forward "male" extension 140, including the fulcrum 130, over the first corner 124, and the magazine is then pivoted toward the tool until it is securely latched. The "pivot point" of the magazine 8 with the tool 10 is at the geometric center 114. The fulcrum 130 portion of the magazine is not only secured by the rounded receptacle S / A 110, but is also secured by the substantially flat bottom portion 122, which helps receive and engage the magazine into place as it is securely latched via the magazine latch pin 164 and tool bracket 172.

[0111] 27, the magazine 8 is shown in an enlarged left side view. The magazine 8 has an upper portion 150 that engages the tool 10 when the magazine is attached to the tool. The magazine 8 also includes a fulcrum center (132) (or "pivot axis" or "pivot point"), a cylindrical outer surface 134 that fits into the rounded receptacle S / A 110, a side projection 136 proximal to the fulcrum cylindrical outer surface 134 and that fits into an opening 116 in the backplate 152, an extension 140 of the magazine mounting bracket that extends to the fulcrum, an upper flat surface 142 of the extension, a lower flat surface 144 of the extension, and a second corner 146 at the intersection of the lower flat surface 144 and the cylindrical outer surface 134.

[0112] When the fulcrum 130 engages the rounded receptacle S / A 110, the "pivot point" is at the geometric center 114 of the tool 10 and at the same time at the fulcrum center 132 of the magazine 8. Also, when engaged, the second corner 146 slides over the first corner 124 and the top flat surface 142 presses against the (flat) bottom portion 122 of the guide body. (Note that the second corner 146 is the "inside corner" and the first corner 124 is the "outside corner.") These details of this structure help ensure that the magazine 8 remains engaged with the tool 10 even though the primary fixed latch points are at the magazine latch pin 164 and the tool bracket 172 (i.e., at the second attachment point between the tool and the magazine). These physical details also help guide the human user to naturally pivot the magazine 8 into engagement with the tool 10 without having to struggle to "fit" the magazine into place.

[0113] 28, the nosepiece 92 and rounded receptacle S / A 110 are shown in a left rear perspective view. In FIG. 28, the opening in the backplate 116 is more easily seen. This opening in the backplate 116 is the engagement point for the fulcrum's side projection 136 (see FIG. 29). The side projection 136 is inserted into the opening in the backplate 116 as part of the second step of mounting the magazine 8 to the tool 10. This is another detail that helps guide the human user to naturally mount and pivot the magazine 8 until it is secured via the magazine (retention) latch pin 164 and tool bracket 172.

[0114] Also shown in FIG. 28 is the width of the (flat) bottom portion 122 of the guide body. The width of the (flat) bottom portion 122 also helps secure the magazine 8 to the tool when the top (flat) surface 142 of the magazine is pressed against the (flat) bottom portion of the guide body. FIG. 28 shows the angled surface 126 as part of the guide body. The angled surface 126 "guides" the forward extension of the magazine, including its fulcrum 130, second corner 146, and lower flat surface 144, when the magazine 8 is pivoted to the engaged position. The angled surface 126 is another detail that naturally guides the human user to easily attach the magazine 8 to the tool 10.

[0115] 29, the magazine 8 is shown in a left front perspective view. In FIG. 29, the lateral projections 136 are shown extending outwardly and to the left (in this view) from the fulcrum 130. Note the width of the top (flat) surface 142 which helps hold the magazine 8 in place when pressed against the (flat) bottom portion 122 of the guide body 36 of the tool 10.

[0116] It should be noted that some of the embodiments illustrated herein may not have all of their components included in some of the drawings herein for purposes of clarity. To see examples of such outer housings and other components, particularly with respect to earlier designs, the reader is referred to other U.S. patents and applications owned by Kyocera Senco. Similarly, information on "how" the electronic controller operates to control the functionality of the tool can be found in other U.S. patents and applications owned by Kyocera Senco. Furthermore, other aspects of the tool technology of the present invention may be present in conventional fastener driving tools sold by assignee Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc., including information disclosed in earlier U.S. patents and published applications. Examples of such publications include U.S. Patent Nos. 6,431,425, 5,927,585, 5,918,788, 5,732,870, 4,986,164, 4,679,719, 8,011,547, 8,267,296, 8,267,297, 8,011,441, 8,387,718, 8,286,722, 8,230,941, 8,387,718, 8,286,722, 8,230,941, 8,387,72 ... Nos. 8,602,282, 9,676,088, 10,478,954, 9,993,913, 10,549,412, 10,898,994, 10,821,585, and 8,763,874, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2020 / 0156228, 2021 / 0016424, 2020 / 0070330, and 2020 / 0122308, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0117] As used herein, the term "proximal" may mean placing one physical object close to a second physical object, such that the two objects are perhaps adjacent to each other, but does not necessarily require that there is no third object placed between them. In the technology disclosed herein, there may be cases where a "male positioning structure" is placed "proximal" to a "female positioning structure". In general, this may mean that the two male and female structures are physically abutting each other, or it may mean that they are "mated" with each other by a particular size and shape that essentially holds one structure in a predefined orientation and XY (e.g., horizontal and vertical) position relative to each other, whether or not they actually contact each other along a continuous surface. Alternatively, two structures of any size and shape (whether male, female, or other shape) may be placed somewhat close to each other, whether or not they physically abut each other, but such a relationship can still be called "proximal". Or, two or more possible locations for a particular point can be specified relative to a precise attribute of a physical object, such as being "near" the end of a rod or being "at" the end of a rod, and all of those possible near / at locations can be considered to be "proximal" to that end of the rod. Furthermore, the term "proximal" can also have a meaning strictly related to a single object, where a single object may have two ends, the "distal end" being the end that is located somewhat far away from a target reference point (or region), and the "proximal end" being the other end that would be located somewhat closer to that same target reference point (or region).

[0118] It will be understood that the various components described and / or illustrated herein may be manufactured in a variety of ways, including being manufactured in multiple parts or as a one-piece part for each of these components, without departing from the principles of the technology disclosed herein. For example, a component included as a recited element in the following claims may be manufactured as a one-piece part, or the component may be manufactured as a combined structure of several individual parts assembled together. However, the "multiple-piece component" would still be included within the scope of the claimed recited element for infringement purposes of claim interpretation, even if the claimed recited element appears to be described and illustrated herein only as a one-piece structure.

[0119] All documents cited in the Background and Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document should not be construed as an admission that it is prior art to the technology disclosed herein.

[0120] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology disclosed herein to the precise form disclosed, and the technology disclosed herein can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Any examples described or illustrated herein are intended as non-limiting examples, and many modifications or variations of those examples or preferred embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology disclosed herein. The embodiments have been selected and described in order to illustrate the principles of the technology disclosed herein and its practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to utilize the technology disclosed herein in various embodiments and with various modifications suitable for the particular use contemplated. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the technology disclosed herein using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the technology disclosed herein pertains and which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A fastener magazine for a fastener driving tool, comprising: (a) a magazine housing including a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners disposed between the first end and the second end and movable between the first end and the second end; (b) a mounting bracket on the magazine housing proximate the first end; and (c) a fastener pusher that biases the plurality of fasteners toward the first end; (d) a movable fastener guide secured to the mounting bracket, (e) a movable fastener guide having an engaged position and a disengaged position; Equipped with (f) when in the engaged position, the movable fastener guide sequentially guides the one of the plurality of fasteners toward the first end of the magazine to prevent the fastener from completely backtracking by mechanically interfering with movement of the misaligned one of the plurality of fasteners; (g) when in the disengaged position, the movable fastener guide does not mechanically interfere with movement of the one of the plurality of fasteners; Fastener magazine.

2. The movable fastener guide is (a) a movable knob connected to a movable gate by a stem, the knob rotatable about a pivot axis extending along the stem between the knob and the gate, the knob and the gate rotating together between a first angular position and a second angular position, the first angular position corresponding to the engaged position of the movable fastener guide and the second angular position corresponding to the disengaged position of the movable fastener guide; (b) a spring mounted along the stem between the knob and a surface of the magazine, (i) when the knob is rotated to the second angular position, the spring biases the knob away from the magazine surface such that the knob is urged by the spring to an extended distal position away from the magazine surface; (ii) when the knob is rotated to the first angular position and actuated by being pushed towards the surface of the magazine, it thereby moves to a non-extended position proximal to the magazine surface; The spring is designed to (c) a knob mounting pin that passes through the stem and prevents the knob from moving away from the proximal, non-extended position unless the knob is rotated to the second angular position; and Equipped with The magazine of claim 1.

3. when the knob is actuated, the gate is pivotable between the first angular position and the second angular position; the first angular position is an engagement position in which the gate mechanically interferes with a misaligned one of the plurality of fasteners; the second angular position being a disengaged position in which the gate does not mechanically interfere with the plurality of fasteners but is instead moved into a pocket formed within the magazine. The magazine according to claim 2.

4. the gate is disposed in a first plane when the knob is moved to the first angular position, the gate not being aligned with the pocket; the gate is disposed in a second plane when the knob is moved to the second angular position, and the gate is aligned with the pocket. The magazine according to claim 3.

5. the gate includes an inclined surface that acts as the mechanical interference with a misaligned fastener when the knob and gate are in the first angular position. The magazine according to claim 2.

6. 1. A fastener driving tool comprising: (a) an actuation cylinder including a movable piston, the actuation cylinder including a variable displacement volume on a first side of the piston and a variable vent volume on an opposite second side of the piston; (b) a storage chamber; and (c) an end cap attached to at least one of the cylinder and the storage chamber near an end portion of the fastener driving tool; (d) a movable driver in mechanical communication with the piston; (e) a guide body that guides the movement of the driver; (f) a magazine housing including a first end and a second end, the magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners; (g) a mounting bracket on the magazine housing proximate the first end; and (h) a movable fastener guide secured to the mounting bracket, (i) a movable fastener guide having an engaged position and a disengaged position; Equipped with (j) in the engaged position, the movable fastener guide sequentially guides one of the plurality of fasteners to prevent the fastener from completely backtracking; (k) in the disengaged position, the movable fastener guide does not sequentially guide the plurality of fasteners; Fastener driving tools.

7. The movable fastener guide is Gate and a knob including a stem attached to the mounting bracket; A spring, the spring is attached to the stem between the knob and the mounting bracket; the spring biases the knob away from the mounting bracket; A spring, Equipped with 7. The magazine according to claim 6.

8. the knob is mechanically attached to the gate by the stem such that rotation of the knob causes the gate to pivot between the engaged and disengaged positions; when in the engaged position, the gate is moved out of a pocket and directly aligned with a fastener path into the guide body; When in a disengaged position, the gate is moved into the pocket and out of alignment with the fastener path to the guide body; the spring biases the gate toward the pocket; The magazine according to claim 7.

9. 1. A movable guide for use with a fastener magazine for use with a fastener driving tool, comprising: (a) a rotatable knob sized and shaped for actuation by a human hand, the rotatable knob being attached to a surface of the fastener magazine proximate an outlet end of the fastener magazine; (b) a rotatable gate located proximate the outlet end of the fastener magazine; and (c) a stem between the knob and the gate, the stem having sufficient structural rigidity such that the gate is caused to rotate when the knob is rotated; (d) a spring that creates a biasing force against the knob and against the surface of the fastener magazine; (e) a knob retaining pin that secures the knob to the surface of the fastener magazine; and Equipped with (f) the knob and the gate are movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position; (i) when the knob and the gate are in the disengaged position, the gate is in a non-interfering position and a fastener moving through the magazine does not physically contact the guide; (ii) when the knob and gate are in the engaged position, the knob retaining protrusion holds the knob in the engaged position until released by the action of a human hand, and the gate is in an interference position such that a misaligned fastener physically contacts an angled portion of the guide when the fastener is driven by a translation driver of a fastener driving tool adjacent the exit end of the fastener magazine. Movable guide.

10. 10. The movable guide of claim 9, wherein the angled portion of the gate is sized and shaped to redirect a fastener that is in the process of being driven by the travel driver if the fastener becomes misaligned while being fed from the exit end of the fastener magazine.

11. The movable guide of claim 9 , wherein the spring comprises a coil spring mounted along the stem between the knob and the surface of the fastener magazine.

12. (a) when the knob is in the disengaged position, the knob is biased by the coil spring away from the surface of the fastener magazine to a distal position spaced from the surface of the fastener magazine; (b) when the knob is in the engaged position, the knob is pushed to a proximal position toward the surface of the fastener magazine and then rotated, and the knob retaining protrusion acts as a detent to retain the knob in the engaged position. The movable guide according to claim 11.

13. (a) when the knob is in the disengaged position, the gate lies in a first plane that includes the non-interference position of the gate; (b) when the knob is in the engaged position, the gate lies in a second plane that includes the interference position of the gate, and the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to one another. The movable guide according to claim 12.

14. The movable guide of claim 13 , wherein when the knob is in the disengaged position, the gate resides within a pocket formed in the magazine and the first plane intersects the pocket.

15. 1. A method of installing a removable fastener magazine on a fastener driving tool, comprising: (a) A fastener driving tool including at least a housing, a handle portion, a front end subassembly proximal to an outlet end of the tool, the front end subassembly including a rounded receptacle subassembly, and a guide body having a bottom portion and a backplate, the rounded receptacle subassembly including at least: (i) an opening in the backplate of the guide body, the opening defining a geometric center; (ii) an inclined surface; and (iii) a first corner between the opening and the inclined surface; and providing a fastener driving tool, the fastener driving tool including: (b) a removably attachable fastener magazine having a magazine housing including a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the magazine housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners disposed between the first end and the second end and movable between the first end and the second end, the fastener magazine comprising a fulcrum portion, (i) a cylindrical exterior surface; (ii) a lateral projection proximal to the cylindrical outer surface of the fulcrum; and (iii) an extension portion extending between the cylindrical outer surface and the first end of the magazine, the extension portion having an upper surface portion and a lower surface portion; providing a removably attachable fastener magazine having a magazine housing presenting a fulcrum portion, the magazine housing comprising: (c) (i) inserting the side projection into the opening in the backplate; (ii) rotating the fulcrum portion about the geometric center of the opening in the backplate; (iii) pressing the top portion of the magazine against the bottom portion of the guide body; (iv) engaging a mounting bracket on the tool with a latch subassembly on the magazine; attaching the fastener magazine to the fastener driving tool by A method comprising:

16. the fulcrum of the fastener magazine is rotatable about the geometric center when the side projection is engaged with the opening; the mounting bracket on the tool is engageable with the latch subassembly on the magazine when the magazine is rotated in a direction toward the tool; The method of claim 15.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fastener magazine is rotatable in a planar direction toward the tool when the side projections are engaged with the openings.

18. 1. A fastener driving tool having a removable fastener magazine, comprising: (a) a nose portion including a housing, a handle portion, and a guide body having a fastener track and a first mounting bracket receiving portion, said nose portion presenting a rounded receptacle subassembly, said receptacle subassembly comprising: (i) a bottom portion; and (ii) a rounded opening at the bottom portion; and (iii) a proximal beveled surface of the rounded opening; and (iv) a proximal geometric center of the rounded opening; and a nose portion including (b) a removable fastener magazine having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end, the removable fastener magazine configured to hold a plurality of fasteners disposed between the first end and the second end and movable between the first end and the second end, the removable fastener magazine comprising a fulcrum portion; (i) a fulcrum having a cylindrical outer surface; (ii) an extension portion having an upper surface portion and a lower surface portion, the extension portion extending to the fulcrum; a first mounting bracket having a fulcrum portion, a removable fastener magazine pivotally attached to the tool at the geometric center of the rounded opening of the nose portion rounded receptacle subassembly; 1. A fastener driving tool comprising:

19. (a) a second mounting bracket on a motor housing of the tool; (b) a magazine latch pin mounted along an elongated side portion of the removable fastener magazine; and The tool of claim 18 further comprising:

20. The removable fastener magazine comprises: (a) the fulcrum seats within the rounded opening of the rounded receptacle subassembly of the nose portion; (b) the fulcrum portion is rotated about the geometric center in a direction toward the fastener driving tool housing; (c) the first mounting bracket is seated within the first mounting bracket receiving portion of the nose portion; and (d) the second mounting bracket seats with the magazine latch pin; At times, the tool is fixed to the 20. The tool of claim 19.

21. (a) the guide body includes a back plate defining an opening; (b) the geometric center of the rounded opening is concentric with the opening in the backplate of the guide body; (c) the fulcrum portion includes a side projection collinear with the fulcrum; (d) the side projections are sized and shaped to fit into the openings in the backplate of the guide body; 20. The tool of claim 18.

22. 22. The tool of claim 21, wherein the angled surface assists in guiding the fulcrum of the removable fastener magazine into the rounded opening of a rounded receptacle subassembly of the nose portion.

23. a first corner between the rounded opening and the angled surface; the first corner helps hold the fulcrum of the removable fastener magazine in place within the rounded opening of the bottom portion of the rounded receptacle subassembly.

23. The tool of claim 22.

24. a second corner between the lower surface portion of the fulcrum portion of the magazine and the cylindrical outer surface; the second corner assists in seating the fulcrum portion of the magazine within the rounded opening in the bottom portion of the rounded receptacle subassembly.

24. The tool of claim 23.

25. (a) a second mounting bracket on a motor housing of the tool; (b) a magazine latch pin mounted along an elongated side portion of the removable fastener magazine; and 22. The tool of claim 21 further comprising:

26. The removable fastener magazine comprises: (a) the side projection of the fulcrum portion seats within the opening in the back plate of the guide body; (b) the fulcrum portion is rotated about the geometric center in a direction toward the fastener driving tool housing; (c) the first mounting bracket is seated within the first mounting bracket receiving portion of the nose portion; and (d) the second mounting bracket seats with the magazine latch pin; and at the time, secured to the fastener driving tool.

26. The tool of claim 25.

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