Powered installation tool

Abstract

A powered installation tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, the drive member engageable with the threadless fastener. The powered installation tool also includes a drive mechanism configured to receive torque from the motor and displace the drive member between the reload position and the driven position, a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable, and a reaction arm coupled to the housing to support the workpiece during a process of installing the threadless fastener through the aligned apertures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 877,555, filed on Sep. 8, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 789,573, filed on Apr. 16, 2025, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to power tools, and more particularly to powered installation tools.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are various tools and accessories for installing threadless fasteners (e.g., wedges) to secure solar panels to racking structures. These tools often require the user to perform multiple actions or apply significant manual force to drive the fasteners into position. Additionally, existing tools can be cumbersome, noisy, and physically strenuous to use, leading to increased operator fatigue and efficiency.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention provides, in one aspect, a powered installation tool configured to drive a threadless fastener through aligned apertures in a workpiece. The powered installation tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, in which the drive member is engageable with the threadless fastener, a drive mechanism configured to receive torque from the motor and displace the drive member between the reload position and the driven position, a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable, and a reaction arm coupled to the housing to support the workpiece during a process of installing the threadless fastener through the aligned apertures.

[0005] The invention provides, in another aspect, a powered installation tool configured to drive a threadless fastener through aligned apertures in a workpiece, the powered installation tool including: a housing; a motor positioned within the housing; a drive member displaceable by operation of the motor, the drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, the drive member engageable with the threadless fastener to advance the threadless fastener; a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable; and a reaction arm pivotally coupled to the housing to support the workpiece during a process of installing the threadless fastener through the aligned apertures.

[0006] The invention provides, in another aspect, a powered installation tool configured to drive a threadless fastener through aligned apertures in a workpiece, the powered installation tool including: a housing; a motor positioned within the housing; a drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, the drive member engageable with the threadless fastener; a drive mechanism configured to receive torque from the motor and displace the drive member between the reload position and the driven position; a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable; and a reaction arm coupled to the housing and pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position, the reaction arm partially defining a channel having a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the workpiece, in the retracted position, the workpiece is removed from the channel, and in the extended position, the workpiece is received in the channel.

[0007] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a solar panel assembly.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the solar panel assembly of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a threadless fastener (e.g., a wedge) for securing a rail to a saddle of the solar panel assembly of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a powered installation tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the powered installation tool of FIG. 4.

[0013] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a powered installation tool, including a drive member and a wedge in a reload position.

[0014] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a powered installation tool, including a drive member and a wedge in a ready position.

[0015] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a powered installation tool, including a drive member and a wedge in a driven position.

[0016] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a drive mechanism of the powered installation tool of FIG. 4 in a reload position.

[0017] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 6A in a driven position and the wedge of FIG. 3 in an installed position.

[0018] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a drive mechanism of the powered installation tool of FIG. 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, in a reload position.

[0019] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 7A prior to a driven position and the wedge of FIG. 3 prior to an installed position.

[0020] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a drive mechanism of the powered installation tool of FIG. 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, in a reload position.

[0021] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 8A prior to a driven position and the wedge of FIG. 3 prior to an installed position.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a graph depicting friction load of the powered installation tool of FIG. 4 during an installation process for the wedge of FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a powered installation tool in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, including a pivotable reaction arm in a retracted position.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the powered installation tool of FIG. 10, including a pivotable reaction arm in an extended position.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the powered installation tool of FIG. 10.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a top view of the powered installation tool of FIG. 10.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a section view of the powered installation tool of FIG. 10, along section line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

[0028] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1-9, a powered installation tool 100 is operable to drive threadless fasteners (e.g., wedges) held within a magazine 104 into a workpiece, and more particularly, into a solar panel assembly 10. With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the solar panel assembly 10 includes a module 14, a tubular rail 18, a clamp 22, a U-shaped channel or saddle 26, and a torque tube 30 that forms part of a tracker system. The module 14 includes a solar panel 34 with integrated electronics and is supported by the rail 18. The rail 18 is mounted to the torque tube 30 via the clamp 22, which wraps around the torque tube 30 and is coupled to the saddle 26. The saddle 26 is seated on the rail 18, such that the saddle 26 and the rail 18 include aligned elongated apertures 36 (e.g., slots) shaped and sized to receive a wedge 40.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 3, the wedge 40 includes a body 44 having a tapered first or front end 48, an opposing second or rear end 50, a first surface 52, and an opposing second surface 54. A tab 56 is formed on the first surface 52 and is initially bent upwards from the body 44, and the rear end 50 includes a pair of opposing wings 60 that extend laterally outward from the body 44.

[0031] During installation, the front end 48 of the wedge 40 is driven through the aligned apertures 36 of the rail 18 and saddle 26, entering through a first sidewall 64 (FIG. 1) of the saddle 26 and exiting through a second, opposite sidewall 68 (FIG. 2) of the saddle 26. As the wedge 40 is inserted, the tab 56 temporarily deflects downwards into the body 44 of the wedge 40. Once the front end 48 of the wedge 40 clears the second sidewall 68, the tab 56 springs upwards and engages the second sidewall 68, preventing the wedge 40 from being pulled in a rearward direction (i.e., toward the first sidewall 64). Simultaneously, the wings 60 of the wedge 40 engage the first sidewall 64, preventing the wedge 40 from being further driven in a forward direction (i.e., toward the second sidewall 68). Therefore, together the tab 56 and the wings 60 lock the wedge 40 in place when in an installed position and resist movement in either direction, thereby securing the rail 18 to the saddle 26.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 4-5, the installation tool 100 includes the magazine 104, a housing 108, a motor 112 positioned within the housing 108, and a drive mechanism 116 (FIGS. 6A-6B) coupled to the motor 112 and positioned within the housing 108. A drive member 120 (FIGS. 6A-8B) is attached to the drive mechanism 116 and moveable therewith. The housing 108 includes a motor housing portion 124 configured to support the motor 112, a handle portion 128 extending from the motor housing portion 124, and a battery attachment portion 132 configured to receive a battery 136 for supplying electrical power to the motor 112. The handle portion 128 supports a trigger 140, which is depressed by a user to initiate a driving or installation cycle of the installation tool 100.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A-5C, the drive member 120 defines a drive axis 144. A first end 121 (FIGS. 6A and 7A-8B) of the drive member 120 is coupled to the drive mechanism 116, and a second end 123 (FIGS. 6B-8B) of the drive member 120 is configured to engage the rear end 50 of the wedge 40. During a driving cycle, the drive member 120 is moveable by the drive mechanism 116 between a load position (e.g., a rearwardmost position, FIG. 5A), a ready position (e.g., an intermediate position, FIG. 5B), and a driven position (e.g., a forwardmost position, FIG. 5C) along the drive axis 144. In the reload position illustrated in FIG. 5A, the drive member 120 is positioned at a rearwardmost position allowing a wedge 40 from the magazine 104 to be positioned for driving. When a wedge 40 is positioned for driving, the drive member 120 is advanced to the ready position, illustrated in FIG. 5B. In the ready position illustrated in FIG. 5B, the front end 48 of the wedge 40 is positionable in the apertures 36 of the first sidewall 64. The drive member 120 is then translated from the ready position to the forwardmost, driven position, illustrated in FIG. 5C, in which the wedge 40 is positioned in the installed position. The drive mechanism 116 is powered by the motor 112 and operable to return the drive member 120 from the driven position to the reload position for a subsequent driving cycle to install the next wedge 40 in the magazine 104. It should be understood that the load position and the reload position are the same, rewardmost position, with the load position being the position for the first wedge of a magazine and the reload position being the position for subsequent driving cycles. Reference to either the load position or the reload position should be understood to refer to the same position of the driving member 120 in which a wedge 40 is positioned for driving at the commencement of a driving cycle.

[0034] The installation tool 100 further includes a front-end assembly 148 that receives collated wedges 40 from the magazine 104. The front-end assembly 148 includes a guide plate 152 and a base 156 that collectively define a driving channel 160, or track, that guides consecutive wedges 40 as they are driven into the aligned apertures 36 of the saddle 26 and rail 18 by the drive member 120. The base 156 further defines an opening (not shown) that permits wedges to pass from the magazine 104 through the base 156 and into the driving channel 160. The installation tool 100 is configured such that, after each driving cycle, a subsequent wedge 40 is automatically loaded into the driving channel 160. The installation tool 100 stops at the ready position in which the front end 48 of the loaded wedge 40 partially protrudes from the driving channel 160. In the ready position, the partially exposed front end 48 serves as a visual indicator to the user, showing the position at which the next wedge will be driven into the workpiece.

[0035] The installation tool 100 further includes a reaction arm 164 extending from the housing 108. More specifically, the reaction arm 164 is coupled to a distal end of the front-end assembly 148, such that the reaction arm 164 and the front-end assembly 148 define a channel 166, or recess, in which the saddle 26 of the solar panel assembly 10 is at least partially received. The reaction arm 164 is fixed relative to the housing 108 and abuts against the second sidewall 68 of the saddle 26 during a driving cycle. During each driving cycle, the wedge 40 is driven along a path aligned with the driving channel 160, with the reaction arm 164 bearing against the second sidewall 68 of the saddle 26 to counter the reaction force applied to the tool 100 by friction between the wedge 40 and the aligned apertures 36 in the saddle 26 and the rail 18 during an installation process.

[0036] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate the drive mechanism 116 according to one embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the drive mechanism 116 is a lead screw mechanism configured to convert rotary motion of the motor 112 into reciprocating linear motion of the drive member 120. The drive mechanism 116 includes a threaded rod 168, a lead nut 172, and a pair of linear guide rails 176. The threaded rod 168 includes a first end 169, a second end 171 opposite the first end 169, and a longitudinal axis 180 extending through the first and second ends 169, 171 and parallel to the drive axis 144. The first end 169 is operably coupled to the motor 112 such that rotation of the motor 112 drives rotation of the threaded rod 168.

[0037] The lead nut 172 is threadably engaged with the threaded rod 168 and is axially movable along the threaded rod 168 as it rotates. The lead nut 172 is coupled to the first end 121 of the drive member 120, such that axial movement of the lead nut 172 causes corresponding axial movement of the drive member 120. The linear guide rails 176 extend parallel to the threaded rod 168 and are coupled to the guide plate 152. The lead nut 172 is coupled to the guide rails 176, thereby preventing rotation of the lead nut 172 as it moves axially along the rod 168.

[0038] During a driving cycle, rotation of the threaded rod 168 by the motor 112 advances the lead nut 172 and drive member 120 from the reload position (FIG. 6A) to the driven position (FIG. 6B), thereby driving the wedge 40 into an installed position as described above. Once the drive member 120 reaches the driven position, the motor 112 reverses to retract the drive member 120 to the reload position. However, in some embodiments, the installation tool 10 may include alternative mechanism for returning the drive member 120 to the reload position.

[0039] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a drive mechanism 184 according to another embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the drive mechanism 184 is a scotch yoke mechanism configured to convert rotary motion of the motor 112 into reciprocating linear motion of the drive member 120. The drive mechanism 184 includes a circular disc 188, a crank arm 192, a yoke 196, and a pin 200. The disc 188 is rotatably driven by an output shaft of the motor 112 and defines a central axis of rotation. The crank arm 192 is coupled to a central portion of the disc 188 and extends radially outward therefrom. The yoke 196 is vertically oriented and includes a first end 197 coupled to the drive member 120, a second end 199 opposite the first end 197, and an elongated slot 204 that extends between the first and second ends 197, 199. The pin 200 is mounted to a distal end of the crank arm 192 and extends into the elongate slot 204.

[0040] As the motor 112 rotates the disc 188, the crank arm 192 revolves about the central axis of the disc 188, thereby causing the pin 200 to travel in a circular path. The motion of the pin 200 within the elongated slot 204 induces oscillating movement of the yoke 196 along the drive axis 144. As the yoke 196 moves, the drive member 120 moves between the reload position (FIG. 7A) and the driven position. FIG. 7B illustrates a position of the drive member 120 prior to the drive member 120 reaching the driven position.

[0041] During a driving cycle, rotation of the disc 188 by the motor 112 advances the yoke 196 and the drive member 120 from the reload position to the driven position, thereby driving the wedge 40 into an installed position as described above. Continued rotation of the disc 188 returns the drive member 120 to the reload position. The elongated slot 204 permits relative movement between the pin 200 and the yoke 196, allowing for smooth translation of the yoke 196 and consistent operation of the drive mechanism 184.

[0042] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a drive mechanism 208 according to another embodiment of the invention. The drive mechanism 208 is a scotch yoke mechanism and includes like reference numerals as the drive mechanism 184 of FIGS. 7A-7B to describe like structure. In this embodiment, however, the crank arm 192 is omitted, and the pin 200 is mounted directly and eccentrically to the disc 188. The disc 188 is rotatably driven by the motor 112 and the pin 200 travels in a circular path about the central axis of the disc 188. The second end 199 of the yoke 196 is pivotably coupled to the housing 108, such that the yoke 196 swings in an arc about a pivot point. As the disc 188 rotates, the pin 200 slides along the elongated slot 204 and induces the pivoting motion of the yoke 196. This motion causes the first end 197 of the yoke 196 to move along the drive axis 144 between the reload position (FIG. 8A) and driven position.

[0043] While the drive mechanisms 116, 184, 208 are discussed above, the installation tool 100 may be powered by any suitable drive mechanism, and the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limiting. In alternative configurations, the installation tool 100 may operate using a gas spring, compressed air from an air compressor, electric energy, a flywheel mechanism, or other suitable energy sources. In still other alternative configurations, the installation tool 100 may operate using hydraulic drive mechanism, a rack and pinion assembly, a chain-drive system, a belt-and-pulley system, a linear electric motor, or a crank and piston.

[0044] During operation, a user positions the front-end assembly 148 of the installation tool 100 adjacent the solar panel assembly 10, such that the channel 166 receives a portion of the saddle 26 and the tapered front end 48 of the protruding wedge 40 is aligned with the apertures 36 in the saddle 26 and the rail 18. When the installation tool 100 is properly aligned, the user depresses the trigger 140 to initiate a driving cycle. In response, the motor 112 actuates the drive mechanism 116 to displace or advance the drive member 120 along the drive axis 144 toward the driven position, which engages and drives a wedge 40 through the aligned apertures 36 of the rail 18 and saddle 26. As the wedge 40 advances, the tab 56 deflects downward to pass through the first sidewall 64 and rebounds after clearing the second sidewall 68, locking the wedge 40 in place. Throughout the cycle, the reaction arm 164 bears against the second sidewall 68 to counter the reaction force applied to the tool 100 by friction between the wedge 40 and the aligned apertures 36 in the saddle 26 and the rail 18 during an installation process. After the wedge 40 is seated in the installed position (i.e., when the tab 56 has rebounded after clearing the second sidewall 68 and the wings 60 are abutted with the first sidewall 64, the motor 112 reverses direction to retract the drive member 120 to the reload position (FIG. 4), completing the driving cycle.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a graph depicting the friction load experienced by the drive member 120 during operation of the installation tool 100. The friction load remains relatively low and stable over an initial portion of the stroke, indicating minimal resistance as the wedge 40 begins to enter the aligned apertures 36 of the rail 18 and saddle 26. The graph then exhibits a sharp rise in force, peaking at a point labeled “tab deflection.” This spike corresponds to the moment the tab 56 of the wedge 40 is forced downward into the wedge body 44 upon engagement within the first sidewall 64. Following the spike, the force drops slightly and levels out, indicating reduced resistance once the tab 56 has cleared the initial obstruction. As the drive member 120 continues its stroke, the graph shows a second sharp increase in friction load, also labeled “tab deflection,” which corresponds to deflection of the tab 56 as it passes through the second sidewall 68. The second spike is followed by another slight drop and brief stable region, indicating the completion of wedge insertion into the solar panel assembly 10.

[0046] Because the motor 112 must overcome the friction force throughout the stroke of the drive member 120 as described above, the torque output required from the motor 112, and in turn, the amount of electrical current drawn by the motor 112, are directly correlated with the force profile shown in FIG. 9. That is, the electrical current drawn by the motor 112 increases as the installation tool 100 encounters higher resistance, such as during tab deflection, and decreases when the load subsides. As such, by monitoring motor current during a driving cycle, a control system of the installation tool 100 can detect when the tab 56 begins deflecting, track its progression through the rail 18 and saddle 26, and determine when the tab 56 has fully rebounded. The correlation allows the control system to identify when the wedge 40 has reached its installed position and automatically deactivate the motor 112, improving operation efficiency and cycle timing.

[0047] FIGS. 10-14 illustrate another embodiment of a reaction arm 214 in which the reaction arm 214 is pivotable relative to the housing 108 about a first reaction arm pivot 218. A pivot assembly 222 is supported by the housing 108 and coupled to the reaction arm 214 to rotate the reaction arm 214 about the first reaction arm pivot 218 from a retracted position (FIG. 10) in which the reaction arm 214 is not engaged with the second sidewall 68 of the saddle 26 to an extended position (FIG. 11) in which the reaction arm 214 is engaged with the second sidewall 68 of the saddle 26. The pivot assembly 222 includes a solenoid 226 coupled to the housing 108 and to the reaction arm 214. The pivot assembly 222 also includes a linkage assembly 230 that is engaged by the solenoid 226 to pivot the reaction arm 214. The linkage assembly 230 includes an anvil 234 pivotally coupled to the housing 108 at a first anvil pivot point 242 and an intermediate linkage 238 coupled to the anvil 234 and to the reaction arm 214. The intermediate linkage 238 is coupled to the anvil 234 at a second anvil pivot point 246 and to the reaction arm 214 at a second reaction arm pivot point 250. In other embodiments, the pivot assembly 222 may include additional links to support smooth translation and rotation of the reaction arm 214. A ram 254 coupled to the plunger 258 of the solenoid 226 engages the anvil 234 to rotate the anvil 234 about the first anvil pivot point 242. In this manner, the anvil 234, intermediate linkage 238, and the reaction arm 214 function as a four-bar linkage. In other embodiments, the ram 254 may be pivotally coupled to the anvil 234.

[0048] Activation of the solenoid 226 translates the plunger 258 and ram 254, which engages the anvil 234. As the ram 254 translates, the anvil 234 is rotated about the first anvil pivot point 242 and drives the intermediate linkage 238 through the second anvil pivot point 246. The intermediate linkage 238 translates and rotates. The translation and rotation of the intermediate linkage 238 drives the reaction arm 214 through the second reaction arm pivot point 250 to rotate about the first reaction arm pivot 218. It will be appreciated that with the reaction arm 214 in the retracted position, the driving channel 160 is open, allowing the exposed tip of the wedge 40 to be inserted into the aligned apertures 36 in the first sidewall 64 and the reaction arm 214 is rotated to the extended position after the wedge 40 is inserted to support the second sidewall 68.

[0049] While the pivot assembly 222 described above is discussed above as including a linkage assembly 230 that is engaged by a solenoid 226, the installation tool may be powered by another suitable mechanism in place of the solenoid, and the disclosed embodiment is not intended to be limiting. In alternative configurations, the linkage assembly may be drive by a motor, a servo, a linkage or other inter-connection between the main drive mechanism and the pivot assembly.

[0050] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A powered installation tool configured to drive a threadless fastener through aligned apertures in a workpiece, the powered installation tool comprising:a housing;a motor positioned within the housing;a drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, the drive member engageable with the threadless fastener;a drive mechanism configured to receive torque from the motor and displace the drive member between the reload position and the driven position;a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable; anda reaction arm coupled to the housing to support the workpiece during a process of installing the threadless fastener through the aligned apertures.

2. The powered installation tool of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a threaded rod coupled to the motor for rotation therewith, a nut axially moveable along the threaded rod, and a rail coupled to the nut.

3. The powered installation tool of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a disc rotatably coupled to the motor, a yoke coupled to the disc and including an elongate slot, and a pin configured to slide along the elongate slot.

4. The powered installation tool of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a gas spring configured to displace the drive member.

5. The powered installation tool of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism receives compressed air from an air compressor to displace the drive member.

6. The powered installation tool of claim 1, further comprising a front-end assembly configured to receive the threadless fasteners from the magazine.

7. The powered installation tool of claim 6, wherein the front-end assembly and the reaction arm define a channel configured to receive a portion of the workpiece.

8. The powered installation tool of claim 1, wherein the reaction arm is pivotally coupled to the housing.

9. The powered installation tool of claim 8, further comprising a pivot assembly configured to pivot the reaction arm between a retracted position and an extended position.

10. The powered installation tool of claim 9, wherein the pivot assembly includes a solenoid which, when activated, pivots the reaction arm from the retracted position to the extended position.

11. A powered installation tool configured to drive a threadless fastener through aligned apertures in a workpiece, the powered installation tool comprising:a housing;a motor positioned within the housing;a drive member displaceable by operation of the motor, the drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, the drive member engageable with the threadless fastener to advance the threadless fastener;a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable; anda reaction arm pivotally coupled to the housing to support the workpiece during a process of installing the threadless fastener through the aligned apertures.

12. The powered installation tool of claim 11, further comprising a drive mechanism configured to receive torque from the motor and displace the drive member between the reload position and the driven position.

13. The powered installation tool of claim 12, wherein the drive mechanism includes a threaded rod coupled to the motor for rotation therewith, a nut axially moveable along the threaded rod, and a rail coupled to the nut.

14. The powered installation tool of claim 12, wherein the drive mechanism includes a disc rotatably coupled to the motor, a yoke coupled to the disc and including an elongate slot, and a pin configured to slide along the elongate slot.

15. The powered installation tool of claim 11, wherein the drive member is positionable at a ready position between the reload position and the driven position at which the threadless fastener is positionable in an aperture.

16. The powered installation tool of claim 15, wherein the reaction arm is pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position, and when the drive member is positioned at the ready position, the reaction arm is positioned at a retracted position.

17. The powered installation tool of claim 16, wherein the reaction arm is pivotable from the retracted position to the extended position when the threadless fastener is positioned in the aperture.

18. A powered installation tool configured to drive a threadless fastener through aligned apertures in a workpiece, the powered installation tool comprising:a housing;a motor positioned within the housing;a drive member movable within the housing along a drive axis between a reload position and a driven position, the drive member engageable with the threadless fastener;a drive mechanism configured to receive torque from the motor and displace the drive member between the reload position and the driven position;a magazine coupled to the housing in which a plurality of threadless fasteners are receivable; anda reaction arm coupled to the housing and pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position, the reaction arm partially defining a channel having a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the workpiece, in the retracted position, the workpiece is removed from the channel, and in the extended position, the workpiece is received in the channel.

19. The powered installation tool of claim 18, further comprising a solenoid and a linkage assembly pivotally coupled to the housing and the reaction arm, the linkage assembly engaged by the solenoid to pivot the reaction arm.

20. The powered installation tool of claim 19, wherein the linkage assembly includes an anvil pivotally coupled to the housing at a first anvil pivot point, an intermediate linkage coupled to the anvil at a second anvil pivot point, and to the reaction arm at a second reaction arm pivot point, and wherein the anvil is engaged by the solenoid to move the intermediate linkage and the reaction arm.

Images