Driving tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener driving tool (1). The tool (1) comprises a drive assembly (2) that can be used to drive a fastening element (F) along an axis (A), a combustion chamber (30) that at least partially surrounds the drive assembly (2) and can be moved along the axis (A), and a feeler (4) connected to the combustion chamber (30). The feeler (4) is configured to contact a substrate in order to move the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2) to selectively enable the drive assembly (2) to operate. The combustion chamber (30) comprises a roller (5) that rollably engages with the drive assembly (2) when the combustion chamber (30) moves along it.

Description

DRIVING TOOLPriority Claim

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of French Patent Application No. 2410567, which was filed October 1 , 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.Technical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to driving tools. More specifically, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a driving tool with a firing release mechanism to selectively enable the tool to be fired.Technical background

[0003] Driving tools with firing release mechanisms to selectively enable the tools to be fired are common. These tools typically comprise a feeler which, when actuated, applies a balanced force to the firing release mechanism.Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a driving tool with a firing release mechanism that is simpler and / or lighter.

[0005] The invention relates to a driving tool, for example a fastener driving tool, the tool comprising a drive assembly used to drive a fastener and a combustion chamber with a roller that reliably engages with the drive assembly when the combustion chamber moves along it.

[0006] The inventors found that the presence of a roller to support the combustion chamber during its movement makes it possible to shorten the combustion chamber.

[0007] The drive assembly can be used to drive a fastener along an axis. The combustion chamber can at least partially surround the drive assembly. The combustion chamber can be moved along the axis.

[0008] The driving tool can comprise a feeler. The feeler can be connected to the combustion chamber. The feeler can be configured to contact a substrate in order to move the combustion chamber along the drive assembly to selectively enable the drive assembly to operate.

[0009] The invention also relates to a fastener driving tool, the tool comprising: a drive assembly used to drive a fastener along an axis; a combustion chamber that at least partially surrounds the drive assembly and can be moved along the axis; and a feeler connected to the combustion chamber and configured to contact a substrate inorder to move the combustion chamber along the drive assembly to selectively enable the drive assembly to operate; in which the combustion chamber comprises a roller that reliably engages with the drive assembly when the combustion chamber moves along it.

[0010] The feeler can be connected to a first side of the combustion chamber. The roller can be mounted on a second side of the combustion chamber. The second side of the combustion chamber can be opposite the first side.

[0011] In some cases, the feeler is connected to a first side of the combustion chamber and the roller is mounted on a second side of the combustion chamber opposite the first side.

[0012] In some cases, the feeler is connected only to the first side of the combustion chamber.

[0013] The first side of the combustion chamber can have no roller.

[0014] The combustion chamber can be biased toward a deactivation position in which operation of the drive assembly is prevented.

[0015] The driving tool can comprise a spring-loaded means for biasing the combustion chamber toward the deactivation position.

[0016] The spring-loaded means can be located between the drive assembly and an arm connecting the feeler to the combustion chamber.

[0017] The feeler can be pivotally connected to the combustion chamber.

[0018] The driving tool can comprise a stop to limit the movement of the combustion chamber along the drive assembly.

[0019] The driving tool can comprise a guide for guiding the movement of the combustion chamber along the drive assembly.

[0020] The guide can comprise a pair of guide ridges located on either side of the arm to guide the movement of the combustion chamber along the drive assembly.

[0021] The drive assembly can comprise a housing. The guide can protrude, for example radially, from the housing. The housing can comprise one or more ridges, for example one or more radial ridges. The ridge or ridges can comprise one or more contact ridges.

[0022] The ridge or ridges can engage with an inner surface of the combustion chamber, for example when it moves along the drive assembly.

[0023] More specifically, the drive assembly can comprise a housing from which the guide protrudes radially, the housing further comprising one or more radial contact ridges that engage with an inner surface of the combustion chamber when it moves along the drive assembly.

[0024] The inner surface of the combustion chamber can comprise one or more ridges, for example one or more radial ridges. The ridge or ridges can comprise one or more contact ridges.

[0025] The rib or ribs can engage with the housing, for example when the combustion chamber moves along the drive assembly.

[0026] More specifically, the inner surface of the combustion chamber comprises one or more radial contact ridges that engage with the housing when it moves along the drive assembly.

[0027] The driving tool can comprise a combustion-powered tool. The driving tool can be equipped with an internal combustion engine, for example for driving the fasteners.

[0028] More specifically, the driving tool can comprise a combustion-powered tool equipped with an internal combustion engine for driving the fasteners.

[0029] The driving tool can comprise a nailer or a stapler.

[0030] In order to avoid any doubt, all the features described herein also apply to any aspect of the invention.

[0031] In order to avoid any ambiguity, the terms “can”, “and / or”, “for example”, and any other similar term used in the present document are to be interpreted as not limiting, such that any feature thus described is not necessarily required to be present.Brief description of the figures

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which will be understood in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a driving tool according to one example;

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a view similar to the one in Figure 1 with the upper casing removed;

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates a view similar to the one in Figure 2 from the opposite side of the driving tool;

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the release assembly on the driving tool in Figures 1 to 3;

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the roller, the feeler, the feeler arm, and the spring in the release assembly.

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the spring and feeler arm area showing the stop limiting the movement of the combustion chamber; and

[0039] Figure 7 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the guide ridges and feeler arm area.Detailed description of the invention

[0040] Referring now to the figures, a fastener driving tool 1 can be seen. The driving tool 1 comprises a combustion-powered tool, such as a nailer or a stapler. The driving tool 1 comprises a body 10 with an upper housing 11 , a handle 12 with a trigger 13, and a magazine support arm 14 for holding a magazine of fasteners (not shown) to be driven into a substrate.

[0041] The body 10 of the driving tool 1 houses a drive assembly 2, equipped with a housing 20 containing an internal combustion engine 21 in this example, for driving in fasteners. More specifically, the drive assembly 2 is used to drive a fastener along an axis A. The housing 20 comprises a first side 22, a second side 23, a plurality of radial contact ridges 24 spaced around the housing 20, and a pair of guide ridges 25 protruding from the first side 22.

[0042] The driving tool 1 also comprises a release assembly 3 (illustrated in Figure 4) that comprises a combustion chamber 30. The combustion chamber 30 surrounds the housing 20 of the drive assembly 2 and comprises a first side 31 , a second side 32, and an inner surface 33. The combustion chamber 30 can be moved along the axis A. The radial contact ridges 24 of the housing 20 engage the inner surface 33 of the combustion chamber 30 and center it when it moves along the axis A.

[0043] The release assembly 3 is actuated by a feeler 4 connected to the combustion chamber 30. The feeler 4 comprises a plurality of contact tips 40 designed to contact a substrate in order to move the combustion chamber 30 along the drive assembly 2 to selectively enable the drive assembly 2 to operate.

[0044] The combustion chamber 30 also comprises a roller 5. The combustion chamber 30 is biased by a spring 6 (illustrated in Figures 5 and 6) toward a deactivated position, in which the operation of the drive assembly 2 is prevented.

[0045] The feeler 4 is connected to the first side 31 of the combustion chamber 30 by a feeler arm 7, while the roller 5 is mounted on the second side 32 of the combustion chamber 30, opposite the first side 31 . The feeler 4 is not connected to the second side 32 of the combustion chamber 30 and the first side 31 of the combustion chamber 30 has no roller.

[0046] The roller 5 reliably engages with the drive assembly 2 when the combustion chamber 30 moves along it. More specifically, the roller 5 comprises a pair of circular rolling members 50 rotating around an axis 51 , which roll along the second side 23 of the housing 20.

[0047] The feeler arm 7 comprises a connecting piece 70, which is pivotably connected to the combustion chamber 30 by a pin 71 , and a bar 72 connecting the feeler 4 to the connecting piece 70. The spring-loaded means 6 is located between the drive assembly 2 and the feeler arm 7 connecting the feeler 4 to the combustion chamber 30.

[0048] More specifically, the connecting piece 70 comprises a cavity 73, which holds the spring 6. The cavity also surrounds a pair of stops 8 protruding from the first side 22 of the housing 20. The pair of guide ridges 25 is located on either side of the connecting piece 70 to provide a guide for guiding the movement of the combustion chamber 30 along the drive assembly 2. A separate guide can conveniently be provided for this purpose.

[0049] Another stop 9 is mounted on the second side 23 of the housing 20 and engages with the roller 5. The stops 8, 9 limit the movement of the combustion chamber 30 along the housing 20 of the drive assembly 2.

[0050] In light of the above description, the person skilled in the art will understand that the invention provides a simple guide and holder device for the combustion chamber 30. This enables the feeler 4 to be connected to only one side of the combustion chamber 30. The person skilled in the art will find that this also facilitates the use of a combustion chamber 30 that is shorter than would otherwise be necessary.

[0051] The person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above can vary in many ways, provided they are consistent with the scope of the claims. For example, it is conceivable to provide rollers 5 on both sides or even three or more rollers 5 evenly distributed around the edge of the housing 20. Other arrangements are also conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention.List of Reference Numbers1 fastener driving tool2 drive assembly20 housing21 internal combustion engineA axis22 first side of the housing23 second side of the housing24 radial contact ridges on the housing25 guide ridge3 release assembly30 combustion chamber31 first side of the combustion chamber32 second side of the combustion chamber33 inner surface of the combustion chamber34 radial contact ridges on the combustion chamber4 feeler40 feeler contact tip5 roller50 circular rolling parts on the roller51 roller axis52 carrier6 spring7 feeler arm70 connecting piece for the feeler arm71 feeler arm axis72 feeler arm bar73 cavity on the connecting piece8 stop9 stop

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A fastener driving tool (1 ), the tool (1 ) comprising: a drive assembly (2) that can be used to drive a fastener along an axis (A); a combustion chamber (30) that at least partially surrounds the drive assembly (2) and can be moved along the axis (A); and a feeler (4) connected to the combustion chamber (30) and configured to contact a substrate in order to move the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2) to selectively enable the drive assembly (2) to operate; in which the combustion chamber (30) comprises a roller (5) that rollably engages with the drive assembly (2) when the combustion chamber (30) moves along it.

2. The driving tool (1 ) according to claim 1 , in which the feeler (4) is connected to a first side (31 ) of the combustion chamber (30) and the roller (5) is mounted on a second side (32) of the combustion chamber (30) opposite the first side (31).

3. The driving tool (1 ) according to claim 2, in which the feeler (4) is connected only to the first side (31 ) of the combustion chamber (30).

4. The driving tool (1 ) according to claim 3, in which the first side (31 ) of the combustion chamber (30) has no roller.

5. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the combustion chamber (30) is biased toward a deactivation position in which the operation of the drive assembly (2) is prevented.

6. The driving tool (1 ) according to claim 5, comprising a spring-loaded means (6) for biasing the combustion chamber (30) toward the deactivation position.

7. The driving tool (1 ) according to claim 6, in which the spring-loaded means (6) is located between the drive assembly (2) and an arm (7) connecting the feeler (4) to the combustion chamber (30).

8. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the feeler (4) is pivotally connected to the combustion chamber (30).

9. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a stop (8) for limiting the movement of the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2).

10. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a guide (25) for guiding the movement of the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2).

11. The driving tool (1 ) according to claim 10 when it depends from claim 7, in which the guide comprises a pair of guide ridges located on either side of the arm (7) to guide the movement of the combustion chamber (30) along the drive assembly (2).

12. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of claims 9 to 11 , in which the drive assembly (2) comprises a housing (20) from which the guide (25) protrudes radially, the housing (20) further comprising one or more radial contact ridges (24) that engage an inner surface (33) of the combustion chamber (30) when it moves along the drive assembly (2).

13. The driving tool (1) according to claim 12, in which the inner surface (33) of the combustion chamber (30) comprises one or more radial contact ridges (34) that engage with the housing (20) when it moves along the drive assembly (2).

14. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a combustion-powered tool equipped with an internal combustion engine (10) for driving fasteners.

15. The driving tool (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a nailer or a stapler.

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