Fastener Installation Tool Pusher Block Spacer Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hidden fastener installation tools often require special tools and have limited adjustability, leading to inconsistent screw advancement and potential damage to boards due to wobbling guide holders and limited spacer adjustability.

Innovation Solution

A fastener installation tool with a pusher block of greater width than the spacer to withstand forces, a selectively movable second guide within a guide tube for accommodating various board sizes, and a clamping mechanism to ensure accurate and consistent fastener installation through side surfaces, featuring a stationary handle for leverage and a moveable handle for adjusting the pusher block and spacer positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If identical spacers are used in conventional hidden fastener installation tools, then consistent gap spacing between boards is achieved, but the guide holder wobbles and causes inconsistent screw advancement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap spacing consistencyVSAvoidscrew advancement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide holder is made selectively moveable within the guide tube, allowing it to adapt to board variations while maintaining stable screw guidance. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the guide to self-correct position rather than forcing rigid consistency that causes wobbling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is divided into separate functional components: a stationary guide tube, a selectively moveable guide holder, and spacers. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the guide tube provides structural stability while the guide holder can adjust to accommodate board variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a simple pin is used to hold the guide holder in place, then the tool structure is simple, but the guide holder has excessive play and can misdirect screws

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide holder attachment simplicityVSAvoidscrew guidance accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The simple pin connection is replaced with a selectively moveable guide holder system that uses friction or clamping mechanisms within the guide tube. This substitution eliminates excessive play while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity, allowing precise screw guidance without requiring complex attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If the pusher block width is greater than the spacer width, then the pusher block can withstand forcing forces, but the tool cannot fit into narrow gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepusher block strengthVSAvoidtool adaptability to different gap sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pusher block is made selectively moveable relative to the spacer, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. This dynamic configuration enables the pusher block to be positioned far enough from the spacer to fit into narrow gaps, while still providing sufficient leverage and strength when forcing boards together during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pusher block and spacer are separated as distinct components with adjustable positioning, rather than being fixed together. This segmentation allows the pusher block to be moved to optimal positions for different gap widths, providing both the strength needed for forcing operations and the adaptability to fit various spacing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the guide is fixed rigidly in the guide tube, then screw guidance is stable, but the tool cannot accommodate uneven or inconsistent boards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of board variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide holder is designed to be selectively moveable within the guide tube, creating a dynamic system that combines stability with adaptability. The guide can be positioned and secured at different locations to accommodate variations in board thickness and positioning, while once secured, it provides stable screw guidance similar to a rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11938596B1Fastener installation tool and related method of use

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 NAT NAIL CORP

AI summary

A fastener installation tool is provided with a first fastener guide that guides a fastener into a side of a workpiece at an angle, and includes a pusher block that can be used to urge the workpiece toward an adjacent workpiece. The tool can include a second fastener guide having a spacer with a spacer width that establishes a consistent, predetermined gap between the adjacent workpieces. The pusher block can be strengthened via a pusher block width that is greater than the spacer width to withstand forces when the pusher block urges one workpiece toward another. The guide can be selectively moveable in a guide tube and able to be clamped in a selected location therein to set the spacer a predetermined distance from the pusher block to accommodate a variety of board sizes. Related methods of use also are provided.