Tool-Free Adjustment Members for Fastener Driving Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastener driving tools, particularly those with clinching mechanisms, require hand tools for adjustments such as staple leg length, clinch tightness, and depth of drive, leading to operator fatigue and limitations in maneuverability and space usage, especially in industrial applications where compressed air is not available.

Innovation Solution

A fastener driving tool with tool-free adjustment members, including a variable clinch adjustment thumbwheel, rotatable leg length adjustment dial, and depth of drive dial, allowing for adjustments without hand tools, enabling accommodation of various staple sizes and workpiece thicknesses, and facilitating efficient clinching operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If hand tools are used to adjust the clinching assembly, then the adjustment precision is improved, but the operator fatigue increases and maneuverability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidoperator fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment members are designed to be operated directly by the user's hand without requiring separate hand tools. The thumbwheel and dial mechanisms allow the user to make adjustments using only their fingers, eliminating the need for tools and reducing operator fatigue while maintaining precision through the mechanical design of the adjustment components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical adjustment system requiring hand tools with a simplified mechanical system using thumbwheels and dials that can be operated directly by hand. This substitution maintains the mechanical precision of adjustment while eliminating the need for additional tools, thereby reducing operator fatigue and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If hand tools are used for adjustments, then the adjustment range is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment members are designed to provide multiple adjustment functions (staple leg length, clinch tightness, depth of drive) through a single integrated mechanism that can be operated without hand tools. This multi-functional design expands the adjustment range while avoiding the complexity of separate adjustment mechanisms for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By designing adjustment members that can be operated directly by hand without requiring additional tools, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive adjustment capabilities. The self-service nature of the adjustment mechanism eliminates the need for tool storage, tool changes, and additional mechanical interfaces, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If compressed air power source is used, then the driving power is improved, but the maneuverability and space flexibility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving powerVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the compressed air power system with a manually operated mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the need for compressed air infrastructure, allowing the tool to be used in confined spaces and locations where compressed air is unavailable, thereby improving maneuverability and space flexibility while maintaining sufficient driving power for carton closing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2679345B1Carton closing tool having tool-free adjustment members
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 STANLEY FASTENING SYSTEMS LP
  • EP2679345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2679345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2679345B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Tool-free adjustment members in a fastener driving tool (2). The fastener driving tool can be used to seal closed containers such as, for example, corrugated fiberboard cartons, by applying staples to the folded flaps or other closure parts to secure them in place. The tool-free adjustment members (5, 7, 9) provide customizable drive settings for a variety of different sized staples and different workpiece conditions.