Tool driving or impacting – With means engaged by part of human other than hand
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-06
2001-10-02
Smith, Scott A. (Department: 3721)
Tool driving or impacting
With means engaged by part of human other than hand
C173S011000, C173S018000, C173S170000, C227S119000, C227S036000, C081S057370
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296064
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to drive tools for installing fasteners, and relates more specifically to a drive tool including an axial load assist mechanism that effectively reduces the amount of upper body effort an operator must apply to the drive tool to install a fastener.
Typically (and definitely with regard to self-drilling, self-tapping fasteners), when an operator uses a drive tool, such as a drill, to drive a fastener into a work piece, the operator must use his upper body strength to apply an axial force to the drive tool. It is advantageous to reduce the amount of upper body strength an operator must apply to a drive tool to effect the installation of a fastener because doing so reduces the fatigue and physical stress experienced by the operator. This is especially true because oftentimes a large number of fasteners must be installed to complete a job.
Some drive tools are configured such that, if an operator wishes to use the drive tool to install a fastener into a floor, the operator must get on the floor, on his or her knees, in order to use the drive tool to drive the fastener into the floor. Of course, getting on one's knees every time one installs a fastener in a floor can be uncomfortable and tedious. This is especially true in the case where a large number of fasteners must be installed over a large floor surface area.
Other drive tools, such as those which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,960,191; 4,236,555; and 5,897,045 are configured such that an operator can remain standing while using the drive tool to install fasteners into a floor. Such drive tools are essentially extended tools connected to a power drill or to some other driving source. Typically, the drive tool is configured such that fasteners are automatically fed to the end of the drive tool. This provides that the operator can use the drive tool to install a plurality of fasteners without having to bend over each time to place a fastener at the end of the tool. Unfortunately, such drive tools are typically relatively heavy and the operator must apply substantial upper body effort to apply the necessary axial force to the drive tool to install a fastener. Therefore, using such a drive tool, especially if an operator must use the drive tool everyday for extended periods of time, can be tiring.
In some cases, the type of job to be performed using such a drive tool increases the resulting fatigue experienced by the operator. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,423 discloses the installation of fasteners in a composite deck system. Such a composite deck system is used in building construction, and provides that a corrugated deck is placed over structural supports, and fasteners are driven into the composite deck material to fasten it to the structural supports. Because the deck is corrugated, the operator must lift the drive tool over each upward standing corrugation portion to drive a course of fasteners into the underlying structural supports. This process requires competitive bending and shifting of weight over the drive tool, and can be tiring. As might be expected, such repetitive action can cause competitive motion problems for the operator.
Those drive tools which are configured such that an operator can remain standing while using the drive tool to install fasteners into a floor are not typically adaptable to a variety of substrate (e.g., floor or decking) profiles, and do not typically provide a stable and perpendicular platform for installing a fastener.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
Accordingly, it is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a drive tool including an axial load assist mechanism that effectively reduces the amount of upper body effort an operator must apply to the drive tool to install a fastener.
Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a drive tool configured such that an operator can easily use his or her own body weight to apply an axial load during a drilling operation.
Still another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a drive tool which is adaptable to a variety of substrate (e.g., floor or decking) profiles, and which provides a generally stable and perpendicular platform for installing a fastener.
Briefly, and in accordance with one or more of the foregoing objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a drive tool having a top portion which is engageable with a drive source and a lower portion which is engageable with a fastener. The drive tool includes an axial load assist mechanism configured to urge the lower portion and upper portion of the tool away from each other (i.e. relative movement) such that a generally axial force is applied to the fastener engaged with the lower portion of the tool. As a result, the amount of upper body axial force applied by an operator to the drive tool to install the fastener is reduced.
Preferably, the axial load assist mechanism of the drive tool includes a threaded shaft carrying a thrust nut. The thrust nut is configured such that,during drilling, the thrust nut compresses a spring inside the drive tool, and the force of the spring acting on the thrust nut provides that the lower portion and upper portion of the drive tool are urged away from each other (i.e. relative movement). As a result, a generally axial force is applied to the fastener engaged with the lower portion of the tool, thereby reducing the amount of upper body axial force an operator must apply to the drive tool to install the fastener.
Still further, preferably the lower portion of the drive tool includes foot pads on which an operator may stand. Hence, the operator can use his or her own body weight to apply an axial load during a drilling operation.
Still even further, preferably the lower portion of the drive tool includes adjustable height supports to allow the drive tool to be adaptable to a variety of substrate (e.g., floor or decking) profiles, and provide a generally stable and perpendicular platform for installing a fastener. The lower portion of the drive tool may include wheels to facilitate the transporting of the drive tool between fastening and to and from each job. Preferably, the drive tool includes a feeder for automatically feeding fasteners to the end of the lower portion of the drive tool so that an operator does not have to bend over each time a fastener is to be installed using the drive tool.
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Goss David C.
Janusz Michael
Smith Scott A.
Textron Inc.
Trexler, Bushnell Giangiorgi, Blackstone & Marr, Ltd.
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