Fastener driving device with enhanced depth adjusting assembly

Details Fastener driving device with enhanced depth adjusting assembly Fastener driving device with enhanced depth adjusting assembly

2000-06-23

2001-02-13

Smith, Scott A. (Department: 3721)

Elongated-member-driving apparatus

With means to support member and/or work relative to driver

With means to vary the length of the tool stroke

C227S008000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186386

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to fastener driving devices and, more particularly, to fastener driving devices of the portable type.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is more particularly concerned with devices of this type which have a fastener penetrating depth adjusting assembly, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,043. The depth adjusting assembly disclosed therein interconnects upper and lower structures of the work contact assembly and is constructed and arranged to be manually adjusted to change the relative positions of said upper and lower structures between (1) a first position of adjustment wherein a work contact element at the lower end of the lower structure when the work contact assembly is in an operative position extends from a nosepiece structure a first extent and a fastener driven into a workpiece by the fastener driving element has a minimum workpiece penetration and (2) a second position of adjustment wherein the work contact element when the work contact assembly is in the operative position thereof extends from the nosepiece structure a second extent and a fastener driven into a workpiece by the fastener driving element has a maximum workpiece penetration.
The specific depth adjusting assembly disclosed in the '043 patent includes a rotary adjusting member having a notched periphery cooperable with a spring locking arm so that when engaged with a notch in the periphery of the rotary adjusting member, the rotary adjusting member is securely held or locked against rotation. The spring locking arm is biased into locking relation in response to the pivotal movement of a guard member into an operative position shielding the rotary adjusting member against manual engagement. When the guard member is pivoted into an open position allowing convenient manual access to the rotary adjusting member, the locking arm is moved out of locking engagement with the rotary adjusting member allowing free manual movement thereof. The arrangement of the '043 patent is quite effective in operation but the provision of the guide member adds cost to the assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,473 discloses a depth adjusting assembly for accomplishing the same result. In the arrangement disclosed in the '473 patent, the rotary adjusting member is free to rotate except when the work contact assembly is in fully engaged relation with the workpiece. The operation is achieved by providing a yieldingly releasable lock on the frame structure which moves into locking relation to the otherwise freely rotatable adjusting member when the work contact assembly is moved into engagement with the workpiece. The arrangement of the '473 patent obviates the cost of the guard provided in the '043 patent arrangement but leaves the rotary member free to inadvertent and accidental movement anytime the device is being handled.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,473 discloses a depth adjusting mechanism which includes a turnable member, however, the turnable member is constructed and arranged to be moved out of and into an indexing pin carried by the frame structure as the work contacting structure is moved into and out of contact with the workpiece. This arrangement enables the turnable member to be accidentally moved out of the desired adjustment position as the device is being portably moved around and handled.
Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,385,286 and 5,564,614, illustrate depth adjusting assemblies in which springs are provided to yieldably maintain a rotary adjusting member in any desired position of adjustment. In general, these arrangements do not utilize the cost effective arrangement of the '473 patent wherein the configuration of the exterior periphery is made to serve (1) to aid in manual movement and (2) cooperate with the spring bias.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a depth adjusting assembly which achieves advantages of the cost effectiveness of the '043 patent while eliminating the disadvantages thereof which allow for inadvertent free movement while the portable device is being handled. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is obtained by providing a fastener driving device comprising a frame structure presenting a handle portion constructed and arranged to be gripped by a user enabling the user to handle the device in portable fashion. Fixed nosepiece structure is mounted with respect to the frame structure defining a fastener drive track. A fastener driving element is slidably mounted in the drive track. A manually actuated fastener driving system is carried by the frame structure which is constructed and arranged to move the fastener driving element through successive operating cycles each including a drive stroke and a return stroke. A magazine assembly is carried by the frame structure which has fixed structure defining a fastener feed track leading to the drive track and movable structure constructed and arranged to enable a package of fasteners to be loaded in the magazine assembly and fed along the feed track so that the leading fastener of the fastener package is moved into the drive track to be driven outwardly thereof into a workpiece during the drive stroke of the fastener driving element.
An actuating member is constructed and arranged with respect to the frame structure to be moved rectilinearly in a direction generally parallel with the drive track between a normally biased inoperative position and an operative position. A trigger member is constructed and arranged with respect to the frame structure to be manually pivoted between an inoperative position and an operative limiting position thereabove. A work contact assembly is constructed and arranged with respect to the frame structure to be moved from a normally biased inoperative position into an operative position in response to the movement of the device into cooperating engagement with a workpiece. The work contact assembly includes an upper structure movable along a generally rectilinear path between an inoperative position corresponding with the inoperative position of the work contact assembly and an operative position thereabove corresponding to the operative position of the work contact assembly. The work contact assembly includes an upper structure and a lower structure separate from the upper structure and a fastener depth adjusting assembly interconnecting the upper and lower structures constructed and arranged to be manually adjusted to change the relative positions of the upper and lower structures between (1) a first position of adjustment wherein said lower structure portion when the work contact assembly is in the operative position thereof extends from the nosepiece structure a first extent and a fastener driven into a workpiece by the fastener driving element has a minimum workpiece penetration and (2) a second position of adjustment wherein the lower structure portion when the work contact assembly is in the operative position thereof extends from the nosepiece structure a second extent and a fastener driven into a workpiece by the fastener driving element has a maximum workpiece penetration. The fastener depth adjusting assembly comprises a rotary adjusting member having an internal threaded section extending along an axis threadedly mounted on one of the upper and lower structures so that a rotational movement of the adjusting member with respect to the one structure effects a relative axial movement therebetween, mounting structure between another of the upper and lower structures and the adjusting member constructed and arranged to mount the adjusting member on another structure so as to be freely rotatable about the axis while being restrained against axial movement with respect thereto. The mounting structure positions the adjusting member so as to present an exterior surface in an accessible exterior position on the frame structure. The exterior surface has a shape facilitating manual rotational movement of the adjusting member by a manual rolling action thereon. A yiel

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Fastener driving device with enhanced depth adjusting assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Fastener driving device with enhanced depth adjusting assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fastener driving device with enhanced depth adjusting assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2581049