Elongated-member-driving apparatus – Explosive-type driving means
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-09
2004-09-07
Smith, Scott A. (Department: 3721)
Elongated-member-driving apparatus
Explosive-type driving means
C227S010000, C227S130000, C285S198000, C123S0460SC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06786378
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fastener-driving tools, and more particularly to a new and improved seal adaptor which is structured so as to effectively interface between the outwardly projecting valve stem of a metering valve operatively associated with a fuel cell power supply for the fastener-driving tool, and a tool stem of the fastener-driving tool whereby secure sealed conditions are always maintained between the metering valve stem and the tool stem regardless of the disposition or orientation of the fuel cell with respect to the tool during the normal operative cyclical firing of the fastener-driving tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fuel cells are conventionally used as a power supply or a source of power for fastener-driving tools. Examples of fuel cells, and fastener-driving tools utilizing the same, are disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944 which issued to Nikolich on May 26, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,162 which issued to Nikolich on Jun. 11, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,474 which issued to Nikolich on Nov. 20, 1984, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,473 which issued to Wagdy on Nov. 20, 1984, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,722 which issued to Nikolich on Sep. 13, 1983.
Briefly, as illustrated within
FIG. 1
, a typical fuel-cell powered fastener-driving tool is partially disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character
10
. The tool
10
comprises a combustion chamber
12
within which an air-fuel mixture distribution fan
14
is disposed, and a fuel charge conduit
16
is defined within the head
18
of a cylinder block
19
. The fuel cell is disclosed at
20
and is provided with a dispensing valve unit
22
. Dispensing valve unit
22
has, in turn, a metering valve unit
24
operatively connected thereto wherein the latter is adapted to discharge, dispense, or inject a predetermined amount or dosage of fuel from the fuel cell
20
into the tool combustion chamber
12
each time a fastener-driving and firing operational cycle is initiated. The metering valve unit
24
comprises a valve stem
26
, and the tool
10
further comprises a tool stem
28
which is fluidically connected at one end thereof to the fuel charge conduit
16
, and is operatively engaged at its opposite end to the metering valve stem
26
so as to provide a fluidic flow path from the fuel cell
20
, the dispensing valve unit
22
, and the metering valve unit
24
into the tool combustion chamber
12
. As best seen further in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the tool stem
28
comprises a axial stem portion
30
which is provided with an axial bore
32
defining a fluid passageway for the fuel to be dispensed into the tool combustion chamber
12
, and a head end portion
34
which is adapted to be engaged with the free end portion of the metering valve stem
26
. More particularly, the head end portion
34
of the tool stem
28
is provided with a counterbored region
36
within which the free end portion of the metering valve stem
26
is adapted to be received or seated.
This structural system operates substantially satisfactorily, however, since both the valve stem
26
and the tool stem
28
are fabricated either from, for example, a suitable plastic material or from a suitable metal material, the two components are operatively engaged with each other so as to effectively establish either a plastic-to-plastic contact or engagement interface or a metal-to-metal contact or engagement interface. Accordingly, a fluidically sealed interface between the valve stem
26
and tool stem
28
components is not in fact capable of being established.
In view of the fact that the valve stem
26
and tool stem
28
elements cooperate together so as to effectively form or establish the necessary fuel conduit interface, as well as the necessary fluidic sealing of such conduit interface as determined by means of the interengagement of such stem elements
26
,
28
, high manufacturing tolerances are required in connection with the fabrication of such stem elements
26
,
28
in order to achieve, as best as possible, the aforenoted sealing function between the stem elements
26
,
28
. Still further, the interengagement of the valve stem
26
and tool stem
28
components limits the necessary movements of the fuel cell
20
and the metering valve
24
components within the tool
10
. Lastly, the constant or repetitive pivotal movements of the valve stem
26
with respect to the tool stem
28
, as a result of the initiation of each successive fastener-firing operational cycle and while maintaining the aforenoted fluidic interface therebetween, causes the valve stem
26
, as well as the tool stem
28
, to undergo bending stresses or strains which can lead to structural fatigue, cracking, breakage, failure, and additional fuel leakage within the tool
10
.
A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved fuel cell powered fastener-driving tool, as well as a new and improved auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor for use in conjunction with the fuel cell metering valve stem and the tool valve stem as a seal interface therebetween, wherein the auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor will enable improved and reliable sealing to be achieved between the metering valve stem and the tool stem whereby such reliable sealing between such stem components can be ensured and maintained despite the normal tilted movements of the fuel cell during the initiation of each fastener-driving operational cycle. In this manner, fuel leakage internally within the tool can be effectively prevented. In addition, manufacturing tolerances of the components do not need to be as rigid, and the provision of the seal adaptor readily permits movement of the fuel cell and its operatively associated metering valve without inducing stresses and strains upon the metering valve stem-tool stem connection. Accordingly, fatigue, fracture, and failure of the components are eliminated with a consequent enhancement of the service life of the metering valve and tool stem components. Lastly, it is desirable to be able to achieve these various needs in the simplest and most cost-effective manner possible.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor for use in conjunction with the fuel cell metering valve stem and the tool valve stem of a fuel cell powered fastener-driving tool.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor for use in conjunction with the fuel cell metering valve stem and the tool valve stem of a fuel cell powered fastener-driving tool wherein the operational drawbacks and deficiencies of conventional operative engagement structure defined between the metering valve stem and the tool stem of PRIOR ART fuel cell powered fastener-driving tools can effectively be overcome.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor for use in conjunction with the fuel cell metering valve stem and the tool valve stem of a fuel cell powered fastener-driving tool wherein enhanced sealing characteristics or properties are able to be achieved between the metering valve stem and the tool valve stem.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor for use in conjunction with the fuel cell metering valve stem and the tool valve stem of a fuel cell powered fastener-driving tool wherein enhanced sealing characteristics or properties are able to be achieved between the metering valve stem and the tool valve stem such that fuel leakage internally within the fastener-driving tool is effectively prevented.
A last object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved auxiliary fuel cell metering valve stem seal adaptor for use in conjunction with the fuel cell metering valve stem and the tool valve stem of a fuel cell powered fastener-driving tool wherein enhanc
Vanstaan Valery H.
Wagdy Mohamed K.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Nash Brian
Schwartz & Weinrieb
Smith Scott A.
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