Elongated-member-driving apparatus – With interlock means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-12
2001-05-29
Smith, Scott A. (Department: 3721)
Elongated-member-driving apparatus
With interlock means
C227S130000, C227S153000, C227S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237827
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a staple driving tool and a method of use thereof, and more particularly to such a tool and method wherein the tool is used to clamp together at least two workpieces of relatively light gage metal and to hold the workpieces in place during the driving of a staple therethrough.
BACKGROUND ART
While not intended to be so limited, the tool and method of the present invention are particularly well adapted for use in light gage steel framing for residential and commercial buildings. An example of another use for the tool and method of the present invention is the assembly of trusses and the like.
Today, most light gauge steel framing for residential and commercial buildings is done with an electric screw driving tool using self-drilling and tapping screws. The parts to be joined together are manually held in place while the screw is driven. Screws are easily dropped and lost. The use of the tool and method of the present invention provides a more flush surface on which to apply dry wall. The method of the present invention is easier than the use of self-tapping screws and is less time consuming. The staple driving tool clamps the metal framing members together prior to stapling and, if necessary, this clamping can be readjusted prior to stapling. Staples are cheaper than screws and are self contained in strips or “sticks”. Thus, staple loss and waste is much lower than with screws. The staple driving tool is provided with a safety and the clamping mechanism is actuated either by the safety or by the manual trigger of the tool.
As indicated above, in the typical prior art light gauge steel framing techniques employed, the individually hand driven self-tapping, screws are driven with the aid of an electric screw driver. This approach is time consuming. Pneumatically driven steel framing pins have also been used, but it has been found that pins generally do not perform as well as screws in cyclic loading conditions. The present invention will allow for forced entry fastener installation using electric or pneumatic tools, not effected by vibration or cyclic loading to the extent that typical forced entry framing pins are. Another advantage of the present invention is the reduction in cost of assembly when using light gauge steel framing members.
The pivotal clamping jaw, the link, the toggle elements and the air cylinder of the present invention, to be described hereinafter, are affixed to a mounting bar which extends along and beneath the tool magazine. This assembly may be applied (with minor modification) to a number of existing staple driving tools. In
FIG. 1
to be discussed hereinafter, this mechanism is shown affixed to a staple driving tool manufactured by Senco Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio and sold under the designation SNS-45.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a staple driving tool and a method for clamping and thereafter stapling together two or more light gauge steel workpiece layers as in light gauge steel framing for residential and commercial buildings. The stapling tool has a handle portion, a main body portion and a guide body, together with a staple containing magazine. The tool is further provided with a jaw assembly supporting an anvil. The jaw assembly is pivoted to a mounting bar extending along and beneath the tool magazine. The jaw is pivotable between a normal open position and a closed position wherein it clamps the steel layers to be joined between the anvil and the guide body prior to stapling. The jaw is shifted between open and clamping positions by an air cylinder actuated toggle mechanism. The air cylinder, in turn, is operated by an air valve mounted on the tool.
The air valve is actuated by either the tool safety or the tool trigger. This actuation causes the workpieces to be clamped together. The tool operator may release the trigger or safety to reposition the workpieces, or the operator may complete operation of the trigger to drive a staple through the clamped steel layers. The anvil, supported by the jaw, causes the staple to be clinched against the steel layers being joined. The staple driving tool may also be provided with a member which is located between the staple legs as the staple approaches the steel layers to be joined. The member cooperates with the drive track of the guide body to prevent buckling the staple legs as they penetrate the steel layers. Thereafter, the member is shifted from between the legs by the staple crown and the driver, enabling the staple to be fully clinched.
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Frost Brown Todd LLC
Senco Products Inc.
Smith Scott A.
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