Patent ID: 7493839
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
1. A portable fastener-driving tool, comprising: (a) an elongated housing containing a prime mover device, said housing having a first end and a second end; (b) a first member extending from said first end of the housing, said first member having a third end and a fourth end, in a first, non-actuated state said third end being distal from said first end of the housing and said fourth end being proximal to said first end of the housing; (c) a second member extending from said third end of the first member, said second member having a fifth end and a sixth end, in said first, non-actuated state said fifth end being distal from said third end of the first member and said sixth end being proximal to said third end of the first member; (d) an intermediate drive device that extends between said prime mover device and said second member; wherein: (e) said first member is movable with respect to said housing; (f) said second member is movable with respect to said first member; (g) when in said first, non-actuated state, said first member extends past said first end of the housing such that said third end of the first member is positioned substantially at a first predetermined distance from said first end of the housing, and said second member extends past said third end of the first member such that said fifth end of the second member is positioned substantially at a second predetermined distance from said third end of the first member; (h) when in a second state, as said second member is pushed against a solid object, said first member continues to extend past said first end of the housing substantially at said first predetermined distance between said first end of the housing and said third end of the first member, but said second member moves toward said housing and toward said first member, such that said fifth end of the second member becomes positioned from said third end of the first member at a distance less than said second predetermined distance; (i) when in an third state, as said second member continues to be pushed against said solid object, both said second member and said first member move toward said housing, such that said third end of the first member becomes positioned from said first end of the housing at a distance less than said first predetermined distance; (j) said second member includes a nose piece member that makes contact with said solid object to cause said second member to be moved toward said housing and toward said first member during a first stage of movement, and to cause said second member to continue to be moved toward said housing during a second stage of movement; (k) a fastener is moved into a drive position during said first stage of movement; and (l) said fastener is driven into said solid object by said prime mover device and said intermediate drive device during said second stage of movement; and further comprising a spring-loaded, pivotable latch lever that: (m) when said first member and said second member are in their non-actuated states, a first predetermined surface of said latch lever presses against an edge of an opening in a stationary member of said housing, and thereby prevents substantial movement of said first member toward said housing; (n) until the first stage movement of said second member is substantially completed, said first predetermined surface of the latch lever continues to press against said edge of the opening in the stationary member of said housing, and continues to prevent substantial movement of said first member toward said housing; and (o) once said first stage movement of said second member is substantially completed, a protruding member that is attached to said second member abuts a second predetermined surface of said latch lever and forces the latch lever to pivot in a manner that causes said first predetermined surface of the latch lever to clear said edge of the opening in the stationary member of said housing, which now allows said first member to move toward said housing.