Patent ID: 6109165
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B25C

Abstract:
A self-guided piston for use in a combustion powered tool for driving fasteners into hard substrate surfaces, comprising:a lower portion having a first outer peripheral surface disposed about a longitudinal axis of said piston so as to substantially engage an inner wall of a cylinder body disposed within a combustion-powered tool, an annular slot defined within said lower portion for housing a piston ring, and an upper surface extending substantially radially with respect to said longitudinal axis of said piston;at least one stabilizing member integrally formed upon said upper surface of said lower portion of said piston, extending axially above said upper surface of said lower portion of said piston, and having a second outer surface axially spaced from said lower portion of said piston and said first outer peripheral surface thereof by a recess so as to engage an inner wall of a cylinder body disposed within a combustion-powered tool and thereby stabilize said piston as said piston travels reciprocatingly within the cylinder body of the combustion-powered tool; anddetent means disposed upon said outer surface of said at least one stabilizing member for engaging a complementary detent means of the cylinder body so as to retain said piston at a pre-firing position within the cylinder body.