Abstract:
The present invention provides a trigger switching mechanism for a single and continuous trigger of a nailing machine, which allows different operating sequences. First, a safety rod is pressed, and then the trigger; or the trigger is first pressed and then the safety rod. With the relative shift between a hook of the flexible spacer and activating tab of the trigger, it is possible to implement single and continuous trigger modes for more convenient operations. The present invention mounts the flexible spacer onto the main body of the nailing machine, making it possible to achieve more efficient fabrication and assembly for industrial applications.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a nailing machine, and more particularly to an innovative nailing machine which has a single or continuous trigger switching mechanism. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Common nailing machines are often provided with a trigger structure that presents a single and continuous switching mechanism to meet different customer requirements. This enables either a single trigger action through pressing and holding, or a continuous trigger action with a safety rod being closely contacted with workpieces and then released from them. 
         [0006]    However, a switching mechanism is often mounted onto the above-specified trigger structure or trigger members (e.g. safety rod and built-in tab of the trigger, etc). When the user wishes to switch the trigger mode, the switching mechanism shall be required (e.g. pushing and rotation) for this purpose. However, attention should be paid to the operation, coupling and mounting location of the switching mechanism in order to avoid excessive structural members, requiring bigger space and inconvenient operation. 
         [0007]    Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy. 
         [0008]    To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The trigger switching mechanism of a nailing machine as disclosed in the present invention only requires that trigger  10  is pressed by the nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40 , or that trigger  10  is first pressed and then nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  is fastened for single or continuous trigger operations, thus achieving a simpler operation. 
         [0010]    Based upon a simplified design with flexible spacer  60  and flexible restorer  70  being mounted onto the main body  50  of the nailing machine or with only a swing-type flexible spacer  60 B being installed, the trigger switching mechanism of the nailing machine as disclosed in the present invention is an improvement by addressing the shortcoming of complex structures and by making it easier to achieve more efficient fabrication and assembly for industrial applications. 
         [0011]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows an isolated cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is not in operation. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2-4  show isolated sectional views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in single trigger mode. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5-6  show isolated sectional views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in continuous trigger mode. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows an isolated sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is not in operation. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8-10  show the isolated sectional views of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in single trigger mode. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 11-14  show isolated sectional views of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in continuous trigger mode. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of the nailing machine of the present invention, which is provided only for explanatory purposes with regard to the claims. The trigger  10  of nailing machine is fitted with an activating tab  30  opposite to the switch valve rod  20 . The pivotal axis  31  of activating tab  30  is mounted onto retaining end  11  of trigger  10 , such that the activating end  32  of activating tab  30  faces the locating end  12  of trigger  10 . As the activating end  32  is pushed by the terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40 , it will rotate towards switch valve rod  20 . 
         [0020]    The trigger switching mechanism (A) is mounted onto main body  50  of nailing machine. The mechanism (A) includes a flexible spacer  60 , which is mounted axially onto main body  50  of nailing machine opposite to activating end  32  of activating tab  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the flexible spacer  60  shifts along the same direction of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40 . A hook  61  is mounted onto one side of flexible spacer  60  facing the activating end  32  of activating tab  30 . The hook is placed at rotating path of activating end  32  of activating tab  30  when the trigger  10  is pressed. In such a case, the activating end  32  could be locked. A coupling end  62  is located at the other side of flexible spacer  60 , thus allowing it to be mounted onto a predefined location of main body  50  of the nailing machine. In the preferred embodiment, a mounting section  51  is placed onto main body  50  of the nailing machine, allowing insertion of coupling end  62  of flexible spacer  60 . The mounting section  51  may be designed with a groove. 
         [0021]    The invention also includes a flexible restorer  70 , which may be a spring. The flexible restorer  70  is located into mounting section  51  of the nailing machine&#39;s main body  50 , such that the flexible spacer  60  could be flexibly supported with retraction and automatic reset features. 
         [0022]    Based upon above-specified structural design, the preferred embodiment is operated as described herein. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  has not been pushed towards the activating tab  30  when the trigger  10  is not pressed. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  has shifted to a predefined location of activating tab  30  when the trigger  10  is not pressed. In this process, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will rotate along path L 1  marked in  FIG. 2 , and will pass through hook  61  of flexible spacer  60 . In such case, the inner side of activating tab  30  will contact the switch valve rod  20 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the trigger  10  is pressed and when activating end  32  of activating tab  30  is supported and located by one terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40 , the trigger  10  will drive activating tab  30  to shift and then press the switch valve rod  20  via a pivotal axis  31 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  is reset, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will rotate towards original location. Since the trigger  10  is pressed, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will shift towards the flexible spacer  60 . When rotating towards the original location, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will be locked by the hook  61  of flexible spacer  60 , which also limits the location of switch valve rod  20 . When the trigger  10  is released, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will be separated from hook  61  and returned to original location, such that the trigger  10 , activating tab  30  and nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  will be returned to single trigger mode as disclosed in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    Referring also to  FIG.5 , when the trigger  10  is first pressed and then nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  is fastened, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will shift towards flexible spacer  60 , such that activating end  32  cannot pass through hook  61 . So, when one terminal  41  of the nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  pushes activating end  32  of activating tab  30 , the activating end will drive flexible spacer  60  to retract towards mounting section  51  of nailing machine&#39;s main body  50 . Meanwhile, the flexible restorer  70  is pressed down to accumulate elastic force. Finally, trigger is activated when switch valve rod  20  is pressed with the rotation of activating end  32  of activating tab  30 . In such an operating mode, flexible spacer  60 , activating end  32  of activating tab  30  and the safety lock  40  will shift simultaneously. Thus, if the user continually presses the trigger  10 , the switch valve rod  20  will be consistently held down to ensure continuous trigger operation with repetitive pressing and release of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  (as also illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  depicts another preferred embodiment of flexible spacer of the present invention. This swing-type flexible spacer  60 B is mounted along a predefined rotating path onto main body  50  of nailing machine opposite to activating end  32  of activating tab  30 . A hook  61  B is mounted onto one side of flexible spacer  60 B facing the activating end  32  of activating tab  30 . The hook is placed at rotating path of activating end  32  of activating tab  30  when the trigger  10  is pressed. In such a case, the activating end  32  could be locked. A coupling end  62 B is located at the other side of flexible spacer  60 B, thus allowing it to be mounted onto a predefined location of main body  50  of nailing machine via an axle  63 . An oblique guide face  64  is placed at the other side of hook  61 B of flexible spacer  60 B, thus enabling smooth pushing of activating end  32  of activating tab  30  (referring to  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0029]    The above-specified preferred embodiment of the present invention is described herein. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  hasn&#39;t been pushed towards the activating tab  30  when the trigger  10  is not pressed. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  has shifted to a predefined location of activating tab  30  when the trigger  10  is not pressed. In this process, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will rotate along path L 2  marked in  FIG. 8 , and will pass through hook  61 B of flexible spacer  60 B. In such case, the inner side of activating tab  30  will contact the switch valve rod  20 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , when the trigger  10  is pressed, and when activating end  32  of activating tab  30  is supported and located by one terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40 , the trigger  10  will drive activating tab  30  to shift and then will press the switch valve rod  20  via a pivotal axis  31 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the safety lock  40  is reset, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will rotate towards original location. Since the trigger  10  is pressed, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will shift towards the flexible spacer  60 B. When rotating towards original location, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will be locked by the hook  61 B of flexible spacer  60 B, which also limits the location of switch valve rod  20 . When the trigger  10  is released, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will be separated from hook  61  and returned to original location, such that the trigger  10 , activating tab  30  and nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  will be returned to single trigger mode as disclosed in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    Referring also to  FIG. 11 , when the trigger  10  is first pressed and then nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  is fastened, activating end  32  of activating tab  30  will shift towards flexible spacer  60 , such that activating end  32  cannot pass through hook  61 B. So, when one terminal  41  of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  pushes activating end  32  of activating tab  30 , the activating end will drive flexible spacer  60 B to rotate upwards and recede. Finally, the trigger is activated when switch valve rod  20  is pressed with the rotation of activating end  32  of activating tab  30 . In such an operating mode, flexible spacer  60 , activating end  32  of activating tab  30  and the safety lock  40  will shift simultaneously. Thus, if the user continually presses the trigger  10 , the switch valve rod  20  will be consistently held down to ensure continuous trigger operation with repetitive pressing and release of nailing machine&#39;s safety lock  40  (as also illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 ).