Abstract:
An automated power actuated gun, and a method of using the power actuated gun, the gun being able to drive a fastener assembly having a plate frictionally engaging a nail or stud by means of a trigger firing mechanism that allows the gun to be fired by the use of relative motion between a barrel portion of the gun and the trigger of the gun. The automated power actuated gun can also have attached thereto a fastener feeding track capable of carrying multiple fastener assemblies, and the plates of the fastener assemblies are curved or have grooves and the track is formed for mating engagement with the curved plate for allowing the guiding of the fastener assembly along the track.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/419,768, filed Oct. 18, 2002.  
           [0002]    Power actuated guns are used in many industrial applications, and particularly construction applications. A power actuated gun is often used to drive a fastener into a relatively hard substrate, such as concrete. The power actuated gun is typically powered by an explosive charge.  
           [0003]    Often, with power actuated guns, a fastener is used having a nail frictionally retained in a shaped washer or plate, often called a fastener assembly. Often, an angled plate having a hole therein is used so that a wire or other device can be fastened thereto. One such fastener assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,923 entitled “Fastener Assembly”, issued to Alfonso Losada on Apr. 12, 1988. U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,923 is incorporated herein by reference.  
           [0004]    Fastener assemblies having a nail frictionally retained in a washer or plate are generally available loosely packed. With most power actuated guns driving fastener assemblies of this type, the fastener assemblies are placed into the barrel of the gun individually by hand. This can be time consuming.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,273,316 and 6,481,611, also granted to Alfonso Losada, teach a fastener feeding track and system for automatically feeding fastener assemblies having a nail frictionally retained in a washer or plate into the barrel of the power actuated gun. U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,316, granted to Alfonso Losada, on Aug. 14, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference.  
           [0006]    The use of fastener feeding systems is especially helpful for driving fasteners into ceilings areas that are hard to reach from the ground or floor. In use, the fastener assembly is placed within or partially within the barrel of the power actuated gun and placed adjacent the surface into which the nail of the fastener assembly will be driven. The surface is generally a hard surface which requires the use of the power actuated gun. The power actuated gun is then fired, driving the stud or nail into the hard surface. The fastener feeding system then loads another fastener assembly into the barrel or at least partially into the barrel so that it is ready for firing.  
           [0007]    For ceiling applications, the power actuated gun is often placed on a pole with a fastener assembly received within or partially within the bore of the barrel of the gun and the whole device is raised to the ceiling with a pole. When the fastener assembly lies adjacent and in contact with the ceiling where it is to be driven the gun is fired and the nail or stud of the fastener assembly is driven. Because the power actuated gun is placed on a pole, this means it is often removed from the reach of the operator. Having the fastener feeding track attached to the power actuated gun means the user does not have to lower the pole to load the next fastener assembly; however there must be some way for the user to actuate the gun from below.  
           [0008]    The present invention teaches a method for actuating the trigger of power actuated gun just by putting pressure on the pole carrying the gun. A number of other systems have been devised by the inventor of the present invention for improving the fasteners used with power actuated guns, the operation of automatically loading fastener assemblies into the barrel of a power actuated gun and the firing the gun. Some of these inventions are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/729,389, filed Dec. 4, 2000, by Alfonso Losada, entitled “Power Actuated Fastener System”, which is herein incorporated by reference. Some of these inventions are also described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/043,669, filed Jan. 11, 2002, entitled “Fastener Assembly having Grooves for use with a Power Actuated Gun”, filed by Alfonso Losada, which is herein incorporated by reference.  
           [0009]    The present invention also teaches an improved method for guiding fastener assemblies in the track to prevent jamming of the fastener assemblies in the track.  
           [0010]    The present invention aims to increase worker productivity, allowing workers to install more fastener assemblies in a a safe and accurate manner. Worker productivity is a key economic factor in the construction industry where labor is a larger portion of the cost of any structure, and labor costs continue to rise.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    One aspect of the present invention is a method of driving a fastener a fastener assembly wherein a laborer performs the steps of positioning a first fastener assembly having a nail frictionally received within a plate over the barrel portion of a power actuated gun, depressing the barrel portion so that a trigger firing mechanism operatively connected to the barrel portion is lowered to contact a trigger of the power actuated gun, and further depressing the barrel portion of the power actuated gun so that trigger firing mechanism releases and pushes on the trigger of the power actuated gun, actuated the gun to drive the nail of the fastener assembly.  
           [0012]    Another aspect of the present invention is a a method of driving a fastener a fastener assembly wherein a laborer performs the steps of positioning a first fastener assembly having a nail frictionally received within a plate over the barrel portion of a power actuated gun, and depressing the barrel portion so that a trigger firing mechanism operatively connected to the barrel portion is lowered to contact a trigger of the power actuated gun, the trigger firing mechanism containing means for releasing upon contact with the trigger to fire the power actuated gun.  
           [0013]    Another aspect of the present invention is a a method of driving a fastener a fastener assembly wherein a laborer performs the steps of positioning a first fastener assembly having a nail frictionally received within a plate over the barrel portion of a power actuated gun, the power actuated gun having a trigger firing mechanism, the trigger firing mechanism having a pressure member that provides a slight constant pressure to the trigger by means of a spring, and depressing the barrel portion so that the trigger firing mechanism operatively connected to the barrel portion is lowered and applies sufficient pressure to a trigger of the power actuated gun to fire the power actuated gun.  
           [0014]    Another aspect of the present invention is a power actuated gun, wherein the gun has a barrel portion which has a trigger firing mechanism, and a trigger, the trigger firing mechanism being operatively connected to the barrel portion so that when the barrel portion is lowered it contacts the trigger of the power actuated gun; actuating the power actuated gun.  
           [0015]    Another aspect of the present invention is a fastener assembly feeding system for use with a power actuated gun, the system having a fastener assembly having a curved plate, and a stud frictionally held within the plate, a track adapted to receive the curved plate, the track shaped to conform with the curved shape of the plate, and whereby a plurality of fastener assemblies are guided along the track. The plate can be formed with one or more grooves and or extending portions and the track can be shaped to conform with the groove or grooves or the extending portions of the plate.  
           [0016]    Another aspect of the present invention is a fastener assembly feeding system for use with a power actuated gun, the system having a fastener assembly having a plate, the plate having a groove formed within the plate, and a stud frictionally held within the plate, and a track adapted to receive the plate, the track shaped to contact at least one side of the plate only in the groove, whereby a plurality of fastener assemblies are guided along the track. The plate can be shaped with a pair of grooves.  
           [0017]    In the present invention, the trigger firing mechanism can be attached directly to the barrel portion of the power actuated gun.  
           [0018]    Also, in the present invention, a fastener feeding track can be attached to the barrel portion of the gun, the fastener feeding track carrying a plurality of the fastener assemblies, and the trigger firing mechanism can be attached directly to the fastener feeding track.  
           [0019]    Also in the present invention, the power actuated gun can have a spring that biases the barrel portion and track upward away from trigger of the power actuated gun, and when the barrel portion is depressed the spring compresses and the trigger firing mechanism is lowered to contact the trigger.  
           [0020]    Also, in the present invention, the trigger firing mechanism can be formed with a threaded member that allows for adjustment of the trigger firing mechanism.  
           [0021]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a feeding system for use with a power actuated gun comprises a track to hold a plurality of fastener assemblies which loads those fastener assemblies sequentially into the barrel of the gun, and relative movement between the power actuated gun and an attachment is used to control the operation of the gun. Specifically, the attachment controls the firing of the gun. The relative movement is used to activate a trigger so as to fire the power actuated gun when the fastener assembly is in position.  
           [0022]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to make laborers or workers more productive and thereby reduce construction costs.  
           [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a power actuated fastening system that has a smooth operation and is easy to use.  
           [0024]    It is a further object of the present invention to use the relative movement between the power actuated gun and an attachment to automate the firing of the gun.  
           [0025]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a power actuated fastener system that is safe to use.  
           [0026]    It is an advantage of the present system that it saves time. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a blown up view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fastener assembly for use with the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional end view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 illustrates a power actuated gun  1  having a track  10  thereon affixed to a barrel portion  12  of the power actuated gun  1 . Also attached to barrel portion  12  is a trigger firing mechanism  14 . The trigger firing mechanism  14  is positioned over a trigger  16  of the power actuated gun  1 .  
         [0037]    The track  10  contains a supply of fastener assemblies  20 . Each fastener assembly  20 , as shown in FIG. 6 has a plate  24  and a nail  25  for being driven with the power actuated gun  1 . Upon depressing the barrel portion  12 , the trigger firing mechanism  14  is lowered to contact the trigger  16 . At a predetermined point, the trigger firing mechanism  14  releases, pushing on trigger  16  firing the power actuated gun  1  and driving the nail  25  of the fastener assembly  20  into a substrate. The sequence is repeated and a fastener assembly  20  within track  10  is advanced.  
         [0038]    The trigger firing mechanism  14  is illustrated attached to the barrel portion  12 , but may also be attached to the track  10 . The trigger firing mechanism  14  may contain any means for releasing upon contact with the trigger  16  to fire the power actuated gun. Additionally, the trigger firing mechanism  14  may be used on a power actuated gun without a track  10 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 is another view of the power actuated gun  1  with the trigger firing mechanism  14  in position ready to be lowered and to contact trigger  16 . A spring  11  biases the barrel portion  12  and track  10  upward. When the barrel portion  12  contacts a surface the spring  11  compresses and the trigger firing mechanism  14  is lowered to contact the trigger  16 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the assembly of the power actuated fun and trigger firing mechanism  14  illustrated in FIG. 2. The trigger firing mechanism  14  may be adjusted by threaded member  17 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 is another type of trigger firing mechanism  114 , the pressure member  118  provides a slight constant pressure to the trigger  16 . The pressure member  118  has a spring therein that only places a slight pressure on the trigger  16 . This pressure is sufficient to depress slightly the trigger  16  without firing the power actuated gun  1 . When the barrel portion  12  is depressed sufficiently such that the gun  1  is in a firing position, the trigger mechanism  114  applies sufficient pressure to the trigger  16  to permit the gun  1  to fire. This embodiment may be used on a power actuated gun  1  that has a safety feature preventing firing unless a slight pressure is applied to the trigger  16 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 illustrates another trigger firing mechanism  214 . This mechanism lowers with the barrel portion  12  and contacts the trigger  16  so as to fire the power actuated gun  1 . The travel distance may be preset or made adjustable so that the power actuated gun  1  will fire when the fastener assembly  20  is in position.  
         [0043]    The trigger firing mechanisms illustrated in the various embodiments may all be placed internally within the power actuated gun or covered by a housing. Additionally, each embodiment may be attached to the track  10  rather than the barrel portion  12 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 6 illustrates a fastener assembly  20  having a plate  24  with a nail or stud  25  therein, and a leg  26  attached to the plate. A wire  28  is shown attached to the leg  26 . The fastener assembly  20  is curved with a shape similar to track  110  in which the fastener assembly  20  slides. The track  110  is a fastener assembly feeding track  110  and is illustrated as element number  10  in FIGS. 1-5. The track  110  is shaped to mate or conform with the shape of the fastener assembly  20 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 illustrates a fastener assembly  120  having grooves or valleys  130  in the plate  124  and corresponding ridges or extending portions  138  therein, as well.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 illustrates the fastener assembly  120  placed within track  210 . This fastener assembly  120  has extending portions  138  extending out of the plane of the plate  124  of the fastener assembly  120  that match with the contour of the track  210 . This helps to guide the fastener assembly  110  down the track  210 . The grooves  130  also help to align the fastener assembly  120  within the track  210 , preventing jamming. Additionally, when the fastener assembly  120  is driven, the grooves  130  help the fastener assembly  120  to collapse assuring contact with a substrate. The grooves  130  may also help to prevent the fastener assembly from spinning once driven.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 9 illustrates a fastener assembly  320  in position on a track  310  in which a first side  327  of the plate  324  of the fastener assembly  320  contacts a pair of restricted plate contact areas  311  of the track  310  only at a pair of valleys or grooves  330  formed within the plate  324  of the fastener assembly  320 . This makes possible a smaller width track  310  and assures that the leg portion  326  of the fastener assembly  320  does not inadvertently contact the track  310 . For example, when the fastener assembly  320  is driven and the fastener assembly  320  collapses, the leg portion  326  of the fastener assembly  320  collapses, the leg portion  326  of the fastener assembly  320  may form substantially a right angle and bend inward towards the track  310 . The narrower track  310  makes possible this bending without the fastener assembly  320  contacting the track  310 . This prevent possible jamming within the feeding system. The track  310  also makes contact with a second side  329  of the plate  324  of the fastener assembly  320 . As shown in FIG. 9, in the preferred form of the invention, when the fastener assembly plate  324  is formed with extending portions  338  as well as grooves  330 , the track  310  only makes contact with the extending portions  338  on the second side  329  of the plate  324 ; however, the track could make contact with different portions of the plate  324  as well, and the plate  324  would still be guided smoothly in the track  310 .  
         [0048]    It should be appreciated that the fastener assembly  320  may be made in a variety of shapes without affecting the ability of the grooves or valleys  330  formed therein to engage or mate with restricted plate contact areas  311  of the track  310  and thereby guide the fastener assembly  320  in the track  310 . Therefore, the plate  324  of the fastener assembly  320  may be flat, curved or raised or have other shapes.  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 8, it should also be appreciated that restricted plate contact areas  211  can be formed in the track  210  to contact grooves or valleys  130  in the plate  124  of the fastener assembly  120 , and yet the track  210  is contoured to make further contact with the plate  124  of the fastener assembly, such that the width of the track  210  at least on one side of the plate  124  of the fastener assembly is not particularly narrow.  
         [0050]    Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the present invention greatly facilitates the automation of a power actuated gun  1  having a track  10  and a power actuated gun  1  that requires a trigger  16  to be pressed upon firing. Therefore, the power actuated gun  1  may be raised on a pole with the firing automated so that multiple fastener assemblies  20  may be placed within ceilings without lowering the power actuated gun  1 . Additionally, a telescoping pole may be used and shortened so the power actuated gun  1  can be used without bending over when firing into the ground. The trigger actuating mechanism  14  is particularly advantageous when a track  10  is used to automatically feed fastener assemblies  20 .