Method and apparatus for precise location of materials

A method and apparatus for precisely locating materials on a foundation includes an elongated survey rod, including a triggering surface, and fastener driver secured to the survey rod. The fastener driver includes a trigger. The triggering surface is located in a position to selectively activate the trigger when the fastener is located at a desired precise location on a foundation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to precisely identifying locations at construction sites.

More particularly, this invention pertains to a survey rod attached to a powder actuated fastener driver to permit precise location and attachment of a fastener, particularly to a foundation or other fixed object.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, after a foundation has been poured for a structure, surveyors have been called to identify the locations at which construction materials should be attached to the foundation in accordance with the construction plans. The surveyors have typically marked the proper corner locations on the foundation. Thereafter, construction workers have snapped a chalk line to identify the line along which construction materials, such as concrete blocks or plates, for example, are to be secured to the foundation. While in most situations the level of precision provided by this two-step process has been adequate, there is frequently some variation between the surveyed locations and the actual locations of the construction materials. Small differences in angles can result in large differences in distances, particularly in long walls found in commercial and industrial buildings. There are many situations in which greater precision in the locations of chalk lines are required.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter is provided to secure a survey rod to a fastener driver whereby, while the survey rod is in the precise location for the end of a chalk line, the fastener driver is activated to drive a fastener into the concrete at the precise position required.

Another embodiment provides a combination of an adapter for connecting a survey rod and a fastener driver whereby, while the survey rod is in the precise location for the end of a chalk line, the fastener driver is activated to drive a fastener into the concrete at the precise position required.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numbers represent like parts, an apparatus10for securing a fastener11in a precise location is disclosed. An elongated survey rod12includes a generally cylindrical connecting end14having a male thread (not shown) adapted to matingly engage a generally cylindrical female threaded cavity18of an adapter20.

The adapter20is elongated, having a first end22and an opposing second end24. The first end22defines the threaded cavity18. The second end24defines a second cavity26comprising an inner cylindrical section28and an outer cylindrical section30. The diameter of the inner cylindrical section28is smaller than the diameter of the outer cylindrical section30. The inner cylindrical section28is coaxial with the outer cylindrical section30.

The inner cylindrical section28is adapted to receive a coil spring32having a length greater than the length of the inner cylindrical section28when the coil spring32is in a relaxed condition, whereby the coil spring32extends from the inner cylindrical section28into the outer cylindrical section30when it is in a relaxed condition.

An elongated trigger bar34, including a curved triggering surface35, is attached to the outer surface36of the adapter20, as with bolts38aand38b,for example. The trigger34is generally L-shaped to extend around the end24to define a shoulder40adjacent to the outer cylindrical section30. Diametrically opposed from the trigger bar34, two setscrews42aand42bextend through the wall44from the outer surface36and into the outer cylindrical section30.

A fastener driver46adapted for use in connection with the present invention comprises a Remington powder actuated tool from which the handle has been removed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other fastener drivers may be used in accordance with the present invention. After removal of a handle, the fastener driver46includes a triggering end48and a discharge end50. The triggering end48comprises a cylindrical connecting sleeve52. The sleeve52is sized to be slidingly inserted into the outer cylindrical section30, substantially filling the outer cylindrical section30.

The fastener driver46includes a trigger58that extends through the wall of the connecting sleeve52to engage the firing pin55. The trigger58is located in spaced relation to the triggering surface35of the trigger bar34when the coil spring57is in an extended position, but close enough to the triggering end35to permit the triggering surface35to activate the trigger58when the coil spring57is compressed between the adapter20and the activation section56.

The coil spring32extends though the connecting sleeve52to engage a firing pin55of the fastener driver46. The coil spring57surrounds the firing pin55, thus urging the connecting sleeve52and adapter20axially away from the trigger58.

The apparatus10is assembled by inserting the cylindrical connecting sleeve52into the cylindrical outer section30, with the coil spring32extending through the connecting sleeve30and into the inner cylindrical section28. The connecting sleeve52is secured in position by attaching the trigger bar34to the adapter20with the bolts38aand38b.Thereafter, the setscrews42aand42bare tightened to engage the connecting sleeve52. The survey rod12is threaded into the female threaded cavity18to place the survey rod12and the fastener driver46in coaxial alignment.

In operation, a fastener11is inserted into the discharge end50of the fastener driver. A powder actuator, such as a .22 caliber power load, (not shown) is inserted into the chamber60. Using the survey rod12and the point of the fastener11, a surveying crew identifies the precise location for placement of the fastener11to assist in attaching construction materials to a foundation. Downward pressure on the survey rod12compresses the coil spring57, allowing the triggering surface35of the trigger bar34to engage the trigger58. Activation of the trigger58releases the firing pin55to fire the power load and drive the fastener11into the precise location identified by the surveying crew.

Depending upon the preference of the construction personnel, the fastener11may be driven flush with the surface of the foundation or, alternatively, the fastener may extend above the top surface of the foundation to provide a location for attachment of a chalk line.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that an apparatus and method for precisely securing a fastener has been provided.