Fastener driving device with mechanisms to limit movement of nails

A fastener driving device includes a nose assembly having a drive channel, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners through a feed channel along a feed channel direction toward the nose assembly, and one or more mechanisms for preventing undesirable movement of fasteners. The mechanisms may include a first stop pawl and a second stop pawl for preventing the supply of fasteners from moving along a direction opposite to the feed channel direction. The stop pawls may extend from a common side of the feed channel and pivot on a common axis. The mechanisms may also include a first nail stop, a second nail stop and/or a movable nail stop.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to fastener driving devices, and more specifically relates to fastener driving devices that incorporate mechanisms for limiting the movement of nails.

2. Description of Related Art

The construction industry has seen an increase in the use of metal connectors when joining two workpieces together. For example, joist hangers are commonly used in the construction of floors in buildings and outdoor decks. L-shaped metal connectors are also used to connect and/or reinforce two workpieces that are joined together perpendicularly, such as when connecting the framing of two walls. Conventional fastener driving devices, such as pneumatic nailers, have been difficult to use in metal connector applications because of the size of such devices. For example, a conventional pneumatic nailer used for framing applications is designed to drive nails that are 2 to 4 inches in length and have diameters of about 0.113 to 0.162 inches. However, nails that are used to attach metal connectors to workpieces are typically about 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length, and have diameters of about 0.131 to 0.162 inches. While framing nailers may be used to drive the longer metal connector fasteners as well as shorter metal connector fasteners, they are typically not optimally configured to drive shorter metal connector fasteners such as nails that are 1.5 inches in length.

Moreover, the design of conventional pneumatic nailers makes it difficult to accurately locate a fastener into the hole of the metal connector due to the nose assembly and the contact arm. A conventional contact arm is biased to extend past the nose assembly of the nailer so that when the contact arm is pressed against the workpiece, the contact arm cooperates with the trigger to cause the nailer to actuate, and drive the fastener into the workpiece. In many applications, such as framing and finishing, the fastener may be located in a range of locations, i.e. the precise location of the fastener may not be important. However, when driving a nail through a hole of a metal connector, the precision of the drive is important because of the risk of damaging the nailer or the metal connector. In this regard, various conventional fastener driving devices are now being configured to allow use of special removable probes that aid in locating of the holes in the metal connectors.

Users have used the tip of the fastener that protrudes from the nose assembly which is about to be driven as the hole locator. In particular, the nails slightly protruding from the nose assembly of the nail gun are used to locate the hole of the metal connector by sliding the nail tip along the metal connector until it falls into the hole of the metal connector. Then, the nail is driven into the workpiece thereby securing the metal connector to the workpiece. However, such use of the tip of the fastener as a hole locator poses specific problems.

More specifically, when the tip of the nail locates the hole of the metal connector and digs into the workpiece through the hole, the nail tends to slide back into the magazine which may cause the head of the nail to be slightly misaligned with the driver of the fastener tool. This potential for misalignment is increased by the fact that most conventional pneumatic tools require the user to push on the tool downwardly against the workpiece to engage the safety mechanism, and to allow the tool to fire. Such pushing of the tool can also cause the nails to recede further into the nose assembly of the fastener driving device, thereby further increasing the potential for misalignment.

Moreover, the collation material such as paper, plastic, or metal strips that interconnect the nails together can accumulate in the drive channel of the nose of the fastener driving tool, and resist proper feeding of the next nail that is to be driven. Of course, such accumulation of the collation material can also cause misalignment. All of these factors that increase likelihood of misalignment can increase the frequency of tool jamming or blank firing in which no nail is driven.

Furthermore, as noted above, common nails for metal connectors are 2.5 inches and 1.5 inches, depending on the particular requirements of the specific application. Thus, two different sized nailers are required in order to drive these different sized nails, thereby adding to tool costs.

Therefore, there exists an unfulfilled need for a fastener driving device that more accurately controls the movement of nails as compared to conventional fastener driving devices. In addition, there also exists an unfulfilled need for such a fastener driving device that controls the movement of different sized nails that are driven by the fastener driving device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an advantage of the present invention is in providing a fastener driving device that reduces the likelihood of nail misalignment.

Another advantage of the present invention is in providing such a fastener driving device that controls the movement of nails to reduce the likelihood of nail misalignment.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is in providing such a fastener driving device capable of driving different sized nails.

Still another advantage of the present invention is in providing a fastener driving device that controls the movement of different sized nails that are driven by the fastener driving device.

In view of the above, in accordance with the present invention, a fastener driving device includes a nose assembly having a drive channel, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners through a feed channel along a feed channel direction toward the nose assembly, and a first stop pawl and a second stop pawl for preventing the supply of fasteners from moving along a direction opposite to the feed channel direction, wherein each of said first and second stop pawls has a distal end extending from a common side of the feed channel into the feed channel between adjacent first and second fasteners, said first stop pawl is closer to the drive channel than said second stop pawl.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a power tool includes a housing assembly, a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly, a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners through a feed channel along a feed direction toward the nose assembly, and a plurality of stop pawls independently movable about a common pivot axis, wherein each stop pawl has a distal end extending into the feed channel from a common side of the feed channel.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a fastener driving device for providing a fastener into a workpiece includes a housing assembly, a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly, the nose assembly having a drive channel, a magazine for carrying one of a supply of first fasteners and a supply of second fasteners through a feed channel along a feed direction to the nose assembly, the first and second fasteners having different lengths, at least one nail stop provided along an upper portion of the nose assembly to engage the first fasteners, and a movable nail stop having a distal end provided along a lower portion of the nose assembly and extending into the feed channel to engage and prevent the second fasteners from receding into the nose assembly, wherein the distal end of the movable nail stop is positioned for contact by the first fastener.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a power tool for providing first fasteners having a first length and second fasteners having a second length shorter than the first length into a workpiece includes a housing assembly, a nose assembly connected to the housing assembly, at least one first nail stop provided in the nose assembly for engaging head portions of the first fasteners, and at least one movable nail stop provided in the nose assembly for engaging head portions of the second fasteners, wherein the at least one movable nail stop is adapted to movably extend into a position to prevent the second fasteners from receding into the nose assembly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for preventing misalignment of fasteners within a fastener driving device is provided, the fasteners having different first and second lengths, the system includes a drive channel to expel the fasteners into a workpiece, a feed channel providing the fasteners to the drive channel along a feed channel direction, a plurality of stop pawls positioned for engagement by each of the fasteners within the feed channel, and a plurality nail stops including a first nail stop positioned for engagement by head portions of the fasteners having the first length, a second nail stop positioned for engagement by head portions of the fasteners having the first length, and a movable nail stop positioned for engagement by head portions of the fasteners having the second length and engagement by shank portions of the fasteners having the first length, wherein the movable nail stop is movably provided within the feed channel between the first nail stop and at least one of the plurality of stop pawls.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a fastener driving device10according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device10includes a housing12that is preferably constructed from a lightweight, yet durable material, such as magnesium, aluminum, or other suitable material. The drive mechanism for driving the fastener is received within the housing12of the fastener driving device10. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener driving device10receives pressurized gas for driving the fasteners through a fitting opening16that is sized to receive an air fitting (not shown) that engages an air hose (not shown). In such an implementation, the pressurized gas may be air that has been compressed by a compressor, as is commonly used for pneumatic tools. In this regard, the drive mechanism for driving the fastener may be implemented in a conventional manner for nailers. However, in other implementations, the pressurized gas may be provided via a cartridge. Alternatively, gas that releases energy upon expansion may be used, such as a gas produced as a by-product of combustion, or gas produced by phase transformation of a liquid, such as carbon dioxide. In such alternative implementations, an appropriate drive mechanism would be provided within the housing12of the fastener driving device10. The particular details of the drive mechanism is not critical to understanding the present invention. Correspondingly, details thereof are omitted herein.

As illustrated, the fastener driving device10includes a handle20that extends substantially perpendicularly from the housing12. The handle20is configured to be grasped by a user's hand, thereby making the device10portable. A trigger mechanism26is provided for actuating the drive mechanism of the fastener driving device10. The fastener driving device10also includes a safety mechanism housing30that has various safety mechanisms therein to minimize the risk of injury to the user using the fastener driving device. Such safety mechanisms are known in the art, and thus, further discussions thereof are omitted herein.

The fastener driving device10further includes a nose assembly40, the nose assembly40including a driver therein (not shown) which engages the head of the nail to rapidly expel the nail using the energy provided by the drive mechanism within the housing12. In this regard, the nose assembly40receives consecutively fed fasteners from a magazine assembly50. In the embodiment shown, one end of the magazine assembly50is connected to the nose assembly40, and is also connected to the handle20at an intermediate location thereof. Of course, in other implementations, the magazine assembly50may be connected to the handle20at a distal end thereof.

The magazine assembly50is constructed and arranged to feed successive fasteners into the nose assembly40from a supply of fasteners loaded in the magazine assembly50. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply of nails within the magazine assembly50is urged toward the nose assembly40by a pusher56that is biased towards the nose assembly40. It should further be noted that although in the illustrated implementation, the magazine assembly50is configured to receive nails that are collated in a stick configuration, a magazine assembly that is configured to accommodate nails that are collated in a coil may also be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, the nose assembly40and the magazine assembly50of the fastener driving device10of the illustrated embodiment are constructed and arranged to allow receipt of different sized nails. For example, the nose assembly40and the magazine assembly50may be implemented to receive nails having a first length of approximately 2.5 inches, or a second length of approximately 1.5 inches. Such nails may also be specifically designed for connecting a metal connector with a workpiece, the fastener driving device10of the present invention being especially advantageous for driving such metal connectors. In this regard, the shank diameter of such nails may about 0.131 to 0.162 inches, and sized to pass through a hole in the metal connector, while the head of the fastener may be sized to prevent the fastener from passing entirely through the hole so that the metal connector may be fixedly secured to the workpiece. Of course, the above particularities of the nails are provided as an example only, and the fastener driving device10of the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 2is an enlarged, side cross-sectional view of the nose assembly40of the fastener driving device10in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, the nose assembly40includes a drive channel44into which the nail to be driven is fed from the magazine assembly50. The first nail1that is received in the drive channel44is engaged by a drive pin (not shown) that engages the head of the first nail1, and drives the first nail1using the force provided by the drive mechanism.

The schematic illustrations of nails having two different sizes are shown inFIG. 2to illustrate the functional advantages provided by fastener driving device10of the present invention. In particular, the longer length nails being fed through the magazine assembly50and into the nose assembly40may be 2.5 inches, while the shorter length nails also schematically shown may be 1.5 inches. In this regard, nails in particular position relative to the drive channel44are referred to herein using reference numerals (1,2,3, etc.), whereas specific length nails are identified using suffix “A” or “B”. For instance, in specifically referring to the first nail1, the longer length first nail is identified with reference numeral1A, whereas the shorter length first nail is identified with reference numeral1B. Thus, the fastener driving device10in accordance with the present invention is preferably implemented to allow driving of different sized nails.

Of course, it should be understood that both sized nails are not actually provided simultaneously into the nose assembly40or the magazine assembly50in an overlapping manner. However, both sized nails are illustrated inFIG. 2to merely to show the positioning differences within the nose assembly40that can result by the differences in the length of the nails. In particular, as shown, the spacing between the collated nails are slightly different and can result in slightly different positioning of the nail to be driven, and the positioning of the nail being cued up to be driven (i.e. second nail2). This difference in the positioning of the nails can be exacerbated by the various factors noted above, for example, by application of forward or downward force on the fastener driving device10by the user, or by the accumulation of the collation material that hold the collated nails together within the drive channel44.

FIG. 3Ais a side view of the nose assembly40of the fastener driving device10with a cover (not shown) removed to clearly illustrate the first stop pawl60, the second stop pawl64, and the movable nail stop90, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the function of which are described in further detail herein below. As shown inFIG. 3A, the first stop pawl60and the second stop pawl64are pivotally connected to the nose assembly40of the fastener driving device10by a stop pawl pivot74. The first and second stop pawls60and64, respectively, extend into the nose assembly40as shown inFIG. 2. The first and second stop pawls60and64are preferably made of hardened steel, and may be cast or stamped.

In the above regard,FIG. 4Ashows a partial cross-sectional underside view of the nose assembly40looking down the truncated shank of the nails, thus showing the operation of the first and second stop pawls60and64. In particular, referring to bothFIGS. 2 and 4A, the distal end61of the first stop pawl60extends into a first position along the feed channel52of the collated nails to limit the movement of the second nail2back into the magazine assembly50, opposite the normal feed direction indicated by arrow “f”. As previously explained, such movement of the nails can occur, for example, when the fastener driving device10is pushed forward with the first nail1engaged against the workpiece within the hole of the metal connector. The distal end65of the second stop pawl64extends into a second position along the feed channel52of the collated nails which is slightly closer to the drive channel44of the nose assembly40than the distal end61of the first stop pawl60. In other words, along the feed direction “f”, the distal end65of the second stop pawl64is further downstream from the distal end61of the first stop pawl60so that the nails reach the distal end61of the first stop pawl60first, and then reach the distal end65of the second stop pawl64.

As most clearly shown inFIG. 4A, the distal end65of the second stop pawl64has a triangular, wedge-like shape, with a ramp surface68and an abutment surface69. The ramp surface68is contacted by the shank of the nails as they are fed through the feed channel52along the feed direction “f” to facilitate retraction of the second stop pawl64, while the abutment surface69limits the reverse movement of the second nail2along a direction opposite to the feed direction “f”. As the nail is fed along the feed channel52toward the drive channel44, the shank of the nail contacts the ramp surface68of the second stop pawl64, and the angle of the ramp surface68causes the distal end65of the second stop pawl64to retract in the direction of arrow “R” so that it is out of the pathway of the nail. The distal end61of the first stop pawl60is also shaped in a substantially similar manner with a ramp surface and an abutment surface (not fully shown) to allow the first stop pawl60to function in a manner similar to the second stop pawl64.

As described above relative toFIG. 3A, the first stop pawl60and the second stop pawl64are pivotally connected to the nose assembly40of the fastener driving device10by a stop pawl pivot74. Moreover, the first stop pawl60and the second stop pawl64are biased by springs62and66, respectively, so that their distal ends61and65of the first and second stop pawls60and64, respectively, are biased to extend into the feed channel52of the collated nails in the manner shown inFIG. 2, thereby resisting the retraction of the corresponding distal ends61and65of the first and second stop pawls, respectively. These springs62and66are coil springs in the illustrated implementation ofFIG. 3Aand further engage the cover70shown inFIG. 3Bto bias the stop pawls. In this regard, the first stop pawl60includes a protrusion63, and the second stop pawl64includes protrusion67for assisting in locating and guiding the springs62and66as they are compressed by the passage of the shank of the nails in the feed channel52. Of course, other embodiments of the stop pawls may be implemented using different types of springs, for example, leaf springs or torsion springs. The first stop pawl60also includes pivot extension76and the second stop pawl64includes pivot extension78that protrude through corresponding openings in the cover70as most clearly shown inFIG. 3B. These pivot extensions can be actuated in the direction of arrow “D” by the user to disengage the corresponding stop pawls in the manner described in further detail below.

In operation, the first stop pawl60is retracted from the feed channel52as the shank of the nail contacts the ramped surface of the distal end61. As soon as the nail is fed beyond the abutment surface of the first stop pawl60, the first stop pawl60is returned by the biasing force of the spring62so that the distal end61is extended into the feed channel52. In a similar manner, the second stop pawl64is retracted from the feed channel52as the shank of the nail contacts the ramped surface68of the distal end65, and extended into the feed channel52by the biasing force of the spring66when the nail passes beyond the abutment surface69of the second stop pawl64. Importantly, the first stop pawl60and the second stop pawl64act independently of each other in the preferred embodiment shown and described above. In particular, although both the first and second stop pawls60and64are pivotally mounted to the same stop pawl pivot74, they are otherwise unconnected to each other, allowing them to independently retract from, and extend into, the feed channel52of the magazine assembly50.

In addition, as can be clearly seen inFIGS. 2 and 4A, both the first and second stop pawls60and64are positioned to be between the second nail2and the third nail3within the drive channel44, and function to prevent the second nail2from being moved along a reverse direction opposite to the feed direction “f” via the abutment surfaces of the first and second stop pawls60and64. The positioning of the second nail2correlates to the position of the first nail1because they are interconnected by the collation material4shown inFIG. 4A. Whereas restricting the movement of the first nail1would be ideal, such restriction is difficult to implement because the first nail1is received in the drive channel44, and is driven by the drive mechanism into the workpiece. In view of this difficulty, the potential for misalignment of the first nail1in the drive channel44that is to be driven into the workpiece can still be minimized by limiting undesirable movement of the second nail2. Moreover, restricting the movement of the second nail2is more desirable than restricting the movement of a different nail, such as the third nail3, since the correlation to the position of the first nail1is further diminished due to the increased distance and length of the collation material4.

The slightly different positioning of the distal end61of the first stop pawl60and the distal end65of the second stop pawl64, allows the stop pawls of the present invention to engage and prevent reverse movement of the second nail2even when different sized nails are driven using the same fastener driving device10. As noted above, the variation in positioning of the second nail2due to the size of the nail is clearly shown inFIG. 2that schematically illustrates the profiles of different sized nails. Of course, such variation is further increased if there are differences in the shank diameters between the nails, or there are variations in the dimensions of the nails due to manufacturing tolerances. However, the two stop pawls can be implemented so that their respective distal ends are positioned at a sufficient distance to ensure at least one of the distal ends extend into the feed channel52to prevent substantial movement of the second nail2along the reverse direction opposite to the feed direction “f”.

Furthermore, as previously explained, variation in positioning and possible misalignment of the first nail1can occur due to accumulation of the collation material4within the drive channel44. Such variation and misalignment likewise changes the position of the second nail2by the fact that the first nail1and the second nail2are interconnected by the collation material4. Thus, the slightly different positioning of the first stop pawl60and the second stop pawl64ensures that even with this variation in positioning caused by accumulated collation material4, at least one of the two stop pawls extend into the feed channel52to prevent substantial movement of the second nail2along the reverse direction opposite to the feed direction “f”.

As can be appreciated by examination ofFIG. 4A, in the preferred embodiment, the first and second stop pawls60and64are implemented so that their respective distal ends61and65, respectively, are positioned only slightly offset from each other along the feed channel52, the first stop pawl60being positioned on top of the second stop pawl64. Thus, in the underside view ofFIG. 4A, the first and second stop pawls60and64overlap each other, and the abutment surfaces are spaced at a distance that is less than the shank diameter of the nails. Of course, in other implementations of the present invention, the first and second stop pawls60and64may be positioned separately, and may be retractably mounted using separate pivot pins. For example, one stop pawl may be provided on one side of the nose assembly40while another stop pawl may be provided on an opposite side of the nose assembly40. Furthermore, additional stop pawl(s) may be provided, or implemented to engage a different nail, such as nail3, in other embodiments of the invention.

Referring again toFIG. 3B, the first stop pawl60can be disengaged by actuating the pivot extension76in the direction of arrow “D”, and the second stop pawl64can be disengaged by actuating the pivot extension78along the direction of arrow “D”.FIG. 4Balso illustrates in detail, the interconnection between the distal end65of the second stop pawl64and the pivot extension78that extends through the cover70. As can be appreciated, by actuating the pivot extension78along the direction of arrow “D”, the distal end65can be manually retracted from extending into the feed channel52as the second stop pawl64pivots about the stop pawl pivot74. Of course, manual disengagement of the first stop pawl64can be attained in a similar manner by actuating the pivot extension76along the direction of arrow “D”. Of course, by the virtue of the springs62and66, the first and second stop pawls60and64will retract once the pivot extensions76and78are released. In other embodiments, a lock mechanism may be provided to maintain the disengaged positions for the pivot mechanism.

As discussed above, the fastener driving device10in accordance with the present invention is preferably implemented for use with different sized nails,FIG. 2schematically showing the longer 2.5 inch nails and shorter 1.5 inch nails that may be driven by the illustrated implementation of the fastener driving device10.FIG. 2also shows a first nail stop80which prevents the longer first nail1A from receding into the drive channel44of the nose assembly40, for example, when the user of the fastener driving device10presses the device downwardly into the workpiece as previously described. The first nail stop80provides a physical barrier to limit the extent to which the longer first nail1A can recede into the nose assembly40.FIG. 5shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the nose assembly40that more clearly shows the first nail stop80.

In accordance with the present embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, the fastener driving device10is also provided with a second nail stop84which prevents the second nail2A from receding into the nose assembly40, thereby aiding the function of the first nail stop80. In particular, because the first and second nails1A and2A are interconnected by the collation material4, if the first nail1A is pressed upon so that it begins to recede into the nose assembly40, the second nail2A also recedes into the nose assembly40. The second nail stop84includes a land surface86that engages a portion of the head of the second nail2A to limit receding of the second nail2A into the nose assembly40. Thus, even if the first nail1A is slightly misaligned, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the first nail stop80, the second nail stop84can assist in preventing the first nail1A from further receding into the nose assembly40.

As noted, the fastener driving device10in accordance with the present invention is preferably implemented for use with different sized nails. Correspondingly, whereas the first nail stop80and the second nail stop84described above can limit receding of the longer nails (for example, 2.5 inch nails) into the nose assembly40, they do not limit receding of the shorter nails (for example, 1.5 inch nails) into the nose assembly40at all. This is most clearly shown inFIG. 2which shows the relative height difference between the longer and shorter nails in an example implementation of the fastener driving device10in accordance with the present invention.

In view of the above, as shown inFIGS. 3A,6and7, the fastener driving device10is also provided with a movable nail stop90to limit receding of the second nail2B when the fastener driving device10is used to drive short nails, thereby minimizing receding of the first nail1B. In this regard,FIG. 6shows an enlarged side view of the movable nail stop90, andFIG. 7shows an end cross-sectional view of the movable nail stop90in operation to prevent the second nail2B from receding into the nose assembly40. As shown in these figures, the movable nail stop90is provided in the nose assembly40immediately adjacent to the drive channel44. The movable nail stop90includes a distal end92with an abutment surface93that extends into the feed channel52, and is immediately above the head of the short second nail2B. Correspondingly, the distal end92prevents the short second nail2B from receding into the nose assembly40by providing a physical barrier.

As shown inFIG. 3A, the movable nail stop90is mounted to the nose assembly40via nail stop pivot94. In this regard, the movable nail stop90is biased by spring95so that the distal end92protrudes into the feed channel52. This allows the movable nail stop90to be pivoted out of the feed path of the nails when the fastener driving device10used to drive long nails instead of short nails shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. In particular, as most clearly shown in the top cross-sectional viewFIG. 8which illustrates a sectional view of the distal end92, the movable nail stop90is provided with a ramp surface96which allows the shank of the longer nails to engage and pivot the distal end92in the direction of arrow “p”, thereby moving the nail stop90out of the way. The movable nail stop90is preferably made of hardened steel, and may be cast or stamped.

Thus, when the fastener driving tool10is being used to drive short nails, such as 1.5 inch nails, the movable nail stop90functions to limit receding of the second nail2B, which in turn, resists receding of the first nail1B into the drive channel44due to their interconnection by the collation material4. When the fastener driving tool10is being used to drive long nails, such as 2.5 inch nails, the movable nail stop90allows the long nails to be fed into the drive channel44by being pivoted out of the way of the long nails. As can be appreciated, nail stops such as the first nail stop80or second nail stop84previously described cannot be easily implemented to prevent receding of the short nails because such features will prevent feeding of the long nails into the drive channel44. Correspondingly, the above described pivoting action of the movable nail stop90is desirable so that the distal end92of the movable nail stop90is out of the feed channel52, and does not impede feeding of the longer nails into the drive channel44.

Thus, in view of the above it should be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, how the present invention provides an improved fastener driving device that reduces the likelihood of fastener misalignment. In addition, it should also be evident to one of ordinary skill how the fastener driving device of the present invention more accurately controls the movement of nails as compared to conventional fastener driving devices. Furthermore, it should also be evident how the fastener driving device of the present invention may be used to drive different sized nails. As explained above relative to the preferred embodiment, the stop pawls and the nail stops work together to support the nails by limiting their movement within the nose assembly and the magazine when the tool is pushed into the workpiece. In addition, the stop pawl and the nail stop work together to provide better control of the nail being driven by consistently presenting a single nail to the drive channel of the nose assembly.

While various embodiments in accordance with the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be changed, modified and further applied by those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the detail shown and described previously, but also includes all such changes and modifications.