Fastener driving device with dust blower

A fastener driving device includes a housing having an engine receiving portion and a handle portion. A reservoir is configured to receive a gas having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and is at least partially located in the handle portion. A dust blower is configured to allow gas in the reservoir to be selectively communicated to atmosphere through an outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The dust blower includes a passageway extending from the reservoir to the outlet in the engine receiving portion, the passageway at least partially circumnavigating the cylinder of the drive engine, and an actuator configured to selectively open and close the passageway so that when the passageway is open, gas from the reservoir is communicated from the reservoir to the outlet, and when the passageway is closed, the gas from the reservoir is not communicated from the reservoir to the outlet.

FIELD

The present invention is related to a fastener driving device that includes a dust blower.

BACKGROUND

Fastener driving devices are often used in a construction setting in which dust may cover the target location for a fastener. This may make it challenging to accurately locate where a fastener is to be driven into the workpiece. In order to clean off the target location, the user of the fastener driving device may hold the fastener driving device with one hand, and use the other hand to manipulate a separate blower or brush.

Although there is at least one existing fastener driving device that has a built-in dust blower located near the head valve of the device, it takes two hands to use the dust blower, one hand to hold the device and one hand to operate the dust blower. Moreover, the outlet of the dust blower is located towards an upper portion of the device, which makes it awkward to use when needed.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to have a fastener driving device with a built-in dust blower that is less cumbersome to use.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener driving device that includes a housing having an engine receiving portion and a handle portion. A drive engine is located in the engine receiving portion. The drive engine includes a cylinder and a piston reciprocally mounted within the cylinder. The piston includes a driver configured to move along a drive axis to drive a fastener during a drive stroke. A reservoir is at least partially located in the handle portion and is configured to receive a gas having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the drive engine. The fastener driving device also includes a trigger configured to operate the drive engine, and a dust blower configured to allow gas in the reservoir to be selectively communicated to atmosphere through an outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The dust blower includes a passageway extending from the reservoir to the outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The passageway at least partially circumnavigates the cylinder of the drive engine. The dust blower also includes an actuator configured to selectively open and close the passageway so that when the passageway is open, gas from the reservoir is communicated from the reservoir to the outlet, and when the passageway is closed, the gas from the reservoir is not communicated from the reservoir to the outlet.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener driving device that includes a housing having an engine receiving portion and a handle portion extending from the engine receiving portion. A nose assembly is operatively connected to the housing and defines a drive track. A drive engine located in the engine receiving portion of the housing, and includes a cylinder and a piston reciprocally mounted within the cylinder. The piston includes a driver configured to move along a drive axis to drive a fastener out of the drive track in the nose assembly during a drive stroke. A reservoir is at least partially located in the handle portion and is configured to receive a gas having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the drive engine. The fastener driving device includes a trigger configured to operate the drive engine. A dust blower is configured to allow gas in the reservoir to be selectively communicated to atmosphere through an outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The outlet is positioned near the nose assembly and configured to direct at least a portion of the gas generally in the same direction as the drive axis.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener driving device that includes a housing having an engine receiving portion and a handle portion. A drive engine is located in the engine receiving portion, and includes a cylinder and a piston reciprocally mounted within the cylinder. The piston includes a driver configured to move along a drive axis to drive a fastener during a drive stroke. A reservoir is at least partially located in the handle portion and is configured to receive a gas having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the drive engine. The fastener driving device also includes a trigger configured to operate the drive engine. A dust blower is configured to allow gas in the reservoir to be selectively communicated to atmosphere through an outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The dust blower includes an actuator on the housing. The actuator has a manually engageable portion positioned on or near the handle portion to enable a user grasping the handle portion with one hand to access the trigger and/or the manually engageable portion with the one-hand. The actuator is configured to selectively open and close a passageway between the reservoir and the outlet so that when the passageway is open, gas from the reservoir is communicated from the reservoir to the outlet, and when the passageway is closed, the gas from the reservoir is not communicated from the reservoir to the outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a fastener driving device10according to an embodiment of the invention. The device10includes a housing12that defines a reservoir14therein. The housing12may be constructed from a lightweight yet durable material, such as magnesium. The reservoir14is configured to receive a pressurized gas that is used to power the device10. In an embodiment, the pressurized gas may be provided to the reservoir14from a compressor through a hose. The hose may be connected to the device10via a fitting15that may be attached to the housing12, or the pressurized gas may be provided to the reservoir14through a cartridge. For example, the pressurized gas may be air that has been compressed by a compressor, as is commonly used in pneumatic tools. It is also contemplated that any gas that releases energy upon expansion, such as a gas produced as a by-product of combustion, or a gas that is produced upon a phase transformation of a liquid, such as carbon dioxide may also be used to power the device10. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

As illustrated, the housing12includes an engine receiving portion16and a cap18that is connected to the engine receiving portion16at one end. The housing12also includes a handle portion20that extends from the engine receiving portion16. As shown, the handle portion20may extend substantially perpendicularly from the engine receiving portion16. The handle portion20is configured to be received by a user's hand, thereby making the device10portable. The reservoir14is substantially defined by the handle portion20, although it is contemplated that a portion of the reservoir14may be defined by the engine receiving portion16as well. In an embodiment, the handle portion20may also include a second reservoir (not shown) that is configured to be open to atmosphere and is configured to allow exhaust gas to exit the device10through the handle portion20.

The device10also includes a nose assembly22that is connected to the housing12. The nose assembly22defines a fastener drive track24therein, as illustrated inFIG. 2. A magazine assembly30is constructed and arranged to feed successive leading fasteners from a supply of fasteners contained therein along a feed track and into the drive track24. The supply of fasteners is urged toward the drive track24with a pusher that is biased towards the drive track24and engages the last fastener in the supply of fasteners. Although the illustrated magazine assembly30is configured to receive fasteners that are collated in a stick configuration, it is also contemplated that a magazine assembly that is configured to accommodate fasteners that are collated in a coil may also be used. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

As shown inFIG. 2, an engine38is disposed in the engine receiving portion16of the housing12. The engine38includes a cylinder40and a fastener driver42that is movably mounted in the cylinder40, and, hence, the housing12. The cylinder40is oriented such that its longitudinal axis substantially aligns with a longitudinal axis of the drive track24. The cylinder40includes a plurality of openings44that are arranged circumferentially around the cylinder40at an intermediate portion thereof. The openings44allow gas that is in the cylinder40to flow into a plenum46that is defined by an outside surface of the cylinder40and the housing12. The openings44are provided with seals48that act as one-way valves such that gas may exit the cylinder40into the plenum46, but gas in the plenum46may not enter the cylinder40through the openings44. Instead, gas may enter the cylinder40through at least one opening50that is located towards one end of the cylinder40near the drive track24, as shown inFIG. 2. Movement of gas in and out of the cylinder40will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with the operation of the device10.

The fastener driver42is configured to enter the drive track24and drive the successive leading fasteners, one at a time, into the workpiece. The fastener driver42may have any configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener driver42includes a piston52and a drive rod54that is connected to the piston52. A seal56is provided between the piston52and an interior wall of the cylinder40so as to form a slidable seal. This allows pressure on one side of the piston52to be different from pressure on the other side of the piston52so that a pressure differential may effect movement of the piston52. The drive rod54may be connected to the piston52by any suitable fastening technique, such as a threaded or a welded connection. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way. The drive rod54may have a substantially circular cross-section, or the drive rod54may have a cross-section that is D-shaped, or is shaped as a crescent, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The engine38also includes a head valve58, partially shown inFIG. 2that is disposed above the cylinder40. The head valve58is constructed and arranged to substantially seal the top of the cylinder40from the reservoir14when the head valve58is in a closed position, and move away from the cylinder40when the head valve58is moved to an open position. A spring (not shown) is disposed between the head valve58and the cap18such that the head valve58is biased to the closed position when there is no pressurized gas in the device10or when the pressurized gas applies equal force on both sides of the head valve58. The head valve58is constructed and arranged to be actuated so as to allow the pressurized gas that is in the reservoir14to enter the cylinder40and move the fastener driver42through an operating cycle. Each cycle includes a drive stroke in which the driver42moves along a drive axis DA and drives the leading fastener into the workpiece, and a return stroke in which the driver42is returned to its initial position so that it is ready for another drive stroke.

The device10also includes an actuator64that is constructed and arranged to actuate the head valve58, and, hence, initiate the drive stroke. The actuator64includes a trigger valve66and a contact arm68that interacts with the trigger valve66through a mechanical linkage. The trigger valve66is constructed and arranged to allow passage of the pressurized gas from the reservoir14to a chamber above the head valve58through a passageway (not shown), and to selectively allow passage of gas from the chamber through an exhaust opening in the trigger valve66.

The trigger valve66may be moved to the actuated position by pressing a valve stem90against the force applied on the valve stem90by the pressurized gas, and the bias of a spring96that is disposed within the trigger valve66. This may be done with the user's finger, or can be done with a trigger98that is rotatably mounted to the housing12. Triggers that have linear movement rather then rotational movement are also contemplated. When the trigger98is rotated toward the valve stem90while the contact arm68is depressed against the workpiece, the trigger98engages the valve stem90and presses the valve stem90against the bias of the spring96. When the trigger valve66is actuated, i.e. when the valve stem90is moved against the bias of the spring96and the pressurized gas, the passageway within the trigger valve66between the chamber above the head valve58and the exhaust opening is opened, and the pressurized gas in the chamber is now able to flow through the trigger valve and out the exhaust opening.

Actuation of the head valve58, or movement of the head valve58to the open position, will depend on whether the pressurized gas from the chamber above the head valve58is exhausted to atmosphere through the trigger valve66. Once the pressurized gas from the chamber starts to be exhausted, the pressure within the chamber drops. This pressure drop, when high enough, allows the head valve58to move to the open position due to the force being exerted on the head valve58by the pressurized gas within the reservoir14, which is at a greater pressure. Additional details of suitable engines and actuators for the fastener driving device10may be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,134,586, 7,143,918, and 7,677,426, the entire contents which are incorporated herein by reference.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2-9, the fastener driving device10also includes a dust blower100. The dust blower100is configured to allow pressurized gas in the reservoir14to be selectively communicated to atmosphere, as discussed in further detail below. In one embodiment, the dust blower100includes a passageway102that extends from the reservoir14to an outlet104in the engine receiving portion16of the housing12, and an actuator106that is configured to selectively open and close the passageway102. When the passageway102is open, gas in the reservoir14is communicated from the reservoir14′ to the outlet104through the actuator106and the passageway102. When the passageway102is closed, the gas is not communicated from the reservoir14to the outlet104.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the passageway102at least partially circumnavigates the cylinder40of the drive engine38. The passageway102may be defined by a gap between an outer surface110of the cylinder40and an inner surface112of the engine receiving portion16of the housing12. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface110of the cylinder40may define a recess114or groove (seeFIG. 2) that partially defines the passageway102. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the inner surface112of the engine receiving portion16of the housing12may define a recess or groove that partially defines the passageway102. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The passageway102is connected to the outlet104via a second passageway120that extends perpendicularly from the passageway102and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, as illustrated inFIG. 2. As illustrated, a tube122having an inner lumen124is placed between the cylinder40and the engine receiving portion16of the housing12to define the second passageway120. The diameter of the inner lumen124may be sized so that second passageway120may amplify or reduce the pressure of the gas entering the second passageway120so that the desired pressure of gas is delivered to the outlet104. In an embodiment, the second passageway120may be entirely defined by the engine receiving portion16of the housing12, or may be entirely defined by the cylinder40, or may be defined by various surfaces of the engine receiving portion16of the housing12and the cylinder40in a similar manner that the passageway102is defined. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

As can be appreciated fromFIG. 9, the outlet104comprises an opening in the housing12positioned near the nose assembly22. The outlet104is configured to direct at least a portion of the gas exiting the second passageway120generally in the same direction (e.g., from 0° to about 45° relative to the drive axis DA) that the fastener is driven out of the fastener driving device when the device is in use. The outlet104may have any suitable shape that allows the gas to exit the dust blower100in the desired direction and at the desired pressure. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet104has an elongated shape that allows the flow of the gas to fan out across a width, as shown inFIG. 3. In an embodiment, the outlet104may have a circular shape that allows the flow of the gas to be more directed and concentrated than the flow of gas exiting an outlet having an elongated shape. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the gas is directed in a direction that is parallel to (i.e. at an angle of 0° relative to) the drive track axis. In another embodiment, the gas is directed generally at an angle of less that 30° relative to the drive track axis. In another embodiment, the gas may fan out at an angle; and in one embodiment, the included angle is 60° or less. In one embodiment, the included angle is 30° or less. In one embodiment; the included angle is bisected by a line that is generally parallel to the drive axis DA. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way. For example, in an alternative embodiment, an adjustable nozzle may be positioned in the outlet104so that the precise direction of the pressurized gas that exits the outlet may be changed based on the user's preference.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the housing12of the fastener driving device10includes an elongated chamber126that extends through the housing12and is configured to receive the actuator106of the dust blower100, as discussed in further detail below. Although the elongated chamber126is illustrated as being in the handle portion20of the housing12, the elongated chamber126may be located in the engine receiving portion16of the housing12. In an embodiment, the elongated chamber126may not extend entirely through the housing12, but instead may be capped off at one end by the housing12. The elongated chamber126generally includes a first portion126ahaving a surface defined by a first diameter and a second portion126bhaving a surface defined by a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The elongated chamber126also includes a transition surface126cin between the surface that defines the first portion126aand the surface that defines the second portion126b. The first portion126aof the elongated chamber126is in fluid communication with the passageway102, as illustrated inFIG. 5, and the second portion126bis in fluid communication with the reservoir14via a third passageway128that is located between the reservoir14and the elongated chamber126, as generally illustrated inFIG. 6.

The actuator106includes a manually engageable portion130, an elongated member132that is operatively connected to the manually engageable portion130, and a pair of seals134spaced apart along the elongated member132. The manually engageable portion130may be in the form of a push button that is configured to be pushed by a user's thumb or finger, as illustrated in the Figures, and may be attached to one end of the elongated member132. Any suitable means for attaching the push button to the elongated member132may be used, such as a press fit, an adhesive, etc. In another embodiment, the manually engageable portion30may be in the form of a rotatable switch or a slide, or any other suitable structure that is configured to allow the user to actuate the actuator106. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The elongated member132generally includes a first portion136configured to be received by the first portion126aof the elongated chamber126, and a second portion138configured to be received by the second portion126bof the elongated chamber126. As illustrated, the first portion136has section that has a smaller diameter than the second portion138and is located between the pair of seals134. The seals134, which may be o-rings, are configured to engage the inner surface that defines the first portion126aof the elongated chamber126when the elongated member132is positioned within the chamber126and provide a seal between the first portion126aof the elongated chamber126and the first portion136of the elongated member132when the elongated member132is in a first position, as illustrated inFIG. 6.

The actuator106also includes an end cap140and a biasing member142, which may be a spring, for example a coil spring, that is positioned between the elongated member132and the end cap140. The biasing member142is configured to bias the elongated member132in the first position, as discussed in further detail below. Any suitable biasing member may be used to bias the elongated member132. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting in any way. The end cap140may be a set screw that is screwed into the housing12, as illustrated inFIG. 5, and configured to seal the elongated chamber126at one end thereof.

When the elongated member132is in the first position, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the second portion138of the elongated member132is positioned against the transition surface126cso that second portion126bof the elongated chamber126is sealed from the first portion126aof the elongated chamber126, which prevents pressurized gas from being communicated from the reservoir14to the passageway102via the chamber126. When the elongated member132is in a second position, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the first portion136of the elongated member132is partially positioned within the second portion126bof the elongated chamber126, which allows the pressurized gas from the reservoir14to pass through elongated chamber126, through the passageway102, and out the outlet104, as generally illustrated inFIGS. 7-9.

To actuate the dust blower100by moving the elongated member132from the first position to the second position, the user may use a thumb (or finger) to press the manually engageable portion130of the actuator106towards the housing12and against the bias of the bias member142, which opens a fluid flow path between the reservoir14and the outlet104, as described above. To stop the flow of the pressurized gas from the reservoir14to the outlet104, the user may take the thumb (or finger) off of the manually engageable portion130so that the biasing member142may move the elongated member132from the second position back to the first position, which will stop the flow of the pressurized gas from the reservoir to the outlet104.

In the illustrated embodiment, the manually engageable portion130of the actuator106is located near the trigger98of the fastener driving device10, as illustrated inFIG. 1, which may allow the user to grasp the handle20and operate the dust blower100and the trigger98without having to regrasp the fastener driving device10. For example, four fingers of the user may grasp the handle20while the thumb is used to push the manually engageable portion130. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the manually engageable portion can be placed so that it is more convenient for the user's trigger finger or index finger to actuate the manually engageable portion130while the other fingers grasp the handle20. The location of the outlet104of the dust blower100may allow the user to quickly blow off dust from the workpiece and position the fastener driving device on the workpiece in an operative position with minimal movement of the fastener driving device10. In operation, the user may clear dust from the workpiece by using a thumb (or finger) to operate the dust blower100, as described above, before or as the fastener driving device10is being positioned at the desired location on the workpiece, and then actuate the trigger valve66via the trigger98after the fastener driving device10is positioned at the desired location on the workpiece and the contact arm68is depressed against the workpiece.