Cartridge clip with an indicator mark for a powder-actuated tool

Abstract: A powder-actuated tool cartridge clip (10) comprising generally an elongate body member (100) having a major and minor dimensions, a plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles (110) arranged in series and an indexing member (120) both disposed along the major dimension of the elongate body member (100). The cartridge clip (10) is disposable generally in a feed channel of a powder-actuated tool of the type having an indexing mechanism for engaging and advancing the cartridge clip (10) through the feed channel to sequentially position explosive charges (20) retained in the cartridge clip (10) in a discharge position. The cartridge clip (10) also includes an indicator mark (30) disposed along the elongate body member (100) for indicating that a last remaining explosive charge (20) retained in the cartridge clip (10) is positioned in the discharge position or has been discharged when the portion of the cartridge clip (10) carrying the mark (30) and having discharged explosive charges protrudes from the powder-actuated tool.

Description: The invention relates generally to powder-actuated tool cartridge clips, and more particularly to an elongate plastic powder-actuated tool cartridge clip. Powder-actuated tools generally include a piston or other drive member propelled along a barrel by an explosive charge, which when discharged drives an anchoring element or fastener into relatively a hard target material like concrete. In some applications the explosive charge is disposed in a casing to form a cartridge which is retained in an aperture of an elongate cartridge magazine, or cartridge clip, wherein the cartridge is arranged in a series along with several other cartridges retained in corresponding apertures as disclosed in U.S.-A-611,870 and U.S.-A-3,743,159. In other applications, elongate cartridge clips have a series of apertures that retain cartridges each having a caseless explosive charge disposed in a sleeve like holder such as disclosed in U.S.-A-4,406,079. Generally, elongate cartridge clips are advanced through a feed channel of the powder-actuated tool by an indexing mechanism that engages an indexed edge or surface portion along one or both sides of the clip. The cartridge clip is usually loaded into the feed channel through an inlet on a bottom portion of the powder-actuated tool, and the indexing mechanism incrementally advances the cartridge clip upwardly through the feed channel to sequentially position each explosive charge, or cartridge, in a discharge position between an ignition chamber and a firing pin. The barrel and ignition chamber form an assembly that is usually slidable against the bias of a spring member relative to the feed channel and the firing pin to dispose and seat a cartridge in the discharge chamber upon depressing an end portion of the barrel against a surface of the target material. The firing pin is typically actuatable by a trigger to discharge the cartridge in the discharge chamber. The cartridge clip continues to advance upwardly and out of the feed channel through an outlet on an upper portion of the powder-actual tool as subsequent cartridges are discharged. Some cartridge clips have a lead end which must be inserted first into the feed channel inlet, whereas other cartridge clips are symmetric in the sense that either end may be inserted first into the feed channel inlet. Examples of powder-actuated tools having one or more of the above referenced features are disclosed in U.S.-A-3,552,625 and U.S.-A-3,743,159. Existing powder-actuated tools utilizing elongate cartridge clips of the types discussed generally above do not automatically eject a spent cartridge clip from the tool after the last cartridge is discharged, At present, the spent cartridge clip must be removed manually from the powder-actuated tool. The inventors of the present invention recognize, however, that operators of powder-actuated tools are not always aware of the status of the cartridges, or explosive charges, remaining in the cartridge clip in the feed channel, and more particularly whether or not the last cartridge has been discharged. Operators of present powder-actuated tools therefore do not always know when to remove the cartridge clip from the feed channel. The problem results in part because it is not readily apparent whether the cartridge clip is indexed, or positioned, in the feed channel for discharging the last cartridge or whether the last cartridge has been discharged based on casual visual inspection of the cartridge strip portion protruding from feed channel outlet of the tool. This uncertainty often results in inefficient operations of the tool and sometimes gives rise to hazardous conditions,which may result in tool malfunction, property damage and personal injury. More specifically, an operator not knowing the status of the cartridge clip may, for example, remove the cartridge clip from the tool for inspection, which may be an unnecessary waste of time and may result in the wasted cartridges. Also, subsequent attempts may be made to re-feed a partially spent cartridge clip back into the feed channel, which is not always permissible and may pose a hazard. It is also possible, in some instances, to inadvertently load a second fastener into the barrel after inspecting or replacing the cartridge clip, wherein the second fastener is loaded into the barrel in addition to a first fastener previously loaded into the barrel. Discharge of a tool with more than one fastener load into the barrel may result in malfunction of the tool and is generally considered an improper use of the tool which is not recommended. According to this invention a powder-actuated tool cartridge clip disposable in a feed channel of a powder-actuated tool of the type having an indexing mechanism for advancing the cartridge clip through the feed channel to sequentially position explosive charges retained in the cartridge clip in a discharge position, comprising: an elongate body member having a major dimension and a minor dimension; a plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles arranged in series along the major dimension of the elongate body member and, an indexing member disposed along the major dimension of the elongate body member, the indexing member, engageable by an indexing mechanism of a powder-actuated tool is characterised in that an indicator mark is disposed along the elongate body member for indicating a position of the cartridge clip within a feed channel of a powder-actuated tool when a portion of the cartridge clip with the indicator mark protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. Particular embodiments of cartridge clips in accordance with this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:- Figure 1a is a view of a powder-actuated cartridge clip with a cartridge status indicator mark; Figure 1b is a bottom view of the powder-actuated cartridge clip with a cartridge status indicator mark of Figure 1a; Figure 2 is partial bottom view of an alternative powder-actuated clip with a cartridge status indicator mark; Figure 3 is a partial bottom view of a powder-actuated cartridge clip with a cartridge status indicator mark on a cartridge retained in the cartridge clip according to another embodiment; Figure 4 is a partial bottom view of a powder-actuated cartridge clip with a cartridge status mark between cartridges retained in the cartridge clip according to yet another embodiment. Figures 1a and 1b are views of an exemplary powder-actuated tool cartridge clip 10 comprising generally an elongate body member 100 having a major dimension and a minor dimension, a plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 arranged in series along the major dimension of the elongate body member 100, and an indexing member 120 disposed also along the major dimension of the elongate body member 100. The cartridge clip 10 is disposable in a fed channel of powder-actuated tool of the type having an indexing mechanism for engaging and advancing the cartridge clip through the feed channel to sequentially position cartridges 20 retained in the cartridge clip in a discharge position, which is usually proximate a discharge chamber and a firing pin, not shown in the drawing. The cartridge clip 10 also includes an indicator mark 30 disposed along the elongate body member 100 for indicating a position of the cartridge clip 10 within the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool when a portion of the cartridge clip with the indicator mark 30 protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. The explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 are substantially equally spaced along the major dimension of the elongate body member 100 to permit accurate sequential positioning of the adjacent explosive charges, or cartridges, in the discharge position as the cartridge strip is advanced through the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool. The plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 of the exemplary embodiments is a plurality of substantially circular apertures 112, shown in phantom, with an annular sleeve portion 114 protruding from a first face 116 opposite a second face 118 of the elongate body member 100. The circular apertures 112 are configured for receiving and retaining an explosive charge of the type disposed within a casing, referred to generally as a cartridge as discussed above. In alternative embodiments, however, the explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 are apertures having other shapes with and without the protruding annular portions 114 for retaining other types of explosive charges including casingless explosive charges. More generally, the plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 may be any structure that retains a plurality of corresponding explosive charges arranged in a series along the major dimension of the elongate body member 100 for sequentially positioning each explosive charge in the firing position in the powder-actuated tool as the cartridge clip 10 is advanced along the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool. The indexing member 120 of the exemplary embodiments is a plurality of teeth 122 defined by a plurality of recesses 124 formed along at least one of first and second substantially opposing lateral side portions 126 and 128 disposed along the major dimension of the elongate body member 100. The teeth 122 are substantially equally spaced to permit substantially equivalent incremental advancements of the cartridge clip 10 through the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool. The teeth 122 of the exemplary embodiments are substantially rectangular teeth, but alternative embodiments may include saw-tooth shapes and other configurations. More generally, however, the indexing member 120 may be any structure that is cooperatively engageable with the indexing mechanism of the powder-actuated tool to incrementally advance the cartridge clip 10 along the feed channel in substantially equal increments for sequentially positioning each explosive charge in the firing position in the powder-actuated tool as the cartridge clip 10 is advanced along the feed channel. In the cartridge clip 10 of the exemplary embodiments, the first and second side portions 126 and 128 along the major dimension of the elongate body member have tapered portions 132 and 134 narrowing conically or arcuately toward an end portion 136 to form a lead end portion 136 insertable first into the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool, wherein the first end portion 136 is opposite a second opposing end portion 138. In alternative embodiments, one or both end portions 136 and 138 of the cartridge clip 10 are configured for insertion into the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool. In one embodiment, both end portions 136 and 138 have substantially squared configuration, as does end portion 138 of the exemplary embodiment. More generally, however, the end portions 136 and 138 of the elongate body member may have any configuration so long as the cartridge clip 10 is insertable into an incrementally advanceable along the feed channel of a powder-actuated tool as discussed above. The cartridge clip indicator mark 30 is disposed along the elongate body member 100 for indicating a position of the cartridge clip 10 within the feed channel of a powder-actuated tool when a portion of the cartridge clip with the indicator mark 30 protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. In one configuration, the indicator mark is located along the elongate body member 100 to indicate that a last remaining cartridge retained in the cartridge clip is positioned in the discharge position when a portion of the cartridge clip with discharged cartridges and the indicator mark 30 protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. In another configuration, the indicator mark 30 indicates that a last cartridge has been discharged. The specific location of the indicator mark 30 along the cartridge clip 10 is dependant on the particular type of powder-actuated tool within the clip 10 is loaded and on the status the indicator mark 30 is intended to signal. Generally, the indicator mark 30 is disposed on a surface of the cartridge strip 10 that is most readily visible to an operator of the powder-actuated tool when the cartridge clip 10 protrudes from the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool. In many applications the second face 118 of the elongate body member 100 is a most readily visible surface of the cartridge clip 10. The cartridge clip 10 of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 includes ten explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 wherein the first explosive charge retaining receptacle is nearest the lead end 136 of the cartridge clip 10 and the tenth explosive charge retaining receptacle is farthest from the lead end 136 of the cartridge clip 10. In the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1, the indicator mark 30 is disposed proximate an eighth explosive charge retaining receptacle on both the first and second lateral side portions 126 and 128 and on the second face 118 of the elongate body member 100 to indicate that a last remaining explosive charge is positioned in the tool for discharge. The indicator mark 30 may be disposed alternatively on only one or the other of the first and second lateral side portions 126 and 128 and on the second face 118 of the elongate body member 100 as shown in Figure 2. Also, the indicator mark may alternatively or cumulatively be disposed on a cartridge 21 retained in the receptacle 110 of the elongate body member 100. Combinations of the above configurations are also possible. In the alternative embodiment of Figure 4, the indicator mark 30 is disposed between explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 on the second face 118 of the elongate body member 100. In one embodiment the indicator mark is disposed between the seventh and eighth explosive charge retaining receptacles 110 as counted from the lead end portion 136 shown in Figure 1 to indicate that a last remaining explosive charge is positioned in the discharge position the powder-actuated tool. In embodiments where either end 136 and 138 is first insertable into the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool, an indicator mark 30 may be disposed on both ends of the cartridge clip 10, wherein the indicator mark 30 has any one or more of the configurations discussed above, to indicate that the last remaining cartridge is disposed in the discharge position within the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool regardless of which end of the cartridge clip 10 is first inserted into the powder-actuated tool. According to this configuration, two indicator marks 30 will be visible on the portion of the cartridge clip 10 protruding from the outlet of the feed channel when the last remaining cartridge in the cartridge clip 10 is disposed in the discharge position of the powder-actuated tool, wherein the indicator mark 30 nearest the tool is indicative of the position of the cartridge clip 10. The cartridge clip 10 is generally formed of a plastic material or other material suitably fabricateable for retaining explosive charges and operating as discussed above, and the indicator mark 30 is generally formed of a visually perceptible material that is readily adhereable to the cartridge clip 10. The indicator mark may be an ink, or dye, or highly reflective material, or other substance that is not readily subject to fading and removal resulting from handling an operation of the powder-actuated tool. The indicator mark 30 preferably contrasts well with the cartridge clip 10 to provide a readily noticeable visual stimulus. The indicator mark 30 may be stamped, or printed, or otherwise adhered to the cartridge clip 10 or to the cartridge 20 in any combination of configuration discussed above.

Claims: A powder-actuated tool cartridge clip (10) disposable in a feed channel of a powder-actuated tool of the type having an indexing mechanism for advancing the cartridge clip (10) through the feed channel to sequentially position explosive charges (20) retained in the cartridge clip (10) in a discharge position, the cartridge clip (10) comprising: an elongate body member (100) having a major dimension and a minor dimension; a plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles (110) arranged in series along the major dimension of the elongate body member (100) and, an indexing member (120) disposed along the major dimension of the elongate body member (100), the indexing member (120), engageable by an indexing mechanism of a powder-actuated tool; characterised in that an indicator mark (30) is disposed along the elongate body member (100) for indicating a position of the cartridge clip (10) within a feed channel of a powder-actuated tool when a portion of the cartridge clip (10) with the indicator mark (30) protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. A cartridge clip according to Claim 1, wherein the indicator mark (30) is located on the elongate body member (100) to indicate that a last remaining explosive charge (20) retained in the cartridge clip (10) is positioned in the discharge position when the portion of the cartridge clip (10) having discharged explosive charges protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. A cartridge clip according to Claim 1, wherein the indicator mark (30) is located on the elongate body member (100) to indicate that a last remaining explosive charge (20) retained in the cartridge clip (10) has been discharged when a portion of the cartridge clip (10) having discharged explosive charges protrudes from the powder-actuated tool. A cartridge clip according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the elongate body member (100) includes first and second faces, first and second lateral side portions, and first and second end portions, and wherein the indicator mark (30) is disposed on the first or second faces of the elongate body member, the first or second lateral side portions of the elongate body member, or a casing retained in a charge retaining receptacle. A cartridge clip according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein first and second lateral side portions along the major dimension of the elongate body member (100) have tapered portions (132, 134) narrowing toward one of first and second end portions along the minor dimension of the elongate body member to form a lead end (136) insertable first into the feed channel of the powder-actuated tool. A cartridge clip according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the indexing member is a plurality of teeth (122) defined by a plurality of recesses (124) formed along at least one of the first and second lateral side portions disposed along the major dimension of the elongate body member (100), wherein the indexing means of the powder-actuated tool is engageable with the plurality of teeth (122) to incrementally advance the cartridge clip (10) through the feed channel. A cartridge clip according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the plurality of explosive charge retaining receptacles are apertures with an annular sleeve (114) protruding from a first face of the elongate body member. A cartridge clip according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the cartridge clip includes ten explosive charge retaining receptacles (110), the first explosive charge retaining receptacles disposed nearest a lead end (136) of the cartridge clip (10) and the tenth explosive charge retaining receptacle farthest from the lead end (136) of the cartridge clip (10), and wherein the indicator mark (30) is located proximate the eighth explosive charge retaining receptacle (110) on the first or second faces of the elongate body member, the first or second lateral side portions of the elongate body member, or a casing retained in the eighth explosive charge retained receptacle. A cartridge clip according to Claim 8, wherein the indicator mark (30) is disposed between the seventh and eighth explosive charge receptacles.

Inventors: DAY NOLAN R, FORSELL DAVID, DAY, NOLAN R., FORSELL, DAVID
Applicants: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B25C1
IPC codes: F42B39, B25C1