Abstract:
An improved apparatus for nailing or stapling flooring pneumatically, wherein a pneumatic stapler or nailer is provided with a dual trigger single sequential actuation system by which an operator can reach either trigger with his index finger. In one embodiment, the triggers being interconnected. In a second embodiment, each trigger actuates a valve that communicates with a pneumatic piston which drives the staple.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/274,341, filed Aug. 18, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for installing tongue and groove, wood or engineered flooring, and particularly to pneumatic staple or nail gun apparatus, hereinafter “stapler”, for quick and accurate stapling or nailing of flooring members into place. The apparatus includes primary and secondary triggers which perform the same function, but allow ready access to a trigger regardless of the orientation of the stapler with regard to the user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    During the installation of flooring, it is often necessary for a pneumatic staple gun operator to assume a position from which it is extremely difficult to reach the actuating trigger easily or comfortably by an index finger, the normal trigger finger, or to use the staple gun in an orientation where it is difficult to reach the trigger to activate the stapler. No known device addresses this problem. Heretofore, there has been no suitable device that will allow ease of actuation when the stapler is operated in an inverted position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention provides apparatus which incorporates a dual trigger single sequential actuation system in a pneumatic staple or nail gun. The invented device, known as a Twin Trigger pneumatic stapler, has a first trigger in the normal position for actuation of the stapler, and a secondary trigger interconnected to the first trigger, whereby actuation of the secondary trigger will actuate the stapler through the first trigger. The two triggers can be interconnected by a flexible cable, or they can be connected pneumatically to one or more actuating valves. The invented tool also includes a sequential safety trip apparatus. 
         [0005]    Ordinarily, when a stapler is utilized in a direction which places the trigger in a position where it must be activated by the weakest finger on the operator&#39;s hand, it is difficult to operate easily and over long periods of time. The invented Twin Trigger stapler places a trigger in reach of an operator&#39;s index finger regardless of the position in which the stapler is operated. 
         [0006]    The present invention is particularly useful for installing solid and laminate flooring, as well as tongue and groove flooring. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved pneumatic stapler apparatus that can be easily operated in any orientation. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for stapling flooring which reduces fatigue of the operator. 
         [0009]    It is also an object of the invention to provide improved ergonomics in a pneumatic stapler apparatus. 
         [0010]    It is another objection of the invention to provide improved stapler apparatus that can readily be actuated when the operator is positioned either in front of or behind the stapler tool. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide a pneumatic stapler apparatus that enables the user to always have his trigger finger in the most comfortable position for trigger activation. 
         [0012]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a dual-trigger pneumatic stapler tool with a sequential safety trip apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The foregoing and other objects will become more readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the invented Twin Trigger stapler. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the invented Twin Trigger stapler showing one embodiment thereof. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the invented Twin Trigger Stapler with an operator&#39;s index finger operating the normal actuating trigger. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the invented Twin Trigger stapler with an operator&#39;s index finger operating the secondary trigger. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cut-away view of an alternative Twin Trigger Stapler apparatus utilizing actuating valves. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the Twin Trigger Stapler embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , the invented stapler device S includes a primary actuating trigger  30  in the normal position for similar pneumatic staple guns. A flexible monofilament cable  16  (in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 ) is attached to the primary trigger through trigger plate  32 . The cable is positioned in a slot in trigger cable cap  68  (see  FIG. 6 ). The cable may pass through a channel that is cast into the handle  24  of the stapler S. The opposite end of the cable is attached to a secondary trigger  67 . A series of pulleys or guide rolls  35 ,  39  are provided as shown to guide the movement of the cable and prevent it from binding. 
         [0021]    The body of the stapler, including the handle is preferably cast aluminum, and may be provided with a slot which mates with cable cap  68  to provide a channel in which the cable  69  can operate, and by which it is protected. 
         [0022]    The secondary trigger  67  is mounted as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4  and  6 . 
         [0023]    The secondary trigger  67  is utilized as shown in  FIG. 3  when the staple gun S is in the reverse position or in any position with the primary trigger  30  near the heel of the operator&#39;s hand. Because of the cable connection, actuation of the secondary trigger  69  will actuate the stapler through the first trigger  30 . The installer is positioned in front of the flooring with the stapler in stapling position. The secondary trigger enables the installer to activate the gun using his index or trigger finger. This puts the installer in a comfortable and precise stapling position. If the installer prefers to position himself behind the tool then the conventional trigger is used for optimum precision and comfort. 
         [0024]    A compressed air power source P is provided for operation of the stapler, which is pressure-regulated. 
         [0025]    During normal operation, a contact safety in the nose of the stapler is depressed by contacting it to the workpiece. This causes movement of the trigger plates  32 , allowing the triggers to be pulled, and either of the two triggers are pulled to actuate the stapler, which causes a staple to be stripped from the magazine  63  and be driven into and through the workpiece. A trigger is pulled once for each subsequent actuation. 
         [0026]    As shown in alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the tool incorporates a sequential trip contact safety in which a safety arm  90  extends from the front guide  55  terminating at trigger plate  32  associated with each trigger  30 ,  67 . The sequential trip system requires the operator to hold the front guide of the tool against the work surface before pulling the trigger. The safety arm  90  A of the tool must be depressed by placing the tool against the work surface or flooring. Depressing the safety arm  90 A pushes safety arm  90 B upward against both trigger plates  32 . This places both trigger plates  32  in the “up” position so that when the associated trigger is pulled, contact is made with the valve stem  94  of valve  92  to open the valve to the pneumatic chamber to actuate the tool a single time. The secondary trigger operates in the same manner. The operator can select either trigger to actuate the pneumatic staple gun, as desired. This alternative device does not use a cable. The safety arms  90 A and  90 B are preferably made of aluminum. 
         [0027]    In a typical flooring application, the installer is positioned in front of the flooring with the stapler in stapling position. The secondary trigger enables the installer to activate the gun using his index of trigger finger. This puts the installer in a comfortable and precise stapling position. If the installer prefers to position behind the tool then the primary trigger is used for optimum precision and comfort. 
         [0028]    For the purpose of completeness, the following reference number list refers to all items in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  1 
                 screw 
               
               
                   
                  2 
                 cap 
               
               
                   
                  3 
                 gasket, cap 
               
               
                   
                  4 
                 top seal 
               
               
                   
                  5 
                 poppet 
               
               
                   
                  6 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                  7 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                  8 
                 head valve spring 
               
               
                   
                  9 
                 head valve 
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 cylinder top seal 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 cylinder ring 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 piston 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 pin 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 driver blade 
               
               
                   
                 18U 
                 piston/driver blade assembly 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 bumper 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 guide driver 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 pin retainer 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 nut 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 grip 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 handle gasket 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 handle cap 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 screw 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 air plug 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 plug cap 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 primary trigger 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 spring pin 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 trigger plate 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 trigger pin 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 pin 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 roller 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 screw 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 pin 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 roller 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 pin 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 trigger valve plunger 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 trigger valve spring 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 trigger valve stem 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 o-ring 
               
               
                   
                 47 
                 trigger valve housing 
               
               
                   
                 47U 
                 trigger valve unit 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 hold plate 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 screw 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 51 
                 arm guide 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 53 
                 safety arm 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 screw 
               
               
                   
                 55 
                 front guide 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 arm cover 
               
               
                   
                 57 
                 safety arm 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 nose insert 
               
               
                   
                 59 
                 nose 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 driver plate 
               
               
                   
                 61 
                 foot 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 knob 
               
               
                   
                 63 
                 magazine 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 stop plate 
               
               
                   
                 65 
                 screw 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 plate 
               
               
                   
                 67 
                 secondary trigger 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 trigger cable cap 
               
               
                   
                 69 
                 trigger cable 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 magazine core 
               
               
                   
                 71 
                 pusher 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 magazine, slide 
               
               
                   
                 73 
                 spring pin 
               
               
                   
                 74 
                 spring pin 
               
               
                   
                 75 
                 latch 
               
               
                   
                 76 
                 latch 
               
               
                   
                 77 
                 latch cover 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 latch stop 
               
               
                   
                 79 
                 core tip 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                 81 
                 shuttle, pusher 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 pusher spring 
               
               
                   
                 83 
                 magazine bumper 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 washer 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that I have invented an improved pneumatic stapler apparatus for high speed, high volume installation of wooden flooring, particularly where it is necessary to orient the stapler apparatus in a position where it would be difficult or uncomfortable to activate it by reaching the trigger, by providing a multiple trigger on the stapler in at least two locations, one of which is easy to reach with a trigger finger regardless of orientation of the apparatus at the time, and by providing an improved pneumatic stapler apparatus that can be easily operated in any orientation, that can readily be actuated when the operator is positioned either in front of or behind the stapler apparatus, that enables the user to always have his trigger finger in the most comfortable position for trigger activation. the use of which reduces fatigue of the operator, and provides improved ergonomics. 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that the foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions may be made to the apparatus by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.