Patent Publication Number: US-2007119897-A1

Title: Propellant container for a combustion-engined setting tool and propellant container receptacle of the setting tool

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a propellant container for a combustion-engined hand-held setting tool and including a valve outlet for delivery of propellant and a connection element for connecting the propellant container with the setting tool and having a locking member for securing the propellant container in the setting tool. The present invention also relates to a propellant container receptacle of the hand-held propellant-driven setting tool for receiving the propellant container and including an opening through which the propellant container is insertable in the receptacle, a connection element for the valve outlet of the propellant container, and counter-locking means cooperating with the locking member of the propellant container.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,860 discloses a setting tool having a metering valve for fuel arranged in the tool housing, and a receiving space for a fuel-containing container. An adapter, which functions as connection means, is pinned into the valve head of the container. The connection means cooperates with a lock arranged in the receiving space for releasably securing the container in the receiving space and to provide for fuel delivery to the metering valve.  
      The drawback of the known setting tool consists in that removal of the fuel container from the receiving space with one hand is not possible.  
      Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a propellant (fuel) container and a container receptacle of the setting tool with which the above-discussed drawback of a conventional setting tool is eliminated.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      This and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a propellant container in which the connection means with the locking member is located at an end region of the container remote from the valve outlet, and by providing a container receptacle in which the counter-locking means of the container receptacle are located in an end region of the receptacle adjoining the opening through which the container is inserted.  
      The foregoing novel features of the present invention permit the user to easily remove the propellant container from the propellant container receptacle with one hand because the locking member is provided at the end of the container which is being grasped for removal of the container from the receptacle. Transfer of the hand after release of the locking member is not necessary any more. Further, the propellant container, upon being inserted in the propellant container receptacle, is supported at both ends or end regions, with the valve element being connected in fluid or propellant communication with the connection means for the valve outlet of the receptacle. The propellant container is supported at one of its ends, at least in the radial direction, through the valve outlet, by the valve outlet connection means of the receptacle, while the opposite end of the propellant container is secured by the locking member. The foregoing arrangement insures a reliable fluid connection of the propellant container with the setting tool. The connection element with the locking member is not releasably mounted on the propellant container, rather, it is fixedly secured with glue or by direct injection of the plastic connection member onto the container. However, the connection element can be pinned on an end of the propellant container as an adaptor.  
      It is advantageous, when there is provided an operational member for the locking member. With the operational member, the locking connection can be easily released, without the need for the user to grasp the locking member that can possibly be not easily accessible. With the arrangement of the operational member in the end region of the propellant container remote from the valve outlet, an easy handling with one hand is insured, i.e., insertion and removal of the propellant container can be effected with one hand, without grasping the entire container.  
      According to a constructively advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking member is formed as a spring shackle having a web for connecting the locking member with the connection element, and a locking hook provided at an end of the locking member remote from the web. The operational member is arranged on the spring shackle between the web and the locking hook.  
      It is advantageous when the connection element has at least one element for securing the propellant container in the container receptacle without the possibility of rotation relative thereto. The securing element prevents rotation of the propellant container in the propellant container receptacle. Thereby radial shearing forces, which could have acted on the locking member and could have damaged it if the propellant container would have rotated upon its removal from the propellant container receptacle, are eliminated.  
      According to a constructively advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one securing element is formed as a groove-shaped recess provided on the connection element and extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the propellant container.  
      It is further advantageous when the connection element is formed as closing means such as, e.g., as a closing body or as a housing cover for closing the propellant container receptacle of the setting tool. Therefore, an additional housing cover or additional closing of the receptacle opening is not any more necessary.  
      The counter-locking means of the propellant container receptacle is provided in the end region of the receptacle adjacent to the receptacle opening, which insures an easy handling, i.e., insertion and removal of the propellant with one hand and which provides for a reliable locking in this end region of the receptacle.  
      Advantageously, the counter-locking means has a first counter-locking element for releasably securing the propellant receptacle in a first locking position. In the first locking position, the connection element of the propellant container closes the opening in the propellant container receptacle, without establishing a propellant flow between the setting tool and the propellant container.  
      It is further advantageous when the counter-locking means has a second counter-locking element for releasably securing the propellant receptacle in a second locking position. In the second locking position, the valve outlet of the propellant container is connected with the valve outlet connection element of the receptacle, providing for flow of the propellant between the setting tool and the propellant container.  
      It is advantageous when the propellant container receptacle has at least one element for securing the propellant container in the container receptacle without the possibility of rotation relative thereto. Advantageously, it cooperates with a corresponding element of the propellant container, enhancing the advantageous effect of the securing element of the propellant container. Thereby, as it has already been discussed above, the radial shearing forces, which could have acted on the locking member and could have damaged it if the propellant container would have rotated upon its removal from the propellant container receptacle, are eliminated.  
      According to a constructively advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one securing element is formed as a rib-shaped projection extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis and receivable in a groove-shaped recess provided on the connection element and extending in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the propellant container. The rib-shaped projection has an outer profile corresponding to the inner profile of the groove-shaped recess.  
      The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:  
      The drawings show:  
       FIG. 1 a  schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a hand-held setting tool with a propellant container receptacle according to the present invention for receiving a propellant container according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2 a  cross-sectional view of the propellant container receptacle of the setting tool with the propellant container received therein, in a second locking position;  
       FIG. 3 a  cross-sectional view of the propellant container receptacle of the setting tool with the propellant container received therein, in a first locking position;  
       FIG. 4 a  cross-sectional view of the propellant container receptacle of the setting tool with the propellant container outside of the receptacle; and  
       FIG. 5 a  side, partially cross-sectional view of the propellant container receptacle in a position pivoted by 90 to that of  FIG. 2 , with the propellant container received therein, in a second locking position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIGS. 1-5  show a setting tool according to the present invention which is driven with liquid or gaseous fuel which forms the propellant, and is equipped with a propellant container  20  according to the present invention. The setting tool  10  has a housing  11  with a handle  16  formed thereon. On the handle  16 , there is provided an actuation switch  17  for initiating a setting process. The setting tool  10  further includes a setting mechanism having a combustion chamber  12  for combusting an air-propellant mixture. The propellant container  20  is replaceably received in a receptacle  16  according to the present invention of the setting tool  10 . In the embodiment shown in the drawings and described here, the propellant container is formed as a gas vessel. The propellant container  20  is inserted into the receptacle  16  through an opening  19  of the receptacle  16 . The propellant container  20  has, at one of its ends, a valve outlet  23  of a valve  22  through which the propellant can flow out of the propellant container receptacle  20 . In the propellant container receptacle  16 , there is provided a terminal element  14  such as, e.g., a terminal union. The terminal union  14  is connected with the valve outlet  23  when the propellant container  20  is completely inserted in the propellant container receptacle  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . Appropriate sealing means such as, e.g., gaskets can insure the leak tightness of the socket connection. The terminal element  14  is connected by a propellant conduit  15  with a metering device  13  that, e.g., includes a valve. The propellant conduit  15  further connects the metering device  13  with the combustion chamber  12 . In this way, propellant or fuel flows from the propellant container  20  through the propellant conduit  15  and the metering device  13  in the combustion chamber  12  of the setting tool  10 .  
      For releasable securing the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16 , three is provided at an end or end region  29  of the propellant container  20  opposite the valve outlet  23 , a terminal element  24  having a locking member  25 . The terminal element  24  is formed as closing means or a closing body for an opening  19  of the propellant container receptacle  16 . The locking member  25  is formed as a spring shackle provided at one of its ends with a web  27  securable to the terminal element  24  and, at its other end, with a locking hook  28 . On the locking member  25 , there is further arranged an actuation member  26 , which is manually actuated by the tool user for pivoting the locking hook  28  on the spring shackle in a direction of the terminal element  24 . Preferably, the terminal element  24  is formed together with the locking member  25  and the actuation member  26  as a one-piece part as a plastic injection-molded part.  
      The locking member  25  of the propellant container  20  cooperates with a counter-locking member  35  provided at an end region  39  of the propellant container receptacle  16  adjacent to the opening  19 . The counter-locking means  35  has a first counter-locking element  36  and a second counter-locking element  37  formed as locking openings. The locking hook  28  engages in these locking openings for securing the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16  in two different locking positions.  
      In  FIGS. 1-2 , the propellant container  20  is held in the propellant container receptacle  16  in the second position in which the valve outlet  23  is connected with the terminal element  14  or is inserted therein. In the second position, the locking hook  28  of the locking member  25  engages the second counter-locking element  37 . In the second position, as it has already been described, propellant is fed through the propellant conduit  15  and the metering device  13  to the combustion chamber  12 . The opening  19  is closed with the terminal element  14  formed as closing means or closing body, so that no dirt can penetrate in the propellant container receptacle  16 .  
      When the setting tool  10  need not be used for a long time, it makes sense to disconnect the propellant container  20  from the metering device  13 . To this end, the propellant container  20  need not be completely disconnected from the propellant container receptacle  16 . Rather, by actuation of the actuation member  26  and release of the locking hook  28  from the second locking opening (the second counter-locking element  37 ), and a partial withdrawal of the propellant container  20  from the container receptacle  16 , the propellant container  20  is displaced to a first locking position in which the locking hook  28  engages the first counter-locking element. In the first locking position, the valve outlet  23  is disconnected from terminal element  14  (please see  FIG. 3 ). The actuation of operational member  26  of the locking member  25  and withdrawal of the propellant container  20  can be carried out with one hand. The valve outlet  23  is closed in this position with the valve  22 . In the first locking position, likewise, the opening  19  of the propellant container receptacle  16  is closed by the terminal element  24  which is formed as a closing body, and no dirt penetrates in the propellant container receptacle  16 . Thus, the propellant container  20  can be supported on the setting tool  10  also in the first locking position.  
      In  FIG. 4 , the propellant container  20  is completely withdrawn from the propellant container receptacle  16  after actuation of the operational member  26  anew for disconnecting the locking hook  28  from the first locking opening (the first counter-locking element  26 ). With the propellant container  20  being withdrawn, a new propellant container can be received in the propellant container receptacle  16 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , the propellant container  20  has means for securing the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16  without possibility of rotation relative thereto. The securing means includes, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, a first groove-shaped recess  41  and a second groove-shaped recess  42  provided both on the terminal element  24 . The recesses  41 ,  42  extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis L 1  of the propellant container  20  and have respectively, different widths (in a direction transverse to their longitudinal extent). Thereby, an inadvertent rotation of the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16  is prevented, which, e.g., can take place upon removal of the propellant container  20 . By forming the groove-shaped recesses  41 ,  42  with different width, simultaneously, there is produced a key profile that can characterize the propellant contained in the propellant container  20 .  
      Upon insertion of the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16 , a first rib-shaped projection  44  and a second rib-shaped projection  45  of the second means for securing the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16 , which is provided in the propellant container receptacle  16 , penetrate into the groove-shaped recesses  41 ,  42 , respectively. The rib-shaped projections  44 ,  45  extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis L 2  of the propellant container receptacle  16 . The outer profile of the rib-shaped projections  44 ,  45  corresponds to the inner profile of the groove-shaped recesses  41 ,  42  and for corresponding closing profile. The key and closing profiles can define, along with securing the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16  without a possibility of rotation relative thereto, which propellant containers  20  can be used with the setting tool  10 , in order to prevent use of a non-allowable fuel that can damage the setting tool or result in an erroneous setting.  
      By aligning the groove-shaped recesses  41 ,  42 , and the rib-shaped projection in the directions of axes L 1 , L 2 , respectively, the propellant container  20  is properly aligned in the propellant container receptacle  16 , so that tilting of the propellant container  20  in the propellant container receptacle  16  is prevented.  
      Though the present invention was shown and described with references to the preferred embodiment, such is merely illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as a limitation thereof and various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore not intended that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment or details thereof, and the present invention includes all variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.