Patent Publication Number: US-2010108737-A1

Title: Self-adjusting joining tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the manufacture of a picture frame joining tool which, while simulating the work done by similar joining tools, reduces the effort required by employing two specific innovations not heretofore used. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Picture framing tools are available in a wide variety of designs and complexities but all perform the same function; they join mitered wooden corners to create a picture frame. 
     Joining picture frame corners was done for many years by placing the corners in a vice, gluing, then nailing the corners together. 
     The nail and vice process has for the most part been replaced by plastic inserts into routed frame corners or the insertion of steel V-nails into the corners. In recent years, V-nails have become the norm for most framing production. 
     Most V-nail machines use air pressure to drive the V-nail into the bottom of the wood while a pressure hold-down device secures the moulding from the top. Other machines accomplish the same work by a foot-operated pedal that eliminates the need for air pressure to drive the V-nail into the wood. 
     All of the above described machines use some form of adjustment to match the hold-down device to the height of the moulding. 
     All of the above described machines use some form of spring load to feed succeeding V-nails from the magazine into the point of insertion. 
    
    
     FIG A 
       1 . ¾″ rod extends 36″ to connect pressure pad at top of tool to pedal at the †he bottom. 
       2 . Metal pedal lever pivots on block ( 5  and  6 ). Pressing down on pedal brings pad onto top of moulding. 
       3 . Eye-hook through block connects to expansion spring. This returns the pedal and pad to rest positions. 
       4 . Spring pulls pedal and pressure pad back to rest. 
       5 . Block connects ¾″ rod to pedal. 
       6 . Hole for bolt to connect block to pedal. 
       7 . ½″ rod goes up to insert V-nail, then retracts by spring ( 13 ). 
       8 . Pad on bottom of ½′ rod contacts with pedal lever ( 2 ). 
       9 . Pedal lever. 
       10 . Bushings allow both rods movement up and down. 
       11 . Cross member of tool housing holds bushings ( 10 ). 
       12 . Guide keeps ½″ rod on pedal lever ( 9 ). 
       13 . Spring retracts ½″ rod. 
     PICTURES 
     P 1  TOOL PROTOTYPE 
     P 2  SHOWS PEDAL MOVEMENT 
     P 3  SHOWS HAMMER ON TOP OF ½″ ROD 
     P 4  SHOWS MAGNET AND V-NAIL MAGAZINE