Patent Publication Number: US-6986448-B2

Title: Fastener driving tool for spacing object from substrate

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a fastener driving tool for holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Several construction-related applications require an object to be spaced from a substrate. For example, before applying stucco to a substrate, it is usually necessary to space a sheet of wire lath from the substrate to reinforce the stucco. 
   Prior methods of spacing wire lath having included using nails with a cardboard spacer wrapped around the shank of each nail wherein the cardboard spacer has a thickness that corresponds to the desired space between the wire lath and the substrate so that when the wire lath is clamped between the cardboard spacer and the head of the nail, the lath is spaced from the substrate by the desired distance. However the installation of these nails spacers is labor intensive and time consuming, requiring each nail to be hammered into the substrate while the installer holds the wire lath between the cardboard spacer and the nail head. Further, it is possible that the wire lath will not be securely fastened between the nail head and the spacer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,679 discloses a similar means for spacing wire lath from a substrate using a screw and a plastic spacer. However, the screw and plastic spacer do not relieve the tedious and time consuming process of installing a plurality of screws in order to secure and space a sheet of wire lath at a distance from a substrate. 
   Staple driving tools have been used for fastening objects to substrates, however, they are generally unable to leave a space between the objects and the substrates. Examples of staple driving tools include model number 3150-S16 and model number IM200-S16 tools manufactured by Paslode, an Illinois Tool Works company. 
   Tools have also been designed for bending or shaping a fastener as it is being installed. See for example the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/119,597 and application Ser. No. 10/424,515, assigned to the assignee of this application, which discloses a deformation portion of the tool that deforms a portion of the fastener to provide a clamping force on a workpiece. However, the tool does not teach leaving a space between the workpiece and the substrate. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,094, assigned to the assignee of this application, discloses a tool for attaching metal lath to building substrates, but does not teach a tool that spaces the wire lath from the substrate. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,827 discloses a staple driving tool for clamping together two or more workpieces, however, this tool does not teach spacing one workpiece from the other. 
   What is needed is a tool for holding and spacing an object from a substrate quickly and securely that overcomes the problems of the prior art. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A novel nosepiece is provided for a fastener driving tool for driving fasteners for holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate, the fastener driving tool having a housing, a driver blade within the housing for driving the fasteners, and a power source for driving the driver blade, each of the fasteners including a bridge portion, a first prong extending in a driving direction from the bridge portion, a second prong spaced from the first prong and extending generally parallel thereto in the driving direction from the bridge portion, wherein the second prong is substantially shorter than the first prong, the nosepiece including a trailing end coupled to the housing of the fastener driving tool, a substrate contacting end, a channel for axially guiding the driver blade and the fastener in a driving direction toward the substrate, a slot proximate the substrate contacting end laterally extending into the channel for receiving the object, and a curved ramp within the channel, wherein a portion of the ramp is positioned between the slot and the substrate contacting end, the ramp being for interfering with the path of the second prong to bend the second prong toward the first prong to hold the object between the second prong and the bridge portion. 
   A novel fastener driving tool is provided for driving fasteners for holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate, each of the fasteners including a bridge portion, a first prong extending in a driving direction from the bridge portion, a second prong spaced from the first prong and extending generally parallel thereto in the driving direction from the bridge portion, wherein the second prong is substantially shorter than the first prong, the fastener driving tool including a housing, a driver blade within the housing for driving the fastener in the driving direction, a power source for driving the driver blade, and a nosepiece having a trailing end coupled to the housing, a substrate contacting end, a channel for axially guiding the driver blade and the fastener in the driving direction toward the substrate, a slot proximate the substrate contacting end laterally extending into the channel for receiving the object, and a curved ramp within the channel, wherein a portion of the ramp is positioned between the slot and the substrate contacting end, the ramp being for interfering with the path of the second prong to bend the second prong toward the first prong to hold the object between the second prong and the bridge portion. 
   In one embodiment, a novel fastener driving tool is provided for driving fasteners for holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate, each of the fasteners including a bridge portion, a first prong extending in a driving direction from the bridge portion, a second prong spaced from the first prong and extending generally parallel thereto in the driving direction from the bridge portion, wherein the second prong is substantially shorter than the first prong, the fastener driving tool including a housing, a driver blade within the housing for driving the fastener in the driving direction, a power source for driving the driver blade, and a nosepiece having a first piece with a trailing end coupled to the housing and a substrate contacting end, a second piece having a trailing end pivotally coupled to the housing proximate to the trailing end of the first piece and a substrate contacting end, wherein the second piece is pivotable between a closed position wherein the second piece is adjacent to the first piece and an open position wherein the second piece is angled with respect to the first piece, a channel between the first piece and the second piece when the second piece is in the closed position for axially guiding the driver blade and the fastener in the driving direction toward the substrate, wherein the first piece and the second piece each include a slot proximate the substrate contacting ends of the pieces laterally extending into the channel, wherein the slots are aligned with one another when the second piece is in the closed position so that the slots form a path for the object, wherein one of the pieces includes a curved ramp positioned within the channel, a portion of the ramp being between the slot of the one of the pieces and the substrate contacting end of the one of the pieces, wherein the ramp is concave with respect to the slots for bending the second prong of the fastener toward the first prong to hold the object between the second prong and the bridge portion. 
   A novel method of holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate is also provided comprising the steps of providing a fastener having a bridge portion, a first prong extending in a driving direction from the bridge portion, a second prong spaced from the first prong and extending generally parallel thereto in the driving direction from the bridge portion, wherein the second prong is substantially shorter than the first prong, positioning the object proximate to the substrate, driving the fastener so that the first prong is driven into the substrate to a predetermined depth and so that the object is between the prongs, bending the second prong toward the first prong, holding the object between the second prong and the bridge portion so that the object is spaced from the substrate by the predetermined distance. 
   These and other features and advantages are evident from the following description of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side sectional view showing the progress of a fastener being installed by a fastener driving tool of the present invention to hold and space wire lath at a predetermined distance from a substrate. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial side sectional view of the fastener driving tool of the present invention for holding and spacing the wire lath at a predetermined distance from the substrate. 
       FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of a nosepiece of the fastener driving tool in a close position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the nosepiece of the fastener driving tool in an open position. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of fasteners after being installed by the fastener driving tool to hold and space wire lath at a predetermined distance from the substrate. 
       FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of a fastener after being installed by the fastener driving tool, including a stucco layer being reinforced by wire lath. 
       FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of a fastener to be used with the fastener driving tool of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a strip of the fasteners to be used with the fastener driving tool of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the fastener being installed by a tool having an alternative driver blade. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to FIGS.  1 A–- 1 D and  FIG. 2 , a fastener driving tool  10  is shown for holding and spacing an object at a predetermined distance from a substrate  1 . Tool  10  is for driving a fastener or clip  6  for holding and spacing an object, such as wire lath  2 , at a predetermined distance D from substrate  1 , wherein clip  6  includes a bridge portion  7 , a long prong  8  extending in a driving direction from bridge portion  7 , and a short prong  9  spaced from long prong  8  and extending generally parallel to long prong  8  in the driving direction from bridge portion  7 , wherein short prong  9  is substantially shorter than long prong  8 . Novel tool  10  includes a housing  12 , a driver blade  14  within housing  12  for driving clip  6  in the driving direction, a power source, such as air pressure, for driving driver blade  14 , and a nosepiece  16  having a trailing end  18  coupled to housing  12 , a substrate contacting end  20 , a channel  22  for axially guiding driver blade  14  and fastener  6  in the driving direction toward substrate  1 , a slot  24  proximate substrate contacting end  20  laterally extending into channel  22  for receiving wire lath  2 , and a curved ramp  26  within channel  22 , wherein a portion of ramp  26  is positioned between slot  24  and substrate contacting end  20 , wherein curved ramp  26  is generally concave with respect to slot  24 , ramp  26  being for interfering with the path of short prong  9  to bend short prong  9  toward long prong  8  to hold wire lath  2  between short prong  9  and bridge portion  7 . 
   In one embodiment, nosepiece  16  includes a stationary piece  28  having a trailing end  18   a  coupled to housing  12  and a substrate contacting end  20   a,  a movable piece  30  having a trailing end  18   b  pivotally coupled to housing  12  proximate trailing end  18   a  of stationary piece  28  and a substrate contacting end  20   b,  wherein movable piece  30  is pivotable between a closed position wherein the movable piece  30  is generally parallel and adjacent to stationary piece  28 , see  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and an open position wherein movable piece  30  is angled open with respect to stationary piece  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Channel  22  is between stationary piece  28  and movable piece  30  when movable piece  30  is in the closed position. Both stationary piece  28  and movable piece  30  include a slot  24   a,    24   b  proximate substrate contacting ends  20   a,    20   b  of pieces  28 ,  30 , wherein slots  24   a,    24   b  laterally extend into channel  22  and slots  24   a,    24   b  are aligned with one another when movable piece  30  is in the closed position so that slots  24   a,    24   b  can receive wire lath  2  to position wire lath  2  within channel  22 . One of pieces  28 ,  30  (i.e. stationary piece  28  in  FIG. 4 ) includes curved ramp  26  positioned within channel between slot  24  and substrate contacting end  20  of the one piece  28 ,  30 . 
   Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , tool  10  is used for installing clips  6  for holding and spacing an object, preferably a wire object, at a predetermined distance D from a substrate  1 . For example, substrate  1  can be wood, plywood, particle board, oriented strand board (OSB board) or other wooden substrates, and tool  10  can install clip  6  to space a sheet of wire lath  2 , such as hexagonal or octagonal chicken wire, from substrate  1  before applying one or more layers of plaster or stucco  4  to substrate  1 . In this embodiment, wire lath  2  reinforces stucco  4  to prevent it from breaking away from substrate  1  after stucco  4  has been applied. 
   It is preferred that wire lath  2  be spaced from substrate  1  by a predetermined distance D so that wire lath  2  will be embedded generally in the middle of stucco  4 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to most effectively reinforce stucco  4 . Clip  6  fastens wire lath  2  to substrate  1 , as described below, so that wire lath  2  is spaced from substrate  1  by predetermined distance D. In one embodiment, wire lath  2  is spaced from substrate  1  by a predetermined distance D of between about ⅛ inch and about ⅜ inch, preferably between about ¼ inch and about 5/16 inch. 
   Clips 
   Turning to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , clip  6  is a generally J shaped wire member having a bridge portion  7  with two ends  32 ,  34 , a long prong  8  extending in the driving direction from one end  32  of bridge portion, and a short prong  9  spaced from long prong  8  at the other end  34  of bridge portion  7  extending generally parallel to long prong  8  in the driving direction, wherein the length SL of short prong  9  is substantially shorter than the length LL of long prong  8 . Preferably, bridge portion  7 , long prong  8 , and short prong  9  are generally linear segments that are all generally in the same plane, wherein prongs  8 ,  9  are generally perpendicular to bridge portion  7 . 
   Clip  6  should be made from a material that is strong enough to securely fasten wire lath  2  to substrate  1  and to support wire lath  2  and stucco  4  under normal conditions to prevent stucco  4  from breaking away from substrate  1 . Clip  6  can be made from standard steel used in the construction industry, such as standard steel wire used to make staples. Preferably, clip  6  is made from shaped 1018 carbon steel wire that has been flattened so that the wire has a width T of about 0.05 inch and a thickness W of about 1/16 inch. 
   In one embodiment, short prong length SL is between about 25% and about 45%, preferably about 35% of long prong length LL and between about 75% and about 99%, preferably about 87% of bridge portion length BL. For the application of holding and spacing wire lath  2  from substrate  1 , bridge portion  7  can have a length BL, between about ¼ inch and about ¾ inch, preferably between about ⅜ inch and about ⅝ inch, still more preferably about ½ inch, short prong  9  can have a length SL between about ¼ inch and about ⅝ inch, preferably between about ⅜ inch and about ½ inch, still more preferably about 7/16 inch, and long prong  8  has a length LL of between about 1 inch and about 2 inch, preferably between about 1⅛ inch and about 1½ inch, still more preferably about 1¼ inch. 
   Turning to  FIG. 8 , in a preferred embodiment, a plurality of clips  6  are arranged in a strip  36  so that a plurality of clips  6  can easily be fed to tool  10 . Strip  36  includes a plurality of clips  6  arranged in a side-by-side array, wherein each clip  6  includes a bridge portion  7 , a long prong  8  extending in a driving direction from bridge portion  7 , and a short prong  9  spaced from long prong  8  and extending generally parallel to long prong  8  in the driving direction from bridge portion  7 , wherein short prong  9  is substantially shorter than long prong  8 . Clips  6  are fastened together, such as with an adhesive, in the side-by-side array so that each one of the long prongs  8  is aligned generally in a common first plane and each one of the short prongs  9  are aligned generally in a common second plane so as to form strip  36  of clips  6 . 
   Clip Application Incorporated by Reference 
   Clips that can be used in tool  10  are disclosed in the commonly assigned, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/658,251, filed contemporaneously herewith, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   Tool 
   Turning back to  FIG. 2 , fastener driving tool  10  of the present invention includes a housing  12  with a handle  38  depending generally from a trailing end of housing  12  for an operator to hold tool  10 . A trigger  40  is mounted to handle  38  for actuating tool  10 . A cylinder  42  is located within housing  12 , with a piston  44  within cylinder  42 . A driver blade  14  for driving clips  6  is coupled to piston  44  so that when piston  44  is driven in a driving direction through cylinder  42 , so is driver blade  14 . In one embodiment, driver blade  14  is made from S-7 steel hardened to a Rockwell C hardness of between about 52 and about 56. A nosepiece  16  is coupled to driving end of housing  12 , wherein nosepiece  16  includes a channel  22  for guiding driver blade  14  and clip  6  toward substrate  1 . 
   A power source, such as pneumatic power, gas combustion, or explosive powder is used to drive piston  44  and driver blade  14  in the driving direction toward clip  6 . In one embodiment, tool  10  includes an air connection  46  for connecting to a compressed air source (not shown), which feeds into a chamber  48  in the trailing direction of piston  44 . When trigger  40  is pulled by an operator, air pressure is increased in chamber  48 , which drives piston  44  toward clip  6 . Tool  10  can also include a buffer  50  generally at the driving end of cylinder  42  to protect piston  44  and tool  10  from damage due to high speed impact. 
   Preferably, tool  10  includes a magazine  52  for feeding a strip  36  of clips  6  into channel  22 . Strip  36  is fed into magazine  52  of tool  10  so that a first clip is within channel  22 . When tool  10  is fired, the first clip is broken away from an adjacent second clip by driver blade  14  so that the first clip is driven toward substrate  1 . Tool  10  can also include a follower  53  which biases strip  36  toward channel  22 , so that when the first clip is driven, the follower biases the second next clip into channel  22 . 
   Continuing with  FIG. 2 , tool  10  can also include a drive probe  54  that is operationally connected to a triggering mechanism (not shown), so that tool  10  cannot be fired without drive probe  54  being pushed against substrate  1 , forcing drive probe  54  in the trailing direction, enabling actuation of tool  10 . 
   Nosepiece 
   Turing to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , Nosepiece  16  guides driver blade  14  toward impact with clip  6 , and subsequently guides driver blade  14  and clip  6  toward substrate  1 . In one embodiment, nosepiece  16  includes a stationary piece  28  coupled to housing  12  and a movable piece  30  pivotably coupled to housing  12 . A channel  22  is located between stationary piece  28  and movable piece  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , for guiding driver blade  14  and clip  6 . A slot  24   a,    24   b  is also included near the substrate contacting end  20   a,    20   b  for receiving wire lath  2  and positioning wire lath  2  within channel  22  so that wire lath  2  will be in the path of clip  6  so that clip  6  will hold and space wire lath  2  at the predetermined distance D from substrate  1 . Nosepiece  16  also includes a curved ramp  26  within channel  22 , a portion of which is positioned between slot  24   a,    24   b  and substrate contacting end  20   a,    20   b,  as shown in  FIGS. 1A–1D , for bending short prong  9  to hold wire lath  2 . 
   Stationary piece  28  includes a trailing end  18   a  coupled to housing  12 , a substrate contacting end  20   a  and a slot  24   a  near substrate contacting end  20   a  for receiving wire lath  2 . In one embodiment, curved ramp  26  is included on stationary piece  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , with a portion of curved ramp  26  being positioned between slot  24   a  and substrate contacting end  20   a.  However, curved ramp  26  can be included on movable piece  30  without varying from the scope of the present invention. 
   Continuing with  FIG. 4 , movable piece  30  includes a trailing end  18   b  pivotally coupled to housing  12 , a substrate contacting end  20   b  and a slot  24   b  near substrate contacting end  20   b  for receiving wire lath  2 . In one embodiment, movable piece  30  also includes a pair of ledges  56  and shelves  58  which form a groove  60 , wherein groove  60  guides clip  6  so that it remains aligned as clip  6  is driven down channel  22 . In one embodiment, movable piece  30  also includes a driver blade groove  62  which guides a rib  63  of driver blade  14 . Driver blade groove  62  has a width that is narrower than the width of clip  6  so that clip  6  does not slide into driver blade groove  62 . 
   Nosepiece  16  can be made by steel or other means. In one embodiment, nosepiece  16  is made from 8620 steel that is investment cast made and case hardened to about 0.008 inch to about 0.012 inch with a core hardness of between about 28 Rockwell C and about 35 Rockwell C. 
   When movable piece  30  is in the closed position, clip  6  is framed within a close clearance on all its lateral sides by nosepiece  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , clip  6  is framed by ledges  56  to the sides, as shown in  FIG. 4 , by shelves  58  in the back, and by stationary piece  28  in the front, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The width GW of groove  60  between ledges  56  is only slightly larger than the width CW of clip  6  so that there is a relatively tight clearance between prongs  8 ,  9  of clip  6  and ledges  56  of groove  60  to guide clip  10  straight down channel  22 . Similarly, the thickness CT of channel  22  between shelves  58  on movable piece  30  and stationary piece  28  is slightly larger than the thickness T of clip  6  to prevent clip  6  from wobbling as it is driven. In one embodiment, clip  6  has a width CW of about ½ inch and a thickness T of about 1/16 inch, and groove  60  has a width GW between ledges  56  of between about 17/32 inch and about 9/16 inch and a thickness CT of channel  22  of between about 5/64 inch and about ⅛ inch so that the total clearance on all lateral sides of clip  6  is between about 1/32 inch and about 1/16 inch. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , ramp  26  extends downwardly toward substrate contacting end  20  and laterally toward long prong  8  so that ramp  26  will interfere with the motion of short prong  9  as clip  6  is driven to bend short prong  9  toward long prong  8 . Ramp  26  curves from a short prong end  64  downwardly and inwardly toward a long prong end  66  generally at a radius of curvature RR, wherein long prong end  66  is preferably generally perpendicular to short prong  9  before short prong  9  is bent by ramp  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . In one embodiment, ramp  26  includes a chamfer  68  at short prong end  64  that is angled outwardly slightly from parallel to short prong  9 , wherein chamfer  68  helps ensure that the distal end  70  of short prong  9  is fed into ramp  26  so that short prong  9  is bent by ramp  26 . 
   Ramp  26  has a height RH that is slightly larger than the length SL of short prong  9 . Ramp  26  has a width RW that is shorter than the width CW of clip  6  and the width GW of groove  60  so that ramp  26  will interfere with the path of short prong  9 , but not long prong  8  so that short prong  9  will be bent, but long prong  8  will be driven straight into substrate. Radius of curvature RR of ramp  26  is selected to bend short prong  9  so that wire lath  2  will be held between short prong  9  and bridge portion  7 . Radius of curvature RR can be selected so that long prong end  66  is generally normal to short prong end  64  and so that long prong end  66  is also generally normal to prongs  8 ,  9 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , or radius of curvature RR can be selected so that long prong end  66  is angled slightly upwardly or slightly downwardly. 
   In one embodiment, wherein clip  6  has a width CW of about ½ inch and short prong  9  has a length of about 7/16 inch, ramp has a height RH of between about 7/32 inch and about ½ inch, preferably about ⅜ inch, a width RW of between about 3/16 inch and about 1 inch, preferably about 17/32 inch, and a radius of curvature RR of about ¼ inch. 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , slots  24   a,    24   b  are positioned in the trailing direction of long prong end  66  of ramp  26 , so that when short prong  9  is bent inwardly by ramp  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A–1D , short prong  9  will bend into wire lath  2 , causing wire lath  2  to be held or clamped between short prong  9  and bridge portion  7  at predetermined distance D from substrate  1 . 
   In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , driver blade  14 ′ includes a pocket  72  at the driving end of driver blade  14 ′. Pocket  72  provides a recess into which bridge portion  7  of clip  6  can be formed into so that an indentation  74  is formed in bridge portion  7  which helps to more securely hold wire lath  2  in place after short prong  9  has been bent by ramp  26 . Pocket  72  has a width PW and height PH that compliment wire lath  2  so that indentation is formed between wire lath  2  and driver blade  14 ′ to hold wire lath  2  in place. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , pocket  72  is generally curved with a radius of curvature that is approximately twice the radius of wire lath  2 . Preferably, pocket  72  is generally centered along the width of driver blade  14 ′, as shown in  FIG. 9 , so that indentation  74  will be generally centered along the length BL of bridge portion  7 . In one embodiment, pocket  72  has a width PW of between about ⅛ inch and about ¼ inch, preferably about 0.15 inch and a height PH of between about 1/16 inch and about 3/16 inch, preferably about 0.1 inch. 
   Method of Holding and Spacing an Object 
   The method of holding and spacing wire lath  2  at the predetermined distance D from substrate  1  comprises the steps of providing clip  6  having a bridge portion  7 , a long prong  8  extending in a driving direction from bridge portion  7 , a short prong  9  spaced from long prong  8  and extending generally parallel to long prong  8  in the driving direction from bridge portion  7 , wherein short prong  9  is substantially shorter than long prong  8 , positioning the object to be held and spaced, such as wire lath  2 , proximate to substrate  1 , driving clip  6  so that long prong  8  is driven into substrate  1  to a predetermined depth and so that wire lath  2  is between prongs  8 ,  9 , bending short prong  9  toward long prong  8 , and holding wire lath  2  between short prong  9  and bridge portion  7  so that wire lath  2  is spaced from substrate  1  by the predetermined distance D. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 1A–1D , in one embodiment of the method, the driving step, the bending step and the holding step are all performed by tool  10  at essentially the same time. Additionally, the positioning of the wire lath  2  is accomplished by placing wire lath  2  within slot  24  in nosepiece  16  so that wire lath  2  is within channel  22  in nosepiece  16 . 
   Clip  6  is driven by driver blade  14 , driving long prong  8  straight into substrate  1 , securely fastening clip  6  to substrate  1 . Ramp  26  interferes with the path of short prong  9 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A–1D , bending short prong  9  inwardly toward long prong  8  for holding or griping wire lath  2  between short prong  9  and bridge portion  7  so that wire lath  2  is held by clip  6 . 
   Because the width RW of ramp  26  is less than the width GW of groove  60 , long prong  8  will not encounter ramp  26 , but rather will continue to be driven into substrate  1  by driver blade  14 , while short prong  9  will collide with ramp  26 . As short prong  9  is being bent, long prong  8  is driven to a predetermined depth into substrate  1 . The depth which clip  6  is driven into substrate  1  is determined by nosepiece  16 . Nosepiece also includes a substrate contacting end  20  that is pressed against substrate  1  before driving clip  6 . Ramp  26  is spaced from substrate contacting end  20  by a predetermined distance DN which is approximately equal to the desired spacing distance D of wire lath  2  from substrate  1 . The selected distance DN between nosepiece substrate contacting end  20  and ramp  26  determines the position where short prong  9  will be bent in relation to substrate  1 , which in turn determines where wire lath  2  will be held relative to substrate  1 . 
   After tool  10  has driven clip  6  into substrate  1 , the operator can remove nosepiece  16  from engagement with clip  6  and wire lath  2  by pulling tool  10  so that bridge portion  7 , short prong  9 , and wire lath  2  can slide out of slot  24 . For example, after installing clip  6 , the operator can pull tool  10  to the right in  FIG. 1D , so that bridge portion  7 , short prong  9 , and wire lath  2  slide out of slot  24  to the left, with respect to nosepiece  16 . As soon as all of clip  6  is clear of nosepiece  16 , the operator can pull tool  10  away from substrate  1 , and insert another portion of wire lath  2  into slot  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , for holding and spacing wire lath  2  and predetermined distance D from substrate  1 . 
   The fastener driving tool of the present invention provides a means to quickly and securely hold and space an object, such as wire lath, at a predetermined distance from a substrate. The fastener driving tool provides an improvement over prior tools and methods, while still being easy for an operator to use. 
   While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific exemplary embodiment and method herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment and method, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.