Patent Publication Number: US-9408427-B2

Title: Snap installation tool adaptor

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/523,450 filed on Aug. 15, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to snap installation tools, and in particular, to plug-in adaptors adapted to be attached to existing power tools to make them capable of performing snap installations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Snaps are a common fastener used in many applications, from clothing to large fabric coverings. In particular, snaps may be used to secure protective canvas coverings for boats, tractors, walk-behind snowplows, and the like. In these latter applications, snaps are installed on the canvas so as to be able to attach the canvas to the frame of the item to be covered. The frame will include one side of the snap and the canvas the other. Typically, the frame includes the male portion of the snap, and the canvas the female portion. The female portion includes a cap on one side of the canvas or other fabric, and a socket on the other. The socket is adapted to fit into the cap with the fabric between the socket and the cap, forming the female portion of the snap. The female portion may then mate with the male portion of the snap to complete the fastening. In some applications, the male portion is also mounted on a fabric or canvas by a similar method of pressing the fabric between male caps and sockets. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict the various pieces involved in snap installation. Fabrics  60  and  62  are to be made to be attachable to one another by snap  46 . It is understood that in many instances in practice, the male portion of the snap will be permanently affixed to a hard surface, such as a boat. In this illustration both the male and female snap portions are affixed to pieces of fabric  60 ,  62  so as to show all possible pieces of snap  46 . Female cap  52  and female socket  54  are placed on either side of fabric  60  in a location corresponding to the location of male cap  56  and male socket  58  on fabric  62 . Female cap  52  includes pusher  53  that is adapted to push fabric  60  through and mate with hole  55  of female socket  54  (shown in  FIG. 1D ). Sufficient force must be provided to force female cap  52 , fabric  60 , and female socket  54  together permanently. Female socket  54  includes a recessed portion depicted in  FIG. 1A  by dotted lines. 
     In  FIG. 1B , the female and male portions of snap  46  have been affixed to fabric  60  and  62 , respectively.  FIG. 1B  shows integrated female portion  48  and integrated male portion  63 . Integrated female portion  48  is female cap  52  and female socket  54 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , after sufficient force has been applied to permanently mount the female portion of snap  46  onto fabric  60 . Integrated male portion  63  is male cap  56  and male socket  58 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , after sufficient force has been applied to permanently mount the male portion of snap  46  onto fabric  62 . As with the female cap  52  and female socket  54  shown in  FIG. 1A , dotted lines show that male cap  56  includes an interior hollow portion adapted to mate with male socket  58  through fabric  62 . Integrated male portion  63  is placed on either side of fabric  62  in a location corresponding to the location of integrated female portion  48  on fabric  60 . Again, sufficient force must be provided to force male cap  56 , fabric  62 , and male socket  58  together permanently. 
       FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of female cap  52 , including pusher  53  and cap rim  57 .  FIG. 1D  is a top down view of female socket  54 , including hole  55  and socket rim  59 . Although not obvious from the top down view of  FIG. 1D , hole  55  is recessed below socket rim  59 , as indicated by dotted lines in  FIG. 1A . 
     The mounting of a female or male snap portion onto fabric or canvas requires the use of a tool designed specifically for this purpose. The standard prior art for this purpose is a vice grip type tool that requires the installer to grip the tool with his hand and apply a large amount of squeezing force to securely rivet the cap to the socket.  FIG. 2  shows an example of a prior art vice grip type tool. This tool includes a rubber receiver  51  within the metallic top portion of the vice. During snap installation, a female cap  52  is placed within rubber receiver  51  prior to the application of force on the tool. The placement of female cap  52  within rubber receiver  51  is difficult and imprecise. The user must wiggle the female cap  52  around until it seems properly placed within the rubber receiver  51 . Often, despite this effort, the female cap  52  is not properly placed, leading to misalignment with the female socket  54  after application of force onto the tool, and the necessity to redo that snap installation in addition to damage to the fabric  60  which will have been unnecessarily punctured. Moreover, the wiggling around of the female cap  52  within the rubber receiver  51  results in the rubber receiver  51  wearing down quickly. 
     In addition to this design flaw, the force required to properly operate a prior art tool is extremely fatiguing, especially considering that some applications require that the snap be installed through up to four layers of material. This is particularly true for applications requiring the installation of many snaps, such as with a canvas to cover a large boat. The average boat canvas requires the installation of approximately eighty snaps. Even for someone with good strength and dexterity in his hand, this repetitive motion can become difficult, but this is particularly true for those with limited strength or dexterity in their hands. It is well known throughout the canvas enclosure business that the repetitive, excessive squeezing force required to perform this task can lead to injuries to the hand and forearm such as tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, etc. . . . Therefore there is a need for a snap installation tool that provides the necessary force from a source other than the human hand. Such a source may be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, for example. 
     Electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic snap installation devices do exist. U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,652 to Silverbush, for example, discloses a snap fastener attaching system whose operation and control is implemented by means of a control sequencer that can operate by means of electronic or electromechanical relays or by pneumatic devices. The snap fastener attaching system employs a movable carriage assembly that is controlled in linear motion by a belt system coupled to an actuator mechanism. The carriage assembly includes clamping means that are sequentially operated to clamp a garment on the assembly after emplacement by an operator. Although this snap fastener attaching system uses power other than the human hand to provide the force necessary for the snap installation, it is a large, complicated, and stationary device that is ill suited for use in the field, particularly for large applications, such as a canvas boat cover, where the device may need to be moved and set up repeatedly in different locations about the cover. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,807 to Hochhausl also discloses an automated attaching machine for attaching fasteners. In this invention, support means carry an upper and lower tool assembly; upper and lower fastener part feed means; and pusher and tool drive means. The upper and lower tool assembly comprises an upper and a lower forward arm rigidly secured in spaced parallel relation by a bridging neck connecting the rear of the arms. The forward ends of the arms carry respectively the axially aligned upper punch and the lower die and the upper, and lower forward arms are horizontally slotted and slidably receive upper and lower pusher elements respectively. The feed means comprises removable hoppers and track which are hung on the support means and conduct the parts respectively to the pusher slots in the arms. The upper and lower tool assembly is removably secured in an opening in the frame or support means and the tool drive means respectively releasably operatively engages the upper punch and the lower die and the pusher drive means releasably operatively engage the upper and lower pusher elements. Preferably, as the tool assembly is installed in its opening, the tool drive means automatically engages the punch and die. By virtue of this structure, the integral upper and lower tool assembly can be released from the drive means and removed readily from its secured position in the support means and readily replaced by a different tool assembly to accommodate different fastener parts. Although this invention does not require hand strength and dexterity to install snap fasteners, it is also a large, stationary machine that is not easily transportable and could not easily be used in the field. 
     In addition to these stationary machines that use a force other than that of a human hand to install snaps, there exist many handheld power tools that use electricity, pneumatics, and/or hydraulics for force. Common examples of these include nail guns, staple guns, and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,104 to Marshall also discloses a pneumatic crimping and capping handheld tool, which teaches a hand-held, power-operated or power-assisted, crimping/er or decapping/er tool, for container closures, such as vial caps, has a hollow handle, housing a (pneumatic) piston-in-cylinder actuator, with an external trigger operating an internal control valve, to control connection of an external pressure supply, through an internal distribution block, and displacement of an actuator output rod, coupled, through a pivoted bell crank lever, to a demountable crimper or decapper. No such handheld power tool for snap installation exists, however. U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,652 to Silverbush; U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,807 to Hochhausl; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,104 to Marshall are hereby incorporated by reference as nonessential material. 
     Thus there is a need for a handheld power tool adapted for snap installation and for repetitive use in the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a snap installation adaptor, a snap installation kit, and a method for adapting a handheld power tool for use as a snap installation tool. 
     In its most basic form, the present invention includes a snap installation adaptor. The snap installation adaptor is an adaptor that may be used for snap installation. It is designed to be easily attached to the body of a handheld power tool so that the handheld power tool may be used as a snap installation tool. 
     The preferred existing handheld power tool that may be used is a handheld impact torque driver. However, it is understood that many battery, electric, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic powered handheld tools may be used, either in their original state or in a modified states, to accomplish this purpose. In some embodiments, the handheld tool may have an automatic feed so that the operation of the handheld tool may be continuous. Moreover, although triggers are referred to as the common operation inducer for the handheld tools that may be used in connection with the snap installation adaptor, it is understood that other art recognized operation inducers, such as switches or buttons, may be used in some embodiments of the present invention. Herein “trigger” refers to all such art recognized operation inducers. 
     The snap installation adaptor has an upper and lower portion connected by a preferably curved intermediate portion so that there is an opening between the upper and lower portion. The upper portion attaches to the existing handheld power tool body. In some embodiments, this attachment is by a screw through the upper portion that secures it to the handheld power tool body, but may be by any manner that will adequately attach the snap installation adaptor to the handheld power tool body such that the tool driving apparatus of the handheld power tool body may be used to drive the snap installation function of the snap installation tool, which is the integrated handheld tool and snap installation adaptor. 
     The upper portion includes a cap node where the cap part of a female or male portion of a snap may be held for installation. The tool driving apparatus of the handheld power tool to which the snap installation adaptor is attached will drive the cap down onto a fabric placed between the cap part and a socket part held by the lower portion of the snap installation adaptor so that the snap portion may be installed on the fabric. The cap node preferably includes an o-ring that allows the cap to be easily snapped into and out of the cap node. The cap node of the present invention represents a substantial improvement over those used in prior art devices and it is envision that the cap node of the present invention will be sold as a separate replacement part to replace existing cap nodes. 
     The cap node of the present invention may include an improved placement device for placing the female cap prior to snap installation. The improved placement device may be a weakly spring loaded device that will hold the female cap in alignment with the lower portion prior to snap installation, but will not hold it so firmly that it does not easily release upon installation. The improved placement device may also be a device including a ball bearing or a magnet so as to hold the female cap in place. 
     The lower portion of the snap installation adaptor is positioned directly opposite from the upper portion and may include a threaded tube, a threaded screw, and a socket node. The threaded tube extends vertically through the lower portion and is adapted to accept the threaded screw. The threaded screw is positioned through the threaded tube so that the length of the threaded screw within and outside of the threaded tube may be adjusted so that more or less of the threaded screw may extend into the opening between the upper and lower portions of the snap installation adaptor. The end of the threaded screw that extends into the opening has a socket node where the socket part of a female or male portion of a snap may be held for installation. The threaded screw and threaded tube are so positioned within the lower portion of the snap installation adaptor that when the threaded screw is extended to its extreme through the opening between the upper and lower portions, the socket node of the lower portion and the cap node of the upper portion will meet. 
     The intermediate portion may include an attached or integral preferably 1-shaped bracket for reinforcement. 
     In practice a fabric or canvas that is to have snaps installed on it will be placed in the opening between the upper and lower portions of the snap installation adaptor. The distance between the cap and socket nodes may be adjusted so that fabrics of varying thickness or with one or more folds may be placed within the opening. When the proper location for the female portion of the snap is located between the cap and socket nodes, a user of the snap installation tool depresses the trigger and sufficient force is applied down from the cap node to install the cap and socket on either side of the fabric between the cap and socket nodes. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handheld tool is a right angle 12 volt impact driver torque 700 in. lbs. sold under the trademark CRAFTSMAN. In this embodiment the upper portion, lower portion, and intermediate portion are combined into an integrated block, which is approximately C-shaped. The upper portion includes the cap node. The lower portion includes the socket node and a threaded screw for adjusting the distance between the cap node and the socket node. The preferred snap installation adaptor also includes a driving apparatus extension, which includes features for transmitting the force of the handheld tool through the upper portion and down onto the lower portion so as to affix snaps to a piece of fabric between the upper and lower portions. The driving apparatus is attached to and above the upper portion, and is preferably also integrated into the integrated block. The driving apparatus extension houses stop pins, a screw shoulder, a drive rod hole, a threaded drive screw, a ball, and an o-ring lock. The driving apparatus extension and these features that it houses act as a means for transferring the handheld power tool&#39;s external downward force through the upper portion so that the snap may be installed. 
     The stop pins stop the screw shoulder from extending too far up through the driving apparatus extension. The threaded drive screw moves in concert with the screw shoulder and extends from the screw shoulder down to the cap node in the upper portion. The threaded drive screw houses the drive rod hole, the ball, and the o-ring lock, so that all of these features, as well as the cap node move up and down together as pressure is applied from the handheld tool when the snap installation adaptor and the handheld tool are united. The drive rod hole runs down through the driving apparatus extension toward the upper portion, through the threaded drive screw, and ending at the ball. The drive rod hole is sized and dimensioned to snugly surround the drive rod of the handheld tool. The ball is hard enough to withstand the repeated intense downward thrust and spin of the drive rod without undergoing significant degradation. The purpose of the ball is to prevent rotation of the cap node during installation and this anti-rotation feature is an important aspect of the invention when a rotating driver is utilized. The drive screw imparts both downward and rotational forces during operation and, by creating only point contact with both the drive rod and the cap node, the ball effectively prevents the rotational forces from being imparted to the cap node. The ball is locked in place by the o-ring lock, which is preferably made of rubber. 
     The preferred snap installation adaptor also includes a laser sight that allows a user to see exactly where on a piece of fabric the snap will be installed. The preferred snap installation adaptor also includes a support rod, which provides support between the snap installation adaptor and the handheld tool when they are integrated. The support rod is preferably made of plastic tubing that is approximately 6.75″ long and has an inner diameter of approximately ½″. 
     The drive rod is attached to the handheld tool at a collet. When the handheld tool and the snap installation adaptor are united, the drive rod drives down and twists into the driving apparatus extension, through the drive rod hole within the threaded drive screw until it contacts the ball. This causes the threaded drive screw, which is in contact with the cap node to move downward to meet the socket node and permanently affix both sides of a female or male portion of a snap to either side of a piece of fabric. The handheld tool and the snap installation adaptor are attached by pins and removable bands. The removable bands wrap around the handheld tool and hook onto the pins on the snap installation tool. The bands are removable to separate the handheld tool and the snap installation adaptor as necessary. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handheld tool is again a right angle 12 volt impact driver torque 700 in. lbs. sold under the trademark CRAFTSMAN. Although the CRAFTSMAN brand right angle impact driver is preferred, a standard hammer angle drill, a straight hammer drill, or a regular drill modified for higher torque may be substituted. This preferred snap installation adaptor includes a driving apparatus extension connected to the handheld tool&#39;s tool driving apparatus, and an integrated block connected to the driving apparatus extension that includes the upper portion with the cap node, the intermediate portion connecting the upper portion and lower portion, and the lower portion with the socket node. The integrated block is roughly C shaped. It also includes a laser sight and may include a block support. The laser sight is preferably connected to the integrated block and, during use, provides a laser indicator on the fabric between the cap node and socket node indicating to the user exactly where the snap will be installed. When connected to the integrated block, the laser sight may be encased in a laser sight cover to protect the laser sight. Alternatively, the laser sight may be attached to or embedded within any other feature of the snap installation adaptor as long as the laser sight&#39;s presence and position does not interfere with the function of that feature and as long as the laser sight&#39;s position allows for the function of the laser sight as described above. 
     The driving apparatus extension connects the tool driving apparatus, in this case preferably a drill driver, with the cap node so that the force of the handheld tool, in this case preferably a right angle impact driver, is used to install snaps. The driving apparatus extension is directly connected to the tool driving apparatus by a hex driving bit surrounding a spindle. Again, the driving apparatus extension acts as a means for transferring the handheld power tool&#39;s external downward force through the upper portion. This allows the rotating action of the tool driving apparatus to be extended beyond the handheld tool. Between the tool driving apparatus and the upper portion of the integrated block, the spindle may be surrounded by nuts and/or a driving apparatus extension housing. The nuts and/or driving apparatus extension housing are stationary but allow for the rotation of the spindle within while protecting the spindle and the spindle&#39;s rotation from exterior elements. The length of the spindle continues through the upper portion of the integrated block and is connected to the cap node. The section of the spindle that extends through the upper portion of the integrated block is hollow. Upon emerging from the upper portion of the integrated block into the opening between the upper portion and lower portion of the integrated block, the bottom of the spindle is surrounded by a threaded bushing and a rotating washer that rotates with the spindle. Below the rotating washer is a non-rotating washer integral to the cap node. Within the non-rotating washer and cap node is a bearing housing that houses a bearing that is in contact with the spindle within the rotating bearing. This bearing is anything that allows for a small point of contact with the cap held by the cap node where the contact has downward non-rotating force, but does not impede the rotation of the assembly above it. In this way, the cap being forced downward is not damaged by the rotation of the spindle but benefits from the downward force of the rotation. The bearing may be a roller bearing, or a pointed or rounded piece that fits within the bearing housing, or any other piece capable of operating as described above. In this embodiment, the socket node does not included the threaded tube and threaded screw as described above, but is stationary in its position on the lower portion of the integrated block. 
     Although this embodiment has been described with reference to specific pieces, one of ordinary skill in the art that there are many ways to achieve the basic setup described herein, i.e. a setup that extends and transfers the rotation and downward force of a power tool, and each of these ways is contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. 
     Although operable as described above, this preferred embodiment of the snap installation adaptor may also include a block support. The block support is preferably made of a strong, lightweight material, such as ABS plastic. The block support is attached to both the integrated block and the handheld tool, extending the length of the handheld tool with a space to allow for the user&#39;s hand to operate the trigger of the handheld tool. The block support preferably surrounds the driving apparatus extension between the tool driving apparatus and the upper portion of the integrated block and wraps around the end of the handheld tool. 
     The present invention also includes a kit, which includes, and is an integration of, the snap installation adaptor and the handheld tool as described above. 
     The present invention also includes a method for adapting a handheld power tool for use as a snap installation tool. The steps of the method include modifying a handheld power tool by removing apparatuses specific to the handheld power tool&#39;s original purpose, leaving only its tool driving apparatus; attaching a snap installation adaptor to the handheld power tool; placing a cap part in the cap node of the upper portion of the snap installation adaptor; placing a socket part in the socket node of the lower portion of the snap installation adaptor; placing a portion of a fabric where it is desirable to install a female or male snap portion in the opening of the snap installation adaptor between the cap and socket nodes; and pulling the trigger of the handheld power tool. 
     Therefore it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a snap installation adaptor that may be attached to a handheld power tool so that their integration is a snap installation tool. 
     It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a handheld snap installation tool that is powered by something other than the human hand. 
     It is a further aspect of the present invention to save expense and materials by providing a snap installation adaptor that does not duplicate the complexity and expense of a handheld power tool, but merely attaches to an existing handheld power tool. 
     These aspects of the present invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a prior art illustration of the components of a snap where it is desirable to snap a fabric to a hard surface. 
         FIG. 1B  is a prior art illustration of the components of a snap where it is desirable to snap a fabric to another fabric. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a prior art female cap portion of a snap. 
         FIG. 1D  is a top down view of a prior art female socket portion of a snap. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a prior art snap installation tool. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the snap installation adaptor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the snap installation adaptor of the present invention and a handheld tool. 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the preferred integrated snap installation tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of an alternative snap installation adaptor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of another alternative snap installation adaptor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of a snap installation tool of the present invention using the snap installation adaptor as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of a snap installation tool of the present invention using the snap installation adaptor as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the snap installation tool of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the snap installation tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the snap installation tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the preferred integrated snap installation tool of the present invention with a block support. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the preferred snap installation adaptor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded side cutaway diagram of the setup below the upper portion of the snap installation tool shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded section view of the improved cap node of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is a section view of the assembled improved cap node of  FIG. 12A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 3A , the preferred snap installation adaptor  10  is shown. Snap installation adaptor  10  includes upper portion  12 , lower portion  14 , and intermediate portion  16 . In this embodiment upper portion  12 , lower portion  14 , and intermediate portion  16  are combined into integrated block  80 , which is approximately C-shaped. Upper portion  12  includes cap node  24 . Lower portion includes socket node  30  and threaded screw  28  for adjusting the distance between cap node  24  and socket node  30 . In this depiction, we see opening  18  between cap node  24  and socket node  30 . Snap installation adaptor  10  also includes driving apparatus extension  82 , which includes features for transmitting the force of handheld tool  32  (as shown in  FIG. 3B , for example) through upper portion  12  and down onto lower portion  14  so as to affix snaps  46 . Driving apparatus extension  82  is attached to and above upper portion  12 , and is also integrated into integrated block  80 . Driving apparatus extension  82  houses stop pins  93 , screw shoulder  33 , drive rod hole  27 , threaded drive screw  23 , ball  87 , and o-ring lock  31 . Driving apparatus extension  82  is a means for transferring the external downward force of handheld tool  32  through upper portion  12 . 
     Stop pins  93  are located near top  150  of driving apparatus extension  82 . Stop pins  93  stop screw shoulder  33  from extending any farther up through driving apparatus extension  82 . Threaded drive screw  23  moves in concert with screw shoulder  33  and extends from screw shoulder  33  down to cap node  24  in upper portion  12 . Threaded drive screw  23  houses drive rod hole  27 , ball  87 , and o-ring lock  31 , so that all of these features, as well as cap node  24  move up and down together as pressure is applied from handheld tool  32  when snap installation adaptor  10  and handheld tool  32  are united. Drive rod hole  27  runs down through driving apparatus extension  82  toward upper portion  12 , through threaded drive screw  23 , and ends at ball  87 . Drive rod hole  27  is sized and dimensioned to snugly surround drive rod  142 , shown in  FIG. 3B . Ball  87  is hard enough to withstand the repeated intense downward thrust and spin of drive rod  142  without undergoing significant degradation. Ball  87  is locked in place by o-ring lock  31 , which is preferably made of rubber. Snap installation adaptor  10  shown in  FIG. 3A  also includes laser sight  84  with power switch  15 . Laser sight  84  allows a user to see exactly where on a piece of fabric snap  46  will be installed. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3B , the elements of the kit of the present invention are shown, including handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10 . Handheld tool  32  with trigger  34  is a 12 volt right angle impact driver with 700 in. lbs. torque sold under the trademark CRAFTSMAN. Handheld tool  32  also includes forward-reverse button  136  and battery  36 , which is in this case a 12 volt lithium ion battery. Drive rod  142  is removable attached to handheld tool  32  at collet  138 . Drive rod  142  is preferably ¼″ and hexagonal. Drive rod hole  27 , discussed above, is therefore preferably sized and dimensioned to accept a ¼″ hexagonal drive rod  142 . Additionally, collet  138  is also preferably hexagonal. Collet  138  is also preferably a quick-change type collet. When handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10  are united, drive rod  142  will drive down and twist into driving apparatus extension  82 , through drive rod hole  27  within threaded drive screw  23  until it contacts ball  87 . This will cause threaded drive screw  23 , which is in contact with cap node  24  to move downward to meet socket node  30  and permanently affix both sides of snap  46  to either side of a piece of fabric. 
     If the user wishes to install integrated female portion  48  of snap  46  to fabric  60  (as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), then the user will position female cap  52  in cap node  24  and female socket  54  in socket node  30 . If the user wishes to install integrated male portion  63  of snap  46  to fabric  62 , then the user will position male socket  58  in cap node  24  and male cap  56  in socket node  30 . As discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , it is more likely that a user will install integrated female portion  48  than integrated male portion  63 , as male cap  52  is often installed on a hard surface to which fabric  60  including integrated female portion  48  is to be snapped. In such instances, male cap  52  is affixed to the hard surface and snap  46  does not include male socket  58 . In some situations, however, it is desirable for two fabrics  60 ,  62  to be snapped together in which case, fabric  60  will include integrated female portion  48 , with female cap  52  and female socket  54  on either side of fabric  60 , and fabric  62  will include integrated male portion  63 , with male cap  56  and male socket  58  on either side of fabric  62 . 
     In  FIG. 3A , opening  18  occurred between cap node  24  and socket node  30 . In  FIG. 3B , they are shown in contact, as they would be had drive rod  142  extended downward as described above. When this happens, screw shoulder  33  moves downward with threaded drive screw  23  and is no longer in contact with and stopped by stop pins  93 . 
     The embodiment of snap installation adaptor  10  shown in  FIG. 3B  includes support rod  132 , which provides support between snap installation adaptor  10  and handheld tool  32  when they are united. Support rod  132  is preferably made of plastic tubing that is approximately 6.75″ long and has an inner diameter of approximately ½″. Support rod  132  includes support rod end cap  134 , including pin  140  for attaching support rod  134  to handheld tool  32 . Driving apparatus extension  82  also includes pin  140  for attachment to handheld tool  32 . Pins  140  are preferably quick lock-type pins, meaning they include a spring-loaded ball bearing that is triggered by a cleaver push-button mechanism. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3C , snap installation tool  100 , consisting of the united handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10  is shown. Handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10  are attached by pins  140 , discussed above, and removable bands  130 . Removable bands  130  are removable to separate handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10  as necessary. Removable bands  130  are preferably quick lock-type bands and made of rubber. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , a similar embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 3C  is shown with block support  110 , rather than support rod  134 . The depiction in  FIG. 9  shows snap installation tool  100  from the other side from that shown in  FIG. 3C . Laser sight  84  is housed within laser sight cover  108 . Block support  110  extends the length of handheld tool  32  and wraps around the end of handheld tool  32  that includes driving location  42 . Block support  110  also covers driving apparatus extension  82  above upper portion  12  of integrated block  80 . Although not visible, it is understood that driving apparatus extension  82  operates as described above. Block support  110  may take other shapes than that depicted in  FIG. 9 . Block support  110  may also be included with the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  and discussed below. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , an alternative embodiment of the preferred snap installation tool  100  is shown. Again, handheld tool  32  with trigger  34  is a right angle impact driver sold under the trademark CRAFTSMAN. Driving apparatus extension  82  connects tool driving apparatus  40 , which is understood to be housed within driving location  42 , and integrated block  80 . Integrated block  80  is a single piece including upper portion  12 , lower portion  14 , and intermediate portion  16  of snap installation adaptor  10 . Driving apparatus extension  82  includes hex driving bit  90 , spindle  88 , nuts  92 , driving apparatus extension housing  86 , threaded bushing  94 , rotating washer  96 , non-rotating washer  98 , and bearing  104 , and bearing housing  106 . Driving apparatus extension  82  passes through upper portion  12  of integrated block  80  via spindle  88 .  FIG. 10  shows the generally “C” shaped structure of integrated block  80 . Laser sight  84  is attached to the far side of integrated block  80  from the viewer&#39;s standpoint. In this embodiment, the placement device  25  within cap node  24  is o-ring  102 , best shown in  FIG. 11 . Socket node  30  is stationary and integral to lower portion  14  of integrated block  80 . 
     Driving apparatus extension  82  is directly connected to tool driving apparatus  40  by hex driving bit  90 , which surrounds spindle  88 . Driving apparatus extension  82  is a means for transferring the external downward force of handheld tool  32  through upper portion  12 . This allows the rotating action of tool driving apparatus  40  to be extended beyond handheld tool  32 . Between tool driving apparatus  40  and upper portion  12  of integrated block  80 , spindle  88  is surrounded directly by nuts  92  and by driving apparatus extension housing  86 , although there is space between driving apparatus extension housing  86  and nuts  92  surrounding spindle  88 . The length of spindle  88  continues through upper portion  12  of integrated block  80  and is in mechanical contact with cap node  24 . Spindle  88  is hollow through upper portion  12 , which is best depicted in  FIG. 11 . Upon emerging from upper portion  12  into opening  18  between upper portion  12  and lower portion  14  of integrated block  80 , the bottom of spindle  88  is surrounded by threaded bushing  94  and rotating washer  96  that rotates with spindle  88 . Below rotating washer  96  is non-rotating washer  98  integral to cap node  24 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , within non-rotating washer  98  and cap node  24  is bearing housing  106  that houses bearing  104  that is in contact with spindle  88  within rotating bearing  96 . Although bearing  104  is depicted in  FIG. 11  as a roller bearing, it is understood that bearing  104  is anything that allows for a small point of contact with the cap held by cap node  24  where the contact has downward non-rotating force, but does not impede the rotation of the assembly above it, and that bearing  104  may take many shapes. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  two alternative embodiments of the snap installation adaptor  10  of the present invention are shown. Snap installation adaptor  10  as shown in  FIG. 4A  is adapted to attach to a battery operated handheld tool, as shown in  FIG. 5A . Snap installation adaptor  10  as shown in  FIG. 4B  is adapted to attach to a pneumatic operated handheld tool, as shown in  FIG. 5B . Snap installation adaptor  10  is preferably made of reinforced plastic for low cost and weight, but may also be made of cast aluminum or other materials. Snap installation adaptor  10  includes an upper portion  12 , a lower portion  14 , and an intermediate portion  16  that includes reinforcement  17 . Upper portion  12  and lower portion  14  form an opening  18  therebetween. 
     Upper portion  12  includes attachment screw  20  and cap node  24 . Upper portion  12  is designed to attach to a handheld tool  32  through attachment screw  20 . Attachment screw  20  is preferably threaded and runs through upper portion  12  as shown in dashed lines. Handheld tool  32  includes a corresponding threaded hole (not shown) designed to accept attachment screw  20 . Although a threaded attachment screw  20  is the preferred device for joining the handheld tool  32  and the snap installation adaptor  10 , other art recognized attachment devices may be substituted in other embodiments. In addition, in some embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG. 4B , an additional attachment screw  22  may be included to further stabilize the attachment of handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10 . In  FIG. 4B , additional attachment screw  22  is shown on intermediate portion  16  of snap installation adaptor  10 , but it is understood that additional attachment screw  22  may be positioned in several different locations on snap installation adaptor  10  depending on what would work best with various handheld tools  32 . 
     Upper portion  12  also includes cap node  24 , where female cap  52  or male cap  56  (as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) may be held for installation. In practice, the tool driving apparatus  40  of a handheld tool  32  (shown in  FIGS. 3C and 6-11 ) to which snap installation adaptor  10  is attached will drive the cap part, held by cap node  24 , down onto a fabric placed in opening  18  between the cap part and a socket part held by lower portion  14  of snap installation adaptor  10  so that the snap portion may be installed on the fabric. Cap node  24  includes placement device  25  for properly placing female cap  52  within cap node  24  prior to snap installation so that female cap  52  in cap node  24  will be properly aligned with female socket  54  in socket node  30  in lower portion  14  of snap installation adaptor  10 , as discussed below. Placement device  25  may be a weakly spring loaded device that will hold female cap  52  in alignment with socket node  30  prior to snap installation, but will not hold it so firmly that it does not easily release upon installation. Placement device  25  may be a device including a ball bearing or a magnet so as to hold female cap  52  in place. 
     Lower portion  14  is positioned directly opposite from upper portion  12  and includes a threaded tube  26 , a threaded screw  28 , and a socket node  30 . Threaded tube  26  is depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  to show its position within lower portion  14 , but it is understood that threaded tube  26  is not actually visible through lower portion  14  unless lower portion  14  happens to be made of transparent or translucent material. Threaded tube  26  extends through lower portion  14  and is adapted to accept threaded screw  28 . Threaded screw  28  is positioned through threaded tube  26  so that the length of threaded screw  28  within and outside of threaded tube  26  may be adjusted so that more or less of threaded screw  28  may extend into opening  18  between upper and lower portions  12 ,  14  of snap installation adaptor  10 . The end of threaded screw  28  that extends into opening  18  includes socket node  30  where female socket  54  or male socket  58  may be held for installation. Threaded screw  28  and threaded tube  26  are so positioned within lower portion  14  that when threaded screw  28  is extended to its extreme through opening  18 , socket node  30  of lower portion  14  and cap node  24  of upper portion  12  will meet. 
     Intermediate portion  16  may include reinforcement  17 , shown in dotted lines in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Reinforcement  17  is preferably an L-shaped bracket that is attached to or integral to intermediate portion  16  so that snap installation adaptor  10  may better withstand the force that will be applied upon it when it is united with a handheld tool  32 . Reinforcement  17  is usually used in the preferred embodiment when snap installation adaptor  10  is made of plastic, but may also be used when snap installation adaptor  10  is made of other materials. In preferred embodiments, however, intermediate portion  16  is made of a material strong enough so that it does not require reinforcement  17 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , two embodiments of snap installation tool  100 , which is the assembled kit of the present invention, are shown. Snap installation tool  100  includes the integration of a handheld tool  32  and a snap installation adaptor  10  of the present invention, as described above.  FIG. 5A  depicts a snap installation tool  100  that is battery operated, i.e. the handheld tool that was modified to make handheld tool  32  is battery operated.  FIG. 5B  depicts a snap installation tool  100  that is pneumatic operated, i.e. the handheld tool that was modified to make handheld tool  32  is pneumatic operated. Handheld tool  32  includes trigger  34 , battery  36  or pneumatic connector  38 , tool driving apparatus  40 , and driving location  42 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show female cap  52  held in place in cap node  24  by placement device  25  in alignment with female socket  54  in place in socket node  30  prior to snap installation. 
     Snap installation adaptor  10  and handheld tool  32  are attached at attachment screw  20 . As mentioned above, with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , handheld tool  32  includes a corresponding threaded hole (not shown, but corresponding to the dotted lines showing the location of attachment screw  20  within upper portion  12  of snap installation adaptor  10 , shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) designed to accept attachment screw  20  of snap installation adaptor  10 . The corresponding threaded hole runs through driving location  42  of the handheld tool  32 . Driving location  42  is the section of snap installation tool  100  where the driving force of the tool will occur. Specifically driving location  42  is where upper portion  12  of snap installation adaptor  10  combines with tool driving apparatus  40  of handheld tool  32 . The corresponding threaded hole is positioned through driving location  42  such that handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10  are securely attached to one another when attachment screw  20  is engaged, but the tool driving apparatus  40 , particularly the tool driving apparatus  40  at the driving location  42 , is not encumbered by the corresponding threaded hole or attachment screw  20  when engaged, and the handheld tool  32  and snap installation adaptor  10  are able to work in concert as snap installation tool  100 . This set up is a means for transferring the external downward force of handheld tool  32  through the upper portion  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , some embodiments of the present invention include additional attachment screw  22  shown attaching intermediate portion  16  of snap installation adaptor  10  with the other side of handheld tool  32 . Additional attachment screw  22  will be used when the size and/or dimension of handheld tool  32  make this additional site of attachment advisable or necessary. 
     The modifications to a handheld tool to make it handheld tool  32  are illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Handheld tool  32  includes the body  44  of a handheld tool, trigger  34 , power means, such as battery  36  in  FIG. 5A  and pneumatic connector  38  in  FIG. 5B , tool driving apparatus  40 , including piston  45 , that may drive through driving location  42 , and a corresponding threaded hole formed through driving location  42 , as described above. The main modification of the handheld tool to make handheld tool  32  is the removal of apparatuses specific to the original function of the handheld tool. If the handheld tool were a nail gun, for example, the nail carriage would be removed from the handheld tool, but the tool driving apparatus  40  that drove the nails remains in handheld tool  32  so that it may drive the snap installation function when handheld tool  32  is integrated with snap installation adaptor  10 . Tool driving apparatus  40  is not entirely shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , but is understood to exist within body  44  of handheld tool  32 . Piston  45  is depicted in dotted lines at driving location  42  to demonstrate its existence and function as a force upon the components of upper portion  12  of snap installation adaptor  12 , but it is understood that piston  45  is not actually visible through driving location  42 . This set up is a means for transferring the external downward force of handheld tool  32  through the upper portion  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , snap installation tool  200  is shown. Snap installation tool  200  is an alternate embodiment of snap installation tool  100  as shown in  FIG. 5B . Snap installation tool  200  includes the same modified hand tool  32  as shown in  FIG. 5B . Snap installation adaptor  10 , however, is different. Intermediate portion  16  is more substantial in  FIG. 6 , and lower portion  14  extends out beyond the physical dimensions of modified hand tool  32  so that lower portion  14  is not directly beneath tool driving apparatus  40 , as in  FIG. 5B . Snap installation tool  200  also includes arms  64 ,  66 ,  68  and swivels  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 . Arms  64 ,  66 ,  68  are preferably made of a rigid metal or plastic. Swivels  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  are preferably metal or plastic screws or pins capable of extending through more than one layer of plastic or metal, such as an arm  64 ,  66 ,  68 , so that the layers are held securely together but may move independently in relation to one another. Arm  64  is connected to lower portion  14  at swivel  70  and to arm  66  at swivel  72 . Arm  66  is connected to arm  68  at swivel  74  and to piston  45  at swivel  76 . Arm  68  is connected to arm  66  at swivel  74  and to intermediate portion  16  at swivel  78 . Arms  64 ,  66 ,  68  and swivels  71 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  work together and move in concert such that the motion and force of piston  45  is transferred to upper portion  12  so that a snap may be installed. Arms  64 ,  66 ,  68  and swivels  71 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  are a means for transferring the external downward force of handheld tool  32  through the upper portion  12 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , snap installation tool  300  is shown. Snap installation tool  300  preferably includes a modified hand tool  32  that is a cordless drill sold under the trademark BOSCH. Snap installation adaptor  10  of snap installation tool  300  is secured to modified hand tool  32  by attachment screws  20  on body  44  of modified hand tool  32 . Snap installation adaptor  10  also includes reinforcement loop  13  extending from upper portion  12 . Reinforcement loop  13  provides an additional site of contact between snap installation adaptor  10  and modified hand tool  32  where attachment screws may be placed as shown. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 8 , snap installation tool  400  is shown. Snap installation tool  400  preferably includes a modified hand tool  32  that is a 90 degree cordless drill sold under the trademark DEWALT. In snap installation tool  400 , snap installation adaptor  10  attaches to modified hand tool  32  at sites  19  and the shape of snap installation adaptor  10  is adapted for this purpose. The shape of snap installation adaptor  10  and the attachment at sites  19  allows for hand space  21  near trigger  34 . 
     Snap installation tools  200 ,  300 , and  400  as shown in  FIGS. 6-8  may all be cordless, electric, or pneumatic. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12A , an exploded section view of the improved cap node  24  of the present invention is shown. Cap node  24  includes metal base  241  and cap holder  242 . The metal base  241  includes a stem  260  and a round top portion  257  that includes a female detent  265  disposed about the perimeter of the top portion  257 . The metal base  241  is identical in all respects to the base used in prior art snap installation tools with the exception of the inclusion of a hardened rod  250  that is inserted within the stem  260  of the metal base  241  to prevent wear caused by the ball  87  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the hardened rod  250  may be omitted in embodiments of the cap node  241  that will be used to replace the prior art cap node on existing snap installation tools. 
     The cap holder  242  is preferably manufactured of plastic and includes an open top  258  and a male detent  252  that mates with the female detent  256  of the metal base  241 . An O-ring  254  is disposed in a groove proximate the top  258  of the cap holder  242  and is dimensioned to deform when a cap, such as cap  52  of  FIG. 1A , is pushed through the open top  258  and to hold the cap in place against the top portion  257  of the metal base  241 . 
     The assembled cap node  24  is shown in  FIG. 12B . The cap holder  242  is pressed onto the metal base  241  and is permanently affixed thereto by the mating of detents  252 ,  256 . The O-ring  254  is disposed above the top of the top portion  257  of the metal base to provide a space sufficient for the cap to fit and be held in contact with the top. 
     It is noted that the present invention may be adapted to install other two part items, such as grommets or the like, by simply modifying the cap node  24  and socket node  30  and the present invention should not be seen as being limited to the installation of snaps. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.