An Improved Device for Driving Nails, Sprigs, Tacks, and the like
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st July, 1891-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1801
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Driving Nails, Sprigs, Tacks, and the like
I GEORGE WILLIAM DENNISTOUN SCOTT of Duffield near Derby in the
County of Derby Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of hammers or
like implements or devices used for driving nails sprigs tacks and the like and is
specially adapted to driving nails or tacks with small heads or with no heads at all;
by its use there is no danger of hitting the fingers and nails or tacks may be placed
and driven in the most awkward positions.
In carrying out my invention I form the head or striking portion of my implement
of a hollow cylindrical shape internally and preferably at right angles to the handle
one end being provided with the usual flat hammering surface the other end being
open and threaded to receive a screwed nozzle having an orifice. Through this
orifice works a circular punch with a head on the inner cnd to prevent its falling
out operated by a plunger set up by a spring, all arranged inside the cylindrical
head. The plunger is shouldered for the spring to bear against and also to engage
with a piston or rod passing down the centre of the handle which is in turn set up
by a spring and slotted at a convenient point to receive the end or catch of a
releasing trigger. A portion or the whole of the handle is hollow to carry the bolt
engaging the shouldered top of the plunger the setting up spring and releasing
trigger and may be secured to the head at any convenient point and in any well
known manner and the trigger may be of ordinary construction.
The mechanism is operated as follows: The plunger in the head is forced back
upon its spring sufficiently far to allow the end of the piston or rod in the handle to
engage below the shoulder on the plunger a smart blow of the hammer or implement
is sufficient to effect this thus the act of "hammering "in a nail cocks" the
mechanism a tack or nail is now dropped down the orifice as far as it will go the
punch having followed the plunger back into the head the nozzle is magnetised
inside to keep the nail or tack and punch in their respective positions while the
nozzle is placed on the spot where it is required to drive the tack the releasing
trigger is now pressed forcing the piston or rod away from the shoulder of the plunger
whose spring now comes into operation thus giving a smart blow to the punch and
nail or tack which is sufficient to plant the point of the nail or tack firmly into the
wood or material the hammer is now turned round and the nail is driven home at
the same time "cocking" the mechanism ready for another nail or tack.
Dated this 19th day of November 1800.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London. W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
> An Improved Device for Driving Nails, Sprigs, Tacks, and the like
GEORGE WILLIAM DENNISTOUN SCOTT of Duffield near Derby in the County
of Derby, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of hammers or
like implements or devices used for driving nails, sprigs, tacks, staples, and the like.
By its use there is no danger of hitting the fingers and nails, tacks and the like may

page_text: be placed and driven in the most awkward positions and only one hand is necessary
for driving the tack or other pointed article.
Referring to the sheet of drawings hereunto annexed and to the figures and
letters of reference marked thereon,
•
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, through the hammer or implement.
Figures 2 and 3 are sectional elevations showing a different arrangement of parts.
Figure 4 is a section showing a nozzle which may be used for driving staples and
fixing wire therewith.
1. form the head A or striking portion of my implement of a hollow cylindrical
shape internally and preferably at right angles to the handle B one end being closed
and provided with the usual flat hammering surface C the other end being open
and threaded to receive a screwed nozzle D. having an orifice E. Within the
cylindrical head A works a circular punch, plunger or striker G the outer end of
which is reduced or shouldered down to fit loosely inside the orifice E, the inner end
of the plunger is reduced or shouldered down to receive the spiral spring H.:
At right angles to the head A and about the middle of its length projects a
cylinder or tube Jin which works a catch-or bolt L which is kept pressed up against
the plunger G by the small spiral spring M and engages with the shoulder on the
plunger thereby fixing it in the position shown on the drawing. A slot N is' cut in
the tube J into which is passed a trigger S which hinges or rocks against the end of
the slot nearest to the head and a piece is cut out of the bolt L at K. to allow the'
trigger to pass, but a short cylindrical portion is left at the end for the trigger to
press against, the handle B' is also slotted at V to allow the trigger to work and is
kept in position by the screw P..
.: ..."
The mechanism is operated as follows: The plunger G in the head is forced back
upon its spring sufficiently far to allow the end of the bolt L to, engage below the
shoulder on the plunger as shown in the drawing, a smart blow with the 'flat end of
the hammer or implement is sufficient to effect this, thus the act of haimmering in'
a tack or other pointed article "cocks" the mechanism. A táck, nail or other
pointed article is now dropped head first down the orifice as far as it will 'until it
go
rests on the end of the plunger which is magnetised to retain the tack in position
while the nozzle. is placed on the spot where the tack is required to be driven.
The releasing trigger is now pressed forcing the bolt. L away from the shoulder
of the plunger whose spring H now comes into operation and drives the plunger
forward thus giving a smart blow to the tack or nail which is sufficient to plant
the point of it firmly into the wood or other material, the hammer or implement
is now turned round and the nail is driven home with the flat end thereof, which
operation also "cocks" the mechanism ready for another nail.
In some cases it is found convenient to fix small tacks with a steady pressure
instead of a smart blow. For this purpose the head A (see Figs. 2 and 3) is only
made hollow for a portion of its length and the handle B is fixed in a hole or eye
through the centre of the head in the usual way; within this hollow portion works
a sliding nozzle D' which is kept pressed against the shoulder Q by means of the
spring H; within the chamber. thus formed and working through the nozzle D'is
a plunger G¹ either fixed in or bearing against the solid portion of the hammer head
and kept in position by the spring H. This mechanism is operated as follows:
A tack is dropped head first down the orifice of the nozzle D' as far as it will go
until it rests on the magnetised, endiofithe punch G, the end of the nozzle D' is now
placed on the spot where it is required to drive the tack, the head is then pressed
by means of the handle, forcing the nozzle D into the head; but the punch (1
being unable to recède as it is already resting against the solid portion of the head
or fixed therein drives the tack, into the wood or other substance: On the pressure
being removed the nozzle D¹ returns to its original position and is ready to receive
another tack.
Figure 4 shows a nozzle adapted for driving a staple R,for fixing we in any
desired position upon walls ceilings or the like an opening being left in the sides of
1

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The implement or means for driving nails, tacks, sprigs, staples and the like
consisting of a plunger G (set up by a spring H) working inside a hollow head, the
plunger being restrained from action by a bolt L contained in the handle of the
implement held normally up to and engaged with the underside of the shoulder of
the plunger by a spring M, the said plunger being released by the operation of
trigger S substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by Figure 1
of the accompanying drawings.
2. The modified forms of my invention dispensing with the restraining bolt and
trigger substantially as illustrated by Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings
and as hereinbefore described with reference thereto.
DL 1
... 101.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.