Patent ID: 8186554

Claim:
A guide bushing for a fastener-driving tool having a housing and a guide bushing securing collar, comprising: a body which moves axially within the collar when the guide bushing is secured to the tool by the collar, the body having an external surface, a width, a proximal end, a distal end, and a central portion between the ends, said body further including at least one surface defining a fastener-receiving guide aperture extending through the body from the proximal end to the distal end, said at least one surface being provided for keeping a fastener when received in the aperture in position for fastener driving by intermittent force delivered by a driver in the aperture, said body retracting axially toward the housing by contact with an article during the fastener driving when the guide bushing is secured to the tool by the collar; a shoulder extending outward from the body adjacent the body proximal end which cooperates with the collar to limit axial movement of the body away from the housing when the guide bushing is secured to the tool by the collar; and a taper in the body external surface from the central portion to the distal end adjacent the aperture, said taper narrowing the distal end sufficiently to fit within a portion of the article defining a space narrower than the body width so that the at least one surface of the aperture keeps the fastener in position to receive the intermittent force delivered by the driver during the fastener driving until the distal end is within the space and the fastener is essentially fully driven into the article.