Patent ID: 7032688

Claim:
A tool ( 20 ) for impacting a workpiece ( 22 ), comprising; a casing ( 42 ) having a proximal end ( 44 ) and a distal end ( 46 ) and defining a chamber ( 48 ) therebetween, an impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) slidable within said chamber ( 48 ) to impact the workpiece, and a shock absorbing valve ( 500 ) including a floating collar ( 502 ) slidably coupled to said casing ( 42 ) to define first ( 506 ) and second ( 508 ) fluid envelopes between said floating collar ( 502 ) and said casing ( 42 ) for receiving pressurized fluid, said floating collar ( 502 ) defining at least one first exhaust port ( 530 ) in selective fluid communication with said first fluid envelope ( 506 ) and at least one second exhaust port ( 532 ) in selective fluid communication with said second fluid envelope ( 508 ) whereby said exhaust ports ( 530 , 532 ) alternate in reducing pressure in said fluid envelopes ( 506 , 508 ) as said floating collar ( 502 ) slides along said casing ( 42 ) to reduce shock to a user of said tool ( 20 ) while said impactor device ( 24 , 54 ) impacts the workpiece.