NZ709288B2 - Screwdriver tool with improved corner fit function - Google Patents

Abstract

repeating screw driver gun fitting with the fasteners fed through on a belt, the belt being advanced by a linear reciprocating actuation, is described. The device allows for screws to be fitted to a drill bit automatically, using the pressure applied by the user to engage the drill bit with the screw. The fitting (10) attaches to an existing drill, whose drive bit (66) turns the screws when engaged. Pushing the front surface (36) against a substrate causes a cam (70) to move in its angled slot (28), the cam interacting with a drive gear (140) by way of a ratchet, causing the drive gear to turn a sprocket (130) by way of a drive belt (150). The sprocket feeds a screwstrip (62, 64, 66, 68) into a position (68, lower figure) where they are in line with the drive bit (66). rew. The fitting (10) attaches to an existing drill, whose drive bit (66) turns the screws when engaged. Pushing the front surface (36) against a substrate causes a cam (70) to move in its angled slot (28), the cam interacting with a drive gear (140) by way of a ratchet, causing the drive gear to turn a sprocket (130) by way of a drive belt (150). The sprocket feeds a screwstrip (62, 64, 66, 68) into a position (68, lower figure) where they are in line with the drive bit (66).

Description

SCREWDRIVER TOOL WITH IMPROVED CORNER FIT FUNCTION TECHNICAL FIELD The technology disclosed herein relates generally to automatic screw driving equipment and is particularly directed to an automatic screw driving tool or an attachment of the type which has a narrow front-end profile so that it is capable of driving screws (or other rotatable fasteners) that are in hard-to-reach positions, such as comers or angled members.

Embodiments are specifically disclosed as having an extending mechanism within an elongated slide body subassembly, so that the drive elements extend farther away from the main body structure of the tool/attachment, while still providing a stable and rugged overall tool structure to reliably drive screws. One embodiment uses a timing belt structure; another embodiment uses a gear train structure.

Another feature of the technology disclosed herein is an external depth of drive adjustment subassembly that is mounted external to the feed tube housing, yet has a simple adjustment that does not lose its setpoint easily. By placing the depth of drive mechanism outside of the interior areas of the feed tube, the slide body subassembly can be shortened while still maintaining an easily adjustable depth of drive capability.

A further feature of the technology disclosed herein is the use of a dovetail shape on certain surfaces of the slide body subassembly, which allows the slide body subassembly to be robustly mounted so that it is capable of operating with long fasteners while also having the nosepiece mounted in an extended position for use with those fasteners.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT None.

BACKGROUND Conventional automatic fastener driving tools that work with strips of collated fasteners typically have a movable slide body subassembly that can slide into an open internal area of a feed tube or feed housing. Unfortunately, the conventional automatic fastener driving tools typically have a problem fitting into relatively small areas so as to be able to drive a rotatable fastener into one of those small areas. Mainly this is because the feed tube housing is rather AH26(10154267_1):TCW large in size, and as the slide body subassembly “collapses ” into the feed tube, the narrower nosepiece becomes insignificant with respect to the size of the feed tube itself. In essence, the tool will not be able to fit into a small area, because the feed tube is larger, and that limitation will not allow the fastener to be driven while the tool is attempting to fit into that small area.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide an automatic fastener driving tool or attachment that has an extending mechanism to increase the “lick-out ” characteristic of the tool so it can fit into smaller areas for driving rotatable fasteners.

There is also a need to provide an automatic fastener driving tool or attachment that includes a timing belt drive within its slide body subassembly, to increase the distance that the tool ’s drive bit can extend past the feed housing while maintaining a relatively small cross- sectional area of the slide body subassembly.

There is also a need to provide an automatic fastener driving tool or attachment that includes a gear-driven sprocket within its slide body subassembly, to increase the distance that the tool ’s drive bit can extend while maintaining a relatively small cross-sectional area of the slide body subassembly.

There is also a need to provide an automatic fastener driving tool or attachment that has a slide body subassembly that moves along linear guides, in which the surfaces of the slide body subassembly are dovetailed to provide a stronger, more durable surface along the guide rails to support an extending mechanism within the slide body subassembly, thereby having an improved linear tracking capability.

There is a further need to provide an automatic fastener driving tool or attachment that has an external depth of drive adjustment mounted at the rear portion of the feed tube housing, to allow for an extended surface for the slide body subassembly to act against the linear guides of the feed tube.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to substantially satisfy one or more of the above needs.

AH26(10154267_1):TCW SUMMARY In accordance with one aspect, a slide body subassembly for a rotatable fastener driving tool apparatus is provided, the slide body subassembly comprising: (a) a drive gear having a first axis of rotation, the drive gear having a first set of engagement extensions along one of its surfaces at a first position along the first axis of rotation, the drive gear having a set of ratchet teeth at a second position along the first axis of rotation; (b) a sprocket having a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation, and that is spaced-apart from the drive gear, the sprocket having a first plurality of spaced-apart protrusions along an outer curved surface at a third position along the second axis of rotation, the sprocket having a second set of engagement extensions at a fourth position along the second axis of rotation; (c) a drive belt that runs between the drive gear and the sprocket, the drive belt having a second plurality of spaced- apart protrusions along one of its surfaces, the second plurality of spaced-apart protrusions being in mechanical engagement with the first set of engagement extensions of the drive gear and being in mechanical engagement with the second set of engagement extensions of the sprocket, the drive belt being caused to move if the drive gear rotates, and the drive belt then causing the sprocket to rotate; and (d) a displacement action mechanism that causes the drive gear to rotate by way of the set of ratchet teeth; and a feed tube with at least one sliding surface, which allows the slide body subassembly to move with respect to the feed tube, which movement actuates the displacement action mechanism.

AH26(10154267_1):TCW BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. is a perspective view of a full assembly of the attachment tool technology disclosed herein as it is mounted to a conventional screwdriver gun. is an exploded view in perspective of the assembly illustrated in is a perspective view of the drive gear of the tool of is an elevational view of the drive gear of is a perspective view of the sprocket of showing the sprocket from the “gear side. ” is a perspective view of the sprocket of showing the sprocket from the “detent side. ” is a side elevational view of the sprocket of showing its “gear side. ” is a side elevational view of the sprocket of showing its “detent side. ” is a side view of the detent finger used in the tool of is perspective view of the detent finger of is a perspective view of the feed pawl of showing its “bottom side. ” is a perspective view of the feed pawl of , showing its “top side. ” is a top elevational view of the feed pawl of .

AH26(10154267_1):TCW The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology disclosed herein to the precise form disclosed, and the technology disclosed herein may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Any examples described or illustrated herein are intended as non-limiting examples, and many modifications or variations of the examples, or of the preferred embodiment(s), are possible in light of the above teachings, without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology disclosed herein. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described in order to illustrate the principles of the technology disclosed herein and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology disclosed herein in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to particular uses contemplated. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the technology disclosed herein using its general principles.

Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this technology disclosed herein pertains and which fall within the limits of the disclosure herein.

AH26(10154267_1):TCW I/WE

Claims (5)

CLAIM :

1. A slide body subassembly for a rotatable fastener driving tool apparatus, said slide body subassembly comprising: a feed tube with at least one sliding surface, which allows said slide body subassembly to move with respect to said feed tube, which movement actuates a displacement action mechanism; wherein: (a) a drive gear having a first axis of rotation, said drive gear having a first set of engagement extensions along one of its surfaces at a first position along said first axis of rotation, said drive gear having a set of ratchet teeth at a second position along said first axis of rotation; (b) a sprocket having a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to said first axis of rotation, and that is spaced-apart from said drive gear, said sprocket having a first plurality of spaced-apart protrusions along an outer curved surface at a third position along said second axis of rotation, said sprocket having a second set of engagement extensions at a fourth position along said second axis of rotation; (c) a drive belt that runs between said drive gear and said sprocket, said drive belt having a second plurality of spaced-apart protrusions along one of its surfaces, said second plurality of spaced-apart protrusions being in mechanical engagement with said first set of engagement extensions of said drive gear and being in mechanical engagement with said second set of engagement extensions of said sprocket, said drive belt being caused to move if said drive gear rotates, and said drive belt then causing said sprocket to rotate; and (d) said displacement action mechanism, which causes said drive gear to rotate by way of said set of ratchet teeth.

2. The slide body subassembly of claim 1, further comprising: (a) a flexible collated strip of fasteners that slides over a surface of said slide body subassembly, said flexible strip having a plurality of spaced-apart openings that engage with said first plurality of spaced-apart protrusions of the sprocket, and are thereby indexed into a drive position by rotation action of said sprocket about said second axis of rotation; (b) a cam surface in said feed tube, and a camming action mechanism; wherein: during movement between said feed tube and said slide body subassembly, said camming action mechanism actuates said displacement action mechanism; AH26(10154267_1):TCW (c) a cam surface in said feed tube, and a camming action mechanism; wherein: (i) during movement between said feed tube and said slide body subassembly, said camming action mechanism actuates said displacement action mechanism; and (ii) said displacement action mechanism comprises a feed pawl and a detent finger.

3. The slide body subassembly of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of spaced-apart protrusions are along an inner surface of said drive belt.

4. A slide body subassembly for a rotatable fastener driving tool apparatus, said slide body subassembly comprising: a feed tube with at least one sliding surface, which allows said slide body subassembly to move with respect to said feed tube, which movement actuates a displacement action mechanism; wherein: (a) a drive gear having a first axis of rotation, said drive gear having a first set of gear teeth along one of its surfaces at a first position along said first axis of rotation, said drive gear having a set of ratchet teeth at a second position along said first axis of rotation; (b) a sprocket having a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to said first axis of rotation, and that is spaced-apart from said drive gear, said sprocket having a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions along an outer curved surface at a third position along said second axis of rotation, said sprocket having a second set of gear teeth along one of its surfaces at a fourth position along said second axis of rotation; (c) at least one intermediate gear having at least one intermediate axis of rotation, said at least one intermediate gear having at least one third set of gear teeth that are in mechanical engagement with said first set of gear teeth of said drive gear and being in mechanical engagement with said second set of gear teeth of said sprocket, said at least one intermediate gear being caused to move if said drive gear rotates, and said at least one intermediate gear then causing said sprocket to rotate; and (d) said displacement action mechanism, which causes said drive gear to rotate by way of said set of ratchet teeth. AH26(10154267_1):TCW

5. The slide body subassembly of claim 4, further comprising: (a) a flexible collated strip of fasteners that slides over a surface of said slide body subassembly, said flexible strip having a plurality of spaced-apart openings that engage with said plurality of spaced-apart protrusions of the sprocket, and are thereby indexed into a drive position by rotation action of said sprocket about said second axis of rotation; (b) a flexible collated strip of fasteners that slides over a surface of said slide body subassembly, said flexible strip having a plurality of spaced-apart openings that engage with said plurality of spaced-apart protrusions of the sprocket, and are thereby indexed into a drive position by rotation action of said sprocket about said second axis of rotation; and a cam surface in said feed tube, and a camming action mechanism, wherein during movement between said feed tube and said slide body subassembly, said camming action mechanism actuates said displacement action mechanism; (c) a flexible collated strip of fasteners that slides over a surface of said slide body subassembly, said flexible strip having a plurality of spaced-apart openings that engage with said plurality of spaced-apart protrusions of the sprocket, and are thereby indexed into a drive position by rotation action of said sprocket about said second axis of rotation; and a cam surface in said feed tube, and a camming action mechanism, wherein during movement between said feed tube and said slide body subassembly, said camming action mechanism actuates said displacement action mechanism, wherein said displacement action mechanism comprises a feed pawl and a detent finger. Senco Brands, Inc. By the Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON Per: AH26(10154267_1):TCW