Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6523860
-
Patent Number
6,523,860
-
Date Filed
Thursday, October 12, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 25, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Soltis; Lisa M.
- Croll; Mark W.
- Breh; Donald J.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 285 3
- 285 4
- 285 14818
- 285 14823
- 285 1401
- 285 328
- 206 807
- 123 466
- 227 10
- 227 130
- 141 349
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which includes a housing enclosing a fuel metering valve. The fuel cell is provided with an adapter having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell. The nozzle has a free end and defines a passageway. A frangible membrane is provided for blocking the passageway. The adapter also has a gripping formation that is configured for engagement with a latch, so that the adapter is accommodated in the housing in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position, and a release member for moving the locking tang to release said engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of said fuel cell from said tool.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improvements in fuel cell adapter systems for use in combustion tools.
As exemplified in Nikolich U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,722, 4,483,474, 4,522,162, and 5,115,944, all of which are incorporated by reference, it is known to use a dispenser for a dispensable fluid to dispense a hydrocarbon fuel to a combustion gas-powered tool, such as, for example, a combustion gas-powered fastener-driving tool. Such fastener-driving tools and such fuel cells are available commercially from ITW-Paslode (a division of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.) of Vernon Hills, Ill., under its IMPULSE trademark. In particular, a suitable fuel cell is described in Nikolich U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,944, listed above.
A standard system for attaching a fuel cell to a combustion tool is known, i.e. placing the fuel cell into the combustion tool with a metering unit, and having no adapter. This system has the advantage of being compact, however it does not protect the female metering unit inlet from dirt and other debris. Also, when not using an adapter, a protective cap or blister pack is needed for transporting the fuel cell.
There is another known fuel cell attachment system for combustion tools, where a seal support attaches to a fuel cell and creates a seal for joining the fuel cell stem and a male joiner from the combustion tool. However, this adapter system does not protect the fuel cell from dirt and other debris. Another disadvantage is that the presence of this adapter alone is believed to diminish the life and capacity of the fuel cell. Still another unwanted characteristic of this adapter is that it can be removed from its current fuel cell and reused with a generic fuel cell.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved fuel cell attachment system that protects the fuel cell from dirt and other debris while in use.
Another object is to provide an improved fuel cell adapter that protects the fuel cell stem during transportation, thus eliminating the need for a protective cap or blister pack.
A further object is to provide an improved fuel cell adapter that is able to provide visual identification of whether the fuel cell is unused or not.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved combustion tool featuring a latch inside the combustion tool that releasably holds the fuel cell in an engaged position.
Still another object is to provide an improved adapter for a fuel cell that cannot be removed from a fuel cell and reused with a generic fuel cell.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the present fuel cell adapter system for a combustion tool which features an adapter having a frangible membrane on its free end to protect the fuel cell during transportation, a gripping formation configured for engagement with a latch, and a latching feature inside the combustion tool which releasably secures the fuel cell in engagement with the internal tool fuel metering valve. In addition, the present latching feature keeps the whole system compact in size and facilitates installation and removal of the fuel cell.
In addition to protecting the fuel cell during transportation, the present adapter system also protects the fuel cell from dirt and debris while in use with the combustion tool. Further, the frangible membrane on the adapter visually indicates whether the fuel cell is unused. Another advantage of the present invention is that the user cannot remove and reuse the adapter on another fuel cell.
More specifically, the present invention provides a fuel cell adapter configured for connection to a fuel cell, including an adapter body having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell, with the nozzle being connected to the base. The nozzle defines a passageway, and is provided with a frangible membrane blocking the passageway.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a fuel cell adapter configured for connection to a fuel cell, including an adapter body having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell, with the nozzle being connected to the base. The adapter body also has a gripping formation configured for engagement with a latch.
The nozzle has a plurality of lugs and a plurality of support ribs. Each lug has a ramped configuration, extending from the free end toward the base, and has a truncated lug end. The support ribs each have a truncated rib end and are configured for connecting the nozzle to the base.
A molded insert seal is housed in the passageway of the adapter body, and defines an axial passageway with a first end configured for receiving a stem and a second end provided with a pair of internal sealing rings located in the axial passageway.
The present invention further provides a combustion tool including a housing which encloses a fuel metering valve and a fuel cell provided with an adapter configured for being accommodated in the housing for fluid communication with the metering valve. A latch is disposed in the housing for releasably securing the adapter in fluid communication with the metering valve. The latch includes a latch body having at least one locking tang movable between a closed position and an open position. There is also a release member for moving the locking tang to release the engagement with the adapter and permitting withdrawal of the fuel cell from the tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a combustion tool incorporating the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the present adapter and the fuel cell;
FIG. 3
is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the present adapter, the molded insert seal and the fuel cell;
FIG. 4
is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the present fuel cell adapter system depicting the adapter and molded insert seal engaged with the fuel cell, and the latch holding the adapter and fuel cell in the combustion tool;
FIG. 5
is a sectional view taken along the line
5
—
5
in
FIG. 4
in the direction generally indicated, showing the latch in the closed position;
FIG. 6
is a sectional view taken along the line
5
—
5
in
FIG. 4
in the direction generally indicated, showing the latch in the open position;
FIG. 7
is an elevational view of the molded insert; and
FIG. 8
is a sectional view taken along the line
8
—
8
of FIG.
7
and in the direction generally indicated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to
FIG. 1
, a combustion-powered tool of the type suitable for use with the present invention is generally designated
10
. The tool
10
includes a housing
11
enclosing a fuel metering valve
13
, and a fuel cell chamber
12
which releasably houses a fuel cell
14
. The construction and operation of the tool
10
is described in detail in the patents incorporated by reference and referred to above.
In
FIGS. 2 and 3
, a fuel cell adapter, generally designated
16
, is configured for connection to the fuel cell
14
, and facilitates engagement of the fuel cell in the fuel cell chamber
12
. An adapter body
18
has a generally cylindrical nozzle
20
and a base
22
configured for engagement upon the fuel cell
14
, and the nozzle is connected to the base. The nozzle
20
has a free end
24
and defines a passageway
26
, with a frangible membrane
28
blocking the passageway
26
. This frangible membrane
28
has a hole
29
that allows for air escape, and it is preferably disposed at or adjacent the free end
24
of the nozzle
22
for visually indicating tampering when ruptured. However, other locations along the passageway
26
are contemplated for the membrane
28
. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the hole
29
measures about 0.010 inches, however the size of the diameter may vary depending on the application.
On the adapter body
18
, the nozzle
20
has a plurality of lugs
32
and a plurality of support ribs
34
. The lugs
32
each have a ramped configuration, extending in an inclined configuration from the free end
24
toward the base
22
, and each have a truncated lug end
36
. The generally L-shaped support ribs
34
each have a truncated rib end
38
, and are configured for connecting the nozzle
20
to the base
22
. A feature of the present adapter
16
is that the spaced support ribs
34
are the fastening point of the nozzle
20
to the base
22
and thus provide a “break away” action if a user attempts to remove the adapter from the fuel cell
14
. Thus the reuse of adapters
16
is prevented.
In the preferred embodiment, the adapter
16
is provided with a gripping formation
40
which is configured for being engaged by a latch disposed in the fuel cell chamber
12
of the housing
11
. This gripping formation
40
may have a variety of shapes. In the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 2-4
, corresponding truncated lug ends
36
and the rib ends
38
of the lugs
32
and the support ribs
34
define a groove
40
that is disposed on the nozzle
20
. Although it is preferred that the adapter body
18
have a gripping formation
40
in the form of a groove as just described, it is also contemplated that the gripping formation is alternatively a rib or protrusion, generally radially extending from the adapter body
18
. Such protrusions may form an annular rib or may also be individual, spaced, lugs or rib segments.
Also in a preferred embodiment, the lugs
32
are radially spaced relative to each other, and the support ribs
34
are radially spaced relative to each other. The lugs
32
are also axially skewed, in other words, are not axially aligned relative to the opposing corresponding support ribs
34
. Thus, as depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, a staggered relationship is defined between the lugs
32
and the support ribs
34
.
There is at least one barb
30
formed on the base
22
configured for frictionally engaging the fuel cell
14
. In a preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of barbs
30
disposed in a radially extending fashion around the exterior of the base
22
.
As shown in
FIGS. 3
,
7
and
8
, the adapter body
18
houses a molded insert seal
44
which fits in the passageway
26
. The molded insert seal
44
defines an axial passageway
46
(best seen in FIG.
8
), and has a first end
48
configured for receiving a fuel cell stem
50
, and a second end
52
provided with a pair of internal sealing rings
54
which are located in the axial passageway. It will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment, the first end
48
has a larger diameter than the second end
52
.
To place the adapter
16
onto the fuel cell
14
, the molded insert
44
is fitted into the adapter body
18
where it is accommodated in the passageway
26
. Then the adapter
16
is placed onto the fuel cell stem
50
so that a tip
56
of the fuel cell stem (
FIGS. 2
,
3
and
4
) slides into the molded insert
44
and lies in between the pair of internal sealing rings
54
. In order to securely attach the adapter
16
onto the fuel cell
14
, the base
22
is pushed downward onto a rolled seam
58
(
FIGS. 2 and 3
) of the fuel cell, so that the barbs
30
on the base hook under and frictionally engage the rolled seam. As seen in
FIG. 4
, the adapter
16
is securely fit onto the fuel cell
14
with the barbs
30
under the rolled seam
58
.
With the adapter
16
in place on the fuel cell
14
and before the system is placed in a combustion tool
10
, the frangible membrane
28
will still be intact (un-pierced) which gives the adapter the advantage of protecting the fuel cell during transportation. Because of this advantage, there is no need for a protective fuel cell cap. Another advantage is that the intact frangible membrane
28
gives visual identification that the fuel cell
14
is unused.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1
,
4
,
5
and
6
, the fuel cell
14
is provided with the adapter
16
and it is configured for being accommodated in the housing
11
to be in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve
13
. The fuel metering valve
13
that is shown is only one of several embodiments that are known in the art. A feature of the present system is a latch
60
, which can be seen in
FIGS. 4
,
5
and
6
that is disposed in the housing
11
for releasably securing the adapter
16
in fluid communication with the fuel metering valve
13
.
The latch
60
includes a latch body
62
having at least one and preferably two locking tangs
64
which are movable between a closed position (
FIG. 5
) and an open position (FIG.
6
). In the closed position, the tangs
64
secure the adapter
16
in the housing
11
. Also included is a release member
70
for moving the locking tangs
64
to release the engagement with the adapter
16
and to permit withdrawal of the fuel cell
14
from the tool
10
. In the preferred embodiment of the latch
60
shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the locking tangs
64
are biased to a closed position, although it is also contemplated that the locking tangs could be arranged to be biased in the open position. It is also preferred that the two locking tangs
64
in the latch
60
are disposed to be in an opposing relationship to each other.
Still referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the preferred embodiment of the latch
60
is to have a push button
72
as the release member
70
, with the push button having a generally circular raised boss
74
for engaging the locking tangs
64
. The boss
74
is secured to the push button
72
by a friction fit with a lug
75
, adhesive, or other fasteners that are well known in the art. Also in the preferred latch
60
, each locking tang
64
has a contact end
76
with an inclined surface
78
for being progressively separated as the boss
74
is moved axially against a biasing force pressing the tangs to the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, the biasing force is provided by a pair of compression springs
80
located in a chamber
81
spanning the latch body
62
and the push button
72
to bias the button to an outward position. It is contemplated that the number, arrangement and strength of the springs may vary to suit the application.
In the latch
60
, each locking tang
64
has an outside edge
82
defining a shoulder
84
. There is also an inside edge
86
forming a surface
88
for engaging the groove
40
of the adapter
16
. In the preferred embodiment, the surface
88
is arcuate in shape to better grasp the generally circular nozzle
20
. However, it is contemplated that the shape of the surface
88
, and/or the edge
86
may change to positively engage alternative configurations of the gripping formation
40
as described above.
In
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the locking tangs
64
have a pivoting end
90
which is opposite the contact end
76
. The pivoting end
90
has a hole
92
where a pivoting pin
94
is attached to the locking tangs
64
, which holds them inside the latch body
62
and allows the locking tangs to pivotally move between the open and closed positions. Also in this embodiment, the push button
72
is provided with a pair of holding pins
96
which each engage and abut the shoulders
84
of the locking tangs
64
to bias them into the closed position as seen in FIG.
5
. These holding pins
96
also retain the push button
72
from escaping the housing
11
under the force of the springs
80
. The holding pins
96
also act as a stop for the locking tangs
64
. As seen in
FIG. 6
, the locking tangs
64
are only allowed to pivotally open until the pivoting end
94
abuts the holding pin
96
. Both the pivoting pins
94
and the holding pins
96
are disposed generally parallel to each other, and are generally normal to the plane defined by the locking tangs
64
.
In operation, the assembled fuel cell
14
and the adapter
16
are placed into the fuel cell chamber
12
of the tool
10
. Once inside the fuel cell chamber
12
, the nozzle
20
will come into contact with the latch
60
, and the operator will then press the fuel cell
14
inward. The ramped configuration of the lugs
32
spread the locking tangs
64
apart. When the truncated lug ends
36
pass by the biased locking tangs
64
, the locking tangs will close, and the inside edge
86
will engage the groove
40
or other configurations of the gripping formation of the adapter
16
, so that the lug ends are positioned above the locking tangs and the truncated rib ends
38
are positioned below the locking tangs. In this position, the adapter
16
is securely held inside the tool
10
(best seen in FIG.
4
).
The fuel cell chamber
12
is seen in
FIG. 4
, where the fuel cell
14
and adapter
16
are locked in the latch
60
. As the adapter
16
becomes locked in the latch
60
, a fuel metering valve stem
98
pierces the frangible membrane
28
and is inserted into the molded insert seal
44
, so that the fuel metering valve stem is aligned with, and preferably abuts the fuel cell stem
50
in between the pair of internal sealing rings
54
. This arrangement enables sealed fluid communication between the fuel cell
14
and the fuel metering valve
13
.
While in use, the frangible membrane
28
has the advantage of protecting the fuel cell
14
from dirt and other debris. Since the latch
60
holds the adapter
16
and the fuel cell
14
in an engaged position with the fuel metering valve
13
, the entire adapter system is very compact and there is no need for a cell chamber back door, or end cap, as is found on some models of combustion tools.
When a user needs to remove the fuel cell
14
from the tool
10
, he simply pushes the push button
72
inward against the springs
80
, so that as the boss
74
is moved inward pushing against the inclined surfaces
78
of the locking tangs
64
, it progressively separates the locking tangs until the pivoting ends
90
abut the holding pins
96
, and the locking tangs disengage from the groove
40
. In this open position
68
(best seen in FIG.
6
), the inside edges
86
of the locking tangs
64
form an opening large enough so that the lugs
32
of the adapter
16
are able to freely pass, and the fuel cell
14
can be removed from the fuel cell chamber
12
. As the adapter
16
is pulled out of the fuel cell chamber
12
with the spent fuel cell
14
, the fuel metering valve stem
98
is separated from the molded insert seal
44
and it leaves the frangible membrane
28
pierced, which visually shows that the fuel cell
14
has been used.
The design of the latch
60
is such that installation and removal of the fuel cell
14
is user friendly, and is comparable to installing and removing a battery of such combustion tools. Another advantage is that the adapter
16
cannot be removed from the It fuel cell
14
without fracturing the support ribs
34
, and therefore cannot be reused on another fuel cell.
Thus, it will be seen that the present fuel cell adapter
16
and latch
60
provides an improved fuel cell adapter system that protects the fuel cell stem
50
during transportation, and also protects the fuel cell
14
from dirt and other debris while the tool
10
is in use. This improved fuel cell adapter system also keeps the whole system compact and makes installation and removal of the fuel cell
14
user friendly. Further, the present invention identifies if the fuel cell is unused or not, and also the adapter cannot be reused on a generic fuel cell.
While a particular embodiment of the fuel cell adapter system has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A fuel cell adapter configured for connection to a fuel cell, comprising:an adapter body having a nozzle and defining a passageway; a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell; a frangible membrane blocking said passageway; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced support ribs configured for connecting said nozzle to said base.
- 2. The fuel cell adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein said frangible membrane has a hole for air escape and is disposed at said free end of said nozzle for indicating tampering when ruptured.
- 3. A fuel cell adapter configured for connection to a fuel cell, comprising:an adapter body having a nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell, said nozzle connected to said base; said adapter body having a gripping formation configured for engagement with a latch, wherein said adapter body houses a molded insert seal in said passageway; and wherein said molded insert seal defines an axial passageway and has a first end configured for receiving a stem, and a second end provided with a pair of internal sealing rings located in said axial passageway.
- 4. The fuel cell adapter as defined in claim 3, wherein said gripping formation is a groove.
- 5. The fuel cell adapter as defined in claim 4, further comprising:said nozzle having a plurality of lugs and a plurality of support ribs; said lugs each having a ramped configuration, extending from a free end of said nozzle toward said base, and having a truncated lug end; and said support ribs each having a truncated rib end, and configured for connecting said nozzle to said base.
- 6. The fuel cell adapter as defined in claim 5, wherein said lugs are radially spaced relative to each other, and said support ribs are radially spaced relative to each other.
- 7. The fuel cell adapter as defined in claim 6, wherein said lugs are axially skewed relative to said support ribs.
- 8. The fuel cell adapter as defined in claim 3, further comprising at least one barb formed on said base and configured for frictionally engaging the fuel cell.
- 9. A fuel cell adapter configured for connection to a fuel cell, comprising:an adapter body having a generally cylindrical nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell, said nozzle connected to said base; said nozzle having a free end defining a passageway; a frangible membrane blocking said passageway; and wherein said frangible membrane has a hole for air escape and is disposed at said free end of said nozzle for indicating tampering when ruptured.
- 10. A fuel cell adapter configured for connection to a fuel cell, comprising:an adapter body having a nozzle and a base configured for engagement upon the fuel cell, said nozzle connected to said base; said adapter body having a gripping formation configured for engagement with a latch; said nozzle having a plurality of lugs and a plurality of support ribs; said lugs each having a ramped configuration, extending from said free end toward said base, and having a truncated lug end; and said support ribs each having a truncated rib end, and configured for connecting said nozzle to said base.
- 11. The fuel cell adapter of claim 1, wherein said plurality of support ribs are L-shaped.
- 12. The fuel cell adapter of claim 11, wherein said nozzle has a free end, and a plurality of lugs extend in an inclined configuration from said free end toward said base.
- 13. The fuel cell adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one of said circumferentially spaced support ribs has a truncated end defining a groove in said nozzle.
- 14. The fuel cell adapter of claim 1, wherein said nozzle has a free end, said frangible membrane is disposed at said free end and a groove is formed in said nozzle closer to said free end than said base.
US Referenced Citations (32)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1 197 299 |
Apr 2002 |
EP |
826699 |
Jun 1938 |
FR |