Patent Application
20190299382
The present disclosure relates to a stapling tool assembly including a wire alignment contact trip.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Stapling tools can be used to drive staples into workpieces. Such stapling tools include powered stapling tools that can use powered mechanisms to drive the staples into the workpieces. Such workpieces can include lumber, fence posts or other structural members. One use of such stapling tools is to secure a wire fencing material to a fence post. The stapling tools can be used to drive a staple into the fence post to secure the wire fencing material or other wire to the fence post. The stapling tools can include a wire alignment guide that assists a user in positioning the wire relative to the nosepiece of the stapling tool to prevent the legs of the staple from being driven into the wire.
Stapling tools can also be provided with a contact trip. Such a contact trip prevents operation of the stapling tool until the contact trip is moved from an extended, inactive position to a retracted, active position through contact with the workpiece. The disclosed wire alignment contact trip combines a wire alignment guide with a contact trip and can help prevent the stapling tool from firing until the stapling device is properly positioned relative to the wire as discussed hereinafter.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a stapling tool assembly may include a nosepiece assembly with a driver channel through which a staple is driven into a workpiece. The driver channel can define a drive plane along which the staple travels before exiting the driver channel. The stapling tool assembly may also include a wire alignment contact trip with a contact foot for positioning the nosepiece assembly relative to a wire to avoid a staple leg from being driven into the wire. The contact foot may include a peripheral guide wall that defines a workpiece contact edge. The workpiece contact may include at least one wire alignment recess and at least one opposing wire alignment recess in an opposing side of the workpiece contact edge. The at least one wire alignment recess and the at least one opposing wire alignment recess can cooperate to define a first wire positioning path and a second wire positioning path to align the wire in two different orientations relative to the drive plane. The at least one wire alignment recess can have a first overall length that is different than a second overall length of the at least one opposing wire alignment recess.
In one aspect, the wire alignment contact trip may be coupled to an activation switch of the stapling tool assembly that has an active state and an inactive state, and a biasing force that biases the wire alignment contact trip toward an extended position. The wire alignment contact trip may be movable against the biasing force into a retracted position. The activation switch is in the active state when the wire alignment contact trip is in the retracted position, and the activation switch is in the inactive state when the contact trip is in the extended position.
In another example in accordance with the present disclosure, a stapling tool assembly may include a nosepiece assembly including a driver channel through which a staple is driven into a workpiece. The driver channel defining a drive plane along which the staple travels before exiting the driver channel. The stapling tool assembly may also include a wire alignment contact trip that includes a contact foot for positioning the nosepiece assembly relative to a wire to avoid a staple leg from being driven into a wire. The contact foot may include a leading side and a trailing side joined together to define an enclosure. The leading side may be positioned opposite to the trailing side and include a first wire recess. The trailing side may include a second wire recess and a third wire recess. The contact foot may also include a contact trip arm joined to the contact foot and extending away therefrom. The contact trip arm can engage an activation switch of the stapling tool assembly. The stapling tool assembly can have an active state and an inactive state wherein a biasing force biasing the wire alignment contact trip toward an extended position. The wire alignment contact trip can be movable against the biasing force into a retracted position, and wherein the activation switch is in the active state when the wire alignment contact trip is in the retracted position, and wherein the activation switch is in the inactive state when the contact trip is in the extended position. The first wire recess and the second wire recess can cooperate to define a first wire positioning path to align the wire in a first path through the first wire recess and the second wire recess that is substantially perpendicular to the drive plane, The first wire recess and the third wire recess can cooperate to define a second wire positioning path through the first wire recess and the third wire recess to align the wire in a second path at an oblique crossing angle relative to the first path.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The stapling tool 48 includes a magazine 56 that holds a plurality of staples that are driven out of the stapling tool assembly 50 from a nosepiece assembly 58 and into a workpiece 54. The stapling tool assembly 50 also includes a wire alignment contact trip 60 that is connected at or near the ejection end of the nosepiece assembly 58. The wire alignment contact trip 60, as discussed further below, can be used to align the staple 52 (or a driving plane of the stapling tool assembly 50) relative to a wire 62 that is to be secured to the workpiece 54. Such wire alignment contact trip 60 can assist a user to avoid driving a leg of the staple 52 into the wire 62 or to otherwise damage the wire 62 when using the stapling tool 48.
The wire alignment contact trip 60 can also be used to cause the stapling tool 48 to move from an inactive state to an active state. In the inactive state, the stapling tool 48 will not drive a staple 52 into the workpiece 54 in response to a user pulling the trigger 46. In the active state, the stapling tool 48 will drive a staple 52 into the workpiece 54 when a user pulls the trigger 46. The wire alignment contact trip 60 can prevent premature actuation of the stapling tool 48 until a user has positioned the stapling tool 48 in the desired position relative to the workpiece 54.
In the example shown in
The wire alignment contact trip 60 can be biased to the extended position (
As previously stated, the stapling tool 48 can be used drive a staple 52 into a workpiece 54 to secure a wire 62 to the workpiece 54. One example staple 52 is shown in
Referring now to
It can be desirable to orient the staple 52 in different directions relative to the wire 62. Such variability can be desirable given differing workpieces and differing applications in which the stapling tool 48 may be used. For example, as shown in
As shown in
The workpiece contact edge 90 is an edge of the peripheral guide wall 88 that is positioned opposite to the contact arm 64. The workpiece contact edge 90 is positioned such that it contacts the workpiece 54 when the stapling tool 48 is placed into a desired orientation against the workpiece 54. When workpiece contact edge 90 is pressed against the workpiece 54, the wire alignment contact trip 60 can move against the biasing force to the retracted position and cause the stapling tool 48 to move from the inactive to the active state.
The peripheral guide wall 88, in the example shown, has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with four sides. The peripheral guide wall 88 can include a leading wall 100, a first side wall 102, a second side wall 104 and a trailing wall 106. The leading wall 100 is positioned at a forward side of the contact foot 72 adjacent to the drive plane DP. The trailing wall 106 is positioned at a back side of the contact foot 72 and is spaced further from the drive plane DP than the leading wall 100. The first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 extend between the leading wall 100 and the trailing wall 106 to define the enclosure or peripheral guide wall 88. In other examples, the peripheral guide wall can have other shapes or profiles such as a circle shape, a D-shape, an oval shape, a trapezoidal shape or other shapes.
In the example shown in
As shown, the peripheral guide wall 88 includes two or more wire alignment recesses that can be used to align the wire 62. In one example, the contact foot 72 can include a first wire alignment recess 108, a second wire alignment recess 110 and a third wire alignment recess 112. The first wire alignment recess 108 is positioned in the leading wall 100. The first wire alignment recess 108 is a portion of the leading wall 100 that is spaced apart from the distal or workpiece contact edge 90 such that when the wire 62 is positioned in the first wire alignment recess 108 the workpiece contact edge 90 can be pressed against the workpiece 54 and the wire 62 is retained in the first wire alignment recess 108. As such, the depth of the first wire alignment recess 108 is equal to or greater than a width or diameter of the wire 62.
In the example shown, the second wire alignment recess 110 can be positioned opposite to the first wire alignment recess 108 in the trailing wall 106. The second wire alignment recess 110 is a portion of the trailing wall 106 that is spaced apart from the workpiece contact edge 90 such that when the wire 62 is positioned in the second wire alignment recess 110 the workpiece contact edge 90 can be pressed against the workpiece 54 and the wire 62 is retained in the second wire alignment recess 110. As such, the depth of the second wire alignment recess 110 is equal to or greater than a width or diameter of the wire 62.
The third wire alignment recess 112, in the example shown, can be positioned in both the trailing wall 106 and the second side wall 104. In this example, the third wire alignment recess 112 is positioned at the intersection of the trailing wall 106 and the second side wall 104 such that the third wire alignment recess 112 extends around the corner of the peripheral guide wall 88. As such, the third wire alignment recess 112 can have a curved, J-shaped or L-shaped cross-sectional profile. The third wire alignment recess 112 is a portion of the trailing wall 106 and/or the second side wall 104 that is spaced apart from the workpiece contact edge such that when the wire 62 is positioned in the third wire alignment recess 112 the workpiece contact edge 90 can be pressed against the workpiece 54 and the wire 62 is retained in the third wire alignment recess 112. As such, the depth of the third wire alignment recess 112 is equal to or greater than a width or diameter of the wire 62.
As shown in
The first wire alignment recess 108 and the second wire alignment recess 110 can cooperate to define a first wire positioning path P1. The wire 62 can be routed or positioned in the contact foot 72 such that the wire 62 is positioned in the first wire alignment recess 108 at or near a middle edge 114 of the first wire alignment recess 108 and in the second wire alignment recess 110. The wire 62 can be positioned at any lateral position in the second wire alignment recess 110. As shown, in the first wire positioning path P1, the wire 62 is positioned between the first leg 74 and the second leg 76. Thus, the wire alignment contact trip 60 positions the nose 66 relative to the wire 62 to avoid the first leg 74 and the second leg 76 from being driven into the wire 62.
When the wire 62 is positioned along the first wire positioning path P1, the wire 62 can be aligned through the first wire alignment recess 108 and the second wire alignment recess 110 in a path that is substantially perpendicular to a drive plane DP. The drive plane DP, in the example shown, is a plane that extends longitudinally though the nose 66 of the nosepiece assembly 58 and through the centers of the first leg 74 and the second leg 76 of the staple 52. In the example shown, a middle edge 116 of the second wire alignment recess 110 is vertically aligned with the middle edge 114 of the first wire alignment recess 108. The outer edge 118 of the second wire alignment recess is laterally spaced apart from the middle edge 114 of the first wire alignment recess 108 and the middle edge 116 of the second wire alignment recess 110. This configuration permits the first wire positioning path P1 to position the wire 62 in an orientation relative to the drive plane DP that is not precisely perpendicular. For example, the previously described configuration can permit the first wire positioning path P1 to position the wire 62 in an orientation relative to the drive plane DP at an angle in the range of approximately 90 to 70 degrees.
As shown, the first wire alignment recess 108 has a length L1 that is greater than a length L2 of the second wire alignment recess 110. The first wire alignment recess 108, however, can be less than a combined (or overall) length CL1 of the length L2 of the second wire alignment recess and a length of the third wire alignment recess 112. The third wire alignment recess 112 can have a length measured along a center line of the peripheral guide wall 88 between the upper edge 122 and the lower edge 124. The combined length CL1, in the example shown, is greater than the length L1 of the first wire alignment recess 108. The second wire alignment recess 110 can have a length L2 that permits the first wire positioning path P1 to be oriented relative to the drive plane DP at an angle other than 90 degrees while still avoiding alignment of the wire 62 in a path in which the first leg 74 and/or the second leg 76 of the staple 52 would be driven into the wire. In the example shown, the first wire alignment recess 108 has a length of approximately 13 mm and the second wire alignment recess 110 has a length of approximately 8.5 mm. The combined length CL1, in this example, is approximately 15 mm. With this sizing and relative positioning of the first wire alignment recess 108 to the second wire alignment recess 110, the first wire positioning path P1 can position the wire 62 at an angle A1 relative to the drive plane DP of approximately 90 to 110 degrees. In other examples, the relative sizing and positioning can have other values and configurations.
The wire alignment contact trip 60 can also define a second wire positioning path P2. The second wire positioning path P2 can be aligned through the first wire alignment recess 108 and through the third wire alignment recess 112 to define a path that is oriented at an oblique crossing angle relative to first wire positioning path P1. In the second wire positioning path P2, the wire 62 can be aligned from an outer edge 120 of the first wire alignment recess 108 to a lower edge 124 or an upper edge 122 of the third wire alignment recess 112. As can be appreciated, the second wire positioning path P2 can also be described as being oriented at an oblique angle relative to the drive plane DP. When the wire 62 is positioned along the second wire positioning path P2, the wire extends from the outer edge 120 of the first wire alignment recess 108 and through the third wire alignment recess 112. The wire 62 can be positioned at various positions within the third wire alignment recess 112 between the upper edge 122 and the lower edge 124.
When the wire 62 is positioned along the second wire positioning path P2, the wire 62 can be oriented at various acute angles B1 relative to the drive plane DP. In the example shown, the wire 62 can be oriented at an angle B1 that ranges from approximately 33 to 45 degrees. In other examples, the wire alignment contact trip 60 can have other relative sizing and positioning that can define a second wire positioning path P2 at other relative angles. As further shown, the first wire positioning path P1 and the second wire positioning path P2 can be oriented relative to one another at a crossing angle C1. In the example shown, the crossing angle C1 can be an acute crossing angle. The crossing angle C1 can be an acute angle in the range of approximately 45 to 77 degrees. In other examples, the crossing angle C1 can have other values and ranges.
As shown, the first wire positioning path P1 and the second wire positioning path P2 define substantially linear paths in the wire alignment contact trip 60. While the wire 62 may undergo some flexing or bending when the wire alignment contact trip 60 contacts the wire, the flexing or bending is minor such that the wire follows a substantially unimpeded path through the wire alignment contact trip 60 between the first wire alignment recess 108 and the second wire alignment recess 110 and/or between the first wire alignment recess 108 and the third wire alignment recess 112.
The first wire alignment recess 202 is positioned at a center of the leading wall 204. The second wire alignment recess 206 is positioned opposite to the first wire alignment recess 202 at a center of the trailing wall 208. As shown in
As further shown in
As can be appreciated, the example wire alignment contact trip 200 includes a pair of wire alignment recesses with the first wire alignment recess 202 opposing the second wire alignment recess 206. The first wire alignment recess 202 and the second wire alignment recess 206 can cooperate to define wire positioning paths. Unlike example wire alignment contact trip 60, the example wire alignment contact trip 200 only includes a single wire alignment recess in the trailing wall 208. Thus, the overall length of the opposing second wire alignment contact trip 206 can be considered as the same as the length L4 of the second wire alignment recess 206.
As shown in
When the wire 62 is positioned in the second wire positioning path P4, the wire 62 can be positioned at the angle B2 relative to the drive plane DP. As stated above, the angle B2 can be an oblique angle as shown. In the configuration shown, the angle B2 can have a value of approximately 64 degrees. In other examples, the angle B2 can have other values including values in the range of 60 to 70 degrees. In still others, the angle B2 can have values ranging from 80 to 45 degrees.
As can be appreciated, the wire alignment contact trip 200 with the first wire alignment recess 202 and the second wire alignment recess 206 can define other wire positioning paths. For example, the wire 62 can be positioned adjacent to a second outer edge 212 of the first wire alignment recess 202 and adjacent to the first outer edge 214 of the second wire alignment recess 206. In other wire positioning paths the wire 62 can be positioned at other locations and orientations in both the first wire alignment recess 202 and the second wire alignment recess 206. In the first wire positioning path P3 and in the second wire positioning path P4 and in other wire positioning paths, the wire 62 is positioned relative to the drive plane DP (and relative to the first leg 74 and the second leg 76 of the staple 52) such that the first leg 74 and the second leg 76 do not contact the wire 62 when the staple 52 is driven into a workpiece 54 (i.e., the first wire positioning path P3 and/or the second wire positioning path P4 do not intersect a staple leg path of the staple 52 when the staple 52 exits the nose 66).
As previously discussed, the first wire positioning path P3 and the second wire positioning path P4 define substantially linear paths in the wire alignment contact trip 200. While the wire 62 may undergo some flexing or bending when the wire alignment contact trip 200 contacts the wire, the flexing or bending is minor such that the wire follows a substantially unimpeded path through the wire alignment contact trip 200 between the first wire alignment recess 202 and the second wire alignment recess 206.
In other examples in accordance with the present disclosure, the contact foot 72 and/or other wire aligning aspects of the wire alignment contact trip 60 and the wire alignment contact trip 200 can be used on wire alignment guides that may not be combined wire alignment contact trips as discussed above. For example, the contact foot 72 can be used without the contact arm 64. In such an example, the contact foot 72 with the guide wall 88 and the first wire alignment recess 108, the second wire alignment recess 110 and the third wire alignment recess 112 can be connected at the nose 66 of the stapling tool 48 (or other tool). The contact foot 72, in such an example, may not be movable and may not serve as the contact trip to move the tool from the inactive state to the active state. A separate contact trip can be included in the stapling tool 48.
In another example, a wire alignment guide can be used in which the wall 204 of the wire alignment contact trip 200 is used without the contact arm. In such an example, the wall 204 with the first wire alignment recess 202 and the second wire alignment recess 206 can be connected to the nose 66 of the stapling tool 48 or otherwise fixed relative to the nose 66. In such an example, a separate contact trip can be used to move the tool from the inactive state to the active state.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.
Similarly, spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15941432 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Child | 15974448 | US |
