US3103013A - Powder actuated fastener driving tool - Google Patents

Description

Sept. l0, 1963 L. w. BELL ETAL 3,103,013

POWDER ACTUATED FAsATENER DRIVING TooL Filed March 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LESTER E MULNO LEWIS WALTER BELL BY A TTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. W. BELL ETAL POWDER ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING TOOL 94%/ their A TTORNEYS Sept. 10, 1963 Filed March 27, 1961 N @nl United States Patent O POWDER ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING TOQL Lewis Walter Bell, Monroe, N. and Lester F. Mnlno,

Worcester, Mass., assign'ors to Star Expansion Industries Corporation, Mountainville, N.Y., a corporatlon of Delaware Filed Mar. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 98,635 14 Claims. (Cl. 1-44.5)

This invention relates to fastener driving tools, and more particularly, a new and improved tool for driving fasteners characterized by its simple construction and safe operation.

Prior devices for driving fasteners such as studs, bolts, or the like by explosion of a powder charge have been characterized by a complexity of construction which Briefly stated, the tool of the invention comprises the combination of a breech `or tiring action assembly, a barrel assembly, and a handle arranged so that'the handle is coupled to the firing action assembly by means of a single screw, removal of which releases the entire tiring action assembly from the remainder of the tool. The firing action assembly includes a breech housing wherein a generally cylindrical breech block is spring-urged forwardly and in which a ring pin is slidably received. sear member mounted in the breech block normally re'- strains the firing pin which is also spring-biased in the forward direction with respect to the housing. A portion of the breech block is formed with a recess for receiving a projection on a trigger member, the latter being mounted on a support block which is fastened to the outside of the breech housing. An inwardly projecting portion or the trigger support block is arranged to limit the forward motion of the breech block in the housing so that removal of the trigger support block ing. 'In lthe uncocked position, the recess in the breech block is in register with rt-he trigger projection, whereby actuation of the trigger is ineffective toirelease the firing pin land relative motion of fthe breech block and the housing with` the trigger actuated is impossible. Cocking i of the tool is accomplished by moving the breech block rearwardly with respect to the housing and the trigger, whereby the trigger projection is brought into register with a part orf the sear member. i

A safety shield surrounds the muzzle end of :the barrel of the tool to catch fragments that may be dislodged from the work surface by operation of the tool, and this shield is rotatably mounted with respect to the barrel of the tool to enable it to assume various positions with respect to adjacent objects on the work surface. In addipermits the breech block to be'withdrawn #from the hous- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the breech assembly of the tool taken along the lines 3-3 of iFlG. 1. i

Referring now to the drawings a typical tool` arranged according to the present invention comprises a handle 1, conveniently of the pistol grip contigui-ation, a breech housing 2, and a barrel housing 3. As shown, the breech housing and barrel housing are of cylindrical shape, although any suitable configuration may be used. A safety shield 4 is provided at the muzzle end of the tool.

Within the barrel housing 3 there is a barrel 5 hav-` ing a bore 5a therein for discharging a stud or other fastener While the breech housing 2 encloses a breech block 6, which is of generally cylindrical configuration. A collar member 7 is rigidly fastened about the breech or rearward end of thebarrel 5 and this collar is arranged in the manner described below tobe rcleasably locked rto the breech block 6. In the -breech end of barrel 5 there is a breech plug 8 for receiving a powder charge which may be a blank cartridge (not shown). 'Ille breech plug 8 maybe slidably withdrawn from the breech end of the barrel S when the tool is in its opened or broken position with the barrel and breechblock disconnected. f

The interlock arrangement between the breech `block 6` and the collar member 7 may be of any suitable type, but preferably, it is of the interrupted-.thread type known in the prior art. In this arrangement, segments of mating threads, indicated at 7a in FIG. 1, are formed in the breech block 6 and the collar member 7 so that rotation of one with respect to the other is required to bring the thread segments into interlocking relationship."` In the present embodiment, the barrel and its collar are rotated while the breech block is held fixed, to terlock.

Also mounted within the breech housing 2 is a generally cylindrical tiring pin guide block 15 while, outside the breech housing, a trigger support block 16 fastened to the housing 2 by means of two screws .17 and d'8. rIhe screw 17 threadedly engages the firing pin guide block 15 whereby both the guide block Iand the trigger support block are 'held fixed with respect to the breech housing, the screw l18 being received in a threaded hole in a projection 18a on the breech housing 2. `The projection 18a lits closely in 1a corresponding `hole inthe trigger block 16 and serves rto locate the trigger block and, consequently, the firing pin guide block 15, accurately with respect to the breech housing 2.

A trigger 9 is supported in a longitudinal slot inthe support block 16 by a pivot pin 10 extending transversely through the block and it is formed with an inwardly extending projectiony 9a, adapted to extend into the breech assembly as will be hereinafter described. A plunger and spring assembly 11 normally .urges the triggerv 9 toward a forward position lwith the projection 9a withdrawn from the housing and returns the trigger to this position after it is released. i

Slidably received in aligned bores in .the breech lblock 6 and tiring pin guide block- 15 is a firing pin 12. A compression spring 14 supported on a guide pin 13 ex'- tending into an axial bore in the tiring pin .urges the pin `forwardly towards the barrel assembly but the forward motion of the firing pin is limited by :a ange 12b at the rear of the tiring pin which abuts the guide block 1S in the forward pin position. Within the breech block 6 a sear lever 20 is pivotally supported by a pivot pin 22 and is normally urged in a :counter-clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings by a Itorsion spring 2.1. In this condition, the inner end of the scar lever is aligned with a shoulder 12a on the tiring pin so that rearward motion of the breech block 6 and Ithe sear lever 20 will provide the in-V move the tiring pin rearwardly to a cocked position, comv pressing the tiring pin spring 14.

An opening 23 in the breech housing 2 adjacent to the trigger support block 16 permits the trigger projection l9a to communicate with the breech block 6i.' When the breech block is in its normal, forward position with respect to the breech housing, a portion 24 of the breech block, formed with a recess 24a, is located next to the opening 23 so that operation of the trigger with the tool in this condition causes the projection 9a to len-ter the recess 24a, inhibiting rearward motion of the breech block in the breechv housing. As a result, the tool cannot be cocked while the itrigger is held in the actuated position. It" desired, the portion 24 may lcomprisea removable cover plate for lthe cavityin which the scar lever 2) is v'mounted. lTo the rear of the recess 24a, the breech block a forwardly-facing shoulder 25 which abuts a projection 26 extending inwardly the trigger support block.16. This arrangement retains the breech block 6 in the breech housing 2 While the trigger support block is in place, but permitsreasy removal of the breech block when the support Iblock is removed.

Ailixed to the barrel housing 3 is a slotted block 27 havingr a longitudinal slot 27a Iformed therein. A transverse pin 28 is rigidly mounted in the forward end of the handle 1 and is arranged -to slide freely within the 4slot 27a, the handle portion 1 being rigidly 4aflixed to the 'trigger support block 16 by means lof a single screw 28',

which is recessed in the grip portion of the handle. In addition,.this Screw also retains a hanger member 29 having Ia hole near one end `to permit the tool to be hung onA a'hook or the like. From the foregoing, i-t will be seen that with the ,breech block interlocking arrangement in `the unlocked position, the handle poration and the breech housing may be moved rearwardly of the barrel housing a distance equal to the length ofslot 27a, which is made suflicient to enable complete separation of the breech block from the barrel. The handle may then be rotated downwardly with respect to the Ybarrel portion, or tbrokenj vto facilitate insertion lof projectiles and powder lcharges Iand removal of spent cartridges.

, I-t will also be noted that the handle portion 1 is conto the trigger support block 16 by means of a Asingle screw 28', removal of which Icompletely frees the vhandle from trigger support block 16. The firing action assembly may then be completely disassembled merely -by removal of the two screws `17 and 18 which anchor the support block to the assembly, since the projection 26 engaging the recess 2,5 on the breech block 6 is the only means for retaining the breech block within the breech housing 2.

'As shown in FIG. 3, which is a horizontal section through the breech assembly, a pairvof springs 30, mounted on spring guides 31 and extending the lfiring pin Y guide block 15 into recesses in the breech block 6, urge the breech block forwardly within the :breech housing 2, the forward motion being limited as Idescribed above-by the projection 26 and the shoulder 25.

It will Ibe readily apparent that the breech Iassembly can be completely disassembled by rst removing the screw 28', which disconnects the ibreech housing and the trigger support block Vfrom the handle 1, and thenrertiring pin 12, the spring 14 and spring guide 13 for the tiring pin. Upon reassembly, with )all of the components linv their prescribed places, it is necessary only to move the projection 26 into abutting relation with the forwardly- `facing Vshoulder 25 Ion the breech .block -to insure that the 4 hole in the housing 2 `for the screw 17 is properly aligned with .the threaded hole in the guide block 1S. Accordingly, the breech assembly may be completely disassembled rand reassembled with a minimum of manual dexterity and effort. It will also be noted that a mini- Vmuni num-ber of parts is used in the breech assembly which thus contributes to ease of manufacture and freedom from breakdown problems.

The shield, indicated generally at 4, comprises a chamber delining portion 4a and a sleeve portion 4b rigidly fastened thereto by welding or the like. The .chamber dening portion 4a preferably is a metal shell of rectangular cross-section in the plane perpendicular to the barrel axis, but if desired, the shield can have`other suitable shapes. In the assembled c-ondition, the sleeve 4b slidably engages the outer surface of the barrel 5 and is rotatable thereon to permitthe shield to be turned to any angular orientation with respect to the tool handle 1. A cartridge ejector pin 30a may be fastened, such as by riveting, to the chamber defining portion 4a of the shield to facilitate removal of spent cartridges from the breech plug 8.

The shield sleeve 4b ex-tends inwardly into the volume encompassed by the chamber-defining portion 4a and terminates therein in an annular rim 31 radially displaced from the barrel 5. A cap mit 32 threadedly engages the muzzle end of barrel 5 and includes an annular recess 32a for receiving the rim 31 of the sleeve 4b. 'ln this way a labyrinth is formed between the shield chamber and the space between the barrel 5 and the shield sleeve 4b, inhibiting the passage of dust and fragments from the shield into the tool. The nut 32 is provided with a central bore in register with the bore 5a of the barrel. With the cap nut 32 in place, it can be seen that the shield 4 is free to rotate about the barrel 5 or t0 move towards the breech end of the tool. The shield cannot, however, be removed from the tool without rst removing the nut 32.

On the outer surface of the sleeve 4b there are a plurality of angularly disposed longitudinal grooves 33 which cooperate with a spring biased ball detent 34 mounted in the projection on the barrel housing 3. The shield structure 4 may then be rotated about the barrel axis and releasably retained by the groove and detent -arrangement 33, 34, in 'any one of a number of desired positions. The particular position of the shield structure desired may be Vdictated by the shape of the chamber defining portion 4a and the contour of the work against which the tool is used. There is thus provided a more versatile shield assembly which reduces the operator hazard by adapting itself to varying contours of the work surface and adjacent objects.

'I'he shield 4 is normally maintained in its forward position as illustrated in FIG. 1 by a spring 35 surrounding the barrel `5 and retained under compression between the end 'of the sleeve 4b and a washer 36 which bears against an internal shoulder 3a formed in the barrel housing 3. As will be obvious from this construction, the shield assembly is urged toward the muzzle end of the tool so that the annular rim '31' normally bottoms in the recess 3211, and it can be moved rearwardly against the action of spring 35 independently of other elements of the tool until the chamber `defining portion 4a meets the front end of the barrel housing 3.

The shield assembly 4 is intended to safeguard the .operator and others in the vicinity of the tool, and in order to prevent operationrwi-th the shield removed, a lock arrangement s provided. This lock arrangement comprises a Z-shaped detent lever 38 mounted on a pin 39 fixed in the slotted block 27 which is mounted in the barrel housing 3. On one arm this lever includes a detent portion 38a and a chamfered portion 38b, the detent portion being adapted to engage an annular shoulder 5b formed on v'theexterior surface of the barrel 5. The chamfered portion 38b is normally in contact with the conical surface of an annular ring 37 mounted in the barrel housing 3. A

spring-biased plunger 40 urges the detent portion of the lever toward the barrel adjacent to the shoulder 5b.

With the shield in place as required, the washer 36, under the compressive force furnished by the spring 35, forces the ring 37 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1 so that the conical surface engages the chamfered portion 3Sb of the lever 38, forcing the detent away from the barrel 5 against the force of the spring and plunger 40. As long as the shield is in place, engagement of the detent 38a and the shoulder 5b is prevented `and the barrel 5 is free to move rearwardly in the housing to permit cooking of the tool. Upon removal of the shield, however, the compressing force of spring 35 no longer is applied against the annular ring 37 and the spring biased plunger 40 enables the lever 38 to push the ring out of the way and 'engage .the shoulder 5b. In this condition, the barrel 5 cannot be moved into cocking position, and therefore the tool cannot be tired by the operator. Upon reinsertion of the shield, the compressive force of spring 35 is reapplied andthe lever 33 is forced out of engagement with the barrel so that the tool can be cocked for firing.

As illustrated in FIG. l, whenthe tool is in its uncocked or normal condition, the breech block 6 and the barrel 5 are urged by the combined action of springs 30 and '35 to a forward position with respect to the housing members 2 and 3 so that the forwardly-facing shoulder 25 of the breech block abuts the projection 25 on the trigger support block 16. `In this position, the projection 9a on the trigger 9 is aligned with the recess 24a and the trigger is unable to engage the sear lever 20. `It will also be noted that the shield 4 is in its most forward position with respect to the barrel housing 3i when the tool is in the uncocked condition, the rim 31 being seated in the annular recess 32a of the cap nu-t 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 which shows the tool inthe cocked condition, cocking is accomplished by pressing the muzzle end .of the tool against a work surface 45 and displacing the barrel housing 3 and the breech housing 2 forwardly with respect to the barrel and breech block against the force of springs 130 and 35 until the firing pin guide block abuts the rear face of the breech block 6. During this motion the sear lever engages the shoulder 12a and prevents the tiring pin from rnoving forwardly with the guide biock 15, thereby compressing the tiring pin spring 14. At the same time the trigger projection 9a is moved into alignment with the outer end of the sear lever 2t) so that actuation of the trigger 9 can pivot the lever 20 so as to release the tiring pin. When this is done the spring 14 drives the tiring pin forwardly into a corresponding opening provided in the breech block and into contact with a cartridge located in the breech plug to detonate the cartridge and drive a projectile into the work surface.

It will be noted in FIG. 2 that a slight gap exists between the barrel housing '3 and the chamber defining portion lda of the shield in the cocked position. This enables cocking to'be accomplished with the tool slightly displaced rfrom perpendicular to the work surface, and thus irregular surfaces may be more readily accommodated. If the tool is tilted more than la yselected amount, however, for example five degrees, engagement of the forward end of the housing 3 with the shield 4 permits the barrel and the breech block tot move forwardly within the housing a sufficient distmce so that the trigger projection 9a no longer is aligned with the scar lever 20 and the tool cannot be tired. Removal of the muzzle end of the tool from the work surface permits the springs and y to restore the breech block, barrel and shield to their forward positions with respect to the housings 2 l and A3. As this is done the firing pin 12 is` Withdrawn from the breech block 6 by the guide block :15 and the sear lever 20 returns to its normal position under the intluence of the spring 21.

As discussed hereinabove, the breech locking arrangement preferably used with the present invention is of the (i interrupted thread type, requiring relative rotation between the barrel collar 7 and breech block 6 to lock` the two parts together. To enable this locking action to be performed simply, as well as to provide a further safety feature which prevents tiring of the tool with the breech in the unlocked condition, a pin and slot arrangement is provided. This arrangement comprises an angular slot 41 `formed in the barrel housing 3` adjacent to the breech housing 2 fand a longitudinal slot 42 in the breech housing extending from one end of the slot 41, the slots 411 and 4-2 forming an L-shaped cutout in the tool housing when the tool is in its closed condition. Rigidly aflixed to barrel collar 7 and extending radially therefrom is a pin 43, adapted to be received within the slots yil and 42. A friction plate d4 aiiixed to the outer end of the pin 43 facilitates actuation thereof by the operator.

In the uncooked condition of the tool, the pin 43 is located in the slot `d1 and angiilar motion of the pin there` in serves Ito lock or unlock the barrel and breech block. ln the unlocked position, the pin 43 is located in the upper portion of the siot 41 as viewed in FIG. 2, and thus it prevents the barrel and the breech block from being moved rearwardly with respect to the housing so that the tool cannot be cocked. With the pin 43 "at the other end off the slot 41, the interrupted thread arrangement is in the locked condition and, since the slot 4Z extends longitudinally from that end of the slot 41, the housing can now be displaced Iforwardly with .respect to the barrel and breech block to allow the tool to be cocked. When the pin d3 is in its uppermost position in. the slot 41 as viewed in FIG. 2, the breech locking mechanism is unlocked and the handle portion of the tool may be Withdrawn from the barrel portion and pivoted about the pin 2S to expose the breech plug 8. 'Il-'nis slot and pin arrangement therefore provides a simple device exterior of the tool for opening the tool lfor loading, as well as providing a safety lock for preventing firing of the tool with the breech in the unlocked condition. Moreover, the pin 43 provides a forward stop for the barrel 5 in its housing 3 by its engagement with the edge of the slot 41.

It is apparent from the preceding disclosure that the barrel and shield can easily be withdrawn from the housing by merely removing the cap nut 32 from the barrel muzzle. When the cap nut 312 is removed from the muzzle of the barrel 5, the shield 4 can of course immediately be withdrawn forwardly from the barrel housing 3. However, inasmuch as the barrel 5 is attached to Ithe collar member 7, whose cross-sectional dimensions are greater than the minimum interior cross-sectional dimensions of the barrel housing 3 forwardly of the collar '7, the barrel 5 can be withdrawn `from the housing 3 only rearwardly. Moreover, the barrel 5 cannot be withdrawn from the barrel housing 3 unless the tool is first broken and the detent portion 38a of the Z-shaped detent lever 3S made to alhord passage for the annular shoulder 5b on the barrel 5. There :are two ways of making the portion 38a afford such passage after the cap nut 32 is removed. First, a small sharp tool such as a nail may be engaged with the end of the lever 38 opposite the portion Stia and employed to= force the lever 38 counterclockwise as seen in FIG. l. (The end of the lever 38 opposite the portion Et/z is of course accessible from the rear when the tool is broken.) Alternatively, the annuiar ring 37 may be held against the chamfered portion 38h lof the lever 3S even after the cap nut 32 is removed. A convenient way to retain the annular ring 37 in the desired position after the cap nut 32 is removed is to hold the shield 4 inV position manually [after the cap nut 32 is removed so that the spring 35 continues to bear against the washer 36.

In operation, an appropriate fastener yof a conventional type is inserted in the breech end of the bore 5a, the tool being Iopened in the manner previously described. A suit able blank cartridge is then inserted in the breech plug and the tool is closed by pivoting the breech portion into 7 t alignment with the barrel portion and moving it forwardly to engage the locking mechanism. Operation of the k pin 43 to the lower position in the slot 41, as` viewed in the drawings, iocks the two parts of the tool together. As previously mentioned, the tool is red by pressing the muzzle end of the barrel against the workpiece, moving the housing forwardly with respect to the barrel and breech -b-lock, and actuating the trigger. After release of the firing pin, as discussed above, and detonation of the cartridge, the tool is then broken again, and the breech plug is removed and slipped over the pin Stia to remove the spent cartridge. The tool is then ready for reloading and application of another stud to the work surface.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the structure of the present invention provides a fastener driving tool which is extremely simple in construction, providing ease of maintenance and'repair. The improved safety features render improper tiring of the tool virtually impossible; the tool being incapabie of being fired in the uncooked position, with the breech unlocked, with the shield removed, .or when tilted appreoiably with respect y to the Work surface.-

While a representative embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described for purposes of illustration, various changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of this invention. Therefore, all such changes and modifications are included within the intended scope of the invention as defined by the folrlowing claims.

We claim:

1. A powder actuated fastener driving tool comprising housing means, barrel means slidably mounted in the housing means having a breech end adapted to receive a fastener and a powder change and a muzzle end adapted to be placed against a work surface in which the fastener is rto be driven, rbreech block means slidably mounted in the housing means and engageable with the breech end of the barrel means, spring means urging the breech block means forwardly within the housing means, and abutment means mounted externally of the housing means and having a projection extending into the interior of the housing means operatively associated with the breech block means to limit the forward motion thereof, the abutment means being removable from the housing means to permit the fbreech block means to be withdrawn from the housing means.

2. A powder actuated fastener driving tool according to claim 1 wherein the abutment means comprises a trigger support block and including trigger means pivotally mounted lon the support block having a projecting part movable into operative association with the breech block means.

3. A powder actuated fastener driving tool according to claim 2 including further abutment means mounted within the housing means limiting rearward motion of the breech block means therein, andV scar means movable with the breech block means between la rearward position in which it is aligned with the projecting part of the nigger means to permit operation of the scar means by the trigger means and a forward position in which the sear means is out of line with the projecting part of the trigger means.

4. A powder actuated fastener driving tool comprising housing means, barrel means mounted in the housing means having a breech end adapted to receive a fastener and a powder charge and a muzzle end adapted to be placed against a workpiece in which fthe fastener is to be driven, breech block means mounted within the housing means engageable the breech end of the barrel means, firing pin means slida'bly receivable in the breech block means, spring means urging the tiring pin means forwardly in the breech block means toward the breech end of the barrel means, cocking means movable within the housing means between a normal forward position land a rearward position and adapted to drive the y firing pin means rearwardly to a cocked position in response to rearward motion, trigger means mounted externaily of the housing means having a projecting part movable into the housing means upon actuation of the trigger means, and element movable with the cooking means and formed with a recess positioned to receive the projecting part of the trigger means when the trigger means is actuated with the cooking means in its forward position, thereby preventing rearward motion of the cocking means. 1

5. A powder actuated fastener driving tool comprising housing means, barrel means mounted in the housing means having a breech end and a muzzle end'and normally movable between a forward position and a rearward position with respect to the housing means, rearward motion of the barrel means in the housing means being effective to cock the tool, deflector shield means surrounding the barrel means near the muzzle end for engagement with a surface into which a fastener is to be driven, sleeve means surrounding the barrel means and supporting the shield means for relative longitudinal motion with respect to the barrel means, abutment means within the housing means, washer means surrounding the barrel means and normally abutting the abutment means, spring means extending between the washer means and the shield means urging the shield means forwardly with respect to the housing means and the washer means rearwardly against the abutment means, collar means surrounding the barrel means engaging a rear surface of the washer means and having a rearwardly facing cam surface, the outer surface of the barrel means being formed with a recess, and detent means mounted in the housing means and radially movable with respect to the barrel means having a rst portion adapted to project into the recess in the barrel means to prevent rearward motion thereof with respect to the housing means and a second portion engaging the cam surface of the collar means so that the 'first portion is normally held away from the recess in the barrel means, whereby removal of the force applied by the spring means permits the collar means and the washer means to move forwardly on the barrel means so that the second detent portion is released from the cam surface and the first detent portion is permitted to move into the recess in the barrel means.

6. A powder actuated fastener driving tool according to claim l5 wherein the detent means comprises a lever member pivotally mounted in the housing means having one end formed with said rst and second portions and spring-biased toward the barrel means.

7. A powder actuated fastener driving ltool comprising housing means, barrel means mounted in the housing means having a muzzle end projecting therefrom, deflector shield means surrounding the muzzle end and adapted to engage a surface into which a fastener is to be driven, an annular lip projecting forwardly from the shield means and surrounding the barrel means, and cap means mounted on the muzzle end of the barrel means having an annular groove normally receiving the annular lip of the shield means, thereby forming a labyrinth between -the shield and the outer surface of the tool barrel to inhibit the passage of particles from the shield 4into the tool.

8. A powder actuated fastener driving tool according to claim 7 wherein the shield means is longitudinally movable with respect to the barrel means and engagement of the annular lip with the cap means provides a forward stop for the shield means and including spring means for urging the shield means forwardly with respect to the barrel means.

9. A powder actuated fastener driving tool comprising housing means, barrel means mounted in the housing means having a muzzle end projecting therefrom, deflector shield means surrounding the muzzle end and adapted 9 to engage a surface into which a fastener is to be driven, sleeve means aixed to the shield means and surrounding the barrel means supporting the shield means for angular motion with respect thereto and to the housing means, means forming a plurality of angularly disposed recesses in the outer surface of the sleeve means, and detent means axed to the housing and engageable selectively in any of the recess means to releasably retain the shield means in any of a plurality of selected angular positions with respect to the housing means.

A10. A powder actuated fastener driving tool according to claim 9 wherein the sleeve means supports the shield means for longitudinal motion Iwith respect to the housing means and the recesses comprise longitudinal grooves in the outer surface of the sleeve means.

1-1. A powder actuated fastener driving tool comprising housing means including a generally tubular rear housing member and a generally tubular front housing member adapted to be held in aligned and abutting relation, barrel means supported for limited rotative and longitudinal movement in the front housing member, breech block means supported in the rear housing member for limited longitudinal movement and in iixed angular relation with respect thereto, connecting means associated with the breech block means and the barrel means requiring relative rotation thereof, the end of the front housing member adjacent to the rear housing member having an angular slot formed therein and the rear housing member having a longitudinal slot formed therein extending from one end of the angular slot in the front housing member, and radial pin means aixed to the barrel means and movable in the angular slot between a first block means forwardly in the rear housing member, and abutment means mounted externally of 'the housing means having a projection extending into the interior of the rear housing member operatively associ-ated with. the breech block means to limit the forward motion thereof, the abutment means being removable Vfrom the housing means to permit the breech block means to be withdrawn from the rear housing mem-ber.

13. A powder actuated fastener driving tool according to claim l2 wherein the breech block means is longitudinally movable between a forward position and a rear position with respect to the housing means and has a longitudinal passage and including tiring pin means receivable in the longitudinal passage, spring means urging the firing pin means forwardly with respect to the housing means, -sear means mounted on the breech block means position aligned with the longitudinal slot wherein the Y having ya first portion normally Valigned with the ring pin means and a second portion, and ltrigger means pivotally supported on fthe housing means having 4a projecting part movable into the housing means when the trigger means is actuated, the projecting part of the trigger means being aligned with the second portion of the sear means when the breech block means is in its rear position with respect to the housing means, the breech block means bein'g formed with a recess positioned to receive the projecting part of the trigger means when the breech block means is in its forward position in the housing means, thereby preventing rearward motion of the breech block means when the trigger means is actuated.

14. A powder actuated tool according to claim 13 including connecting means between the two housing portions comprisinga handle member pivotally joined to the front housing member and removably connected to the abutment means on the rear housing portion.

References Cited in the le of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS

Claims (1)

1. A POWDER ACTUATED FASTENER DRIVING TOOL COMPRISING HOUSING MEANS, BARREL MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING MEANS HAVING A BREECH END ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A FASTENER AND A POWDER CHARGE AND A MUZZLE END ADAPTED TO BE PLACED AGAINST A WORK SURFACE IN WHICH THE FASTENER IS TO BE DRIVEN, BREECH BLOCK MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE BREECH END OF THE BARREL MEANS, SPRING MENAS URGING THE BREECH BLOCK MEANS FORWARDLY WITHIN THE HOUSING MEANS, AND ABUTMENT MEANS MOUNTED EXTERNALLY OF THE HOUSING MEANS AND HAVING A PROJECTION EXTENDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE BREECH BLOCK MEANS TO LIMIT THE FORWARD MOTION THEREOF, THE ABUTMENT MEANS BEING REMOVABLE FROM THE HOUSING MEANS TO PERMIT THE BREECH BLOCK MEANS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE HOUSING MEANS.

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