Multiple impact fastener driving tool

Abstract

A tool for driving fasteners by means of multiple impact blows. The tool comprises a body with a handle portion and a magazine portion, shiftable in directions parallel to said blows between an extended position substantially outside the body and a retracted position substantially within the body. A prime mover provides a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is operatively connected to a mechanism for translating rotary motion into reciprocating motion. The translating mechanism comprises a flywheel, an impact member having at least one impacting surface thereon and being attached to or constituting an integral, one-piece part of the flywheel, a free floating energy transfer member separate from but engageable with the impact member, a resilient bumper to arrest the energy transfer member at the termination of its drive cycle, and a fastener driver engageable by or comprising an integral, one-piece part of the energy transfer member. A resilient member normally biases the energy transfer member out of contact with the impact member. When the tool is abutted against a workpiece and pressure is applied by the tool operator, the at least one impacting surface of the impact member transmits blows to the transfer member, causing the transfer member and driver to be forcibly accelerated away from the impact member at a substantial velocity. In this manner, the driver applies short, high velocity drive strokes in a rapid succession to the fastener to be driven.