Fastener driving device with offset feed

Abstract

A fluid pressure operated nailer is provided including a portable housing having a fixed generally longitudinally extending chamber axis, a fluid pressure actuated mechanism mounted in the housing for movement through successive operative cycles. The nailer includes an elongated nail driving element having a nail engaging end, an opposite end and a longitudinal driver axis extending therebetween. A housing nosepiece is provided which includes surfaces defining a leading nail containing space wherein a nail axis of the leading nail is laterally spaced with respect to the fixed chamber axis. The nosepiece includes surfaces defining a nail feed track extending to the leading nail containing space for guiding a releasably interconnected supply of nails engaged therewith along the nail feed track for generally longitudinal movement therefrom. The nosepiece also includes a lateral moving assembly for causing the nail engaging end of the nail driving element during an initial portion of the drive stroke to engage the leading nail in the nail separating position with the driver axis at the nail engaging end thereof spaced laterally from the chamber axis, and during an intermediate portion of the drive stroke to move laterally with the leading nail engaged thereby and moved therewith until the driver axis and nail axis are generally aligned with the chamber axis. During a final portion of the drive stroke, the engaging end of said nail driving element remains with the driver axis and nail axis generally aligned with the chamber axis, until the nail is driven into a workpiece.