The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 13, 2001
Darek Smolinski, Chicago, IL (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A lockout mechanism for a fastener driving tool having a magazine for storing and sequentially urging fasteners toward a nosepiece through which a driver blade impacts and drives the fasteners into a workpiece, the lockout mechanism is configured for preventing the firing of the fastener driving tool when the magazine is empty or nearly empty of fasteners. A fastener track is defined in the magazine for the passage of the fasteners toward the nosepiece. A biased follower urges the fasteners in the fastener track toward the nosepiece. The fastener track has a bypass portion dimensioned for receiving the follower whereby upon reaching the bypass portion, the follower becomes disengaged from the fasteners and moves into engagement with the nosepiece for preventing operation of the tool. The bypass portion is located near a magazine driving end to indicate when the magazine is empty or nearly empty.