WO2022170402A1

WO2022170402A1 - A feeder for a nail gun

Info

Publication number: WO2022170402A1
Application number: PCT/AU2022/050100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lindsey WRIGHT; Mitchell CHAMBERS
Original assignee: Wright Lindsey; Chambers Mitchell
Priority date: 2021-02-12
Filing date: 2022-02-14
Publication date: 2022-08-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastener feeder for installing fasteners using a nail gun or the like having a firing end providing a driving force. The fastener feeder has been developed primarily for use with nail guns where the nail ensures the fixing of the fastener to a surface. Use of the fastener feeder will improve the efficiency of the installation fasteners onto a surface as a user would not need to load fasteners in a singular manner, but rather have multiple fasteners be fired in a single process. The fastener feeder will improve the efficiency of the process whilst also reducing potential physical strain on the user.

Description

A FEEDER FOR A NAIL GUN

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a fastener feeder for supplying fasteners by use of a nail gun or the like having a firing end providing a driving force.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use with nail guns where the nail ensures the fixing of the fastener to a surface and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. It will, however, be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] Nail guns are used to efficiently secure parts together. Conventionally, nail guns include nails which are fired with sufficient force into a material to fully install the nail into the material, thus, securing the material to another part.

[4] Nail guns can be used with adapters to secure, fire, and install components other than nails. For example, fasteners, which can be used to secure/attach cables to a surface such as a ceiling can be fired using a nail gun.

[5] To fire a fastener using a nail gun, a fastener is positioned on the tip of a firing pin connected to the nail gun. The tip of the firing pin in close contact with the fastener is pressed against a target surface. When the gun is fired by pressing down on a trigger button, the fastener is projected such that the fastener is installed onto the target surface.

[6] The fastener is, however, prone to being misaligned when the firing element and body of the gun is moved such as while aiming the nail gun, which can lead to inaccurate instalment or failure to install.

[7] Also, the present invention seeks to improve the efficiency of the process described above whereby the user does not need to load fasteners in a singular manner, but rather have multiple fasteners be fired in a single process. This will improve the efficiency of the process whilst also reducing potential physical strain on the user.

[8] The present invention seeks to provide a solution, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[9] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention

[10] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener feeder for use with a nail gun comprising: a fastener housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners, the fastener housing having at least one guide channel allowing directional movement of each of the plurality of fasteners to a loaded position in the fastener housing; a driver for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in a driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position; and a resilient means in the fastener housing for allowing resilient retraction of the loaded position in a retraction direction angled to the driving direction.

[11] As used herein, the term “fastener” should be understood to refer to an anchor device made from any material such as, but not limited to; metal, plastic, alloy, carbon fibre, rubber, and/or ceramic.

[12] In an embodiment, the fastener housing may be attachedly locatable to the nail gun such that, in use, the loaded position aligns along a firing line of a firing end of the nail gun and the resilient means allows resilient retraction of the loaded position along a retraction direction substantially along the firing line of the nail gun.

[13] In another embodiment, in use, the resilient means in the fastener housing may allow resilient retraction of the loaded position moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the nail gun.

[14] In another embodiment, the fastener housing may include a base housing and a cartridge holding the fasteners.

[15] In another embodiment, the first position of the fastener housing may be defined by an outermost position of the tip of the nail gun.

[16] In another embodiment, the second position of the fastener housing may be defined by a fully depressed position of the outermost position of the tip of the fastener at the loaded position.

[17] In another embodiment, the resilient retraction of the loaded position moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the nail gun may be by a loose captured mounting of the cartridge to the base housing with the resilient means acting therebetween.

[18] In another embodiment, the resilient means acting between the loose captured mounting of the cartridge to the base housing may tend the cartridge to an aligned position against the base housing.

[19] In another embodiment, the resilient means may include one or more leaf spring. [20] In another embodiment, the resilient means may include a plurality of spaced parallel leaf springs extending along the length of the base housing and the loose captured mounting of the cartridge substantially along the driving direction.

[21] In another embodiment, the fastener housing may include a cover to the cartridge.

[22] In another embodiment, the at least one guide channel may be defined by internal surfaces of the fastener housing and cover.

[23] In another embodiment, the fastener housing may include a tapered portion feeding to the loaded position in the fastener housing.

[24] In another embodiment, the cover may include a flexible tongue located adjacent a tapered portion, the tongue being configured to flex outwardly as a fastener moves into the tapered portion.

[25] In another embodiment, the fastener housing may include a holder portion adjacent the tapered portion for supporting the fastener in the loaded position.

[26] In another embodiment, the fastener feeder may include a retaining member engageable with the holder portion for preventing movement of the fastener out of the loaded position of the fastener.

[27] In another embodiment, the retaining member may be a resilient member extending around the holder portion with shaped openings to not interfere with the firing line orthe driving direction of feed of the fasteners into the loaded position.

[28] In another embodiment, the driver may include a spring-loaded mechanism for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

[29] In another embodiment, the spring-loaded mechanism may include a follower mounting in or adjacent the at least one guide channel for effecting the resilient action to causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

[30] In another embodiment, the spring-loaded mechanism may be a drum spring mounted at a position near the loaded position and connected to the follower to provide a drawing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

[31] In another embodiment, the fastener housing may have a channel located in a rear surface of the fastener housing, the drum spring being located within the channel. [32] In another embodiment, the fastener feeder may include an attachment body that is attachable to an outer surface of the nail gun for supporting the fastener housing in an aligned position with the firing end of the nail gun.

[33] In another embodiment, the base housing may include an attachment body formation configured to securely engage with one or more outer surfaces of a front of the nail gun.

[34] In another embodiment, the cartridge may include one or more retaining nodes configured, in use, to engage the fastener housing and retain the cartridge in an operative position.

[35] In another embodiment, movement of the one or more retaining nodes away from the base housing releases the cartridge from an operational position with the fastener housing.

[36] In another embodiment, the cartridge may be moveable by a distance approximately equivalent to a distance travelled by the tip of the nail gun from the outermost position to the fully depressed position.

[37] According to second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operation of a fastener feeder comprising the steps of: providing a fastener feeder according to the first aspect of the invention, the fastener feeder having a guide path of fasteners leading to a loaded position; allowing for automatic resilient feeding of fasteners in driving direction towards the loaded position; allowing mounting of fastener feeder to a nail gun with loaded position in line with firing line and at an angle to the driving direction; providing resilient mechanism for resistive retraction of firing end of the nail gun; and activating driving of firing end of the nail gun to drive the fastener in the loaded position.

[38] In an embodiment, the driving direction may be at angle to the firing line.

[39] In another embodiment, the driving direction may be at angle substantially orthogonal to the firing line.

[40] In another embodiment, the fastener feeder may include two parts being a base housing and a cartridge, the cartridge having at least one guide channel leading to the loaded position and being loosely captured within the base housing with a resilient means in between to provide a resilient mechanism for resistive retraction.

[41] In another embodiment, control of direction of resistive retraction along the firing line of the firing end of the nail gun may be provided by directional means between the base housing and the cartridge.

[42] In another embodiment, the directional means may be guide prongs extending from and engaging with the base housing and the cartridge. [43] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener feeder for use with a nail gun comprising: a fastener housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners, the fastener housing having at least one guide channel allowing directional movement of each of the plurality of fasteners to a loaded position in the housing; a driver for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in a driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position; and a resilient means in the housing for allowing resilient retraction of the loaded position in a retraction direction angled to the driving direction.

[44] According to fourth aspect, there is provided a feeder for a nail gun comprising: a housing for holding a plurality of fasteners; a guide for moving one of the plurality of fasteners into a loaded position of the fastener on a nail gun, in use, and a driver for causing movement of the fastener along the guide out of the feeder and into the loaded position.

[45] In one form the invention provides a fastener feeder for a nail gun comprising a fastener housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners. The fastener housing can have at least one guide channel allowing directional movement of each of the plurality of fasteners to a loaded position in the housing, a driver for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in a driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position. The configuration of the fastener housing provides an alignment mechanism for aligning at least one of the plurality of fasteners at or near the loaded position in the housing.

[46] According to fifth aspect, there is provided a fastener feeder for a nail gun comprising: a housing configured to hold one or more arrays of a plurality of fasteners; a guide for moving each of the plurality of fasteners into a loaded position of the fastener on a nail gun, in use, and a driver for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners along the guide.

[47] The at least two arrays of fasteners may be offset relative to each other.

[48] The housing may be located at a front of the nail gun adjacent a firing end of the nail gun.

[49] The guide may be defined by internal surfaces of the housing body and cover.

[50] The housing may comprise a tapered portion located adjacent the tip of the nail gun, in use.

[51 ] The tapered portion may have a width that is approximately equal to a larger dimension of the fastener.

[52] The cover may comprise a flexible tongue located adjacent the tapered portion; the tongue being configured to flex outwardly. [53] The housing may comprise a holder portion adjacent the tapered portion for supporting the fastener in the loaded position.

[54] The holder portion may comprise a retaining member for preventing movement of the fastener out of the loaded position of the fastener.

[55] The driver may comprise a biasing mechanism.

[56] The follower may comprise an engagement surface for engaging with a thumb of a user, in use.

[57] The housing may comprise a channel located in a rear surface of the housing body; the spring being located within the channel.

[58] The fastener feeder may further include a base that is attachable to an outer surface of the nail gun at the firing end of the gun.

[59] The base may include a formation configured to closely fit with the outer surface.

[60] The formation may be configured to securely engage with one or more outer surfaces of the front of the nail gun.

[61] The base may include two opposed sidewalls, each sidewall including a hole.

[62] The housing may, in use, be moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the nail gun.

[63] The first position of the housing may be defined by an outermost position of the tip of the nail gun.

[64] The second position of the housing may, in use, be defined by a fully depressed position of the tip of the nail gun.

[65] The base may comprise a moveable plate. The housing body may be attached to the moveable plate.

[66] The plate may be connected to the base via resiliently biased elements.

[67] The plate may be moveable by a distance approximately equivalent to the distance travelled by the tip of the nail gun from the outermost position to the fully depressed position.

[68] The base may include two guide prongs. The housing body may include corresponding holes within the housing body. Each guide prong may be configured to be located within the corresponding holes when the housing is in the second position to retain one or more fasteners within the housing. [69] In use, upon depressing the element, the two guide prongs may extend toward and into the corresponding hole to prevent upward movement of one or more fasteners adjacent the fastener in the loaded position.

[70] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[71] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[72] Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a fastener feeder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a nail gun having a firing end providing a driving force;

[73] Figure 2 shows a side view of the fastener feeder attached to the nail gun of Figure 1 ;

[74] Figure 3 shows a partial exploded perspective view of some of elements of the fastener feeder shown in Figure 1 illustrating the orientation and movement of the cartridge and front cover encasing the fasteners to the loaded position and its relevant operative position to the nail gun;

[75] Figure 4 shows an explosive view of all of the elements of the fastener feeder shown in Figure 1 and the relative outline of the nail gun;

[76] Figure 5 shows a partial detail of the exploded view of most of the elements of the fastener feeder of Figure 1 , without the attachment body to allow understanding of its assembly;

[77] Figure 6 is a front view of an assembled view of the fastener feeder of Figure 1 ;

[78] Figure 7 shows a sectional view of the fastener feeder along the line K-K of Figure 6;

[79] Figure 8 shows a front view of the fastener feeder of Figure 6 with the cover of the housing removed showing the arrangement and directional feeding of the fasteners to the loaded position;

[80] Figure 9 is a partial front perspective view of the fastener feeder of Figure 1 with the cover and cartridge of the fastener feeder removed showing how the resilient means that can interact with the loose captured mounting of the cartridge to the base housing with the resilient means acting therebetween;

[81] Figure 10 is an overhead perspective view of the fastener feeder shown in Figure 1 and the relative outline of the nail gun; [82] Figure 11 is an overhead view of the fastener feeder shown in Figure 10 and the relative outline of the nail gun;

[83] Figure 12 illustrates a side view of the fastener feeder of Figure 1 as attached to the nail gun;

[84] Figure 13 illustrates a section view of the feeder of Figure 12 along the line A-A;

[85] Figure 14 illustrates a section view of the feeder of Figure 12 along the line B-B;

[86] Figure 15 illustrates a side section view of the fastener feeder of Figure 1 with a detail showing the relative positions of the firing element and holder of the feeder when the element is in the first position and not in use;

[87] Figure 16 illustrates a side section view of the fastener feeder of Figure 1 when the firing element is depressed, in use with a detail showing a closer view illustrating the relative positions of the firing element and holder of the feeder when the firing element is depressed to release the safety catch;

[88] Figure 17 is a top view of the fastener feeder shown in Figure 1 illustrating the location of the cartridge and front cover encasing the fasteners and its relevant operative position to the nail gun; and

[89] Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view of the operational steps of operation of the fastener feeder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

[90] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a fastener feeder 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention for supplying fasteners 15 by use of a nail gun 11 having a firing end providing a driving force.

[91] Referring to Figs 1 to 4, the fastener feeder 100 comprises a housing 110 configured to hold a plurality of fasteners 15 and to use the firing mechanism of the nail gun to effect driving of the fastener 15 at the loaded position 177 into the required surface.

[92] The fastener feeder 100 comprises an attachment body 150 that is fixedly attached to a nail gun even with use of screw bolts, for providing a suitable stable connection to the rest of the fastener feeder. This comprises of a base housing 141 that can be slidably mounted to the attachment body 150 and a cartridge 142 and cover 143 between which are a plurality of fasteners and guide channels. The top loaded position of the fastener housing 110 is aligned with the firing end 13 of the nail gun. As can be seen in the base housing 141 and cartridge 142 with cover 143 are located under the firing end 13 and so the fastener feeder 100 does not substantially protrude outwardly beyond the fastener 15 in the loaded position when it is not being used at a resting position of the element.

[93] However, for activation of the nail gun 11 to occur there must be sufficient resistive force on the firing end 13 by retraction into the body 12 of the nail gun 11 and percussive outward firing of the firing end 13. As shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, this retraction is along the firing line A such that a fastener 15 in the loaded position along the firing line A retracts from position B to position C before the percussive driving of the firing end 13 back out along the firing line A back to position B and percussive application of the fastener 15 to the required surface.

[94] The fastener feeder 100 for use with a nail gun has the fastener housing 110 configured to hold a plurality of fasteners 15. The fastener housing 110 has at least one guide channel 112 allowing directional movement of each of the plurality of fasteners in a driving direction D to a loaded position 177 at the top of the housing in the tapered section 175. A driver (not shown) causes movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction D along at least one guide channel 112 towards the loaded position 177.

[95] The fastener feeder housing 110 is attachedly locatable to the nail gun such that in use, the loaded position aligns along the firing line F of the firing end 13 of the nail gun 11 and the resilient means 169 allows resilient retraction of the loaded position along the retraction direction substantially along the firing line F of the nail gun.

[96] A resilient means 169 in the housing must in use allow resilient retraction of the loaded position in a retraction direction along the firing line F angled to the driving direction.

[97] In order to be able to use a nail gun 11 which has this effect, a fastener feeder 100 is connected to the front of the nail gun 11 having a body 12 which encases a firing end 13 connected to a driving mechanism internal of the body.

[98] The nail gun 11 can have one of a number of different types of driving mechanisms that drive movement of the firing pin when the gun is used. For example, the driving mechanism can be pneumatic or electrical or another type. It will be appreciated that different drive mechanisms could be used to generate the drive movement of the firing pin. Such a drive mechanism may include a combustion-powered mechanism, an electric mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, a powder-actuated mechanism, a solenoid-powered mechanism, or any combination of the afore mentioned mechanisms. Other mechanisms useful in this respect will be known to the person skilled in the art. [99] The nail gun body 12 has a handle portion that is adjacent an actuator or trigger button. The firing pin 13 has an element which is in contact with a nail or fastener 15 that is driven, in use, into a target surface (not shown) upon firing of the gun 11 .

[100] Typically, the nail gun 11 comprises a safety mechanism which prevents accidental firing of the gun during handling. As used herein, the term “safety mechanism” should be understood to include a dual-action contact-trip trigger, a sequential-trip trigger, a safety catch, and the like as will be known by a person skilled in the art.

[101] To use the gun 11 , the fastener feeder 100 positions the fastener 15 at the loaded position in contact with the target surface (not shown) and advances the gun 11 towards the target surface (not shown). The fastener 15 moves from an outermost position B (see Figure 3) relative to the gun 11 , to a depressed position C (see Figure 3) relative to the gun 11 . In the depressed position C (see Figure 3), a safety catch of the safety mechanism of the gun is typically disengaged. When the user pulls the trigger in this position, the firing end 13, which is in contact with the nail or fastener 15, moves at high speed and with sufficient force to drive the nail or fastener 15 into the target surface.

Driving of Fasteners

[102] Referring to Figures 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the feeder 100 also includes at least one guide channel 112 for moving each of the plurality of fasteners 15 in a driving direction D (see Figure 3) into a loaded position of the fastener 15 relative to the firing line F of the nail gun 11.

[103] Figure 6 shows a front view of the fastener feeder 100 when assembled. Figure 7 shows a section view through the line K-K indicated in Figure 6. Figure 8 shows a view of the housing body 142 with fasteners, as shown here for example only pucks, 15 arranged within the cavity of the housing 142. The pucks are arranged in two arrays extending vertically and merging at a top end.

[104] The fastener feeder 100 is located at a front end of the nail gun 11 . The base housing 110 is attached via an attachment body 105 to one or more front surfaces of the nail gun. As described, parts of the housing 110 are moveable relative to the front end 113 of the nail gun 11 , as the fastener element 15 moves relative to the nail gun 11 when operated.

[105] As shown in Figure 8, the housing 110 (see Figure 1) comprises a body 142 with the cover 143 (see Figure 1) removed. The body 142 and the cover 143 together define an internal cavity which houses the fasteners 15. The fasteners 15 can be various types of fasteners which can be used with nail guns. In this embodiment, the fasteners are pucks. The term “puck” as used herein should be understood to refer to one form of fasteners used by a person who installs and maintains equipment, such an electrician, information technology technician, plumber, air conditioner technician, and the like.

[106] The housing body 142 comprises two opposed sidewalls connected to each other via a rear wall extending from a floor. The walls including internal walls extend to form guide channels 112 that extend upwardly in a driving direction D through a tapered section formed by tapered portion 175 to the loaded position 177 at the tapered top end of the cartridge 142.

[107] The cover 143 is configured to be slidably engageable with the cartridge 142. As shown in Figure 7, this can be by edge flanges 146 extending around to allow sliding of the cover 143 onto the outwardly extending inner front flanges 174.

[108] By the pucks being loose and fitting within multiple guide channels 112 there can be a greater density and therefore less need for refilling. However, it is important to keep the pucks 15 aligned in the sense of being orthogonal to the firing line so there is no bulging and correct alignment when each puck reaches the loaded position. The cavity has a depth that is approximately equal to the height of a puck. The dimensions of the cavity are configured to closely fit the pucks within the housing.

[109] The cover 143 and the cartridge 142 together define the guide channels 112 to allow movement of the pucks in a controlled mannerthrough to consecutively load pucks 15 into the loaded position 177. In this way, the inner surfaces of the housing 110 provide a guide 120 for the pucks. Inner surfaces of the housing 110 can comprise a smooth material to allow each puck to slide easily along the inner surfaces.

[110] The housing body 142 has a tapered neck portion 175 located adjacent the loaded position 177 of the puck 15 so the pucks can transition from being in two arrays into single file at the tapered portion. The tapered portion 175 has a width that transitions from a width approximately equal to the width of the two arrays as shown to a width that is equal to a larger dimension of the fastener. As the pucks 15 are substantially cylindrical, in this embodiment the larger dimension is equivalent to an outer diameter of each puck.

[111] It can be seen that there can be included a single linear guide channel 112 leading to the loaded position. However, density is increased if the fasteners are not linear but offset. Other versions could further increase capacity of cartridge 142 by having multiple arrays with guide channels 112 arranged to lead the fasteners 15 to the loaded position 177.

[112] The feeder 100 also includes a driver (not shown) configured to cause movement of the plurality of fasteners 15 along the guide 112 in the driving direction D (see Figure 3) to the loaded position 177. [113] The driver (not shown) in this embodiment is to drive the fasteners 15 from under the two arrays and comprises a spring-loaded mechanism. The driver (not shown) comprises a resilient member (not shown) and a follower element 181 that follows the pucks 15 so as to move them along the driving direction D along the guide channels 112 to the loaded position 177. The follower 181 is in contact with the puck 15 located within the cartridge 142 at the bottom of the housing.

[114] The driver (not shown) also comprises a spring (not shown) that constitutes a spring- loaded mechanism (not shown) that is located on the back of the cartridge 142 extending into the base housing 141 between the leaf springs 169. The spring (not shown) needs to bias the follower element 181 and, therefore, the rows of loaded pucks upwardly, towards the loaded position. The spring-loaded mechanism is a drum spring mounted at the position near the loaded position 177 and with the wound spring connected to the follower 181 to provide a drawing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

[115] The spring-loaded mechanism of the driver includes the follower 181 mounting in the guide channels 112 for effecting the resilient action to cause the movement of the plurality of fasteners 15 in the driving direction D (see Figure 3) along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

[116] Hence, when a puck in the loaded position is removed from the loaded position upon firing, the adjacent puck moves into the loaded position. The spring-loaded mechanism of the driver is configured to provide sufficient tension as it moves along the housing such that the pucks within the housing are able to effectively move into the loaded position, in use. The surfaces defining the guide channels 112 also provides sufficient friction to control the movement of the pucks through the housing while the pucks are biased.

[117] In an embodiment shown in Figure 8, the follower 181 has an indent 182 configured to closely fit an outer surface of the puck 15. The indent 182 is arcuate and has a curvature corresponding to that of the outer surface of the puck.

[118] The follower 181 further includes an engagement element 183 (see Figure 1) that is accessible at all times through the longitudinal open channel 145 that extends along the cover 143 in the driving direction D (see Figure 3) and thereby allows for manipulation of the pucks 15 in the guide channels 112 to counter any accidental sticking or wedging of pucks in the guide channels 112 without dissembling the fastener feeder.

[119] In other embodiments, it is envisaged that the indent 182 can be shaped differently. [120] As shown in Figure 7, the two arrays are vertically offset relative to each other. A puck of one array is located at a position adjacent the contact point of two adjacent pucks of the other array. The follower 181 (see Figure 6) is attached to a drum spring (not shown). The drum spring connection extends between the two leaf springs 169 and is engageable with retaining protrusions on the follower 181.

[121] Advantageously, having the spring (not shown) located behind the cartridge 142 and attached to the follower 181 at a position close to the indent, maximises the amount of space available for pucks. In use, each puck, in turn, translates upwardly along the guide 112 provided by inner surface of the cartridge 142, to the tapered portion 175 and then into the loaded position 177.

Loaded Position capture

[122] The cartridge 142 also includes a holder portion located at the loaded position 177 which is adjacent the firing end 13 when assembled onto a nail gun 11. The location of the holder portion corresponds to a top portion of cartridge at the top of the tapered section 175 and thereby at the loaded position 177. The holder portion is configured to loosely support the loaded puck 15 in the loaded position without interfering with the action of the firing end 13 of the nail gun 11 driving the puck 15 along the firing line F (see Figure 3). Therefore, the holder portion is a perimeter wall with central opening providing a clear pathway along the firing line. The holder portion is supplemented by a retaining member 167 for preventing accidental movement of the fastener 15 out of the loaded position 177 of the fastener while still allowing ready release of the puck when the nail gun fires as the user can then handle the gun freely without the loaded puck falling out of the holder.

[123] The retaining member 177 is a clip as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6. This clip effectively has two opposing arms that are resiliently mounted at opposite ends of a central portion. The central portion looks like a U-shape so as to divert around the firing line and not impede the firing end 13 of the nail gun 11. The resilient mounting of the two opposing arms allow for outward opposing edges of the fastener 15 to be resiliently held in the loaded position 177 while providing an open firing line for the fastener to exit the loaded position along the firing line by the driving action of firing end of the nail gun only when it is activated.

[124] The cover 143 can comprises a resiliently flexible tongue 147 extending from a top edge adjacent the loaded position of the adjacent to the tapered neck portion of the cartridge 142 to a position ending below the holder portion of the feeder. As shown in figure 5, the tongue is triangular and ends in a tip under the holder portion.

[125] The tapered portion 175 is configured such that the sidewalls and rear wall taper inwardly. Hence, the tongue 147 is configured to flex outwardly to allow the fastener to move forwards through the tapered portion 175 and into the loaded position. Thus, during firing, no part of the feeder 100 protrudes beyond the element 15 loaded with a fastener 2 and the gun 11 and therefore, can be used against a large flat surface such as a ceiling or wall.

Resilient retraction

[126] As shown in Figures 5, 7, 8, and 9, the feeder 100 includes a base housing 141 . The base housing is removably attached to the attachment body 150 that is fixed to the front of the nail gun 11 to allow alignment of the loaded position 177 of the fastener feeder 100 to the firing end 113 of the nail gun 11 . The base housing 141 , cartridge 142 and cover 143 are removably attached to the attachment body 150 and thereby to the nail gun 11. Part of the fastener feeder 100 is also configured to allow movement relative to the nail gun 11 when in use.

[127] The resilient retraction of the loaded position 177 moveable between a first position in line with B and a second position in line with C relative to the firing line F nail gun as shown in Figure 3 is by the loose captured mounting of the cartridge 142 to the base housing 141 with the resilient means 144 acting therebetween.

[128] The fastener feeder has fastener housing including a base housing 141 and a cartridge 142 holding the fasteners. A resilient means 169 in the base housing 141 allows resilient retraction of the loaded position 177 of the cartridge 142 moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the nail gun 11. The first position of the housing is defined by an outermost position of the tip of the nail gun. The second position of the housing is defined by a fully depressed position of the outermost tip of the fastener at the loaded position.

[129] The resilient means acting between the loose captured mounting of the cartridge to the base housing tends the cartridge to an aligned position against the base housing.

[130] As shown in Figure 5, the base housing 141 is substantially hollow. The base housing 141 has a body 161 comprises two opposed sidewalls connected to each other via a rear wall providing a central cavity 162. The base housing 141 comprises attachment elements extended from the rear wall allowing removable attachment to the attachment body 150 rigidly attached to the nail gun.

[131] The formations can include parts which engage within grooves within the outer surfaces of the gun. This prevents the base sliding up and down relative to the gun and, for example, misaligning the holder portion with the element position due to vibrations caused by the nail gun during use.

[132] The base housing 141 has inwardly extending flanges 163 at the sides of the open front of the body 161. These are proud of a top edge such that receiving sliding channels are formed behind the inwardly extending flanges 163. [133] The cartridge 142 includes outer flanges 176 extending a portion of the length of the cartridge. These outer flanges 176 are able to slide from below and along the receiving sliding channels formed by the inwardly extending flanges 163. The sizing of the flanges 176 are, however, within the diameter of the cavity 162 of the base housing 141 as shown in Figure 7 and therefore the cartridge back wall is loosely captured in the base housing 141 and can move therein. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, however, two spaced leaf springs 169 acting as the resilient means 144 are mounted in the base housing 141 and extend towards the open front and thereby engage the loosely captured cartridge 142 to tend the cartridge to the position shown in Figure 7 where the cartridge is pushed against the inner surface of the inwardly extending flanges 163 of the base housing 141.

[134] Figure 7 also shows that movement of the cartridge 142 is possible relative to the base housing 141 with the rear wall of the cartridge is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the base housing 141 and therefore to the nail gun 11 , in use. When the gun is not being used and element is not engaged for firing. In this position, the plate is in contact with the flanges as shown in Figure 8.

[135] Figures 15 and 16, and in particular the detailed views, illustrate the movement of the fasteners relative to the housing when the gun is being used. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, in the loaded position, the fastener is spaced from the tip of the firing end. The outer surface of the fastener is located against the surface. As the user moves the gun towards the target surface, the firing end moves towards and engages with the loaded fastener. In this embodiment, in this position, the safety catch is released. The user then continues to push the gun towards the target surface.

[136] With the firing end fully depressed, the fastener is installed into the surface. Upon movement of the gun away from the user, the fastener disengages from the loaded position.

[137] As shown in Figure 5, the base 141 comprises two top guide prongs 164 that extend from the rear wall of the housing, through the cavity of the housing and into the cavity of the fastener housing 110.

[138] The housing body 142 includes corresponding holes 111 within the housing body 142. The holes are located between the loaded fastener and a fastener adjacent the loaded fastener. Each prong 164 is configured to be located within the corresponding holes when the housing 142 is in the second position.

[139] Upon depressing the fastener, in use, the rear wall of the cartridge 142 moves along A-A (see Figure 3) and the two top guide prongs 164 extend through the corresponding holes 111. The force of firing the nail gun 11 can cause the fastener adjacent the loaded fastener to move upwardly and outwardly or may cause twisting of the top of the housing which leads to a misalignment of the fasteners within the housing. The two top guide prongs 164 prevent upward movement of the fastener adjacent the loaded fastener and retain the fasteners in an appropriate configuration.

[140] A user will not require much dexterity in order remove a spent cartridge and replace it with a cartridge comprising fasteners, which it will be appreciated expedites installation of the fasteners.

[141] In some embodiments, after the cartridge has been emptied and removed, it is contemplated that the empty cartridge can be re-loaded with fasteners.

[142] The fastener feeder 100 can be made of a suitable durable material. For example, the fastener feeder 100 can be made of a suitable thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer or a metal. The suitable durable material may, for example, comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, PTFE, ABS, or polycarbonate. It is envisaged that the housing 100 can be made of other suitable materials. They may be made of recycled materials. A suitable metal may be aluminium or steel.

Embodiments

[143] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Comprising and Including

[144] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e., to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[145] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Industrial Applicability

[146] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the tooling, construction and building and associated trade industries.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 . A fastener feeder for use with a nail gun comprising: a fastener housing configured to hold a plurality of fasteners, the fastener housing having at least one guide channel allowing directional movement of each of the plurality of fasteners to a loaded position in the fastener housing; a driver for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in a driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position; and a resilient means in the fastener housing for allowing resilient retraction of the loaded position in a retraction direction angled to the driving direction.

2. The fastener feeder of claim 1 , wherein the fastener housing is attachedly locatable to the nail gun such that, in use, the loaded position aligns along a firing line of a firing end of the nail gun and the resilient means allows resilient retraction of the loaded position along a retraction direction substantially along the firing line of the nail gun.

3. The fastener feeder of claim 1 , wherein, in use, the resilient means in the fastener housing allows resilient retraction of the loaded position moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the nail gun.

4. The fastener feeder of claim 1 , wherein the fastener housing includes a base housing and a cartridge holding the fasteners.

5. The fastener feeder of claim 4, wherein the first position of the fastener housing is defined by an outermost position of the tip of the nail gun.

6. The fastener feeder of claim 5, wherein the second position of the fastener housing is defined by a fully depressed position of the outermost position of the tip of the fastener at the loaded position.

7. The fastener feeder of claim 6, wherein the resilient retraction of the loaded position moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the nail gun is by a loose captured mounting of the cartridge to the base housing with the resilient means acting therebetween.

8. The fastener feeder of claim 7, wherein the resilient means acting between the loose captured mounting of the cartridge to the base housing tends the cartridge to an aligned position against the base housing.

9. The fastener feeder of claim 1 , wherein the resilient means includes one or more leaf spring.

10. The fastener feeder of claim 1 , wherein the resilient means includes a plurality of spaced parallel leaf springs extending along the length of the base housing and the loose captured mounting of the cartridge substantially along the driving direction.

11 . The fastener feeder of claim 2, wherein the fastener housing includes a cover to the cartridge.

12. The fastener feeder of claim 11 , wherein the at least one guide channel is defined by internal surfaces of the fastener housing and cover.

13. The fastener feeder of claim 12, wherein the fastener housing includes a tapered portion feeding to the loaded position in the fastener housing.

14. The fastener feeder of claim 13, wherein the cover includes a flexible tongue located adjacent a tapered portion, the tongue being configured to flex outwardly as a fastener moves into the tapered portion.

15. The fastener feeder of claim 14, wherein the fastener housing includes a holder portion adjacent the tapered portion for supporting the fastener in the loaded position.

16. The fastener feeder of claim 15, including a retaining member engageable with the holder portion for preventing movement of the fastener out of the loaded position of the fastener.

17. The fastener feeder of claim 16, wherein the retaining member is a resilient member extending around the holder portion with shaped openings to not interfere with the firing line or the driving direction of feed of the fasteners into the loaded position.

18. The fastener feeder of claim 1 , wherein the driver includes a spring-loaded mechanism for causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

19. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the spring-loaded mechanism includes a follower mounting in or adjacent the at least one guide channel for effecting the resilient action to causing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

20. The fastener of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the spring-loaded mechanism is a drum spring mounted at a position near the loaded position and connected to the follower to provide a drawing movement of the plurality of fasteners in the driving direction along the at least one guide channel towards the loaded position.

21 . The fastener feeder of claim 20, wherein the fastener housing has a channel located in a rear surface of the fastener housing, the drum spring being located within the channel.

22. The fastener feeder of claim 4, further including an attachment body that is attachable to an outer surface of the nail gun for supporting the fastener housing in an aligned position with the firing end of the nail gun.

23. The fastener feeder of claim 22, wherein the base housing includes an attachment body formation configured to securely engage with one or more outer surfaces of a front of the nail gun.

24. The fastener feeder of claim 4, wherein the cartridge includes one or more retaining nodes configured, in use, to engage the fastener housing and retain the cartridge in an operative position.

25. The fastener feeder of claim 24, wherein movement of the one or more retaining nodes away from the base housing releases the cartridge from an operational position with the fastener housing.

26. The fastener feeder of claim 25, wherein the cartridge is moveable by a distance approximately equivalent to a distance travelled by the tip of the nail gun from the outermost position to the fully depressed position.

27. A method of operation of a fastener feeder comprising the steps of: providing a fastener feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 26, the fastener feeder having a guide path of fasteners leading to a loaded position; allowing for automatic resilient feeding of fasteners in driving direction towards the loaded position; allowing mounting of fastener feeder to a nail gun with loaded position in line with firing line and at an angle to the driving direction; providing resilient mechanism for resistive retraction of firing end of the nail gun; and activating driving of firing end of the nail gun to drive the fastener in the loaded position.