EXPLOSIVE ACTUATED TOOL FOR DRIVING FASTENING STUD

• US 3,797,721 A
• Filed: 07/20/1972
• Issued: 03/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thomas E. Clumb
• Inventors: Clumb, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Custer, Jr., Granville Y.
• Application Number:
  US05/273,506
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 227/8,9,10,11
• US Class Current: 227/9
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 1/105 Cartridge ejecting mechanisms and latch mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 1/126 operated by a hammer blow

Abstract

Explosive actuated tool for driving element by explosive charge comprises barrel having bore therein for positioning element to be driven by tool. Muzzle is provided at one end of barrel, and explosion chamber communicates with bore for receiving percussion ignitable explosive charge whereby when explosive charge is ignited element positioned within bore is driven from muzzle of tool. Closed gas expansion chamber surrounds barrel and communicates with bore solely through plurality of passageways in barrel directly adjacent muzzle of tool so that high velocity gases produced upon ignition of explosive charge are directed into gas expansion chamber through passageways. Gas expansion chamber functions to receive and dissipate high velocity gases to thereby provide relatively silent operation of tool. Ejection structure associated with explosion chamber removes any spent explosive charges that remain after ignition.

Claims

1. An explosive actuated tool for driving an element by an explosive charge comprising a barrel having a bore therein for positioning an element to be driven by the tool, a muzzle at one end of the barrel, an explosion chamber communicating with the bore for receiving a percussion ignitable explosive charge whereby when an explosive charge is ignited an element positioned within the bore is driven from the muzzle of the tool, a closed gas expansion chamber surrounding the barrel and communicating with the bore solely through a plurality of passageways in the barrel directly adjacent the muzzle of the tool whereby high velocity gases produced upon ignition of an explosive charge are directed into the gas expansion chamber through the passageways and dissipated therein, and ejection means associated with the explosion chamber for removing any spent explosive charges that remain after ignition, the ejection means comprising a reciprocable plunger movable within the bore and the explosion chamber of the barrel between a seated position in the explosion chamber and an extended position adjacent the muzzle of the tool.

2. An explosive actuated tool as in claim 1 including a stem secured at one end thereof to the plunger, and an operator engaging the free other end of the stem for urging the plunger to its extended positioN adjacent the muzzle of the tool.

3. An explosive actuated tool as in claim 2 wherein the operator comprises a reciprocable sleeve on the outside of the barrel and a plug on the inside of the barrel, longitudinal slot means extending through the barrel, and securing means extending through the slot means attaching the inside plug to the outside sleeve for movement therewith, and the plug being arranged to engage the stem at the free end thereof when the sleeve is moved toward the muzzle of the tool to eject any spent explosive charges that remain after ignition.

4. An explosive actuated tool as in claim 3 including first biasing means reacting between the barrel and the free end of the stem for urging the plunger to its seated position in the explosion chamber, and second biasing means reacting between the barrel and the plug for returning the operator to its position furthest removed from the muzzle of the tool.

5. An explosive actuated tool for driving an element by an explosive charge comprising a barrel having a bore therein for positioning an element to be driven by the tool, a muzzle at one end of the barrel, an explosion chamber communicating with the bore for receiving percussion ignitable explosive charges whereby when an explosive charge is ignited an element positioned within the bore is driven from the muzzle of the tool, and ejection means associated with the explosion chamber for removing any spent explosive charges that remain after ignition, the ejection means comprising a reciprocable plunger movable within the bore and the explosion chamber of the barrel between a seated position in the explosion chamber and an extended position adjacent the muzzle of the tool.

6. An explosive actuated tool as in claim 5 including a stem secured at one end thereof to the plunger, and an operator engaging the free other end of the stem for urging the plunger to its extended position adjacent the muzzle of the tool.

7. An explosive actuated tool as in claim 6 wherein the operator comprises a reciprocable sleeve on the outside of the barrel and a plug on the inside of the barrel, longitudinal slot means extending through the barrel, and securing means extending through the slot means attaching the inside plug to the outside sleeve for movement therewith, and the plug being arranged to engage the stem at the free end thereof when the sleeve is moved toward the muzzle of the tool to eject any spent explosive charges that remain after ignition.

8. An explosive actuated tool as in claim 7 including first biasing means reacting between the barrel and the free end of the stem for urging the plunger to its seated position in the explosion chamber, and second biasing means reacting between the barrel and the plug for returning the operator to its position furthest removed from the muzzle of the tool.