Installation Tool for Universal Fastener

Abstract

A tool for installation of a concealed fastener which may be formed in situ during attachment of a first grooved sheathing member to an underlying support member. The tool has a barrel for holding a fixing member axially and a feeding mechanism for holding and advancing cross members and maintaining a cross member aligned with the fixing member in the barrel. The tool allows insertion of a front end of the cross member into a plank groove whereupon a fixing member may be driven from the barrel through the cross member and partially into a support, thereby securing the plank to the support. The feeding mechanism thereafter advances an uninstalled cross member to the forward position aligned with a fixing member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power driving tool for attaching a plank having at least one side groove in an edge to a support member with a fastener comprising a cross member with an opening for receiving a elongate fixing member having a shank positioned between a first end and a second end, comprising:
 a barrel configured to hold a front most fixing member in an axial position, the barrel having an open front notch defining an upper surface and exposing a front portion of a front most fixing member shank;   a first feeding mechanism for holding a plurality of cross members and positioning and maintaining a front cross member in a forward position with the cross member opening aligned with the front most fixing member and the first end of the cross member exposed from the feeding mechanism in the forward position; wherein   the feeding mechanism is configured to allow insertion of the first end of the front cross member into and substantially parallel with a side groove in a plank and the front most fixing member shank is driven through the cross member opening and partially into the support member thereby attaching the plank and support member, whereafter another of the plurality of cross members in the feeding mechanism is automatically positioned in the forward position.   
     
     
         2 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first feeding mechanism defines a first channel with a longitudinal axis extending from a rear end to a front end and slidingly retains a series of cross members. 
     
     
         3 . The power driving tool of  claim 2 , wherein the cross members are retained to slide longitudinally within the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , comprising a second feeding mechanism for retaining a plurality of fixing members and advancing the front most fixing member to the barrel for retention in the axial position. 
     
     
         5 . The power driving tool of  claim 4 , wherein the second feeding mechanism defines a second channel defining a second axis extending from a rear end to a front end and slidingly retains a series of fixing members. 
     
     
         6 . The power driving tool of  claim 4 , wherein the first feeding mechanism is housed within a first magazine attachable to an outer portion of the power driving tool. 
     
     
         7 . The power driving tool of  claim 6 , wherein the second feeding mechanism is housed within a second magazine attachable to an outer portion of the power driving tool independent from the first magazine. 
     
     
         8 . The power driving tool of  claim 2 , comprising a bias element positioned toward the rear end of the first channel for biasing the series of cross members frontward. 
     
     
         9 . The power driving tool of  claim 5 , comprising a bias element positioned toward the rear end of the second channel for biasing the series of fixing members frontward. 
     
     
         10 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cross member is maintained substantially perpendicular to the front most fixing member axis when positioned in the forward position. 
     
     
         11 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , wherein the front most fixing member shank is driven through the cross member opening partially into the support member substantially perpendicular to the cross member. 
     
     
         12 . The power driving tool of  claim 11 , wherein the front most fixing member shank is driven substantially perpendicular to the side groove of the plank which is being attached to the support member. 
     
     
         13 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , wherein driving of the front most fixing member shank creates a press fit between the cross member and fixing member. 
     
     
         14 . The power driving tool of  claim 8 , comprising a positive stopper mechanism positioned opposite the bias element in the first channel for aiding alignment of the front cross member in the forward position. 
     
     
         15 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cross member has at least one downwardly projecting prong on the first end which is exposed from the first feeding mechanism when the cross member is in the forward position. 
     
     
         16 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , wherein the notch defines an upper surface opposite a lower surface spaced therefrom, and upper surface is a positive stop on the power driving tool against the plank during installation of the fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The power driving tool of  claim 16 , wherein the notch lower surface abuts the cross member positioned in the forward position. 
     
     
         18 . The power driving tool of  claim 1 , comprising a support surface for maintaining the rear portion of the front cross member in a position with the cross member within 15 degrees of parallel to the plank when attached. 
     
     
         19 . A power driving tool for attaching a plank having at least one side groove in an edge to a support member with a fastener comprising a cross member with an opening for receiving a elongate fixing member having a shank positioned between a first end and a second end, comprising
 a barrel configured to hold a front most fixing member in an axial position, the barrel having a notch-like front opening defining an upper surface and a substantially perpendicular side surface and which exposes a front portion of the front most fixing member shank;   a feeding mechanism defining a channel for holding a plurality of cross members and automatically positioning a cross member in a forward position substantially perpendicular to the front most fixing member axis and the cross member opening and front most fixing member aligned, a front end of the cross member being exposed from the channel in the forward position; wherein   the feeding mechanism is configured to allow insertion of the first end of the cross member into and substantially parallel with a side groove in a plank and a user initiates driving of the front most fixing member shank substantially perpendicularly through the cross member opening and partially into the support member thereby attaching the plank and support member and forming a hidden fastener.