Power tool for setting fasteners

Abstract

A power tool including a motor at least partially located within the handle of the tool and having a first motor rotational axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle; and a fastener gripping portion operatively coupled to the motor via a transmission which in use causes movement of the fastener gripping portion along a second axis, between a home position and a retracted position to set a fastener engaged by the fastener gripping portion; the transmission including a bevel gear arrangement for redirecting torque to the second axis, and further including a mechanism for converting torque output from the bevel gear arrangement in use into a linear force for causing linear movement of the fastener gripping portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power tool comprising:
 a motor at least partially located within the handle of the tool and having a first motor rotational axis extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle; and   a fastener gripping portion, the fastener gripping portion translatable along a second central gripping axis and the fastener gripping portion operatively coupled to the motor via a transmission, the transmission including a bevel gear and a screw-nut force converter, the screw-nut force converter including a translational screw and a rotational nut, wherein   torque generated by the motor about the first rotational axis is transferred to the bevel gear which redirects the torque to apply a rotational force to the nut about the second axis, the screw-nut force converter converting rotation of the nut into translation of the screw, wherein the fastener gripping portion is connected to the screw to causes translational movement of the fastener gripping portion along the second axis, between a home position and a retracted position to set a fastener engaged by the fastener gripping portion.   
     
     
         2 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. 
     
     
         3 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the screw-nut force converter is a roller screw mechanism extending along the second axis between the bevel gear arrangement and the fastener gripping portion. 
     
     
         4 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is located entirely within the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission comprises at least one planetary gear stage for transferring torque from the motor along the first axis in use. 
     
     
         6 . The power tool of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one planetary gear stage is at least partially located within the handle. 
     
     
         7 . The power tool of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one planetary gear stage is entirely located within the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The power tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery attachment portion on the handle such that a notional line extending between the battery attachment portion and the motor output shaft extends along the first axis. 
     
     
         9 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a brushless DC motor. 
     
     
         10 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener gripping portion is a jaw assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the power tool is a blind rivet setting tool. 
     
     
         12 . The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the screw-nut force converter is a ball screw mechanism extending along the second axis between the bevel gear arrangement and the fastener gripping portion.