United States Patent
`Haugen
`
`[19]
`
`US006109474A
`[111 Patent Number:
`[451 Date of Patent:
`
`6,109,474
`Aug. 29, 2000
`
`[54] FELT TAB FEEDER FOR NAILING GUN
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm~iemens Patent Services
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Shane Haugen, P.O. Box 4044, Gulf
`Shores, Ala. 36547
`
`[21]
`
`[221
`
`[511
`[521
`[5S]
`
`[56]
`
`Appl. No.: 09/184,943
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 3, 1998
`
`Int. CI.7 ....................................................... B65H 5/28
`U.S. Cl ................................. 221/71; 221/77; 411/162
`Field of Search .................................. 221/25, 26-69,
`221/71, 73, 77, 79, 30, 106, 253, 277; 411/162,
`147, 149; 227/107
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,410,103 10/1983 Fuhrmeister .............................. 221/25
`5,067,865 11/1991 Zylka et al ............................. 411/531
`2/1993 Zylka et al ................................. 221/1
`5,184,752
`
`[571
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Automatic feeding apparatus for feeding a coil of felt tabs
`connected in head to tail relation to a nailing or stapling gun.
`The feeder places one tab beneath the gun in the path of the
`next nail or staple to be driven by the gun such that operating
`the gun causes a felt tab to be installed simultaneously with
`the driven nail or staple. The feeding apparatus includes a
`clip for storing a coil of tabs, a tractor drive for advancing
`the coil one tab at a time when the gun is operated, and a
`motor for operating the tractor drive. The clip has a remov-
`able cover and an axle about which the coil of tabs rotates
`as it is paid out. The tractor drive has an endless belt from
`which fingers project to engage the tabs. Power is the same
`as that employed by the gun. The feeding apparatus may be
`integral with the gun or may have structure enabling ready
`attachment to the gun.
`
`Primary Examiner~Kenneth W. Noland
`
`17 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
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`14
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`22
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`138
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`L_J 16
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`152
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`152
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`200
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`20
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`118
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`I O0 ~102
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 1
`Owens Coming v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 1 of 7
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`6,109,474
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`\ \
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`\
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`I I
`I I
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`I I
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`I !
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`\ \
`\ \
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`0
`0
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`0
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`0
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 2
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 2 of 7
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`6,109,474
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`200 --~ ._204/208
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`204
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`f200
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`~N,~ 200
`~=10, ~
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`212 214
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`200 202
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`206
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`208
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`20O
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`200
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`.----200
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 3
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 3 of 7
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`6,109,474
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`0
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`O4
`0
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`0
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 4
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 4 of 7
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`6,109,474
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 5
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 29, 2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
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`6,109,474
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`O
`O
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 6
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 6 of 7
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`6,109,474
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`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 7
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`472 ~
`
`OPERATOR
`SWITCH
`
`i
`
`VOLTAGE
`SENSING
`RELAY
`
`,"z..-- 482
`
`TAB
`FCC-D
`MOTIVE
`ELEMENT
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`VS~"-’~
`
`-’432
`
`470
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`

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`6,109,474
`
`1
`FELT TAB FEEDER FOR NAILING GUN
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to apparatus and method for
`dispensing felt tabs in conjunction with operating a nailing
`gun. One felt tab is held directly beneath the gun so that the
`operation of driving a nail simultaneously causes one felt tab
`to be penetrated and thereby pinned by the nail. The prin-
`cipal application of the invention is in the field of building
`construction, and more particularly, in assembly of roofing
`materials to roofs.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Roofs are typically constructed by installing weather
`resistant elements such as tar paper and roofing shingles on
`a supporting structural stratum such as plywood. Through-
`out most of the United States, these materials may be
`installed employing roofing nails and staples. Roofing nails
`are relatively short, broad headed nails. Staples, if
`employed, are of the type having a U-shape providing a
`relatively broad central member which bears against the
`article being fastened in a manner corresponding to that
`provided by the broad head of a roofing nail.
`In certain parts of the United States, particularly those
`located where hurricanes and similar severe weather condi-
`tions are prevalent, building codes require that the surface
`area of the roofing material contacted by the nail be extended
`by provision of a felt tab. Felt tabs are so called because they
`typically lie on and secure felt or tar paper to the structural
`element of the roof. Conventional tabs are typically circular,
`and offer surface area considerably greater than that of the
`head of a roofing nail and the central member of a staple.
`When the roofing nail or staple is driven through the tab, a
`correspondingly greater area of the roof is securely engaged
`by the combined nail or staple and felt tab. The benefit of
`this process is similar in principal to that provided by placing
`a large flat washer beneath the head of a bolt or nail.
`In traditional practice, felt tabs have been manually placed
`beneath a nailing gun. When the gun is fired, or operated, the
`felt tab is installed simultaneously with the roofing nail. This
`practice entails obvious hazards to the installer, and also is
`cumbersome and inefficient. Accordingly, the prior art has
`developed apparatus for automating feeding and placing of
`circular felt tabs beneath a nailing gun. The apparatus is
`attached to the gun, and causes one felt tab to be installed as
`the gun is operated.
`This approach is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,865 and
`5,184,752, issued to Karl H. Zylka et al. on Nov. 26, 1991,
`and Feb. 9, 1993, respectively. However, both apparatus and
`method of Zylka et al. differ from those of the present
`invention. Zylka et al. employs conventional, unconnected
`disc shaped tabs vertically stacked in a column. By contrast,
`the present invention employs a coil of detachably con-
`nected tabs. The novel apparatus unwinds the coil of tabs
`such that the tab located at the end of the coil is located
`directly beneath the path of the next nail or staple to be
`driven. Apparatus for unwinding a coil is obviously different
`from that appropriate for dispensing individual discs from a
`stack of unattached discs. In a further difference, the felt tabs
`themselves differ from the traditional disc configuration of
`felt tabs. The novel tabs are generally rectangular, attach to
`one another by thin, frangible joints, and have depressions
`formed in their broad faces for receiving prongs of drive
`apparatus employed to advance the coil.
`None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
`singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant
`invention as claimed.
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention sets forth method and apparatus for
`automatically feeding a felt tab to guns for dispensing nails,
`staples and other fasteners. The apparatus dispenses felt tabs
`5 such that one tab is automatically installed by the nailing or
`stapling gun each time a nail or staple is driven. The tabs are
`formed as a coil, or connected, spirally wound series of
`individual tabs connected serially in head to tail fashion.
`Connection of the tabs is by a frangible seam or joint that is
`so ruptured by the relatively violent action of firing the nailing
`or stapling gun.
`The dispensing apparatus comprises a tractor drive which
`engages the felt tabs. While most of the felt tabs are in the
`form of a spirally wound coil, the last few tabs are arrayed
`25 in a straight line, with the very last tab sitting beneath the
`next nail or staple awaiting driving. A tractor drive engages
`those tabs forming the straight line. The tractor drive is
`either pneumatically or electrically operated by the same
`power source operating the nailing or stapling gun. The
`2o tractor drive advances the coil in units of one tab, responsive
`
`to detection of firing of the gun. For pneumatic guns, a
`momentary drop in pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic
`supply is sensed. For electrically operated guns, momentary
`voltage drop is sensed.
`25 Optionally, the dispensing apparatus can be manually
`reversed to withdraw the last felt tab from its position
`beneath the next nail or staple awaiting driving. This feature
`enables the operator of the gun to remove a misaligned or
`defective felt tab from the ready position, and to clear jams
`3o from the gun. In another option, the dispensing apparatus
`
`can be disabled by a switch or the like to enable the nailing
`or stapling gun to dispense nails or staples without dispens-
`ing felt tabs. This feature enables the operator to dispense
`fasteners with the nailing or stapling gun in situations other
`35 than those requiring felt tabs.
`
`5o
`
`Individual felt tabs are generally rectangular, each tab
`attaching in serial or head to tail fashion to a leading tab at
`one end and to a trailing tab at the other end. Attachment is
`by a frangible seam or joint formed between adjacent tabs.
`4o Each tab has a depression formed on its broad face, for
`receiving prongs or other projections of the tractor drive.
`The depression has a ramp leading to the flat, broad face so
`that if the coil of tabs is manually reversed, the prong will
`not remain stuck in the depression. Rather, the prong rides
`45 up the ramp, coming to rest on the upper flat, broad face of
`the tab, thereby disengaging from the tab.
`The novel tab dispensing apparatus can be provided either
`integrally with a nailing or stapling gun, or may be provided
`in a form readily attached to pre-existing nailing and sta-
`pling guns. The invention further comprises a novel con-
`figuration of felt tabs and a method of feeding these felt tabs
`to nailing and stapling guns.
`Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
`provide automatic felt tab feeding apparatus suitable for use
`with fastener driving guns.
`It is another object of the invention that the feeding
`apparatus feed tabs one by one responsive to operation of a
`fastener driving gun.
`6o It is a further object of the invention to dispense tabs from
`serially connected felt tabs which can be wound in an
`elongate coil.
`Still another object of the invention is to operate the
`feeder from the same power source as that powering a
`65 fastener driving gun.
`An additional object of the invention is to engage serially
`connected tabs by a finger.
`
`55
`
`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 9
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages
`of the present invention will become more fully appreciated
`as the same becomes better understood when considered in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like 20
`reference characters designate the same or similar parts
`throughout the several views, and wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of a
`nailing gun provided with a felt tab feeding apparatus.
`FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of felt tabs arranged as 25
`they would be in the feeding apparatus of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a top plan detail view of the felt tabs of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational detail view of FIG. 3, shown
`partially in cross section.
`FIG. g is a diagrammatic, side elevational, mostly cross
`sectional view of the feeding apparatus shown at the lower
`right of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic system of
`the embodiment of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 7 a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an
`alternative embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic, side elevational view of an
`electrically operated fastener driving gun incorporating the 4o
`present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing power and control
`circuitry of the embodiment of FIG. 8.
`
`3o
`
`35
`
`3
`It is a further object of the invention to enable the feed
`apparatus to be reversed for clearing j ams and defective tabs
`from the feed apparatus.
`Yet another object of the invention is to enable the feeder
`mechanism to be attached to pre-existing fastener driving
`guns.
`It is an object of the invention to provide improved
`elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the
`purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and
`fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`become readily apparent upon further review of the follow-
`ing specification and drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a representative fastener
`driving gun 10 of a commercially available type commonly
`employed to drive nails. It will be understood that gun 10
`could equally be of a type to drive staples (not shown) or still
`other fasteners. Gun 10 may be any fastening driving gun
`which dispenses a fastener by imparting linear propulsion to
`the fastener. Gun 10 is conventional, and certain components
`thereof will be described merely to explain their cooperation
`with the novel feed apparatus. Gun 10 includes propulsion
`apparatus, such as a conventional pneumatic driver 12 which
`is connected to a power source such as external supply
`conduit 14 connected to a source of compressed gas. An
`internal conduit 22 connects conduit 14 to driver 12. Driver
`12 moves piston 16 rapidly downwardly, as depicted in FIG.
`1, to subject a nail 18 to an impact of sufficient force to drive
`nail 18 downardly into a plywood sheet (not shown) or other
`structural element of a roof.
`Nail 18 is one of many nails (others not shown) awaiting
`driving, and is stored in a conventional magazine (not
`shown) or other holding chamber. Gun 10 will be understood
`to include conventional components such as an operator’s
`
`6,109,474
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`5
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`10
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`15
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`4
`button or trigger, safety interlock disabling operation unless
`gun 10 is pressed against the plywood sheet, and other
`structural elements, although these components are omitted
`for brevity.
`Gun 10 is provided with an automatic feed apparatus 100
`which feeds felt tabs 200 to gun 10 such that one felt tab 200
`sits directly beneath and in the path of nail 18. The path of
`nail 18 is that along which nail 18 will travel when struck by
`piston 16. The path is indicated by broken line 20. Apparatus
`100 dispenses individual felt tabs 200 which are formed in
`a coil 202 of serially connected individual felt tabs 200, as
`shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates felt tabs 200 in greater
`detail. Each felt tab 200 has a depression 204 located on a
`broad surface or face 206. Each felt tab 200 has two notches
`208 and a frangible joint or seam 210 disposed between
`adjacent felt tabs 200. Notches 208 and seam 210 cooperate
`to enable felt tabs 200 to be readily broken away from an
`adjacent felt tab 200 when struck by nail 18 as nail 18 is
`driven by piston 16. Seam 210 is sufficiently strong to secure
`felt tabs 200 in their connected condition, and sufficiently
`flexible to enable connected felt tabs 200 to be wound in coil
`202 shown in FIG. 2.
`Looking at individual felt tab 200, as shown in FIG. 4,
`depression 204 has a section with upright walls 212, and an
`inclined wall or ramp 214. These features of depression 204
`cooperate with a driver in a manner to be explained here-
`inafter.
`Returning to FIG. 1, a clip 102 is fixed to gun 10. Clip 102
`contains coil 202 and dispenses felt tabs 200 such that one
`felt tab 200 is located beneath nail 18. FIG. 5 illustrates
`internal detail of clip 102. Clip 102 is seen to have an outer
`wall 104 enclosing an open interior 106 which is dimen-
`sioned and configured to hold and unreel coil 202. Coil 202
`is supported on an axle 108 projecting from rear wall 110 of
`clip 102. Coil 202 is prevented from falling out of clip 102
`by a removable cover 112. Cover 112 is removed or opened
`to replenish coil 202. Cover 112 is removable in that it
`reveals interior 106. It does not necessarily have to be
`separable from clip 102. Cover 112 may, for example, be
`attached to clip 102 by a hinge 114. If desired, cover 112
`could be removably attached to clip 102 by spring arm clips
`(not shown), threaded fastener (not shown), or in any other
`suitable way enabling ready manual opening and closing of
`interior 106.
`45 FIG. 5 also shows a driver 120 which advances felt tabs
`200 of coil 202. Driver 120 has engagement elements which
`engage felt tabs 200. Driver 120 includes a motive element
`to move the engagement elements in a direction paying out
`felt tabs 200, that being the direction causing coil 202 to
`5o unreel. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, driver 120 is a tractor
`drive wherein engagement elements are provided by fingers
`122 projecting from an endless belt 124. Each finger 122
`will come to occupy and engage one depression 204 of an
`associated felt tab 200. When belt 124 is rotated such that
`55 fingers 122 located on the lower side of belt 124 move to the
`left, they will abut the forward walls 212 of their associated
`depressions 204, and propel the engaged felt tabs 200 to the
`left, thereby unreeling coil 200.
`From time to time, it may be necessary to rotate belt 124
`6o in a direction opposite that of ordinary operation, or reverse
`belt 124. This may be required to clear a jam or to perform
`other service to gun 10. This is accomplished by turning a
`suitable manual control such as knob 118 (see FIG. 1), which
`is fixed to driver 120 in any suitable way. Knob 118 may also
`65 be employed to make manual adjustments, where necessary,
`to assure that the foremost felt tab 200 is in its proper
`position beneath nail 18.
`
`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 10
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`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`6,109,474
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`5
`Some felt tabs 200 of coil 202 are engaged at any one time
`by fingers 122. As belt 124 rotates, fingers 122 will advance
`coil 202 such that succeeding felt tabs 200 are progressively
`positioned beneath nail 18.
`
`Endless belt 124 is supported on two rotatable wheels
`126, 128. Wheels 126, 128 are suitably journaled in housing
`130 which encloses the tractor drive. Wheel 128 is driven by
`knob 118 for reversing and adjusting belt 124. Wheel 126 is
`rotated by the motive element. In the embodiment of FIG. 5,
`the motive element is a pneumatically operated piston and
`cylinder assembly 132. When the piston (not separately
`shown) is propelled downwardly by introduction of com-
`pressed gas into assembly 132, a ratchet arm 134 engages
`teeth 136 fixed to wheel 126, and rotates wheel 126 to a
`predetermined limited degree. The amount of rotation
`imparted by each stroke of the piston and ratchet arm 134,
`and the distance by which coil 202 advances corresponds to
`the length of one felt tab 200. This assures that as each felt
`tab 200 is replaced by the next, the newly positioned felt tab
`200 will be properly positioned beneath nail 18.
`
`Operating power is connected to piston and cylinder
`assembly 132 by the following arrangement. It is desired,
`but not necessary, that assembly 132 be powered by the
`same power source operating piston 16 of gun 10. FIG. 6
`shows this arrangement diagrammatically. A tee fitting 138
`is interposed between supply conduit 14 and internal conduit
`22, thereby tapping the source of compressed gas. A conduit
`140 conducts compressed gas to a sensor, such as pressure
`transducer 142, and to a controller, such as a valve 144.
`When transducer 142 senses a drop in operating pressure,
`which would occur when gun 10 drives nail 18, transducer
`142 opens valve 144. Pressure of the compressed gas is then
`communicated to piston and cylinder assembly 132. The
`piston then moves ratchet arm 134 to advance coil 202.
`Transducer 142 is arranged to introduce a suitable delay so
`that there is no interference between, on one hand, piston 16
`of gun 10 and nail 18 being driven, and on the other hand,
`that felt tab 200 which is being moved to the ready position
`beneath a new nail 18. The controller, by timing or duration
`of operation or in any other suitable way, operates the
`motive element such that the coil of felt tabs is advanced by
`the distance of the length of one felt tab 200.
`FIG. I illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein
`automatic feed apparatus 100 is separate from fastener
`driving gun 10, and is adapted to be retrofit to a pre-existing
`gun 10. To this end, apparatus 100 has tabs 150 bearing holes
`152. Tabs 150 are located to align with screws or other
`fasteners (none shown) originally employed to assemble
`housing 24 of gun 10. Apparatus 10 may be installed to a
`conventional gun 10 by removing the screws or other
`fasteners, and reinstalling the screws, passing them through
`holes 152 of tabs 150.
`Of course, it is possible to form a fastener driving gun 300
`to include feed apparatus 100 as an integral part. As shown
`in FIG. 7, this is performed by configuring housing 324 of
`gun 300 to enclose the operative components of apparatus
`100 as well as those of the fastener driving gun itself. It will
`be understood that gun 300 has all of the features of
`conventional gun 10, and incorporates all of the features of
`automatic feeding apparatus 100.
`
`Thus far, the invention has been described in terms of
`pneumatic power. Some conventional fastener driving guns
`operate by electrical power. The novel felt tab feeding
`apparatus is readily adapted to electrically operated guns. An
`electrically operated fastener driving gun 400 is shown in
`FIG. 8. Gun 400 incorporates all the features of a conven-
`
`6
`tional electrically operated driving gun (not shown) as well
`as the features of feeding apparatus 100. Propulsion appa-
`ratus of gun 10, which is pneumatic driver 12, is replaced by
`a motor or solenoid 412 served by an electrical cable 422
`5 rather than the pneumatic conduit 22 of gun 10. In other
`functional aspects, gun 400 is similar to gun 10, but with
`accommodation of electrical power rather than pneumatic
`power.
`Gun 400 may be a conventional electrically operated
`s0 fastener driving gun not originally provided with a felt tab
`feeder. In this instance, an electrically operated felt tab feed
`apparatus 480 is provided. Feed apparatus 480 attaches to
`gun 400 by tabs 450 bearing holes 452 in a manner similar
`to that in which feed apparatus 100 attaches to gun 10. Of
`25 course, an electrically operated fastener driving gun may be
`formed to incorporate feed apparatus 480 integrally, in a
`manner similar to gun 300 of FIG. 7.
`In gun 400, an electrical feeding apparatus 480 replaces
`pneumatic feed apparatus 100 of gun 10. Fitting 138 of gun
`20 10 is replaced by a tee splice 438. Conduit 140 of gun 10 is
`
`replaced by conductors 440. Power is obtained by terminat-
`ing cable 422 in a cord and plug assembly 470.
`Similarly, and referring now to FIG. 9, pneumatic piston
`and cylinder assembly 132 of gun 10 is replaced in gun 400
`25 by a solenoid 432 to accommodate electrical power. The
`
`power circuit is closed by a conventional manual operating
`switch 472, which operates piston solenoid 412 when plug
`and cord assembly 470 has been connected to electrical
`power. A voltage sensing relay 482 senses voltage drop in
`3o the circuit to solenoid 412. Normally open contacts 484 of
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`relay 482 close to energize tab feed motive element 432,
`which is a solenoid. Contact closure occurs after a suitable
`delay to avoid interference between piston 416, which is
`driven by propulsion apparatus 412, and a new felt tab 200.
`Felt tab feed apparatus 480 may be modified to be
`operated in ways other than that set forth above. For
`example, voltage sensing relay 482 may be replaced by
`another sensor (not shown), such as a limit switch or any
`other device which senses operation of propulsion apparatus
`412. Operation of tab feed motive element may be controlled
`by that switch operating propulsion apparatus 412, again
`with a suitable delay introduced to avoid interference
`between piston 416 and a new felt tab 200.
`
`45 Obviously, the present invention may be employed with
`fasteners other than nails and staples. Any fastening driving
`gun which dispenses a fastener by imparting linear propul-
`sion to the fastener may incorporate the present invention.
`It is to be understood that the present invention is not
`
`5o limited to the embodiments described above, but encom-
`passes any and all embodiments within the scope of the
`following claims.
`I claim:
`1. Automatic feed apparatus for feeding felt tabs formed
`55 in a coil of serially connected individual felt tabs to a
`fastener driving gun, wherein the fastener driving gun has a
`power source and a fastener awaiting driving, said automatic
`feed apparatus comprising:
`a clip having an outer wall and an open interior dimen-
`sioned and configured to hold and unreel the coil of
`tabs;
`a driver having engagement elements disposed to engage
`some of the felt tabs of the coil and a motive element
`disposed to move said engagement elements in a direc-
`tion causing the coil of felt tabs to unreel, power
`connection means for operating said motive element
`from the power source of the fastener driving gun; and
`
`6o
`
`65
`
`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 11
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`IPR2015-00650
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`

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`6,109,474
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`5
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`25
`
`attachment means for attaching said clip and said driver to
`the fastener driving gun such that one unreeled felt tab
`is positioned in linear alignment with the fastener
`awaiting driving with respect to the fastener driving
`gun such that the fastener will pass through the one
`unreeled felt tab;
`a sensor disposed to sense when the fastening driving gun
`drives a fastener, wherein said driver includes a con-
`troller operating said motive element responsive to said
`sensor sensing when the fastening driving gun drives a
`fastener, wherein said controller operates said motive
`element such that the coil of felt tabs unreels a distance
`equivalent to the length of one felt tab when one
`fastener is driven by the fastener driving gun; and
`a manual control disposed to reverse said driver, so that
`jams can be cleared from said automatic feed apparatus,
`wherein the fastener driving gun is pneumatically oper-
`ated and includes a supply conduit for conducting
`pressurized gas to the fastener driving gun, and wherein
`2o said power connection means include a fitting attach-
`able to the supply conduit of the fastener driving gun,
`said fitting enabling fluid communication between the
`supply conduit of the fastener and said power connec-
`tion means.
`10. A fastener driving gun for driving fasteners into an
`environmental object and for installing felt tabs by driving
`a fastener through each felt tab, said gun comprising:
`a fastener holder having a chamber for storing fasteners;
`propulsion apparatus disposed to drive the fasteners from
`said fastener holder into the environmental object;
`a power source operably connected to said propulsion
`apparatus;
`automatic feed apparatus for feeding felt tabs formed in a
`coil of serially connected individual felt tabs to said
`propulsion apparatus of said fastener driving gun, said
`automatic feed apparatus comprising
`a clip having an outer wall and an open interior
`dimensioned and configured to hold and unreel the
`coil of tabs;
`a driver having engagement elements disposed to
`engage some of the felt tabs of the coil and a motive
`element disposed to move said engagement elements
`in a direction causing the coil of felt tabs to unreel,
`power connection means for operating said motive
`element from the power source of the fastener driv-
`ing gun, and
`attachment means for attaching said clip and said driver
`to said fastener driving gun such that one unreeled
`felt tab is positioned in linear alignment with the
`fastener awaiting driving with respect to said fas-
`tener driving gun such that the fastener will pass
`through the one unreeled felt tab when said fastener
`driving gun drives a fastener.
`55 11. The fastener driving gun according to claim 10,
`wherein said clip has an axle disposed within said open
`interior disposed to support the coil of felt tabs, and a
`removable cover for enabling replenishment of felt tabs.
`12. The fastener driving gun according to claim 10,
`6o further including a sensor disposed to sense when said
`fastening driving gun drives a fastener, wherein said driver
`includes a controller operating said motive element respon-
`sive to said sensor sensing when said fastening driving gun
`drives a fastener.
`65 13. The fastener driving gun according to claim 12,
`wherein said controller operates said motive element such
`that the coil of felt tabs unreels a distance equivalent to the
`
`7
`attachment means for attaching said clip and said driver to
`the fastener driving gun such that one unreeled felt tab
`is positioned in linear alignment with the fastener
`awaiting driving with respect to the fastener driving
`gun such that the fastener will pass through the one
`unreeled felt tab.
`2. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein said clip has an axle disposed within said open
`interior disposed to support the coil of felt tabs, and a
`removable cover for enabling replenishment of felt tabs.
`3. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 1,
`further including a sensor disposed to sense when the
`fastening driving gun drives a fastener, wherein said driver
`includes a controller operating said motive element respon-
`sive to said sensor sensing when the fastening driving gun
`drives a fastener.
`4. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 3,
`wherein said controller operates said motive element such
`that the coil of felt tabs unreels a distance equivalent to the
`length of one felt tab when one fastener is driven by the
`fastener driving gun.
`5. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein the fastener driving gun is pneumatically operated
`and includes a supply conduit for conducting pressurized gas
`to the fastener driving gun, and wherein said power con-
`nection means include a fitting attachable to the supply
`conduit of the fastener driving gun, said fitting enabling fluid
`communication between the supply conduit of the fastener
`and said power connection means.
`6. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 3,
`wherein the fastener driving gun is electrically operated and
`includes electrical circuitry conducting electrical power to
`the motor of the fastener driving gun, and wherein said
`sensor senses energization of the motor of the fastener
`driving gun and is disposed to operate said motive element
`responsive to energization of the motor of the fastener
`driving gun.
`7. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 1,
`wherein said driver comprises a tractor drive having an
`endless belt, and said engagement elements of said driver
`comprise fingers projecting from said endless belt in a
`location to engage the felt tabs.
`8. The automatic feed apparatus according to claim 1,
`further comprising a manual control disposed to reverse said
`driver, so that jams can be cleared from said automatic feed
`apparatus.
`9. Automatic feed apparatus for feeding felt tabs formed
`in a coil of serially connected individual felt tabs to a
`fastener driving gun, wherein the fastener driving gun has a
`power source and a fastener awaiting driving, said automatic
`feed apparatus comprising:
`a clip having an outer wall and an open interior dimen-
`sioned and configured to hold and unreel the coil of
`tabs, wherein said clip has an axle disposed within said
`open interior disposed to support the coil of felt tabs,
`and a removable cover for enabling replenishment of
`felt tabs;
`a driver having engagement elements disposed to engage
`some of the felt tabs of the coil and a motive element
`disposed to move said engagement elements in a direc-
`tion causing the coil of felt tabs to unreel, power
`connection means for operating said motive element
`from the power source of the fastener driving gun,
`wherein said driver comprises a tractor drive having an
`endless belt, and said engagement elements of said
`driver comprise fingers projecting from said endless
`belt in a location to engage the felt tabs;
`
`3o
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`FAST FELT 2022, pg. 12
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`6,109,474
`
`length of one felt tab when one fastener is driven by said
`fastener driving gun.
`14. The fastener driving gun according to claim 10,
`wherein said power source of said fastener driving gun is
`pneumatically operated and includes a supply conduit for
`conducting pressurized gas to said