Nail gun extension and actuating apparatus

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to tool extension devices and more particularly pertains to a new tool extension device for holding a nail gun in such a manner that the nail gun may be selectively extended above a user to nail objects which would otherwise not be reachable.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of tool extension devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,749 describes a device that may be attached to a nail gun to extend the useful reach of the nail gun. Another type of tool extension device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,764 having a configuration adapted for extending the reach of a powered handheld garden tool. Still another such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,581 which describes an extension assembly for extending the reach of a power drill. Yet another such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,817 that is configured for lengthening the reach of a chainsaw.

[0005] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that may be secured to a nail gun to allow a user of the nail gun to use the nail gun in areas which would otherwise be unreachable. The device should be stable in construction and use to prevent accidental injuries and to ensure proper functioning of the nail gun.

[0006] The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising an elongated pole that has a bottom end and a top end. A coupler is attached to the pole and is positioned adjacent to the top end. The coupler is configured to releasably secure a nail gun to the pole so that a nozzle of the nail gun is orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pole and a trigger of the nail gun is adjacent to the top end. An actuating assembly is attached to the pole and is configured to selectively engage and actuate the trigger of the nail gun.

[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed, description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0008] The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the inventions are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

[0016] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new tool extension device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0017] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the nail gun extension and actuating apparatus 10 generally comprises an elongated pole 12 that has a bottom end 14 and a top end 16. The pole 12 is telescopic and has a selectable length generally between 6 feet and 14 feet.

[0018] A coupler 18 is attached to the pole 12 and is positioned adjacent to the top end 16. The coupler 18 is configured to releasably secure a nail gun 20 to the pole 12 so that a nozzle 22 of the nail gun 20 is orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pole 12 and a trigger 24 of the nail gun 20 is adjacent to the top end 16. The coupler 18 includes a plate 26 that is attached to and extends upwardly from the pole 12. The plate 26 has a first side 28 and a second side 30. A plurality of fasteners 32 is removably extendable through the plate 26 and into the nail gun 20 adjacent to a handle of the nail gun 20. An arm 34 is attached to the plate 26 adjacent to an upper edge 36 of the plate 26. The arm 34 extends upwardly from the plate 26 and is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pole 12. The arm 34 has a distal end 38 with respect to the plate 26. A fastener 40 extends through the arm 34 adjacent to the distal end 38 and into the nail gun 20 adjacent to the nozzle 22 so that the trigger 24 of the nail gun 20 is positioned between the distal end 38 and the plate 26.

[0019] An actuating assembly 40 is attached to the pole 12 and is configured to selectively engage and actuate the trigger 24 of the nail gun 20. The actuating assembly 40 includes a lever 42 having a lower end 44 and an upper end 46. A pivot rod 48 pivotally couples the lever 40 to the plate. The pivot rod 48 is positioned between the lower 44 and upper 46 ends and is orientated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole 12. A post 50 is attached to and extends outwardly from the lever 42. The post 50 is positioned adjacent to the upper end 46. The post 50 is orientated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole 12. The post 50 abuts the trigger 24 when the nail gun 20 is coupled to the pole 12. A leg 52 is attached to the lever 42 adjacent to the lower end 44 and is angled with respect to the lever 42. An elongated tether 54 has a first end 56 and a second end 58. The first end 56 is attached to the leg 52. The post 50 engages the trigger 24 when the first end 56 is pulled toward the bottom end 14 of the pole 12. An actuator 60 is attached to the pole 12 nearer to the bottom end 14 than the top end 16. The second end 58 of the tether 54 is attached to the actuator. The first end 56 is pulled toward the bottom end 16 of the pole 12 when the actuator 60 is actuated. The actuator 60 includes an elongated member 62 that is attached to a disc 64 that is rotatably coupled to the pole 12. The second end 58 is attached to disc 64 and may be pulled by rotation of the disc 64 with respect to the pole 12. A biasing member 66 is attached to tether 54 and biases the second end 58 toward the top end 16 of the pole 12.

[0020] In use, a nail gun 20 is attached to the apparatus 10 as described above. The pole 12 is extended to the height required and the nail gun 20 abutted against a surface into which a nail or staple is to be driven. The actuator 40 is then used to actuate the nail gun 20.

[0021] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0022] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.