Latch assembly for the front gate of the guide body of an industrial fastener driving tool

摘要

A latch assembly to lock in closed position the front gate of the guide body of an industrial fastener driving tool of the type wherein the guide body and the front gate (in closed position) define a part of a drive track for the tool driver and fasteners. The gate has a first free end and a second end pivotally affixed by a pivot pin to the guide body and is swingable between a closed position against the guide body and an open position. The latch comprises a leaf spring overlying the gate and having a first free end and a second end pivotally affixed to the guide by the same pivot pin as the gate. The leaf spring has first and second angularly related portions so as to bow outwardly of the gate. A latch pin is mounted transversely on the leaf spring along the juncture of its first and second portions with the ends of the latch pin extending beyond the leaf spring. A U-shaped latch lever is provided having a base portion to be manually grasped and hook-shaped legs terminating in free ends pivotally affixed to the guide body to either side of the gate and the leaf spring. The latch lever is pivotable between an open position and a closed position wherein the legs thereof engage the latch pin ends with an over-center action, urging the leaf spring against the gate and locking the gate in its closed position.