Method and apparatus for fixing assembly having resilient tool connection

Abstract

A fixing assembly for attaching a fixing to a workpiece, having a fixing and a resilient member. The fixing includes an aperture and is adapted for mating with the workpiece and holding the fixture. The resilient member includes a first portion secured in the aperture, and a second portion adapted for frictional engagement with a nosepiece of a fastener-driving tool.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A combination self-supporting fixing assembly and fastener-driving tool, the combination comprising: 
 a fastener-driving tool including a barrel having an end portion and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a fastener; and    a fixing assembly including a fixing for securing to a workpiece and a retaining member having a deformable portion;    wherein the deformable portion frictionally engages the inner surface of the barrel to define a first support location and the fixing assembly engages the end portion of the fastener-driving tool to define a second support location, the first and second support locations spaced apart and aligning the fixing assembly with the fastener-driving tool barrel for receiving a fastener therethrough.    
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the fixing includes an aperture and at least part of the retaining member extends through the aperture and engages the fixing.  
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining member is resilient.  
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining member has a diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the bore of the barrel.  
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining member includes a portion that approximates a disc in shape.  
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining member has a height and a width, the ratio of the height to width being less than unity.  
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining member is plastically deformable.  
   
   
       20 . A combination self-supporting fixing assembly and fastener-driving tool, the combination comprising: 
 a fastener-driving tool including a nosepiece having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a fastener; and    a fixing assembly including a fixing adapted for attaching to a workpiece and a retaining member having a deformable portion for holding the fixing assembly to the nosepiece;    wherein the deformable portion frictionally engages the inner surface of the nosepiece to define an internal support location and the fixing assembly engages the outer surface of the nosepiece to define an external support location, the internal and external support locations centering and aligning the fixing with the fastener-driving tool nosepiece for receiving a fastener therethrough to attach the fixing assembly to the workpiece.    
   
   
       21 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the outer surface of the nosepiece that is engaged by the fixing assembly is an end portion of the nosepiece.  
   
   
       22 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the nosepiece includes a barrel and the bore is disposed in the barrel.  
   
   
       23 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the retaining member has a height and a width, the ratio of the height to width being less than unity.  
   
   
       24 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the retaining member of the fixing assembly is adapted for being snap or press fitted to the outer surface of the nosepiece.  
   
   
       25 . The combination of  claim 24 , wherein the outer surface of the nosepiece is an end portion of the nosepiece.  
   
   
       26 . The combination of  claim 24 , wherein the retaining member is plastically deformable.  
   
   
       27 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the retaining member is plastically deformable.  
   
   
       28 . A combination self-supporting fixing assembly and fastener-driving tool, the combination comprising: 
 a fastener-driving tool including an elongated nosepiece having a free end with an outer surface and an internal bore for receiving a fastener therethrough, the bore defining a longitudinal axis and including an inner surface; and    a fixing assembly including a fixing adapted for attaching to a workpiece and a resilient member having a deformable portion for holding the fixing assembly to the nosepiece, the resilient member being frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the nosepiece to define an internal support location and the fixing assembly being engaged with the outer surface of the end of the nosepiece to define an external support location, the internal and external support locations supporting and aligning the fixing with the longitudinal axis of the nosepiece without support from the fastener.    
   
   
       29 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the resilient member has a height and a width, the ratio of the height to width being less than unity.  
   
   
       30 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the resilient member is plastically deformable.  
   
   
       31 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the resilient member of the fixing assembly is adapted for being snap or press fitted to the outer surface of the nosepiece, the resilient member being snap or press fitted to the outer surface to define the external support location.  
   
   
       32 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the fixing of the fixing assembly engages the outer surface of the end of the nosepiece to define the external support location.  
   
   
       32 . A method of attaching a fixing assembly into a workpiece comprising: 
 providing a fastener-driving tool including a nosepiece having an external surface and an internal bore defining an internal surface and an opening at one end of the nosepiece for ejecting a fastener from the nosepiece, the internal bore defining a longitudinal axis;    providing a fixing assembly including a fixing for attachment to a workpiece and a retaining member having a deformable portion;    engaging the deformable portion of the retaining member with the inner surface of the nosepiece to create a first support location;    engaging the fixing assembly with the external surface of the fixing to create a second support location spaced apart from the first support location;    aligning and supporting the fixing assembly with the longitudinal axis of the nosepiece using the first and second support locations;    advancing a fastener through the internal bore; and    penetrating the fixing assembly to attach the fixing assembly to the workpiece.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the step of engaging the fixing assembly with the external surface of the fixing includes engaging the open end nosepiece.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the step of engaging the fixing assembly with the external surface of the fixing includes abuttingly engaging the fixing with the external surface.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the retaining member of the fixing assembly is adapted for being snap or press fitted to the outer surface of the nosepiece, the step of engaging the fixing assembly with the external surface of the nosepiece including snap or press fitting the retaining member to the external surface.  
   
   
       36 . A combination self-supporting fixing assembly and fastener-driving tool, the combination comprising: 
 a fastener-driving tool including a nosepiece having an end, an outer surface, and an internal bore for receiving a fastener, the bore defining an internal surface and a longitudinal axis; and    a fixing assembly including a fixing adapted for attaching to a workpiece and a resilient member attached to the fixing for holding the fixing assembly to the nosepiece, the resilient member being adapted to be snap or press fitted to the outer surface of the nosepiece,    wherein the resilient member frictionally engages internal surface of the bore to define a first support location and the resilient member also being snap or press fitted to the outer surface of the nosepiece to define a second support location, the first and second support locations centering and aligning the resilient member with the internal bore for receiving a fastener therethrough to secure the fixing assembly to the workpiece.    
   
   
       37 . The combination of  claim 36 , wherein the outer surface is on the end of the nosepiece and the resilient member is snap or press fitted thereto.  
   
   
       38 . The combination of  claim 36 , wherein the resilient member is plastically deformable.