Pneumatic tool with as-cast air signal passage

Abstract

A fastener driving device includes a housing containing a chamber for storing compressed air a cylinder structure disposed within the housing, a piston movably disposed within the cylinder, a driver connected to the piston, a main valve cooperable with the cylinder structure and movable between an open position and a closed position. The main valve in its open position allows air to move the piston through a drive stroke. The fastener driving device also includes a trigger valve operable between first and second positions. The trigger valve in its first position communicates air pressure from the chamber to the main valve through a signal passageway so as to retain the main valve in a closed position. The trigger valve in its second position allows the air to be exhausted to atmosphere through the signal passageway to permit the main valve to open. The cylinder and the signal passageway comprise an integrally molded structure.

1 . An integrally molded structure for use in a fastener driving device comprising: 
 a cylindrical portion having an inner cylindrical surface adapted to cooperate with a piston, said cylindrical portion having a longitudinal axis,    a passage portion disposed radially outwardly from said cylindrical surface and having an upper portion adapted to communicate with an upper portion of said cylindrical portion and a lower portion adapted to communicate with a trigger valve,    said passage portion being integrally molded with said cylindrical portion.    
   
   
       2 . A method of forming a cylindrical structure and a signal passageway for a fastener driving device comprising: 
 providing a mold structure that defines both said cylindrical structure and said signal passageway;    introducing molten material to said mold structure; and    forming both said cylindrical structure and said signal passageway in a molding operation.    
   
   
       3 . The method of forming a cylindrical structure and a signal passageway as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said material comprises a polymeric material.  
   
   
       4 . The method of forming a cylindrical structure and a signal passageway as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said material comprises a metal.