INTEGRATED CHECK PAWL, LAST NAIL-RETAINING, AND DRY FIRE LOCK-OUT MECHANISM FOR FASTENER-DRIVING TOOL

摘要

A fastener-driving tool (10) includes an integrated function member (50) tha t performs at least two of the following three functions: a check pawl functio n, a last fastener-retaining function, and a dry fire lock-out function. In the disclosed embodiment, the integrated function member is provided as a lever- type structure that constitutes part of the access door assembly by means of which access is gained to the fastener drive track (31) along which fastener s (e.g., roofing nails) are fed to the driving portion of the tool. Also disclosed is an improved method of retaining the last nail in the drive trac k by a lateral head gripping action and a tool for performing the method.