Dual mode pneumatic tool

In a pneumatic tool having a trigger valve and an extensible stem movable between valve actuated and valve reset positions, the valve requiring the stem to move to a reset position before the valve can acetate once the stem is moved to a valve actuated position, the combination of:

• a depressible first trigger lever;
• a secondary trigger lever having a first end being mounted to said first trigger lever;
• a removable pin oriented in one position for engaging another end of said secondary trigger lever;
• and
• a movable work contact element extensible from said tool and depressible toward said tool when said tool is moved against a workpiece,
• said work contact element having an upper end for engaging said secondary trigger lever at a position remote from said first end;
• wherein when said pin is in said one position, it blocks said secondary lever from motion sufficient to allow said stem to move to a valve reset position unless said first trigger lever is fully released;
• and
• wherein when said pin is removed from said one position, said secondary trigger lever can be moved through a range sufficient for said stem to move to a valve reset position when either said first trigger lever is fully released regardless of any position of the work contact element on said tool, or when said work contact element is fully extended, regardless of any position of the first trigger lever.

A pneumatic tool having a trigger valve and a trigger apparatus for actuating the trigger valve, said trigger apparatus comprising:

• a depressible first trigger lever pivotally mounted to the tool;
• a secondary trigger lever for engaging an actuator of said trigger valve;
• and pivotally mounted at a first end to the first trigger lever;
• and
• a pin disposed in said tool in one position for pivotally supporting a second end of said secondary trigger lever in one operational mode of said tool;
• said pin being removable from said one position, out of interference with said secondary trigger lever, to permit operation of said tool in another operational mode.

In a pneumatic tool for driving fasteners:

• a tool actuation valve;
• said valve being operable to actuate said tool and being resettable to operate said tool in repeatable cycles, but not able to actuate said tool unless reset between cycles;
• a depressible trigger apparatus for operating said valve and having first and second trigger elements;
• and
• a tool mode selector removable between a first position blocking a portion of said trigger apparatus and a second position removed from said blocking position;
• said tool mode selector in one position requiring full depression and release of said trigger apparatus between tool operating cycles;
• and
• when said tool mode selector is removed, said tool being operable either by depression and release of said trigger apparatus or by pressing said tool against a work surface while said trigger remains depressed and without requiring trigger release between cycles.