Patent ID: 6098442
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B21J,B25B,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
A fastening device for feeding and applying a plurality of serially linked fastening elements to a structure, which comprises:a feed track for receipt of the serially linked fastening elements therein;a housing containing an assembly station whereat each of successive leading ones of the serially linked fastening elements is to be positioned for assembly with the structure;a conveying mechanism operable for selectively advancing the successive leading fastening element from the feed track to the assembly station;a driver operable independently of the conveying mechanism for selectively separating each successive leading fastening element at the assembly station from the fastening elements which remain serially linked, and for advancing the separated leading fastening element from the assembly station into assembly with the structure;the plurality of fastening elements being linked by a continuous web from which the lead fastening element is separated by the driver;a guide way for directing the portions of the web from which the fastening elements have been separated to a location externally of the fastening device; anda cutter mechanism located to facilitate selective separation of the portions of the web which extend externally of the fastening device from trailing portions thereof which remain within the fastening device.