Patent ID: 6944944

Claim:
Fastener setting apparatus for a fastener setting tool comprising a package preloaded with fasteners, at least one fastener delivery tube for interconnecting the setting tool to a fastener feeder device that releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube, the fasteners being transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool, a transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube for transferring a fastener from the delivery tube into the tool, the transfer station being moveable between a first position in which an exit of the transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a loaded fastener charaterised in that there is provided an intermediate buffer for fasteners at or proximate to the transfer station tool so that multiple fasteners may be held at the transfer station and in that the delivery tube is releasably connectable to said intermediate buffer by an automatic docking device.