Patent ID: 8047416

Claim:
A method for feeding fasteners to fastener insertion apparatus, the apparatus comprising a fastener insertion tool, a buffer for the temporary storage of fasteners in a track defined by the buffer, the buffer being proximate the tool and having an inlet and a delivery track for transporting fasteners from the buffer towards a fastener delivery passage of the tool, the insertion apparatus being movable between an operative position where it is able to insert fasteners via the delivery passage in the tool into a workpiece and a re-filling position where it is docked at a docking station so as to permit the buffer to be loaded with fasteners from a source of fasteners connected to the docking station, the method comprising the steps of moving the insertion apparatus to the refilling position such that the buffer is docked to the docking station, transferring fasteners from the docking station into the buffer via the inlet, then expelling from the buffer any excess loaded fasteners that are in excess of a predetermined level back through the buffer inlet to the docking station, undocking the insertion apparatus from the docking station, transferring at least one fastener from the buffer to the fastener insertion tool, and then using the fastener insertion apparatus to insert a fastener into or onto a workpiece.