Patent ID: 7650677

Claim:
A tool apparatus for use in attaching a hardware component, said apparatus comprising: a component holder having a slot defined by spaced apart edges and adapted to receive said hardware component, said component holder having first and second resilient spaced apart flange members; a blade member extending over the slot of the holder and positioned to bear against said first flange member when said hardware component is received into said holder; a retaining element provided adjacent the slot of said holder for releasably retaining said hardware component in said holder; a manipulator for maneuvering said holder and retained hardware component to position said second flange member against a given one of said slot edges, and for thereafter applying a force through said blade member to reduce the spacing between said first and second flange members, in order to allow insertion of both said flange members into said slot; a planar surface provided between said spaced apart edges to slidably receive and supportably carry said hardware component; a wall structure positioned around said planar surface to constrain said hardware component to slide onto and off of said planar surface only through a single open end provided in said holder, said wall structure forming said spaced apart edges; and said retaining element comprises a magnet recessed within said slot of said holder to magnetically engage said hardware component when said hardware component is received upon said planar surface.