Patent ID: 7073242

Claim:
A method for selecting inserts for insertion, the method comprising: providing a first holding location that is adapted to hold a stack of first inserts; providing a second holding location that is adapted to hold a stack of second inserts; providing a first gripping mechanism, wherein the first gripping mechanism includes: a first gripping jaw, wherein the first gripping jaw includes a first opposing member and a second opposing member, and wherein the first opposing member and the second opposing member are operable to grasp at least one of the first inserts between the first opposing member and the second opposing member at a first contact location; and a first bar coupled to at least the first opposing member, wherein the first bar comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is coupled to the lower portion via an extensible joint, and wherein a distance from the upper portion to the lower portion at the extensible joint is proportional to the thickness of the at least one of the first inserts; providing a second gripping mechanism, wherein the second gripping mechanism includes: a second gripping jaw, wherein the second gripping jaw includes a third opposing member and a fourth opposing member, and wherein the third first opposing member and the fourth opposing member are operable to grasp at least one of the second inserts between the third opposing member and the fourth opposing member at a second contact location; a second bar coupled to at least the third opposing member, wherein the bar comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is coupled to the lower portion via an extensible joint, and wherein a distance from the upper portion to the lower portion at the extensible joint is proportional to the thickness of the at least one of the second inserts; and wherein the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism are associated with a common rod.