Fastening device, fastening system and related methods

A method of making a strip of fasteners, said method comprising:

• integrally molding said strip of fasteners, said strip comprising:
• at least a first generally U-shaped fastener and a second generally U-shaped fastener;
• wherein said first fastener comprises at least a pair of first fastener leg members and at least one first fastener crown portion joining said first fastener leg members;
• wherein said second fastener comprises at least a pair of second fastener leg members and at least one second fastener crown portion joining said second fastener leg members;
• at least one connecting portion connecting said first fastener to said second fastener;
• during said molding, forming said connecting portion such that it is capable of resiliently deforming, thus allowing said strip of fasteners to assume at least first and second conditions;
• wherein, in said first condition, said first fastener leg members are parallel to said second fastener leg members;
• wherein, in said second condition, said at least one connecting portion is resiliently deformed and said first fastener leg members form an angle of at least about 4 degrees with respect to said second fastener leg members.

A method comprising:

• providing a plurality of fasteners comprising at least a first fastener and a second fastener, each of said plurality of fasteners comprising at least a pair of leg members and at least one crown portion joining said leg members such that each of said plurality of fasteners has a generally U-shaped configuration;
• providing at least one connecting portion connecting said first fastener to said second fastener;
• causing at least a portion of said first fastener to be parallel to at least a portion of said second fastener;
• inserting said plurality of fasteners into engagement with an installation tool while said at least a portion of said first fastener is parallel to said at least a portion of said second fastener;
• wherein said inserting a plurality of fasteners comprises making contact between said first fastener with said installation tool;
• wherein said first fastener has said generally U-shaped configuration when said contact between said first fastener and said installation tool is first made;
• causing said at least a portion of said first fastener to be non-parallel to said at least a portion of said second fastener while said first fastener remains connected to said second fastener and while said plurality of fasteners is in engagement with said installation tool.

A system comprising:

• a plurality of fasteners comprising at least a first fastener and a second fastener;
• each of said plurality of fasteners comprising:
• at least a pair of leg members;
• at least one crown portion joining said leg members;
• said leg members and said crown portion being arranged such that said fastener has a generally U-shaped configuration;
• an installation tool;
• wherein said system comprises at least first, second, third and fourth operating conditions;
• wherein, in said first operating condition:
• said plurality of fasteners is not in contact with said installation tool;
• each of said plurality of fasteners has said generally U-shaped configuration;
• and
• said second fastener is connected to said first fastener;
• wherein, in said second operating condition:
• said plurality of fasteners is operatively engaged with said installation tool;
• each of said plurality of fasteners has said generally U-shaped configuration;
• and
• said second fastener is connected to said first fastener;
• and
• at least a portion of said first fastener is parallel to at least a portion of said second fastener;
• wherein, in said third operating condition:
• said plurality of fasteners is operatively engaged with said installation tool;
• each of said plurality of fasteners has said generally U-shaped configuration;
• said second fastener is connected to said first fastener;
• and
• said at least a portion of said first fastener is non-parallel to said at least a portion of said second fastener;
• wherein, in said fourth operating condition:
• each of said plurality of fasteners has said generally U-shaped configuration;
• and
• said first fastener is separated from said second fastener.

A plurality of fasteners comprising:

• at least a first fastener and a second fastener spaced from said first fastener in a first longitudinal direction;
• wherein each of said first fastener and said second fastener comprises:
• a pair of leg members spaced from one another in a second direction that is transverse to said first longitudinal direction;
• a crown portion joining said pair of leg members;
• wherein each of said pair of leg members comprises a first end integrally formed with said crown portion and a second terminal end remote from said first end;
• a barb member extending from said terminal end of each of said pair of leg members, said barb member extending from said respective leg member in said second direction;
• at least one connecting portion connecting said first fastener to said second fastener;
• wherein, said first fastener, said second fastener and said at least one connecting portion are integrally formed with one another.