In-line sorter for fasteners

Abstract

An in-line sorter for fasteners which includes a track for receiving the head of a fastener. Fasteners move along the track, past one or more stations which reject those fasteners which do not meet certain specifications. Specifically, four stations may be provided—a first station for rejecting fasteners which have bolt portions which are too short; a second station for rejecting fasteners which have too long a head or too long a shaft portion extending above the head; a third station for rejecting fasteners which have bolt portions which are too long; and a fourth station for rejecting fasteners which have too large a head or washer portions which are either too small or too large. More or less than four stations may be provided. Also, the stations may be provided in a different sequence. Still further, in some cases, stations may be combined.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.