Hinge attaching apparatus and jaw and feeder assembly therefor

An apparatus for attaching a hinge to first and second, substantially flat penetrable members in order to hingeably connect said members, said hinge comprising first and second, substantially flat plate portions having first and second fastening elements thereon, respectively, and a barrel portion hingeably connecting said plate portions, said first and second fastening elements being receivable in piercing engagement with said first and second members for securing said first and second plate portions thereto, respectively, said hinge being receivable in a collapsed disposition wherein said first and second plate portions overlay one another with said fastening elements facing outwardly, said apparatus comprising feed means for feeding said hinge in said collapsed disposition and in a predetermined orientation to a first station, jaw means operable at said first station for releasably engaging said barrel portion to releasably secure said hinge in said jaw means, means for advancing said first member to a predetermined position at a second station, means for advancing said jaw means to advance said hinge to a predetermined position at said second station, wherein said first fastening element is engageable with said first member, means for advancing said second member to a predetermined position at said second station wherein said second fastening element is engageable with said second member, and means for urging said first and second members toward said first and second plate portions, respectively, to secure said first and second members to said first and second plate portions, respectively, with said first and second fastening elements, respectively.