Continuous parts feeder

An installation apparatus for installing fasteners having a continuous feed system, said installation apparatus including a fastener installation head having an inlet receiving said fasteners for installation by said head, a feed tube having an inlet and an outlet in communication with said installation head inlet, a source of fasteners and a continuous feed system feeding said fasteners from said source of fasteners to said feed tube inlet, said continuous feed system comprising:

• a feed selector valve having an outlet communicating with said feed tube inlet, at least two sources of said fasteners, each source including a transfer tube having an outlet communicating with said feed selector valve, with an outlet of one of said transfer tubes in communication with said feed tube inlet, said feed and transfer tubes each having an enclosed internal passage configured to receive and transfer said fasteners;
• a sensor means adapted to sense the presence or absence of fasteners in said feed tube, said feed selector valve having a transfer means adapted to alternatively provide communication between one of said transfer tube outlets and said feed tube when said sensor means senses an absence of fasteners in said feed tube;
• a source of pneumatic pressure communicating with each of said transfer tubes and said feed tube to direct said fasteners through said tubes toward said installation head;
• and
• a control means sequentially directing pneumatic pressure into one of said transfer tubes, then into said feed tube when said sensor means senses the absence of fasteners in said feed tube, and finally into a second feed tube following operation of said transfer means.