Apparatus for attaching a substantially flat carrier strap to an object

An apparatus for attaching a substantially flat carrier strap to an object wherein the strap has a locking member on each end, each locking member being able to engage an elongate slot in the object, wherein the object is arranged in the apparatus such that the slots in the object are arranged substantially mutually in line, the apparatus comprising:

• engaging means for engaging the flat carrier strap in the proximity of each end of the strap;
• first rotation means coupled directly to a drive device for causing the engaging means to rotate into a position in which the ends of the carrier strap are directed substantially vertically;
• second rotation means coupled to the first rotation means by a pair of bevel gears for causing the engaging means to rotate into a position in which the ends of the carrier strap lie substantially in the same plane;
• translation means for causing each of the ends of the strap to move downward in substantially vertical direction into the slot to a depth such that the locking members grip the slot.