Staple belt fastener applicator tool and method

A belt fastener applicator tool for applying a staple belt fastener having a pair of hinge loops to a belt end, the belt fastener applicator tool comprising:

• a plate body;
• an anvil portion of the plate body configured for a staple setting operation;
• and
• a comb portion of the plate body adjacent the anvil portion configured for receiving loops of a belt fastener to align a staple thereof with the anvil portion with the anvil and comb portions being fixed to the plate body to be integrated therewith, wherein the plate body has opposite sides and the anvil portion comprises an initial set anvil portion adjacent one of the body opposite sides and a final set anvil portion adjacent the other of the body opposite sides with the comb portion disposed between the initial and final set anvil portions intermediate the opposite sides, and the initial set anvil portion comprises recesses in the plate body and the final set anvil portion comprises a substantially flat surface of the plate body, whereby the belt fastener applicator tool has no moving parts, wherein the comb portion comprises a row of spaced locator members upstanding from the plate body including a pair of end locator members and middle locator members between the pair of end locator members, adjacent locator members being spaced for receiving one of the hinge loops of the staple belt fastener therebetween with one of the middle locator members being wider than adjacent ones of the locator members.