Fastener stock and device for use in dispensing plastic fasteners therefrom

Abstract

A device for dispensing a plastic fastener from a supply of ladder-type fastener stock includes a pair of separate modules that are independently pneumatically powered by a common air source. Each module is adapted to receive and index a corresponding side rail of the fastener stock, separate a cross-bar therefrom and eject the separated cross-bar out through a sharpened needle. As a feature of the invention, the pair of modules ejects the cross-bars of the dispensed fastener in an offset relationship to minimize fastener stress. As another feature of the invention, the pair of modules is independently slidably coupled to a common mounting plate. In this manner, the spacing and angular orientation between the modules are adjustable. As another feature of the invention, the feed mechanism includes a feed pawl that selectively engages outwardly facing notches formed in the side rail to ensure accurate alignment prior to the severing process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.