Fastener stock and device for use in dispensing plastic fasteners therefrom

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A device for dispensing a plastic fastener, the plastic fastener including a pair of cross-bars that are interconnected by at least one thin filament, the device comprising:
(a) a first needle shaped to define a longitudinal bore; (b) a first ejector rod adapted to axially penetrate through the longitudinal bore in the first needle and eject one of the pair of cross-bars out therefrom; (c) a second needle shaped to define a longitudinal bore; and (d) a second ejector rod adapted to axially penetrate through the longitudinal bore in the second needle and eject the other of the pair of cross-bars out therefrom; (e) such that the first ejector rod and the second ejector rod are separate from one another and operate using independent ejection mechanisms and the first and second ejector rods operate in an offset relationship.