PRE-INSERTED RIVET BELT FASTENER AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLICATION THEREOF

摘要

An applicator machine tool (32) is provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners (12) to a belt end (30) in a fast and efficient manner. The tool (32) uses operating members (86) to first drive pilot nails (40) through the belt lower surface (90) into registry with the rivets (12), and thereafter the rivets (12) are driven coordinated with the pilot nails (40) that are withdrawn back through the belt (28). The pilot nails (40) stop at a predetermined position and the rivets (12) continue to be driven for forming the upset heads (54) at the bottom of the rivet (12).