Abstract: An automated multiple point fastener driving system is disclosed for driving fasteners into a plurality of structural elements for connecting the elements together while the elements are substantially continuously moving along a path The automated multiple point fastener driving system includes a frame with the path extending through the frame for movement of structural elements, a moving assembly for moving a plurality of structural elements along the path in a substantially continuous manner, an entry clamping assembly for clamping together the structural elements as the elements move substantially continuously along the path, an alignment assembly for aligning at least one edge of the plurality of structural elements as the elements move substantially continuously along the path, and fastener driving assembly for driving fasteners into the plurality of structural elements as the elements move substantially continuously along the path.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for actuating a tag attaching tool of the type which dispenses plastic fasteners from a clip of fasteners in response to the depression of a trigger. Each of the fasteners has a T-bar. The fasteners are dispensed by severing the fastener from the clip and ejecting the T-bar of the fastener through the hollow slotted needle of the tool. The tag attaching tool is actuated in two stages. During the first actuation stage, the trigger of the tool is partially depressed as the tool and an abutment are moved relative to each other such that the lead fastener is severed from the clip of fasteners. During the second actuation stage, the trigger of the tool is depressed completely, as the tool and abutment are moved further toward each other, causing the severed fastener to be ejected from the hollow needle of the attaching tool.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus to staple a fabric covering to the framework of a box spring. A table having low friction rollers on the top surface supports a box spring in an inverted position. The box spring resides inside a fabric covering which extends about the box spring and has an upstanding flap of fabric. A plurality of drive wheels are mounted above the table to engage the box spring and propel the box spring through the apparatus. A pair of subframes are located above the box spring to position the box spring and to guide the box spring through the apparatus. Guides attached to each subframe center the box spring in the apparatus and simultaneously fold the upstanding flap of fabric down upon the box spring. A staple gun is attached to each subframe to drive staples through the fabric covering into the box spring, thus attaching the fabric to the box spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a horizontally reciprocable light projector from collision with a vertically reciprocable punch of a button setting machine, wherein a lost motion mechanism is provided for producing a delay between retracting movement of the light projector and the downward movement of the punch to such an extent that the light projector is retracted from the vertical path of movement of the punch before the punch starts moving downward. The lost motion mechanism is composed of a shaft having an annular actuating flange, and a cylinder member slidably receiving therein the shaft. The actuating flange is normally separated from the cylinder member and engageable with the cylinder member to lower the punch when the light projector is retracted from the vertical path of movement of the punch.

Abstract: A machine for fastening one or more layers of roofing material to an underlayment, and a stackable washer therefor. A chute receives a stack of such washers. A shuttle displaces a single washer to a separated position when moved in one direction, to which the shuttle is biased, and releases the single washer when moved in the opposite direction. A gate, which cooperates with camming surfaces defined upon the respective washers, restrains the overlying washer within the stack against being displaced along with the single washer and restrains the single washer from being displaced from the separated position. Various components are provided by linking a stand-up screw gun of a known type to the shuttle. The stackable washer is embossed so that each such washer and like overlying and underlying washers within a stack contact each other at three or more places, which define tangent planes intersecting planes defined by planar areas upon such washers at angles greater than 45.degree. but less than 90.degree.

Abstract: A fastener attaching apparatus for selectively feeding fasteners to portions of the material of clothes or the like includes hoppers for receiving fasteners, guide tracks and guide grooves for feeding fasteners, push rods for pushing fasteners, an upper mold for holding the material of clothes, and power sources that actuate the push rods for attaching fasteners to the material interposed between the upper and lower molds.

Abstract: Method for installing rivet-type electrical connectors onto flat conductor cables wherein the connectors are fed to the machine from a magazine, transferred to a press and then pressed onto and through the cable over an anvil which holds the rivet-type connector to form a secure connection with the cable. The resulting profile of the connector is such that it extends through the conductor of the cable and is held thereon by a flange on one side of the cable and an eyelet-type crimp on the opposite side of the cable.

Abstract: A garment-fastener assembling apparatus includes a drive mechanism for reciprocating an optical position indicator toward and away from an indicating position located in registry with the path of movement of a punch. The drive mechanism is constructed to operate under direct control of the movement of the ram so that the position indicator is reciprocated without interference with the punch or any other movable part of the apparatus and without causing prolongation of the cycle time of the apparatus.

Abstract: A marking light, or an attaching-position indicator, for a buttoning apparatus to indicate the position where each button member is to be attached in place, comprises a slender optical pointer member, engaging means secured to the rear end of the optical pointer member for selective engagement with a part of a pusher of the buttoning apparatus, a fixing member for the indicator including a support having means to support the front end portion of the pointer member so as to be movable back and forth with respect to a position immediately below an upper attaching die of the apparatus, release means connected to the engaging means for disengaging the engaging means from a part of the pusher, and means for biasing the pointer member in the direction of withdrawal clear of the upper attaching die. The support is equipped with a resilient engaging means fixed at one end to the fixing member and so disposed as to engage resiliently a part of the support at the other end.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing rivet-type electrical connectors onto flat conductor cables wherein the connectors are fed to the machine from a magazine, transferred to a press and then pressed onto and through the cable over an anvil which holds the rivet-type connector to form a secure connection with the cable. The resulting profile of the connector is such that it extends through the conductor of the cable and is held thereon by a flange on one side of the cable and an eyelet-type crimp on the opposite side of the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pair of fastener elements of a garment fastener to a garment fabric, comprises an optical indicator for designating a position of the garment fabric where the two fastener elements are to be attached. The indicator includes a light projector having a light source for projecting a beam of light, a reflector for reflecting the light beam downwardly, and means defining an aperture for the passage therethrough of the reflected light beam. An actuator is operatively connected to the light projector for reciprocating the same toward and away from a position where the aperture is in registry with a common vertical axis of the two fastener elements. The indicator is structurally and functionally separated from a pusher mechanism for supplying one fastener element to an upper unit of the apparatus.

Abstract: A conventional fastener attacher is fixedly mounted on a support. A stack of hooks is situated in a retainer which is movably mounted with respect to the support. A dispensing slide is movably mounted on the retainer, below the stack. As the retainer is moved towards the attacher, the slide automatically moves relative to the retainer to align a hook with the attacher. Slide movement is achieved through the use of a cam surface on the support and a cam follower extending from the slide. A single air cylinder moves both the retainer and the slide. The retainer can hold the stack in one of two orientations. In order to avoid jamming, the hook is held on the slide as it retracts or is realigned with the stack, if the hook has not been removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: Procedure and device for application of a label to an article by means of an elastic fastening element. A label is separated from a magazine and conveyed via a guide towards a tube-shaped slit needle. The label is passed along the tip of the needle until the latter penetrates a pre-punched hole in the label. Thereafter, the label is withdrawn, threaded on the needle, and partly back into the magazine where it is retained. The tip of the needle is pressed through an article whereupon a retaining element is separated from a stem and its head is passed through the needle and thus also through the label and the article. When the needle is removed from the article the label remains hanging, anchored in the retaining element.

Abstract: A shiftable magazine clip feed for orienting a U-shaped clip and a staple fastener at the head of a fastener driving tool triggered after the separation of a single clip from a stacked supply thereof, the clip being automatically positioned for application to a work piece and mounted thereon through engagement of the magazine with the work piece and that retracts the stacked supply of clips from said single clip.

Abstract: A clip magazine and feed for orienting a U-shaped clip and a staple fastener at the head of a fastener driving tool triggered after the separation of a single clip from a stacked supply thereof, the clip being automatically positioned for application to a work piece and mounted thereon through engagement of an actuator with the work piece and that retracts the stacked supply of clips from the single clip.

Abstract: A novel device is disclosed for driving nail-like fasteners with associated washers into a workpiece. The device comprises a pneumatic driver apparatus, preferably one substantially the same as the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,554, in association with a washer dispenser apparatus capable of semiautomatically deploying washers from a washer magazine so that the washers are fixed to the workpiece by the heads of the fasteners. The pneumatic driver and washer dispenser are attached together as a discrete assembly which is mounted on a hanger assembly so as to appear substantially weightless to a tool operator, and the driver and dispenser are adapted to be activated by a remotely positioned trigger device.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool is disclosed for attaching small metal members such as washers and name tags to a workpiece. The tool generally comprises a pneumatic driver apparatus for driving nail-like fasteners and a holder apparatus for holding the metal member positioned before the driver so that the member may be engaged by a fastener as it leaves the tool and thereby fastened to a workpiece.