Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing an individual plastic fastener from continuously connected ladder stock including an elongated side member having a plurality of T-bars interconnected by severable connectors. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a hollow, gun-shaped casing having a barrel portion and a handle portion. The front end of the barrel portion has an opening into which a hollow slotted needle is removably mounted. A triggering mechanism, which includes a pivotally-mounted trigger, is connected to the handle portion of the casing. A slider assembly, which is actuated by squeezing the trigger, includes a slider adapted to travel along longitudinally extending rails formed along the inside of the barrel portion of the casing.

Abstract: A needle assembly for dispensing plastic fasteners as part of a tool having a feed track through which a fastener assemblage is fed, such needle assembly including the needle which is encased in a holder which may be easily secured to and removed from such tool. The holder defines in conjunction with the remainder of the tool at least a major portion of the feed track. The holder may include an antiback device for permitting the motion of the fastener assemblage within such feed track toward the needle but not in reverse direction. Such antiback device may be engagable by the user to deflect the antiback and a fastener feed mechanism within the tool out of the feed track, thereby to permit withdrawal of a fastener assemblage from the tool. The needle comprises a hollow, slotted metal structure, and the holder is a plastic structure which is injection molded around such needle.