WO2007090234A1

WO2007090234A1 - Fastener feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007090234A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael David Lucas; Francis Angelo Cook; Stephen Mark Townsend
Original assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
Priority date: 2006-02-06
Filing date: 2007-02-06
Publication date: 2007-08-16
Also published as: AR059340A1

Abstract

A fastener feeding apparatus (1) is disclosed and includes a hopper (3) for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, in the form of nails (5). The hopper (3) has an outlet (7) for discharging the nails (5) into a distributor (9). The distributor (9) is adapted to load the nails (5) into each of a plurality of fastener supply paths, in the form of three flexible feed tubes (11). A conveying means, in the form of a compressed air supply (not shown), delivered through air supply outlets (13), is operable on the feed tubes (11) for conveying the nails (5) therethrough. The compressed air supply is operable on one of the feed tubes (11) simultaneously with the loading of another of the tubes (11).

Description

Fastener Feeding Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a fastener feeding apparatus, and more particularly, to a fastener feeding apparatus for supplying individual fasteners from a hopper.

The invention has been primarily developed for use in delivering loose nails to a plurality of nail guns and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular application. Background of the Invention

Pneumatic nail guns are and are used in a variety of situations requiring repetitive nailing. Examples include fencing, flooring, building construction, furniture assembly and pallet manufacture.

In order that nails are introduced into the firing chamber of a gun quickly and efficiently, nails for known nail guns are collated or organised in several alternative ways. For example, many pneumatic nail guns use coils or sticks of nails. Coils are formed by resistance welding nails to a pair of copper wires. Sticks are formed by gluing together a line of nails. A problem with coil and stick feeding systems is that the coils or sticks are easily damaged, and the damaged coils or sticks can jam the gun. Another disadvantage of using coils or sticks is that they are more expensive than loose nails. Another disadvantage of coil and stick feeding systems is that the gun cannot easily be refilled until the coil or stick is completely expended.

Some known nail guns are fed with loose nails. These guns have a track-like magazine that can hold about one hundred nails. A disadvantage of loose nail feeding systems is that to refill the gun, the track must be either loaded manually or physically taken to and connected to a refilling station having a hopper or other feed system, both of which are time consuming.

At the refilling station, it is known to use a rigid track to interconnect the hopper and the magazine of the gun. A disadvantage of the rigid track is that the nail gun must be brought to a specific location for refilling. Another disadvantage is that this known system can only refill one magazine at a time. A screw feeding apparatus is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,480,087. This document discloses a hopper for supplying loose screws, an indexer for arranging the screws supplied from the hopper, and pneumatic delivery of the screws, along flexible tubes, to a plurality of screwdrivers. A disadvantage of this apparatus is that it is not possible to load one feed tube while another feed tube is being fired. Another disadvantage is that the apparatus can become jammed if a new screw is fired through the tube prior to a preceding screw being cleared from the tube. Another disadvantage of this apparatus is that the exit port of the tubes must be maintained in contact with the surface to be screwed in order to ensure that the screws do not prematurely eject from the tubes.

A rivet feeding apparatus is disclosed in US Patent No. 6,000,596. This document discloses a vibratory conveyor for transporting rivets, an indexer for arranging the rivets supplied from the conveyor, and pneumatic delivery of the rivets, along a flexible tube, to a rivet gun. A disadvantage of this apparatus is that it is not adapted to feed a plurality of fastening guns. Another disadvantage is that the apparatus can become jammed if a new screw is fired through the tube prior to a preceding screw being cleared from the tube.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a fastener feeding apparatus comprising: a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom; a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper and loading the fasteners into a fastener supply path; the fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a fastener gun; conveying means operable on the supply path for conveying the fasteners therethrough; a first sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine; and a controller responsive to the sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is more than a predetermined level.

The feeding apparatus preferably includes a plurality of the fastener supply paths. More preferably, the conveying means is operable on one of said supply paths simultaneously with the loading of another of said supply paths.

Preferably, the feeding apparatus further includes a magnet for holding a said fastener in a firing chamber of the gun prior to firing the gun.

Preferably, a second sensor is provided for detecting whether each said supply path is clear of blockages. More preferably, the controller is responsive to the second sensor for preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the second sensor detects that a said supply path is not clear of blockages.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a fastener feeding apparatus comprising: a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom; a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper outlet and loading the fasteners into each of a plurality of fastener supply paths; each said fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a respective fastener gun; and conveying means operable on one of the supply paths for conveying the fasteners therethrough, simultaneously with the loading of another of the supply paths.

Preferably, the feeding apparatus further includes a first sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine. More preferably, the feeding apparatus further includes a controller responsive to the sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is greater than a predetermined level.

Preferably, a second sensor is provided for detecting whether each said supply path is clear of blockages. More preferably, the controller is responsive to the second sensor for - A - preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the second sensor detects that a said supply path is not clear of blockages.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a fastener feeding apparatus comprising: a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom; a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper outlet and loading the fasteners into a fastener supply path; the fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a fastener gun; conveying means operable on the supply path for conveying the fasteners therethrough; and a magnet for holding a said fastener in a firing chamber of the gun prior to firing the gun.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a fastener feeding apparatus comprising: a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom; a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper and loading the fasteners into a fastener supply path; the fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a fastener gun; conveying means operable on the supply path for conveying the fasteners therethrough; a first sensor for detecting whether the supply path is clear of blockages; and a controller responsive to the first sensor for preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the first sensor detects that the supply path is not clear of blockages.

Preferably, the feeding apparatus further includes a second sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine. More preferably, the controller is responsive to the second sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is greater than a predetermined level.

A fastener feeding apparatus as defined in any one of the above aspects, wherein the supply path(s) is preferably defined by a flexible tube. More preferably, the conveying means include a compressed air supply connected to the flexible tube for blowing the fasteners from the inlet end to the outlet end.

Preferably, the distributor includes a plurality of fastener delivery apertures, one end of each delivery aperture being selectively alignable with the hopper outlet and the other end of each delivery aperture being connected to a respective one of the supply paths. In one form, the delivery apertures are arranged in a linear array, and alignment of the delivery apertures with the hopper outlet is preferably achieved by linear movement of the distributor relative to the hopper outlet. More preferably, an actuator is provided for moving the distributor relative to the hopper outlet, hi another form, the delivery apertures are arranged in a circular array, and alignment of the delivery apertures with the hopper outlet is preferably achieved by rotational movement of the hopper outlet relative to the distributor. More preferably, a motor and drive shaft are provided for rotating the hopper outlet relative to the distributor.

Preferably, the conveying means are selectively alignable with the delivery apertures. More preferably, the conveying means are aligned with one of the delivery apertures when another of the delivery apertures is aligned with the hopper outlet, such that a fastener in the feed path corresponding with said one of the delivery apertures can be conveyed simultaneously with loading of a fastener into the feed path corresponding with said another delivery aperture, hi a preferred form, three said delivery apertures and two said conveying means are provided.

Preferably, the hopper outlet includes a chute extending between the hopper and the distributor. More preferably, the chute includes a longitudinal slot having a width less than the heads of the fasteners, such that the fasteners traverse the chute in single-file, suspended by their heads. A vibrator is preferably attached to the chute to facilitate movement of the fasteners toward the distributor.

Preferably, the hopper outlet also includes a delivery funnel located at a terminal end of the chute for directing fasteners into the distributor. More preferably, an intermediate portion of the funnel includes a radially outwardly stepped section for reducing swirling of the fasteners as they pass through the funnel. In a preferred form, an inlet portion of the funnel is of shallower slope than a lower portion of the funnel to provide a wide mouth for receiving the fasteners from the chute.

The fasteners are preferably nails and the fastener gun is preferably a nail gun. In a preferred form, the nail gun is pneumatically actuated. Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a fastener feeding apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the feed funnel of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a funnel, air supply block and distributor for the apparatus of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a funnel, air supply block and distributor for the apparatus of Figure 1.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, the fastener feeding apparatus 1 includes a hopper 3 for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, in the form of nails 5. The hopper 3 has an outlet 7 for discharging the nails 5 into a distributor 9. The distributor 9 is adapted to load the nails 5 into each of a plurality of fastener supply paths, in the form of three flexible feed tubes 11. A conveying means, in the form of a compressed air supply (not shown), delivered through air supply outlets 13, is operable on the feed tubes 11 for conveying the nails 5 therethrough. The compressed air supply is operable on one of the feed tubes 11 simultaneously with the loading of another of the tubes 11.

Each of the feed tubes 11 has an inlet end 13 adapted for receiving nails 5 from the distributor 9 and an outlet end 15 adapted for delivering the nails 5 to a magazine 17 of a respective fastener gun, in the form of a pneumatic nail gun 19.

The hopper outlet 7 includes a chute 21 extending between the hopper 3 and the distributor 9. The chute 21 includes a longitudinal slot (not shown) having a width less than the heads of the nails 5 and greater than the diameter of the shanks of the nails 5. The shanks of the nails 5 extend through the slot and the nails 5 traverse the chute 21 in single-file, suspended by their heads. A vibrator 23 is attached to the chute 21 to facilitate movement of the nails 5 toward the distributor 9. An indexer 24 is provided at a terminal end of the chute 21 for ensuring that only one nail 5 at a time is dispensed from the chute 21.

A delivery funnel 25 is provided at a terminal end of the chute 21 for directing nails 5 dispensed from the chute 21 through a funnel outlet 27 and into the distributor 9. As best seen in Fig. 2, an intermediate portion of the funnel includes a radially outwardly stepped section 29 for reducing swirling of the nails 5 as they pass through the funnel 25. An inlet portion 31 of the funnel 25 is of shallower slope than lower portions of the funnel 25 to provide a wide mouth 33 for receiving the nails 5 from the chute 21.

The distributor 9 includes a plurality of nail delivery apertures 35. One end 37 of each delivery aperture 35 is selectively alignable with the funnel outlet 27 and the other end 39 of each delivery aperture 35 is connected to a respective one of the feed tubes 11.

hi one form, as illustrated in Fig. 3, an air supply block 41 is located between the distributor 9 and the funnel outlet 27. The air supply block 41 includes two air supply outlets 43, 45 for connecting the air supply (not shown) with the delivery apertures 35A, 35B, 35C. The air supply block 41 also includes a bore 47 for directing nails 5 from the funnel outlet 27 into the delivery apertures 35A, 35B, 35C. The air supply block 41 is fixedly connected to the funnel 25 and is slidably engaged to the distributor 9. The delivery apertures 35A, 35B, 35C are arranged in a linear array, and selective alignment of the delivery apertures 35 A, 35B, 35C with the funnel outlet 27 is achieved by reciprocating linear sliding movement of the distributor 9 relative to the air supply block 41. Two actuators 49, 51 are provided for moving the distributor 9 relative to the air supply block 41. When the actuators 49, 51 are fully retracted, delivery aperture 35A is aligned with the bore 47 and delivery aperture 35B is aligned with air supply outlet 45, as shown in Fig. 3. When actuator 49 is actuated, the distributor block 9 moves relative to the air supply block 41 such that delivery aperture 35C is aligned with the bore 47 and delivery aperture 35 A is aligned with air supply outlet 43. When actuator 51 is actuated, the distributor block 9 moves relative to the air supply block 41 such that delivery aperture 35B is aligned with the bore 47 and delivery aperture 35C is aligned with air supply outlet 49. In this way, loading of any one of the feed tubes 11 occurs simultaneously with the conveying of a nail 5 through another of the feed tubes 11. A controller (not shown) is provided for controlling actuation of the actuators 49, 51. The controller also controls the injection of compressed air through the air supply outlets 43, 45.

In another form, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the funnel 25 forms part of an air supply block 59. The air supply block 59 includes a plurality of air supply outlets 61 (only one of which can be seen in the drawings) for connecting the air supply (not shown) with the delivery apertures 35. The delivery apertures 35 are arranged in a circular array, and the funnel 25 is rotatable relative to the distributor 9. Selective alignment of the delivery apertures 35 with the funnel outlet 27 is achieved by rotational movement of the air supply block 59 relative to the distributor 9. A motor 62 and drive shaft 63 are provided for rotating the air supply block 59 relative to the distributor 9. A clutch and brake assembly 64 is also provided for controlling rotation of the drive shaft 63. The air supply block 59 has an external target 65 that is that is sensed by proximity sensors 67 to facilitate accurate alignment of the funnel outlet 27 with the delivery apertures 35. A controller (not shown) is responsive to the proximity sensors 67 for controlling operation of the motor. The controller also controls the injection of compressed air through the air supply outlets 61. As shown in Fig. 4, the funnel outlet 27, air supply outlets 61 and delivery apertures 35 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that when one of the delivery apertures 35 is aligned with the funnel outlet 27, another of the delivery apertures 35 is aligned with one of the air supply outlets 61. m this way, loading of one feed tube 11 occurs simultaneously with the conveying of a nail 5 through another of the feed tubes 11.

A sensor 69 is provided on the nail gun magazine 17 for detecting the number of nails 5 in the magazine 17. The controller (not shown) is responsive to the sensor 69 and prevents the application of compressed air to the respective feed tube 11, and the loading of further nails 5 into this tube 11, if the number of nails 5 in the magazine 17 is greater than a predetermined level.

Another sensor 71 is provided for detecting whether the feed tubes 11 are clear of nails 5 or other blockages. The controller (not shown) is responsive to the sensor 71 and prevents the application of compressed air to the respective feed tube 11, and the loading of further nails 5 into any tube 11 that is detected to be blocked.

A plurality of magnets 73 are provided in the firing chamber 75 of the nail gun 19 for holding a loaded nail 5 in the firing chamber 75 prior to the gun 19 being fired. The force of the magnets 73 is sufficient to hold the nail 5 in place, but is substantially less than the force imparted to the nail 5 upon firing of the gun 19. Accordingly, the magnetic force retaining the nail 5 in the firing chamber 75 does not impede discharge of the nail 5 when the gun 19 is fired. The use of the magnets 73 to retain nails 5 in the firing chamber negates the need to provide a complicated nail retaining mechanism, which would need to be accurately synchronised with the gun firing mechanism.

The illustrated feeding apparatus allows loose nails 5 to be fed to a nail gun 19, thereby alleviating the problems associated with known coil and stick fastener feeding systems. The feed tubes 11 interconnecting the hopper 3 and the nail gun(s) 19 allow a relatively large range of freedom of movement for nail gun operators. Also, the use of a hopper 3 and a plurality of feed tubes 11 allow a plurality of nail guns 19 to be refilled relatively quickly, compared to prior art systems which can only refill one nail gun at a time. Also, the illustrated distributor 9 and air supply blocks 41, 59 allow for simultaneous loading and conveying of nails 5 in different feed tubes 11, which results in quicker nail delivery compared to prior art systems. Moreover, the provision of sensors 69 and 71 minimise the occurrence of jamming by ensuring, respectively, that nails 5 are only conveyed if the respective nail gun magazine 17 has sufficient capacity and that nails 5 are not conveyed into a blocked feed tube 11.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that it may also be embodied in many other forms. For example, in some embodiments, the fastener feeding apparatus 1 may be adapted for feeding fasteners 5 to a single fastener gun 19.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A fastener feeding apparatus comprising: a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom; a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper and loading the fasteners into a fastener supply path; the fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a fastener gun; conveying means operable on the supply path for conveying the fasteners therethrough; a first sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine; and a controller responsive to the first sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is more than a predetermined level.

2. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the fastener supply paths.

3. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conveying means is operable on one of said supply paths simultaneously with the loading of another of said supply paths.

4. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a magnet for holding a said fastener in a firing chamber of the gun prior to firing the gun.

5. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second sensor for detecting whether each said supply path is clear of blockages.

6. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller is responsive to the second sensor for preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the second sensor detects that a said supply path is not clear of blockages.

7. A fastener feeding apparatus comprising: a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom;

a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper outlet and loading the fasteners into each of a plurality of fastener supply paths;

each said fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a respective fastener gun; and

conveying means operable on one of the supply paths for conveying the fasteners therethrough, simultaneously with the loading of another of the supply paths.

8. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a first sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine.

9. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a controller responsive to the first sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is greater than a predetermined level.

10. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a second sensor for detecting whether each said supply path is clear of blockages.

11. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller is responsive to the second sensor for preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the second sensor detects that a said supply path is not clear of blockages.

12. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a magnet for holding a said fastener in a firing chamber of the gun prior to firing the gun.

13. A fastener feeding apparatus comprising:

a hopper for holding a plurality of loose fasteners, said hopper having an outlet for discharging fasteners therefrom;

a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper outlet and loading the fasteners into a fastener supply path; the fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a fastener gun;

conveying means operable on the supply path for conveying the fasteners therethrough; and

a magnet for holding a said fastener in a firing chamber of the gun prior to firing the gun.

14. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a plurality of said fastener supply paths.

15. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the conveying means is operable on one of said supply paths simultaneously with the loading of another of said supply paths.

16. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a first sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine.

17. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising a controller responsive to the first sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is greater than a predetermined level.

18. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising a second sensor for detecting whether each said supply path is clear of blockages.

19. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the controller is responsive to the second sensor for preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the second sensor detects that a said supply path is not clear of blockages.

20. A fastener feeding apparatus comprising:

a distributor for receiving fasteners from the hopper and loading the fasteners into a fastener supply path; the fastener supply path having an inlet end adapted for receiving fasteners from the distributor and an outlet end adapted for delivering the fasteners to a magazine of a fastener gun;

conveying means operable on the supply path for conveying the fasteners therethrough;

a first sensor for detecting whether the supply path is clear of blockages; and

a controller responsive to the first sensor for preventing the loading and/or conveying of further fasteners if the first sensor detects that the supply path is not clear of blockages.

21. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a second sensor for detecting the number of fasteners in the magazine.

22. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the controller is responsive to the second sensor for preventing the supply of further fasteners to the magazine if the number of fasteners in the magazine is greater than a predetermined level.

23. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising a plurality of said fastener supply paths.

24. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the conveying means is operable on one of said supply paths simultaneously with the loading of another of said supply paths.

25. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 24, further comprising a magnet for holding a said fastener in a firing chamber of the gun prior to firing the gun.

26. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply path(s) comprises a flexible tube.

27. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the conveying means include a compressed air supply connected to the flexible tube for blowing the fasteners from the inlet end to the outlet end.

28. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distributor comprises a plurality of fastener delivery apertures, one end of each delivery aperture being selectively alignable with the hopper outlet and the other end of each delivery aperture being connected to a respective said supply path.

29. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the delivery apertures are arranged in a linear array and alignment of the delivery apertures with the

5 hopper outlet is achieved by linear movement of the distributor relative to the hopper outlet.

30. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising an actuator for moving the distributor relative to the hopper outlet.

31. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the delivery o apertures are arranged in a circular array and alignment of the delivery apertures with the hopper outlet is achieved by rotational movement of the hopper outlet relative to the distributor.

32. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a motor and drive shaft for rotating the hopper outlet relative to the distributor.

5 33. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the claims 28 to 32, wherein the conveying means are selectively alignable with the delivery apertures.

34. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the conveying means are aligned with one of the delivery apertures when another of the delivery apertures is aligned with the hopper outlet, such that a fastener in the feed path 0 corresponding with said one of the delivery apertures can be conveyed simultaneously with loading of a fastener into the feed path corresponding with said another delivery aperture.

35. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 33 or claim 34, wherein three said delivery apertures and two said conveying means are provided.

5 36. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hopper outlet includes a chute extending between the hopper and the distributor.

37. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the chute includes a longitudinal slot having a width less than the heads of the fasteners, such that the o fasteners traverse the chute in single-file, suspended by their heads.

38. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 36 or claim 37, further comprising a vibrator attached to the chute to facilitate movement of the fasteners toward the distributor.

39. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the hopper outlet also includes a delivery funnel located at a terminal end of the chute for directing fasteners into the distributor.

40. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 39, wherein an intermediate portion of the funnel includes a radially outwardly stepped section for reducing swirling of the fasteners as they pass through the funnel.

41. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein an inlet portion of the funnel is of shallower slope than a lower portion of the funnel to provide a wide mouth for receiving the fasteners from the chute.

42. A fastener feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fasteners are nails and the fastener gun is a nail gun.

43. A fastener feeding apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the nail gun is pneumatically actuated.