Assembly of attachments and device for attaching same

Abstract

The assembly includes first and second parallel connecting bars between which individual attachments are situated in parallel, spaced relation. Each of the attachments includes first and second T-bar ends with a flexible filament extending therebetween. The attaching device includes a housing with a recess having a first and second sections adapted to receive the first and second connecting bars, respectively. First and second hollow needles extend from the housing. The T-bar ends are pushed through needles by simultaneously actuatable ejector rods after each is severed from the associated connecting bar. The assembly of the attachments is advanced through the housing to align the T-bars with the needles by simultaneously actuated indexing gears. The gears cooperate with the elements which join the T-bar ends and the connecting bars.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for dispensing attachments of the type having first and second T-bar ends with a flexible filament therebetween, the attachments being supplied in an assembly between first and second spaced connecting bars joined to the first and second T-bar ends, respectively, the device comprising a housing, a recess in said housing having first and second spaced sections adapted to receive the first and second connecting bars, respectively, first and second hollow needles extending from said housing, each of said needles comprising a channel through which a different one of the T-bar ends of an attachment is adapted to move, means within said housing for pushing the T-bar ends through said needles to dispense an attachment, means for severing each of the T-bar ends from the connecting bar to which it is joined and means for advancing the assembly through the housing. 
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pushing means comprises first and second ejector rods displaceable relative to said needles and means for simultaneously displacing said ejector rods. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2 wherein said means for displacing said rods comprises means mounted for movement relative to said housing between a first position wherein said rods are spaced from said needles and a second position wherein said rods are situated within said channels. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 3 wherein said means of displacing said rods comprises trigger means, first and second slide means operably connected to said trigger means for movement in response to the actuation of said trigger means, said rods being operably connected to said first and second slide means, respectively. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 4 wherein said advancing means comprises third and fourth slide means operably connected to said trigger means and movable in response to the actuation thereof, first and second gear means located in said housing so as to intersect said recess, said first and second gear means being adapted to engage said assembly proximate said first and second connecting bars, respectively and means for simultaneously indexing said first and second gear means in response to the movement of said third and fourth slide means, respectively. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 5 wherein the connecting bars are joined to the T-bar ends by bridge elements and wherein said gear means engage said bridge elements. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second needles are substantially oppositely oriented. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 2 wherein said housing comprises first and second guide means associated with said first and second ejector rods, respectively.