Magazine strip for fastening elements

Abstract

A magazine strip for carrying fastening elements ( 1 ) including two opposite side walls ( 2 ) projecting from rear wall ( 3 ), extending parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction (L) of the magazine strip, and forming together a space ( 4 ) for receiving the fastening elements ( 1 ) at least along a portion of a longitudinal extent (a) of the fastening elements, and a loss-preventing element ( 7 ) for preventing the fastening elements from falling out in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the magazine strip and having a spring element acting in a direction transverse to a longitudinal extent of the side walls ( 2 ) and narrowing at least partially an inner width of the receiving space ( 4 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A magazine strip for carrying fastening elements ( 1 ), comprising a rear wall ( 3 ); two opposite side walls ( 2 ) projecting from the rear wall ( 3 ), extending parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction L of the magazine strip, and forming together a space ( 4 ) for receiving the fastening elements ( 1 ) at least along a portion of a longitudinal extent (a) of the fastening elements, with end regions ( 6   a ,  6   b ) of the side walls ( 2 ) defining an opening ( 5 ) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the magazine strip and limiting the receiving space ( 4 ); and loss-preventing means ( 7 ) for preventing the fastening elements from falling out in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the magazine strip, the loss-preventing means having spring means acting in a direction transverse to a longitudinal extent of the side walls ( 2 ) and narrowing at least partially an inner width of the receiving space ( 4 ).  
     
     
         2 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means is provided at least at one longitudinal end of the strip magazine.  
     
     
         3 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means preloads the side walls ( 2 ) against each other at least regionwise.  
     
     
         4 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means is formed by at least a region of at least one of the side walls ( 2 ).  
     
     
         5 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means comprises at least one clamping web ( 17 ,  18 ) provided on at least one of the side walls ( 2 ) and extending into the receiving space ( 4 ) for clampingly receiving at least one fastening element ( 1 ).  
     
     
         6 . A magazine strip according to  claim 5 , wherein the clamping web ( 17 ,  18 ) is provided at the end region ( 6   a ,  6   b ) of the at least one of the side walls ( 2 ).  
     
     
         7 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means comprises a clamping web ( 17 ,  18 ) provided at each of two longitudinal ends of the magazine strip for preventing the fastening elements ( 1 ) from falling out of the receiving space ( 4 ) in the longitudinal direction of the magazine strip.  
     
     
         8 . A magazine strip according to  claim 5 , wherein the clamping web is formed by a bottom of a depression ( 14 ,  15 ) formed in the at least one of the side walls ( 2 ).  
     
     
         9 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means extends parallel to the magazine strip.  
     
     
         10 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means is formed as one piece with the magazine strip.  
     
     
         11 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the side walls ( 2 ) comprises end region-defining retaining surfaces ( 23 ), and wherein the magazine strip comprises at least one cam element ( 20 ) projecting from at least one of the retaining surfaces ( 23 ) in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the strip magazine.  
     
     
         12 . A magazine strip according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one cam element has a rhomboidal prismatic shape.  
     
     
         13 . A magazine strip according to  claim 11 , comprising a further cam element ( 20 ) projecting from another of the retaining surfaces ( 23 ) in the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the strip magazine.  
     
     
         14 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means comprises at least one clamping web ( 17 ,  18 ) provided on at least one of the side walls ( 2 ) and extending into the receiving space ( 4 ) for clamping by receiving at least one fastening element, and wherein the cam element is provided in a region of the clamping web ( 17 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         15 . A magazine strip according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one cam element ( 20 ) and the another cam element ( 20 ) have both a rhomboidal prismatic shape, are arranged opposite each other, and form together a funnel section narrowing in a direction away from a free end of the strip magazine.  
     
     
         16 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side walls ( 2 ) have a slot ( 22 ) dividing the at least one of the side walls ( 2 ) into two section ( 24 ,  25 ).  17 . A magazine strip according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring means informed by a section ( 25 ) of at least one of the side walls ( 2 ) projecting from the rear wall ( 3 ).