Fastener-Stick Dispenser For Field Use, and Method of Providing Same

Abstract

A fastener-stick dispenser for dispensing sticks of fasteners, such as staples, nails, and screws. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a body defining a fastener-stick receptacle that receives a plurality of the fastener sticks. The dispenser also includes a dispensing port through which fastener sticks are dispensed one or more at a time by a user. The dispenser may also include one or more securing device for securing the dispenser to a user so that the user can carry the dispenser in a hands-free manner. A method of providing a fastener-stick dispenser is also disclosed. The method includes providing a fastener stick dispenser and providing various instructions for its use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastener-stick dispenser for dispensing fastener sticks, comprising:
 a body defining a fastener-stick receptacle designed and configured to receive a plurality of fastener sticks;   a dispensing port designed, configured, and located for controllably dispensing ones of the plurality fastener sticks when the when the plurality of fastener sticks are installed into said fastener-stick receptacle;   a dispensing-port closure designed and configured to be actuated by a user so as to alternatingly open and close said dispensing port during a dispensing operation; and   a securing device designed and configured for securing the fastener-stick dispenser to the user.   
     
     
         2 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fastener sticks are bundled in a prepackaged container and said fastener-stick receptacle is designed and configured to receive the prepackaged container. 
     
     
         3 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein said body includes a receptacle closure designed and configured to provide access to said fastener-stick receptacle to allow loading the prepackaged container into said fastener-stick receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein said dispensing-port closure is located in said receptacle closure. 
     
     
         5 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 3 , further including a dispensing direction, wherein said receptacle closure allows the plurality of fastener sticks to be loaded in a direction along said dispensing direction. 
     
     
         6 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 3 , further including a dispensing direction, wherein said receptacle closure allows the plurality of fastener sticks to be loaded in a direction perpendicular to said dispensing direction. 
     
     
         7 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said body includes a receptacle closure designed and configured to provide access to said fastener-stick receptacle to allow loading the plurality of fastener sticks to said fastener-stick receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein said dispensing-port closure is located in said receptacle closure. 
     
     
         9 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 3 , further including a dispensing direction, wherein said receptacle closure allows the plurality of fastener sticks to be loaded in a direction along said dispensing direction. 
     
     
         10 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein said body has a dispensing direction and said receptacle closure allows the plurality of fastener sticks to be loaded in a direction perpendicular to said dispensing direction. 
     
     
         11 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 1 , further including a dispensing direction, wherein said fastener-stick receptacle has first and second ends spaced apart along said dispensing direction, wherein said first end has a corner and said dispensing port is located substantially at said corner. 
     
     
         12 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said securing device includes a belt-engaging member designed and configured to engage a work belt. 
     
     
         13 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said securing device comprises:
 a first component designed and configured to engage a work belt;   a second component attached to said body; and   a quick-connect coupling designed and configured to couple said first and second components with one another.   
     
     
         14 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein said securing device is designed and configured to allow, when the user is wearing the fastener-stick dispenser, to reversibly pivot the body between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position. 
     
     
         15 . An assembly, comprising:
 a bundle of fastener sticks; and   a fastener-stick dispenser that includes:
 a body defining a fastener-stick receptacle conformally receiving said bundle of fastener sticks; 
 a dispensing port designed, configured, and located for controllably dispensing ones of the fastener sticks in said bundle fastener sticks; 
 a dispensing-port closure designed and configured to be actuated by a user so as to alternatingly open and close said dispensing port during a dispensing operation; and 
 a securing device designed and configured for securing the fastener-stick dispenser to the user. 
   
     
     
         16 . An assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said bundle of fastener sticks is contained in a portion of prepackaged packaging in which said bundle was sold. 
     
     
         17 . A fastener-stick dispenser according to  claim 15 , wherein said body has a dispensing direction and said fastener-stick receptacle has first and second ends spaced apart along said dispensing direction, wherein said first end has a corner and said dispensing port is located substantially at said corner. 
     
     
         18 . A method of providing a fastener-stick dispenser for dispensing fastener sticks, comprising:
 providing the fastener-stick dispenser, wherein the fastener-stick dispenser includes:
 a body defining a fastener-stick receptacle designed and configured to receive a bundle of the fastener sticks; 
 a dispensing port designed, configured, and located for controllably dispensing ones of the bundle of fastener sticks when the when the bundle of fastener sticks is installed into the fastener-stick receptacle; 
 a dispensing-port closure designed and configured to be actuated by a user so as to alternatingly open and close the dispensing port during a dispensing operation; and 
   a securing device designed and configured for securing the fastener-stick dispenser to the user; and   providing a set of instructions for using the fastener-stick dispenser, wherein the set of instructions includes:
 instructions instructing the user to insert the bundle of fastener sticks into the fastener-stick receptacle; and 
 instruction instructing the user to dispense ones of the fastener sticks through the dispensing port. 
   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the instructions instructing the user to insert the bundle of fastener sticks into the fastener-stick receptacle includes instructions instructing the user to remove an end of a prepackaging box containing the fastener sticks and then to install the prepackaging box and the fastener sticks into the fastener-stick receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said providing a set of instructions further includes providing instructions instructing the user to secure the fastener-stick dispenser to a work belt using the securing device.