Electrostatically releasable fastening system and method of use
First Claim
1. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
- a loop portion comprising a loop material;
a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements; and
an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with said loop portion and said hook portion, said actuation device being operable to provide a first electrostatic charge to said loop material and a second electrostatic charge to said hook elements.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable fastening system comprises a loop portion comprising a loop material, a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements, and an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with the loop portion and the hook portion. The actuation device is operable to provide electrostatic charges to the loop material and the hook elements. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a loop portion to a hook portion to form a releasable engagement wherein the loop portion comprises a first electrically conductive sheet and a loop material disposed at the first electrically conductive sheet and wherein the hook portion comprises a second electrically conductive sheet and a hook element disposed at the second electrically conductive sheet, maintaining constant shear and pull forces between the loop and hook portions, and introducing electrostatic charges of opposite polarities to the loop and hook portions to enhance the engagement of the hook and loop portions and of similar polarities to weaken the engagement of the hook and loop portions.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
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a loop portion comprising a loop material;
a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements; and
an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with said loop portion and said hook portion, said actuation device being operable to provide a first electrostatic charge to said loop material and a second electrostatic charge to said hook elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A releasable fastening system, comprising:
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a loop portion comprising a loop material, a first electrically conductive sheet on which said loop material is supported or attached, a first insulating layer disposed on said first electrically conductive sheet, and a loop portion support member disposed on said first insulating layer;
a hook portion comprising a hook element mechanically engageable with said loop material, a second electrically conductive sheet at which said hook element is supported, a second insulating layer disposed at said second electrically conductive sheet, and a hook portion support member disposed at said second insulating layer; and
an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with said loop portion and said hook portion, said actuation device being configured to impart an electrostatic charge of a first polarity to said loop material and a second polarity to said hook elements. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a releasable fastening system, comprising:
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contacting a loop portion to a hook portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein said loop portion comprises a first electrically conductive sheet and a loop material attached to or disposed on said first electrically conductive sheet, and wherein said hook portion comprises a second electrically conductive sheet and a hook element attached to or disposed on said second electrically conductive sheet;
maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between said loop portion and said hook portion;
introducing a first electrostatic charge to said loop portion; and
introducing a second electrostatic charge to said hook portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification