Shape Memory Fastener
First Claim
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1. A releasable fastener, comprising:
- a shaft including;
a shape memory polymer configured to change a geometry of the shaft between a release geometry and an attachment geometry without application of a mechanical force;
a first end accessible during fastening; and
a second end having a plurality of arms at least partially composed of the shape memory polymer, the plurality of arms positioned at an acute angle with respect to each other when the shaft is in the release geometry.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a variety a releasable fasteners and fastening systems. Some fasteners include a shape memory polymer configured to change geometry of the fastener between a release geometry and an attachment geometry without application of a mechanical force.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A releasable fastener, comprising:
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a shaft including; a shape memory polymer configured to change a geometry of the shaft between a release geometry and an attachment geometry without application of a mechanical force; a first end accessible during fastening; and a second end having a plurality of arms at least partially composed of the shape memory polymer, the plurality of arms positioned at an acute angle with respect to each other when the shaft is in the release geometry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A fastening system, comprising:
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a fastener including a shape memory polymer configured to change a geometry of the fastener between a first geometry and an second geometry without application of a mechanical force;
wherein the fastener further comprises a first end accessible during fastening and a second end having a plurality of arms at least partially composed of the shape memory polymer;an actuator configured to actuate the shape memory polymer to change geometry; wherein the plurality of arms are configured to fit through an orifice when the fastener is in the first geometry; and wherein the plurality of arms are configured not to fit through the orifice when the fastener is in the second geometry. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of manufacturing a fastener at least partially composed of a shape memory polymer, comprising:
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providing a shape memory polymer that can change a modulus of elasticity; providing a mold to form the shape memory polymer, wherein the mold defines a shaft having a plurality of arms at one end; inserting the shape memory polymer into the mold; forming the shape memory polymer into an attachment geometry using an external stimulus; and removing the shape memory polymer from the mold; wherein the mold is configured so that the plurality of arms are positioned at an angle greater than 45 degrees with respect to each other when the shape memory polymer is in the attachment geometry. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A releasable fastener, comprising:
a shaft including; an expandable shape memory polymer configured to change a geometry of the shaft between a release geometry and an attachment geometry without application of a mechanical force; a first end accessible during fastening; and a second end at least partially composed of the expandable shape memory polymer, configured to expand when the shaft is in the attachment geometry and shrink when the shaft is in the release geometry. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
Specification