Releasable fastener system
First Claim
1. A releasable fastener system comprising:
- a loop portion comprising a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon;
a hook portion comprising a support, and a plurality of hook elements attached to the support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material; and
an activation device coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of book elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material. An activation device is coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of hook elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a suitable activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that is effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement. In this manner, disengagement of the releasable fastener system provides separation of the hook portion from the loop portion under controlled conditions. Also disclosed herein are processes for operating the releasable fastener system.
152 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A releasable fastener system comprising:
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a loop portion comprising a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon; a hook portion comprising a support, and a plurality of hook elements attached to the support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material; and an activation device coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of book elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for operating a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:
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contacting a loop portion with a book portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the loop portion comprises a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon, and wherein the hook portion comprises a support and a plurality of hook elements attached to the support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material; maintaining constant shear and pull-off forces in the releasable engagement without introducing an activation signal; selectively introducing a first activation signal to the plurality of hook elements, wherein the first activation signal is effective to change a shape orientation, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to the first portion of the plurality of hook elements to reduce the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement; and selectively introducing an additional activation signal to the plurality of hook elements, wherein the additional activation signal is effective to change a shape orientation, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to the second portion of the plurality of hook elements to further reduce the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A hook portion for a releasable fastener system comprising:
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a support; and a plurality of hook elements attached to the support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprise a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material, and wherein the plurality of hook elements are adapted to change a shape orientation, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof, upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the first portion is adapted to change the shape orientation, the flexural modulus property, or the combination thereof, upon receipt of a different activation signal than the at least one additional portion. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification