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 comprise a first portion fabricated from a shape memory alloy and a second portion fabricated from a different shape memory alloy; 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 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.
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 or incorporates a shape memory alloy fiber. 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 thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that 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.
120 Citations
11 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 comprise a first portion fabricated from a shape memory alloy and a second portion fabricated from a different shape memory alloy; 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 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification