Releasable fastener system
US6815873B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F2224/045
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A releasable fastener system comprises a male portion and a female portion. The male portion comprises a support and at least one protrusion element fixedly attached to the support. The female portion comprises a support and at least two parallel actuator strips projecting from a surface of the support. The at least two parallel actuator strips are spaced apart to form an opening equal to or less than a lateral dimension of the protrusion element. Each one of the at least two parallel actuator strips comprise a flexible strip and a piezoelectric material disposed on portions of the actuator strip. An activation device is coupled to the at least two actuator strips, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the piezoelectric material. In this manner, the shape of the actuator strips can be changed to provide a mechanical engagement of a frictional engagement of the male and female portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.