Band with bistable actuation mechanism employing flexible element

A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object, the band comprising at least one actuator comprising:

• a first member and a second member pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable with respect to each other about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position;
• wherein the first member comprises:
• a body portion;
• a pair of deformable beams extending from the body portion, each of the pair of deformable beams having an end attached to the body portion and a free end, wherein each of the deformable beams includes a protuberance extending therefrom and disposed toward the free end thereof;
• and
• a pair of fixed beams extending from the body portion, wherein each of the pair of fixed beams has an end attached to the body portion and a free end, and wherein the pair of fixed beams are generally parallel with each other;
• wherein the second member comprises a series of ridges and valleys formed therein that are sized, shaped and positioned to cooperate with the protuberances extending from the pair of deformable beams;
• wherein, in the open position and the closed position, the protuberances extending from the pair of deformable beams align with the valleys formed in the second member, such that the pair of deformable beams are in a relaxed state and generally parallel with each other and with the pair of fixed beams;
• wherein, when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other to positions between the open position and the closed position, the protuberances extending from the pair of deformable beams cooperate with the ridges formed in the second member, such that the pair of deformable beams are elastically deformed away from each other so as to no longer be parallel with each other and such that the each of the pair of deformable beams is elastically deformed toward one of the pair of fixed beams, and so as to store strain energy;
• wherein the second member, each of the pair of deformable beams of the first member, and each of the fixed beams of the first member have holes formed therein along the pivot axis;
• a pin disposed in the holes, so as to provide for the pivotable connection between the first member and the second member;
• wherein each of the ridges comprises a peak defining a threshold position;
• wherein, when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other to positions between the open position and the closed position and the protuberances are disposed to a first side of the peaks, the first and second members are biased toward the open position by forces created by the stored strain energy, and
• wherein, when the first and second members are pivoted with respect to each other to positions between the open position and the closed position and the protuberances are disposed to a second side of the peaks, the first and second members are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the stored strain energy.