Shape changing apparatus and method

A shape changing apparatus, comprising:

• first and second appendages pivotally attached to one another about a common axis of rotation, each appendage having a generally arcuate shape, the first and second appendages being moveable between an open position and a closed position;
• a biasing mechanism having first and second ends coupled to respective first and second appendages, the biasing mechanism being configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position;
• and
• a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first or second appendages, the release mechanism including a retention mechanism to help secure the first and second appendages in the closed position;
• wherein upon activating the release mechanism the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position.

An assembly, comprising:

• a shape changing apparatus including:
• first and second appendages attached to at least one axis of rotation, each appendage having a generally arcuate shape, the first and second appendages being moveable between an open position and a closed position;
• a biasing mechanism having first and second ends coupled to respective first and second appendages, the biasing mechanism being configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position;
• and
• at least one retention tab positioned on one of the first and second appendages;
• and
• a launching dock including an apparatus retention mechanism configured to cooperate with the retention tab for securing the apparatus to the launching dock while the first and second appendages are in the closed position, the apparatus retention mechanism including an actuator for selectively releasing the retention mechanism to permit the first and second appendages to move from the closed position to the open position thereby launching the apparatus from the launching dock.

A method of operating a shape changing apparatus including a body portion having first and second opposing sides, first and second appendages attached to respective first and second sides of the body so as to be rotatable about respective first and second axes of rotation, each appendage having a generally arcuate shape, the first and second appendages being moveable between an open position and a closed position, a biasing mechanism having first and second ends coupled to respective first and second appendages, the biasing mechanism configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position, and a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first and second appendages, the method comprising:

• positioning the body portion adjacent a generally cylindrically object;
• moving at least one of the first and second appendages into the closed position such that the first and second appendages at least partially encircle the generally cylindrical object and the biasing mechanism is stretched;
• and
• activating the release mechanism such that the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position and the apparatus moves away from the cylindrical object.

A method of operating a shape changing apparatus having first and second appendages pivotally attached to one another about a common axis of rotation, each appendage having a generally arcuate shape, the first and second appendages being moveable between an open position and a closed position, a biasing mechanism having first and second ends coupled to respective first and second appendages, the biasing mechanism configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position, and a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first or second appendages, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the shape changing apparatus adjacent a generally cylindrically object;
• moving at least one of the first and second appendages into the closed position such that the first and second appendages at least partially encircle the generally cylindrical object and the biasing mechanism is stretched;
• and
• activating the release mechanism such that the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position and the apparatus moves away from the cylindrical object.

A method of operating an assembly having a shape changing apparatus including first and second appendages attached to about at least one axis of rotation, each appendage having a generally arcuate shape, the first and second appendages being moveable between an open position and a closed position, a biasing mechanism coupled to the first and second appendages, the biasing mechanism configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position, and at least one retention tab positioned on at least one of the first and second appendages, the assembly further having a launching dock including an apparatus retention mechanism configured to cooperate with the retention tab, the apparatus retention mechanism including an actuator for selectively releasing the retention mechanism, the method comprising:

• positioning the shape changing apparatus adjacent the launching dock;
• moving at least one of the first and second appendages into the closed position such that the first and second appendages at least partially encircle the launching dock;
• securing the retention tab in the retention mechanism when the first and second appendages are in the closed position;
• and
• actuating a release of the retention member such that the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position thereby launching the apparatus from the launching dock.