System and method for activated interlocking fasteners and seals
AssigneeDelphini, LLC
InventorDavid Ronsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An active interlocking fastener system is adapted to control an interlock in response to an external stimulus. The interlocking fastener system includes a first element including a plurality of first interlocking fasteners. The interlocking fastener system also includes a second element including a plurality of second interlocking fasteners configured to couple to the first plurality of interlocking fasteners. The plurality of first interlocking fasteners or the plurality of second interlocking fasteners includes a reactive material configured to vary a mechanical engagement between the plurality of first interlocking fasteners and the plurality of second interlocking fasteners as a function of the external stimulus.
Claims21
An interlocking fastener system comprising:
- a first element including a plurality of first interlocking fasteners;
- and
- a second element including a plurality of second interlocking fasteners configured to couple to the first plurality of interlocking fasteners, wherein at least one of the plurality of first interlocking fasteners or the plurality of second interlocking fasteners comprises a reactive material configured to vary a mechanical engagement between the plurality of first interlocking fasteners and the plurality of second interlocking fasteners as a function of an external stimulus.
An interlocking apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of first interlocking fasteners configured to couple to a second plurality of interlocking fasteners;
- and
- an activation means, wherein the plurality of first interlocking fasteners comprises a reactive material configured to, as a function of an external stimulus, vary a shape or position of the plurality of first interlocking fasteners to alter a mechanical engagement between the plurality of first interlocking fasteners and the plurality of second interlocking fasteners.
A method for controlling an interlock connection, the method comprising:
- coupling a plurality of first interlocking fasteners on a first element to a plurality of second interlocking fasteners on a second element, wherein at least one of the plurality of first interlocking fasteners or the plurality of second interlocking fasteners comprises a reactive material;
- and
- applying an external stimulus to the reactive material to control a mechanical engagement between the plurality of first interlocking fasteners and the plurality of second interlocking fasteners.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.