Attachment mechanism

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body, said actuation device having:
• an actuation member operably coupled to at least one of said plurality of second attachment members;
• a controller outputting an actuation signal in said activated mode;
• and
• an interconnecting member interconnecting said controller to said actuation member, said interconnecting member actuating said actuation member in response to said actuation signal, said interconnecting member being made of a shape memory alloy.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body, said actuation device having:
• an actuation member operably coupled to at least one of said plurality of second attachment members;
• a controller outputting an actuation signal in said activated mode;
• and
• an interconnecting member interconnecting said controller to said actuation member, said interconnecting member actuating said actuation member in response to said actuation signal, said interconnecting member flexes in response to an electrical current applied thereto.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body,
• wherein the shape of said engaging portion of said first attachment member is chosen from the group essentially consisting of spherical, conical, bulbous, tetrahedral, and hook.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body,
• wherein the shape of said engaging portion of at least one of said plurality of second attachment members is chosen from the group essentially consisting of spherical, conical, bulbous, tetrahedral, and hook.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body,
• wherein the shape of said engaging portions of said first attachment member and said plurality of second attachment members is such that the force required to engage said engaging portion of said first attachment member with said engaging portions of said plurality of second attachment members is less than the force necessary to release said first attachment member from said plurality of said second attachment members.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body;
• wherein said engaging portion of said first attachment member comprises a plurality of notches, each of said plurality of notches cooperates with said engaging portion of each of said plurality of second attachment members to define a ratcheting movement of said first body relative to said second body.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body;
• wherein each of said plurality of second attachment members comprises a main body portion and a hinge disposed along said main body portion, said hinge being manipulated in response to phase changes in the material of each of said plurality of second attachment members.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body,
• wherein said first attachment member comprises a plurality of burrs to resist disengagement of said first attachment member from said plurality of second attachment members.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body, said actuation device having:
• an actuation member operably disposed within at least one of said plurality of second attachment members, the shape of said actuation member being changeable in response to an electrical current signal;
• and
• a controller outputting said electrical current signal.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body, wherein said first attachment member is a post.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion selectively engageable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member;
• and
• an actuation device coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said actuation device being operable to selectively actuate said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to positionally manipulate said first body relative to said second body, wherein at least one of said plurality of second attachment members is a prong.

An attachment mechanism comprising:

• a first attachment member supported by a first body, said first attachment member having an engaging portion;
• a plurality of second attachment members supported by a second body, each of said plurality of second attachment members having an engaging portion passively connectable with said engaging portion of said first attachment member to define a mechanical connection;
• and
• a driving mechanism coupled with said plurality of second attachment members, said driving mechanism selectively actuates said plurality of second attachment members relative to said first attachment member to translate said first body relative to said second body while maintaining said mechanical connection.