Super-elastic rivet assembly

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fastening assembly has a first component containing a first aperture and a second component containing a second aperture. A pin made of a super-elastic alloy defines a shank with a bore having an axis, the shank being at least partially constrained within and juxtaposed with both the first and second apertures. Activation of the super-elastic alloy generates a retaining force normal to the axis of the pin, fastening the components together. Several embodiments are shown where a unitary pin fastens the components, while other embodiments are shown where the super-elastic properties of the pin are activated by another independent element of the fastener, for example a retainer that co-acts with the pin to fasten the components together. Activation forces can be applied to the pin through relative motion, or stretching against a shoulder.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.