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US 9,422,964 B2Granted
Blind fasteners
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJoseph D. Rule, Kevin M. Lewandowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fasteners for producing double blind joints where the fastener is not visible or accessible are provided. The fasteners comprise a shape memory polymer that may be used to fasten workpieces by heating the fasteners, inducing recovery of the original, permanent shape of the fasteners.
Claims17
A fastener comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane shape memory polymer having a transition temperature (Ttrans) of at least 50° C.;
- the fastener comprising a length, a width, and no head;
- wherein the fastener is axially oriented at least 50% in the longitudinal direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.