Abstract:
A releasable fastener system comprises a male portion and a female portion. The male portion comprises a support and at least one protrusion element fixedly attached to the support. The female portion comprises a support and at least two parallel actuator strips projecting from a surface of the support. The at least two parallel actuator strips are spaced apart to form an opening equal to or less than a lateral dimension of the protrusion element. Each one of the at least two parallel actuator strips comprise a flexible strip and a piezoelectric material disposed on portions of the actuator strip. An activation device is coupled to the at least two actuator strips, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the piezoelectric material. In this manner, the shape of the actuator strips can be changed to provide a mechanical engagement of a frictional engagement of the male and female portions.
Abstract:
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith. Also disclosed herein are processes for operating the releasable fastener system.
Abstract:
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.
Abstract:
A vehicle headlamp having two glass panes carrying an array of micro-lenses that can be moved relative to each other both along the optical axis of the headlamp and along a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. These movements are controlled via a number of shape memory actuators.
Abstract:
An exercise kit includes an article of clothing stitched together using strands of a metallic fiber, wherein the metallic fiber imparts a memory property to the article of clothing to cause dynamic tensioning and compressing when the article of clothing is deformed from an original shape through the natural extension and flexing actions of a user wearing the article of clothing.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for electrosurgically treating human skin. The skin may be treated by applying thermal energy to the dermis to shrink the skin following liposuction, or to induce collagen deposition at the site of a wrinkle for wrinkle reduction or removal. In another embodiment, a method involves electrosurgically removing or modifying tissue in the head or neck to provide a face-lift or a neck-lift. In one embodiment, the working end of an electrosurgical instrument is positioned in at least close proximity to the dermis by approaching the dermis from the underside (reverse side) of the skin.
Abstract:
An adjustable length bracelet or necklace in which a chain link is formed in a continuous loop and passes through a pair of oval-shaped barrels. The chain loops around and is attached to each oval-shaped barrel by an aperture in the side of the barrel forming an elegantly simple construction. A super slick deformable resistant resilient material inside the oval-shaped barrels resiliently holds the barrels in an adjusted position. Sliding the oval-shaped barrels on the links of the chain adjusts the diameter of the necklace from a maximum to a minimum or anywhere in between. Preferably the oval-shaped barrels are constructed of a memory metal that is super elastic and is highly resistant to distortion. A nickel-titanium shaped memory alloy would be suitable. Also disclosed is an ankle or wrist bracelet linked to a ring to be worn on a finger or a toe. The bracelet is linked to the ring by a pair of chains connected to loops on the bracelet or it can be continuous chains passing from the ring to the clasp for attachment to an ankle or wrist.
Abstract:
Bracelet comprising a plurality of rows of links, each row of links comprising at least two links traversed by a rod engaged in at least one link of the next row, so as to join both rows in an articulate manner. The rod is constituted of a pin and a head screwed in an opening tapped in the pin. The next row of links can be disassembled by removing first the left link, by unscrewing the head, then by removing the right link with the pin.
Abstract:
A bi-stable hook component of a touch fastener can bend into, and remain in, a stable concave position. Another stable position enables initial engagement with a mating component (e.g., a loop component). The concave position applies engagement-enhancing tension to the engaged loops, and in some cases forces end portions of the hooks into close proximity with one another to secure the fastening and to produce a curved touch fastener that, as engaged, can better conform to an underlying curved surface, such as the contour of a wearer's body. Absorbent articles having such a bi-stable fastening system are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention is a device applicable to the positioning of a loose object on a carrier such as a device mounted on a necklace with a pendant to keep the pendant in a stationary position on the necklace. The device comprises at least one coil forming an opening and a locating section. The necklace is contained in the opening of the coil with the locating section serving to retain the pendant in position on the necklace. Optional end configurations serve to reduce risk of necklace entanglement as well as increase friction between the device and the necklace.