Fixing and release systems and fastener networks
    1.
    发明申请
    Fixing and release systems and fastener networks 有权
    固定和释放系统和紧固件网络

    公开(公告)号:US20050172462A1

    公开(公告)日:2005-08-11

    申请号:US11016498

    申请日:2004-12-17

    摘要: In the first aspect, the invention provides a fastener which includes a fastening element and an actuating means attached to the fastening element. The fastening element has a flexible beam and an engagement means. The actuating means includes a material, such as shape memory alloy, which contracts when activated. When the material is contracted, the beam moves between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In a second aspect, the invention provides a fastener for use in a network of fasteners. The fastener has address means which serve to distinguish the fastener from the other fasteners in the network. The fastener may be the same as the fastener in the first aspect of the invention, or a different fastener. A network or system of such fasteners is also provided. In a third aspect, the invention provides, in a process for producing product, during which process there are a number of steps in which a first element is releasably fixed to a second element, the use of the fastener in the first aspect or the second aspect of the invention to releasably fix the first element and the second element. The invention also provides a computer system programmed to perform the process of the invention.

    摘要翻译: 在第一方面,本发明提供了一种紧固件,其包括紧固元件和附接到紧固元件的致动装置。 紧固元件具有柔性梁和接合装置。 致动装置包括当激活时收缩的材料,例如形状记忆合金。 当材料收缩时,梁在接合位置和脱离位置之间移动。 在第二方面,本发明提供一种用于紧固件网络中的紧固件。 紧固件具有用于将紧固件与网络中的其他紧固件区分开的地址装置。 紧固件可以与本发明的第一方面中的紧固件相同或不同的紧固件。 还提供了这种紧固件的网络或系统。 在第三方面,本发明在制造产品的方法中提供了一种在第一方面或第二种方法中使用第一元件可释放地固定到第二元件的步骤 本发明的可释放地固定第一元件和第二元件的方面。 本发明还提供了一种被编程用于执行本发明的方法的计算机系统。

    Closure for a compartment
    4.
    发明申请
    Closure for a compartment 有权
    关闭一个隔间

    公开(公告)号:US20060097034A1

    公开(公告)日:2006-05-11

    申请号:US10549485

    申请日:2004-03-17

    IPC分类号: B65G11/04

    摘要: The invention provides a closure (106) for a compartment (100) having one or more walls (112, 114, 116 and 118) and an opening (110) defined by at least one of the walls (112, 114, 116 and 118). The closure (106) is associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment (100). The fastener can hold the closure (106) in a first position (eg. closed) relative to the opening (110). The fastener is adapted to cause the closure (106) to assume a second position (eg. open) relative to the opening (110) upon receipt of a suitable signal. The closure (106) has at least on indicium (108) visible from outside the compartment (110). The indicium (108) is adapted to provide a visual indication of a status of the closure (106) or the compartment (110), such as closure open, closure closed, compartment empty, compartment occupied. Instead of indicium (108) or in addition to it, the closure of the invention can include in the fastener means for communicating to a remote device, a status of the closure or the compartment. The closure and the compartment may form an array with other closures and compartments having similar fasteners. In that event, the fastener in each compartment may be addressable.

    摘要翻译: 本发明提供一种用于具有一个或多个壁(112,114,116和118)和由至少一个壁(112,114,116和118)限定的开口(110)的隔室(100)的封闭件(106) )。 封闭件(106)与位于隔室(100)内部的至少一个紧固件相关联。 紧固件可以将封闭件(106)相对于开口(110)保持在第一位置(例如闭合)中。 紧固件适于在接收到合适的信号时使闭合件(106)相对于开口(110)呈现第二位置(例如,打开)。 封闭物(106)至少具有从隔间(110)外部可见的标记(108)。 标记(108)适于提供关闭(106)或隔室(110)的状态的视觉指示,例如闭合打开,闭合闭合,隔室空,隔室被占用。 代替标记(108)或除此之外,本发明的关闭可以包括在用于与远程装置通信的紧固装置中,封闭件或隔室的状态。 闭合件和隔室可以形成具有其他具有相似紧固件的封闭件和隔室的阵列。 在这种情况下,每个隔室中的紧固件可以是可寻址的。