Fixing and release systems

Abstract

A connecting means adapted to releasably fix or release a first element ( 4 ) and a second element ( 5 ) includes a locking pin ( 1 ) which is moveable by remote activation means between a locked position, in which leg ( 8 ) expands wall ( 9 ) into recess ( 10 ), and an unlocked position. The remote activation means may be magnetic, electromagnetic or any other suitable means. There is no permanent material connection between the pin ( 1 ) and the remote activation means. A method of fixing or releasing first and second elements by remote activation means is also disclosed. The invention further provides an embodiment where the first element is a first panel and the second element is a second panel. The first panel has means ( 166 or 169 ) which co-ordinate with means ( 165 or 170 ) on the second panel. A method of manufacturing the first element includes the steps of depositing discrete amounts of setable material on a surface of the first element and inverting the element to permit the material to set under the influence of gravity. A method of reducing the spacing between first and second elements by remote activation means is also disclosed.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method of fixing a first element and a second element via a connecting means, the method including the steps of comprising: 
 (a) locating the first element relatively to the second element in a chosen position;    (b) maintaining the chosen position by magnetic force; and    (c) applying remote activation means comprising radio frequency heating means to the connecting means inserted between the first and second elements, the connecting means being adhesive curable by radio frequency heating.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the first element is a metal stud and the second element is one or more panels.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising releasing the magnetic force after cure of the adhesive.  
   
   
       30 . A connecting means adapted to adjust the location of a first element relatively to a second element spaced from the first element, the connecting means comprising an arm extending through the space between the first element and the second element and being pivotally attached to the first element at a first attachment point and to the second element by a second attachment point, wherein the arm is adapted to pivot at the first and second attachment points, thereby reducing the space between the first and second elements, upon application of remote activation means, and wherein there is no permanent material connection between the connecting means and the remote activation means.  
   
   
       31 . A method of adjusting the location of a first element relatively to a second element spaced from the first element, the method comprising applying remote activation means to cause a connecting means as claimed in  claim 30  to reduce the space between the first and second elements.  
   
   
       32 . A method of adjusting the location of a first element relatively to a second element spaced from the first element, the method comprising applying remote activation means to cause a plurality of connecting means, each as claimed in  claim 30 , to reduce the space between the first and second elements.  
   
   
       33 . A first panel adapted for releasable connection to a second panel by a connecting means, the connecting means comprising a locking means, the locking means movable by remote activation means between a locked position in which the first panel is locked to the second panel and an unlocked position in which the first panel is released from the second panel, there being no permanent material connection between the connecting means and the remote activation means, wherein each panel has a pair of opposed faces, the first panel having on one face a plurality of rows of protrusions adapted to be received in a set of recesses arranged in a plurality of rows on one face of the second panel.  
   
   
       34 . The first panel of  claim 33 , wherein the protrusions are nodules and the recesses are pits.  
   
   
       35 . A first panel adapted for releasable connection to a second panel by a first panel adapted for releasable connection to a second panel by a connecting means, the connecting means comprising a locking means movable by remote activation means between a locked position in which the first panel is locked to the second panel and an unlocked position in which the first panel is released from the second panel, there being no permanent material connection between the connecting means and the remote activation means, wherein each panel has a pair of opposed faces, the first panel having on one face a plurality of protrusions being ribs, adapted to be received in recesses being channels on one face of the second panel.  
   
   
       36 . A method of manufacturing a first element which is intended for connection with a second element, the first element incorporating first means to facilitate connection of the first element with the second element, the method comprising: 
 depositing discrete amounts of setable material on a surface of the elements and rotating the element through 180° to permit the material to set under the influence of gravity.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising treating the material to effect setting.  
   
   
       38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A connecting means adapted to releasably fix a first element and a second element, the connecting means comprising a locking means movable by remote activation means between a locked position in which the first element is locked to the second element and an unlocked position in which the first element is released from the second element, wherein there is no permanent material connection between the connecting means and the remote activation means, and wherein the connecting means comprises receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote activation means to fix or release the first and second elements and for activating movement of the locking means to the locked or unlocked position in accordance with the signal.  
   
   
       40 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the first element is locked to the second element either by rotation of the locking means or by blocking of a movable member.  
   
   
       41 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the locking means is a locking pin.  
   
   
       42 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the receiving means is a radio receiver.  
   
   
       43 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the locking means is adapted to cause transmission of a signal.  
   
   
       44 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the connecting means provides for adjustment of the first element relatively to the second element in one, two or three dimensions.  
   
   
       45 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the remote activation means is adapted to move the locking means by the use of energy chosen from the following group: magnetic force, electromagnetic force, electromagnetic induction, high frequency heating and radio waves.  
   
   
       46 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , further comprising signal means adapted to indicate whether the first element is locked to the second element.  
   
   
       47 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , further comprising signal means adapted to indicate whether the first element is released from the second element.  
   
   
       48 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , further comprising means for reporting damage or stress caused to the connecting means.  
   
   
       49 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , further comprising means for encryption.  
   
   
       50 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the connecting means is a clip, a bolt or a strip connector.  
   
   
       51 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the connecting means is adapted to be attached to or inserted in the first or second element.  
   
   
       52 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the connecting means is capable of providing a report relating to one or more of the following: 
 whether the first element is fixed to the second element;    whether the first element is released from the second element;    whether the connecting means has been damaged.    
   
   
       53 . The connecting means of  claim 39 , further comprising first attachment means adapted to attach the connecting means to the first element.  
   
   
       54 . A plurality of the connecting means of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of connecting means are adapted to be fixed or released in a predetermined sequence.  
   
   
       55 . A connecting means adapted to releasably fix a first element and a second element, the connecting means comprising a locking means movable along a channel by remote activation means between a locked position in which the first element is locked to the second element and an unlocked position in which the first element is released from the second element, wherein there is no permanent material connection between the connecting means and the remote activation means, wherein the connecting means comprises receiving means for receiving a signal from the remote activation means to fix or release the first and second elements and for activating movement of the locking means to the locked or unlocked position in accordance with the signal, and wherein a channel is formed between channel sides and in the locked position the locking means prevents deformation of the channel sides in the region of the locking means.  
   
   
       56 . An assembly having a first element and a second element in which the first element and second element are releasably fixed using the connecting means of  claim 39 .  
   
   
       57 . The assembly of  claim 56 , in which the first element and the second element are selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) the first element is a plug for a power cable and the second element is a power socket;    (b) the first element comprises glass or perspex and the second element is a backing board therefor;    (c) the first element is computer hardware and the second element is a cable therefor;    (d) the first element is a telephone and the second element is a cable therefor;    (e) the first element is an item of furniture and the second element is a wall, floor or ceiling;    (f) the first element is an electrical appliance and the second element is an item of furniture, a wall, floor or ceiling;    (g) the first element is a bicycle and the second element is saddle bag;    (h) the first element is an item of photographic equipment and the second element is a tripod, lense or lense cap;    (i) the first element is a burglar alarm and the second element is a casing therefor;    (j) the first element is an item being an automotive accessory or trim and the second element is an automobile;    (k) the first element is an automobile and the second element is an automobile door, bonnet or boot lid;    (l) the first element is a casing for a black box recording device and the second element is an access panel therefor;    (m) the first element is a frame and the second element is a sound proofing panel;    (n) the first element is a billboard and the second element is a billboard support;    (o) the first element is an item of footwear excluding a sole and the second element is a sole for the footwear;    (p) the first element is a boot and the second element is a ski;    (q) the first element is a dispenser and the second element is an access panel therefor;    (r) the first element is a dispenser and the second element is a wall;    (s) the first element is a carpet or rug and the second element is a floor;    (t) the first and second elements together form an item of luggage;    (u) the first element is an item of cladding or decoration and the second element is a building;    (v) the first element is a medicine cabinet and the second element is a door therefor;    (w) the first element is a gate or door and the second element is a gate or doorjamb;    (x) the first element is a coin-operated machine and the second element is an access door therefor;    (y) the first element is, a tooth brace and the second element is a tooth;    (z) the first element is a denture or false tooth and the second element is a tooth or jaw;    (aa) the first and second elements together form a dog collar;    (bb) the first element is a mobile phone and the second element is a battery or access card;    (cc) the first element is a tool and the second element is a tool bit;    (dd) the first element is a computer and the second element is a computer peripheral;    (ee) the first element is an item of street furniture and the second element is a street;    (ff) the first element is a building and the second element is a door or window therefor; and    (gg) the first element is a pipe and the second element is a pipe.    
   
   
       58 . A method of releasably fixing a first element and a second element via the connecting means of  claim 39 , the method comprising sending a signal from the remote activation means to fix or release the first element and the second element by activating movement of the locking means to the locked or unlocked position in accordance with the signal.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the first element is aligned with the second element before sending the signal from the remote activation means.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein movement of the locking means to the locked position or to the unlocked position causes no mark on or damage to the first element or the second element.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the first element is fixed to more than one second element.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the second element is fixed to more than one first element.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein a plurality of first elements is fixed to a plurality of second elements.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 61  or  63 , wherein the second elements are not identical.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 62  or  63 , wherein the first elements are not identical.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the connecting means comprises a female connector attached to the first element and a male connector, adapted to cooperate with the female connector, attached to the second element.