Fasteners and Other Assemblies

Abstract

The invention discloses several types of fastener, fastening systems, fastener assemblies and related areas. In particular, the invention relates to a releasable fastening system ( 50 ) which has a pin ( 152 ) with a locking cavity ( 163 ). The pin is intended for insertion in an aperture ( 154 ). A locking means ( 158, 160 ) engages the locking cavity ( 163 ) of the pin ( 152 ) when the pin ( 152 ) is received in the aperture ( 154 ). The system ( 150 ) also includes unlocking means ( 162 ) which includes material adapted to contract when activated. When a material contracts, engagement means ( 158 ) included in the locking means ( 158, 160 ), disengage the locking cavity ( 154 ).

1 . A releasable fastening system including:
 a pin having a locking cavity;   an aperture for receiving the pin;   a locking means adapted to engage the locking cavity of the pin when the pin is received in the aperture; and   an unlocking means including material adapted to contract when activated,   wherein the locking means comprises or includes engagement means adapted to disengage the locking cavity when the material contracts.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking cavity is a groove and the engagement means is adapted to engage some or all of the grooves. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement means is one or more locking elements. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening system of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement means is a single locking element, being a tooth. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening system of  claim 3 , wherein there is a plurality of locking elements, each being a tooth. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening system of  claim 4 , wherein the or each tooth is surrounded by a rotatable shuttle. 
     
     
         7 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein the material adapted to contract when activated is wound around the shuttle. 
     
     
         8 . The releasable fastening system of  claim 1  wherein the locking means includes a slideable shuttle. 
     
     
         9 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the material adapted to contract when activated is shape memory alloy wire. 
     
     
         10 . The fastening system of  claim 1  wherein the pin is a stud, peg or bolt. 
     
     
         11 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin ends in a tapered base. 
     
     
         12 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking cavity is a groove around the perimeter of the pin. 
     
     
         13 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking cavity is one or more indentations in the pin. 
     
     
         14 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement means is one locking element being a collar, a bias spring, a circlip or a clip chassis. 
     
     
         15 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking means includes a clip chassis together with a bias spring or a circlip. 
     
     
         16 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the unlocking means is connected to the engagement means. 
     
     
         17 . The fastening system of  claim 16 , wherein the unlocking means is connected to the clip chassis. 
     
     
         18 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture has a shape which is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the pin. 
     
     
         19 . The fastening system of  claim 1  which includes a microprocessor. 
     
     
         20 . The fastening system of  claim 19 , wherein the microprocessor is adapted to control energy delivery to the material adapted to contract when activated. 
     
     
         21 . The fastening system of  claim 19 , wherein the microprocessor is adapted to sense whether the engagement means is engaged or disengaged. 
     
     
         22 . The fastening system of  claim 19 , wherein the microprocessor is adapted to control temperature of the material adapted to contract when activated. 
     
     
         23 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , which includes means to disengage the engagement means without activation of the material adapted to contract when activated. 
     
     
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