Patent ID: 9719536
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: F16B

Claim:
1. An assembly comprising: a first structure formed from a composite material wherein first structure including a first opening that extends through an outer surface of the first structure and into a first cavity in an interior of the first structure wherein the first opening includes a first outer opening edge and a second outer opening edge which are substantially parallel and wherein the first outer opening edge and the second outer opening edge are separated by a first distance; a sleeve which surrounds the first structure and covers the first opening wherein the sleeve includes a first protrusion having a first outer protrusion edge and a second outer protrusion edge substantially parallel to one another, said first protrusion formed from a shape memory alloy; wherein the first protrusion is configured to transition from a first shape to a second shape when the shape memory alloy is heated above an activation temperature; wherein, in the first shape, a second distance, between the first outer protrusion edge and second outer protrusion edge, is less than the first distance to allow the first protrusion to fit through the first opening; wherein, in the second shape, a third distance, between the first outer protrusion edge and second outer protrusion edge, is greater than the first distance to prevent the first protrusion from fitting through the first opening after it is inserted through the first opening in the first shape.