Patent ID: 6766566
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: A41D,A44B,A44D,B64C,C08L,F16B,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
A releasable fastener system comprising:a loop portion comprising a support and a loop material attached to the loop support; a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements attached to the hook support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a fiber and a shape memory alloy coating deposited onto the fiber, and wherein shape memory alloy coating deposited onto the fiber comprises a non-axisymmetric coating or deposition or the shape memory alloy about a portion of the fiber surface; and an activation device coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide a thermal activation signal to the shape memory alloy and change the shape orientation, the flexural modulus property, or a combination of the shape orientation and flexural modulus properties of the plurality of hook elements to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion.