Patent ID: 7331616
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: E05B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A latch, comprising: a pin disposed on a first surface; a gate disposed on a second surface opposing the first surface; an active material in contact with the pin and configured to rotatably engage and disengage the pin from the gate, wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in the engagement or disengagement of the pin from the gate through rotary motion of the pin; and a spring in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the spring is configured to provide a force opposite to a force provided by the active material, wherein the activated active material is effective to overcome the force provided by the spring.