Patent ID: 8221043

Claim:
A fastening system, comprising: a pin including: a flared portion from a tip of the pin to an intermediate portion of the pin, and a tapered portion opposite the flared portion of the pin; a retainer portion including: a first plate movable to engage the pin proximate the tapered portion; and retainer material configured adjacent at least a portion of the first plate, the material being further configured to become elastic and to increase in flexibility when activated to allow the first plate to move from a disengaged position to an engaged position, and upon removal of the activation, to become rigid and to increase in rigidity to retain the first plate in the engaged position; wherein the activation comprises application of an electrical current to the retainer material to heat the retainer material; wherein the disengaged position comprises no contact between the pin and the first plate; and wherein the engaged position comprises contact between the pin and the first plate.