Patent ID: 8376680

Claim:
An assembly comprising: a first component having a wall defining a first hole; a second component; and a retaining element, extending through the first hole in the first component and engaging the second component, wherein the first component and the second component are retained together by the retaining element, the retaining element having portion made from a shape memory effect material, wherein the wall of the first component encloses an internal cavity in which the retaining portion is disposed, the wall of the first component defines a second hole opposite the first hole across the internal cavity, the retaining portion has a first configuration in a first phase of the shape memory effect material which enables the retaining portion to pass through the first hole, the retaining portion has a second configuration in a second phase of the shape memory effect material in which the retaining portion is prevented from re-entering the first hole, thereby securing the retaining element with respect to the first component, the retaining element is in the form of a pin which extends through the first hole in the first component into the internal cavity, and through the second hole in the first component to emerge from the internal cavity, the first and second holes in the first component being at spaced positions in the wall of the first component, the retaining portion having a straight or arcuate longitudinal pin axis when in the first configuration, and the retaining portion being deflected from the pin axis in the internal cavity between the first and second holes in the second configuration.