Patent ID: 6971829

Claim:
A fastening device for promoting the assembly and adherence of associated pieces by exposure to electromagnetic energy, said fastening device having an outer surface and comprising: (i) an electromagnetic energy absorptive component comprising an electromagnetic energy absorptive target material; (ii) an expansion component adapted to be expansive in at least one direction upon exposure to heat, said expansion component being in a compressed state which compressed state is released upon exposure to heat; and (iii) a matrix material component comprising a matrix material, said matrix material being adhesively activatable by heat energy; wherein the matrix material comprises or is disposed on the outer surface of the fastening device and the matrix material, the expansion component and the electromagnetic energy absorptive component are oriented so that heat generated in the electromagnetic energy absorptive component is conducted to the matrix material and expansion component whereby when said fastening device is positioned within said associated pieces and is exposed to electromagnetic energy, said electromagnetic energy absorptive component provndes heat energy to activate said expansion component and said matrix material, thereby causing said matrix material to either soften or liquefy as well as become adhesively active and allowing or causing the expansion component to expand in at least one direction causing contact of said matrix material and said associated pieces, thereby effecting ajoining or bonding relationship upon cooling of said matrix component.