A smart material actuated fastener is provided. In another aspect, a fastener includes a shape memory material and a non-shape memory material with the shape memory material being a minority of the total fastener materials. A further aspect provides a fastener having workpiece-engaging surfaces made of an inactive and non-shape memory material.

A closure device for connecting two parts is provided. The closure device includes a connector, a housing which includes a connector receptacle, into which the connector can be inserted in a closing direction for closing the closure device, a slide shiftably arranged at the housing, which for opening the closure device is shiftable along an opening direction different from the closing direction, a detent spring element which in a closed position of the closure device latchingly holds the connector at the housing and for opening the closure device can be moved out of engagement with the connector by shifting the slide in the opening direction, in order to release the connector from the housing, so that in an open position of the closure device the connector is separated from the housing, and at least one guide element which guides the connector on insertion into the connector receptacle for closing the closure device along the closing direction into the closed position and supports the connector against tilting relative to the closing direction when the slide is shifted for opening the closure device.

The present invention relates to an insert bolt, and more particularly, to an insert bolt having an anti-turn function, in which one-way teeth are formed on a bottom surface of a bolt head constituting the insert bolt, such that a bolt shaft can turn only in a clockwise direction when casting concrete, thereby preventing the bolt shaft from loosening from a connecting rod. The insert bolt of the present includes: a bolt shaft, a spring coupled to an outer side of the bolt shaft to perform an elastic function, a sliding movement member coupled to the outer side of the bolt shaft and coupled to a lower part of the spring to perform a sliding movement, a supporting rib member positioned in a lower part of the sliding movement member and supporting the sliding movement member and a connecting rod connected to a lower part of the bolt shaft, wherein the bolt shaft includes a disc-shaped head part, and a central shaft in a form of a circular cylinder integrally formed in a center part of the disc-shaped head part, wherein the disc-shaped head part has one-way, a lower part of the central shaft has a screw thread, and the one-way teeth includes an inclined surface and a vertical surface, such that, when an external pressure is applied due to concrete casting, the concrete casting pressure is dispersed through the inclined surface and the concrete casting pressure is aggregated through the vertical surface such that a rotating force is created only in a direction in which the bolt shaft tightens onto the connecting rod.

A placard holder has a clamp member with an enlarged head and an elongated stem. The head defines a narrow slot such that a card containing visually perceptible or machine readable information can be mounted to the head by a friction fit of an edge of the card inserted into the slot. The clamp member attaches to a supporting article such as a display stand by extending the stein through a hole of a thin wall of the support and placing a lock washer over the stem opposite the head. The lock washer is forced along the stem end to compress the wall between it and the head. Compression is maintained by prongs of the lock washer that engage radially protruding teeth disposed along the elongated stem. Paper or plastic placards such as business cards, credit cards, place cards, gift cards can be placed in the placard holder for display.

The invention relates to a possibly reversible mechanical assembly, comprising a first component (1), a second link itself comprising a stud (3) linked to the first component (1) and formed of a stock (30) terminated by a radial bulge (31), and holding means (4) linked to the second component (2) and comprising a housing (40) dimensioned to receive the stud (3) and at least one elastic lock (41) designed to elastically hold the radial bulge of the stud in the housing (40). According to the invention, the housing (40) is formed by drilling of the second component (2) along its thickness, and each elastic lock (41) is essentially formed by an elastically flexible lug (41) formed in the thickness of the second component (2) and exhibiting a degree of radial play of non-zero amplitude.

Systems and methods for coupling a tag to an item. The methods comprise: dispensing the tag from a tag feeder of a tag applicator; performing first operations by the tag applicator to mechanically move the tag into a nest of the tag applicator; determining if a given criteria is met based on feedback information received from at least one of a user of the tag applicator and a sensor provided with the tag applicator; and performing second operations by the tag applicator to couple the tag to the item, when a determination is made that the given criteria is met.

Systems and methods for coupling a tag to an item. The methods comprise: dispensing the tag from a tag feeder of a tag applicator; performing first operations by the tag applicator to mechanically move the tag into a nest of the tag applicator; determining if a given criteria is met based on feedback information received from at least one of a user of the tag applicator and a sensor provided with the tag applicator; and performing second operations by the tag applicator to couple the tag to the item, when a determination is made that the given criteria is met.

A connection interface for mounting a building component to a support structure. The connection interface comprises at least one connector and at least one aligner. The connector comprises: a primary fastening region at a first end configured to be fastened to one of a first plurality of mounting points at the support structure and a secondary fastening region at a second end configured to be fastened to one of a second plurality of mounting points at the building component. The aligner is arranged between the first end and the second end; and wherein the aligner is configured to align the connector in an oriented manner according to an alignment value for bringing the building component and the support structure in an alignment arrangement. The aligner provides an adjustment in at least two spatial directions.

Methods for fastening two fiber composite parts to each other with a fastener that includes electroactive polymer material. The parts have an opening within an inner circumferential surface. Fibers protrude from the inner circumferential surface into the opening and interlock with chains of micrograins of the electroactive polymer material. The fastener may switch between an activated state and a deactivated state and in the deactivated state, the fastener engages the exposed fibers.

Methods for fastening two fiber composite parts to each other with a fastener that includes electroactive polymer material. The parts have an opening within an inner circumferential surface. Fibers protrude from the inner circumferential surface into the opening and interlock with chains of micrograins of the electroactive polymer material. The fastener may switch between an activated state and a deactivated state and in the deactivated state, the fastener engages the exposed fibers.