An example electronic security tag attachable to an item includes a tag body member, a connecting member having a pin portion releasably engageable with the tag body member, the pin portion extending along a first axis. The electronic security tag further includes a locking member to lock the connecting member to the tag body member. The locking member includes a clutch mechanism movable along a second axis parallel to the first axis between a first position in contact with the pin portion and corresponding to a locked state and a second position corresponding to an unlocked state. The clutch mechanism including at least one member formed from a non-ferromagnetic material.

A locking device for an energy storage device of a motor vehicle, includes a locking element, which is adjustable based on a control signal, by an adjusting device between a locking position, in which the locking element engages with a latch receptacle, and a release position, in which the locking element is out of engagement with the latch receptacle. The adjusting device has an adjusting element made of a shape memory alloy. The shape change enables the locking element to be adjustable between the locking position and the release position.

A vehicle opening panel emergency access device, having a graspable pull rod that is equipped with a retention strike; a retention lever that pivots relative to the sheath and has a bolt; a pull wire connected to the retention lever and designed to urge the retention lever by pulling it toward its release position; the graspable pull rod being mounted so as to be able to move in translation in the sheath according to three modes: a manual driving-in mode, a controlled driving-in mode, and an ejection mode.

An electronic article surveillance tag including a tag body member and a connecting member having a pin portion releasably engageable with the tag body member, wherein the pin portion extends along a first axis. The tag further includes a locking member having a clutch mechanism including a plunger member formed from a non-ferromagnetic material and an unlocking member connected to the clutch mechanism. The unlocking member is moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein during movement between the locked position and the unlocked position, the unlocking member moves the clutch mechanism between the first position corresponding to the locked state and the second position corresponding to the unlocked state.

An electrical mechanical locking device. A lock has an outer shell with an indentation. An inner body is rotatably housed within the outer shell. A contact pin is connected to the inner body. A printed circuit board frame is rigidly connected to the inner body. A printed circuit board is attached to the printed circuit board frame. A driver arm support bracket is rigidly connected to the printed circuit board frame. A lock microprocessor is connected to the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the contact pin. The lock microprocessor is connected to a key identification code verification database. An electrical actuator is electrically connected to the lock microprocessor. A driver arm is pivotally connected to the driver arm support bracket. The electrical actuator is connected to the driver arm. A jam plate is connected to the driver arm. A jam plate return spring is connected to the jam plate and the printed circuit board frame. A locking pin is covered by the jam plate and inserted into the outer shell indentation when the electrical mechanical device is locked. When the electrical mechanical device is unlocked the locking pin is not covered by the jam plate and rises clear of the indentation. A powered key includes a key microprocessor. A battery power source is electrically connected to the key microprocessor. The key microprocessor has access to key database that includes a programmable key identification code for identifying the key. The key also includes a contact tip for insertion into the lock and for making electrical contact with the lock contact pin. In a preferred embodiment the electrical actuator is a nitinol wire.

A locking assembly comprising a fastener having a locking stud having a locking cavity and an aperture for receiving the locking stud, a lock having material adapted to contract when activated and having jaws adapted to engage the locking cavity of the locking stud when received in the aperture, and an unlocking mechanism comprising rotating body having an opening for a key.

Locking device comprising: a support, a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member being mounted on the support and configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, an intermediate member movable between a retaining position and a release position, the intermediate member in the retaining position retaining the first locking member in the locked position, and a shape-memory member, the shape-memory member being connected to the intermediate member and configured to move the intermediate member to the release position when the shape-memory member is activated.

A device for cycling a component between a first condition and a second condition includes an element and a reset apparatus connected to and driven by the element. The element is formed from a shape memory alloy, wherein the alloy is transitionable between a martensite crystallographic phase and an austenite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal energy source. The apparatus is actuatable by the element from an initial state in which the alloy has the martensite phase and the component is in the first condition, to an actuated state in which the alloy has the austenite phase and the component is in the second condition. The apparatus is resettable from the actuated state to a reset state in which the alloy transitions from the austenite to the martensite phase while the component is in the first condition, and further resettable from the reset state to the initial state.

The invention discloses several types of fastener, fastening systems, fastener assemblies and related areas.

In particular, the invention relates to a releasable fastening system (50) which has a pin (152) with a locking cavity (163). The pin is intended for insertion in an aperture (154). A locking means (158, 160) engages the locking cavity (163) of the pin (152) when the pin (152) is received in the aperture (154). The system (150) also includes unlocking means (162) which includes material adapted to contract when activated. When a material contracts, engagement means (158) included in the locking means (158, 160), disengage the locking cavity (154).

In an example, method for locking/unlocking a structure is described. The method includes attaching a first end of a pawl to a support assembly, wherein the pawl comprises a shape memory alloy (SMA) element configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein the pawl is attached to the support assembly such that a second end of the pawl is movable between a locked position that prevents a rotatable shaft from rotating and an unlocked position that allows the rotatable shaft to rotate, activating the SMA element, thereby causing the SMA element to take on the first configuration and move the second end of the pawl to the locked position, and deactivating the SMA element, thereby causing the SMA element to take on the second configuration and move the second end of the pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position.