A thin, cured gel gasket is disclosed, including methods of making the thin gel gasket and the use of the thin gel gasket in an aircraft joint. In one embodiment, the thin gel gasket has no skeleton or other structure and is comprised of only a cured polyurethane gel and has a thickness of less than about 12 mill. It is manufactured using a release film that is adapted in a number of ways to make release from the gel prior to use easier. In one method of making and using the thin gel gasket. it is applied to a joint which is subject to compression, in one embodiment, a lap joint of an aircraft fuselage.

An integrated fastener comprises a component portion including a component housing surrounding a component, a linking platform molded extending from the component portion. A securing means is capable of being received within a receptacle defined by the linking platform and is designed to be received within an aperture defined by an automotive component. The securing means is capable of securing the component portion to the automotive component. The component portion, the linking platform, and the securing means are molded as one piece.

An integrated fastener comprises a component portion including a component housing surrounding a component, a linking platform molded extending from the component portion. A securing means is capable of being received within a receptacle defined by the linking platform and is designed to be received within an aperture defined by an automotive component. The securing means is capable of securing the component portion to the automotive component. The component portion, the linking platform, and the securing means are molded as one piece.

An assembly of vehicle components includes first and second components abutting each other. At least one of the first and second components includes a non-metallic material. The first and second components respectively include overlapping first and second apertures. The assembly further includes a joining component extending through the first and second apertures. The joining component has a support body and an outer body at least partially encasing the support body. The outer body includes a polymeric material. The joining component clamps the first and second components between first and second flanges of the outer body, and the support body extends into at least one of the first and second apertures.

An assembly of vehicle components includes first and second components abutting each other. At least one of the first and second components includes a non-metallic material. The first and second components respectively include overlapping first and second apertures. The assembly further includes a joining component extending through the first and second apertures. The joining component has a support body and an outer body at least partially encasing the support body. The outer body includes a polymeric material. The joining component clamps the first and second components between first and second flanges of the outer body, and the support body extends into at least one of the first and second apertures.

A fastener includes a head that is configured to be engaged by a tool, and a shaft extending from the head. The shaft includes a distal end that is opposite from the head. At least one optical component is coupled to one or both of the head or the shaft. The optical component(s) is configured to allow light to pass through the fastener. A window system includes a panel that includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the fastener extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the panel. A screen is coupled to the interior surface. The screen receives light from the optical component(s) of the fastener.

A zipper includes two rows of zipper teeth, in which at least one of the zipper teeth includes a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) foam material having a Poisson's ratio of between 0 and −1, and a slider movably attached to one of the rows of the zipper teeth and configured to connect the two rows of zipper teeth when the slider is moved in a first direction and to disconnect the two rows of zipper teeth when the slider is moved in an opposite direction.

A zipper includes two rows of zipper teeth, in which at least one of the zipper teeth includes a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) foam material having a Poisson's ratio of between 0 and −1, and a slider movably attached to one of the rows of the zipper teeth and configured to connect the two rows of zipper teeth when the slider is moved in a first direction and to disconnect the two rows of zipper teeth when the slider is moved in an opposite direction.

A fastener structure and an assembling method thereof are introduced. The fastener structure includes a head portion and a body portion. The body portion is movably connected to the head portion and includes a connecting section for assembling to an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a material retaining section and can be further connected to an object. Partial material of the object would move or flow into the material retaining section when the intermediate member is forcefully pressed against the object, so that the intermediate member and the object are connected together. Since the body portion can be assembled to the intermediate member and the intermediate member can be further connected to an object, and the fastener structure can be fastened to and released from a target object, at least two objects can be repeatedly and quickly connected to and disconnect from one another using the fastener structure.

A fastener structure and an assembling method thereof are introduced. The fastener structure includes a head portion and a body portion. The body portion is movably connected to the head portion and includes a connecting section for assembling to an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a material retaining section and can be further connected to an object. Partial material of the object would move or flow into the material retaining section when the intermediate member is forcefully pressed against the object, so that the intermediate member and the object are connected together. Since the body portion can be assembled to the intermediate member and the intermediate member can be further connected to an object, and the fastener structure can be fastened to and released from a target object, at least two objects can be repeatedly and quickly connected to and disconnect from one another using the fastener structure.