Releasable fastener systems and processes

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 7308738
APP PUB NO 20040117955A1
SERIAL NO

10337238

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory polymer. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement. In this manner, disengagement of the releasable fastener system provides separation of the hook portion from the loop portion under controlled conditions. Also disclosed herein are processes for operating the releasable fastener system.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCDETROIT, MI13252

International Classification(s)

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  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Barvosa-Carter, William Ventura, CA 46 687
Browne, Alan L Grosse Pointe, MI 344 3527
Johnson, Nancy L Northville, MI 337 3109
Momoda, Leslie A Los Angeles, CA 13 192
Stanford, Thomas B Port Hueneme, CA 17 464

Cited Art Landscape

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
Other [Check patent profile for assignment information] (7)
5133112 Closure device 27 1991
5328337 Guided vanes hydraulic power system 14 1993
5497861 Variable motion dampener 35 1994
5671498 Scrubbing device 43 1995
5983467 Interlocking device 45 1997
5979744 Object wrapping and method of wrapping an object 27 1998
6029783 Variable resistance device using electroactive fluid 18 1998
 
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3)
5071363 Miniature multiple conductor electrical connector 111 1990
5611122 Interengaging fastener having reduced noise generation 46 1994
5657516 Dual structured fastener elements 101 1995
 
The IDOD Trust (1)
5474227 Method of forming seamed metal tube 22 1994
 
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION (1)
6605795 Control system for depositing powder to a molten puddle 17 2000
 
Sofamor S.N.C. (1)
6102912 Vertebral rod of constant section for spinal osteosynthesis instrumentations 140 1998
 
MCGANTY, STEPHEN (1)
5212855 Multiple button closure-fastener 37 1991
 
RELTEC CORPORATION (1)
5712524 Piezoelectric rotation driving apparatus 49 1995
 
THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC (1)
5798188 Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with bipolar plate having molded polymer projections 63 1997
 
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC (4)
6742227 Releasable fastener system and process 11 2002
6766566 Releasable fastener system 16 2002
6815873 Releasable fastener system 16 2002
6797914 Joining workpieces by laser welding with powder injection 16 2003
 
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (1)
5319257 Unitaxial constant velocity microactuator 46 1992
 
CORNING INCORPORATED (1)
5885652 Method and apparatus for coating optical fibers 22 1996
 
TAIWAN PAIHO LIMITED (1)
6502290 Hook tape fabrication method 11 2001
 
THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY (1)
6156842 Structures and fabricated articles having shape memory made from .alpha.-olefin/vinyl or vinylidene aromatic and/or hindered aliphatic vinyl or vinylidene interpolymers 172 1999
 
LIST, HANS (1)
4391147 Transducer device for measuring mechanical values on hollow bodies 25 1981
 
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V. (1)
6598274 Electrically releasable hook and loop fastener 22 2002
 
ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (2)
5136201 Piezoelectric robotic articulation 44 1991
5182484 Releasing linear actuator 48 1991
 
VELCRO INDUSTRIES B.V. (5)
4775310 Apparatus for making a separable fastener 148 1986
4794028 Method for continuously producing a multi-hook fastner member and product of the method 186 1986
5725928 Touch fastener with magnetic attractant 52 1995
5656351 Hook and loop fastener including an epoxy binder 30 1996
6129970 Touch fastener with magnetic attractant and molded article containing same 28 1999
 
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY (2)
5816587 Method and apparatus for reducing brake shudder 32 1996
5814999 Method and apparatus for measuring displacement and force 24 1997
 
SCHAEFFLER KG (1)
5969518 Antifriction mounting having a rotational-speed measuring device protected from contamination 48 1997
 
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
6628542 Magnetoresistive device and magnetic memory using the same 26 2001
 
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (1)
5486676 Coaxial single point powder feed nozzle 58 1994
 
APLIX (1)
6148487 Laminated self-gripping tape, molded product, and method of manufacturing a molded article including a self-gripping tape 23 1999
 
GKSS-FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM GEESTHACHT GMBH (1)
6388043 Shape memory polymers 515 1999
 
IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD. (1)
5817380 Snap-zipper and bag with the same 27 1997
 
DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG (1)
* 6546602 Releasable closure 20 2002
 
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY (1)
6257133 Method and apparatus for controlling cross directional nip dynamics 21 1999
 
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. (1)
6593540 Hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch 38 2002
 
LORD CORPORATION (3)
5284330 Magnetorheological fluid devices 175 1992
5547049 Magnetorheological fluid composite structures 55 1994
6203717 Stable magnetorheological fluids 33 1999
 
FLORA, INC. (1)
5492534 Controlled release portable pump 215 1994
 
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION (1)
6740094 Shape memory polymer actuator and catheter 40 2001
 
Invensys Controls UK Limited (1)
6454923 Gas sensor 29 2000
 
KURARAY CO., LTD. (2)
4931344 Fastener component 84 1988
6460230 Mold-in fastening member and production of molded resin article having mold-in fastening member 34 2001
 
FOSTER-MILLER, INC. (1)
5191166 Survivability enhancement 63 1991
 
YKK CORPORATION (2)
5669120 Molded surface fastener 89 1996
5797170 Synthetic resin molded surface fastener 68 1997
 
VELCRO BVBA (2)
5945193 Touch fastener with porous metal containing layer 58 1995
* 6544245 Bi-stable fastening 31 2001
 
THE BOEING COMPANY (1)
4752537 Metal matrix composite fiber reinforced weld 26 1986
 
APLIX CORPORATION (1)
4693921 Fastening tape designed to be attached to a molded article during molding, and its attaching method 80 1984
 
ROBERT BOSCH GMBH (1)
4382243 Electromagnetic positioning device with piezo-electric control 20 1981
 
SHAHINPOOR, MOHSEN (1)
2004/0025,639 Novel electrically active ionic polymer metal composites and novel methods of manufacturing them 15 2002
 
MONSANTO COMPANY (2)
4637944 Process and device for temporarily holding and releasing objects 17 1985
4642254 Process and device for temporarily holding and releasing objects 16 1986
 
ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
4634636 Polyacetylene composite 13 1984
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. (1)
2002/0076,520 Magnetic fastening system 19 2000
 
LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC (2)
6102933 Release mechanism utilizing shape memory polymer material 260 1999
* 6086599 Micro devices using shape memory polymer patches for mated connections 58 1999
 
KINGSTON TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A CORP. OF DE. (1)
5037178 Amorphous memory polymer alignment device 18 1990
 
BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED (1)
6681849 Downhole packer system utilizing electroactive polymers 28 2001
 
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
5974856 Method for allowing rapid evaluation of chassis elastomeric devices in motor vehicles 26 1997
 
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY (1)
5312456 Micromechanical barb and method for making the same 104 1991
 
GOTTLIEB BINDER GMBH & CO. KG (1)
* 2004/0033,336 Hook-and-loop fastener produced from a shape memory plastic material 19 2003
* Cited By Examiner

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (2)
7866250 Vehicle protection system 35 2006
* 2007/0180,983 Vehicle protection system 49 2006
 
Other [Check patent profile for assignment information] (5)
* 2010/0307,328 Protection system 31 2010
* 2010/0319,524 Vehicle protection system 16 2010
9003615 Silent hook and loop fastener system 0 2012
9795194 Dimensionally flexible touch fastener strip 0 2014
* 2017/0006,975 FASTENER 0 2016
 
APLIX (2)
* 9474338 Fastener 0 2013
* 9820537 Fastener 0 2016
 
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (1)
* 9422964 Blind fasteners 0 2014
 
Rocha, Gerald F. (2)
* 9282790 Deployable touch fastener 0 2014
* 2015/0272,284 DEPLOYABLE TOUCH FASTENER 1 2014
 
Spirit AreoSystems, Inc. (1)
8945325 Methods and systems for forming integral composite parts with a SMP apparatus 2 2011
 
FUJITSU LIMITED (2)
* 8487428 Method and system for providing a reliable semiconductor assembly 1 2007
* 2009/0127,704 Method and System for Providing a Reliable Semiconductor Assembly 4 2007
 
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC (5)
* 8250725 Joining polymer workpieces to other components 5 2007
* 8485581 Active material based holding fixtures 6 2010
* 2012/0091,744 ACTIVE MATERIAL BASED HOLDING FIXTURES 2 2010
* 8510924 Reconfigurable fixture device and methods of use 1 2011
* 2011/0101,590 RECONFIGURABLE FIXTURE DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE 3 2011
 
QinteiQ Nörth America, Inc. (1)
8733225 RPG defeat method and system 4 2012
 
CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP, INC. (4)
* 8881369 Methods for using a reusable quick release fastener system 0 2009
* 2011/0265,292 QUIET RELEASE SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER FASTENERS 2 2009
* 8720722 Venting mechanism for containers 0 2010
* 2012/0181,294 VENTING MECHANISM FOR CONTAINERS 0 2010
 
FOSTER-MILLER, INC. (21)
7900548 Protection system including a net 20 2007
8011285 Vehicle and structure shield 27 2009
8061258 Protection system 7 2010
8042449 Vehicle protection system 16 2010
8443709 Vehicle and structure shield hard point 5 2010
8245620 Low breaking strength vehicle and structure shield net/frame arrangement 5 2011
8615851 Net patching devices 4 2011
8141470 Vehicle protection method 6 2011
8245622 Vehicle and structure shield method 6 2011
8453552 Method of designing an RPG shield 4 2011
8468927 Vehicle and structure shield with a cable frame 8 2011
8281702 Protection system 3 2011
8607685 Load sharing hard point net 3 2011
8464627 Vehicle and structure shield with improved hard points 5 2011
8677882 Vehicle and structure shield with flexible frame 3 2012
8539875 Protection system 2 2012
8813631 Vehicle and structure film/hard point shield 3 2013
8783156 Vehicle and structure shield with a cable frame 3 2013
8910349 Net patching devices 3 2013
9052167 RPG defeat method and system 3 2014
9027457 Vehicle and structure film/hard point shield 0 2014
 
VELCRO BVBA (6)
8523088 Particle spraying 0 2011
8940207 Pelletizing 1 2011
* 8663409 Touch fastening 1 2011
* 2012/0267,033 TOUCH FASTENING 2 2011
8851440 Releasable hanging system 0 2011
9651195 Releasable hanging system 0 2012
 
THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (1)
* 2012/0158,034 Expandable Implant and Implant System 4 2011
 
SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC. (8)
8951375 Methods and systems for co-bonding or co-curing composite parts using a rigid/malleable SMP apparatus 0 2011
8877114 Method for removing a SMP apparatus from a cured composite part 0 2011
8815145 Methods and systems for fabricating composite stiffeners with a rigid/malleable SMP apparatus 1 2011
8734703 Methods and systems for fabricating composite parts using a SMP apparatus as a rigid lay-up tool and bladder 2 2011
9073240 Reconfigurable shape memory polymer tooling supports 0 2011
8974217 Reconfigurable shape memory polymer tooling supports 1 2011
8608890 Reconfigurable shape memory polymer tooling supports 1 2011
8945455 Reconfigurable shape memory polymer support tooling 0 2011
 
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED (1)
* 9277789 Current, temperature or electromagnetic field actuated fasteners 0 2013
 
TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC (2)
* 8910815 Cover for fuel system component and method of making 2 2008
* 2009/0256,317 COVER FOR FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT AND METHOD OF MAKING 4 2008
 
QinetiQ North America (1)
8245621 Vehicle and structure shield 5 2011
 
CORAD TECHNOLOGY INC. (2)
* 9570828 Compressible pin assembly having frictionlessly connected contact elements 0 2014
9831589 Compressible pin assembly having frictionlessly connected contact elements 0 2016
* Cited By Examiner

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