Abstract: The invention discloses several types of fastener, fastening systems, fastener assemblies and related areas. In particular, the invention discloses a releasable fastening system (150) 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).

Abstract: A fastener (10) is adapted to releasably fix a first element (12) and a second element (14). The fastener (10) includes a channel (22) having a plurality of spaced 5 lockers (28). The lockers (28) are movable into the channel (22). The fastener (10) also has a locking tongue (30), having a plurality of spaced blockers (32). The tongue (30) is movable within the channel (22) between a locked position in which the blockers (32) prevent movement of the lockers (28) into the channel (22) and an unlocked position in which the lockers (28) are not prevented from moving into o the channel (22).

Abstract: The invention discloses several types of fastener, fastening systems, fastener assemblies and related areas. In particular, the invention discloses a releasable fastening system (150) 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).

Abstract: In the first aspect, the invention provides a fastener which includes a fastening element and an actuating means attached to the fastening element. The fastening element has a flexible beam and an engagement means. The actuating means includes a material, such as shape memory alloy, which contracts when activated. When the material is contracted, the beam moves between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In a second aspect, the invention provides a fastener for use in a network of fasteners. The fastener has address means which serve to distinguish the fastener from the other fasteners in the network. The fastener may be the same as the fastener in the first aspect of the invention, or a different fastener. A network or system of such fasteners is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a fastener (10) which has an actuating means (12), a bias means (14) and a flexible core (16). The flexible core (16) has an engagement means (18) which may be integral with but is preferable separate from the flexible core (16). The actuating means (12) includes a material adapted to contract when activated, such as shape memory alloy. Upon contraction of this material, the engagement means (18) is movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. The bias means (14) biases the flexible core (16) to the engagement position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilising device (120) for an assembly which includes two shape memory alloy wires (104, 106) adapted to operate in conjunction. The stabilising device (120) includes a rocker plate (108) for attachment to each of the shape memory alloy wires; the rocker plate (108) is adapted to pivot when one shape memory alloy wire (104 or 106) is subjected to a stress greater than that to which the other shape memory alloy wire (106 or 104) is subjected, in order to reduce the stress on the first-mentioned shape memory alloy wire. The invention further relates to a fastener (60) including a stud (54) having a locking cavity (56), an aperture (58) adapted to receive the stud (54), a locking means (teeth) (62) adapted to engage the locking cavity (56), a shuttle (66) rotatable by a rotating means including material adapted to contract when activated and a plug (87) slidable within the shuttle (66) to close off the aperture (58) when not occupied by the stud (54).

Abstract: The invention provides a securing system which is particularly suitable for securing aircraft seats. The securing system (34) includes a first pin (38) having a shaft and a leading edge and a second pin (40) having a shaft and a leading edge. The shaft of the second pin (40) is colinear with or parallel to the shaft of the first pin (38) and the leading edges of the first and second pins (38, 40) face in the same direction. There is a link (42) connecting the first pin (38) with the second pin (40). Optionally, the link (42) includes stop means (46) to limit travel of the securing system (34).

Abstract: A track (20) for a relocatable seat including a first channel (22), having a slot opening into the track with a plurality regions where slot is enlarged. The enlarged regions receive a foot (50) of a seat and the non-enlarged regions of the slot retain the feet. The track includes a second and third channel for receiving a power block (54) and/or communication data block (58), and each including a plurality of apertures (44) for receiving a retractable tongue (76) on the blocks to locate the blocks in the track. The invention further relates to a releasable fastening system having two sleds (78, 80) for insertion in a track (20) and a locking lever (84) with an end (86, 88) connected to each sled. Each sled has at least one aperture (82) inclined towards the track. Movement of the locking lever from an open to a locked position causes a lug (92) inserted in the aperture to travel down the incline towards the track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable fastening system (10) including a tongue (20) moveable along a first path between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a shuttle (24) moveable along a second path at an angle to the first path. The shuttle (24) is adapted to be moved along the second path by a material adapted to contract when activated. The releasable fastening system (10) also includes a means linking the tongue (20) and the shuttle (24) such that movement of the shuttle (24) along the second path is adapted to cause movement of the tongue (20) along the first path. The invention further relates to a releasable fastening system (50) for releasably fastening a first element (44) to a second element (46). The releasable fastening system (50) includes a first fastening means (56) for the first element (44) and a second fastening means (62, 66) for the second element (46).

Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable fastening system (10). The releasable fastening system (10) includes a fastening means having a pair of legs (12), at least part of the legs (12) being adapted for movement towards and away from a channel (16) between the legs (12). Each leg (12) has a foot (22) for engagement with external means (track) (26). The releasable fastening system (10) further includes means (wedge) (30) movable in the channel (16) between a locked position in which the feet (22) are in engagement with the external means (track) (26) and an unlocked position in which the feet (22) are disengaged from the external means (track) (26).

Abstract: The invention provides a pin assembly (10) useful for situations of high vibration, such as hatches or lockers on aircraft. Pin assembly (10) has a locking pin (12) adapted for insertion in a latching mechanism. Locking pin (12) has a maximum cross-section. Assembly (10) also includes a base (32) for locking pin (12) and at least one slip plate (20) which has an aperture (21) which is larger than the maximum cross-section of the locking pin (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a locking assembly (2) suitable for use in locking an aircraft seat in an upright position in an aircraft, for example. The locking assembly (2) includes a locking stud (10) having a locking cavity (12) and an aperture (14) for receiving the locking stud (10). A locking means (18) engages the locking cavity (12) when the locking stud (10) is received in the aperture (14). The locking assembly (2) also includes an unlocking means, which includes material adapted to contract when activated, such as shape memory alloy wire, to allow for disengagement from the locking cavity (12). The locking stud (10) is guided towards the aperture (14) by a locking stud guide (20).

Abstract: A fastening assembly (110) including: an engagement means including latch means (130) and locking means. (132), the engagement means being moveable between a s locking position (see FIG. 9) and an unlocking position (see FIG. 10); first biasing means (136) urging the engagement means towards the locking position; drawing means (1.46) for drawing the engagement means from the locking position to the unlocking position, the drawing means (146) comprising or including material adapted to contract when activated; release means (220, see FIG. 14) for moving the locking means (132) to the 10 unlocking position; second biasing means (222, see FIG. 14) urging the release means (220) towards the locking means (132); and restraining means (224, see FIG. 14) for restraining the release means (220) against the urging of the second biasing means (222).