Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for utilizing an airbag clamp for securing an airbag onto an inflating tube of an airbag system. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body, a first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion. The body may be capable of surrounding the device, wherein the body may include a first end and a second end that are capable of moving towards each other. The first engaging portion may be located at a first end, wherein the first engaging portion may include at least one plate. The second engaging portion may be located at the second end, wherein the second engaging portion may include at least one plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for utilizing an airbag clamp for securing an airbag onto an inflating tube of an airbag system. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body, a first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion. The body may be capable of surrounding the device, wherein the body may include a first end and a second end that are capable of moving towards each other. The first engaging portion may be located at a first end, wherein the first engaging portion may include at least one plate. The second engaging portion may be located at the second end, wherein the second engaging portion may include at least one plate. The engaging portions may be capable of being fitted together and the plates may be capable of being fastened together to secure the clamp around the material and device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A clamp forming apparatus capable of forming a clamp is shown and described. The clamp formed may have first and second engaging portions. The clamp forming apparatus may include at least one securing member. The clamp forming apparatus may also include a clamp positioning device operatively engaged with the at least one securing member, where at least one of the first or second engaging portions is supported by the clamp positioning device, and where a tangential load is applied around a circumference of the clamp and the at least one securing member secures at least one of the engaging portions of the clamp together in a direction generally normal to the tangential load.

Abstract: A metal-stamping die or tool is provided. Another aspect uses an additive manufacturing machine and material to create a die. A further aspect provides a method of making a die from an additive manufacturing process and/or using such a die to stamp a metal part, such as a fastener or clip.

Abstract: A connector apparatus is provided. In another aspect, at least a majority of a connector apparatus is a polymeric material. A further aspect of a connector apparatus couples together multiple tubes, which may optionally be of different materials. Yet another aspect employs a connector apparatus which can be of a quick connect variety to one or more tubes without requiring threaded engagement of the tube, thereby avoiding undesired thread stripping and/or thread misalignment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for utilizing an airbag clamp for securing an airbag onto an inflating tube of an airbag system. An embodiment of the present invention includes a body, a first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion. The body may be capable of surrounding the device, wherein the body may include a first end and a second end that are capable of moving towards each other. The first engaging portion may be located at a first end, wherein the first engaging portion may include at least one plate. The second engaging portion may be located at the second end, wherein the second engaging portion may include at least one plate. The engaging portions may be capable of being fitted together and the plates may be capable of being fastened together to secure the clamp around the material and device.

Abstract: A barrel nut type fastener (100) is provided for securement within an opening (20) to a panel ("P") by a threaded member ("T") that when rotationally advanced through the barrel nut causes free-ends (14) and (14') of resilient legs (10) and (10') to move away from each other and respectively engage and urge resilient fingers (16) and (16') into contacting engagement with opposite sides of opening (20) with sufficient force to secure fastener (100) to panel, ("P").