Abstract: A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the first member including an outwardly disposed face defining an imaginary plane and each of the second and third members including an actuator prong that extends outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the open position and that is retracted to no longer extend outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the closed position. Movement of the object into contact with the first member so as to exert actuation forces toward the outwardly disposed face when the actuator prongs are in contact with a surface causes the second and third members to move from the open position to the closed position due to forces created between the actuator prongs and the surface.

Abstract: A band has at least one actuator including first and second members connected to one another so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions. The first member includes a pair of deformable beams, each having a protuberance extending therefrom. The second member includes a series of ridges and valleys formed therein that are sized, shaped and positioned to cooperate with the protuberances extending from the beams. In the open position and the closed position, the protuberances align with the valleys, such that the beams are in a relaxed state and generally parallel with each other, and when the first and second members are pivoted to positions between the open and closed positions, the protuberances cooperate with the ridges, such that the beams are elastically deformed so as to no longer be parallel with each other, and so as to store strain energy.

Abstract: A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the first member including an outwardly disposed face defining an imaginary plane and each of the second and third members including an actuator prong that extends outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the open position and that is retracted to no longer extend outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the closed position. Movement of the object into contact with the first member so as to exert actuation forces toward the outwardly disposed face when the actuator prongs are in contact with a surface causes the second and third members to move from the open position to the closed position due to forces created between the actuator prongs and the surface.

Abstract: A band configured to wrap around and be secured to an object includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the first member including an outwardly disposed face defining an imaginary plane and each of the second and third members including an actuator prong that extends outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the open position and that is retracted to no longer extend outwardly beyond the imaginary plane when in the closed position. Movement of the object into contact with the first member so as to exert actuation forces toward the outwardly disposed face when the actuator prongs are in contact with a surface causes the second and third members to move from the open position to the closed position due to forces created between the actuator prongs and the surface.

Abstract: A band includes a pair of members moveable between an open position adapted to receive an article in a channel and a closed position adapted to retain the article within the channel. Each of the members includes a plurality of pivotally attached bistable compliant links, such that when the links are pivoted past a threshold position toward the closed position, the links are biased toward the closed position and such that when the links are pivoted past the threshold position toward the open position, the links are biased toward the open position. An actuator linkage is pivotally connected to at least one of the links, the actuator linkage including an engagement end protruding into the channel when the members are in the open position, such that movement of the article into the channel causes the article to contact and exert actuation forces on the engagement end.

Abstract: A band includes a pair of members moveable between an open position adapted to receive an article in a channel and a closed position adapted to retain the article within the channel. Each of the members includes a plurality of pivotally attached bistable compliant links, such that when the links are pivoted past a threshold position toward the closed position, the links are biased toward the closed position and such that when the links are pivoted past the threshold position toward the open position, the links are biased toward the open position. An actuator linkage is pivotally connected to at least one of the links, the actuator linkage including an engagement end protruding into the channel when the members are in the open position, such that movement of the article into the channel causes the article to contact and exert actuation forces on the engagement end.

Abstract: A plurality of bistable compliant links are pivotally attached to one another, each of the links having a compliant section and first and second rigid sections extending from the compliant section. The links are pivotally attached to one another via the first and second rigid sections, such that when the links are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward a closed position, the links are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the compliant sections, and when the links are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward an open position, the links are biased toward the open position by forces created by the compliant sections. The forces created by the compliant sections biasing the links toward the closed position and biasing the links toward the open position are caused by elastic deformation of the compliant sections.

Abstract: A band includes at least three members pivotably connected to one another so as to be pivotable between open and closed positions. A first member includes first and second permanent magnets disposed at opposite ends thereof, a second member includes a third permanent magnet and a third member includes a fourth permanent magnet. The first and second members are configured such that when they are pivoted with respect to each other past a threshold position toward the closed position, they are biased toward the closed position by forces created by the first and third magnets and when they are pivoted with respect to each other past the threshold position toward the open position, they are biased toward the open position by forces created by the first and third magnets. The first and third members are similarly biased by forces created by the second and fourth magnets.