Abstract: A high retention force fastener for fixing at least two panels together is disclosed. The fastener includes two components. One component is a metal clip and the other is a plastic insert that can be substantially inserted into the metal clip. The metal clip includes a body having opposed panel engagement features extending therefrom, an insertion stop plate spaced apart from the engagement features and plastic insert locking tabs extending from the stop plate. The metal clip is preferably U-shaped and includes two sides joined by a connector. Each of the sides includes a pair of the panel engagement features. The plastic insert includes a head and a leg for insertion into the metal clip. The leg extends from the head. The plastic insert additionally includes metal tab engagement arms extending from and integrally formed with the head for engaging the plastic insert locking tabs of the metal clip.

Abstract: A high retention force fastener for fixing at least two panels together is disclosed. The fastener includes two components. One component is a metal clip and the other is a plastic insert that can be substantially inserted into the metal clip. The metal clip comprises a body having opposed panel engagement features extending therefrom, an insertion stop plate spaced apart from the engagement features and plastic insert locking tabs extending from the stop plate. The metal clip is preferably U-shaped and comprises two sides joined by a connector. Each of the sides includes a pair of the panel engagement features. The plastic insert comprises a head and a leg for insertion into the metal clip. The leg extends from the head. The plastic insert additionally includes metal tab engagement arms extending from and integrally formed with the head for engaging the plastic insert locking tabs of the metal clip.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a shape memory alloy spring for moving a valve member between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve includes a valve assembly cylinder, a valve assembly cap fitted to the cylinder, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet associated with the cylinder, a first member having a cam follower groove, a second member having a cam operatively associated with the groove, a fluid flow gate associated with one of the members as well as the inlet and the outlet, a return spring associated with one of the members, and the shape memory alloy spring associated with one of the members. The length of the shape memory alloy spring changes in response to changes in temperature. The first member is either a rotating valve or a reciprocating member. The second member is either a reciprocating ring or a rotating valve cylinder.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A wire management system and, more particularly, a wire management system including at least one wire track unit having mount rotatably positioned on the wire track unit along with an integrally formed tension tab for holding wires in the wire track assembly during use.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a shape memory alloy spring for moving the valve member between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve includes a valve assembly cylinder, a valve assembly cap fitted to the cylinder, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet associated with the cylinder, a first member having a cam follower groove, a second member having a cam operatively associated with the groove, a fluid flow gate associated with one of the members as well as the inlet and the outlet, a return spring associated with one of the members, and the shape memory alloy spring associated with one of the members. The length of the shape memory alloy spring changes in response to changes in temperature. The first member is either a rotating valve or a reciprocating member. The second member is either a reciprocating ring or a rotating valve cylinder.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A method of securing a wedge assembly to a vehicle is shown and described. The method may include the following steps: providing the wedge assembly having a striker assembly, a support assembly and a shipping retainer, securing the wedge assembly with a moveable door of the vehicle, engaging the moveable door of the vehicle with a door engaging portion of the vehicle, and adhering the support assembly with the door engaging portion of the vehicle in a predetermined position. The method may further include the following steps: disengaging the moveable door of the vehicle from engagement with the door engaging portion of the vehicle causing the shipping retainer to disengage from the striker assembly, and securing the support assembly with the door engaging of the vehicle.

Abstract: A support for a solar energy capture device is shown and described. The support for the solar capture device may include at least one base positionable on a structure, at least one rail secured with the base, the rail capable of operatively holding a solar energy capture device. The support for the solar capture device may also include at least one weight member held within with the base, the weight member capable of holding the base on the structure free from fastening the base to the structure.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A wire management system and, more particularly, a wire management system including a least one wire track unit having mount rotatably positioned on the wire track unit along with an integrally formed tension tang for holding wires in the wire track assembly during use.

Abstract: A fastener having a shank with a moveable portion that improves insertion of the fastener into an aperture, as well as improves the retention of the fastener within the aperture and the resistance of the fastener to extraction.

Abstract: A retainer assembly comprises a pin including a head and a flange defining a groove therebetween for engaging a first panel. A grommet includes a collar encompassing the pin and flexible arms extending from a hinge point at the collar. The assembly is initially in a shipped position wherein the flexible arms extend along the pin and are maintained in a pocket between ribs of the pin. The pin is inserted through a second panel until the collar engages the second panel. The grommet bends at the hinge points allowing the flexible arms to slide out of the pocket and adjustable engage the pin and the second panel until the second panel is maintained in position by the flexible arms, collar, and flange. Upon removing the assembly from the panels, the grommet adjusts back to the shipped position and the assembly is ready for reuse.

Abstract: A fastener having a shank with a moveable portion that improves insertion of the fastener into an aperture, as well as improves the retention of the fastener within the aperture and the resistance of the fastener to extraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener mounting clip for use in securing a fastener to sheet material having a bore hole formed therein. The fastener mounting clip is preferably formed of a single sheet of thin spring steel. The mounting clip includes a rectilinear planar surface having opposing retainer arms extending beneath its outer edge at obtuse angles. The retaining arms are resiliently flexible and compress and expand during insertion wherein a top end of the retaining arm abuts against the sheet material when the fastener mounting clip is fully seated within the bore hole. The planar surface includes support tabs for supporting the planar surface in the plane of the sheet material and also includes a recessed aperture for receiving and retaining a fastener therein.

Abstract: A fastener for coupling a trim panel to a support member includes a mounting grommet with a funnel-shaped receiver communicating with an aperture for receiving one end of a fastener pin having a plurality of spaced annular ratcheting grooves formed thereon. The opposite or second end of the pin includes a pointed end with a pair of resilient locking arms, which extend divergently outwardly and away from an apex of the second end of the pin at an acute angle and at a spacing of about 180°, for insertion into an aperture of a support structure. Interposed between the first and second ends of the fastening pin is a resilient, generally cup-shaped seal which engages a surface of the support structure opposite the locking arms for providing a seal surrounding the aperture in the support structure to which the fastening pin is inserted. The grommet includes an annular slot defined by a collar on one side and a shoulder of the funnel-shaped receiver on the other.