Abstract: A coupling device for two connecting poles which includes: a lower fixing sleeve sleeved on the upper portion of a lower connecting pole, having an opening communicating the outer surface and the inner surface of the lower fixing sleeve, two fixed plates extend outwards from the edge of the opening; an upper fixing sleeve having a through gap, two fixing plates extend outwards from the gap, the fixing plates of the upper fixing sleeve are disposed within the lower fixing sleeve, the fixing plates including releasing portions and locking portions; a controlling member rotatably connected to the lower fixing sleeve, including a central portion and two side portions, the inner side surfaces of the two side portions contacting the outer side surfaces of the two releasing portions.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing coiled barb tape which includes a frame in which is located a boom from which the coiled barb tape is suspended. The boom is extensible to assist in deployment of the barb tape and the frame, apart from protecting the coiled barb tape, provides a stacking characteristic with similar frames.

Abstract: A system for aerating liquid within a liquid retention structure including a liquid delivery tube in fluid communication with a gas exchange chamber and a pump. The gas exchange chamber includes an air inlet and a gas outlet. The pump is configured to pump liquid within the liquid retention structure through the liquid delivery tube and into the gas exchange chamber so that harmful gases contained within the liquid escape from the liquid and exit through the gas outlet. Fresh air enters into the gas exchange chamber through the air inlet and is absorbed into the liquid within the gas exchange chamber.

Abstract: A gas spring with a piston rod assembly received for movement between retracted and extended positions in a casing defining a main gas chamber. The piston rod assembly when in its extended position cooperates with a portion of its retainer and the casing to at least in part provide a secondary gas chamber separate from the main gas chamber and having gas trapped therein at a higher pressure than that of gas in the main gas chamber to reduce the force required to initially move the piston rod assembly from its fully extended position toward its retracted position.

Abstract: A portion of the housing of an air operated leveling device is configured to integrally include an air valve receptacle which receives thereinside a solenoid valve. The housing carries an air fitting and an electrical connector which are interconnected with the solenoid valve receptacle, and, in turn, the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve communicates with the air fitting and the interior of the housing to regulate pressure inside the housing in response to electrical signals sent to the electrical connector.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus for treating a sheet having an image formed thereon is provided, which includes a pair of transport rollers for transporting the sheet upward, a sheet post-treating portion having an intermediate treatment tray, provided to execute post-treatment such as sheet stitching or punching while holding the sheet in a substantially vertical state, and a sheet delivery portion arranged above the sheet post-treating portion. Also, an image forming apparatus is provided, which includes an image reading portion for reading an image, an image forming portion arranged below the image reading portion to form an image on a sheet, a delivery space portion provided in an apparatus housing between the image reading portion and the image forming portion to deliver the sheet, sheet treating portion for treating the sheet while holding it in a substantially vertical state, and an in-body transportation path for transporting the sheet treated by the sheet treating means to the delivery space portion.

Abstract: A media input system for an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The media input system includes an input tray for holding a stack of media sheets, a scissor picking assembly for picking individual media sheets from the stack, and a transport roller assembly for transporting the picked media sheets to a media path in the image forming apparatus. The scissor picking assembly includes a pair of guide rails pivotally linked to a roller support frame. One end of the roller support frame is coupled to a pick roller shaft having at least one pick roller rigidly mounted thereon, while the other end is configured to pivotally mount to the housing of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A printer apparatus and method for sequentially withdrawing sheets loaded into a cassette and printing images on the sheets is provided. The printer includes: a pickup roller for picking up a sheet from a plurality of sheets in the cassette; a resistance member for contacting a front end of the sheets such that the top sheet is separated based on stiffness and picked up from the cassette; and an angle change unit for changing a tilt angle of the resistance member about the front end of the sheets from a first tilt angle to a second tilt angle in a process of picking up the top sheet, and allowing the tilt angle to return to the first tilt angle when the top sheet has been completely picked up.

Abstract: A feeder device is provided, comprising a drive mechanism for driving a media unit in a feed direction, the media unit being provided from a stack of media units by a hopper including upstream and downstream hopper members. A directing member associated with the upstream hopper member engages the trailing edge of the media unit to direct the same to the drive mechanism, reduces an adhesive force between the media unit and remaining media units in the stack, and engages the trailing edge of one other media unit to direct the same toward the downstream hopper member and to partially support the weight of the remaining media units. A biased member urges the media unit against the drive mechanism, thereby increasing a driving force on the media unit, and prevents remaining media units from being fed to the receiving apparatus, also reducing the adhesive force. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus to guide a printing sheet in an office machine such as a printer. The apparatus includes a sheet guide to guide and set the printing sheet placed in a plate which forms a printing sheet tray or cassette, a slide-fixing part to movably dispose the sheet guide on the plate, a locking part to lock the sheet guide to the plate after the sheet is guided and set by the sheet guide, and a pivot prevention part having a pair of racks formed parallel to each other on the plate, and a pair of pinions rotatably disposed in the sheet guide to engage the respective ones of racks. The pivot prevention part disperses a force imparted to the sheet guide, thereby enabling the sheet guide to move parallel with an edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a stacker on which sheets are placed, a sheet feeding device for separating and feeding a sheet from other sheets on the stacker, a sheet overlap sensing device placed in a sheet conveying path at a downstream side of the sheet feeding device, and a sheet sensing device for detecting whether the sheet is located in the sheet overlap sensing device. An error determining device determines whether the sheet overlap sensing device is operating normally.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker-type wagering game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) placing a mandatory Ante bet to participate in a poker-type card game against a dealer hand; b) placing a mandatory Super Bonus bet on the occurrence of one of a predetermined plurality of winning poker hands; c) a dealer dealing at least two hands of cards to the dealer position and a hand of cards to each player participating in the game; d) and when the dealer's first hand meets or exceeds a predetermined high ranking hand value, discarding the first hand and playing the second hand; e) each player placing an additional mandatory Bet after viewing at least the player's hand of cards to stay in the game; f) resolving each player hand against the dealer hand; g) paying the player on the Ante and Bet if the player's hand ranking exceeds that of the dealer; and h) paying the player on the Super Bonus bet if the player hand is one of a plurality of predetermined winning poker hands.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a card game in which at least five cards are dealt to at least one player position in which the player may have made a wager. The player must make at least one wager corresponding to one or more of the player positions. To initiate a round of play, a number of cards are dealt face down to each of the player positions and one card is dealt to a dealer position. All the cards are turned face up and each player position card is individually compared to the dealer's card. A winning status occurs for each wagered player position in which the player's upturned card has a higher ranking than the dealer's assigned card. The player is awarded a bonus payout according to a predetermined payout table if the player's cards form at least one of a plurality of predetermined combinations and the player has made a corresponding wager prior to any cards being dealt.

Abstract: Improved inflatable packers are provided. A packer may be constructed from hybrid structures including slat structures and weave structures. A packer may include a bladder and a cover, with a plurality of slats disposed therebetween, and/or a weave structure or anti-extrusion layer disposed therebetween. The slats may vary in width and thickness, and be provided with a plurality of reinforcement members. The reinforcement members may be longitudinally and/or transversely disposed in the slats. One or more of the various components of the packer preferably include a fiber, a wire, a cable, a nanofiber, a nanotube, and/or a nanoparticle modified elastomer. Anchors may be attached to or embedded in the outer cover. The packer may include a carcass having an end coupling including a plurality of slats. Improved packer cups are also disclosed, and preferably include a body member reinforced with a nanotube or similar material.

Abstract: An annular gasket for affecting a watertight seal between two sections of corrugated pipe. The gasket comprises a seating portion dimensioned to fit within an annular recess in one of the mated sections of corrugated pipe, and a sealing portion integrally molded with the seating portion. The sealing portion includes a first shoulder portion, a second shoulder portion, and an arcuate surface extending between the first and second shoulder portions. The mass of the seating portion is less than the mass of the sealing portion.

Abstract: A workpiece holding apparatus comprises a body, a bladder carried by the body, and a sleeve that is carried by the bladder. A fluid chamber is at least partially defined by the body and the bladder for containing a fluid therein. The bladder comprises at least one first polymer-containing section composed of a first polymer-containing material and is adapted to radially deflect the sleeve into engagement with the workpiece. The bladder further comprises at least one second polymer-containing section disposed adjacent to the first polymer-containing section(s) and is composed of a second polymer-containing material that is less flexible than the first polymer-containing material and where at least a portion of the second polymer-containing section(s) are constructed to engage elastomeric seals of the body of the workpiece holding apparatus to thereby seal pressurized fluid within the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A tool chuck may include a chuck body that supports chuck jaws. The chuck body may define a longitudinal axis. A driven gear may be mounted for rotation on the chuck body. The rotational axis of the driven gear may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chuck body. A nutating gear may be provided on the chuck body. The nutating gear may be nutatable about the chuck body to rotationally drive the driven gear relative to the chuck body so that the chuck jaws move along the longitudinal axis of the chuck body.

Abstract: An adapter for holding a workpiece to be machined in an accurately located axial position can include a main sleeve having an interior wall defining a passage extending therethrough with at least one inner surface angled inwardly toward a centerline of the passage, a workpiece locator engageable within the passage and supporting a positive axial location stop, an axially and radially moveable collet interposed between the main sleeve and a workpiece to be processed, and a rotatable sleeve engageable with the collet for accurately locating the workpiece to be processed by radially grasping the workpiece to be processed and axially moving the workpiece into engagement with the positive axial location stop.

Abstract: A vehicle storage system for a vehicle includes an inclined guide configured to be coupled to a vehicle and a storage structure coupled to the guide and configured to move along the guide while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow including a wheel guard having tines with a reduced lateral width. The wheelbarrow has a frame assembly with two handle assemblies that are angled toward each other terminating in a forward yoke. The wheel guard has a bight, a first and second tine, each tine having a proximal end structured to be coupled to the bight and distal end structured to be coupled to the wheelbarrow yoke. Each tine has a longitudinal axis that is generally aligned with a handle assembly longitudinal axis. The first and second tine distal ends each have a first lateral thickness and each first and second tine proximal end has a second lateral thickness. The first and second tine distal end first lateral thickness is greater than the first and second tine proximal end second lateral thickness.

Abstract: A trailing beam suspension comprises a hanger bracket adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame, wherein the hanger bracket includes a mounting aperture, and a trailing beam pivotally mounted to the hanger bracket by a pivot pin extending through the mounting aperture of the hanger bracket. The trailing beam suspension also comprises an adjustable mechanism operably coupled to the hanger bracket including a selector member in operable engagement with the pivot pin and having a plurality of first coupler portions, and at least one second coupler portion that is selectively engageable with at least one of the first coupler portions, wherein adjusting the selector member such that alternative first coupler portions engage the at least one second coupler portion adjust the position of the trailing beam with respect to a vehicle frame rail in a fore-or-aft direction.

Abstract: A dual axis bushing assembly for engagement between an axle arm and an upper ball joint of a vehicle. The dual axis bushing assembly includes an inner skewed bushing engaged in and rotatable in an outer skewed bushing. The dual axis bushing assembly includes a zero offset setting or a zero skewed setting where a skewed axis of the inner bushing is coaxial with a center axis of an outer cylindrical surface of the outer bushing. At the zero setting, a connector seating annular surface on the inner skewed bushing is disposed at a right angle relative to a cylindrical outer surface of the outer skewed bushing. In one embodiment, the connector seating annular surface is recessed in a head of the inner skewed bushing. In another embodiment, the connector seating annular surface is an outermost end surface of a head of the inner skewed bushing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a commercial vehicle suspension assembly that includes an axle, a rack and pinion steering assembly, and a pivot mount assembly for connecting the rack and pinion steering assembly to the axle of the vehicle. The pivot mount assembly controls a pivoting motion of the axle relative to the rack and pinion steering assembly. The pivot mount assembly comprises a clamp portion and a mounting portion. The clamp portion is configured to support the rack of the rack and pinion steering assembly. The mounting portion is configured to attach the rack and pinion steering assembly to the axle.

Abstract: A transportation protection for cable ends on shock absorber struts of motor vehicles, wherein the cable end exits from a hollow piston rod. In order to create protection which protects the cable end from damage during transportation, it is proposed that a cover plate be installed at the end of the shock absorber strut at which the cable end exits from a hollow piston rod, with the cover plate being held on the fasteners of the shock absorber strut in such a way that it takes on a curved shape. This is achieved by making the distance between two opposing fastening points on the cover plate greater than the distance between the corresponding fasteners on the shock absorber strut.

Abstract: A compressed air processing apparatus includes a pressure controller, an air dryer, a multi-circuit protection valve and an electronic control unit. A switching valve is designed and arranged to supply compressed air to an air suspension system and to deaerate the air suspension system. The electronic control unit is designed and arranged to control the pressure controller, the air dryer and the multi-circuit protection valve. The electronic control unit is designed and arranged to also control the switching valve of the air suspension system.

Abstract: To provide a rear wheel fender structure for motorcycles, which can be molded with a simplified and inexpensive mold assembly even where the rear wheel finder is so designed and so structured as to permit component parts to be fitted thereto and as to block the splashing of water and/or mud, the rear wheel fender structure 27 is positioned above the motorcycle rear wheel 14 and includes an upper fender 39 and a lower fender 40 secured to a bottom region of the upper fender 39. An adiabatic space 99 is preferably formed between the upper fender 39 and the lower fender 40.

Abstract: A suspension system for the front wheel of single wheeled vehicles having a single front wheel, such as bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles. The suspension system consists of a frame with a variable arrangement of the steering points using at least one swingable arm, multiple fork joints at least one of which is designed as a two-part fork joint that provides for variable distances between the steering axis, and a telescopic fork connected to the front wheel and which has at least three parts so that the front wheel is guided through the entire system whether partly or fully sprung.

Abstract: An auxiliary hill climbing bicycle seat is formed from a T-shaped tubular structure attached, preferably by welding, to a bicycle cross bar. A narrow foam padding and a cover over the T-shaped pipe form a narrow auxiliary hill climbing seat positioned in front of the regular seat directly over the pedals in an elevated position higher than the regular seat. A substantial forward portion of the foam is tapered inwardly to allow full clearance for the cyclists thighs.

Abstract: These objects and others are attained by the present invention which provides a collapsible multifunction apparatus, comprising upper and lower sections with a front frame and rear prop legs, where the front frame is pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the front portions of the upper and lower sections, and the rear prop legs are pivotably attached by hinges to both sides of the rear portions of the upper and lower sections. The hinge positions on both the left and right sides of the collapsible apparatus define (preferably symmetric) foldable left and right side quadrilaterals in which, in each left and right side fully opened quadrilateral, no two lengths are equilateral and no two lengths are parallel, and which collapse to form a substantially flat configuration for storage with nested front frame and rear prop legs.

Abstract: The application provides an overhead passenger airbag module for use in vehicles. The overhead passenger airbag module has a clamshell inflator housing configured to retain an airbag inflator. The inflator housing is also constructed to allow attachment of an airbag cushion to the airbag module. The overhead passenger airbag module also includes an airbag cushion having an airbag throat portion and a cushion portion. The invention also provides a method of folding the airbag cushions of the invention to aid proper deployment and help assure proper support and deceleration of a vehicle occupant during a collision event.

Abstract: A curtain airbag apparatus is provided with a bag disposed along the upper edge of an opening of a vehicle body in a folded state, a plurality of protectors disposed along a lengthwise direction of the bag, which prevent the bag from interfering with the vehicle body; and brackets intervening between the bag and the vehicle body, which attach the bag to the vehicle body and support the protectors, wherein protectors adjacent to each other are spaced from each other in the lengthwise direction of the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connection of an airbag module to a supporting vehicle component, comprising an expanding element, arranged on one of the modules for connection, a clip opening, provided on one of the other modules for connection, and into which the expanding element may be introduced such as, in a clipping position in the expanded state, to engage behind the edge of the clip opening and a security element which may be engaged with the expanding elements such as to retain the expanding element in the expanded state. According to the invention, the security element, before being engaged with the expanding element, is detachably connected to a component of the module, provided with the expanding element and arranged behind the clip opening such as to be able to be brought into engagement with the expanding element when the latter is run through the clip opening over the clip position thereof.

Abstract: There is provided an airbag apparatus having an airbag and mounted to a motorcycle, wherein the inflation of the airbag in an extending direction of a tether is restricted with the tether extending so as to connect the opposing portions of the airbag.

Abstract: A vehicle seat component (18) includes a side air bag module (18) mounted on a frame (24) within a trim cover (34) that also covers a seat pad (30). An air bag guide (44) includes flexible inner and outer panels (46,48) that extend between a release seam (36) of the trim cover (34) and the air bag module (18) to provide a guiding function to an air bag (42) thereof as it is inflated upon deployment so as to project outwardly through the release seam (36) for use. Inner extremities (52,56) of the flexible inner and outer panels (46,48) are respectively secured by first and second connectors (68,70) to attachment wires (64,66) that are molded in the seat pad (36) at spaced locations from each other.

Abstract: The head-protecting airbag according to the present invention is formed by hollow-weaving method, and includes a gas admissive portion inflatable with inflation gas to separate its vehicle's inner wall and vehicle's outer wall, and a non-admissive portion admitting no inflation gas. The non-admissive portion includes mounting portions arranged in the upper edge of the airbag, and a marginal portion located around the gas admissive portion. The non-admissive portion partially has a two-ply structure where the hollow-woven cloth material separates into vehicle's inner cloth part and outer cloth part from the marginal portion having a one-ply structure. At least one of the mounting portions is formed by folding back a region of the two-ply cloth part to have a four-ply structure.

Abstract: An airbag includes a bag portion, a pressure sensor for detecting an inner pressure of the bag portion when the airbag is inflated, and a harness electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The harness has a portion disposed on an inner surface of the bag portion along a folding line for folding the bag portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for covering a weld line and structures used to cover a weld line. Embodiments of the method comprise covering a weld line, such as the weld line between components of an airbag inflator structure, with a protective sleeve. This allows jagged edges and whiskers created during the welding process to be covered. The protective sleeve may comprise an annular structure adapted to be fitted over the weld line.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for a motor vehicle comprising an airbag, a gas generator for inflating the airbag, and a housing for accommodating both the gas generator and the airbag. According to the invention, the airbag (1) and the gas generator (2) are arranged on opposite sides (30a, 30b) of a wall (30) of the housing (3).

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for absorbing energy in response to a vehicle crash. The apparatus includes a knee bolster disposable in a vehicle for absorbing an impact from at least one knee of a driver. The apparatus also includes a connecting device associated with the knee bolster. The connecting device includes a breakable portion for releasably connecting the knee bolster to the vehicle such that the knee bolster breaks away from the vehicle under predetermined conditions. The method according to the invention includes the step of disposing a knee bolster in a vehicle for absorbing an impact from at least one knee of a driver. The method also includes the step of releasably connecting the knee bolster to the vehicle such that the knee bolster breaks away from the vehicle under predetermined conditions with a connecting device associated with the knee bolster and having a breakable portion.

Abstract: A dual mode A-frame outrigger for a boom truck or the like is provided wherein the outrigger may be operated in conventional fashion or which may be pinned to the side of the boom truck or the like so that the outrigger assembly may be used to stabilize or level the boom truck without being swung outwardly from the side of the vehicle as in typical A-frame outrigger assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a steering wheel of a vehicle in a desired position. The invention includes a steering column having a steering wheel supporting portion for supporting the steering wheel. The steering column also includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first and second members are moved relative to one another to move the steering wheel supporting portion, and the steering wheel, along either tilting path of movement, or a telescoping path of movement, or both. The invention also includes a locking device that selectively engages the first and second members to lock the first and second members with respect to one another. The locking device substantially prevents movement of the steering wheel supporting portion, and the steering wheel, along the path of movement. The locking device includes an electric motor. The first and second members are locked and unlocked with respect to one another in response to activation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A lock releasing button is provided at a slide plate including a slip joint for slidably supporting a webbing for restraining an occupant to a seat. Locking of the slide plate to a center pillar is arranged to be released when the lock releasing button is pressed upward from below. Therefore, when an airbag presses to open a connecting portion between a roof lining and a pillar garnish and deploys downward at a time of collision of a vehicle, the lock releasing button is prevented from releasing the locking by being pressed by the airbag deploying downward. This prevents the situation in which the slip joint is moved downward together with the slide plate to loosen the webbing and thus a seat belt device cannot sufficiently exhibit an occupant restraining performance.

Abstract: A height-adjustable, belt-deflecting device for a seat belt including a deflecting element which deflects the seat belt. The device improves the safety of a vehicle occupant to be secured and protected by the seat belt. This is achieved by the having a deflecting element connected to a tightening device with which the seat belt can be tightened.

Abstract: An underbody structure of a vehicle includes a floor panel of which rear portion is raised to form a rear floor, a pair of left and right rear side frames extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle at the rear of the floor panel with a specific distance held between the left and right rear side frames across the vehicle, and a rear cross member extending widthwise across the vehicle and interconnecting forward end portions of the left and right rear side frames. A fuel tank is mounted between the left and right rear side frames, and the rear cross member is located under the floor panel at the front of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A low profile tension style flexible joint for pneumatic ducting may be useful as, for example, a joint for aircraft engine pneumatic ducting. The joint of the present invention may be used at both ends of a duct that passes high temperature (up to about 1200° F.) and high pressure (up to about 110 psia) compressor air to the combustor of a turbomachine. Some turbomachines, such as the turbo engine of a jet-powered aircraft, require a very short curved duct to fit into an unusually small aircraft installation envelope. Moreover, these installations also require those features found in conventional flex joints, including being able to support the axial load inherent in pressurized ducting systems. Unlike conventional flexible joints, such as ball joints, gimble joints and pressure compensated joints, the low profile tension style flexible joint of the present invention provides a low profile, low weight design with the ability to support the axial load inherent in pressurized ducting systems.

Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting separate sections of tubing, e.g., medical tubing. Connector assemblies are a two-piece construction having a connector pin and a connector sleeve. The connector sleeve includes a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending between the first and second ends. The passageway is stepped, e.g., defined by both a bore of a first diameter and a bore of a second diameter.

Abstract: A threaded tubular connection includes two elements, male and female, made up one into the other to a given torque in which, prior to making up, at least one thread face under contact pressure has a convexly rounded shape that is continuous over its width with a radius of curvature in the range 2 to 60 mm and is in point contact with the corresponding face of the mating element. Such a threaded connection has an increased resistance to breakout or to overtorquing. In one embodiment, the convexly rounded face is a male or female thread flank and one of the male or female threads includes a groove opening into the thread crest to render flexible either the convexly rounded flank or the corresponding flank. Such a geometry can accommodate variations in contact between the flanks.

Abstract: A pipe union with extension for interconnecting a first length and a second length of coaxial pipe may include a first annular pipe member attachable to the first length of pipe. The first annular pipe member may incorporate a circumferential flange having a shoulder. The first annular pipe member may comprise a front face which faces the first length of pipe, and a rear face which faces in a direction of the second length of pipe. The pipe union may also comprise a fastening member incorporating an inwardly extending flange with a central passageway adapted to fit around the first annular pipe member. The inwardly extending flange may be adapted to abut the shoulder as the fastening member is fitted over the first annular pipe member. The fastening member may comprise thread means formed on an inner surface of the fastening member.

Abstract: A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate; an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an engagement or a disengagement of the pin or the gate from the other of the pin or the gate; and a spring in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the spring is configured to provide a force opposite to a force provided by the active material, wherein the activated active material is effective to overcome the force provided by the spring