FIXING AND RELEASE SYSTEMS

摘要

A fastener (10) which includes a fastening element having a flexible beam (1 2) and an engagement means (14);and an actuating means (18) attached to the fastening element and including a material such as shape memory alloy adapte d to contract when activated; wherein the beam (12) is movable upon contractio n of the material between engagement and disengagement positions. In a second aspect a fastener for use in a network of fasteners includes address means which serve to distinguish the fastener from the other fasteners in the network. The address means is stored by a storage means include hard wiring, non volatile memory and semiconductor.