Mechanical assembly retention element

摘要

The present invention is directed to a retention element for retaining first and second components in assembled relationship. The first component (10) comprises a body (14) having first (16) and second (18) external surfaces and an inner wall (20) defining an aperture (21) extending through the body, and the second component (12) comprises a longitudinal member (22) having a size and configuration to permit insertion within said aperture (21) to thereby assemble the components. The retention element comprises: an elastromeric protuberance (32) extending into the aperture from a base (34) adhering to the inner wall (20) to a distal edge (36) which spans a portion of the aperture. The protuberance also has an inside wall (37) and an outside wall (38) which meet at the distal edge (36) and together define a flexible free end (39). Upon insertion of the second component into the aperture of the first component, the free end of the protuberance flexes in the direction of insertion such that the force required to assemble the two components is less than the force required to disassemble the two components.