Self-aligned retaining clip for automotive components

摘要

The present invention relates to a retaining clip, and in particular to a clip that may be used to mount a component 1 such as a radio through an aperture in a motor vehicle dashboard 54. A spring clip 75 has a base 70 with screw 51 for affixing the clip to a side 2 of the component 1. A ramp section 40 extends from the base and terminates in a shoulder 44 for a sprung engagement of the component 1 against an inner surface 55 of the dashboard 54. A hook 80 on clip 75 engages a bias hole 52 in front part 4 when the clip is being affixed to the side of the component for pretensioning the ramp section 40 to enhance the sprung engagement. The clip has an alignment surface 89 which is dynamically aligned with respect to a reference surface 22 in the front part 4 of the component while the clip is being affixed to the component. The tension pulls the alignment surface 89 forward against a surface 22 of the component 1 to align the shoulder 44 with respect to the front 4 of the component.