Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. Centering protrusions of one housing can engage the other housing to initially retain the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing in a central position within the interior of the outer housing in the Y-direction prior to insertion of the pin into the pin retaining receptacle. The other housing can be movable against the centering protrusion to permit the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing to move out of the central position in the Y-direction in response to engagement of the pin against the entry ramps during insertion of the pin into the pin retaining receptacle.

Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. The pair of inner housing retaining surfaces can engage the pair of cooperating inner housing retaining surfaces, with the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing extending into the interior of the outer housing, to slidably couple the inner housing and the outer housing together while permitting movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing in a Y-direction in response to the inner housing moving in the Y-direction during insertion of the pin into the pin retaining receptacle. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An outer component and an annular collar can be formed of materials having a Rockwell R hardness of at least 120. The outer component can have a recess, including an outer component mating wall. The annular collar can include an annular collar mating wall, including at least three protrusions. A recess can surround each protrusion so that an overall protrusion height between a base of the protrusion and a distal end thereof is greater than a protruding distance between an outer diameter of a cylindrical outer surface of the annular collar mating wall and the distal end of the protrusion. The number and configuration of the protrusions can be designed to provide a press-fit insertion force of 50 Newtons or less, and to provide a friction retention force sufficient to retain the annular collar within the recess under its own weight, throughout relevant tolerance ranges for the mating walls.

Abstract: Aperture retention arms can extend outwardly away from an aperture shaft. An insertion end can be positioned below the aperture retention arms and can have an overall conical shape. The insertion end can include an opening having a closed interior terminal end separating a portion of a first lateral half of the insertion end and leaving another portion of the first lateral half as a connecting bridge below one of the aperture retention arms. The opening can include a channel extending from the closed interior terminal end to an open exterior terminal end to separate a second lateral half of the insertion end below another of the aperture retention arms. The insertion end below the open exterior terminal end of the channel can extend laterally outwardly beyond a straight exterior line defined by laterally outermost points of an outer longitudinal side of the second aperture retention arm.

Abstract: An aperture fastener piece has an intermediate head and an aperture shaft, including aperture retention arms extending from a side of the intermediate head. A receiver includes an annular wall extending from a base, and a plurality of plate retention surfaces supported by and positioned inwardly of the annular wall. A coupling plate can be engaged and retained by the plurality of plate retention surfaces within the receiver to couple the doghouse fastener piece and the aperture fastener piece together. Each of the receiver and the coupling plate extends from different ones of the intermediate head as part of the aperture fastener piece and the doghouse shaft as part of the doghouse fastener piece. The coupling plate can extend from a second of the opposite side of the intermediate head as part of the aperture fastener piece, and the doghouse shaft as part of the doghouse fastener piece.

Abstract: An aperture fastener piece has an intermediate head and an aperture shaft, including aperture retention arms extending from a side of the intermediate head. A receiver includes an annular wall extending from a base, and a plurality of plate retention surfaces supported by and positioned inwardly of the annular wall. A coupling plate can be engaged and retained by the plurality of plate retention surfaces within the receiver to couple the doghouse fastener piece and the aperture fastener piece together. Each of the receiver and the coupling plate extends from different ones of the intermediate head as part of the aperture fastener piece and the doghouse shaft as part of the doghouse fastener piece. The coupling plate can extend from a second of the opposite side of the intermediate head as part of the aperture fastener piece, and the doghouse shaft as part of the doghouse fastener piece.

Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. A plurality of centering blades extend into the interior and between the inner and outer housings to locate the pin retaining receptacle in a central position within the interior in a Y-direction prior to insertion of the pin into the pin retention receptacle. The centering blades are movable in the Y-direction to permit the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing to move to a non-central position relative to the housing in the Y-direction as a result of the inner housing moving the centering blades in response to the pin engaging the entry ramps during insertion of the pin into the pin receiving receptacle. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clip includes a base that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, a post connected to the base at a proximal end of the post. The post extends away from the base and terminates at a distal end of the post. The clip further includes a first finger and a second finger both connected on opposite sides of the post and extending away from the post toward the base in the longitudinal direction. The clip also includes an elongated foot connected to the base on a side of the base opposite the post. The clip also includes an umbrella seal connected to the base that has a sealing lip around a periphery of the base that extends away from the base. The base, the elongated foot and the first finger and the second finger of the clip extend along the same longitudinal direction of the clip.

Abstract: A mold and molding process for a first shot body member includes a pair of side walls, a semi-circular sleeve positioned between the pair of side walls to define a portion of a longitudinal pocket, and a pair of deflecting wings. Each deflecting wing is coupled to one of the side walls at a corner. A second shot isolation member of an elastically resilient second material is bonded to portions of an interior surface of the longitudinal pocket defined by each of: the semi-circular sleeve, each of the pair of side walls, each of the pair of corners, and each of the pair of wings. Mold members can include supporting surfaces to support interior and exterior portions of the wing during the second shot molding operation, while leaving an exposed interior bonding surface that defines a portion of the second shot molding cavity.

Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing for movement in a Y-direction. The outer housing has an enclosed interior defined by outer housing walls extending from an outer housing flange. Resilient retention wings can extend outwardly from the outer housing walls without providing adjacent openings therethrough to facilitate water resistance. A water resistant seal is positionable between an outer housing flange and a first component to seal therebetween when the outer housing is coupled to the first component by the retention wings. Centering blades extend between the inner and outer housings to initially locate the pin retaining receptacle in a central position within the interior in a Y-direction and the centering blades are movable during insertion of the pin into the pin retaining receptacle.

Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. A plurality of centering blades extend into the interior and between the inner and outer housings to locate the pin retaining receptacle in a central position within the interior in a Y-direction prior to insertion of the pin into the pin retention receptacle. The centering blades are movable in the Y-direction to permit the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing to move to a non-central position relative to the housing in the Y-direction as a result of the inner housing moving the centering blades in response to the pin engaging the entry ramps during insertion of the pin into the pin receiving receptacle. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A grommet assembly to support a wiring harness passing through an opening in a panel, the assembly including two rotationally symmetrical components coupled together along a primary coupling face to form a harness-receiving passage therethrough. Each rotationally symmetrical component including a first, thermoplastic structural portion integrated with a second, resilient sealing portion. The structural portions including a plurality of interlocking elements cooperating to couple the components together, and a plurality of retention arms engageable against the panel to retain the assembly and panel together. The sealing portion forming an outer sealing lip having a lip distal edge engageable against a surface of the panel adjacent the opening. The outer sealing lip including lap joints adjacent opposite sides of the primary coupling face. The structural portions including reinforcement tabs extending over each lap joint and designed to resist separation of the lap joints.

Abstract: A grommet has retention wings and a distal end of a barrel with pin retention pawls. The pin retention pawls include an inner retention tooth with a lead-in ramp surface facing toward the grommet head. A lead-out ramp surface is distal of the lead-in ramp surface and facing away from the grommet head. A pin includes a recess receiving the inner retention tooth, with a pin head facing surface positioned and designed to engage the lead-out surface and radially outwardly displace the pin retention pawls during removal of the pin from the grommet. A distal facing outer surface of the pin engages the lead-in surface and radially outwardly displaces the pin retention pawls during insertion of the pin into the grommet. A two-shot molding method of manufacturing is also provided.

Abstract: The ditch molding clip can include a single piece body. The single piece body can include (1) an outer frame surrounding an interior opening, (2) a clip-to-molding retention coupling including a plurality of resilient arm members extending from the outer frame and designed to engage and retain a corresponding edge of the molding, (3) a clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling positioned within the interior opening and including an aperture designed to receive and retain the weld stud, and (4) an extensible member extending between the outer frame and the clip-to-molding retention coupling. A longitudinal length of the extensible member can be designed to lengthen to allow the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling to move within the interior opening to accommodate for variations in the positioning of the weld stud relative to the ditch. The extensible member can have a corrugated configuration.

Abstract: The ditch molding clip can include a single piece body. The single piece body can include (1) an outer frame surrounding an interior opening, (2) a clip-to-molding retention coupling including a plurality of resilient arm members extending from the outer frame and designed to engage and retain a corresponding edge of the molding, (3) a clip-to-weld-stud retention coupling positioned within the interior opening and including an aperture designed to receive and retain the weld stud, and (4) an extensible member extending between the outer frame and the clip-to-molding retention coupling. A longitudinal length of the extensible member can be designed to lengthen to allow the clip-to-weld stud retention coupling to move within the interior opening to accommodate for variations in the positioning of the weld stud relative to the ditch. The extensible member can have a corrugated configuration.

Abstract: A first shot body member includes a pair of side walls, a semi-circular sleeve positioned between the pair of side walls to define a portion of a longitudinal pocket, and a pair of deflecting wings. Each deflecting wing is coupled to one of the side walls at a corner. A second shot isolation member of an elastically resilient second material is bonded to portions of an interior surface of the longitudinal pocket defined by each of: the semi-circular sleeve, each of the pair of side walls, each of the pair of corners, and each of the pair of wings. Mold members can include supporting surfaces to support interior and exterior portions of the wing during the second shot molding operation, while leaving an exposed interior bonding surface that defines a portion of the second shot molding cavity. Related methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: A system for coupling a trim component to a body component having a bearing surface. The system has a threaded weld fastener coupled to the body. The trim piece has an exterior bearing surface and an interior bearing surface. Defined within the trim piece is an aperture having a lead-in portion. A rotatable fastener having a nut body with a cylindrical body portion is floatably positioned within the aperture. The body defines a fastener holding aperture and defines a side slot.

Abstract: A retention clip includes first and second body portions created of a first polymeric material. The body portions when angularly rotated apart define an open position, and when rotated into direct contact defining an engaged position. An isolation portion is created of a resilient second polymeric material. The isolation portion includes isolation members connected to the body portions. The isolation members are positioned facing each other when the retention clip is in the engaged position. The isolation members frictionally contact and retain a tubular shaped member in the engaged position. A living hinge integrally connects the body portions allowing the body portions to rotate with respect to each other. The living hinge provides the only connection between the body portions as the body portions transition between the open position and the engaged position. A frangible connector initially integrally connects the first and second body portions only in the open position.

Abstract: A tube retention fastener includes a polymeric material body having first and second walls and a semi-circular sleeve defining a longitudinal cavity. First and second deflecting wings individually connected to one of the first or second walls are directed toward a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal cavity in a non-deflected condition. An elastically resilient material isolation member includes a first portion fixed to the semi-circular sleeve, and first and second contact ends fixed to the first and second deflecting wings. Isolation member free extending portions are positioned and freely extend between the first portion and the contact ends. First and second wing receiving cavities are created between the deflecting wings and the first and second walls in the non-deflected condition. The deflecting wings, the contact ends and the free extending portions elastically deflect into one of the wing receiving cavities when a tube is positioned between the deflecting wings.

Abstract: A system for coupling a trim component to a body component having a bearing surface. The system has a threaded weld fastener coupled to the body. The trim piece has an exterior bearing surface and an interior bearing surface. Defined within the trim piece is an aperture having a lead-in portion. A rotatable fastener having a nut body with a cylindrical body portion is floatably positioned within the aperture. The body defines a fastener holding aperture and defines a side slot.