Abstract: A bistable member including a bistable, invertable dish- or dome-shaped base portion and an engaging projection extending therefrom. A male member is engaged with the bistable member by pressing the male member against a central apex of the bistable member that is surrounded by the engaging projection, thereby inverting the bistable member from a first stable form to a second stable form. In the second stable form, the engaging protrusion and a portion of the bistable member wrap around a knob of the male member, thereby securing the male member to the bistable member. A subsequently applied triggering energy re-inverts the bistable member, thereby releasing the male member. This assembly is usable as a snap fastener by setting an equilibrium point of the bistable member such that a relatively large triggering energy is required to re-invert the bistable member.