A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.

A part fixture which is locked on a locking portion of a vehicle body and which is inserted into a mounting hole on a mount portion provided on a vehicle body to be fixed in place therein to thereby mount the vehicle part on the mount portion, includes an accommodating portion, a locking piece, a pair of flange portions, and a pair of elastic engaging pieces. The elastic engaging pieces each have an engaging claw and an operation knob. When the pair of elastic engaging pieces are deflected inwards of the accommodating portion, the pair of elastic engaging pieces are brought into abutment with the side wall portions or the locking portion of the vehicle part which is accommodated in the accommodating portion so that any further deflection thereof is restricted.

A part fixture which is locked on a locking portion of a vehicle body and which is inserted into a mounting hole on a mount portion provided on a vehicle body to be fixed in place therein to thereby mount the vehicle part on the mount portion, includes an accommodating portion, a locking piece, a pair of flange portions, and a pair of elastic engaging pieces. The elastic engaging pieces each have an engaging claw and an operation knob. When the pair of elastic engaging pieces are deflected inwards of the accommodating portion, the pair of elastic engaging pieces are brought into abutment with the side wall portions or the locking portion of the vehicle part which is accommodated in the accommodating portion so that any further deflection thereof is restricted.

A clip comprises a member mounting portion for attaching a mounting member; an umbrella shaped flange; a flat plate-like shaft extending downward from the center of the umbrella flange; a pair of arms extending obliquely downward and outward from the umbrella center; a pair of legs extending from the upper outer side to the lower inner side; and a pair of locking portions near the upper end of each leg and having a distance between the outer surfaces smaller than the distance between the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the legs. The distal end of each arm is connected to the middle of a leg. A leg connector connects the lower ends of the legs to each other. As the clip is pushed into the mounting hole, the upper portions of the legs move inward and the lower portions of the legs move outward.

A method of making an assembly is disclosed. According to the method, a curable sealant is applied to a metal surface of a first article, and the curable sealant and first article are stored under conditions to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. The method further includes contacting the curable sealant on the first article metal surface with an electrically conductive surface of a second article, and curing the curable sealant.

A wire harness fixing structure includes a plate-like member including a first layer and a second layer softer than the first layer, an electrical wire disposed along the plate-like member, and a fixing member attached to the electrical wire to fix the electrical wire to the plate-like member. The fixing member includes: a through locking piece formed to be able to pass through the first layer and locked to the first layer while passing through the first layer, a regulation piece provided with a space between the regulation piece and the through locking piece to stop the through locking piece from passing through a surface of the plate-like member, and a column connecting the through locking piece and the regulation piece.

Quarter turn clip for connecting a vehicle metal sheet plate and an expanded polypropylene vehicle panel, and quarter turn clip and expanded polypropylene vehicle panel assembly. The quarter turn clip is able to perform the sealing and pre-mounting functions despite it comprise neither a sealing ring in order to ensure the sealing function nor additional pre-mounting elements in order to pre-mount the quarter turn clip into the expanded polypropylene vehicle panel.

A connection assembly is provided that includes a pin and a clip. The pin includes a head portion having two spaced flanges defining a slot therebetween, a tail portion defining a bulb, and a shaft extending between the head and tail portion. The clip includes a plurality of resilient fingers extending radially inward and a central cavity. The pin extends through the central cavity of the clip and the resilient fingers receives and rotationally engages with the bulb of the pin. In one form, the connection assembly connects a molded doghouse to an adjacent part.

A connection assembly is provided that includes a pin and a clip. The pin includes a head portion having two spaced flanges defining a slot therebetween, a tail portion defining a bulb, and a shaft extending between the head and tail portion. The clip includes a plurality of resilient fingers extending radially inward and a central cavity. The pin extends through the central cavity of the clip and the resilient fingers receives and rotationally engages with the bulb of the pin. In one form, the connection assembly connects a molded doghouse to an adjacent part.

A reusable single groove riveting system includes a single groove riveting bolt and a collar, and a method of use thereof as well as installation and removal methods thereof. A pull groove has a variable section feature along the axial direction so a collet and the single groove can automatically align during installation; the variable section can reduce the stress concentration effects along the single groove structure and avoid stuck problems. While raising the strength of the collar flange, the design feature of the axial installation force indicator is added. The single groove structure will not receive any extra load from the tool during disassembly or removal process so the rivet bolt can be reused after the disassembly. In the event the bolt pull groove is accidently damaged or the work space is limited, the collar can be effectively removed from the joint with this disassembly or removal method.