Releaseable fastening device

Abstract

A device for releasably fastening a first component to a second component includes a device body, a first fastener extending from the device body and operable to attach the device body to the first component, and a second fastener extending from the device body and adapted to attach the device to the second component. When a force of greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the second component, the first fastener detaches from the first component without damaging the first component. Preferably, the first component is a vehicle headlamp assembly and the second component is a bumper fascia. The first and second fasteners of the device body accurately position the fascia relative to said headlamp assembly and securely hold the fascia at a location near a lamp lens.

1 . A device for releasably fastening a first component to a second component, comprising: 
 a device body;    a first fastener extending from said device body and operable to attach said device body to the first component;    a second fastener extending from said device body and adapted to attach said device to the second component,    whereby when a force of greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the second component, said first fastener detaches from the first component without damaging the first component.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said device body includes an upper arm and a lower arm connected by an intermediate arm.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein said first fastener is a return flange defining a channel between said return flange and said upper arm.  
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein said second fastener is an attachment arm extending from said intermediate arm and defining a channel between said intermediate arm and said lower arm.  
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said device body is constructed of a one of an acetyl material, a polypropylene material, and a plastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said device body is constructed of a one of an acetyl material, a polypropylene material, and a plastic material.  
   
   
       7 . An assembly for releasably fastening a first component to a second component, comprising: 
 a first component;    a second component;    a device body;    a first fastener extending from said device body and operable to attach said device body to said first component;    a second fastener extending from said device body and adapted to attach said device to said second component,    whereby when a force of greater than a predetermined amount is applied to said second component, said first fastener detaches from the first component without damaging the first component, and    whereby when a force of less than the predetermined amount is applied to said second component, said first fastener remains attached to said first component.    
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein said device body includes an upper arm and a lower arm connected by an intermediate arm.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 7  wherein said first fastener is a return flange defining a channel between said return flange and said upper arm.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 7  wherein said second fastener is an attachment arm extending from said intermediate arm and defining a channel between said intermediate arm and said lower arm.  
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 6  wherein said device body is constructed of a one of an acetyl material, a polypropylene material, and a plastic material.  
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said first component is a headlamp assembly.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said first component is a taillamp assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said second component is bumper fascia.  
   
   
       15 . A fascia assembly for releasably fastening a component to a housing, comprising: 
 a lamp assembly having a housing and a lamp lens;    a fascia;    a device body having an upper arm and a lower arm connected by an intermediate arm;    a first fastener extending from said device body and operable to attach said device body to said lamp assembly;    a second fastener extending from said device body and adapted to attach said device body to the fascia,    whereby when a force of greater than a predetermined amount is applied to said fascia, said first fastener detaches from the lamp assembly without damaging the lamp assembly,    whereby when a force of less than the predetermined amount is applied to said fascia, said first fastener remains attached to said lamp assembly,    wherein said first and second fasteners of said device body accurately position said fascia relative to said lamp assembly and securely hold said fascia at a location near said lamp lens.    
   
   
       16 . The fascia assembly according to  claim 15  including a projection extending outwardly from a free end of said intermediate arm, said projection operable to provide a surface to allow for manually removing said fascia from said device body.  
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 15  including a finger extending from said housing that engages with an end of said device body, said end of said device body overlapping said finger by a distance and including a radius formed thereon.  
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 17  wherein the predetermined force applied to said fascia to detach said first fastener from said lamp assembly may be varied by varying the distance said end overlaps said finger.  19 . The device according to  claim 17  wherein the predetermined force applied to said fascia to detach said first fastener from said lamp assembly may be varied by varying said radius.