Two stage attachment anchor

Abstract

A connector assembly for attaching a hardware component and a trim panel to a vehicular structure includes a shank ( 18 ) and a head ( 20 ). The shank has a head end ( 22 ) and an anchor end ( 24 ) for securing the hardware component to the vehicular structure. The head has a trim retaining end and a shank engaging end.( 42 ) The trim retaining end secures the connector assembly ( 10 ) to a trim panel. A break neck ( 50 ) is disposed between the shank engaging end and the trim retaining end of the head. Upon application of a load to the head, the head breaks from the shank at the break neck, allowing the removal of the trim panel from the hardware component and the vehicular structure.

1 . A connector assembly for attaching a hardware component and a trim panel to a vehicular structure, said connector assembly comprising: 
 a shank including a head end and an anchor end for securing the hardware component to the vehicular structure; and    a head operatively coupled to said shank, said head including a trim retaining end for securing the trim panel, a shank engaging end, and a break neck therebetween,    wherein said trim retaining end breaks from said head at said break neck when a load is applied to said head allowing removal of the trim panel from the hardware component and the vehicular structure.    
   
   
       2 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said shank further includes a chamber extending between said head end and said anchor end.  
   
   
       3 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said chamber is threaded.  
   
   
       4 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 3 , further including a screw threadedly inserted in said chamber.  
   
   
       5 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said shank includes a bulbous portion that expands radially outward when said screw is received in said chamber.  
   
   
       6 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said head further includes an upper disc and a lower disc, and wherein said trim panel includes at least one boss for receiving said upper disc while said lower disc abuts a lower surface of said boss.  
   
   
       7 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said head is operatively coupled to said shank by a plurality of prongs received within a corresponding number of recesses formed in said head end of said shank.  
   
   
       8 . A connector assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said head end of said shank includes a shoulder, said recesses being formed in the shoulder of said head end of said shank.