Fastener for operatively coupling matable components

Abstract

A fastener for operatively coupling matable components is provided. The fastener includes a base portion. The fastener also includes a protrusion extending from the base portion, wherein the protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon insertion through a first aperture of a first matable component and a second aperture of a second matable component, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastener for operatively coupling matable components, the fastener comprising:
 a base portion; and   a protrusion extending from the base portion, wherein the protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon insertion through a first aperture of a first matable component and a second aperture of a second matable component, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned, and wherein the first matable component and the second matable component are retained to each other upon insertion of the protrusion through the first aperture and the second aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a protrusion width greater than an aperture width of the first aperture and the second aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a spherical member. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a tubular member configured to align the first aperture and the second aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a multi-lobular member. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture is defined by a first aperture wall and the second aperture is defined by a second aperture wall, wherein at least one of the first aperture wall and the second aperture wall includes an angled portion for facilitating insertion of the protrusion. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a substantially planar member. 
     
     
         8 . A fastener for operatively coupling matable components, the fastener comprising:
 a base portion having a first side and a second side; and   a first protrusion extending from the first side of the base portion, wherein the first protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon insertion through a first aperture of a first matable component; and   a second protrusion extending from the second side of the base portion, wherein the second protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon insertion through a second aperture of a second matable component, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are each configured to provide at least one of retention and alignment of the first matable component and the second matable component.   
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein the first protrusion comprises a first protrusion width greater than a first aperture width of the first aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein the second protrusion comprises a second protrusion width greater than a second aperture width of the second aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion comprises a spherical member. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion comprises a tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 8 , further comprising a fully engaged position of first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the fully engaged position comprises contact interference between a protrusion surface of each of the protrusions and the apertures, wherein an amount of deformation of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is averaged in aggregate in the fully engaged position. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein the first aperture is defined by a first aperture wall and the second aperture is defined by a second aperture wall, wherein the first aperture wall and the second aperture wall each include an angled portion for facilitating insertion of the first protrusion and the second protrusion. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein the base portion comprises a substantially planar member. 
     
     
         16 . An elastic retaining assembly disposable between matable components comprising:
 a first component having a first aperture;   a second component having a second aperture, wherein the second component is configured to be mated with the first component;   an elastically deformable fastener configured to operatively couple the first component to the second component, the elastically deformable fastener having a base portion and at least one protrusion extending away from the base portion, wherein the at least one protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and configured to elastically deform upon insertion with at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture, and wherein the first matable component and the second matable component are retained to each other upon insertion of the protrusion through the first aperture and the second aperture.   
     
     
         17 . The elastic retaining assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a plurality of elastically deformable fasteners; and   a plurality of apertures of the first component configured to receive the plurality of elastically deformable fasteners.   
     
     
         18 . The elastic retaining assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a fully engaged position of each of the elastically deformable fasteners, wherein the fully engaged position comprises contact interference between a protrusion surface of each of the plurality of elastically deformable fasteners and the plurality of apertures, wherein an amount of deformation of the plurality of elastically deformable fasteners is averaged in aggregate. 
     
     
         19 . The elastic retaining assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first component and the second component each comprise automotive components. 
     
     
         20 . The elastic retaining assembly of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the first component and the second component comprise blow molded components.