Fluid-tight fastener assemblies

Abstract

A fastener assembly (100) is configured to securely couple to one or more components. The fastener assembly includes a retaining clip (104), and a fluid-tight housing (102) coupled to the retaining clip. The fluid-tight housing is configured to provide fluid-tight interfaces with the retaining clip and the one or more components.

1 . A fastener assembly that is configured to securely couple to one or more components, the fastener assembly comprising:
 a retaining clip; and   a fluid-tight housing coupled to the retaining clip, wherein the fluid-tight housing is configured to provide fluid-tight interfaces with the retaining clip and the one or more components.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight housing is overmolded onto a portion of the retaining clip. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight housing is formed of rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight housing comprises a base integrally formed with a leg retainer. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid-tight housing further comprises a central clip channel formed through the base and extending into the leg retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the leg retainer includes opposed wedge-shaped ends that downwardly and inwardly angle from a surface of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the leg retainer comprises at least one leg opening, wherein a portion of the retaining clip is exposed through the at least one leg opening. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight housing comprises an outer cap and an outwardly-flared skirt extending from the cap, wherein a central clip channel is formed through the fluid-tight housing, wherein the fluid-tight housing provides a cover that fits over and onto an upper portion of the retaining clip. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid-tight housing further comprises triangular couplers extending downwardly from the skirt on opposite sides of the fluid-tight housing. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip comprises opposed receiving legs connected together at a distal hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a male fastening member that is configured to be securely coupled to the retaining clip between the opposed receiving legs. 
     
     
         13 . A fastener assembly that is configured to securely couple to one or more components, the fastener assembly comprising:
 a retaining clip formed of a plastic, wherein the retaining clip comprises opposed receiving legs connected together at a distal hinge; and   a fluid-tight housing coupled to the receiving legs, wherein the fluid-tight housing is formed of rubber that is softer than the plastic, wherein the fluid-tight housing is configured to provide fluid-tight interfaces with the retaining clip and the one or more components, wherein the fluid-tight housing is overmolded onto a portion of the retaining clip.   
     
     
         14 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid-tight housing comprises a base integrally formed with a leg retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid-tight housing further comprises a central clip channel formed through the base and extending into the leg retainer. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the leg retainer includes opposed wedge-shaped ends that downwardly and inwardly angle from a surface of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the leg retainer comprises at least one leg opening, wherein a portion of the retaining clip is exposed through the at least one leg opening. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid-tight housing comprises an outer cap and an outwardly-flared skirt extending from the cap, wherein a central clip channel is formed through the fluid-tight housing, wherein the fluid-tight housing provides a cover that fits over and onto an upper portion of the retaining clip. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the fluid-tight housing further comprises triangular couplers extending downwardly from the skirt on opposite sides of the fluid-tight housing. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a male fastening member that is configured to be securely coupled to the retaining clip between the opposed receiving legs.