Component retainer
A component retainer, wherein the retainer comprises an annular-shaped body defining a central aperture, and a plurality of engagement tabs extending substantially orthogonally from the annular-shaped body. Each engagement tab comprises an engagement tab body and a retaining tooth integrally formed with the engagement tab body and extending radially inward toward a center of the central aperture.
1 . A component retainer, said retainer comprising:
an annular-shaped body defining a central aperture, the annular-shaped body and the central aperture defining a retainer body plane in which the annular-shaped body and the central aperture are disposed, the annular-shaped body having a flat first face and an opposing flat second face that are coplanar with the retainer body plane; and
a plurality of engagement tabs integrally formed with and extending substantially orthogonally from the flat first face of the annular-shaped body, wherein each engagement tab comprises an engagement tab body and a retaining tooth integrally formed with the engagement tab body and extending radially inward toward a center of the central aperture.
2 . The retainer of claim 1 , wherein the annular-shaped body comprises a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of arcuate spring features formed between the flat sections.
3 . The retainer of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of engagement tabs comprises a plurality of sets of engagement tabs comprising two or more adjacent engagement tabs.
4 . The retainer of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of flex recesses formed in an inner perimeter edge of the annular-shaped body, wherein each flex recess is disposed between adjacent engagement tabs within each set of engagement tabs.
5 . The retainer of claim 4 , wherein each retaining tooth extends across an entire width of the respective engagement tab body.
6 . The retainer of claim 5 , where in each retaining tooth has a triangular prism shape.
7 . A component retainer assembly, said assembly comprising:
a component retainer comprising:
a retainer annular-shaped body defining a central retainer aperture; and
a plurality of engagement tabs extending substantially orthogonally from the retainer annular-shaped body, wherein each engagement tab comprises an engagement tab body and a retaining tooth integrally formed with the engagement tab body and extending radially inward toward a center of the central aperture; and
an installation tool comprising:
an installation tool annular-shaped body defining a central tool aperture; and
a plurality of retainer retention and installation legs extending substantially orthogonally from the tool annular-shaped body.
8 . The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the retainer annular-shaped body comprises a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of arcuate spring features formed between the flat sections.
9 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of engagement tabs comprises a plurality of sets of engagement tabs comprising two or more adjacent engagement tabs.
10 . The assembly of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of flex recesses formed in an inner perimeter edge of the retainer annular-shaped body, wherein each flex recess is disposed between adjacent engagement tabs within each set of engagement tabs.
11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein each retaining tooth extends across an entire width of the respective engagement tab body.
12 . The assembly of claim 11 , where in each retaining tooth has a triangular prism shape.
13 . The assembly of claim 12 , wherein each retainer retention and installation leg comprises a raised lip formed at a distal end the retainer retention and installation leg, wherein the raised lip defines a retainer retention channel disposed at the distal end of the retainer retention and installation leg.
14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the installation tool further comprises a plurality of engagement tab receptacles formed between the retainer retention and installation legs.
15 . A vehicle, said vehicle comprising:
passenger compartment comprising a seating structure and a dash console; and
a component retainer structured and operable to retain a threaded component within an opening in the dash console, wherein the component retainer comprises:
a annular-shaped body defining a central aperture, the annular-shaped body and the central aperture defining a retainer body plane in which the annular-shaped body and the central aperture are disposed, the annular-shaped body having a flat first face and an opposing flat second face that are coplanar with the retainer body plane; and
a plurality of engagement tabs integrally formed with and extending substantially orthogonally from the flat first face of the annular-shaped body, wherein each engagement tab comprises an engagement tab body and a retaining tooth integrally formed with the engagement tab body and extending radially inward toward a center of the central aperture.
16 . The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the annular-shaped body comprises a plurality of flat sections and a plurality of arcuate spring features formed between the flat sections.
17 . The vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of engagement tabs comprises a plurality of sets of engagement tabs comprising two or more adjacent engagement tabs.
18 . The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of flex recesses formed in an inner perimeter edge of the retainer annular-shaped body, wherein each flex recess is disposed between adjacent engagement tabs within each set of engagement tabs.
19 . The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein each retaining tooth extends across an entire width of the respective engagement tab bod.
20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , where in each retaining tooth has a triangular prism shape.