Grommet and stud and grommet assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to a grommet, a stud and a grommet assembly. Wherein the grommet is configured to be secured within a hole in the panel and to receive the stud to couple the stud to the panel. The grommet includes a hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a flange disposed at one end of the hollow body, a panel retention finger protruding from the outer surface of the hollow body, and a stud retention finger protruding from the inner surface of the hollow body. The panel retention finger is configured to engage a bottom surface of the panel when the grommet is fully inserted into a hole in the panel. The stud retention finger is configured to engage an underside surface of a head of the stud when the stud is fully inserted into a hole in the grommet.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 133,859, filed April 12, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 341,868, filed May 13, 2022. The entire disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a grommets, studs, and grommets assemblies. Background Technology

[0004] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of presenting the overall context of this disclosure. The work of the currently attributed inventors, to the extent described in this background section and in aspects that may not otherwise be considered prior art at the time of filing, is neither expressly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to this disclosure.

[0005] Stud and cable ring assemblies are used to attach vehicle parts (such as trim panels) to body structures (such as liftgates). A stud and cable ring assembly typically includes a stud and a cable ring. The stud engages with the vehicle part to be attached. The cable ring inserts into a hole in the body structure and is secured to a flange defining the hole in the body structure.

[0006] A grommets typically comprise a tubular body having interference bumps on its radially inner and outer surfaces. The grommets are secured within the bore in the body structure by inserting the grommets into the bore until the bumps on the outer surface of the tubular body move past a flange on the body structure and engage the rear side of the body structure. Studs are secured to the grommets by inserting the head of a stud into the tubular body until the head moves past a bump on the inner surface of the tubular body; the bumps engage the back side of a portion of the head that projects radially outward from the remainder of the stud.

[0007] Stud and ring assemblies with interference ridges typically have high insertion forces because the tubular body of the ring must bend radially inward to allow the ridges on its outer surface to move past the flanges of the vehicle body structure. Furthermore, such assemblies typically have low retraction forces because the stud can be withdrawn from the ring by overcoming only the slight resistance generated by the engagement between the ridges on the inner surface of the ring and the back side of the stud head. Utility Model Content

[0008] Examples of grommets according to the present disclosure are configured to be secured within a hole in a panel and to receive a stud to couple the stud to the panel. In one example, the grommet includes a hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, a flange disposed at one end of the hollow body, a panel retention finger protruding from the outer surface of the hollow body, and a stud retention finger protruding from the inner surface of the hollow body. The panel retention finger is configured to bend toward the outer surface of the hollow body when the hollow body is inserted into the hole in the panel. The panel retention finger is configured to bend away from the hollow body and engage a bottom surface of the panel when the grommet is fully inserted into the hole in the panel. The stud retention finger is configured to bend toward the inner surface of the hollow body when a head of the stud is inserted into the hole in the grommet. The stud retention finger is configured to bend away from the hollow body and engage an underside surface of the head of the stud when the stud is fully inserted into the hole in the grommet.

[0009] In one aspect, the grommet is formed as a single body.

[0010] In one aspect, the hole in the grommet extends completely through the grommet.

[0011] In one aspect, the flange of the grommet defines an opening aligned with the panel retention finger around a perimeter of the hollow body.

[0012] In one aspect, the outer surface of the hollow body defines a recess configured to receive the panel retention finger when the panel retention finger is bent toward the outer surface, and the inner surface of the hollow body defines a recess configured to receive the stud retention finger when the stud retention finger is bent toward the inner surface.

[0013] In one aspect, the panel retention finger is bent around a hinge integrally formed with the panel retention finger and the hollow body at or near a junction therebetween, and the stud retention finger is bent around a hinge integrally formed with the stud retention finger and the hollow body at or near a junction therebetween.

[0014] In one aspect, the panel retention finger defines a tooth configured to engage the bottom surface of the panel and thereby retain the grommet in a fixed position within the hole in the panel.

[0015] In one aspect, the stud retention finger has a beveled surface at a distal end thereof.

[0016] In one aspect, a portion of the hollow body forms a guide wall having a tapered surface that engages the stud to coaxially align the stud with the hole of the grommet as the stud is inserted into the hole of the grommet.

[0017] An example of a stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure includes a grommet and a stud, wherein the stud is configured to be coupled to a component such that, when the stud is received in a hole in the grommet and the grommet is secured within a hole in a panel, the stud and grommet assembly couples the component to the panel.

[0018] In one aspect, the stud includes a cylindrical body, at least one flange protruding radially outward from the cylindrical body, and a head, and the head is disposed at one end of the cylindrical body.

[0019] In one aspect, the at least one flange of the stud includes a pair of flanges defining a gap therebetween for receiving a flange of a hole of the component around which the stud is inserted.

[0020] In one aspect, the stud includes an umbrella flange protruding from a non-circular perimeter of the flange of the stud and configured to seal against the panel when the stud is fully inserted in the hole in the grommet and the grommet is secured within the hole in the panel.

[0021] In one aspect, the stud includes a threaded shank disposed at the other end of the cylindrical body and configured to be screwed into a threaded hole in the component to couple the stud to the component, and the flange of the stud has a non-circular perimeter.

[0022] In one aspect, the stud includes an umbrella flange protruding from a non-circular perimeter of the flange of the stud and configured to seal against the panel when the stud is fully inserted in the hole in the grommet and the grommet is secured within the hole in the panel.

[0023] Another example of a stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure includes a stud configured to be coupled to a component and a grommet configured to be secured within a hole in a panel. The stud includes a cylindrical body, at least one flange protruding radially outward from the cylindrical body, and a tapered head disposed at one end of the cylindrical body. The grommet includes a tubular body having an inner surface and an outer surface, an annular flange disposed at one end of the tubular body, panel retention fingers protruding from the outer surface of the tubular body, and stud retention fingers protruding from the inner surface of the tubular body. The panel retention fingers are configured to flex radially inward toward the outer surface of the tubular body when the tubular body is inserted in a hole in the panel. The panel retention fingers are configured to flex radially outward away from the tubular body and engage a bottom surface of the panel when the grommet is fully inserted in the hole in the panel such that the annular flange of the grommet engages a top surface of the panel. The stud retention fingers are configured to flex radially outward toward the inner surface of the tubular body when the tapered head of the stud is inserted in the hole in the grommet. The stud retention fingers are configured to flex radially inward away from the tubular body and engage a lower side surface of the tapered head of the stud when the stud is fully inserted in the hole in the grommet such that the at least one flange of the stud engages the annular flange of the grommet.

[0024] In one aspect, the hole in the swivel extends completely through the swivel along its central longitudinal axis.

[0025] In one aspect, the annular flange of the grommet defines rectangular openings, each rectangular opening being aligned with one of the panel retaining fingers around the circumference of the tubular body and positioned above the panel retaining fingers.

[0026] In one aspect, at least one flange of the stud includes a pair of disc-shaped flanges defining a gap therebetween for receiving a flange of a component surrounding a hole therein.

[0027] In one aspect, the stud includes a threaded shank disposed at the other end of the cylindrical body and configured to be screwed into a hole in the component to attach the stud to the component, and at least one flange has a non-circular periphery.

[0028] Other applicable areas of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0029] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary stud and grommets assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including studs and grommets;

[0031] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the grommet;

[0032] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of the cable ring;

[0033] Figure 4 It is fixed to the panel. Figure 1 A perspective view of the stud and grommets assembly;

[0034] Figure 5 It connects the components to the panel. Figure 1 Side view of the stud and grommets assembly;

[0035] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Top view of the stud and grommets assembly;

[0036] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Bottom view of the stud and grommets assembly;

[0037] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the stud and grommet assembly coupling a component to a panel;

[0038] Figure 9 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including Figure 1 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including

[0039] Figure 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including Figure 9 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including

[0040] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including Figure 9 is a bottom view of the stud and grommet assembly of

[0041] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the stud and grommet assembly coupling a component to a panel taken along line 12-12 in Figure 11 Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the stud and grommet assembly coupling a component to a panel taken along line 12-12 in

[0042] Figure 13 is a side view of the grommet of Figure 14 Figure 1 is a side view of the grommet of

[0043] Figure 15 is a side view of the stud of Figure 9

[0044] is a perspective view of the stud of Figure 16 Figure 9 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud according to the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 17 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including

[0046] Figure 18 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including Figure 1 Figure 17 is a side view of the stud and grommet assembly coupling a component to a panel;

[0047] Figure 19 Figure 18 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud according to the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 20 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud according to the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 21 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including Figure 1 Figure 20 is a perspective view of another exemplary stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure, the assembly including

[0050] Figure 22 ​​​​​​is a stud and grommet assembly that couples a component to a panel Figure 21 is a side view of a stud and grommet assembly.

[0051] In the drawings, reference numerals can be repeated among the figures for like and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In comparison to the stud and grommet assemblies discussed above, the stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure includes a stud retention finger and a panel retention finger to replace the interference bumps on the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface of the grommet, respectively. The panel retention finger requires a lower insertion force because less force is required to bend the panel retention finger relative to the force required to bend the tubular body. The stud retention finger requires a higher pull-out force because the stud retention finger wedges into the backside of the stud head. Furthermore, the stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure includes various features that enable the grommet to be molded as a single body that includes the stud retention finger and the panel retention finger. Moreover, the stud and grommet assembly according to the present disclosure provides greater repeatability and robustness than conventional stud and grommet assemblies.

[0053] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 to 8 The stud and grommet assembly 10 includes a stud 12 and a grommet 14. The stud 12 can be coupled to a component 13 Figure 5 ), such as a light fixture (not shown), to attach to a panel 15 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The grommet 14 can be secured within a hole 17 in the panel 15. Thus, the stud and grommet assembly 10 can be used as an assembly aid to attach the component 13 to the panel 15.

[0054] The stud 12 includes a cylindrical body 16, a pair of disc-shaped flanges 18 projecting radially outward from the cylindrical body 16, and a tapered head 20 disposed at one end of the cylindrical body 16. The cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12 includes a first portion 22 Figure 15 having a first diameter D1, a second portion 24 Figure 15 having a second diameter D2 that is less than the first diameter D1, and a third portion 26 having a conical shape that transitions from the first diameter D1 to the second diameter D2. The stud 12 can be made of plastic. In one example, the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12 is made of a first material (e.g., acetal) in a first mold injection, and the remaining portions of the stud 12 are made of a second material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer) in a second mold injection.

[0055] The disc flange 18 of the stud 12 defines a gap 27 therebetween for receiving an annular flange 29 of the hole 31 of the component 13 around which the annular flange 29 is received. The annular flange 29 on the component 13 can be referred to as a doghouse flange. The hole 31 in the component 13 can have a diameter that is greater than the first diameter D1 of the first portion 22 of the stud 12 and less than the diameter of the disc flange 18. To couple the stud 12 to the component 13, the disc flange 18 furthest from the conical head 20 can be inserted through the hole 31 in the component 13. The annular flange 29 on the component 13 can be flexible to enable the disc flange 18 to be inserted through the hole 31 in the component 13.

[0056] The grommet 14 includes a hollow tubular body 28 having an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32, an annular flange 34 disposed at one end of the tubular body 28, panel retention fingers 36 protruding from the outer surface 32 of the tubular body 28, and stud retention fingers 38 protruding from the inner surface 30 of the tubular body 28. The grommet 14 can be made of plastic. The annular flange 34 defines rectangular openings 40 to facilitate molding the panel retention fingers 36 as a single body with the rest of the grommet 14. Each rectangular opening 40 is aligned about the perimeter or circumference of the tubular body 28 with one of the panel retention fingers 36 and is disposed above that panel retention finger 36. Each rectangular opening 40 is sized to allow a mold cavity for one of the panel retention fingers 36 to move therethrough.

[0057] To couple the grommet 14 to the panel 15, the tubular body 28 of the grommet 14 is inserted into the hole 17 in the panel 15 in a first direction 42 Figure 1 ) until the annular flange 34 engages the panel 15. The first direction 42 is perpendicular to the top surface 41 and the bottom surface 45 of the panel 15. The hole 17 in the panel 15 can have a diameter that is greater than the diameter D3 Figure 13 ) of the tubular body 28 and less than the diameter D4 Figure 13 ) of the annular flange 34.

[0058] When the grommet 14 is inserted into the hole 17 in the panel 15, the portion of the panel 15 that defines the hole 17 therein engages the panel retention fingers 36, causing the fingers 36 to bend radially inward about the hinges 43 toward the outer surface 32 of the tubular body 28. Each hinge 43 is disposed at or near the junction between one of the panel retention fingers 36 and the tubular body 28 and is integrally formed therewith. The hinges 43 can be referred to as living hinges or integral hinges.

[0059] When the grommet 14 is inserted into the hole 17 in the faceplate 15, each faceplate retention finger 36 can flex radially inward into a recess 44 in the outer surface 32 of the tubular body 28. When the grommet 14 is fully inserted into the hole 17 in the faceplate 15 such that the annular flange 34 engages the top surface 41 of the faceplate 15, the faceplate retention fingers 36 flex away from the tubular body 28 of the grommet 14 about the hinges 43 and return to their relaxed state (as shown). In turn, the faceplate 15 is captured between the annular flange 34 and the faceplate retention fingers 36. Each faceplate retention finger 36 can define one or more teeth 46 at its distal end that engage the bottom surface 45 of the faceplate 15, thereby retaining the grommet 14 in a fixed position within the hole 17 in the faceplate 15.

[0060] To couple the stud 12 to the grommet 14, the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12 and the head 20 of the stud 12 are inserted into a hole 48 in the grommet 14 in the first direction 42 until the disc-shaped flange 18 closest to the head 20 engages the annular flange 34 on the grommet 14. The hole 48 in the grommet 14 is defined by its inner surface 30 and extends along the central longitudinal axis 53 of the grommet 14. Figure 2 ) extends along the central longitudinal axis 53 of the grommet 14. Figure 3 As best shown in FIG. 2, the hole 48 extends completely through the grommet 14, including through its bottom end, which provides access to the underside of the grommet 14 for forming the stud retention fingers 38 as a single body with the rest of the grommet 14.

[0061] When the head 20 of the stud 12 is inserted into the hole 48 in the grommet 14, the head 20 engages the stud retention fingers 38, thereby causing the fingers 38 to flex about the hinges 47 toward the inner surface 30 of the tubular body 28 of the grommet 14. Each hinge 47 is disposed at or near the junction between one of the stud retention fingers 38 and the tubular body 28 and is formed integrally therewith. The hinges 47 can be referred to as living hinges or integral hinges.

[0062] A portion 49 of the tubular body 28 of the grommet 14 can form a guide wall having a tapered surface 51 that engages the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12, thereby coaxially aligning the stud 12 with the hole 48 of the grommet 14 as the stud 12 is inserted into the hole 48 of the grommet 14. When the head 20 of the stud 12 is inserted into the hole 48 in the grommet 14, each stud retention finger 38 can flex radially outward into a recess 50 in the inner surface 30 of the tubular body 28. The portion 49 of the tubular body 28 of the grommet 14 that forms the guide wall is disposed between the recesses 50 in the inner surface 30 of the tubular body 38.

[0063] When the stud 12 is fully inserted into the hole 48 in the grommet 14 such that the disc-shaped flange 18 closest to the head 20 engages the annular flange 34 of the grommet 14, the stud retention fingers 38 flex away from the inner surface 30 of the tubular body 28 of the grommet 14 about the hinges 47 and return to their relaxed state (as shown). Figure 8As best shown, the stud retention finger 38 is bent away from the inner surface 30 of the tubular body 28 about the hinge 47 and returns to its relaxed state (shown). In turn, the end surface 52 disposed at the distal end of the stud retention finger 38 engages the underside surface 54 of the head 20 of the stud 12 to retain the head 20 within the aperture 48 in the grommet 14, thereby securing the stud 12 to the grommet 14, as shown. The end surface 52 of the stud retention finger 38 can be inclined as shown to enable the stud 12 to be withdrawn from the grommet 14 by pulling the stud 12 in a second direction 56 (shown) opposite the first direction 42. In turn, the component 13 coupled to the panel 15 using the stud and grommet assembly 10 can be detached from the panel 15 and repaired or replaced. Figure 11 Figure 1

[0064] Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 8 In Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the annular flange 29 of the component 13 is captured between the disc-shaped flanges 18 of the stud 12, and thus the stud and grommet assembly 10 couples the component 13 to the panel 15.

[0065] Referring now to Figures 9 to 16 , a stud and grommet assembly 70 is shown that is similar or identical to the stud and grommet assembly 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8 except that the stud 12 is replaced with a stud 72. The stud 72 can be coupled to a component 73, such as a light fixture (not shown), to be attached to the panel 15. In Figure 9 , the stud and grommet assembly 70 is shown with the panel 15 clamped between the panel retention fingers 36 of the grommet 14 and the annular flange 34 of the grommet 14. The stud 72 can be referred to as a gari-ball stud. The stud 72 can be made of metal.

[0066] The grommet 14 has a height H, the panel 15 has a thickness T Figure 12 , and each stud retention finger 36 has a width W Figure 11 . The first portion 22 of the stud 12 has a first length LI Figure 15 . The first portion 22, the second portion 24, and the third portion 26 of the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12 collectively have a second length L2 Figure 15 . The first portion 22, the second portion 24, and the third portion 26 of the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12 and the underside surface 54 of the head 20 of the stud 12 collectively have a third length L3 Figure 15 ​​​​​).

[0067] As best shown in Figure 12 , Figure 15 and Figure 16 , the stud 72 includes a cylindrical body 16, a threaded shank 74 disposed at one end of the cylindrical body 16, a conical head 20 disposed at the other end of the cylindrical body 16, and a hexagonal flange 76 protruding radially outward from the cylindrical body 16. To couple the stud 72 to the component 73, the threaded shank 74 of the stud 72 can be screwed into a threaded hole 75 in the component 73 by, for example, placing a wrench on the hexagonal flange 76 of the stud 72. The perimeter of the flange 76 can have a non-circular shape other than hexagonal, such as square or pentagonal. The stud 72 can be coupled to the grommet 14 in the same manner as the stud 12 is coupled to the grommet 14.

[0068] Referring now to Figures 17 to 19 , a stud and grommet assembly 80 is shown that is similar or identical to the stud and grommet assembly 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8 except that the stud 12 includes an umbrella flange 82 protruding radially outward from the disc flange 18 closest to the head 20. As discussed above, the annular flange 34 of the grommet 14 defines the rectangular opening 40, and the inner surface 30 of the grommet 14 defines the hole 48 to facilitate molding the grommet 14 into a single body. The rectangular opening 40 and the hole 48 in the grommet 14 allow moisture to pass through the stud and grommet assembly 10.

[0069] When the stud 12 is fully inserted into the hole 48 in the grommet 14 as shown in Figure 18 and Figure 19 and the grommet 14 is fully inserted into the hole 17 in the panel 15 as shown in Figure 19 , the umbrella flange 82 presses against the top surface 41 of the panel 15. In turn, the umbrella flange 82 forms a seal with the top surface 41 of the panel 15, thereby preventing moisture from flowing from the rectangular opening 40 and the hole 48 in the grommet 14 to the hole 31 in the component 13.

[0070] The umbrella flange 82 can be formed as a single body with the rest of the stud 12. The umbrella flange 82 can be made of a material flexible enough to form a seal with the top surface 41 of the panel 15 despite manufacturing variations in the geometry of the top surface 41 and / or the umbrella flange 82. In one example, the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 12 is made of a first material (e.g., acetal) in a first mold injection, and the rest of the stud 12 (including the umbrella flange 82) is made of a second material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer) in a second mold injection.

[0071] Referring now to Figures 20 to 22, shows a stud and grommet assembly 90 similar or identical to the stud and grommet assembly 10 shown in Figures 9 to 16 . When the stud 72 is fully inserted into the hole 48 in the grommet 14 (as shown in Figure 21 and Figure 22 ) and the grommet 14 is fully inserted into the hole 17 in the faceplate 15 (as shown in Figure 22 ), the umbrella flange 92 presses against the top surface 41 of the faceplate 15. In turn, the umbrella flange 92 forms a seal with the top surface 41 of the faceplate 15, thereby preventing moisture from flowing from the rectangular opening 40 and the hole 48 in the grommet 14 to the threaded hole 75 in the component 73.

[0072] The umbrella flange 92 can be formed as a single body with the rest of the stud 72. The umbrella flange 92 can be made of a material flexible enough to form a seal with the top surface 41 of the faceplate 15 despite manufacturing variations in the geometry of the top surface 41 and / or the umbrella flange 92. In one example, the cylindrical body 16 of the stud 72 is made of a first material (e.g., acetal) in a first mold injection, and the rest of the stud 72 (including the umbrella flange 92) is made of a second material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer) in a second mold injection.

[0073] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be limited to such examples. The methods of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including, among other things, the steps in which one or more steps of the method can be performed in different sequences (or concurrently) and / or with other steps not expressly described in the present disclosure. Additionally, although each embodiment described herein can have a particular feature, one or more of any such features can be used in combination with one or more other embodiments, even if that feature is not expressly stated in the combination. In other words, each feature individually disclosed can be included in the claim of any other aspect, and the combination of any of the features can be included in the claim of any other aspect, even if that combination is not expressly stated in the claim. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and substitutions of one or more embodiments for one another are still within the scope of the disclosure.

[0074] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described as "direct," a relationship between a first and a second element can be a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are between the first and second elements (either spatially or functionally).

[0075] For the purposes of this document, the terms "first," "second," and other such

[0076] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using the non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, and at least one of B, and at least one of C." As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0077] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Claims

1. A grommet configured to be secured within a hole in a panel and to receive a stud to couple the stud to the panel, characterized in that, The grommet comprises: a hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface; a flange disposed at one end of the hollow body; a panel retention finger protruding from the outer surface of the hollow body; and a stud retention finger protruding from the inner surface of the hollow body, wherein: the panel retention finger is configured to bend toward the outer surface of the hollow body when the hollow body is inserted into a hole in the panel; the panel retention finger is configured to bend away from the hollow body and engage a bottom surface of the panel when the grommet is fully inserted into the hole in the panel; the stud retention finger is configured to bend toward the inner surface of the hollow body when a head of the stud is inserted into a hole in the grommet; and the stud retention finger is configured to bend away from the hollow body and engage an underside surface of the head of the stud when the stud is fully inserted into the hole in the grommet.

2. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the grommet is formed as a single body.

3. The grommet of claim 1, wherein, the hole in the grommet extends completely through the grommet.

4. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the flange of the grommet defines an opening that is aligned with the panel retention finger around a perimeter of the hollow body.

5. The grommet of claim 1, wherein: the outer surface of the hollow body defines a recess configured to receive the panel retention finger when the panel retention finger is bent toward the outer surface; and the inner surface of the hollow body defines a recess configured to receive the stud retention finger when the stud retention finger is bent toward the inner surface.

6. The grommet of claim 1, wherein: the panel retention finger is bent around a hinge disposed at or near a junction between the panel retention finger and the hollow body and formed integrally therewith; and the stud retention finger is bent around a hinge disposed at or near a junction between the stud retention finger and the hollow body and formed integrally therewith.

7. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the panel retention finger defines a tooth configured to engage a bottom surface of the panel, thereby retaining the grommet in a fixed position within the hole in the panel.

8. The grommet of claim 1, wherein the stud retention finger has a ramped surface at a distal end thereof.

9. The grommet of claim 1, wherein, a portion of the hollow body forms a guide wall having a tapered surface that engages the stud, thereby coaxially aligning the stud with the hole in the grommet as the stud is inserted into the hole in the grommet.

10. A stud and grommet assembly characterized by, comprises: the grommet of claim 1; and the stud, wherein the stud is configured to be coupled to a component such that, when the stud is received in the hole in the grommet and the grommet is secured within the hole in the panel, the stud and grommet assembly couples the component to the panel.

11. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 10, wherein: the stud comprises a cylindrical body, at least one flange protruding radially outward from the cylindrical body, and the head; and the head is disposed at one end of the cylindrical body.

12. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 11, wherein, The at least one flange of the stud includes a pair of flanges that define a gap therebetween for receiving a flange of a hole in the component.

13. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 12, wherein, The stud includes a petal flange that protrudes from a non-circular perimeter of a flange of the stud and is configured to seal against the panel when the stud is fully inserted into the hole in the grommet and the grommet is secured within the hole in the panel.

14. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 11, wherein: The stud includes a threaded shank disposed at the other end of the cylindrical body and configured to be threaded into a threaded hole in the component to couple the stud to the component; and The flange of the stud has a non-circular perimeter.

15. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 14, wherein, The stud includes a petal flange that protrudes from a non-circular perimeter of a flange of the stud and is configured to seal against the panel when the stud is fully inserted into the hole in the grommet and the grommet is secured within the hole in the panel.

16. A stud and grommet assembly characterized by, Comprising: a stud configured to be coupled to a component, the stud including a cylindrical body, at least one flange protruding radially outward from the cylindrical body, and a tapered head disposed at one end of the cylindrical body; and a grommet configured to be secured within a hole in a panel, the grommet including a tubular body having an inner surface and an outer surface, an annular flange disposed at one end of the tubular body, panel retention fingers protruding from the outer surface of the tubular body, and stud retention fingers protruding from the inner surface of the tubular body, wherein: the panel retention fingers are configured to bend radially inward toward the outer surface of the tubular body when the tubular body is inserted into the hole in the panel; the panel retention fingers are configured to bend radially outward away from the tubular body and engage a bottom surface of the panel when the grommet is fully inserted into the hole in the panel such that the annular flange of the grommet engages a top surface of the panel; the stud retention fingers are configured to bend radially outward toward the inner surface of the tubular body when the tapered head of the stud is inserted into the hole in the grommet; and the stud retention fingers are configured to bend radially inward away from the tubular body and engage an underside surface of the tapered head of the stud when the stud is fully inserted into the hole in the grommet such that the at least one flange of the stud engages the annular flange of the grommet.

17. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 16, wherein, The hole in the grommet extends completely through the grommet along a central longitudinal axis of the grommet.

18. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 16, wherein, The annular flange of the grommet defines rectangular openings that are each aligned with and disposed above one of the panel retention fingers around a circumference of the tubular body.

19. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 16, wherein, The at least one flange of the stud includes a pair of disc-shaped flanges that define a gap therebetween for receiving a flange of a hole in the component.

20. The stud and grommet assembly of claim 16, wherein: The stud includes a threaded shank disposed at the other end of the cylindrical body and configured to be threaded into a hole in the component to couple the stud to the component; and The perimeter of the at least one flange has a non-circular shape.

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