# US 12,180,988 B2 · Integral retention clip with nut > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,180,988 B2 - Document ID: US12180988B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/809,975 - Filed: 2022-06-30 - Published: 2024-01-04 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-30 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Joshua Leonard Renzo; Ronald C Daul - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180988B2 ## CPC - F16B 2/065: {using screw-thread elements (F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence)} - F16B 37/043: {with snap action} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A retention clip includes a first clip arm that defines a fastener bore and includes at least one retention finger that extends into the fastener bore. The retention clip also includes a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm. The second clip arm includes a nut having a bore coaxially aligned with the fastener bore and configured to receive a fastener. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener assembly comprising: a retention clip having: a first clip arm having a fastener bore formed therethrough and first and second retention fingers spaced apart about a circumferential edge of the fastener bore, each of the first and second retention fingers extending at an oblique angle into the fastener bore and terminating at an end beyond an inner surface of the first clip arm, wherein a combined arc length of the first and second retention fingers about the fastener bore is less than the circumferential edge and the oblique angle is about 45°; a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, the second clip arm having a nut with a threaded bore coaxially aligned with the fastener bore; and a bridge interconnecting the first clip arm and the second clip arm in a spaced relationship such that the inner surface of the first clip arm faces the second clip arm; and a threaded fastener extending through the fastener bore in the first clip arm and configured to threadably engage the threaded bore in the second clip arm, wherein the ends of the first and second retention fingers form an opening for receiving the threaded fastener therebetween in an axially sliding mode; wherein the threaded fastener is retained by the first and second retention fingers in the fastener bore of the first clip arm and couples the threaded fastener to the retention clip without requiring hand-threading. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clip arm includes a first arm end opposite a second arm end, the second clip arm includes a third arm end opposite a fourth arm end, and the first arm end and the third arm end are coupled together via the bridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the fourth arm end includes a lip that extends along a lip axis that is transverse to an axis along which the second clip arm extends. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The fastener assembly of claim 2, wherein the second arm end defines a notch configured to receive a fastening tool. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the second clip arm includes a third clip surface opposite a fourth clip surface, each of the first and second retention fingers faces the third clip surface and the nut is defined on the fourth clip surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded bore of the nut has a center axis, and the center axis is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second clip arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the retention clip is integrally formed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fastener assembly of claim 7, wherein the retention clip is integrally formed from a polymer-based material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clip arm is spaced apart from the second clip arm to define a gap configured to receive a frame associated with a vehicle, a first clip surface of the first clip arm is configured to contact a component, wherein the retention clip is configured to couple the component to the frame with the threaded fastener. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second retention fingers tapers from the fastener bore to the end. ### Claim 11 A fastener assembly comprising: a retention clip having: a first clip arm having a fastener bore formed therethrough and a plurality of retention fingers spaced apart about a circumferential edge of the fastener bore, each of the plurality of retention fingers extending at an oblique angle into the fastener bore and terminating at an end beyond an inner surface of the first clip arm, wherein a combined arc length of the plurality of retention fingers about the fastener bore is less than the circumferential edge and the oblique angle is about 45°; a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm, the second clip arm having a nut with a threaded bore coaxially aligned with the fastener bore; and a bridge interconnecting the first clip arm and the second clip arm in a spaced relationship such that the inner surface of the first clip arm faces the second clip arm; and a threaded fastener extending through the fastener bore in the first clip arm and configured to threadably engage the threaded bore in the second clip arm, wherein the ends of the plurality of retention fingers form an opening for receiving the threaded fastener therebetween in an axially sliding mode; wherein the threaded fastener is retained by the plurality of retention fingers in fastener bore of the first clip arm and couples the threaded fastener to the retention clip without requiring hand-threading. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein the first clip arm includes a first arm end opposite a second arm end, the second clip arm includes a third arm end opposite a fourth arm end, and the first arm end and the third arm end are coupled together via the bridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fastener assembly of claim 12, wherein the fourth arm end includes a lip that extends along a lip axis that is transverse to an axis along which the second clip arm extends, and the second arm end defines a notch configured to receive a fastening tool. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein the second clip arm includes a third clip surface opposite a fourth clip surface, each of the plurality of retention fingers faces the third clip surface and the nut is defined on the fourth clip surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein the threaded bore of the nut has a center axis, and the center axis is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second clip arm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of retention fingers tapers from the fastener bore to the end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The fastener assembly of claim 11, wherein the retention clip is integrally formed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fastener assembly of claim 17, wherein the retention clip is integrally formed from a polymer-based material.