Fastener assembly

A clip for a fastening assembly, the clip configured to insert into an opening in a first structure in an axial direction, the clip comprising:

• a base portion;
• a snap-fit shaft extending from the base portion in the axial direction to a distal end, the snap-fit shaft including a first leaf-spring member and a second leaf-spring member separated by one or more slots to allow the first leaf-spring member and second leaf-spring member to flex relative to each other;
• and
• a first outer ramp extending from an exterior side of the first leaf-spring member and a second outer ramp extending from an exterior side of the second leaf-spring member, the first outer ramp and the second outer ramp configured to contact the first structure upon being inserted through the opening to cause the first leaf-spring member and the second leaf-spring member to flex inwardly upon being inserted through the opening;
• wherein the first outer ramp and the second outer ramp are spaced towards the base portion from the distal end;
• and
• wherein the clip is configured to engage the first structure upon being inserted into the opening of the first structure in the axial direction such that the clip is axially retained to the first structure, the clip defining a passthrough channel, wherein the clip is configured such that the distal end of the snap-fit shaft axially limits a motion of a fastener when a fastener is advanced through the passthrough channel beyond a threshold insertion position to captively retain the fastener and prevent backing out of the fastener.

A fastening assembly for attaching a first structure to a second structure located at least partially behind the first structure, the assembly comprising:

• a clip configured to insert into an opening in the first structure in an axial direction, wherein the clip is configured to engage the first structure upon being inserted into the opening of the first structure in the axial direction such that the clip is axially retained to the first structure, the clip defining a passthrough channel and the clip comprising:
• a base portion;
• and
• a snap-fit shaft extending from the base portion to a distal end, the snap-fit shaft extending in the axial direction;
• wherein an exterior diameter at the distal end is a smallest exterior diameter of the snap-fit shaft;
• and
• wherein the snap-fit shaft includes a reducing inner dimension between a proximal portion of the snap-fit shaft and a distal portion of the snap-fit shaft such that an inner dimension of the distal portion is less than an inner dimension of the proximal portion, and wherein the proximal portion is between the distal portion and the base portion;
• and
• a fastener configured to insert through the passthrough channel to extend beyond the clip in the axial direction to mate with a mating portion of the second structure;
• wherein the clip and fastener are configured such that the clip axially limits a motion of the fastener when the fastener is advanced through the passthrough channel beyond a threshold insertion position to captively retain the fastener and prevent backing out of the fastener.