Mushroom head clip fastener

A clip fastener for use in connecting objects, comprising:

• a first object comprising a resilient male member having a barb,
• a second object comprising means for receiving the resilient male member to establish clipped interengagement between the first object and the second object,
• the resilient male member having means for flexing of the resilient male member to induce corresponding movement of the barb, and
• means for abutting the receiving means during insertion of the male member into the receiving means with resultant transfer of forces to flex the flexing means until such time as clipped interengagement is established due to resilience of the resilient male member upon loss of contact between the abutting means and the receiving means.

A method of fastening components to one another through use of a clip fastener having a base, a flexible clip neck, and a clip head with a barbed tip, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first component having the clip fastener adjacent a hole for receipt of the clip fastener in a second component;
• establishing compressive forces on the barbed tip by the action of the hole on the barb tip, the compressive forces being sufficient to induce a bending movement in the clip neck that permits passage off the barbed tip through the hole;
• and
• passing the barbed tip through the hole to establish a clip connection between the barbed tip and the second component.