Elastic retaining assembly for matable components and method of assembling

An elastic retaining assembly for matable components comprising:

• a first component comprising a first surface;
• a second component configured to be mated with the first component, the second component comprising a second surface;
• a receiving feature formed proximate an engagement side of the second component, the receiving feature comprising main portion and a retention portion proximate an end of the receiving feature;
• and
• an elastically deformable protrusion operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first component, wherein the elastically deformable protrusion is formed of an elastically deformable material and is configured to elastically deform upon engagement with the receiving feature.

A method of assembling matable components comprising:

• inserting an elastically deformable protrusion of a first component into a receiving feature of a second component;
• contacting an outer surface of the elastically deformable protrusion with the receiving feature to impose a contact interference condition between the first component and the second component;
• bending the elastically deformable protrusion away from a protrusion natural degree of curvature during insertion into the receiving feature;
• and
• elastically deforming the elastically deformable protrusion upon contacting the receiving feature.