Assist strap for a modular headliner

A modular headliner including an assist strap which may be mounted to a vehicle body structure defining vehicle body openings and a vehicle interior, said headliner comprising:

• a substrate including a decorative covering for mounting within the interior adjacent a roof on the vehicle, said substrate defining substrate openings;
• an assist strap base positioned adjacent to the decorative covering and including a handle mounting area;
• a handle mounted to the handle mounting area of the assist strap base;
• fastening means extending from the assist strap base through a substrate opening and positioned upon assembly of the modular headliner to the vehicle and operable to engage the vehicle body structure adjacent the vehicle body openings;
• and
• retainer means for securing the base to the substrate prior to assembly of the substrate to the body structure;
• and
• mandrel means for operating the fastening means;
• wherein the fastening means further comprises a pair of spaced apart extending legs each having a flared end portion, said legs being sized to fit through a vehicle body opening when compressed, and when released to snap back engaging the body structure adjacent the opening with the flared end portion;
• said mandrel means is sized to slidably fit between said legs, said mandrel means having a first position wherein the legs are free to be compressed and a second position between the legs preventing the legs from being compressed, and said handle is pivotally mounted to the assist strap base and is positioned to contact the mandrel to drive the mandrel from the first position to the second position upon displacement of the handle.