System and method for fixing a first component with a second component

A system for substantially fixing a plurality of component;

• the system comprising:
• (a) a first component of said plurality of components;
• said first component including a first wall;
• said first wall being generally planar;
• (b) a second component of said plurality of components;
• said second component including a second wall;
• said second wall being generally planar;
• (c) a boss member;
• said boss member being integrally formed from said first wall;
• said boss member extending from said first wall and being generally oriented about a boss member axis;
• said boss member axis being generally perpendicular with said first wall;
• (d) a latch member;
• said latch member being integrally formed from said second component;
• said latch member depending from said second component in a spring arm;
• said spring arm facilitating movement of said latch member generally in an engaging plane;
• said engaging plane being generally parallel with said second wall and displaced from said second wall;
• said spring arm exerting a spring force urging said latch member toward a first position when said latch member is displaced to a second position different from said first position;
• said latch member being generally oriented in said engaging plane about a latch member axis generally perpendicular with said engaging plane;
• said latch member including an engagement structure having a receiving rail and a receiving bight;
• said latch member being in said first position when said first wall and said second wall are substantially adjacently situated in an initial position poised for assembly with said first wall between said second wall and said latch member and with said engaging plane generally perpendicular with said boss member axis;
• said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a first distance when said first component and said second component are in said initial position;
• said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a second distance less than said first distance when at least one of said boss member and said latch member is urged toward the other member of said boss member and said latch member to engage said boss member and said latch member in an installed orientation to establish said fixing with said latch member held in an installed position displaced from said first position by said boss member bearing against said latch member with said engaging plane crossing said boss member;
• said receiving rail slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight during said urging from said initial position to said installed orientation.

A method for substantially fixing a plurality of components;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) providing, in no particular order:
• (1) a first component of said plurality of components;
• said first component including a first wall;
• said first wall being generally planar;
• (2) a second component of said plurality of components;
• said second component including a second wall;
• said second wall being generally planar;
• (3) a boss member;
• said boss member being integrally formed from said first wall;
• said boss member extending from said first wall and being generally oriented about a boss member axis;
• said boss member axis being generally perpendicular with said first wall;
• and
• (4) a latch member;
• said latch member being integrally formed from said second component;
• said latch member depending from said second component in a spring arm;
• said spring arm facilitating movement of said latch member generally in an engaging plane;
• said engaging plane being generally parallel with said second wall and displaced from said second wall;
• said spring arm exerting a spring force urging said latch member toward a first position when said latch member is displaced to a second position different from said first position;
• said latch member being generally oriented in said engaging plane about a latch member axis generally perpendicular with said engaging plane;
• said latch member including an engagement structure having a receiving rail and a receiving bight;
• (b) situating said first wall and said second wall substantially adjacent in an initial position poised for assembly with said first wall between said second wall and said latch member and with said engaging plane generally perpendicular with said boss member axis;
• said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a first distance when said first component and said second component are in said initial position;
• and
• (c) urging at least one of said boss member and said latch member toward the other member of said boss member and said latch member to engage said boss member and said latch member in an installed orientation;
• said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a second distance less than said first distance when said boss member and said latch member are engaged in said installed orientation to establish said fixing with said latch member held in an installed position displaced from said first position by said boss member bearing against said latch member with said engaging plane crossing said boss member;
• said receiving rail slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight during said urging from said initial position to said installed orientation.