Patent ID: 7785030

Claim:
A connecting element for connecting a lining piece with a support, the connecting element including a head part for fastening to the lining piece, the head part including a cylindrical wall having an outer surface for fastening to the lining piece and an inner surface defining a cavity, the cylindrical wall including an inner flange radially extending from the inner surface and defining a radially extending bearing surface of the head part, a foot part for fastening to the support, a pin extending from the foot part to the head part and being axially disposed within the cavity, and a spring element irremovably connected to the pin and extending from the pin to the head part and between the pin and the inner surface of the cylindrical wall, said pin and said spring element connecting the head part to the foot part, the head part and the foot part being connected with each other elastically by the pin and the spring element so that the foot part is movable relative to the head part in directions perpendicular to a central axis of the connecting element, the foot part moving in an axial direction relative to the head part from an initial position spaced a first distance from the head part into a mounting position spaced a second, greater distance from the head part when a predetermined force is applied to the foot part during fastening of the head part to the lining piece, wherein a radially extending support leg extends from the pin and axially rests on an axial outer side of the flange defining the radially extending bearing surface of the head part in the mounting position.