Patent ID: 7226233

Claim:
A snap-in coupling for releasably connecting a first structural member and a second structural member, said snap-in coupling comprising: a female coupling member comprising a plastic support member for being retained in said first structural member, and a metallic spring clamp including a base plate connecting said spring clamp to said support member, said base plate having a central bore completely embedded in plastic material of said support member, said plastic material also being present within said central bore, said support member comprising a tubular outer wall insertable into a socket provided at said first structural member such that the female coupling member is retained therein, and a male coupling member comprising a mounting portion for being fixed to said second structural member; and a head portion, said spring clamp including a plurality of circumferentially spaced spring arms which engage said head portion to cause said spring clamp and said head portion to snappingly engage each other when said female coupling member and said male coupling member are inserted into each other, said spring clamp having a portion embedded into said plastic material of said support member.