Patent ID: 7946781

Claim:
An assembly comprising: a component having a base, wherein the base is connectable to a surface; a gasket adapted for sealing an interface between the base and the surface, wherein the gasket and the base includes a tab portion; a fastener having a shank; and a retainer that temporarily retains the fastener to the component, the retainer having a clamp defined by a generally C-shaped cross section which captures the shank of the fastener, and a slot which receives the tab portion and thereby temporarily secures the fastener and the retainer to the base; wherein a tightening of the fastener forces the fastener into direct contact with a top surface of the retainer, causing the retainer to separate laterally from the fastener and the component base to automatically detach the retainer from the component such that the fastener is capable of being fully tightened to connect the component to the surface.