Patent ID: 7581301

Claim:
A method of attaching a non-metal component and a metal component comprising the steps of: providing a fastener having a base portion and a protruding portion; forming at least one attachment feature within the non-metal component wherein the at least one attachment feature is adapted to accept and retain the base portion of the fastener; joining the fastener with the non-metal component by inserting the base portion of the fastener into the attachment feature of the non-metal component; providing a metal component having a first side and a second side; placing the metal component over the protruding portion of the fastener such that an opening formed within the metal component fits over the protruding portion of the fastener; securing a tightening component over the protruding portion of the fastener to maintain the metal component joined with the non-metal component; and mating at least one additional feature formed within the non-metal component with a complementary feature formed on the second side of the metal to provide a locking mechanism to prevent rotation and translation between the metal and non-metal components.