Patent ID: 8240966

Claim:
A fastening apparatus for fastening a second component to a first component to automatically equalize tolerances in the separation distance between the second component and the first component, the apparatus comprising: a receiving element having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction and including a circumferentially extending flange disposed in a first radial plane at a right angle to the longitudinal axis, and a radially-projecting holding projection disposed below the flange so that the receiving element can be substantially immobilized through frictional interaction of the first component between the flange and the holding projection; an adjustment element adapted to be coupled to the receiving element via a first thread pairing in a first thread direction, and a fastening screw adapted to be coupled to the receiving element via a second thread pairing in a second thread direction opposite the first thread direction, wherein the fastening screw is adapted to be coupled to the adjustment element via a detachable drag connection, allowing the adjustment element to turn when the fastening screw is turned to thereby substantially equalize the tolerances in the separation distance between the first and second components; and a spring element extending in a radial direction from the flange and being resiliently tilted towards the holding projection in the longitudinal direction, and further adapted to be resiliently deformed in a direction away from the holding projection during installation of the receiving element in the first component, and further adapted to be removed from the receiving element in a snapped-in state allowing the receiving element to be turned with a torque applied along the longitudinal axis.