Patent ID: 7338317

Claim:
A panel connector for mounting to a panel having an aperture formed therethrough, the connector comprising: a housing having a front end dimensioned and configured for mounting through the aperture of the panel, the housing further having a forwardly facing pushing surface rearward of the front end of the housing; a resiliently deflectable clip mounted to the housing, a panel lock formed at a front end of the clip, the panel lock of the clip being configured to deflect as the front end of the housing is being inserted through the aperture and being configured to resiliently return towards an undeflected condition when the housing is mounted to the panel for impeding separation of the housing from the panel, at least one stop flange engaging the forwardly facing pushing surface on the housing so that the housing can push the clip forward for mounting to the panel; and a CPA piece engaged with the clip and the housing at a pre-staged position where the CPA piece permits deflection of the clip sufficiently for the panel lock of the clip to pass through the aperture in the panel, the CPA piece further being movable to a locked position relative to the housing and the clip where the CPA piece substantially prevents deflection of the clip, at least one forwardly facing panel stop disposed and dimensioned for engaging the panel and limiting movement of the CPA piece through the aperture in the panel, whereby forward pushing forces on the housing initially push the clip sufficiently forward for the panel lock of the clip to the deflect and pass through the aperture in the panel, and whereby further forward pushing forces on the housing move the housing and the clip forward relative to the CPA piece and into a position where the CPA piece prevents deflection of the clip.