Patent ID: 8328488

Claim:
A connector assembly configured to secure at least one component to a structure, the connector assembly comprising: a base; at least one member configured to receive and retain a portion of the at least one component, said at least one member being formed on and/or within said base; and a stud retainer extending from said base, wherein an opening is formed through said base underneath said stud retainer and is configured to receive a stud, said stud retainer comprising: first and second lateral walls connected to said base and a top wall, wherein a retaining chamber is defined between the first and second lateral walls, the base, and the top wall, wherein the stud retainer is configured to receive the stud into the retaining chamber through the opening in the base, which is distally located from said top wall; first and second flexible tethering beams extending into the retaining chamber from said first and second lateral walls, respectively, wherein said first flexible tethering beam extends from said first lateral wall from a first level that differs from a second level from which said second flexible tethering beam extends from said second wall; first and second engaging legs extending into said retaining chamber from said first and second flexible tethering beams, respectively, wherein said first and second tethering beams extend from said first and second lateral walls, respectively, above said first and second engaging legs, respectively, wherein said first and second engaging legs are sized differently, wherein each of said first and second engaging legs comprises a plurality of fingers configured to dig into an outer circumferential surface of the stud, wherein said first and second engaging legs are opposed to one another, wherein said first and second engaging legs are configured to automatically align said stud retainer with respect to the stud; and wherein said first and second flexible tethering beams allow said first and second engaging legs to flex with respect to a central axis of said stud retainer.