Patent ID: 7219404

Claim:
A retaining clip for securing an electrical connector to be inserted through an opening formed in a panel, the retaining clip comprising: a base which includes: a surface which contacts at least a portion of a surface of the panel over which the base is positioned, an aperture extending through the base to receive a free end of the electrical connector, and at least one locking tab which projects into the aperture and which is engageable with detents on the electrical connector by means of sideways movement of the retaining clip with respect to the electrical connector while the free end of the electrical connector is inserted in the aperture, so as to hold the electrical connector; and a plurality of fingers which extend away from the base and which are displaceable to allow insertion of a mating connector and to contact a surface of the mating connector, whereby the retaining clip shields the surface of the mating connector with respect to the panel; wherein each of the fingers comprises a first portion which extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the base.