Patent ID: 7628443

Claim:
A self-engaging rod retaining clip assembly for retaining a rod comprising: a vehicle closure support component including a main body defining an arcuate-shaped rod channel having a rod channel opening, and a clip support arm extending from the main body adjacent to the rod channel and the rod channel opening, the clip support arm having a first side and an opposed second side and including an arm pivot hole recessed in the first and second sides; and a rod retaining clip including a clip main body having a rod retention flange extending from the clip main body outside of the rod channel when the rod retaining clip is in a pre-rod installation position; a rod pivoting flange extending from the clip main body across a portion of the rod channel opening when the rod retaining clip is in the pre-rod installation position, with the clip main body, the rod retention flange and the rod pivoting flange defining a rod recess that is shaped to receive the rod therein; a pair of clip retention flanges extending from the main body and defining an arm slot therebetween, the clip retention flanges each having a hold-open portion where a width of the arm slot between the hold-open portions is about equal to a width of the support arm, a clip securing portion where the width of the arm slot between the clip securing portions is less than the width of the arm slot between the hold-open portions, and a tapered clip spreading portion extending between the respective hold-open portions and clip securing portions; and a pivot pin pivotally securing the rod retaining clip to the clip support arm.