Chrysler Motors Corporation

Richard A Hawkins

Alfred A Bien

Howard G Newman

Michael D Koczara

Duane J Ribant

David G Monette

Ronald D Papke

A vehicle door outside handle housing is mounted in a door panel rectangular opening such that the housing peripheral lip flange portion is in flush contact with the panel outboard surface with the housing main portion inserted in the panel opening. A central hub extends inboard from the housing main portion with its principal axis aligned on the geometric center of the opening. The hub is formed with an external thread for engagement by the internally threaded lead-in collar portion of a piloted nut. A bent spring rod retainer in its unrestrained state is assembled between the inboard surface of the panel and the undersurface of the nut driving head. The spring rod retainer includes a looped central eye formation defining a semi-circular eyelet that is self-aligned on the hub axis and telescopically receives the nut collar. Upon threaded engagement the piloted nut captures the retainer and the housing in the panel opening. As the nut is tightened the spring rod retainer is axially compressed between the panel inner surface and the nut undersurface to induce a preload locking the nut against loosening such as by vehicle induced vibrations and the like.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Richard A Hawkins