Vehicle panels and their method of construction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A molded composite panel for a vehicle having laminated layers of abutting dissimilar materials, comprising:
- a core;
outer layers of fibrous material dissimilar to said core and molded on opposite sides of said core; and
a plurality of connection features carried by at least one of said outer layers or said core and accessible from an exterior of the panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A molded composite panel for a vehicle and a method of constructing a panel assembly. The individual panels have laminated layers of abutting dissimilar materials including a core of material and outer layers of fibrous material molded on opposite sides of the core. The outer layers are molded at least in part about a plurality of connection features such that the connection features are carried by at least one of the outer layers or the core. The connection features of one panel are accessible for operable attachment to connection features of an adjacent panel to form a panel assembly.
47 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A molded composite panel for a vehicle having laminated layers of abutting dissimilar materials, comprising:
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a core;
outer layers of fibrous material dissimilar to said core and molded on opposite sides of said core; and
a plurality of connection features carried by at least one of said outer layers or said core and accessible from an exterior of the panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A panel assembly for a vehicle including a plurality of separate panels attached to one another, said panels comprising:
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a core having opposite sides bounded by a peripheral free edge;
outer layers of fibrous material dissimilar to said core material molded on opposite sides of said core; and
a plurality of connection features carried by at least one of said outer layers or said core, at least one of said connection features on one panel being accessible for operable attachment to another connection feature of an adjacent panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of constructing a panel assembly for a vehicle including two or more panels attached to one another, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a core of material having opposite sides;
placing a plurality of connection features adjacent to the core in a mold cavity;
molding layers of fibrous material within a mold tool over the sides of the core and at least in part over the connection features to form one of the panels, the connection features having accessible ends; and
attaching the connection features of one panel to the connection features of an adjacent panel. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification