REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC STRUCTURAL JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A structural joint assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a first thermoplastic member having a protrusion containing fibrous material;
a reinforcement member having a receptacle formed therein for mating engagement with the protrusion; and
a second thermoplastic member mounted to the first thermoplastic member at the protrusion such that the reinforcement member is provided between the first thermoplastic member and the second thermoplastic member but not adhesively bonded or overmolded therebetween.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A structural joint assembly for a vehicle is provided with a first thermoplastic composite member having a protrusion containing fibrous material. A reinforcement member is provided with a receptacle for mating engagement with the protrusion. A second thermoplastic member is mounted to the first thermoplastic member over the protrusion such that the reinforcement member is provided between the first thermoplastic member and the second thermoplastic member but not adhesively bonded or overmolded therebetween. A method of manufacturing a structural joint assembly and a structural joint assembly manufactured by a method are disclosed. The methods include molding a first thermoplastic member with a protrusion with fibrous material and a second thermoplastic member. A reinforcement member has a receptacle and is mounted to the first thermoplastic member. The receptacle is retained by the protrusion without adhesive bonding or overmolding. The second thermoplastic member is joined to the first thermoplastic member.
32 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A structural joint assembly for a vehicle comprising:
-
a first thermoplastic member having a protrusion containing fibrous material; a reinforcement member having a receptacle formed therein for mating engagement with the protrusion; and a second thermoplastic member mounted to the first thermoplastic member at the protrusion such that the reinforcement member is provided between the first thermoplastic member and the second thermoplastic member but not adhesively bonded or overmolded therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
7. (canceled)
-
13. A method of manufacturing a structural joint assembly comprising:
-
molding a first thermoplastic member having at least one protrusion with fibrous material provided therein; molding a second thermoplastic member; providing a reinforcement member sized to be received by the first thermoplastic member and having a receptacle for a mating engagement with the at least one protrusion; mounting the reinforcement member to the first thermoplastic member such that the receptacle of the reinforcement member is retained by the protrusion without adhesive bonding or overmolding; and joining the second thermoplastic member to the first thermoplastic member at the at least one protrusion such that the reinforcement member is provided between the first thermoplastic member and the second thermoplastic member thereby increasing load capacity. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A structural joint assembly manufactured by a method comprising:
-
molding a first thermoplastic member having at least one protrusion with fibrous material provided therein; molding a second thermoplastic member; providing a reinforcement member sized to be received by the first thermoplastic member and having a receptacle for a mating engagement with the at least one protrusion; mounting the reinforcement member to the first thermoplastic member such that the receptacle of the reinforcement member is retained by the protrusion without adhesive bonding or overmolding; and joining the second thermoplastic member to the first thermoplastic member at the at least one protrusion such that the reinforcement member is provided between the first thermoplastic member and the second thermoplastic member thereby increasing load capacity.
-
Specification