Lightweight composite tailgate

Abstract

A tailgate assembly for a motor vehicle includes an outer panel, an integrally formed inner structural panel, and at least one reinforcing panel. The inner structural panel is coupled to the outer panel and includes a support surface facing the outer panel. The inner structural panel also includes spaced apart upper and lower walls extending laterally along the support surface, a pair of end walls extending between the upper and lower walls, and a plurality of ribs spaced apart and disposed between the upper and lower walls. The plurality of ribs also extends laterally between the end walls. The reinforcing panel is disposed between the outer and inner structural panels. The reinforcing panel is secured to the integrally formed inner structural panel between a portion of the plurality of ribs to add rigidity to the tailgate assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.