Reinforced thermoplastic structural joint assembly for a vehicle

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.

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.