# US 2013/0278018 A1 · Assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel with a hinged mounting flange > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0278018 A1 - Document ID: US20130278018A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/603,552 - Filed: 2012-09-05 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-23 - Assignees: Global IP Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Darius J. Preisler; Christopher A. Heikkila - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130278018A1 ## CPC - B62D 25/20: Floors or bottom sub-units {(sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions B62D21/11; drip trays F16N31/006)} - B60R 13/00: Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes - B60R 13/013: {comprising removable or hinged parts, e.g. for accessing storage compartments} - Y10T 403/32606: Pivoted - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel with a hinged mounting flange is provided. The panel includes first and second outer layers and a core having first and second portions positioned between the outer layers. The first portion has a large number of cavities and the second portion is substantially free of cavities. The second outer layer is bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form the mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer. A component is mounted to the flange to pivot with the flange. A living hinge allows the flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly comprising: a compression-molded, composite panel including first and second outer layers and a core having first and second portions positioned between the outer layers, the first portion having a large number of cavities and the second portion being substantially free of cavities, wherein the second outer layer is bonded to the core by press molding and the first outer layer includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form a mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer; a component mounted to the mounting flange to pivot with the mounting flange; and a living hinge which allows the mounting flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener for fastening the component to the mounting flange. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each fastener is a threaded fastener and wherein the component includes a threaded part to hold the threaded fastener to the component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting flange includes at least one hole which extends completely through the mounting flange, wherein each fastener is externally threaded, wherein the threaded part includes an internally threaded hole and wherein each fastener extends through its corresponding hole in the mounting flange and is threadedly secured within its internally threaded hole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a substantially continuous carpet layer bonded to an upper surface of the first outer layer including the first and second portions of the first outer layer to at least partially form a carpeted composite panel having a carpeted mounting flange. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the living hinge includes a portion of the carpet layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembly as described in claim 1 wherein the first outer layer is made out of polymeric material and wherein the living hinge is at least partially made out of the polymeric material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second living hinge which facilitates or allows the mounting flange and the mounted component to pivot between the different use positions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a substantially continuous carpet layer bonded to an outer surface of the first outer layer including the first and second portions of the first outer layer to at least partially form a carpeted composite panel having a carpeted mounting flange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the first and second living hinges includes a portion of the carpet layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the mounted component has a reduced thickness to form a depression which receives the mounting flange. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a portion of the mounted component has a reduced thickness to form a depression which receives the carpeted mounting flange and wherein thickness of the carpeted mounting flange is substantially equal to depth of the depression. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first outer layer including the first and second portions is a fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the carpet layer is a thermoplastic carpet layer and wherein the thermoplastic of the first outer layer including the first and second portions and the carpet layer is polypropylene. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composite panel has a thickness in the range of 5 to 25 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer layers are fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layers and wherein first outer layer has a load bearing surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core is a cellular core. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core has a honeycomb structure. ### Claim 19 A vehicle assembly comprising: a compression-molded, composite panel including first and second fiber-reinforced, outer layers and a core having first and second portions positioned between the outer layers, the first portion having a large number of cavities and the second portion being substantially free of cavities, wherein the second outer layer is bonded to the first portion of the core by press molding and the first outer layer has an outer surface and includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form a mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer; a component mounted to the mounting flange to pivot with the mounting flange within an interior of the vehicle; and a living hinge which allows the mounting flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer. ### Claim 20 A vehicle floor panel assembly comprising: a compression-molded, composite panel including first and second fiber-reinforced, outer layers and a core having first and second portions positioned between the outer layers, the first portion having a large number of cavities and the second portion being substantially free of cavities, wherein the second outer layer is bonded to the core by press molding and the first outer layer has a load-bearing surface and includes a first portion bonded to the first portion of the core by press molding and a second portion bonded to the second portion of the core to form a mounting flange pivotally connected to the first portion of the first outer layer; a component mounted to the mounting flange to pivot with the mounting flange in an interior of the vehicle; and a living hinge which allows the mounting flange and the mounted component to pivot between different use positions relative to the first portion of the first outer layer.