Plastic panel for vehicular exterior

A plastic engine compartment closure panel which buckles forward of its rearward edge across its width on an impact at its forward edge, said panel comprising a plate having a smooth, outer surface and an inner surface bearing integrally formed reinforcing members, said inner surface and reinforcing members having definition comprising:

• A. first and second rib patterns positioned with respect to one another so as to have ribs that extend from right and left sides to intersect one another between said forward and rearward edges;
• B. a medial rib pattern comprising a rib that extends across said inner surface rearward of intersection of ribs of said first and second rib patterns;
• c. a rearward rib pattern comprising a rib that extends between said medial rib pattern and said rearward edge;
• D. a panel weakening pattern that enables buckling of said panel along a line forward of said medial rib pattern and comprising:
• 1. a groove extending along said medial rib pattern and
• 2. discontinuities of ribs of said first and second rib patterns.

A plastic engine compartment closure panel which buckles forward of its rearward edge across its width on an impact that is at its leading forward edge and said panel comprising a plate having a smooth, outer surface and an inner surface bearing integrally formed reinforcing member;

• said inner surface and reinforcing member having definition comprising:
• A. a first V-shaped rib pattern comprising reinforcing ribs extending diagonally from a center, rearward section to each corner portion of said forward leading edge;
• B. a second V-shaped rib pattern inverted with respect to said V-shaped pattern, said second V-shaped pattern comprising reinforcing ribs extending diagonally from a center, forward section to each corner portion of said rearward edge;
• C. a medial rib pattern comprising a reinforcing rib that extends across the width of said member rearward of an intersection of ribs of said first and second V-shaped rib patterns;
• D. a rearward rib pattern comprising reinforcing ribs that extend between said medial rib pattern and said rearward edge;
• E. a panel weakening pattern that enables buckling of said panel along a line forward of said medial rib pattern and comprising:
• 1. a groove extending along and forward of said medial rib pattern and
• 2. interruptions to ribs of said first and second V-shaped rib patterns.

A plastic engine compartment closure panel which buckles forward of its rearward edge across its width on an impact that is at its leading forward edge and said panel comprising a plate having a smooth, outer surface and an inner surface bearing integrally formed reinforcing member;

• said inner surface and reinforcing member having definition comprising:
• A. a first V-shaped rib pattern comprising reinforcing ribs extending diagonally from a center, rearward section to each corner portion of said forward leading edge;
• B. a second V-shaped rib pattern inverted with respect to said V-shaped pattern, said second V-shaped pattern comprising reinforcing ribs extending diagonally from a center, forward section to each corner portion of said rearward edge;
• C. a medial rib pattern comprising a reinforcing rib that extends across the width of said member rearward of an intersection of ribs of said first and second V-shaped rib patterns;
• D. a rearward rib pattern comprising reinforcing ribs that extend between said medial rib pattern and said rearward edge;
• E. a panel weakening pattern that enables buckling of said panel along a line forward of said medial rib pattern and comprising:
• 1. a groove extending along and forward of said medial rib pattern,
• 2. interruptions to ribs of said first and second V-shaped rib patterns at a first rib of said first and second V-shaped rib patterns,
• 3. interruptions to said groove at a second rib of said first and second V-shaped rib patterns.