# US 4,382,626 A · Attachment of a stainless steel outerbody to a glass reinforced plastic inner body > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,382,626 A - Document ID: US4382626A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/242,467 - Filed: 1981-03-11 - Granted: 1983-05-10 - Earliest claimed: 1981-03-11 - Assignees: Delorean Research Limited Partnership - Inventors: Colin R. Spooner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4382626A ## CPC - B62D 29/001: {characterised by combining metal and synthetic material} - B62D 23/00: Combined superstructure and frame, i.e. monocoque constructions ({having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; } superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units {or parts or details thereof} B62D25/00 {; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00}) - B62D 27/02: rigid - B62D 29/007: {predominantly of special steel or specially treated steel, e.g. stainless steel or locally surface hardened steel} - B62D 29/008: {predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded} - F41H 7/044: {Hull or cab construction other than floors or base plates for increased land mine protection (mounting of armoured plates F41H5/013)} - Y10T 29/49915: Overedge assembling of seated part - Y10T 428/31529: Next to metal - 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) - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract In a structure comprising an inner molded glass reinforced plastic body and an outer shell of sheet material the sheet material is affixed to the body by at least one in-fill panel, the panel bonded to the body and the sheet material attached to the SMC panel by a plurality of self threading fasteners. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structure comprising: (a) an inner molded plastic body made of glass reinforced plastic; (b) an outer shell of at least one panel of sheet metal affixed thereto; (c) channels formed in said molded plastic body for receiving in-fill panels; (d) at least one in-fill panel attached to said inner body and extending out therefrom, said in-fill panel having generally an "L" shape, the base of said "L" adapted to rest in said channel with the other portion of said "L" shaped panel projecting therefrom and providing a surface to which said sheet metal may be connected; and (e) means connecting said sheet metal to said in-fill panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1 wherein said in-fill panels are made of SMC. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of holes in said projecting portion; a self threading fastener at each of said holes; a flange in an edge of said sheet metal containing matching holes and bolts extending through said hole and matching holes and threaded into said fastening means attaching said sheet metal to said in-fill panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The invention according to claim 3, wherein the width of said channel is greater than the width of said base, whereby adjustment of said panel within said channel is possible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The invention according to claim 4 wherein said matching holes are slotted to permit adjustment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The invention according to claim 5, wherein said molded glass reinforced plastic body comprises an automobile body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The invention according to claim 6, wherein said sheet metal comprises stainless steel and said bolts are stainless steel bolts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The invention according to claim 7 and further including means attaching another part of said sheet metal panel to said molded body directly comprising: (a) said sheet metal bent, at the point of desired contact, so as to form a flange contacting said molded plastic body with a portion of said sheet metal remote from said flange spaced from said body; (b) a hole formed in said sheet body at the desired point of attachment; a rivnut embedded in said molded plastic body at the desired point of attachment; (c) a bolt passing through said hole and threaded into said rivnut; and (d) a lock washer between said bolt and sheet metal material, said bolt and lock washer securing said sheet metal against said molded plastic body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The invention according to claim 8 wherein said sheet metal panel comprises a fender panel adjacent to a door and said infill panel is at a location defining the door edge, and said direct attachment remote therefrom. ### Claim 10 An arrangement for attaching a sheet metal outer body to an inner molded plastic body directly, said sheet metal wrapping around and cladding said body and over most parts of said body being spaced therefrom, comprising: (a) said sheet metal being bent, at the point of desired contact so as to form a flange contacting said molded plastic body with a portion of said sheet metal remote from said flange spaced from said body; (b) a hole formed in said sheet metal at the desired point of attachment; a rivnut embedded in said molded plastic body at the desired point of attachment; (c) a bolt passing through said hole and threaded into said rivnut; (d) a lock washer between said bolt and sheet metal material, said bolt and lock washer securing said sheet metal against said molded plastic body; and (e) resilient bumpers attached to said body at points of close contact with said sheet metal to absorb minor shocks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the hole in said sheet metal is slotted to permit adjustment. ### Claim 12 A method of directly attaching a sheet metal outer body panel to a molded plastic inner body, said sheet metal wrapping around and cladding said body and over most parts of said body being spaced therefrom, comprising: (a) forming a hole in the plastic body at the desired point of fixing; (b) inserting a rivnut in said hole so as to be rigidly attached to said body; (c) forming a flange containing a hole at the point of desired attachment on said sheet metal panel; (d) attaching said sheet metal panel to said molded plastic body utilizing a bolt extending through said hole in said panel into said rivnut with a lock washer between the head of said bolt and said panel; and (e) disposing resilient bumpers between said body and said sheet metal at points of close contact to absorb minor shocks.