Sandwich-type, generally planar, structural member having an attachment feature and assembly utilizing same

An assembly for use in the interior of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

• a generally planar first member having an aperture or depression;
• and
• a sandwich-type, generally planar, structural member having an attachment feature, the structural member including a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer and having a plurality of cavities wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding and wherein a portion of the structural member is locally crushed by the press molding to form a first depression having bottom and side surfaces formed by the first outer layer, a size and a shape and having a predetermined first depth and wherein the structural member further includes a connector bonded or joined to the bottom surface of the first depression and being received and retained within the aperture or depression of the first member to connect the members together and form the assembly.

A sandwich-type, generally planar, structural member having an attachment feature, the member comprising:

• a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer and having a plurality of cavities wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding and wherein a portion of the member is locally crushed by the press molding to form a depression having bottom and side surfaces formed by the first outer layer;
• and
• a connector joined or bonded to the bottom surface of the depression to attach a second, generally planar member to the first outer layer of the structural member, wherein the connector comprises a plastic clip bonded to the bottom surface of the depression and extending above the depression.

A sandwich-type, structural panel having an attachment feature for use in the interior of a vehicle, the panel comprising:

• a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer and having a plurality of cavities wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding and wherein a portion of the panel is locally crushed by the press molding to form a depression having bottom and side surfaces formed by the first outer layer;
• and
• a connector bonded or joined to the bottom surface of the depression to attach a generally planar member to the first outer layer of the panel, wherein the connector comprises a plastic clip bonded to the bottom surface of the depression and extending above the depression.

An assembly for use in the interior of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

• a generally planar first member;
• and
• a sandwich-type, generally planar, structural member having an attachment feature, the structural member including a first outer layer having an outer surface, a second outer layer and a core positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer and having a plurality of cavities wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding and wherein a portion of the structural member is locally crushed by the press molding to form a first depression having bottom and side surfaces formed by the first outer layer, a size and a shape and having a predetermined first depth and wherein the structural member further includes a connector bonded or joined to the bottom surface of the first depression and attaching the members together to form the assembly, wherein the connector includes a clip portion and wherein the first member includes an aperture, the clip portion being received and retained within the aperture to unitarily connect the first member and the structural member and form the assembly.