Claims
- 1. A tailgate assembly for a motor vehicle, said tailgate assembly comprising:
an integrally formed inner structural panel including a support surface, opposing upper and lower walls extending laterally along said support surface, a pair of end walls extending between said upper and lower walls, and a plurality of ribs spaced apart and disposed between said upper and lower walls and extending laterally between said end walls; a reinforcing panel secured to said inner structural panel between at least two of said plurality of ribs providing a box structure; and an outer panel overlying said reinforcing panel and extending between said upper and lower walls and said end walls.
- 2. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of ribs includes a top flange for receiving said reinforcing panel therealong.
- 3. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inner structural panel includes a plane rib extending laterally along said support surface adjacent to and spaced apart from said lower wall.
- 4. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said inner structural panel further includes a non-linear support rib extending between said plane rib and said lower wall.
- 5. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 4 including a top rail cap secured over said outer panel and said inner structural panel for providing said tailgate assembly with a finished appearance.
- 6. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said outer panel includes lip flanges extending over said upper and lower walls securing said outer panel to said inner structural panel.
- 7. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said inner structural panel includes a loading surface opposite said support surface defining a plurality of recesses.
- 8. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said inner structural panel is formed from a thermoplastic material.
- 9. A tailgate assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said reinforcing panel is formed from a reinforced organic material.
- 10. An inner structural panel for a tailgate assembly of a motor vehicle, said inner structural panel comprising:
a support surface having a plurality of ribs extending laterally along said support surface; and a reinforcing panel secured to at least two of said plurality of ribs to box said inner structural panel.
- 11. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of ribs includes a top flange for receiving said reinforcing panel therealong.
- 12. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 11 including spaced apart upper and lower walls extending laterally along said support surface.
- 13. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 12 including a pair of end walls extending longitudinally along said support surface between said upper and lower walls.
- 14. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 13 including a plane rib extending laterally along said support surface adjacent to and spaced apart from said lower wall.
- 15. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 14 including a non-linear support rib extending between said plane rib and said lower wall.
- 16. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 15 including a top rail cap secured over an outer panel and said upper wall for providing the tailgate assembly with a finished appearance.
- 17. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 16 including a loading surface opposite said support surface defining a plurality of recesses.
- 18. An inner structural panel as set forth in claim 17 wherein said reinforcing panel is formed from a reinforced organic material.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/440,550 filed Jan. 16, 2003.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60440550 |
Jan 2003 |
US |