Abstract: Inserts of metal in the plastic of a plastic structural element are coated with a coupling layer of fibre-reinforced plastic, which reduces the abrupt change in stiffness and/or coefficient of thermal expansion at the joining interfaces in the metal-plastic composite. By altering the volume fraction of fibres and/or by of different orientation the fibre layers within the coupling layer, a gradual change in the E-modulus and the thermal expansion coefficient are produced, as a result of which abrupt changes in these values at the composite interfaces can be avoided. The sudden change in stiffness between the plastic material and the metal insert is also reduced by reducing the stiffness of the insert, which again is achieved by specific choice of shape. Preferred, in particular, is a finger-shaped fanning out of the insert in the plastic material.

Abstract: Inserts of metal in the plastic of a plastic structural element are coated with a coupling layer of fibre-reinforced plastic, which reduces the abrupt change in stiffness and/or coefficient of thermal expansion at the joining interfaces in the metal-plastic composite. By altering the volume fraction of fibres and/or by different orientation of the fibre layers within the coupling layers, a gradual change in the E-modulus and the thermal expansion coefficient are produced, as a result of which abrupt changes in these values at the composite interfaces can be avoided. The sudden change in stiffness between the plastic material and the metal inset also reduced by reducing the stiffness of the insert, which again is achieved by specific choice of shape. Preferred, in particular, is a finger-shaped fanning out of the insert in the plastic material.

Abstract: A corner connector connects two sections to one another, which sections are at right angles to one another and have C-shaped attaching portions. The sections have two section legs and two webs projecting inwards two at a time from the section legs. The corner connector consists of two angle plates, two wedge rails, four screws and associated parallelogram nuts. The plates each have two grooves, which accommodate the webs in a form-fitting manner, and wedge surfaces on the opposite sides. The nuts grip behind the webs. The plates are spread by the wedge rails clamped against the nuts by the screws. High bending and tensile strength of the joint is achieved by this design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved vehicle body construction which comprises a plurality of horizontal and vertical extending extruded sections joined together by means of connecting portions wherein said extruded metal sections and said connecting portions are provided with guiding elements which lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the wheel axle of the vehicle body.