Abstract: Molding of relatively large articles such as automobile body parts by gas-assisted injection molding with sequential gating of injected thermoplastic resin into the mold cavity. Elongated ribs in the parts form gas channels and strengthening ribs for the parts. Structural parts are made by adhesively joining two such parts made by gas-assisted injection molding through a combination of hollow ribs and joining flanges at sides of the parts.

Abstract: A molded plastic automobile body is bonded to a steel frame by depositing an adhesive layer between the body and frame in a circular pattern, to facilitate thermal expansion of the body relative to the frame. To prevent the body from peeling away from the frame, anti-peeling bolts further connect the body to the frame. To diffuse over a large area the downward force of the bolt heads on the plastic body, thereby reducing scalloping of the plastic body, spring washers having large surface areas are sandwiched between the bolts and the body.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body which includes a left-hand outer body panel, a left-hand inner body panel, a right-hand inner body panel, and a right-hand outer body panel. The four body panels are capable of being easily secured together at the longitudinal midline of the motor vehicle body. In another aspect, a motor vehicle body includes a plurality of interconnectable body panels including a body panel having a generally-vertical side and a horizontal appendage extending from the vertical side. The horizontal appendage is tapered circumferentially from its proximal end to its distal end. In another aspects a motor vehicle body has a plurality of interconnectable body panels including a body panel having an integral door frame member and an integral front fender liner having an integral inner splash shield. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the motor vehicle body may have a body panel having an integral roof frame member and an integral front fender liner having an integral inner splash shield.

Abstract: A box-like coupler for coupling a first car body part to another which includes a box-like device having a closed perimeter of a plurality of sides and two open ends. The box-like coupler may have a center rib between the two open ends which extends to all of the sides of the plurality of sides. Another embodiment is a winged coupler for coupling a first car body part to another which includes a device having a first wing and a second wing connected to the first wing. Each wing of the device has at least one distal width which is greater than a proximal width of the same wing.

Abstract: A first car body part to be bonded to a second car body part. The first car body part includes a sealing wall and a supplemental wall having a first side end and a second side end. The sealing wall has a bonding surface to be bonded to a surface of the second car body part. The supplemental wall joins the sealing wall at the first and second side ends forming a void between the sealing wall and the supplemental wall. The joined sealing wall and supplemental wall form a tubular member having a top end and a bottom end. The sealing wall, the bonding surface, the supplemental wall, and the void may be elongated. The first car body part may have a top capping wall and a bottom capping wall, the top capping wall sealing the top end of the tubular member and the bottom capping wall sealing the bottom end of the tubular member, thereby fully enclosing the void. The first car body part may be, e.g., a side body panel, a door interior trim panel, an instrument panel, or a hardware panel.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a utility/camper multiple purpose shell integrated with a pick-up truck frame and cab. The shell is adaptable (1) to being fully opened at the rear, (2) to having the roof thereof pivotally raised to permit standing room for a user, (3) to having flexible walls attached to the raised roof suitable for camping therein, and (4) to having the roof thereof lifted off of the front and side walls. The shell components are formed of light weight materials and bonded together.