US 11,718,353 B2
Hybrid material vehicle panel and methods of making the same
Geoffrey Brooks, Macomb, MI (US); Steven Perucca, Clinton Township, MI (US); and Jack Bekou, Windsor (CA)
Assigned to FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC., Warren, MI (US)
Filed by FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Warren, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/200,393.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/989,457, filed on Mar. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0284250 A1, Sep. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 29/00 (2006.01); B62D 65/16 (2006.01); B62D 27/02 (2006.01); B62D 25/08 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 29/004 (2013.01) [B62D 25/08 (2013.01); B62D 27/02 (2013.01); B62D 65/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A panel assembly comprising:
a panel formed of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; and
a plurality of mounting flanges integrally formed with the panel, the plurality of mounting flanges formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion, and each of the plurality of mounting flanges including a mounting area that defines a mounting surface and at least one mounting hole.