The invention provides a vehicle panel 14 including one or more integrally formed connectors 10 where each connector comprises a tubular wall upstanding 12 from a surface of the vehicle panel, the tubular wall defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis 100 of the connector, restraining means 16 projecting radially outwardly from the tubular wall, and a screw thread 18a on a radially inwardly facing surface in the bore. Each connector is configured to be received in a socket 50 and the restraining means are configured to axially restrain the connector in the socket so as to affix the vehicle panel to the socket. The socket may be provided with deformable engagement means 56, which deform so as to allow the restraining means of the connector to be inserted into a bore of the socket. A threaded bolt (62 figure 4) may pass through the connector, and the socket may be captively retained in a slot (58a figure 5) of a panel so as to allow the socket to move along the plane of the panel. The connector and socket may be used for securing trim components, panels and other accessories to the vehicle.


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    Title :

    Vehicle panel with integrally formed connector


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2016-02-17


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B60R Fahrzeuge, Fahrzeugausstattung oder Fahrzeugteile, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen , VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR / F16B DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES , Vorrichtungen zum Befestigen oder Sichern von Konstruktionselementen oder Maschinenteilen, z.B. Nägel, Bolzen, Schrauben, Sprengringe, Klemmen, Klammern oder Keile



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