Plastic panel assembly for use in a vehicle

摘要

A plastic panel assembly for use in a vehicle is provided including a frame structure defining a central opening therein disposed in a plane and a plastic panel structure disposed with respect to the frame structure so that a marginal peripheral portion thereof extending generally in the direction of extent of the plane is coextensive with a marginal peripheral portion of the frame structure and a central portion thereof extends in covering relation with the central opening. The frame structure has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than that of the plastic panel structure. A series of at least three pin and slot connections extend operatively between the coextensive peripheral portions of the structures and are disposed in spaced relation therealong for retaining the coextensive peripheral portions of the structures together. Each pin and slot connection includes a slot formed in one of the structures and a pin secured to another one of the structures and extends transversely through the slot formed in the one structure. Each slot has a longitudinal axis extending in a direction toward a common point. Each pin and slot connection is constructed and arranged to prevent relative movement of the pin within the slot along the plane in one direction within which the pin and slot connection is disposed while allowing relative movement of the pin within the slot along the plane generally in directions away from and toward the common point.