A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material having an outer surface; and (is) at least one consolidated fibrous insert having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement having a plurality of ordered fibers arranged in a predetermined manner. The fibrous insert is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert and the mass of polymeric material are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert to be at least partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier will be a mass of activatable material.

A semi-trailer for use in hauling grain has four sides and two sloped cargo areas, each having a hopper funnel made of a continuous, unitary polymer material. A door below each hopper is driven by a linear actuator that is disposed above the level of the door. The trailer sidewalls are made of a composite material having inner and outer panels attached to a center panel by adhesive.

A reinforcement element has a carrier having a longitudinal axis and elongate opening extending in the axis direction. The reinforcement element has an insert element having a longitudinal axis constructed to be arranged in the elongate opening. The insert element has first and second portions. The first portions are parallel with a first plane. The insert element longitudinal axis is in this first plane. The second portions are parallel with a second plane. The insert element longitudinal axis is in the second plane. The reinforcement element has a first adhesive which can be arranged on the carrier outer side and on a first group of insert element first portions and to bond the carrier and insert element in the structural element. The reinforcement element has a second adhesive which can be arranged on a second group of insert element first portions and to bond the insert element in the carrier.

A rollover device for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a plurality of struts made of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a plurality of fastening feet made of metallic material for connecting the rollover device to a vehicle body. At least one fastening foot made of metallic material is connected to a respective strut made of fiber-reinforced plastic via a material-locking connection on the one hand and via a form-locking connection on the other hand.

A laminated panel is provided comprising a skeletal framework, foam core inserts, an impact resistant sheet, and a weather resistant sheet bonded together with adhesive. Recreational vehicles incorporating such panels are also contemplated, as are methods of making the composite laminated panel.

A laminated panel is provided comprising a skeletal framework, foam core inserts, an impact resistant sheet, and a weather resistant sheet bonded together with adhesive. Recreational vehicles incorporating such panels are also contemplated, as are methods of making the composite laminated panel.

A plastic composite material panel includes a roof plate portion adhesively bonded to a first bonding portion provided in a vehicle body frame. A roof extension portion extends from an edge of the roof plate portion and is adhesively bonded to a second bonding portion provided in the vehicle body frame.

A composite liftgate system with an inner panel construction having a strengthening channel structure. Structural composite reinforcements are bonded to the inner panel where additional strength is needed to meet predetermined performance requirements. Where the extra structure is needed, no steel or a minimum amounts of steel is used and the structural reinforcements are bonded in place using adhesive prior to application of additional fasteners.

In certain embodiments, an electric vehicle includes a front cage, a rear floor, an intermediate section, a utility cabinet, and a flatbed. In other embodiments, an electric vehicle includes a front cage, a rear floor, an intermediate section, and a flatbed. In some embodiments, the front cage at least partially defines an operator cabin, the rear floor is positioned rearward of the front cage in a longitudinal direction, and the intermediate section is disposed at least partially between the front cage and the rear floor in the longitudinal direction.

A method produces a fiber-reinforced body component for a motor vehicle. The body component has at least one opening, in particular one door opening or one window opening. The method includes at least the following steps: providing the body component; applying a reinforcing element made of fiber composite material having reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix, in order to stiffen the body component, the matrix being in an uncured state, and the reinforcing element being applied to an opening frame of the opening, which opening frame is formed by the body component.