Apparatus for mounting plastic body panel

Claim 1

Apparatus for movably mounting the second end of a plastic panel having a first fixed end fixed to a vehicle body metal substructure to permit the second end of the plastic panel to move longitudinally toward and away from the fixed first end upon thermal or hydroscopic dimensional change of the plastic panel comprising: a molded plastic first mounting member having associated means slidably interengaging with the metal substructure at a point thereon underlying the plastic panel to permit longitudinal movement of the first mounting member toward and away from the fixed first end, a plastic flexure spring integral with the first mounting member and engageable with the substructure to urge the plastic first mounting member to a certain desired longitudinal sliding position relative the fixed first end of the plastic panel, a second mounting member having a mounting face adapted for abutment by the plastic panel and providing a field for the drilling of a fastener hole for attachment of the plastic panel upon the second mounting member, helical thread means acting between the second mounting member and the first mounting member to enable rotation of the second mounting member to effect adjustment of the position of the mounting face transversely relative to the metal understructure so that the plastic panel is mounted at a desired position to obtain precise surface alignment of the plastic panel whereby the first and second mounting members cooperate to support the plastic panel on the metal substructure and slide longitudinally toward and away from the fixed end of the plastic panel upon thermal and hygroscopic dimensional change of the plastic panel.