Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A closure panel comprising: a first metallic panel section having an outer wall and a pair of spaced-apart side walls extending generally transversely, and inwardly, from the outer wall, a curved male hinge section at the end of one of the side walls located outside of the side walls and opening outwardly, a curved female hinge section at the end of the other side wall, located between the side walls and opening outwardly; a second thermoplastic panel section having an inner wall, a curved male hinge section at one side of the inner wall extending past the inner wall and opening outwardly, a curved female hinge section at the other side of the inner wall extending past the inner wall and opening inwardly; the second panel section resiliently connected to the first panel section to define an enclosed space between the inner and outer walls, the female hinge section on the second panel section, and both of the side walls, with the male hinge section on the second panel section resiliently snapped over the male hinge section on the first panel section and with the female hinge section on the second panel section resiliently connected to the other side wall on the first panel section just outwardly of the female hinge section on the first panel section, the female hinge section on the second panel extending outwardly toward the outer wall of the first panel section and sideways to abut the other side wall of the first panel section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A closure panel comprising: a first metallic panel section having an outer wall and a pair of spaced-apart side walls extending generally transversely, and inwardly, from the outer wall, a curved male hinge section at the end of one of the side walls located outside of the side walls and opening outwardly, a curved female hinge section at the end of the other side wall, located between the side walls and opening outwardly; a second thermoplastic panel section having an inner wall, a curved male hinge section at one side of the inner wall extending past the inner wall and opening outwardly, a curved female hinge section at the other side of the inner wall extending past the inner wall and opening inwardly; the second panel section resiliently connected to the first panel section to define an enclosed space between the inner and outer walls, the female hinge section on the second panel section, and both of the side walls, with the male hinge section on the second panel section resiliently snapped over the male hinge section on the first panel section and with the female hinge section on the second panel section resiliently connected to the other side wall on the first panel section just outwardly of the female hinge section on the first panel section, the female hinge section on the second panel extending outwardly toward the outer wall of the first panel section and sideways to abut the other side wall of the first panel section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A closure panel as claimed in claim 1 including cooperating means on the end of the female hinge section of the second panel section, and on the inside surface of the other side wall for helping join the first and second panel sections together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A closure panel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cooperating means comprise a groove on the end of the female hinge section and a rib, that fits in the groove, on the inside surface of the other side wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A closure panel as claimed in claim 1 including a flap extending from the other side of the inner wall in a direction away from the one side, the flap being long enough to bear against the male hinge section on the second panel section of an adjacent hingedly connected closure panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A closure panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the space bounded by the outer and inner walls, the side walls, and the female hinge section on the second panel section is filled with insulation material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A closure panel as claimed in claim 1 including a partial side wall on the second panel section extending outwardly of the inner wall at the one side thereof, the partial side wall and the male hinge section on the second panel section resiliently holding the male hinge section on the first panel section between them.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A closure panel as claimed in claim 1 including a first hooked flange formed on the inside surface of the one side wall on the first panel section, a second hooked flange formed on the inside surface of the other side wall outwardly of where the female hinge section of the second panel section abuts it, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart clips, each hooked over the first and second flanges to hold the side walls from spreading apart.