Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Edward C Van Rossen

Thomas Charles Jensen

Roger E Johnson

An apparatus for connecting a polymeric composite pickup truck cargo box to a metallic vehicle frame without damaging the polymeric composite material of the pickup truck cargo box. The connecting apparatus is a tapping plate which allows for the distribution of forces applied by a self-tapping fastener over a broad area of the pickup truck cargo box so as not to tear or puncture the polymeric composite material. The connecting apparatus also separates the polymeric composite pickup truck cargo box from the metallic vehicle frame so that the polymeric composite material does not degrade over time.

Apparatus for connecting a polymeric composite pickup truck cargo box to

A connecting apparatus for connecting a composite outer body panel of a vehicle to a composite underbody of a vehicle whereby the composite outer body panel is allowed to move relative to the composite underbody due to thermal expansion and contraction caused by the aforementioned members having different coefficients of linear thermal expansion. The connecting apparatus is subtle in appearance, hidden from outside the vehicle and simple to assemble and disassemble.

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Roseville, MI, United States of America

Edward C Van Rossen