Patent ID: 8087721

Claim:
A vehicle body assembly, comprising: a fender comprising a polymeric material; a reinforcing bracket secured to the fender, the bracket comprising a polymeric material, each of the bracket and the fender defining an outer perimeter having a forward edge and an upper lateral edge defining a forward portion of the bracket, the forward portion of the bracket defining an opening and including at least one tab extension protruding from an edge of the opening, the tab extension adapted to engage a support frame such that deformation of the bracket due to differential thermal expansion between the vehicle body assembly and the support frame is limited, the bracket including a plurality of extensions protruding from the upper lateral edge of the bracket, the extensions adapted for receipt by an edge flange of the fender, the bracket defining a bonding area extending along at least a portion of the forward edge of the bracket; and an adhesive composition disposed between the fender and the bracket in the bonding area of the bracket.