Patent ID: 7300102

Claim:
An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a first molded plastic panel, the first plastic panel formed of a first plastic material; and a second molded plastic panel joined to the first panel, the second plastic panel formed of a second plastic material different from the first plastic material wherein: i. the first molded plastic panel, the second molded plastic panel or both extend cross-vehicle; ii. at least one of the first plastic material and the second plastic is formed of a polyolefin material; iii. at least one of the first or second panels assists in defining an air duct for a vehicle cabin heating and cooling system; and iv. the first panel is joined to the second panel with one or more mechanical joints; and wherein the first panel includes a first flange that extends along a length and side of the first panel, the second panel includes a first flange that extends along a length and side of the second panel, and the first panel and second panel are joined to each other at the first flange of the first panel and the first flange of second panel and wherein the first flange of first panel opposes and is coextensive with the first flange of the second panel and wherein the first flange of the first panel and the first flange of the second panel cooperatively extend away from the air duct.