Patent ID: 7128360

Claim:
An integrated structural system for a vehicle, comprising: a molded duct system configured to guide airflow, said molded duct system having a first section having a first flange portion and a second section having a second flange portion, said molded duct system configured to operably attach a vehicle component thereto; and a metal structure, said metal structure integrated with said molded duct system by a means for integrating said metal structure with said molded duct system forming an integrated structural load path assembly, said integrated structural load path assembly being configured as a load bearing area to distribute a load of said vehicle component operably attached thereto over said integrated structural load path assembly, wherein said means for integrating said metal structure with said molded duct system includes joining said first flange portion and said second flange portion by one of; sonic welding, heat staking, insert molding, and gluing.