Patent ID: 8376444

Claim:
An integrated structural system for a vehicle, comprising: a molded duct system configured to guide airflow, the molded duct system having a first section and a second section, the first section being separately formed from the second section and wherein the molded duct system is configured to provide a supporting surface; and a metal structure, the metal structure integrated with the molded duct system by a means for integrating the metal structure with the molded duct system forming an integrated structural load path assembly, the integrated structural load path assembly being configured as a load bearing area to distribute a load on the supporting surface over the integrated structural load path assembly, wherein the means for integrating the metal structure with the molded duct system causes a portion of the first section to be secured to a portion of the second section, wherein the portion of the first section and the portion of the second section does not define a portion of the molded duct system that is configured to guide airflow and does not directly contact the metal structure and the means for integrating includes one of; sonic welding, heat staking, insert molding, and gluing.