Patent ID: 8678466

Claim:
An instrument panel assembly for use in a vehicle, the instrument panel assembly comprising: a base having a side portion, including a first mounting aperture having a predetermined width; and at least one side panel having an interior surface opposite an exterior surface, a first tab spaced apart a second tab, the first tab extending axially from a side edge of the at least one side panel so as to be generally coplanar with the at least one side panel, the second tab extending outwardly from the interior surface of the at least one side panel and generally orthogonal to the first tab, the first tab having a first flange disposed on the exterior surface extending in a direction opposite the second tab, the first flange is disposed on a distal end of the first tab, the first flange having a length greater in distance than the predetermined width of the first mounting aperture so as to require the at least one side panel to be angled relative to the base when mounting the at least one side panel to the side portion.