Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided including a male latch member a female receptacle having first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms for locking with the latch member. Locking is accomplished by moving the latch member with respect to the receptacle in a first direction, and unlocking with the latch member is accomplished by moving the latch member an additional distance further in the first direction. The first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms lock the latch member in any rotational orientation of the first direction of the latch member. Other locking mechanism embodiments include planar members and flanges for mounting to various substrates.

Abstract: A structurally reinforced cross-car beam is comprised of a plastic material impregnated with long reinforcement fibers. The long reinforcement fibers have a length of at least three-quarters of an inch. The plastic material may be a thermoplastic and the reinforcement fibers may be comprised of glass fibers. The cross-car beam may also include a first portion comprised of a metallic material, such as magnesium, and a second portion comprised of the plastic material impregnated with long reinforcement fibers.