Assembly including a compression-molded, composite panel locally reinforced adjacent a living hinge of the assembly

A vehicle panel assembly comprising:

• a compression-molded, composite panel having first and second outer layers and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding, both outer layers having an outer surface;
• a component pivotally connected to the panel;
• a living hinge which allows the component to pivot about a pivot axis between different use positions within the vehicle relative to the panel;
• and
• a stiffening support having a support axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis, the support being bonded or joined to the panel to locally reinforce the panel adjacent the living hinge.

A vehicle floor panel assembly comprising:

• a compression-molded, composite panel having first and second outer layers and a core positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities wherein the outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding, the first outer layer having a top support surface and the second outer layer having a bottom surface;
• a component pivotally connected to the panel;
• a living hinge which allows the component to pivot about a pivot axis between different use positions within the vehicle relative to the panel;
• and
• a stiffening support having a support axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis, the support being bonded or joined to the panel to locally reinforce the panel adjacent the living hinge.