Steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle

Claim 2

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion, an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion and supporting said steering assembly thereon, a first portion located between said first end and said intermediate portion and having a hollow tubular cross-section, and a second portion of dish shaped cross-section located between said second end and said intermediate portion; and a leg portion connected to said second portion and central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.

Claim 3

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device commprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion, an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion and supporting said steering assembly thereon, a first portion located between said first end and said intermediate portion and having a hollow tubular cross-section, and a second portion located between said second end and said intermediate portion, said first portion comprising a first member having a dish shaped cross-section and a second member having a dish shaped cross-section fixed to said first member; and a leg portion connected to said second portion and extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.

Claim 4

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device commprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion, an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion and supporting said steering assembly thereon, a first portion located between said first end and said intermediate portion and having a hollow tubular cross-section, and a second portion located between said second end and said intermediate portion, said first portion comprising a first member having a dish shaped cross-section and a second member having a dish shaped cross-section fixed to said first member; and a leg portion connected to said second portion and extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.

Claim 5

A steering assembly supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first member has a pair of outwardly extending flanges, said second member having a pair of outwardly extending flanges, each being welded to the corresponding flange of said first member by spot welding.

Claim 6

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising: a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel at said root portion of a respective front pillar, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion, and; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.

Claim 7

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising: a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel at said root portion of a respective front pillar, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion, and; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.

Claim 8

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor; and a bracket extending backward from the cowl inner panel and having a rear end and a front end fixed onto the cowl inner panel, said rear end being connected to said intermediate portion of said base portion.

Claim 9

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor; and a bracket extending backward from the cowl inner panel and having a rear end and a front end fixed onto the cowl inner panel, said rear end being connected to said intermediate portion of said base portion.

Claim 10

A steering assembly supporting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said bracket has a transversely extending step portion formed thereon.

Claim 11

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor; and a steering support fixed onto said immediate portion of said base portion and supporting thereon a steering tube of the steering assembly.

Claim 12

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor; and a steering support fixed onto said immediate portion of said base portion and supporting thereon a steering tube of the steering assembly.

Claim 13

A steering assembly supporting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support comprises a front end extending forward from said base portion, and a rear end extending backward from said base portion, the steering tube being supported by both said front end and said rear end of said support.

Claim 14

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly having a steering tube, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel and having a hole formed therein with said steering tube passing therethrough without contacting said dash panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion, and; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.

Claim 15

A steering assembly supporting device of a motor vehicle comprising a steering assembly having a steering tube, a floor, front door opening flanges, first and second cowl side panels each extending forward from a front end of the corresponding front door opening flange, front pillars each forming a portion of the corresponding front door opening flange and having a root portion connected to the corresponding cowl side panel, a cowl inner panel spaced from the floor and transversely extending substantially in parallel to the floor at a position above the floor, and a dash panel arranged between the floor and the cowl inner panel and having a hole formed therein with said steering tube passing therethrough without contacting said dash panel, said device comprising; a steering assembly supporting base portion transversely extending substantially in parallel to the cowl inner panel and comprising a first end fixed onto the first cowl side panel, a second end fixed onto the second cowl side panel, a central portion and an intermediate portion located between said first end and said central portion, the steering assembly being supported by the intermediate portion of said base portion, and; a leg portion extending downward from the central portion of said base portion and having a lower end fixed onto the floor.