Pre-assembled module for the cockpit area of motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars

Claim 1

In an automotive vehicle having a vehicle body shell including a pair of horizontally spaced generally vertically extending side pillars for receiving a windshield and body side and bottom support structure, a preassembled module comprising a base extending transversely of the vehicle body shell and which forms the fire wall of the vehicle to separate the engine compartment from the passenger compartment and to which various engine compartment accessories are preassembled, a dashboard with various vehicle accessories mounted thereto which are accessible from the passenger compartment and which is preassembled to said base, said module being connected as a unit to the vehicle body structure by lowering the same through the windshield opening, connecting means for connecting said module to said body shell and sealing means for sealing the module to said body shell, the improvement being that said connecting means comprises first mounting plate means secured to said module at its opposite ends and which face toward said side pillars and second mounting plate means secured to said side pillars and facing toward said first mounting plate means, said first mounting plate means having front and rear side extensions which are downwardly divergent and an inclined face and said second mounting plate means having front and rear shoulders which are downwardly divergent and an inclined face, said front and rear extensions and said faces of said first mounting plate means being shaped complementary with and cooperating with said front and rear shoulders and faces of said second mounting plate means when said module is lowered into position on said vehicle whereby said module is automatically centered transversely and longitudinally of said vehicle when connected thereto, and fastener means extending transversely of said vehicle body for securing said first and second mounting plate means together.