Patent ID: 6648402
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: B60H,B62D

Abstract:
A structural member for providing a first structural load path for a structural system of a vehicle, comprising:a) a pair of side members for making contact with a portion of a vehicle frame at one end and being secured to said structural system at the other end; and b) a center brace portion being secured to one of said pair of side members at one end and to the other one of said pair of side members at the other end, said structural system includes a cross car structural beam and a steering column support structure, said cross car structural beam providing a second structural load path, said structural member being secured to said cross car structural beam at a point intermediate to a driver side compartment and a passenger side compartment of said vehicle, said steering column support structure being secured to said cross car structural beam and said structural member providing a third structural load path.