Patent ID: 7717499

Claim:
Supporting structural element ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle (V) with a centrally positioned engine (E), and with a two-seat passenger compartment, comprising a shaped rigid body ( 2 ) in which are formed: two transversely adjacent cellular formations ( 3 ), which receive corresponding padding means ( 4 , 5 ) to form seats for the driver and a passenger, each of the said cellular formations ( 3 ) having a seat portion ( 3 a ) and a backrest portion ( 3 b ); an intermediate formation ( 6 ) shaped like an inverted channel, the bottom of which being closeable, which interconnects the seat portions ( 3 a ) of the cellular formations ( 3 ), forming a tunnel ( 7 ) through which mechanical transmission members can pass; a substantially horizontal upper planar formation ( 9 ), which interconnects the upper backrest portions ( 3 b ) of the cellular formations ( 3 ), and a rear formation ( 10 ), substantially in the shape of a dihedral, with a first wing or skirt ( 10 a ) which is substantially horizontal and extends behind the seat portions ( 3 a ) of the cellular formations ( 3 ), and with a second wing or skirt ( 10 b ) which extends between the upper planar formation ( 9 ) and the said first wing or skirt ( 10 a ), behind and distant from the backrest portions ( 3 b ) of the cellular formations ( 3 ); the arrangement being such that a compartment or receptacle ( 11 ) is formed between the upper planar formation ( 9 ), the backrest portions ( 3 b ) of the cellular formations ( 3 ) and the rear formation ( 10 ), and extends transversely behind the said cellular formations ( 3 ); wherein said compartment or receptacle ( 11 ) is open and accessible at least one of its ends facing the sides of the motor vehicle (V), and can receive transportable objects.