Patent ID: 8517142

Claim:
A steering unit comprising: a housing including an upper portion and a lower portion that cooperate to define an interior, the housing being configured for releasable attachment to a frame of a vehicle; a steering shaft having an upper end and a lower end and extending into the interior of the housing; a bearing supported by the lower portion of the housing and disposed at least partially within the interior of the housing, the steering shaft being journaled with respect to the lower portion of the housing by the bearing such that the steering shaft is rotatable with respect to the housing; a steering arm coupled with the lower end of the steering shaft and configured for coupling to steerable wheels, the steering arm being movable along a travel path; and a stop portion that projects from the lower portion of the housing and into the travel path of the steering arm such that the steering arm selectively contacts the stop portion to prevent over-rotation of the steering shaft; and a power unit attached to, and extending away from, the lower portion of the housing and configured for providing assistive torque to the steering shaft; wherein the lower portion of the housing and the stop portion are formed together in a one-piece construction.