Cup holder

Abstract

A cup holder includes a tray, a lid rotatably supported at the tray and rotating the lid between a lid housed position which covers the tray and a lid deployed position which opens the tray, an urging device for rotating the lid toward the lid deployed position from the housed position, a holder base rotatably supported at the tray and rotating between a holder housed position which is housed in the tray and a holder deployed position which protrudes from the tray, and a holder main body slidably attached to the holder base. A holder moving device allows the holder main body to rotate with the holder base by moving the lid from the lid housed position to the lid deployed position by the urging device, and allows the holder main body to slide in a direction separating from the holder base when the lid reaches a predetermined rotational angle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to a cup holder provided inside a room of a vehicle such as an automobile and the like, and retaining a container such as a cup, a can, or the like.

As an example of this kind of conventional cup holder, a cup holder shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H10-217824 is well-known. This cup holder comprises a tray placing the container, and a supporting member supporting a lateral face of the container. The tray and the supporting member are supported by an axis so as to be capable of rotating between a housed position wherein the tray and the supporting member are parallel, and a deployed position wherein the tray and the supporting member are separated from each other. Also, when the supporting member is retained in the above-mentioned housed position, a rotatable stopper arm provided in the supporting member is folded up together with the supporting member in parallel to a tray side. When the supporting member is retained in the above-mentioned deployed position, the stopper arm intersects with the supporting member, and stands up relative to the tray. Also, by urging the stopper arm in a stand-up direction through urging means, the stopper arm prevents the supporting member, deployed in a state which has been bounced obliquely upward, from falling down.

However, in this kind of cup holder, in order to retain the container firmly at the deployed position, a container retaining portion provided on an end of the supporting member is required to be moved to an upper side as far as possible. Consequently, a whole length of the supporting member is required to be set long, so that an attachment space of the cup holder increases.

In the present invention, the above-mentioned fact is considered, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a cup holder which can reduce the attachment space and also improve a retention capacity of the container.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a cup holder of the invention according to a first aspect comprises a tray placing a container; a lid rotatably supported in the above-mentioned tray, and rotating between a housed position which covers the tray and a deployed position which opens the tray; urging means for rotating the lid toward the above-mentioned deployed position from the housed position; a holder base rotatably supported in the tray, and rotating between the housed position which is housed in the tray and the deployed position which protrudes from the tray; a holder main body slidably attached to the holder base; and holder moving means allowing the holder main body to rotate with the holder base by moving the lid from the housed position to the deployed position by the urging means, and the holder main body to slide in a direction separating from the holder base when the lid reaches a predetermined rotational angle.

In the cup holder of the invention according to the first aspect, the lid moves from the housed position to the deployed position by the urging means. At this time, due to the holder moving means, the holder main body rotates with the holder base from the housed position which is housed in the tray to the deployed position which protrudes from the tray. After that, when the rotation of the holder main body and the holder base reaches the predetermined rotational angle, the holder main body slides in the direction separating from the holder base. Consequently, in the housed position, a whole length of the holder main body and the holder base can be shortened, and the tray which houses the holder main body and the holder base can be downsized, so that an attachment space of the cup holder can be reduced. Also, in the deployed position, the whole length of the holder main body and the holder base can be lengthened, and an upper side of the container can be retained by the holder main body, so that a retention capacity of the container can be improved.

As for the invention according to a second aspect, in the cup holder according to the first aspect, the above-mentioned holder moving means comprises a holder guide groove including a circular portion formed in a side wall portion of the tray along a rotational direction of the lid, and a tilted portion extending from a deployed side end of the above-mentioned circular portion to an opening side of the tray; a holder pin formed in the holder main body and movably engaged with the above-mentioned holder guide groove; a lid guide groove formed in a side wall portion of the holder main body; and a lid pin formed in the lid and movably engaged with the above-mentioned lid guide groove. When the lid is moved from the housed position to the deployed position by an urging force of the above-mentioned urging means, due to an engagement of the above-mentioned lid pin and the lid guide groove, the holder main body and the holder base rotate with the lid up to the above-mentioned predetermined rotational angle. Also, due to a rotation of the holder main body, the holder pin moves along the circular portion of the holder guide groove, and after that, the holder pin moves along the tilted portion of the holder guide groove, so that the holder main body separates from the holder base, and slides to the deployed position which supports the container.

In the cup holder of the invention according to the second aspect, the lid moves from the housed position to the deployed position by the urging force of the urging means. At this time, due to the engagement of the lid pin formed in the lid and the lid guide groove formed in the side wall portion of the holder main body, the holder main body and the holder base rotate with the lid up to the predetermined rotational angle. Also, due to the rotation of the holder main body, the holder pin formed in the holder main body moves along the circular portion of the holder guide groove formed in the side wall portion of the tray, and after that, the holder pin moves along the tilted portion extending to the opening side of the tray. Due to this movement, the holder main body separates from the holder base, and slides to the deployed position which supports the container. Consequently, with a simple structure, in the housed position, the whole length of the holder main body and the holder base can be shortened, and the tray which houses the holder main body and the holder base can be downsized, so that the attachment space of the cup holder can be reduced. Also, in the deployed position, the whole length of the holder main body and the holder base can be lengthened, and the upper side of the container can be retained by the holder main body, so that the retention capacity of the container can be improved.

As for the invention according to a third aspect, in the cup holder according to the first or second aspect, a damper for damping the rotation of the above-mentioned lid is provided.

In the cup holder of the invention according to the third aspect, when the lid is moved from the housed position to the deployed position by the urging force of the urging means, the rotation of the lid is damped by the damper. Consequently, a moving speed of the lid, the holder base, and the holder main body can be controlled.

As for the invention according to a fourth aspect, in the cup holder according to one of the first to third aspects, a linear guide groove provided in one of the holder base and the holder main body; and a linear guide projection provided in the other of the holder base and the holder main body, and slidably engaging the above-mentioned guide groove, are included.

In the cup holder of the invention according to the fourth aspect, when the holder main body slides in the direction separating from the holder base, the linear guide groove provided in one of the holder base and the holder main body, and the linear guide projection provided in the other of the holder base and the holder main body, are mutually engaged. Consequently, the holder main body reliably moves in a predetermined sliding direction relative to the holder base.

As for the invention according to a fifth aspect, in the cup holder according to the fourth aspect, an engaging direction of the above-mentioned guide groove and the guide projection is made so as to be a width direction and an up-and-down direction of the holder main body.

In the cup holder of the invention according to the fifth aspect, the engaging direction of the guide groove provided in one of the holder main body and the holder base, and the guide projection provided in the other of the holder main body and the holder base, is made so as to be the width direction and the up-and-down direction of the holder main body. Consequently, a supporting rigidity of the holder main body by the holder base can be improved.

Since the cup holder of the present invention according to the first aspect has the above-mentioned structure, the attachment space can be reduced, and also the retention capacity of the container can be improved.

The cup holder of the present invention according to the second aspect can reduce the attachment space with the simple structure, and also can improve the retention capacity of the container.

The cup holder of the present invention according to the third aspect can control the moving speed of the lid, the holder base, and the holder main body.

The cup holder of the present invention according to the fourth aspect can reliably slide the holder main body in a predetermined direction relative to the holder base.

The cup holder of the present invention according to the fifth aspect can improve the supporting rigidity of the holder main body by the holder base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from an obliquely left back of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from the obliquely left back of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from an obliquely right front of the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from an obliquely right back of the vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of essential parts showing a housed state of the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the essential parts showing an operating state of the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the essential parts showing the operating state of the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the essential parts showing the operating state of the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the essential parts showing the operating state of the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the essential parts showing a deployed state of the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inside of an automobile, in which the cup holder according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from the obliquely left back of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. Incidentally, an arrow FR in the figures shows a vehicle forward direction, an arrow UP shows a vehicle upward direction, and an arrow W shows a vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, a cup holder 10 of the present embodiment is located on a lower side of a center console 12 of an automobile, and disposed in an attachment portion 16 formed in front of a shift lever 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, a tray 20 of a cup holder 10 has a short box shape comprising an opening portion 20A on an upper side, and on a bottom portion of the tray 20, a right-and-left pair of planar container-supporting portions 20B, supporting the bottom portion of a container such as a cup, a can, or the like, is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in front portions of wall portions 20C, 20D on both sides of the tray 20, bearing portions 20E, 20F are respectively formed. On the other hand, from the bottom portion of the tray 20, bearing portions 20G, 20H are respectively provided so as to stand upward in portions facing each bearing portion 20E, 20F. Also, on the wall portions 20C, 20D on the both sides of the tray 20, a tray guide groove 22 as holder moving means is formed. The tray guide groove 22 includes a circular portion 22A formed in a circular shape centering on holes 26, 46 formed in each bearing portion 20E, 20F; and a tilted portion 22B extending from an upper side end of the circular portion 22A (a deployed side end) to an outside of a radial direction of the circular portion 22A (an opening portion 20A side of the tray 20).

As shown in FIG. 3, a lid 30 of the cup holder 10 includes an upper wall portion 30A with a short shape blocking the opening portion 20A of the tray 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in a state wherein the lid 30 is in a deployed position (deployed state), on portions which become lower portions at both ends in a width direction of the upper wall portion 30A, axis formation portions 30B, 30C are respectively formed toward a back of a vehicle. Also, in the deployed state of the lid 30, on an upper end border portion of the upper wall portion 30A, a container-supporting portion 30D is formed toward the back of the vehicle. On this container-supporting portion 30D, a right-and-left pair of semicircular depressed portions 31 is formed along the width direction, and supports an outer circumferential portion of the container.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a center of one axis formation portion 30B in the lid 30, an axis 32 protrudes toward an inside of the lid 30, and is rotatably supported by an axis of the bearing portion 20G of the tray 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the center of the axis formation portion 30B of the lid 30, a cylindrical projected portion 34 is formed so as to protrude toward an outside of the lid 30. Also, in a center of an end face 34A of the projected portion 34, an axis 36 protrudes toward the outside of the lid 30, and this axis 36 is rotatably supported by an axis of the hole 26 of the bearing portion 20E of the tray 20.

On an outer circumferential portion of the projected portion 34 of the lid 30, a coil spring 38 as urging means is attached, and one end portion 38A of this coil spring 38 is inserted into a groove 40 formed in the axis formation portion 30B of the lid 30. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the other end portion 38B of the coil spring 38 engages the bearing portion 20E of the tray 20, and the coil spring 38 urges the lid 30 in a direction (an arrow A direction in FIG. 3) of heading from a housed position to the deployed position.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a center of the other axis formation portion 30C of the lid 30, an axis 42 protrudes toward the inside of the lid 30, and this axis 42 is rotatably supported by an axis of the bearing portion 20H of the tray 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the center of the axis formation portion 30C of the lid 30, an axis 44 protrudes toward the outside of the lid 30, and this axis 44 is rotatably supported by an axis of the hole 46 of the bearing portion 20F of the tray 20. On an outside surface of the bearing portion 20F of the tray 20, a damper 48 is attached to the bearing portion 20F by screws 50. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, on the bearing portion 20F of the tray 20, a circular opening portion 47 is formed, and a gear 48A (see FIG. 4) of the damper 48 is inserted into this opening portion 47. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, on an outside surface of the axis formation portion 30C of the lid 30, a gear portion 50 is formed along an arc centering on the axis 44. This gear portion 50 is engaged with the gear 48A of the damper 48. Therefore, when the lid 30 opens, an urging force in a deploying direction by the coil spring 38 is buffered by the damper 48, so that a rotation of the lid 30 is damped.

As shown in FIG. 4, on an outside surface of the bearing formation portion 30B of the lid 30, a push and open groove 52 is formed along an arc centering on the axis 36. On the other hand, on a front end lower portion of the side wall portion 20D of the tray 20, a front end portion 54A of a lock arm 54 is fixed, and on a back end portion 54B of the lock arm 54, a lock pin 56 is provided so as to stand toward an inside of the tray 20. This lock pin 56 passes through an opening portion 58 formed in the side wall portion 20D of the tray 20, and is inserted into the push and open groove 52 of the lid 30.

Therefore, when the lid 30 is opened, by pushing the lid 30 downwardly (an arrow B direction in FIG. 5), an engagement of a locked position 52A, formed in the push and open groove 52, and the lock pin 56 is released, and the lid 30 automatically moves from the housed position (position in FIG. 5) to the deployed position (position in FIG. 10) by an urging force of the coil spring 38. On the other hand, when the lid 30 is closed, by moving the lid 30 from the deployed position to the housed position against the urging force of the coil spring 38, the lock pin 56 moves along the push and open groove 52, and engages the locked position 52A, so that the lid 30 can be retained in the housed position. Incidentally, regarding an engagement structure between the lock pin 56 and the push and open groove 52, since the engagement structure is well-known, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in the inside of the tray 20, a holder 60 is provided, and this holder 60 comprises a holder base 62 and a holder main body 64. Also, the holder base 62 comprises a base portion 62A wherein a right-and-left pair of semicircular depressed portions 66 for passing the container is formed along a width direction; side wall portions 62B, 62C formed downwardly on both ends of the width direction of this base portion 62A; and a center wall portion 62D formed downwardly in a center of the width direction of the base portion 62A.

On each front end portion of the side wall portions 62B, 62C of the holder base 62, through-bores 68, 70 are formed. Also, in the through-bore 68 of the side wall portion 62B of the holder base 62, the axis 32 of the axis formation portion 30B of the lid 30 is passed through. In the through-bore 70 of the side wall portion 62C of the holder base 62, the axis 42 of the axis formation portion 30C of the lid 30 is passed through. Therefore, the holder base 62 can rotate in the same direction as the lid 30 centering on the axis 32 and the axis 42.

Also, in a housed state of the holder 60, on a portion which becomes a lower portion of each outside surface of the side wall portions 62B, 62C of the holder base 62, a linear guide groove 72 is formed along a front and back direction. On a portion which becomes an upper surface of the center wall portion 62D, a linear guide groove 73 is formed along the front and back direction.

On the other hand, the holder main body 64 comprises a supporting portion 64A wherein a right-and-left pair of semicircular depressed portions 74 for supporting the container is formed along a width direction; side wall portions 64B, 64C formed on both ends of the width direction of this supporting portion 64A; and a center wall portion 64D formed in a center of the width direction of the supporting portion 64A. Also, in the housed state of the holder 60 (the state in FIG. 5), on a portion which becomes a lower portion of each inside surface of the side wall portions 64B, 64C of the holder main body 64, a linear guide projection 80 is formed along a front and back direction, and the guide projection 80 is slidably inserted into the guide groove 72 of the holder base 62. Moreover, in the housed state of the holder 60, on a portion which becomes a lower surface of the center wall portion 64D, a linear guide projection 79 is formed along a front and back direction, and this guide projection 79 is slidably inserted into the guide groove 73 of the holder base 62. Therefore, the holder main body 64 can be reliably moved in a predetermined sliding direction relative to the holder base 62.

Also, engaging directions of the guide projections 80, 79 formed in the holder main body 64 and the guide grooves 72, 73 formed in the holder base 62 are made so as to be a width direction and an up-and-down direction of the holder main body 64. Consequently, a supporting rigidity of the holder main body 64 by the holder base 62 can be improved.

On the side wall portions 64B, 64C of the holder main body 64, in the deployed state of the holder 60, holder pins 81 as the holder moving means are respectively provided on portions which become back end lower portions so as to stand toward an outside. Also, the holder pins 81 are movably engaged with the tray guide groove 22 formed in the wall portions 20C, 20D on the both sides of the tray 20.

In the deployed state of the lid 30, lid pins 84 as the holder moving means are respectively provided on portions which become upper ends of back portions of the axis formation portions 30B, 30C of the lid 30 so as to stand toward an inside. On the other hand, on outside surfaces of the side wall portions 64B, 64C of the holder main body 64, in the deployed state of the holder 60, linear lid guide grooves 86 as the holder moving means are respectively formed along portions which become lower end border portions. Also, the lid pins 84 of the lid 30 are movably engaged with the lid guide grooves 86.

Therefore, when the lid 30 moves from the housed position to the deployed position by the urging force of the coil spring 38, due to an engagement of the lid pins 84 of the lid 30 and the lid guide grooves 86 of the holder main body 64, the holder 60 rotates with the lid 30 from the housed position to the deployed position. Also, due to a rotation of the holder 60, the holder pins 81 move along the circular portion 22A of the tray guide groove 22, and after that, the holder pins 81 move along the tilted portion 22B of the tray guide groove 22. Consequently, when the holder 60 rotates with the lid 30, and a rotational angle of the lid 30 reaches a predetermined angle, the holder main body 64 separates from the holder base 62, and slides relative to the holder base 62 in a deploying positional direction (a radius outside direction of the rotation) which supports the container.

Also, when the holder main body 64 slides relative to the holder base 62, the guide projection 80 of the holder main body 64 slides relative to the guide groove 72 of the holder base 62, and also the guide projection 79 of the holder main body 64 slides relative to the guide groove 73 of the holder base 62.

In a center portion of each depressed portion 74 of the holder main body 64, a support 90 respectively supporting the container is attached so as to be capable of rotating through a coil spring 92. Also, the coil spring 92 urges the support 90 toward a direction of a container retaining position which is approximately horizontal, and in a case that there is no container, the support 90 abuts against a stopper (not shown) provided in the depressed portion 74 of the holder main body 64 so as to be retained in the container retaining position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in a case that a container 96 is placed on the container-supporting portions 20B of the tray 20, the support 90 rotates downwardly (an arrow G direction in FIG. 10) against an urging force of the coil spring 92 according to a size of the container 96, and an outer circumferential portion 96A of the container 96 is clamped between the depressed portion 31 of the container-supporting portion 30D of the lid 30.

(Operation and Effect)

Next, an operation and an effect of the cup holder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the housed position of the lid 30, the lid 30 closes the opening portion 20A of the tray 20. In this housed state, due to an engagement of the lock arm 54 shown in FIG. 4 and the locked position 52A of the push and open groove 52, the lid 30 is retained in the housed position against the urging force of the coil spring 38. Also, when the lid 30 is in the housed position, the holder 60 is housed inside the tray 20 in a state of being shrunk in the holder base 62, the holder main body 64, and a sliding direction (a front and back direction of the vehicle).

Incidentally, the holder pin 81 of the holder main body 64 is located near a lower end portion of the circular portion 22A of the tray guide groove 22 formed in the tray 20, and the lid pin 84 of the lid 30 is located in a back end portion (lower end portion) of the lid guide groove 86 of the holder main body 64.

Next, when a passenger attempts to use the cup holder 10, the passenger pushes the lid 30 downwardly (the arrow B direction in FIG. 5), so that the engagement of the locked position 52A of the push and open groove 52 shown in FIG. 4 and the lock pin 56 is released. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the lid 30 automatically moves in a direction (an arrow A direction in FIG. 6) of the deployed position from the housed position by the urging force of the coil spring 38.

At this time, the holder pin 81 of the holder main body 64 moves in the deploying direction (an arrow C direction in FIG. 6) along the circular portion 22A of the tray guide groove 22 formed in the tray 20. Incidentally, the lid pin 84 of the lid 30 is located in the back end portion of the lid guide groove 86 of the holder main body 64.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when a rotational angle (open angle) θ of the lid 30 becomes a predetermined angle θ1, the holder pin 81 of the holder main body 64 reaches an upper end portion of the circular portion 22A of the tray guide groove 22 formed in the tray 20. Incidentally, the lid pin 84 of the lid 30 is located in the back end portion of the lid guide groove 86 of the holder main body 64.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the rotational angle θ of the lid 30 becomes larger than the predetermined angle θ1, the holder pin 81 of the holder main body 64 moves to an outward (an arrow D direction in FIGS. 8 and 9) of the tray 20 along the tilted portion 22B of the tray guide groove 22 formed in the tray 20. At this time, the lid pin 84 of the lid 30 moves forward (an arrow E direction in FIG. 8) along the lid guide groove 86 of the holder main body 64.

Consequently, the holder main body 64 is separated from the holder base 62 while retaining the supporting portion 64A horizontally, and slides relative to the holder base 62 in the deploying positional direction (an arrow F direction in FIG. 8) which supports the container. At this time, the guide projection of the holder main body 64 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 slides relative to the guide groove 72 of the holder base 62, and also the guide projection 79 of the holder main body 64 slides relative to the guide groove 73 of the holder base 62.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when the lid 30 reaches the deployed position (where the rotational angle θ of the lid 30 reaches approximately 90 degrees), the holder pin 81 of the holder main body 64 reaches an upper end portion of the tilted portion 22B of the tray guide groove 22 formed in the tray 20. Consequently, sliding of the holder main body 64 is halted, and the holder main body 64 becomes the deployed position which supports the container 96. At this time, the lid pin 84 of the lid 30 reaches a front end portion of the lid guide groove 86 of the holder main body 64, and the lid 30 also becomes the deployed position. As a result, rotations of the lid 30 and the holder 60 are halted.

Therefore, in the cup holder 10 of the present embodiment, when the lid 30 is deployed, the holder 60 rotates in the deploying direction with the lid 30. After that, when the rotational angle θ of the lid 30 reaches the predetermined angle θ1, the holder main body 64 slides (stretches) in a direction separating from the holder base 62. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 10, a height H1 of the supporting portion 64A of the holder main body 64 wherein the support 90, supporting the outer circumferential portion 96A of the container 96 placed on the container-supporting portion 20B of the tray 20, is provided, can be set in a high position. Also, in the housed state shown in FIG. 5, since the holder base 62 and the holder main body 64 are housed inside the tray 20 in a state of being shrunk relative to the sliding direction, a space L1 of a front and back direction of the tray 20 can be shortened.

As a result, in the cup holder 10 of the present embodiment, with a simple structure, an attachment space of the cup holder 10 to the center console 12 can be reduced, and also a retention capacity of the container 96 can be improved. Moreover, since the space of the cup holder 10 is conserved, degrees of freedom for a design around a placement position of the cup holder 10 increase.

Also, in the cup holder 10 of the present embodiment, when the lid 30 moves from the housed position to the deployed position by the urging force of the coil spring 38, the rotation of the lid 30 is damped by the damper 48. Consequently, each moving speed of the lid 30, the holder base 62, and the holder main body 64 can be controlled. As a result, an expensive appearance can be provided with a structure in which the number of component parts is curbed.

Also, in the cup holder 10 of the present embodiment, when the holder main body 64 slides in the direction separating from the holder base 62, the linear guide projections 80, 79 formed in the holder main body 64 are engaged with the linear guide grooves 72, 73 formed in the holder base 62. Consequently, the holder main body 64 can be reliably moved in the sliding direction relative to the holder base 62.

Also, in the cup holder 10 of the present embodiment, the engaging directions of the guide projections 80, 79 formed in the holder main body 64 and the guide grooves 72, 73 formed in the holder base 62 are made so as to be the width direction and the up-and-down direction of the holder main body 64. Consequently, the supporting rigidity of the holder main body 64 by the holder base 62 can be improved.

Other Embodiments

In above, a specific embodiment of the present invention has been explained in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it is obvious for one skilled in the art that the other various embodiments can be possible provided that they do not exceed the subject of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to rotate the lid 30 from the housed position toward the deployed position, the coil spring 38 is used as the urging means. However, instead of the coil spring 38, other urging means such as a leaf spring and the like may be used.

Also, in the embodiment, the guide grooves 72, 73 are formed on a holder base 62 side, and the guide projections 80, are formed on a holder main body 64 side. However, alternatively, the guide projections may be formed on the holder base 62 side, and the guide grooves may be formed on the holder main body 64 side.

Also, in the embodiment, as the holder moving means, the guide groove 22 is formed on a tray 20 side, and the pin 81 is formed on the holder main body 64 side. However, alternatively, the pin may be formed on the tray 20 side, and the guide groove may be formed on the holder main body 64 side. Also, in the embodiment, as the holder moving means, the pin 84 is formed on a lid 30 side, and the guide groove 86 is formed on the holder main body 64 side. However, alternatively, the guide groove may be formed on the lid 30 side, and the pin may be formed on the holder main body 64 side.

Also, in the embodiment, the holder moving means is structured by the tray guide groove 22, the holder pin 81, the lid pin 84, and the lid guide groove 86. However, the holder moving means is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be the other structure wherein the lid 30 is moved from the housed position to the deployed position by the coil spring 38 so as to rotate the holder main body 64 with the holder base 62, and when the lid reaches the predetermined rotational angle, the holder main body 64 is allowed to slide in the direction separating from the holder base 62.

Also, the cup holder of the present invention may be attached to other portions other than the center console 12 of the automobile, and an attachment direction is also not limited to the direction of the above-mentioned embodiment.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-099665, filed on Apr. 23, 2010, is incorporated in the application.

While the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cup holder, comprising:

a tray for placing a container;

a lid rotatably supported at the tray, and rotating the lid between a lid housed position which covers the tray and a lid deployed position which opens the tray;

an urging device for rotating the lid toward the deployed position from the housed position;

a holder base rotatably supported at the tray, and rotating between a holder housed position which is housed in the tray and a holder deployed position which protrudes from the tray;

a holder main body slidably attached to the holder base; and

a holder moving device allowing the holder main body to rotate with the holder base by moving the lid from the lid housed position to the lid deployed position by the urging device, and allowing the holder main body to slide in a direction separating from the holder base when the lid reaches a predetermined rotational angle.

2. A cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder moving device comprises a holder guide groove including a circular portion formed in a side wall portion of the tray along a rotational direction of the lid, and a tilted portion extending from a deployed side end of the circular portion to an opening side of the tray; a holder pin formed in the holder main body and movably engaged with the holder guide groove; a lid guide groove formed in a side wall portion of the holder main body; and a lid pin formed in the lid and movably engaged with the lid guide groove.

3. A cup holder according to claim 2, wherein the lid is arranged such that when the lid is moved from the lid housed position to the lid deployed position by an urging force of the urging device, due to an engagement of the lid pin and the lid guide groove, the holder main body and the holder base rotate with the lid up to the predetermined rotational angle, and due to a rotation of the holder main body, the holder pin moves along the circular portion of the holder guide groove, and after that, the holder pin moves along the tilted portion of the holder guide groove, so that the holder main body separates from the holder base, and slides to the holder deployed position which supports the container.

4. A cup holder according to claim 1, further comprising a damper for damping rotation of the lid.

5. A cup holder according to claim 1, further comprising a linear guide groove provided in one of the holder base and the holder main body, and a linear guide projection provided in the other of the holder base and the holder main body, and slidably engaging the guide groove.

6. A cup holder according to claim 5, wherein an engaging direction of the guide groove and the guide projection is arranged so as to be a width direction and an up-and-down direction of the holder main body.