Abstract: A cup holder holding an object includes: a storing part being cylindrical and being opened at an upper portion; an opening part provided at a side wall of the storing part; a holder being biased towards an interior of the storing part and being stored inside the opening part so that the holder may protrude and retract; and a restricting part provided on the opening part, wherein the restricting part restrains a movement of the holder at a maximum storage position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic laminated article comprising a surface layer of a sheet-like surface member and a synthetic resin backing material layer laminated on the surface layer, without causing a fracture or a reduction in wall thickness of the sheet-like surface member. When the male mold is pressed against the contact area of the sheet-like surface member, the temperature of the contact area of the sheet-like surface member gradually falls due to a thermal gradient between the male mold and the contact area of the sheet-like surface member. Simultaneously, the contact area of the sheet-like surface member is not heated directly. In addition, the direction of jet flow of a hot fluid is changed, by fluid guide surfaces, from the center of the sheet-like surface member to the outer periphery, of the sheet-like surface member.

Abstract: The hinge structure of a console box including a brake shaft and a braking device, arranged in a place displaced in the axial direction of a hinge shaft and disposed on one side of the hinge shaft. When opening and closing a lid, the drive shaft and the hinge shaft rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the lid, while a friction plate between the brake shaft and a braking plate is pressed against the rotating end face and the stationary brake plate, which is secured to a storage box, and a predetermined friction force can be produced continuously. Due to the friction force, the lid can be rotated under the influence of a moderate extent of rotational resistance when opening and closing the lid, and the position of the lid can be kept in the place where the lid stopped rotating within a rotatable range of the lid.

Abstract: A hinge structure for a lid of an in-vehicle console box includes a storage box having an opening, a lid having a front end and a rear end, and a hinge member having a rotation axis. The hinge member is disposed between the storage box and the lid so the lid rotates around the rotation axis to open and close the opening. A slide mechanism is located between the lid and the hinge member so the lid can move in the directions of the front end and the rear end in relation to the hinge member when opening and closing the lid. A converting mechanism converts a turning force for rotating the lid around the rotation axis to a linear force for sliding the lid in the directions of the front end and rear end so the lid moves in the direction of the rear end when being opened, and in the direction of the front end when being closed.

Abstract: A cup holder holding an object includes: a storing part being cylindrical and being opened at an upper portion; an opening part provided at a side wall of the storing part; a holder being biased towards an interior of the storing part and being stored inside the opening part so that the holder may protrude and retract; and a restricting part provided on the opening part, wherein the restricting part restrains a movement of the holder at a maximum storage position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic laminated article comprising a surface layer of a sheet-like surface member and a synthetic resin backing material layer laminated on the surface layer, without causing a fracture or a reduction in wall thickness of the sheet-like surface member. When the male mold is pressed against the contact area of the sheet-like surface member, the temperature of the contact area of the sheet-like surface member gradually falls due to a thermal gradient between the male mold and the contact area of the sheet-like surface member. Simultaneously, the contact area of the sheet-like surface member is not heated directly. In addition, the direction of jet flow of a hot fluid is changed, by fluid guide surfaces, from the center of the sheet-like surface member to the outer periphery, of the sheet-like surface member.

Abstract: A hinge structure for a lid of an in-vehicle console box includes a storage box having an opening, a lid having a front end and a rear end, and a hinge member having a rotation axis. The hinge member is disposed between the storage box and the lid so the lid rotates around the rotation axis to open and close the opening. A slide mechanism is located between the lid and the hinge member so the lid can move in the directions of the front end and the rear end in relation to the hinge member when opening and closing the lid. A converting mechanism converts a turning force for rotating the lid around the rotation axis to a linear force for sliding the lid in the directions of the front end and rear end so the lid moves in the direction of the rear end when being opened, and in the direction of the front end when being closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the airflow direction at a supply opening for air conditioning. The operational feeling of an operation knob hardly changes an a stable movement of the operation knob is obtained over the entire operation range of the operation knob. As the operation knob reciprocates, the supporting rib linearly contacts an elastic member. Thereby, the supporting rib can retain a stable posture with respect to the elastic member. Consequently, the invariable operational feeling of the operation knob can be obtained over the entire operation range of the operation knob.

Abstract: A structure for supporting an air guide vane in a supply opening for air conditioning prevents abrupt changes of load resistance to rotation of the air guide van and provides a good operational feel when rotating the air guide vane. A supporting member of the air guide vane is an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness of between Shore A80 and Shore D60. The degree of mold transferability of olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer is characteristically lower than that of other thermoplastic elastomers. By virtue of molding an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer microscopic concavities and convexities are formed on the surface of the supporting member. The rotation shaft of the air guide vane is supported by multiple point contacts with the inner surface respective through-holes.