Drawer device

Abstract

A drawer device includes a case, and a drawer member housed in the case and capable of withdrawing from and retracting into an opening of the case. A rotating member is disposed within the case for converting linear displacement into rotation, and a pressing device presses the rotating member in a direction of the linear displacement toward a withdrawing direction of the drawer member. An abutting section is disposed at the drawer member for abutting against the rotating member for converting rotation of the rotating member into displacement of the drawer member in the withdrawing or retracting direction. A latching device latches the drawer member to the case when the drawer member is housed within the case and unlatches when the drawer member is pressed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to a drawer device having a drawer member disposed in a case with an opening and capable of withdrawing from and retracting through the opening.

In a drawer device having a drawer member that can be withdrawn from and retracted into an opening, such as a container holder or ash tray, the drawer member projects from the opening to thereby become available for use when a front surface of the drawer member, exposed at the opening while the drawer member is housed in the case, is pressed and released from the housed condition.

For example, in a device disclosed in Patent Reference 1, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12(A), a reel 202 is provided as a device for withdrawing a holder 200. A center shaft 204 of the reel 202 is pivoted on a base body 208 fixed to the holder 200 so as to freely turn, and a gear 210 is fastened at one end of the center shaft 204. A damper 220 is fastened to the base body 208, and a gear 218 is anchored to a turning shaft 217 of a damper 220 to engage the gear 210.

One end of a constant spring (constant force spring) 212 is anchored to the reel 202, and the constant spring is wound around the peripheral surface of the reel 202. A substantially T-shaped engaging section 212A is formed at the other end of the constant spring 212 and latched to the projection 216 disposed on the case 214. In the housed position where the holder 200 is housed in the case 214, the holder 200 is latched to the case 214. In this state, the constant spring 212 is stretched to accumulate a bias force.

When the front surface of the holder 200 is pressed toward a rear side of the case 214 in this state, the holder 200 is unlatched from the case 214. When the pressing condition stops, the restoring force of the constant spring 212 rotates the reel 202 and ejects the holder 200 (see FIG. 12(B)). At this point, the gear 218 engages the gear 210 to operate the damper 220, and the holder 200 ejects slowly.

In order to house the holder 200 in the case 214, the front surface of the holder 200 is pressed toward the rear side of the case 214. Accordingly, the reel 202 rotates along the movement of the holder 200, and the constant spring 212 is stretched against the bias force of the constant spring 212. When the holder 200 reaches a predetermined position, the holder 200 is latched to the case 214, and the housed condition of the holder 200 is maintained (see FIG. 12(A)).

In such a structure, the holder 200 has a stroke same as a range (pressing stroke) of a pulling force (a pressing force to press the holder 200) pulling the holder 200. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a spring that can apply the pressing force corresponding to the stroke, and a regular coil spring may buckle.

Accordingly, the constant spring 212 is stretched to accumulate the bias force. The constant spring 212 is an expensive part, thereby increasing cost of the container holder 222.

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2003-40023

In view of the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a drawer device in which a pressing device has a stroke shorter than a moving range of a drawer member.

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain the objects described above, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a drawer device includes a case with an opening; a drawer member housed in the case and capable of withdrawing from and retracting into the opening; a rotating member disposed within the case for converting linear displacement into rotation; a pressing device for pressing the rotating member in a direction of the linear displacement toward a withdrawing direction of the drawer member; an abutted section disposed at the drawer member for abutting against the rotating member for converting rotation of the rotating member into displacement of the drawer member in the withdrawing or retracting direction; and a latching device for latching the drawer member to the case when the drawer member is housed within the case and unlatching when the drawer member is pressed.

In the first aspect of the invention, the drawer member is housed within the case having the opening, and can be ejected from and retracted into the opening. The rotating member is provided within the case to convert linear displacement into rotation (rotational displacement). The pressing device presses the rotating member in the direction of linear displacement directed in the projecting direction of the drawer member.

The drawer member is provided with the abutted section that abuts against the rotating member and converts the rotation of the rotating member into the displacement of the drawer member in the withdrawing or retracting direction. The latching device latches the drawer member to the case, and the drawer member is latched to the case when the drawer member is housed within the case and unlatched when the drawer member is pressed.

When the drawer member is unlatched from the latching device, the pressing device presses the rotating member in the direction of linear displacement directed in the projecting direction of the drawer member. Accordingly, the rotating member rotates, and the abutted section abutting against the rotating member causes the drawer member to eject from the opening.

As described above, the rotating member provided within the case converts the pressing force, which is applied in the direction of linear displacement directed in the withdrawing direction of the drawer member, into rotational force, the rotating member abuts with the abutted section, and the abutted section converts the rotation of the rotating member into the displacement of the drawer member in the projecting or retracting direction. Therefore, the displacement of the drawer member equals the displacement obtained by adding the linear displacement of the rotating member displaced within the case to the displacement of the drawer member resulting from the abutment of the rotating member with the abutted section.

The range to which the pressing force of the pressing device is applied (pressing stroke) represents the linear displacement of the rotating member that moves within the case. The displacement, therefore, equals the amount obtained by subtracting the displacement of the drawer member resulting from the abutment of the rotating member with the abutted section from the displacement of the drawer member.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the pressing stroke of the pressing device can be reduced by a portion corresponding to the displacement of the drawer member resulting from the abutment of the rotating member with the abutted section, as compared to a case that the pressing device directly presses and ejects the drawer member from the opening of the case.

The pressing stroke is reduced in this manner to eliminate spring buckling even when a coil spring is employed. Accordingly, an inexpensive spring, instead of an expensive spring such as a constant force spring, can be used. In addition, the reduced pressing stroke allows even a coil spring to maintain a predetermined level of pressing force.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the drawer device in the first aspect, the rotating member is a gear member that engages a first rack disposed along the withdrawing or retracting direction of the drawer member within the case, and the abutted section is a second rack that engages the gear member.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the rotating member is the gear member that engages with the first rack disposed along the withdrawing or retracting direction of the drawer member within the case, and the abutted section is the second rack that engages with the gear member. Accordingly, the rotating member securely engages the abutted section. Since it also reduces the likelihood of slipping when compared to the use of a friction roller and a belt, which uses frictional force to move the drawer member, the displacement of the drawer member achieved via the rotating member and the abutted section is more precise.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the drawer device in the second aspect, the gear member is provided with a damper disposed at a shaft section thereof. In the third aspect, the damper disposed at the shaft section allows the drawer device to slowly eject from the opening when the drawer member is unlatched from the latching device, thereby providing high quality.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the drawer device in one of the second and third aspects, the gear member comprises a first gear that engages the first rack and a second gear that engages the second rack and rotates integrally with the first gear. The second gear has a radius larger than that of the first gear.

In the fourth aspect, the gear member comprises the first gear that engages the first rack and the second gear that engages the second rack and rotates integrally with the first gear. The radius of the second gear is larger than that of the first gear. Accordingly, an angular velocity of the second gear becomes larger than that of the first gear, and increases the displacement of the drawer member that is moved via the first gear, the second gear and the second rack, as compared to the linear displacement of the first gear that moves via the first rack within the case. Thus, the displacement of the gear member (pressing stroke) can be made shorter than that in the first aspect, thereby stabilizing the pressing force of the pressing device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the drawer device in one of the second to fourth aspects, a slider member is disposed within the case and is linearly displaced by the pressing device. The gear member is rotatably supported by the slider member. In the fifth aspect, the slider member directly moved by the pressing device is disposed within the case, and the gear member is rotatably supported by the slider member. Accordingly, the slider member can be housed within the case while the gear member is attached to the slider member, thereby improving assembly of the drawer device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the drawer device in one of the first to fifth aspects, the pressing device is a coil-shaped spring installed in the case and having two ends abutting against the slider member while they intersect when viewed axially to accumulate a bias force in proportion to an intersection angle of the two ends of the spring.

In the sixth aspect, the pressing device is the coil spring that is installed in the case. The two ends of the spring intersect when viewed axially, and in this state they abut against the slider member to accumulate the bias force in proportion to the intersection angle of the two ends of the spring. In other words, when the drawer member is ejected from the opening, the intersection angle of the two ends of the spring is small, whereas when the drawer member is housed within the case, the intersection angle of the two ends of the spring is large. The both ends of the spring abut against and press the slider member as described above, thereby reducing spring buckling as compared to a coil spring and preventing tilting of the slider member. The coil-shaped spring also reduces cost as compared to a constant force spring.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the drawer device in one of the first to fifth aspects, the pressing device is a coil spring whose one end abuts against the slider member and the other end abuts the case. In the seventh aspect, the coil spring is used as the pressing device, thereby reducing cost as compared to a constant force spring. Moreover, reducing the pressing stroke prevents buckling.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the drawer device in one of the first to seventh aspects, the drawer member is a cup holder.

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, in the first to eighth aspects, the applicable range of the pressing force of the pressing device (pressing stroke) is reduced as compared to allowing the pressing device to directly press the drawer member, thereby eliminating the likelihood of buckling even for a coil spring. Thus, an inexpensive coil spring can be used instead of an expensive spring, such as a constant force spring. In addition, a shortened pressing stroke allows even a coil spring to maintain a predetermined pressing force.

In the second aspect, the engagement of the rotating member and the abutted section is ensured. Since it also reduces the likelihood of the drawer member slipping when compared to the use of a friction roller and belt for moving the drawer member using frictional force, the displacement of the drawer member achieved via the rotating member and the abutted section is more precise.

In the third aspect, the drawer member slowly ejects from the opening when the drawer member is unlatched from the latching device, thereby providing high quality.

In the fourth aspect, it is possible to increase the displacement of the drawer member that is moved via the first gear, the second gear, and the second rack, as compared to the linear displacement of the first gear that moves via the first rack within the case, thereby making the displacement of the gear member (pressing stroke) shorter than in the first aspect to thereby stabilize the pressing force of the pressing device.

In the fifth aspect, it is possible to house the slider member in the case while the gear member is attached to the slider member, thereby promoting efficient assembly of the drawer device.

In the sixth aspect, the both ends of the spring abut against and press the slider member, thereby reducing the likelihood of spring buckling as compared to a coil spring and preventing the slider member from tilting. In addition, the use of the coil-shaped spring promotes cost reduction as compared to a constant force spring.

In the seventh aspect, the coil spring is used as the pressing device to reduce cost as compared to a constant force spring. In addition, configuring the unit with a shortened pressing stroke prevents the spring from buckling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container holder having a drawer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are longitudinal sectional views showing an operation of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are views showing a gear of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5(A) is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5(B) is a sectional view thereof;

FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are plan views showing a relationship between a slider and a torsion coil spring of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a latch device of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are schematic diagrams showing an operation of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are schematic diagrams of a comparative example of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are schematic diagrams of a modified example of the container holder having the drawer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional container holder; and

FIGS. 12(A) and 12(B) are longitudinal sectional views showing an operation of the conventional container holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4(A) and 4(B) illustrate a container holder 10 to which a drawer device is applied. The container holder 10 is installed in a center console arranged between a driver seat and a front passenger seat (not shown). The container holder 10 is formed of a case 12 housed within a recess formed in the center console, a holder 14 housed in the case 12, and a slider 16 that moves within the case 12 to cause the holder 14 to eject and retract.

The case 12 is roughly box-shaped, and has a polygonal opening 15 formed at a top thereof and a rectangular opening 18 formed in one of longitudinal end surfaces thereof. A latching projection 20 projects from a center of the other longitudinal end surface of the case 12 in the longitudinal direction of the case 12 for engaging a counterpart formed in the recess of the center console.

A substantially T-shaped bracket 22 is fastened to each sidewall near a first longitudinal end surface of the case 12, which extends in the widthwise direction of the case 12 and is fastened to a flange formed at the periphery of the recess of the center console.

At the inner center of the other longitudinal end surface of the case 12, a seat 24 with a substantially L-shaped cross section is disposed. A height of an upper face 24A is slightly lower than surrounding walls. The upper face 24A includes a through hole 26 to which the later described clip 30 of the latching member 28 can be latched. The latching member 28, when latched to the upper face 24A of the seat 24, can rotate in the horizontal direction using the clip 30 as an axis.

At the widthwise center of a bottom surface of the case 12, a rack 32 is formed from the center toward the opening 18 of the case 12, and a rib 34 is formed in parallel to and on each side of the rack 32, so that a height thereof substantially coincides with peaks of teeth of the rack 32 in the same plane. A tubular rib 36, an upper face of which is closed, is disposed to stand between the rack 32 and the seat 24. At an upper section of the tubular rib 36 on a rack side, a pair of tabs 40 is formed so as to radially overhang.

A torsion coil spring 42 is installable around the tubular rib 36. When the torsion coil spring 42 is installed, one end of the torsion coil spring 42 is positioned below the tabs 40 to restrict the upward displacement of the torsion coil spring 42 to prevent it from slipping off. The two ends of the torsion coil spring 42 positioned at two axial ends intersect when viewed axially. In this state, the two ends abut against a slider 16 (described later) to accumulate a resilient force proportional to an angle at which the two ends of the torsion coil spring 42 intersect.

On inner surfaces of both sidewalls of the case 12, engaging recesses 44, 45, and 46 are created along the longitudinal direction from the top in that sequence. The slider 16 with a body 48 that is open in the center can be housed in the case 12, and from the lower section of each widthwise sidewall a wing 50 extends horizontally.

An engaging projection 50A is formed at a leading end surface of the wing 50 to engage the engaging recess 46 of the case 12. The engagement of the engaging recess 46 with the engaging projection 50A allows the slider 16 to horizontally move within the case 12 in the longitudinal direction. In the center of one end of the body 48, a housing section 52 formed of upright walls 52A and 52B is disposed for retaining a gear 54. The gear 54 housed in the housing section 52 can be exposed in the upper and lower directions, and engages rack 32 formed in the case 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3, and 5(A) and 5(B), a tubular damper case 56 comprising a damper 55 is fitted in the center of the gear 54 so as to rotate integrally with the gear 54. On the shaft core side of the damper case 56, an annular recess 56A is created, which comprises a rotor 58 and is filled with an elastic material 57, such as silicon, to allow sliding within the annular recess 56A. At the shaft core of the damper case 56, moreover, a center shaft 60 is disposed as the shaft of the gear 54.

The upright walls 52A and 52B facing each other along the widthwise direction of the body 48 in the housing section 52 have shaft support sections 62 and 64, respectively, that are slots with the upper section open, to pivotally support the two ends of the center shaft 60 so as to turn. The two ends of the center shaft 60 passing through the shaft support sections 62 and 64 abut against the tip ends of the tabs 53 disposed upright and in parallel to the upright walls 52A and 52B thereby preventing the center shaft 60 from slipping off.

An engaging shoulder 62A is formed in the shaft support section 62, which engages the arc ribs 58A formed to oppose each other at the inner edge of the rotor 58 with both ends cut off. When the arc ribs 58A engage the engaging shoulder 62A, the rotor 58 stops rotating, and the center shaft 60, damper case 56, and gear 54 rotate around the rotor 58. Once the center shaft 60, damper case 56, and gear 54 rotate, the sliding resistance between the annular recess 56A of the damper case 56 and the elastic member 57 applies torque to the gear 54.

As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the other end of the body 48 is open, and a pair of abutting ribs 66 hangs inside the body 48 near the end in such a way that they are more spaced apart as they approach the end. The two ends of the torsion coil spring 42 abut against the abutting ribs 66. Depending on a position of the slider 16, the two ends of the torsion coil spring 42 slide across a surface of the abutting ribs 66. A reinforcement member 49 spans between the abutting ribs 66 for increasing strength and preventing deformation of the body 48.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 14 is substantially box-shaped with an opening at a lower portion thereof, and has a size to encase the body 48 of the slider 16 to be housed in the case 12.

Engaging projections 68 are formed horizontally from the upper section of the widthwise sidewalls of the holder 14 to engage the recesses 44 created in the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of the case 12. The engagement of the engaging recesses 44 and the engaging projection 68 allows the holder 14 to horizontally move within the case 12 in the longitudinal direction.

A substantially square through section 70 is formed in the upper surface of the holder 14 from the center in the longitudinal direction toward one end, and each of the inner walls of the through section 70 has a curved surface. A container 72, such as a PETE bottle, can be inserted into the through section 70 (see FIG. 4(B)).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(A), the holder 14 is provided with a rack 74 at the inner widthwise center thereof extending from one edge of the through section 70 across the other end of the holder 14 for engaging the gear 54 exposed from the housing section 52 of the slider 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the holder 14 is provided with a heart-shaped cam 76 in the center of that longitudinal end for latching a pin 28A hanging from the tip end of the latching member 28 installed in the case 12. The clip 30 of the latching member 28 has a pair of press members 29 extending outwardly. The press members 29 press the latching member 28 against the seat 24 of the case 12 to accumulate a resilient force when the latching member 28 rotates horizontally using the clip 30 as an axis.

When the pin 28A is latched to the latching section 76A of the cam 76, the holder 14 is latched to the case 12 via the cam 76. At this stage, the press members 29 accumulate the resilient force to some extent. By pressing the holder 14, the press members 29 regain their original shapes to rotate the latching member 28 and disengage the pin 28A from the latching section 76A of the cam 76. Since the latch device 94 of this type, which comprises the heart-shaped cam 76 and the pin 28A, is a known device, the explanation will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a tab section 78 is created on each side of the cam 76 and a peripheral section thereof is notched to project upwardly. The tab section 78 abuts against the inner edge of the opening 15. The tab section 78 abuts against the inner edge of the opening 15 when the holder 14 is ejected from the opening 18 to restrict the displacement of the holder 14 relative to the case 12.

An adjuster 80, substantially rectangular in a horizontal plane, is pivoted on one edge of the through section 70 of the holder 14 so as to rotate relative to the horizontal direction, and is maintained at the horizontal position by the bias force of a torsion spring 81 (see FIG. 4(A)), which is attached to the edge of the through section 70 at one end and the adjuster 80 at the other end.

A curved surface 80A is formed at the leading end of the adjuster 80 for abutting against an outer surface of the container inserted into the through section 70. The adjuster 80 is maintained horizontal to the upper surface of the holder 14, so that the curved surface abuts against the outer surface of a container with a small outer diameter. In the case of a container with a large outer diameter, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the adjuster 80 is pressed against the bias force of the torsion spring 81 as the container 72 is inserted to rotate the adjuster 80 downwardly.

A hole 82 and a slot 84 are formed at each side surface of the holder 14 on the other side. The holder 14 is provided with a substantially gate-shaped tray 86 with one side open so as to rotate relative to the horizontal direction of the holder 14. Pins 88 project from the outer surfaces of the two opposing sidewalls 86A of the tray 86 at the free ends, and are inserted into the holes 82.

Engaging pins 90 project in the vicinity of the pins 88 to engage and move within the slots 84. The rotation of the tray 86 is restricted via the engaging pins 90 when the engaging pins are abutted against the edges of the slots 84. A length between the pin 88 and the leading end 86B of the tray 86 is shorter than a length between the hole 82 and the inner face of the leading end of the holder 14, and the tray 86 can be folded into the holder 14. A bridge 92 spans between the two sidewalls 86A near the free ends of the sidewalls 86A of the tray 86, thereby preventing the tray 86 from deforming.

The engaging pins 90 also engage the engaging recesses 45 created in the inner faces of the two sidewalls of the case 12. The engagement of the engaging recesses 45 and the engaging pins 90 allows the tray 86 to move horizontally within the case 12 in the longitudinal direction. The tray 86 can rotate downwardly below the holder 14 using its own weight. When the holder 14 is fully ejected from the case 12, the tray 86 rotates downwardly below the holder 14 using its own weight. When the tray 86 rotates downwardly and stops below the holder 14, the leading end 86B of the tray 86 is situated below the through section 70 of the holder 14 and in parallel to the upper face of the holder 14 upon which the container 72 inserted into the through section 70 can rest.

When the holder 14 moves within the case 12, the tray 86 is supported one-sidedly, and thus moves in a slightly slanted condition relative to the holder 14 and the case 12. At this point, the leading end 86B of the tray 86 abuts against the upper face of the rib 12A formed in the bottom surface of the case 12 to restrict downward displacement. Thus, the tray slides over the upper face of the rib 12A without getting caught by the peaks of the rack 32.

Next, a function of the present invention related to the embodiment will be explained.

When the front surface 14A of the holder 14 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is pressed toward the rear of the case 12, the cam 76 of the holder 14 is unlatched from the pins 28A of the latching member 28 of the case 12, and the slider 16 is pressed toward the opening 18 of the case 12 by the bias force of the torsion coil spring 42 which has accumulated bias force. Accordingly, the gear 54 housed in the housing section 52 of the slider 16 engages the rack 32 of the case 12 and rotates. Since the gear 54 engages the rack 74 of the holder 14, the rotation of the gear 54 causes, via the rack 74, the holder 14 to move in the direction to eject from the opening 18.

As described above, the gear 54 is provided within the case 12 to convert the pressing force of the torsion coil spring 42, which is applied in the direction of linear displacement in the withdrawing direction of the holder 14, into the rotation. The holder 14 is provided with the rack 74 to allow the gear 54 to engage the rack 74, which converts the rotation of the gear 54 into the displacement of the holder 14 in the withdrawing direction. As a result, the displacement of the holder 14 (X) equals the displacement obtained by adding the linear displacement (X1) of the gear 54, which moves within the case 12, to the displacement (X2) of the holder 14 resulting from the engagement of the gear 54 with the rack 74, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) (FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) schematically illustrate certain components of the container holder 10).

The applicable range of the pressing force of the torsion coil spring 42 (pressing stroke) is the linear displacement (X1) of the gear 54 that moves within the case 12. Thus, the displacement (X1) equals the amount obtained by subtracting the displacement (X2) of the holder 14, which is moved by the engagement of the gear 54 with the rack 74, from the displacement (X) of the holder 14.

In the case of having the torsion coil spring 42 directly press the holder 14 to eject from the opening 18 of the case 12, as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) (FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are comparative diagrams relative to FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)), the pressing stroke (L) of the torsion coil spring 42 equals the displacement (L1) of the holder 14.

In other words, in the present invention, the pressing stroke of the torsion coil spring 42 can be reduced by the portion corresponding to the displacement (X2) of the holder 14 resulting from the engagement of the gear 54 with the rack 74, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B), as compared to having the torsion coil spring 42 directly press the holder 14.

Reducing the stroke of the torsion coil spring 42 in this manner prevents the torsion coil spring 42 from buckling. Accordingly, an inexpensive spring, instead of an expensive spring such as a constant force spring, can be used. Furthermore, even with an inexpensive spring, a predetermined level of pressing force can be maintained.

Moreover, the use of the gear 54 and rack 74 reduces the likelihood of slipping compared to the use of a friction roller, for example, which is abutted against the holder 14 to move the holder 14 by using the frictional force of the friction roller. Thus, the displacement of the holder 14 achieved is more precise. It is needless to say, however, that such a frictional roller may also be employed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, moreover, by providing the damper 55 at the shaft section of the gear 54, the holder 14 can be slowly ejected from the opening 18 when the holder 14 is unlatched from the latch device 94, thereby providing the container holder 10 with high quality. By providing the slider 16, which is linearly moved by the torsion coil spring 42, within the case 12, and having the slider 16 rotatably support the gear 54, the slider 16 can be housed within the case 12 while having the gear 54 attached to the slider 16, thereby improving assembly of the container holder 10.

The torsion coil spring 42 is used as the pressing device. The two ends of the torsion coil spring 42 intersect when viewed axially, and are abutted against the slider 16 in the condition to accumulate the resilient force in proportion to the intersection angle θ. In other words, the intersection angle θ of the two ends of the torsion coil spring 42 is small when the holder 14 is ejected from the opening 18 (see FIG. 6(A)), while the intersection angle θ is large when the holder 14 is housed within the case 12 (see FIG. 6(B)).

Allowing both ends of the torsion coil spring 42 to abut against and press the slider 16 as described above reduces the likelihood of the spring buckling as compared to a coil spring, and prevents the tilting of the slider 16. The use of a coil-shaped spring also reduces costs as compared to a constant force spring.

In this embodiment, one gear, the gear 54, is employed, and another gear, a gear 98 shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) (FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams offered for comparison with FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B)), which rotates integrally with the gear 54, may be used. The gear 54 engages the rack 32 of the case 12 while the gear 98 engages the rack 74 of the holder 14. Setting the rotation rate of the gear 98 relative to the gear 54 at greater than 1 achieves a faster angular velocity for the gear 98 than for the gear 54. Accordingly, the displacement (X4) of the holder 14, which is moved via the gear 54, gear 98 and rack 74, becomes greater than the displacement (X2) of the gear 54, which moves linearly within the case 12 via the rack 32. Thus, the displacement (X3) of the gears 54 and 98, or the pressing stroke of the torsion coil spring 42, can be further reduced, thereby further stabilizing the pressing force of the torsion coil spring 42.

In this embodiment, the torsion coil spring 42 is used, and a coil spring may be used. In this case, it may be configured so that the holder 14 is ejected by abutting one end of the coil spring against the slider 16 and the other end against the case 12. The use of the coil spring can further reduce costs, and a shortened pressing stroke can prevent the coil spring from buckling.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), the damper 55 is provided at the shaft section of the gear 54 to apply torque to the gear 54 utilizing the sliding resistance between the annular recess 56A of the damper case 56 and the elastic member 57 of the rotor 58, but the construction is not limited to that. For example, a viscous fluid (not shown) such as silicon oil may be filled in the damper case to apply torque to the gear 54 using the viscous resistance of the viscous fluid. The damper 55 is provided at the shaft section of the gear 54, and the damper 55 may be omitted.

In this embodiment, the container holder has been explained as the drawer device, and the present invention is not limited to that. The drawer device may be anything as long as the drawer member within the case can eject and retract, and thus may be an ash tray or the like.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-165764, filed on Jun. 3, 2004, 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 drawer device comprising:

a case with an opening,

a drawer member housed in the case for withdrawing from and retracting into the case through the opening,

a rotating member disposed in the case for changing a linear movement to a rotational movement,

a pressing device disposed in the case for pressing the rotating member in a direction such that the drawer member projects from the case,

an abutting section disposed on the drawer member and abutting against the rotating member, said abutting section changing the rotational movement of the rotating member to a movement of the drawer member in a withdrawing or retracting direction, and

a latching device for latching the drawer member to the case when the drawer member is housed in the case and unlatching the drawer member from the case when the drawer member is pressed.

2. A drawer device according to claim 1, further comprising a first rack disposed in the case along a direction that the drawer member moves linearly, said rotating member having a gear member for engaging the first rack, said abutting section having a second rack for engaging the gear member.

3. A drawer device according to claim 2, wherein said gear member includes a damper disposed on a shaft section thereof.

4. A drawer device according to claim 2, wherein said gear member includes a first gear for engaging the first rack, and a second gear for engaging the second rack and rotating together with the first gear, said second gear having a radius larger than that of the first gear.

5. A drawer device according to claim 2, further comprising a slider member disposed in the case and moved linearly by the pressing device, said gear member being rotatably supported by the slider member.

6. A drawer device according to claim 1, wherein said pressing device is a coil spring disposed in the case and having two ends abutting against the slider member in a state that the two ends intersect, said coil spring accumulating a bias force in proportion to an intersection angle of the two ends of the spring.

7. A drawer device according to claim 6, wherein said drawer member includes a concave section for receiving a coil section of the coil spring when the drawer member is disposed in the case.

8. A drawer device according to claim 1, wherein said pressing device is a coil spring having one end abutting against the slider member and the other end abutting against the case.

9. A drawer device according to claim 1, wherein said drawer member includes a cup holder.