Storage body

Abstract

A storage body comprises a main body, a cover body, an interlocking member, a slider, and an urging member. The main body has an opening portion and a guide portion. The main body has a base plate which is provided with the guide portion, the interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member integrally. The slider has a pin portion connected to the interlocking member by way of a connecting mechanism composed of a rack and a pinion. The urging member has opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of the urging member is fastened to the base plate or the interlocking member, and the other one of the opposite ends of the urging member is fastened to the slider. Dampers damping the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body can be further provided in the base plate integrally.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage body such as a glove box provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle of an automobile, etc., for example.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various glove boxes provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle of an automobile, etc. have been known. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2-267,038 discloses a glove box using a driving force to open and close a cover body.

In the glove box disclosed in the publication, a motor is driven firstly by applying an opening operation force or a closing operation force to the cover body manually. Thereafter, the cover body is opened and closed by a driving force of the motor.

According to the glove box disclosed in the publication, it is possible to open and close the cover body with a simple operation by a user. However, there arises a problem that a cost for the glove box increases because motors are expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed and completed in view of the aforementioned circumstance. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage body in which a cover body can be opened and closed easily with a simple constitution without using a motor.

A storage body according to the present invention can achieve the aforementioned object, and comprises:

a main body having an opening portion and a guide portion;

a cover body supported by the main body in such a manner that the opening portion can be opened and closed;

an interlocking member connected to the cover body, and interlocking with opening and closing motion of the cover body;

a slider having a pin portion which is connected to the interlocking member by way of a connecting mechanism and is guided by engaging with the guide portion, and moving along the guide portion by engagement of the guide portion with the pin portion in association with the opening and closing motion of the cover body; and

• • an urging member being expandable and contractible for accumulating an urging force in association with the opening and closing motion of the cover body, the urging force urging the cover body in at least one of an opening movement and a closing movement;

the main body having a base plate;

the base plate being provided with the guide portion, the interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member; and

the urging member having opposite ends, one of the opposite ends fastened to the base plate or the interlocking member, the other one of the opposite ends fastened to the slider.

In this storage body, when the interlocking member interlocks in association with the opening and closing motion of the cover body, the pin portion of the slider connected to the interlocking member by way of the connecting mechanism is guided by the guide portion of the main body such that the slider moves along the guide portion. When the slider moves in such a manner, the urging member, in which one of the opposite ends thereof is fastened to the base plate of the main body or the interlocking member and the other one of the opposite ends thereof is fastened to the slider, expands and contracts so as to accumulate the urging force therein.

Here, the magnitude of the urging force accumulated in the urging member (the amount of expansion and contraction of the urging member), the direction of the urging force, the timing for accumulating the urging force, and the timing for releasing the accumulated urging force change depending on the shape of the guide portion. Thus, when the shape of the guide portion is set appropriately, the slider moves along the guide portion by the urging force accumulated in the urging member. Consequently, the interlocking member moves by way of the connecting mechanism such that the cover body can be opened and closed by interlocking with this interlocking member.

Thus, in the storage body according to the present invention, the urging force is accumulated in the urging member by the opening and closing motion of the cover body, and the thus accumulated urging force urges the cover body in its opening movement and/or its closing movement. As such, since the urging force, which has been accumulated in advance in association with the opening and closing motion of the cover body, can be utilized for the opening movement and/or the closing movement of the cover body, it is not necessary to dispose an expensive driving source, such as a motor, additionally. Accordingly, the cover body can be opened and closed with the simple constitution without using a motor. Therefore, the high cost as a result of employing an expensive driving source, such as a motor, can be prevented.

In addition, by setting the shape of the guide portion appropriately, the strength and/or the timing, etc. for urging the cover body in the opening and closing motion can be set as desired, and the degree of designing freedom is enhanced accordingly.

In addition, in the storage body according to the present invention, the main body has the base plate, and the guide portion, the interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member are provided in this base plate. Thus, while these members are provided with respect to this base plate, it is possible to confirm whether these members activate appropriately and adjust these members to activate appropriately before installing them to the main body. Therefore, confirmation and adjustment of the activation of these members can be carried out easily. Moreover, the installation operation is done with ease, because it is not necessary to install each member of the guide portion, the interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member to the main body separately. Further, the maintenance operation is also done with ease, because it is possible to adjust the activation by detaching the base plate from the main body.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage body according to the present invention further comprises a first damper damping the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body by damping a movement of the slider, wherein:

the first damper is provided in the base plate.

In this storage body, because the first damper damps the movement of the slider so as to damp the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body, a shock accompanied with the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body can be deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body smooth.

In addition, since this first damper is also provided in the base plate, the confirmation and adjustment of the activation of those including the first damper can be carried out easily.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage body according to the present invention further comprises a second damper damping the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body by damping a movement of the interlocking member, wherein:

the second damper is provided in the base plate.

In this storage body, because the second damper damps the movement of the interlocking member so as to damp the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body, the shock accompanied with the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body can be deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body smooth.

In addition, since this second damper is also provided in the base plate, the confirmation and adjustment of the activation of those including the second damper can be carried out easily.

Here, it is preferred that the storage body according to the present invention comprises the first damper which damps one of the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body by damping the movement of the slider, and further comprises the second damper which damps the other one of the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body by damping the movement of the interlocking member, wherein the first damper and the second damper are provided in the base plate.

In this storage body, because the first damper damps one of the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body by damping the movement of the slider, and also the second damper damps the other one of the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body by damping the interlocking member, the shock accompanied with the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body can be deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body smooth.

In addition, since these first damper and second damper are also provided in the base plate, the confirmation and adjustment of the activation of those including the first damper and the second damper.

In the storage body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein:

the connecting mechanism is composed of a rack provided in the interlocking member and a pinion pivotally supported in the slider rotatably and meshing with the rack; and

the slider moves along the guide portion by the engagement of the guide portion with the pin portion thereof in association with the opening or closing motion of the cover body, and reciprocates along the rack by mesh of the rack with the pinion.

In this storage body, when the interlocking member interlocks in association with the opening and closing motion of the cover body, the pin portion of the slider is guided by the guide portion of the main body such that the slider moves along the guide portion, and the pinion pivotally supported in the slider meshes with the rack provided in the interlocking member such that the slider reciprocates along the interlocking member. That is, in this storage body, in association with the opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body, while the slider moves along the guide portion, it moves forwards (from the side of one of the opposite ends to the side of the other one of the opposite ends of the interlocking member), or moves backwards (from the side of the other one of the opposite ends to the side of one of the opposite ends of the interlocking member) along the interlocking member. When the slider moves in such a manner, the urging member, in which one of the opposite ends thereof is fastened to the base plate of the main body or the interlocking member, and the other one of the opposite ends thereof is fastened to the slider, expands and contracts so as to accumulate the urging force therein.

In addition, in this storage body, the guide portion, the interlocking member provided with the rack, the slider pivotally supporting the pinion, and the urging member are provided in the base plate which can be installed to the main body by retrofitting. Thus, when these members are provided with respect to this base plate, it is possible to confirm whether these members activate appropriately and adjust these members to activate appropriately before installing them to the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of its advantages will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed specification, all of which forms part of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectioned side view for schematically illustrating a storage body according to an Example of the present invention when a cover body is in a closed state.

FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned side view for schematically illustrating the storage body according to the Example of the present invention when the cover body is in an opened state.

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectioned side view for schematically illustrating the storage body according to the Example of the present invention when the cover body is in a half closed state.

FIG. 4 is a side view for schematically illustrating the storage body according to the Example of the present invention when the cover body is in the closed state.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a shape of a guide portion of the storage body according to the Example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Having generally described the present invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to the specific preferred embodiment which is provided herein for the purpose of illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Example

In the present example, a storage body according to the present invention is adopted as a glove box provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle of an automobile, etc.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the storage body according to the present example comprises a main body 1, a cover body 2, a rail 3 serving as an interlocking member, a rack 4 composing a connecting mechanism, a pinion 5 composing the connecting mechanism together with the rack 4, a slider 6, an urging member 7, a one-way clutch gear 8, a first damper 9, and a second damper 10.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the main body 1 is composed of a box-shaped main body 11 made of a synthetic resin having an opening portion 11a and a base plate 12 composed of a metal plate. Note that, the material for the base plate 12 is not limited in particular, as far as it has a desired strength, and a synthetic resin, etc. can be employed. The base plate 12 is fastened to one side of the box-shaped main body 11 with bolts 13 by retrofitting. In addition, a grooved guide portion 14 having a predetermined shape (in the present example, a substantially triangular shape) is formed in this base plate 12.

As shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 5, when the base plate 12 is fastened to the box-shaped main body 11, the guide portion 14 has a close end portion 15 at upper position farthest away from the opening portion 11a of the box-shaped main body 11, an open end portion 16 at the lowermost position closest to the opening portion 11a, and an inflection portion 17 at the uppermost position away from the opening portion 11a. A first connecting portion 18 on the lower side connects between the close end portion 15 and the open end portion 16. A second connecting portion 19 on the upper side connects between the open end portion 16 and the inflection portion 17. A third connecting portion 20 on the upper side connects between the inflection portion 17 and the close end portion 15. The first connecting portion 18 is formed such that a distance to a fastened end of the urging member 7 (a spiral base-end portion 7a), which will be described later, gradually shortens from the close end portion 15 toward the open end portion 16. The second connecting portion 19 is formed such that the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a), which will be described later, gradually lengthens from the open end portion 16 toward the inflection portion 17. The third connecting portion 20 is formed such that a distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a), which will be described later, gradually shortens from the inflection portion 17 toward the close end portion 15. In addition, in terms of the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a), which will be described later, the shortest is from the open end portion 16, and the longest is from the inflection portion 17.

Note that, in the second connecting portion 19 connecting between the open end portion 16 and the inflection portion 17, the depth of the groove gradually deepens from the inflection portion 17 toward the open end portion 16 such that a section of the open end portion 16 has the deepest depth. Thus, a step portion 21 is provided between the open end portion 16 and the first connecting portion 18, and this step portion 21 inhibits a pin portion (described later), which has dropped from the first connecting portion 18 to the open end portion 16, from moving backwards in the first connecting portion 18.

The rail 3, the rack 4, the pinion 5, the slider 6, the urging member 7, the one way clutch gear 8, the first damper 9, and the second damper 10 are provided in the base plate 12 integrally. The storage body according to the present example is completed in the following installation manner. Firstly, the rail 3, the rack 4, the pinion 5, the slider 6, the urging member 7, the one way clutch gear 8, the first damper 9, and the second damper 10 are attached to the base plate 12 so as to make an integral piece 22. This integral piece 22 is fastened to the box-shaped main body 11, and the cover body 2 is then installed to the box-shaped main body 11, etc.

The cover body 2 is supported by the box-shaped main body 11 in such a manner that the opening portion 11a of the box-shaped main body 11 can be opened and closed. Specifically, the cover body 2 has a pivotally supporting portion 23 at its bottom end, and the pivotally supporting portion 23 is pivotally supported at the bottom end in the vicinity of the opening portion 11a of the box-shaped main body 11. With this arrangement, the cover body 2 swings about the pivotally supporting portion 23 so as to open and close the opening portion 11a. Note that the directions designated at the arrow “A” of FIG. 1 specify the opening/closing direction of the cover body 2. In the present example, because the cover body 2 swings about the pivotally supporting portion 23, the opening/closing direction of the cover body 2 designated at the arrow “A” of FIG. 1 coincides with an arc direction about the pivotally supporting portion 23. In addition, a locking mechanism (not shown) for latching the cover body 2 with the box-shaped main body 11 of the main body 1 at a position where the opening portion 11a is closed is provided.

The rail 3 has a pivotally supporting portion 24 at its bottom end, and the pivotally supporting portion 24 is pivotally supported at the bottom end of the base plate 12. Note that, in the storage body according to the present example, the pivotally supporting portion 24 of the rail 3 is coaxial with the pivotally supporting portion 23 of the cover body 2. In addition, a leg portion 25 provided at the bottom end of the cover body 2 is fastened in a bottom end portion of the rail 3 by bolts, etc., not shown. Note that, after installing the integral piece 22 to the box-shaped main body 11 and also pivotally supporting the pivotally supporting portion 23 of the cover body 2 at the bottom end of the box-shaped main body 11, the leg portion 25 of the cover body 2 and the rail 3 are fastened. With this arrangement, the rail 3 moves together with the cover body 2 in association with opening and closing motion of the cover body 2. That is, the cover body 2 always interlocks with the rail 3.

Moreover, the rack 4 extending along the rail 3 is provided in the rail 3, and the slider 6 is held for reciprocal motion along the rail 3. Note that, means for holding the slider 6 for reciprocal motion with respect to the rail 3 is not limited in particular. For example, a means for forming a sliding groove and an engagement projection can be employed. In such a means, the sliding groove, which extends along the rail 3, is formed in one of the slider 6 and the rail 3. The engagement projection, which engages with the sliding groove so as to inhibit disengagement from the sliding groove and is capable of reciprocal motion in the sliding groove, is formed in another one of the slider 6 and the rail 3.

In the slider 6, the pinion 5 meshing with the rack 4 is pivotally supported rotatably. This pinion 5 reciprocates (ascends and descends) on the rack 4 by rotating while meshing with the rack 4. Accordingly, the slider 6 reciprocates (ascends and descends) along the rail 3.

Moreover, the pin portion 26, which is guided by engaging with the guide portion 14, is provided in the slider 6. In addition, one of the opposite ends of the urging member 7 is installed to and fastened to the pin portion 26 of this slider 6. In the present example, the urging member 7 is composed of a spiral spring, and a spiral base end portion 7a is fastened to the vicinity of the bottom end portion of the rail 3 which interlocks with the cover 2. When the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 is in the open end portion 16 of the guide portion 14, the urging member 7 is substantially in a natural state, and few urging force is being accumulated in this urging member 7. When the pin portion 26 is in this open end portion 16, the presence or absence and/or the value of the urging member 7 do not matter. Note, however, that if the urging force being accumulated in the urging member 7 is large when the pin portion 26 is in the open end portion 16, an operability deteriorates because the large force is needed when an operator returns the cover body 2 in the opened state back to the closed state.

Note that, the kinds of the urging member 7 are not limited in particular, and a coil spring, a plate spring, and rubber, etc. can be employed. Besides, the positions, where the opposite ends of the urging member are fastened to, are not limited as described above. The spiral base end portion 7a does not have to be fastened to the rail 3 which is on the side of the cover body 2, it can be fastened to the side of the main body 1 (to the base plate 12, preferably). Or, the one of the opposite ends of the urging member 7 does not have to be fastened to the pin portion 26, and it can be fastened to other portions of the slider 6.

Further, the first damper 9 and the one-way clutch gear 8 are provided in the slider 6. The one-way clutch gear 8 is held by the slider 6 so as to be between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9, and works as a clutch which turns a torque transmission between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 ON/OFF. This one-way clutch gear 8 is pivotally supported in the slider 6 rotatably.

With the one-way clutch gear 8 turned ON, the first damper 9 meshes with the pinion 5 by way of the one-way clutch gear 8 (for example, by meshing with a major gear of the one-way clutch gear 8, as described later). Consequently, the torque is transmitted between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 by way of the one-way clutch gear 8. Thus, an appropriate brake is applied relative to the rotation of the pinion 5 such that the rotational speed of the pinion 5 decreases. As for the concrete constitution of this first damper 9, it is not limited in particular. For example, it can have a gear which is axially supported rotatably in an oil chamber. According to the first damper 9 having such a constitution, by reducing the rotational speed of the gear by means of the oil's viscous drag, it is possible to let the first damper 9 exhibit its damping function. Note that, in the storage body according to the present example, this first damper 9 damps the opening movement of the cover body 2, as described later, by damping the movement of the slider 6.

The one-way clutch gear 8 is arranged to be turned ON when the pinion 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 while descending the rack 4. On the other hand, the one-way clutch gear 8 is arranged to be turned OFF when the pinion 5 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 while ascending the rack 4. Note that, when the one-way clutch gear 8 is turned OFF, the torque is not transmitted between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 such that the first damper 9 stops to function.

As for the constitution of the one-way clutch gear 8, it is not limited in particular, as long as it is arranged to be turned ON or OFF alternatively depending on the rotating direction of the pinion 5. For example, the one-way clutch gear 8 can be composed of a rotary shaft, a minor gear, a clutch, and a major gear. In such an arrangement, the minor gear is fastened to the rotary shaft and rotates together with the rotary shaft. The clutch does not mesh with the rotary shaft when the minor gear rotates in one direction (for example, a counterclockwise direction), and the clutch meshes with the rotary shaft when the minor gear rotates in another direction (for example, a clockwise direction). The major gear is connected to the clutch, and rotates together with the clutch. When employing the one-way clutch gear 8 having such a constitution, the pinion 5 meshes to engage with the minor gear of the one-way clutch gear 8, and the first damper 9 meshes to engage with the major gear of the one-way clutch gear 8. Consequently, the minor gear rotates in the counterclockwise direction as the pinion 5 rotates in the clockwise direction such that the one-way clutch gear 8 can be turned OFF. And, the minor gear rotates in the clockwise direction as the pinion 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction such that the one-way clutch gear 8 can be turned ON.

Further, the storage body according to the present example comprises the second damper 10 in which one of the opposite ends thereof is coupled to the vicinity of the top end of the rail 3 and the other one of the opposite ends thereof is coupled to the base plate 12 which is on the side of the main body 1.

The kinds of the second damper 10 are not limited in particular, either. For example, a shock absorber can be employed. Note that, in the storage body according to the present example, this second damper 10 damps the closing movement of the cover body 2, as described later, by damping the movement of the rail 3.

The storage body according to the present example, which has the above-described constitution, operates as hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the cover body 2 is placed at the close position (the closed state) by means of the locking mechanism, not shown, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6, to which one of the opposite ends of the urging member 7 is installed, is positioned at the close end portion 15 of the guide portion 14. In this instance, the urging member 7 is changed from the natural state to the expanded state in a predetermined amount, and a predetermined amount of urging force is being accumulated in the urging member 7. In addition, in this closed state, the slider 6 is positioned in the vicinity of the top end of the rail 3, and is present at an ascending position with respect to the rail 3.

In this closed state, when a lock is unlocked by operating the locking mechanism, not shown, the cover body 2 rotates downwardly (in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1) about the pivotally supporting portion 23 by the urging force of the urging member 7 and by its own weight of the cover body 2, and starts to open the opening portion 11a. When the cover body 2 rotates, the rail 3, which is fastened to the leg portion 25 of the cover body 2, interlocks with the cover body 2 such that the rail 3 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1 about the pivotally supporting portion 24. Consequently, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 held for reciprocal motion with respect to the rail 3 is guided by the guide portion 14 of the main body 1. Thus, the pin portion 26 moves along the first connecting portion 18 of the guide portion 14 until the pin portion 26 arrives at the open end portion 16. Simultaneously, the pinion 5 pivotally supported in the slider 6 meshes with the rack 4 provided in the rail 3, such that the pinion 5 descends on the rack 4, and the slider 6 descends along the rail 3 (the opened state as shown in FIG. 2). In this instance, the pinion 5 meshes with the rack 4 such that the pinion 5 descends on the rack 4 while rotating in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1. As such, the one-way clutch gear 8 is turned ON, and the pinion 5 meshes with the first damper 9 by way of the one-way clutch gear 8. In such an instance, the torque is transmitted between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 by way of the one-way clutch gear 8, whereby an appropriate brake is applied to the rotation of the pinion 5 such that the rotational speed of the pinion 5 decreases. As a result, the first damper 9 functions so as to damp the opening movement of the cover body 2, and a shock accompanied with the opening movement deadens accordingly.

In the course that the cover body 2 changes from the closed state to the opened state, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 moves from the close end portion 15 to the open end portion 16 along the first connecting portion 18 of the guide portion 14. In this first connecting portion 18, the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base end portion 7a) reduces gradually from the close end portion 15 toward the open end portion 16. Thus, as the pin portion 26 moves from the close end portion 15 to the open end portion 16 along the first connecting portion 18, the urging member 7 contracts as it gradually releases the urging force. In addition, when the cover body 2 comes to be in the opened state, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 is positioned at the open end portion 16 where the distance to the fastened end (the spiral base end portion 7a) of the urging member 7 is the shortest in the guide portion 14, as described above, and, the urging member 7 is substantially in a natural state so that few urging force is accumulated in the urging member 7.

To return the cover body 2 back to the closed state from this opened state, firstly, the operator manually raises the cover body 2 rotate the cover body 2 upwardly (in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1) about the pivotally supporting portion 23. When the cover body 2 rotates, the rail 3 fastened to the leg portion 25 of the cover body 2 interlocks with the cover body 2 such that the rail 3 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1 about the pivotally supporting portion 24. Then, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 held for reciprocal motion with respect to the rail 3 is guided by the guide portion 14 of the main body 1. Thus, the pin portion 26 moves toward the inflection portion 17 along the second connecting portion 19 of the guide portion 14. Simultaneously, the pinion 5 pivotally supported in the slider 6 meshes with the rack 4 provided in the rail 3, such that the pinion 5 ascends on the rack 4, and the slider 6 ascends along the rail 3. In this instance, the pinion 5 meshes with the rack 4 so as to ascend on the rack 4 while rotating in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1. As such, the one-way clutch gear 8 is turned OFF. Thus, the first damper 9 does not function in the closing movement of the cover body 2.

In a prior stage in the course that the cover body 2 changes from the opened state to the closed state (the stage in which the cover body 2 rotates upwardly by the operation force applied by the operator), the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 moves from the open end portion 16 to the inflection portion 17 along the second connecting portion 19 of the guide portion 14. In this second connecting portion 19, the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a) gradually lengthens from the open end portion 16 toward the inflection portion 17. Accordingly, as the pin portion 26 moves from the open end portion 16 to the inflection portion 17 along the second connecting portion 19, the urging member 7 gradually expands such that the urging force is gradually accumulated in the urging member 7. Consequently, the cover body 2 is rotated upwardly until the pin portion 26 arrives at the inflection portion 17 of the guide portion 14 (the stage in which the cover body 2 is in the half-closed state as shown in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the pin portion 26 enters into the third connecting portion 20 of the guide portion 14 by going over the inflection portion 17. In this third connecting portion 20, the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a) gradually shortens from the inflection portion 17, where the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a) is the longest in the guide portion 14, toward the close end portion 15. Accordingly, as the pin portion 26 moves from the inflection portion 17 to the close end portion 15 along the third connecting portion 20, the urging member 7 gradually contracts as it releases the urging force. Thus, when the operator rotates the cover body 2 upwardly (the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1) until the pin portion 26 goes over the inflection portion 17, the cover body 2 rotates upwardly by its own by the urging force of the urging member 7 so as to return to the closed state of FIG. 1, even after the operator releases the operation force. The locking mechanism (not shown) latches the cover body 2 with the box-shaped main body 11 of the main body 1.

In addition, in a subsequent stage in the course that the cover body 2 changes from the opened state to the closed state (the stage that the cover body 2 returns to the closed state by its own by the urging force of the urging member 7), the second damper 10 functions so as to damp the closing movement of the cover body 2, and a shock accompanied with the closing movement can be deadened thereby.

When the cover body 2 returns from the opened state back to the closed state in such a manner, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 is positioned in the close end portion 15 of the guide portion 14, and the predetermined amount of the urging force is accumulated in the urging member 7 again. As a result, this urging member 7 can urge the cover body 2 in the opening movement thereafter.

Thus, in the storage body according to the present example, the urging force is accumulated in the urging member 7 by the closing movement of the cover body 2, and the thus accumulated urging force urges the cover body 2 in the opening movement and in a part of the closing movement. As such, since the urging force, which has been accumulated in advance in association with the closing motion of the cover body 2, can be utilized for the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body 2, it is not necessary to dispose an expensive driving source, such as a motor, additionally. Accordingly, the cover body 2 can be opened and closed with a simple constitution without using a motor. Therefore, the high cost as a result of employing an expensive driving source, such as a motor, can be prevented.

Moreover, by setting the shape of the guide portion 14 appropriately, strength and/or timing, etc. for urging the cover body 2 in the opening and closing motion can be set as desired, and the degree of designing freedom is enhanced accordingly.

Further, in the storage body according to the present example, because the opening movement of the cover body 2 can be damped by the first damper 9, and the closing movement of the cover body 2 can be damped by the second damper 10 as well, the shock accompanied with the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body 2 can be deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body 2 smooth.

In addition, the storage body according to the present example, because the torque transmission between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 is turned ON/OFF by the one-way clutch gear 8 axially supported in the slider 6, the one-way clutch gear 8 moves stably and silently.

Additionally, in the storage body according to the present example, the guide portion 14, the rail 3 provided with the rack 4, the pinion 5, the slider 6 holding the one-way clutch gear 8 and the first damper 9, the urging member 7, and the second damper 10 are provided in the base plate 12 which can be installed to the box-shaped main body 11 of the main body 1 by retrofitting. Thus, when these members are provided with respect to this base plate 12, it is possible to confirm whether these members activate appropriately and adjust these members to activate appropriately. Therefore, confirmation and adjustment of the activation of these members can be carried out easily. Moreover, the installation operation is done with ease, because it is not necessary to install each of these members to the main body 1 separately. Further, the maintenance operation is also done with ease, because it is possible to adjust the activation by detaching the base plate 12 from the box-shaped main body 11 of the main body 1.

Note that, in the present example as described above, a coil spring can be employed as the urging member 7. It can be arranged such that the urging force is accumulated by compression of this coil spring, by changing the installation direction and/or the installation position of the coil spring.

Moreover, in the present example described above, by changing the shape of the guide portion 14 variously, it can be arranged such that the urging force is accumulated in the urging member 7 by the opening movement of the cover body 2, and the thus accumulated urging force urges the cover body 2 in the closing movement. Or, it can be arranged such that the urging force is accumulated in the urging member 7 by a part of the opening movement and a part of the closing movement of the cover body 2, and the thus accumulated urging force urges the cover body 2 in a part of the opening movement and a part of the closing movement.

Also, the storage body according to the present invention can be applied to those in which the cover body slides to open and close the opening portion.

Having now fully described the present invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth herein including the appended claims.

Claims

1. An storage body, comprising:

a main body having an opening portion and a guide portion;

a cover body supported by said main body in such a manner that said opening portion can be opened and closed;

an interlocking member connected to said cover body, and interlocking with opening and closing motion of said cover body;

a slider having a pin portion which is connected to said interlocking member by way of a connecting mechanism and is guided by engaging with said guide portion, and moving along said guide portion by engagement of said guide portion with said pin portion in association with the opening and closing motion of said cover body; and

an urging member being expandable and contractible for accumulating an urging force in association with the opening and closing motion of said cover body, said urging force urging said cover body in at least one of an opening movement and a closing movement;

said main body having a base plate;

said base plate being provided with said guide portion, said interlocking member, said slider, and said urging member; and

said urging member having opposite ends, one of the opposite ends fastened to said base plate or said interlocking member, the other one of the opposite ends fastened to said slider.

2. The storage body set forth in claim 1 further comprising a first damper damping the opening movement or the closing movement of said cover body by damping a movement of said slider, wherein:

said first damper is provided in said base plate.

3. The storage body set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a second damper damping the opening movement or the closing movement of said cover body by damping a movement of said interlocking member, wherein:

said second damper is provided in said base plate.

4. The storage body set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

a first damper damping one of the opening movement and the closing movement of said cover body by damping the movement of said slider; and

a second damper damping the other one of the opening movement and the closing movement of said cover body by damping the movement of said interlocking member, wherein:

said first damper and said second damper are provided in the base plate.

5. The storage body set forth in any of claim 1 to 4, wherein:

said connecting mechanism is composed of a rack provided in said interlocking member and a pinion pivotally supported in said slider rotatably and meshing with said rack; and

said slider moves along said guide portion by the engagement of said guide portion with said pin portion thereof in association with the opening or closing motion of said cover body, and reciprocates along said rack by mesh of said rack with said pinion.