LID BODY OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE

In order for a lid body 70 to enable to take a closing-lid halfway position in addition to a closed lid position and open lid position, in the open lid position, a whole lid body is housed on the inner side of a design surface by an accessory panel so as to have a flat surface. In the closing-lid halfway position, the lid body 70 projects from the accessory panel and is exposed, so that by a projecting and exposed portion thereof, a closing operation of the lid body 70 is performed.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lid body opening and closing device. Especially, the invention relates to a lid body device, especially a manual type opening and closing device for a lid body (lid) of a cup holder, an accessory box, and the like, which are embedded in a center console for an automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Generally, a lid body of a cup holder, an accessory box, and the like, which is embedded in a center console for an automobile is structured so as to be attached to both right and left side walls of a box-like container main body with an upper part opening by arms integrally provided in both right and left sides of the lid body so as to enable to rotate around a horizontal axis line. The upper part opening of the container main body is closed with a horizontal condition of the lid body at an upper side position of the container main body, and from this closed position, the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees to be positioned in a vertical condition, so that the lid body moves away from the upper part opening of the container main body and opens the upper part opening (for example, Japanese Patent Documents 1, 2).

The lid body with the above-mentioned turning opening and closing type is preferred to have a flat surface so that the lid body in an open lid state does not hinder in the vertical position, and also so that, from a standpoint of a design, the whole lid body is housed to the inner side of a design surface of a center console so that the lid body does not project to the upper part of the design surface.

On the other hand, there is one structured such that the whole lid body is housed inside a container (inside a holder main body) using a link mechanism (for example, Japanese Patent Document 3).

  • Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication (JIKKAI) No. H07-37812
  • Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (TOKKAI) No. 2005-178593
  • Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (TOKKAI) No. 2006-15791

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

As for one whose whole lid body is housed inside a container using a link mechanism, in an open lid state, the lid body does not project to an upper part of a design surface, and has an excellent design property, and the open lid body does not hinder. However, it becomes difficult to operate the lid body by directly grabbing the lid body in the open lid state with the fingertips. Consequently, a mechanism for operating the opening and closing of the lid body has to be separately provided so that a structure becomes complex.

As for a conventional one with a turning type, the lid body of an open lid can be structured so as not to project to the upper part of the design surface. However, when the lid body is housed so as not to project to the upper part of the design surface, the fingertips cannot directly grab the lid body anymore. As a result, a lid closing operation from the open lid state becomes difficult. Consequently, in a conventional lid body opening and closing device, it is difficult to provide both the design and operability at the same time.

A subject that the present invention tries to solve is to provide both an excellent design and operability at the same time for a lid body opening and closing device of a cup holder and the like with a lid which is embedded in a center console as well as an excellent appearance with a variety of senses.

Means for Solving the Problems

A lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention is an opening and closing device for a lid body with a turning type which takes a closed lid position and an open lid position due to a rotation around one axis line, and the opening and closing device for the lid body with the turning type which takes the closed lid position and the open lid position due to a rotation around one central axis line. The lid body opening and closing device comprises a lid-opening spring member urging said lid body in an opening lid direction; a first latch device locking said lid body in the closed lid position against a spring force of said lid-opening spring member so as to enable to release; a hop-up movement member attached so as to enable to turn around the central axis line which is parallel to a rotational axis line of said lid body; a hop-up movement spring member urging said hop-up movement member in the same direction as a closing lid direction of said lid body; and a second latch device locking said hop-up movement member in a predetermined home position against a spring force of said hop-up movement spring member so as to enable to release. Said hop-up movement member engages said lid body which is in said open lid position, and due to the release of the locking of said second latch device, said hop-up movement member turns in the same direction as the closing lid direction of said lid body by a spring force of said hop-up movement spring member, and moves said lid body to a closing-lid halfway position.

As for the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention, preferably, said first latch device and said second latch device are respectively constituted by a latch mechanism with an alternate type of push-lock and push-open movements, and a push operation is performed by pushing said lid body.

The lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention is preferably constituted as follows. Said lid body integrally includes arm portions on both right and left sides, and with said arms, said lid body is attached to both right and left side walls of a box-like container main body with an upper part opening so as to enable to rotate around a horizontal axis line. The lid body can rotate between the closed lid position which closes said upper part opening of said container main body in a horizontal condition at an upper side position of said container main body; and the open lid position wherein the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from the closed lid position and positioned in a vertical condition at a rear side position of said container. An upper surface of a back wall side of said container main body tilts so as not to interfere with opening and closing movements of said lid body, and the upper surface of said container main body has an approximately horizontal surface except for this portion, and an upper-surface complementary flapper is attached to said lid body so as to enable to turn, and said upper-surface complementary flapper becomes an approximately horizontal condition when said lid body is positioned in said open lid position, and represents a horizontal upper surface continuing to the approximately horizontal upper surface of said container main body.

The lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention is preferably constituted as follows. Said lid body integrally includes the arm portions on both right and left sides, and with said arms, said lid body is attached to both right and left side walls of the container main body with the upper part opening including a bottom portion, both right and left side walls, and a front wall so as to enable to rotate around the horizontal axis line. Said lid body can rotate between the closed lid position which closes the upper part opening of said container main body in the horizontal condition at the upper side position of said container main body and the open lid position wherein the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from the closed lid position and positioned in the vertical condition at the rear side position of said container main body. In the open lid position, said lid body complements the back wall of said container main body.

Effects of the Invention

In a lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention, a lid body can take a closing-lid halfway position in addition to a closed lid position and an open lid position. Accordingly, in the open lid position, the whole lid body is housed on the inner side of a design surface of an accessory panel so as to have a flat surface, and in the closing-lid halfway position, the lid body projects and is exposed from said accessory panel. As a result, with the projecting and exposed portion, a closing operation of a lid body can be performed. Thereby, with an excellent appearance, both a design and operability can be improved.

Also, an opening movement of the lid body from the closed lid position to the open lid position is automatically performed by a spring force of the lid-opening spring member only by the latch release of first latch devices. The movement of the lid body from the open lid position to the closing-lid halfway position is automatically performed by the spring force of the hop-up movement spring member only by the latch release of the second latch device. Accordingly, a user is just required to move the lid body from the closing-lid halfway position to the closed lid position, so that the lid body can be user-friendly, excellent in the level of safety, and also provide variety of tastes.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention is used as an opening and closing device for a lid body (lid) 10 of a cup holder with the lid embedded in a center console 100 in an automobile, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2 to 9 show an embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention. In these figures, the reference numeral 20 represents a container main body of the cup holder. The container main body 20 has a shape of a box including an upper part opening 21, and is mounted so as to be embedded inside the center console 100.

On the upper side of the container main body 20, an accessory panel 101 forming an upper surface of the center console 100 is disposed. In the accessory panel 101, a short penetration opening 102 which is positioned on the upper side of the upper part opening 21 of the container main body 20 and to which the lid body 10 in the closed lid position fits together and is disposed, is formed. The lid body 10 has a short plate shape slightly smaller than the penetration opening 102 of the accessory panel 101, and with the opening and closing of the upper part opening 21 of the container main body 20, the penetration opening 102 of the accessory panel 101 opens and closes.

The lid body 10 is a turning type, and integrally includes arm portions 11 on both right and left sides. The lid body 10 fits into pin axes 23 projecting to both right and left side walls 22 of the container main body 20 via holes 12 formed in the arm portions 11 so as to freely enable to rotate. The lid body 10 is attached so as to enable to rotate around a horizontal axis line which is a central axis line of the pin axes 23. The lid body 10 can turn between the closed lid position as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 wherein the lid body 10 fits together to the penetration opening 102 of the accessory panel 101 in a horizontal condition at the upper side position of the container main body 20 and closes the upper part opening 21 of the container main body 20, and the open lid position as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 wherein the lid body 10 is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 23 from the above-mentioned closed lid position, and positioned in a vertical condition at a rear side position (left side of the figures) of the container main body 20.

In the upper surface 24 of the container main body 20, an upper surface (tilted upper surface) 24A of a back wall side (left side of the figures) has a circular shape tilting so as not to interfere with the above-mentioned opening and closing movements of the lid body 10. In the upper surface 24 of the container main body 20, the upper surface except for the tilted upper surface 24A is a horizontal upper surface 24B.

Incidentally, as for the present embodiment, in the container main body 20, a housing portion 25 is shaped like a twin cylindrical bores (see FIGS. 3, 6) so as to house two beverage cans, plastic bottles, and the like without falling them off.

Lid-opening springs 24 comprising torsion springs are attached to pin axes 23 portions. The lid-opening springs 24 engage the container main body 20 and the lid body 10, and are urging the lid body 10 in a counterclockwise direction, i.e., the opening lid direction.

First latch devices 41 are attached to the container main body 20 and the lid body 10. The first latch devices 41 lock the lid body 10 in the closed lid position against spring forces of the lid-opening springs 24 to enable to release.

The first latch devices 41 are a latch mechanism with an alternate type of a heretofore known clamp claw system which performs push-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by latch main bodies 41A attached to the side walls 22 of the container main body 20 and latch claws 41B provided in the arm portions 11 of the lid body 10. Whenever the latch claws 41B push the latch main bodies 41A due to the turning of the lid body 10 in a clockwise direction, a pushing operation is performed on the first latch devices 41, and locking and unlocking are alternately repeated.

In the lid body 10, a thick pushing portion 13 for pushing (pushing down) the lid body 10 in the vertical condition with one's fingertips, is formed on a rear surface side of a portion which becomes an upper border in the vertical condition (open lid position).

Using this pushing portion 13, on a rear surface of the lid body 10, an upper-surface complementary flapper 15 is attached by a pivot axis 14 so as to enable to rotate. The upper-surface complementary flapper 15 is urged in a clockwise direction by a torsion spring (not shown), and when the lid body 10 is in the open lid position shown in FIGS. 3, 7, the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 becomes an approximately horizontal condition in the upper side position of the tilted upper surface 24A, and represents a horizontal upper surface continuing to the horizontal upper surface 24B of the container main body 20.

Specifically, the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 is at the upper side position of the tilted upper surface 24A when the lid body 10 is in the open lid position, and complements the horizontal upper surface of the aforementioned portion. Incidentally, an end border 15A of the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 has a circular arc shape which complements a twin cylindrical bore shape on a tilted upper surface 24A side of the housing portion 25 in an approximately horizontal condition.

The upper-surface complementary flapper 15 reverses from the aforementioned schematic horizontal condition by abutting against a projecting cam portion 16 formed in an upper surface portion of the container main body 20 in the process of the movement of the lid body 10 in a closing lid direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 is housed so as to overlap the rear surface of the lid body 10.

In the housing 20, a yoke-like hop-up movement member 30 is attached around the central axis line (horizontal axis line) which is parallel to a rotational axis line of the lid body 10 so as to enable to turn. Specifically, an additional pair of pin axes 26 projects from both right and left side walls 22 of the container main body 20 in parallel with the pin axes 23, and holes 32 formed at ends of both right and left leg portions 31 of the hop-up movement member 30 fit into these pin axes 26 so as to freely rotate. Here, the hop-up movement member 30 turns in the same direction as opening and closing directions of the lid body 10.

Hop-up movement springs 33 with torsion springs are attached to the pin axes 23 portions. The hop-up movement springs 33 engage the container main body 20 and the hop-up movement member 30, and are urging in the same direction as the closing lid direction of the lid body 10 of the hop-up movement member 30, i.e., in the clockwise direction.

A second latch device 42 is attached to the container main body 20 and the hop-up movement member 30. The second latch device 42 locks the hop-up movement member 30 in a predetermined home position as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7 so as to enable to release the hop-up movement member 30 against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33.

The second latch device 42 is the latch mechanism with the alternate type of the heretofore known clamp claw system which performs the push-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by a latch main body 42A attached to a back wall 27 of the container main body 20 and a latch claw 42B provided in a bridge portion 34 of the hop-up movement member 30. Whenever the latch claw 42B pushes the latch main body 42A due to the turning of the hop-up movement member 30 in a counterclockwise direction, a pushing operation is performed on the second latch device 42, and locking and unlocking are alternately repeated.

As shown in FIG. 7, the hop-up movement member 30 in the home position engages an engagement projection 17 formed on the rear surface of the lid body 10 in the open lid position. Due to the unlocking of the second latch device 42, as shown in FIG. 9, the hop-up movement member 30 turns in the same direction (clockwise direction) as the closing lid direction of the lid body 10 by the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33, and moves the lid body 10 to a closing-lid halfway position.

Engagement pins 35 fixed into the hop-up movement member 30 engaging cam openings 18 formed with openings in the arm portions 11 of the lid body 10 engage corner portions 18A of the cam openings 18, so that the turning in the clockwise direction of the hop-up movement member 30 by the spring forces of this hop-up movement springs 33 stops. Thereby, the closing-lid halfway position of the lid body 10 is determined.

The cam openings 18 include returning cam-shaped portions 18B which return the hop-up movement member 30 to the home position against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33 under the engagement with the engagement pins 35 by the turning of the lid body 10 in the clockwise direction in the process of the movement of the lid body 10 from the closing-lid halfway position to the closed lid position.

Next, the opening and closing movements of the lid body 10 according to the embodiment 1 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, the lid body 10 fits into the penetration opening 102 of the accessory panel 101 with the approximately horizontal condition, and in the flat surface condition, the lid body 10 closes the accessory panel 101. In addition, the lid body 10 is positioned in the closed lid position blocking the upper part opening 21 of the container main body 21.

When a portion 10A of the lid body 10 in the closed lid position is lightly pushed with the fingertips, the lid body 10 slightly turns in the clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 24, and the locking of the lid body 10 by the first latch devices 41 is released. Then, when the fingertips are released from the lid body 10, the lid body 10 turns in the counterclockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 23 due to the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 24.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, the lid body 10 turns by the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 24 until the lid body 10 is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the closed lid position, and positioned in the open lid position with the vertical condition at the rear side position (left sides of the figures) of the container main body 20. In this state, the engagement projection 17 of the lid body 10 abuts against the hop-up movement member 30 in the home position.

The whole lid body 10 is housed on the lower side of the accessory panel 101 in this open lid position. Then, the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 becomes the approximately horizontal condition at the upper side position of the tilted upper surface 24A and represents the horizontal upper surface continuing to the horizontal upper surface 24B of the container main body 20.

Accordingly, since the lid body 10 never project upward from the accessory panel 101 in the open lid position, taking/putting properties of the beverage cans and the like out of/in the housing portion 25 improve, and a design property improves with the flat surface condition.

Moreover, since the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 with the approximately horizontal condition provides the horizontal upper surface continuing to the horizontal upper surface 24B of the container main body 20, the appearance improves and a holding property of a beverage can in the housing portion 25 improves as well. Also, a can radius can be properly replaced by the upper-surface complementary flapper 15.

When the lid body 10 is returned from the open lid position to the closed lid position, at first, the pushing portion 13 of the lid body 10 is slightly pushed downwardly by the fingertips. Then, the movement is transmitted to the hop-up movement member 30, and the hop-up movement member 30 turns slightly in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the locking of the hop-up movement member 30 due to the second latch device 42 is released.

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the hop-up movement member 30 turns in the clockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 26, and in accordance with this, the lid body 10 turns in the clockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 26. The lid body 10 turns by engaging the engagement pins 35 with the corner portions 18A of the cam openings 18, and is positioned in the closing-lid halfway position wherein a portion 10A side of the lid body 10 hops up on the upper side of the accessory panel 101.

Due to this hop-up movement, the portion 10A side of the lid body 10 projects and is exposed on the upper side of the accessory panel 101, so that by the projecting and exposed portion, a closing operation of the lid body 10 can be performed. This closing operation is performed such that the portion 10A side of the lid body 10 in the closing-lid halfway position is pushed by the fingertips, so that the lid body 10 turns in the clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 33, and the lid body 10 returns to an original closed lid position.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, the first latch devices 41 lock the lid body 10 in the closed lid position. In the process of the movement of the lid body 10 from the closed-lid halfway position to the closed lid position, due to engagements between the cam-shaped portions 18B and the engagement pins 35, the hop-up movement member 30 returns to the home position against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33, and the hop-up movement member 30 is locked in the home position by the second latch device 42.

Due to the above, the closing and opening device of the lid body 10 can provide an excellent appearance and excel in both the design and operability.

Also, the opening movement of the lid body 10 from the closed lid position to the open lid position is automatically performed due to the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 24 only by the latch release of the first latch devices 41. The movement of the lid body 10 from the open lid position to the closing-lid halfway position is automatically performed due to the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33 only by the latch release of the second latch device 42. Accordingly, a user is just required to move the lid body 10 from the closing-lid halfway position to the closed lid position, so that the lid body 10 can be used easily, and also provide variety of uses.

Also, since the lid body 10 is returned to the closed lid position by a hand operation of the user, there is less potential for catching a finger when the lid is closed, compared to the case wherein the lid is closed due to the spring forces produced only by a button operation, so that the level of safety is improved.

The movement of the opening and closing of the lid body 10 can be performed at a slow speed with a slow heavy feeling by providing a limit to a turning speed of the lid body 10 using a rotary damper and the like.

FIGS. 10 to 20 show an embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

A case assembly member 50, a container main body 60 fixed to the case assembly member 50, a lid body 70 and a pair of right and left hop-up arms 80, are included.

In the case assembly member 50, an upper plate 51 which is the accessory panel is attached. In the upper plate 51, a short penetration opening 52 fitting together to the lid body 70 in the closed lid position, is formed.

The container main body 60 includes a bottom portion 61, both right and left side walls 62, and a front wall 63, and has an approximately box shape whose upper portion and back portion are open.

The lid body 70 is a turning type and integrally includes arm portions 71 on both right and left sides. The lid body 70 fits into pin axes 64 projecting from both right and left side walls 62 of the container main body 60 with holes 72 formed in the arm portions 71 so as to enable to freely rotate. The lid body 70 is attached so as to enable to rotate around a horizontal axis line which is a central axis line of the pin axes 64.

The lid body 70 can turn between the closed lid position as shown in FIGS. 10, 12, 15, 16, wherein the lid body 70 fits together to the penetration opening 52 of the upper plate 51 in a horizontal condition at an upper part position of the container main body 60, and closes an upper part opening 65 of the container main body 60; and the open lid position as shown in FIGS. 11, 17, 18, wherein the lid body 70 is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 64 from the above-mentioned closed lid position, and positioned in a vertical condition at a rear side position (left sides of the figures) of the container main body 60.

The lid body 70 complements the back wall of the container main body 60 in the open lid position with the vertical condition. Thereby, the container main body 60 constitutes a housing portion 66 with a twin cylindrical bore shape together with the lid body 70 so as to house the two beverage cans, plastic bottles, and the like without falling.

In pin axes 64 portions, lid-opening springs 67 as the torsion springs are attached. The lid-opening springs 67 engage the container main body 60 and the lid body 70, and urges the lid body 70 in the counterclockwise direction, i.e., in the opening lid direction.

First latch devices 91 are attached to the container main body 60 and the lid body 70. The first latch devices 91 lock the lid body 70 in the closed lid position against the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 67 so as to enable to release the lid body 70.

The first latch devices 91 are the latch mechanism with the alternate type of the heretofore known heart cam system which performs the push-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by heart cam portions 91A formed in the side walls 62 of the container main body 60 and pin holders 91B provided in the arm portions 71 of the lid body 70. Whenever the pin holders 91B engage the heart cam portions 91A due to the turning of the lid body 70 in a clockwise direction, a pushing operation is performed on the first latch devices 91, and locking and unlocking are alternately repeated.

On both right and left side portions of the case assembly member 50, the hop-up arms 80, are attached so as to enable to turn around the central axis line (horizontal axis line) parallel to the rotational axis line of the lid body 70. Specifically, axis holes 53 are formed parallel to the pin axes 64 on both right and left side portions of the case assembly member 50 integrated with the container main body 60. Pin axes 81 formed in the hop-up arms 80 are fitted into the axis holes 53 so as to enable to freely rotate. Here, the hop-up arms 80 turn in the same direction as the opening and closing directions of the lid body 70.

Hop-up movement springs 82 by the torsion springs are attached to the pin axes 81 portions. The hop-up movement springs 82 engage the container main body 20 and the hop-up arms 80, and are urging in the same direction as the closing lid direction of the lid body 10, i.e., in the clockwise direction.

Second latch devices 92 are attached to the case assembly member 50 and the hop-up arms 80. The second latch devices 92 lock the hop-up arms 80 in a predetermined home position against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82 as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 so as to enable to release.

The second latch devices 92 are the latch mechanism with the alternate type of the heretofore known heart cam system which performs the push-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by heart cam portions 92A formed in the hop-up arms 80 and pin arms 92B attached to the case assembly member 50 by pivot axes 93 so as to enable to oscillate. Whenever the heart cam portions 92A engage the pin arms 92B due to the turning of the hop-up arms 80 in a counterclockwise direction, a pushing operation is performed on the second latch devices 92, and locking and unlocking are alternately repeated.

The hop-up arms 80 in the home position engage rib portions 73 of the lid body 70 in the open lid position by pins 83. Due to the unlocking of the second latch devices 92, the hop-up arms 80 turn in the same direction (clockwise direction) as the closing lid direction of the lid body 70 by the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82, and move the lid body 70 to the closing-lid halfway position.

The turning in the clockwise direction of the hop-up arms 80 by the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82 continues until rib portions 84 of the hop-up arms 80 abut against pins 74 provided in the arm portions 71 of the lid body 70. The closing-lid halfway position of the lid body 70 is determined.

Next, the opening and closing movements of the lid body 70 according to the present embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 15, 16, the lid body 70 fits into the penetration opening 52 of the upper plate 51 with the approximately horizontal condition, and in the flat surface condition, also, the lid body 70 closes the penetration opening 52. In addition, the lid body 70 is positioned in the closed lid position blocking the upper part opening 65 of the container main body 63.

When a portion 70A of the lid body 70 in the closed lid position is lightly pushed with the fingertips, the lid body 70 slightly turns in the clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 67, and the locking of the lid body 70 by the first latch devices 91 is released. Then, when the fingertips are released from the lid body 70, the lid body 70 turns in the counterclockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 64 due to the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 67.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 17, 18, this turning continues until the lid body 70 is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the closed lid position due to the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 67, and positioned in the open lid position with the vertical condition at the rear side position (left sides of the figures) of the container main body 60. In this state, the whole lid body 70 is housed on the lower side of the upper plate 51, and constitutes a back wall of the housing portion 66. Also, the rib portions 73 of the lid body 70 abut against the pins 83 of the hop-up arms 80 in the home position.

Thereby, since the lid body 70 never project upward from the upper plate 51 in the open lid position, taking-out and putting-in properties of the beverage cans and the like for the housing portion 66 improve, and with the flat surface condition, the design property improves.

When the lid body 70 is returned from the open lid position to the closed lid position, at first, a portion 70B of the lid body 70 is slightly pushed downwardly by the fingertips. Then, the movement is transmitted to the hop-up arms 80, and the hop-up arms 80 turn slightly in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the locking of the hop-up arms 80 due to the second latch devices 92 is released.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, the hop-up arms 80 turn in the clockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 81, and in accordance with this, the lid body 70 turns in the clockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 64. This turning continues until the rib portions 84 of the hop-up arms 80 abut against the pins 74 of the lid member 70. The lid body 70 is positioned in the closing-lid halfway position wherein a portion 70A side of the lid body 70 hops up to the upper side of the upper plate 51.

Due to this hop-up movement, the portion 70A side of the lid body 70 projects and is exposed on the upper side of the upper plate 51, so that by the projecting and exposed portion, the closing operation of the lid body 70 can be performed. This closing operation is performed such that the portion 70A side of the lid body 70 in the closing-lid halfway position is pushed by the fingertips, so that the lid body 70 turns in the clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 67, and returns to the original closed lid position.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 10, 15, 16, the first latch devices 91 lock the lid body 70 in the closed lid position. In the process of the movement of the lid body 70 from the closed-lid halfway position to the closed lid position, due to engagements between the pins 74 and the rib portions 84, the hop-up arms 80 return to the home position against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82, and the hop-up arms 80 are locked in the home position by the second latch devices 92.

Due to the above, the closing and opening device of the lid body 70 can provide the excellent appearance and excel in both the design property and operability.

Also, the opening movement of the lid body 70 from the closed lid position to the open lid position is automatically performed due to the spring forces of the lid-opening springs 67 only by the latch release of the first latch devices 81. The movement of the lid body 70 from the open lid position to the closing-lid halfway position is automatically performed due to the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82 only by the latch release of the second latch devices 92. Accordingly, the user is just required to move the lid body 70 from the closing-lid halfway position to the closed lid position, so that the lid body 70 can be user-friendly, and also provide variety of tastes.

Also, since the lid body 70 is returned to the closed lid position by a hand operation of the user, there is less potential for catching a finger when the lid is closed compared to the case wherein the lid is closed due to the spring forces produced only by the button operation, so that the level of safety is improved.

Also, by engaging pinions (not shown in the figures) of the rotary damper with sector gears 68 formed in the container 60 or sector gears 85 formed in the hop-up arms 80, the turning speed of the lid body 70 can be limited, so that the lid body 70 can be turned at a slow speed and with a slow heavy feeling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an application of a lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a closed lid state of an embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an open lid state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the closed lid state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the closed lid state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the open lid state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the open lid state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a hop-up state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the hop-up state of the embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the closed lid state of an embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the open lid state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a lid body and a container main body of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container main body of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of essential parts showing the closed lid state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the essential parts showing the closed lid state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the essential parts showing the open lid state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the essential parts showing the open lid state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the hop-up state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the essential parts showing the hop-up state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

 EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

  • 10 lid body
  • 11 arm portions
  • 12 holes
  • 13 pushing portion
  • 14 pivot axis
  • 15 upper-surface complementary flapper
  • 16 projecting cam portion
  • 17 engagement projection
  • 18 cam openings
  • 20 container main body
  • 21 upper part opening
  • 22 side walls
  • 23 pin axes
  • 24 lid-opening springs
  • 25 housing portion
  • 26 pin axes
  • 27 back wall
  • 30 hop-up movement member
  • 31 leg portions
  • 32 holes
  • 33 hop-up movement springs
  • 34 bridge portion
  • 41 first latch devices
  • 42 second latch device
  • 50 case assembly member 50
  • 51 upper plate
  • 52 penetration opening
  • 53 axis holes
  • 60 container main body
  • 61 bottom portion
  • 62 side walls
  • 63 front wall
  • 64 pin axes
  • 65 upper part opening
  • 66 housing portion
  • 67 lid-opening springs
  • 68 sector gears
  • 70 lid body
  • 71 arm portions
  • 72 holes
  • 73 rib portions
  • 74 pins
  • 80 hop-up arms
  • 81 pin axes
  • 82 hop-up movement springs
  • 83 pins
  • 84 rib portions
  • 85 sector gears
  • 91 first latch devices
  • 92 second latch devices
  • 100 center console
  • 101 accessory panel
  • 102 penetration opening

Claims

1. A lid body opening and closing device for a lid body with a turning type taking a closed lid position and an open lid position due to a rotation around one central axis line, comprising:

a lid-opening spring member urging said lid body in an opening lid direction;
a first latch device locking said lid body in the closed lid position against a spring force of said lid-opening spring member so as to enable to release;
a hop-up movement member attached so as to enable to turn around the central axis line parallel to a rotational axis line of said lid body;
a hop-up movement spring member urging said hop-up movement member in a same direction as a closing lid direction of said lid body; and
a second latch device locking said hop-up movement member in a predetermined home position against a spring force of said hop-up movement spring member so as to enable to release,
wherein said hop-up movement member engages said lid body which is positioned in said open lid position, and due to release of the locking of said second latch device, said hop-up movement member turns in the same direction as the closing lid direction of said lid body by the spring force of said hop-up movement spring member, and allows said lid body to move to a closing-lid halfway position.

2. A lid body opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein said first latch device and said second latch device are respectively constituted by a latch mechanism with an alternate type of push-lock and push-open movements, and a pushing operation is performed by pushing said lid body.

3. A lid body opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein said lid body integrally includes arm portions on right and left sides; with said arm portions, is attached to both right and left side walls of a box-like container main body with an upper part opening so as to enable to rotate around a horizontal axis line; and enables to rotate between the closed lid position which closes said upper part opening of said container main body in a horizontal condition at an upper side position of said container main body, and the open lid position wherein the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from the closed lid position and positioned in a vertical condition at a rear side position of said container, and

wherein said lid body is constituted such that an upper surface of a back wall side of said container main body tilts so as not to interfere with opening and closing movements of said lid body, and the upper surface of said container main body has an approximately horizontal surface except for this portion, and
such that an upper-surface complementary flapper is attached to said lid body so as to enable to turn, and said upper-surface complementary flapper is positioned in an approximately horizontal condition when said lid body is in said open lid position, and represents a horizontal upper surface continuing to the approximately horizontal upper surface of said container main body.

4. A lid body opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein said lid body integrally includes arm portions on both right and left sides; with said arm portions, is attached to right and left side walls of a container main body with the upper part opening including a bottom portion, right and left side walls, and a front wall so as to enable to rotate around the horizontal axis line; and enables to rotate between the closed lid position which closes the upper part opening of said container main body in the horizontal condition at the upper side position of said container main body, and the open lid position wherein the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from the closed lid position and positioned in the vertical condition at a rear side position of said container main body, and wherein in the open lid position, said lid body complements a back wall of said container main body.

5. A lid body opening and closing device for a lid body, taking a closed lid position and an open lid position,

wherein in the open lid position, a whole lid body is positioned so as not to project from a design surface, and by operating from said open lid position, said lid body turns to a closing-lid halfway position wherein said lid body projects from said design surface, and from said closing-lid halfway position, a projecting portion from said design surface of the lid body is operated so that the lid body can be in the closed lid position.
Patent History
Publication number: 20100102063
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2008
Publication Date: Apr 29, 2010
Inventors: Mitsuru Kogami (Tochigi), Toshiaki Soma (Tochigi)
Application Number: 12/450,627
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Clamps, Clips, Hooks, Or Latches (220/324)
International Classification: B65D 45/16 (20060101);