U.S. patent application number 11/360423 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for vehicular switch operation mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Kazuhiro Kawachi, Masanobu Muto, Naoki Omatsu, Kimio Sakakibara, Hiroshi Uekitai.
Application Number | 20070018493 11/360423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36499395 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070018493 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawachi; Kazuhiro ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Vehicular switch operation mechanism
Abstract
Operation switches, which a passenger operates with his/her
fingers, are disposed on the front end of the upper portion of a
console box, and a palm rest on which the passenger rests his/her
palm is set rearward of the operation switches. An operation knob
that releases the locked state of the console box is disposed on a
lower portion of the palm rest in a range where the passenger can
reach the operation knob with his/her fingers. Consequently, when
the passenger wishes to adjust the front-rear position of the palm
rest, the passenger can move the console box by simply lifting up
the operation knob with one hand to release the locked state, and
without having to conduct an operation such as opening a lid or the
like.
Inventors: |
Kawachi; Kazuhiro;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; Uekitai; Hiroshi; (Anjo-shi,
JP) ; Sakakibara; Kimio; (Nishio-shi, JP) ;
Muto; Masanobu; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; Omatsu; Naoki;
(Aichi-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Assignee: |
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki
Kaisha
Toyota Gosei Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
36499395 |
Appl. No.: |
11/360423 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/411.37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/797 20180201;
B60K 37/06 20130101; B60N 2/793 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/411.37 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/54 20060101
A47C007/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2005 |
JP |
2005-055000 |
Claims
1. A vehicular switch operation mechanism configured to include an
operation portion that is disposed on an operation portion
installation disposed adjacent to a vehicular seat and which a
passenger operates with his/her fingers and a palm rest that is
disposed rearward of the operation portion and on which the
passenger rests his/her palm when the passenger operates the
operation portion with his/her fingers, the vehicular switch
operation mechanism including: palm rest moving means for moving
the palm rest in a vehicle front-rear direction, a vehicle width
direction, or a vehicle diagonal direction; locking means that
retains the palm rest in the position after movement; and release
means that is disposed in a range where the passenger can reach the
release means with his/her fingers when the passenger rests his/her
palm on the palm rest and is for releasing the locked state by the
locking means.
2. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 1, wherein the
palm rest moving means is configured by a palm rest moving
mechanism that moves the palm rest relative to the operation
portion installation, and the locking means is configured by a palm
rest locking mechanism that retains the palm rest in the position
to which the palm rest has been moved by the palm rest moving
mechanism.
3. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 1, wherein the
palm rest moving means is configured by an operation portion
installation moving mechanism that moves the operation portion
installation integrally with the palm rest with respect to a
vehicle body floor in the vehicle front-rear direction, the vehicle
width direction, or the vehicle diagonal direction, and the locking
means is configured by an operation portion installation locking
mechanism that retains the operation portion installation in the
position to which the operation portion installation has been moved
by the operation portion installation moving mechanism.
4. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 2, wherein the
palm rest moving means further includes an operation portion
installation moving mechanism that moves the operation portion
installation integrally with the palm rest with respect to a
vehicle body floor in the vehicle front-rear direction, the vehicle
width direction, or the vehicle diagonal direction, and the locking
means further includes an operation portion installation locking
mechanism that retains the operation portion installation in the
position to which the operation portion installation has been moved
by the operation portion installation moving mechanism.
5. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 4, wherein the
release means is configured by a first release portion for
releasing the locked state of the palm rest by the palm rest
locking mechanism, and a second release portion for releasing the
locked state of the operation portion installation by the operation
portion installation locking mechanism.
6. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 1, further
including an upper lid member that can close an inner compartment
inside the operation portion installation and with which the palm
rest is integrally disposed, and rotating means for rotating the
upper lid member, wherein the locked state of the palm rest by the
locking means is released by the release means and the palm rest is
moved to a predetermined rotation position by the palm rest moving
means, whereby the rotation of the upper lid member via the
rotating means is enabled, such that the inner compartment is
openable/closeable.
7. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 1, wherein the
release means is disposed on a lower portion or a side portion of
the palm rest.
8. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 2, wherein the
palm rest moving means is configured to move the palm rest in the
vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the operation portion
installation.
9. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 3, wherein the
palm rest moving means is configured to move the operation portion
installation integrally with the palm rest with respect to the
vehicle body floor in the vehicle front-rear direction.
10. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 1, wherein
the vehicular switch operation mechanism is configured such that
the movement of the palm rest by the palm rest moving means is
conducted stepwise.
11. A vehicular switch operation mechanism configured to include an
operation portion that is disposed on an operation portion
installation disposed adjacent to a vehicular seat and which a
passenger operates with his/her fingers and a palm rest that is
disposed rearward of the operation portion and on which the
passenger rests his/her palm when the passenger operates the
operation portion with his/her fingers, the vehicular switch
operation mechanism including: an operation portion installation
moving mechanism that moves the operation portion installation
integrally with the palm rest relative to a vehicle body floor; an
operation portion installation locking mechanism that retains the
operation portion installation in the position to which the
operation portion installation has been moved by the operation
portion installation moving mechanism; and a release portion that
is disposed in a range where the passenger can reach the release
portion with his/her fingers when the passenger rests his/her palm
on the palm rest and is for releasing the locked state of the
operation portion installation by the operation portion
installation locking mechanism.
12. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 11, further
including a palm rest moving mechanism that moves the palm rest
relative to the operation portion installation, a palm rest locking
mechanism that retains the palm rest in the position to which the
palm rest has been moved by the palm rest moving mechanism, and
another release portion that is disposed in a range where the
passenger can reach the release portion with his/her fingers when
the passenger rests his/her palm on the palm rest and is for
releasing the locked state by the palm rest locking mechanism.
13. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 12, further
including an upper lid member that can close an inner compartment
inside the operation portion installation and with which the palm
rest is integrally disposed, and rotating means for rotating the
upper lid member, wherein the locked state of the palm rest by the
palm rest locking mechanism is released by the other release
portion and the palm rest is moved to a predetermined rotation
position by the palm rest moving mechanism, whereby the rotation of
the upper lid member via the rotating means is enabled, such that
the inner compartment is openable/closeable.
14. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 11, wherein
the release portion is disposed on a lower portion or a side
portion of the palm rest.
15. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 12, wherein
the vehicular switch operation mechanism is configured such that
the movement of the palm rest by the palm rest moving mechanism is
conducted stepwise.
16. A vehicular switch operation mechanism configured to include an
operation portion that is disposed on an operation portion
installation disposed adjacent to a vehicular seat and which a
passenger operates with his/her fingers and a palm rest that is
disposed rearward of the operation portion and on which the
passenger rests his/her palm when the passenger operates the
operation portion with his/her fingers, the vehicular switch
operation mechanism including: palm rest moving means for moving
the palm rest in a vehicle front-rear direction; locking means that
retains the palm rest in the position after movement; and release
means that is disposed in a range where the passenger can reach the
release means with his/her fingers when the passenger rests his/her
palm on the palm rest and is for releasing the locked state by the
locking means, wherein the palm rest moving means, the locking
means and the release means are configured to allow the palm rest
to be moved in the vehicle front-rear direction via the palm rest
moving means when the passenger places his/her palm on the palm
rest and releases the locked state by the locking means via the
release means.
17. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 16, wherein
the palm rest moving means is configured by a palm rest moving
mechanism that moves the palm rest relative to the operation
portion installation, and the locking means is configured by a palm
rest locking mechanism that retains the palm rest in the position
to which the palm rest has been moved by the palm rest moving
mechanism.
18. The vehicular switch operation mechanism of claim 16, wherein
the palm rest moving means is configured by an operation portion
installation moving mechanism that moves the operation portion
installation integrally with the palm rest with respect to a
vehicle body floor in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the
locking means is configured by an operation portion installation
locking mechanism that retains the operation portion installation
in the position to which the operation portion installation has
been moved by the operation portion installation moving mechanism.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-055000, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicular switch
operation mechanism including a palm rest that is disposed rearward
of an operation portion and on which a passenger rests his/her palm
when operating the operation portion with his/her fingers.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No.
2003-280814, JP-A No. 2002-211277 and JP-A No. 2002-254950 disclose
technology where a palm rest, on which a passenger rests his/her
palm when operating various switches, is formed on the upper
portion of a console box, which is one example of an operation
portion installation.
[0006] Although it is not disclosed in the three aforementioned
publications, technology has conventionally been known where the
entire console box is disposed such that it is movable in the
vehicle front-rear direction along guide rails, so that the
front-rear position of the console box is adjustable. In this case,
a lock device and a lock release knob are disposed in order to
retain the console box in its position after adjustment.
[0007] However, when the driver is seated in the front seat and
moves the console box frontward or rearward to adjust the position
of the palm rest to a position that is optimal for the driver, the
operation becomes complicated if the lock release knob is disposed
at a position far from the palm rest. For example, if a lock
release lever is disposed on the side surface of an inner storage
compartment that appears when a lid on the upper portion of the
console box is opened, it is necessary to first open the lid in
order to release the locked state, and it is difficult to adjust
the front-rear position of the palm rest with one hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of this circumstance, it is an object of the present
invention to obtain a vehicular switch operation mechanism with
which a passenger can easily adjust the position of the palm rest
while seated in a vehicular seat.
[0009] In a first aspect of the invention, a vehicular switch
operation mechanism, having an operation portion that is disposed
on an operation portion installation disposed adjacent to a
vehicular seat and which a passenger operates with his/her fingers
and a palm rest that is disposed rearward of the operation portion
and on which the passenger rests his/her palm when the passenger
operates the operation portion with his/her fingers, includes: palm
rest moving means for moving the palm rest in a vehicle front-rear
direction, a vehicle width direction, or a vehicle diagonal
direction; locking means that retains the palm rest in the position
after movement; and release means that is disposed in a range where
the passenger can reach the release means with his/her fingers when
the passenger rests his/her palm on the palm rest and is for
releasing the locked state by the locking means.
[0010] In a second aspect of the invention, the palm rest moving
means is configured by a palm rest moving mechanism that moves the
palm rest relative to the operation portion installation, and the
locking means is configured by a palm rest locking mechanism that
retains the palm rest in the position to which the palm rest has
been moved by the palm rest moving mechanism.
[0011] In a third aspect of the invention, the palm rest moving
means is configured by an operation portion installation moving
mechanism that moves the operation portion installation integrally
with the palm rest with respect to a vehicle body floor in the
vehicle front-rear direction, the vehicle width direction, or the
vehicle diagonal direction, and the locking means is configured by
an operation portion installation locking mechanism that retains
the operation portion installation in the position to which the
operation portion installation has been moved by the operation
portion installation moving mechanism.
[0012] In a fourth aspect of the invention, the palm rest moving
means further includes an operation portion installation moving
mechanism that moves the operation portion installation integrally
with the palm rest with respect to a vehicle body floor in the
vehicle front-rear direction, the vehicle width direction, or the
vehicle diagonal direction, and the locking means further includes
an operation portion installation locking mechanism that retains
the operation portion installation in the position to which the
operation portion installation has been moved by the operation
portion installation moving mechanism. Moreover, the release means
is configured by a first release portion for releasing the locked
state of the palm rest by the palm rest locking mechanism and a
second release portion for releasing the locked state of the
operation portion installation by the operation portion
installation locking mechanism.
[0013] In a fifth aspect of the invention, the vehicular switch
operation mechanism further includes: an upper lid member that can
close an inner compartment inside the operation portion
installation and with which the palm rest is integrally disposed;
and rotating means for rotating the upper lid member, wherein the
locked state of the palm rest by the locking means is released by
the release means and the palm rest is moved to a predetermined
rotation position by the palm rest moving means, whereby the
rotation of the upper lid member via the rotating means is enabled,
such that the inner compartment is openable/closeable.
[0014] In a sixth aspect of the invention, the release means based
on any of the first to fifth aspects is disposed on a lower portion
or a side portion of the palm rest.
[0015] According to the first aspect, when the passenger wishes to
operate the operation portion disposed on the operation portion
installation disposed adjacent to the vehicular seat, the passenger
places his/her palm on the palm rest disposed rearward of the
operation portion and operates the operation portion with his/her
fingers.
[0016] But sometimes, when the passenger wishes to operate the
operation portion with his/her fingers, the position of the palm
rest in the vehicle front-rear direction is too far frontward or
too far rearward for the passenger (the same is true in regard also
to the vehicle width direction or the vehicle diagonal direction).
In such a case, the passenger need only release the locked state by
the locking means with the release means and use the palm rest
moving means to move the palm rest in the vehicle front-rear
direction such that the position of the palm rest becomes an
optimal position. When the passenger finishes adjusting the
position of the palm rest, the palm rest is retained in the
position after movement by the locking means.
[0017] In this aspect, release means for releasing the locked state
by the locking means is disposed in a range where the passenger can
reach the release means with his/her fingers when the passenger
rests his/her palm on the palm rest. Thus, the passenger can adjust
the position of the palm rest while his/her palm is placed on the
palm rest. In other words, there is the excellent effect that the
passenger can easily adjust the position of the palm rest while the
passenger is seated in the vehicular seat.
[0018] According to the second aspect, when the passenger wishes to
adjust the position of the palm rest, the passenger need only
release the locked state of the palm rest locking mechanism with
the release means and use the palm rest moving mechanism to move
the palm rest toward or away from the operation portion
installation. That is, according to this aspect, the passenger can
adjust the position of the palm rest using the operation portion
disposed on the operation portion installation as a reference.
[0019] In other words, there is the excellent effect that the
passenger can easily adjust the position of the palm rest to a
position that is optimal with respect to the size of the palm of
the passenger.
[0020] According to the third aspect of the invention, when the
passenger wishes to adjust the position of the palm rest, the
passenger need only release the locked state of the operation
portion installation locking mechanism with the release means and
use the operation portion installation moving mechanism to move the
operation portion installation in the vehicle front-rear direction,
the vehicle width direction, or the vehicle diagonal direction,
with respect to the vehicle body floor. That is, according to this
aspect, the passenger can adjust the position of the palm rest
using the vehicle body floor as a reference.
[0021] In other words, there is the excellent effect that the
passenger can easily adjust the position of the palm rest to a
position that is optimal with respect to the length of the arm of
the passenger.
[0022] According to the fourth aspect, the vehicular switch
operation mechanism includes the palm rest moving mechanism and the
palm rest locking mechanism of the second aspect and the operation
portion installation moving mechanism and the operation portion
installation locking mechanism of the third aspect. Additionally,
when the passenger wishes to adjust the position of the palm rest
using the operation portion as a reference, the passenger need only
operate the first release portion to release the locked state of
the palm rest locking mechanism, and when the passenger wishes to
adjust the position of the palm rest using the vehicle body floor
as a reference, the passenger need only operate the second release
portion to release the locked state of the operation portion
installation locking mechanism.
[0023] Moreover, because both the first release portion and the
second release portion are disposed in a range where the passenger
can reach them with his/her fingers when the passenger rests
his/her palm on the palm rest, the passenger can conduct both
operations with one hand.
[0024] In other words, there is the excellent effect that the
passenger can easily adjust with one hand the position of the palm
rest to a position that is optimal with respect to the size of the
palm and the length of the arm of the passenger.
[0025] According to the fifth aspect, assuming that the palm rest
is disposed on the upper lid member of the operation portion
installation, when the passenger wishes to open the upper lid
member, the passenger first releases the locked state of the palm
rest by the locking means with the release means and then moves the
palm rest to the predetermined rotation position with the palm rest
moving means. With this operation, the passenger can open the upper
lid member via the rotating means.
[0026] That is, according to this aspect, the passenger can open
the upper lid member while resting his/her palm on the palm
rest.
[0027] In other words, there is the excellent effect that not only
can the ease with which the passenger can adjust the position of
the palm rest be improved, but the ease with which the passenger
can open and close the upper lid member of the operation portion
installation can also be improved.
[0028] According to the sixth aspect, because the release means is
disposed on a lower portion or a side portion of the palm rest, the
release means can be set in a position suited for the movement of
the fingers of the passenger when the passenger rests his/her palm
on the palm rest. In other words, there is the excellent effect
that the ease with which the passenger can operate the release
means can be improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (along line 1-1 of
FIG. 2) showing a state where a console box pertaining to a first
embodiment of the invention is attached to the floor of a vehicle
body;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the console box
shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the console box
shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the portion of
the console box from a palm rest to an operation portion shown in
FIG. 1;
[0033] FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the entire
configuration of a slide mechanism that slidably supports the
console box shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing, in a common
cross-section, the slide mechanism shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B;
[0035] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a console box
pertaining to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the console box
shown in FIG. 7;
[0037] FIG. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the
peripheral structure of a first operation knob;
[0038] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a guide
groove shown in FIG. 8;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing front-rear
adjustment of a palm rest;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a descriptive diagram showing the positional
relationship between a lock pin and the palm rest;
[0041] FIG. 13A is an enlarged perspective view showing a
modification of the guide groove shown in FIG. 10; and
[0042] FIG. 13B is a side view for describing the action of the
modification of the guide groove shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0043] A first embodiment of a vehicular switch operation mechanism
pertaining to the invention will be described below using FIGS. 1
to 6. In these drawings, arrow FR represents the frontward
direction of a vehicle disposed with the vehicular switch operation
mechanism, arrow UP represents the upward direction of the same
vehicle, and arrow OUT represents the outward width-direction of
the same vehicle.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state
where a console box 10 pertaining to a first embodiment of the
invention is attached to a floor 48 of a vehicle body. FIG. 2 is an
external perspective view of the console box 10. FIG. 3 is an
exploded perspective view of the main portions of the console box
10. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the portion of the
console box 10 from a palm rest 18 to an operation portion shown in
FIG. 1.
[0045] As shown in these drawings, the console box 10, which serves
as an operation portion installation, is formed in a box-like shape
that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction. The console box
10 is disposed adjacent to and between left and right front seats
(vehicular seats). A drawer-type storage portion 12 and an
open/close-type storage portion 14 are formed inside the console
box 10.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, an open portion 16, which is
substantially rectangular when seen in plan view, is formed in the
front end of the upper portion of the console box 10. A palm rest
18, which protrudes upward such that it is exposed to the rear end
edge of the open portion 16, is formed integrally and continuously
in the front end of the upper portion of the console box 10. The
palm rest 18 is configured such that the passenger can rest his/her
palm on the palm rest 18 and operate later-described operation
switches 28 with his/her fingers. Cylindrical bosses 20, in whose
axial center portions are formed female threads (not shown), are
integrally disposed on the four corners around the open portion
16.
[0047] A bezel 22, which is formed in a shape that protrudes upward
and rearward, is attachable from below to the open portion 16 of
the console box 10. Attachment-use flange portions 24 are
integrally formed on the four comers of the bezel 22, and screw
through-holes 26 are formed in the flange portions 24.
[0048] Plural operation switches 28, which the passenger operates
with his/her fingers, are fitted together from below with the front
portion of the bezel 22. A stepped portion 30, which is long in the
vehicle width direction, is formed in a rear portion 22A of the
bezel 22. A pair of left and right screw through-holes 32 is formed
in the bottom portion of the stepped portion 30.
[0049] A knob assembly 34 is attached to the stepped portion 30 of
the bezel 22. The knob assembly 34 includes a knob housing 36 that
is internally hollow. Attachment-use flange portions 38 protrude
from both side portions of the knob housing 36, and screw
through-holes 40 are formed in the flange portions 38 at positions
coaxial with the screw through-holes 26 in the rear end of the
bezel 22.
[0050] A pair of left and right positioning pins 42, which are
inserted into the screw through-holes 32 in the stepped portion 30,
is integrally formed on the bottom surface of the knob housing 36.
An operation knob 44 (the details of which will be described
later), which the passenger operates with his/her fingers, is
disposed inside the knob housing 36. Another end portion 46B of a
cable 46 is connected to a rear end portion of the operation knob
44.
[0051] When the knob assembly 34 is to be attached to the bezel 22,
first, the left and right positioning pins 42 of the knob assembly
34 are inserted into the left and right screw through-holes 32 in
the stepped portion 30 of the bezel 22 such that the knob assembly
34 is mounted on the stepped portion 30.
[0052] Then, in this state, the bosses 20 of the console box 10 are
inserted into the screw through-holes 26 formed in the four comers
of the bezel 22, and unillustrated screws are screwed into the
female threads of the bosses 20, whereby the knob housing 36 is
provisionally joined to the bezel 22 such that they are
sub-assembled, and the sub-assembled bezel 22 is attached from
below to the open portion 16 of the console box 10.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the console box 10 is supported such
that it is slidable in the vehicle front-rear direction along fixed
guide rails 50 disposed on the vehicle body floor 48.
[0054] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6, a support 52
formed in a substantially rectangular frame-like shape when seen in
plan view is fixed to the vehicle body floor 48. Left and right
fixed guide rails 50 are formed on both side portions of the
support 52. The fixed guide rails 50 are formed such that they are
long along the vehicle front-rear direction and have substantially
U-shaped cross-sections that open downward.
[0055] Movable guide rails 54 are fitted into the fixed guide rails
50 such that the movable guide rails 54 are slidable along the
vehicle front-rear direction. The movable guide rails 54 are formed
in long shapes that are shorter than the fixed guide rails 50 and
have substantially U-shaped cross-sections that allow the movable
guide rails 54 to fit together with the fixed guide rails 50 from
below. The fixed guide rails 50 and the movable guide rails 54 are
elements broadly understood as guide means or slide means.
[0056] The left and right movable guide rails 54 are coupled
together by pipe-like coupler rods 56 and coupler pins 58 disposed
at plural places (e.g., two front-rear places) in the longitudinal
direction of the rails. The lower portion of a base plate 60 fixed
to the console box 10 is supported on the axial-direction
intermediate portions of the coupler pins 58 (end portions of the
coupler rods 56). The base plate 60 includes, at three places on
both its left and right side portions, mounts 62 that rise upward.
The base plate 60 is fixed to the lower portion of the side
surfaces of the console box 10 by the total of six mounts 62.
[0057] A support plate 64, which has a substantially rectangular
tabular shape when seen in plan view, is disposed on the front
portion of the base plate 60. The support plate 64 is configured
such that it contacts the bottom surface of the console box 10
after assembly.
[0058] A lock lever 66 is disposed at a predetermined position on
one side portion of the base plate 60. The lock lever 66 is
configured to be swingable in the front-rear direction around a
support shaft 68 (see FIG 5B). One end portion 46A of the cable 46
is attached to an upper end portion 66A of the lock lever 66. A
lock portion 66B, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width
direction (toward the fixed guide rail 50), is formed on the lower
portion of the lock lever 66. The lock portion 66B is formed like a
forked pawl when seen in front view and is configured to engage
with the to-be-locked portions 70 that are formed in the lower edge
of a side wall 50A of the fixed guide rail 50 and comprise
continuous convex-concavities.
[0059] The lock lever 66 is always rotatingly urged, by
unillustrated urging means such as a torsion coil spring, rearward
around the support shaft 68 (in the clockwise direction in the side
view of FIG. 1), that is, in the direction in which the lock
portion 66B engages with the to-be-locked portions 70.
[0060] Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the knob assembly 34, that is, the
operation knob 44, is disposed on the lower portion of the palm
rest 18. Consequently, the operation knob 44 is disposed in a range
where the passenger can reach the operation knob 44 with his/her
fingers when the passenger rests his/her palm on the palm rest
18.
[0061] The operation knob 44 is configured to include a grip
portion 44A that is formed in a substantial hook-like cross section
and whose front side is open, a side wall 44B that is formed
integrally with the width-direction end portion of the grip portion
44A, and an arm-like support portion 44C that is formed integrally
with the rear surface of the grip portion 44A. The support portion
44C is supported such that it is swingable around a support shaft
72 disposed in the knob housing 36.
[0062] A torsion coil spring 74 broadly understood as urging means
is wound onto the support shaft 72. One end portion of the torsion
coil spring 74 is attached to the knob housing 36, and the other
end portion of the torsion coil spring 74 is attached to the
support portion 44C of the operation knob 44. Consequently, the
torsion coil spring 74 always rotatingly urges the operation knob
44 in the counter-clockwise direction (in the direction from the
position represented by the dotted lines in FIG. 4 to the position
represented by the solid lines).
[0063] The other end portion 46B of the cable 46 is attached to the
side wall 44B of the operation knob 44.
Action and Effects of the First Embodiment
[0064] Next, the action and effects of the first embodiment will be
described.
[0065] When the passenger wishes to operate the operation switches
28 disposed on the front side of the upper portion of the console
box 10, the passenger need only rest his/her palm on the palm rest
18 disposed rearward of the operation switches 28 and operate the
operation switches 28 with his/her fingers.
[0066] But sometimes, when the passenger wishes to operate the
operation switches 28 with his/her fingers, the position of the
palm rest 18 in the vehicle front-rear direction is too far
frontward or too far rearward for the passenger. In such a case,
the passenger need only rest his/her palm on the palm rest 18,
place his/her fingers on the operation knob 44 at the undersurface
side of the palm rest 18, and pull up the operation knob 44.
[0067] When the passenger pulls up the operation knob 44 with
his/her fingers counter to the urging force of the torsion coil
spring 74, the cable 46 is pulled in accompaniment therewith. For
this reason, the lock lever 66 is swung toward the front side of
the vehicle around the support shaft 68 counter to the urging force
of the unillustrated urging means. Thus, the state of engagement
between the lock portion 66B of the lock lever 66 and the
to-be-locked portions 70 of the fixed guide rail 50 is
released.
[0068] Then, when the passenger pushes the entire console box 10
frontward or rearward while resting his/her palm on the palm rest
18 and pulling up the operation knob 44, the console box 10 slides
frontward or rearward along the fixed guide rails 50. Thus, the
front-rear position of the palm rest 18 is adjusted such that it
becomes optimal with respect to the length of the arm of the
passenger.
[0069] When the passenger finishes adjusting the front-rear
position of the palm rest 18, the passenger releases the operation
knob 44. Thus, the operation knob 44 is returned to its former
position by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 74, the
lock lever 66 is returned to its former position by the urging
force of the unillustrated urging means, the lock portion 66B again
engages with the to-be-locked portions 70 of the fixed guide rail
50, and the palm rest 18 is retained in the position after movement
(after the front-rear position has been adjusted).
[0070] In this manner, in the vehicular switch operation mechanism
(console box structure) pertaining to the present embodiment, the
operation knob 44 for releasing the locked state is disposed at the
undersurface side of the palm rest 18, that is, in a range where
the fingers of the passenger can reach the operation knob 44. Thus,
the passenger can adjust the front-rear position of the palm rest
18 while resting his/her palm on the palm rest 18.
[0071] As a result, according to the present embodiment, the
passenger can easily adjust the front-rear position of the palm
rest 18 while the passenger is seated in the front seat, and
without the passenger having to open and close a lid or the
like.
[0072] Moreover, because the operation knob 44 is disposed at the
undersurface side of the palm rest 18, this is excellent in terms
of design because integrity with the palm rest 18 is brought
about.
[0073] Also, in the vehicular switch operation mechanism pertaining
to the present embodiment, the invention is applied to a sliding
console box 10. Thus, the passenger adjusts the front-rear position
of the palm rest 18 by sliding the console box 10. In other words,
in the case of the present embodiment, the passenger can adjust the
front-rear position of the palm rest 18 using the vehicle body
floor 48 as a reference.
[0074] As a result, according to the present embodiment, the
passenger can easily adjust the front-rear position of the palm
rest 18 to a position that is optimal with respect to the length of
the arm of the passenger.
[0075] Moreover, in the vehicular switch operation mechanism
pertaining to the present embodiment, the operation knob 44 for
releasing the locked state is disposed at the undersurface side of
the palm rest 18. Thus, the operation knob 44 is disposed at a
position suited to the movement of the fingers of the passenger
when the passenger rests his/her palm on the palm rest 18. As a
result, according to the present embodiment, the ease with which
the passenger can operate the operation knob 44 to release the
locked state can be improved.
Second Embodiment
[0076] A second embodiment of the vehicular switch operation
mechanism pertaining to the invention will now be described using
FIGS. 7 to 13B. The same reference numerals will be given to
constituent elements that are the same as those previously
described in the first embodiment, and description of those same
constituent elements will be omitted.
[0077] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a console box 100
pertaining to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is an
exploded perspective view of the console box 100.
[0078] As shown in these drawings, in the vehicular switch
operation mechanism pertaining to the second embodiment, the palm
rest 18 itself is disposed such that it is slidable in the vehicle
front-rear direction with respect to the console box 100, which
serves as an operation portion installation. The entire console box
100 is also supported such that it is slidable in the vehicle
front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle body floor 48.
Moreover, the vehicular switch operation mechanism is configured
such that the sliding of the palm rest 18 and the sliding of the
console box 100 can be conducted with a first operation knob 102
and a second operation knob 104 disposed on the lower portion of
the palm rest 18. The details of this configuration will be
described below.
[0079] Similar to the first embodiment, the console box 100 is
formed in a substantially box-like shape that is long in the
vehicle front-rear direction, and includes therein a relatively
large storage compartment 106 (see FIG. 8). An upper lid member 108
for opening and closing the storage compartment 106 is disposed on
the upper portion of the console box 100 such that the upper lid
member 108 is slidable in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[0080] A controller (e.g., a paptic controller) 110 corresponding
to the operation switches 28 of the first embodiment is set, in a
shape protruding upward, on the front end of the upper portion of
the console box 100.
[0081] The palm rest 18 is disposed along the front-rear direction
rearward of the controller 110. The palm rest 18 is integrally
formed in the center portion of the front end of the upper lid
member 108. The first operation knob 102 and the second operation
knob 104 are vertically arranged on the lower portion of the palm
rest 18.
[0082] Because the mechanism by which the console box 100 slides
frontward and rearward is the same as that of the first embodiment,
description thereof will be omitted, and here the mechanism by
which the palm rest 18 itself slides will be described.
[0083] Because the palm rest 18 is formed integrally with the upper
lid member 108, the palm rest 18 is slidable in the vehicle
front-rear direction with respect to the console box 100 by sliding
the upper lid member 108.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, guide grooves 112, which are
formed in left and right reversed substantial "L" shapes when seen
in side view, are formed in opposing surfaces of both side walls
lOOA of the console box 100. Plural engagement holes (three in the
present embodiment) comprising a first engagement hole 114, a
second engagement hole 116, and a third engagement hole 118 are
formed at predetermined intervals in a lower portion 112A of each
of the guide grooves 112. The first engagement holes 114, the
second engagement holes 116, and the third engagement holes 118 are
formed in cone-like shapes. The second engagement holes 116
positioned intermediately correspond to a neutral position of the
front-rear position of the palm rest 18. Upper end portions of
upper portions 112B of the guide grooves 112 are open such that
later-described lock pins 120 are insertable into the guide grooves
112, and each of the upper portions 112B has a groove width W (see
FIG. 10) that is larger than the outer diameter of the lock pins
120.
[0085] In correspondence thereto, the lock pins 120, whose axial
direction is in the width direction of the upper lid member 108,
are disposed in the front ends of both side surfaces of the upper
lid member 108 such that the lock pins 120 are extendable and
retractable. As shown in FIG. 9, the lock pins 120 are configured
to extend and retract in the vehicle width direction in association
with the movement of the first operation knob 102, which is
disposed on the front end surface of the upper lid member 108, in
the vehicle front-rear direction.
[0086] That is, the first operation knob 102 is configured by a
push portion 102A that has a substantially hollow rectangular
parallelepiped shape and which the passenger pushes with his/her
fingers, a guide portion 102B that has a flask-like shape when seen
in plan view and protrudes from the center portion of the rear end
surface of the push portion 102A toward the rear side of the
vehicle, and a rod-like support pin 102C that protrudes from the
center portion of the rear end surface of the guide portion 102B
toward the rear side of the vehicle.
[0087] The support pin 102C is supported in a wall 122 formed in
the upper lid member 108 such that the support pin 102C is movable
in the axial direction. A compression coil spring 124 broadly
understood as urging means is wound onto the support pin 102C. One
end portion of the compression coil spring 124 is directly attached
to the wall 122, and the other end portion of the compression coil
spring 124 is directly attached to the rear end surface of the
guide portion 102B. Consequently, the compression coil spring 124
always pushes and urges the first operation knob 102 in the
advancing direction (toward the front side of the vehicle).
[0088] Both side portions of the guide portion 102B serve as
inclined surfaces 126 whose width-direction dimension becomes
larger toward the rear side of the vehicle. Leading end portions
120A of the lock pins 120, which are supported on side walls 108A
of the upper lid member 108 such that the lock pins 120 are movable
in the axial direction, contact the inclined surfaces 126. For this
reason, the leading end portions 120A of the lock pins 120 are
formed as tapered surfaces conforming to the inclined surfaces
126.
[0089] A guard portion 120B is formed on the axial-direction
intermediate portion of each of the lock pins 120, and a
compression coil spring 128 broadly understood as urging means is
wound onto each of the lock pins 120 between the guard portions
120B and the side walls 108A of the upper lid member 108. One end
portion of each compression coil spring 128 is directly attached to
the side walls 108A, and the other end portion of each compression
coil spring 128 is directly attached to the guard portions 120B.
Consequently, the compression coil springs 128 always push and urge
the leading end portions 120A of the lock pins 120 in the direction
in which they contact the inclined surfaces 126 of the guide
portion 102B of the first operation knob 102. It will be noted that
an unillustrated stopper configuration is added to the lock pins
120.
[0090] According to the above-described configuration, the lock
pins 120 extend from and retract into the side walls 108A of the
upper lid member 108 due to the relative positional relationship
between the inclined surfaces 126 of the first operation knob 102
and the leading end portions 120A of the lock pins 120.
[0091] Returning now to FIG. 8, long holes 130 (only the long hole
130 at the far side of the paper surface is shown in FIG. 8), whose
longitudinal direction is in the vehicle front-rear direction, are
formed in the upper portions of the rear ends of both side surfaces
of the storage compartment 106 in the console box 100. In
correspondence thereto, left and right hinge levers 132 (only the
hinge lever 132 at the near side of the paper surface is shown in
FIG. 8) are disposed at the rear end side of the undersurface of
the upper lid member 108.
[0092] The hinge levers 132 are formed in substantial "L" shapes
when seen in side view, and guide rollers 134 are rotatably axially
supported on the rear end portions of the hinge levers 132. The
hole width of each of the long holes 130 is set to be slightly
larger than the outer diameter of each of the guide rollers 134.
Consequently, when the upper lid member 108 slides in the vehicle
front-rear direction with respect to the console box 100, the guide
rollers 134 rotate inside the long holes 130 in the vehicle
front-rear direction, whereby the stability of the operation is
ensured.
[0093] The long holes 130 are also portions that regulate how far
the upper lid member 108 slides in the vehicle front-rear
direction. The dimensions of each are set such that when the guide
rollers 134 are positioned in the rear end portions of the long
holes 130, the lock pins 120 become positioned in the rear end
portions of the lower portions 112A of the guide grooves 112 and
are allowed to pass through the upper portions 112B.
[0094] As described above, the first operation knob 102 is set in
the front end surface of the upper lid member 108 such that the
first operation knob 102 is extendable and retractable, and
disposed such that the first operation knob 102 ordinarily
protrudes a predetermined length from the front end surface toward
the front side of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
lock-releasing second operation knob 104 for sliding the console
box 100 in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the
vehicle body floor 48 is disposed below the first operation knob
102.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 11, the second operation knob 104 is
fixedly disposed on the console box 100. In FIG. 11, the second
operation knob 104 is shown in a simplified manner, but because the
configuration itself is the same as previously described in the
first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted here.
Action and Effects of the Second Embodiment
[0096] Next, the action and effects of the second embodiment will
be described.
[0097] When the passenger is seated in the front seat, places
his/her palm on the palm rest 18, and the vehicle front-rear
direction position of the palm rest 18 is not suitable to the
passenger due to the relationship between the palm rest 18 and the
length of the arm of the passenger, the passenger keeps his/her
palm rested on the palm rest 18, places his/her fingers on the
second operation knob 104 at the undersurface side of the palm rest
18, pulls up the second operation knob 104, slides the console box
100 frontward or rearward, and releases his/her fingers from the
second operation knob 104 when the palm rest 18 reaches a suitable
position.
[0098] Here, even if the passenger adjusts the vehicle front-rear
direction position of the palm rest 18 to a position that is
optimal in terms of the relationship between the palm rest 18 and
the length of the arm of the passenger, different passengers have
palms of different sizes. For this reason, when the passenger
wishes to operate the controller 110 with his/her fingers while
resting his/her palm on the palm rest 18, sometimes the interval
(distance) L (see FIG. 11) between the position of the palm rest 18
in the vehicle front-rear direction and the operational position of
the controller 110 is too long or too short. In this case, the
passenger adjusts the position of the palm rest 18 with respect to
the console box 100 in the following manner.
[0099] First, while resting his/her palm on the palm rest 18, the
passenger places his/her fingers on the first operation knob 102
protruding from the front end surface of the upper lid member 108
and pushes the first operation knob 102 toward the rear side of the
vehicle. As shown in FIG. 9, when the passenger pushes the push
portion 102A of the first operation knob 102 toward the rear side
of the vehicle counter to the urging force of the compression coil
spring 124, the inclined surfaces 126 of the guide portion 102B are
also displaced toward the rear side of the vehicle in accompaniment
therewith. For this reason, the lock pins 120 relatively slide on
the inclined surfaces 126 and arrive at the front end side of the
inclined surfaces 126 due to the urging force of the compression
coil springs 128.
[0100] Thus, the lock pins 120 are retracted inward of the upper
lid member 108, separate from the second engagement holes 116
(neutral position) in the console box 100, and the locked state
between the lock pins 120 and the second engagement holes 116 is
released.
[0101] Next, while the passenger pushes the push portion 102A of
the first operation knob 102 toward the rear side of the vehicle,
the passenger slides the palm rest 18 toward the front side of the
vehicle or toward the rear side of the vehicle. The passenger may
also release the push portion 102A of the first operation knob 102
at the point in time when the locked state is released and the
upper lid member 108 has been slid slightly frontward or
rearward.
[0102] Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the case of a
passenger whose palm is relatively small, the passenger slides the
palm rest 18 toward the front side of the vehicle to cause the lock
pins 120 to engage with the first engagement holes 114. Conversely,
in the case of a passenger whose palm is relatively large, the
passenger slides the palm rest 18 toward the rear side of the
vehicle to cause the lock pins 120 to engage with the third
engagement holes 118.
[0103] By doing this, the passenger can optimize, in terms of the
relationship with the size of the palm of the passenger, the
position of the palm rest 18 in the vehicle front-rear direction
using the controller 110 as a reference. Incidentally, in the
present embodiment, the movable range (the range in which the
front-rear position of the palm rest 18 can be adjusted) of the
palm rest 18 is S (see FIG. 11).
[0104] In the vehicular switch operation mechanism (console box
structure) pertaining to the present embodiment, the front-rear
position of the palm rest 18 is also adjustable using the
controller 110 as a reference. Thus, not only can the front-rear
position of the palm rest 18 be optimized in accordance with the
length of the arm of the passenger, but it can also be optimized in
accordance with the size of the palm of the passenger.
[0105] Moreover, because the first operation knob 102 and the
second operation knob 104 are disposed on the lower portion of the
palm rest 18 in a range where the passenger can reach them with
his/her fingers, the passenger can operate the first operation knob
102 and the second operation knob 104 with one hand.
[0106] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the passenger can
easily adjust with one hand the front-rear position of the palm
rest 18 to a position that is optimal with respect to the size of
his/her palm and the length of his/her arm.
[0107] Also, in the vehicular switch operation mechanism pertaining
to the present embodiment, when the passenger wishes to remove
objects stored in the storage compartment 106 of the console box
100, the passenger pushes the push portion 102A of the palm rest 18
with a full stroke toward the rear side of the vehicle, causes the
guide rollers 134 to be positioned in the rear end portions of the
long holes 130, and lifts up the upper lid member 108, whereby the
lock pins 120 pass through the upper portions 112B of the guide
grooves 112 so that the passenger can open the upper lid member
108. That is, according to the present embodiment, the passenger
can open the upper lid member 108 while resting his/her palm on the
palm rest 18.
[0108] As a result, according to the present embodiment, not only
can the ease with which the passenger can adjust the front-rear
position of the palm rest 18 be improved, but the ease with which
the passenger can open and close the upper lid member 108 of the
console box 100 can also be improved. Consequently, the ease with
which the passenger can remove objects stored in the storage
compartment 106 is also extremely good.
[0109] In the above embodiment, the first engagement holes 114, the
second engagement holes 116 and the third engagement holes 118 were
formed in the guide grooves 112, but the invention is not limited
to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, guide grooves
136 that have left and right reversed "L" shapes when seen in side
view may be formed in the console box 100, bottom surfaces 136A of
the guide grooves 136 may be formed such that they have wave-like
shapes, and substantially oval holes 140 may be set directly below
portions 138 that are the crests of the waves.
[0110] In this case, when the lock pins 120 are to be moved in the
front or rear direction, the holes 140 bend in the direction in
which they collapse vertically, and the crest portions 138 are
elastically displaced downward, whereby the lock pins 120 can be
moved in the guide grooves 136 in the front or rear direction.
[0111] Also, when this configuration is adopted, there is the
advantage that a feeling of moderation is obtained when the palm
rest 18 is moved frontward or rearward (in other words, the
movement is conducted gradually).
Supplementary Description of the Preceding Embodiments
[0112] In the above-described embodiments, the operation knob 44,
the first operation knob 102 and the second operation knob 104
(release means) were disposed on the lower portion of the palm rest
18 in a range where the passenger could reach them with his/her
fingers, but the invention is not limited to this. The operation
knob 44, the first operation knob 102 and the second operation knob
104 may also be disposed in a range where the passenger can reach
them with his/her fingers while resting his/her palm on the palm
rest 118. For example, the release means may be disposed on a side
portion of the palm rest 18 in a range where the passenger can
reach the release means with his/her fingers.
[0113] Also, in the second embodiment, both the first operation
knob 102 and the second operation knob 104 were disposed on the
lower portion of the palm rest 18, but a configuration may also be
adopted where the first operation knob 102 is disposed on a side
portion of the palm rest 18 and where the second operation knob 104
is disposed on the lower portion of the palm rest 18. Moreover, the
release means may be disposed in the vicinity of the operation
portion.
[0114] Also, in the first embodiment, the operation switches 28
were used as the operation portion, and in the second embodiment,
the controller 110 was used as the operation portion. However, any
configuration is included in the concept of the operation portion
of the invention as long as the operation portion has a
configuration such that the passenger can operate the operation
portion while resting his/her palm on the palm rest.
[0115] Consequently, from the standpoint of the design concept of
the vehicle, operability, and convenience, an operation portion
having another configuration-such as push-button switches, switches
that are swung, a touch-type operation panel, a dial-type switch,
or an operation portion where a ball is rotated and a pointer is
moved and clicked-upon-may be appropriately selected.
[0116] Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, a
configuration was adopted where the lock portion 66B of the lock
lever 66 was made to engage with the pulse wave-like to-be-locked
portions 70 disposed on the lower edge of the side wall 50A inside
the fixed guide rail 50. However, the present invention is not
limited to this and may also utilize another lock mechanism
configuration.
[0117] For example, a configuration may also be adopted where
numerous engagement holes are formed at a predetermined pitch in a
side wall inside a fixed guide rail (lower rail) such as utilized
in a sheet slide mechanism, and a hooked claw-like lock portion of
a lock lever may engage with the engagement holes.
[0118] Also, in the above-described first embodiment, a
configuration was adopted where the front-rear position of the palm
rest 18 was adjusted by sliding the entire console box 10 in the
vehicle front-rear direction, and in the second embodiment, in
addition to this, the palm rest 18 was slidably adjusted in the
vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the console box 100.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
an embodiment may also be adopted where the console box does not
slide in the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the
vehicle body floor, but where just the palm rest 18 is slidable in
the vehicle front-rear direction with respect to the console
box.
[0119] Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the front-rear
position of the palm rest 18 was adjusted by a mechanical slide
mechanism, but the invention is not limited to this. The
(front-rear) position of the palm rest may also be adjusted by an
electrical configuration.
[0120] For example, a first switch and a second switch that are
swingable up and down may be disposed on the left and right sides
of the lower portion of the palm rest, the fixed guide rails of the
console box may be configured by feed screws, and a rectangular
parallelepiped block that engages with the feed screws may be
disposed. Then, when the first switch is pushed up, a motor
normally rotates so that the block moves toward the front side of
the vehicle and causes the console box to move toward the front
side of the vehicle. Conversely, when the first switch is pushed
down, the motor reversely rotates so that the block moves toward
the rear side of the vehicle and causes the console box to move
toward the rear side of the vehicle.
[0121] The palm rest may also be configured in the same manner. For
example, a mobile body corresponding to the block may be fixed to
the undersurface side of the palm rest and feed screws may be
screwed therein. Then, when the second switch is pushed up, a motor
normally rotates so that the mobile body moves toward the front
side of the vehicle and causes the palm rest to move toward the
front side of the vehicle. Conversely, when the second switch is
pushed down, the motor reversely rotates so that the mobile body
moves toward the rear side of the vehicle and causes the palm rest
to move toward the rear side of the vehicle.
[0122] When this configuration is adopted, it is preferable to
dispose a deceleration mechanism between the motor and the feed
screws in order to reduce the moving speed of the palm rest.
[0123] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the operation
portion was disposed on the console boxes 10 and 100, but the
invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation
portion may also be disposed on a center cluster or door trim. In
other words, in addition to a console box, interior members such as
a center cluster and door trim are also included in the operation
portion installation of the invention. Consequently, depending on
the operation portion installation, there are also cases where the
direction in which the palm rest is moved by the palm rest moving
means is not the vehicle front-rear direction but the vehicle width
direction or a vehicle diagonal direction.
[0124] Moreover, an arm rest directly attached to a vehicular seat
is also included in the term "adjacent" in the recitation
"operation portion installation disposed adjacent to a vehicular
seat" in the first aspect of the invention. In this case, the arm
rest corresponds to the "operation portion installation". Also, the
term "rearward" in the recitation "disposed rearward of the
operation portion" in the first aspect of the invention means
relatively rearward with respect to a passenger at a position where
the passenger is seated in the vehicular seat.
* * * * *