U.S. patent application number 11/604877 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for storage body.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Junichiro Kako, Takashi Matsunaga, Hideyuki Naganawa, Nobuo Watanabe.
Application Number | 20070119852 11/604877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38086442 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070119852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsunaga; Takashi ; et
al. |
May 31, 2007 |
Storage body
Abstract
A storage body comprises a main body, a cover body, an
interlocking member, a slider, and an urging member. The main body
has an opening portion and a guide portion. The main body has a
base plate which is provided with the guide portion, the
interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member integrally.
The slider has a pin portion connected to the interlocking member
by way of a connecting mechanism composed of a rack and a pinion.
The urging member has opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of
the urging member is fastened to the base plate or the interlocking
member, and the other one of the opposite ends of the urging member
is fastened to the slider. Dampers damping the opening movement or
the closing movement of the cover body can be further provided in
the base plate integrally.
Inventors: |
Matsunaga; Takashi;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; Naganawa; Hideyuki; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; Watanabe; Nobuo; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; Kako;
Junichiro; (Aichi-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POSZ LAW GROUP, PLC
12040 SOUTH LAKES DRIVE
SUITE 101
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
Aichi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
38086442 |
Appl. No.: |
11/604877 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 7/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2005 |
JP |
2005-346247 |
Claims
1. An storage body, comprising: a main body having an opening
portion and a guide portion; a cover body supported by said main
body in such a manner that said opening portion can be opened and
closed; an interlocking member connected to said cover body, and
interlocking with opening and closing motion of said cover body; a
slider having a pin portion which is connected to said interlocking
member by way of a connecting mechanism and is guided by engaging
with said guide portion, and moving along said guide portion by
engagement of said guide portion with said pin portion in
association with the opening and closing motion of said cover body;
and an urging member being expandable and contractible for
accumulating an urging force in association with the opening and
closing motion of said cover body, said urging force urging said
cover body in at least one of an opening movement and a closing
movement; said main body having a base plate; said base plate being
provided with said guide portion, said interlocking member, said
slider, and said urging member; and said urging member having
opposite ends, one of the opposite ends fastened to said base plate
or said interlocking member, the other one of the opposite ends
fastened to said slider.
2. The storage body set forth in claim 1 further comprising a first
damper damping the opening movement or the closing movement of said
cover body by damping a movement of said slider, wherein: said
first damper is provided in said base plate.
3. The storage body set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 further
comprising a second damper damping the opening movement or the
closing movement of said cover body by damping a movement of said
interlocking member, wherein: said second damper is provided in
said base plate.
4. The storage body set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a
first damper damping one of the opening movement and the closing
movement of said cover body by damping the movement of said slider;
and a second damper damping the other one of the opening movement
and the closing movement of said cover body by damping the movement
of said interlocking member, wherein: said first damper and said
second damper are provided in the base plate.
5. The storage body set forth in any of claim 1 to 4, wherein: said
connecting mechanism is composed of a rack provided in said
interlocking member and a pinion pivotally supported in said slider
rotatably and meshing with said rack; and said slider moves along
said guide portion by the engagement of said guide portion with
said pin portion thereof in association with the opening or closing
motion of said cover body, and reciprocates along said rack by mesh
of said rack with said pinion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a storage body such as a
glove box provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle of an
automobile, etc., for example.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Various glove boxes provided in an instrument panel of a
vehicle of an automobile, etc. have been known. For example,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2-267,038
discloses a glove box using a driving force to open and close a
cover body.
[0005] In the glove box disclosed in the publication, a motor is
driven firstly by applying an opening operation force or a closing
operation force to the cover body manually. Thereafter, the cover
body is opened and closed by a driving force of the motor.
[0006] According to the glove box disclosed in the publication, it
is possible to open and close the cover body with a simple
operation by a user. However, there arises a problem that a cost
for the glove box increases because motors are expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been developed and completed in
view of the aforementioned circumstance. It is therefore an object
of the present invention to provide a storage body in which a cover
body can be opened and closed easily with a simple constitution
without using a motor.
[0008] A storage body according to the present invention can
achieve the aforementioned object, and comprises:
[0009] a main body having an opening portion and a guide
portion;
[0010] a cover body supported by the main body in such a manner
that the opening portion can be opened and closed;
[0011] an interlocking member connected to the cover body, and
interlocking with opening and closing motion of the cover body;
[0012] a slider having a pin portion which is connected to the
interlocking member by way of a connecting mechanism and is guided
by engaging with the guide portion, and moving along the guide
portion by engagement of the guide portion with the pin portion in
association with the opening and closing motion of the cover body;
and [0013] an urging member being expandable and contractible for
accumulating an urging force in association with the opening and
closing motion of the cover body, the urging force urging the cover
body in at least one of an opening movement and a closing
movement;
[0014] the main body having a base plate;
[0015] the base plate being provided with the guide portion, the
interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member; and
[0016] the urging member having opposite ends, one of the opposite
ends fastened to the base plate or the interlocking member, the
other one of the opposite ends fastened to the slider.
[0017] In this storage body, when the interlocking member
interlocks in association with the opening and closing motion of
the cover body, the pin portion of the slider connected to the
interlocking member by way of the connecting mechanism is guided by
the guide portion of the main body such that the slider moves along
the guide portion. When the slider moves in such a manner, the
urging member, in which one of the opposite ends thereof is
fastened to the base plate of the main body or the interlocking
member and the other one of the opposite ends thereof is fastened
to the slider, expands and contracts so as to accumulate the urging
force therein.
[0018] Here, the magnitude of the urging force accumulated in the
urging member (the amount of expansion and contraction of the
urging member), the direction of the urging force, the timing for
accumulating the urging force, and the timing for releasing the
accumulated urging force change depending on the shape of the guide
portion. Thus, when the shape of the guide portion is set
appropriately, the slider moves along the guide portion by the
urging force accumulated in the urging member. Consequently, the
interlocking member moves by way of the connecting mechanism such
that the cover body can be opened and closed by interlocking with
this interlocking member.
[0019] Thus, in the storage body according to the present
invention, the urging force is accumulated in the urging member by
the opening and closing motion of the cover body, and the thus
accumulated urging force urges the cover body in its opening
movement and/or its closing movement. As such, since the urging
force, which has been accumulated in advance in association with
the opening and closing motion of the cover body, can be utilized
for the opening movement and/or the closing movement of the cover
body, it is not necessary to dispose an expensive driving source,
such as a motor, additionally. Accordingly, the cover body can be
opened and closed with the simple constitution without using a
motor. Therefore, the high cost as a result of employing an
expensive driving source, such as a motor, can be prevented.
[0020] In addition, by setting the shape of the guide portion
appropriately, the strength and/or the timing, etc. for urging the
cover body in the opening and closing motion can be set as desired,
and the degree of designing freedom is enhanced accordingly.
[0021] In addition, in the storage body according to the present
invention, the main body has the base plate, and the guide portion,
the interlocking member, the slider, and the urging member are
provided in this base plate. Thus, while these members are provided
with respect to this base plate, it is possible to confirm whether
these members activate appropriately and adjust these members to
activate appropriately before installing them to the main body.
Therefore, confirmation and adjustment of the activation of these
members can be carried out easily. Moreover, the installation
operation is done with ease, because it is not necessary to install
each member of the guide portion, the interlocking member, the
slider, and the urging member to the main body separately. Further,
the maintenance operation is also done with ease, because it is
possible to adjust the activation by detaching the base plate from
the main body.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the storage body according to the
present invention further comprises a first damper damping the
opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body by
damping a movement of the slider, wherein:
[0023] the first damper is provided in the base plate.
[0024] In this storage body, because the first damper damps the
movement of the slider so as to damp the opening movement or the
closing movement of the cover body, a shock accompanied with the
opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body can be
deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement and the closing
movement of the cover body smooth.
[0025] In addition, since this first damper is also provided in the
base plate, the confirmation and adjustment of the activation of
those including the first damper can be carried out easily.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the storage body according to the
present invention further comprises a second damper damping the
opening movement or the closing movement of the cover body by
damping a movement of the interlocking member, wherein:
[0027] the second damper is provided in the base plate.
[0028] In this storage body, because the second damper damps the
movement of the interlocking member so as to damp the opening
movement or the closing movement of the cover body, the shock
accompanied with the opening movement or the closing movement of
the cover body can be deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement
and the closing movement of the cover body smooth.
[0029] In addition, since this second damper is also provided in
the base plate, the confirmation and adjustment of the activation
of those including the second damper can be carried out easily.
[0030] Here, it is preferred that the storage body according to the
present invention comprises the first damper which damps one of the
opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body by
damping the movement of the slider, and further comprises the
second damper which damps the other one of the opening movement and
the closing movement of the cover body by damping the movement of
the interlocking member, wherein the first damper and the second
damper are provided in the base plate.
[0031] In this storage body, because the first damper damps one of
the opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body by
damping the movement of the slider, and also the second damper
damps the other one of the opening movement and the closing
movement of the cover body by damping the interlocking member, the
shock accompanied with the opening movement and the closing
movement of the cover body can be deadened. Accordingly, the
opening movement and the closing movement of the cover body
smooth.
[0032] In addition, since these first damper and second damper are
also provided in the base plate, the confirmation and adjustment of
the activation of those including the first damper and the second
damper.
[0033] In the storage body according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, wherein:
[0034] the connecting mechanism is composed of a rack provided in
the interlocking member and a pinion pivotally supported in the
slider rotatably and meshing with the rack; and
[0035] the slider moves along the guide portion by the engagement
of the guide portion with the pin portion thereof in association
with the opening or closing motion of the cover body, and
reciprocates along the rack by mesh of the rack with the
pinion.
[0036] In this storage body, when the interlocking member
interlocks in association with the opening and closing motion of
the cover body, the pin portion of the slider is guided by the
guide portion of the main body such that the slider moves along the
guide portion, and the pinion pivotally supported in the slider
meshes with the rack provided in the interlocking member such that
the slider reciprocates along the interlocking member. That is, in
this storage body, in association with the opening movement or the
closing movement of the cover body, while the slider moves along
the guide portion, it moves forwards (from the side of one of the
opposite ends to the side of the other one of the opposite ends of
the interlocking member), or moves backwards (from the side of the
other one of the opposite ends to the side of one of the opposite
ends of the interlocking member) along the interlocking member.
When the slider moves in such a manner, the urging member, in which
one of the opposite ends thereof is fastened to the base plate of
the main body or the interlocking member, and the other one of the
opposite ends thereof is fastened to the slider, expands and
contracts so as to accumulate the urging force therein.
[0037] In addition, in this storage body, the guide portion, the
interlocking member provided with the rack, the slider pivotally
supporting the pinion, and the urging member are provided in the
base plate which can be installed to the main body by retrofitting.
Thus, when these members are provided with respect to this base
plate, it is possible to confirm whether these members activate
appropriately and adjust these members to activate appropriately
before installing them to the main body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and
many of its advantages will be readily obtained as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying
drawings and detailed specification, all of which forms part of the
disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectioned side view for
schematically illustrating a storage body according to an Example
of the present invention when a cover body is in a closed
state.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectioned side view for
schematically illustrating the storage body according to the
Example of the present invention when the cover body is in an
opened state.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectioned side view for
schematically illustrating the storage body according to the
Example of the present invention when the cover body is in a half
closed state.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a side view for schematically illustrating the
storage body according to the Example of the present invention when
the cover body is in the closed state.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a shape of a guide portion
of the storage body according to the Example of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Having generally described the present invention, a further
understanding can be obtained by reference to the specific
preferred embodiment which is provided herein for the purpose of
illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the
appended claims.
Example
[0045] In the present example, a storage body according to the
present invention is adopted as a glove box provided in an
instrument panel of a vehicle of an automobile, etc.
[0046] As schematically shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the storage body
according to the present example comprises a main body 1, a cover
body 2, a rail 3 serving as an interlocking member, a rack 4
composing a connecting mechanism, a pinion 5 composing the
connecting mechanism together with the rack 4, a slider 6, an
urging member 7, a one-way clutch gear 8, a first damper 9, and a
second damper 10.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the main body 1 is composed
of a box-shaped main body 11 made of a synthetic resin having an
opening portion 11a and a base plate 12 composed of a metal plate.
Note that, the material for the base plate 12 is not limited in
particular, as far as it has a desired strength, and a synthetic
resin, etc. can be employed. The base plate 12 is fastened to one
side of the box-shaped main body 11 with bolts 13 by retrofitting.
In addition, a grooved guide portion 14 having a predetermined
shape (in the present example, a substantially triangular shape) is
formed in this base plate 12.
[0048] As shown in an enlarged view of FIG. 5, when the base plate
12 is fastened to the box-shaped main body 11, the guide portion 14
has a close end portion 15 at upper position farthest away from the
opening portion 11a of the box-shaped main body 11, an open end
portion 16 at the lowermost position closest to the opening portion
11a, and an inflection portion 17 at the uppermost position away
from the opening portion 11a. A first connecting portion 18 on the
lower side connects between the close end portion 15 and the open
end portion 16. A second connecting portion 19 on the upper side
connects between the open end portion 16 and the inflection portion
17. A third connecting portion 20 on the upper side connects
between the inflection portion 17 and the close end portion 15. The
first connecting portion 18 is formed such that a distance to a
fastened end of the urging member 7 (a spiral base-end portion 7a),
which will be described later, gradually shortens from the close
end portion 15 toward the open end portion 16. The second
connecting portion 19 is formed such that the distance to the
fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion
7a), which will be described later, gradually lengthens from the
open end portion 16 toward the inflection portion 17. The third
connecting portion 20 is formed such that a distance to the
fastened end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion
7a), which will be described later, gradually shortens from the
inflection portion 17 toward the close end portion 15. In addition,
in terms of the distance to the fastened end of the urging member 7
(the spiral base-end portion 7a), which will be described later,
the shortest is from the open end portion 16, and the longest is
from the inflection portion 17.
[0049] Note that, in the second connecting portion 19 connecting
between the open end portion 16 and the inflection portion 17, the
depth of the groove gradually deepens from the inflection portion
17 toward the open end portion 16 such that a section of the open
end portion 16 has the deepest depth. Thus, a step portion 21 is
provided between the open end portion 16 and the first connecting
portion 18, and this step portion 21 inhibits a pin portion
(described later), which has dropped from the first connecting
portion 18 to the open end portion 16, from moving backwards in the
first connecting portion 18.
[0050] The rail 3, the rack 4, the pinion 5, the slider 6, the
urging member 7, the one way clutch gear 8, the first damper 9, and
the second damper 10 are provided in the base plate 12 integrally.
The storage body according to the present example is completed in
the following installation manner. Firstly, the rail 3, the rack 4,
the pinion 5, the slider 6, the urging member 7, the one way clutch
gear 8, the first damper 9, and the second damper 10 are attached
to the base plate 12 so as to make an integral piece 22. This
integral piece 22 is fastened to the box-shaped main body 11, and
the cover body 2 is then installed to the box-shaped main body 11,
etc.
[0051] The cover body 2 is supported by the box-shaped main body 11
in such a manner that the opening portion 11a of the box-shaped
main body 11 can be opened and closed. Specifically, the cover body
2 has a pivotally supporting portion 23 at its bottom end, and the
pivotally supporting portion 23 is pivotally supported at the
bottom end in the vicinity of the opening portion 11a of the
box-shaped main body 11. With this arrangement, the cover body 2
swings about the pivotally supporting portion 23 so as to open and
close the opening portion 11a. Note that the directions designated
at the arrow "A" of FIG. 1 specify the opening/closing direction of
the cover body 2. In the present example, because the cover body 2
swings about the pivotally supporting portion 23, the
opening/closing direction of the cover body 2 designated at the
arrow "A" of FIG. 1 coincides with an arc direction about the
pivotally supporting portion 23. In addition, a locking mechanism
(not shown) for latching the cover body 2 with the box-shaped main
body 11 of the main body 1 at a position where the opening portion
11a is closed is provided.
[0052] The rail 3 has a pivotally supporting portion 24 at its
bottom end, and the pivotally supporting portion 24 is pivotally
supported at the bottom end of the base plate 12. Note that, in the
storage body according to the present example, the pivotally
supporting portion 24 of the rail 3 is coaxial with the pivotally
supporting portion 23 of the cover body 2. In addition, a leg
portion 25 provided at the bottom end of the cover body 2 is
fastened in a bottom end portion of the rail 3 by bolts, etc., not
shown. Note that, after installing the integral piece 22 to the
box-shaped main body 11 and also pivotally supporting the pivotally
supporting portion 23 of the cover body 2 at the bottom end of the
box-shaped main body 11, the leg portion 25 of the cover body 2 and
the rail 3 are fastened. With this arrangement, the rail 3 moves
together with the cover body 2 in association with opening and
closing motion of the cover body 2. That is, the cover body 2
always interlocks with the rail 3.
[0053] Moreover, the rack 4 extending along the rail 3 is provided
in the rail 3, and the slider 6 is held for reciprocal motion along
the rail 3. Note that, means for holding the slider 6 for
reciprocal motion with respect to the rail 3 is not limited in
particular. For example, a means for forming a sliding groove and
an engagement projection can be employed. In such a means, the
sliding groove, which extends along the rail 3, is formed in one of
the slider 6 and the rail 3. The engagement projection, which
engages with the sliding groove so as to inhibit disengagement from
the sliding groove and is capable of reciprocal motion in the
sliding groove, is formed in another one of the slider 6 and the
rail 3.
[0054] In the slider 6, the pinion 5 meshing with the rack 4 is
pivotally supported rotatably. This pinion 5 reciprocates (ascends
and descends) on the rack 4 by rotating while meshing with the rack
4. Accordingly, the slider 6 reciprocates (ascends and descends)
along the rail 3.
[0055] Moreover, the pin portion 26, which is guided by engaging
with the guide portion 14, is provided in the slider 6. In
addition, one of the opposite ends of the urging member 7 is
installed to and fastened to the pin portion 26 of this slider 6.
In the present example, the urging member 7 is composed of a spiral
spring, and a spiral base end portion 7a is fastened to the
vicinity of the bottom end portion of the rail 3 which interlocks
with the cover 2. When the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 is in the
open end portion 16 of the guide portion 14, the urging member 7 is
substantially in a natural state, and few urging force is being
accumulated in this urging member 7. When the pin portion 26 is in
this open end portion 16, the presence or absence and/or the value
of the urging member 7 do not matter. Note, however, that if the
urging force being accumulated in the urging member 7 is large when
the pin portion 26 is in the open end portion 16, an operability
deteriorates because the large force is needed when an operator
returns the cover body 2 in the opened state back to the closed
state.
[0056] Note that, the kinds of the urging member 7 are not limited
in particular, and a coil spring, a plate spring, and rubber, etc.
can be employed. Besides, the positions, where the opposite ends of
the urging member are fastened to, are not limited as described
above. The spiral base end portion 7a does not have to be fastened
to the rail 3 which is on the side of the cover body 2, it can be
fastened to the side of the main body 1 (to the base plate 12,
preferably). Or, the one of the opposite ends of the urging member
7 does not have to be fastened to the pin portion 26, and it can be
fastened to other portions of the slider 6.
[0057] Further, the first damper 9 and the one-way clutch gear 8
are provided in the slider 6. The one-way clutch gear 8 is held by
the slider 6 so as to be between the pinion 5 and the first damper
9, and works as a clutch which turns a torque transmission between
the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 ON/OFF. This one-way clutch
gear 8 is pivotally supported in the slider 6 rotatably.
[0058] With the one-way clutch gear 8 turned ON, the first damper 9
meshes with the pinion 5 by way of the one-way clutch gear 8 (for
example, by meshing with a major gear of the one-way clutch gear 8,
as described later). Consequently, the torque is transmitted
between the pinion 5 and the first damper 9 by way of the one-way
clutch gear 8. Thus, an appropriate brake is applied relative to
the rotation of the pinion 5 such that the rotational speed of the
pinion 5 decreases. As for the concrete constitution of this first
damper 9, it is not limited in particular. For example, it can have
a gear which is axially supported rotatably in an oil chamber.
According to the first damper 9 having such a constitution, by
reducing the rotational speed of the gear by means of the oil's
viscous drag, it is possible to let the first damper 9 exhibit its
damping function. Note that, in the storage body according to the
present example, this first damper 9 damps the opening movement of
the cover body 2, as described later, by damping the movement of
the slider 6.
[0059] The one-way clutch gear 8 is arranged to be turned ON when
the pinion 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1 to
FIG. 4 while descending the rack 4. On the other hand, the one-way
clutch gear 8 is arranged to be turned OFF when the pinion 5
rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 while
ascending the rack 4. Note that, when the one-way clutch gear 8 is
turned OFF, the torque is not transmitted between the pinion 5 and
the first damper 9 such that the first damper 9 stops to
function.
[0060] As for the constitution of the one-way clutch gear 8, it is
not limited in particular, as long as it is arranged to be turned
ON or OFF alternatively depending on the rotating direction of the
pinion 5. For example, the one-way clutch gear 8 can be composed of
a rotary shaft, a minor gear, a clutch, and a major gear. In such
an arrangement, the minor gear is fastened to the rotary shaft and
rotates together with the rotary shaft. The clutch does not mesh
with the rotary shaft when the minor gear rotates in one direction
(for example, a counterclockwise direction), and the clutch meshes
with the rotary shaft when the minor gear rotates in another
direction (for example, a clockwise direction). The major gear is
connected to the clutch, and rotates together with the clutch. When
employing the one-way clutch gear 8 having such a constitution, the
pinion 5 meshes to engage with the minor gear of the one-way clutch
gear 8, and the first damper 9 meshes to engage with the major gear
of the one-way clutch gear 8. Consequently, the minor gear rotates
in the counterclockwise direction as the pinion 5 rotates in the
clockwise direction such that the one-way clutch gear 8 can be
turned OFF. And, the minor gear rotates in the clockwise direction
as the pinion 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction such that
the one-way clutch gear 8 can be turned ON.
[0061] Further, the storage body according to the present example
comprises the second damper 10 in which one of the opposite ends
thereof is coupled to the vicinity of the top end of the rail 3 and
the other one of the opposite ends thereof is coupled to the base
plate 12 which is on the side of the main body 1.
[0062] The kinds of the second damper 10 are not limited in
particular, either. For example, a shock absorber can be employed.
Note that, in the storage body according to the present example,
this second damper 10 damps the closing movement of the cover body
2, as described later, by damping the movement of the rail 3.
[0063] The storage body according to the present example, which has
the above-described constitution, operates as hereinafter
described.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, when the cover body 2 is placed at the
close position (the closed state) by means of the locking
mechanism, not shown, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6, to which
one of the opposite ends of the urging member 7 is installed, is
positioned at the close end portion 15 of the guide portion 14. In
this instance, the urging member 7 is changed from the natural
state to the expanded state in a predetermined amount, and a
predetermined amount of urging force is being accumulated in the
urging member 7. In addition, in this closed state, the slider 6 is
positioned in the vicinity of the top end of the rail 3, and is
present at an ascending position with respect to the rail 3.
[0065] In this closed state, when a lock is unlocked by operating
the locking mechanism, not shown, the cover body 2 rotates
downwardly (in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1) about the
pivotally supporting portion 23 by the urging force of the urging
member 7 and by its own weight of the cover body 2, and starts to
open the opening portion 11a. When the cover body 2 rotates, the
rail 3, which is fastened to the leg portion 25 of the cover body
2, interlocks with the cover body 2 such that the rail 3 rotates in
the clockwise direction of FIG. 1 about the pivotally supporting
portion 24. Consequently, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 held
for reciprocal motion with respect to the rail 3 is guided by the
guide portion 14 of the main body 1. Thus, the pin portion 26 moves
along the first connecting portion 18 of the guide portion 14 until
the pin portion 26 arrives at the open end portion 16.
Simultaneously, the pinion 5 pivotally supported in the slider 6
meshes with the rack 4 provided in the rail 3, such that the pinion
5 descends on the rack 4, and the slider 6 descends along the rail
3 (the opened state as shown in FIG. 2). In this instance, the
pinion 5 meshes with the rack 4 such that the pinion 5 descends on
the rack 4 while rotating in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.
1. As such, the one-way clutch gear 8 is turned ON, and the pinion
5 meshes with the first damper 9 by way of the one-way clutch gear
8. In such an instance, the torque is transmitted between the
pinion 5 and the first damper 9 by way of the one-way clutch gear
8, whereby an appropriate brake is applied to the rotation of the
pinion 5 such that the rotational speed of the pinion 5 decreases.
As a result, the first damper 9 functions so as to damp the opening
movement of the cover body 2, and a shock accompanied with the
opening movement deadens accordingly.
[0066] In the course that the cover body 2 changes from the closed
state to the opened state, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 moves
from the close end portion 15 to the open end portion 16 along the
first connecting portion 18 of the guide portion 14. In this first
connecting portion 18, the distance to the fastened end of the
urging member 7 (the spiral base end portion 7a) reduces gradually
from the close end portion 15 toward the open end portion 16. Thus,
as the pin portion 26 moves from the close end portion 15 to the
open end portion 16 along the first connecting portion 18, the
urging member 7 contracts as it gradually releases the urging
force. In addition, when the cover body 2 comes to be in the opened
state, the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 is positioned at the open
end portion 16 where the distance to the fastened end (the spiral
base end portion 7a) of the urging member 7 is the shortest in the
guide portion 14, as described above, and, the urging member 7 is
substantially in a natural state so that few urging force is
accumulated in the urging member 7.
[0067] To return the cover body 2 back to the closed state from
this opened state, firstly, the operator manually raises the cover
body 2 rotate the cover body 2 upwardly (in the counterclockwise
direction of FIG. 1) about the pivotally supporting portion 23.
When the cover body 2 rotates, the rail 3 fastened to the leg
portion 25 of the cover body 2 interlocks with the cover body 2
such that the rail 3 rotates in the counterclockwise direction of
FIG. 1 about the pivotally supporting portion 24. Then, the pin
portion 26 of the slider 6 held for reciprocal motion with respect
to the rail 3 is guided by the guide portion 14 of the main body 1.
Thus, the pin portion 26 moves toward the inflection portion 17
along the second connecting portion 19 of the guide portion 14.
Simultaneously, the pinion 5 pivotally supported in the slider 6
meshes with the rack 4 provided in the rail 3, such that the pinion
5 ascends on the rack 4, and the slider 6 ascends along the rail 3.
In this instance, the pinion 5 meshes with the rack 4 so as to
ascend on the rack 4 while rotating in the clockwise direction of
FIG. 1. As such, the one-way clutch gear 8 is turned OFF. Thus, the
first damper 9 does not function in the closing movement of the
cover body 2.
[0068] In a prior stage in the course that the cover body 2 changes
from the opened state to the closed state (the stage in which the
cover body 2 rotates upwardly by the operation force applied by the
operator), the pin portion 26 of the slider 6 moves from the open
end portion 16 to the inflection portion 17 along the second
connecting portion 19 of the guide portion 14. In this second
connecting portion 19, the distance to the fastened end of the
urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a) gradually
lengthens from the open end portion 16 toward the inflection
portion 17. Accordingly, as the pin portion 26 moves from the open
end portion 16 to the inflection portion 17 along the second
connecting portion 19, the urging member 7 gradually expands such
that the urging force is gradually accumulated in the urging member
7. Consequently, the cover body 2 is rotated upwardly until the pin
portion 26 arrives at the inflection portion 17 of the guide
portion 14 (the stage in which the cover body 2 is in the
half-closed state as shown in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the pin portion
26 enters into the third connecting portion 20 of the guide portion
14 by going over the inflection portion 17. In this third
connecting portion 20, the distance to the fastened end of the
urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a) gradually shortens
from the inflection portion 17, where the distance to the fastened
end of the urging member 7 (the spiral base-end portion 7a) is the
longest in the guide portion 14, toward the close end portion 15.
Accordingly, as the pin portion 26 moves from the inflection
portion 17 to the close end portion 15 along the third connecting
portion 20, the urging member 7 gradually contracts as it releases
the urging force. Thus, when the operator rotates the cover body 2
upwardly (the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 1) until the pin
portion 26 goes over the inflection portion 17, the cover body 2
rotates upwardly by its own by the urging force of the urging
member 7 so as to return to the closed state of FIG. 1, even after
the operator releases the operation force. The locking mechanism
(not shown) latches the cover body 2 with the box-shaped main body
11 of the main body 1.
[0069] In addition, in a subsequent stage in the course that the
cover body 2 changes from the opened state to the closed state (the
stage that the cover body 2 returns to the closed state by its own
by the urging force of the urging member 7), the second damper 10
functions so as to damp the closing movement of the cover body 2,
and a shock accompanied with the closing movement can be deadened
thereby.
[0070] When the cover body 2 returns from the opened state back to
the closed state in such a manner, the pin portion 26 of the slider
6 is positioned in the close end portion 15 of the guide portion
14, and the predetermined amount of the urging force is accumulated
in the urging member 7 again. As a result, this urging member 7 can
urge the cover body 2 in the opening movement thereafter.
[0071] Thus, in the storage body according to the present example,
the urging force is accumulated in the urging member 7 by the
closing movement of the cover body 2, and the thus accumulated
urging force urges the cover body 2 in the opening movement and in
a part of the closing movement. As such, since the urging force,
which has been accumulated in advance in association with the
closing motion of the cover body 2, can be utilized for the opening
movement and the closing movement of the cover body 2, it is not
necessary to dispose an expensive driving source, such as a motor,
additionally. Accordingly, the cover body 2 can be opened and
closed with a simple constitution without using a motor. Therefore,
the high cost as a result of employing an expensive driving source,
such as a motor, can be prevented.
[0072] Moreover, by setting the shape of the guide portion 14
appropriately, strength and/or timing, etc. for urging the cover
body 2 in the opening and closing motion can be set as desired, and
the degree of designing freedom is enhanced accordingly.
[0073] Further, in the storage body according to the present
example, because the opening movement of the cover body 2 can be
damped by the first damper 9, and the closing movement of the cover
body 2 can be damped by the second damper 10 as well, the shock
accompanied with the opening movement and the closing movement of
the cover body 2 can be deadened. Accordingly, the opening movement
and the closing movement of the cover body 2 smooth.
[0074] In addition, the storage body according to the present
example, because the torque transmission between the pinion 5 and
the first damper 9 is turned ON/OFF by the one-way clutch gear 8
axially supported in the slider 6, the one-way clutch gear 8 moves
stably and silently.
[0075] Additionally, in the storage body according to the present
example, the guide portion 14, the rail 3 provided with the rack 4,
the pinion 5, the slider 6 holding the one-way clutch gear 8 and
the first damper 9, the urging member 7, and the second damper 10
are provided in the base plate 12 which can be installed to the
box-shaped main body 11 of the main body 1 by retrofitting. Thus,
when these members are provided with respect to this base plate 12,
it is possible to confirm whether these members activate
appropriately and adjust these members to activate appropriately.
Therefore, confirmation and adjustment of the activation of these
members can be carried out easily. Moreover, the installation
operation is done with ease, because it is not necessary to install
each of these members to the main body 1 separately. Further, the
maintenance operation is also done with ease, because it is
possible to adjust the activation by detaching the base plate 12
from the box-shaped main body 11 of the main body 1.
[0076] Note that, in the present example as described above, a coil
spring can be employed as the urging member 7. It can be arranged
such that the urging force is accumulated by compression of this
coil spring, by changing the installation direction and/or the
installation position of the coil spring.
[0077] Moreover, in the present example described above, by
changing the shape of the guide portion 14 variously, it can be
arranged such that the urging force is accumulated in the urging
member 7 by the opening movement of the cover body 2, and the thus
accumulated urging force urges the cover body 2 in the closing
movement. Or, it can be arranged such that the urging force is
accumulated in the urging member 7 by a part of the opening
movement and a part of the closing movement of the cover body 2,
and the thus accumulated urging force urges the cover body 2 in a
part of the opening movement and a part of the closing
movement.
[0078] Also, the storage body according to the present invention
can be applied to those in which the cover body slides to open and
close the opening portion.
[0079] Having now fully described the present invention, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and
modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit
or scope of the present invention as set forth herein including the
appended claims.
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