Patent ID: 7861564
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: B60R,G07C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A slot device for holding a portable device, wherein the portable device is for performing predetermined communication with a controller installed in a vehicle and enabling activation of a drive source, the slot device comprising: a retainer for retaining the portable device, the retainer including an opening, through which the portable device is insertable, and an inner bottom surface; a shutter, movable in the retainer, for opening and closing the opening of the retainer; a guide arranged on the inner bottom surface of the retainer; a cylindrical spring receptacle arranged on the shutter facing toward the guide and including an open distal end, an inner bottom surface facing towards the inner bottom surface of the retainer, and an inner circumferential surface extending between the distal end and the inner bottom surface; a coil spring including an end supported by the guide and another end supported by the spring receptacle, the coil spring producing urging force for urging the inner bottom surface of the spring receptacle away from the inner bottom surface of the retainer, wherein insertion of the portable device into the retainer moves the shutter in the insertion direction of the portable device against the urging force of the coil spring, and removal of the portable device from the retainer causes the shutter to move to close the opening of the retainer due to the urging force of the coil spring; and a spring elevation seat arranged on either one of the inner bottom surface of the retainer and the inner bottom surface of the spring receptacle, wherein the spring elevation seat and the associated inner bottom surface on which the spring elevation seat is arranged supports the corresponding end of the coil spring so that the coil spring is inclined relative to the inner bottom surface on which the spring elevation seat is arranged and the coil spring contacts the inner circumferential surface of the spring receptacle.