Abstract:
A vehicle under floor storage compartment is proposed which includes a rotating tray provided in a concave storage portion formed underneath a floor panel, and a first lid which opens and closes this storage portion. An engagement portion is provided upon the rotating tray, while a locking unit which engages to this engagement portion and stops the rotation of the rotating tray is provided to the storage portion; and this locking unit is arranged to be engaged to the engagement portion of the rotating tray along with the closing action of the first lid. Even small items of baggage can be simply extracted, baggage therein does not shift during vehicle operation, efficient use of available space can be ensured, and items of baggage can be removed smoothly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, and more particularly relates to an under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, in which a rotating tray is provided.  
         [0003]     Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-328922, filed Sep. 19, 2003, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     There is a per se known type of under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, which provides a storage space for a spare tire of the vehicle, and which is constructed in the floor panel between the left and right front seats of the vehicle, with the opening of this storage compartment being covered over by a lid which is provided as hinged to the floor panel and which can be opened and closed (refer to Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 11-105746).  
         [0006]     According to this type of under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, there is the merit that it is easy to perform the task of taking out the spare tire of the vehicle, since the spare tire is taken out along a stepped portion which is formed between the front seats and the rear seats by opening the rear side of the lid, without any requirement to put down the front seats.  
         [0007]     Although there is no problem when using the above described under floor storage compartment for a vehicle for storage of baggage for which the frequency of use is relatively low, such as a spare tire or the like, by contrast, if this under floor storage compartment is used as a location for storing small objects other than the spare tire, there is the problem that it is only possible for the riders in the rear seats of the vehicle to extract such baggage items. Furthermore, if a small item of baggage has been put into a voluminous storage space such as one which can be used for storing a spare tire, the problem may arise that, when taking this item of baggage out from the storage space, it may be difficult for the user to reach the baggage item by hand, since it is necessary for him to fumble around within this voluminous space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention has been conceived of in the light of the above described problems, and its objective is to propose an under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, from which it is possible to take out an item of baggage simply and easily even if it is small, in which baggage items do not move around while the vehicle is in motion, which can offer a voluminous storage space, and from which baggage can be taken out smoothly and efficiently.  
         [0009]     In order to solve the above described problems, according to the present invention, there is provided an under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, comprising: a rotating tray (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the rotating tray  25 ) in a concave storage portion (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the concave storage portion  6 ) which is provided underneath a floor panel (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the floor panel  5 ); a lid (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the first lid  8 ) which opens and closes the concave storage portion; an engagement portion (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the engagement portion  40 ) upon the rotating tray; and an engagement device (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the locking unit  60 ) in the concave storage portion which stops the rotation of the rotating tray by engaging to the engagement portion; wherein the engagement device is engageable to the engagement portion of the rotating tray in association with the closing action of the lid.  
         [0010]     With the thus constructed under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, it is possible easily to take out an item of baggage which has been stored within the rotating tray in any position, simply by opening the lid and rotating the rotating tray. Furthermore, it is possible to present rotational displacement of the rotating tray when the vehicle is running, since the rotation of the rotating tray is stopped by the engagement device engaging to the engagement portion when the lid is closed.  
         [0011]     Moreover, since the rotating tray is provided with the engagement portion, and the engagement device which corresponds thereto is provided to the concave storage portion, accordingly it is possible to provide this engagement portion and this engagement device outside the rotating tray, so that, as compared with a case in which the engagement portion and the engagement device are provided inside the rotating tray, it becomes possible to ensure maximization of the available space for storage within the rotating tray.  
         [0012]     Preferably, in the under floor storage compartment for a vehicle as described above, the engagement device comprises a position adjustment mechanism (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the cam  120 , the guide hole  122 , and the pin  112 ) which absorbs upwards and downwards positional deviation of the lid.  
         [0013]     With the thus constructed under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, even if the position of the lid in the vertical direction has deviated by a greater or lesser amount with respect to the concave storage portion, it is possible to adjust for this deviation with the position adjustment mechanism of the engagement device, so that it is possible for the engagement device to be reliably engaged to the engagement portion, and it is thereby possible to stop rotation of the rotating tray.  
         [0014]     Preferably, in the under floor storage compartment for a vehicle as first described above, the engagement device comprises an engagement rod (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the rod case  106 ) which engages with the engagement portion, and further comprises a switch member (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the switch member  61 ) which executes its stroke upon closing operation of the lid, a linking member (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the cam  120 ) which is linked thereto, and a position adjustment mechanism (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the guide hole  122  and the pin  112 ) between the linking member and the engagement rod which absorbs upwards and downwards positional deviation of the lid.  
         [0015]     With the thus constructed under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, even if the position of the lid in the vertical direction has deviated by a greater or lesser amount with respect to the concave storage portion, if the engagement rod engages to the engagement portion due to closing operation of the lid, it is possible to ensure by the position adjustment mechanism that the shifting of the switch member outside its predetermined range (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, its stroke amount D) caused by positional deviation of the lid in the vertical direction is not transmitted to the engagement rod.  
         [0016]     Preferably, the linking member is a cam (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the cam  120 ) which rotates together with the operation of the switch member, and the position adjustment mechanism comprises a pin (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the pin  112 ) which is provided to the engagement rod, and a guide means (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the guide hole  122 ) which is formed upon the cam and which is engaged with the pin, wherein the guide means comprises an over stroke section (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the over stroke section  122   b ) which, when the lid is in its closed operational position, permits shifting only of the pin within a predetermined error range (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the distance S).  
         [0017]     With the thus constructed under floor storage compartment for a vehicle, even if an error has arisen in the closed operational position of the lid, and the pin has shifted within a certain range for this positional error, it is possible to ensure that displacement of the pin due to the over stroke section of the guide means (for example, in the disclosed preferred embodiment, the guide groove) does not reach the engagement rod. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory figure showing a side view of an automobile which incorporates an under floor storage compartment for a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged plan view showing an essential portion of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view showing an essential portion of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first lid.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken in a plane shown by the arrows  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a tray unit.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a tray main body.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a rotating tray.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a switch member.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a case unit and a lock device and associated elements.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a case lid.  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a figure for explanation of operation.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is another figure for explanation of operation. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the appended drawings.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a vehicle to which the construction for a vehicle under floor storage section according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention has been applied; the shown vehicle, designated by the reference symbol  1 , is a vehicle of the “two-box” type which is equipped with three rows of seats.  
         [0033]     This vehicle  1  has a seat arrangement structure in which there are arranged upon its floor, in order from its front towards its back, a first row consisting of two seats  2 , a second row consisting of two seats  3 , and a third row consisting of two seats  4 , each of these seat rows extending across the vehicle in its transverse direction.  
         [0034]     A concave portion  6  for the storage of baggage is provided to the floor panel  5  underneath the first row of seats  2  by forming a downward extending bulge therein. And a first lid  8  is fitted at the rear side of an upper opening portion  7  of this concave storage portion  6 , so as to cover it over, so that, by opening this first lid  8 , a person sitting in the second row of seats  3  is able to extract an item of baggage in the concave storage portion  6 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a passage  9  is defined between the pairs of seats  2 ,  3 , and  4 , and it is arranged for the passengers in the vehicle to be able to move between the front and the rear, and the left and the right, of the vehicle via this passage  9 , with the first lid  8  being disposed between the two seats  2 ,  2  at the left and the right sides of the first seat row, and being hinged to the floor panel  5  by a pair of hinge brackets  10  which are provided at its front edge, so as to be rotatable with respect to the floor panel  5 .  
         [0036]     The first lid  8  is a member whose front edge is formed as a straight line and is positioned along the transverse direction of the vehicle, while its rear edge is positioned somewhat forward from the front edges of the seat cushions of the seats  3  in the second seat row; and both side portions of this rear edge are formed as rounded shapes, and are arranged so as, within the limitations of possibility, not to encroach upon the space for the feet of the passengers who are seated in this second row of seats  3 , when the first lid  8  is opened and closed.  
         [0037]     And an opening portion  11  is formed in this first lid  8  at a location which is positioned between the two seats  2 ,  2  in the first row of seats, and a second lid  12  is hinged at its rear edge to the first lid  8  by a hinge bracket  13 , so as to be rotatable with respect to the first lid  8 , and so as to open and close at its front end, thus controlling the opening and closing of the opening portion  11 ; and thereby, the people who are sitting in the first row of seats  2  are enabled to extract items of baggage which are stored within the concave storage portion  6 .  
         [0038]     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a wire  14  is fitted to the rear side of the first lid  8 , and a hook  15  at the end portion of this wire  14  is made so as to be clipped to the rear side of the first lid  8  (not shown), so that, when the first lid  8  is in its opened state, it becomes possible to support the first lid  8  by engaging this hook  15  to the seat back of one of the seats  2  in the first row of seats.  
         [0039]     In this connection, as shown in  FIG. 3 , front and rear cross members  16  and  17  which correspond to the front edges and the rear edges of the seats  2  in the first row of seats are arranged to extend under the floor panel  5  in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the concave storage portion  6  is formed so as to straddle the rear side cross member  17  from front to back, with the front edge of the first lid  8  being positioned a little rearward of the rear cross member  17 .  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first lid  8  has a multi layered resin plate construction based upon a main member  18  which is made from resin, and metallic frame members  21 ,  22  are internally housed within portions (not shown in the figure) of closed box cross sectional structure which are formed on this main member  18 . Furthermore, in the same manner, the second lid  12  as well is made with a multi layered resin plate construction, and a closed box cross sectional structure portion thereof (not shown in the figure) which is formed at its peripheral edge portion is arranged to be supported upon a closed box cross sectional structure portion (also not shown in the figure) which is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening portion  11  of the first lid  8 .  
         [0041]     In this manner, the first lid  8  and the second lid  12  are positioned above the surface of the floor panel  5 , thereby ensuring sufficient structural strength for supporting the body weight of passengers who are moving to and fro along the passage  9 .  
         [0042]     Note that the reference symbol  19  denotes a handle for the first lid  8 , while  20  denotes a handle for the second lid  12 .  
         [0043]     A tray unit  23  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is carried in the concave storage portion  6  beneath the first lid  8  which is arranged in this manner.  
         [0044]     This tray unit  23  composes a tray main body  24  which is made from a resin material and which is formed, facing the underside of the floor panel  5 , in a shape which conforms to the shape of the concave storage portion  6 , and a rotating tray  25  which is provided so as to be rotatable within this tray main body  24  and which is made from a resin material.  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the tray main body  24  is formed so that a peripheral wall  24   b  thereof extends slantingly upward from the periphery of a bottom wall  24   a  thereof which is substantially planar, although circular ribs are formed in rings thereupon; and a sound absorption member  26  is provided between the bottom wall  24   a  and the surface of the floor panel  5 , and between the peripheral wall  24   b  and the surface of the floor panel  5  which forms the concave storage portion  6 . Vertical ribs  24   c  and horizontal ribs  24   d  are formed in the peripheral wall  24   b , in order to ensure its strength, rigidity, and endurance. A hook  27  is attached to the rear surface of the bottom wall  24   a  of the tray main body  24 , and, by an engagement portion  28  which is provided to the bottom wall of the concave storage portion  6  being elastically engaged to the hook  27 , the tray unit  23  is fixed in place to the concave storage portion  6  so as to be attached or detached as desired.  
         [0046]     The tray main body  24  is formed with a fitting hole  29  in its bottom wall  24   a , and also comprises a flange portion  30  which projects at one side of the upper edge of the rear portion of the peripheral wall  24   b , more outwardly than the outer side thereof, and roughly at a right angle. A bracket  31 , which is fitted to the floor panel  5 , is formed upon the upper edge of this flange portion  30  and the rear portion of the peripheral wall  24   b . And a partition wall  32  which is semicircular in shape is fitted to the front half portion of the upper edge of the peripheral wall  24   b  of the tray main body  24 . Furthermore, a square hole  33  is formed in the flange portion  30 , through which a knob  62  of a switch member  61  which will be described hereinafter projects. Note that a seal member  38 , which seals against the rear surface of the first lid  8 , is fitted to the upper edge of the rear portion of the peripheral wall  24   b , including the flange portion  30 .  
         [0047]     And a base plate  34  is fitted with a screw member  35  in the fitting hole  29  in the rear surface of the bottom wall  24   a  of the tray main body  24  which is formed in this manner, as shown in  FIG. 5 . This base plate  34  comprises a boss portion  36  in its central portion, and a hole  37  is formed in the central portion of this boss portion  36 .  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the rotating tray  25  is a member which comprises a peripheral wall  25   b  which rises up from the peripheral edge of a bottom wall  25   a  which is planar and circular in shape somewhat towards the outside, and, in practical terms, this rotating tray  25  is made as a storage section for baggage. At the lower portion of the peripheral wall  25   b  of this rotating tray  25 , around its entire periphery, there is formed an engagement portion  40  which consists of a plurality of projections which are shaped as triangles in cross section. This engagement portion  40  is formed in a shape which matches the tip end portion of a lock rod  101  which will be described hereinafter. Furthermore, a first separation wall  41  is formed at the inner portion of this rotating tray  25  so as to rise up from the bottom wall  25   a  along a diameter thereof, and a second separation wall  42  is provided as extending from the central portion of this separation wall  41  towards the peripheral wall  25   a  at the front side thereof; and, moreover, two separation walls which extend from the first separation wall  41  towards the peripheral wall  25   a  at the rear side thereof and which serve as third separation walls  43 ,  43  are fitted to engagement portions  44 , so as to be removable at will. Accordingly, in the state in which these third separation walls  43  are fitted, a maximum of five separate storage locations  45  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) are defined within the rotating tray  25 . Furthermore, an opening portion  46  is formed in the central portion of the bottom wall  25   a  of this rotating tray  25 , and a cap  47  is provided which closes this opening portion  46 .  
         [0049]     In this manner it becomes possible to put in place the separation walls freely as described above, since a locking unit  60  which will be described hereinafter is not disposed within the rotating tray  25 .  
         [0050]     In order to reinforce the rotating tray  25 , a reinforcement member  50  made from metal is arranged to be fitted at the rear surface of the bottom wall  25   a  of the rotating tray  25 . This reinforcement member  50  is a ring shaped member to which linking portions  52  are provided so as to extend at intervals of 90° apart in outwardly radiating directions from a fitting portion  51  which is provided at its central portion, and a bearing  53  is pressed in at the central portion of this fitting portion  51 .  
         [0051]     And this reinforcement member  50  is laid against the bottom wall  25   a  of the rotating tray  25 , and fixing pins  54  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) which are formed upon the rear surface of the bottom wall  25   a  are inserted and welded into holes  55  of the reinforcement member  50 , so that the rear surface of the bottom wall  25   a  of the rotating tray  25  is reinforced by this reinforcement member  50 . Note that rollers  56  are fitted to the rear surface of the reinforcement member  50 , in order for the rotation of the rotating tray  25  to be performed smoothly.  
         [0052]     The rotating tray  25  according to the above structure is stored within the tray main body  24 , and the boss portion  36  of the base plate  34  on the side of the tray main body  24  is inserted into a hole  57  of the bearing  53  on the side of the rotating tray  25 , so that the rotating tray  25  is assembled to the tray main body  24  so that it is supported thereby and can be freely rotated therein, and finally the above described cap  47  is set into the opening portion  46  of the rotating tray  25 . And, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a washer  58  is inserted from the side of the base plate  34 , and a screw  59  is inserted thereinto and the cap  47  is tightened, and thereby it is possible for the assembly of the rotating tray  25  to the tray main body  24  to be concluded. In this manner, the cap  47  and the hole  37  of the base plate  34  are rotationally fixed with respect to one another.  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a locking unit (engagement device)  60  is provided at a location which is surrounded by the concave storage portion  6  and the peripheral wall  24   b  and the flange portion  30  of the tray main body  24 . This locking unit  60  is a mechanism for stopping the rotation of the rotating tray  25  by a lock rod  101  of this locking device  100  engaging to the above described engagement portion  40  of the rotating tray  25 , upon a knob  62  of a switch member  61  being pressed when the concave storage portion  6 , in other words the tray unit  23 , is closed by the first lid  8 . Furthermore, even if to some extent positional deviation in the upwards and downwards direction has occurred in practice due to assembly errors, dimensional errors or the like, the construction is such as to be able to absorb this deviation.  
         [0054]      FIG. 9  shows this switch member  61  which, when the first lid  8  is closed, is pressed downwards thereby. This switch member  61  comprises the abovementioned knob  62  at an upper portion thereof. This knob  62 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , is a member which projects upwards from the square hole  33  which is provided in the tray main body  24 , and its upper portion is formed in the shape of a square pyramid with its edges rounded off. A rod member  63  is fitted at the lower portion of this knob  62 . This rod member  63  is a member which comprises a seat  64  of which the upper portion supports the knob  62 , and is engaged to the knob  62  by engagement claws  65  formed upon this seat  64  so as to be integral therewith; and an elongated hole  66  which extends in the sideways direction is formed in the side surface of the lower end portion of the rod member  63 . A spring  67  is fitted around the outside surface of the rod member  63 , and the rod member  63 , with the knob  62  fitted thereto as described above, is inserted into a switch case  68  so as to be slidable in the upwards and downwards direction.  
         [0055]     The switch case  68  is a member which is a square shaped tube, and a spring receiving portion  69  is formed in its upper half portion, while its lower half portion is formed as a guide portion  69   a  for the aforesaid rod member  63 . Accordingly, the spring  67  is installed between the seat  64  of the rod member  63  and the bottom wall of the spring receiving portion  69  of the switch case  68 , and the knob  62  comes to be set in a direction of projection, in other words, in a state in which it projects in the upwards direction.  
         [0056]     This switch case  68  of the switch member  61  which has the above described structure is fixed by a fitting portion  70  of its spring receiving portion  69  (shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) to fitting holes  72  of the case unit  71  by the use of screws  73  shown in FIG.  10 .  
         [0057]     Here, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the case unit  71  is a member made from metal which comprises a roughly letter L shaped side wall  75  and bottom wall  76  which are formed from the rear side edge of a base wall  74  along its lower side edge so as to follow the concave storage portion  6 , with the switch member  61  and a lock device  100  which will be explained hereinafter being fitted to the base wall  74 . Moreover, claw portions  79  which are formed upon the lower edge of a case lid  78  shown in  FIG. 11  are inserted into engagement holes  77  which are formed in the bottom wall  76  of this case unit  71 , and, furthermore, a side flange portion  80  of this case lid  78  is fitted against the side wall  75  of the case unit  71 , so that respective fitting holes  81  and  82  in them are mutually aligned together, and thereby this case lid  78  is fitted to the case unit  71 . And an engagement portion  83  which is formed upon the front edge of the case unit  71  is engaged with an engagement portion  84  of the tray main body  24  shown in  FIG. 5 , and then the upper surface fixing bracket  83  and the side surface fixing bracket  84  which are provided upon the upper portions of this case unit  71  and case lid  78 , and the side flange portion  80  and the side wall  15 , are secured to the floor panel  5  by screws  85 ,  86 , and  87 , and thereby the case unit  71  and the case lid  78  are fitted to the floor panel  5 .  
         [0058]     Furthermore, a lock device  100  is provided to the lower portion of the case unit  71 . This lock device  100  comprises a lock rod  101  which engages to the engagement portion  40  of the above described rotating tray  25 . This lock rod  101  has a head portion  102  with slanting surfaces  101   a  which are formed so that the vertical walls at the tip of the head portion  102  approach each other and, upon the rear side of this head portion  102 , there is integrally formed a rod portion  103  which is narrower than the head portion  102 . Here, a long elongated hole  104  is formed by being pierced in the vertical direction through the rod portion  103 , so that the longitudinal direction thereof extends in the fore and aft direction of the rod portion  103 .  
         [0059]     Furthermore, a spring  105  is fitted over the rod portion  103  and is stopped against its head portion  102 , and the lock rod  101  is fitted to the rod case (engagement rod)  106  in a state with this spring  105  mounted thereon.  
         [0060]     The rod case  106  is a square tubular member, and in its upper and bottom wall there is formed a hole  107  which corresponds to the elongated hole  104  of the rod portion  103 , and a pin  108  which is inserted into this hole  107  is inserted into the elongated hole  104  of the lock rod  101  which is inserted into the rod case  106 , so that the lock rod  101  is fixed to the rod case  106 . Furthermore, a bush  109  which closes the open rear portion of the rod case  103  is fixed therein by a screw  110 . And, in the left side wall of the rod case  106 , there is provided a pin  112  having a stepped element  111  which is inserted into a guide hole (guide means)  122  of a cam  120  which will be described hereinafter. Here, in the broad sense, the pin  112 , the cam  120  and the guide hole  122  constitute a position adjustment mechanism; and, in the narrow sense, the pin  112  and the guide hole  122  constitute the position adjustment mechanism.  
         [0061]     And, the lock device  100  which has this type of structure is inserted into a case housing  113  which is of tubular form, and a fitting portion  114  of this case housing  113  is fixed to a fitting hole  116  of the case unit  71  by a screw  115 . Here, a cutaway portion  117  is formed upon the case housing  113 , so that an arc shaped location is eliminated which corresponds to the pin  112  of the rod case  106  of the lock device  100 .  
         [0062]     And, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a pin  118  is formed as projecting from the base wall  74  of the case unit  71 , and the cam  120  is supported by a stepped portion  119  of this pin  118 , so as to be rotatable thereon. This cam  120  is a member of circular plate shape which comprises, at its central portion, a support hole  121  which is fitted over the stepped portion  119  of the pin  118 , and it is a member whose upper left side is shaped as being cut away over an angular range of approximately 90°. And, below the support hole  121 , there is formed a guide hole  122  of roughly letter L shape, which is bent around while being bounded by a curved portion  122   a , with its extent in the peripheral direction being long, and with its front side which extends towards the support hole  121  being short. Furthermore, a pin  123  is projected at the rear side of the cam  121  above the support hole  121 .  
         [0063]     Here, an over stroke section  122   b  is provided in the guide hole  122  upon the outer peripheral edge of the cam  120  from the curved portion  122   a , and this permits the movement of the pin  112  only within a positional error range for the closing action of the first lid  8 .  
         [0064]     By this over stroke section  122   b , even if there is a positional error in the closing action of the first lid  8 , and the pin  112  has been moved by just a distance (error range) S (refer to  FIG. 13 ) within this error range, the movement of the pin  123  is not transmitted to the rod case  106 .  
         [0065]     And the guide hole  122  of the cam  120  is fitted over the stepped element  111  of the pin  112  of the lock device  100 , and the pin  112  is fitted into the elongated hole  66  of the rod member  63  of the previously described switch member  61 .  
         [0066]     In this manner, the case lid  78  is fitted to the case unit  71  to which the switch member  61 , the lock device  100 , and the cam  120  have been fitted, and the assembly is then fitted to the floor panel  5 , as previously described.  
         [0067]     Next, the operation of this system will be explained with reference made to  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 12  shows the apparatus in its state with the first lid  8  opened, while  FIG. 13  shows it in its state with the first lid  8  closed. Note that both of these figures have been simplified in order to make the operation easier to understand. Furthermore, in order to make the operation easier to understand, the pins  112 ,  123 , and  108  are shown by hatching, and hatching for parts other than these three pins is omitted. And the pin  108  is only partially shown in  FIG. 13 , for the convenience of depiction in the figure.  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIG. 12 , in the state of the apparatus in which the first lid  8  is opened, the rod member  63  of the switch member  61  is pressed by the spring  67 , and is biased in the upward direction by the spring  67 , and accordingly the knob  62  comes to be in the state of being projected from the square hole  33  of the flange portion  30  of the tray main body  24 .  
         [0070]     At this time, since the cam  120  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the pin  123  which is engaged to the elongated hole  66  of the rod member  63 , accordingly the lock rod  101  inside the rod case  106  which has been pulled to the right side in the figure by the pin  112  which is in the state in which it is engaged with the inside terminal end of the guide hole  122  of the cam  120  is retracted, and the head portion  102  of the lock rod  101  is not engaged with the engagement portion  40  of the rotating tray  25 .  
         [0071]     Accordingly, in this state, the persons in the vehicle are able to rotate the rotating tray  25 , to put items of baggage into any desired one of the storage portions  45  freely at will as desired, to rotate the rotating tray  25  so as to bring any specified one of the storage portions  45  to hand as desired, and, according to requirements, they can easily take out any item of baggage desired from any of the storage portions  45  as desired, even if this item of baggage is quite small. In this case, it is possible to ensure smooth rotation of the rotating tray  25 , due to the provision of the bearings  53 . At this time, if the second lid  12  is opened, even the persons riding in the front seats of the vehicle are able easily to put in and to take out items of baggage. Accordingly, as a whole, it is possible to utilize the storage space in the rotating tray  25  efficiently, and the use of this apparatus becomes very convenient.  
         [0072]     Next, when the first lid  8  is closed as shown in  FIG. 13 , then the rear surface of this first lid  8  presses the knob  62  of the switch member  61  against the spring  67 . When this occurs, the rod member  63  moves downwards, so that the elongated hole  66  of the rod member  63  moves in the downward direction, and the cam  120  is rotated in the clockwise direction by the pin  123  which is engaged to this elongated hole  66 . At this time, the pin  123  is displaced to a certain extent to the outer circumferential side of the cam  120 , but the shifting of this pin  123  is nevertheless ensured, since the hole  66  through which it is passed is elongated.  
         [0073]     And, by the rotation of this cam  120 , the pin  112  which is in its state in which it is engaged with the inner terminal end of the guide hole  122  is relatively displaced to the outer circumferential side of the cam  120 , and arrives at the curved portion  122   a  of the guide hole  122 .  
         [0074]     When this happens, the lock rod  101  in the rod case  160  which has been pulled out to the right side in the figure by the movement of this pin  112  moves forward, and the head portion  102  of this lock rod  101  comes to be in its state in which it is engaged to the engagement portion  40  of the rotating tray  25 . Since in this state it is not possible for the rotating tray  25  to rotate even if the vehicle moves, accordingly the items of baggage which are stored in the various storage portions  45  do not move around by such rotation, so that it becomes possible to keep the positions in which they are stored under control. Accordingly it never happens that it becomes impossible to know the position of an item of baggage when taking it out, so that the process of taking out baggage becomes smooth. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress generation of noise, since there is also no generation of clattering due to rotation of the rotating tray or crashing around of baggage.  
         [0075]     And, at this time, if a large force is applied to the rotating tray  25  in a direction to rotate it, when this force acts from the engagement portion  40  upon the slanting surfaces  101   a  of the lock rod  101 , the lock rod  101  is pushed back into the rod case  106  while pressing the spring  105  so as to shorten it, and accordingly the rotating tray  25  is able to rotate and release this force. Accordingly it is possible reliably to avoid damage to the engagement portions of the engagement portion  40  and the lock rod  101 , by setting the elastic force of the abovementioned spring  105  to a suitable value.  
         [0076]     Here, in the above described state in which the first lid  8  is closed, let it be supposed that the position in the vertical direction of the first lid  8  has more or less deviated; for example, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , let it be supposed that the rod member  63  of the switch member  61  has dropped to a position which is just Δd deeper than the predetermined range for the stroke amount D. In other words, let it be supposed that the rod member  63  has been displaced from the state shown in  FIG. 13 . When the rod member  63  thus drops, the cam  120  rotates further in the clockwise direction, but the pin  112  which is positioned in the curved portion  122   a  of the guide hole  122  is able to shift by just a distance S in the counterclockwise direction relatively along the over stroke section  122   b  which is formed in the circumferential direction of the guide hole  122 . In other words, since the over stroke section  122   b  is formed to have the rotational axis of the cam  120  as its center, accordingly, even if the cam  120  rotates, this movement is not transmitted to the pin  112 , so that the rod case  106  of the lock device  100  is not displaced. Accordingly, no influence is exerted upon the engagement state of the lock rod  101  with the engagement portion  40 . To put this in another way, by ensuring that, even if due to manufacturing errors or assembly errors or the like the position in the vertical direction of the first lid  8  has more or less deviated, the rotation of the cam  120  is not transmitted to the pin  112  by the guide hole  122  of the cam  120 , this deviation can be accommodated, ant it is possible reliably to maintain the state in which the engagement portion  40  is engaged to the lock rod  101 , and thereby to stop the rotation of the rotating tray  25 . Accordingly, it is possible to enhance the operational reliability by a further level, even if the manufacturing accuracy and the assembly accuracy are not stringently controlled.  
         [0077]     And, since the engagement portion  40  is provided along the entire periphery of the peripheral wall  25   b  of the rotating tray  25 , and in correspondence thereto the locking unit  60  is provided between the concave storage portion  6  and the rotating tray  25 , the engagement portion  40  and the locking unit  60  come to be positioned outside the rotating tray  25 . Accordingly, as compared to a case in which the engagement portion  40  and the locking unit  60  are provided inside the rotating tray  25 , it is possible to make the storage space within the rotating tray  25  larger, and thereby it is possible to ensure the maximum possible limit for the amount of baggage which can be stowed therein.  
         [0078]     Furthermore, since in this preferred embodiment the engagement portion  40  which is formed as teeth upon the lower portion of the peripheral wall  25   b  of the rotating tray  25  is made so as to extend all around its periphery, accordingly, as compared with a case in which it is arranged to stop the rotation of the rotating tray  25  by providing a complicated separate mechanism and by regulating the movement within this mechanism, it is possible to ensure that the structure does not easily break down, so that the rotating tray  25  is reliably locked. In particular, since the engagement portion  40  which is provided to the rotating tray  25  is of comparatively large diameter, there is the advantage that the elastic force of the spring  105  which is required for controlling the movement thereof is relatively small, as compared to a case in which the diameter of this engagement portion  40  is small.  
         [0079]     It should be understood that this invention is not to be considered as being limited to the above described preferred embodiment thereof; for example, it is also possible to provide the pin  123  and the elongated hole  66 , and the pin  112  and the guide hole  122 , upon the mutually opposite members. Furthermore, it is also possible to utilize screws or the like instead of the claws  65 , and also it is possible to utilize various other types of fitting construction. Yet further, although the case has been explained in which the engagement portion  40  was formed upon the lower side of the peripheral wall  25   b  of the rotating tray  25 , it is also possible for it to be formed upon the upper side of this peripheral wall  25   b.    
         [0080]     This invention, for example, may be applied as a technique for improving the under floor storage of a vehicle.  
       EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0081]     According to the present invention, if the lid is opened and the rotating tray is rotated, it is easy to extract baggage which has been stored inside the rotating tray, whichever location it has been stored in; and there are the advantageous effects that it is possible to utilize the entire storage space within the rotating tray at high efficiency, and that the convenience of use becomes good.  
         [0082]     Furthermore since, when the lid is closed, the engagement device engages with the engagement portion of the rotating tray and prevents rotation of the rotating tray, accordingly it is possible to prevent the items of baggage from moving around within the rotating tray when the vehicle is moving.  
         [0083]     As a result, there are the advantageous effects that the user does not lose a grasp of the position of an item of baggage which has been stored in the rotating tray due to rotation of the moving tray while the vehicle is moving, or due to movement of baggage within the rotating tray while the vehicle is moving; and moreover that there is no damage to items of baggage due to movement thereof within the rotating tray; and furthermore that it is possible to prevent the generation of noise due to rotation of the rotating tray while the vehicle is moving.  
         [0084]     Furthermore, since an engagement portion is provided to the rotating tray, and an engagement device which corresponds thereto is provided to the concave storage portion, accordingly it is possible to provide the engagement portion and the engagement device outside the rotating tray, and thus, as compared to a case in which the engagement portion and the engagement device are provided inside the rotating tray, it becomes possible to ensure that the storage space in the rotating tray is maximized, and the advantageous effect accordingly accrues that it is possible to increase the amount of storage for baggage.  
         [0085]     According to the present invention, there is the advantageous effect that, even if the position of the lid with respect to the concave storage portion in the vertical direction has more or less deviated, since this deviation is adjusted by the position adjustment mechanism of the engagement device, accordingly it is possible to engage the engagement device to the engagement portion in a secure manner, and thereby it is possible to stop the rotation of the rotating tray; and accordingly proper operation is ensured by absorbing errors in manufacture and errors in assembly, and thus it is possible to enhance the operational reliability by yet a further level.  
         [0086]     According to the present invention, there is the advantageous effect that, even if the position of the lid with respect to the concave storage portion in the vertical direction has more or less deviated, since it is possible by the position adjustment mechanism that, if the engagement rod is engaged with the engagement portion due to closing operation of the lid, displacement outside a predetermined range of the switch member which is caused by deviation of the position of the lid in the vertical direction does not arrive at the engagement rod, accordingly proper operation is ensured by absorbing errors in manufacture and errors in assembly, and thus it is possible to enhance the operational reliability by yet a further level.  
         [0087]     According to the present invention, there is the advantageous effect that, even if there is an error in the closed operational position of the lid, and the pin has shifted within the predetermined range of this error, this movement of the pin is not propagated as far as the engagement rod, due to the provision of the over stroke section within the guide means, and accordingly proper operation is ensured by absorbing errors in manufacture and errors in assembly, and thus it is possible to enhance the operational reliability by yet a further level.  
         [0088]     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.