Lid opener and container using same

A lid opener comprises a frame having a first axis and a second axis which extend substantially in parallel. A first member is integrally moveable with the lid for rotation about the first axis. A second member is in engagement with the first member and rotatable about the second axis. Means are provided for driving the second member for rotation in such a predetermined direction as to move the first member in such a direction as to open the lid, and are constructed and arranged as to allow movement of the first and second members during closing movement of the lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a lid opener, and also to a container 
using a lid opener. 
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-102350 discloses a lid opener 
wherein a plastic lid is mounted on a container via an axis, and 
automatically opened owing to the force of a spring. 
With such a prior art, however, since the lid or its axis is always 
subjected to the force of the spring, a stress due to the force is placed 
on the lid or the its axis, causing a deformation of the lid. Such 
deformation is particularly considerable when the lid is used in a site 
where the temperature may go up to a high level (about 110.degree. C.). 
Further, since the lid or its axis is subjected to the force of the spring, 
the lid opens too quickly. Thus, the axis of the lid receives a great 
shock, resulting in damage and/or deformation of a portion which the axis 
is associated with. 
An object of the present invention is to provide a lid opener and a 
container using the same wherein the lid or its axis is not subjected to a 
stress. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid opener and a 
container using the same wherein a lid does not open too quickly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid 
opener for opening a lid, comprising: 
a frame having a first axis and a second axis which extend substantially in 
parallel; 
a first member integrally moveable with said lid for rotation about said 
first axis; 
a second member in engagement with said first member and rotatable about 
said second axis; and 
means for driving said second member for rotation in such a predetermined 
direction as to move said first member in such a direction as to open the 
lid, said means being constructed and arranged as to allow movement of 
said first and second members during closing movement of the lid. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
container comprising: 
means for defining an opening; 
a frame on said opening defining means and extending around said opening; 
a lid having one end mounted to said frame for rotatable movement about a 
first axis between a closed position where said lid engages with said o 
frame to close said opening and a fully open position where said lid opens 
said opening; 
a first member integrally moveable with said lid for rotation about said 
first axis; 
a second member in engagement with said first member and rotatable about a 
said second axis which extends in substantially in parallel to said first 
axis; and 
means for driving said second member for rotation in such a predetermined 
direction as to move said first member in such a direction as to open the 
lid, said means being constructed and arranged as to allow movement of 
said first and second members during closing movement of the lid; and 
means for releasably locking said lid in said closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is described a preferred embodiment of 
the present invention. 
As best seen in FIG. 2, a container 1 is arranged in a rear parcel shelf 3 
located at the rear of a rear seat 2 of an automotive vehicle. The 
container 1 includes a box 4, a lid 8, and a frame 6. The frame 6 is 
disposed on an opening of the box 4. The lid 8 is rotatable with a shaft 7 
during opening and closing movement relative to the frame 6. 
Sectors 9 are fixedly mounted to the shaft 7 at both ends thereof for 
integral movement with the lid 8. As best seen in FIG. 3, each of the 
sectors is formed with a relatively large diameter teeth portion 9a and a 
relatively small diameter teeth portion 9b. A pinion gear 10 is mounted to 
a second shaft 11 which has one end supported by the frame 6, and the 
other end coupled to a flat spiral spring 13 disposed in a casing 12. As 
best seen in FIG. 4, the pinion gear 10 is meshed with the large diameter 
teeth portion 9a and it is spaced a distance d from the frame 6. The 
casing 12 of the flat spiral spring 13 is attached to the frame 6. 
Referring to FIG. 1, the flat spiral spring 13 urges the second shaft 11 
and thus the pinion gear 10 to rotate in a direction as indicated by an 
arrow A so as to rotate the sector 9 in a direction as indicated by an 
arrow B. This movement of the sector 9 allows the lid 8 to open upwardly. 
As best seen in FIG. 4, a brake wheel 14 is disposed adjacent the pinion 
gear 10, and meshed with the relatively small diameter teeth portion 9b of 
the sector 9. The brake wheel 14, which is subjected to a predetermined 
braking force to restrict its movement, is meshed with the small diameter 
teeth portion 9b so as to control opening motion of the lid 8. As best 
seen in FIG. 1, a third shaft 15 which the brake wheel 14 is fixedly 
coupled with is displaced from the second shaft 11 by a distance 1(el). 
The braking force applied to the brake wheel 14 acts to restrict motion of 
the pinion gear 10 via the sector 9. As best seen in FIG. 2, there is 
provided a lock mechanism 16 in the middle of the front end of the frame 
6. Upon closing the lid 8, a stop 18 of the lock mechanism 16 is engaged 
with a groove 17 formed in the lid 8 at a portion corresponding to the 
lock mechanism 16 thus keeping the lid 8 closed. The stop 18 withdraws by 
manually pressing a press button 19, releasing the stop 18 from the groove 
17. 
The operation is now described. Upon opening the lid 8, the button 19 of 
the lock mechanism 16 is pressed. Then, the locking engagement of the stop 
18 with the groove 17 is released, and the pinion gear 10 begins to move 
in the direction as indicated by the arrow A owing to the force of the 
flat spiral spring 13, causing movement of the sector 9 in the direction 
as indicated by the arrow B. This movement of the sector 9 allows the lid 
8 to open upwardly. In this event, since the braking force of the brake 
wheel 14 is applied to the sector 9 vis the meshing engagement with the 
small diameter teeth portion 9b, the opening movement of the lid 8 
decelerated. Accordingly, the opening movement of the lid 8 with a 
high-grade feel can be realized, resulting in increased commercial value 
of the container 1. Further, since the lid 8 does not open too quickly, 
the shaft 7 of the lid 8 does not receive a shock, preventing damage 
and/or deformation thereof. On the other hand, upon closing the lid 8, the 
lid 8 is manually pressed downwardly until the groove 17 of the lid 8 is 
locked with the stop 18 of the lock mechanism 16. In this event, the flat 
spiral spring 13 is wound to store force for a subsequent opening of the 
lid 8. 
When the lid 8 is closed, the restored force of the flat spiral spring 13 
is applied to the lid 8 via the sector 9 in a dispersive manner, so that 
the lid 8 or the shaft 7 is not subjected to a stress. Additionally, since 
the shaft 15 of the brake wheel 14 is displaced from the shaft 11 of the 
pinion gear 10 by distance 1(el), the shaft 11 also is not directly 
subjected to the braking force of the brake wheel 14, removing a stress 
from the pinion gear 10. Accordingly, arranged at a site such as the rear 
parcel shelf 3 of the automotive vehicle where the temperature may go up 
to a high level (about 110.degree. C.) by solar heat, the container 1 can 
not be deformed thermally. 
In this embodiment, the brake wheel 14 is meshed with the sector 9. The 
shaft 15 of the brake wheel 14 may merely be displaced from the shaft 11 
of the pinion gear 10. Accordingly, the brake wheel 14 may be meshed with 
the pinion gear 10 directly, bypassing the sector 9.