A sliding structure slidably supports a wheel by a groove of a rail. The wheel is rotatably supported to a movable console through a supporting shaft. The sliding structure includes an elastic deforming portion which is elastically deformed when an overload is vertically applied to the movable console and is restored to the original state when its application ceases; an ascending/descending portion which descends with elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portion and ascends with restoration; and a bottom of a tray serving as a pressure receiving portion, which is provided on an ascending/descending path of the ascending/descending portion and comes in contact with the ascending/descending portion 79 descended to receive a part of the overload.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a console-sliding structure for sliding the console attached to e.g. a vehicle.

2. Related Art

In the vehicle such as MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) or SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) in recent years, the console arranged in the intermediate area in a vehicle-width direction has a tendency of being movable in a forward/backward moving direction (front-and-rear direction) of the vehicle.

As a structure for realizing the movement of the console, various structures have been proposed in which a rotating/sliding member such as a wheel or ball is provided below the console and this rotating/sliding member is arranged rollably in a rail. For example, Japanese Patent No. 3621599 and JP-A-2000-264132 disclose a sliding structure in which the rail is laid on a vehicle floor, a wheel is rotatably supported on the lower portion of the console by a supporting shaft and the wheel is rollably arranged in the rail. JP-A-2003-2123 and JP-A-2004-210006 disclose a sliding structure in which an upper rail is attached to the lower part of the console whereas a lower rail movably supporting the upper rail is attached to the vehicle floor, and a plurality of balls are arranged between the upper and lower rails.

In the above sliding structures, the load applied to the console is received by the rotary sliding member (wheel, ball), a rail, etc. which are constituent components of the sliding structure. By rolling the rotary sliding member, the console is slid along the rail so that its position in the front-and-rear direction can be changed. Thus, both the passenger sitting on a front seat (driver's seat, navigator's seat) and passenger sitting on a rear seat can use the console.

Further, in the above sliding structures, in order to assure that the console can operate without a hitch even when it is slid in a state where a high load is applied, for example, a man gets on the console or a heavy object equivalent to an occupant is placed thereon, as the respective constituent components, the materials with high rigidity are adopted.

Particularly, in many cases, actually, a sliding rail for the seat is employed as the rail for the console. This is based on the idea that since the sliding rail for the seat is used in a severer condition than the console, it can be used as the rail for the console with no problem.

However, in the above console, unlike the seat for a vehicle, it is necessary to slide the console in a state where a high load is applied because an occupant gets on the console or a heavy object equivalent to an occupant is placed thereon. In this sense, the conventional console sliding structures have a problem that they give an excessive quality in rigidity and increase weight and cost. Particularly, the rail is lengthened with an increase in the moving distance of the consol so that a problem of weight increase is conspicuous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been accomplished under such circumstances. An object of this invention is to provide a console sliding structure which can use constituent components with low rigidity and can reduce weight and cost.

In order to attain the above object, the first aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure for slidably supporting a sliding member connected to a console by a rail, comprising: an elastic deforming portion which is elastically deformed when an overload is vertically applied to the console and is restored to its original state when the application of the overload ceases; an ascending/descending portion which descends with elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portion and ascends with restoration thereof; and a pressure receiving portion which is provided on an ascending/descending path of the ascending/descending portion and comes in contact with the ascending/descending portion descended to receive a part of the overload.

In accordance with the above configuration, the load vertically applied to the console is transmitted to the rail through the sliding member and also transmitted to the elastic deforming portion. When the elastic deforming portion is elastically deformed owing to the load, correspondingly, the ascending/descending portion ascends or descends.

If the load greater than under normal conditions (overload) is not vertically applied to the console, the amount of elastic deformation in the elastic deforming portion is small (inclusive of zero) and so the ascending/descending portion leaves the pressure receiving portion. Thus, by slide-moving the sliding member along the rail, the console can be moved in the direction along the rail.

On the other hand, if the overload is vertically applied to the console, for example, an occupant gets on the console or a heavy object equivalent to the man is placed thereon, the elastic deforming portion is elastically deformed. Owing to the elastic deformation, when the elastic deforming portion descends to come in contact with the pressure receiving portion, a part of the above overload is received by the pressure receiving portion. Thus, the load applied to the sliding member itself, supporting shaft supporting the sliding member to the console or the area of the rail in contact with the sliding member is reduced. Accordingly, as compared with the case where the function of receiving the overload by the pressure receiving portion is not given, the material having a low rigidity can be employed as the constituent members of the sliding structure. As a result, the weight and cost of the sliding structure can be reduced.

Incidentally, as the second aspect of the invention, the sliding member may be formed of a wheel rollably arranged in the rail. In this case, since the wheel rolls, the contact area of the wheel with the rail is changed and the sliding member slide-moves along the rail. At this time, friction due to the contact between the wheel and the rail is small.

The third aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the first and second aspect of the invention, wherein

the sliding member is connected to the console through a retainer; and the elastic deforming portion is provided in the retainer as a part of the retainer and formed of a flat spring elastically deformable in a vertical direction.

In accordance with the above configuration, the load vertically applied to the console is transmitted to the rail through the retainer and sliding member and transmitted to the elastic transforming portion of the flat spring. When the flat spring is elastically deformed in the vertical direction by this load, the ascending/descending portion correspondingly ascends/descends.

If the overload is not applied to the console, the amount of elastic deformation of the flat spring is small (inclusive of zero) and so the ascending/descending portion leaves the pressure receiving portion. On the other hand, when the overload is applied to the console, the flat spring is elastically deformed in the vertical direction. Owing to the elastic deformation, when the ascending/descending portion descends to come in contact with the pressure receiving portion, a part of the overload is received by the pressure receiving portion.

Now, the above flat spring is formed in the retainer as a part of the retainer. Therefore, the elastic deforming portion is simultaneously manufactured during the process of manufacturing the retainer. As compared with the case where the elastic deforming portion is manufactured separately from the retainer and fixed, the retainer and elastic deforming portion can be easily manufactured in a smaller number of steps.

The fourth aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein the flat spring is extended in a direction along the rail from a body of the retainer, and the sliding member is provided at the tip of the flat spring.

In accordance with the above configuration, when an overload is vertically applied to the console, the overload is transmitted from the body of the retainer to the rail through the elastic deforming portion and sliding member. In the process of transmission, the flat spring is elastically deformed in the vertical direction.

Now, in the retainer, the flat spring extends in the direction along the rail. For this reason, while assuring the amount of elastic deformation, the flat spring can be formed in a shape having a narrow width in the direction orthogonal to the rail. Thus, the sliding structure can be made compact in the direction orthogonal to the rail.

The fifth aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the flat spring is formed as one of its pair on the retainer; and the pair of flat springs are extended in the directions along the rail from the body of the retainer and opposite to each other.

In accordance with the above configuration, if an overload is vertically applied to the console, the overload is transmitted from the body of the retainer to the rail through the pair of flat springs and a pair of sliding members. During the process of transmission, both flat springs are elastically deformed in the vertical direction.

Now, although both flat springs extend in the directions along the rail, these directions are opposite to each other with respect to the base of the body of the retainer. So, the flat springs are elastically deformed on both sides of the body in the direction along the rail. Thus, the overload is transmitted to both sliding members and rail in good balance.

The sixth aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the wheel is supported to the retainer connected to the console by a supporting shaft; and the elastic deforming portion is formed of an elastic member formed on the entire periphery of the wheel.

In accordance with the above configuration, the load vertically applied to the console is transmitted to the rail through the retainer, supporting shaft, wheel and elastic member.

If the overload is not applied to the console, the amount of elastic deformation in the vertical direction of the elastic member is small (inclusive of zero) and so the ascending/descending portion leaves the pressure receiving portion. Therefore, by rolling the wheel and elastic member on the rail, the console can be moved in the direction along the rail.

On the other hand, if the overload is vertically applied to the console, the elastic member is elastically deformed in the vertical direction. Correspondingly, the wheel and ascending/descending portion descend. When the ascending/descending portion comes in contact with the pressure receiving portion, a part of the overload is received by the pressure receiving portion. Thus, the load applied to the wheel itself, supporting shaft supporting the wheel to the console or the area of the rail in contact with the elastic member is reduced.

The seventh aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein the ascending/descending portion is formed as a part of the retainer.

In accordance with the above configuration, the ascending/descending portion is manufactured in the retainer as a part of the retainer. Therefore, the ascending/descending portion is also simultaneously formed during the process of manufacturing the retainer. Thus, as compared with the case where the ascending/descending portion is manufactured separately from the retainer and fixed, the retainer and ascending/descending portion can be easily manufactured in a smaller number of steps.

The eighth aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the rail is provided with a groove having an opening on its side; and the sliding member is arranged in the groove and supported to the console by a supporting segment intruding into the groove through the opening.

In accordance with the above configuration, by sliding the sliding member arranged in the groove along the groove, the console is moved along the direction along the rail. In this case, the supporting segment moves along the opening of the groove.

Now, since the groove of the rail has the opening, an alien substance such as garbage or dust may intrude into the groove through the opening. In view of this, the eight aspect of the invention adopts the structure in which the groove has the opening on the side as described above. Thus, as compared with the case where the groove has the opening on the upper face, the alien substance is not prone to intrude into the groove through the opening.

The ninth aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the pressure receiving portion has a planar pressure-receiving plane; and the ascending/descending portion has a contact segment which is formed substantially in parallel to the pressure-receiving plane and comes in plane-contact with the pressure receiving plane with descent of the ascending/descending portion.

In accordance with the above configuration, as a result that an overload is applied to the movable console, when the elastic deforming portion is elastically deformed and the ascending/descending portion descends, at the contact segment nearly in parallel to the planar pressure receiving plane of the pressure receiving portion the ascending/descending portion comes in plane-contact with the planar pressure receiving plane. Thus, the load is transmitted to the pressure receiving portion over a wide area. As a result, the load applied to the pressure receiving plane per unit area is reduced so that the pressure receiving portion having a low rigidity can be employed. This is advantageous in order to reduce the weight and cost.

As the tenth aspect of the invention, the rail may be laid between seats adjacent to each other in a vehicle width direction so as to extend in a traveling direction of the vehicle. By slide-moving the console along the rail, the position of the vehicle traveling direction of the console can be changed between the seats adjacent to each other in the vehicle-width direction so that the range of employment of the console in the traveling direction expands.

The eleventh aspect of the invention provides a console-sliding structure according to the tenth aspect of the invention, wherein the pressure receiving portion is formed of a floor of the vehicle, or a member placed on the floor.

In accordance with the above configuration, using the floor of the vehicle which is essentially high in rigidity, the floor is directly used as the pressure receiving portion. Otherwise, by using the member placed on the floor as the pressure receiving portion, a part of the overload can be surely received. As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide the pressure receiving portion which is high in rigidity.

In accordance with the console-sliding structure according to this invention, constituent components with low rigidity can be used and the weight and cost can be reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring toFIGS. 1 to 7, an explanation will be given of the first embodiment in which this invention is embodied in a center console installed on a floor of the vehicle such as MPV and SUV. The following explanation will be made under the consumption that the direction of moving a vehicle forward is front and the direction of moving it backward is rear.

FIG. 1shows a schematic configuration of a center console12in the intermediate area in a vehicle width direction in the front of a floor11of the vehicle. The center console12includes a fixed console13immovably attached to the floor11and a movable console14which is arranged behind the fixed console13and can slide-move in the front-and-rear direction to approach or leave the fixed console13. It should be noted thatFIG. 1shows the state before the fixed console13is attached to the floor11. The fixed console13includes a concave15for a globe compartment whose upper face can be opened and a cover16for opening/closing the opening of the concave15. On both sides in the vehicle width direction of the fixed console13, a pair of guide grooves17which are opened in the lower and rear faces of the fixed console13are provided.

The movable console14includes a body18having a height approximately equal to that of the fixed console13. The body18has cup holders each formed of a cylindrical concave19opened in the upper face. Further, the movable console14includes a bottom21extending forward from the lower part of the body18and a pair of low side walls22provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the bottom21. Each side wall22is designed so that at least a portion thereof always intrudes in the corresponding guide groove17regardless of the fore-and-aft position of the movable console14. Therefore, in the state where the body18has left the fixed console13backward by the sliding movement of the movable console14, a space surrounded by the body18, fixed console13, bottom21and both side walls22is temporarily generated. This space can be used as the globe compartment.

As a structure for realizing the sliding movement of the above movable console14, the following sliding structure is adopted.

As seen fromFIGS. 2 and 5, at the front of the vehicle floor11, a concave30is formed in the intermediate area in the vehicle-width direction. At least the front of the concave30is located between the driver's seat and the navigator's seat in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle (seeFIG. 1). The rear of the concave30is located on the side of the rear seat farther than the driver's seat and navigator's seat. It should be noted thatFIGS. 2 and 5illustrate only the one side (right side) in the vehicle width direction of the concave30. The other side (left side), which is the same as the above one side, will not be explained here.

On the inner bottom face31of the concave30, a cover40, a rail50and a tray60are successively placed. These cover40, rail50and tray60correspond to “a structure placed on the floor” in the claims. The cover40is mainly employed in order to cover a groove53(described later) of the rail50. The cover40includes a bottom41placed on the inner bottom31of the concave30, an outer wall42extending upward along the inner wall32of the concave30from both sides in the vehicle width direction of the bottom41, a shade43provided at the upper end of the outer wall42and curving so as to project upward, and an inner wall44projecting downward from the one side (left end inFIG. 2) of the umbrella43. The inner wall44is located apart, by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction, from the outer wall42.

The rail50includes a base51placed on the bottom41, a pair of low side walls52provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the base51and grooves53provided on the upper side of the side walls52, respectively. Each groove53has an opening54on its side. Now, the side refers to the side facing the opposite grooves53(left side inFIGS. 2 and 5). The grooves53are arranged in the space sandwiched by the outer wall42and inner wall44of the cover40.

The tray60is placed on the base51of the rail50. The tray60includes a bottom61which is sheet-like and occupies a greater part of the tray60, and a pair of flexed segments62provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the bottom61. Each flexed segment62is located at a position below and apart by a predetermined distance from the inner wall44of the cover40. The bottom61of the tray60serves as a pressure receiving portion in the sliding structure. Specifically, the bottom61is located below an ascending/descending portion79on an ascending/descending path described later and brought into contact with the ascending/descending portion79having descended to receive a part of an overload from below. The area on the upper face of the bottom61corresponding to the lower part of the ascending/descending portion79serves as a planar pressure-receiving plane63.

Incidentally, reference numeral66inFIGS. 2 and 5denotes a carpet arranged in the area exclusive of the concave30on the floor11.

On the other hand, at a plurality of positions of the lower part of the movable console14, for example, at four corners of the bottom, as seen from at least one ofFIGS. 2 to 4, retainers70are provided. Each retainer70is formed by machining a metallic plate, and includes a wide body71being a basic skeleton and a pair of elastic deforming portions73and a single ascending/descending portion79which are integrally formed to the body71. A through-hole72is made in the body71, and by a clip87(seeFIG. 2) passed through the through-hole72, the retainer70is fastened to the lower part of the movable console14.

Both elastic deforming portions73are formed of a pair of flat springs which are elastically deformed when an overload is vertically applied to the movable console14and are restored to their original state when its application ceases. Now, the overload is assumed as the load applied when an occupant gets on the movable console14or a heavy object equivalent to the man is placed thereon. This overload is greatly different from the load applied to the movable console14when a drinking vessel such as a cup, can or pet-bottle is held in a standing state by the cup holder (concave19), or small articles are placed on the bottom21.

The respective flat springs extend in the front-and-rear directions along the groove53of the rail50from the lower end of the body71of the retainer70and opposite to each other. Each flat spring includes a horizontal segment75on the side near the body71and a slope segment76on the side farther from the body71. Each horizontal segment75nearly horizontally extends forward or backward of the vehicle from the body71. Each slope segment76slopes at a predetermined angle from the horizontal segment75so that it becomes lower as it leaves the body71. Thus, each flat spring bends at a boundary between each horizontal segment75and each slope segment76.

At the lower end of each slope segment76which is a tip of each flat spring, a pair of supporting pieces77separated from each other in the vehicle width direction are formed. In both supporting pieces77, supporting holes78are made in the same axial line extending in the vehicle width direction, respectively. A supporting shaft85is passed through the supporting hole78and secured so that it cannot come off. The supporting shaft85passes between the inner wall44of the cover40and the flexed segment62of the tray60in a non-contact state and intrudes into the groove53through the opening54. On each supporting shaft85, a wheel86made of metal is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown). These wheels86are used as sliding members. The supporting shaft85serves as a supporting portion which rotatably supports the wheel86located in the groove53on the movable console14located outside the groove53.

The ascending/descending portion79includes a contact segment80arranged apart by a predetermined gap G (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) upward from the pressure receiving plane63of the bottom61of the tray60and a coupling segment81which vertically extends to couple the body71and the contact segment80to each other. The contact segment80is formed nearly in parallel to the pressure receiving plane63and comes in plane-contact with the pressure receiving plane63with descent of the ascending/descending portion79. The gap G is set to be smaller than the maximum amount of elastic deformation in the vertical direction of the elastic deforming portion73. The maximum amount of elastic deformation is the maximum value of the amount of elastic deformation by which the elastic deforming portion73is restored to its original state.

In the manner described above, the sliding structure of the movable console14according to the first embodiment is designed. The load having various magnitudes is vertically applied to the movable console14, and is transmitted to the groove53of the rail50through the retainer70, supporting shaft85, bearing and wheel86. When the elastic deforming portions73of the retainer70are elastically deformed in the vertical direction by the load, the ascending/descending portion79correspondingly ascends or descends.

The above sliding structure operates in different manners according to the cases where the overload is applied to the movable console14, for example, an occupant gets on the movable console14or a heavy object equivalent to the man is placed thereon, and is not applied.

<Case Where an Overload is not Applied>

In this case, as seen from at least one ofFIGS. 2 and 3, the amount of elastic deformation in the vertical direction of the elastic deforming portions73is small (inclusive of zero) and so the contact segment80of the ascending/descending portion79leaves upward the pressure receiving plane63. The ascending/descending portion79does not slide on the pressure receiving plane63so that friction due to the sliding is not generated. Further, the friction generated between the wheel86and the inner bottom53aof the groove53is small.

Thus, when force in the front-and-rear direction is applied to the movable console14, this force is transmitted to the wheels86through the retainer70, bearings and supporting shafts85. So, even if the force is small, each wheel86rolls on the inner bottom53aof the groove53. Since the load is small, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portions73during rolling is small. Owing to the above rolling, the contact areas between the wheels86and the groove53change so that movable console14moves in the direction along the groove53. Owing to this movement, both elastic deforming portions73formed in the retainer70also move in the same direction, and the ascending/descending portion79in a state separated upward from the pressure receiving plane63also moves in the same direction. Further, the supporting shaft85supporting the wheel86in a state separated from the inner wall44of the cover40and flexed segment62of the tray60moves along the opening54of the groove53.

As described above, by slide-moving the movable console14along the groove53, between the seats adjacent in the vehicle width direction, the position of the movable console14in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle can be changed so that the range of employment of the movable console14expands.

<Case Where an Overload is Applied>

In this case, as seen from at least one ofFIGS. 6 and 7, the overload is transmitted from the body71of the retainer70to the groove53of the rail50through the pair of elastic deforming portions73, both supporting pieces77, supporting shafts85, bearings and wheels86. In the process of transmission, the elastic deforming portions73are elastically deformed in the vertical direction. More specifically, the elastic deforming portion73is elastically deformed so that the boundary between the horizontal segment75and the slope segment76gets sharp upwards (seeFIG. 7).

Now, although both elastic deforming portions73extend in the directions along the groove53of the rail50(front-and-rear direction), these directions are opposite to each other with respect to the base of the body71of the retainer70. So, the elastic deforming portions73are elastically deformed on both front and rear sides of the body71in the direction along the groove53. Thus, the overload is transmitted to both wheels86and groove53in good balance.

Owing to the elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portions73, when the ascending/descending portion79descends to come in contact with the bottom of the tray60and the gap G becomes zero, a part of the overload is indirectly transmitted to the floor11of the vehicle through the tray60, rail50and cover40. This floor11is essentially high in rigidity. Thus, a part of the overload is surely received by the floor11through the tray60, rail50and cover40. As a result, the load applied to the wheels86themselves, supporting shafts85supporting the wheels86to the movable console14or the groove53of the rail50in contact with wheels86is reduced.

At the time of the above contact, the contact segment80of the ascending/descending portion79which is nearly in parallel to the pressure receiving plane63comes in plane-contact with the planar pressure receiving plane63of the tray60. Therefore, the overload is transmitted to the bottom61of the tray60over a wide area. Thus, the load applied to the pressure receiving plane63per unit area is reduced.

When application of an overload to the movable console14ceases, for example, the man got on the movable console14gets down or the heavy object placed on the movable console14is shifted to another place, both elastic deforming portions73of the retainer70try to return to their original state owing to the elastic restoring force of themselves. Correspondingly, the ascending/descending portion79ascends to leave upward the bottom61of the tray60. In this way, the sliding structure returns to the state ofFIGS. 2 and 3described above.

In accordance with the first embodiment described above in detail, the following advantages can be obtained.

(1) As a sliding structure for the movable console14, adopted is the configuration including the elastic deforming portions73, ascending/descending portion79and bottom61(pressure receiving portion) of the tray60. For this reason, when an overload is not applied to the movable console14, in a state where the ascending/descending portion79has been separated upward from the bottom61, each wheel86can be rolled on the groove53of the rail50. Thus, the movable console14can be moved in the direction (front-and-rear direction) along the groove53.

On the other hand, when the overload is applied to the movable console14, the ascending/descending portion79descended owing to the elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portions73is caused to come in contact with the bottom61so that a part of the overload is received by the bottom61. Thus, the load applied to the wheels86, supporting shafts85, groove53, etc can be reduced. For this reason, as compared with the case where there is not the configuration for receiving a part of the overload as a constituent member of the sliding structure (corresponding to the prior arts), the member having low rigidity can be employed and so the weight and cost of the sliding structure can be reduced.

(2) A part of the retainer70is formed of flat springs which are used as the elastic deforming portions73. For this reason, in the process of manufacturing the retainer70, the elastic deforming portions73can be also simultaneously manufactured. Thus, as compared with the case where the elastic deforming portions73are formed separately from the retainer70and fixed, the retainer70and elastic deforming portions73can be manufactured in a smaller number of steps.

(3) The flat spring is formed in a shape extending in the direction (front-and-rear direction) along the groove53of the rail50from the body71of the retainer70. For this reason, while assuring the amount of elastic deformation, the flat spring can be formed in a shape having a narrow width in the direction (vehicle width direction) orthogonal to the groove53. Thus, the sliding structure can be made compact in the direction orthogonal to the groove53.

(4) Both flat springs are formed as a pair in the retainer70. Particularly, both flat springs are formed as a shape extending in the directions (front-and-rear direction) along the groove53of the rail50from the body71of the retainer70and opposite to each other. Thus, the elastic deforming portions73are elastically deformed on both front and rear sides of the body71in the direction along the groove53so that the overload is transmitted to both wheels86and groove53in good balance.

(5) The ascending/descending portion79is formed as a part of the retainer70. Therefore, in the process of manufacturing the retainer70, the ascending/descending portion79can be also simultaneously formed. Thus, as compared with the case where the ascending/descending portion79is manufactured and fixed separately from the retainer70, the retainer70and ascending/descending portion79can be manufactured in a smaller number of steps.

(6) Since the groove53of the rail50has the opening54, an alien substance such as garbage or dust may intrude into the groove53through the opening54. In view of this, the first embodiment adopts the structure in which the groove53has the opening54on the side. Thus, as compared with the case where the groove53has the opening on the upper face, the phenomenon that the alien substance intrudes into the groove53through the opening54can be suppressed.

(7) The pressure receiving plane63of the bottom61(pressure receiving portion) is formed in a planar shape. Further, the ascending/descending portion79has the contact segment80nearly in parallel to the pressure receiving plane63. Therefore, when the overload is applied to the movable console14, at the contact segment80, the ascending/descending portion79can be brought into plane-contact with the planar pressure receiving plane63. Thus, the overload is transmitted to the bottom61(pressure receiving portion) over a wide area so that the load applied to the pressure receiving plane63per unit area is reduced. From this point of view, the rail50which is low in rigidity can be used, which is advantageous in order to reduce the weight and cost of the sliding structure.

(8) The sliding direction of the movable console14depends on the direction in which the groove53of the rail50extends. The rail50is laid so as to extend in the front-and-rear direction between the seats adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction on the floor11of the vehicle. For this reason, by slide-moving the movable console14along the groove53, between the seats adjacent in the vehicle width direction, the position of the movable console14in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle is changed so that the range of employment of the movable console14expands in the front-and-rear direction. Not only the man sitting on the front seats (driver's seat and navigator's seat) but also the man sitting on the rear seat can grasp the movable console14and so can put small articles or hold the drinking vessel in a standing state. Thus, as compared with the case where the movable console14is not slid, the convenience can be improved.

(9) On the floor11of the vehicle which is essentially high in rigidity, the cover40, rail50and tray60are successively placed. In addition, the bottom61of the tray60arranged at the uppermost position is employed as the pressure receiving portion. For this reason, a part of the overload applied on the movable console14can be indirectly but surely received by the floor11with high rigidity. Thus, since the overload is surely received, it is not necessary to separately provide the pressure portion with high rigidity.

Next, an explanation will be given of the second embodiment in which this invention is embodied, mainly, of a difference from the first embodiment.

As seen fromFIG. 8, at a plurality of positions of the lower part of the movable console14, retainers90are provided. Each retainer90is formed by machining a metallic plate, and consists of an attaching portion91constituting an upper part and an ascending/descending portion92constituting a lower part. A through-hole93is made at the upper position of the attaching portion91. Using a clip87passed through the through-hole93, the retainer90is fastened to the lower part of the movable console14.

The ascending/descending portion92includes a first supporting segment94which extends nearly vertically in the vicinity of the inner wall44of the cover40and the flexed segment62of the tray60, a second supporting segment95which is arranged in parallel to the first supporting segment94and lower than the first supporting segment94, and a contact segment96which couples the lower ends of the first and second supporting segments94,95. The ascending/descending portion92is formed in a nearly J-shape as a whole.

The contact segment96is arranged apart by a predetermined gap G upward from the pressure receiving plane63of the tray60. The contact segment96is formed to be nearly in parallel to the pressure receiving plane63. The contact segment96comes in plane-contact with the pressure receiving plane63with descent of the ascending/descending92. The gap G is set to be smaller than the maximum amount of elastic deformation in the vertical direction of an elastic deforming portion101described later. The maximum amount of elastic deformation is the maximum value of the amount of elastic deformation by which the elastic deforming portion101is restored to its original state.

In both first and second supporting segments94,95, supporting holes97are made in the same axial line extending in the vehicle width direction. A supporting shaft98is passed through the supporting holes97and secured so that it cannot come off. A part of the supporting shaft98intrudes between the inner wall44and the flexed segment62and into the groove53through the opening54. On the supporting shaft98, a wheel99made of metal is rotatably supported by a bearing100. The wheel99is used as a sliding member and arranged in the groove53.

Further, on the entire periphery of the wheel99, a cylindrical elastic deforming portion101of synthetic rubber, elastomer, etc. is provided. In the state where the wheel99is arranged within the groove53, the elastic deforming portion101is kept in contact with the inner bottom53aof the groove53. The elastic deforming portion101carries out the same function as the elastic deforming portion73in the first embodiment. Namely, when an overload in the vertical direction is applied to the movable console14, the elastic deforming portion101is also elastically deformed in the same direction, and when application of the overload ceases, it is restored to the original state. Now, it should be noted that the “overload” is used in the same sense as that in the first embodiment. Incidentally, when the overload is not applied to the movable console14, the elastic deforming portion101will not be elastically deformed. Even if it is elastically deformed, the amount of deformation is small.

The above supporting shaft98functions as a support for rotatably supporting the wheel99located within the groove53to the movable console14located outside the groove53.

The other configuration than that described above is the same as that in the first embodiment. So, like reference numbers refer to like members or portions in the first embodiment.

It the manner as described above, the sliding structure for the movable console14according to the second embodiment is designed. The load having various magnitudes is applied to the movable console14in the vertical direction, and is transmitted to the groove53of the rail50through the retainer90, supporting shaft98, bearing100, wheel99and elastic deforming portion101. When the elastic deforming portion101is elastically deformed in the vertical direction, correspondingly, the wheel99, bearing100, supporting shaft98and ascending/descending portion92ascends or descends.

The above sliding structure operates in different manners according to the cases where the overload is applied to the movable console14and is not applied thereto.

<Case Where an Overload is not Applied>

In this case, as seen fromFIG. 8, the amount of elastic deformation in the vertical direction of the elastic deforming portion101is small (inclusive of zero) and so the ascending/descending portion92leaves upward the bottom61(pressure receiving portion) of the tray60. The ascending/descending portion92does not slide on the bottom61so that friction due to the sliding is not generated. Further, the friction generated between the cylindrical elastic deforming portion101and the inner bottom53aof the groove53is small.

Thus, when force in the front-and-rear direction is applied to the movable console14, this force is transmitted to the bearing100, wheel99and elastic deforming portion101through the retainer90and supporting shafts98. Even if the force is small, the elastic deforming portion101for each wheel99rolls on the inner bottom53aof the groove53. Since the load is small, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic deforming portion101during rolling is small.

Owing to the above rolling, the contact area between the elastic deforming portion101and the groove53changes so that movable console14moves in the direction along the groove53(front-and-rear direction). Owing to this movement, the ascending/descending portion92moves in the same direction in a state separated upward from the bottom61. Further, the supporting shaft98supporting the wheel99in a state separated from the inner wall44of the cover40and flexed segment62of the tray60moves along the opening54of the groove53.

As described above, by slide-moving the movable console14along the groove53, between the seats adjacent in the vehicle width direction, the position of the movable console14in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle can be changed so that the range of employment of the movable console14expands.

<Case Where an Overload is Applied>

In this case, as seen fromFIG. 9, the overload is transmitted to the inner bottom53aof the groove53through the retainer90, supporting shaft98, bearing100, wheel99and elastic deforming portion101. In the process of transmission, owing to the overload, the elastic deforming portion101, particularly, its part lower than the wheel99is elastically deformed in the vertical direction. Correspondingly, the wheel99, bearing100, supporting shaft98and retainer90descend. When the contact segment96of the ascending/descending potion92in the retainer90comes in contact with the pressure receiving plane63of the tray60so that the gap G becomes zero, a part of the overload is indirectly transmitted to the floor11of the vehicle through the tray60, rail50and cover40. This floor11is essentially high in rigidity so that a part of the overload is surely received by the floor11through the tray60, rail50and cover40. As a result, the load applied to the wheels99themselves, supporting shaft98supporting the wheels99to the movable console14or the areas of the groove53in contact with the elastic deforming portions101is reduced.

At the time of the above contact, at the contact segment96which is nearly in parallel to the pressure receiving plane63, the ascending/descending portion92comes in plane-contact with the planar pressure receiving plane63of the bottom61. Therefore, the overload is transmitted to the bottom61over a wide area so that the load applied to the pressure receiving plane63per unit area of the bottom61is reduced.

From the state ofFIG. 9, when application of an overload to the movable console14ceases, for example, the man got on the movable console14gets down or the heavy object placed on the movable console14is shifted to another place, the elastic deforming portion101tries to return to the original state owing to the elastic restoring force of itself. Correspondingly, the ascending/descending portion92ascends to leave upward the bottom61of the tray60. In this way, the sliding structure returns to the state ofFIG. 8described above.

Thus, in accordance with the second embodiment, although the format of the elastic deforming portion101is different that in the first embodiment, the same effects as (1) and (5) to (9) in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the following effects in place of the above (2) to (4) can be obtained.

(10) In place of the elastic deforming portions73each formed of the flat spring, the elastic deforming portion101made of an elastic member is formed on the entire outer periphery of the wheel99.

For this reason, when an overload in the vertical direction is not applied to the movable console14, the elastic deforming portion101is not entirely or almost elastically deformed so that the ascending/descending portion92can be separated upward from the bottom61(pressure receiving portion). The wheel99can be smoothly rolled in the groove53so that application of small force permits the movable console14to be moved in the front-and-rear direction.

Further, when an overload is vertically applied to the movable console14, the elastic deforming portion101is elastically deformed in the vertical direction so that the ascending/descending portion92is lowered to come in contact with the bottom61. Thus, a part of the overload can be received by the bottom61.

Further, since the cylindrical elastic member is provided on the outer periphery of each the wheels99, the sliding structure can be made more compact than the case (first embodiment) where the elastic deforming portions73are formed in the retainer70.

Additionally, this invention can be embodied in further embodiments described in the following.

The sliding member has only to be slide-moved with small frictional state on the groove53of the rail50. For this reason, the matter having a different structure from that of the wheels86,99adopted in each of the embodiments described above, for example, balls made of metal rolling on the groove53may be adopted as the sliding member.

The number of the elastic deforming portions73in the retainer70in the first embodiment may be changed to one or three or more. In this case, the number of the supporting shafts85and wheels86are also changed.

When an overload is applied, the ascending/descending portion72,92may be brought into contact with cover40or rail50in place of the tray60. In this case, the object (cover40or rail50) with which the ascending/descending portion79,92comes in contact serves as the pressure receiving portion. Further, when an overload is applied, the ascending/descending portion79,92may be directly brought into contact with the inner bottom31of the concave30so that the floor11serves as the pressure receiving portion and receives a part of the overload. Further, separately from these members, another member high rigidity may be arranged as the pressure receiving portion on the ascending/descending path of the ascending/descending portion79.

This invention is also applicable as a sliding structure for a console other than the center console12.

This invention is also applicable to a console which does not have the fixed console13but is constructed of only the movable console14.

The rail50may be laid in at least one of the vehicle width direction and front-and-rear direction at a position different from that in the embodiments described above. Further, the rail50may be laid so that its groove53extends in a direction different from that in the embodiments described above.

This invention can be widely applied to the console of a transport other than the vehicle.