CONSOLE BOX

A console box includes a box body, storage, a side table, a shaft, a shaft support arranged above the storage, and a rotation stopper. The storage is located in a side portion of the box body with respect to a widthwise direction of a vehicle seat. The side table is vertically movable between a storage position and an intermediate position. The shaft is located at a lower end of the side table when in the upright state. The shaft support rotatably supports the shaft so that the side table rotates about the shaft away from the box body in the widthwise direction from the intermediate position to a usage position. The rotation stopper restricts rotation of the side table beyond the usage position.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a console box.

2. Description of Related Art

In an automobile, a console box for storing small items may be set between adjacent automobile seats (refer to, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-98211).

SUMMARY

A conventional console box, including that of the above-mentioned publication, does not provide the vehicle occupant with enough area for performing a simple task in a seated state. Further, it is difficult to provide a flat surface where the vehicle occupant can perform such a task. A simple task refers to a task that can be performed in a state seated in an automobile seat, such as eating, drinking, or operating a computer.

An automobile is mainly used as a means for traveling. Thus, low priority is given to the implementation of a console box that provides sufficient area allowing one to perform a simple task in a state seated on an automobile seat.

In one general aspect, a console box set between adjacent vehicle seats includes a box body, storage, a side table, a shaft, a shaft support, and a rotation stopper. The storage is located in a side portion of the box body with respect to a widthwise direction of the vehicle seats and includes an upper end with an opening. The side table includes a surface defining a working surface. The side table is vertically movable between a storage position where the side table is stored in an upright state and an intermediate position where the side table is exposed upward from the storage in the upright state. The shaft is arranged on the side table at a lower end when in the upright state. The shaft extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle seats. The shaft support is arranged above the storage. The shaft support rotatably supports the shaft so that the side table rotates about the shaft away from the box body in the widthwise direction from the intermediate position to a usage position where the working surface faces upward. The rotation stopper restricts rotation of the side table beyond the usage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of a console box for an automobile will now be described with reference toFIGS.1to12.

In the description hereafter, the direction in which the automobile moves forward will be referred to as the forward direction, and the direction in which the automobile moves rearward is referred to as the rearward direction. Further, the upper and lower directions of the automobile will be referred to as the vertical directions. The left and right directions, or transverse direction, correspond to the left and right directions of the automobile when the automobile moves forward.

As shown inFIG.1, an automobile10includes a passenger compartment11where two automobile seats12and13, which are front seats, are arranged spaced apart in the transverse direction. The right automobile seat12serves as the driver seat where a vehicle occupant (driver) is seated. The left automobile seat13serves as a passenger seat where a vehicle occupant (passenger) is seated. The two automobile seats12and13correspond to vehicle seats.

The two automobile seats12and13are arranged so that the seatbacks face the front direction. The widthwise direction of the automobile seats12and13in this arrangement correspond to the left and right directions.

A console box20(also referred to as center console, floor console, or the like), which serves as storage having the form of a box, is set between the two automobile seats12and13. Each part of the console box20will be described below using a central portion between the automobile seats12and13in the widthwise direction, or transverse direction, as a reference. With respect to the transverse direction, the direction toward the central portion correspond to the terms of inside, inner, inward, and the like. Further, the direction away from the central portion correspond to the terms of outside, outer, outward, and the like.

As shown inFIGS.5,7, and8, the console box20includes a box body21, vertical rails41, a side table43, shafts61a, a retainer65, shaft supports35, and a rotation stopper39a. Each of the above parts will now be described.

As shown inFIGS.1and10, the box body21forms the frame of the console box20and is, for example, made of plastic and longer in the front-rear direction than the transverse direction.

Outer side walls22are provided at the left and right sides of the box body21. An inner side wall23is formed at a location spaced apart inwardly from each outer side wall22. A cavity25having an upper open end and a relatively large volume is formed between the rear portions of the two inner side walls23(refer toFIG.11). A cavity26having an upper open end and a smaller volume than the cavity25is formed next to the front side of the cavity25between the two inner side walls23.

An upper wall24is formed in most of the portion between the upper ends of adjacent ones of the outer side wall22and the inner side wall23in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.1and8, storage28, including an upper end with an opening27, is arranged between the set of adjacent ones of the outer side wall22and the inner side wall23located at the left side or the right side of the cavity26(left side in first embodiment). A bracket cover31is disposed in the storage28. That is, the console box20includes the bracket cover31. The bracket cover31is formed by bending sheet metal or the like and has greater strength than the outer side wall22and the inner side wall23.

As shown inFIGS.5and8, the bracket cover31includes a body plate32, a bottom plate33, and two opposing plates34. The body plate32is disposed adjacent to the right side of the outer side wall22. The bottom plate33projects inward (rightward) from the lower edge of the body plate32. The opposing plates34project inward (rightward) from the front edge and rear edge of the body plate32. The two opposing plates34are parallel and oppose each other in the front-rear direction.

As shown inFIGS.5and7, the vertical rails41are disposed next to the rear side of the front opposing plate34and next to the front side of the rear opposing plate34. Each vertical rail41includes a vertical guide groove42extending in the vertical direction. The front vertical guide groove42opens in the rear end surface and the upper end surface of the front vertical rail41. The rear vertical guide groove42opens in the front end surface and the upper end surface of the vertical rail41.

As shown inFIGS.4and8, the side table43is structured to sandwich a table bracket44between an outer table member51and an inner table member55. The outer table member51and the inner table member55are formed from, for example, plastic.

The outer table member51includes a working plate52and side plates53formed on the four sides of the working plate52. The side of the working plate52farther from the inner table member55forms the outer surface of the side table43. The outer surface is flat and defines a working surface52aon which a simple task can be performed.

The inner table member55includes a main plate56, an auxiliary plate57, and a connecting plate58. The main plate56and the auxiliary plate57are each separated from the working plate52and parallel to the working plate52. The distance between the working plate52and the main plate56is less than that between the working plate52and the auxiliary plate57. The connecting plate58extends orthogonal to the working plate52and couples the main plate56to the auxiliary plate57.

The table bracket44, which is formed by bending sheet metal or the like, has greater strength than the outer table member51and the inner table member55. The table bracket44includes a main plate45, which has the form of a quadrangular plate, and two opposing plates46, which are parallel and spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The opposing plates46are orthogonal to the main plate45and respectively connected to the front edge and the rear edge of the main plate45. The opposing plates46are each longer in the direction in which the front edge and the rear edge extend than in the direction orthogonal to the main plate45. An insertion hole47extends through each opposing plate46at one of the ends in the direction in which the front edge and the rear edge extend. The edge of each opposing plate46at the side opposite the main plate45defines a flat contact surface48at the same end as the insertion hole47.

A metal bar61extending in the front-rear direction is inserted through the two insertion holes47of the table bracket44. The front end and rear end the bar61define the shafts61a. The front shaft61aprojects frontward out of the front opposing plate46. The rear shaft61aprojects rearward out of the rear opposing plate46.

The retainer65assists vertical movement of the side table43between a storage position and an intermediate position, which will be described later. Further, the retainer65assists rotation of the side table43between the intermediate position and a usage position. As shown inFIGS.4,7, and8, the retainer65is disposed in the storage28in a manner movable in the vertical direction.

The retainer65includes a bottom plate66, a side plate67, and front and rear opposing plates68. The bottom plate66extends horizontally in the front-rear direction above the bottom plate33of the bracket cover31. The side plate67extends upright in the front-rear direction. The lower edge of the side plate67is connected to the bottom plate66.

The opposing plates68are parallel and spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The opposing plates68are flat plates that are longer in the vertical direction than the transverse direction. The front opposing plate68is fixed to the front end of the bottom plate66and the front end of the side plate67. The rear opposing plate68is fixed to the rear end of the bottom plate66and the rear end of the side plate67.

An insertion hole69extends through the upper portion of each opposing plate68in the front-rear direction. The front shaft61ais inserted through the front insertion hole69. The rear shaft61ais inserted through the rear insertion hole69. Thus, the upper end of the retainer65is coupled by the two shafts61ato the table bracket44in a foldable manner.

The front shaft61aprojects frontward out of the front opposing plate68of the retainer65. The rear shaft61aprojects rearward out of the rear opposing plate68of the retainer65. The front and rear shafts61aare each inserted into the vertical guide groove42of the corresponding vertical rail41in a manner slidable in the vertical direction.

A pin71projects frontward from the front opposing plate68below the insertion hole69. The pin71is inserted into the vertical guide groove42of the front vertical rail41in a manner slidable in the vertical direction. A pin71projects rearward from the rear opposing plate68below the insertion hole69. The pin71is inserted into the vertical guide groove42of the rear vertical rail41in a manner slidable in the vertical direction.

As shown inFIGS.6and7, the shaft support35is formed on the upper end of each opposing plate34of the bracket cover31. The two shaft supports35each include a slope36and a bearing37. The slopes36of the two shaft supports35, extending from the upper ends of the corresponding opposing plates34, are inclined toward each other in the front-rear direction. The bearings37extend upward from the upper ends of the slopes36. Each bearing37is located above the corresponding vertical guide groove42. Each shaft support35includes a support hole38elongated in substantially the vertical direction across the slope36and the bearing37. The support hole38has a width that is slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft61a.

As shown inFIGS.6and9, the body plate32of the bracket cover31includes a cutout portion39in the upper end. The bottom of the cutout portion39serves as the rotation stopper39athat contacts the contact surface48of the table bracket44and restricts rotation of the side table43.

Positions of Side Table43

The side table43is movable between three positions. The three positions are a storage position, an intermediate position, and a usage position.

As shown inFIGS.1and8, at the storage position, the side table43is stored in the storage28in an upright state. At the intermediate position, the side table43is exposed upward from the storage28in the upright state as shown by the double-dashed lines inFIGS.2and7. Further, at the intermediate position, the shafts61aare rotatably supported by the shaft supports35(refer toFIG.7). As shown inFIGS.2,3, and9, at the usage position, the side table43closes the opening27of the storage28and projects horizontally toward the left from the upper end of the box body21.

In addition to the structure described above, the console box20includes a hinge75, a center table91, and an armrest95, as shown inFIGS.10to12. Each of the above parts will now be described.

The hinge75includes a base76and two supports84. The base76includes a bottom plate77that is rectangular in plan view. The base76includes left and right side plates78(refer toFIG.10).

An inner lateral rail81is formed on the upper inner surface of each side plate78. The inner lateral rail81includes an inner lateral groove82extending in the front-rear direction. The inner lateral groove82opens inwardly.

Projections83are formed on the lower outer surface of each side plate78projecting outwardly at a number of, for example, two, locations in the front-rear direction.

The supports84are arranged below the left and right sides of the rear portion of the base76. The front upper end of each support84is coupled to the corresponding side of the rear portion of the base76. A shaft85extends from the rear end of each support84in the transverse direction. The hinge75is supported by each shaft85in the rear portion of the box body21. The hinge75is rotatable between a closed position where the base76closes the opening of the cavity25(refer toFIG.11) and an open position where the base76opens the opening (not shown).

A latch mechanism86is arranged below the front portion of the base76(refer toFIGS.11and12). When the hinge75is located at the closed position, the latch mechanism86locks the hinge75to the box body21and restricts rotation of the hinge75about the shafts85. When the hinge75is unlocked, the hinge75is allowed to rotate about the shafts85.

The center table91includes an upper table92and a lower table93arranged one above the other. The center table91is formed by coupling the upper table92and the lower table93. The center table91is rectangular and larger in the front-rear direction than the transverse direction (refer toFIG.3). The center table91is located above the space between the two inner side walls23.

Projections94project outwardly from the left and right sides of the center table91. The projections94are inserted into the inner lateral grooves82of the inner lateral rails81in a manner slidable in the front-rear direction.

The center table91is slidable between a home position and an extended position. As shown inFIGS.1and11, at the home position, most of the center table91is located above the base76. Further, at the home position, the center table91is located rearward from the storage28. As shown inFIGS.2and12, at the extended position, the front portion of the center table91is located frontward from the base76.

As shown inFIG.9, when the side table43is located at the usage position and the center table91is located at the extended position, the upper surface of the center table91is flush with the working surface52aof the side table43. Further, as shown inFIG.8, when the side table43is located at the storage position and the center table91is located at the extended position, the upper surface of the center table91is flush with the outer surface (upper surface) of one of the side plates53of the side table43.

As shown inFIGS.10to12, the frame of the armrest95includes an inner armrest piece96and an outer armrest piece101covering the inner armrest piece96. A pad102is arranged on the outer armrest piece101. Further, a cover103covers the outer armrest piece101and the pad102.

The inner armrest piece96includes left and right side plates97(refer toFIG.10). An outer lateral rail98is formed on the lower inner surface of each side plate97. Each outer lateral rail98includes an outer lateral guide groove99extending in the front-rear direction. Each outer lateral guide groove99opens inwardly. Each projection83of the hinge75is inserted into the corresponding outer lateral guide groove99. The positions of the projections83in the outer lateral guide grooves99of the inner armrest piece96are changed to slide the armrest95between the home position and the extended position.

As shown inFIGS.1,2, and11, at the home position, most of the armrest95is located above the base76of the hinge75. As shown inFIGS.3and12, at the extended position, the rear portion of the armrest95is located rearward from the base76.

As shown inFIG.10, a mechanism105is arranged between the hinge75and the center table91to stably hold the center table91in the lateral direction. Further, mechanisms106are arranged between the hinge75and the center table91to hold the center table91in place when moved to the home position or the extended position.

The operation and advantages of the first embodiment will now be described.

The side table43is vertically movable between the storage position and the intermediate position and rotatable between the intermediate position and the usage position.

(1) No Simple Task Performed

(1-1) In this case, as shown inFIGS.1and8, the vehicle occupant arranges the side table43at the storage position. At the storage position, the bottom plate66of the retainer65contacts the bottom plate33of the bracket cover31and thereby restricts further downward movement of the retainer65. Further, the connecting plate58of the inner table member55contacts the rotation stopper39aof the bracket cover31. This restricts downward movement of the inner table member55. The opening27of the storage28is closed by the side table43. The upper surface of one of the side plates53of the side table43is flush with the portion of the upper wall24of the box body21bordering the side plate53. The shafts61aare located downward from the shaft supports35and downward from the opening27of the storage28. Further, the contact surface48of the table bracket44is separated downwardly in the storage28from the rotation stopper39a.

In this manner, most of the side table43is hidden in the storage28. Thus, the side table43will not be an interference.

(1-2) Further, in this case, as shown inFIGS.1and11, the vehicle occupant arranges the hinge75at the closed position. The center table91and the armrest95are each located at the home position. At the home position, the center table91and the armrest95are both located above the base76of the hinge75. In this state, the center table91is entirely covered by the armrest95, that is, stored between the armrest95and the base76. Thus, the center table91will not be an interference.

The opening of the cavity25, which has a large volume, at the rear portion of the box body21is covered by the base76of the hinge75, the center table91, and the armrest95.

The vehicle occupant can place an elbow on the armrest95to reduce the load on the arm and shoulder.

Further, the opening of the cavity26in the front portion of the box body21is open. Thus, small items can be placed in the cavity26through the opening. In other words, the cavity26can be used to store small items.

(2) Performing Simple Task on Side Table43

In this case, the vehicle occupant first moves the side table43from the storage position to the intermediate position and then moves the side table43to the usage position.

(2-1) When moving the side table43from the storage position to the intermediate position, the vehicle occupant, for example, holds the side table43at the portion (upper end) that is exposed from the storage28in the storage position and lifts the side table43. This exposes the side table43upward from the storage28.

As shown inFIGS.7and8, the retainer65is coupled to the table bracket44of the side table43by the bar61. Thus, as the side table43rises, the retainer65rises together with the side table43. The shafts61aand the pins71also slide upward in the vertical guide grooves42of the corresponding vertical rails41. The vertical rails41restrict movement of the shafts61aand the pins71to the vertical direction. This allows the side table43and the retainer65to be lifted stably and smoothly.

(2-2) Further lifting of the side table43moves the shafts61aout of the corresponding vertical guide grooves42. The shaft supports35, which include the support holes38, are formed above the vertical rails41. The bearings37are located above the vertical guide grooves42. Thus, as the side table43rises, the shafts61amove from the guide grooves42into the support holes38and slides upward along the support holes38.

As shown by the double-dashed lines inFIGS.2and7, when the side table43is lifted to the intermediate position, each shaft61acomes into contact with the upper end of the wall defining the support hole38in the corresponding bearing37. This restricts further upward movement of the side table43. In this state, the shafts61aare rotatably supported by the shaft support35.

At the intermediate position, most of the side table43is exposed upward from the storage28in an upright state. The contact surface48of the table bracket44is still separated from the rotation stopper39a.

The retainer65is located in the upper portion of the storage28in the upright state. The pins71are located in the vertical guide grooves42. The bottom plate66of the retainer65is separated in the upward direction from the bottom plate33of the bracket cover31.

(2-3) When moving the side table43from the intermediate position to the usage position, the side table43is rotated about the two shafts61adownward in the left direction away from the box body21in the widthwise direction of the automobile seat13. In this state, the shafts61aare supported by the bearings37and stably holds the shafts61ain position. When the side table43is rotated, the working surface52aand the contact surface48are both pivoted about the two shafts61a.

(2-4) As shown inFIGS.2,7, and9, when the side table43is rotated to the usage position, the shafts61aare still supported by the shaft supports35. The opening27remains closed by the side table43. Further, the contact surface48of the table bracket44comes into contact with the rotation stopper39aof the bracket cover31. This restricts further downward rotation of the side table43beyond the usage position. The working surface52aof the side table43is horizontal and faces upward. This allows the vehicle occupant to perform a simple task on the working surface52aof the side table43while sitting on the automobile seat13.

In this manner, to perform a simple task in a state seated on the automobile seat13, the vehicle occupant moves the side table43from the storage position to the usage position in order to form an area where a simple task can be performed.

(2-5) The table bracket44and the bracket cover31are both formed from sheet metal and have high strength. Thus, even if a downward load is applied to the side table43at the usage position when a simple task is performed, the shaft supports35and the rotation stopper39awill not be deformed, and the side table43can easily be kept at the usage position.

(2-6) In a state seated on the automobile seat13, the vehicle occupant reverses the procedures described above in paragraphs (2-1) to (2-4). This reverses the movements of the side table43described above. Thus, the vehicle occupant can return the side table43via the intermediate position to the storage position.

In particular, when lowering the side table43from the intermediate position to the storage position, the side table43is rotated to be upright above the storage28and then lowered.

This moves the shafts61afrom the support holes38to the vertical guide grooves42located below. The retainer65, which is coupled by the two shafts61a, to the side table43is lowered together with the side table43into the storage28.

The shafts61aand the pins71slide downward along the vertical guide grooves42. The vertical rails41restrict movement of the shafts61aand the pins71to the vertical direction. This allows the side table43and the retainer65to be lowered stably and smoothly.

When the side table43is lowered to the storage position, as shown inFIG.8, the bottom plate66of the retainer65comes into contact with the bottom plate33of the bracket cover31from above. This restricts downward movement of the retainer65. Further, the connecting plate58of the inner table member55contacts the rotation stopper39aof the bracket cover31. This restricts downward movement of the inner table member55.

(3) Expanding Working Area

(3-1) To expand the working area when the side table43is located at the usage position, for example, as shown inFIGS.1and11, the vehicle occupant pulls out the front end of the center table91forward from the home position. As shown inFIG.2, the exposes the front portion of the center table91frontward from the armrest95, which is located at the home position, and the base76of the hinge75, which is located at the closed position (refer toFIG.12).

In this case, the projections94slide forward along the inner lateral grooves82of the corresponding inner lateral rails81. The inner lateral rails81restrict movement of the projections94to the front-rear direction. This allows the center table91to slide forward stably and smoothly.

(3-2) When the center table91is pulled to the extended position, the opening of the cavity26is covered by the front portion of the center table91(refer toFIG.12). At the extended position, the front portion of the center table91is adjacent to the right side of the storage28.

In this state, the side table43is located at the usage position, and the opening27of the storage28is closed by the side table43.

Accordingly, the working surface52aof the side table43and the upper surface of the front portion of the center table91can be used by the vehicle occupant as an area for performing a simple task while sitting on the automobile seat13. This further expands the working area toward the right.

Further, in this state, the rear half of the center table91is covered by the armrest95from above.

(3-3) At the extended position, as shown by the double-dashed lines inFIG.9, the upper surface of the center table91is flush with the working surface52aof the side table43, which is at the usage position. Thus, the center table91is even with the side table43. This allows the vehicle occupant to perform a simple task across the side table43and the center table91.

(3-4) In a state seated on the automobile seat13, the vehicle occupant reverses the procedures described above in paragraphs (3-1) and (3-2). This reverses the movement of the center table91described above. Thus, the vehicle occupant can return the center table91from the extended position to the home position. As shown inFIG.11, at the home position, the center table91is entirely covered by the armrest95and has no exposed portions. Further, the working area is no longer expanded by the center table91. The working area is provided by only the working surface52aof the side table43.

In this manner, the working area can be expanded or reduced by sliding the center table91in the front-rear direction.

(3-5) To further expand the working space toward the rear, when the side table43is located at the usage position and the center table91is located at the extended position, rearward force is applied to the armrest95.

Consequently, the portion of the center table91covered by the armrest95becomes exposed as shown inFIGS.3and12. The exposed portion expands the working area toward the rear. When the armrest95is moved to the extended position, the exposed area of the center table91becomes the maximum. The rear end of the center table91is covered by the armrest95from above.

When the armrest95is moved rearward, as shown inFIGS.10and12, the outer lateral rails98of the armrest95restrict movement of the projections83of the hinge75to the front-rear direction. The position of the projections83in the outer lateral guide grooves99is changed to slide the armrest95stably and smoothly.

(3-6) In a state seated on the automobile seat13, the vehicle occupant reverses the procedures described above in paragraph (3-5) to reverse the movement of the armrest95described above. Thus, the vehicle occupant can return the armrest95from the extended position to the home position.

(4) Other Advantages

(4-1) In the first embodiment, the center table91and the armrest95are coupled to the hinge75in a manner slidable in the front-rear direction. This allows the armrest95and portions near the armrest95to be smaller in size than when the center table91and the armrest95are coupled to separate members in a manner slidable in the front-rear direction.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the console box20, which is for an automobile, will now be described with reference toFIGS.13to16.

The second embodiment uses a spring114and an engagement portion117instead of the rotation stopper39aof the first embodiment. The combination of the spring114and the engagement portion117may be provided on both of the shafts61aor on only one of the shafts61a.

As shown inFIGS.13and15, each side plate53of the side table43includes a spring seat111formed near the corresponding shaft61a. The spring seat111includes two curved portions112arranged at opposite sides of the shaft61aand bulged outward in the radial direction. The lower ends of the two curved portions112are separated from each other in the circumferential direction.

The spring114is C-shaped and set on the spring seat111in a state encompassing the two curved portions112so as to be rotatable integrally with the spring seat111.

The engagement portion117is formed on the corresponding opposing plate68of the retainer65at a position located outward from the spring seat111in the radial direction of the shaft61a. The engagement portion117projects toward the shaft61aand has an acute distal end.

The portion of the spring114between the lower ends of the two curved portions112in the circumferential direction defines an elastic deformation portion115that is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the shaft61a. The elastic deformation portion115includes a projection115athat projects outward in the radial direction of the shaft61a.

The elastic deformation portion115is deformed elastically in order to move the projection115aover the engagement portion117by applying a load to the side table43that is smaller than the load applied to the side table43in the first embodiment.

As shown inFIGS.13and14, the upper portion of the outer side wall22at the storage28includes a cutout portion118. The body plate32of the bracket cover31also includes a cutout portion119. The bottom of each of the cutout portions118and119is located at a lower position than the bottom of the cutout portion39(rotation stopper39a).

Otherwise, the structure of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Thus, like or the same reference numerals are given to those components that are the same as the corresponding components of the fourth embodiment. Such components will not be described.

The second embodiment has the advantages described in paragraphs (1-1), (1-2), (2-1) to (2-3), (2-6), (3-1) to (3-6), and (4-1). In the second embodiment, the side table43can be rotated beyond the usage position. Thus, the second embodiment also has the advantage described below. The operation and advantage described in paragraph (2-4′) corresponds to paragraph (2-4), and the advantages described in paragraphs (2-7) and (2-8) are unique to the second embodiment.

(2-4′) When moving the side table43from the intermediate position to the usage position, the side table43is rotated about the shafts61a. As the side table43rotates, the spring114rotates together with the side table43about the shaft61a. As shown inFIGS.13and15, when the side table43is rotated to the usage position, the projection115ain the elastic deformation portion115of the spring114engages (contacts) the engagement portion117of the retainer65. The engagement restricts rotation of the side table43beyond the usage position. The elastic deformation portion115will remain engaged with the engagement portion117and keep the side table43at the usage position as long as the load applied to the working surface52aof the side table43is small and not enough to move the projection115abeyond the engagement portion117.

This forms an area for performing a simple task. Thus, the vehicle occupant can perform a simple task on the working surface52aof the side table43while sitting on the automobile seat13.

(2-7) When a load applied to the side table43from the working surface52ais large enough to move the projection115aover the engagement portion117, the elastic deformation portion115is deformed elastically as shown inFIGS.14and16. When the elastic deformation portion115deforms elastically in the radial direction of the shaft61a, the projection115ais disengaged from and moved over the engagement portion117. Thus, the engagement portion117will no longer restrict rotation of the spring114. In this case, the side table43can be rotated beyond the usage position. When the projection115amoves over the engagement portion117, the elasticity of the elastic deformation portion115returns it to its original form.

Contact of the side table43with the bottom of at least one of the cutout portions118and119restricts downward rotation of the side table43.

(2-8) When the side table43, which has been rotated beyond the usage position, is rotated in the opposite direction, the actions of the elastic deformation portion115described above are reversed. The elastic deformation portion115is elastically deformed again to permit reversed rotation of the side table43. This allows the side table43to be moved to the usage position or the intermediate position.

In addition to the advantages described above, the second embodiment has the advantage described below.

(4-2) In the second embodiment, the projection115acan be moved over the engagement portion117by applying a load to the side table43that is smaller than the load applied to the side table43in the first embodiment.

Thus, when the applied load is the same as the load applied in the first embodiment, the side table43can be moved downward from the usage position. Such a load will not deform portions of the console box20such as the shaft supports35and a rotation stopper. In other words, members having high strength will avoid deformation of the shaft support35, the rotation stopper, and the like. This allows the cost of the console box20to be reduced.

The above embodiments may be modified as described below. The above embodiments and the modified examples described below may be combined as long as there is no technical contradiction.

The center table91may be fixed to the hinge75. In this case, when the hinge75is located at the closed position, the center table91will be positioned in the opening27of the box body21. Further, the upper surface of the center table91is positioned to be flush with the working surface52aof the side table43at the usage position. This will also allow the working area to be expanded by the center table91.

The armrest95may be fixed to the hinge75.

The center table91can be omitted. In this case, working area can be formed by the side table43.

There may be only one rail. Alternatively, there may be three or more rails.

The retainer65may be omitted.

To form a working area with the console box20, when the side table43is located at the storage position, at least one of the center table91and the armrest95may be moved to the extended position.

The console box of the present disclosure may be applied to a vehicle other than an automobile.