Container securing device

A container securing device includes a housing portion, with a cylindrical shape, the top of which is open, and which is intended to house a beverage container. A flap is positioned within a hole that is formed within a surrounding wall of the housing portion, and is installed so as to be capable of moving either out of the housing portion, or into the housing portion, in response to the container being inserted into, or extracted from, the housing portion. An impelling (biasing) component forces the flap toward the interior direction of the housing unit. The flap is capable of moving to a location that secures the container when the container is fully housed within the housing portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-173903, filed on Jul. 2, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container securing device, including a housing portion with a cylindrical shape, an upper end of which is opened to house a container, such as a beverage container, and a flap, positioned so as to be moveable within a hole that is formed in a cylindrical wall of the housing portion, which secures the beverage container within the housing portion.

2. Description of the Related Art

A container securing device is conventionally known, such as is depicted inFIG. 8A, which includes a housing portion2, wherein a beverage container103is inserted, and a diameter compensation element, i.e., a flap,1, which is capable of a hinged swinging movement, either forward or backward, in a depression portion2bof a surrounding wall2aof the housing portion2, and which secures the beverage container103in the housing portion2by causing a leading end portion1aof the diameter compensation element1to protrude into the housing portion2, a spring (not shown) that impels the diameter compensation element1to swing in a counterclockwise direction, and a ratchet mechanism (not shown) that allows the hinged swinging movement in a clockwise direction of the diameter compensation element1, and checks the hinged swinging movement in the counterclockwise direction thereof, at each of a plurality of prescribed angles, for instance, at 20 degrees, 40 degrees, and 60 degrees; refer, for instance, to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-237452 for particulars.

As an instance with respect to the conventional container securing device, such as is depicted inFIG. 8B, inserting the beverage container103, which has a tapering constriction therein, into the housing portion2by way of an opening at an upper end thereof, a lower portion103dof the beverage container103comes into contact with the leading end portion1aof the diameter compensation element1, resisting an impelling force of the spring element (not shown), and thereby causing the diameter compensation element1to swing in the clockwise direction. Furthermore, when the beverage container103is inserted thereinto, the diameter compensation element1is impelled by the spring, such that a tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103is impressed upon the leading end portion1aof the diameter compensation element1, with a result that the beverage container103is secured within the housing portion2, such as is depicted inFIG. 8C.

When extracting the beverage container103from the housing portion2, however, when the beverage container103is in a state such as is depicted inFIG. 8C, the diameter compensation element1catches upon a widening component103bof the beverage container103, making it difficult to extract the beverage container103from the housing portion2as a consequence thereof. In addition, due to the ratchet mechanism, the diameter compensation element1does not swing in a left hand direction, i.e., in the counterclockwise direction, beyond the prescribed angle. Therefore, forcibly extracting the beverage container103from the housing portion2may result in a breakage of the diameter compensation element1or the ratchet mechanism due to the leading end portion1aof the diameter compensation element1catching upon the widening component103bof the beverage container103.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a container securing device that is capable of a) reliably securing even a container with a tapering constriction component thereof and b) allowing the container to be easily extracted, without being caught upon a widening component thereof.

In order to accomplish the above object, a container securing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing portion with a cylindrical shape, an upper end of which is opened to house a container, and a flap positioned within a hole that is formed in a cylindrical wall of the housing portion so as to be capable of moving either into, or out of, the housing portion in response to an insertion of the container into the housing portion, or an extraction of the container from the housing portion.

When the container is fully housed within the housing portion, the flap is capable of moving to a location that secures the container therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1depicts a container securing device according to the present invention; as an example, according to an embodiment wherein a container securing device according to the present invention is applied to an automobile.

According to the embodiment, a center console1000, of an approximately rectangular shape, and which is positioned in an interior of the automobile (not shown), such as is depicted inFIG. 1, comprises a compartment101, which is a rectangular box that is formed within an approximate center portion of the center console1000, and an armrest102, which is installed in a portion of the center console1000to a rear of the compartment101, at a different elevation therefrom, and which opens and closes on a support of an axle (not shown).

A pair of container securing devices100,100according to the present invention is fitted into an upper opening of the compartment101.

Each respective container securing device100comprises, as an example, a housing portion20, which is shaped as a cylindrical body, and which is open at an upper end thereof, in order to house a container, as an example, a beverage container103(refer toFIGS. 7A to 7C), a panel portion10that is installed in an upper portion of the housing portion20, and a securing mechanism200that is installed in an outer portion of an exterior cylindrical wall21dof the housing Portion20, such as is depicted inFIG. 2.

It would be permissible for each respective component that configures the container securing device100to be formed of essentially any material that does not deform as a result of an effect of a heat that would be transmitted thereto from the beverage container103. It would be desirable to use a material that does not suffer heat shrinkage.

The panel portion10comprises the two housing portions20,20, a flange11(partially not shown) that is formed as a single unit with the upper end of the two housing portions20,20(only one thereof shown), and a rib12, which extends in a downward direction from four edge portions11aof the flange11.

The flange11is formed in a shape that is nearly identical to the shape of the upper opening of the compartment101of the center console1000, such as is depicted inFIG. 1. Fitting the container securing devices100,100into the compartment101brings the rib12of the flange11into contact with an interior wall101a(refer toFIG. 1) of the compartment101.

A hole21ais formed in each respective housing portion20, in an immediate vicinity of an upper opening21bthereof, and which protrudes into in the cylindrical external wall21dthereof, such as is depicted inFIG. 2andFIG. 3.

With respect to an interior surface of the housing portion20, an inner diameter thereof inclines gradually from an upper opening end21cof the housing portion20, narrowing toward a base wall21ethereof, such as is depicted inFIG. 2B. An under surface21fof the base wall21eof each respective housing portion20comes into contact with a base wall of the compartment101, and the container securing device100is supported within the compartment101(not shown).

The securing mechanism200comprises a guide portion30, which extends outwardly from the cylindrical wall21dtoward an exterior thereof, in a radial direction, a flap40, which is placed within the guide portion30so as to be movable, i.e., in a left to right direction inFIG. 2B, a pin70, which is placed in a center shoe portion31Af,31Bf, (seeFIG. 4A) of the guide portion30, and an impelling (urging) component60, which impels (urges) the flap40into an interior portion of the housing portion20. The impelling component thereof is formed from a coiled spring, as an example thereof.

The guide portion30comprises a pair of side panels31A,31B, which are formed in an approximate “E” shape, with a relative mutual facing thereof, and a substrate32, which mutually links the side panels31A,31B, via a lower portion thereof, such as is depicted inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B. Each respective side panel31A,31B comprises an upper shoe portion31Ae,31Be, the center shoe portion31Af,31Bf, which is formed in an approximately semicircular arc shape, a lower shoe portion31Ag,31Bg, and a linking portion31Al,31Bl, which links the respective shoe portions thereof. A crevice31Ac,31Ad,31Bc,31Bd is respectively formed between each respective upper shoe portion and each respective central shoe portion, and between each respective central shoe portion and each respective lower shoe portion. In addition, the side panels31A,31B connect to the exterior surface of the cylindrical wall21d, in a location that constricts the hole21aof the cylindrical wall21d.

A separation distance between the side panels31A,31B is set so as to be approximately identical with a width dimension of the hole21a. In addition, an upper surface31Aa,31Ba, of the side panels31A,31B is in a location that is higher than an upper edge of the hole21a, and a lower surface31Am,31Bm, of the side panels31A,31B is in a location that is lower than a lower edge of the hole21a.

In addition, the width dimension of the hole21ais set so as to be approximately identical with a width dimension of the flap40, and a height dimension of the hole21ais set so as to be larger than the width dimension of the flap40.

An axle hole31Afa,31Bfa is formed within each respective center shoe portion31Af,31Bf, such as is depicted inFIG. 4A, and the pin70passes through the axle holes31Afa,31Bfa, as is depicted inFIG. 4B. In addition, a height dimension of the crevices31Ac,31Bc, and of the crevices31Ad,31Bd, is respectively set to be a degree larger than a diameter of a first axle41and a second axle42of the flap40(to be described hereinafter).

The flap40comprises a pair of panels51,52, which are mutually spaced apart, and which exhibit a “C” shape when viewed from the side, the first axle41and the second axle42, which penetrate an upper protrusion portion51a,52a, and a lower protrusion portion51b,52b, of the panels51,52, and a linking portion53, which links a leading end portion of the panel51and a leading end portion of the panel52, as is depicted inFIG. 9throughFIG. 11. A circular arc portion of a right hand side of the flap40constitutes a leading end40a, as depicted inFIG. 11.

A length of the first axle41and the second axle42is set to be approximately identical to a width W32of the guide portion30(refer toFIG. 12).

In addition, the flap40enters into a space between the hole21aof the housing portion20, and the side panels31A,31B of the guide portion30, and the leading end40aof the flap40protrudes into the interior portion of the housing portion20, such as is depicted inFIG. 3.

The first axle41enters into the crevices31Ac,31Bc of the guide portion30, is capable of movement in line with the crevices31Ac,31Bc thereof, and is supported by an upper surface of the center shoe portion31Af,31Bf, such as is depicted inFIG. 4B. In addition, the second axle42also enters into the crevices31Ad,31Bd of the guide portion30, is capable of movement in line with the crevices31Ad,31Bd thereof and is supported by an upper surface of the lower shoe portion31Ag,31Bg, in a manner similar to that of the first axle41. It is thus possible for the flap40to swing in a hinged manner, around the first axle41or the second axle42.

In addition, the flap40is guided in a forward and reverse direction with respect to the housing portion20by the side panels31A,31B of the guide portion30, as is depicted inFIG. 3, and the leading end40aof the flap40protrudes into the interior portion of the housing portion20, wherein the leading end40athereof makes contact with a side surface103of the beverage container103, as is depicted inFIGS. 7A to 7C.

The coiled spring60is configured from a pair of arm portions in a straight line shape60a,60b, and a main spring body in a spiral shape60c. The coiled spring main body60cis attached to the pin70, and the pair of arm portions60a,60b, of the coiled spring60extend from the coiled spring main body60cin an approximately straight line shape, i.e., in an upper and a lower direction inFIG. 5, come into contact with the first axle41and the second axle42, and impel the first axle41and the second axle42toward the housing portion20, i.e., toward a left hand side thereof inFIG. 5.

Following is a description of an operation of the container securing device100, according to the description herein.

Housing and Securing a Beverage Container

When the beverage container103is not housed, the flap40is impelled (urged) by an impelling (urging) force of the coiled spring60into the interior of the housing portion20, and the leading end40aof the flap40protrudes into the interior space of the housing portion20, such as is depicted inFIG. 6A.

When the beverage container103is inserted via the upper opening21bof the housing portion20, the widening component103bof a surface103aof the beverage container103comes into contact with the leading end40aof the flap40, and applies force to the flap40in a direction that is denoted by an arrow S1, such as is depicted inFIG. 6BandFIG. 7A. As a consequence, the flap40swings, i.e., moves or rotates, in a counterclockwise direction revolving around the first axle41, against the urging or moving force of the coiled spring60, and is propelled into the hole21aof the cylindrical wall21dof the housing portion20.

Given that the flap40is being constantly urged toward the center of the housing portion20by the coiled spring60, further inserting the beverage container103into the housing portion20causes the leading end40aof the flap40to make a rubbing contact upon the tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103. In such a circumstance, the flap40, being urged toward the center of the housing portion20by the coiled spring60, swings, i.e., moves, in a clockwise direction revolving around the second axle42, while also being propelled toward the interior of the housing portion20(refer toFIG. 7B). As a consequence thereof, the leading end40aof the flap40comes into contact with the tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103, without catching upon the widening component103bof the beverage container103, and it is possible to secure the beverage container103thereby. As a consequence thereof, it is possible to reliably fix the beverage container103within the housing portion20.

Extraction of the Beverage Container

Lifting the beverage container103from the housing portion20when extracting the beverage container103causes the leading end40aof the flap40, which is in contact with the tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103, to be urged in an upward direction S2, and to make a rubbing contact in the direction of the widening component103bthereof. The rubbing contact thereof causes the flap40to swing, i.e., to move or rotate, in the counterclockwise direction revolving around the second axle42, resisting the urging force of the coiled spring60, and the leading end40aof the flap40is thereby moved into the hole21aof the housing portion20.

Given that the flap40is being constantly urged toward the housing portion20by the coiled spring60, further lifting the beverage container103causes the leading end40aof the flap40to move beyond the widening component103bof the beverage container103, and to make a rubbing contact in the direction of a lower portion103dthereof. In such a circumstance, the flap40swings in the counterclockwise direction revolving around the second axle42, and is also propelled toward the interior of the housing portion20, thereby returning to an initial state wherein the beverage container103is not housed.

In addition, it is possible for the flap40to move smoothly, because the center shoe portion31Af,31Bf is formed in the approximate semicircular arc shape, as is depicted inFIG. 4B.

Given that the flap40moves when the beverage container103is extracted, as is depicted inFIGS. 7A to 7C, it is possible to smoothly extract the beverage container103, without the flap40catching upon the tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103. As a consequence thereof, no risk exists that the flap40will be damaged thereby.

Given that the flap40moves in accordance with a shape of the tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103when the beverage container103is extracted in the manner described herein, it is possible to reliably secure the tapering constriction component103cof the beverage container103without catching the flap40upon the widening component103bof the beverage container103, and to reliably fix the beverage container103within the housing Portion20thereby.

Given that a typical device that secures a beverage container is installed so as to be capable of swinging within the inner wall of the housing portion that houses the beverage container, or within a location that corresponds to the inner wall of the housing portion that houses the beverage container, the securing mechanism thereof is exposed in its entirety in many instances, and the swinging motion of the securing mechanism may be inhibited as a beverage fluid adheres to, and degrades a swinging hinge base portion of the securing mechanism. In addition, the fact that such a securing mechanism is typically exposed is not considered particularly suitable from a standpoint of vehicle compartment design. The present invention resolves such problems as in the foregoing, in addition to the problems described herein.

It is possible to extract a beverage container by way of the container securing device according to the present invention without causing the flap to catch upon a side surface widening component of the beverage container.

As an example thereof, given that the flap moves in accordance with a shape of the widening component of the beverage container when the beverage container is extracted, it is possible to smoothly extract the beverage container, without the flap catching upon the widening component of the beverage container.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments.