Locking device

A locking device includes a lever turnably provided relative to a lid member, and switched from an initial state to an operating state against an urging force or self-weight; a lock rod sliding in association with turning of the lever; and a braking device. The locking device locks the lid member in a main member side through the lock rod, and switches the lid member to be unlocked by turning of the lever. The braking device is a rotation damper including a braking shaft with a gear, and placed to approximately conform to a turning center of the lever relative to the lever to damp the lever and the lock rod. The rotation damper includes an operation gear disposed to engage the gear of the rotation damper, associate the gear with sliding of the lock rod, and rotate the gear in a direction opposite to the turning of the lever.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to a locking device engaging/disengaging a lid member with/from a main member side, and especially, in a case wherein a lever for a turning operation is switched from an initial state to an operating state against an urging force or self-weight, the locking device improves a feeling of a lever operation or suppresses generation of a hitting sound.

BACKGROUND ART

FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b)show a locking device disclosed in Patent Document 1, whereinFIG. 10(a)is a whole perspective view; andFIG. 10(b)is a side view of a handle, a fixation member, and a damper. In the drawings, the locking device comprises a handle (corresponding to the lever of the present invention)20turnably provided relative to the lid member opening and closing an opening portion on the main member side through a fixation member30, and switched from the initial state to the operating state against the urging force; a connection member (not shown in the drawings, and corresponding to a lock rod of the present invention) forming a lock mechanism50, and operating by the turning operation of the lever20; and a damper which is a braking device. The lock mechanism locks the lid member on the main member side through the connection member, and switches the lid member to be unlocked by turning the handle20. Specifically, when the handle20is pulled in an arrow direction, the turning operation of the handle20unlocks the lock mechanism through the connection member so as to open the lid member by the self-weight and the like.

At that time, when an operator releases one's hand from the handle20, the handle returns to an original position by the urging force; however, if the handle strongly returns to the original position, the handle generates the hitting sound, so that the damper suppresses the hitting sound. Namely, the damper includes a first member28including a housing34, a rotor42, and a rotor turning shaft49, and provided on a handle20side; and a second member43provided in the rotor42, and connected to a fixation member30side. Also, on one of both members28and43, there is provided a slit25, and on the other of both members28and43, there is provided a protruding portion44loosely fitted into the slit25. The first member28and the second member43form a link mechanism, and when the second member43on a rotor side associates with the first member28, the protruding portion44moves inside the slit25.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the aforementioned locking device, is described that the link mechanism using the slit is provided so as to provide smooth operation feeling compared to a link mechanism using a gear (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. H01-148467). However, in this structure, the housing, the rotor, and the rotor turning shaft, which are essential portions of the damper, are connected to a fixation member side, and a movement of the lid member is damped through the link mechanism by the slit and the protruding portion, so that if a braking force is attempted to be affected in a wider range, whole lengths of the slit or both members have to be long so as to sacrifice a reduction of size. Also, in this structure, it is only limited for the braking force to damp the lid member, and it is not effective to damp or vary the movement of the connection member and the like forming the lock mechanism.

An object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, and easily damp a movement of the lock rod as well in addition to a suppression of the hitting sound of the returning lever by the braking force stable and effective within a wide range. Other objects of the present invention will be clarified in the following explanation of contents.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to obtain the aforementioned objects, the present invention is a locking device comprising a lever turnably provided relative to a lid member opening and closing an opening portion on a main member side, and switched from an initial state (this is a state wherein the lever is not turned) to an operating state (this is a state wherein the lever is turned) against an urging force or self-weight; a lock rod sliding in association with turning of the lever; and a braking device. The lid member is locked in a main member side through the lock rod, and is switched to be unlocked by the turning of the lever. The braking device is a rotation damper including a braking shaft with a gear, and placed in such a way as to approximately conform to the turning center of the lever relative to the lever to damp the lever and the lock rod, and the braking device includes an operation gear disposed in a state engaging the gear of the rotation damper, associating the gear with sliding of the lock rod, and rotating in a direction opposite to the turning of the lever.

In the aforementioned present invention, it is more preferable to be embodied with the following preferred aspects.

(1) A structure includes a slide member sliding in association with the turning of the lever by a pressing portion provided in the lever; and an inclined face associating the lock rod to be slidable, and a rack turning the operation gear, respectively provided in the slide member. In the aspect, there are formed the inclined face associating the lock rod to be slidable, and the rack turning the operation gear, and there is included the slide member sliding in association with the turning of the lever by the pressing portion on a lever side, so that a force accompanied by the turning of the lever can be operated to the lock rod and the operation gear by a single member, i.e. only the slide member.

(2) The operation gear has a damper teeth portion engaging the gear of the rotation damper with a larger diameter compared to a rack teeth portion engaging the rack of the slide member. In the aspect, compared to the rack teeth portion engaging the rack of the slide member, the operation gear has a diameter larger than that of the damper teeth portion engaging the gear on a rotation damper side so as to increase a rotation number of the gear on the rotation damper side to obtain a large stable braking force.

(3) A structure includes one more lock rod slidably disposed with the aforementioned lock rod to associate with the operation gear, and switches between a locking position where both lock rods are separated from each other to keep the lid member in a closed state, and a release position where both lock rods are approached to each other. In the aspect, there is included one more lock rod slidably disposed with the lock rod to associate with the operation gear, so that it becomes preferable for a pair of lock type switching between the locking position where both lock rods are separated from each other to keep the lid member in the closed state, and the release position where both lock rods are approached to each other.

(4) The operation gear is a structure including a lock rod teeth portion engaging the rack provided in the one more lock rod. As for the aspect, in a fourth aspect, there is included the lock rod teeth portion wherein the operation gear engages the rack provided in the one more lock rod, so that the facing lock rod can be easily formed to be associated as well.

Effect of the Invention

The present invention has a structure of using the rotation damper including the braking shaft with the gear, and placing the rotation damper in such a way as to approximately conform to the rotation center of the lever relative to the lever, and a structure comprising the operation gear disposed in the state engaging the gear of the rotation damper, associating the gear with the sliding of the lock rod, and rotating the gear in the direction opposite to the turning of the lever, so that the operation gear is engaged with the gear on the rotation damper side. Accordingly, compared to the Patent Document 1, a braking range can be widely set, and a returning speed of the lever is damped, and at the same time, the sliding of the lock rod is damped so as to reduce and absorb a hitting sound accompanied by the returning lever or a sliding halt.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. In the explanation, after a structural example of a locking device is clarified, main operations will be described.

(Structural Example) As shown inFIG. 1(a)toFIG. 9(c)as an example, the subject locking device comprises a base1attached to a lid member (not shown in the figures); a lever2turnably provided in the base1, and switched from an initial state to an operating state against an urging force (technically, it may be self-weight); lock rods6and7sliding in association with the turning of the lever2; and a rotation damper5as a braking device. The locking device is a type of locking the lid member on a main member side through the lock rods6and7, and switching to unlock by the turning of the lever2.

Here, regarding the base1, the base1may be provided integrally with the adopted lid member so as to be omitted from essential components of the locking device according to the present invention. Also, regarding the lock rods6and7, one lock rod can be omitted to form a single lock rod, so that in the essential components of the locking device according to the present invention, the lock rods6and7are simply specified as the lock rod.

Namely, as for a device structure, the following structures can be selected: as shown inFIG. 1(a)toFIG. 4(b), andFIG. 7(a)toFIG. 9(c), a structure which can switch between a locking position wherein a pair of lock rods6and7is separated from each other to keep the lid member in a closed state, and a release position wherein the pair of lock rods6and7approaches each other to release the aforementioned locking; and a structure which can switch the locking position wherein the lock rod7in the lock rods6and7is omitted as shown inFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), or the lock rod6is omitted as shown inFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). Basically, the single lock rod protrudes to keep the lid member in the closed state, and the release position wherein the single lock rod retracts to an original position to release the aforementioned locking.

Main essential portions are that: there are included the lever2turnably pivoted on the base1or the lid member, and a slide member4sliding in association with the turning of the lever2; there is included a braking shaft52with a gear53as the rotation damper5, and the braking shaft52is placed so as to approximately conform to the turning center of the lever relative to the lever2, and damp the lever2and the lock rod6or7; and there is included an operation gear3disposed in a state engaged with the gear53of the rotation damper, associating the gear53with sliding of the lock rods6and7, and rotating the gear53in a direction opposite to the turning of the lever2. Next, details of the aforementioned portions will be clarified.

First, as shown inFIGS. 1(a) and 1(b),FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), and the like, the base1integrally includes a support plate10provided in a horizontal state, and retaining the operation gear3and the like; a side plate11provided on one side of the support plate10; a lower frame portion13provided on a lower side of the support plate10; guide portions14and15slidingly housing and retaining backward portions of the lock rods6and7; upper and lower pivot pieces16and17(seeFIG. 2(b)) pivoting the lever2; a vertical plate18slidingly supporting the slide member4between the vertical plate18and the side plate11; and a placement cylindrical portion19for a lock or a cylinder provided on a side opposite to the side plate11. Incidentally, inFIGS. 1(a) and 1(b),FIGS. 4(a)and4(b), andFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the base1is shown with imaginary lines as well for the sake of explanation.

The support plate10forms a circular hole portion10a, and a convex portion10b(seeFIG. 4(a)) at a back of the hole portion10a, and the operation gear3is inserted relative to the hole portion10ato be placed in a state wherein an upper side portion thereof higher than a lower frame portion13side is retained. The convex portion10bcan guide the lock rod6as described later. In the side plate11, there is provided a horizontal groove12having a C-shaped cross section, and there is provided a rail12ahaving a convex-shaped cross section along a groove bottom face of the horizontal groove12(seeFIG. 1(a)).

In the lower frame portion13, there are provided a locking groove13afor a spring member9directly below the side plate11; and a control projection13ccontrolling a rotation angle of the operation gear3as shown inFIG. 7(c). The guide portion14has an approximately rectangular cylindrical shape, protruding sideways more than a lower side of the side plate11, and allows a back side of the lock rod6to slide along the support plate10from an opening penetrating the side plate11. The guide portion15has an approximately rectangular cylindrical shape, is provided on the placement cylindrical portion19, and includes an extension portion15apenetrating up and down between the extension portion15aand an upper portion11aof the side plate, and divided by both side plates.

As shown inFIG. 2(b), the upper and lower pivot pieces16and17protrude approximately in parallel at a front side (a side where the lever2is disposed) of the guide portion15and the extension portion15a, and include shaft holes provided on the same shaft line to insert a shaft S to pass through. As shown inFIG. 5(a), in the vertical plate18, there is provided a horizontal groove18afacing the horizontal groove12. The horizontal groove18ais narrower than a groove width of the horizontal groove12. As shown inFIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), in the placement cylindrical portion19, there is provided a cylinder lock29turnably only for a predetermined angle at a back end side.

Namely, as shown inFIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), andFIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the cylinder lock29includes an abutment portion29a(seeFIG. 6(c)) protruding from a periphery of a main member having an approximately circular plate shape placed on an outer end face of the placement cylindrical portion19, and bending a tip thereof; a control claw29b(seeFIG. 4(a)) provided in the periphery of the main member, and controlling a turning range; and a retaining portion29c(seeFIGS. 7(a) and 7(b)) inserted into a cylindrical portion to be capable of being retained from an attachment hole provided on the outer end face of the placement cylindrical portion19.

Then, in the cylinder lock29, when the control claw29bis turned for approximately 90 degrees until the control claw29babuts against a stopper plate portion10cextending to a placement cylindrical portion19side from the support plate10as shown by imaginary lines inFIG. 6(b)by a key operation of a lock or a cylinder55(seeFIG. 7(b)) disposed in the placement cylindrical portion19, the abutment portion29acan abut against a corresponding portion of the lock rod7, thereby projecting each lock rod6,7to keep in a lock state locked in engagement holes on the main member side.

Incidentally, in the placement cylindrical portion19, as shown inFIG. 1(a), there are provided a locking hole19aused when the cylinder55is placed, and the like. Also, in the aforementioned cylinder rod29, for example, if it is formed by only the lock rod6inFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)of both lock rods, the cylinder lock29is turned to a side opposite to the aforementioned side, and the abutment portion29acan abut against a corresponding portion of the lock rod6, thereby keeping the lock rod6in the lock state.

Next, the lever2will be described in detail. As shown inFIGS. 2(a) to 2(c),FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), and the like, the lever2is formed by a main member20which is a core material; and a cover25covering a front face side of the main member20, and forming a design surface. The main member20includes a pressing piece21pushing the slide member4; a connection portion22having a bottomed cylindrical shape pivoting on the upper and lower pivot pieces16and17through the shaft S; a claw portion22bprovided in a periphery of the connection portion22; an attachment portion23forming an inverted concave portion disposing the rotation damper5; and a through-hole24communicated with the placement cylindrical portion19. Incidentally, in a cylinder bottom portion of the connection portion22, there is provided a hole for a shaft.

The cover25includes a through-hole26provided in an approximately center portion, and superimposed on the through-hole24; as shown inFIG. 2(a)andFIG. 3(a), a partition wall27provided on an inner face side; a projection27aprovided on the partition wall27; a side portion28on one end side; and an engagement hole28aprovided on the side portion28. Then, the cover25is disposed relative to the main member20such that the main member20is sandwiched between the partition-wall-side projection27aand the side portion28, and placed in a state wherein the engagement hole28ais engaged with the claw portion22b.

Also, in the lever2integrated as mentioned above, the rotation damper5is attached to the attachment portion23on the main member side. The rotation damper5is formed by a well-known rotary-type oil damper and the like, and includes a main member50with attachment portions51; the braking shaft52which is an output shaft receiving a resistance of an operating oil inside the main member50; and the gear53placed in the braking shaft. Then, in the rotation damper5, the main member50is disposed in the inverted concave portion of the attachment portion23relative to the attachment portion23, and each attachment portion51is fixed by a screw and the like.

The lever2is turnably assembled relative to the base1in a state wherein the rotation damper5is placed through the shaft S and an urging member8. Namely, in the lever2, after the urging member8is disposed inside a cylinder of the connection portion22, in a state wherein the connection portion22is disposed between the upper pivot piece16and the lower pivot piece17of the base, the shaft S penetrates the later-described winding portion8cfrom the hole of the upper pivot piece16, and furthermore, the shaft S is inserted into the hole of the lower pivot piece17so as to turnably assemble the lever2to the base1. In the urging member8, one end (not shown in the figures) is locked inside the cylinder of the connection portion22; the middle winding portion8cis disposed inside the cylinder of the connection portion22; and the other end8bis locked in an upper pivot piece16side. Thereby, the lever2is turned in a direction of approaching a base1side by an urging force of the urging member8to be kept in the initial state. Also, the lever2is turned in a direction of separating from the base1against the urging force to be switched to the operating state.

However, the aforementioned assembly is carried out after the later-described operation gear3and slide member4are disposed relative to the base1. The operation gear3can be disposed even after the lever2is assembled to the base1.

As shown inFIGS. 2(b) and 2(c), andFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the operation gear3comprises a cylindrical trunk portion30inserted into the hole portion10aof the support plate; an upper portion31integrated with an upper end of the trunk portion30, and forming a teeth portion32around a head having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the trunk portion; a lower flange portion33provided on a lower periphery of the trunk portion; a shaft portion37having a small cylindrical shape protruded on an inner bottom face of the trunk portion; and a vertical rib39provided on an inner periphery face of the small cylindrical shape.

Also, the trunk portion30includes a teeth portion34provided on a side different from the teeth portion32; and a locking piece38provided in the trunk portion30to be elastically swayable through a slit, and sandwiching the support plate10between the locking piece38and the lower flange portion33. The lower flange portion33integrally includes a fan-shaped portion forming a teeth portion35on an outer periphery thereof.

In the aforementioned operation gear3, the trunk portion30and the upper portion31are inserted into the hole portion10aaccompanied by a diameter reduction of the locking piece38relative to the support plate10, and at the same time as the locking piece38passes through, the locking piece38returns to an original state so as to be retained and incorporated. Also, in the operation gear3, an end face of the fan-shaped portion is turned in a clockwise direction until the end face of the fan-shaped portion abuts against the control projection13cof the lower frame portion13by an urging force of the spring member9disposed inside a cylinder of the trunk portion30. Also, in the operation gear3, the aforementioned teeth portion35is engaged with the gear53of the rotation damper, so that the operation gear3is damped by the rotation damper5to be gently turned. Incidentally, in the spring member9, one end9ais locked in the vertical rib39inside the cylinder of the connection portion22; a middle winding portion9cis disposed in a state penetrated by a periphery of the shaft portion37; and the other end9bis locked in the locking groove13aof the lower frame portion.

On the other hand, as shown inFIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), andFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the slide member4includes an approximately rectangular flat plate portion40; an inclined groove42formed by a standing wall41protruded on the flat plate portion40; a shaft portion43protruded in a front of the flat plate portion40, i.e. on the side where the lever2is disposed, and in a position close to the inclined groove42; one side portion44of the flat plate portion40slidingly fitted in the horizontal groove18a; and the other side portion45of the flat plate portion40slidingly fitted in the horizontal groove12.

The inclined groove42is inclined in a direction of separating from the side plate11from a position near the side plate11as extending toward a back from in a front side. The shaft portion43is protruded in such a way as to approximately conform to a face on the front side of the flat plate portion40, and pushed by the pressing piece21by the turning of the lever2so as to allow the slide member4to slide. In both side portions44and45, upper faces thereof are formed in an approximately semi-cylindrical shape so as to easily slide. Also, the side portion45has a lower face thickened for one step, and forms a fitting groove46having an inverted concave shape in a cross section slidingly fitting into the aforementioned rail12a. Also, the side portion45forms a latch47engaging the teeth portion32on an inside face which is one-step thickened as mentioned above.

The aforementioned slide member4is incorporated into the base1in a state wherein both side portions44and45are fitted into the corresponding horizontal grooves18aand12. In that case, preferably, in a state wherein the slide member4is positioned relative to the base1, the operation gear3is incorporated in the aforementioned manner.

As shown inFIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), andFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the lock rod6has a rectangular shape in a cross section wherein a main member60corresponds to the guide portion14on a base side, and protrudes a tip6ahaving a round bar shape on one end face. In the main member60, an upper face thereof is formed in a concave shape in a cross section, and the main member60includes a retaining claw6cprovided slightly in the front of a back end6b. In the retaining claw6c, one portion thereof protrudes from the upper face of the main member, and the retaining claw6celastically reduces a diameter thereof in a process of inserting the main member60into a cylinder of the guide portion14, and at the same time as the retaining claw6cpasses through, the retaining claw6creturns to an original state so as to prevent the lock rod6from being unexpectedly detached from the guide portion14.

Also, in the main member60, a lower face thereof is formed in an inverted concave portion6ein a cross section as well, and when the main member60is inserted into the guide portion14to be moved onto the support plate10, the main member60slidingly fits into the convex portion10b. The main member60includes a rack6dlocated on an inner side face and provided in the back end6bfurther than an approximately middle in a length direction of the main member. The rack6dengages the teeth portion34of the operation gear3. Thereby, in the structure, the slide member4and the operation gear3are associated with the turning of the lever2, and a movement of the lock rod6is associated as well.

As shown inFIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), andFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), in the lock rod7, a main member70is substantially longer than the main member60, and is formed to bend in a middle in a longitudinal direction. Also, the lock rod7has a rectangular shape in a cross section corresponding to the guide portion15on the base side, and protrudes a tip7ahaving a round bar shape on one end face. In the main member70, an upper face on a back end7bside is formed in a concave shape in a cross section, and the main member70includes a retaining claw7cprovided inside the concave shape. In the retaining claw7c, one portion thereof protrudes from the upper face of the main member, and the retaining claw7celastically reduces a diameter thereof in a process of inserting a back side portion of the main member70into a cylinder of the guide portion15, and at the same time as the retaining claw7cpasses through, the retaining claw7creturns to an original state so as to prevent the lock rod7from being unexpectedly detached from the guide portion15.

Also, the main member70includes a shaft portion7dprotruded on a lower face of the back end7b. The shaft portion7dslidingly fits into the inclined groove42on a slide member side. Consequently, in the structure, when the slide member4slides backward by the pressing piece21by the turning of the lever2, the lock rod7moves in association with the aforementioned sliding in a retraction direction wherein the lock rod7reduces a projecting amount by a position of the inclined groove42relative to the shaft portion7d.

(Operation) Hereinafter, main operation characteristics of the locking device formed as mentioned above will be described.

(1)FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)are a structural example corresponding to the lock and unlock states with the single lock rod6.FIG. 4(a)shows the locking position of the lock rod6, i.e. the lock state wherein the tip6ais engaged with the engagement hole provided on the main member side. The lock state thereof is the initial state wherein the lever2is approximately in parallel to the base1in a state of abutting the pressing piece21against a just-in-front-side end face of the flat plate portion40and the shaft portion43. In the initial state, as shown inFIG. 2(b), the operation gear3is operated to be connected to the slide member4by an engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47, and operated to be connected to the rotation damper5by an engagement between the teeth portion35and the gear53. Simultaneously, the lock rod6is operated to be connected to the operation gear3by an engagement between the rack6dand the teeth portion34to protrude to the maximum, i.e. move to a lock position.

(2)FIG. 4(b)shows the operating state wherein the lever2is turned in a direction of an arrow1against the urging force of the urging member8as a supporting point of the shaft S, i.e. an unlock direction separating from the base1. In the operating state, the pressing piece21on a lever side slides the slide member4in a direction of an arrow2, and in association with that, as shown inFIG. 4(b), the operation gear3turns in a clockwise direction of an arrow3by the engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47. In the turning of the operation gear3, urging forces are accumulated in the spring member9, and the operation gear3receives a braking force of the rotation damper5by the engagement between the teeth portion53and the gear53so as to gently turn. Then, the lock rod6moves in a retraction direction of an arrow4, i.e. the unlock direction in association with the turning of the operation gear3by the engagement between the teeth portion34and the rack6d.

(3) When the pressing relative to the lever2is released from the operating state inFIG. 4(b), i.e. one's hand is released from the lever2, the lever2is turned in a direction opposite to the arrow1, i.e. a direction of the initial state by the urging force of the urging member8as the supporting point of the shaft S. Then, the operation gear3is turned in a counterclockwise direction, which is a direction opposite to the arrow3, by the engagement between the gear53of the rotation damper5and the teeth portion35. In the turning of the operation gear3, the slide member4slides in a direction opposite to the arrow2by the engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47, and at the same time, the lock rod6moves in a direction opposite to the arrow4, i.e. a lock direction by the engagement between the teeth portion34and the rack6d. At that time, the operation gear3receives the braking force of the rotation damper5by the engagement between the teeth portion35and the gear53to gently turn, so that the lever2, the lock rod6, and the slide member4forming a lock mechanism gently move as well to switch from the operating state to the initial state. As a result, a hitting sound of the returning lever2, and hitting sounds generated accompanied by a sliding halt of the slide member4or the lock rod6can be absorbed to be reduced so as to improve usability or provide a high-quality feeling.

(4)FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)show lock and unlock states with the single lock rod7. Namely,FIG. 5(a)shows the locking position of the lock rod7, i.e. the lock state wherein the tip7a(not shown in the figures) is engaged with the engagement hole provided on the main member side. The lock state thereof is the initial state wherein the lever2is approximately in parallel to the base1with the state of abutting the pressing piece21against the just-in-front-side end face of the flat plate portion40and the shaft portion43of the slide member4, and the lock rod7protrudes to the maximum, i.e. located in the lock position.FIG. 5(b)shows the operating state wherein the lever2is turned in the direction of the arrow1against the urging force of the urging member8as the supporting point of the shaft S, i.e. the unlock direction separating from the base1. In the operating state, the pressing piece21on the lever side pushes the slide member4, and when the slide member4slides backward by the pressing piece21, as mentioned above, the lock rod7moves in association with the aforementioned sliding in the retraction direction of the arrow3, i.e. the unlock direction by the position of the inclined groove42relative to the shaft portion7d.

Also, when the pressing relative to the lever2from the operating state inFIG. 5(b)is released, i.e. one's hand is released from the lever2, the lever2is turned in the direction opposite to the arrow1, i.e. the direction of the initial state by the urging force of the urging member8as the supporting point of the shaft S. Then, in this structure, the operation gear3turns in the clockwise direction by the engagement between the gear53and the teeth portion35, and the urging force of the spring member9. At the same time, the slide member4slides in the direction opposite to the arrow2by the engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47. In association with the aforementioned sliding of the slide member4, the lock rod7moves in the direction opposite to the arrow3, i.e. the lock direction by the position of the inclined groove42relative to the shaft portion7d. As a result, even in this case, the gear53of the rotation damper5is engaged with the teeth portion35of the operation gear3, so that the hitting sound of the returning lever2, and a hitting sound generated accompanied by a sliding halt of the slide member4or the lock rod7can be absorbed to be reduced so as to improve the usability or provide the high-quality feeling.

(5)FIGS. 6(a) to 9(c)show an operation when both lock rods6and7are switched between the locking position wherein both lock rods6and7are separated from each other to keep the lid member in the closed state, and the release position wherein both lock rods6and7approach each other. This operation is the same as that in the case wherein the aforementioned structures inFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), andFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)are combined.

(6) Namely,FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), andFIGS. 7(a) to 7(c)show the locking position of the lock rods6and7, i.e. the lock state wherein the tips6aand7aare engaged with the two engagement holes provided on the main member side. The lock state thereof is the initial state wherein the lever2is approximately in parallel to the base1in the state of abutting the pressing piece21against the just-in-front-side end face of the flat plate portion40and the shaft portion43of the slide member4. In the initial state, as shown inFIG. 7(a), the operation gear3is operated to be connected to the slide member4by the engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47, and as shown inFIG. 7(c), operated to be connected to the rotation damper5by the engagement between the teeth portion35and the gear53. Simultaneously, as shown inFIG. 7(b), the lock rod6is operated to be connected to the operation gear3by the engagement between the rack6dand the teeth portion34to be protruded to the maximum, i.e. moved to the lock position. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 6(c), the lock rod7is protruded to the maximum, i.e. moved to the lock position by the position of the inclined groove42relative to the shaft portion7d.

(7)FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c), andFIGS. 9(a) to 9(c)show the operating state wherein the lever2is turned in the direction of the arrow1inFIG. 8(a), i.e. the unlock direction separating from the base1against the urging force of the urging member8as the supporting point of the shaft S. In the operating state, the pressing piece21on the lever side slides the slide member4in a back direction, and in association with that, as shown inFIG. 9(a), the operation gear3turns in the clockwise direction by the engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47. In the turning of the operation gear3, the urging forces are accumulated in the spring member9, and the operation gear3receives the braking force of the rotation damper5by the engagement between the teeth portion35and the gear53so as to gently turn. Then, in association with the turning of the operation gear3, the lock rod6moves in the retraction direction from the lock position, i.e. the unlock direction by the engagement between the teeth portion34and the rack6d. On the other hand, in association with the aforementioned sliding in the back direction of the slide member4, the lock rod7moves in the retraction direction from the lock position, i.e. the unlock direction by the position of the inclined groove42relative to the shaft portion7d.

(8) When the pressing relative to the lever2is released from the operating state inFIGS. 8(a) to 8(c)andFIGS. 9(a) to 9(c), i.e. one's hand is released from the lever2, the lever2is turned in the direction of the initial state by the urging force of the urging member8as the supporting point of the shaft S. Then, the operation gear3is turned in the clockwise direction by the engagement between the gear53of the rotation damper5and the teeth portion35. In the turning of the operation gear3, the slide member4slides forward by the engagement between the teeth portion32and the rack47, and at the same time, the lock rod6protrudes again, i.e. moves in the lock direction by the engagement between the teeth portion34and the rack6d. On the other hand, in association with the aforementioned forward sliding of the slide member4, the lock rod7protrudes again, i.e. moves in the lock direction by the position of the inclined groove42relative to the shaft portion7d. At that time, the operation gear3receives the braking force of the rotation damper5by the engagement between the teeth portion35and the gear53so as to gently turn, so that the lever2, the lock rods6and7, and the slide member4forming the lock mechanism gently move as well so as to be switched from the operating state to the initial state. As a result, the hitting sound of the returning lever2, and the hitting sounds generated accompanied by the sliding halt of the slide member4or the lock rods6and7can be absorbed to be reduced so as to improve the usability or provide the high-quality feeling even in the case of the structure of the pair of lock rods6and7.

Incidentally, in the locking device of the present invention, the details can be modified or expanded by reference to the aforementioned explanation provided that they comprise the structures specified in the main claims. As for one example, in the aforementioned embodiment, it is assumed that each member such as the lever or the like is assembled to the dedicated base1to fix the base1to a lid member side (not shown in the figures); however, a portion corresponding to the base1can be integrally formed in the lid member. Also, the aforementioned embodiment has the structure including the pair of lock rods6and7; however, referring toFIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), orFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the embodiment can be formed by any one of the lock rods. The present invention includes the above-mentioned structures as well.

Incidentally, all contents of the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-215689 filed on Oct. 16, 2013 are cited in their entireties herein and are incorporated as a disclosure of the specification of the present invention.