CONSOLE BOX

A console box includes a box main body, a lid, a lock mechanism, and at least one push-up mechanism. The push-up mechanism includes at least one recess that opens in a side surface of the lid, a striker, and an urging member that urges the striker in an urged pivoting direction. The striker includes a first push-up portion and a second push-up portion. The second push-up portion is located on a trailing side of the first push-up portion in the urged pivoting direction, is separated downward from a lower surface of the lid in the closed state, and is brought into contact with the lower surface to apply a push-up force to the lower surface after a push-up action by the first push-up portion.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a console box.

2. Description of Related Art

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2020-82926 discloses a console box that includes a box main body provided with an accommodation portion, and a lid that opens and closes an upper opening of the accommodation portion. In this console box, when the upper opening is closed by the lid, one surface in the thickness direction of the lid faces upward.

In recent years, there has been a demand for a console box that can close the upper opening with the lid while allowing not only one surface but also the other surface in the thickness direction of the lid to face upward. In other words, there has been a demand for a console box that can close the upper opening regardless of which one of the surfaces in the thickness direction of the lid faces upward.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a console box includes a box main body that includes an accommodation portion provided with an upper opening, a lid that is detachably coupled to the box main body, and opens and closes the upper opening, a lock mechanism that locks the lid in a state in which the lid closes the upper opening, and at least one push-up mechanism that pushes up the lid from the box main body in response to unlocking of the lid by the lock mechanism. The box main body and the lid have shapes that allow the lid to be detached from and coupled to the box main body regardless of which one of surfaces in a thickness direction of the lid faces upward. The push-up mechanism includes at least one recess that opens in a side surface of the lid, a striker pivotally supported by the box main body with a shaft, and an urging member that urges the striker in an urged pivoting direction in which the lid is pushed up. A portion of the lid that includes at least one of the surfaces in the thickness direction is formed to be softer than the striker. The striker includes a first push-up portion and a second push-up portion. The first push-up portion enters the recess in a closed state in which the upper opening is closed by the lid, is removed from the recess as the lid is raised, and applies a push-up force to an inner wall surface of the recess when the first push-up portion is inside the recess. The second push-up portion is located on a trailing side in the urged pivoting direction of the first push-up portion, is separated downward from a lower surface of the lid in the closed state, and is brought into contact with the lower surface to apply a push-up force to the lower surface after a push-up action by the first push-up portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A console box according to one embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the direction in which the vehicle advances forward will be referred to as the front, and the reverse direction will be referred to as the rear. The vertical direction refers to the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction refers to the vehicle width direction that agrees with the left-right direction when the vehicle is advancing forward.

In order to identify positions in the console box in each of the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the left-right direction, a central portion of the console box in each direction is used as a reference. Among the respective directions, the direction, the side, or the like toward the central portion is referred to as “inside”, “inward”, “inner side”, or the like, and the direction, the side, or the like away from the central portion is referred to as “outside”, “outward”, “outer side”, or the like.

FIG.1shows a main part of a console box10. The console box10is part of a center console disposed between a driver's seat and a front passenger seat in a passenger compartment.

The console box10includes a box main body11, a lid30, a housing57, lock mechanisms60(seeFIG.11), pivot range defining portions78(seeFIG.13), and push-up mechanisms80(seeFIG.6). Next, each component of the console box10will be described.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, the box main body11includes a box portion12having a bottom and an open upper end and a supporting portion13disposed above the box portion12. The box portion12has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, of the left-right direction and the front-rear direction of the box portion12, the left-right direction, which is a direction having a smaller dimension, is defined as a “width direction” of the console box10. In the present embodiment, the width direction of the console box10agrees with a vehicle width direction (left-right direction).

The supporting portion13has a symmetrical structure with respect to the front-rear direction and also has a symmetrical structure with respect to the left-right direction. Therefore, in the following description, the structure of one side in the front-rear direction of the supporting portion13will be described while omitting the description of the other side in some cases. Also, the structure of one side in the left-right direction of the supporting portion13will be described while omitting the description of the other side in some cases. The same applies not only to the supporting portion13, but also to other members forming the console box10.

A lower portion of the supporting portion13includes a rectangular frame portion17. The space surrounded by the frame portion17and the internal space of the box portion12form an accommodation portion20for storing, for example, small articles. In the accommodation portion20, the space surrounded by the frame portion17forms an upper opening14of the accommodation portion20. The upper opening14has a rectangular shape in plan view. The upper opening14has two first sides15opposed to each other in the left-right direction and two second sides16opposed to each other in the front-rear direction (only one is shown inFIG.3). The first sides15and the second sides16are orthogonal to each other.

As shown inFIG.3, the frame portion17includes two parallel first wall portions18, which extend in the front-rear direction while being spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and two parallel second wall portions19, which extend in the left-right direction while being spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The respective end portions in the left-right direction of the second wall portion19on the front side are connected to the front end portions of the respective first wall portions18. The respective end portions in the left-right direction of the second wall portion19on the rear side are connected to the rear end portions of the respective first wall portions18. Each first wall portion18includes the first side15, and each second wall portion19includes the second side16.

Support wall portions21extend upward from the respective front and rear second wall portions19. Each support wall portion21includes shim accommodating portions22opened in an inner surface in the front-rear direction of each support wall portion21. The shim accommodating portions22are provided in opposite side portions in the left-right direction of each support wall portion21. As shown inFIGS.4and5, each shim accommodating portion22has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the shim accommodating portions22includes an insertion hole23, two engagement holes24, and a rotation restricting groove25. The insertion hole23of each shim accommodating portion22extends through the central portion of the bottom of the shim accommodating portion22. The two engagement holes24of each shim accommodating portion22are located in opposite side portions in the left-right direction of the insertion hole23in the accommodating portion22. The rotation restricting groove25extends in the front-rear direction in a state of protruding radially outward from a part of the outer peripheral portion of the shim accommodating portion22.

The lid30is detachably coupled to the box main body11. Further, when coupled to the box main body11, the lid30is pivotal between a closing position, at which the lid30closes the upper opening14as indicated by the solid lines inFIG.14, and a fully opening position, at which the lid30is in an upright state to fully open the upper opening14as indicated by the long-dash double-short-dash lines inFIG.14. In other words, the lid30opens and closes the upper opening14by pivoting between the closing position and the fully open position. Therefore, hereinafter, the lid30in a state of closing the upper opening14will be described.

<Basic Structure of Lid30>

As shown inFIG.8, the lid30includes a lid main body31, two supporting plate portions46, and two pivot shafts54. The lid main body31has a shape and a size capable of closing the upper opening14from above. The vertical direction of the lid main body31corresponds to its thickness direction. The lid main body31includes a first half body33located on one side in the thickness direction and a second half body39located on the other side and joined to the first half body33.FIG.10illustrates the lid30in a state in which the first half body33is located above the second half body39.FIG.15Aillustrates the lid30in a state in which the second half body39is located above the first half body33.

As shown inFIGS.10and15A, the first half body33includes a base member35, which is made of a hard plastic, a cushion layer36, which is stacked on the base member35and made of foam, and an outer layer37, which is stacked on the cushion layer36. The outer layer37is softer than a striker81of each push-up mechanism80, which will be discussed below. A portion of the outer layer37that is a surface on one side in the thickness direction of the lid30forms a first surface34of the lid30. The first surface34includes an armrest surface at least in a part. In the present embodiment, the entire first surface34forms an armrest surface.

The second half body39is entirely made of a hard plastic. The second half body39includes a recess40, which opens outward in the thickness direction (refer toFIG.15A). A surface of the second half body39on the opposite side (back side) to the first surface34in the thickness direction forms a second surface41of the lid30. A portion of the second surface41inside the recess40is a tray surface.

As shown inFIG.8, the first half body33includes cutouts38ain front parts of side wall portions38in the left-right direction. The second half body39also includes cutouts42ain front parts of side wall portions42in the left-right direction. In a state in which the second half body39is joined to the first half body33, an operation hole32is formed by the cutouts38aand42aas shown inFIG.11.

As shown inFIG.8, the two supporting plate portions46are disposed on opposite outer sides of the lid main body31in the front-rear direction. The supporting plate portion46on the front side is attached to the front wall portion43of the second half body39, and the supporting plate portion46on the rear side is attached to the rear wall portion44of the second half body39. An outer surface of each supporting plate portion46in the front-rear direction forms part of a side surface of the lid30.

As shown inFIG.10, the box main body11and the lid30have such shapes that the lid30can be detached from and coupled to the box main body11regardless of which of the first surface34and the second surface41of the lid30faces upward.

The two pivot shafts54have a function of pivotally coupling the lid main body31to the box main body11. As shown inFIG.8, the pivot shafts54extend in the front-rear direction while being parallel with each other in opposite side portions in the left-right direction of the lid main body31. When a direction in which the axis of each pivot shaft54extends is referred to as an axial direction, the axial direction agrees with the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the present embodiment.

The lid30is pivotal between the closing position and the fully open position about a selected one of the two pivot shafts54.

Each pivot shaft54includes pinions55on the outer circumference of the opposite end portions in the front-rear direction. The second half body39includes racks45in opposite side portions in the left-right direction in each of the front wall portion43and the rear wall portion44. The pinions55at the front end portions of the pivot shafts54are meshed with the racks45of the front wall portion43, and the pinions55at the rear end portions of the pivot shafts54are meshed with the racks45of the rear wall portion44.

Each pivot shaft54includes pin portions56extending in the front-rear direction on the outer sides in the front-rear direction of the respective pinions55. Each of the front and rear supporting plate portions46includes recesses47, which are recessed inward in the front-rear direction, in opposite side portions. An elongated hole48extending in the left-right direction is formed in the bottom of each recess47so as to extend through the supporting plate portion46. The pin portions56of each pivot shaft54are inserted into the elongated holes48.

The lid30can pivot integrally with one of the pivot shafts54. The pinions55can roll on the racks45. At this time, each elongated hole48allows the pin portion56to move in the left-right direction and defines the range of movement of the pin portion56in the left-right direction.

As shown inFIGS.1,10, and15A, the housing57accommodates the box main body11in a state in which the upper surface and the side surface of the lid30are exposed.FIG.1shows only part of the housing57.

As shown inFIGS.11and12, each lock mechanism60has a function of locking the lid30in a state (closing position) in which the lid30closes the upper opening14and a function of unlocking the lid30. Each lock mechanism60also has a function of switching between a coupled state in which the pivot shafts54are coupled to the box main body11and a state in which the pivot shafts54are decoupled from the box main body11.

The unlocked state includes the following two states;a state in which both the left and right pivot shafts54are decoupled from the box main body11; anda state in which the one pivot shaft54keeps being coupled to the box main body11, and the other pivot shaft54is decoupled from the box main body11.

As shown inFIGS.9to11, operation bases61are attached to opposite side portions in the left-right direction in the front part in the lid30. A gate portion62is formed at an outer portion in the left-right direction of each of the left and right operation bases61. The gate portion62of each operation base61is disposed in the operation hole32of the lid main body31. A spring seat64is formed on an inner side portion in the left-right direction of each operation base61.

An operation portion65is disposed on each operation base61so as to be slidable in the left-right direction through the gate portion62. The left and right operation portions65are independent of each other. A spring seat66is formed at an inner side portion in the left-right direction of each operation portion65. The spring seat66is located at a position facing the spring seat64. A first spring68is disposed between the two spring seats64,66while being compressed in the left-right direction. Each operation portion65is always urged outward in the left-right direction by the corresponding first spring68. Each operating portion65includes an arcuate shaft receiving portion67with upper opening in each of the opposite side portions in the front-rear direction. Each pivot shaft54is pivotally supported by the operation portion65at the shaft receiving portions67.

Although a coil spring is used as the first spring68in the present embodiment, another type of spring may be used. The same applies a second spring74, which will be discussed below.

As shown inFIGS.4,5,10, and11, a shim70is accommodated in each of the left and right shim accommodating portions22of each support wall portion21. Each shim70is attached to the support wall portion21in a state in which the shim70is movable in the front-rear direction and rotation thereof is restricted. Each shim70has a function of detachably coupling an end portion of the corresponding pivot shaft54to the box main body11. Further, each shim70has a function of pivotally supporting the corresponding pivot shaft54in a state in which the end portions of the pivot shaft54are coupled to the box main body11.

Each shim70has a cylindrical shape with the outer portions in the front-rear direction open. Each shim70includes a shaft portion71, two hooks72, and a rotation restricting protrusion73, which extend in the front-rear direction. The shaft portion71of each shim70is formed at a central portion of the shim70, and is inserted into the insertion hole23of the corresponding shim accommodating portion22so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The two hooks72of each shim70are formed at locations on the left and right sides of the shaft portion71in the shim70, and are inserted into the engagement holes24of the corresponding shim accommodating portion22so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The rotation restricting protrusion73of each shim70protrudes outward in the radial direction from a part of the outer peripheral portion of the shim70, and is engaged with the rotation restricting groove25of the corresponding shim accommodating portion22so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

Each shim70is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction between a coupling position, at which the shim70is in contact with the bottom of the recess47in the supporting plate portion46as shown inFIG.11, and a removal position, at which the shim70is spaced outward from the coupling position in the front-rear direction as shown inFIG.12.

The shaft portion71, the two hooks72, and the rotation restricting protrusion73of each shim70have a function of guiding movement in the front-rear direction of the shim70. The two hooks72also have a function of restricting the shim70from falling out from the shim accommodating portion22toward the inner side in the front-rear direction. This function is exhibited when each hook72is engaged with a peripheral portion of the corresponding engagement hole24in the shim accommodating portion22.

A second spring74is disposed between the shim70and the inner bottom surface of each shim accommodating portion22in each of the front and rear support wall portions21in a state of being compressed in the front-rear direction. Each shim70is always urged inward in the front-rear direction by the second spring74.

As shown inFIGS.4,5,10, and11, each shim70includes a receiving recess75and an outer inclined surface76. The receiving recess75includes a reference surface75aand an inner inclined surface75b. The receiving recess75of each shim70is open on the inner surface in the front-rear direction. The reference surface75aof each receiving recess75is located at the central portion of the shim70and is orthogonal to the axis of the shim70. The inner inclined surface75bof each receiving recess75is located on the inner side in the left-right direction of the reference surface75aand is connected to the reference surface75a. Each inner inclined surface75bis inclined with respect to the reference surface75asuch that the inner inclined surface75bextends toward the inner side in the front-rear direction as the inner inclined surface75bextends toward the inner side in the left-right direction.

The outer inclined surface76of each shim70is formed on an upper portion of an inner surface in the front-rear direction of the shim70. Each outer inclined surface76is inclined with respect to a vertical plane such that the outer inclined surface76extends downward as the outer inclined surface76extends toward the inner side in the front-rear direction.

The pivot range defining portion78defines a pivot range of the lid30such that the lid30pivots between the closing position and the fully open position described above. As shown inFIGS.5,8, and13, the pivot range defining portion78includes four protrusions49(only two on the front side are shown inFIG.8) of the lid30and a groove portion77of the shim70.

More specifically, each protrusion49protrudes outward in the front-rear direction from a position outside the elongated hole48in the left-right direction of each of the front and rear supporting plate portions46. Each protrusion49revolves around the pivot shaft54in accordance with a pivoting motion of the lid30.

Each groove portion77has an arcuate shape centered on the reference surface75aof the receiving recess75. Each of the groove portions77is open in the inner surface in the front-rear direction of the shim70. Each protrusion49is inserted into the corresponding groove77. Each protrusion49is movable in the circumferential direction along the groove77. Each groove portion77is formed such that the lid30is located at the closing position when the protrusion49moves to one end portion in the circumferential direction of the groove portion77, and that the lid30is located at the fully open position when the protrusion49moves to the other end portion.

As shown inFIGS.3,6, and7, the push-up mechanisms80are mechanisms that push up the lid30from the box main body11in response to unlocking of the lid30by the left and right lock mechanisms60, and are provided at two positions in the present embodiment. The two positions are opposite side portions of the upper opening14in the direction in which the first sides15extend, and are opposite side portions of the upper opening14in the front-rear direction in the present embodiment. Each push-up mechanism80is provided at a central portion in the left-right direction.

The front and rear push-up mechanisms80have a symmetrical structure with respect to the front-rear direction. Each of the push-up mechanisms80includes a first pushed-up portion, a second pushed-up portion, a striker81, and an urging member.

As shown inFIGS.8and15A, each supporting plate portion46includes recesses51at two locations spaced apart from a central portion in the thickness direction of the lid30in opposite directions by an equal distance. The two recesses51of each supporting plate portion46are open in the outer surface in the front-rear direction of the supporting plate portion46.

Each recess51includes two inner wall surfaces52,53facing each other in the thickness direction. Of the two inner wall surfaces52,53of each recess51, the inner wall surface52closer to the central portion in the thickness direction forms the first pushed-up portion. Further, each of the opposite edges in the front-rear direction of the first surface34includes a central portion34cin the left-right direction. Each of the opposite edges in the front-rear direction of the second surface41includes a central portion41c. The central portions34c,41cform the second pushed portion.

As shown inFIGS.3and15A, each support wall portion21includes a striker accommodating portion26at a central portion in the left-right direction. As shown inFIG.7, the striker accommodating portion26of each support wall portion21includes a first vertical wall portion27and a second vertical wall portion28. The first vertical wall portion27and the second vertical wall portion28of each striker accommodating portion26extend in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction while being separated from each other in the left-right direction. The front and rear end portions of each striker accommodating portion26are open. An auxiliary vertical wall portion29is formed at a position spaced apart from the second vertical wall portion28by a certain distance in a direction away from the first vertical wall portion27. The auxiliary vertical wall portion29extends in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction while being parallel with the second vertical wall portion28.

As shown inFIGS.3and7, each striker81is accommodated in the striker accommodating portion26. Each striker81includes shafts82,83, which extend from the opposite side surfaces in the left-right direction so as to be away from each other in the left-right direction. One shaft82is inserted into the first vertical wall portion27, and the other shaft83passes below the second vertical wall portion28, extends to the side away from the first vertical wall portion27, and is inserted into the auxiliary vertical wall portion29. Each striker81is pivotally supported by the first vertical wall portion27and the auxiliary vertical wall portion29of the support wall portion21with the two shafts82,83.

A third spring84, which serves as an urging member, is installed between each striker81and the support wall portion21so as to satisfy the following condition. In the present embodiment, a torsion coil spring is used as the third spring84.

The condition is that the striker81is urged in the pivoting direction in which the lid30is pushed up. Of the pivoting directions of the striker81about the shafts82,83, the pivoting direction in which the striker81pushes up the lid30is referred to as an urged pivoting direction. To satisfy the above condition, most of the third spring84is disposed around the shaft83of each striker81in the present embodiment. As shown inFIGS.6and7, one end portion84aof the third spring84is engaged with the striker81at a position radially outward away from the shaft83. Another end portion84bof the third spring84is engaged with the support wall portion21, specifically, a part of the auxiliary vertical wall portion29that is radially outward away from the shaft83.

As shown inFIGS.7and15A, each striker81includes a body portion85, a first push-up portion86, and a second push-up portion87. The body portion85of each striker81is a framework of the striker81and includes the shafts82,83. The first push-up portion86of each striker81includes a protrusion that protrudes outward from the body portion85in the radial direction of the shafts82,83. The second push-up portion87of each striker81is formed at a position on the trailing side of the first push-up portion86in the urged pivoting direction of the third spring84. The second push-up portion87includes by a protrusion that protrudes outward in the radial direction from the body portion85. The first push-up portion86of each striker81enters the lower recess51in a state in which the upper opening14is closed by the lid30, and is removed from the recess51as the lid30is raised. Each first push-up portion86applies a push-up force to the inner wall surface52(the first pushed-up portion) of the recess51when in the recess51.

In the closed state, the second push-up portion87of each striker81is separated downward from the lower surface of the lid30, more specifically, one of the central portions34cand41c(second pushed-up portion) that is located on the lower side. After a push-up action by the first push-up portion86, each second push-up portion87comes into contact with the lower surface (the central portions34cand41c) to apply a push-up force to the lower surface.

Operation of the present embodiment will now be described.

<Case in Which Neither of Operation Portions65is Pressed Inward>

As indicated by solid the lines inFIGS.11and14, when the lid30is located at the closing position and neither of the operation portions65is pressed inward, the outer portions in the left-right direction of the left and right operation portions65protrude from the gate portions62. In this case, each shim70urged inward in the front-rear direction by the second spring74comes into contact with the bottom of the recess47in the supporting plate portion46and is held at the coupling position. The urging force of the first spring68urging each operation portion65outward in the left-right direction is transmitted to the pivot shaft54via the operation portion65. The front and rear pin portions56of each pivot shaft54are in contact with the reference surfaces75ain the receiving recesses75. Each pin portion56is located at an outer end portion in the left-right direction of the elongated hole48. The pinion55of each pivot shaft54meshes with an outer portion in the left-right direction of the rack45. The left and right pivot shafts54are coupled to the front and rear support wall portions21with the front and rear shims70. Therefore, the lid30is locked at the closing position, and the upper opening14is maintained in the closed state.

At this time, the striker81of each push-up mechanism80is urged by the third spring84in the urged pivoting direction for pushing up the lid30.

At this time, the first surface34of the outer layer37of the lid30may be facing downward as shown in theFIG.15A. If the push-up force of the striker81acts on the first surface34, a dent is likely to be formed in the central portion34cof the first surface34. When the lid30in a position in which the first surface34having such a dent faces upward closes the upper opening14, the dent is visible to the user of the console box10, resulting in a degraded appearance of the lid30.

However, in the present embodiment, in the state in which the upper opening14is closed by the lid30, the first push-up portion86of each striker81enters the lower recess51, which opens in the side surface of the lid30. At this time, the second push-up portion87of each striker81is separated downward from the lower surface (the central portion34c) of the lid30. Therefore, the push-up force of the second push-up portion87does not act on the lower surface (the central portion34c) of the lid30, so that the lower surface (the central portion34c) is unlikely to be dented.

<Case in which One of Operation Portions65is Pressed Inward>

As shown inFIG.12, when one of the pair of operation portions65is pressed inward in the left-right direction against the urging force of the first spring68, a force is applied to the pivot shaft54supported by the shaft receiving portion67to move the pivot shaft54inward in the left-right direction. The pinions55on the front and rear sides of the pivot shaft54mesh with the racks45and are capable of rolling inward in the left-right direction. The front and rear pin portions56of the pivot shaft54are movable inward in the left-right direction along the elongated holes48of the front and rear supporting plate portions46. Accordingly, in response to the press-in action of the operation portion65, the pivot shaft54moves inward in the left-right direction while rotating.

With the above-described movement of the pivot shaft54, each of the front and rear pin portions56moves from the reference surface75ato the inner inclined surface75bin the receiving recess75. Each inner inclined surface75bis inclined with respect to the reference surface75asuch that the inner inclined surface75bextends toward the inner side in the front-rear direction as the inner inclined surface75bextends toward the inner side in the left-right direction. Therefore, each of the front and rear shims70is pressed against the urging force of the second spring74and moves outward in the front-rear direction. The moving direction of the shim70at this time is a direction away from the pivot shaft54in the front-rear direction.

Then, as shown inFIG.12, when the front and rear shims70are moved to the removal position, the front and rear pin portions56are removed from the receiving recesses75. The pivot shaft54is decoupled from the support wall portions21(box main body11). That is, the lock mechanism60unlocks the lid30.

The pivot shaft54corresponding to the operation portion65that is not pressed inward continues to be coupled to the support wall portions21(the box main body11).

On the other hand, the lid30receives a push-up force by the front and rear push-up mechanisms80. As shown inFIG.15B, the striker81urged by the third spring84pivots in an urged pivoting direction (counterclockwise direction as viewed inFIG.15B), in which the lid30is pushed up. Along with this pivoting motion, the inner wall surface52(first pushed-up portion) of the lower recess51receives a push-up force from the first push-up portion86, so that the lid30is pushed up.

The lid30pivots upward about the pivot shaft54corresponding to the operation portion65that is not pressed inward.

Along with the above-described pivoting motion of the striker81, the first push-up portion86is removed from the recess51as shown inFIG.16A, and the second push-up portion87approaches the lower surface of the lid30, in this case, the central portion34c(second pushed-up portion) of the first surface34. Then, the pivoting motion of the striker81continues even after the first push-up portion86is removed from the recess51and the push-up by the first push-up portion86is finished. As shown inFIG.16B, the second push-up portion87comes into contact with the lower surface of the lid30(the central portion34c) to apply a push-up force to the lower surface. The lid30continues to be pushed up by the push-up force of the second push-up portion87. The pivoting motion of each of the front and rear strikers81is stopped when the striker81comes into contact with the second wall portion19as shown inFIG.16B.

A push-up force acts on the lower surface (the central portion34c) of the lid30as described above. However, the time during which the push-up force acts is at the time when the lock mechanism60unlocks the lid30, and is a short time in the latter stage of the push-up period. The time during which the push-up force acts in this case is shorter than in a case in which the push-up force always acts on the lower surface of the lid30when the upper opening14is closed by the lid30. Therefore, the lower surface (the central portion34c) of the lid30is unlikely to be dented.

The lid30is inclined such that the side on which the operation portion65is operated is higher of the opposite side portions in the left-right direction.

When the lid30is unlocked so that the operation portion65is no longer pressed inward, the first spring68corresponding to the operation portion65releases the accumulated urging force. The released urging force moves the operation portion65outward in the left-right direction together with the pivot shaft54as shown inFIG.11. At this time, the pinions55on the front and rear sides of the pivot shaft54roll outward in the left-right direction on the racks45, with which the pinions55are meshed.

Along with the movement, the outer side portion in the left-right direction of the operation portion65protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the gate portion62of the operation base61. The above-described movement of the operation portion65and the pivoting motion of the pivot shaft54are stopped when the front and rear pin portions56come into contact with outer end portions in the left-right direction of the elongated holes48.

Further, in each of the front and rear support wall portions21, the urging force accumulated in the second spring74is released. The released urging force causes each shim70to move inward in the front-rear direction as shown inFIG.11. The above-described movement of each shim70is restricted by each hook72being engaged with a peripheral portion of the corresponding engagement hole24in the shim accommodating portion22.

<Case in Which Both Operation Portions65are Pressed Inward Simultaneously>

The left and right operation portions65are independent of each other. Therefore, when both operation portions65are simultaneously pressed inward against the urging force of the first springs68, the same action as described in the section <When one of the operation portions65is pressed inward> is performed on each pivot shaft54.

When each of the two pivot shafts54is removed from the corresponding receiving recess75, the pivot shafts54and the box main body11are decoupled from each other.

On the other hand, the lid30receives a push-up force by the push-up mechanisms80. Both strikers81, which are urged by the third springs84, pivot in the urged pivoting direction for pushing up the lid30as shown inFIGS.15B,16A, and16B. With this pivoting motion, a push-up force is applied from the first push-up portions86to the inner wall surfaces52of the lower recesses51, and the lid30is pushed up.

In this case also, the first push-up portions86are removed from the recesses51, and the second push-up portions87approach the lower surface of the lid30in response to the pivoting motion of the strikers81. Then, the pivoting motion of the strikers81continues even after the push-up by the first push-up portions86is finished, and the second push-up portions87come into contact with the lower surface of the lid30to apply a push-up force to the lower surface. The lid30continues to be pushed up by the push-up force of the second push-up portions87. The pivoting motion of each of the front and rear strikers81is stopped when the striker81comes into contact with the second wall portion19(refer toFIG.16B). The upper portion of the lid30protrudes upward from the box main body11.

Also at this time, the push-up force of the second push-up portions87acts on the lower surface of the lid30. However, the time during which the push-up force acts in this case is shorter than in a case in which the push-up force always acts on the lower surface of the lid30when the upper opening14is closed by the lid30. Therefore, the lower surface of the lid30is unlikely to be dented.

When the lid30is unlocked so that the operation portions65are no longer pressed inward, the operation portions65are moved outward in the left-right direction together with the pivot shafts54by the urging force of the left and right first springs68, as shown inFIG.11. An outer portion in the left-right direction of each operation portion65protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the gate portion62of the operation base61.

In the front and rear support wall portions21, the shims70are moved inward in the front-rear direction by the urging force of the second springs74. The above-described movement of each shim70is restricted by each hook72being engaged with a peripheral portion of the corresponding engagement hole24in the shim accommodating portion22.

<Case in Which Lid30is Attached to Box Main Body11>

When the lid30is attached to the box main body11in a state in which the vertical positional relationship between the first surface34and the second surface41is reversed, the lid30is pressed against the box main body11from above. At this time, the front and rear pin portions56of the left and right pivot shafts54come into contact with the outer inclined surfaces76of the front and rear shims70. As shown inFIG.5, the outer inclined surface76of each shim70is inclined such that the outer inclined surface76extends downward as the outer inclined surface76extends toward the inner side in the front-rear direction. Therefore, each of the shims70is pressed against the urging force of the second spring74and moves outward in the front-rear direction. The moving direction of the shim70at this time is a direction away from the pivot shaft54in the front-rear direction. When the pin portion56of each pivot shaft54passes the outer inclined surface76and descends to the center portion of the shim70, the shim70, urged by the second spring74, moves inward in the front-rear direction. When the front and rear pin portions56of each pivot shaft54enter the receiving recesses75of the shims70, the pivot shaft54is coupled to the box main body11.

At this time, each of the front and rear push-up mechanisms80perform actions in reverse order of those in the section <When both operation portions65are pressed inward simultaneously>. That is, although not illustrated, as the lid30descends, the lower surface (the second surface41) of the lid30first comes into contact with the second push-up portion87of each striker81(refer toFIG.16B). As the lid30descends, a push-down force acts on the second push-up portion87of each striker81. The push-down force pivots each striker81in a direction opposite to the urged pivoting direction (refer toFIG.16A). In the course of this pivoting motion, the first push-up portion86of each striker81enters the lower recess51while contacting the inner wall surface52of the lower recess51(refer toFIG.15B). Also, the second push-up portion87moves downward away from the lower surface of the lid30(FIG.15A). When the lid30is lowered to the closing position, a large part of the first push-up portion86enters the recess51. In this state, the push-up force by the push-up mechanisms80acts on the lid30through the first push-up portions86.

Accordingly, the lid30closes the upper opening14while being turned upside down, so that the first surface34, which was the lower surface before the lid30was unlocked, faces upward, as shown inFIG.10. The upward facing first surface34has no or only inconspicuous dent caused by push-up actions.

The present embodiment has the following advantages.

(1) In the present embodiment, the lid30is detachably coupled to the box main body11. Also, the box main body11and the lid30have shapes that allow the lid30to be removed from and coupled to the box main body11regardless of which of the first surface34and the second surface41is facing upward. This allows the lid30to be attached to the box main body11regardless of which of the first surface34and the second surface41is facing upward.

(2) In the present embodiment, when one of the two operation portions65is pushed inward, the box main body11and the pivot shaft54that corresponds to that operation portion65are decoupled from each other. This allows the lid30to pivot about the pivot shaft54corresponding to the operation portion65that is not pressed inward and is coupled to the box main body11.

At this time, the lid30can be pushed up from the box main body11by the push-up force of the two push-up mechanisms80. By holding a portion of the lid30that protrudes from the box main body11, the lid30can be easily pivoted about the pivot shaft54to open and close the upper opening14. The lid30is thus easy to operate.

Also, a situation is prevented from occurring in which, after one of the operating portions65stops being pressed inward, the lid30cannot be pivoted because the pivot shaft54corresponding to that operation portion65is coupled to the box main body11.

(3) In the present embodiment, the two pivot shafts54and the box main body11are decoupled from each other by simultaneously pressing the two operation portions65inward. This allows the lid30to be removed from the box main body11.

At this time, the lid30can be pushed up from the box main body11by the push-up force of the push-up mechanisms80. By holding a portion of the lid30that protrudes from the box main body11, the lid30can be easily removed from the box main body11.

Also, a situation is prevented from occurring in which, after the operating portions65stop being pressed inward, the lid30cannot be removed because the pivot shafts54are coupled to the box main body11.

(4) In the present embodiment, in the closed state of the upper opening14, the push-up force by the first push-up portion86of each striker81is applied to the inner wall surface52of the recess51opened in the side surface of the lid30as shown inFIG.15A. At this time, the second push-up portion87of each striker81is separated downward from the lower surface of the lid30, so that the push-up force of the strikers81does not act on the lower surface of the lid30.

When the closed upper opening14is opened or when the lid30is removed, the lid30is pushed up by the first push-up portion86of each striker81. Further, the lid30is pushed up by the second push-up portion87after each striker81pivots so that the push-up force by the first push-up portion86ceases to act.

Therefore, when closing the upper opening14with the lid30, the first surface34, which is formed by the outer layer37softer than the strikers81, may be the lower surface. Even in this case, a dent is not formed in the front and rear central portions34cof the first surface34by the push-up force of the strikers81.

Therefore, when the lid30is attached to the box main body11to close the upper opening14such that the first surface34, which was the lower surface before the lid30was unlocked by the lock mechanisms60, the upward facing first surface34has no or only inconspicuous dent caused by push-up actions. As a result, the appearance of the lid30is improved as compared with a case in which push-up force is always applied to the lower surface (the central portion34c) of the lid30when the upper opening14is closed with the lid30.

(5) In the present embodiment, each striker81includes the first push-up portion86, which moves into and out of the recess51as the striker81pivots about the shafts82,83, and the second push-up portion87, which moves toward and away from the lower surface of the lid30from below as the striker81pivots.

Therefore, if the recesses51are opened at the central portion in the thickness direction in the side surface of the lid30, the first push-up portion86is separated from the second push-up portion87, and the size of the striker81may be increased.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.15A, the recesses51are opened at two positions in the side surface of the lid30, and the positions are separated in opposite directions from the central portion in the thickness direction by an equal distance. The first push-up portion86is moved into and out of the recess51located on the lower side. Therefore, the first push-up portion86is located at a position close to the second push-up portion87, so that the size of each striker81is reduced.

(6) In the present embodiment, the push-up mechanisms80are disposed on the opposite sides of the upper opening14in the front-rear direction, which is the direction in which the first sides15extend. With this arrangement, the lid30is pushed up by the two push-up mechanisms80on the opposite sides in the front-rear direction of the upper opening14.

Therefore, compared to a case in which a push-up action is performed on one side in the front-rear direction of the upper opening14, a force for pushing up the lid30can be applied to the lid30in a well-balanced manner in the front-rear direction.

(7) When the lid30is attached to the box main body11with the first surface34of the lid main body31facing upward, the first surface34functions as a place on which an elbow is rested. That is, the lid30can be used as an armrest.

Also, when the lid30is attached to the box main body11with the second surface41of the lid main body31facing upward, the second surface41functions as a tray surface. That is, the lid30can be used as a tray by placing articles on the tray surface.

(8) In the present embodiment, the front and rear pinions55of each pivot shaft54are meshed with the racks45of the front wall portion43and the rear wall portion44, as shown inFIG.8. Each pinion55rolls on the rack45when the lock mechanism60locks and unlocks the lid30. This prevents the pivot shafts54from moving in the left-right direction while being inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. When the lid30is locked and unlocked, each pivot shaft54is smoothly moved in the left-right direction while being maintained to be parallel to the first sides15(the first wall portions18).

<Modifications to Upper Opening14>

The shape of the upper opening14may be changed to a shape different from the one in the above-described embodiment as long as the shape is a rectangular shape.

The shape of the upper opening14may be changed to a shape different from a rectangular shape.

In the above-described embodiment, the second sides16may be longer than the first sides15.

The recesses51may be opened at a central portion in the thickness direction in the side surface (the supporting plate portion46) of the lid30.

The second half body39may have the same layer structure as the first half body33. That is, the second half body39may include a base member, which is made of a hard plastic, a cushion layer, which is stacked on the base member and made of foam, and an outer layer, which is stacked on the cushion layer.

At least one of the first half body33and the second half body39may include a base member, which is made of a hard plastic, and an outer layer, which is stacked on the base member.

A portion of the lid30that includes at least one of the surfaces in the thickness direction may formed by a layer different from the outer layer37as long as that layer is softer than the striker81. The layer may be a coating film.

The second half body39may include one recess40(refer toFIGS.14and15A). Alternatively, the second half body39include two or more recesses40. Furthermore, the recess40may be omitted from the second half body39.

The two pivot shafts54may be disposed to extend in the left-right direction, instead of the front-rear direction.

One of the pivot shafts54can be omitted. In this case, the lock mechanism60corresponding to the pivot shaft54to be omitted is also omitted.

The two push-up mechanisms80may be disposed on opposite sides of the upper opening14in the direction along the second sides16, instead of the first sides15.

The number of the push-up mechanisms80may be changed to one or greater than two.

As the third spring84, which urges the striker81in the urged pivoting direction in which the lid30is pushed up, a spring of a type different from the torsion coil spring may be used.

As the urging member that urges the striker81in the urged pivoting direction in which the lid30is pushed up, a member different from a spring may be used.