Automotive container holding apparatus

An automotive container holding apparatus having a holding portion (51) which holds a bottom (Ca) of a drink container (C), and erect wall portions (61, 62, 64) which are provided at sides of the holding portion (51) in such a manner as to face sides Cb(Cb) of the container (C), wherein the holding portion (51) and the erect wall portions (61, 62, 64) are provided so as to move vertically in such a manner that the erect wall portions (61, 62, 64) move upwards in such a manner as to link with a downward movement of the holding portion (51).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automotive container holding apparatus which holds stably a container such as a drink container.

As to an automotive container holding apparatus which holds stably a drink container or a so-called cup holder, there exists an automotive container holding apparatus in which partitioning walls are provided in a recess-shaped article storing compartment in such a manner as to erect, so that a drink container is held by the partitioning walls and erect wall portions of the article storing compartment (refer, for example, to Japanese Document JP-A-2004-217145). In this automotive container holding apparatus, when it is necessary to hold a drink container in the article storing compartment, part of the storing space of the article storing compartment is constructed to be used to hold the drink container, whereas when it becomes unnecessary to do so, the storing space of the article storing compartment can be increased or restored by collapsing the partitioning walls.

With the aforesaid automotive container holding apparatus, the height of the erect wall portions is not sufficient to hold a tall drink container, and hence the drink container projects upwards largely from the erect wall portions, resulting in a possibility that the drink container cannot be held in a stable fashion. Then, to cope with this, in the event that the height of the erect wall portions is increased, the ingress and egress of an article into and from the article storing compartment becomes difficult when attempting to use the whole of the same compartment for storage of the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consequently, an object of the invention is to provide an automotive container holding apparatus which can not only hold stably a tall container but also maintain the height of the erect wall portions low in such a state that no container is held.

With a view to attaining the object, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided with an automotive container holding apparatus including: a holding portion which holds a bottom of a container, and erect wall portions which are provided at sides of the holding portion to face sides of the container, wherein the holding portion and the erect wall portions are provided to move vertically, and the erect wall portions move upwards while linking with a downward movement of the holding portion.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided with the automotive container holding apparatus as set forth in the first aspect of the invention, wherein an upper surface (for example, upper surfaces60a,122aof the embodiments) of the holding portion becomes flush with upper surfaces (for example, upper surfaces51e,13eof the embodiments) of the erect wall portions in a state that the holding portion has moved upwards and the erect wall portions have moved downwards.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided with the automotive container holding apparatus as set forth in the first or second aspect of the invention, further including: a substantially V-shaped connecting member that is provided in such a manner as to be connected to the holding portion at one end thereof and to be connected to the erect wall portion at the other end thereof and to rotate at an intermediate portion thereof where the connecting member is bent.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided with the automotive container holding apparatus as set forth in any of the first to third aspects of the invention, further including: a recess-shaped article storing compartment which opens upwards, wherein the holding portion is provided to be closer to one of oppositely facing side wall portions of the article storing compartment in such a manner as to be farther away from the other of the oppositely facing side wall portions, and the erect wall portion for the holding portion in the article storing compartment is provided at least at the side of the other of the oppositely facing side wall portions.

According to the first aspect of the invention, since, when the holding portion that is to hold a bottom of a container is caused to move downward in an attempt to hold a container, the erect wall portions that can face the sides of a container move upwards in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the holding portion, the erect wall portions that have so moved can compensate for insufficient height thereof to hold stably a tall container, thereby making it possible to hold stably a tall container. In addition, in such a state that no container is held, when the erect wall portions are caused to move downwards, the height of the erect wall portions can be maintained low. In addition, since the erect wall portions move upwards in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the holding portion, the erect wall portions can be caused to move upwards so as to hold a tall container stably only by lowering the holding portion with the container placed on the holding portion. In addition, since the erect wall portions move upwards by lowering the holding portion, a small article that is put aside can be prevented from falling on to the side of the holding portion which has moved downwards by the erect wall portions.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since, when causing the holding portion to move upwards while lowering the erect wall portions, the upper surface of the holding portion becomes flush with the upper surfaces of the erect wall portions, the external appearance characteristic of the automotive container holding apparatus can be improved when in a non-use state with no container held therein.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the erect wall portions can be caused to move upwards in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the holding portion by means of the substantially V-shaped connecting member that is provided in such a manner as to be connected to the holding portion at one end and to the erect wall portion at the other end thereof and to rotate at the intermediate portion thereof where the connecting member is bent, the construction of the automotive container holding apparatus can be made simple, and the area of the holding portion can be obtained widely.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the holding portion is lowered which is provided close to the side wall portion of the article storing compartment which oppositely faces the other side wall portion thereof in such a manner as to be spaced away from the other side wall portion, the erect wall portion moves upwards which is provided at least on the side of the holding portion which faces the other side wall portion of the article storing compartment, so that a state is produced where a container can be held stably by means of the one side wall portion of the article storing compartment and the erect wall portion. As this occurs, the remaining space of the article storing compartment which is situated on the other side wall portion side of the article storing compartment can be used for a storing space for other articles than the container. In addition, with no container held, when the erect wall portion is caused to move downwards, the whole of the article storing compartment can be used widely as a storing space. In addition, since the side wall portion of the article storing compartment is used to hold the container, the construction of the automotive container apparatus can made simpler, and moreover, the space for the erect wall portions can be saved, thereby making it possible to expand the storing space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An automotive container holding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described below by reference toFIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1is a plan view showing the inside of a passenger compartment of a vehicle in which there is provided between front seats11arranged in a transverse direction of the vehicle a center console13that extends from an instrument panel12in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an automotive container holding apparatus14of the first embodiment is provided in this center console13.

The automotive container holding apparatus14has a console box portion (an article storing compartment)17adapted to be mounted in a transversely elongated mounting hole16which is formed in an upper surface13aof the center console13.

As is shown inFIGS. 2 to 5, the console box portion17is formed into a recess which opens upwards and has a bottom portion18that is formed substantially into a transversely elongated, rectangular shape and which is disposed horizontally and four side wall portions19to22which rise from respective side edge portions of the bottom portion18and which are connected to each other in such a manner as to form a frame. In addition, recessed portions25are formed at two locations in the bottom portion18in such a manner as to recede further downwards from an upper surface of the bottom portion18or a bottom surface18aof the console box portion17. Note that since the respective recessed portions25are constructed in the same way, constructions of respective portions of one of the recessed portions25will be described in the following description.

The recessed portion25has a bottom portion26that is formed substantially into a square shape and which is disposed horizontally, four inner wall portions27to30which rise, respectively, from respective edge portions of the bottom portion26to the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17and which are connected to each other in such a manner as to form a frame and four flat plate-shaped guide wall portions31to34which rise from the bottom portion26inside the respective inner wall portions27to30and which are connected to each other in such a manner as to form a frame, and projecting portions35,36are formed at central positions of lower portions of, for example, the guide wall portions32,34which face each other in the transverse direction in such a manner as to project in a direction in which they approach each other.

Here, a through hole37is formed in the guide wall portion32on which the projecting portion35is formed at a position thereof where the projecting portion35is actually formed, and a through hole38is formed in the guide wall portion34on which the projecting portion36is formed at a position thereof where the projecting portion36is actually formed. Note that the height of the guide wall portions31to34is set lower than the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17.

The automotive container holding apparatus14has a connecting member41that is rotatably supported at the through hole37and a connecting portion42that is rotatably supported at the through hole38.

These connecting members41,42include rotational shafts43that are formed into the same shape and which are inserted into the corresponding through holes37,38, outer connecting arms44that are fixed to axial outer end portions of the rotational shafts43at proximal end portions thereof in such a state that the outer connecting arms44extend radially outwards from the rotational shafts43, outer support shafts45that are provided at distal end portions of the outer connecting arms44, which are opposite to the proximal end portions thereof where the outer connecting arms44are connected to the rotational shafts43, in such a manner as to project further outwards than the rotational shafts43therealong, inner connecting arms47that are fixed to axial inner end portions of the rotational shafts43at proximal end portions thereof in such a state that the inner connecting arms47extend radially outwards from the rotational shafts43and inner support shafts48that are provided at distal end portions of the inner connecting arms47, which are opposite to the proximal end portions thereof where the inner connecting arms47are connected to the rotational shafts43, in such a manner as to project further inwards than the rotational shafts43therealong.

Here, in each of the connecting members41,42, as shown inFIG. 4, when viewed along an axial direction of the rotational shaft43, the outer connecting arm44and the inner connecting arm47intersect with each other in such a manner as to form an obtuse angle therebetween to thereby form substantially a V-shape and are provided on the console box portion17in such a manner as to rotate about the rotational shaft43that is provided at an intermediate portion of a bend that is formed by the outer connecting arm44and the inner connecting arm47.

The automotive container holding apparatus14has a substantially square plate-shaped holding member (a holding portion)51that is horizontally disposed inside a portion surrounded by the frame-shaped guide wall portions31to34and which is connected to the respective inner support shafts48that are provided at the one ends of the connecting members41,42. Stepped portions52,53, which are each formed into a shape which recedes further inwards at a lower portion than an upper portion, are formed on a pair of oppositely facing side portions51b,51dof four side portions51ato51dof the holding portion51in such a manner as to extend along the full length of the side portions51b,51d.

Then, a guide groove55is formed in the stepped portion52of the side portion51bin such a manner as to extend horizontally along the stepped portion52, and a guide groove56is also formed in the stepped portion53in such a manner as to extend horizontally along the stepped portion53. These guide grooves55,56are, as shown inFIG. 4, formed so as to be offset outwards from horizontal centers of the stepped portions52,53, respectively, while the positions of the guide grooves55,56where they extend horizontally are made to deviate from each other.

In the holding member51, the inner support shaft48of the connecting member41, which is one of the connecting members, is allowed to be slidably inserted into the guide groove55, which is one of the guide grooves, whereas the inner support shaft48of the other connecting member42is allowed to be slidably inserted into the other guide groove56, and as a result, the holding member51is supported by the connecting members41,42.

Here, as shown inFIG. 4, when the inner connecting arms47of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they extend obliquely upwards from the rotational shafts43, the inner support shafts48of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they are situated, respectively, at inner end portions in the corresponding guide grooves55,56as viewed in the direction in which the grooves extend, whereby the holding member is situated at a limit position of an upward motion. As this occurs, an upper surface51eof the holding member51becomes flush with the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 5, when the inner connecting arms47of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they extend horizontally from the rotational shafts43, the inner support shafts48of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they are situated, respectively, at outer end portions in the corresponding guide grooves55,56as viewed in the direction in which the grooves extend, whereby the holding member is situated at a limit position of a downward motion. As this occurs, the holding member51is situated below the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17to be superposed on an upper surface or a bottom surface26aof the bottom portion26of the recessed portion25. Then, the holding portion51is allowed to ascend and descend between the upper and lower limit positions. Namely, the holding member51is provided in such a manner as to move in the vertical directions.

The automotive container holding apparatus14has an ascending and descending member60that is inserted into a frame-shaped gap formed between the four inner wall portions27to30and the four guide wall portions31to34. This ascending and descending member60has four substantially flat plate-shaped erect wall portions61to64which are connected to each other in such a manner as to form a tube. This ascending and descending member60has an annular projecting portion65that is formed on upper edge portions of all the erect wall portions in such a manner as to project inwards.

Then, recess-shaped stepped portions70,71are formed on oppositely facing sides of lower portions of the pair of oppositely facing erect wall portions62,64of the ascending and descending member60in such a manner as to extend along the full length of the erect wall portions62,64, and a guide groove72is formed in the stepped portion70of the erect wall portion62in such a manner as to extend horizontally along the stepped portion70, whereas a guide groove73is formed in the stepped portion71of the erect wall portion64in such a manner as to extend horizontally along the stepped portion71. As shown inFIG. 4, these guide grooves72,73are formed in such a manner as to be offset outwards from horizontal centers of the stepped portions70,71, respectively, while the positions of the guide grooves72,73where they extend horizontally are made to deviate from each other.

In the ascending and descending member60, the outer support shaft45which is provided at the other end of the connecting member41, which is one of the connecting members, is allowed to be slidably inserted into the guide groove72, which is one of the guide grooves, whereas the outer support shaft45of the other connecting member42is allowed to be slidably inserted into the other guide groove73, and as a result, the ascending and descending member60is connected to the other ends of the connecting members41,42on the erect wall portions62,64where the guide grooves72,73are formed.

Here, as shown inFIG. 5, when the outer connecting arms44of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they extend obliquely upwards from the rotational shafts43, the outer support shafts45of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they are situated, respectively, at inner end portions in the corresponding guide grooves72,73in the direction in which the grooves extend, whereby the ascending and descending member60is situated at a limit position of an upper motion thereof. As this occurs, in the ascending and descending member60, upper surfaces60aof the erect wall portions61to64are situated above the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 4, when the outer connecting arms44of the respective connecting members41,42are put in such a state that they extend horizontally from the rotational shafts43, the outer support shafts45of the respective connecting members41,42are situated, respectively, at outer end portions in the corresponding guide grooves72,73as viewed in the direction in which the grooves extend, whereby the ascending and descending member60is situated at a limit position of a downward motion thereof. As this occurs, in the ascending and descending member60, the upper surfaces60aof the erect wall portions61to64become flush with the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17. Then, the ascending and descending member60is allowed to ascend and descend between the upper and lower limit positions thereof. Namely, the ascending and descending member60having the erect wall portions61to64is provided in such a manner as to move in the vertical directions.

Here, since the connecting members41,42are formed substantially into the V-shape as has been described above and are rotatably provided on the console box portion17at the intermediate portions where they are bent, when the inner support shafts48move upwards, the outer support shafts45move downwards in such a manner as to link with the upward movement of the inner support shafts48, whereas when the inner support shafts48move downwards, the outer support shafts45move upwards in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the inner support shafts48. As a result, the ascending and descending member60that has the erect wall portions61to64which are connected to the outer support shafts45moves upwards in such a manner as to link with a downward movement of the holding member51that is connected to the inner support shafts48, whereas the ascending and descending member60that has the erect wall portions61to64which are connected to the outer support shafts45moves downwards in such a manner as to link with an upward movement of the holding member51that is connected to the inner support shafts48.

Then, when the holding member51has moved downwards to the lower limit position thereof, the ascending and descending member60has moved upwards to the upper limit position thereof. In this state, the holding member51is situated below the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17, whereas the ascending and descending member60is situated above the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17.

In addition, when the holding member51has moved upwards to the upper limit position thereof, the ascending and descending member60has moved downwards to the lower limit position thereof. In this state, the upper surface51eof the holding member51and the upper surfaces60aof the erect wall portions61to64of the ascending and descending member60become flush with the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17.

Here, in a state where only the weights of the holding member51and the ascending and descending member60are exerted from the relationship between the weights of the holding member51and the ascending and descending member60, the upper surface51eof the holding member51and the upper surfaces60aof the erect wall portions61to64of the ascending and descending member60become flush with the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17, whereby the entirety of a bottom surface18aside of the console box portion17becomes flat to thereby constitute a storing space where an article can be placed. Note that even when an article is placed there, in the event that the article is not placed on the holding member51in such a way that a load which is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is exerted only on the upper surface51eof the holding member51, the state is maintained in which the upper surface51eof the holding member51, the upper surfaces60aof the erect wall portions61to64of the ascending and descending member60and the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17are flush with each other.

On the other hand, when a drink container (a container) C is placed on the holding member51, a load that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value is exerted on the upper surface51eof the holding member51, whereby the holding member51descends until it stops at the limit position of the downward movement thereof, and linking with this downward movement of the holding member51, the ascending and descending member60ascends until it stops at the limit position of the upward movement thereof. As a result, there is produced a state in which the a bottom Ca of the container C is held on the holding member51, and the guide wall portions31to34of the recessed portion25which extend upwards over the holding member51that has so descended and the erect wall portions61to64of the ascending and descending member60which extend upwards over the recessed portion25face sides Cb of the drink container C so as to restrict sideways movements of the container C.

The configurations of the respective portions of the recessed portion25that have been described heretofore are provided to the other of the two recessed portions25.

According to the automotive container holding apparatus of the first embodiment that has been described heretofore, since when the holding member51which is to hold the bottom Ca of a drink container C is caused to move downwards in an attempt to hold the drink container C, the ascending and descending member60having the erect wall portions61to64which can face the sides Cb of the container C moves upwards in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the holding member51, the insufficient height of the erect wall portions61to64can be compensated for, so that the tall drink container C can be held stably.

In addition, the erect wall portions61to64of the ascending and descending member60are caused to move downwards in such a state that no drink container C is held, and the holding member51ascends in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the erect wall portions61to64, whereby the height of the erect wall portions61to64can be maintained low. To be specific, the state can be produced in which the upper surfaces60aof the erect wall portions61to64, the upper surface51eof the holding member51and the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17become flush with each other. Consequently, in a non-use state in which no drink container C is held, not only is the external appearance characteristic of the automotive container holding apparatus14improved but also the storing characteristic thereof is enhanced in which an article is placed into the console box portion17for storage therein.

In addition, since the ascending and descending member60having the erect wall portions61to64moves upwards in such a manner as to link with a downward movement of the holding member51, there can be produced a state in which the ascending and descending member60having the erect wall portions61to64can be caused to move upwards only by placing the drink container C on the holding member51so as to cause the holding member51to be lowered by the weight of the drink container C, so that the tall drink container C can be held stably. Namely, the necessity of a special action such as rotation of the erect wall portions can be obviated.

Furthermore, since the ascending and descending member60having the erect wall portions61to64can be caused to move upwards in such a manner as to link with a downward movement of the holding member51by means of the substantially V-shaped connecting members41,42which are provided in such a manner as to be connected to the holding member51at the one ends and to the erect wall portions62,64of the ascending and descending member60at the other ends thereof and to rotate at the intermediate portions where they are bent, the construction of the automotive container holding apparatus14can be made simple, and the area of the holding member51can be obtained widely.

In addition, since the erect wall portions61to64move upwards when the holding member51is caused to move downwards, a small article that is placed on the bottom surface18aof the console box portion17can be prevented from falling on to the side of the holding member51that has moved downwards.

On top of this, since the ascending and descending member60is constructed so as to be easily removed from the connecting members41,42, the connecting members41,42are also constructed so as to be easily disassembled and the holding member51is also constructed so as to be removed, these members can easily be removed from the console box portion17, thereby facilitating the implementation of maintenance work.

Note that there may be provided a locking mechanism which is designed to lock the holding member51and the ascending and descending member60in such a manner as to prohibit the ascending and descending thereof when the holding member51comes to be situated at the limit position of the downward movement thereof while the ascending and descending member60comes to be situated at the limit position of the upward movement thereof and to release the holding member51and the ascending and descending member60which are so locked by pushing down the ascending and descending member60with a force of a predetermined value or greater. In addition, there may be provided a locking mechanism which is designed to lock the holding member51and the ascending and descending member60in such a manner as to prohibit the ascending and descending thereof when the holding member51comes to be situated at the limit position of the upward movement thereof while the ascending and descending member60comes to be situated at the limit position of the downward movement thereof and to release the holding member51and the ascending and descending member60which are so locked by pushing down the holding member51with a force of a predetermined value or greater. Furthermore, both of the locking mechanisms may be provided.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 6 to 8, the recessed portions25, the holding members51and the ascending and descending members60of the automotive container holding apparatus14of the first embodiment may be moved to contact one of the oppositely facing side wall portions of the console box portion17or the side wall portion19thereof so as to eliminate the erect wall portions61of the ascending and descending members60which are situated on the side to which the holding members51and the ascending and descending members60are moved closer and which the ascending and descending members60keep in the aforesaid construction, as well as the corresponding guide wall portions31which are close to the erect wall portions61.

Namely, the recessed portions25and the holding members51are provided so as to be closer to the side wall portion19of the console box portion17which is formed into the shape of a recess which opens upwards in such a manner as to be farther away from the side wall portion21thereof which oppositely faces the side wall portion19, and the ascending and descending members60which have only the erect wall portions63which are situated at the side of the side wall portion21and the erect wall portions62,64which are situated on the sides of the erect wall portion63are provided in the recessed portions25for the holding portions51in the console box portion17. Furthermore, the whole of the pairs of recessed portions25, holding members51and ascending and descending members60are provided so as to be closer to the side wall portion20which intersects with the side wall portion21at right angles.

According to this configuration, when the holding member51is caused to move downwards, the ascending and descending member60, which has the erect wall portion63that is provided at the side of the side wall portion21and the erect wall portions62,64which are provided on the sides of the erect wall portion63for the holding portion51, moves upwards, whereby there can be produced a state in which the drink container C can stably be held by the side wall portion19of the console box portion17and the erect wall portions62to64. As this occurs, since the whole of the pairs of recessed portions25, holding members51and ascending and descending members60are made to be closer to the side of the side wall portion19, the side of the side wall portion21of the console box portion17which oppositely faces the side wall portion19can be used as a storing space for other articles than the drink container C. In addition, since the whole of the pairs of recessed portions25, holding members51and ascending and descending members60are also made to be closer to the side wall portion20, the side of the side wall portion22of the console box portion17which oppositely faces the side wall portion20can also be used as a storing space for other articles than the drink container C. A space between the ascending and descending members60are set such that operations are possible which allow the respective holding members51or the respective ascending and descending members60to function independently. In addition, in a state where no drink container is held, when the ascending and descending member60having the erect wall portions62to64is caused to move downwards, the whole of the console box portion17can widely be used as a storing space. In addition, since the side wall portion19of the console box portion17is used to hold the drink container C, the construction of the automotive container holding apparatus14can be simplified further, and moreover, the space that is maintained for the erect wall portion61in the previous configuration can be saved, so that the storing space for other articles than the drink container C can be expanded.

Note that while in the example shown inFIGS. 6 to 8, as opposed to the configuration discussed before then, the inner connecting arm47and the guide groove55of the connecting member41are provided on the side closer to the erect wall portion63and the outer connecting arm44and the guide groove73of the connecting member42are provided on the side closer to the erect wall portion63, there is, of course, no difference in operation. In addition, while in the example shown inFIGS. 6 to 8, guide grooves74ato74dare formed on the guide wall portions32,34on sides thereof which are closer to the guide wall portion and oppositely facing sides thereof in such a manner as to extend vertically, and pin portions75a,75dwhich are formed, respectively, on the guide wall portions32,34on opposite sides to the guide grooves55,56which are supported by the inner support shafts48of the connecting members41,42of the holding member51are made to be guided within the corresponding guide grooves74a,74d,whereas pin portions75b,75cwhich are formed, respectively, on the guide wall portions32,34on opposite sides to the guide grooves72,73which are supported by the outer support shafts45of the connecting members41,42of the ascending and descending member60are made to be guided within the corresponding guide grooves74b,74c.

An automotive container holding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described below by reference toFIGS. 9 to 13.

An automotive container holding apparatus77of the second embodiment has a console box portion (an article storing compartment)78which is formed substantially into a rectangular shape which is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The console box portion78is formed into a recess which opens upwards and has a bottom portion79that is formed substantially into a longitudinally elongated, rectangular shape and which is disposed horizontally and four side wall portions80to83which rise from respective side edge portions of the bottom portion79and which are connected to each other in such a manner as to form a frame. In addition, a recessed portion85is formed at a location in the bottom portion79so as to be closer to one of the longitudinally oppositely facing side wall portions80of the console box portion78, that is, to be specific, the side wall portion82in such a manner as to be farther away from the other of the longitudinally oppositely facing side wall portions, that is, to be specific, the side wall portion80, and the recessed portion85is formed into a recess which recedes further downwards than an upper surface of the bottom portion79, that is, a bottom surface79aof the console box portion78.

The recessed portion85has a bottom portion86that is formed substantially into a transversely elongated rectangular shape and which is disposed horizontally, four inner wall portions87to90which rise, respectively, from respective edge portions of the bottom portion86to a height level with the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78and which are connected to each other in such a manner as to form a frame and a substantially flat plate-shaped guide wall portion92which rises from a longitudinal front side of the bottom portion86in parallel with the inner wall portion87that is situated on the same side, and the guide wall portion92connects to both of the inner wall portions88,90which intersect with the guide wall portions92at right angles.

Note that the inner wall portion88which intersects with the guide wall portion92at right angles on one side thereof is formed by extending downwards the side wall portion81of the console box portion78, the inner wall portion90which intersects with the guide wall portion90at right angles on one side thereof is also formed by extending downwards the side wall portion83of the console box portion78, and the inner wall portion89which is farthest from the guide wall portion92is also formed by extending downwards the side wall portion82of the console box portion78. Namely, the lower portion of the side wall portion, the lower portion of the side wall portion82, and the lower portion of the side wall portion83constitute, respectively, the inner wall portion88, the inner wall portion89and the inner wall portion90.

Projecting portions93are formed at two locations of a lower portion of the guide wall portion92in such a manner as to project towards the inner wall portion89which is farthest away from the guide wall portion92, and projecting portions94are formed at two locations of a lower portion of the inner wall portion89which is in parallel with the guide wall portion in such a manner as to project towards the guide wall portion92. Here, through holes96are formed in parallel with each other in the guide wall portion92on which the projecting portions93are formed at the two locations at the positions where the respective projecting portions93are actually formed, and through holes97are formed in the inner wall portion89on which the projecting portions94are formed at the two locations at the positions where the respective projecting portions94are actually formed in such a manner as to be coaxial with the corresponding through holes96. Note that the height of the guide wall portion92is set lower than the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78.

The automotive container holding apparatus77has a pair of connecting members99which are rotatably supported at the respective through holes96in the guide wall portion92. These connecting members99are formed into shapes which are symmetrical with each other in a mirror image fashion, and each of the connecting members99includes a rotational shaft100that is inserted into the corresponding through hole96, an outer connecting arm101that is fixed to an axial outer end portion of the rotational shaft100at a proximal end portion thereof in such a state that the outer connecting arm101extends radially outwards from the rotational shaft100, an outer support shaft102that is provided at a distal end portion of the outer connecting arm101which is opposite to the proximal end portion thereof where it is fixed to the rotational shaft100in such a manner as to extend further outwards along the rotational shaft100, an inner connecting arm103that is fixed to an axial inner end portion of the rotational shaft100at a proximal end portion thereof in such a state that the inner connecting arm103extends radially outwards from the rotational shaft100and an inner support shaft104that is provided at a distal end portion of the inner connecting arm103which is opposite to the proximal end portion thereof where it is fixed to the rotational shaft100in such a manner as to extend further inwards along the rotational shaft100.

Here, when viewed along an axial direction of the rotational shaft100, each of the connecting members99is formed substantially into a V-shape by the outer connecting arm101and the inner connecting arm103which intersect with each other at an obtuse angle and is provided on the console box portion78in such a manner as to rotate about the rotational shaft that is provided at an intermediate portion where the connecting member99bends.

In addition, the automotive container holding apparatus77has a pair of support members107which are rotatably supported at the respective through holes97in the inner wall portion89. Each of the support members107includes a rotational shaft108that is inserted into the corresponding through hole97, a support arm109that is fixed to an axial inner end portion of the rotational shaft108at a proximal end portion thereof in such a state that the support arm109extends radially outwards from the axial inner end portion of the rotational shaft108and a support shaft110that is provided at a distal end portion of the support arm109which is opposite to the proximal end portion thereof where it is fixed to the rotational shaft108in such a manner as to extend further inwards along the rotational shaft108. Namely, the support arm109is configured identical with the inner connecting arm103of the connecting member99.

The automotive container holding apparatus77has a transversely elongated, substantially rectangular holding member (a holding portion)113that is horizontally disposed inside a portion in the recessed portion85which is surrounded by the guide wall portion92, the inner wall portions88,90at the lower portions of the side wall portions81,83which are situated on the sides of the guide wall portion92in such a manner as to intersect therewith at right angles and the inner wall portion89at the lower portion of the side wall portion82which is farthest away from the guide wall portion92and which is connected to respective inner support shafts104at one end portions of the pair of connecting members99and respective support shafts110at distal end portions of the pair of support members107. Namely, the holding member113is provided so as to be closer to one of the oppositely facing side wall portions of the console box portion78that is formed into the recess which opens upwards, that is, the side wall portion82, in such a manner as to be farther away from the other of the oppositely facing side wall portions, that is, the side wall portion80.

Stepped portions115,116, which are both shaped such that a lower portion recedes further inwards than an upper portion, are formed, respectively, in side portions113a,113cof four side portions113ato113dof the holding member113which are situated at longer sides of the holding member113in such a manner as to extend along the full length of the respective side portions113a,113c,and as is shown inFIG. 10, a pair of guide grooves117are formed in the stepped portion115at positions which are spaced farther apart from each other in such a manner as to be arranged on the same straight line while extending horizontally. In addition, a pair of guide grooves118are formed in the stepped portion116at positions which are spaced farther apart from each other in such a manner as to be arranged on the same straight line while extending horizontally.

Then, the inner support shafts104of the pair of connecting members99are slidably inserted into the pair of guide grooves117in the side portion113aof the holding member113, whereas the support shafts110of the pair of support members107are slidably inserted into the pair of guide grooves118in the other side portion113cof the holding member113which is opposite to the side portion113a,and as a result, the holding member113is supported by the pair of connecting members99and the pair of support members107.

Here, when the pair of connecting members99are put in such a state, as shown inFIG. 10, that the respective inner connecting arms103thereof extend obliquely upwards in opposite directions to each other from the rotational shafts100, the respective inner support shafts104thereof come to be situated at end portions of the corresponding guide grooves117which are closest to each other, and when the pair of the support members107are also put in such a state that the respective support arms109thereof extend obliquely upwards in opposite directions each other from the rotational shafts108, the respective support shafts110thereof come to be situated at end portions in the corresponding guide grooves118which are closest to each other.

As the aforesaid states are produced, the holding member113, which is supported by the pair of inner support shafts104and the pair of support shafts110, is situated at a limit position for an upward movement thereof, and as is shown inFIG. 12, an upper surface113eof the holding member113becomes flush with the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78.

On the other hand, as is shown inFIG. 11, when the pair of connecting members99are put in such a state that the respective inner connecting arms103thereof extend horizontally sideways in opposite directions to each other from the rotational shaft100, the respective inner support shafts104thereof come to be situated at end portions in the corresponding guide grooves117which are farthest apart from each other, and when the pair of support members107are also put in such a state that the respective support arms109thereof extend horizontally sideways in opposite directions to each other from the rotational shafts108, the respective support shafts110thereof come to be situated at end portions in the corresponding guide grooves118which are farthest apart from each other.

As the aforesaid states are produced, the holding member113, which is supported by the pair of inner support shafts104and the pair of support shafts110, is situated at a limit position for a downward movement thereof, whereby the holding member113is, as shown inFIG. 13, superposed on an upper surface of the bottom portion86of the recessed portion85or an upper surface86aof the recessed portion85. Then, the holding member113is allowed to ascend and descend between the upper and lower limit positions. Namely, the holding member113is provided so as to move vertically.

An accommodating recessed portion120is formed in the upper surface113eof the holding member113on a guide wall portion92side thereof in such a manner as to recede further downwards by a step than the upper surface113e.This accommodating recessed portion120is formed into a shape in which a transversely central portion thereof is farthest apart from the guide wall portion92and sides thereof are formed into arcs, so that both the sides of the accommodating recessed portion120gradually approaches the guide wall portion92.

The automotive container holding apparatus77has an ascending and descending member122which is inserted into a gap formed between the guide wall portion92and the inner wall portion87which is situated close and parallel to the guide wall portion92. This ascending and descending member122has a substantially flat plate-shaped erect wall portion123and is disposed between the inner wall portion87and the guide wall portion92which are situated parallel and close to each other at this very erect wall portion123. A holder portion124is formed at an upper edge portion of the erect portion123on the ascending and descending member122in such a manner as to project over the guide wall portion92into the inside of the recessed portion85, and this holder portion124is formed into a complementary shape to the accommodating recessed portion120of the holding member113. Namely, the holder portion124is formed into the shape in which the transversely central portion thereof is farthest apart from the erect wall portion123and the sides thereof are formed into arcs, so that both the sides of the accommodating recessed portion120gradually approaches the erect wall portion123. Note that by adopting the configuration that has been described heretofore, the erect wall portion123is provided for the holding member113in the console box portion78at the side of the holding member113which faces the side wall portion80.

Then, a recess-shaped stepped portion125is formed at a lower portion of the erect wall portion123on a guide wall portion92side thereof in such a manner as to extend along the full length of the erect wall portion123, and a pair of guide grooves126are, as shown inFIG. 10, formed in the stepped portion125at positions nearest to each other thereon in such a manner as to be arranged on the same straight line while each extending in a horizontal direction. In the ascending and descending member122, the outer support shaft102situated at the other end of one of the connecting members99is slidably inserted into one of the guide grooves126, whereas the outer support shaft104situated at the other end of the other of the connecting members99is slidably inserted into the other of the guide grooves126, and as a result, the ascending and descending member122is connected to the other ends of the pair of connecting members99at the erect wall portion123in which the guide grooves126are formed.

Here, as is shown inFIG. 11, when the pair of connecting members99are put in such a state that the respective outer connecting arms101extend from the rotational shafts100obliquely upwards in directions in which they approach each other, the respective outer support shafts102come to be situated at end positions in the corresponding guide grooves126which are farthest apart from each other. As this occurs, the ascending and descending member122which is supported by the pair of outer support shafts102is situated at a limit position for a downward movement thereof, and an upper surface122awhich continues from the erect wall portion123to the holder portion124is, as shown inFIG. 13, situated above the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78, whereby the ascending and descending member122constitutes a partitioning wall between the bottom surface79aside and the holding member113side.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 10, the pair of the connecting members99are put in such a state that the respective outer connecting arms101extend from the rotational shafts100horizontally sideways in directions in which they approach each other, the respective outer support shafts102thereof are situated at end portions in the corresponding guide grooves126which are closest to each other, the respective outer support shafts102thereof come to be situated at a limit position for a downward movement thereof. Note that when situated at the limit position for the downward movement thereof, in the ascending and descending member122, the erect wall portion123and the upper surface122aof the holder portion124become flush with the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78. Then, the ascending and descending member122ascends and descends between the upper and lower limit positions. Namely, the ascending and descending member122having the erect wall portion123is provided in such a manner as to move in the vertical directions.

Here, since each of the connecting members99is, as has been described above, formed substantially into the V-shape and is provided on the console box portion78in such a manner as to rotate at the intermediate portion where the connecting member99is bent, when the inner support shaft104moves upwards, the outer support shaft102moves downwards in such a manner as to link with the upward movement of the inner support shaft104, whereas when the inner support shaft104moves downwards, the outer support shaft102moves upwards in such a manner as to link with the downward movement of the inner support shaft104. As a result, the ascending and descending member122having the erect wall portion123that is connected to the outer support shafts102moves upward in such a manner as to link with a downward movement of the holding member113that is connected to the inner support shafts104, whereas the ascending and descending member122having the erect wall portion123that is connected to the outer support shafts102moves downward in such a manner as to link with an upward movement of the holding member113that is connected to the inner support shafts104.

Then, when the holding member113moves downwards to the lower limit position thereof, the ascending and descending member122having the erect wall portion123moves upwards to the upper limit position thereof. In this state, the holding member113is situated below the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78, and the ascending and descending member122is situated above the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78. As this occurs, the upper surface122aof the ascending and descending member122is situated at a height that is equal to or lower than an upper surface81aof the console box portion78, whereby the ascending and descending member122constitutes a partitioning wall between the bottom surface79aside and the holding member113side.

In addition, when the holding member113moves upwards to the upper limit position thereof, the ascending and descending member122having the erect wall portion123moves downwards to the lower limit position thereof. In this state, the holder portion124of the ascending and descending member122comes to enter the accommodating recessed portion120in the holding member113, whereby the upper surface113eof the holding member113, the erect wall portion123of the ascending and descending member122and the upper surface122aof the holder portion124become flush with the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78.

Here, in a state where only the weights of the holding member113and the ascending and descending member122are exerted from the relationship between the weights of the holding member113and the ascending and descending member122, the upper surface113eof the holding member113and the upper surfaces122aof the ascending and descending member122become flush with the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78, whereby the entirety of a bottom surface18aside of the console box portion78becomes flat to thereby constitute a storing space where an article can be placed. Note that even when an article is placed there, in the event that the article is not placed on the holding member113in such a way that a load which is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is exerted only on the upper surface113eof the holding member113, the state is maintained in which the upper surface113eof the holding member113, the upper surface122aof the ascending and descending member122and the bottom surface79aof the console box portion78are flush with each other.

On the other hand, when a drink container (a container) C is placed on the holding member113, a load that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value is exerted on the upper surface113eof the holding member113, whereby the holding member113descends until it stops at the limit position of the downward movement thereof, and linking with this downward movement of the holding member113, the ascending and descending member122ascends until it stops at the limit position of the upward movement thereof. As a result, there is produced a state in which the a bottom Ca of the container C is held on the holding member113and the guide wall portion92of the recessed portion85which is situated above the holding member113which has so descended, the ascending and descending member122which continuously projects over the guide wall portion92, the side wall portions81,83which intersect with the guide wall portion92at right angles and the side wall portion82which oppositely faces the guide wall portion92oppositely face sides Cb of the drink container C to thereby restrict sideways movements of the drink container C. Here, since the holding member113is formed into the transversely elongated shape, two drink containers C can be held, and the holder portion124of the ascending and descending member122faces the sides of the respective drink containers C which are situated towards a transverse center of the holding member113to thereby restrict sideways movements of the respective drink containers C.

Similar advantages to those provided by the first embodiment can be provided by the automotive container holding apparatus77of the second embodiment that has been described heretofore, as well.

On top of that, when the holding member113is caused to move downwards which is provided so as to be closer to the one of the longitudinally oppositely facing side wall portions of the console box portion78which is formed into the recess which opens upwards, that is, the side wall portion82in such a manner as to be farther away from the other of the longitudinally oppositely facing side wall portions, that is, the side wall portion80, the erect wall portion123moves upwards which is provided so as to be closer to the one of the oppositely facing side wall portions, that is, the side wall portion80for the holding member113in the console box portion78, whereby there is produced a state in which the drink container C can be held by the other of the oppositely facing side wall portions, that is, the side wall portion82, the side wall portions81,83which intersect with the side wall portion82at right angles, the erect wall portion123and the holder portion124. As this occurs, a portion of the console box portion78which extends longitudinally forward of the erect wall portion123to the other of the oppositely facing side wall portions, that is, the side wall portion80can be used as a storing space for other articles than the drink container C. In addition, in such a state that no drink container C is held, in the event that the erect wall portion123is caused to move downwards, the whole of the console box portion78can be used widely as a flat storing space. In addition, since the side wall portions81to83of the console box portion78are used to hold the drink container C, the construction of the automotive container holding apparatus77can be simplified further, and moreover, the spaces for erect wall portions that would otherwise be necessary can be saved so as to increase the storing space for other articles than drink containers C.

Note that also in the second embodiment, there may be provided a locking mechanism which is designed to lock the holding member113and the ascending and descending member122in such a manner as to prohibit the ascending and descending thereof when the holding member113comes to be situated at the limit position of the downward movement thereof while the ascending and descending member122comes to be situated at the limit position of the upward movement thereof and to release the holding member113and the ascending and descending member122which are so locked by pushing down the ascending and descending member122with a force of a predetermined value or greater. In addition, there may be provided a locking mechanism which is designed to lock the holding member113and the ascending and descending member122in such a manner as to prohibit the ascending and descending thereof when the holding member51comes to be situated at the limit position of the upward movement thereof while the ascending and descending member60comes to be situated at the limit position of the downward movement thereof and to release the holding member113and the ascending and descending member122which are so locked by pushing down the holding member113with a force of a predetermined value or greater. Furthermore, both of the locking mechanisms may be provided. In this case, the holding member may be biased by a spring or the like in a direction in which the holding member is situated at the limit position of the upward movement thereof.