Shutter

A shutter (S) including a plurality of support portions (10) provided in array in a sliding direction of the shutter, a hinge portion (20) for connecting adjoining two support portions (10), and slide supporting portions (30) provided at both ends of each support portion (10) so as to face a pair of guiderails. Each slide supporting portion (30) has a pair of first and second abutting portions (32 and 34) formed in array in the sliding direction for slidably engaging with the guiderail. Each support portion (10) is supported by the pair of guiderails at three or more out of a total of four first and second abutting portions (32 and 34) when a load is applied to the shutter from the outside.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Filed of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shutter disposed slidably along a pair of guiderails arranged in an opposed manner in, for instance, an automobile.

2. Related Art

As shown inFIG. 8, in a floor console FC installed in, for example, a compartment of an automobile, an article housing portion102that opens upward is defined inside a console main body100. As a cover member for opening and closing the upper opening104of the article housing portion102, a shutter S1is employed. In this structure, the slide supporting portions74provided at both side edges of the shutter S1are respectively engaged with a pair of guiderails L1, L2that are disposed opposedly at the right and left sides of the article housing portion102, so that the shutter S1slides in the front-back direction along the guiderails L1and L2.

The shutter S1is extended substantially horizontally and flat on the upper surface of the console main body100when the article housing portion102is closed. When the article housing portion102is opened, the shutter S1is housed in a curved manner in the inside rear portion of the console main body100. Thus, the shutter S1is required to be deformed into a flat state and a curved state. In addition, the shutter S1, when the article housing portion102is in a closed state, may have an aspect in which, for example, an article or an arm (elbow) is placed on the upper surface thereof, and hands are put on the shutter S1when passengers get in and out of the compartment. Thus, the shutter S1is required have flexibility which allows it to be deformed into a curved state and rigidity which supports a certain degree of load thereon. Accordingly, a conventional shutter S1is comprised of, as shown inFIGS. 9(a) to10(b), a plate member60molded with a soft resin (thermoplastic elastomer, etc.) and a rib member70molded with a resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, etc.) harder than the soft resin. In other words, the conventional shutters S1are produced by means of what is called multicolor molding method, and those which are molded from two or more types of resins having different hardness are employed.

In the above-described plate member60, cell portions62and hinge portions64thinner than the cell portions62are formed alternately in the sliding direction, so that elastic curvature deformation can be made at each hinge portion64. Further, each rib member70comprises a rib portion72extended along the cell portion62and slide supporting portions74provided respectively at one end and the other end of the rib portions72. The respective rib members70are separated from each other individually in the sliding direction, in which the rib portion72is mated with the cell portion62of the plate member60, and each slide supporting portion74is elongated sideward beyond the plate member60. Accordingly, the shutter S1is able to slide along the guiderails L1and L2when the respective slide supporting portions74of each rib member70engages with the groove portions114of the corresponding guiderails L1and L2. The shutter S1designed in such a manner as describe above is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2008-24099

Each rib member70in the above-described structure is in such a form that its two slide supporting portions74are engaged with the groove portions114of the guiderails L1and L2. Accordingly, when a load is applied thereto from the front side of the shutter S1, it is supported by the guiderails L1and L2in a two-point support fashion in which the line B1that connects the abutting points P1and P2of both slide supporting portions74becomes one straight line as shown inFIG. 11(a). Moreover, the abutting portions74A of the slide supporting portions74are in a form of spherical body so as to decrease the frictional resistance with respect to the groove portions114of the guiderails L1and L2. Accordingly, when a load is applied to the rib portion72of the slide supporting portion74at a position shifted from the line B1in the sliding direction, the rib member70ends in rotational displacement around an axis extended in the width direction of the shutter. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 11(b), when a load is applied to the hinge portion64of the plate member60, the rib members70adjoining the hinge portion64come to be rotationally displaced reversely around an axis extended in the width direction. As a result, there is a fear that the plate member60is broken at the hinge portion64due to the concentration of stress on the hinge portion64. Furthermore, when a load is applied from the front side of the shutter S1in a state that the rib portion72declines, the rib member70fails to show pre-designed rigidity, and there is a possible fear that the rib member70is broken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to inexpensively provide a shutter which is free of deformation or breakage that would be caused by a load applied thereto.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the intended object, the invention of the present application provides a shutter that is disposed slidably between a pair of guiderails arranged in an opposed manner, and it comprises:a support portion provided in array in a sliding direction of the shutter for supporting a load applied thereto;a hinge portion having flexibility and provided so as to connect the adjoining support portions; anda pair of abutting portions formed in array in the sliding direction at each end of each one of the support portions so as to be slidably engaged with the guiderails,wherein the support portion and the abutting portion are integrally molded from same material, andeach of the support portions is supported by the pair of guiderails at three or more out of the total of four abutting portions with two being provided at each end thereof when a load is applied to the shutter from the front side.

According to the above structure of the present invention, each support portion is supported by a pair of guiderails at three or more out of the four abutting portions in total with two being formed in array in the sliding direction when a load is applied to the shutter. Therefore, the support portion is prevented from being rotationally displaced around an axis, which extends in the width direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the shutter, when tress is applied to the front side of the shutter.

In the present invention, the hinge portion can be formed from a material softer than that of the support portion and abutting portion.

According to this structure, in the shutter, when a load is applied on each support portion from the front side (or outside) of the shutter, stress is less likely to concentrate on the hinge portion connecting the support portions; as a result, it becomes possible to form a hinge portion that has flexibility from a material softer than that of each support portion which is capable of supporting the load.

In addition, in the present invention, the support portion, the hinge portion and the abutting portion can be integrally molded from the same material.

According to this structure, in the shutter, when a load is applied on each support portion from the front side, stress is less likely to concentrate on the hinge portion connecting the support portions; as a result, the hinge portion, which has flexibility by being formed to be thinner than the support portion from the same material as that of each supporting portion which is capable of supporting the load, can be formed integrally with the support portion. In this manner, since only one type of molding material is used to integrally mold a shutter in one step, material costs can be inexpensive and man-hours for molding operation can be reduced as well to keep production costs down, so that it becomes possible to produce the shutter inexpensively. In addition, since the shutter is molded integrally from one type of molding material, the shutter is prevented from being partly detached.

Furthermore, in the present invention, each of the support portions can be provided with a pair of abutting portions at each end thereof with the center in the sliding direction of the support portion in between.

Therefore, according to this structure, even if a load is applied to a position shifted from the center (a position closer to the hinge portion than the center) in the sliding direction of the support portion, the support portion is less likely to be rotationally displaced around the axis extended in the width direction that is orthogonal to the sliding direction of the shutter.

Furthermore, in the present invention,the support portion can be provided in a protruding manner toward the backside so as to protrude from the side of the hinge portion and the pair of abutting portions are provided further backside than the hinge portion,the hinge portion allows the shutter to be in a flat state in which the adjoining support portions are away from each other in the sliding direction and in a curved state in which the support portions are in proximity to each other, andthe adjoining abutting portions with the hinge portion being sandwiched thereby are, in the flat state of the shutter, formed such that the faces of the abutting portions opposed to each other in the sliding direction becomes further separated from each other in a direction away from the hinge portion.

Therefore, according to this structure, the shutter is deformed into the curved state in which the adjoining support potions are in proximity in the sliding direction of the shutter because of the deformation of the hinge portion. Further, the adjoining abutting portions with the hinge portion being sandwiched in between are, in the flat state of the shutter, formed such that the faces opposed to each other in the sliding direction becomes further separated from each other in the direction away from the hinge portion Accordingly, even if a clearance in the sliding direction between the pair of abutting portions provided at both ends of the support potion is set greater, the abutting portions are not brought into contact with each other when the shutter is deformed into the curved state, and the shutter is not prevented from being deformed into the curved state: In addition, since the clearance in the sliding direction between the pair of abutting portions provided at the support potion can be greater, the stability of the support portion when a load is applied to the shutter in the flat state can be enhanced.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the size of each of the support portions in a thickness direction that is orthogonal to the sliding direction can be minimum at both ends in an opposing direction of the pair of guiderails and can be larger at a central portion in the opposing direction than at both ends.

Therefore, according to this structure, even if a load is applied to the support portion, the support portion is less likely to be deflectively deformed in the width direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the shutter, and stress is prevented from concentrating on the hinge portion.

Still further, in the present invention, each of the abutting portions can be configured to be point-contacted with the guiderail due to a curve-shaped formation of the face abutting the guiderail.

Therefore, according to this structure, each of the abutting portions is point-contacted with the guiderail, and thus the pair of abutting portions provided in array in the sliding direction always abuts at a position away from each other in the sliding direction; therefore, the support portion is stably supported by the guiderail. In addition, since the frictional resistance between each of the abutting portions and the guiderail becomes smaller, the shutter can be moved with less power, and the operability of opening and closing of the shutter is high.

As seen from the above, according to the shutter of the present invention, it is possible to provide inexpensive production thereof as well as prevention of deformation or breakage thereof that would be caused by a load that is applied thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A shutter according to the present invention will be hereinafter described by way of preferred embodiments, referring to attached drawings. While in the embodiments, as shown inFIG. 4, a shutter used as a cover member of a floor console FC of an automobile is illustrated, the shutter of the present application is not limited to a floor console and can be used for other types of console. In addition, in the following embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2(a), in a state where a shutter S is horizontal and flat, the sliding direction of the shutter S is referred to as “length direction”, the direction horizontally orthogonal to the sliding direction (the opposing direction of both guiderails L1and L2) is referred to as a “width direction”, and the direction vertically orthogonal to the sliding direction is referred to as a “thickness direction”.

In a floor console FC on which a shutter S of Embodiment 1 is disposed, as shown inFIG. 4, an article housing portion102opening upward is defined inside the rear in the front-back direction in a console main body100. Further, the upper opening104of the article housing portion102is designed to be covered openably and closably by the shutter S. Inside the console main body100, a pair of guiderails L1and L2is provided so as to be extended in the front-back direction of the console main body100and to be opposed in the width direction of the console main body100with the article housing portion102sandwiched thereby. Furthermore, the shutter S of Embodiment 1 is provided so as to be slidable along the guiderails L1and L2with each of slide supporting portions30described later respectively engaged with the guiderails L1and L2.

Each of the guiderails L1and L2is, as shown inFIG. 4, fowled in a symmetrical shape in the width direction and is comprised of a linear portion110, which extends horizontally in the front-back direction at a side edge of the upper opening104of the article housing portion102, and a curved portion112, which is bent downward from the rear part of the linear portion110in an arc manner beyond the rear part of the article housing portion102in a predetermined curvature. In each of the guiderails L1and L2, a groove portion114extended from the linear portions110to the curved portions112is formed on the inner surfaces opposed to each other, and the slide supporting portions30are face the respective groove portions114so as to be engaged therewith.

The shutter S of Embodiment 1, as shown inFIGS. 1(a) to4, is comprised of support portions10provided in array (or side by side) in the length direction for supporting a load applied to the shutter S, hinge portions20each formed between two adjoining support portions10so as to connect them, and slide supporting portions30provided respectively at one end10A opposed to one guiderail L1and at another end10B opposed to the other guiderail L2in each one of the support portions10. The shutter S of Embodiment 1 is a molded member in which the support portion10, the hinge portion20and the slide supporting portion30constituting the shutter S are integrally molded from one type of molding material by an injection molding die. As molding materials, synthetic resins such as hard polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) rather than thermoplastic elastomers are preferably employed.

In the shutter S of Embodiment 1, a total of 18 support portions10are provided in array in the length direction, and they are formed symmetrically in the width direction. Each of the support portions10has a width-wise length that corresponds to the space between the two guide rails L1and L2, and it is, as shown inFIGS. 1(a) and2(b), formed in an elongated shape in the width direction and protrudes toward the backside of the shutter S from the side of the hinge portion20Each of the support portions10is comprised of, as best seen fromFIG. 2(b), a plate portion12constituting a front outer plate of the shutter S, a first beam portion14extended in the width direction of the shutter S, a second beam portion16spaced apart from and parallel to the first beam portion14in the length direction of the shutter S, and a plurality of connecting ribs18for connecting the first beam portion14and the second beam portion16to each other. The connecting ribs18between the first and second beam portions14and16are disposed with predetermined clearance in between in the width direction, and the support portion10that is thus composed of the first beam portion14, the second beam portion16and the connecting ribs18is configured as what is called a ladder-like rib structure with a space between the first and second beam portions14and16.

The first beam portion14and the second beam portion16are, as shown inFIGS. 2(b) and3(b), formed in a symmetrical shape in the length direction of the shutter S and are designed such that the height in the thickness direction is set larger than the width in the length direction. Further, in the first beam portion14and the second beam portion16, as shown inFIGS. 1(b) and3(b), the width in the length direction is maximum (G1) at the side of the hinge portion20(side of the outer plate12) and becomes gradually smaller in the direction away from the hinge portion20so as to be minimum (G2) at the tip end opposite to the hinge portion20. Further, as best seen fromFIG. 2(b), the first beam portion14and the second beam portion16are, when sectioned into four equal parts in the width direction for convenience sake, are formed such that the height is maximum (H1) in the section corresponding to two middle parts, and the height is minimum (H2) at one end10A and the other end10B of the support portion10. Furthermore, the part near one end10A of the first and second beam portions14and16is formed in a sloped shape such that the height becomes gradually smaller as being closer to (or toward) the one end10A from the center. In addition, the part near the other end10B of the first and second beam portions14and16is formed in a sloped shape such that the height becomes gradually smaller as being closer to (or toward) the other end10B from the center. Accordingly, the support portion10which is of a rib structure with a space between the first and second beam portions14and16secures rigidity equivalent to that of the case where a space between both beam portions14and16is filled with a hard resin, so that, even if a load is applied to the support portion10in its middle section in the width direction from above, deflective deformation or torsional deformation in the width direction is less likely to occur.

Each of the support portions10composed of the first beam portion14and the second beam portion16is, as shown inFIGS. 1(b) and3(b), formed such that the width in the length direction is maximum (W1) at the side of the hinge portion20(or at the side of the outer plate12and becomes gradually smaller in the direction away from the hinge portion20so as to be minimum (W2) at the tip end opposite to the hinge portion20. In other words, the support portion10is formed in a protruding manner toward the backside of the shutter S such that the shape seen from the outside in the width direction of the shutter S is tapered in the direction away from the hinge portion20to form a trapezoidal shape.

The hinge portion20is formed, as shown inFIGS. 1(a) to3(b), integrally with the plate portion12of the support portions10adjoining each other in the length direction to connect each of the support portions10in lateral array at a location facing the front side in the thickness direction. In addition, the hinge portion20is formed to be thinner than the support portion10to allow elastic flexure deformation or bending deformation. Further, the hinge portion20is designed to be deformable until the backside of the support portions10spaced apart from the front thereof comes into proximity and the first beam portion14of one support portion10and the second beam portion16of the other support portion10, which adjoin each other, are brought into contact with each other. The clearance between two support portions10adjoining each other with the hinge portion20being sandwiched thereby is, as mentioned above, formed in a trapezoidal shape, and thus, in the flat state of the shutter S, the clearance is narrowest at the side of the hinge portion20and becomes gradually greater in the direction away from the hinge portion20. The thickness of the hinge portion20is set to around 0.5 mm. Thus, it is designed such that, even if the hinge portion20is formed from a molding material of hard synthetic resin having necessary rigidity, elastic flexure deformation or bending deformation can be possible until the adjoining support portions10are brought into contact with each other, and in addition, even when the adjoining support portions10are bent until brought into contact with each other, breakage due to plastic deformation does not occur.

Next, each one of slide supporting portions30provided at one end10A and the other end10B in the width direction of each of the support portions10will be described referring toFIGS. 1(a) to3(b). The slide supporting portion30provided at one end10A and the slide supporting portion30provided at the other end10B of each of the supporting portions10are formed symmetrically in the width direction, and thus the same reference numerals will be allotted to the same portions.

Each of the slide supporting portions30is provided at the backside to protrude from the side of the hinge portion20in the thickness direction and comprises a first abutting portion32and a second abutting portion34that is provided so as to be spaced apart from the first abutting portion32in the length direction.

The first abutting portion32is formed so as to be elongated horizontally from the end of the first beam portion14in the support portion10and positioned on the same axis in the width direction, and it includes an arm portion32A connected to the end of the first beam portion14and an abutting protrusion32B formed at the tip end of the arm portion32A. The abutting protrusion32B is, as shown inFIGS. 3(a) and3(b), formed in a cylindrical shape having two circular end surfaces around an axis32extended in the length direction when seen in the length direction of the shutter S. Further, both end faces in the length direction of the abutting protrusion32B are formed in a planar shape, and the outer peripheral faces thereof are formed in a curved shape so as to bulge outward, so that they have a diameter which allows them to protrude into the groove portions114of the guiderails L1and L2. In addition, the abutting protrusion32B is designed such that the outer peripheral faces can be point-contacted with each of a bottom surface114A, a top surface114B and a side surface114C of the groove portion114. The arm portion32A is approximately rectangular in its longitudinally sectional shape, and the size in the thickness direction is larger at the connecting rib to the first beam portion14, making deflective deformation less likely to occur for the first beam portion14in the length direction and the thickness direction.

Further, the second abutting portion34of the respective slide supporting portions30is formed in a shape symmetrical to the first abutting portion32in the length direction, and it includes an arm portion34A connected to the end of the second beam portion16and an abutting protrusion34B formed at the tip end of the arm portion34A. Each second abutting portion34is formed so as to be elongated horizontally from the end of the second beam portion16in the support portion10to be positioned on the same axis in the width direction, and it includes the arm portion34A connected to the end of the second beam portion16and the abutting protrusion34B formed at the tip end of the arm portion34A. The abutting protrusion34B is, as shown inFIGS. 3(a) and3(b), formed in a cylindrical shape having two circular end surfaces around the axis J2extended in the length direction when seen in the length direction of the shutter S. Further, both end faces in the length direction of the abutting protrusion34B are formed in a planar shape, and the outer peripheral faces thereof are formed in a curved shape so as to bulge outward, so that they have a diameter which allows them to protrude into the groove portions114of the guiderails L1and L2. In addition, the abutting protrusion34B is designed such that the outer peripheral face can be point-contacted with each of the bottom surface114A, the top surface114B and the side surface114C. The arm portion34A of the second beam portion34is approximately rectangular in its longitudinally sectional shape, and the size in the thickness direction is larger at the connecting rib to the second beam portion16, making deflective deformation less likely to occur for the second beam portion16in the length direction and the thickness direction.

Each of the slide supporting portions30is, as shown inFIG. 3(b), formed in such a shape as to be tapered from the hinge portion20side toward the side away from the hinge portion20in conformity to the trapezoidal shape of the support portion10in which the slide supporting portion30is formed. More specifically, a section away from the hinge portion20on the end face opposite to the second abutting portion34of the first abutting portion32of the slide supporting portion30is formed in a sloped shape in conformity to the sloped outer wall of the first beam portion14of the support portion10. Similarly, a section away from the hinge portion20on the end face opposite to the first abutting portion32of the second abutting portion34of the slide supporting portion30is formed in a sloped shape in conformity to the sloped outer wall of the second beam portion16of the support portion10. With these structures, when the shutter S is in the flat state, the clearance between the first abutting portion32of the slide supporting portion30provided in one support portion10and the second abutting portion34of the slide supporting portion30provided in the other support portion10, which adjoin each other, is greater at the side away from the hinge portion20than at the side of the hinge portion20. Accordingly, in each of the slide supporting portions30, even if the clearance between the first abutting potion32and the second abutting portion34is set greater in the length direction, the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of the adjoining slide supporting portions30are prevented from being brought into contact with each other when the adjoining support portions10are displaced in their postures to be in proximity due to elastic deformation of the hinge portion20.

Further, each of the support portions10provided with the slide supporting portions30at both ends of one end10A and the other end10B is, as shown inFIGS. 3(a) and3(b), supported by a pair of guiderails L1and L2by means of four-point support given by four abutting portions of the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of one slide supporting portion30and the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of the other slide supporting portion30. In other words, contacting points P1and P2where each of the abutting portions32and34of one slide supporting potion30abuts the bottom surface114A of the groove portion114in one guiderail L1and contacting points P3and P4where each of the abutting portions32and34of the other slide supporting potion30abuts the bottom surface114A of the groove portion114in the other guiderail L2have a relationship to form a quadrangle line B.

Accordingly, when a load is applied to the plate portion12from the front side, four abutting portions of the respective first abutting portions32and the respective second abutting portions34in each of the slide supporting portions30abut a pair of guiderails L1and L2, so that rotational displacement around an axis J1extended in the width direction is prevented, which allows each of the supporting portions10to be stably supported. If at least three or more out of the four abutting portions in total of the respective first abutting portions32and the respective second abutting portions34of each of the slide supporting portions30abut a pair of guiderails L1and L2, then rotational displacement is prevented to allow the support portion10to be stably supported.

In the shutter S of Embodiment 1, a grip portion46protruding upward and extended in the width direction with approximately the same size as the size of the support portion10in the length direction is provided on the plate portion12of the support portion10that is formed as the front surface of the floor console FC. Accordingly, the slide operation of the shutter S can be performed easily by gripping the grip portion46with fingers.

In the above-mentioned shutter S of Embodiment 1, the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of each of the slide supporting portions30provided at one end10A of each of the support portions10are protruded respectively into the groove portion114of one guiderail L1provided in the console main body100so as to be engaged therewith. Further, the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of each of the slide supporting portions30provided at the other end10B of each of the support portions10are protruded respectively into the groove portion114of the other guiderail L2so as to be engaged therewith. The shutter S is thus disposed slidably in the console main body100. When the shutter S is slid toward the front of the console main body100so as to face the upper opening104of the article housing portion102, the slide supporting portions30of each of the support portions10come to be positioned at the linear portion110of each of the guiderails L1and L2; as a result, the shutter S takes a flat state like a piece of flat plate, which allows the upper opening104to be covered entirely by the shutter S (seeFIG. 4).

In addition, the shutter S of Embodiment 1, in a flat state where the upper opening104of the article housing portion104is covered entirely thereby, can maintain the flat state appropriately, even if a certain degree of load is applied thereto from above when, for instance, an article or an arm of a passenger is placed on its front side facing upward, and when a hand of passenger is put thereon. More specifically, each of the support portions10having received a load from the front side of the shutter S in the thickness direction can retain its posture stably without rotational displacement, because at least three or more out of the four abutting portions in total of the first and second abutting portions32and34of one slide supporting portion30and the first and second abutting portions32and34of the other slide supporting portion30come to abut the bottom surfaces114A of the grooves114in the respective guiderails L1and L2. In addition, each of the support portions10constitutes a rib structure composed of the first beam portion14, the second beam portion16and the connecting ribs18and has rigidity; accordingly, even if a load is applied to the plate portion12from above, deflective deformation and torsional deformation in the width direction can be reduced.

On the other hand, when the shutter S is slid toward the rear of the console main body100, the support portions10of the shutter S at the rear side in the length direction are designed to be first moved to the curved portions112of each of the guiderails L1and L2. Then, when the support portions10are moved to the curved portion112of each of the guiderails L1and L2, the abutting protrusion32bof the first abutting portion32and the abutting protrusion34bof the second abutting portion34of each of the slide supporting portions30provided in the support portion10come to abut the upper surfaces114B of the groove of each of the guiderails L1and L2. As a result, when the support portions10are moved to the curved portion112of each of the guiderails L1and L2, since the hinge portion20between two adjoining support portions10is elastically deformed, one support portion10is displaced in its posture relative to the other support portion10. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 1(b), the shutter S is deformed into a curved state in the same curvature as that of the curved portion112of each of the guiderails L1and L2due to elastic deformation of each of the hinge portions20.

In this manner, in the shutter S of Embodiment 1, when a load is applied to the front side of the shutter S, each of the support portions10constituting the shutter S is supported by the pair of guiderails L1and L2at three or more out of the respective first abutting portions32and the respective second abutting portions34(four in total) with two being provided for the slide supporting portions30provided for each of one end10A and the other end10B, and the support portion10is not rotationally displaced around the axis J1extended in the width direction. Moreover, the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of the slide supporting portion30are respectively provided at one end10A and at the other end10B of the support portions10with the center being sandwiched thereby in the length direction of the supporting portion10; as a result, even if a load is applied to the support portion10at a position shifted from the center of the support portion10in the sliding direction (a position closer to the hinge portion20than the center), the supporting portion10is less likely to be rotationally displaced around the axis J1extended in the width direction. In other words, in the shutter S of Embodiment 1, when a load is applied to each of the support portions10from the front side (or from above), stress is less likely to concentrate on the hinge portion20connecting the support portions10, and it becomes possible to form the hinge portion20more thinly. As a result, the hinge portion20can have sufficient flexibility, even if it is formed to be thin by the same molding material as that for forming the support portion10and each of the slide supporting portions30. Accordingly, it is possible to integrally mold the support portion10, the hinge portion20and the slide supporting portion30by the same hard resin. More specifically, since only one type of molding material can be used to integrally mold the shutter S in one step, material costs can be inexpensive, man-hours for molding operation can be reduced, and it is possible to keep the production costs down.

In addition, since the shutter S is, as mentioned above, molded integrally from one type of molding material, the support portion10and the hinge portion20are prevented from being detached from each other at the boundary section that is between them. Likewise, since each of the support portions10and the slide supporting portion30are also prevented from being detached from each other at the boundary section that is between them, there is no such case that the shutter S cannot be used due to the detachment.

Further, faces opposed to each other with the hinge portion20being sandwiched thereby of the first abutting portion32of the slide supporting portion30provided on one support portion10and the second abutting portion34of the slide supporting portion30provided on another supporting support10, which adjoin each other in the sliding direction of the shutter, are formed so as to be away further separated from each other in the direction away from the hinge portion20. Accordingly, even if a clearance in the sliding direction is set greater, the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of the slide supporting portion30are not brought into contact with each other when the shutter S is deformed into a curved state, so that and the shutter is not prevented from being deformed into the curved state. In addition, since the clearance in the sliding direction and between the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34in the slide supporting portion30can be made greater, the stability of the support portion10can be enhanced even when a load is applied to the shutter S which is in the flat state.

Further, each of the support portions10constitutes a rib structure that comprises the first and second beam portions14and16arrayed in the length direction and the connecting ribs18for connecting two beam portions14and16; accordingly, the support portions10can have rigidity less likely to cause deflective deformation or torsional deformation even if a conceivable load is received. In particular, since the first beam portion14and the second beam portion16in the central portion in the width direction of each of the support portions10are designed to be high, a load applied to the shutter S from the front side can be appropriately received with deflective deformation being controlled. In addition, each of the support portions10is formed, in the size in the length direction, in a trapezoidal shape that is tapered as being further spaced apart from the hinge portion20in the thickness direction, the deformation of the shutter S into a curved state due to the deformation of the hinge portion20is not restricted.

Further, since the frictional resistance between the first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of each of the slide supporting portions30and each of the guiderails L1and L2is restricted to be small, the shutter S can be slidingly moved with less power, and the operability of opening and closing of the shutter S is high.

Furthermore, since a space is provided between the first beam portion14and the second beam portion16in each of the support portions10, weight reduction of the shutter S can be achieved, and there is less amount of molding materials to be used as well, which can keep the production costs low. Moreover, since less amount of molding materials is used, the disadvantage of mold sink mark occurring during molding at a section corresponding to the support portion10on the outer surface of the shutter S can be prevented.

A shutter S2of Embodiment 2 is, equivalently to Embodiment 1, disposed slidably at a pair of guiderails L1and L2of the floor console FC and is designed to open and close the upper opening104of the article housing portion. The shutter S2of Embodiment 2 is, as shown inFIGS. 5 to 7, provided in array in the length direction of the shutter S2and is provided with support portions210for supporting a load applied to the shutter S2, hinge portions220formed so as to connect the adjoining supporting portions210, and slide supporting portions230provided respectively at one end210A opposed to one guiderail L1and at another end210B opposed to the other guiderail L2in each of the support portions210. In the shutter S2of Embodiment 2, each of the support portions210and the slide supporting portions230are integrally formed. In addition, in the shutter S2, each of the hinge portions220, which is softer than the support portion210and the slide supporting portions230, is formed separately from the support portion210and the slide supporting portions230.

Furthermore, in the shutter S2of Embodiment 2, at the backside of the plate-like hinge portion220constituting the shutter S2, a plurality of (18) support portions210are disposed in array in the length direction of the shutter S2. Each support portion210comprises, as best seen fromFIG. 6, a plate portion212mated with the backside of the hinge portion220, a first beam portion214extended in the width direction of the shutter S2, a second beam portion216spaced apart from and parallel to the first beam portion214in the length direction of the shutter S2and a plurality of connecting ribs218for connecting the first beam portion214and the second beam portion216to each other. The support portion210of Embodiment 2 has basically the same configuration as that of the support portion10of Embodiment 1, and the dimensional relationships of the support portion210(G1, G2, H1, H2, W1, W2) shown inFIG. 7is equivalent to the dimensional relationships of the support portion10(G1, G2, H1, H2, W1, W2) illustrated for Embodiment 1. As molding materials which form the support portions210and the slide supporting portions230, synthetic resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) harder than thermoplastic elastomers are preferably employed.

The slide supporting portions230of Embodiment 2 are provided to protrude further backside from both sides of the hinge portion220in the thickness direction, and each of the slide supporting portions20is comprised of a first abutting portion232and a second abutting portion234provided so as to be spaced apart from the first abutting portion232in the length direction of the shutter S2. Each of the first abutting portions232is formed so as to be elongated horizontally from the end of the first beam portion214of the support portion210to be positioned on the same axis in the width direction of the shutter S2, and the first abutting portion232includes an arm portion232A connected to the end of the first beam portion214and an abutting protrusion232B formed at the tip end of the arm portion232A. On the other hand, the second abutting portion234is formed in a shape symmetrical to the first abutting portion232in the length direction of the shutter S2, and it includes an arm portion234A connected to the end of the second beam portion216and an abutting protrusion234B formed at the tip end of the arm portion234A. The slide supporting portion230of Embodiment 2 has the equivalent configuration to that of the slide supporting portion30of Embodiment 1, and the relationships with respect to other sections such as the guiderails L1and L2are also the same as those of Embodiment 1.

The hinge portion220of Embodiment 2 is, as shown inFIGS. 5 to 7, a plate body and is a separate element from the support portion210, and it is constituted from a soft foam such as urethane or the like that has certain flexibility. The shutter S2of Embodiment 2 is formed by injecting a foaming material into a mold in which the support portion210formed with the slide supporting portion230is set, thus foam-molding soft foam that constitutes the hinge portion220, and then connecting the support portion210with the hinge portion220. The shutter S2of Embodiment 2 may be formed by connecting the support portion210and the hinge portion220, which were separately formed, with each other with an adhesive, or the like. As shown inFIG. 7, the support portion210is disposed so that the plate portion212is embedded on the backside of the hinge portion220to largely secure the mating area between the support portion210and the hinge portion220. When forming the hinge portion220from soft urethane resin foam, it is preferable to form the support portion210from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), or their alloy, since it provides better adhesiveness between the hinge portion220and the support portion210.

The shutter S2of Embodiment 2 provides the function and effect equivalent to those of Embodiment 1. In other words, the support portions210of Embodiment 2 are supported by a pair of guiderails L1and L2by means of four-point support given by four abutting portions of the first and second abutting portions232and234that are on one side of the slide supporting portion230and of the first and second abutting portions232and234that are on the other side of the slide supporting portion230. As a result, when a load is applied to the shutter S2from the front side, four abutting portions of the respective first abutting portions232and the respective second abutting portions234of each of the slide supporting portions230about the pair of guiderails L1and L2, so that rotational displacement around an axis extended in the width direction is prevented, allowing each of the supporting portions210to be stably supported. If at least three or more out of the four abutting portions in total of the respective first abutting portions232and the respective second abutting portions234of each of the slide supporting portions230abut the pair of guiderails L1and L2, then rotational displacement is prevented to allow the support portion210to be stably supported.

The shutter S2of Embodiment 2 is structured so that the rotational displacement of the support portion210is prevented; accordingly, the hinge portion220can be formed from a softer material than the support portion210and the slide supporting portion230, such as soft foam. In this manner, the formation of the hinge portion220from a soft material allows the shutter S2to be slidingly moved with less power, improving the operability of opening and closing of the shutter S2, Moreover, in the hinge portion210, not only an area between the adjoining support portions210is bent, but also an area covering the front of the support portion210is stretched and contracted; accordingly, the operability of the shutter S2can be further improved. In addition, the shutter S2is constituted from a hinge portion210with the surface being formed from a soft foam, which allows a comfortable feeling when touching it, so that it can also be used as an armrest.

Modifications

(1) The number of the support portion10to be disposed is not limited to the number employed in the Embodiments, and it can be increased or decreased depending on the size of the opening of the upper opening104.

(2) The first abutting portion32and the second abutting portion34of each of the slide supporting portions30may be configured so that they are formed, for example, as a single member with the respective arm portions32A being integrally connected, so that the respective abutting points of the respective abutting protrusions32B are point-contacted with the groove portions114of the guiderails L1and L2. Further, the respective abutting protrusions32B may also be designed to have a portion connected thereto which is not in contact with the groove portions114of the guiderails L1and L2.

(3) The shutter S of the present invention can be used as various cover members, partitioning members, shielding members, or the like other than the floor console FC installed in an automobile illustrated in Embodiments.