Abstract:
A cup holder comprises a lid body in which an upper lid and a lower lid are connected by an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism includes: a claw part that protrudes from the upper lid; an arch part that protrudes from the lower lid and engages with the claw part; and a protrusion wall that is provided contiguously to the upper lid or the lower lid and restricts the arch part from collapsing in a state where the claw part and the arch part are engaged.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a cup holder equipped with a lid body that is capable of opening and closing. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In a vehicle such as an automobile or the like, a cup holder is provided for accommodating and holding drink containers that are brought into the vehicle by passengers. This type of cup holder includes a structure in which the cup holder is closed by a lid body so that an interior (accommodating space) thereof cannot be seen when the cup holder is not in use, and when in use, the lid body is opened to expose the interior (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-149799). 
     The cup holder of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-149799 comprises an accommodating member for accommodating a cup, and a lid body, which is mounted rotatably on one side of the accommodating member. The lid body is constituted from two lid members (a front side member and a rear side member), wherein the front side member and the rear side member are integrally formed by fitting peripheral edge portions thereof to each other. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Incidentally, if the lid body is made up from a plurality of lid members (a front side member and a rear side member) as in the cup holder disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-149799, if adhesive bonding or welding, etc., is carried out in order to fit and connect the lid members to each other, the production cost and number of manufacturing steps are increased. For this reason, it is desirable for the lid body to be provided with an engagement mechanism, which serves to connect the plural lid members, and for an engaging member and an engaged member possessed by the engagement mechanism to be engaged with each other. However, with this type of engagement mechanism, vibrations from the vehicle or shocks that occur upon opening and closing the lid body are conveyed, which impose stresses (external forces) on the engaging and engaged members. As a result, deformation of the engaging and engaged members or loosening of the engagement sites occurs, leading to rattling or play in the engagement mechanism, or in certain situations, the lid members may become disengaged from one another. 
     The present invention has been devised with the aforementioned problems in mind, and has the object of providing a cup holder in which, in a lid body constituted from a plurality of lid members, the lid members can be connected more reliably by means of a simple structure, and loosening or separation of the lid members from one another can be prevented. 
     For achieving the aforementioned objects, the present invention is a cup holder having a lid body in which plural lid members are connected by an engagement mechanism, the lid body being capable of opening and closing. In particular, the cup holder includes the following features: 
     First Feature: The engagement mechanism includes an engaging member that projects from one of the lid members from among the plural lid members, an engaged member that projects from another of the lid members from among the plural lid members, and which is engaged by the engaging member, and a regulating member disposed on either one of the plural lid members, which prevents falling over of the engaging member or the engaged member under a condition in which the engaging member and the engaged member are engaged. 
     Second Feature: The engaged member is an arch-shaped piece having a hole or a recess formed therein, the engaging member includes a hook-shaped part capable of being latched onto the arch-shaped piece, and the regulating member includes a projecting wall, which is disposed at a facing position separated a predetermined distance from the hook-shaped part, and in cooperation with the hook-shaped part, grips the arch-shaped piece under a condition in which the arch-shaped piece and the hook-shaped part are engaged. 
     Third Feature: The projecting wall includes a guide member, which is capable of guiding the arch-shaped piece between the projecting wall and the hook-shaped part. 
     Fourth Feature: The projecting wall extends a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to a widthwise direction of the hook-shaped part, and a width of the projecting wall that faces the hook-shaped part is narrower than a width of the arch-shaped piece. 
     Fifth Feature: The width of the projecting wall that faces the hook-shaped part is narrower than a width of the hook-shaped part. 
     Sixth Feature: The regulating member is arranged together with an upper part of the arch-shaped piece between the hook-shaped part and the projecting wall under a condition in which the arch-shaped piece and the hook-shaped part are engaged, and includes an abutting portion, which is gripped together with the arch-shaped piece, by a predetermined abutting force by the projecting wall and the hook-shaped part. 
     Seventh Feature: The regulating member includes a support wall, which is disposed together with the arch-shaped piece on the other lid member, and supports the arch-shaped piece in a projecting state, support wall reinforcing members configured to reinforce the projecting state of the support wall are disposed on both ends in a widthwise direction of the support wall, and the projecting wall is positioned between the support wall reinforcing members under a condition in which the arch-shaped piece and the hook-shaped part are engaged. 
     According to the first feature of the present invention, the lid body includes the regulating member for preventing falling over of one of the engaging member and the engaged member, whereby the engaging force between the engaging member and the engaged member can significantly be enhanced. More specifically, by a simple structure of the regulating member, since falling over of the engaging member or the engaged member is prevented and such members are engaged with each other, the plural lid members can be connected firmly to each other. Thus, for example, even if external stresses are applied to the lid body of the cup holder, deformation of the engaging member or the engaged member, or loosening of the engagement sites, etc., can be suppressed. Consequently, loosening and separation of the lid members from one another can suitably be prevented. 
     According to the second feature of the present invention, in a state of engagement between the arch-shaped piece and the hook-shaped part, the regulating member of the cup holder includes the projecting wall that grips the arch-shaped piece in cooperation with the hook-shaped part, whereby the arch-shaped piece can be connected without play. Further, by means of the projecting wall, since falling over of the arch-shaped piece on which the hook-shaped part is latched is prevented, in the cup holder, the state of engagement between the hook-shaped part and the arch-shaped piece can be maintained more reliably. 
     According to the third feature of the present invention, the projecting wall of the cup holder includes the guide member that is capable of guiding the arch-shaped piece. Thus, when the hook-shaped part is latched onto the arch-shaped piece, if the arch-shaped piece comes into abutment against the guide member, the arch-shaped piece is smoothly guided and the hook-shaped part can be hooked over the arch-shaped piece. 
     According to the fourth feature of the present invention, the projecting wall of the cup holder extends a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the widthwise direction of the hook-shaped part, so that even if the projecting wall is formed to be small in size, stresses applied to the projecting wall from the arch-shaped piece with which the hook-shaped part is engaged can suitably be received. 
     According to the fifth feature of the present invention, in the cup holder, by having the width of the projecting wall that faces the hook-shaped part to be narrower than the width of the hook-shaped part, the projecting wall can be made smaller, and thus an increase in the size of the lid body can be suppressed. 
     According to the sixth feature of the present invention, the cup holder includes the abutting portion, which is gripped together with the arch-shaped piece by a predetermined abutting force, by the projecting wall and the hook-shaped part. Thus, in a state of engagement between the arch-shaped piece and the hook-shaped part, gaps between the hook-shaped part and the projecting wall can be eliminated. Consequently, loosening and separation of the lid members from one another can suitably be prevented. 
     According to the seventh feature of the present invention, the support wall of the cup holder is disposed together with the arch-shaped piece on the other lid member, and supports the arch-shaped piece in a projecting state, whereby the strength of the arch-shaped piece can be enhanced significantly, and the engaged state of the arch-shaped piece and the hook-shaped part can be further strengthened and reinforced. Further, under a gripped condition of the arch-shaped piece and the support wall by the hook-shaped part and the projecting wall, the projecting wall can be inserted between the support wall reinforcing members. Therefore, without increasing the size of the engagement mechanism, an engaged state in which loosening or separation of the lid members is suppressed can be realized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a rear seat in which a cup holder according to the present invention is provided; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view with partial omission illustrating the structure of the cup holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of main components, showing a hook-shaped part and a projecting wall of a first engagement mechanism; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of main components, showing a hook-shaped part and a projecting wall of a second engagement mechanism; 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of main components, showing an arch-shaped piece of the first engagement mechanism; 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of main components, showing an arch-shaped piece of the second engagement mechanism; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view showing an engaged state of the first engagement mechanism; 
         FIG. 4B  is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the engaged state of the first engagement mechanism in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an engagement mechanism according to a first modification; 
         FIG. 5B  is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an engagement mechanism according to a second modification; 
         FIG. 5C  is a partial perspective view of an engagement mechanism according to a third modification; 
         FIG. 5D  is a partial perspective view of an engagement mechanism according to a fourth modification; 
         FIG. 5E  is a partial perspective view of an engagement mechanism according to a fifth modification; and 
         FIG. 5F  is a partial perspective view of an engagement mechanism according to a sixth modification. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A preferred embodiment of a cup holder according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cup holder  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in a rear seat  12  (seat device) of an automobile on which three people may be seated. The rear seat  12  comprises a seat cushion  14  that is mounted in a non-illustrated vehicle for seating of the vehicle occupants, a seat back  16  for supporting the backs of the seated occupants, and three headrests  18 , which are vertically adjustable on an upper end of the seat back  16  and support the heads of the occupants. 
     The seat back  16  includes an armrest  20 , which is capable of being accommodated in a rectangular hole  16   a  formed substantially in a center portion in the widthwise direction (seat width direction, lateral direction), a lid frame  22 , which is arranged to cover the hole  16   a  from a back surface side, and in which an opening (trunk-through portion) is formed that enables communication between a vehicle compartment and a trunk room, and an openable/closable lid  24  mounted in the lid frame  22 , which is capable of closing the opening. 
     The armrest  20  is disposed rotatably with respect to a back frame (not shown) that forms a skeleton of the seat back  16 . Further, the cup holder  10  is provided on a distal end side of the armrest  20 . The cup holder  10  includes an openable/closable lid body  28 . The location where the cup holder  10  is installed is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that the cup holder  10  may be disposed in any of various locations. For example, as potential installation locations, there may be considered a floor console between a driver&#39;s seat and a passenger seat, and an inner surface side of a door that is opened and closed by the vehicle occupants. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view with partial omission illustrating the structure of the cup holder  10  of  FIG. 1 . In the following descriptions, based on the directions of the arrows shown in  FIG. 2 , a longitudinal direction of the cup holder  10  is referred to as X-directions (a left side is indicated by the arrow X 1 , a right side is indicated by the arrow X 2  in  FIG. 2 ), the lateral (short-side) direction is referred to as Y-directions (a front side is indicated by the arrow Y 1 , a rear side is indicated by the arrow Y 2  in  FIG. 2 ), and a heightwise direction is referred to as Z-directions (a lower side is indicated by the arrow Z 1 , an upper side is indicated by the arrow Z 2  in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The cup holder  10  according to the present invention is capable of accommodating and holding two drink containers, is formed with a horizontally elongate shape overall, and is formed in a box-like shape having a predetermined depth. The cup holder  10  includes an accommodating member  26  that is inserted and fixed in the interior of the armrest  20 , and the lid body  28  disposed for opening and closing on an upper portion of the accommodating member  26 . 
     The accommodating member  26  of the cup holder  10  comprises a pair of container holding sections  30 , which are formed in the shape of bottomed cylinders. The pair of container holding sections  30  includes accommodating spaces therein (not shown) in which drink containers can be accommodated. At adjacent positions in the Y 2  direction of the container holding sections  30 , bottomed rectangular prism shaped mechanism housings  32  are provided. Holding mechanisms (not shown), which apply a predetermined pressure to the containers arranged in the accommodating spaces for thereby holding the containers, are disposed in the mechanism housings  32 . 
     Further, on both side surfaces in the X-directions of the pair of container holding sections  30 , attachment members  34  are disposed for attaching the cup holder  10  to the armrest  20 . Further, the lid body  28  is mounted rotatably on both side surfaces in the X-directions of the pair of mechanism housings  32 . 
     The lid body  28  is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as viewed in plan, and covers an upper surface of the accommodating member  26 . The lid body  28  is openable and closable on the side in the Y 1  direction by being rotated about the side in the Y 2  direction. Further, the lid body  28  is constructed integrally by stacking two lid members (an upper lid  36  and a lower lid  38 ). Between the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 , an assembly structure  40  is provided for connecting both lid members. 
     In a state in which the accommodating member  26  is closed by the lid body  28 , an upper surface  36   a  of the upper lid  36  is visible together integrally with the armrest  20 . Therefore, the upper surface  36   a  of the upper lid  36  is formed by a design surface which produces no sense of incongruity with the armrest  20 . Further, a peripheral edge  36   c  of the upper lid  36  projects downwardly at a predetermined length, so as to form a cavity in which the assembly structure  40  can be interposed between the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 . 
     In the center of a side in the Y 1  direction of the lid body  28 , a guide member  42  is provided, which enables the occupant to recognize the opening and closing position of the cup holder  10 . The guide member  42  is screwed onto an upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38 . 
     The lower lid  38  is formed as a flat plate-shape member, which is slightly larger than the upper lid  36 . In a state in which the lid body  28  of the accommodating member  26  is opened, a lower surface  38   b  side of the lower lid  38  faces toward the vehicle interior, so that the lower surface  38   b  is visible to the occupant. Therefore, the lower surface  38   b  of the lower lid  38  also is formed with a design surface that exhibits an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     Further, on both sides in the X-directions of the lower lid  38  corresponding to the mechanism housings  32 , rotary extension pieces  44  are provided that extend downwardly in covering relation to the mechanism housings  32 . The pair of rotary extension pieces  44  is pivotally supported through shaft members  46  for rotation toward side surfaces in the X-directions of the pair of mechanism housings  32 . The lid body  28  is rotated (for example, by 90° or greater) until side thereof in the Y 2  direction of the lower lid  38  comes into abutment against side surfaces in the Y 2  direction of the mechanism housings  32 , whereby accommodating spaces of the container holding sections  30  are exposed. 
     The aforementioned assembly structure  40  is disposed on the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38  and on a lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36 . The assembly structure  40  is constituted by four engagement mechanisms  48  arranged on a side of the lid body  28  in the Y 1  direction, and three clasping mechanisms  50  arranged on the side of the lid body  28  in the Y 2  direction. In a state in which a side in the Y 2  direction of the upper lid  36  and a side in the Y 2  direction of the lower lid  38  are hooked together by the clasping mechanisms  50 , the assembly structure  40  integrates the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  by engaging (latching) the engagement mechanisms  48  on the side in the Y 1  direction of the upper lid  36  and the side in the Y 1  direction of the lower lid  38 . 
     More specifically, the three clasping mechanisms  50  are juxtaposed along a side in the longitudinal direction (X-directions) on the side in the Y 2  direction of the lid body  28 . The respective clasping mechanisms  50  are constituted by hook parts  52  disposed on the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38 , and frame members  54  disposed at positions corresponding to the hook parts  52  on the lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36 . The hook parts  52  extend upwardly from the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38 , and are bent inwardly (in the Y 1  direction) at a predetermined height. The frame members  54  include insertion parts  54   a  into which the hook parts  52  are inserted and hooked over, and project a predetermined amount and are bent downwardly on an inner side from the inner surface of the peripheral edge  36   c  of the upper lid  36 . More specifically, by insertion of the hook parts  52  into the insertion parts  54   a  of the frame members  54 , the clasping mechanisms  50  realize a clasped condition on the side in the Y 2  direction of the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 . 
     The structure of the clasping mechanisms  50  is not particularly limited, and various configurations can be applied that enable engagement of the side in the Y 2  direction of the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 . For example, the hook parts  52  are not limited to being formed as inwardly bent projecting members, and may be configured as outwardly projecting members (projecting in the same projecting direction, i.e., the Y 2  direction, as the later-described hook members  68 ) to thereby enable engagement between the frame members  54  and the hook parts  52 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of main components, showing a hook-shaped part  56  and a projecting wall  60  of a first engagement mechanism  48 A.  FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of main components, showing a hook-shaped part  56  and a projecting wall  60  of a second engagement mechanism  48 B.  FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of main components, showing an arch-shaped piece  62  of the first engagement mechanism  48 A.  FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of main components, showing an arch-shaped piece  62  of the second engagement mechanism  48 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 3A through 3D , the four engagement mechanisms  48  are juxtaposed along a side in the longitudinal direction (X-directions), and are placed inwardly at positions separated by predetermined intervals from the side in the Y 1  direction. Therefore, visibility of the engagement mechanisms  48  from between the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  is prevented. 
     Each of the respective engagement mechanisms  48  is constituted from a hook-shaped part  56  (engaging member) that projects from the lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36 , a hook-shaped part rib  58  that reinforces the projection of the hook-shaped part  56 , a projecting wall  60  (regulating member  59 ) disposed at a position facing the hook-shaped part  56 , an arch-shaped piece  62  (engaged member) that projects from the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38  at a position corresponding to the hook-shaped part  56 , and a support wall  64  (regulating member  59 ) that reinforces the projection of the arch-shaped piece  62 . Further, four juxtaposed engagement mechanisms  48  are formed by two members, which are disposed centrally in the X-directions, and two other members having slightly different shapes, which are disposed on opposite sides thereof (see  FIG. 2 ). Hereinbelow, the engagement mechanisms  48  that are disposed centrally in the X-directions of the lid body  28  will be referred to as first engagement mechanisms  48 A, whereas the engagement mechanisms  48  that are disposed on opposite sides thereof in the X-directions will be referred to as second engagement mechanisms  48 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the hook-shaped part  56  of the first engagement mechanism  48 A includes an extension  66  disposed continuously on the lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36 , and a hook member  68  disposed continuously with a lower part of the extension  66 . The extension  66  is formed in a flat plate shape having a predetermined plate thickness, and with a longitudinal direction thereof extending in the Z-directions. One surface of the plate (a side surface  66   b  in the Y 2  direction) is disposed in facing relation to the projecting wall  60 . 
     The hook member  68  projects toward the projecting wall  60  (in the Y 2  direction) from a side surface  66   b  in the Y 2  direction of the extension  66 . The hook member  68  is formed with a triangular shape as viewed from the side, and includes a hooking surface  68   a , which is disposed perpendicularly to the extension  66  along the X-directions, and an inclined surface  68   b , which is inclined on a side opposite from the hooking surface  68   a.    
     Further, the hook-shaped part rib  58  is formed with a trapezoidal shape, which is continuous with the other surface (a side surface  66   a  in the Y 1  direction) of the plate of the extension  66  and the lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36 . The hook-shaped part rib  58  supports the upper side of the extension  66 , whereby inadvertent elastic deformation of the extension  66  is suppressed, and further includes a function to distribute stresses applied to the hook-shaped part  56 . A width d 1  in the X-directions of the hook-shaped part rib  58  is formed to be narrower than a width d 2  in the X-directions of the extension  66 , and the hook-shaped part rib  58  is disposed continuously in the center in the X-directions of the extension  66 . Owing thereto, the extension  66  can be supported in a stable manner, and the hook-shaped part rib  58  can be formed with a small size, thereby reducing the size and weight of the lid body  28 . 
     The projecting wall  60  that faces the hook-shaped part  56  is disposed at a position separated by a predetermined interval (gap  70 ) from a side surface  66   b  in the Y 2  direction of the extension  66 . The gap  70  is substantially the same or slightly narrower than the width in the Y-directions of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64 . The projecting wall  60  includes a function to sandwich the support wall  64  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , which have been inserted into the gap  70 , in cooperation with the hook-shaped part  56 . Consequently, looseness or chattering of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  is prevented, and falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  in the Y 2  direction can be regulated. 
     The projecting wall  60  is formed in a trapezoidal shape, having a long Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  located proximally to the hook-shaped part  56 , and a short Y 2  direction side portion  60   b  located distally from the hook-shaped part  56 . The Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  extends over a length in the Y-directions, so as to be capable of reliably preventing falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64 . With the engagement mechanism  48  according to the present embodiment, although the projecting length of the Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  of the projecting wall  60  is shorter than the projecting length of the hook-shaped part  56 , the projecting lengths of the hook-shaped part  56  and the Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  may be the same. 
     Further, a width d 3  in the X-directions of the projecting wall  60  is narrower than the width d 2  in the X-directions of the hook-shaped part  56 . The projecting wall  60  is disposed continuously with the lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36 , in facing relation to the Y 1  direction side portion  60   a , and centrally in the X-directions of the hook-shaped part  56 . Therefore, although the projecting wall  60  abuts only against a central portion in the X-directions of the support wall  64 , the Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  thereof abuts over a wide area vertically with respect to the support wall  64 , whereby the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  can be firmly supported. 
     Furthermore, when the arch-shaped piece  62  is hooked by the hook-shaped part  56 , a lower side corner of the Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  of the projecting wall  60  is formed as a guide member  72  that guides the support wall  64  (or the arch-shaped piece  62 ). The guide member  72  has an arcuate shape, which guides the support wall  64 , which is in abutment with the guide member  72 , smoothly into a gap  70 , whereupon engagement between the arch-shaped piece  62  and the hook-shaped part  56  can be promoted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the arch-shaped piece  62  includes a pair of pillars  74  that project upwardly while being disposed continuously with the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38 , and a bridging part  76  that bridges over upper portions of the pillars  74 . A width d 4  of the arch-shaped piece  62 , which is constituted by the pair of pillars  74 , is wider than the width d 2  in the X-directions of the hook-shaped part  56 , and the pillars  74  are juxtaposed such that the bridging part  76  extends in the X-directions, and the hook member  68  is engaged with the bridging part  76 . Further, the arrangement position in the X-directions of the projecting wall  60  with respect to the arch-shaped piece  62  is set within a range in the widthwise direction (X-directions) of the bridging part  76 . The direction (Y-directions) in which the projecting wall  60  extends is perpendicular to that of the bridging part  76 . 
     A hole  62   a , which is constituted by the pair of pillars  74 , the bridging part  76 , and the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38 , is closed by the support wall  64  on a side in the Y 2  direction of the arch-shaped piece  62 , thereby providing a cutaway condition (recess) with the same thickness as that of the bridging part  76  in the Y 1  direction. In this manner, due to the portion (closing wall  65 ) of the support wall  64  that closes the hole  62   a , the strength of the support wall  64 , and thus the strength of the arch-shaped piece  62 , can be further increased. Alternatively, the support wall  64  may be formed in a gate-like shape corresponding to the shape of the arch-shaped piece  62 , with the hole  62   a  penetrating therethrough. 
     The support wall  64  that reinforces the arch-shaped piece  62  is a plate-shaped member, which is secured tightly to a side in the Y 2  direction of the arch-shaped piece  62 . Mainly, the support wall  64  serves to increase the thickness in the Y-directions of the arch-shaped piece  62 , such that when the arch-shaped piece  62  is inserted into the gap  70  between the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60 , the gap  70  is eliminated by abutment against the projecting wall  60  (hereinbelow, the portion that abuts with the projecting wall  60  is referred to as an “abutting portion  64   a ”). In addition, by extending to the upper surface  38   a  of the lower lid  38 , the support wall  64  also includes a function to inhibit falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62 . For the engagement mechanism  48  according to the present embodiment, a structure is used in which the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  are each formed separately. However, the support wall  64  and the arch-shaped piece  62  may be formed together in an integral fashion. By being formed integrally, the strength of the arch-shaped piece  62  can be further increased. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the second engagement mechanism  48 B is formed such that a projecting length in the Z 1  direction of the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60  is shorter than the projecting length of the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60  of the first engagement mechanism  48 A. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the projecting length in the Z 2  direction of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  of the second engagement mechanism  48 B is formed to be longer than the projecting length of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the projecting wall  60  of the first engagement mechanism  48 A. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 3B , a hook-shaped part rib  58   a  of the second engagement mechanism  48 B is formed narrowly within a range corresponding to the projecting length of the hook-shaped part  56 , and is continuous with the side surface  66   a  in the Y 1  direction of the extension  66 . In this manner, even if the hook-shaped part rib  58   a  is formed to be shorter, since the hook-shaped part  56  is short, inadvertent elastic deformation of the hook-shaped part  56  can be suppressed. More specifically, the range within which the hook-shaped part ribs  58 ,  58   a  are disposed continuously with the extensions  66  preferably are set suitably at positions upwardly of the bridging parts  76 , corresponding to the insertion position of the arch-shaped pieces  62  (bridging parts  76 ). With the hook-shaped part ribs  58 ,  58   a  being formed in this manner, interference with elastic deformation of the hook-shaped parts  56  is eliminated at the time of engagement between the hook-shaped parts  56  and the arch-shaped pieces  62 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3D , support wall ribs  78  for reinforcing the projection of the support wall  64  is formed integrally on a side surface  64   b  in the Y 2  direction of the support wall  64  of the second engagement mechanism  48 B. By including the support wall ribs  78  in this manner, even if the extending length of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  is long, elastic deformation in the Y-directions of the support wall  64  can be suppressed more securely. 
     The support wall ribs  78  are disposed continuously as a pair on both ends in the X-directions of the support wall  64 , with a space  78   a  being formed between the pair of support wall ribs  78 . The projecting wall  60  is disposed so as to be positioned (in a space  78   a ) between the pair of support wall ribs  78 . Therefore, in a state of engagement between the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , the projecting wall  60  is inserted into the space  78   a , and in cooperation with the hook-shaped part  56 , grips the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64 . Consequently, without the second engagement mechanism  48 B being increased in size, the strength of the arch-shaped piece  62  can be enhanced, and an engaged state can firmly be achieved. 
     The cup holder  10  according to the present embodiment is constructed basically as described above. Next, operations and advantages of the cup holder  10  will be described.  FIG. 4A  is a perspective view showing an engaged state of the first engagement mechanism  48 A, and  FIG. 4B  is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the engaged state of the first engagement mechanism  48 A in  FIG. 4A . 
     With the lid body  28  of the cup holder  10 , as described above, an upper lid  36  and a lower lid  38  having different design surfaces are connected by the assembly structure  40 , whereby the lid body  28  can be opened and closed integrally with respect to the accommodating member  26 . Since the lid body  28  is not used in a state in which the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  are separated from each other, after the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  have been assembled once, it is desirable for both members to continue to be kept connected together strongly. For this reason, the engagement mechanism  48  (the first engagement mechanisms  48 A and the second engagement mechanisms  48 B), which essentially forms the engagement between the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 , functions to firmly maintain the state of engagement therebetween. Moreover, in spite of the fact that the first engagement mechanisms  48 A and the second engagement mechanisms  48 B have different shapes, since the functions thereof are not changed significantly, the operations and advantageous effects of the first engagement mechanisms  48 A will be described representatively in detail, while description of the second engagement mechanisms  48 B is omitted. 
     In a condition in which the hook parts  52  of the clasping mechanisms  50  are hooked onto the frame members  54  (i.e., in a state of engagement on the side in the Y 2  direction of the lid body  28 ), when the side in the Y 1  direction of the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  of the lid body  28  are brought into mutual proximity, a structure is brought about in which the hook-shaped parts  56  and the arch-shaped pieces  62  are latched together (see also  FIG. 2 ). Upon engagement between the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , by the inclined surface  68   b  of the hook member  68  being placed in abutment against the bridging part  76 , the hook-shaped part  56  flexes in the Y 1  direction, and insertion of the arch-shaped piece  62  into the gap  70  is permitted. At this time, the support wall  64  is guided smoothly into the gap  70  by the guide member  72  of the projecting wall  60 . Consequently, the first engagement mechanism  48 A prevents the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  from falling over in the Y 2  direction (toward the side of the projecting wall  60 ), and only the hook-shaped part  56  is elastically deformed against the support of the hook-shaped part rib  58 . Thus, when the bridging part  76  overcomes the hook member  68 , the hook-shaped part  56  is elastically restored immediately, whereupon the hook member  68  is inserted into the hole  62   a  (recess) of the arch-shaped piece  62 , and a lower surface of the bridging part  76  is latched by (engaged with) the hooking surface  68   a  of the hook member  68 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , in a state of engagement between the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , the bridging part  76  and the support wall  64  (abutting portion  64   a ) are inserted directly into the gap  70 . More specifically, the side in the Y 1  direction of the bridging part  76  abuts against the side surface  66   b  in the Y 2  direction of the extension  66 , and the side in the Y 2  direction of the support wall  64  abuts against the Y 1  direction side portion  60   a  of the projecting wall  60 . Consequently, in the first engagement mechanism  48 A, the projecting wall  60  and the hook-shaped part  56  sandwich and grip the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  therebetween, and a state of engagement without looseness or chattering is achieved. 
     In this case, when vibrations or shocks from the vehicle take place, or during opening and closing of the lid body  28 , the lid body  28  of the cup holder  10  is subjected to forces tending to cause mutual slippage or shifting in the Y-directions between the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 , and stresses in the Y-directions are applied to the hook-shaped parts  56  and the arch-shaped pieces  62 . However, due to the above-described structure, the first engagement mechanisms  48 A according to the present embodiment are capable of easily receiving such stresses. 
     More specifically, with the first engagement mechanisms  48 A, in the event that stresses are applied in the Y 2  direction, the stresses can be received by the projecting wall  60  that extends in the Y-directions, and falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  in the Y 2  direction can be prevented reliably. Conversely, in the case that stresses are applied in the Y 1  direction, an action takes place to promote clasping of the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , and falling over of the hook-shaped parts  56  in the Y 1  direction can sufficiently be regulated at the hook-shaped part rib  58 . Accordingly, the first engagement mechanism  48 A can significantly enhance the engagement force between the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , and integration of the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  can be realized appropriately. 
     The engagement mechanism  48  is not limited to the above-described structure, insofar as a structure (regulating member  59 ) is provided that is capable of effectively preventing falling over of the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62 , and various alternative structures may be adopted. Below, several exemplary modifications of the engagement mechanism  48  will be described. In the following descriptions, structural features having the same structures or functions as those of the engagement mechanism  48  according to the present embodiment are designated using the same reference characters, and detailed description of such features is omitted. 
     An engagement mechanism  49   a  according to a first modification shown in  FIG. 5A  has a structure in which the support wall  64  is not disposed on the arch-shaped piece  62 , and only the projecting wall  60  is provided as a regulating member  59   a  to prevent falling over in the Y 2  direction of the arch-shaped piece  62 . Even with such a structure, falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  in the Y 2  direction is regulated by the projecting wall  60 , whereas falling over in the Y 1  direction can be inhibited by the hook-shaped part  56  (hook-shaped part rib  58 ). Further, by making the gap  70  between the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60  sufficiently narrow, the arch-shaped piece  62  can be sandwiched therebetween without looseness or rattling. 
     An engagement mechanism  49   b  according to a second modification shown in  FIG. 5B  has a structure in which the projecting wall  60  is not disposed at a position facing the hook-shaped part  56 , and only the support wall  64  is provided as a regulating member  59   b  to prevent falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62 . Even with such a structure, the arch-shaped piece  62  can be reinforced by the support wall  64 , and falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  in the Y-directions can be inhibited. Support wall ribs  78  may also be disposed continuously with the support wall  64 , serving as a structure to support the projection of the support wall  64 . 
     An engagement mechanism  49   c  according to a third modification shown in  FIG. 5C  has a structure in which a projecting wall  61  (regulating member  59   c ), which extends from the lower surface  36   b  of the upper lid  36  (see  FIG. 2 ), is formed with a T-shape in a planar sectional view, and includes a projecting columnar portion  80 , which projects in the Y 1  direction, and an extension wall  82 , which extends in the X-directions and supports the projecting columnar portion  80 . The projecting columnar portion  80  abuts against the arch-shaped piece  62  or the support wall  64 , in the same manner as the projecting wall  60 , and the extension wall  82  supports the projecting columnar portion  80  by intersecting with the projecting columnar portion  80  in a perpendicular direction. Even if the projecting wall  61  is formed in such a shape, falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  can be inhibited. In essence, the shape of the projecting wall  60  is not particularly limited, and the projecting wall  60  can assume a variety of configurations. 
     An engagement mechanism  49   d  according to a fourth modification shown in  FIG. 5D  has a structure in which a hook-shaped part rib  58   b  is disposed between the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60  (regulating member  59   d ), and is connected to both members. More specifically, the hook-shaped part rib  58   b  is disposed continuously with the side surface  66   b  in the Y 2  direction of the extension  66 , extends toward the projecting wall  60 , and is connected to the projecting wall  60 . Consequently, the hook-shaped part rib  58   b  can inhibit elastic deformation in the Y-directions of the hook-shaped part  56 , together with inhibiting falling over, etc., of the projecting wall  60  in the X-directions. Further, by inserting the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  into a space that is surrounded by the hook-shaped part  56 , the projecting wall  60 , and the hook-shaped part rib  58   b , an engagement without looseness or rattling is realized. 
     An engagement mechanism  49   e  (arch-shaped piece  62 ) according to a fifth modification shown in  FIG. 5E  has a structure in which an abutting portion  84  (regulating member  59   e ) is fixed tightly to a side in the Y 2  direction of the bridging part  76 , and in which the support wall  64  is not provided. In this manner, only with the abutting portion  84  disposed on the bridging part  76 , since the thickness of the arch-shaped piece  62  in the Y-directions is increased, when the arch-shaped piece  62  is inserted into the gap  70  between the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60 , the gap  70  is eliminated by the abutting portion  84  abutting against the projecting wall  60 , and looseness or rattling in the engaged state can be suppressed. 
     An engagement mechanism  49   f  according to a sixth modification shown in  FIG. 5F  has a structure in which, instead of the support wall  64 , arch-shaped piece ribs  86  (regulating members  59   f ) are disposed continuously with the arch-shaped piece  62 . The arch-shaped piece ribs  86  are disposed on a side surface in the Y 1  direction and on a side surface in the Y 2  direction of the arch-shaped piece  62 , whereby the projection of the arch-shaped piece  62  overall is reinforced, and falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  can be inhibited. Of course, the arch-shaped piece ribs  86  may be formed on only one of the side surface in the Y 1  direction or the side surface in the Y 2  direction. In essence, the regulating members that support the arch-shaped pieces  62  of the lower lid  38  are not particularly limited, and the regulating members can assume a variety of configurations. 
     Further, as another structure for the engagement mechanism, instead of the support wall  64 , a closing wall  65   a  formed with a thin plate thickness for closing the side in the Y 2  direction of the hole  62   a  of the arch-shaped piece  62  may be provided (refer also to  FIG. 3C ). Even if such a closing wall  65   a  is provided, the projection of the arch-shaped piece  62  can be reinforced, and the closing wall  65   a  can function as a regulating member. Further, by being connected to the pair of pillars  74  and the bridging part  76 , the closing wall  65   a  is capable of enhancing the strength of the arch-shaped piece  62  (pillars  74 ). 
     As described above, in accordance with the cup holder  10  of the present embodiment, the projecting wall  60  or the support wall  64  are included as the regulating member  59  for preventing falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62 , whereby the engaging force between the hook-shaped part  56  and the arch-shaped piece  62  can significantly be enhanced. More specifically, the projecting wall  60 , which is disposed continuously with the upper lid  36 , reliably regulates, i.e., prevents, falling over of the arch-shaped piece  62  in the Y 2  direction, whereas the support wall  64  disposed on the lower lid  38  is capable of significantly enhancing the strength of the arch-shaped piece  62 . When the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  of the lid body  28  are connected by the engagement mechanism  48  having a simple structure as described above, for example, even if external stresses are applied to the lid body  28 , deformation of the hook-shaped parts  56  or the arch-shaped pieces  62 , or loosening of the engagement sites thereof, can be inhibited. Consequently, loosening or chattering between the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  can be suppressed, and separation of the hook-shaped parts  56  and the arch-shaped pieces  62  (i.e., separation of the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38 ) can suitably be inhibited. 
     In the engagement mechanism  48 , the guide member  72  is included, which is capable of guiding the arch-shaped piece  62 , such that when the hook-shaped part  56  is latched onto the arch-shaped piece  62  and the arch-shaped piece  62  comes into abutment against the guide member  72 , the arch-shaped piece  62  is smoothly guided and the hook-shaped part  56  can be hooked over the arch-shaped piece  62 . Further, by the projecting wall  60  extending a predetermined length in the Y-directions perpendicular to the widthwise direction of the hook-shaped part  56 , even if the projecting wall  60  is formed with a small size, stresses applied to the projecting wall  60  from the arch-shaped piece  62  with which the hook-shaped part  56  is engaged can suitably be received. Further, if a structure is provided in which the width d 3  in the X-directions of the projecting wall  60  is narrower than the width d 2  in the X-directions of the hook-shaped part  56 , the projecting wall  60  can be made smaller in size, and thus an increase in the size of the lid body  28  can be suppressed. 
     Further still, the regulating member  59  includes the support wall  64  (abutting portion  64   a ), which is gripped together with the arch-shaped piece  62  by a predetermined abutting force by the projecting wall  60  and the hook-shaped part  56 . Thus, in a state of engagement between the arch-shaped piece  62  and the hook-shaped part  56 , the gap  70  between the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60  can be eliminated, and loosening or separation of the upper lid  36  and the lower lid  38  can further be suppressed. Further, the strength of the arch-shaped piece  62  can be enhanced significantly, and the engaged state between the arch-shaped piece  62  and the hook-shaped part  56  can be further strengthened and reinforced. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be adopted without deviating from the essence and gist of the present invention. For example, the engagement mechanism  48  may have a structure in which the hook-shaped part  56  and the projecting wall  60  are disposed on the lower lid  38 , and the arch-shaped piece  62  and the support wall  64  are disposed on the upper lid  36 . Further, for example, the arrangement position, order, and number, etc., of the first and second engagement mechanisms  48 A,  48 B disposed in the lid body  28  may be designed freely. Alternatively, only the first engagement mechanisms  48 A (or the second engagement mechanisms  48 B) may be provided as the engagement mechanisms  48 .