Patent Publication Number: US-2023136714-A1

Title: Console box

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a console box. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2020-82926 discloses a console box provided in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. 
     The console box disclosed in the publication includes a box main body and a lid. The box main body includes an accommodation portion having an upper opening. The lid is supported by the box main body so as to be pivotal. The lid performs opening/closing action between a closed state, in which the upper opening is closed, and an open state, in which the upper opening is open. The console box includes an opening-closing mechanism. The opening-closing mechanism includes a left-side pivot, which extends in the front-rear direction along the left-side edge of the opening, and a right-side pivot, which extends in the front-rear direction along the right-side edge of the opening. The opening-closing mechanism opens or closes the lid about a selected one of the left-side pivot and the right-side pivot. 
     The opening-closing mechanism includes a right-side operation portion and a left-side operation portion. The right-side operation portion is attached to the main body of the lid, and the left-side operation portion is attached to the main body of the lid. When subjected to an opening operation, the right-side operation portion opens the lid about the left-side pivot. When subjected to an opening operation, the left-side operation portion opens the lid about the right-side pivot. 
     The opening-closing mechanism includes an erroneous operation preventing device that prevents simultaneous execution of the opening operation of the lid by the right-side operation portion and the opening operation of the lid by the left-side operation portion. The erroneous operation preventing device prevents an opening operation by the left-side operation portion from being performed, that is, prevents the right-side pivot from being dislocated, during an opening operation of the lid about the left-side pivot through opening operation by the right-side operation portion. 
     The console box that includes the structure disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2020-82926 includes the erroneous operation preventing device. This complicates the structure and increases the number of components. The weight of the console box increases, accordingly. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one general aspect, a console box includes a box main body and a lid. The box main body includes an upper opening. The lid is pivotally coupled to the box main body, and opens and closes the upper opening. The lid includes a lid main body, a pivot, and an operation portion. The pivot is provided at one side in a width direction of the lid main body. The pivot couples the lid main body to the box main body. The operation portion is provided to correspond to the pivot. The operation portion decouples the pivot and the box main body from each other when operated. The lid is configured to be pivotal about the pivot and to be detached from the box main body when the operation portion is operated. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a console box according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of a box main body according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of a lid according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are perspective views of a shim according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the console box according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8 A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8 B  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG.  8 A , illustrating a state in which a second surface of the lid is facing upward. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG.  1   , illustrating a state in which the second surface of the lid is facing upward. 
         FIG.  10 A  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG.  7   , illustrating a console box according to a modification. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG.  10 A , illustrating a state in which a lid is open. 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded perspective view of a supporting frame, shims, and second springs that form an upper portion of a box main body according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is an exploded partial perspective view mainly showing a front portion of the supporting frame, a shim, and a second spring according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is an exploded partial perspective view mainly showing a rear portion of the supporting frame, a shim, and a second spring according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    is an exploded perspective view of a lid according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    is an exploded partial perspective view mainly showing an operation portion of the lid according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  16    is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the console box according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  17    is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of  FIG.  16   , showing the upper portion of the console box. 
         FIG.  18    a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG.  17   , showing the upper portion of the console box in a state in which an operation portion is pushed inward. 
         FIG.  19    is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of  FIG.  16   , showing the upper portion of the console box. 
         FIG.  20    is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of  FIG.  16   , showing the upper portion of the console box. 
         FIG.  21    is a vertical partial cross-sectional view of an upper portion of a console box according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG.  22    is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of  FIG.  21   , showing the upper portion of the console box. 
         FIG.  23    is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  24    is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG.  22   , showing the upper portion of the console box in a state in which one of the operation portions is pushed inward. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This description provides a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described. Modifications and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Sequences of operations are exemplary, and may be changed as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Descriptions of functions and constructions that are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted. 
     Exemplary embodiments may have different forms, and are not limited to the examples described. However, the examples described are thorough and complete, and convey the full scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In this specification, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.” 
     First Embodiment 
     A console box according to one embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  9   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the console box is located between the driver’s seat and the front passenger seat in a passenger compartment. 
     In the following description, the front-rear direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as a front-rear direction L. The side farther from the center of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction W will be referred to as an outer side in the vehicle width direction W, and the side closer to the center will be referred to as an inner side in the vehicle width direction W. The up-down direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is on a horizontal plane will be simply referred to as an up-down direction Z. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the console box includes a box main body  10 , which includes an upper opening  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the console box includes a lid  30 , which is pivotally coupled to the box main body  10  to open and close the upper opening  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , a lid main body  31  is coupled to the box main body  10  by two pivots  41  and shims  20 . Each pivot  41  includes a pair of front and rear shafts. The two pivots  41  are arranged to be parallel with each other at the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W of the lid main body  31 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the lid  30  includes two independent operation portions  42 , each of which corresponds to one of the pivots  41 . When pushed into the lid main body  31 , each operation portion  42  decouples the corresponding pivot  41  and the box main body  10  from each other. 
     The lid  30  is configured to pivot about an axis C of a selected one of the pivots  41 . The lid  30  is also configured to be detached from the box main body  10  when both of the operation portions  42  are operated simultaneously. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the console box includes a housing  50 , which accommodates the box main body  10  with an upper surface of the lid  30  exposed. 
     The components of the console box will now be described. 
     Box Main Body  10   
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the box main body  10  has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. 
     The upper opening  11  has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The upper opening  11  has two edges extending in the front-rear direction L and two edges extending in the vehicle width direction W. 
     The box main body  10  has a symmetrical structure with respect to the front-rear direction L and also has a symmetrical structure with respect to the vehicle width direction W. Therefore, in the following description, the structure of one side in the front-rear direction L of the box main body  10  will be described while omitting the explanation of the other side in some cases. Also, the structure of one side in the vehicle width direction W of the box main body  10  will be described while omitting the explanation of the other side in some cases. 
     The box main body  10  includes front and rear side walls  10   a , each of which is provided with a supporting portion  12 . 
     The front supporting portion  12  is located forward of the upper opening  11 . The rear supporting portion  12  is located rearward of the upper opening  11 . The supporting portions  12  project upward and downward with respect to the upper opening  11 . 
     Each supporting portion  12  includes shim receiving recesses  13  in a surface facing the upper opening  11  in the front-rear direction L. The shim receiving recesses  13  are provided at the opposite sides of the supporting portion  12  in the vehicle width direction W. The internal space of each shim receiving recess  13  has a columnar shape with its axis extending in the front-rear direction L. A locking projection  13   a , which is elongated in the front-rear direction L, is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the shim receiving recess  13 . 
     Each shim receiving recess  13  receives a shim  20 , which will be discussed below. 
     Each side wall  10   a  includes cushion receiving recesses  14  in the upper end face. The cushion receiving recesses  14  are provided at the opposite sides of the side wall  10   a  in the vehicle width direction W. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , each cushion receiving recess  14  receives a cushion  15  substantially having a shape of a truncated cone. The lower surface of the cushion  15  is fixed to the bottom surface of the cushion receiving recess  14 . The upper end of the cushion  15  protrudes further upward than sections of the upper end face of the side wall  10   a  that are adjacent to the cushion receiving recess  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , a spring receiving hole  16 , which extends in the up-down direction Z, opens in the upper end face of each side wall  10   a . The spring receiving hole  16  is provided at a center, in the vehicle width direction W, of the side wall  10   a . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the spring receiving hole  16  accommodates a lifting member  18 , which extends in the up-down direction Z. The lifting member  18  has a hollow structure with a downward opening. A spring  17  is provided in a compressed state between the lifting member  18  and the bottom surface of the spring receiving hole  16 . The spring  17  always urges the lifting member  18  upward. The upper end face of the lifting member  18  is in contact with the lower surface of the lid  30 . The lid  30  is always urged upward by the lifting members  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the measurement in the front-rear direction L of a lower end  18   a  of the lifting member  18  is larger than the measurements in the front-rear direction L of the upper portion of the lifting member  18  and the upper opening of the spring receiving hole  16 . The lower end  18   a  contacts the edge of the upper opening of the spring receiving hole  16  so that the lifting member  18  is prevented from being dislodged upward from the spring receiving hole  16 . 
     The spring receiving hole  16 , the spring  17 , and the lifting member  18  form a lifting mechanism  19 , which always urges the lid  30  upward. 
     Lid  30   
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the lid  30  includes the lid main body  31 , functional members  40 , and first springs  49 . 
     The lid  30  in a closed state will now be described. 
     The lid main body  31  extends in the front-rear direction L and in the vehicle width direction W. In the present embodiment, the width direction of the lid main body  31  agrees with the vehicle width direction W. Accordingly, the description will be made assuming that the width direction of the lid main body  31  agrees with the width direction W in some cases. 
     Structure 1 of Lid Main Body  31   
     The lid main body  31  includes two vertically separated components: a first half body  32  and a second half body  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  8 A , the first half body  32  includes a first surface  32 A of the lid main body  31 . The first surface  32 A includes an armrest surface. In the present embodiment, the entire first surface  32 A forms an armrest surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 B and  9   , the second half body  34  includes a second surface  34 A, which is located on a back side of the first surface  32 A in the lid main body  31 . The second surface  34 A includes a tray surface with a recess  34   a . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , the box main body  10  and the lid  30  have shapes that allow the lid  30  to be attached to the box main body  10  regardless of which of the first surface  32 A and the second surface  34 A is facing upward. 
     Functional Members  40   
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the two functional members  40  are respectively provided at the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W of the lid main body  31 . The functional members  40  are slidable in the vehicle width direction W with respect to the lid main body  31 . 
     Each functional member  40  includes a pivot  41 , an operation portion  42 , and a coupling plate  43 . 
     The coupling plate  43  extends in the front-rear direction L and in the vehicle width direction W. The front and rear shafts of the pivot  41  are respectively coupled to the front end and the rear end of the coupling plate  43 . The front and rear shafts of the pivot  41  are located on the same axis extending in the front-rear direction L. That is, the axial direction of the pivot  41  agrees with the front-rear direction L. Accordingly, the description will be made assuming that the axial direction of the pivot  41  is the axial direction L in some cases. 
     An operation portion  42  is coupled to the outer edge in the vehicle width direction W of each coupling plate  43 . The operation portion  42  has a shape elongated in the front-rear direction L. 
     The coupling plate  43  includes protrusions  44 , which extend in the vehicle width direction W, on the upper and lower surfaces. 
     The coupling plate  43  includes spring seats  46  on the edge on the inner side in the vehicle width direction W. The spring seats  46  are provided at the opposite ends in the front-rear direction L of the coupling plate  43 . 
     In the present embodiment, each functional member  40  is molded in one piece with a hard plastic. That is, the functional member  40  is a one piece component having the pivot  41 , the operation portion  42 , and the coupling plate  43 . 
     The two functional members  40  are independent of each other. That is, the two operation portions  42  are independent of each other. 
     Structure 2 of Lid Main Body  31   
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the first half body  32  includes half holes  33   a  at the front end. Although not illustrated, the first half body  32  includes half holes  33   a  also at the rear end. The half holes  33   a  are provided at opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W of the first half body  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  5   , the second half body  34  includes half holes  35   a  at opposite sides in the front-rear direction L. The half holes  35   a  are provided at opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. 
     The half holes  33   a ,  35   a  form shaft holes  31   a , which receive the pivots  41  of the functional members  40 . The shaft holes  31   a  each have a shape elongated in the width direction W of the lid  30 . The shaft holes  31   a  allow the functional members  40  to slide in the vehicle width direction W with respect to the lid main body  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the first half body  32  includes cutouts  33   b  respectively at the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. The second half body  34  includes cutouts  35   b  respectively at the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. 
     The cutouts  33   b ,  35   b  form operation holes  31   b , which receive the operation portions  42  of the functional members  40 . The operation holes  31   b  each have a shape elongated in the front-rear direction L in correspondence with the operation portion  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the first half body  32  includes two supporting rails  33   c  on the inner surface. The supporting rails  33   c  extend in the vehicle width direction W in correspondence with the upper protrusions  44  of the functional members  40 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  5   , the second half body  34  includes two supporting rails  35   c  on the inner surface. The supporting rails  35   c  extend in the vehicle width direction W in correspondence with the lower protrusions  44  of the functional members  40 . 
     The upper protrusion  44  is fitted between the two supporting rails  33   c . The lower protrusion  44  is fitted between the two supporting rails  35   c . The two supporting rails  33   c  and the two supporting rails  35   c  support the functional members  40  such that the functional members  40  are slidable in the vehicle width direction W. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the second half body  34  includes spring seats  35   d  at positions that are opposed to the spring seats  46  of the functional members  40  in the vehicle width direction W. 
     Each first spring  49  is provided in a compressed state between one of the spring seat  35   d  and the corresponding spring seat  46 . The first springs  49  always urge the functional members  40 , that is, the operation portions  42  outward in the width direction W. Each first spring  49  corresponds to a first urging member according to the present disclosure. 
     Shims  20   
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , each shim  20  is substantially columnar. The shim  20  of the present embodiment has a symmetrical shape with respect to the up-down direction Z. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 A,  5 , and  6   , the shim  20  has an end face  20   a , which faces the bottom surface of the shim receiving recess  13 . An annular recess  22  is provided in the end face  20   a . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , a second spring  29  is provided in a compressed state between the bottom surface of the shim receiving recess  13  and the bottom surface of the annular recess  22 . The second spring  29  always urges the shim  20  rearward. That is, the console box includes the shims  20  and the second springs  29 , and each second spring  29  always urges the corresponding shim  20  toward the corresponding pivot  41  in the axial direction L. Each second spring  29  corresponds to a second urging member according to the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , each shim  20  includes a locking recess  24  in the outer circumferential surface. The locking recess  24  extends in the front-rear direction L. The locking recess  24  opens in the end face  20   a . The locking recess  24  is locked to the locking projection  13   a  of the shim receiving recess  13 . This installs the shim  20  in the box main body  10  in a non-rotatable manner. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 B,  5 , and  6   , each shim  20  includes a receiving recess  21 , which receives and rotatably supports an end in the axial direction L of the pivot  41 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  6   , the receiving recess  21  has an inner inclined surface  23  in a section of the inner circumferential surface that is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction W. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the inner inclined surface  23  is inclined such that a given point on the inner inclined surface  23  moves inward in the vehicle width direction W as that point moves rearward. That is, the inner inclined surface  23  is inclined such that a given point on the inner inclined surface  23  moves inward in the vehicle width direction W as that point moves outward in the receiving recess  21  in the axial direction L. The inner inclined surface  23  is located at a position where it overlaps with the pivot  41  in the width direction W. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 B and  5   , each shim  20  has an outer peripheral inclined surface  25  in an upper part of the outer circumferential surface. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the outer peripheral inclined surface  25  is inclined such that a given point on the outer peripheral inclined surface  25  moves downward as that point moves rearward. That is, the outer peripheral inclined surface  25  is inclined such that a given point on the outer peripheral inclined surface  25  moves downward as that point moves toward the pivot  41  in the axial direction L. The outer peripheral inclined surface  25  is located at a position where it overlaps with the pivot  41  in the up-down direction. 
     Operation of the present embodiment will now be described. 
     When one of the operation portions  42  is pushed inward in the width direction W, the ends in the axial direction L of the corresponding pivot  41  push the inner inclined surfaces  23  of the receiving recesses  21  of the corresponding shims  20  inward in the width direction W. 
     Since each inner inclined surface  23  is inclined such that a given point on the inner inclined surface  23  moves inward in the vehicle width direction W as that point moves outward in the receiving recess  21  in the axial direction L as shown in  FIG.  6   , the shim  20  moves away from the pivot  41  in the axial direction L against the urging force of the second spring  29 . Then, when the pivot  41  is dislodged from the receiving recesses  21  of the shims  20 , the pivot  41  and the box main body  10  are decoupled from each other. 
     In this manner, when one of the two operation portions  42  is pushed inward, the box main body  10  and the pivot  41  that corresponds to that operation portion  42  are decoupled from each other. This allows the lid  30  to pivot about the axis C of the pivot  41  of the other operation portion  42  (Operation 1). 
     The two operation portions  42  are independent of each other. Thus, when both of the operation portions  42  are pushed inward, both pivots  41  and the box main body  10  are decoupled from each other. This allows the lid  30  to be detached from the box main body  10  (Operation 2). 
     When the lid  30  is pushed against the box main body  10  to attach the lid  30  to the box main body  10 , the ends in the axial direction L of the pivots  41  push down the outer peripheral inclined surfaces  25  of the receiving recesses  21  of the shims  20 . 
     Since each outer peripheral inclined surface  25  is inclined such that a given point on the outer peripheral inclined surface  25  moves downward as that point moves toward the pivot  41  in the axial direction L as shown in  FIG.  5   , the shim  20  moves away from the pivot  41  in the axial direction L against the urging force of the second spring  29 . When the pivot  41  is lowered to the axis of the shim  20 , the urging force of the second spring  29  moves the shim  20  in the axial direction L toward the pivot  41 , so that the end of the pivot  41  in the axial direction L is received by the receiving recess  21  of the shim  20 . This couples the pivot  41  to the box main body  10  (Operation 3). 
     The present embodiment has the following advantages. 
     (1-1) The lid  30  includes the lid main body  31 , the two pivots  41 , and the two operation portions  42 . The lid  30  is configured to pivot about an axis C of a selected one of the pivots  41 . The lid  30  is also configured to be detached from the box main body  10  when both of the operation portions  42  are operated simultaneously. 
     This configuration performs Operations 1 and 2 of the present embodiment, and thus does not require a device for preventing the operation portions  42  from being operated simultaneously. This simplifies the structure of the lid  30  and reduces the number of components. 
     (1-2) The lid main body  31  has the first surface  32 A and the second surface  34 A, which is located on the back side of the first surface  32 A. The box main body  10  and the lid  30  have shapes that allow the lid  30  to be attached to the box main body  10  regardless of which of the first surface  32 A and the second surface  34 A is facing upward. 
     This configuration allows the lid  30  to be attached to the box main body  10  regardless of which of the first surface  32 A and the second surface  34 A of the lid main body  31  is facing upward. 
     (1-3) The first surface  32 A includes an armrest surface. The second surface  34 A includes a tray surface with the recess  34   a . 
     This configuration allows the lid  30  to be used as an armrest when the lid  30  is attached to the box main body  10  with the first surface  32 A of the lid main body  31  facing upward. This configuration also allows the lid  30  to be used as a tray when the lid  30  is attached to the box main body  10  with the second surface  34 A of the lid main body  31  facing upward. 
     (1-4) The box main body  10  includes the lifting mechanisms  19 . 
     With this configuration, the lid  30  is lifted by the lifting mechanisms  19  when the two operation portions  42  are pushed inward simultaneously so that the pivots  41  and the box main body  10  are decoupled from each other. This prevents a situation from occurring in which the lid  30  cannot be detached because the pivots  41  are coupled to the box main body  10  again after the operation portions  42  stop being pushed inward. 
     (1-5) Each shim  20  has the inner inclined surface  23 . 
     Since this configuration is capable of performing the above-described Operation 1, the lid  30 , which includes the pivots  41  and the operation portions  42 , is obtained using a simple structure. Also, the lid  30  can be easily detached from the box main body  10 . 
     (1-6) Each shim  20  has the outer peripheral inclined surface  25 . 
     Since this configuration is capable of performing the above-described Operation 3, the lid  30 , which includes the pivots  41  and the operation portions  42 , is obtained using a simple structure. Also, the lid  30  can be easily attached to the box main body  10 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  11  to  20   . Differences from the first embodiment will mainly be discussed. 
     The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that pivots are formed separately from operation portions. 
     In the following description, reference numerals 1 ∗∗ , which are obtained by adding 100 to the reference numerals  ∗∗  in the first embodiment, are given to components in the second embodiment that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted. 
     Box Main Body  110   
     As shown in  FIGS.  16  and  19   , a box main body  110  includes a supporting frame  110 A and a box portion  110 B, which is formed separately from the supporting frame  110 A. 
     The supporting frame  110 A has an upper opening  111  of the box main body  110  and front and rear supporting portions  112 , and forms an upper part of the box main body  110 . 
     The box portion  110 B forms a lower part of the box main body  110 . 
     The supporting frame  110 A is attached to an upper part of the box portion  110 B by a snap-fit structure. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  11  and  13   , the front and rear supporting portions  112  include a total of four shim receiving recesses  113  at opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , each shim receiving recess  113  includes a locking groove  113   a , a receiving hole  113   b , and two locking holes  113   c . 
     The locking groove  113   a  is provided in the inner circumferential surface of the shim receiving recess  113  and extends in the front-rear direction L. 
     The receiving hole  113   b  extends through the center of the bottom of the shim receiving recess  113 . 
     The two locking holes  113   c  extend from the bottom of the shim receiving recess  113  to the circumferential wall at positions on the opposite sides of the receiving hole  113   b . The two locking holes  113   c  are located on the opposite sides of the receiving hole  113   b  in the vehicle width direction W. 
     Lid  130   
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , the lid  130  includes a lid main body  131 , two pivots  141 , two operation portions  142 , two first springs  149 , and two bases  160 . 
     The lid main body  131  includes a first half body  132 , which has a first surface  132 A, a second half body  134 , which has a second surface  134 A, and front and rear end plates  139  (refer to  FIG.  16    for the second surface  134 A). 
     The first half body  132  includes two side wall portions  133  at opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. The side wall portions  133  extend in the front-rear direction L. Each side wall portion  133  has a cutout  133   b  in a front part. 
     The second half body  134  includes two side wall portions  135  at opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. The side wall portions  135  extend in the front-rear direction L. Each side wall portion  135  has a cutout  135   b  in a front part. The cutouts  133   b  and the cutouts  135   b  form operation holes  131   b  (refer to  FIG.  17   ). 
     The second half body  134  includes a front wall portion  137   a  and a rear wall portion  137   b , which extend in the vehicle width direction W, at the front end and the rear end. 
     The front end plate  139  is attached to the front wall portion  137   a  of the second half body  134 . The rear end plate  139  is attached to the rear wall portion  137   b  of the second half body  134 . The front and rear end plates  139  form the front and rear surfaces of the lid  130 . 
     The front end plate  139  has two recesses  139   a  in the front surface. The recesses  139   a  are provided at opposite sides in the vehicle width direction of the end plate  139  (refer to  FIG.  17   ). Each recess  139   a  has a shaft hole  139   c  in the bottom. The shaft hole  139   c  extends through the end plate  139  in the front-rear direction L and is elongated in the vehicle width direction W. The shaft holes  139   c  receive pin portions  141   b  of the pivots  141 , which will be discussed below. 
     A projection  139   b  is provided on the bottom surface of each recess  139   a . The projection  139   b  is received by an allowance recess  126  of a shim  120 , which will be discussed below (refer to  FIG.  19   ). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , each pivot  141  has two pinions  141   a  and two pin portions  141   b . 
     The pinions  141   a  are respectively provided at the opposite ends of each pivot  141 . 
     The pin portions  141   b  form the ends of the pivot  141 . The pinions  141   a  are located inward of the pin portions  141   b  in the axial direction of the pivot  141 . 
     The second half body  134  includes a total of four racks  138  at the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W of the front wall portion  137   a  and the rear wall portion  137   b . The racks  138  extend in the vehicle width direction W. The racks  138  mesh with the pinions  141   a  and support the pinions  141   a  such that the pinions  141   a  are rotatable and movable in the vehicle width direction W. 
     The two bases  160  are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction W on the second half body  134 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  15  and  17   , each base  160  includes a gate portion  161  at an outer part in the vehicle width direction W. The gate portion  161  is exposed to the outside of the lid  130  through the operation hole  131   b . The base  160  includes a spring seat  162  on the upper surface. The spring seat  162  is located inward of the gate portion  161  in the vehicle width direction W. 
     Each operation portion  142  is provided on one of the bases  160  to be movable in the vehicle width direction W through the gate portion  161 . The two operation portions  142  are independent of each other. 
     Each operation portion  142  includes a spring seat  146 . The spring seat  146  is located outward of the spring seat  162  in the vehicle width direction W. 
     The first spring  149  is provided in a compressed state in the vehicle width direction W between the spring seat  162  and the spring seat  146 . The first spring  149  always urges the operation portion  142  outward in the vehicle width direction W (refer to  FIG.  20   ). 
     The operation portion  142  includes shaft receiving portions  142   a  at the opposite ends in the front-rear direction L. The shaft receiving portions  142   a  each have an arcuate shape opening upward. The shaft receiving portions  142   a  rotatably support the pivot  141 . 
     Shims  120   
     As shown in  FIGS.  11  to  13   , each shim  120  has a cylindrical shape with a closed end and is received by the corresponding shim receiving recess  113 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  12  and  13   , each shim  120  includes a shaft portion  120 A, a receiving recess  121 , a locking projection  124 , an outer peripheral inclined surface  125 , an allowance recess  126 , and two hooks  128 . 
     The shaft portion  120 A projects toward the bottom surface of the shim receiving recess  113  and extends in the front-rear direction L. The shaft portion  120 A is received by the receiving hole  113   b  so as to be movable in the front-rear direction L. 
     A second spring  129  is provided in a compressed state between the bottom surface of the shim receiving recess  113  and the bottom of the shim  120 . Each second spring  129  corresponds to a second urging member according to the present disclosure. 
     The locking projection  124  projects from the outer circumferential surface of the shim  120  and is elongated in the front-rear direction L. The locking projection  124  is received by the locking groove  113   a  so as to be movable in the front-rear direction L, and is locked against rotation in the circumferential direction about the axis of the shim receiving recess  113 . 
     The two hooks  128  project from the circumferential wall of the shim  120  toward the bottom surface of the shim receiving recess  113  and extend in the front-rear direction L. The two hooks  128  are respectively received by the two locking holes  113   c  so as to be movable in the front-rear direction L. 
     The shim  120  is installed in the shim receiving recess  113  so as to be non-rotatable but movable in the front-rear direction L. 
     The shim  120  is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction L between a position at which the shim  120  contacts the bottom surface of the shim receiving recess  113  (refer to  FIG.  17   ) and a position separated from the bottom surface (refer to  FIG.  18   ). 
     The receiving recess  121  opens in the side of the shim  120  that is opposite to the side in which the shaft portion  120 A is provided. The bottom surface of the receiving recess  121  is located at the center of the shim  120 . An inner inclined surface  123  is provided at the inner side in the vehicle width direction W of the bottom surface of the receiving recess  121 . The allowance recess  126  extends arcuately about the axis of the shim  120 . 
     The present embodiment has the following advantages. 
     (2-1) The pivots  141  are formed separately from the operation portions  142 . Each pivot  141  includes two pinions  141   a  at the opposite ends. The lid main body  131  includes two sets of racks  138 , which mesh with the pinions  141   a  and support the pinions  141   a  such that the pinions  141   a  are rotatable and movable in the vehicle width direction W. 
     In the present embodiment, each operation portion  142  is provided at a position that is displaced in the axial direction of the corresponding pivot  141  from the middle position between a first end and a second end of the pivot  141 . In this case, when the operation portion  142  is operated, the pushing force that acts on the inner inclined surface  123  of the receiving recess  121  of the shim  120  is likely to be different between the first end and the second end. This may hinder the pivots  141  being dislodged from the receiving recesses  121  of the shims  120 . 
     In this regard, the above-described configuration includes the two pinions  141   a  at the opposite ends of each pivot  141 . The pinions  141   a  respectively mesh with the corresponding two racks  138  on the lid main body  131 , so that the pinions  141   a  are movable in the vehicle width direction W. Thus, when the operation portion  142  is operated, the pivot  141  moves inward in the width direction while rotating about its axis. This equalizes the pushing force that acts on the inner inclined surface  123  of the receiving recess  121  of the shim  120  between the first end and the second end. This allows the pivot  141  to be easily dislodged from receiving recesses  121  of the shims  120 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  21  to  24   . Differences from the second embodiment will mainly be discussed. 
     The present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that each pivot is split into two sections in the axial direction, and in that shims are not provided. 
     In the following description, reference numerals 2 ∗∗ , which are obtained by adding 100 to the reference numerals 1 ∗∗  in the second embodiment, are given to components in the third embodiment that are the same as or equivalent to those in the second embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted. 
     Box Main Body  210   
     As shown in  FIGS.  21  to  24   , a box main body  210  includes a total of four shaft receiving portions  220 , which receive first ends  272  and second ends  276  of pivots  241  and rotatably support the first ends  272  and the second ends  276 . 
     The shaft receiving portions  220  are provided in front and rear supporting portions  212  of the box main body  210 , and each have a cylindrical shape with a closed end. 
     Pivots  241   
     As shown in  FIGS.  21  to  24   , each pivot  241  includes a first shaft portion  271 , which includes a first end  272 , and a second shaft portion  275 , which includes a second end  276 . The first end  272  and the second end  276  are respectively the front end and the rear end of the pivot  241 . 
     The first end  272  has a columnar shape. A proximal portion of each pivot  241  except for the first end  272  has the shape of a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction L and the vehicle width direction W (refer to  FIG.  21   ). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  21  and  23   , the proximal portion includes a through-hole  273 , which extends in the up-down direction Z, at the rear end portion. The through-hole  273  has an inclined surface  274  in the inner peripheral surface. The inclined surface  274  is inclined such that a given point on the inclined surface  274  moves forward as that point moves inward in the vehicle width direction W (refer to  FIG.  23   ). 
     The second end  276  has a columnar shape. A proximal portion of each pivot  241  except for the second end  276  has the shape of a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction L and the vehicle width direction W (refer to  FIG.  21   ). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  21  and  23   , the proximal portion includes a through-hole  277 , which extends in the up-down direction Z, at the front end portion. The through-hole  277  has an inclined surface  278  in the inner peripheral surface. The inclined surface  278  is inclined such that a given point on the inclined surface  278  moves rearward as that point moves inward in the vehicle width direction W (refer to  FIG.  23   ). 
     A second spring  280  is provided between the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  to urge the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  away from each other. That is, the lid  230  includes the second springs  280 . The first end  272  of the first shaft portion  271  and the second end  276  of the second shaft portion  275  are urged by the second spring  280  so as to be respectively held inside the front and rear shaft receiving portions  220 . Each second spring  280  corresponds to a shaft portion urging member according to the present disclosure. 
     Bases  260   
     As shown in  FIGS.  21  to  24   , two bases  260  are provided on a second half body  234 . The bases  260  are each located between the corresponding first shaft portion  271  and the corresponding second shaft portion  275 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  23   , each base  260  includes a gate portion  261  at an outer part in the vehicle width direction W. The base  260  includes a spring seat  262  on the upper surface. 
     Operation Portions  242   
     As shown in  FIGS.  21  to  24   , an operation portion  242  is provided on each base  260  to be movable in the vehicle width direction W through the gate portion  261 . The operation portion  242  is formed separately from the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275 . The operation portion  242  is located between and independent of the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275 . The operation portion  242  is configured to be pushed inward in the vehicle width direction W with respect to a lid main body  231 . 
     A lid  230  includes first springs  249 , which always urge the operation portions  242  outward in the vehicle width direction W. Each first spring  249  is provided between the spring seat  262  of the corresponding base  260  and a spring seat  246  of the corresponding operation portion  242 . The first spring  249  is provided in a compressed state in the vehicle width direction W. The first spring  249  always urges the operation portion  242  outward in the vehicle width direction W. 
     Each operation portion  242  includes two pin portions  247  projecting upward on the upper surface. 
     The two pin portions  247  are respectively received by the through-hole  273  of the first shaft portion  271  and the through-hole  277  of the second shaft portion  275 . 
     Interlocking Mechanism  290   
     As shown in  FIG.  23   , an interlocking mechanism  290  links the operation portion  242  to the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275 . In conjunction with an inward movement of the operation portion  242  in the vehicle width direction W, the interlocking mechanism  290  moves the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  toward each other. That is, the lid  230  includes the interlocking mechanism  290 . 
     The interlocking mechanism  290  includes the two pin portions  247  of the operation portion  242 , the through-hole  273  of the first shaft portion  271 , and the through-hole  277  of the second shaft portion  275 . 
     In a state in which the operation portions  242  are not pushed inward as shown in  FIGS.  21  to  23   , the two pin portions  247  are located at the outermost positions in the vehicle width direction W in the through-holes  273 ,  277 . In this state, the through-holes  273 ,  277 , that is, the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  are farthest from each other in the front-rear direction L. Accordingly, the first end  272  and the second end  276  are respectively received by the front and rear shaft receiving portions  220 . That is, the pivot  241  is coupled to the box main body  210 . 
     When the operation portion  242  is pushed inward against the urging force of the first spring  249  as shown in the lower half of  FIG.  24   , the two pin portions  247  move inward in the vehicle width direction W while pushing the inclined surfaces  274 ,  278  of the through-hole  273 ,  277  inward in the vehicle width direction W. At this time, the pin portions  247  move to the innermost positions in the vehicle width direction W in the through-holes  273 ,  277 . This causes the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  to be closest to each other in the front-rear direction L, so that the first end  272  and the second end  276  are respectively dislodged from the front and rear shaft receiving portions  220 . This decouples the pivot  241  and the box main body  210  from each other. 
     The present embodiment has the following advantages. 
     (3-1) The interlocking mechanism  290  links the operation portion  242  to the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275 . In conjunction with an inward movement of the operation portion  242  in the vehicle width direction W, the interlocking mechanism  290  moves the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  toward each other. 
     With this configuration, when the operation portion  242  is pushed inward in the vehicle width direction W, the interlocking mechanism  290  moves the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275  toward each other. This dislodges the shaft receiving portions  220  from the first shaft portion  271  and the second shaft portion  275 , so that the pivot  241  and the box main body  210  are decoupled from each other. Accordingly, the console box is easily constructed. 
     Modifications 
     The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined as long as the combined modifications remain technically consistent with each other. 
     It is also possible to employ a console box according to a modification shown in  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B . 
     As shown in  FIG.  10 A , the lid main body  31  includes a restricting projection  36  projecting toward the axis C of the pivot  41 . The restricting projection  36  is provided on the inner surface of the second half body  34 . 
     An allowance recess  26  is provided in an end face of the shim  20  on the side facing the pivot  41  in the axial direction L. The allowance recess  26  allows the restricting projection  36  to rotate as the lid main body  31  rotates. The allowance recess  26  is located below the axis C. 
     A direction in which the lid main body  31  pivots about the axis C is referred to as a pivoting direction R. A side in the pivoting direction R that corresponds to the open position of the lid main body  31  is referred to as an opening side. 
     An opening-side inclined surface  27  is provided on the opening side in the pivoting direction R of the allowance recess  26 . The opening-side inclined surface  27  is inclined such that a given point on the opening-side inclined surface  27  approaches the restricting projection  36  in the axial direction L (i.e. toward the viewer of the sheet of  FIG.  10 A ) as that point moves toward the opening side. The opening-side inclined surface  27  overlaps with the restricting projection  36  in the pivoting direction R. 
     With this configuration, when the lid  30  is opened to a first opening degree (in this case, 90°) or more as shown in  FIG.  10 B , the opening-side inclined surface  27  provided on the end face of the shim  20  is pressed by the restricting projection  36  provided on the lid main body  31 . The opening-side inclined surface  27  is inclined such that a given point on the opening-side inclined surface  27  approaches the restricting projection  36  in the axial direction L as that point moves toward the opening side. Accordingly, the shim  20  moves away from the pivot  41  in the axial direction L (i.e. away from the viewer of the sheet of  FIG.  10 B ) against the urging force of the second spring  29 . Then, when the opening degree of the lid  30  is a second opening degree, which is greater than the first opening degree, the pivots  41  are dislodged from the receiving recesses  21  of the shims  20 . This decouples the pivots  41  and the box main body  10  from each other. The lid  30  is thus prevented from opening excessively. 
     In the first embodiment, the lid  30  does not necessarily need to be configured to be detached from the box main body  10  when both of the operation portions  42  are operated simultaneously. For example, the lid  30  may be configured to be detachable in the following manner. After one of the operation portions  42  is operated to decouple the corresponding pivot  41  and the box main body  10  from each other, the pivot  41  corresponding to the other operation portion  42  are operated to decouple the pivot  41  and the box main body  10  from each other. 
     In the first embodiment, the lifting mechanisms  19  may be omitted. 
     In each embodiment, two or more recesses  34   a  may be provided in the second surface  34 A,  134 A,  234 A of the lid main body  31 ,  131 ,  231 . 
     In each embodiment, the recess  34   a  may be omitted from the second surface  34 A,  134 A,  234 A of the lid main body  31 ,  131 ,  231 . That is, neither the first surface  32 A,  132 A,  232 A nor the second surface  34 A,  134 A,  234 A may have a recess. In this case, for example, the first surface  32 A,  132 A,  232 A and the second surface  34 A,  134 A,  234 A may have different designs. 
     In each embodiment, the lid main body  31 ,  131 ,  231  may have a shape that cannot be attached to the box main body  10 ,  110 ,  210  when the second surface  34 A,  134 A,  234 A faces upward. 
     In each embodiment, the two pivots  41 ,  141 ,  241  are provided to be parallel with each other at the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction W. In place of this, two pivots may be provided to be parallel with each other at the opposite sides in the front-rear direction L. In this case, the width direction of the lid main body agrees with the front-rear direction L, and the axial direction of the pivots agrees with the vehicle width direction W. 
     In the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the operation portions  42 ,  142  are not limited to ones that are pushed inward in the vehicle width direction W, but may be levers that can be tilted. Further, the operation portions are not limited to ones provided in the lid main body, but may be provided in the box main body. In these cases, a conversion mechanism may be provided that converts an operating force for tilting the operation portion into a force that moves the pivot inward in the vehicle width direction W. 
     In each embodiment, one of the two pivots may be omitted. That is, the pivot may be provided only on one side in the width direction of the lid main body. 
     Various changes in form and details may be made to the examples above without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples are for the sake of description only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if sequences are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined differently, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. The scope of the disclosure is not defined by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents. All variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the disclosure.