Patent Publication Number: US-2023150409-A1

Title: Armrest Device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/225,314 having a filing date of Apr. 8, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/585,031 having a filing date of Sep. 27, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,994,639 issued on May 4, 2021), which claims priority to U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 15/749,809 having a filing date of Feb. 2, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,457,178 issued on Oct. 29, 2019), which is the U.S. National Stage entry of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/003591 filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and having a filing date of Aug. 3, 2016, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-154076 having a filing date of Aug. 4, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an armrest device provided on a door of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     It is known to provide an armrest on a door of a vehicle in a moveable manner so that the position of the armrest may be adjusted according to the position of the elbow of a vehicle occupant who may be of a particular build. For example, in a certain conventional armrest device, an armrest is attached to a door so as to be movable in a lateral direction of the vehicle (see Patent Document 1, for example). In other conventional armrest devices, an armrest is mounted on a door so as to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to the door (see Patent Document 2, for example), an armrest is mounted on a door so as to be movable in a fore and aft direction with respect to the door (see Patent Document 3, for example), and a rear end part of an armrest is rotatably mounted on a door so as to be rotatable around a rotational center line extending vertically with respect to the door (see Patent Document 4, for example). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S) 
     Patent Document(s) 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JPH11-321419A 
         Patent Document 2: JP2004-196126A 
         Patent Document 3: JP2005-96528A 
         Patent Document 4: JP2001-270368A 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Task to be Accomplished by the Invention 
     However, the modes of movement of the conventional armrests mentioned above do not take into account the fore and aft position of the occupant or, in particular, the fore and aft position of the torso of the occupant. Therefore, the armrest may not be positioned in an optimum fashion for each particular vehicle occupant. A vehicle driver of a small build tends to position his or her torso in a more front position than a driver of a large build in order to optimize the distances to the steering wheel and the accelerator pedal. This is particularly the case when the seat is adjustable in the fore and aft direction. In such a case, the elbow of the driver of a small build is positioned in a more forward position than that of a driver of a large build. Obviously, the elbow of the driver of a small build is positioned more inboard than that of a driver of a large build. Therefore, for a driver of a small build, it is desirable to position the armrest in a relatively forward and inward position. 
     In view of such a background, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an armrest device that can be positioned in an appropriate position according to the physique of the occupant. 
     Means to Accomplish the Task 
     To achieve such an object, the present invention provides an armrest device ( 10 ), comprising: an interior member ( 1 ) provided on an inboard side of a vehicle door, and an armrest main body ( 9 ) supported by the interior member so as to be moveable between an initial position and a projecting position more inboard and forward than the initial position. 
     According to this aspect, because the projecting position of the armrest main body is more inboard and forward than the initial position, the armrest main body can be positioned at an optimum position so as to suit the build of the vehicle occupant. 
     Preferably, the armrest main body is configured to move between the initial position and the projecting position as a translational movement. 
     According to this aspect, the armrest main body can be maintained at a fixed attitude suitable for the vehicle occupant in both the initial position and the projecting position. 
     Preferably, the armrest main body is configured to move linearly between the initial position and the projecting position as a translational movement. 
     Thereby, the mode of movement of the armrest main body is simplified, and the support structure for the armrest main body can be simplified. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interior member includes a main body portion ( 2 ) extending along the inboard side of the vehicle door and an armrest base portion ( 7 ) projecting in an inboard direction from the main body portion and defining a resting surface ( 12 ) facing upward, and the armrest main body is provided with an upper wall portion ( 22 ) slidably positioned on the resting surface. The armrest base portion may be integrally formed with the main body portion of the interior member, or, alternatively, may consist of a member separate from the main body portion of the interior member and attached to the main body portion of the interior member. 
     Thereby, in the case of a side crash, the load on the vehicle occupant can be minimized. 
     Preferably, the armrest base portion is provided with a base side wall portion ( 15 ) extending vertically on an inboard side thereof, and the armrest main body is provided with a main body side wall portion ( 25 ) opposing the base side wall portion in a spaced apart relationship, at least one of opposing surfaces of the base side wall portion and the main body side wall portion being provided with a load absorbing member ( 32 ) for absorbing an impact load. 
     Thereby, the impact of a side crash acting upon the vehicle occupant can be reduced. 
     Preferably, the load absorbing member includes a rib ( 32 A) projecting from at least one of the opposing surfaces of the base side wall portion and the main body side wall portion so as to be deformable under an impact load. 
     Thereby, the load absorbing member can be formed as a simple structure. By varying the stiffness of the rib, the load to be absorbed can be adjusted in a simple manner. 
     Preferably, the armrest main body is supported by the armrest base portion via a slide mechanism ( 8 ). 
     Thereby, the armrest main body can be supported by the armrest base portion so as to be able to undergo a translational movement by using a simple structure. 
     Preferably, the slide mechanism includes a rail ( 20 A) attached to one of the armrest main body and the armrest base portion, and a slider ( 20 B) attached to the other of the armrest main body and the armrest base portion so as to be slidably supported by the rail. 
     Thereby, the slide mechanism can be formed by using a simple structure. 
     Preferably, the armrest base portion is provided with a base side wall portion extending vertically on an inboard side thereof, and the base side wall portion is formed with a recess ( 18 ) recessed in an outboard direction, a side surface ( 18 A) of the recess facing in the inboard direction extending in a direction of the translational movement of the armrest main body and having the rail mounted thereon. 
     Thereby, without regard to the extending direction of the base side wall portion, the orientation of the rail can be freely determined by the side surface of the recess. Therefore, the surface area of the resting surface can be maximized while the direction of the translational movement can be freely selected. 
     Preferably, the slide mechanism comprises a guide sleeve ( 62 ) connected to one of the armrest main body and the armrest base portion, and a rod ( 63 ) connected to the other of the armrest main body and the armrest base portion so as to be slidably supported by the guide sleeve. 
     Thereby, the slide mechanism can be formed by using a simple structure. 
     Preferably, the armrest base portion is provided with a base side wall portion extending vertically on an inboard side thereof, and a large part of the guide sleeve is positioned on an outboard side of the base side wall portion. 
     Thereby, without regard to the extending direction of the base side wall portion, the orientation of the rail can be freely determined. Therefore, the surface area of the resting surface can be maximized while the direction of the translational movement can be freely selected. 
     Preferably, a switch portion ( 5 ) is provided on the main body portion of the interior member so as to project in the inboard direction to support a switch box, and the armrest base portion is positioned behind the switch portion in a spaced apart relationship. 
     Thereby, the armrest main body is prevented from interfering with the switch portion when the armrest main body moves to the projecting position. 
     Preferably, a switch portion ( 5 ) is provided on the interior member so as to project in an inboard direction to support a switch box, and an extension projects from an inboard side of the switch portion in the inboard direction in such a manner that a front edge of an inboard side of the armrest main body extends continuously with a projecting edge on an inboard side of the extension in a fore and aft direction when the armrest main body is in the projecting position. 
     Because the armrest main body extends continuously from the rear edge of the extension in the projecting position, the resting surface jointly defined by the armrest main body and the extension for supporting an elbow of a vehicle occupant can be maximized. Furthermore, the armrest main body in the projecting position presents a unified appearance jointly with the interior member so that the external appearance is enhanced. 
     Preferably, a surface of the inboard side of the armrest main body facing in the inboard direction is flush with a surface of the projecting edge of the extension facing in the inboard direction. 
     Thereby, the armrest main body in the projecting position presents a unified appearance jointly with the interior member so that the external appearance can be enhanced. 
     Preferably, an upper part of the extension is formed with a pocket having an upwardly facing opening. 
     Thereby, the extension can be used as a pocket. 
     Preferably, a part of the interior member opposing the armrest main body is provided with a light source. 
     Thereby, the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the interior member and the armrest main body, and leaks out from a gap between the interior member and an opposing edge of the armrest main body so that an edge part of the armrest main body can be favorably illuminated. This illuminating light leaking into the passenger compartment changes depending on the position of the armrest main body relative to the interior member owing to the change in the size of the gap between the interior member and the armrest main body. Therefore, the vehicle occupant can determined the position of the armrest main body from the intensity of illumination on the edge part of the armrest main body. 
     Preferably, the light source is provided in a position of the interior member that opposes an edge part of the armrest main body in the initial position. 
     Thereby, the light from the light source passing through the gap between the interior member and the edge part of the armrest main body can be leaked to the passenger compartment in an efficient manner. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     Thus, the present invention provides an armrest device that can be positioned in an appropriate position suitable for the build of the vehicle occupant. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a vehicle door according to a first embodiment of the present invention: 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the armrest device according to the first embodiment: 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of an armrest base portion according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  4   a    is a horizontal sectional view of the armrest device according to the first embodiment in an initial position; 
         FIG.  4   b    is a horizontal sectional view of the armrest device according to the first embodiment in a projecting position: 
         FIG.  5    is a sectional view taken along line V-V of  FIG.  4     a;    
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG.  4     a;    
         FIG.  7    is a horizontal sectional view of an armrest device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a horizontal sectional view of an armrest device according to a third embodiment of the present invention: 
         FIG.  9    is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a horizontal sectional view of an armrest device given as a modification of the third embodiment; 
         FIG.  11    is a vertical sectional view of an armrest device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  12    is a vertical sectional view of an armrest device given as a modification of the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a door given as a modification of the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a door according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  15   a    is a plan view of the armrest device according to the fifth embodiment in the initial position: 
         FIG.  15   b    is a plan view of the armrest device according to the first embodiment in the projecting position; 
         FIG.  16   a    is a horizontal sectional view of an armrest device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  16   b    is a horizontal sectional view of an armrest device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of a right rear door given as a modification of the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In the following are described various embodiments of the armrest device of the present invention as applied to an interior member of a vehicle door with reference to the appended drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a door adjacent to the right front seat or the driver&#39;s seat is provided with an interior member  1  which covers an inboard side (left side) of a lower part of a door panel made of sheet steel. The interior member  1  is generally formed by a plate member, and includes a main body portion  2  having a major plane facing in the lateral direction when the door is closed, and a peripheral part  3  surrounding the main body portion  2 . The inboard side of the main body portion  2  of the interior member  1  is referred to a surface  2 A. The peripheral part  3  is offset in the outboard direction relative to the main body portion  2 , and abuts the door panel. 
     An upper part of the main body portion  2  is formed with an upper opening  2 B passed through the main body portion  2  in the thickness-wise direction. A door handle attached to the door panel is positioned in the upper opening  2 B. A grip portion  2 C is formed in a part of the main body portion  2  located below the upper opening  2 B. The grip portion  2 C consists of a recess formed in the main body portion  2  recessed in both the outboard direction and the downward direction. By engaging the grip portion  2 C with fingers, the vehicle occupant is enabled to open and close the door. 
     A vertically intermediate part of the main body portion  2  is formed with a switch portion  5 , a connecting portion  6  and an armrest base portion  7  in that order from the front to the rear. The switch portion  5 , the connecting portion  6  and the armrest base portion  7  are formed as protrusions bulging in the inboard direction, and internally define a space opening out in the outboard direction. The switch portion  5 , the connecting portion  6  and the armrest base portion  7  all extend in the fore and aft direction, and are connected to one another in the aforementioned order. The switch portion  5 , the connecting portion  6  and the armrest base portion  7  jointly form an armrest device  10 . 
     The switch portion  5  is formed in the shape of a box extending in the fore and aft direction. The switch portion  5  receives a switch box (not shown in the drawings) incorporated with switches for power windows and a door lock device. Switch keys provided in the switch box are exposed upward from respective switch openings  5 B formed in an upper wall portion SA of the switch portion  5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  to  6   , the armrest base portion  7  includes a base upper wall portion  12  and a base lower wall portion  13  both extending horizontally in the inboard direction from the main body portion  2 , a base front wall portion  14  extending from the main body portion  2  and connecting the front edges of the base upper wall portion  12  and the base lower wall portion  13  to each other, and a base side wall portion  15  connecting the projecting edges of the base upper wall portion  12 , the base lower wall portion  13  and the base front wall portion  14  to one another. The width of the base upper wall portion  12  and the base lower wall portion  13  progressively diminishes in the rearward direction in plan view. In other words, the projecting length of the base upper wall portion  12  and the base lower wall portion  13  is smaller in the rear part thereof than in the front part thereof. The front edges of the base upper wall portion  12  and the base lower wall portion  13  and the base front wall portion  14  incline forward as one moves in the inboard direction. The front edge of the base lower wall portion  13  is offset to the rear relative to the front edge of the base upper wall portion  12  so that the base front wall portion  14  inclines rearward as one moves downward. The base side wall portion  15  inclines in the outboard direction as one moves rearward, and is directly connected to the main body portion  2  at the rear edge thereof. 
     The base side wall portion  15  includes a first section  15 A, a second section  15 B, a third section  15 C and a fourth section  15 D from the front to the rear in that order. The first section  15 A and the third section  15 C form a substantially same inclination angle relative to the fore and aft direction, and the second section  15 B forms a large inclination angle relative to the fore and aft direction than the first section  15 A and the third section  15 C. Therefore, the third section  15 C is offset relative to the first section  15 A in the outboard direction. The fourth section  15 D forms a larger inclination angle relative to the fore and aft direction than the third section  15 C. 
     The vertically central part of the base side wall portion  15  ranging from the second section  15 B to the third section  15 C is formed with a receiving hole  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving hole  18  is formed as a recess recessed in the outboard direction. The front hole wall  18 A or the front side wall of the receiving hole  18  consists of a planar wall inclining in a forward direction as one moves in the inboard direction. The inclination angle of the front hole wall  18 A relative to the fore and aft direction is greater than the inclination angle of the third section  15 C relative to the fore and aft direction 
     The armrest base portion  7  may be integrally formed with the main body portion  2  of the interior member  1 , or, alternatively, may consist of a separate member from the main body portion  2  of the interior member  1  and connected to the main body portion  2  of the interior member  1 . The armrest base portion  7  and the main body portion  2  may be made of plastic material, for instance. 
     A slide mechanism  8  is attached to the front hole wall  18 A. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide mechanism  8  consists of a pair of slide rail devices  20 . As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , each slide rail device  20  includes a linearly extending rail  20 A and a slider  20 B supported by the rail  20 A so as to be slidable in the lengthwise direction of the rail  20 A. Preferably, the slider  20 B has a certain length in the extending direction of the rail  20 A. The slider  20 B may consist of a rail member slidably engaging the rail  20 A. The rails  20 A are attached to the front hole wall  18 A so as to extend in the horizontal direction in a mutually vertically spaced apart relationship. Therefore, the sliders  20 B linearly slide along the rails  20 A horizontally so as to move inwardly as the sliders  20 B progress forward. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  to  6   , the armrest main body  9  includes a main body upper wall portion  22  and a main body lower wall portion  23  consisting of plate members elongated in the fore and aft direction, a main body front wall portion  24  connecting the front edges of the main body upper wall portion  22  and the main body lower wall portion  23  to each other, a main body side wall portion  25  connecting the inboard edges of the main body upper wall portion  22  and the main body lower wall portion  23  to each other, and a main body rear wall portion  26  connecting the rear edges of the main body upper wall portion  22  and the main body lower wall portion  23  to each other. Therefore, the armrest main body  9  is formed as a box having an open end facing in the outboard direction. A connecting portion  27  projects from the outboard surface of the main body side wall portion  25 . The connecting portion  27  is provided with a pair of leg piece portions  27 A projecting from the main body side wall portion  25  in the outboard direction in a mutually vertically spaced apart relationship, and a plate portion  27 B extending between the free ends of the leg piece portions  27 . The sliders  20 B of the slide mechanism  8  are attached to the plate portion  27 B. The plate portion  27 B extends substantially in parallel with the front hole wall  18 A. The armrest main body  9  is supported by the armrest base portion  7  via the slide mechanism  8  so as to be able to undergo a translational movement along the extending direction of the rails  20 A relative to the armrest base portion  7 . 
     The position of the armrest main body when the sliders  20 B are at the rear ends of the respective rails  20 A and the armrest main body  9  is at the furthest outboard position is referred to as an initial position. See the broken lines in  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  4   a   . The position of the armrest main body when the sliders  20 B are at the front ends of the respective rails  20 A and the armrest main body  9  is at the furthest inboard position is referred to as a projecting position. See the solid lines in  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  4   b   . The projecting position of the armrest main body  9  is more inboard and forward than the initial position thereof. The armrest main body  9  is thus configured to undergo a translational movement from the initial position to the projecting position both horizontally and linearly. See white arrows in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  4     b.    
     The main body upper wall portion  22  is dimensioned so as to cover the entire area of the base upper wall portion  12  when the armrest main body  9  is in the initial position. In particular, the lateral width of the rear portion of the main body upper wall portion  22  (with respect to the vehicle body) is larger than the lateral width of the rear portion of the base upper wall portion  12 . The inclination angle of the main body side wall portion  25  with respect to the fore and aft direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the base side wall portion  15  with respect to the fore and aft direction. In the initial position of the armrest main body  9 , the lateral distance between the main body side wall portion  25  and the base side wall portion  15  progressively increases toward the rear. In other words, an internal space  30  is defined between the rear portion of the main body side wall portion  25  and the rear portion of the base side wall portion  15 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , a rear part of the main body side wall portion  25  facing the internal space  30  is provided with a load absorbing member  32  that absorbs an impact load. In the present embodiment, the load absorbing member  32  comprises a plurality of ribs  32 A projecting from the main body side wall portion  25 . Each rib  32 A extends vertically, and has an upper end attached to the lower surface of the main body upper wall portion  22  and a lower end attached to the upper surface of the main body lower wall portion  23 . The ribs  32 A enhance the stiffness of the armrest main body  9 , and prevent undue deformation under the load of an elbow of a vehicle occupant. When subjected to an impact load caused by a side crash, the ribs  32 A are compressed and deformed between the base side wall portion  15  and the main body side wall portion  25  so that the impact load is absorbed, and the load acting on the vehicle occupant is reduced. The rib  32 A may be damaged or destroyed under the impact load. 
     The main body upper wall portion  22  is slidably placed on the upper surface of the base upper wall portion  12 . Therefore, a load applied from above to the main body upper wall portion  22  is directly transmitted from the main body upper wall portion  22  to the base upper wall portion  12  so that the deformation of the armrest main body  9  is minimized. The upper surface of the base upper wall portion  12  forms a resting surface for supporting the main body upper wall portion  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the projecting length of the connecting portion  6  from the main body portion  2  of the interior member in the inboard direction is smaller than those of the switch portion  5  and the armrest base portion  7 . The connecting portion  6  connects an outboard side of a rear part of the switch portion  5  to the outboard side of the base front wall portion  14 . The upper surface of the switch portion  5  is higher than the upper surface of the base upper wall portion  12 , and the upper surface of the connecting portion  6  is lower than the upper surface of the base upper wall portion  12 . The upper surface of the main body upper wall portion  22  placed on the base upper wall portion  12  is at an approximately same height as the upper surface of the switch portion  5 . 
     When the armrest main body  9  is in the initial position, the main body front wall portion  24  of the armrest main body  9  extends downward from an inboard part of the front edge of the main body upper wall portion  22  so as not to interfere with the connecting portion  6 . Further, when the armrest main body  9  is the initial position, the main body front wall portion  24  of the armrest main body  9  is arranged so as to extend along the base front wall portion  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   a   , when the armrest main body  9  is in the initial position, the connecting portion  27  of the armrest main body  9  is disposed in the receiving hole  18  of the armrest base portion  7  so that the interference between the connecting portion  27  and the armrest base portion  7  is avoided. As shown in  FIG.  4   b   , when the armrest main body  9  moves to the projecting position, the connecting portion  27  moves out of the receiving hole  18 . 
     When the armrest main body  9  moves from the initial position to the projecting position, the main body rear wall portion  26  and the load absorbing member  32  of the armrest main body  9  move to a more outboard position than the base side wall portion  15  so that the interference between the main body rear wall portion  26  and the base side wall portion  15  is avoided. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the armrest main body  9  is disposed so that the main body front wall portion  24  abuts on a rear part of the switch portion  5  in the projecting position. As a result, the upper surface of the main body upper wall portion  22  extends continuously with the upper surface of the switch portion  5 . Further, the outboard edge portion of the main body upper wall portion  22  is positioned above the connecting portion  6 , and a gap created between the switch portion  5  and the armrest base portion  7  is filled by the armrest main body  9 . 
     The mode of operation of the armrest device  10  described above is now discussed in the following. The armrest device  10  allows a vehicle occupant to position the armrest main body  9  at a desired position between the initial position and the projecting position so as to suit the build of the vehicle occupant, and to place his or her elbow on the main body upper wall portion  22 . Since the armrest main body  9  moves forward as it moves in the inboard direction, it is possible to provide a comfortable elbow position to the vehicle occupant. Typically, the smaller the build of the vehicle occupant is, the further forward the seating position of the vehicle occupant is moved so that the distance to the steering wheel and the accelerator pedal may be made appropriate particularly when the fore and aft position of the seat can be adjusted. Also, the smaller the build of the vehicle occupant is, the further away the elbow of the vehicle occupant is positioned. Therefore, it is preferable that the position of the armrest main body  9  moves inboard and forward as the occupant&#39;s build decreases. In the armrest device  10  according to the present embodiment, since the armrest main body  9  moves from the initial position to the projecting position inwardly and forwardly with respect to the vehicle body, the armrest main body  9  can be positioned at an appropriate position that suits the build of the vehicle occupant. Further, since the armrest main body  9  linearly moves in a translational manner between the initial position and the projecting position, the armrest main body  9  takes the same posture at the initial position and at the projecting position, and, in fact, takes an appropriate posture with respect to the occupant at any position. Further, since the armrest main body  9  moves linearly, the configuration of the slide mechanism  8  can be simplified. 
     Because the main body upper wall portion  22  is slidably placed on the upper surface of the base upper wall portion  12 , the load applied by the elbow of the vehicle occupant onto the main body upper wall portion  22  is transmitted directly to the base upper wall portion  12  so that undue deformation of the armrest main body  9  can be avoided 
     Because the rear side of the armrest main body  9  is formed with the ribs  32 A serving as the load absorbing member  32 , the impact load of a side crash can be mitigated by the deformation of the ribs  32 A located between the vehicle occupant and the door so that the impact load on the vehicle occupant can be minimized. The load absorbing capacity of the load absorbing member  32  can be selected by suitably adjusting the thickness, the number and the configuration of the ribs  32 A. When the load absorbing member  32  comprises the ribs  32 A, the load absorbing member  32  increases the stiffness of the armrest main body  9  so that the armrest main body  9  is prevented from being unduly deformed under the load applied by the elbow of the vehicle occupant. 
     Because the rails  20 A are mounted on the front hole wall  18 A which is slanted relative to the base side wall portion  15 , the extending direction of the rails  20 A or, in other words, the direction of the translational movement of the armrest main body  9  can be determined without regard to the inclination angle of the base side wall portion  15  relative to the fore and aft direction. As a result, the overlapping between the armrest main body  9  and the armrest base portion  7  in plan view can be maximized while the direction of the translational movement of the armrest main body  9  can be optimally selected. 
     Because the front hole wall  18 A is formed as a part of the wall defining the support hole which formed as a recess having a bottom wall, the rails  20 A can be mounted on the front hole wall  18 A in a highly secure and stable manner. 
     Second Embodiment 
     An armrest device  50  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is modified from the armrest device  10  of the first embodiment in regard to a certain part thereof. In the following description, the parts corresponding to those of the previous embodiment are denoted with like numerals without necessarily repeating the description of such parts. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , in the armrest device  50 , the base upper wall portion  12  and the base lower wall portion  13  are provided with a substantially same width (lateral dimension), and the base side wall portion  15  extends in the fore and aft direction substantially in parallel with the main body side wall portion  25 . Therefore, the internal space  30  of the armrest device  50  is smaller than that of the armrest device  10 . By thus arranging the base side wall portion  15  and the main body side wall portion  25  in a substantially parallel relationship, the overlapping area of the base upper wall portion  12  and the main body upper wall portion  22  in plan view is maximized. As a result, the load applied by the elbow of the vehicle occupant onto the main body upper wall portion  22  can be efficiently transmitted to the base upper wall portion  12  so that the deformation of the armrest main body  9  can be minimized. 
     Preferably, the load absorbing member  32  which may consist of a plurality of ribs  32 A is provided on the outboard side of the base side wall portion  15 . Each rib  32 A may extend in the vertical direction, and have an upper edge connected to the lower surface of the base upper wall portion  12  and a lower end connected to the upper surface of the base lower wall portion  13 . The ribs  32 A increase the stiffness of the armrest base portion  7 , and minimize the deformation of the armrest base portion  7  under the load from the elbow of the vehicle occupant. The ribs  32 A are also configured to be compressed between the door panel and the base side wall portion  15  when an impact load owing to a side crash is applied to the door, and reduce the impact load applied to the vehicle occupant by absorbing the impact load. 
     The base rear wall portion  16  is positioned between the rear edge of the base side wall portion  15  and the main body portion  2 . The main body rear wall portion  26  may be provided with an opening  52  to avoid interfering with the base rear wall portion  16  and the rear edge of the base side wall portion  15  when the main body rear wall portion  26  moves from the initial position to the projecting position. The opening  52  is optional, and should be minimized as much as possible without causing an interference between the main body rear wall portion  26  and the base rear wall portion  16  during the movement of the main body rear wall portion  26 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     An armrest device  60  according to a third embodiment of the present invention differs from the armrest device  10  of the first embodiment in regard to the structure of the slide mechanism  8 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , the slide mechanism  8  is provided with a pair of tubular guide sleeves  62  and a pair of rods  63  moveably supported by the respective guide sleeves  62 . The rods  63  are formed in a linear shape, and configured to slide linearly along the axial direction of the respective guide sleeves  62 . The guide sleeves  62  may be formed of, for example, a plastic material, and the rods  63  may be formed of a metal rod. The rods  63  can be held at any projecting position with respect to the guide sleeves  62  by a frictional force. 
     The guide sleeves  62  and the rods  63  are combined in pairs, with one pair positioned in an upper part and another pair positioned in a lower part. The guide sleeves  62  are secured to the front hole wall  18 A, and the rods  63  are secured to the plate portion  27 B. Each guide sleeve  62  is attached to the front hole wall  18 A on the outer surface thereof so as to extend in the horizontal direction. The axial line of each guide sleeve  62  extends in parallel with the front hole wall  18 A. The free end of each rod  63  is connected to an anchor  64  projecting from the outboard side of the main body side wall portion  25 . 
     In the modification of the third embodiment shown in  FIG.  10   , each guide sleeve  62  is retained in a support hole  65  consisting of a through hole formed in the base side wall portion  15 . A large part of each guide sleeve  62  is positioned on the outboard side of the base side wall portion  15 . The extending direction of the guide sleeves  62  is determined by the orientation of the support holes  65 . In this modified embodiment, the guide sleeves  62 , or in other words, the direction of the translational movement of the armrest main body  9  can be tilted relative to the extending direction of the base side wall portion  15  without forming a receiving hole  18 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     An armrest device  70  according to a fourth embodiment differs from the armrest device  10  of the first embodiment in the configuration of the slide mechanism  8 . As shown in  FIG.  11   , in the armrest device  70 , the slide mechanism  8  is provided with a pair of guide slots  72  formed in the front hole wall  18 A and corresponding engagement portions  73  provided on the plate portion  27 B of the connecting portion  27  to be engaged by the respective guide slots  72 . The guide slots  72  are passed through the front hole wall  18 A in the thickness-wise direction, and extend in the fore and aft direction linearly in a substantially horizontal direction. The two guide slots  72  are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Each engagement portion  73  includes a cylindrical boss  73 A protruding from the plate portion  27 B and passed through the corresponding guide slot  72 , a shaft portion inserted into and coupled to the inner hole of the boss  73 A, and a retaining member  73 B including a flange projecting radially outward from the free end of the shaft portion. The retaining member  73 B is dimensioned so as not to pass through the guide slot  72 , by being engaged by the edge part of the guide slot  72 . The retaining member  73 B may be, for example, a tapping screw, a plastic fastener (clip) or the like. As the bosses  73 A move in the extending direction of the guide slots  72 , the armrest main body  9  moves between the initial position and the projecting position. 
     As a modification of the armrest device  70  of the fourth embodiment, the engagement portions  73  may be configured as shown in  FIG.  12   . The engagement portions  73  each include a base portion  73 D connected to the plate portion  27 B, a pillar portion  73 E protruding from the base portion  73 D and passed through the guide slot  72 , and an enlarged head portion  73 F provided at the free end of the pillar portion  73 E. The base portion  73 D may include, for example, resilient claws configured to resiliently engage a through hole formed in the plate portion  27 B. The enlarged head portion  73 F is dimensioned so as not to pass through the guide slot  72 , and is configured to be engaged by the edge part of the guide slot  72 . As the pillar portion  73 E moves in the extending direction of the guide slot  72 , the armrest main body  9  moves between the initial position and the protruding position. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     An armrest device  100  according to a fifth embodiment differs from the armrest device  10  of the first embodiment in regards to the shapes of the switch portion  5 , the connecting portion  6  of the interior member  1  and the armrest main body  9 , but is otherwise similar to the armrest device  10  of the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , a switch portion  101 , a connecting portion  102 , and an armrest base portion  7  protrude from a vertically intermediate part of the main body portion  2 , in that order from the front to the rear, similarly as in the first embodiment. The connecting portion  102  and the armrest base portion  7  project in the inboard direction from the main body portion  2  of the interior member  1  by a substantially same length. The switch portion  101  is provided with an extension  104  that protrudes in the inboard direction more than the connecting portion  102  and the armrest base portion  7 . The extension  104  may extend to the inboard side of the connecting portion  102 . 
     The protruding end of the extension  104  is provided with a protruding end face  104 A facing the inboard direction, and an inclined surface  104 B extends from the rear edge of the protruding end face  104 A with an outboard slant. The rear end of the inclined surface  104 B is connected to the connecting portion  102 . 
     A first pocket  106  recessed downward is formed in an upper part of the extension  104 . A second pocket  107  recessed downward is formed in an upper part of the connecting portion  102 . The first pocket  106  and the second pocket  107  can be used as parts for storing small objects and as a grip to be gripped by a vehicle occupant when opening and closing the door. 
     An armrest main body  110  differs from the armrest main body  9  of the first embodiment in that the main body front wall portion  24  is omitted, but is otherwise similar to the armrest main body  9  of the first embodiment. The armrest main body  110  is supported by the armrest base portion  7  via a slide mechanism  8  similar to that of the first embodiment. It should be noted that the slide mechanism  8  may also be based on the configurations of the second to fourth embodiments. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  14  and  15     a , when the armrest main body  110  is in the initial position, the inboard surface of the main body side wall portion  25  is located on the outboard side of the projecting end surface  104 A of the extension  104 . Further, the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  is arranged close to the inclined surface  104 B of the extension  104 . In this conjunction, the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  may contact the inclined surface  104 B of the extension  104  or may oppose the inclined surface  104 B with a minute gap. 
     When the armrest main body  110  moves in an inboard and forward direction from the initial position to the projecting position, the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  moves in an inboard and forward direction along the inclined surface  104 B of the extension  104 . At this time, the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  may slide on the inclined surface  104 B of the extension  104  or may move with a minute gap defined between the main body side wall portion  25  and the inclined surface  104 B. 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   b   , when the armrest main body  110  is in the projecting position, the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  is arranged immediately behind the rear edge of the protruding end face  104 A of the extension  104  in a continuous manner. In other words, at this time, the side of the main body side wall portion  25  facing in the inboard direction, and the protruding end face  104 A of the extension  104  are on a same plane. In this conjunction, the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  may contact or oppose the main body side wall portion  25  with a small gap defined between the protruding end surface  104 A of the extension  104 . 
     In the armrest device  100  according to the fifth embodiment, the armrest main body  110  in the projecting position is arranged immediately behind the extension  104  so that the armrest main body  110  and the extension  104  cooperate with each other so as to expand the resting surface for placing the elbow. The armrest main body  110  in the projecting position provides a unified appearance in relation with the interior member  1  so that the external appearance of the armrest device can be improved. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     The armrest device  120  according to the sixth embodiment differs from the armrest device  10  of the first embodiment in that the shape of the connecting portion  6  of the interior member  1  and the shape of the armrest main body  9  are different as compared to those of the first embodiment, in that a light source is newly added, and in that the slide mechanism  8  is different. The sixth embodiment is otherwise similar to the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG.  16   , the connecting portion  121 , the switch portion  5 , and the armrest base portion  7  are formed so as to project in the inboard direction by a substantially same distance from the main body portion  2  of the interior member  1 . An armrest main body  122  differs from the armrest main body  9  of the first embodiment in that the main body front wall portion  24  is omitted, but is otherwise similar to that of the first embodiment. The slide mechanism  8  is similar in structure to that of the third embodiment, and is composed of a guide sleeve  62 , a rod  63 , and an anchor  64 . The guide sleeve  62  is supported on by a part of the rear side wall located behind the receiving hole  18 . The slide mechanism  8  may have a structure similar to any one of the first, second and fourth embodiment. 
     A light source  125  is provided on a part of the armrest base portion  7  facing the armrest main body  122 . The light source  125  may be an LED or a light bulb. The light source  125  may be provided on a part of at least one of the base upper wall portion  12 , the base lower wall portion  13 , and the base side wall portion  15  that faces one of the main body upper wall portion  22 , the main body lower wall portion  23 , the main body side wall portion  25  and the main body rear wall portion  26  of the armrest main body  122  in the initial position. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source  125  is mounted on a mounting hole  126  provided in a part of the base side wall portion  15  opposing the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25 . 
     In the armrest device  120  according to the sixth embodiment, the light from the light source  125  is reflected by the outboard surface of the armrest base portion  7  and the inboard surface of the armrest main body  122 , and leaks into the passenger compartment via a gap defined between the outboard surface of the armrest base portion  7  and the edge part of the armrest main body  122 . In other words, the armrest base portion  7 , the armrest main body  122  and the light source  125  cooperate with each other so as to form an illumination unit  127  for illuminating the edge part of the armrest main body  122 . Since the size of the gap between the armrest base portion  7  and the edge part of the armrest main body  122  varies depending on the position of the armrest main body  122  with respect to the armrest base portion  7 , the amount of light leaking to the passenger compartment side of this illumination unit  127  changes. Therefore, the occupant can recognize the position of the armrest main body  122  from the brightness of the edge part of the armrest main body  122 . In addition, since the light from the light source  125  is reflected by the outboard surface of the armrest base portion  7  and the inboard surface of the armrest main body  122 , the illumination unit  127  serves as an indirect lighting unit. 
     Since the light source  125  is provided in a part of the base side wall portion  15  corresponding to the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  of the armrest main body  122  in the initial position, the light emitted from the light source  125  is favorably directed to the passenger compartment via the gap between the base side wall portion  15  and the front edge of the main body side wall portion  25  in an efficient manner. By adjusting the size of the gap between the edge part of the armrest main body  122  and the armrest base portion  7  in the initial position, the amount of light conducted to the passenger compartment can be adjusted when the armrest main body  122  is in the initial position. 
     As a modification of the armrest device  120  of the sixth embodiment, in order to illuminate the armrest main body  122  from outside, a light source for emitting light to a surrounding part of the armrest base portion  7  of the main body portion  2  may be provided, for instance, in an upper position of the armrest main body  122 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The foregoing embodiments were directed to armrest devices for a vehicle door on the driver&#39;s side, but the present invention is applicable to other seats such as assistant&#39;s seats and rear seats.  FIG.  17    shows a case where the armrest device  10  is applied to the interior member  130  of the door next to a rear right seat. The interior member  130  differs from the interior member  1  of the first embodiment in the configuration of the main body portion  2  and the shape and the number of the switch openings  5 B formed in the switch portion  5 . In this manner, the armrest device can be applied to the doors adjoining any of the seats in the vehicle. 
     In addition to the slide mechanisms  8  of the various structures mentioned above, other per se known slide devices such as an air cylinder can be applied to the armrest device of the present invention. The ribs  32 A were used as an example of the load absorbing member  32  in the forgoing embodiments, but resilient members such as rubber and urethane may also be used for the load absorbing member  32 . 
     As shown  FIG.  13   , a grip belt  80  may be provided on the inboard side of the grip portion  2 C. The grip belt  80  is provided with a flexibility and extends in the fore and aft direction. The two ends of the grip belt  80  are attached to the surface  2 A of the main body portion  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the grip belt  80  extends in the fore and aft direction along the inboard side of the grip portion  2 C. The vehicle occupant can close and open the door by grabbing the grip portion  2 C or the grip belt  80 . When the grip belt  80  is provided, the grip portion  2 C may be omitted. Instead of the flexible grip belt  80 , a stiff rod member may extend in the fore and aft direction. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, the armrest main body  9  was configured to undergo a linear translation movement between the initial position and the projecting position, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode of movement. For instance, the armrest main body may undergo a translation movement along a curved path such an arcuate path. 
     Glossary of Terms 
     
         
           1 ,  130 : interior member 
           2 : main body portion 
           5 : switch portion 
           7 : armrest base portion 
           8 : slide mechanism 
           9 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  100 ,  120 : armrest main body 
           10 : armrest device 
           12 : base upper wall portion 
           15 : base side wall portion 
           18 : receiving hole (recess) 
           18 A: front hole wall 
           20 : slide rail device 
           20 A: rail 
           20 B: slider 
           22 : main body upper wall portion 
           25 : main body side wall portion 
           27 : connecting portion 
           30 : internal space 
           32 : load absorbing member 
           32 A: rib 
           62 : guide sleeve 
           63 : rod 
           72 : guide slot 
           73 : engagement portion 
           104 : extension 
           125 : light source