Patent Abstract:
An embodiment provides a lock-release apparatus including: a rotation member to actuate a locking member; a case member rotatably supporting the rotation member; an operation member slidable in a direction substantially in parallel to a rotation plane of the rotation member; and a spring member urging the rotation member in a given rotation direction. The lock-release apparatus further includes a link structure converting a sliding movement of the operation member into a rotational movement of the rotation member. More specifically, the case member includes: an accommodation section slidably accommodating the operation member to allow an operation face thereof to be exposed; and a support section rotatably supporting the rotation member.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-203363 filed on Oct. 1, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a lock-release apparatus that is installed on a install-base member and a lock apparatus equipped with the lock-release apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The glove box of a vehicle is provided with an opening/closing member for opening and closing the opening section thereof, and a lock apparatus for holding the opening/closing member in a closed state is installed on the glove box. The user unlocks the opening/closing member by operating the operation member of the lock apparatus and opens the opening section of the glove box. 
     For example, WO-2013-187388-A discloses a lock apparatus for locking a lid for opening/closing the opening section of the glove box of a vehicle. This lock apparatus is equipped with an operation member that can be slid when pushed by the user; a rotation member that is connected to the operation member and rotated by the sliding of the operation member; a housing for supporting the operation member and the rotation member; and a link rod connected to the rotation member. The connection pin of the rotation member connected to the link rod is provided at the outer circumferential end of the rotation member having a cylindrical shape. The link rod sets the lid to a locked state or an unlocked state depending on the rotation of the rotation member. The rotation member is disposed so that the rotation plane thereof is orthogonal to the sliding direction of the operation member. 
     In WO-2013-187388-A, when the rotation radius of the connection pin is made larger by making the radius of the rotation member larger, the movement distance of the connection pin with respect to the rotation angle thereof is made larger and the ratio of the output to the input can be made larger. However, in the case that the radius of the rotation member is made larger sufficiently, the area of the rotation member is increased and the lock apparatus is made larger in the direction along the rotation plane of the rotation member. Since the rotation member of WO-2013-187388-A has the rotation plane orthogonal to the sliding direction of the operation member, the lock apparatus becomes larger in the direction along the rotation plane of the rotation member, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present invention provides 
     a lock-release apparatus including: 
     a rotation member including an actuation section that rotates to actuate a locking member; 
     a case member rotatably supporting the rotation member; 
     an operation member slidable in a direction substantially in parallel to a rotation plane of the rotation member; 
     a spring member making contact with both the case member and the rotation member to thereby urge the rotation member in a given rotation direction; and 
     a link structure converting a sliding movement of the operation member into a rotational movement of the rotation member, 
     wherein the case member includes:
         an accommodation section slidably accommodating the operation member to allow an operation face thereof to be exposed; and   a support section rotatably supporting the rotation member.       

     Another aspect of the present invention provides 
     a lock apparatus configured to lock an opening/closing member openably and closably installed on an opening section of an install-base member in a closed state, 
     the lock apparatus including: 
     a locking member capable of being brought into a locked state to thereby hold the opening/closing member when the opening/closing member is closed; 
     a rotation member including an actuation section that rotates to actuate the locking member; 
     a case member being installed on one of the install-base member and the opening/closing member and rotatably supporting the rotation member; 
     an operation member slidable in a direction substantially in parallel to a rotation plane of the rotation member; 
     a wound-formed spring member making contact with both the case member and the rotation member to thereby urge the rotation member in a direction in which the locking member is brought into the locked state; and 
     a link structure converting a sliding movement of the operation member into a rotational movement of the rotation member, 
     wherein the case member includes:
         an accommodation section slidably accommodating the operation member to allow an operation face thereof to be exposed; and   a support section rotatably supporting the rotation member, and       

     wherein, upon operation on the operation member, the operation member slides to cause the rotation member to rotate via the link structure to thereby actuate the locking member. 
     According to the above configurations, a lock-release apparatus can be made compact in a given direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are views illustrating a glove box on which a lock apparatus according to an embodiment is installed; 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating the lock apparatus installed on the glove box; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views illustrating a lock-release apparatus; 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  are views illustrating a rotation member; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views illustrating an operation member; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views illustrating a case member; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the internal structure of the lock-release apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing the lock-release apparatus taken on line A-A in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views illustrating the positional relationship among the rotation member, the operation member and the spring member in the lock-release apparatus; and 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views illustrating the operation of the lock-release apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are views illustrating a glove box  12  on which a lock apparatus  10  according to an embodiment is installed.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing the glove box  12  as viewed from above, and  FIG. 1B  is a side view showing the glove box  12 .  FIG. 2  is a view illustrating the lock apparatus  10  installed on the glove box  12 . The same or similar components shown in the respective drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and overlapped explanations are omitted appropriately. 
     The glove box  12  has a box-shaped body section  12   a , and an opening/closing member  16  is provided on the opening section  12   b  of the body section  12   a . The opening/closing member  16  can open and close the opening section  12   b  and is locked by the lock apparatus  10  when the opening section  12   b  is in a closed state, thereby maintaining the opening section  12   b  in the closed state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lock apparatus  10  is equipped with a lock-release apparatus  20  to which the operation force of the user is input; a first locking bar  22  being movable in an unlocking direction by the operation force transmitted via the lock-release apparatus  20 ; a connection mechanism  26  connected to the first locking bar  22 ; and a second locking bar  24  to which the operation force is transmitted via the connection mechanism  26 . The first locking bar  22 , the second locking bar  24  and the connection mechanism  26  are collectively referred to as “locking member”. 
     The lock-release apparatus  20  is equipped with a rotation member  32 , an operation member  34 , a case member  36 , a spring member (not shown) and a cushion (not shown) and these components are formed into one unit. When the user pushes the operation member  34  of the lock-release apparatus  20 , the rotation member  32  is rotated in synchronization with the pushing. 
     The receiving section  22   a  of the first locking bar  22  is formed so as to protrude in the middle of the first locking bar  22  in a wall shape and is connected to the rotation member  32 . When the rotation member  32  is rotated, the first locking bar  22  receives the rotation force of the rotation member  32  from the receiving section  22   a  and is moved in the longitudinal direction thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , one end section  22   b  of the first locking bar  22  is bent and engaged with the side section of the opening/closing member  16  so as to be lockable. The other end section  22   c  of the first locking bar  22  is connected to the connection mechanism  26 . One end section and the other end section of the second locking bar  24  are connected to the connection mechanism  26  and are lockable to the opening/closing member  16  as in the case of the first locking bar  22 . The first locking bar  22  and the second locking bar  24  are guided by arch-shaped guide sections  28   a  and  28   b  so that the longitudinal movements thereof are not largely dislocated in different directions. 
     The connection mechanism  26  is rotatably installed on the body section  12   a  and transmits the force received from the first locking bar  22  to the second locking bar  24 . When the connection mechanism  26  is rotated, both the first locking bar  22  and the second locking bar  24  are moved in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the opening/closing member  16  is moved in a locking direction or an unlocking direction depending on the rotation. 
     When the first locking bar  22  is moved in the longitudinal direction by the lock-release apparatus  20 , the connection mechanism  26  is rotated and torque is transmitted to the second locking bar  24 , and the second locking bar  24  is moved in the longitudinal direction. The connection mechanism  26  may be provided with a spring member (not shown) for urging the first locking bar  22  and the second locking bar  24  in the locking direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , a plate-shaped side edge section  14  is secured to the upper edge section  12   c  of the body section  12   a , and the operation member  34  of the lock apparatus  10  is exposed through the button hole  14   a  of the side edge section  14 . Although the button hole  14   a  and the lock-release apparatus  20  are provided on the left side of the side edge section  14  shown in  FIG. 1A , they may be provided on the right side. The side edge section  14  is part of the instrument panel of the vehicle. 
     The button hole  14   a  of the side edge section  14  is directed obliquely upward and the operation member  34  is also directed obliquely upward. The operation member  34  is a push button. When the user pushes the operation member  34  obliquely downward, the opening/closing member  16  is unlocked and opened. The opening/closing member  16  is directed obliquely downward and is configured so as to open by its own weight. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2 , on the side face of the body section  12   a , a locking hole  12   d  is formed so as to pass through, and the locking hole (not shown) of the opening/closing member  16  is formed in the innermost portion of the locking hole  12   d . The one end section  22   b  of the first locking bar  22  is inserted into the locking hole  12   d  and enters the locking hole of the opening/closing member  16 , whereby the opening/closing member  16  is locked in a closed state. 
     The glove box  12  is installed on the vehicle body in the state shown in  FIG. 1B , and the lock apparatus  10  is secured to the body section  12   a  and the side edge section  14 . In particular, the lock-release apparatus  20  is installed so that the operation member  34  of the lock-release apparatus  20  is exposed obliquely upward. 
     In the rotation member  32  of the lock-release apparatus  20  secured to the glove box  12 , when the first locking bar  22  is connected to the rotation member  32  of the lock-release apparatus  20 , the connection portion of the rotation member  32  to the first locking bar  22  is preferably directed upward from the viewpoint of ease of assembly. For example, the side edge section  14  constituting the instrument panel provided in front of the front passenger seat is directed toward the windshield and extended in the horizontal direction. Hence, it is preferable that the lock-release apparatus  20  should be formed in a small size in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the operation member  34  in consideration of the space between the instrument panel and the body section  12   a  of the glove box  12 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views illustrating the lock-release apparatus  20 .  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view showing the lock-release apparatus  20  as viewed from the front side, and  FIG. 3B  is a perspective view showing the lock-release apparatus  20  as viewed from the back side. 
     The rotation member  32  converts the sliding motion input to the operation member  34  into a rotational motion and transmits torque to the first locking bar  22 , thereby moving the first locking bar  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the rotation member  32  has an actuation section  44  that rotates to move the first locking bar  22 . The actuation section  44  is formed so as to protrude from the disc section  40  of the rotation member  32  in the direction perpendicular to the face thereof and makes contact with the receiving section  22   a  of the first locking bar  22  shown in  FIG. 2 . The rod-shaped support section  70  of the case member  36  is inserted into the center axial hole  41  of the rotation member  32 , whereby the rotation member  32  is rotatably supported by the case member  36 . 
     The case member  36  supports the rotation member  32  and accommodates part of the operation member  34 . The case member  36  holds the rotation member  32  so that the rotation member  32  does not come off from the support section  70  using the first rotor holding section  78   a  and the second rotor holding section  78   b  thereof. 
     The case member  36  has an accommodation section  66  in which an accommodation space  68  for accommodating part of the operation member  34  is formed, and an opening  66   c  in which the operation member  34  is inserted is provided in the accommodation section  66 . Installation sections  71  for installing the case member  36  on the side edge section  14  are formed on the outer face of the case member  36 . 
     The operation member  34  is partially inserted into the accommodation section  66  of the case member  36 , and the flat-shaped operation section  52  of the operation member  34  that is pushed by the user with a finger is exposed. Coming-off preventing sections  60  of the operation member  34  shown in  FIG. 3B  are formed into a pawl shape and engaged with coming-off preventing grooves  80  formed on the side faces of the case member  36 , thereby preventing the operation member  34  from coming off. 
     The operation member  34  is slidably held by the case member  36  and stops sliding when making contact with a cushion  39  made of rubber shown in  FIG. 3A . The operation member  34  is provided so as to be slidable in a nearly horizontal direction with respect to the rotation plane of the rotation member  32 . The rotation plane of the rotation member  32  is parallel to the plane of the disc section  40  and is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation member  32 . 
     Hence, the disc section  40  of the rotation member  32  is disposed along the sliding direction, whereby the lock-release apparatus  20  can be made compact in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction. Furthermore, in the case that the lock-release apparatus  20  is installed on the glove box  12 , the actuation section  44  of the rotation member  32  can be disposed upward, whereby the work for the connection to the first locking bar  22  can be facilitated. The respective components of the lock-release apparatus  20  described above will be described below in detail referring to additional drawings. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  are views illustrating the rotation member  32 .  FIG. 4A  is a back side view showing the rotation member  32 ,  FIG. 4B  is a side view showing the rotation member  32 , and  FIG. 4C  is a front side view showing the rotation member  32 . The axial hole  41  is formed as a through hole at the center of the disc section  40  and functions as the rotation axis of the rotation member  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , the rotation member  32  is formed of the actuation section  44  protruding from the front face  40   a  of the disc section  40  and a protruding section  42  protruding to the back side. The actuation section  44  and the protruding section  42  respectively protrude in parallel in opposite directions. The operation force transmitted from the operation member  34  to the protruding section  42  is output from the actuation section  44 . The rotation member  32  pushes the outer circumferential face of the actuation section  44  against the receiving section  22   a  of the first locking bar  22 , thereby outputting the operation force. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4C , the actuation section  44  is formed outside the protruding section  42  in the radial direction so that the distance of the actuation section  44  from the center axis is longer than that of the protruding section  42 . With this configuration, the operation force applied to the protruding section  42  can be made larger by the actuation section  44  and can be output. Of the portions of the outer circumferential face of the protruding section  42 , the outside portion  42   a  of the rotation member  32  in the radial direction is formed into a flatter shape than the inside portion. The rotation locus of the outside portion  42   a  of the protruding section  42  can be made smaller by forming the outside portion  42   a  of the protruding section  42  into a recessed shape. 
     On the actuation section  44  having a cylindrical shape, a wall-shaped rib  44   a  for high rigidity is formed in the range from the disc section  40  to the outer face of the actuation section  44 . The spring support section  46  shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C  is a cylinder having a diameter approximately half that of the disc section  40 . The spring support section  46  is enclosed by a coil-shaped spring member and suppresses the spring member from being deformed excessively inward in the radial direction. The spring support section  46  protrudes from the back face  40   b  of the disc section  40  so as to be coaxial with the disc section  40 , and the protruding section  42  further protrudes from the tip end of the spring support section  46 . 
     A first insertion opening  48   a  and a second insertion opening  48   b  are formed so as to cut out the outer circumference of the disc section  40 . The circumferential widths of the first insertion opening  48   a  and the second insertion opening  48   b  are made different from each other, whereby, when the rotation member  32  is assembled with the case member  36 , they are prevented from being assembled incorrectly. 
     A spring end receiving section  50  is formed so as to protrude on the side of the back face  40   b  of the disc section  40  and is engaged with the end section of the spring member. The spring end receiving section  50  is provided outside the spring support section  46  in the radial direction and inside the outer circumferential end of the disc section  40  in the radial direction. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views illustrating the operation member  34 .  FIG. 5A  is a perspective view showing the operation member  34  as viewed from the front side, and  FIG. 5B  is a perspective view showing the operation member  34  as viewed from the back side. The operation member  34  has a function of sliding when pushed by the user and has a function of rotating the rotation member  32  by the sliding. 
     The operation member  34  has the flat rectangular operation section  52  having a flat operation face  52   a  as shown in  FIG. 5A  and has a flat base section  54  extending from one longitudinal side of the operation face  52   a  to the direction orthogonal to the operation face  52   a  as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     The base section  54  has a flat plate section  55  and a pair of side sections  56  formed into a flat rectangular shape on both sides of the flat plate section  55 . Each of the pair of side sections  56  has the coming-off preventing section  60  protruding outside in the middle of the side section  56 , and the coming-off preventing section  60  is an elastic pawl and prevents the operation member  34  from coming off from the case member  36 . 
     The longitudinal direction of the side sections  56  is the sliding direction of the operation member  34 , and first rail sections  62  and second rail sections  64  are formed in the longitudinal direction of the side sections  56  (these rail sections are referred to as “rail sections” in the case that they are not distinguished). 
     The rail sections are formed into a rib shape and extend from the operation section  52  to the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54 . Since the rail sections are formed so as to be long, the operation member  34  is suppressed from wobbling with respect to the case member  36 , whereby the sliding of the operation member  34  can be made stable. The first rail sections  62  and the second rail sections  64  protrude from the base section  54  in directions orthogonal to each other. Hence, the operation member  34  is suppressed from wobbling with respect to the area therearound. The rail sections are not always required to be formed so as to extend continuously but may be formed so as to be discontinued in the middle of the sliding direction. 
     An engaging section  58  is formed on the side of the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  so as to cut out the base section  54 . The contact face  58   a  of the engaging section  58  is formed between the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  and the operation section  52  at the position where the base section  54  is recessed from the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  toward the side of the operation section  52 . 
     The contact face  58   a  makes contact with the protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32 , and when the operation member  34  slides, the contact face  58   a  pushes the protruding section  42  in the sliding direction of the operation member  34  and rotates the operation member  34 . Since the contact face  58   a  making contact with the protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32  is formed on the side of the operation section  52  instead of the tip end  54   a , i.e., the deepest portion, of the base section  54 , the disc section  40  of the rotation member  32  is opposed to the base section  54  and the rotation member  32  and the base section  54  are disposed so as to be overlapped with each other in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction, whereby the lock-release apparatus  20  can be made compact. Since a sufficient length is secured for the base section  54 , the rigidity of the operation member  34  can be secured. 
     An inclined face  58   b  connected to the contact face  58   a  is formed on one side face of the engaging section  58 . The protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32 , which is rotated and moved, is dislocated in the direction of intersecting the sliding direction of the operation member  34 . By the inclined face  58   b , the size of the engaging section  58  can be suppressed from becoming larger and the rigidity of the operation member  34  can be suppressed from becoming lower while the rotation locus along which the protruding section  42  can move is made larger. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views illustrating the case member  36 .  FIG. 6A  is a perspective view showing the case member  36  as viewed from the front side, and  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view showing the case member  36  as viewed from the back side. The case member  36  is secured to the side edge section  14  of the glove box  12 . The case member  36  slidably supports the operation member  34  while rotatably supporting the rotation member  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the accommodation section  66  of the case member  36  has an accommodation space  68  in which the base section  54  of the operation member  34  is slidably accommodated. The front side wall section  66   a  and the back side wall section  66   b  of the accommodation section  66  are opposed to each other, and the accommodation space  68  is formed therebetween. The accommodation section  66  has a pair of stepped sections  76  formed on both sides thereof in the width direction so as to correspond to the side sections  56  of the operation member  34 . The pair of stepped sections  76  protrudes in a stepped shape on the front side of the case member  36 . 
     On the inner face of the accommodation section  66 , first rail grooves  81  and second rail grooves  82  (these are referred to as “rail grooves” in the case that they are not distinguished) are formed in the range from the opening  66   c  toward the bottom section  66   d  on the innermost side. The first rail grooves  81  and the second rail grooves  82  are engaged with the first rail sections  62  and the second rail sections  64  of the operation member  34 , respectively, thereby guiding the sliding of the operation member  34 . 
     The coming-off preventing groove  80  is formed on each side face of the accommodation section  66  and is formed along the rail grooves in the longitudinal direction. Inside the coming-off preventing groove  80 , the coming-off preventing section  60  of the operation member  34  moves. 
     The first rotor holding section  78   a  and the second rotor holding section  78   b  are formed on the pair of stepped sections  76 , respectively. The first rotor holding section  78   a  and the second rotor holding section  78   b  are opposed to each other and protrude from the stepped sections  76  so as to approach each other. 
     The support section  70  having a cylindrical shape stands upright at the center of the front side wall section  66   a  of the accommodation section  66  and functions as the support shaft of the rotation member  32 . A spring enclosing section  72  having a cylindrical shape stands upright from the front side wall section  66   a  while enclosing the support section  70 . 
     A slit  74  having a nearly semicircular shape is formed in the front side wall section  66   a  positioned inside the spring enclosing section  72  in the radial direction. The slit  74  is an opening for the link structure for the connection between the rotation member  32  and the operation member  34 . 
     A spring end receiving section  86  is formed on the outside of the spring enclosing section  72  in the radial direction and supports one end of the spring member. The spring end holding section  86   a  of the spring end receiving section  86  protrudes outward in the radial direction from the outer circumferential face of the spring end receiving section  86  and is formed away from the front side wall section  66   a . The spring end holding section  86   a  restricts the axial movement of the end section of the spring member hooked to the spring end receiving section  86 , thereby suppressing the seat section of the spring member from moving in the axial direction and suppressing the end section of the spring member from coming off. 
     A cushion holder  84  having a shape of a hole is formed on the side of the opening  66   c  in the front side wall section  66   a  of the accommodation section  66 . The cushion holder  84  holds the cushion  39  inserted therein. 
       FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the internal structure of the lock-release apparatus  20  and is a perspective view showing the lock-release apparatus  20  from which the rotation member  32  and the cushion  39  are removed. A spring member  38  wound in a coil shape is disposed so as to make contact with or become close to the inner circumference of the spring enclosing section  72 , whereby the outward movement of the spring in the radial direction is restricted. Since the spring member  38  is accommodated inside the spring enclosing section  72 , the lock-release apparatus  20  can be made compact. 
     The first spring end section  38   a  of the spring member  38  is engaged with the spring end receiving section  86  of the case member  36 . The second spring end section  38   b  of the spring member  38  is engaged with the rotation member  32 . The slit  74  is positioned inside the spring member  38  in the radial direction. 
     The coming-off preventing sections  60  of the operation member  34  enter the coming-off preventing grooves  80  of the case member  36 , thereby prevented from coming off and slidably supported in the case member  36 . The support section  70  shown in  FIG. 7  is inserted into the axial hole  41  of the rotation member  32  shown in  FIG. 4 , whereby the rotation member  32  is installed in the lock-release apparatus  20 . When the rotation member  32  is installed, the first insertion opening  48   a  and the second insertion opening  48   b  of the rotation member  32  are passed through the first rotor holding section  78   a  and the second rotor holding section  78   b , respectively. The width of the second rotor holding section  78   b  is made larger than the width of the first insertion opening  48   a  so that the second rotor holding section  78   b  cannot pass through the first insertion opening  48   a , whereby they are prevented from being assembled incorrectly. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view showing the lock-release apparatus  20  taken on line A-A in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 8  shows the cross-section of the lock-release apparatus  20  in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the operation member  34 . The rotation member  32  is rotatably supported by the support section  70  of the case member  36  and is prevented from coming off by the first rotor holding section  78   a  and the second rotor holding section  78   b.    
     The spring member  38  is disposed between the spring support section  46  of the rotation member  32  and the spring enclosing section  72  of the case member  36 , whereby the deformation and movement of the spring member  38  are restricted. The protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32  is inserted into the slit  74  of the case member  36  and protrudes into the accommodation space  68 . 
     The protruding section  42  protruding into the accommodation space  68  is positioned inside the engaging section  58  of the operation member  34 . The first rail sections  62  and the second rail sections  64  of the operation member  34  enter the first rail grooves  81  and the second rail grooves  82 , respectively, whereby the movement of the operation member  34  in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction is limited. Since the rotation member  32  is disposed between the pair of side sections  56  and between the pair of stepped sections  76 , the downsizing of the lock-release apparatus  20  is attained. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views illustrating the positional relationship among the rotation member  32 , the operation member  34  and the spring member  38  in the lock-release apparatus  20 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the rotation member  32  is disposed between the pair of side sections  56  of the operation member  34 , and the spring member  38  is disposed between the rotation member  32  and the base section  54  of the case member  36 . With this configuration, the space for the spring member  38  can be reduced and the lock-release apparatus  20  can be made compact. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , the spring member  38  is disposed so as to be wound around the spring support section  46  of the rotation member  32 . The protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32  is disposed in the direction perpendicular to the face of the base section  54  of the operation member  34  and enters the engaging section  58 . 
     The rotation member  32  is urged by the spring member  38  in a first rotation direction, i.e., the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 9B , and the protruding section  42  makes contact with the contact face  58   a  of the operation member  34  and acts in the direction of raising the operation member  34 . When the operation member  34  is pushed downward, the contact face  58   a  pushes down the protruding section  42 , and the rotation member  32  is rotated against the urging force of the spring member  38 . When the user stops pushing the operation member  34  and releases his finger, the rotation member  32  is rotated by the urging force of the spring member  38  in the direction of pushing back the operation member  34 . The spring member  38  acts so as to push back the operation member  34 , thereby moving the first locking bar  22  and the second locking bar  24  in the locking direction. 
     The base section  54  of the operation member  34  and the disc section  40  of the rotation member  32  are disposed so as to be nearly parallel to each other. The operation member  34  is installed so as to be slidable in the direction nearly parallel to the rotation plane of the rotation member  32 . Hence, the thickness of the lock-release apparatus  20  in the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction can be made thinner than the thickness in the case that the disc section  40  is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the base section  54 . A link structure is configured by the connection of the protruding section  42  to the contact face  58   a  formed so as to cut out the base section  54 , whereby this simple configuration of the link structure does not require additional link components and the lock-release apparatus  20  can be made compact. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the lock-release apparatus  20  is secured to the glove box  12  and the first locking bar  22  is connected to the rotation member  32  of the lock-release apparatus  20 , the actuation section  44  of the rotation member  32  is directed upward, whereby the connection of the rotation member  32  to the first locking bar  22  can be facilitated. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views illustrating the operation of the lock-release apparatus  20  and showing the cross-section of the lock-release apparatus  20  in the sliding direction.  FIG. 10A  shows the regular state of the lock-release apparatus  20  and  FIG. 10B  shows the unlocked state of the lock-release apparatus  20  at the time when the lock-release apparatus  20  is operated so as to be shifted from the regular state to the unlocked state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , the protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32  acts in the direction of pushing the contact face  58   a  of the operation member  34  out of the accommodation section  66  by the urging force of the spring member  38 , and the operation member  34  is in a state of being restricted to move by the coming-off preventing sections  60  and the coming-off preventing grooves  80 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , when the operation member  34  is pushed in the sliding direction, the contact face  58   a  pushes the protruding section  42  to rotate the rotation member  32 . The operation section  52  makes contact with the cushion  39  and the pushing stops. By the rotation of the rotation member  32 , the first locking bar  22  connected thereto is moved and the locking is released. 
     The link structure of the protruding section  42  and the contact face  58   a  is disposed on the inside diameter side of the spring member  38  as viewed from the axial direction of the rotation member  32 , whereby the rotation radius of the protruding section  42  can be made small and the rotation angle of the rotation member  32  with respect to the sliding distance can be made large. The rotation radius of the actuation section  44  is made larger than that of the protruding section  42 , whereby the movement distance of the actuation section  44  of the rotation member  32  with respect to the sliding distance of the operation member  34  can be made large. 
     The first rail sections  62  and the second rail sections  64  of the operation member  34  shown in  FIG. 9B  are formed so as to extend to the tip end side along the sliding direction beyond the contact face  58   a . The contact face  58   a  shown in  FIG. 10A  is formed at the position recessed from the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  to the side of the operation section  52  by a first distance L 1 . With this configuration, the length of the rail sections of the operation member  34  can be secured sufficiently in the sliding direction, the rigidity of the operation member  34  in the sliding direction can be secured, and the operation member  34  is suppressed from wobbling during the sliding. The rotation member  32  can be disposed on the side of the operation section  52 , and the length of the lock-release apparatus  20  in the sliding direction can be made small. 
     The first rail sections  62  and the second rail sections  64  extend from the operation section  52  to the same position as the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54 . The rail sections are formed so as to extend beyond the rotation center C of the rotation member  32  to the side of the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  along the sliding direction. In other words, the rotation center C of the rotation member  32  is positioned on the side of the operation section  52  from the tip ends of the rail sections. Hence, the length of the rail sections of the operation member  34  can be secured sufficiently. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , in the unlocked state in which the operation member  34  is pushed, the spring member  38  is positioned on the side of the operation section  52  from the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  by a second distance L 2 . In other words, the rail sections and the rail grooves are formed so as to extend to the tip end side beyond the spring member  38  along the sliding direction. Hence, the length of the lock-release apparatus  20  in the sliding direction can be made small while the length of the rail sections in the sliding direction are secured sufficiently. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but modifications such as various design changes can be made to the embodiments on the basis of the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such modified embodiments can also be included in the scope of the present invention. 
     In the above embodiment, the lock-release apparatus  20  and the locking members, such as the first locking bar  22  and the second locking bar  24 , are installed on the instrument panel sides of the side edge section  14  and the body section  12   a . However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the lock-release apparatus  20  and a locking member may be installed on the opening/closing member  16 . The lock-release apparatus  20  is secured in the accommodation space inside the opening/closing member  16 , and the operation member  34  of the lock-release apparatus  20  is exposed from the button hole formed in the opening/closing member  16 . The locking member is movably supported in the accommodation space inside the opening/closing member  16 , and the tip end section thereof protrudes from the locking hole formed in the opening/closing member  16 . The tip end section of the locking member enters the locking hole formed in the inside face of the body section  12   a , whereby the opening section  12   b  is maintained in the closed state by the opening/closing member  16 . 
     The lock-release apparatus  20  may be installed on the side edge section of the glove box  12  and a locking member may be installed on the opening/closing member  16 . The lock-release apparatus  20  is secured to the outside face of the body section  12   a  of the glove box  12 , and a connection hole is formed in the side face of the body section  12   a  adjacent to the lock-release apparatus  20 . A connection hole is formed in one side face of the opening/closing member  16  and a locking hole is formed in the other side face thereof. The locking member is movably supported by the opening/closing member  16 , one end of the locking member is drawn out of the locking hole formed in the opening/closing member  16  and is engaged with the locking hole formed in the inside face of the body section  12   a , whereby the opening section  12   b  is maintained in the closed state by the opening/closing member  16 . The other end of the locking member is drawn out of the connection hole formed in the opening/closing member  16  and is connected to the rotation member  32  of the lock-release apparatus  20 . A connection mechanism for converting the movement of the one end of the locking member into the movement in the opposite direction is formed between both ends of the locking member. When the other end of the locking member is moved so as to be pushed into the opening/closing member  16  by the rotation of the rotation member  32 , the one end of the locking member is pulled into the opening/closing member  16  and the locking is released. 
     Although the engaging section  58  of the operation member  34  is formed so as to cut out the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, it may be possible that a through hole is provided in the middle of the base section  54 , the protruding section  42  of the rotation member  32  is inserted into the through hole, and the rotation member  32  is connected to the operation member  34 . The contact face  58   a  may be formed by cutting out the entire flat plate section  55  while the pair of side sections  56  of the base section  54  remains unremoved. In both the modifications described above, the contact face  58   a  is formed between the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  and the operation section  52 . In another modification, it may be possible that the tip end  54   a  of the base section  54  is not cut out but the tip end of the base section  54  serves as the contact face  58   a.    
     Although the connection between the protruding section  42  and the contact face  58   a  has been described as the link structure for connecting the rotation member  32  to the operation member  34  in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, it may be possible to use a mode in which a contact face constituting a hole or a dent section is provided in the rotation member  32 , a protruding section is provided on the operation member  34 , and the contact face is engaged with the protruding section to form a link structure. In other words, the link structure is configured by reversing the relationship between the protrusion and the cut-out in the rotation member  32  and the operation member  34 . With this mode, the link structure can also be formed easily. A link structure may also be formed by forming protrusions on the rotation member  32  and the operation member  34  and by engaging the protrusion on the rotation member  32  with the protrusion on the operation member  34 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 4