Abstract:
A storage box includes an outer case to be fixed to an attachment member; an inner case slidably disposed in the outer case for holding an article; an urging device disposed between the inner case and the outer case for urging the inner case toward an opening; a latching device for locking the inner case; and a holder disposed at the inner case for holding the article within the inner case. The holder extends along a direction that the inner case slides and has an arm section for holding the article, a guide section for guiding the arm section to hold the article, and a shaft section rotatably supported on the inner case. The arm section passes an opening of the inner case when the inner case moves inwardly in the outer case.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a storage box for stably storing and holding a remote control key unit, a mobile phone, or the like.  
         [0002]     Inside an automobile or the like, cassette tape cases and CDs may be stacked disorderly when they are not in use, thereby making it difficult to distinguish one from the other. It is convenient to have a container for easily arranging cassette tapes and CDs for storage or a storage box for storing cassette tapes and CDs in an inserted state. However, when a storage space having an opening is provided, it is difficult to take out content such as cases. Further, content such as cases also may fall and scatter around in a vehicle, thereby creating clutter, distracting a driver, and posing a danger. In order to solve the problems, the following Patent References disclose techniques for holding contents such as cases in a stored state.  
         [0003]     Patent Reference 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. 08-192  
         [0004]     Patent Reference 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No. 03-93492  
         [0005]     In a structure disclosed in Patent Reference 1, when content is inserted, a bent section  24  disposed at a rocking section  23  is bent to form a rectangular shape of the content. A protrusion of the bent section  24  abuts against a surface of the content, so that the content is held between a bottom portion  20  and the bent section  24 . Accordingly, the device is suitable for storing an object such as a cassette tape within a storage box. When an elongated article such as a remote controller with a surface projecting from an inner case, i.e., content not engaging the bent section  24  (as described in Patent Reference 1), is stored, or an article is not tightly held between the bent section  24  and the bottom portion  20 , the content wobbles upon rapid braking or starting of a vehicle and may fall out of the storage box.  
         [0006]     In the structure of the storage box described in Patent Reference 1, when the content has a different shape as described above, the bent section  24  for preventing the content from projecting stays in parallel with the rocking section  23 . That is, the bent section  24  does not bend inwardly in the inner case with the rocking section  23 , thereby making it difficult to handle the content described above.  
         [0007]     Moreover, a plate spring  12  is installed at a back wall of an outer case as urging means for urging the inner case toward an opening of the outer case. Accordingly, the inner case storing the content moves with an urging force and stops at a projected position, thereby making it easy to remove the content. However, there is no means for damping the urging means, thereby deteriorating operational feeling.  
         [0008]     In the structures of the storage boxes disclosed in Patent References 1 and 2, the opening opens widely when nothing is stored. Accordingly, when not in use, dust and trash tend to enter the storage box, thereby causing damage on a mechanism of the storage box.  
         [0009]     As described in Patent Reference 1, when the content is inserted, the rocking section  23  rotates from a bent state with a hinge section  22  of the inner case, and becomes linear relative to a sliding section  21 , so that the bent section  24  holds an end surface of the content. In order for the bent section to securely hold the content at the end surface, however, the content needs to have a rectangular shape such as a cassette tape and CD. Otherwise, the content may rattle.  
         [0010]     In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made, and an object of the invention is to provide a storage box, wherein it is possible to securely hold an article having a shape different from a circular shape or a narrower width than the inner case.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide a storage box as described above, wherein it is possible to prevent dust and trash form entering, and hold the content securely, thereby making an operation of the storage box high quality.  
         [0012]     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In order to solve the problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an inner case is urged in an outer case toward an opening. When a latch is released, the inner case storing content moves within the outer case. A holder is attached to the inner case with a shaft, and a guide is disposed at the outer case for guiding the holder. The holder rotates, so that an arm section of the holder penetrates the inner case to hold the content. Accordingly, it is possible to securely hold an article even if it is smaller than the inner case.  
         [0014]     According to a second aspect, a guide with a plate shape is provided on an inner side of the outer case. A guide groove is formed in the guide for guiding the holder holding the content. The guide groove is inclined inwardly toward the opening, so that the holder moves freely. Accordingly, as the inner case enters the outer case, the arm section of the holder can penetrate the inner case, thereby stably holding the content having a width smaller than the case or a varied shape.  
         [0015]     According to a third aspect, urging means is attached to one of the inner case and the outer case, and damping means such as a rotary damper is provided for damping an urging force of the urging means. When the inner case is released from the outer case, a gear of the rotary damper engages a linear gear section, so that the inner case projects smoothly, thereby eliminating low quality feeling associated with the urging force.  
         [0016]     According to a fourth aspect, a cover is provided at the opening of the inner case for opening and closing, and is urged toward a closed position with urging means. The cover completely closes the opening when no content is stored in the storage box, thereby preventing dust and trash from entering.  
         [0017]     In addition, the cover is urged in a direction to close the opening. Accordingly, the content is held by the cover from above as well as the holder, thereby holding the content stably.  
         [0018]     According to a fifth aspect, the arm section of the holder is flexible for absorbing varying sizes and shapes of the content. Even when an article is rectangular, the arm section of the holder forms a flexible arc, thereby handling shape variations.  
         [0019]     As described above, in the present invention, the flexible arm section is disposed at the holder that penetrates the inner case storing an article. The holder swings with the guide groove disposed on the guide in an inclined state. Accordingly, it is possible to securely hold the article having a shape different from a circular shape or a narrower width than the inner case. The storage box of the present invention is suitably installed at a location with a swing or vibration, particularly within a motor vehicle.  
         [0020]     In addition, the inner case is urged toward the opening of the outer case with the urging means. The damping means is provided for damping the urging means. The cover is provided for completely closing the opening with the urging means. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dust and trash form entering, and hold the content securely, thereby making an operation of the storage box high quality. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a storage box;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the storage box in a state that content projects;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a right side view showing the storage box in a state that the content projects;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  4 , 5 - 4 , 5  in  FIG. 3  in a state that the content projects;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  4 , 5 - 4 , 5  in  FIG. 3  in a state that the content is stored;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  6 , 7 - 6 , 7  in  FIG. 3  in a state that the content projects;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  6 , 7 - 6 , 7  in  FIG. 3  in a state that the content is stored;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the storage box with no content;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the storage box in a state that the content projects; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective showing the storage box in a state that the content is stored. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]     Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing components of a storage box in a disassembled state. As shown in the figure, an outer case  1  with an open front side (large opening  1   e ) and an inner case  2  are arranged such that the inner case  2  slides within the outer case  1  in an in/out direction. For this purpose, rails  1   g  are disposed on inner plates la of the outer case  1  for receiving protruding strips  2   c  formed on the inner case  2 , so that the inner case  2  moves straight in the in/out direction.  
         [0033]     Further, a mounting hole  1   k  is provided in a perpendicular wall  1   j  of the rails  1   g  of the outer case  1  for holding a latch  5 , i.e., latching means with a latch arm  5   a  disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3072911 or the like, for engaging a striker  2   i  disposed on the inner case  2 . When the inner case  2  moves into the outer case  1 , the inner case  2  is locked in a state entirely stored within the outer case  1 .  
         [0034]     A large hole  1   c  is provided in a bottom plate  1   b  of the outer case  1  for mounting a rotary damper  3  disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 04-34015 or the like. The rotary damper  3  is fixed within the large hole  1   c  with screws  3   b . A small hole  1   h  is provided in the bottom plate  1   b  of the outer case  1  for hooking one end of a large spring  4 , i.e., urging means for urging the inner case  2  toward outside the outer case  1 . A hole  2   f  is formed in the bottom plate  2   b  of the inner case  2  for hooking the other end of the large spring  4 . The large spring  4  is formed of a torsion coil spring, and is not limited to the torsion coil spring as far as the spring urges the inner case  2  toward outside the outer case  1 . A coil spring and a plate spring may be used.  
         [0035]     A rotary damper  3  has a gear  3   a  (not shown) for engaging a rack  2   e  (not shown) disposed on the bottom plate  2   b  in a direction of pulling out the inner case  2 , so that the inner case  2  is controlled upon protruding with the urging force of the large spring  4 .  
         [0036]     Guides  1   h  are provided above the rails  1   g  disposed on inner sides of the side plates  1   a  of the outer case  1  along the direction that the inner case  2  slides, and have grooves  1   i  with at least sections inclined inwardly in the inner case  2 . Holders  7  are rotatably supported on support holes  2   h ( 1 ) of support sections  2   h  projecting from outer sides of the side plates  2   a  of the inner case  2 . Guide sections  7   d  disposed at rear ends  7   b  of the holders  7  trace the grooves  1   i , so that the holders move smoothly.  
         [0037]     Each of the holders  7  is formed in a curved strip shape, and is divided into a mid section  7   a , the rear end  7   b , and an arm section  7   c . As shown in the figure, the mid section  7   a  extends in parallel to the side plate  2   a  of the inner case  2 . The rear end  7   b  is integrally provided at a rear end of the mid section  7   a , and is bent about 30 degrees outwardly relative to the side plate  2   a . The arm section  7   c  with an L shape is integrally provided at a front end of the mid section  7   a , and is bent 90 degrees inwardly relative to the mid section  7   a  and further bent 90 degrees forward. Further, shaft sections  7   e  are provided on a top and bottom of the mid section  7   a  at a bent section between the mid section  7   a  and the rear end  7   b , and are rotatably supported on the support holes  2   h ( 1 ) of the support section  2   h  of the inner case  2 . The guide section  7   d  is provided at an upper rear end of the rear end  7   b  for tracing the groove  1   i  of the guide  1   h . A front end of the arm section  7   c  with an L shape, i.e., a section extending substantially in parallel with the mid section  7   a , is flexible and formed in a gentle arc shape. A slip-proof material such as a non-woven cloth (not shown) is attached to the front end for preventing the content from slipping.  
         [0038]     The outer case  1  has a back opening  1   f , and a back plate  9  is provided at the back opening  1   f  for preventing dust, trash, or the like from entering. Similarly, a front frame  8  is fastened for improving an appearance of the large opening  1   e . A front cover  6  is disposed on the inner case  2  for closing the large opening  2   g . The front cover  6  has a shaft  6   a  supported on holes  2   f  of the inner case  2  and holds the content securely. An urging force of a spring  6   b  urges the front cover  6  in a direction of closing the large opening  1   e , thereby holding the content from above.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the storage box of the present invention in an assembled state wherein the content projects. The front frame  8  is fixed at the front face, and about one third of the content is stored.  
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the storage box of the present invention in the assembled state wherein the content projects, and lines  4 , 5 - 4 , 5  and  6 , 7 - 6 , 7  are shown for sectional views of FIGS.  4  to  7  (described below).  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the storage box in the state wherein the content projects taken along line  4 , 5 - 4 , 5  in  FIG. 3 . In the state wherein the content projects, the latch  5  is released.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  4 , 5 - 4 , 5  in  FIG. 3  in a state wherein the content is stored.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  6 , 7 - 6 , 7  in  FIG. 3  in a state wherein the content projects.  
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line  6 , 7 - 6 , 7  in  FIG. 3  in a state wherein the content is stored. When the storage box stores the content, the mid sections  7   a  of the holders  7  are held substantially in parallel to the side plates  2   b  of the inner case  2 . In the stored state, the arm sections  7   c  penetrate the inner case  2  through the openings  2   g  to press against and hold the content, and the arm sections  7   c  are formed in an L-shape and deformable. In this state, the rear ends  7   b  are bent about 30 degrees outwardly relative to the inner case  2  as compared to the mid sections  7   a . The holders  7  are supported on the support holes  2   h ( 1 ) of the support sections  2   h  of the inner case  2 , and the guide sections  7   d  are guided in the grooves  1   i  at the sections where the mid section  7   a  of the holders  7  are connected to the rear ends  7   b . Accordingly, when the inner case  2  moves within the outer case  1 , the rear ends  7   b  rotate around the shaft sections  7   e  approximately 20 degrees outwardly relative to the inner case. When the inner case  2  projects from the outer case  1  to release the content, the rear ends  7   b  rotate approximately 20 degrees toward inside the inner case around the shaft sections  7   e  and return to the initial position. The holders rotate approximately 20 degrees according to the shape of the grooves  1   i , and can rotate a specific angle by adjusting an angle of the grooves. The rotary damper  3  damps the urging force of the large spring  4 , so that the inner case  2  is smoothly ejected from the outer case  1 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the storage box with no content  10 . As shown in the figure, the storage box is assembled, and the front frame  8  is fixed at the large opening le of the outer case  1  retaining the inner case  2 . There is no content inserted in the inner case  2 , so that the large opening  2   g  is closed with the front cover  6 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the storage box in the state wherein the content projects. The content  10  is inserted in the inner case  2 , and the front cover  6  is in the opened state and invisible.  
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the storage box in the state wherein the content is stored.  
         [0048]     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-056793, filed on Feb. 2, 2004, is incorporated in the application.  
         [0049]     While the invention has been explained with reference to the specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended claims.