Patent ID: 7234735

Claim:
A locking device for locking a movable member relative to a body member, comprising: a case, an operating button disposed in the case and projecting from the case, a spring member disposed in the case for urging the operating button to project outwardly, a lock member disposed in the case and connected to the operating button, said lock member switching from a locked position for restricting movement of the movable member to an unlocked position for allowing the movable member to move in an opening direction when the operating button is pushed against an urging force of the spring member, and a rotation guide device disposed between the case and the operating button for guiding the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position while the lock member moves in a direction opposite to the opening direction of the movable member when the lock member is unlocked, wherein said rotation guide device includes a guide groove disposed in the case, a shaft member passing through the lock member and fitted into the guide groove to slide freely, an urging member for urging the lock member in one direction, and a projection disposed on the operating button for pressing the shaft member, and wherein said guide groove includes a straight groove portion having a substantially linear shape, and a curved groove portion having a front portion and a rear portion extending rearwardly from an end of the front portion, and said shaft member includes first and second shafts disposed in the straight groove portion and the curved groove portion.