Drawer device

• US 5,620,228 A
• Filed: 06/29/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Shibata, Minoru, Yabuya, Shigeru, Ito, Kuniyasu, Azumi, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US08/496,905
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 297/188.17, 297/113, 297/115, 297/188.04, 297/188.16, 297/188.15, 297/188.14, 312/333, 312/334.13, 312/235.6, 224/42.45, 248/311.2
• US Class Current: 297/188.17
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/68 Arm-rest tables ; or back-rest tables
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/43 Safety locks for back-rests B60N2/433
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/957 the locking system prevents an abnormal or wrong mounting situation, i.e. deployment or functioning of a seat part being prevented if the seat or seat part is not properly mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/102 storable or foldable in a non-use position

Abstract

A drawer device or member is provided which is prevented from inadvertently moving of an arm rest at the time of either a sudden stop or very fast acceleration when starting. The drawer device comprises an outer member fixed in the arm rest and an inner member installed so as to be capable of sliding movement into and out of the outer member. A push type lock or open mechanism is positioned between the outer member and the inner member, and regulates movement of the inner member. Also included is a control device, which controls movement of the inner member by preventing release of the lock when the arm rest is in a substantially upright position, and releases the lock when the arm is in a substantially horizontal position.

Claims

1. A drawer device for an automobile comprising:

an arm member pivotally mounted to said automobile to be movable between upright and horizontal positions, said arm member having a free end;

a drawer member slidably mounted within said arm member to move outwardly from said free end, said drawer member being movable between a pulled open position, a first interior position, and a second interior position;

a spring member biasing said drawer member toward said pulled open position;

a lock mechanism that is engaged to lock said drawer member in said first interior position, said locking mechanism including means for releasing the lock as said drawer member is moved from said first interior position to said second interior position, and locking said drawer member as said drawer member is pushed from said pulled open position to said second interior position; and

a control member positioned between said arm member and said drawer member, said control member preventing said drawer member from being pushed between said first and second interior positions when said arm member is in a substantially upright position, said control member allowing said drawer member to be pushed between said first and second interior positions when said arm member is pivoted out of said upright position.

2. A drawer device according to claim 1, wherein said arm member has a box-like outer case and said drawer device is provided in said outer case.

3. A drawer device according to claim 1, wherein said control member comprises a free swinging pendulum positioned between said arm member and said drawer device.

4. A drawer device according to claim 1, wherein said control member is a ball which is positioned to move freely in a space between said arm member and said drawer device, and prevents movement of said drawer device when said arm member is in a substantially upright position.