Two shaft type opening and closing mechanism for container with cover

• US 6,609,631 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Asami, Goro
• Primary Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US09/892,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20020005411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.1, 224/926, 220/263, 220/264, 220/815, 220/817, 220/827, 220/829, 220/830, 220/845, 220/811, 220/812, 220/832, 220/833, 163/66, 162/87, 162/86, 493/86, 312/327, 312/328, 312/324
• US Class Current: 220/817
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments

Abstract

In a two-shaft pivotal mechanism for opening/closing and supporting a cover, a second pivot shaft connecting a pivoting member and the cover projects integrally from one of a pivoting member and a connecting piece on the cover, and an attachment hole for supporting the second pivot shaft is formed in the other of the pivoting member and the connecting piece, so that the pivoting member and connecting piece are pivotally connected. The pivot limiting portion is provided between the connecting piece and the pivoting member, and limits pivotal operation therebetween to a predetermined angular range. A first pivot shaft connecting the pivoting member and a receptacle projects integrally from one of the pivoting member and the receptacle, and an attachment hole for supporting the first pivot shaft is formed in the other of the pivoting member and the receptacle, so that the pivoting member and the receptacle are pivotally connected.

Claims

1. A receptacle comprising:

a receptacle portion having an opening,

a cover for covering the opening having a connecting piece, and

a pivotal mechanism for opening and closing the opening including a pivoting member situated between the receptacle portion and the cover;

a first pivot shaft projecting from one of the pivoting member and the receptacle portion for pivotal connection between the receptacle portion and the pivoting member;

a first attachment hole formed in the other of the pivoting member and the receptacle portion for receiving the first pivot shaft;

a second pivot shaft projecting from one of the pivoting member and the connecting piece for pivotal connection between the cover and the pivoting member;

a second attachment hole formed in the other of the pivoting member and the connecting piece for receiving the second pivot shaft therein; and

a pivot limiting device provided between the connecting piece and the pivoting member, and formed of a portion of the connecting piece and a portion of the pivoting member abutting against each other for limiting a pivotal movement around the second pivot shaft to a predetermined angular range so that the cover attached to the receptacle portion through the pivoting member is rotated around the first and second pivot shafts separately to open and close the opening.

2. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said one of said second pivot shaft and said second attachment hole is provided on two side surfaces of the connecting piece of the cover, and said other of said second pivot shaft and said second attachment hole is provided on a pair of plate bodies formed on said pivoting member;

and one of said first pivot shaft and said first attachment hole is provided on two side surfaces of said pivoting member, and the other of said first pivot shaft and said second attachment hole is provided on a pair of wall portions formed on the receptacle portion.

3. A receptacle according to claim 2, further comprising a sliding shaft formed on one of the pivoting member and the connecting piece, and a guide hole formed in the other of the pivoting member and the connecting piece for limiting rotation between the cover and the pivoting member.

4. A receptacle according to claim 3, further comprising a support shaft formed on a side of the cover, and a support shaft guide hole formed in a side of the receptacle portion for receiving and guiding the support shaft.

5. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism further comprises urging means situated between the cover and the receptacle portion for urging a pivoting operation of the cover with respect to a predetermined angle at a time of opening and closing of the cover.

6. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said first pivot shaft is formed from a cylindrical body having a short axis, said first pivot shaft being mounted to pivot about said short axis while an outer peripheral surface of said cylindrical body slides along an inner peripheral surface of said attachment hole.

7. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle portion is a storage compartment or a cup holder in a vehicle.