Guide mechanism, open-close mechanism of covering member using the guide mechanism, interior equipment for automobile using the open-close mechanism

• US 6,669,258 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Kato, Masakatsu
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, KIRAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/370,598
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.01, 296/37.12, 296/37.8, 296/37.9, 296/24.1, 360/132
• US Class Current: 296/1.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/083 Ash-trays
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/102 storable or foldable in a non-use position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0003 inside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles

Abstract

A guide mechanism includes a moving member having the first guide projections and the second guide projection arranged in a triangle shape. A supporting base member for supporting the moving member includes the first guide groove and the second guide groove formed in parallel. Each end portion of the first and second guide grooves includes an arc-shaped branch groove. The first guide projections are inserted into the first guide groove, and the second guide projection is inserted into the second guide groove. The guide projections slide inside the guide grooves and the branch grooves, thereby guiding sliding and turning motions of the moving member.

Claims

1. A open-close mechanism for guiding sliding and turning motions, comprising:

a base member,

a moving member arranged to move relative to the base member,

a first guide groove and a second guide groove formed on one side of the base member parallel to each other, said first guide groove having a first branch groove extending therefrom at one side thereof and said second guide groove having a second branch groove extending therefrom at one side thereof, and

two first guide projections slidably situated in the first guide groove and a second guide projection slidably situated in the second guide groove, both being formed on the moving member, said two first guide projections and second guide projection being arranged in a triangle shape so that when one of the two first guide projections reaches an end of the first guide groove, the other of the two first guide projections and the second guide projection are allowed to enter the first branch groove and the second branch groove, respectively, to thereby allow the moving member to rotate around the one of the two first guide projections.

2. A open-close mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first branch groove extends from the first guide groove at a location away from an end of the first guide groove, and said second branch groove extends from one end of the second guide groove.

3. A open-close mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said first guide projections and second guide projection are arranged so that when said one of the first guide projections reaches the end of the first groove, the second guide projection reaches the one end of the second guide groove.

4. An open-close mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said base member is a box-shape container having an opening, and said moving member is a covering member for covering the opening.

5. An open-close mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said first and second guide grooves are formed on each of two sides of the container relative to the opening, and said covering member has two supporting pieces at two sides thereof, each having the first and second guide projections, said supporting pieces being situated outside the two sides of the base member so that the first and second guide projections on each supporting piece are located in the first and second guide grooves on each side.

6. An open-close mechanism according to claim 4, further comprising a sliding member rotatably connected to an edge of the covering member and capable of sliding parallel to the first and second guide grooves.

7. An open-close mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a driving source for driving the sliding member in at least one direction so that the covering member moves automatically.

8. An open-close mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said driving source is formed of a Conston spring to slide the sliding member in one direction.