Storage device

{
  "publication_number": "US6499785B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Storage device",
  "abstract": "A storage device is provided with a sliding lid slidably contacting guide rails formed at both side ends of an opening of the storage device, and when the sliding lid is stored in an accommodating section formed continuously to a rear end of the opening, the sliding lid opens at the storage device. In the storage device, in sliding sections where the guide rails and sliding lid slidably contact each other, there are formed buffer sections for allowing the sliding lid to be displaced toward a direction orthogonal to a sliding direction. Therefore, the buffer sections are deformed during the opening and covering movements, so a play can be eliminated.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A storage device, comprising: a housing member having an opening and an accommodating section extending continuously to one end of the opening, guide rails formed in the housing member at two opposing sides of the opening, a sliding lid slidably engaging the guide rails, said sliding lid being stored in the accommodating section when the opening is uncovered, and a plurality of buffer sections forming at least one sliding section where the guide rails and the sliding lid slidably contact each other, said buffer sections allowing the sliding lid to be displaced toward a direction orthogonal to a sliding direction.",
    "2. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein said buffer sections are formed at two sides of the sliding lid contacting the guide rails, said guide rails having projections for preventing the buffer sections from disengaging therefrom.",
    "3. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein said sliding lid is formed of elongated thick-wall sections and thin-wall sections arranged alternately, said buffer sections being provided at two ends of each of said thick-wall sections.",
    "4. A storage device according to claim 3, wherein said thick-wall sections are respectively provided with ribs for increasing strength in a vertical direction.",
    "5. A storage device according to claim 3, wherein each of said thick-wall sections includes enlarged sliding members at the two ends engaging the guide rails, each of the sliding members having a space therein for forming the buffer section.",
    "6. A storage device according to claim 5, wherein said sliding lid further includes a tab for sliding the lid, and an engaging member situated near the tab for engaging a dent of the housing member when the sliding lid is covered."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a storage device in which an opening is covered by a sliding lid.\n\nFor example, as a lid for covering an opening of a storage device disposed in a center console of an automobile, there has been known a lid, in which a number of projected bars are provided in parallel on a soft and thin sheet member to thereby form the lid slidably engaging a pair of right and left guide rails. According to this lid, since the lid can be freely bent at thin-wall portions respectively provided between the projection bars adjacent to each other, when the storage device is opened, the lid is stored like a shutter in an accommodating section provided continuously to a rear end of an opening, and when the storage device is covered, the lid extends along the guide rails to cover the opening. A weight applied on an upper surface of the lid is supported by rigidity of the projected bars.\n\nIn the sliding lid described above, the projected bars are provided for securing the rigidity such that the sliding lid is not deformed even if weight is applied on the lid in a condition of covering the opening. In order to prevent the lid from disengaging from the guide rails, it is necessary to engage extended portions of the projected bars with the guide rails. Since the projected bars are formed of hard materials, in order to secure stability in movement at the time of opening and covering operations as well as to reduce a sliding sound or noise, it is necessary to additionally provide a countermeasure therefor.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60R 7/04"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60N 3/00",
    "B60R 7/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Nifco Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Tomoo Eguchi"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2001-09-06",
  "publication_date": "2002-12-31",
  "grant_date": "2002-12-31",
  "priority_date": "2000-09-11",
  "application_number": "US-94652101-A",
  "family_id": "18760265",
  "cited_by_count": 66,
  "citations": [
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    "JPH08192685A",
    "US20020005424A1",
    "US6168059B1"
  ]
}