GB2558141A

GB2558141A - Locking apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2558141A
Application number: GB1807019.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tamaki Satoru; Nakasone Hisashi
Original assignee: Piolax Inc
Current assignee: Piolax Inc
Priority date: 2015-11-04
Filing date: 2016-11-04
Publication date: 2018-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-04
Also published as: GB2558141B; CN108291412B; JP2019023379A; GB201807019D0; WO2017078121A1; CN108291412A

Abstract

A locking apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a first rod 26 which is shorter than a second rod 28, the base end section of which is connected to a rotary member 24, and the leading end section of which advances into/retreats from a first lock hole of a fixing member, according to rotation of the rotary member 24. An operation member 20 has: an operation part 36 provided to the front surface side so as to be operable by an opening/closing member; and a transmission part 40 projecting to the rear side of the opening/closing member, and engaged with the first rod 26 to transmit an operation force. A base member 22 has: a support section 52 that supports the rotary member 24; and an insertion section 50 into which the transmission part 40 is inserted. The first rod 26 has a connection section to be fitted to the rotary member 24 by being pushed in from a direction opposite to the direction in which the transmission part 40 is inserted into the insertion section 50. The support section 52 is arranged at a position farther from the leading end section of the first rod 26 than from the insertion section 50.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

WO 2012/132546 A1 JP 2007170031 A (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60R, E05B, E05C

WO 2010/038716 A1 (87) International Publication Data:

W02017/078121 Ja 11.05.2017 (71) Applicant(s):

Piolax, Inc.

(Incorporated in Japan)

51, Iwai-cho, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama-shi 240-0023, Kanagawa, Japan (72) Inventor(s):

Satoru Tamaki Hisashi Nakasone (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Haseltine Lake LLP

Redcliff Quay, 120 Redcliff Street, BRISTOL, BS1 6HU, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Locking apparatus Abstract Title: Locking apparatus (57) A locking apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a first rod 26 which is shorter than a second rod 28, the base end section of which is connected to a rotary member 24, and the leading end section of which advances into/retreats from a first lock hole of a fixing member, according to rotation of the rotary member 24. An operation member 20 has: an operation part 36 provided to the front surface side so as to be operable by an opening/closing member; and a transmission part 40 projecting to the rear side of the opening/closing member, and engaged with the first rod 26 to transmit an operation force. A base member 22 has: a support section 52 that supports the rotary member 24; and an insertion section 50 into which the transmission part 40 is inserted. The first rod 26 has a connection section to be fitted to the rotary member 24 by being pushed in from a direction opposite to the direction in which the transmission part 40 is inserted into the insertion section 50. The support section 52 is arranged at a position farther from the leading end section of the first rod 26 than from the insertion section 50.

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DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention: LOCK DEVICE Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a lock device mounted on an openable and closable member.

Background Art [0002] A lock device is mounted on an openable and closable member for opening and closing an opening of a glove box of a vehicle to hold the openable and closable member in a closed state. A user operates an operation member of the lock device to unlock the lock device to open the glove box.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a side lock device configured to be mounted on a door panel for opening and closing an opening of an accommodation box. This side lock device includes a base member that is fixed to the door panel, an operation member that is supported rotatably on the base member, a link member that oscillates in response to an operation of the operation member, and a locking rod that is coupled to the link member so as to move in response to an oscillation of the link member/ [0004] A front end portion of the rod of Patent Document 1 projects outwards from a hole formed in the door panel, and a rear end portion is coupled to the link member. In closing the door panel, the front end portion of the rod is brought into abutment with an inner surface of the accommodation box and then moves inwards. Then, when the front end portion of the rod arrives at a position where a lock hole is formed in the accommodation box, the distal end portion moves outwards to be brought into engagement with the lock hole.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document [0005] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2012-246727

Summary of Invention Problems to Be Solved by Invention [0006] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the front end portion of the rod is brought into abutment with the inner surface of the accommodation box at the time of closing the door panel, due to a reaction force from the accommodation box, the rod receives a force attempting to lift the rear end portion of the rod from the base member, resulting in fears that the rod and the link member are decoupled from each other.

[0007] The invention has been made in view of the problem described above and an object thereof is to provide a lock device that can make it difficult for a rod and a rotary member to be decoupled from each other.

Means for Solving Problems [0008] To solve the problem, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock device capable of holding an openable and closable member in a locked state, the openable and closable member being mounted on an opening portion of a fixed member so as to be opened and closed, including: a base member fixed to the openable and closable member; an operation member supported on the base member; a rotary member supported rotatably on the base member and configured to rotate in response to an operation of the operation member; a first rod coupled to the rotary member at a proximal end portion and configured to move into and out of a first lock hole in the fixed member at a distal end portion in response to a rotation of the rotary member; and a second rod set longer than the first rod, coupled to the rotary member at a proximal end portion and configured to move into and out of a second lock hole in the fixed member at a distal end portion in response to a rotation of the rotary member, wherein the operation member has: an operation portion provided so as to be operated from a front side of the openable and closable member; and a transmission portion projecting to a rear side of the openable and closable member and brought into engagement with the first rod to transmit an operation force, wherein the base member has: a support portion configured to support the rotary member; and a passage portion through which the transmission portion is passed, wherein the first rod has a coupling portion configured to fit on the rotary member by being pushed on from an opposite direction to a direction in which the transmission portion is passed through the passage portion, and wherein the support portion is disposed in a position located farther away from the distal end portion of the first rod than the passage portion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0009] According to the invention, in the lock device, it becomes difficult for the rods and the rotary member to be decoupled from each other.

Brief Description of Drawings [0010] Fig. 1 shows explanatory drawings of an openable and closable member on which a lock device of an embodiment is mounted.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the lock device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a circumference of a first rod of the lock device shown in Fig. 1(b).

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a rotary member and a second rod.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory drawing of the operation of the lock device.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory drawing of a function of the lock device when an openable and closable member is closed.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory drawing of a lock device of a modified example.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory drawing of the operation of a key unit of the lock device of the modified example.

Embodiments of Invention [0011] Fig. 1 shows explanatory drawings of an openable and closable member 12 on which a lock device 10 of an embodiment is mounted. Fig. 1(a) is a front view of the lock device 10 and the openable and closable member 12 as seen from a front side of the openable and closable member 12, and Fig. 1(b) is a rear view of the lock device 10 and the openable and closable member 12 as seen from a rear side of the openable and closable member 12. In reality, the openable and closable member 12 is provided by affixing two plate-shaped members together in such a way as to accommodate the lock device 10 in an interior portion defined by the two plateshaped members. However, in Fig. 1(b), the lock device 10 and the openable and closable member 12 are shown with a rear plate-shaped member of the openable and closable member 12 which covers the lock device 10 omitted from illustration.

[0012] The openable and closable member 12 is, for example, a lid member for a glove box of a vehicle. Although the openable and closable member 12 of Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) is shown as having a flat planar shape as a matter of conveniences in illustration, in reality, the openable and closable member 12 is formed to match the shape of an opening portion of the glove box and hence may be formed into the shape of a curved plane. The glove box is a fixed member having a recess which is an accommodation space provided in a dashboard, and the openable and closable member 12 is mounted rotatably on the glove box to open and close the opening portion of the recess.

[0013] A mounting opening 12a is formed in the openable and closable member 12 for the lock device 10 to be mounted therein. The lock device 10 mounted on the openable and closable member 12 holds the openable and closable member 12 in a locked state relative to the opening portion of the glove box with the openable and closable member 12 locked. The lock device 10 of the embodiment may be a side lock device in which an operation member 20 can be operated in a width direction of the openable and closable member 12.

[0014] The lock device 10 includes the operation member 20, a base member 22, a rotary member 24, a first rod 26 and a second rod 28. The base member 22 is fixed to the openable and closable member 12. The operation member 20 is supported rotatably on the base member 22. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the operation member 20 is assembled from a front side of the mounting opening 12a to be provided on the front side. A user inserts his or her finger from a depressed portion 12b into a rear side of the operation member 20 and the pulls up the operation member 20 to unlock the openable and closable member 12.

[0015] The rotary member 24 is supported rotatably on the base member 22 and is coupled to the first rod 26 and the second rod 28 (the first rod 26 and the second rod 28 are referred to simply as a rod or rods in the case where no discrimination is necessary between them). An operation force exerted by the user is transmitted from the operation member 20 to the first rod 26 shown in Fig. 1(b), then from the first rod 26 to the rotary member 24, and further from the rotary member 24 to the second rod 28. The rotary member 24 rotates in response to the rotation of the operation member 20. The rods move in a longitudinal direction in association with the rotation of the rotary member 24.

[0016] The first rod 26 is passed through a first supporting hole portion 12c, and the second rod 28 is passed through a second supporting hole portion 12d of the openable and closable member 12. When a rear side of the lock device 10 is covered to be hidden by a rear openable and closable member 12 which is not shown in Fig. 1(b), a distal end portion of the first rod 26 is exposed to an exterior portion through the first supporting hole portion 12c, while a distal end portion of the second rod 28 is exposed to an exterior portion through the second supporting hole portion 12d. In the first rod 26 and the second rod 28, ends inserted into a first lock hole 14a and a second lock hole 14b are referred to as distal ends, whereas ends coupled to the rotary member 24 are referred to as proximal ends.

[0017] The first supporting hole portion 12c and the second supporting hole portion 12d of the openable and closable member 12 are through holes formed in side portions of the openable and closable member 12. A guide portion may be provided on a circumferential edge of the through hole so as to be brought into elastic contact with the rod to guide a movement of the rod while suppressing the looseness of the rod.

[0018] The rotary member 24 rotates when the user operates the operation member 20, and the rods move into and out of the first lock hole 14a and the second lock hole 14b which are formed in the glove box which is the fixed member in response to a rotation of the rotary member 24.

The openable and closable member 12 is locked when the distal end portions of the rods move into the corresponding lock holes, while the openable and closable member 12 is unlocked when the distal ends of the rods move out of the corresponding lock holes.

[0019] The lock device 10 of this embodiment is provided in a position which is offset towards one end in a width direction from a center of the openable and closable member 12. This makes it easy for the driver to reach the lock device 10 of the glove box which is provided, for example, in front of a front passenger’s seat. The rotary member 24 supported on the base member 22 is disposed closer to one side of the openable and closable member 12, and therefore, a distance from the rotary member 24 to the first supporting hole portion 12c becomes different from a distance from the rotary member 24 to the second supporting hole portion 12d. Due to this, a longitudinal length of the first rod 26 becomes different from that of the second rod 28, and the first rod 26 becomes shorter than the second rod 28 in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the lock device 10. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a circumference of the first rod 26 of the lock device 10 shown in Fig. 1(b). The operation member 20 has a base portion 35, an operating portion 36, a pair of shaft portions 38, a transmitting portion 40, a pair of side wall portions 42, a middle wall portion 44 and a rotation stopping portion 46. The operating portion 36 is formed on the base portion 35 having a flat plate shape and is positioned on the front side of the openable and closable member 12 so that a finger of a hand of the user is hooked on the operating portion 36.

[0021] The pair of side wall portions 42 are erected to face each other on a rear surface of the base portion 35. The pair of shaft portions 38 are formed individually into an arc shape on the pair of side wall portions 42. The pair of shaft portions 38 are disposed closer to the transmitting portion 40 than the operating portion 36 in reciprocating directions of the rods or in a transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0022] The middle wall portion 44 is erected on the rear surface of the base portion 35 to couple the pair of side wall portions 42 together. The middle wall portion 44 covers an internal structure of the lock device 10 to prevent the finger of the hand of the user from entering an interior portion of the lock device 10.

[0023] The transmitting portion 40 has a pillar-like shape and is erected from the rear surface of the base portion 35 to project to a rear side of the openable and closable member 12. The transmitting portion 40 is brought into engagement with the first rod 26 to transmit an operation force exerted on the operation member 20 to the first rod 26. The transmitting portion 40 has an abutment surface 40a which is curved towards a distal end side of the transmitting portion 40. A distal end of the transmitting portion 40 has a gap 71 defined between a bearing plane 74 of the first rod 26 and itself.

[0024] The rotation stopping portion 46 is formed on a side surface of the pillar-shaped transmitting portion 40 so as to project therefrom. When the user pulls up the operation member 20, the rotation stopping portion 46 is hooked on the base member 22 in a predetermined rotational position to stop the rotation of the operation member 20.

[0025] The base member 22 has a passage portion 50, a bottom portion 51, a supporting portion 52, a cylindrical portion 54, a stopper portion 56, a pivotally supporting portion 58 and a fixing portion 60. The fixing portion 60 is formed into the shape of a flange protruding radially outwards from a main body of the rectangular base member 22. The base member 22 is fixed to the openable and closable member 12 with machine screws which are passed through holes in the fixing portions 60.

[0026] The passage portion 50 is formed as a through hole through which the transmitting portion 40 of the operation member 20 is passed to the rear side. The supporting portion 52 is formed into the shape of a hole in the bottom portion 51 to support a shaft portion 64 of the rotary member 24 rotatably.

[0027] The cylindrical portion 54 accommodates the rotary member 24. The stopper portion 56 is formed into the shape of an elastic claw and functions as a stopper for the rotary member 24. The stopper portion 56 is disposed between the cylindrical portion 54 and the passage portion 50 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26 and is positioned between the transmitting portion 40 and a rotational center 24a of the rotary member 24. This enables the lock device 10 to be made smaller in size when compared with a case where the stopper portion 56 is provided at a proximal end side of the second rod 28. The pivotally supporting portion 58 is formed into the shape of an arc-like projection. In this embodiment, a pair of pivotally supporting portions 58 is formed on outer surfaces of the passage portion 50. The pivotally supporting portions 58 are inserted into the corresponding shaft portions 38 to support the operation member 20 rotatably. The cylindrical portion 54 accommodating the rotary member 24 therein and the passage portion 50 through which the transmitting portion 40 is passed are disposed side by side in the base member 22.

[0028] The rotary member has a circular disc portion 62, the shaft portion 64, a first projecting portion 66, a second projecting portion 68 and a protruding portion 70. The shaft portion 64 is formed into the shape of a pillar at a center of the circular disc portion 62 and is supported rotatably in the supporting portion 52 of the base member 22. The shaft portion 64 projects towards the front side of the openable and closable member 12. A rotational shaft of the rotary member 24 is disposed to intersect a rotational axis of the operation member 20 or is disposed to be at substantially right angles to the rotational axis of the operation member 20. This enables a rotational plane (the circular disc portion 62) of the rotary member 24 to be disposed so as to follow a front surface or a rear surface of the openable and closable member 12, thereby making it possible to reduce the thickness of the lock device 10 in a direction which is at right angles to the surface of the openable and closable member 12.

[0029] Although the first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion 68 project in a direction which follows a projecting direction of the shaft portion 64, the first and second projecting portions 66, 68 are formed on an opposite surface to a surface on which the shaft portion 64 is provided. The first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion 68 are positioned eccentric with respect to the center of the circular disc portion 62. Distal ends of the first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion 68 are formed substantially into the shape of a semi-sphere. A rotational axis of the rotary member 24 is at right angles to the reciprocating directions of the first rod 26 and the second rod 28.

[0030] The protruding portion 70 is formed to protrude radially outwards from an outer circumference of the circular disc portion 62 and is brought into abutment with the stopper portion 56 of the base member 22 as shown in Fig. 3. The protruding portion 70 is positioned further radially outwards than the first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion 68 with respect to the rotational center 24a of the rotary member 24. This enables the stopper of the rotary member 24 to be disposed radially outwards to thereby reduce a force exerted on the stopper. The protruding portion 70 is disposed between the rotational center 24a of the rotary member 24 and the transmitting portion 40 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26.

This can suppress an increase in size of the base member 22 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26 although the protruding portion 70 is provided on an outer circumferential side of the circular disc portion 62 of the rotary member 24.

[0031] The rotational center 24a of the rotary member 24 is disposed in a position which overlaps the transmitting portion 40 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26. This enables the transmitting portion 40 and the rotary member 24 to be disposed side by side on the base member 22 to thereby reduce the size of the base member 22. In this way, the operation member 20 and the rotary member 24 are assembled integrally to the base member 22 while being aligned side by side thereon, whereby the lock device 10 of this embodiment is made small in size. Further, in the lock device 10, the rotational axis of the rotary member 24 is disposed parallel to a direction in which the transmitting portion 40 is passed through the passage portion 50, and this enables the lock device 10 to be formed thin in the direction which is at right angles to the surface of the openable and closable member 12.

[0032] The first rod 26 has a first coupling portion 72, the bearing plane 74, a first pillar portion 76, a second pillar portion 78 and a third pillar portion 80. The first rod 26 is shorter than the second rod 28 and moves into or out of the first lock hole 14a in the fixing portion 60 member in response to a rotation of the rotary member 24. The first coupling portion 72 is formed at one end of the first rod 26 and is coupled to the first projecting portion 66. Here, a coupling structure of the rotary member 24 and the first rod 26 will be described by reference to another drawing.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the rotary member 24 and the second rod 28. Fig. 4 shows a section of the lock device 10 taken along a line A-Ain Fig. 3. The first rod 26 and the rotary member 24 are coupled together in a similar manner to that in which the second rod 28 and the rotary member 24 are coupled together, and therefore, a description of the former coupling will be omitted here.

[0034] A second coupling portion 82 is formed as a pair ribs extending in a longitudinal direction which are formed individually on both side surface of a rectangular coupling hole portion 75. The second coupling portion 82 is hooked on a flange portion 68a of the second projecting portion 68. An elastic piece 73 is formed in the coupling hole portion 75 in such a way as to extend longitudinally while being supported at both ends thereof. The elastic piece 73 is brought into elastic contact with the distal end of the second projecting portion 68 to suppress the looseness of thereof.

[0035] The first coupling portion 72 of the first rod 26 and the second coupling portion 82 of the second rod 28 fit on the rotary member 24 sidably by being pushed on to projecting ends of the first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion, respectively. A direction in which the first coupling portion 72 and the second coupling portion 82 are pushed on to the first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion 68, respectively is a direction directed from the rear side to the front side of the openable and closable member 12 and is an opposite direction to the direction in which the transmitting portion 40 of the operation member 20 is passed through the passage portion 50 of the base member 22. Although this facilitates the coupling of the rods to the rotary member 24, there are fears that the coupling is released when a force is exerted which acts in the projecting direction of the first projecting portion 66 and the second projecting portion 68.

[0036] Returning to Fig. 2, the first pillar portion 76 extends in the longitudinal direction and intersects the second pillar portion 78 at right angles. The second pillar portion 78 has the bearing plane 74 which is brought into abutment with the transmitting portion 40 of the operation member 20. The third pillar portion 80 bends from the second pillar portion 78 and extends in the longitudinal direction. The first pillar portion 76 and the third pillar portion 80 extend in parallel in the longitudinal direction. The first rod 26 has the bearing plane 74 configured to be brought into engagement with the transmitting portion 40 of the operation member 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The bearing plane 74 intersects the longitudinal direction of the first rod 26. The longitudinal direction of the first rod 26 is parallel to the reciprocating direction in which the first rod 26 reciprocates.

[0037] The second rod 28 is longer than the first rod 26 and moves into or out of the second lock hole 14b in the fixing portion 60 member in response to a rotation of the rotary member 24. The second rod 28 has the second coupling portion 82 which is coupled to one end of the second projecting portion 68.

[0038] A first spring 30 is a coil spring, and the shaft portion 64 of the rotary member 24 is inserted into the first spring 30. One end of the first spring 30 is brought into abutment with the rotary member 24, and the other end thereof is brought into abutment with the base member 22. The first spring 30 biases the rotary member 24 to thereby bias the first rod 26 and the second rod 28 in locking directions, that is, in directions in which the first rod 26 and the second rod 28 move into the first lock hole 14a and the second lock hole 14b, respectively. The rotary member 24, which is biased by the first spring 30, stops rotating as a result of the protruding portion 70 being brought into abutment with the stopper portion 56. Due to this, with the openable and closable member 12 held locked, the biasing force of the first spring 30 is designed not to be transmitted to the operation member 20 via the first rod 26, and the gap 71 is provided between the bearing plane 74 of the first rod 26 and the transmitting portion 40.

[0039] A second spring 32 is a coil spring and is brought into abutment with the operation member 20 at one end while being brought into abutment with the base member 22 at the other end thereof. The second spring 32 biases the operation member 20 in a closing direction so that the operation member 20, which is operated, returns to its original position. The closing direction of the operation member 20 is a direction which the operation member 20, which is rotated by the user, returns to its original position. A cushion 34 is formed from a rubber material and is fixed to the base member 22. Then, when the operation member 20 is closed, the cushion 34 is brought into abutment with the operation member 20. The cushion 34 mitigates the contact of the operation member 20 with the base member 22 to thereby suppress the generation of striking noise.

[0040] Fig. 5 is an explanatory drawing of the operation of the lock device 10. When the operating portion 36 is pulled up by the user, the operation member 20 rotates at the shaft portions 38, and the transmitting portion 40 also rotates. Then, the abutment surface 40a of the transmitting portion 40 pushes the bearing plane 74 of the first rod 26, whereby the first rod 26 moves in a receding direction. The rotary member 24 rotates as the first rod 26 moves, and the second rod 28 also moves in a receding direction in association with the rotation of the rotary member 24. In this way, the first rod 26, the rotary member 24 and the second rod 28 move in association with the operation of the operation member 20.

[0041] When the user removes the finger of his or her hand from the operation member 20, the rotary member 24 is biased to rotate by the first spring 30, shifting the first rod 26 and the second rod 28 to move into the corresponding lock holes. Additionally, the operation member 20 is biased by the second spring 32 to return to its original position.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the distal end of the transmitting portion 40 is spaced apart by a distance L3 from the flange portion 66a of the first projecting portion 66 in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotary member 24. Namely, the transmitting portion 40 projects rewards beyond a coupling position between the rotary member 24 and the first rod 26 (a lower surface of the flange portion 66a). This ensures a sufficient overlapping width between the bearing plane 74 of the first rod 26 and the transmitting portion 40 in relation to the direction of the rotational axis. Additionally, the bearing plane 74 and the coupling position between the rotary member 24 and the first rod 26 can be disposed to overlap each other in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26. The height of the lock device 10 in the rotational axis direction of the rotary member 24 can be reduced by forming the first rod 26 along the reciprocating direction, whereby the lock device 10 can be made small in size. Although the lock device 10 is made small in size, a distance from the shaft portions 38 to the transmitting portion 40 becomes long, whereby a reciprocating distance of the first rod 26 relative to an operation angle can be increased to be great.

[0043] The abutment surface 40a of the transmitting portion 40 can be curved so that the transmitting portion 40, which rotates, and the first rod 26, which moves in a straight line, can slide on each other smoothly. With no external force exerted on the operation member 20, that is, with the operation member 20 held closed, the abutment position of the transmitting portion 40 with the first rod 26 is positioned closer to a distal end portion side of the first rod 26 than a rotational center 38a of the shaft portion 38 in relation to the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26. Then, when the operation member 20 is rotated, the abutment position of the transmitting portion 40 with the first rod 26 moves beyond the rotational center 38a of the shaft portion 38 to a proximal end side (a rotary member 24 side) of the first rod 26 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26. Due to this configuration, in rotating the operation member 20, firstly, the transmitting portion 40 moves in a direction in which the transmitting portion 40 is erected (upwards in Fig. 5) to increase a hooking margin with the first rod 26, thereby making it possible to transmit the operation force in an ensured fashion. In addition, when the operation member 20 is operated in an opening direction, the transmitting portion 40 is moved to increase the hooking margin with the first rod 26, whereby the length of the transmitting portion 40 can be reduced, thereby making it possible to reduce the thickness of the lock device 10.

[0044] The rotational center 38a of the shaft portion 38 can be disposed on the front side of the operation member 20 by forming the shaft portion 38 into the shape of an arc. Due to this configuration, compared with a case where the rotational center of the shaft portion 38 is formed on the side wall portion 42, the thickness of the lock device 10 can be reduced further.

[0045] Fig. 6 is an explanatory drawing of a function of the lock device 10 in closing the openable and closable member 12. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the first rod 26 is brought into abutment with an opening edge 14c of the glove box 14 in the middle of closure of the openable and closable member 12.

[0046] A tapered surface 26a at the distal end of the first rod 26 is brought into abutment with the opening edge 14c, whereby the first rod 26 bears a reaction force acting in the receding direction 86 and a reaction force acting in an opening direction 88 of the openable and closable member 12. The force acting in the opening direction 88 becomes a moment acting about the first supporting hole portion 12c as a fulcrum. Thus, the first rod 26 bears a moment acting in a direction 90 in which the first coupling portion 72 is decoupled.

[0047] Incidentally, the lock device 10 is disposed in the position near to the driver’s seat on the openable and closable member 12 which is positioned in front of the front passenger’s seat, and the first rod 26 is short. Due to this, in the case where a distance LI between the first supporting hole portion 12c and the first coupling portion 72 is set short, since the magnitude of a moment generated about the first supporting hole portion 12c as a fulcrum when the openable and closable member 12 is closed does not change, the force acting in the direction 90 in which the first coupling portion 72 is decoupled becomes great, resulting in fears that the coupling of the first coupling portion 72 with the rotary member 24 is released. In this way, the coupling of the short first rod 26 with the rotary member 24 is released easily as a result of the lock device 10 being disposed in the position located near to the driver’s seat on the openable and closable member 12.

[0048] Then, the rotary member 24 is disposed in a position located far apart from the supporting position (the first supporting hole portion 12c) of the first rod 26, and this makes it difficult for the coupling of the first coupling portion 72 with the rotary member 24 to be released. Specifically speaking, the rotary member 24 is disposed in a position located farther apart from the first supporting hole portion 12c than the transmitting portion 40 of the operation member 20 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26. Namely, in the base member 22, the supporting portion 52 which supports the rotary member 24 is disposed in a position located farther apart from the first supporting hole portion 12c than the passage portion 50 through which the transmitting portion 40 is passed. Due to this configuration, in the rotary member 24 and the operation member 20 which are assembled to the base member 22, the rotary member 24 is disposed farther apart from the first supporting hole portion 12c than the transmitting portion 40 of the operation member 20, so that the force can be reduced which acts in the direction 90 in which the first coupling portion 72 of the first rod 26 is decoupled when the openable and closable member 12 is closed.

[0049] In addition, the rotary member 24 and the supporting portion 52 are disposed in the position located farther apart from the first supporting hole portion 12c than a center position C of the base member 22 in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26. This enables the rotary member 24 to be located far apart from the first supporting hole portion 12c on the base member 22.

[0050] In the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26, the distance LI between the first supporting hole portion 12c and the first coupling portion 72 is longer than a distance L2 between the first supporting hole portion 12c and the first lock hole 14a. Due to this configuration, in the case where the first rod 26 receives a reaction force from the glove box 14 when the openable and closable member 12 is closed, the force acting in the direction 90 in which the first coupling portion 72 is decoupled can be made smaller than the reaction force. Additionally, in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 26, the distance LI between the first supporting hole portion 12c and the first coupling portion 72 is longer than a distance from the first supporting hole portion 12c to the tapered surface 26a.

[0051] Thus, as has been described heretofore, although the layout of the operation member 20 and the rotary member 24 is limited because these members are provided on the base member 22, the lock device 10 of this embodiment can be made small in size and thin in thickness. Further, although there are fears that the first rod 26 is decoupled from the rotary member 24 because the short first rod 26 is coupled to the rotary member 24 on the base member 22, locating the rotary member 24 far apart from the fulcrum of the first rod 26 makes it difficult for the coupling of the rotary member 24 with the first rod 26 to be released.

[0052] Fig. 7 is an explanatory drawing of a lock device 100 of a modified example. The lock device 100 of the modified example differs from the lock device 10 shown in Fig. 2 in that a key unit 94 is provided on a base member 22 and that a transmitting portion 140 is provided on the key unit 94. The key unit 94 is provided to disengage a first rod 126 on an operation member 20. In the lock device 100 shown in Fig. 7, the key unit 94 is unlocked.

[0053] The key unit 94 has a cylindrical shape. The key unit 94 is fixed to the operation member 20 and is passed through a passage portion 50. The key unit 94 has, at a distal end, the transmitting portion 140 configured to be brought into engagement with the first rod 126. The transmitting portion 140 is positioned offset from a center axis of the key unit 94 and moves rotationally when the key unit 94 is locked and unlocked. The transmitting portion 140 is provided integrally on the operation member 20 together with the key unit 94.

[0054] The first rod 126 has a bearing portion 174 configured to be brought into engagement with the transmitting portion 140 on a side portion. The bearing portion 174 is formed so as to protrude from the side portion of the first rod 126 in a direction which intersects a longitudinal direction. The first rod 126 has formed therein a void space portion 92 into which the transmitting portion 140 moves when the key unit 94 is locked.

[0055] Fig. 8 is an explanatory drawing of the operation of the key unit 94 in the lock device 100 of the modified example. Fig. 8 shows a rotary member 24, the first rod 126 and the key unit 94, and the key unit 94 is in an unlocked state. The key unit 94 has a cylinder portion 96 which is fixed in place in a cylinder hole in the operation member 20 and a rotary mechanism 98 which can rotate relative to the cylinder portion 96 and the transmitting portion 140.

[0056] With the key unit 94 held unlocked, the transmitting portion 140 which is integral with the operation member 20 is in engagement with the first rod 126. When the operation member 20 is operated, the transmitting portion 140 pushes the first rod 126, and the first rod 126 recedes.

[0057] When a predetermined key is inserted into a key hole 99, the rotary mechanism 98 is allowed to rotate relative to the cylinder portion 96, and when the key is turned, the rotary mechanism 98 turns together the key. Although the transmitting portion 140, which is in an unlocked state, is in engagement with the bearing portion 174 of the first rod 126, when the key unit 94 is locked, the transmitting portion 140 moves into the void space portion 92, and the engagement with the first rod 126 is released. The void space portion 92 is formed along the longitudinal direction, that is, a reciprocating direction of the first rod 126.

[0058] The transmitting portion 140 is inside the void space portion 92 with the key unit 94 held locked and does not face the bearing portion 174 in the reciprocating direction. With the key unit 94 staying in the locked state, when the operation member 20 is operated, the transmitting portion 140 moves in the reciprocating direction of the first rod 126. However, the transmitting portion 140 only moves within the void space portion 92 and hence does not push the first rod 126. In this way, in the case where the lock device 10 locks the openable and closable member 12 in a closed state, locking the key unit 94 releases the engagement of the transmitting portion 140, which is integral with the operation member 20, with the first rod 126, whereby even though the operation member 20 is operated, the first rod 126 does not recede from a first lock hole 14a, and hence, the locked state is maintained.

[0059] With the openable and closable member 12 held locked, a gap 71 is defined between the transmitting portion 140 and the bearing portion 174, so that the first rod 26, which is biased in a direction in which the first rod 26 moves into the first lock hole 14a by a first spring 30, does not bias the transmitting portion 140. Due to this configuration, with the openable and closable member 12 held locked, the first rod 26 can be prevented from interfering with the rotation of the transmitting portion 140 when the user locks the key unit 94, thereby facilitating the rotation of the transmitting portion 140.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the embodiments, and hence, modifications such as various design changes can be made to the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Then, the resulting embodiments can also be included in the scope of the invention.

[0061] In the embodiments, while the first supporting hole portion 12c and the second supporting hole portion 12d are described as being the through holes formed in the side portions of openable and closable member 12, the invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the first supporting hole portion 12c and the second supporting hole portion 12d may be disposed inwards of both the side portions of the openable and closable member 12 and be formed in wall portions erected inside the openable and closable member 12 as through holes. As this occurs, the first rod 26 and the second rod 28 are not brought into contact with the through holes formed in both the side portions of the openable and closable member 12.

Brief Description of Reference Numerals [0062] 10 Lock Device; 12 Openable and Closable Member; 12a Mounting Opening; 12b

Depressed Portion; 12c First Supporting Hole Portion; 12d Second Supporting Hole Portion; 14 Glove Box; 14a First Lock Hole; 14b Second Lock Hole; 14c Opening Edge; 20 Operation

Member; 22 Base Member; 24 Rotary Member; 26 First Rod; 28 Second Rod; 30 First Spring;

Second Spring; 34 Cushion; 35 Base Portion; 36 Operating Portion; 38 Shaft Portion; 40 Transmitting Portion; 50 Passage Portion; 51 Bottom Portion; 52 Supporting Portion; 54 Cylindrical Portion; 56 Stopper Portion; 58 Pivotally Supporting Portion; 60 Fixing Portion; 62 Circular Disc Portion; 64 Shaft Portion; 66 First Projecting Portion; 66a Flange Portion; 68

Second Projecting Portion; 70 Protruding Portion; 72 First Coupling Portion; 74 Bearing Plane; 76 First Pillar Portion; 78 Second Pillar Portion; 80 Third Pillar Portion; 82 Second Coupling Portion; 92 Void Space Portion; 94 Key Unit.

Industrial Applicability [0063] The invention relates to a lock device configured to be mounted on an openable and closable member.

Claims

1. A lock device capable of holding an openable and closable member in a locked state, the openable and closable member being mounted on an opening portion of a fixed member so as to be opened and closed, comprising:

a base member fixed to the openable and closable member; an operation member supported on the base member;

a rotary' member supported rotatably on the base member and configured to rotate in response to an operation of the operation member;

a first rod coupled to the rotary member at a proximal end portion and configured to move into and out of a first lock hole in the fixed member at a distal end portion in response to a rotation of the rotary member; and a second rod set longer than the first rod, coupled to the rotary member at a proximal end portion and configured to move into and out of a second lock hole in the fixed member at a distal end portion in response to a rotation of the rotary member, wherein the operation member has:

an operation portion provided so as to be operated from a front side of the openable and closable member; and a transmission portion projecting to a rear side of the openable and closable member and brought into engagement with the first rod to transmit an operation force, wherein the base member has:

a support portion configured to support the rotary member; and a passage portion through which the transmission portion is passed, wherein the first rod has a coupling portion configured to fit on the rotary member by being pushed on from an opposite direction to a direction in which the transmission portion is passed through the passage portion, and wherein the support portion is disposed in a position located farther away from the distal end portion of the first rod than the passage portion.

2. The lock device according to Claim 1, wherein the supporting portion is disposed in a position located farther apart from the distal end portion of the first rod than a center position of the base member in a reciprocating direction of the first rod.

3. The lock device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotary member has a projecting portion which projects to a rear side of the rotary member in a rotational axis direction thereof to be coupled to the first rod, and wherein the transmitting portion projects further rearwards than a coupling position of the projecting portion with the first rod in the rotational axis direction.

4. The lock device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising a key unit provided on the operation member and having a rotary mechanism configured to rotate in response to locking or unlocking, wherein the transmitting portion is provided on the rotary mechanism, moves in response to locking to be disengaged from the first rod and moves in response to unlocking to be engaged with the first rod.

5. The lock device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation member is supported rotatably on the base member, and wherein a rotational axis of the operation member intersects a rotational axis of the rotary member and is disposed in a position located nearer to the transmitting portion than the operation member in the reciprocating direction of the first rod.

6. The lock device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising a spring configured to bias the rotary member in a direction in which the first rod moves into a first lock hole, wherein the base member has a stopper portion configured to be brought into abutment with the rotary member to stop rotation of the rotary member with the openable and closable member staying in a locked state, and wherein the operation member is not biased by the spring with the openable and closable member staying in the locked state.

7. The lock device according to Claim 6, wherein the rotary member is positioned radially outwards of a coupling position of the first rod with the second rod and has a protruding portion configured to be brought into abutment with the stopper portion.

8. The lock device according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the stopper portion is disposed between a rotational center of the rotary member and the transmitting portion in the reciprocating direction of the first rod.

9. The lock device according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotational center of the rotary member is disposed in a position which overlaps the transmitting portion in the reciprocating direction of the first rod.