Cooler box

Abstract

To provide a cooler box whose locking mechanism can be easily released.SOLUTION: A cooler box 1 includes a box body 3, a lid body 5, a lock mechanism 7, and an operating member 9. The lid body 5 has a third recess 43A at an outer edge. The third recess 43A includes a first wall surface 44a and a second wall surface 44b. The first wall surface 44a extends from a first outer surface 31 toward the box body 3. The second wall surface 44b is provided between the first wall surface 44a and a second outer surface 33A. The operating member 9 operates the lock mechanism 7. The operating member 9 is at least partially arranged in the third recess 43A so that the user's finger can be inserted between the first wall surface 44a and itself and between the second wall surface 44b and itself, in a locked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooler box.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose cooler boxes. These cooler boxes include a main body, a lid, a locking mechanism, and an operating member.

[0003] The main body has an opening. The lid covers the opening. The locking mechanism is configured to be switchable between a locked state in which the lid cannot be opened with respect to the main body and an unlocked state in which the lid can be opened with respect to the main body. The operating member is provided so as to be able to operate the locking mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the cooler box of Patent Document 1, an operating gap is provided. The operating gap is provided between the side surface of the recess of the lid and the upper wall portion of the operating member. The user inserts his / her fingertips into the operating gap and catches the upper wall portion of the operating member, and then swings the operating member to switch the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0006] In the cooler box of Patent Document 2, an operation gap is provided. The operation gap is provided between the lower surface of the recess of the lid body and the lower surface of the operation member. The user inserts their fingertip into the operation gap and catches the lower surface of the operation member, and by swinging the operation member, the locking mechanism is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0007] In the above cooler box, the user's fingertip is inserted into the operation gap from above the lid body or from the side surface of the lid body. In this configuration, it is difficult to sufficiently secure the interval and the depth of the operation gap. For this reason, the user can only insert, for example, the first joint of their finger into the operation gap, and it has been difficult to perform the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism. Also, when the user's finger is wet or the user is wearing thick gloves, it has been even more difficult to perform the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooler box capable of easily performing the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] Regarding the first aspect of the present invention, the cooler box includes a main body, a lid body, a locking mechanism, and an operation member. The main body has an opening. The lid body covers the opening. The lid body has a recess at the outer edge portion. The recess includes a first wall surface and a second wall surface. The first wall surface extends from the first outer surface facing the opening toward the main body. The second wall surface is provided between the first wall surface and the second outer surface intersecting the first outer surface.

[0010] The locking mechanism is provided between the main body and the lid. The locking mechanism is configured to be switchable from one of a locked state and an unlocked state to the other of the locked state and the unlocked state. The locked state is a state in which the lid cannot be opened with respect to the main body. The unlocked state is a state in which the lid can be opened with respect to the main body. The operating member is provided so as to be able to operate the locking mechanism. In the locked state, the operating member is at least partially disposed in a recess so that a user's finger can be inserted between the operating member and the first wall surface and between the operating member and the second wall surface.

[0011] In the cooler box according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the locked state, the operating member is at least partially disposed in the recess so that a user's finger can be inserted between the operating member and the first wall surface of the recess of the lid and between the operating member and the second wall surface of the recess of the lid.

[0012] With this configuration, the user can perform an unlocking operation from the first outer surface side and the second outer surface side, that is, from the upper side of the lid and the side surface side of the lid. Thereby, this cooler box can easily perform an unlocking operation of the locking mechanism as compared with the prior art.

[0013] Regarding the second aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the first aspect, the locking mechanism has a swing shaft and an arm portion. The swing shaft is swingably supported by the lid inside the lid. The arm portion connects the swing shaft and the operating member. The arm portion swings together with the swing shaft.

[0014] Regarding the third aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the second aspect, when the operating member swings away from the second wall surface, the lock of the lid is released, and when the operating member swings closer to the second wall surface, the lid is locked.

[0015] Regarding the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the third aspect, at least a part of the operating member is disposed outside the recess when the lock of the lid is released, and the entire operating member is disposed inside the recess when the lid is locked.

[0016] Regarding a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the operation member has an axis defined in the direction in which the operation member extends. At least a part of the cross-section of the operation member is defined by a plane orthogonal to the axis. At least a part of the cross-section of the operation member is formed by a first outer surface facing the second wall surface of the recess and a second outer surface connected to the first outer surface and provided around the axis. The first shortest distance from the axis to the first outer surface in at least a part of the cross-section of the operation member is smaller than the second shortest distance from the axis to the second outer surface in at least a part of the cross-section of the operation member.

[0017] Regarding a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cooler box according to the second aspect further includes a rod-shaped engaged member. The rod-shaped engaged member is provided on the main body so as to be parallel to the swing axis. The locking mechanism further has a link mechanism and an engagement structure. The link mechanism is connected to the swing axis. The engagement structure engages with the engaged member by the link mechanism. The engagement of the engagement structure with the engaged member is released by the link mechanism.

[0018] The link mechanism has a base member, a first link member, and a second link member. The base member swings together with the swing axis. The first link member is swingably connected to the base member. The first link member extends toward the second outer surface. The second link member is swingably connected to the first link member. The second link member is swingably supported with respect to the lid body.

[0019] Regarding a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the sixth aspect, the base member swings together with the swing axis by non-circularly engaging with the swing axis.

[0020] Regarding the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the engagement structure has a first engagement portion, a second engagement portion, and a biasing member. The first engagement portion is provided on the second link member. The first engagement portion engages with the engaged member. The second engagement portion is arranged so as to be able to approach and separate from the engaged member. The second engagement portion engages with the engaged member. The biasing member biases the second engagement portion toward the engaged member with respect to the second link member.

[0021] Regarding the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the eighth aspect, the second engagement portion has a contact surface and a guide surface. The contact surface contacts the engaged member in the locked state of the lid body. The guide surface guides the engaged member to the contact surface in the process of the state changing from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0022] Regarding the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the lid body has a lid main body and a cover portion. The cover portion is provided on the lid main body. A part of the cover portion is arranged between the lid main body and the operating member. Regarding the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the cooler box according to the tenth aspect, the cover portion is arranged at the outer edge portion of the lid body. The recess is provided in the cover portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] In the present invention, in the cooler box, the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooler box 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a box body 3, a lid body 5, locking mechanisms 7A and 7B, and a pair of operating members 9A and 9B. The cooler box 1 further includes an engaged member 11 shown in FIG. 5A.

[0026] Hereinafter, in a state where the cooler box 1 is grounded on the ground plane, the vertical direction is defined. In other words, the downward direction is the direction in which gravity acts on the cooler box 1, and the upward direction is the opposite of the downward direction. The horizontal direction is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which gravity acts.

[0027] The box body 3 is formed in a box shape. The box body 3 has a substantially rectangular outer shape when viewed from above. The box body 3 has a bottom wall 13 that constitutes the bottom of the box body 3. The bottom wall 13 has a grounding surface. The box body 3 further has a pair of first side walls 15A and 15B that constitute the long sides of the rectangle in a top view, and a pair of second side walls 17A and 17B that constitute the short sides of the rectangle in a top view.

[0028] The bottom wall 13, the pair of first side walls 15A and 15B, and the pair of second side walls 17A and 17B are integrally formed. For example, the pair of first side walls 15A and 15B extend upward from the bottom wall 13. The pair of first side walls 15A and 15B are arranged opposite to each other. The pair of second side walls 17A and 17B extend upward from the bottom wall 13. The pair of second side walls 17A and 17B are arranged opposite to each other. The box body 3 has an opening 19. The opening 19 is formed by the upper end portions of the pair of first side walls 15A and 15B and the pair of second side walls 17A and 17B.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid body 5 covers the opening 19 of the box body 3. For example, the lid body 5 opens and closes the upper opening 19 of the box body 3. The lid body 5 is substantially rectangularly formed so as to correspond to the outer shape of the box body 3 in a top view. The lid body 5 is composed of a lid main body 21 and a pair of cover portions 23A and 23B provided on the lid main body 21.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid main body 21 covers the opening 19 of the box body 3. The lid main body 21 has an upper wall 25 that constitutes the upper part of the lid main body 21, a pair of third side walls 27A and 27B that constitute the longitudinal side portions (the side portions in the long side direction of the rectangle) of the lid body 5, and a pair of fourth side walls 29A and 29B that constitute the lateral side portions (the side portions in the short side direction of the rectangle) of the lid body 5.

[0031] The pair of third side walls 27A and 27B extend downward from the upper wall 25. The pair of third side walls 27A and 27B are arranged opposite to each other. The pair of fourth side walls 29A and 29B extend downward from the upper wall 25. The pair of fourth side walls 29A and 29B are arranged opposite to each other.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the lid main body 21 covers the box body 3, the upper wall 25 is arranged to face the bottom wall 13 with a gap in the vertical direction. In this state, the upper wall 25 is arranged to face the opening 19 of the box body 3. That is, the upper wall 25 is arranged above the opening 19.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a state where the lid body 21 covers the box body 3, the pair of third side walls 27A and 27B are respectively arranged to face the upper end portions of the pair of first side walls 15A and 15B. For example, the pair of third side walls 27A and 27B respectively contact the upper end portions of the pair of first side walls 15A and 15B.

[0034] In a state where the lid body 21 covers the box body 3, the pair of fourth side walls 29A and 29B are respectively arranged to face the upper end portions of the pair of second side walls 17A and 17B. For example, the pair of fourth side walls 29A and 29B respectively contact the upper end portions of the pair of second side walls 17A and 17B. Here, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, packing P is arranged at the portions where the third side walls 27A and 27B and the fourth side walls 29A and 29B contact the upper end portions of the first side walls 15A and 15B and the upper end portions of the second side walls 17A and 17B.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer surface of the upper wall 25 of the lid body 21 and the upper surfaces of the pair of cover portions 23A and 23B form the first outer surface 31. The first outer surface 31 is arranged to face the opening 19 of the box body 3. That is, the first outer surface 31 is arranged above the opening 19.

[0036] The outer surfaces of the third side walls 27A and 27B of the lid body 21 and the side surfaces of the pair of cover portions 23A and 23B form a pair of second outer surfaces 33A and 33B. The pair of second outer surfaces 33A and 33B intersect the first outer surface 31. For example, the pair of second outer surfaces 33A and 33B extend downward from the first outer surface 31.

[0037] The outer surfaces of the pair of fourth side walls 29A and 29B respectively form a pair of third outer surfaces 35A and 35B. The pair of third outer surfaces 35A and 35B intersect the first outer surface 31. For example, the pair of third outer surfaces 35A and 35B extend downward from the first outer surface 31.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a long side portion of the cooler box 1 with the cover portion 23A made transparent in the locked state, partially enlarged. The lid body 21 disposed inside the cover portion 23B side (not shown) has the same configuration as that in FIG. 3. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described using the lid body 21 on the cover portion 23A side.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the portion disposed inside the cover portion 23A in the lid body 21 has a first-stage recess 37A, a pair of second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2, and a pair of stepped protrusions 41A1 and 41A2. The first-stage recess 37A is provided at a corner portion of the lid body 21. The first-stage recess 37A is provided below the upper wall 25. The swing shaft 45A of the lock mechanism 7A, which will be described later, passes through the first-stage recess 37A, and both ends of the swing shaft 45A reach the pair of second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2.

[0040] The pair of second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2 are provided at the corner portions of the lid body 21 inside the cover portion 23A. The second-stage recess 39A1 is provided between the first-stage recess 37A and the fourth side wall 29A. The second-stage recess 39A2 is provided between the first-stage recess 37A and the fourth side wall 29B. Link mechanisms 49A1 and 49A2 of the lock mechanism 7A, which will be described later, are disposed in the pair of second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2.

[0041] The pair of stepped protrusions 41A1 and 41A2 are provided at the corner portions of the lid body 21 inside the cover portion 23A. The stepped protrusion 41A1 is provided between the first-stage recess 37A and the second-stage recess 39A1. The stepped protrusion 41A2 is provided between the first-stage recess 37A and the second-stage recess 39A2. The swing shaft 45A of the lock mechanism 7A passes above the pair of stepped protrusions 41A1 and 41A2.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cover portion 23A covers the first-stage concave portion 37A, a pair of second-stage concave portions 39A1 and 39A2, and a pair of stepped convex portions 41A1 and 41A2. The cover portion 23A covers the swing shaft 45A of the lock mechanism 7A. The cover portion 23A is attached to the lid body 21. As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the cover portion 23A, for example, the central portion of the cover portion 23A, is disposed between the lid body 21 and the operation member 9A. The cover portion 23A swingably supports the swing shaft 45A of the lock mechanism 7A.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the lid body 5 has third-stage concave portions 43A and 43B (an example of concave portions). The third-stage concave portions 43A and 43B are formed so as to be able to dispose at least a part of the operation members 9A and 9B. The third-stage concave portions 43A and 43B are provided at the corner portions of the lid body 5. In this embodiment is the The three-stage concave portions 43A and 43B are respectively provided at the central portions of the cover portions 23A and 23B. The operation members 9A and 9B are respectively disposed in the third-stage concave portions 43A and 43B.

[0044] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view partially enlarging the cover portion 23A and the operation member 9A in the locked state. The cover portion 23B has the same configuration as that in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described using the cover portion 23A.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the third-stage concave portion 43A includes a first wall surface 44a, a second wall surface 44b, a first side wall surface 44c, and a second side wall surface 44d. The first wall surface 44a extends from the outer edge portion 31a of the upper wall 25 toward the box body 3. For example, the first wall surface 44a extends downward from the upper surface 23a1 of the cover portion 23A. The second wall surface 44b is provided between the first wall surface 44a and the second outer surface 33A. For example, the second wall surface 44b is provided between the lower end of the first wall surface 44a and the side surface 23a2 of the cover portion 23A.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the first side wall surface 44c extends downward from the upper surface 23a1 of the cover portion 23A and extends from the first wall surface 44a toward the second outer surface 33A. The second side wall surface 44d is disposed at a distance from the first side wall surface 44c. The second side wall surface 44d extends downward from the upper surface 23a1 of the cover portion 23A and extends from the first wall surface 44a toward the second outer surface 33A.

[0047] The lock mechanisms 7A and 7B shown in FIG. 1 are provided between the box body 3 and the lid body 5. For example, the lock mechanisms 7A and 7B are provided between the box body 3 and the cover portion 23.

[0048] The lock mechanisms 7A and 7B are configured to be switchable from a locked state to an unlocked state. The lock mechanisms 7A and 7B are configured to be switchable from an unlocked state to a locked state. The locked state is a state in which the lid body 5 cannot be opened with respect to the box body 3. The unlocked state is a state in which the lid body 5 can be opened with respect to the box body 3.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 7A has a swing shaft 45A and a pair of arm portions 47A. The lock mechanism 7A further has a pair of link mechanisms 49A1 and 49A2 and a pair of engagement structures 51A1 and 51A2.

[0050] The swing shaft 45A is swingably supported by the lid body 5 inside the lid body 5. In this embodiment, the swing shaft 45A is disposed inside the cover portion 23 and is swingably supported by the cover portion 23. The cross section of the swing shaft 45A is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0051] The pair of arm portions 47A connect the swing shaft 45A and the operation member 9A. The pair of arm portions 47A are arranged at intervals from each other in the direction in which the swing shaft 45A extends. The pair of arm portions 47A swing together with the swing shaft 45A. For example, the pair of arm portions 47A swing together with the swing shaft 45A by non-circularly engaging with the swing shaft 45A.

[0052] A pair of link mechanisms 49A1 and 49A2 are connected to the swing shaft 45A. The pair of link mechanisms 49A1 and 49A2 are respectively arranged in a pair of second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2. Since the configurations of the pair of link mechanisms 49A1 and 49A2 are substantially the same, the configuration will be described below using one of the link mechanisms 49A1.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, the link mechanism 49A1 includes a base member 53A, a first link member 55A, and a second link member 57A. The base member 53A swings together with the swing shaft 45A. For example, the base member 53A swings together with the swing shaft 45A by non-circular engagement with the swing shaft 45A.

[0054] The first link member 55A is swingably connected to the base member 53A. For example, the first link member 55A is swingably connected to the base member 53A via a first link shaft 59. A return spring 61 for returning the first link member 55A to its initial position is mounted on the first link shaft 59. The first link member 55A is disposed below the swing shaft 45A. The first link member 55A extends toward the second outer surface 33A.

[0055] The second link member 57A extends downward from the first link member 55A, for example, from the second link shaft 63. The second link member 57A is swingably connected to the first link member 55A. The second link member 57A is swingably supported by the lid body 5. For example, the second link member 57A is swingably connected to the first link member 55A via a second link shaft 63. The second link member 57A is swingably supported by the cover portion 23 via a support shaft 65. Both ends of the support shaft 65 are supported by the cover portion 23.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A, a pair of engagement structures 51A1 and 51A2 are respectively engaged with a pair of engaged members 11A1 and 11A2 by a pair of link mechanisms 49A1 and 49A2. Each of the pair of engaged members 11A1 and 11A2 is formed in a rod shape.

[0057] Each of the pair of engaged members 11A1 and 11A2 is provided on the box body 3 so as to be parallel to the swing shaft 45A. For example, both ends of each of the pair of engaged members 11A1 and 11A2 are supported by the box body 3 below the second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2. For example, the engaged members 11A1 and 11A2 are supported by the support base 40.

[0058] The configurations in which the engaged members 11A1 and 11A2 are supported by the support base 40 are the same. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5B, the configuration of the support base 40 that supports the engaged member 11A1 will be described. The support base 40 has a support portion 40a that supports the engaged member 11A1, a fixing portion 40b that is fixed to the box body 3, and a contact portion 40c that protrudes from the fixing portion 40b. The fixing portion 40b is fixed to the second-stage recess 39A1. The contact portion 40c abuts against the positioning portion 24 provided on the lid body 21. The support portion 40a, the fixing portion 40b, and the contact portion 40c are integrally formed with each other.

[0059] With this configuration, the lock mechanisms 7A and 7B can accurately lock the box body 3 and the lid body 5 in the locked state. Also, the crushing margin of the packing P can be stably controlled.

[0060] The pair of engagement structures 51A1 and 51A2 are separately arranged in the pair of second-stage recesses 39A1 and 39A2. Since the configurations of each of the pair of engagement structures 51A1 and 51A2 are substantially the same, hereinafter, the description will be made using the engagement structure 51A1.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5A, the engagement of the engagement structure 51A1 with the engaged member 11A1 is released by the link mechanism 49A1. The engagement structure 51A1 has a first engagement portion 67, a second engagement portion 69, and a biasing member 71 shown in FIG. 6.

[0062] The first engaging portion 67 is provided on the second link member 57A. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion 67 is integrally formed at the tip of the second link member 57A. The first engaging portion 67 is a claw portion provided at the tip of the second link member 57A. The first engaging portion 67 engages with the engaged member 11A1. For example, the first engaging portion 67 engages with the lower part of the engaged member 11A1.

[0063] The second engaging portion 69 is disposed inside the lid body 5 so as to be able to approach and separate from the engaged member 11A1. In this embodiment, the second engaging portion 69 is disposed on the second link member 57A above the first engaging portion 67. The second engaging portion 69 is mounted on the second link member 57A so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The second engaging portion 69 engages with the engaged member 11A1. For example, the second engaging portion 69 engages with the upper part of the engaged member 11A1.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, the second engaging portion 69 has a contact surface 69a and a guide surface 69b. The contact surface 69a contacts the engaged member 11A1 in the locked state of the lid body 5. The guide surface 69b guides the engaged member 11A1 to the contact surface 69a in the unlocked state of the lid body 5. The guide surface 69b is an inclined surface that inclines upward from the contact surface 69a.

[0065] The biasing member 71 biases the second engaging portion 69 toward the engaged member 11A1 with respect to the second link member 57A in the locked state. In this embodiment, the biasing member 71 is a coil spring. The biasing member 71 is disposed between the second link member 57A and the second engaging portion 69 in a compressed state. The biasing member 71 biases the second engaging portion 69 toward the engaged member 11A1 and the first engaging portion 67 with respect to the second link member 57A. Thereby, the contact surface 69a of the second engaging portion 69 contacts the engaged member 11A1, and the engaged member 11A1 is clamped by the first engaging portion 67 and the second engaging portion 69.

[0066] The operating member 9A shown in FIG. 4 is provided so as to be able to operate the locking mechanism 7A. The operating member 9A is at least partially disposed in the third recess 43A so that a user's finger can be inserted between the operating member 9A and the first wall surface 44a and between the operating member 9A and the second wall surface 44b in the locked state. In the present embodiment, in the locked state, the entire operating member 9A is disposed in the third recess 43A so as to be graspable by the user.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, in the locked state, the lock is released when the operating member 9A swings in the direction R1 away from the second wall surface 44b of the cover portion 23. The direction R1 in which the operating member 9A moves away from the second wall surface 44b of the cover portion 23, that is, the operating direction R1 of the operating member 9A, is the same as the operating direction for opening the lid body 5. Thereby, since it is not necessary to specially perform an operation of pulling the lid body outward as in the prior art, the lid body 5 can be smoothly opened.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, when the operating member 9A swings in the operating direction R1, the lock of the lid body 5 is released. For example, when the operating member 9A swings in the operating direction R1, the link mechanism 49A1 shown in FIG. 6 operates via the swing shaft 45A, and the first engaging portion 67 and the second engaging portion 69 move away from the side surface 23a2 of the cover portion 23 and move in a direction approaching the lid body 21.

[0069] In this embodiment, the second engaging portion 69 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed upward by the engaged member 11A1, and the engagement between the engaged member 11A1 and the engaging structure 51A1 is released. When the operating member 9A is operated as described above, the link mechanism 49A2 shown in FIG. 3 also operates in the same manner as the link mechanism 49A1, and the engagement between the engaged member 11A2 and the engaging structure 51A2 is also released. Thereby, the lock of the lid body 5 with respect to the box body 3 is released. In this state, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the operating member 9A is disposed outside the third recess 43A. When the user continues to operate in the operating direction R1 in this state, the lid body 5 swings about an engaged member (not shown) in the cover portion 23B as an axis and is opened with respect to the box body 3.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 7, when the lid body 5 closes the box body 3, if the operation member 9A swings in the direction R2 approaching the second wall surface 44b, that is, if the operation member 9A swings in the operation direction R2, the lid body 5 is locked. In this embodiment, when the operation member 9A swings in the operation direction R2, the link mechanism 49A1 shown in Fig. 6 operates via the swing shaft 45A, and the first engaging portion 67 and the second engaging portion 69 move away from the lid main body 21 and approach the side surface 23a2 of the cover portion 23.

[0071] In this case, the guide surface 69b of the second engaging portion 69 contacts the engaged member 11A1, and the second engaging portion 69 is pressed upward by the engaged member 11A1. As a result, as shown in Fig. 6, the engaged member 11A1 is guided by the contact surface 69a of the second engaging portion 69 and is clamped by the first engaging portion 67 and the second engaging portion 69. That is, the engaged member 11A1 and the engaging structure 51A1 are engaged.

[0072] When the operation member 9A is operated as described above, the link mechanism 49A2 shown in Fig. 3 also operates in the same manner as the link mechanism 49A1, and the engaged member 11A2 and the engaging structure 51A2 are engaged. In this state, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 7, the operation member 9A is entirely disposed within the third-stage recess 43A.

[0073] Note that by operating the operation member 9B in the same manner as the operation member 9A, the lock mechanism 7B can also be switched from the locked state (unlocked state) to the unlocked state (locked state) in the same manner as the lock mechanism 7A.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 7, the operation member 9A has an axis X. For example, the axis X is arranged parallel to the swing shaft 45A. The operation member 9A extends along the axis X. At least a part of the cross-section of the operation member 9A is defined by a plane orthogonal to the axis X. At least a part of the cross-section of the operation member 9A is formed in a non-circular shape.

[0075] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the cross-section of the central portion of the operation member 9A is formed by a first outer surface 9a, a pair of second outer surfaces 9b, and a third outer surface 9c. The first outer surface 9a faces the second wall surface 44b of the third-stage concave portion 43A. For example, the first outer surface 9a is formed to be substantially parallel to the second wall surface 44b. The pair of second outer surfaces 9b are connected to the first outer surface 9a. The pair of second outer surfaces 9b are provided around the axis X. The third outer surface 9c is connected to the pair of second outer surfaces 9b. The third outer surface 9c is inclined upward toward the corner portion formed by the upper surface 23a1 of the cover portion 23A and the side surface 23a2 of the cover portion 23A as it moves away from the first wall surface 44a in the horizontal direction H from the first wall surface 44a toward the side surface 23a2 of the cover portion 23A.

[0076] In the cross-section orthogonal to the axis X of the central portion of the operation member 9A, the first shortest distance L1 from the axis X to the first outer surface 9a is smaller than the second shortest distance L2 from the axis X to the second outer surface 9b. In the cross-section orthogonal to the axis X of the central portion of the operation member 9A, the third shortest distance L3 from the axis X to the third outer surface 9c is smaller than the second shortest distance L2 from the axis X to the second outer surface 9b. The first shortest distance L1 is smaller than the third shortest distance L3.

[0077] In the cooler box 1 having the above configuration, the user can perform the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism by the operation members 9A and 9B and the opening operation of the lid body 5 from the first outer side surface 31 side and the second outer side surfaces 33A and 33B sides. That is, the unlocking operation of the locking mechanism by the operation members 9A and 9B and the opening operation of the lid body 5 can be performed from above the lid body 5 or from the side surface side of the lid body 5. That is, the cooler box 1 can easily perform the operations of the operation members 9A and 9B.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Cooler box 3 Box body 5 Lid body 7 Locking mechanism 9 Operation member 9a First outer surface 9b Second outer surface 11 Engaged member 19 Opening 21 Cover body 23, 23A, 23B Cover part 31 First outer surface 33 Second outer surface 43 Third recess 44a First wall surface 44b Second wall surface 45 Rocking shaft 47 Arm part 49 Link mechanism 51 Engagement structure 53 Base member 55 First link member 57 Second link member 67 First engagement part 69 Second engagement part 69a Contact surface 69b Guide surface 71 Biasing member L1 First shortest distance L2 Second shortest distance X axis center

Claims

1. A main body having an opening, a lid body having a recess at an outer edge thereof, the recess including a first wall surface that covers the opening and extends from a first outer surface facing the opening toward the main body, and a second wall surface provided between the first wall surface and a second outer surface intersecting the first outer surface; a locking mechanism provided between the main body and the lid body, the locking mechanism being configured to be switchable from one of a locked state in which the lid body cannot be opened with respect to the main body and an unlocked state in which the lid body can be opened with respect to the main body to the other of the locked state and the unlocked state; an operation member provided so as to be operable to the locking mechanism and at least partially disposed in the recess such that a user's finger can be inserted between the operation member and the first wall surface and between the operation member and the second wall surface in the locked state; A cooler box comprising the above.

2. The locking mechanism has a swing shaft swingably supported by the lid body inside the lid body, and an arm portion that connects the swing shaft and the operation member and swings together with the swing shaft. The cooler box according to Claim 1.

3. The lid body is unlocked when the operation member swings away from the second wall surface, and the lid body is locked when the operation member swings closer to the second wall surface. The cooler box according to Claim 2.

4. At least a part of the operation member is disposed outside the recess when the lid body is unlocked, and the entire operation member is disposed inside the recess when the lid body is locked. The cooler box according to Claim 3.

5. The operation member has an axis defined in a direction in which the operation member extends, at least a part of a cross-section of the operation member is defined by a plane orthogonal to the axis, and is formed by a first outer surface facing the second wall surface of the recess and a second outer surface connected to the first outer surface and provided around the axis, a first shortest distance from the axis to the first outer surface in the cross-section is smaller than a second shortest distance from the axis to the second outer surface in the cross-section. The cooler box according to Claim 1.

6. A rod-shaped engaged member provided on the main body so as to be parallel to the swing shaft, further comprising the above, The locking mechanism includes a link mechanism connected to the swing shaft, An engaging structure that engages with the engaged member by the link mechanism and releases the engagement with the engaged member by the link mechanism. The link mechanism is a base member that swings together with the swing shaft, a first link member that is swingably connected to the base member and extends toward the second outer surface, a second link member that is swingably connected to the first link member and is swingably supported with respect to the lid body. The cooler box according to claim 2.

7. The base member swings together with the swing shaft by engaging non-circularly with the swing shaft. The cooler box according to claim 6.

8. The engaging structure is a first engaging portion provided on the second link member and engaging with the engaged member, a second engaging portion that is arranged to be able to approach and separate from the engaged member and engages with the engaged member, a biasing member that biases the second engaging portion toward the engaged member with respect to the second link member. The cooler box according to claim 6.

9. The second engaging portion has a contact surface that contacts the engaged member in the locked state of the lid body and a guiding surface that guides the engaged member to the contact surface in the process of the state changing from the unlocked state to the locked state. The cooler box according to claim 8.

10. The lid body has a lid main body and a cover portion provided on the lid main body. A part of the cover portion is arranged between the lid main body and the operation member. The cooler box according to claim 1.

11. The cover portion is arranged at the outer edge portion of the lid main body. The recess is provided in the cover portion. The cooler box according to claim 10.

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