Storage container

Abstract

To provide a storage container capable of improving appearance design viewed from the front side of a drawer.SOLUTION: A storage container 1 includes a drawer 5, a support part 6 for slidably supporting the drawer, and a lock mechanism 7 for locking the drawer. The drawer includes a box body 11 for storing an object to be stored, and a front side plate part 12 positioned on the front side of the box body. The lock mechanism includes a rotating member (20) that has a protrusion (21) and is rotatably attached to the box body, a locked part (40) that is provided in the support part and to which the protrusion is locked, and an operating member (50) that is movably attached to the front plate part and is operated to rotate the rotating member from a locking position (P1) where the protrusion is locked to the locked part to a retracted position where the locking is released. The rotating member is located on the rear side of the front plate portion. The operation member is exposed to the front side of the front side plate part, connected to the rotation member through an opening 13 penetrating the front side plate part, and closes the opening of the front side plate part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for storing items. [Background technology]

[0002] Various storage containers have been used for storing items. Patent Document 1 discloses a storage container including a drawer and a support part that slidably supports the drawer, and configured to lock the drawer within the support part. In the storage container of Patent Document 1, a movable handle part, a protrusion part, and a biasing member that are integrally formed are rotatably supported relative to the drawer, and with the drawer placed in the support part, the protrusion part is biased by the biasing member and inserted into the mating part of the support part. This locks the drawer within the support part. Furthermore, when a user rotates the movable handle part against the biasing force of the biasing member, the protrusion part is removed from the mating part, and the drawer is unlocked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4956050 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the storage container of Patent Document 1, an opening (handle notch) is formed in the front plate of the drawer to expose the movable handle to the front. However, it is undesirable from the perspective of the external design of the storage container that the back side (rear side) of the front plate be visible through the opening in the front plate from the front side of the drawer. In other words, there is room for improvement in the external design of the storage container as viewed from the front side of the drawer.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage container that can improve the appearance design when viewed from the front side of the drawer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a storage container for storing items, comprising a drawer for storing the items, a support part for slidably supporting the drawer, and a locking mechanism for locking the drawer within the support part. The drawer has a box body that stores the stored items, and a front side panel portion that is located on the front side of the box body in the direction in which the drawer is pulled out from the support portion. The locking mechanism comprises a rotating member having a protrusion and rotatably attached to the box body, a locking portion provided on the support portion and locking the drawer within the support portion when the protrusion engages with the locking portion, and an operating member movably attached to the front side panel portion and operated by a user to rotate the rotating member from an engaging position where the protrusion engages with the locking portion to a retracted position where the protrusion does not engage with the locking portion. The rotation member is located behind the front plate portion in the drawing direction of the drawer. The operating member is exposed on the front side of the front plate, is connected to the rotating member through an opening that penetrates the front plate, and further closes the opening in the front plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the storage container of the present invention, the opening in the front side plate of the drawer is closed by the operating member, thereby improving the appearance design of the storage container when viewed from the front side of the drawer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a storage container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the storage container of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the storage container of FIG. [Figure 4]4 is a perspective view showing a rotating member, a biasing member, an operating member, and a finger hook member in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the rotation member and the operation member of FIG. 4 arranged apart from each other. FIG. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the locking mechanism in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the locking mechanism in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a main part of the storage container of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the storage container of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the rotating member and the operating member of FIGS. 9 and 10 arranged apart from each other. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a locking mechanism in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a locking mechanism in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a storage container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the storage container of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a rotating member and an operating member in FIG. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a locking mechanism in the third embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a locking mechanism in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, mutually corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of overlapping parts may be omitted. Furthermore, in the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," and "center," not only strictly indicate such arrangements, but also indicate a state in which there is a relative displacement with a tolerance or an angle or distance that provides the same function.

[0010] 1, the storage container 1 according to this embodiment is configured by stacking a plurality of rectangular box-shaped containers 2 in the vertical direction Z. A top plate portion 3 that covers the upper side of the container 2 is provided on the top surface of the uppermost container 2. Since the stacked containers 2 have the same configuration, the following description will be given of one container 2.

[0011] 1 and 2, the container 2 includes a drawer 5 for storing items (not shown), a support part 6 for slidably supporting the drawer 5, and a locking mechanism 7 for locking the drawer 5 in the support part 6. In this embodiment, the sliding direction of the drawer 5 relative to the support part 6 is the front-rear direction X, which is perpendicular to the up-down direction Z.

[0012] In the drawings, the direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned up-down direction Z and front-rear direction X corresponds to the width direction Y of the container 2 (storage container 1). In the following description, the side toward which the arrow in the up-down direction Z points (+Z side) will be referred to as the "upper side," and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow in the Z direction points (-Z side) will be referred to as the "lower side." In addition, the side toward which the arrow in the front-rear direction X points (+X side) will be referred to as the "front side," and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow in the front-rear direction X points (-X side) will be referred to as the "rear side."

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the drawer 5 has a box body 11 and a front side plate portion 12. The box body 11 is formed in a box shape that opens upward. Items to be stored are stored in the box body 11. The box body 11 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular parallelepiped appearance with sides extending in three directions: the up-down direction Z, the front-rear direction X, and the width direction Y.

[0014] The front side plate portion 12 is located on the front side of the box main body 11 in the direction in which the drawer 5 is pulled out from the support portion 6 (the pulling-out direction of the drawer 5). The front side plate portion 12 covers the box main body 11 from the front side. The pulling-out direction of the drawer 5 is the direction facing the front side (+X side) in the front-rear direction X. The front side plate portion 12 is formed in a flat plate shape with the plate thickness direction mainly extending in the front-rear direction X. The front side plate portion 12 in the illustrated example is formed in a rectangular shape with the long side extending in the width direction Y when viewed from the front-rear direction X. The front side plate portion 12 may be formed, for example, separately from the box main body 11, or may be formed integrally with the box main body 11. An opening 13 is formed in the front plate 12, penetrating in the plate thickness direction. In this embodiment, the opening 13 in the front plate 12 is open at the lower end of the front plate 12. In the illustrated example, the opening 13 in the front plate 12 is formed in a rectangular shape with its longer side in the width direction Y when viewed from the front-rear direction X, and is located at the center of the front plate 12 in the width direction Y.

[0015] The support part 6 is formed in a box shape to accommodate the box body 11 of the drawer 5. The support part 6 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape corresponding to the box body 11. The support part 6 has an opening 15 that opens to the front side (pull-out direction). The support part 6 of this embodiment is also open to the top side. The drawer 5 is slidable in the front-rear direction X relative to the support part 6 so that the box body 11 can move in and out of the support part 6 through an opening 15 in the support part 6.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the locking mechanism 7 includes a rotating member 20 having a protrusion 21, a biasing member 30, a locked portion 40, and an operating member 50.

[0017] The rotation member 20 is rotatably attached to the box body 11, and is located behind the front plate portion 12 in the front-rear direction X (pull-out direction). 4 and 5, the rotation member 20 of this embodiment has a main body portion 22 extending in the front-rear direction X. The main body portion 22 in the illustrated example is formed in a shape that also extends in the width direction Y. 3 to 5, the protrusion 21 of the rotating member 20 is formed integrally with the main body portion 22 and protrudes downward (toward the -Z side) from the main body portion 22. The protrusion 21 is located in the middle of the main body portion 22 in the width direction Y. The protrusion 21 is located close to the front end portion (front end portion) of the main body portion 22, but is shifted rearward from the front end portion.

[0018] A sliding surface 23 is formed at the front end of the main body part 22. The sliding surface 23 is a surface on which a sliding part 51 of an operating member 50 (described later) slides as the operating member 50 moves. The sliding surface 23 faces downward (-Z side) and is inclined downward mainly toward the rear side (-X side). The sliding surfaces 23 are provided at both ends of the main body part 22 in the width direction Y. The sliding surfaces 23 in FIGS. 3 to 5 are curved concavely in the inclined direction, but may be flat, for example. In the illustrated example, a recessed portion 24 recessed toward the rear side is formed in the front end portion of the main body portion 22. The recessed portion 24 is located between the two sliding surfaces 23 in the width direction Y.

[0019] 3, the rotation member 20 is disposed below the box body 11. The rotation member 20 is attached to the rear end (rear end) of the main body 22 so as to be rotatable relative to the box body 11 about a first rotation axis A1 extending in the width direction Y. The rotation member 20 is attached to the box body 11 at a position in the width direction Y that corresponds to the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12, i.e., is located at the center of the box body 11 in the width direction Y. The protrusion 21 and the sliding surface 23 of the rotating member 20 described above are both located away from the first rotation axis A1 toward the front end of the main body portion 22.

[0020] The biasing member 30 is provided between the rotating member 20 and the box body 11 and biases the rotating member 20 in a direction away from the box body 11. Specifically, the biasing member 30 biases the rotating member 20 downwardly of the box body 11. The biasing member 30 is located away from the first rotation axis A1 of the rotating member 20 toward the front end of the main body portion 22. The biasing member 30 of this embodiment is a leaf spring formed integrally with the main body portion 22 of the rotating member 20.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the locking portion 40 is provided on the support portion 6, and locks the drawer 5 in the support portion 6 by engaging with the protrusion 21 of the rotating member 20. In this embodiment, the locking portion 40 is a locking hole 41 into which the protrusion 21 is inserted. The locking hole 41 opens upward at the bottom of the support portion 6, which supports the box main body 11 from below. The protrusion 21 is inserted into the locking hole 41 from above.

[0022] The operating member 50 is movably attached to the front side plate 12. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , when operated by a user, the operating member 50 rotates the rotating member 20 from an engaging position P1, where the protrusion 21 engages with the engaging portion 40, to a retracted position P2, where the protrusion 21 does not engage with the engaging portion 40. The operating member 50 is exposed on the front side of the front side plate 12 and is connected to the rotating member 20 through an opening 13 that penetrates the front side plate 12. The operating member 50 also closes the opening 13 in the front side plate 12. Note that the operating member 50 and the rotating member 20 do not need to be constantly connected to each other; they only need to be connected at least when the protrusion 21 is moved from the engaging position P1 to the retracted position P2. Therefore, the operating member 50 and the rotating member 20 may be temporarily separated from each other, for example, during the process of the user operating the operating member 50. The operating member 50 of this embodiment will be further described below.

[0023] 5, the operating member 50 of this embodiment is formed in a generally flat plate shape. The shape and size of the operating member 50 as viewed in the plate thickness direction correspond to the shape and size of the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12. In other words, the shape of the operating member 50 as viewed in the plate thickness direction is formed in a rectangular shape with the longer side extending in the width direction Y. 2, the operating member 50 can close the opening 13 of the front plate 12. When the operating member 50 is positioned to close the opening 13 of the front plate 12, the operating member 50 is flush with the front surface 12a of the front plate 12.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the operating member 50 is attached to the front side plate 12 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis A2 (rotation axis) extending in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the drawer 5 (front-rear direction X). In this embodiment, the "perpendicular direction" is the width direction Y. The second rotation axis A2 is located at the lower end of the opening 13 of the front side plate 12. Although not shown, in this embodiment, the rotational movement of the operating member 50 relative to the front side plate 12 is restricted so that the operating member 50 does not extend forward of the front surface 12a of the front side plate 12. As a result, the operating member 50 can only rotate from a position where it blocks the opening 13 of the front side plate 12 to the rear side of the front side plate 12.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the operating member 50 has a sliding portion 51. The sliding portion 51 slides on the sliding surface 23 of the rotating member 20 in response to the rotational movement of the operating member 50. The sliding portion 51 is located away from the second rotation axis A2 when viewed from the width direction Y. In FIG. 3 , the sliding portion 51 is located at the upper end of the operating member 50 and contacts the sliding surface 23 of the rotating member 20 facing downward. The sliding portions 51 are located at both ends of the operating member 50 in the width direction Y so as to correspond to the two sliding surfaces 23 of the rotating member 20, respectively.

[0026] 3 and 6, when the operating member 50 is positioned to block the opening 13 of the front side plate 12, the rotating member 20 is positioned at the locking position P1. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, when the operating member 50 rotates relative to the front side plate 12 so as to move to the rear side of the front side plate 12, the rotating member 20 moves from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2. At this time, the rotating member 20 moves upward from the locking position P1 toward the retracted position P2, approaching the box body 11. As a result, the biasing member 30 elastically deforms to bias the rotating member 20 in the direction from the retracted position P2 toward the locking position P1. The operating member 50 connected to the rotating member 20 is also biased by the biasing member 30 toward a position that blocks the opening 13 in the front side plate portion 12.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the container 2 of this embodiment further includes a handle member 8. The handle member 8 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rotation member 20. That is, like the rotation member 20, the handle member 8 is located below the box body 11 behind the front side plate portion 12, and is also located at the center of the box body 11 in the width direction Y. The handle member 8 is attached to the drawer 5 so as to be immovable relative to the drawer 5. The handle member 8 is also attached to the drawer 5 so as not to rotate around the first rotation axis A1 relative to the drawer 5. The handle member 8 is configured by integrally forming a finger hook portion 81, an attachment portion 82, and a connection portion 83.

[0028] The finger hook 81 has an insertion recess 811 into which the user inserts their finger when pulling the drawer 5 forward. In this embodiment, the finger hook 81 is located adjacent to the upper part of the opening 13 on the rear surface 12b of the front side plate 12, and the insertion recess 811 opens downward. The finger hook 81 is disposed in a recess 24 formed in the front end of the main body part 22 of the rotating member 20, that is, located between the two sliding surfaces 23 in the width direction Y. The finger hook 81 in this embodiment is formed in a wide shape that is long in the width direction Y.

[0029] The mounting portion 82 is located behind the finger hook portion 81 with a gap therebetween. The above-mentioned rotating member 20 is mounted to the mounting portion 82 so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis A1. That is, the rotating member 20 is rotatable about the first rotation axis A1 relative to both the box main body 11 and the handle member 8. The mounting portion 82 in this embodiment is formed in a wide shape that is long in the width direction Y, similar to the finger hook portion 81.

[0030] The connecting portion 83 extends in the front-rear direction X and connects the finger hook portion 81 and the attachment portion 82. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 83 is located below the main body portion 22 of the rotating member 20. The connecting portions 83 are also located on both sides of the protrusion 21 in the width direction Y so as not to interfere with the protrusion 21 of the rotating member 20. These two connecting portions 83 connect both ends of the finger hook portion 81 and both ends of the attachment portion 82 in the width direction Y.

[0031] Next, the operation of the storage container 1 in the first embodiment will be described. 3 and 6, when the drawer 5 is inserted into the support part 6, the rotating member 20 is positioned at the locking position P1, and the protrusion 21 of the rotating member 20 is locked to the locked part 40 of the support part 6; more specifically, the protrusion 21 is inserted into the locking hole 41 of the support part 6. This locks the drawer 5 in the support part 6. In this state, the operating member 50 is positioned to block the opening 13 of the front side plate 12.

[0032] To pull out the drawer 5 from the support portion 6 to the front side, the user first operates the operating member 50 by pushing the upper end of the operating member 50 toward the rear (-X side) with their fingers. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7 , the operating member 50 rotates about the second rotation axis A2 located at the lower end of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12, so that the upper end of the operating member 50 is positioned away from the rear side of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12, and the upper part of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 is opened. This allows the user's fingers to be inserted into the insertion recess 811 of the finger hook portion 81 located at the rear side of the front side plate 12. In other words, the user's fingers can be hooked on the finger hook portion 81.

[0033] Furthermore, when the operating member 50 rotates around the second rotation axis A2 as described above, the sliding portion 51 of the operating member 50 slides on the sliding surface 23 of the rotating member 20, causing the rotating member 20 to rotate from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2 against the biasing force of the biasing member 30. This releases the lock of the protrusion 21 with the locked portion 40, and the drawer 5 is unlocked. Then, with the user's fingers hooked on the finger hook portion 81, the user can move the drawer 5 forward, thereby pulling out the drawer 5 forward relative to the support portion 6.

[0034] On the other hand, when the drawer 5 is moved rearward and inserted into the support part 6, the rotating member 20 is biased by the biasing member 30 and placed in the locking position P1, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, the protrusion 21 is locked to the locked part 40, and the drawer 5 is locked in the support part 6. The rotation member 20 may be automatically moved from the retracted position P2 to the locking position P1 by gravity acting on the rotation member 20, instead of by the biasing force of the biasing member 30, for example.

[0035] As described above, in the storage container 1 of the first embodiment, at least when the operating member 50 is not operated by the user, the operating member 50 blocks the opening 13 in the front side plate 12. This prevents the rear side of the front side plate 12 from being seen through the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 from the front side of the drawer 5. For example, it prevents the rotating member 20, the protrusion 21, and the biasing member 30 located on the rear side of the front side plate 12 from being seen through the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 from the front side of the drawer 5. This improves the appearance design of the storage container 1 when viewed from the front side of the drawer 5. Furthermore, when the operating member 50 blocks the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12, it is possible to effectively prevent the user's fingers or objects from accidentally getting caught on the rear surface 12b (back side) of the front side plate portion 12 through the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12. Furthermore, when the operating member 50 closes the opening 13 of the front plate 12, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the rear surface 12b (back side) of the front plate 12 through the opening 13 of the front plate 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rear surface 12b (back side) of the front plate 12 from becoming dirty.

[0036] Furthermore, in the storage container 1 of the first embodiment, when the rotating member 20 is in the locking position P1, the operating member 50 is positioned to block the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 and is flush with the front surface 12a of the front side plate 12. In this state, the entire front surface of the drawer 5 can be made flat without any irregularities caused by the opening 13 in the front side plate 12, further improving the appearance design of the storage container 1.

[0037] Furthermore, in the storage container 1 of the first embodiment, when the operating member 50 is operated to move the rotating member 20 from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2, the upper portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 is opened, and the upper end of the operating member 50 corresponding to the upper portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 is positioned away from the rear side of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12. This allows the user to insert their fingers behind the upper portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 and easily pull the drawer 5 forward from the support part 6.

[0038] Furthermore, in the storage container 1 of the first embodiment, the locking mechanism 7 further includes a biasing member 30 that biases the rotatable member 20 in a direction from the retracted position P2 toward the locking position P1. This effectively prevents the lock of the drawer 5 from being unexpectedly released by the biasing force of the biasing member 30. After the operating member 50 is operated to move the rotatable member 20 from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2, the biasing force of the biasing member 30 can automatically move the rotatable member 20 from the retracted position P2 to the locking position P1. In other words, the drawer 5 can be locked automatically.

[0039] Furthermore, in the storage container 1 of the first embodiment, the biasing member 30 is provided between the rotating member 20 and the drawer 5 (box main body 11). Therefore, when the rotating member 20 moves from the locking position P1 toward the retracted position P2 in response to operation of the operating member 50, that is, when the rotating member 20 approaches the drawer 5, the biasing member 30 elastically deforms to bias the rotating member 20 in a direction away from the drawer 5. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the rotating member 20 from colliding with the drawer 5. In other words, the biasing member 30 also functions as a buffer that cushions the collision between the rotating member 20 and the drawer 5.

[0040] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 13. In the following description, components common to those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0041] The second embodiment of the container 2C (storage container 1C) shown in Figures 8 to 13 differs from the first embodiment only in the opening 13 in the front side panel portion 12 that constitutes the drawer 5, the locking mechanism 7C, and the handle member 8.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12 in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that it is not open to the edge of the front side plate portion 12 when viewed in the front-rear direction X.

[0043] 9 to 11, a locking mechanism 7C of the second embodiment includes, similarly to the first embodiment, a rotating member 20C having a protrusion 21, a biasing member 30, a locked portion 40, and an operating member 50C. The biasing member 30 and the locked portion 40 are similar to those in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the rotation member 20C of the second embodiment has a main body portion 22 extending in the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y. The positions of the protrusion portion 21 and the first rotation axis A1 on the main body portion 22 are also similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0044] As in the first embodiment, the sliding surface 23C formed at the front end of the main body portion 22 is a surface along which the sliding portion 51C of the operating member 50C slides as the operating member 50C moves. As shown in FIG. 10, the sliding surface 23C in the second embodiment faces downward (toward the -Z side). The sliding surface 23C also has an inclined surface region 23C1 that slopes downward toward the rear (toward the -X side) and a parallel surface region 23C2 that is parallel to the front-rear direction X. The parallel surface region 23C2 is continuous with the rear end of the inclined surface region 23C1. As shown in FIG. 11, the sliding surfaces 23C are provided at both ends of the main body portion 22 in the width direction Y.

[0045] 9 and 11, a recessed portion 24C recessed toward the rear is formed in the front end portion of the main body portion 22 including the sliding surface 23C. The recessed portion 24C is located between the two sliding surfaces 23C in the width direction Y. The recessed portion 24C is formed to prevent the front end portion of the main body portion 22 from interfering with the operating member 50C. In the illustrated example, the front end of the main body portion 22 is positioned offset upward (toward the +Z side) relative to other portions of the main body portion 22, including the rear end.

[0046] 9 to 11, the operating member 50C of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the positions of the second rotation axis A2 and the sliding portion 51C. The second rotation axis A2 of the operating member 50C extends in the width direction Y at the upper end of the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12. The sliding portion 51C of the operating member 50C is located below and away from the second rotation axis A2 when the operating member 50C is positioned to block the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12 as shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the sliding portion 51C is located at an intermediate portion of the operating member 50C in the up-down direction Z and protrudes rearward relative to the operating member 50C. As in the first embodiment, the sliding portion 51C contacts the sliding surface 23C of the rotating member 20C facing downward. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the sliding portions 51C are located at both ends of the operating member 50C in the width direction Y so as to correspond to the two sliding surfaces 23C of the rotating member 20C, respectively.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the handle member 8 of the second embodiment is configured by integrally forming a finger hook portion 81, an attachment portion 82, and a connection portion 83, similar to the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the finger hook 81 has an insertion recess 811 and is formed in a wide shape that is long in the width direction Y. However, in the second embodiment, the finger hook 81 is located adjacent to the lower part of the opening 13 on the rear surface 12b of the front side plate 12, and the insertion recess 811 opens upward. The finger hook 81 is located below and spaced from the front end of the main body portion 22 of the rotating member 20C. The configuration of the attachment portion 82 and the connection portion 83 is generally the same as in the first embodiment.

[0048] Next, the operation of the storage container 1C in the second embodiment will be described. 10 and 12, when the drawer 5 is placed in the support part 6, as in the first embodiment, the rotating member 20C is positioned at the locking position P1, whereby the protrusion 21 of the rotating member 20C is locked to the locked part 40 of the support part 6, and the drawer 5 is locked in the support part 6. In this state, the operating member 50C is positioned to block the opening 13 of the front side plate part 12.

[0049] To pull out the drawer 5 from the support portion 6 to the front side, the user first operates the operating member 50C by pushing the lower end portion of the operating member 50C toward the rear (-X side) with their fingers. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13 , the operating member 50C rotates about the second rotation axis A2 located at the upper end of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12, so that the lower end portion of the operating member 50C is positioned away from the rear side of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12, and the lower portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 is opened. This allows the user's fingers to be inserted into the insertion recess 811 of the finger hook portion 81 located at the rear side of the front side plate 12. In other words, the user's fingers can be hooked on the finger hook portion 81.

[0050] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, when the operating member 50C rotates around the second rotation axis A2, the sliding portion 51C of the operating member 50C slides on the sliding surface 23C of the rotating member 20C, causing the rotating member 20C to rotate from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2. This unlocks the drawer 5. Then, with the user's fingers hooked on the finger hook portion 81, the drawer 5 can be pulled out forward relative to the support portion 6.

[0051] The operation of inserting the drawer 5 into the support part 6 can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0052] According to the storage container 1C of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. In particular, in the storage container 1C of the second embodiment, when the operating member 50C is operated to move the rotating member 20C from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2, the lower portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 is opened, and the lower end of the operating member 50C corresponding to the lower portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 is positioned away from the rear of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12. This allows the user to insert their fingers behind the lower portion of the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 and easily pull the drawer 5 forward from the support part 6.

[0053] In the first and second embodiments, the second rotation axis A2 of the operating member 50, 50C may extend in the width direction Y at the middle portion of the opening 13 of the front side plate portion 12 in the up-down direction Z, for example. In the first and second embodiments, the second rotation axis A2 of the operating member 50, 50C does not necessarily extend in the width direction Y, but may extend at least in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the drawer 5. Therefore, the second rotation axis A2 may extend in the up-down direction Z, for example. These configurations also provide the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

[0054] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 18. In the following description, components that are common to those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0055] A container 2D (storage container 1D) of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 18 differs from the first and second embodiments in the opening 13 in the front side plate 12 that constitutes the drawer 5 and the locking mechanism 7D.

[0056] Although not shown, the opening 13 of the front side plate 12 in the second embodiment is formed in a circular shape centered on a second rotation axis A2 of an operating member 50D (described later) when viewed from the front-rear direction X. As shown in Fig. 15 , the operating member 50D is inserted into the opening 13 of the front side plate 12.

[0057] 15 and 16, a locking mechanism 7D of the third embodiment includes a rotating member 20D having a protrusion 21, a biasing member 30, a locked portion 40, and an operating member 50D, similar to the first embodiment. The biasing member 30 and the locked portion 40 are similar to those in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the rotation member 20D of the third embodiment has a main body portion 22 extending in the front-rear direction X and the width direction Y. The positions of the protrusion portion 21 and the first rotation axis A1 on the main body portion 22 are also similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0058] In the third embodiment, a pressed surface 25D is formed on the front end of the main body portion 22. A pressing protrusion 52D of the operating member 50D (described later) is pressed against the pressed surface 25D as the operating member 50D moves. The pressed surface 25D faces downward (to the -Z side). Furthermore, a recessed portion 24D recessed upward is formed at the front end portion of the main body portion 22. The recessed portion 24D is located adjacent to the pressed surface 25D in the width direction Y. A part of a rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D, which will be described later, is accommodated in the recessed portion 24D. Although not shown, the pressed surfaces 25D described above are located on both sides of the recessed portion 24D in the width direction Y. In the illustrated example, the front end of the main body portion 22 is positioned offset upward (toward the +Z side) relative to other portions of the main body portion 22, including the rear end.

[0059] The basic arrangement, function, and role of the operation member 50D of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. The operating member 50D of the third embodiment has a generally cylindrical appearance and is disposed with its axial direction facing the front-rear direction X. A front portion 50D1 of the operating member 50D in the front-rear direction X has a larger diameter than a rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D. The operating member 50D penetrates the opening 13 of the front side plate 12 and is attached to the front side plate 12 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis A2 extending in the front-rear direction X. Specifically, the rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D is inserted through the opening 13 of the front side plate 12 from the front side of the front side plate 12, thereby rotatably attaching the operating member 50D to the front side plate 12.

[0060] The front portion 50D1 of the operating member 50D is located on the front surface 12a side of the front side plate 12 and functions as a gripping portion to be gripped by the user's fingers. The front portion 50D1 of the operating member 50D is larger than the opening 13 of the front side plate 12 and covers the opening 13 of the front side plate 12 from the front side. A portion of the rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D is located on the rear surface 12b side of the front side plate portion 12. A pressing protrusion 52D is provided on the rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D located on the rear surface 12b side of the front side plate portion 12. The pressing protrusion 52D protrudes radially from the rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D at a portion of the circumferential direction of the rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D. Although not shown, two pressing protrusions 52D protrude in opposite directions to each other in the radial direction of the operating member 50D.

[0061] The rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D, which is located on the rear surface 12b of the front side plate 12, is located below the front end of the rotation member 20D. An upper portion of the rear portion 50D2 of the operating member 50D, which is located on the rear surface 12b of the front side plate 12, is housed in a recess 24D formed in the front end of the rotation member 20D. The pressing protrusion 52D of the operating member 50D is located below a pressed surface 25D formed in the front end of the rotation member 20D. Specifically, the two pressing protrusions 52D of the operating member 50D are located below two pressed surfaces 25D located on both sides of the recess 24D in the width direction Y.

[0062] In the lock mechanism 7D of the third embodiment configured as described above, the operating member 50D moves the rotation member 20D from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2 by rotating about the second rotation axis A2 relative to the front side plate portion 12. This point will be described below. 17 and 18, when the operating member 50D rotates about the second rotation axis A2, the pressing protrusion 52D provided on the rear part 50D2 of the operating member 50D moves upward and is pressed against the pressed surface 25D of the front end part of the rotation member 20D. As a result, the front end part of the rotation member 20D is pressed upward, and the rotation member 20D rotates about the first rotation axis A1 from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2. Furthermore, in the locking mechanism 7D of the third embodiment, the pressed surface 25D and the pressing protrusion 52D are located on both sides of the second rotation axis A2 in the width direction Y. Therefore, regardless of whether the operating member 50D rotates in one direction (for example, clockwise) or the other direction (for example, counterclockwise), the rotating member 20D can be moved from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2.

[0063] Next, the operation of the storage container 1D in the third embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 15 and 17, when the drawer 5 is inserted into the support part 6, as in the first embodiment, the rotating member 20D is positioned at the locking position P1, so that the protrusion 21 of the rotating member 20D is locked to the locking part 40 of the support part 6, and the drawer 5 is locked inside the support part 6.

[0064] To pull the drawer 5 forward from the support part 6, the user first operates the front part 50D1 of the operating member 50D with his / her fingers to rotate the operating member 50D around the second rotation axis A2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18 , the pressing protrusion 52D provided on the rear part 50D2 of the operating member 50D moves upward and is pressed against the pressed surface 25D of the front end part of the rotatable member 20D. Then, the front end part of the rotatable member 20D is pushed upward, and the rotatable member 20D rotates from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2. This releases the lock on the drawer 5, allowing the drawer 5 to be pulled forward from the support part 6.

[0065] The operation of inserting the drawer 5 into the support part 6 can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0066] According to the storage container 1D of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, in the storage container 1D of the third embodiment, the rotation member 20D can be easily moved from the locking position P1 to the retracted position P2 simply by rotating the operating member 50D.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0068] In the present invention, the first rotation axis A1 of the rotation members 20, 20C, 20D may extend in a direction intersecting at least the sliding direction (front-rear direction X) of the drawer 5. That is, the first rotation axis A1 of the rotation members 20, 20C, 20D may extend, for example, in the up-down direction Z.

[0069] In the present invention, the front surface 12a of the front plate 12 is not limited to being flat and may be curved, for example. Furthermore, the opening 13 of the front plate 12 may be formed in a curved region of the front surface 12a of the front plate 12. In this case, the operating members 50 and 50C that close the opening 13 of the front plate 12 in the first and second embodiments only need to have a curved surface that is flush with the curved front surface 12a of the front plate 12.

[0070] The storage container of the present invention is not limited to having a plurality of containers 2, and may have, for example, only one container 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1, 1C, 1D storage container 2,2C,2D container 5 Drawers 6 Support part 7, 7C, 7D Locking mechanism 11 Box body 12 Front side plate 12a front 12b Rear 13 Opening of front side plate portion 12 20, 20C, 20D Rotating members 21 Protrusion 30 biasing member 40 Locked part 50, 50C, 50D Operating member A1 First rotation axis A2 Second rotation axis (rotation axis) P1 Locking position P2 Retreat Position

Claims

1. A storage container for storing items, A drawer for storing the stored items; a support portion that slidably supports the drawer; a locking mechanism for locking the drawer in the support, The drawer is A box body that stores the items to be stored; a front side plate portion located on the front side of the box main body in a direction in which the drawer is pulled out from the support portion, The locking mechanism is a rotating member having a protrusion and rotatably attached to the box body; a locking portion provided on the support portion, the locking portion locking the drawer in the support portion by engaging with the protrusion portion; an operating member that is movably attached to the front side plate portion and that, when operated by a user, rotates the rotating member from a locking position where the protrusion locks with the locking portion to a retracted position where the protrusion does not lock with the locking portion, the rotating member is located on the rear side of the front side plate portion in the drawing direction of the drawer, The operating member is exposed to the front side of the front side plate portion, is connected to the rotating member through an opening that penetrates the front side plate portion, and further closes the opening of the front side plate portion. Storage container.

2. the operating member is disposed in a position that closes the opening of the front side plate portion and is flush with the front surface of the front side plate portion when the rotating member is disposed in the locking position; The storage container of claim 1 .

3. the operating member is attached to the front side plate portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to a sliding direction of the drawer, the operating member rotates relative to the front side plate portion such that at least a portion of the operating member moves from a position where the operating member closes the opening of the front side plate portion to a rear side of the front side plate portion, thereby moving the rotating member from the locking position to the retracted position. The storage container according to claim 2 .

4. The rotation axis of the operating member extends in the width direction of the drawer at the lower end of the opening of the front side plate portion. The storage container according to claim 3 .

5. The rotation axis of the operating member extends in the width direction of the drawer at the upper end of the opening of the front side plate portion. The storage container according to claim 3 .

6. the operating member passes through the opening in the front side plate portion and is attached to the front side plate portion so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a sliding direction of the drawer, The operating member rotates relative to the front side plate portion to move the rotating member from the locking position to the retracted position. The storage container of claim 1 .

7. The locking mechanism further includes a biasing member that biases the rotating member in a direction from the retracted position toward the locking position. The storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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