Storage mechanism

Abstract

To provide a storage mechanism excellent in convenience of opening operation.SOLUTION: A hollow housing member (20) having an opening (26) at an upper part, a lid-like member (30) partially connected to the housing member and switchable between a covered state in which the opening is covered and an open state in which the opening is opened, a locking member (40) that covers and locks a part of the lid-like member to hold the covered state, and an elastic member (50) that is disposed inside the housing member and applies an elastic force to the lid-like member in a state of being deformed at least in the covered state, the elastic member switches the lid-like member from the covered state to the open state by releasing the locking by the locking member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a box-shaped storage mechanism that has a lid-like member that can be opened and closed for a storage member that stores items, it is required that the lid-like member be easily opened and closed. For example, the action of grasping and lifting the lid-like member to open it can be difficult for people with disabilities. Patent Document 1 discloses a storage container in which the lid can be opened by pushing in the closed lid, thereby releasing the lid's engagement with the container body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-114028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the storage container of Patent Document 1 requires the lid to be pushed in to release the lock, and then the lid is opened in the opposite direction to the pushing, which requires a certain amount of force to operate and there is a risk that the lid will not open smoothly.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage mechanism that is easy to open. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A storage mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a hollow storage member having an opening at the top, a lid-like member partially connected to the storage member and switchable between a covered state in which it covers the opening of the storage member and an open state in which it opens the opening of the storage member, a locking member that maintains the covered state by covering and locking onto a portion of the lid-like member, and an elastic member that is disposed inside the storage member and exerts an elastic force on the lid-like member when deformed at least in the covered state, and the elastic member switches the lid-like member from the covered state to the open state by releasing the locking of the locking member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, it is possible to obtain a storage mechanism that is highly convenient in terms of opening operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the storage mechanism in a covering state with a lid-like member. [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the storage mechanism in a covered state with a lid-like member. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the storage mechanism in a covering state with a lid-like member. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the storage mechanism with the lid-like member in an open state. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the storage mechanism with the lid-like member in an open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The storage mechanism 10 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 includes a storage member 20, a lid-shaped member 30, a locking member 40, an elastic member 50, and a curved member 60. While the materials of these members are not limited, as an example, the elastic member 50 is formed from synthetic resin, and the other members are formed from paper (cardboard). Forming most of the storage mechanism 10 from paper facilitates disposal after use and reduces environmental impact. The elastic member 50 may be formed from a thin wood or metal plate. Note that the materials of the other members are not limited to cardboard and may be synthetic resin or the like. Furthermore, from the perspective of reducing environmental impact, at least some of the members constituting the storage mechanism 10 may be formed from biodegradable plastic that decomposes in soil, etc.

[0010] A lid-shaped member 30 and a locking member 40 are connected to a hollow storage member 20 in an openable and closable manner. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions shown in each figure are perpendicular to one another and are based on the storage member 20. The +Z direction of the Z-axis is the upper side, and the -Z direction is the lower side. When the storage mechanism 10 is placed on a horizontal surface, the -Z direction is the vertical direction. However, the surface on which the storage mechanism 10 is placed may be inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) indicates the top-bottom orientation of the storage mechanism 10 and is not limited to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. When the lid-shaped member 30 and the locking member 40 are closed (FIGS. 1 to 3), the storage mechanism 10 has a box-like shape with a pair of side surfaces facing the X-axis direction, front and rear surfaces facing the Y-axis direction, and top and bottom surfaces facing the Z-axis direction.

[0011] The storage member 20 and the lid member 30 are connected at the first connection part 11 on the -Y direction side. The lid member 30 is rotatable relative to the storage member 20 around a virtual axis line at the first connection part 11 that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0012] The storage member 20 has a bottom plate 21 located on the -Z direction side, side plates 22 and 23 located on the -X direction side, a front plate 24 located on the +Y direction side, and a rear plate 25 located on the -Y direction side, and has an opening 26 at the top (+Z direction side) opposite the bottom plate 21. In other words, the storage member 20 has a box-like shape whose top is opened by the opening 26. The bottom plate 21 is a substantially rectangular shape having a pair of short sides extending in the X-axis direction and a pair of long sides extending in the Y-axis direction, and the side plates 22, 23, front plate 24, and rear plate 25 protrude from each of the four sides of the bottom plate 21 toward the +Z direction.

[0013] The storage member 20 includes a storage section S for storing items. The storage section S is partially partitioned by a partition plate 27, and includes an upper space S1 including an opening 26 and a lower space S2 located between the upper space S1 and the bottom plate 21. The lower space S2 is smaller in both the width in the X-axis direction and the length in the Y-axis direction than the upper space S1. The partition plate 27 includes a first wall portion 27a that extends in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and forms the bottom of the upper space S1, and a second wall portion 27b, a third wall portion 27c, and a fourth wall portion 27d that extend from an edge of the first wall portion 27a toward the -Z direction. The second wall portion 27b faces the side plate 22 and is spaced a predetermined distance from the side plate 22 in the X-axis direction. The third wall portion 27c and the fourth wall portion 27d are spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the Y-axis direction. The lower space S2 is a space surrounded by the second wall portion 27b, the third wall portion 27c, and the fourth wall portion 27d.

[0014] Further, inside the storage member 20, on the first connection portion 11 side, a step portion 28 is formed that defines a space Q in which the elastic member 50 and the curved member 60 are disposed. The step portion 28 has a wall portion 28a that is located on the first connection portion 11 side (the -Y direction side) with respect to the lower space S2 and faces the rear plate 25, and the space Q in which the elastic member 50 and the curved member 60 are disposed is formed between the wall portion 28a and the rear plate 25. The upper end of the wall portion 28a is connected to the first wall portion 27a of the partition plate 27. The wall portion 28a has an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the rear plate 25. The inclined surface of the wall portion 28a is inclined so that the distance from the rear plate 25 in the Y-axis direction decreases as it progresses upward (towards the +Z direction).

[0015] The lid-shaped member 30 has a substantially rectangular top plate 31 and side plates 32, 33, a front plate 34, and a rear plate 35 that protrude perpendicularly from each of the four sides of the top plate 31. The end of the front plate 34 that is farthest from the top plate 31 is a second connection portion 12 to which the curved member 60 is connected. The lid-shaped member 30 also has a locking portion 36 on the outer surface of the boundary between the top plate 31 and the side plate 33. The locking portion 36 has a stepped shape formed by partially thinning the thickness of the top plate 31. The rear plate 25 of the storage member 20 and the rear plate 35 of the lid-shaped member 30 are connected at a first connection portion 11, and the lid-shaped member 30 can be switched between a covered state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and an open state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by rotating about the first connection portion 11.

[0016] In the covering state of the lid-shaped member 30, the top plate 31 is approximately parallel to the bottom plate 21 of the storage member 20, the side plates 32 and 33 protrude downward (in the -Z direction) from a pair of long sides of the top plate 31 extending in the Y-axis direction, and the front plate 34 and rear plate 35 protrude downward (in the -Z direction) from a pair of short sides of the top plate 31 extending in the X-axis direction. The lower ends of the side plates 32, 33, front plate 34, and rear plate 35 hanging down from the top plate 31 abut against the upper ends of the side plates 22, 23, front plate 24, and rear plate 25 of the storage member 20, thereby determining the position of the lid-shaped member 30 in the covering state and configuring the lid-shaped member 30 to cover the opening 26 of the storage member 20. When the lid-shaped member 30 rotates from the covered state in the lifting direction (towards the +Z direction) around the first connection part 11, the second connection part 12 of the lid-shaped member 30 separates from the storage member 20, opening the opening 26 of the storage member 20 and making it possible to attach and detach items to and from the inside of the storage member 20.

[0017] The storage member 20 and the locking member 40 are connected at a third connection portion 13 on the opposite side (+Y direction side) of the first connection portion 11 in the Y-axis direction. The locking member 40 has a substantially rectangular front plate 41, and at the third connection portion 13, the edge of the front plate 41 on the -Z direction side is connected to the boundary between the bottom plate 21 and the front plate 24 of the storage member 20. The locking member 40 is rotatable relative to the storage member 20 around a virtual axis extending in the X-axis direction at the third connection portion 13. By rotating the locking member 40 around the third connection portion 13, the locking member 40 switches between the locked state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the unlocked state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The locking member 40 can be placed in the unlocked state without being rotated to the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0018] The locking member 40 is provided with a bent locking portion 42 that forms a substantially right angle with respect to the front plate 41, at the tip end that is the end of the front plate 41 farthest from the third connection portion 13. When the locking member 40 is positioned in the locked state with the lid-shaped member 30 in the covered state, the front plate 41 stands upright in the Z axis direction and overlaps the +Y direction sides of the front plate 24 of the storage member 20 and the front plate 34 of the lid-shaped member 30, and the locking portion 42 protrudes in the -Y direction from the upper end of the front plate 41 and overlaps the upper side of the locked portion 36 of the lid-shaped member 30. The locking portion 42 of the locking member 40 covers and locks onto the locked portion 36 that is part of the lid-shaped member 30, thereby restricting rotation of the lid-shaped member 30 to the open state and maintaining it in the covered state. When the locking member 40 is rotated from the locked state in the unlocking direction (towards the +Y direction) around the third connection portion 13, the locking portion 42 no longer overlaps with the locked portion 36, and the locking of the lid-like member 30 by the locking member 40 (the state in which it is held in a covered state) is released.

[0019] The locking member 40 also has a pair of side plates 43 on both sides of the front plate 41 in the X-axis direction. The side plates 43 are shaped so that their width gradually narrows from the point where they connect to the locking portion 42 toward the third connection portion 13. When the locking member 40 is in the locked state, each side plate 43 overlaps both sides of the storage member 20 and the lid-shaped member 30 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, when the locking member 40 is in the locked state, the side plates 43 on both sides restrict misalignment of the storage member 20 and the lid-shaped member 30 in the X-axis direction.

[0020] The elastic member 50 is a rectangular leaf spring that can be elastically deformed. The width of the elastic member 50 in the X-axis direction is equal to or less than the distance between the side plates 22 and 23 of the storage member 20. The elastic member 50 is disposed on the side of the first connection portion 11 that rotatably connects the storage member 20 and the lid-like member 30, and a portion of the elastic member 50 is disposed and supported in the space Q between the stepped portion 28 and the rear plate 25 of the storage member 20. The remaining portion of the elastic member 50 that protrudes from the space Q is disposed so as to extend toward the front plate 34 of the lid-like member 30. One longitudinal end 50a of the elastic member 50 (the end on the stepped portion 28 side) is positioned to contact the bottom plate 21 of the storage member 20, and the other longitudinal end 50b of the elastic member 50 (the end on the locking member 40 side) is positioned to contact the front plate 34 of the lid-like member 30. The elastic member 50 is not fixed to the storage member 20 and the lid-like member 30, and is allowed to deform except that the portion inserted into the space Q is restricted in position in the Y-axis direction between the wall portion 28a and the rear plate 25, and the positions of one end 50a and the other end 50b in the longitudinal direction are restricted by the bottom plate 21 and the front plate 34.

[0021] The curved member 60 is a rectangular, thin-plate member and has approximately the same size as the elastic member 50. The elastic member 50 is disposed between the lid-shaped member 30 and the curved member 60. A portion of the curved member 60 is disposed between the step portion 28 and the elastic member 50 in the space Q, and the remaining portion of the elastic member 50 protruding from the space Q is disposed so as to extend toward the front plate 34 of the lid-shaped member 30. One longitudinal end 60a of the curved member 60 (the end on the step portion 28 side) is positioned in contact with the bottom plate 21 of the storage member 20, and the other longitudinal end 60b of the curved member 60 (the end on the locking member 40 side) is connected to the second connecting portion 12, which is the tip of the front plate 34 of the lid-shaped member 30. The portion of the curved member 60 inserted into the space Q is sandwiched between the wall portion 28a and the elastic member 50, and the other end 60b moves in accordance with the movement of the front plate 34 of the lid-shaped member 30. The middle portion of the curved member 60 is not fixed to the storage member 20 and the cover-like member 30, and is allowed to deform.

[0022] The operation of the storage mechanism 10 configured as described above will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, by placing the cover-shaped member 30 in the covering state and the locking member 40 in the locking state, the locking portion 42 covers and locks onto the locked portion 36, maintaining the covering state of the cover-shaped member 30. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the covering state, the elastic member 50 and the curved member 60 inside the storage mechanism 10 are each curved and positioned from the first connecting portion 11 side toward the locking member 40 side.

[0023] When the lid-shaped member 30 is in the covering state, the elastic member 50 is curved in a shape that is convex upward (toward the +Z direction and the -Y direction) outside the space Q within the storage member 20, with the locking member 40 side contacting the top plate 31 of the lid-shaped member 30 and the other end 50b located near the boundary between the top plate 31 and the front plate 34. The shape of the elastic member 50 in this curved state is shown by a virtual line (dotted chain line) in Figure 4. The elastic force of the elastic member 50 that tries to release the curved state and return to a flat plate shape generates a biasing force that presses the top plate 31 upward, biasing the lid-shaped member 30 to rotate from the covering state position to the open state position. More specifically, when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the covered state, the elastic member 50 applies an elastic force to the cover-shaped member 30 that includes a component in the +Z direction and a component in the -Y direction, and as the cover-shaped member 30 rotates from the covered state to the open state, the proportion of the component in the -Y direction of the elastic force of the elastic member 50 becomes relatively larger than the proportion of the component in the +Z direction. The locking portion 42 of the locking member 40 covers the locked portion 36 of the cover-shaped member 30, thereby restricting rotation of the cover-shaped member 30 in the direction biased by the elastic member 50. Furthermore, because the force of the elastic member 50 pushing up on the cover-shaped member 30 is received by the locking portion 42, the locking member 40 maintains the locked state without unintentionally switching to the unlocked state.

[0024] The curved member 60 in the covering state of the lid-shaped member 30 is curved in a shape that is convex upward (toward the +Z direction) outside the space Q, similar to the elastic member 50. The other end 50b of the elastic member 50 is a free end that is not fixed to the lid-shaped member 30, while the other end 60b of the curved member 60 is connected to the second connection part 12 of the front panel 34. Therefore, the curved shape (trajectory) of the curved member 60 from the first connection part 11 side toward the second connection part 12 side is different from that of the elastic member 50. In the covering state, the elastic member 50 and the curved member 60 increase the distance from each other in the Z-axis direction as they move toward the +Y direction.

[0025] When the locking member 40, which is in the locked state, is rotated in a direction in which the front plate 41 moves away from the front plate 24 of the storage member 20 and the front plate 34 of the lid-shaped member 30 (in a direction in which the locking state is released), the locking portion 42 is released from the locked portion 36, and the locking member 40 no longer holds the lid-shaped member 30 in the covered state. Then, the elastic force (biasing force) of the elastic member 50 rotates the lid-shaped member 30 and switches to the open state shown in Figures 4 and 5. The elastic force of the elastic member 50 is set so that the lid-shaped member 30 opens against its own weight, and the lid-shaped member 30 can be automatically rotated to the open state simply by switching the locking member 40 to the unlocked state.

[0026] The width of the locked portion 36 in the Y-axis direction is small, and by slightly pulling the locking portion 42 toward the +Y direction, the locking by the locking member 40 is released, and the lid-like member 30 is opened by the elastic force of the elastic member 50. This allows the storage mechanism 10 to be easily opened with a very small amount of manipulation. Furthermore, the locking portion 42 has a thickness that protrudes above the upper surface of the top plate 31 when the locking member 40 is in the locked state. This makes it easy for the user to apply force by placing their finger on the locking portion 42 when operating the locking member 40 to the unlocked state. For these reasons, the storage mechanism 10 is highly convenient to use during the opening operation. Furthermore, by simply shifting the locking portion 42 slightly toward the +Y direction, the lid-like member 30 opens in a pop-up manner, and the storage mechanism 10 also has a high level of sensory appeal to the user (e.g., enjoyment of use). Furthermore, since no complicated mechanism is required at the location where the locking member 40 locks the lid-like member 30, the storage mechanism 10 can be easily realized using a material such as cardboard.

[0027] The cover-shaped member 30 stops rotating when it reaches a position where the elastic member 50 is no longer curved and assumes a flat plate shape where no elastic force acts on the cover-shaped member 30. As the elastic member 50 maintains its flat plate shape, the angle of the cover-shaped member 30 in the open state is kept constant. At this time, the other end 50b approaches the other end 60b, so that the elastic member 50 and the curved member 60 are substantially parallel, and the elastic member 50 comes into contact with the curved member 60, preventing the elastic member 50 from detaching from the inside of the cover-shaped member 30. In other words, the curved member 60 functions to hold the elastic member 50 between itself and the cover-shaped member 30 when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the open state. The curved member 60 also functions as an interior part that constitutes the inner surface of the storage mechanism 10, preventing the elastic member 50 from being exposed when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the open state, thereby improving visual quality (aesthetics). Furthermore, the action of the elastic member 50 and the curved member 60 allows the lid-shaped member 30 to be fixed at a fixed angle in the open state, which prevents the appearance from being marred compared to when the lid-shaped member 30 is not fixed. Furthermore, if the curved member 60 is decorated with illustrations or the like, it can be combined with the stored items to improve the appearance.

[0028] The inclined surface of the wall 28a that defines the space Q into which the elastic member 50 is inserted is inclined toward the outside of the storage member 20 in the Y-axis direction (toward the -Y direction) as it progresses upward (toward the +Z direction). Movement of the elastic member 50 toward the outside of the storage member 20 in the Y-axis direction (toward the -Y direction) is limited by contact with the first connection portion 11 (the upper end of the rear panel 25). Therefore, when the lid-shaped member 30 is in the open state, the elastic member 50 extends linearly in a direction along the wall 28a of the step portion 28. In other words, the positional relationship between the step portion 28 and the first connection portion 11 is set so that the elastic member 50 has a linear shape that follows the wall 28a. The opening angle of the lid-shaped member 30 in the open state is determined according to the extension direction of the elastic member 50. Because the elastic member 50 is supported at an angle such that the other end 50b is positioned further in the -Y direction than the one end 50a, the lid-shaped member 30 can rotate by 90 degrees or more when transitioning from the covered state to the open state, increasing the opening angle of the lid-shaped member 30 relative to the storage member 20. As a result, the lid-shaped member 30 in the open state does not partially cover the opening 26 of the storage member 20, making it easier to insert and remove items into and from the storage member 20.

[0029] When closing the storage mechanism 10, the cover-like member 30 is rotated from the open state to the covered state against the elastic force of the elastic member 50, and the locking member 40 is rotated from the unlocked state to the locked state. This results in the states shown in Figures 1 to 3, where the locking member 40 restricts the opening of the cover-like member 30.

[0030] The storage mechanism 10 can accommodate a variety of items. FIGS. 3 and 5 show a wristwatch 70, an example of an item, stored therein. The wristwatch 70 includes a main body 71 equipped with a dial and a display screen that display information such as the time, and a band 72 that is worn around the user's wrist. The band 72 is made of a synthetic resin such as urethane and has a circular shape that extends diagonally from two points where the band 72 connects to the main body 71. Even when the wristwatch 70 is not worn on the user's wrist, the band 72 maintains its circular shape without folding. Therefore, the wristwatch 70 is stored in the storage mechanism 10 at a higher height in the Z-axis direction than a wristwatch with a metal band connected by links that allow the band to be folded. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the band 72 is inserted into the lower space S2 and held between the third wall portion 27c and the fourth wall portion 27d of the partition plate 27 in the Y-axis direction. The main body 71 is located in the upper space S1, and the upper end of the main body 71 is located near the upper end of the storage member 20.

[0031] The curved member 60 is curved so as to convex upward when covered by the lid-shaped member 30, and does not extend into the storage section S of the storage member 20. This ensures sufficient effective storage space height within the storage mechanism 10, preventing the curved member 60 from coming into contact with the wristwatch 70 (particularly the main body 71). In particular, since wristwatches 70 with bands 72 made of synthetic resin, as in this embodiment, generally have an upwardly convex shape, the curved member 60, which also has an upwardly convex shape like the wristwatch 70, can be positioned to avoid the wristwatch 70. Even if vibrations are applied to the storage mechanism 10 during transportation, the curved member 60 does not come into contact with the wristwatch 70, preventing fine scratches and the like from being caused to the wristwatch 70, and reliably protecting the wristwatch 70. Therefore, the storage mechanism 10 is suitable for storing wristwatches 70 that have a synthetic resin band 72 that is always circular and has a high overall height when stored.

[0032] As described above, the storage mechanism 10 of this embodiment comprises a lid-like member 30 that can be connected to a hollow storage member 20 having an opening 26 at the top and that can be switched between a covered state and an open state, a locking member 40 that covers and locks onto a portion of the lid-like member 30 to maintain the covered state, and an elastic member 50 that is disposed inside the storage member 20 and exerts an elastic force on the lid-like member 30 when deformed at least when the lid-like member 30 is in the covered state, and the elastic member 50 switches the lid-like member 30 from the covered state to the open state by releasing the locking by the locking member 40. This makes it possible to obtain a storage mechanism 10 that is easy to operate and highly convenient when opening.

[0033] The elastic member 50 is disposed on the side of the first connection part 11 where the storage member 20 and the lid-like member 30 are connected, and is disposed so as to curve from the first connection part 11 side to the locking member 40 side when the lid-like member 30 is covered. With this configuration, the elastic force of the elastic member 50 on the lid-like member 30 is reliably exerted, and the elastic member 50 can be disposed inside the storage mechanism 10 with space efficiency, ensuring a large storage space within the storage mechanism 10.

[0034] The storage member 20 has a step portion 28 located on the first connecting portion 11 side of the storage section S (particularly the lower space S2) that stores items, and the step portion 28 defines a space Q in which the elastic member 50 is placed. The step portion 28 has an inclined surface on a wall portion 28a on the first connecting portion 11 side, and one end side of the elastic member 50 (a predetermined length from the one end 50a) is supported by the inclined surface of the wall portion 28a and the first connecting portion 11 when the lid-shaped member 30 is in the open state. This allows the elastic member 50 to be stably supported inside the storage member 20 with a simple structure, and allows the angle of the lid-shaped member 30 in the open state to be appropriately maintained. Furthermore, the angle of the lid-shaped member 30 in the open state is determined depending on the orientation of the elastic member 50. Therefore, by setting the direction and magnitude of the inclination of the wall portion 28a relative to the Z-axis direction and the relative position of the first connection portion 11 relative to the wall portion 28a, it is possible to arbitrarily select the direction in which the elastic member 50 extends when the lid-shaped member 30 is in the open state, i.e., the opening angle of the lid-shaped member 30.

[0035] The elastic member 50 is a leaf spring that does not exert an elastic force on the cover-shaped member 30 when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the open state. This reduces the initial load when moving the cover-shaped member 30 from the open state to the closed state. Furthermore, the other end (other end 50b) of the elastic member 50 is not fixed to the cover-shaped member 30, and the position of the other end 50b inside the cover-shaped member 30 changes in response to the rotation of the cover-shaped member 30. This prevents the elastic member 50 from bending excessively when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the closed state, and only a minimum amount of elastic force is applied to push the cover-shaped member 30 up to the open state. This reduces the overall load when rotating the cover-shaped member 30 from the open state to the closed state (prevents overloading of the elastic force), resulting in excellent operability not only when opening the storage mechanism 10 but also when closing the cover-shaped member 30. Furthermore, when the lid-like member 30 is in the covering state, the other end 50b of the elastic member 50 moves to a position where it contacts the top plate 31, so that a large space can be secured above the storage section S of the storage member 20.

[0036] The elastic member 50 is disposed between the cover-shaped member 30 and the curved member 60. When the cover-shaped member 30 is in the open state, the elastic member 50 is located behind the curved member 60, preventing the elastic member 50 from being exposed to the outside. The curved member 60 also prevents the other end 50b of the elastic member 50 from coming off the inside of the cover-shaped member 30, and the curved member 60 contributes to simplifying the support structure for the elastic member 50.

[0037] One end of the curved member 60 (a predetermined length from the one end 60a) is disposed between the step portion 28 and the elastic member 50, and the other end (the other end 60b) is connected to the second connecting portion 12 of the cover-shaped member 30, and the curved member 60 is curved when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the covering state. This allows the curved member 60 to be stably supported inside the storage member 20 and the cover-shaped member 30 with a simple structure. Furthermore, when the cover-shaped member 30 is in the covering state, the other end 50b of the elastic member 50 moves toward the top plate 31, causing the curved member 60 to curve so as to convex upward. This ensures space above the storage section S of the storage member 20, and as described above, it can also accommodate a tall wristwatch 70 equipped with a non-folding band 72.

[0038] A portion of the locking member 40 connects to the housing member 20 at a third connection portion 13 on the opposite side from the first connection portion 11, and the locking member 40 is provided with a locking portion 42 at the end remote from the third connection portion 13 that covers and locks onto the locked portion 36 of the lid-shaped member 30 in a covering state. This allows the lid-shaped member 30 to be locked in a covering state with a simple configuration. Furthermore, because the state in which the locking portion 42 locks the locked portion 36 can be released with a small rotation angle of the locking member 40, the amount of operation of the locking member 40 required to open the lid-shaped member 30 is reduced, resulting in an effect of improving convenience of operation.

[0039] The above-described embodiment is a specific example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the width of the elastic member 50 in the X-axis direction is approximately the same as the distance between the side plates 22 and 23 of the storage member 20 and the distance between the side plates 32 and 33 of the lid-shaped member 30, ensuring that the area of ​​the elastic member 50 is maximized within the storage mechanism 10. However, an elastic member having a narrower width in the X-axis direction than the elastic member 50 of the above embodiment may also be used. In other words, the size and shape of the elastic member are not limited as long as it has sufficient elastic force to bias the lid-shaped member 30 toward the open state. Also, instead of a single leaf spring, an elastic member configured as multiple segments may be used.

[0041] The elastic member 50 in the above embodiment has an elastic force sufficient to automatically rotate the cover-shaped member 30 to the maximum open position (open state) when it is released from the locking member 40. As a result, the cover-shaped member 30 can be opened simply by releasing the locking member 40, reducing the burden on the user and significantly improving the convenience of opening the storage mechanism 10. However, even if the elastic force of the elastic member 50 is not strong enough to automatically rotate the cover-shaped member 30 to the maximum open position, the elastic force of the elastic member 50 can assist the user in rotating the cover-shaped member 30 to the open position with a light load, thereby improving the convenience of the storage mechanism 10.

[0042] The locking member 40 of the above embodiment is locked by overlapping the locking portion 42, which is bent relative to the front panel 41, with the locked portion 36 of the lid-shaped member 30. The locked state is released by simply rotating the locking member 40 slightly around the third connecting portion 13, so that the locking portion 42 no longer overlaps the locked portion 36. Therefore, no complicated operation is required for unlocking, and the unlocked state can be easily achieved with a light force. However, this does not preclude the application of locking structures with configurations different from the locking portion 42. For example, the lid-shaped member 30 and the locking member 40 may be provided with a connecting means for providing a light connection, such as a hook-and-loop fastener or a snap button, and the locking member 40 may be switched between the locked state and the unlocked state by attaching or detaching such connecting means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10: storage mechanism, 11: first connection part, 12: second connection part, 13: third connection part, 20: storage member, 26: opening, 28: step part, 28a: wall part, 30: lid-shaped member, 36: latched part, 40: latching member, 42: latching part, 50: elastic member, 60: curved member, 70: wristwatch, S: storage part

Claims

1. a hollow storage member having an opening at the top; a cover-like member, a portion of which is connected to the storage member and which is switchable between a covering state that covers the opening of the storage member and an open state that opens the opening of the storage member; a locking member that covers and locks onto a portion of the lid-like member to maintain the covered state; an elastic member that is disposed inside the housing member and that exerts an elastic force on the lid-like member when deformed at least in the covered state, The elastic member switches the cover-like member from the covered state to the open state by releasing the locking by the locking member. Storage mechanism.

2. the elastic member is disposed on a first connection portion side where the storage member and the lid-like member are connected, and is disposed so as to be curved from the first connection portion side to the locking member side in the covered state. The storage mechanism according to claim 1 .

3. The storage member has a storage section that stores an item to be stored, and a step section that defines a space in which the elastic member is disposed on the first connection section side. The storage mechanism according to claim 2 .

4. the step portion has an inclined surface on a wall portion on the first connection portion side, the elastic member is supported by the inclined surface and the first connection portion in the open state. The storage mechanism according to claim 3 .

5. a curved member, a portion of which is disposed between the step portion and the elastic member, and which curves so that a portion of which is connected to the second connecting portion of the lid-shaped member on the locking member side in the covered state, The elastic member is disposed at least between the cover-shaped member and the curved member. The storage mechanism according to claim 4 .

6. The curved member is curved so as to be convex upward in the covered state. The storage mechanism according to claim 5 .

7. One end of the elastic member is supported by the step portion inside the storage member, and the other end is disposed between the lid-like member and the curved member without being fixed thereto. The storage mechanism according to claim 5 .

8. The elastic member is a leaf spring that does not exert the elastic force on the lid-like member in the open state. The storage mechanism according to claim 1 .

9. a third connection portion of the locking member connected to the housing member on the opposite side to the first connection portion; the locking member has a locking portion at an end remote from the third connection portion, the locking portion covering and locking onto a part of the lid-like member in the covering state. The storage mechanism according to claim 2 .

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