Vehicle table device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle table device that allows a drink container to be placed in the cup holder even when the table is switched to its retracted position. [Solution] The vehicle table device 4 comprises a base member 5 that is assembled to a vehicle seat 1, and a table 6 that is rotatably assembled to the base member 5 between an unfolded state and a retracted state. The base member 5 includes a first cup holder 17. Furthermore, the table 6 may include a second cup holder 27.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a table device for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a table device for vehicles, which includes a base member assembled to a vehicle seat and a table rotatably assembled to the base member between a deployed state and a stored state.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various table devices for vehicles have already been known. Here, Patent Document 1 below discloses a table for vehicles, which includes a base member assembled to a vehicle seat and a table rotatably assembled to the base member between a deployed state and a stored state, and the table has a cup holder. Thereby, when the table is switched to the deployed state, the occupant of the vehicle seat can place a drink container on the cup holder. Therefore, the drink container can be stably supported.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, when the table is switched to the stored state, the cup holder is also in a stored state together with the table. Therefore, a drink container cannot be placed on the cup holder.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve such problems, and its object is to provide a table device for vehicles that allows a drink container to be placed on the cup holder even when the table is switched to the stored state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one feature of this disclosure, a vehicle table device comprises a base member that is mounted on a vehicle seat, and a table that is rotatably mounted on the base member between an extended state and a retracted state. The base member comprises a first cup holder.

[0007] Therefore, even when the table is switched to its stored position, the cup holder on the base remains in place. Consequently, a drink container can be placed in the cup holder.

[0008] According to other features of this disclosure, the table is equipped with a second cup holder.

[0009] Therefore, when the table is switched to the unfolded position, both the first and second cup holders become usable. Consequently, the number of drink containers that can be placed on the table increases.

[0010] According to other features of this disclosure, a locking mechanism is provided for locking the table in the expanded state.

[0011] Therefore, the table can be kept in the unfolded state. Consequently, because the table is kept in the unfolded state, you can use the table with peace of mind.

[0012] According to other features of this disclosure, the locking mechanism comprises a rotating link 13, an elongated hole 21, and a knob 22. The rotating link is formed in a substantially U-shape, with both ends of the substantially U-shape rotatably mounted to a base member. The elongated hole is formed in the table, into which the link portion of the rotating link is movably inserted. The knob is mounted to the table via an elastic member. When the table is rotated between the deployed and retracted states, the link portion of the rotating link moves between one end and the other inside the elongated hole in the table. In the deployed state, the knob supports the link portion of the rotating link that has moved to one end via the elastic member. When the support of the knob via the elastic member is released, the table can be rotated from the deployed state to the retracted state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a vehicle table device according to the embodiment applied to the second-row seats. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an enlarged view of the vehicle table device, showing the table in its deployed state. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the disassembled state. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows the table in its stored state. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal cross-section of the vehicle table device. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the vehicle table device, showing the table in its deployed state. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows the unlocked state of the locking device. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the vehicle table device, showing the table in its stored position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the following description, the up and down, front and back, and left and right refer to the state in which the second-row seat 1, which is a vehicle seat, is installed in a vehicle (for example, an automobile such as a minivan, not shown). As shown in Figure 1, the second-row seat 1 is the second seat in the middle of the 1st to 3rd row seats, and is an independent seat on the left and right sides.

[0015] The left and right second-row seats 1 are equipped with seat cushions 2 and seat backs 3. The right second-row seat 1 is equipped with a vehicle table device 4 on the inner side of the seat cushion 2. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle table device 4 is equipped with a base member 5 that is assembled to the inner side of the seat cushion 2 and a table 6 that is rotatably assembled to the base member 5 between an extended state and a retracted state. The base member 5 and the table 6 will be described individually below.

[0016] First, referring to FIG. 3, the base member 5 will be described. The base member 5 includes a base bracket 10 that forms its framework. The base bracket 10 has bush support portions 11 at both front and rear edges. The bush support portion 11 includes a housing portion 11a capable of housing a bush 28 described later, and an insertion hole 11b communicating with an insertion hole 28a of the bush 28 housed in the housing portion 11a.

[0017] Also, the base bracket 10 has a pair of front and rear link support portions 12 on its left surface. Both support portions 13c of a rotary link 13 described later are sandwiched by a cover member 14 between the two link support portions 12. Therefore, the rotary link 13 can rotate around a front-rear axis with respect to the base bracket 10. The rotary link 13 includes a link portion 13a, auxiliary links 13b whose both edges are bent at about 90°, and support portions 13c whose both tips of the auxiliary links 13b are bent at about 90°, and is formed in a substantially U shape.

[0018] Also, a base cover 15 is assembled on the upper surface of the base bracket 10. The base cover 15 includes a small item storage 16 along the front and rear, and cup holders 17 on both front and rear edges where a drink container (not shown) can be placed. The front cup holder 17 can be used by a seated person (not shown) on the second row seat on the right side, and the rear cup holder 17 can be used by a seated person (not shown) on the third row seat on the right side.

[0019] This cup holder 17 corresponds to the "first cup holder" described in the claims. A design cover 17a that covers the lower part is assembled to the cup holder 17. Thereby, the appearance of the cup holder 17 can be improved. The base member 5 is configured in this way.

[0020] Next, Table 6 will be described. Table 6 includes a table bracket 20 forming its skeleton. The table bracket 20 includes a pair of front and rear elongated holes 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the elongated hole 21 includes a first inclined portion 21a, a first horizontal portion 21b, a second inclined portion 21c, and a second horizontal portion 21d in a front view of the table bracket 20 (the state of viewing from the front side to the rear side).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6, the inclination angle of the first inclined portion 21a with respect to the first horizontal portion 21b is θ1. The end of the first inclined portion 21a is a first end portion 21e which is one end portion, and the end of the second horizontal portion 21d is a second end portion 21f which is the other end portion. Incidentally, the above-described rotary link 13 is assembled to the base bracket 10 such that the link portion 13a straddles inside the pair of front and rear elongated holes 21. Therefore, the link portion 13a of the rotary link 13 is movable between the first end portion 21e and the second end portion 21f of the elongated hole 21.

[0022] Further, the table bracket 20 includes a knob 22 that is slidable left and right. A compression spring 23, which is an elastic member, is interposed between the table bracket 20 and the knob 22. Thereby, the knob 22 is biased in the direction of advancing with respect to the table bracket 20. Incidentally, a detachment prevention mechanism (not shown) is provided between the table bracket 20 and the knob 22 so that the knob 22 does not fall off from the table bracket 20.

[0023] A push-in portion 22a is formed on one side of the knob 22, and a substantially C-shaped hook portion 22b is formed on the other side thereof. The hook portion 22b includes an inclined elongated hole 22c. The inclination angle of the elongated hole 22c with respect to the first horizontal portion 21b is θ2. A relationship of θ1 > θ2 is established between θ1 and θ2. Thereby, when the link portion 13a of the rotary link 13 is positioned at the first end portion 21e of the elongated hole 21, the bottom portion 22d of the elongated hole 22c of the knob 22 biased by the compression spring 23 presses against the link portion 13a.

[0024] Therefore, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 is restricted from moving away from the first end portion 21e. Hereinafter, this restriction will be referred to as the "first restriction". Consequently, when the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 is located at the first end portion 21e of the elongated hole 21, the bottom portion 22d of the elongated hole 22c of the knob 22 restricts the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 from moving away from the first end portion 21e.

[0025] Therefore, the table 6 is locked in the unfolded position. Hereafter, this restriction will be referred to as the "first restriction." This lock is implemented by a locking mechanism 7 consisting of the aforementioned rotating link 13, the elongated hole 21 of the table bracket 20, and the knob 22. As shown in Figure 3, the table cover 25 is assembled to the upper surface of the table bracket 20 via four first screws B1.

[0026] The table cover 25 has a table surface 26 that follows the front and rear, and cup holders 27 on both the front and rear edges on which drink containers can be placed. The front cup holder 27 can be used by a person (not shown) sitting in the second row seat 1 on the left, and the rear cup holder 27 can be used by a person (not shown) sitting in the third row seat on the left. These cup holders 27 correspond to the "second cup holder" described in the claims. In addition, bushings 28 are assembled to the underside of the table cover 25 via two second screws B2. The bushings 28 are assembled to the underside of the table cover 25 in pairs, front and rear. The table 6 is configured in this way.

[0027] The table 6 is assembled to the base member 5 with the rotating pin P inserted into the insertion hole 11b of the bush support portion 11 of the base bracket 10 and the insertion hole 28a of the bush 28 of the table cover 25. The rotating pin P is inserted at two locations on the front and rear of the base bracket 10, the bush support portion 11 and the bush 28. The vehicle table device 4 is configured in this way.

[0028] Next, the operation of the vehicle table device 4 will be explained. This explanation will begin with the table 6 of the vehicle table device 4 in the unfolded state, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. In this unfolded state, as shown in Figure 6, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 is located at the first end portion 21e of the elongated hole 21. Therefore, the first restriction described above is in place. Consequently, the table 6 is locked in the unfolded state.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, from this unfolded state, the push-in portion 22a of the knob 22 on the table 6 is pushed against the biasing force of the compression spring 23. This relieves the pressure of the bottom portion 22d of the elongated hole 22c of the knob 22 against the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13. As a result, the first restriction is relieved. Consequently, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 moves from the first end portion 21e to the first horizontal portion 21b due to its own weight.

[0030] Next, the table 6 is tilted downwards around the axis of the rotating pin P. This downward tilting means that the table 6 is in the state shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. As this downward tilting occurs, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 moves through the elongated hole 21 toward the second end portion 21f.

[0031] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the table 6 is tilted further downward around the axis of the rotating pin P. This further tilting means that the table 6 is in the state shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. As the table 6 is tilted further downward, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 reaches the second end portion 21f of the elongated hole 21. This switches the table 6 to the stored state. When the table 6 is switched to the stored state in this way, occupants can walk through between the second row seat 1 and the third row seat.

[0032] To return the table 6, which has been switched to the stored state, back to the unfolded state, simply reverse the above-described series of operations. That is, from the state shown in Figure 8, raise the table 6 upwards around the axis of the rotating pin P. Then, just before the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 returns to the first end portion 21e of the elongated hole 21, the bottom portion 22d of the elongated hole 22c of the knob 22 of the table 6 is pressed against it.

[0033] As a result, the push-in portion 22a of the knob 22 on the table 6 is pushed in against the biasing force of the compression spring 23. Consequently, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 returns to the first end portion 21e of the elongated hole 21, and the knob 22 is also returned to its pre-pull-in state by the biasing force of the compression spring 23. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the table 6 is also returned to its unfolded state.

[0034] A vehicle table device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. According to this configuration, the vehicle table device 4 comprises a base member 5 assembled to the inner side of the seat cushion 2, and a table 6 that is rotatably assembled to the base member 5 between an extended state and a retracted state. A base cover 15 is assembled to the upper surface of the base bracket 10 of the base member 5. The base cover 15 is equipped with a small storage compartment 16 along the front and rear, and cup holders 17 on both the front and rear edges on which a drink container (not shown) can be placed. Therefore, even when the table 6 is switched to the retracted state, the cup holders 17 of the base member 5 remain in place. Thus, a drink container can be placed on the cup holders 17.

[0035] Furthermore, with this configuration, the table cover 25 of table 6 has a table surface 26 that follows the front and back, and cup holders 27 on both the front and back edges on which drink containers can be placed. Therefore, when table 6 is switched to the unfolded state, not only cup holder 17 but also cup holder 27 becomes usable. Consequently, the number of drink containers that can be placed increases.

[0036] Furthermore, this configuration includes a locking mechanism 7 that locks the table 6 in the unfolded state. Therefore, the table 6 can be held in the unfolded state. Consequently, since the table 6 is held in the unfolded state, it can be used with peace of mind.

[0037] Furthermore, in this configuration, the locking mechanism 7 comprises a rotating link 13, an elongated hole 21 in the table bracket 20, and a knob 22. The rotating link 13 is formed in a roughly U-shape, with both ends of the roughly U-shape rotatably mounted to the base bracket 10. The elongated hole 21 in the table bracket 20 is formed in the table 6, and the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 is movably inserted into it. The knob 22 is mounted to the table 6 via a compression spring 23. When the table 6 is rotated between the deployed and stored states, the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 moves between the first end portion 21e and the second end portion 21f inside the elongated hole 21 of the table 6. In the deployed state, the knob 22 is supported via the compression spring 23 to hold the link portion 13a of the rotating link 13 that has moved to the first end portion 21e. When the support of the knob 22 via the compression spring 23 is released, the table 6 can be rotated from the deployed state to the stored state. Therefore, the locking mechanism 7 can be implemented with a simple configuration.

[0038] Although embodiments have been described above, the invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various other forms. In this embodiment, an example was described in which the vehicle table device 4 is applied to the right-hand second-row seat 1. Alternatively, the vehicle table device 4 may be applied to the left-hand second-row seat 1. Of course, the vehicle table device 4 may also be applied to the first-row seat or the third-row seat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 4. Vehicle Table Device 5 Base member 6 tables 17 Cup holder (1st cup holder)

Claims

1. A vehicle table device, A base member that is attached to a vehicle seat, The base member comprises a table that is rotatably mounted between an unfolded state and a retracted state, The base member is a vehicle table device equipped with a first cup holder.

2. A vehicle table device according to claim 1, The aforementioned table is a vehicle table device equipped with a second cup holder.

3. A vehicle table device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, A vehicle table device comprising a locking mechanism for locking the table in the deployed state.

4. A vehicle table device according to claim 3, The locking mechanism is A rotating link formed in a roughly U-shape, with both ends of the roughly U-shape rotatably mounted to the base member, The table has an elongated hole into which the link portion of the rotating link is movably inserted, The table comprises a knob attached via an elastic member, When the table is rotated between the unfolded state and the stored state, the link portion of the rotating link moves between one end and the other end inside the elongated hole of the table. In the deployed state, the knob supports the link portion of the rotating link that has moved to one end via the elastic member, A vehicle table device in which the support of the knob via the elastic member is released, thereby allowing the table to rotate from the extended state to the stored state.

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