Cup holder

Abstract

A container storage part includes a support member that supports a beverage container. The support member includes: a support part which supports the beverage container in a state where the cup holder is open and the beverage container is stored in the container storage part; and a buffer part that abuts on a contacted member when the cup holder changes from open to closed, and absorbs the impact when the buffer part abuts on the contacted member. The support part and the buffer part are integrally molded.

Description

cup holder

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cup holders.

[0002] One example of a cup holder includes a main body and a pair of lids attached to the main body. Each lid is attached to the main body so as to be capable of being in a closed state that covers the main body and an open state that exposes the main body to the outside. Each lid is approximately horizontal to the main body when in the closed state and approximately perpendicular to the main body when in the open state. The main body includes a flat portion and a recessed portion recessed from the flat portion, in which a beverage container is placed. The pair of lids are configured so that when an external force acts on one lid to change the lid from a closed state to an open state, the other lid also changes from the closed state to the open state together with the one lid. Furthermore, the pair of lids are configured so that when an external force acts on one lid to change the lid from an open state to a closed state, the other lid also changes from the open state to the closed state together with the one lid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2023-10151 A

[0004] When the lid changes from an open state to a closed state, the impact of the lid hitting the flat portion of the main body generates a striking noise. From the perspective of improving comfort when using the cup holder, it is necessary to reduce the striking noise.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cup holder including a container storage section configured to store a beverage container, the container storage section including a support member configured to support the beverage container when the cup holder is in an open state and the beverage container is stored in the container storage section, and a buffer section configured to abut against an abutting member when the cup holder changes from the open state to a closed state and to absorb impacts generated when the buffer section abuts against the abutting member, the support member and the buffer section being integrally molded.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cup holder with the lid closed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cup holder with the lid open. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cup holder shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a link, a first spring, and a second spring provided in the cup holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a ring, a first spring, and a second spring provided in the cup holder shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first support member. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body and a support member provided in the cup holder shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a part of the first support member in a first modified example. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the second support member in a second modified example. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of a cup holder in a third modified example.

[0007] An embodiment of the cup holder will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. [Cup Holder] The cup holder will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the cup holder with the lid closed. Figure 2 shows the cup holder with the lid open.

[0008] The cup holder 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a container storage section that stores a beverage container. In this embodiment, the container storage section includes a main body 11, a lid 12, and a support member 13. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the cup holder 10 includes a pair of lids 12 and a pair of support members 13. The pair of lids 12 is composed of a first lid 12A and a second lid 12B. The pair of support members 13 is composed of a first support member 13A and a second support member 13B. The first support member 13A is attached to the first lid 12A, and the second support member 13B is attached to the second lid 12B. In this embodiment, each of the lids 12A and 12B is an example of an abutting member, and the main body 11 is an example of an abutted member against which the abutting member abuts.

[0009] Each lid 12A, 12B is attached to the main body 11 so as to be able to have an open state and a closed state. In Fig. 1, each lid 12A, 12B has a closed state, thereby covering a beverage container holding portion 11B (see Fig. 2) of the main body 11. When each lid 12A, 12B is in the closed state, each lid 12A, 12B is approximately parallel to the main body 11. When each lid 12A, 12B is in the closed state, the cup holder 10 is also in the closed state.

[0010] The first lid 12A and the second lid 12B are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. When viewed from a perspective facing a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, each lid 12A, 12B has a rectangular shape. The first lid 12A has a first opposing edge 12AE that faces the second lid 12B in the front-rear direction. The second lid 12B has an opposing edge 12BE that faces the first lid 12A in the front-rear direction.

[0011] The first lid 12A has a recess 12AA that recesses toward the main body 11 when the first lid 12A is in a closed state. The recess 12AA is configured to allow a user's finger to be inserted. In other words, the recess 12AA is configured to receive the user's finger. The recess 12AA has a shape that extends in the left-right direction and is recessed in the up-down direction. The recess 12AA is arranged on the first lid 12A so as to include a central portion of the first opposing edge 12AE of the first lid 12A.

[0012] The second lid 12B has a second valley 12BB3 that is hollowed out from the bottom to the top when the first lid 12A is closed. The second valley 12BB3 is located on the second opposing edge 12BE and is adjacent to the recess 12AA of the first lid 12A in the front-to-rear direction.

[0013] When a user changes the state of the cup holder 10 from the closed state to the open state, the user inserts a finger from the recess 12AA of the first lid 12A into the second valley portion 12BB3 of the second lid 12B. Then, the user lifts the second lid 12B upward, thereby changing the state of the second lid 12B and the first lid 12A to the open state.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the main body 11 is configured to be able to hold a beverage container when each lid 12A, 12B is in an open state. When viewed from a perspective facing a plane defined by the front-rear and left-right directions, the main body 11 has a substantially rectangular shape. The main body 11 has a flat portion 11A and two holding portions 11B. Each holding portion 11B is a recess that is recessed downward relative to the flat portion 11A in the up-down direction. The holding portion 11B is large enough to accommodate the bottom of a beverage container. The two holding portions 11B are arranged side by side with a gap in between in the left-right direction.

[0015] When the lids 12A and 12B are in the open state, the holding portion 11B of the main body 11 is exposed to the outside. That is, when the lids 12A and 12B are in the open state, the cup holder 10 is also in the open state. When the lids 12A and 12B are in the open state, the lids 12A and 12B are approximately perpendicular to the main body 11.

[0016] The first lid 12A includes a first support piece 12AB1 and a second support piece 12AB2. Each support piece 12AB1, 12AB2 protrudes from a first opposing edge 12AE toward the second lid 12B. When viewed from a perspective opposite to a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the end of each support piece 12AB1, 12AB2 protruding from the first opposing edge 12AE has an arc shape with a center of curvature located outside the support piece 12AB1, 12AB2.

[0017] The first support piece 12AB1 and the second support piece 12AB2 are aligned with a gap in the left-right direction. A first valley portion 12AB3 is located between the first support piece 12AB1 and the second support piece 12AB2. The first valley portion 12AB3 is carved out in the direction from the second lid 12B toward the first lid 12A. In the front-rear direction, the first valley portion 12AB3 is adjacent to the recess 12AA.

[0018] The second lid 12B includes a first support piece 12BB1 and a second support piece 12BB2. Each support piece 12BB1, 12BB2 protrudes from the second opposing edge 12BE toward the first lid 12A. When viewed from a perspective opposite to a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the end of each support piece 12BB1, 12BB2 protruding from the second opposing edge 12BE has an arc shape with the center of curvature located outside the support piece 12BB1, 12BB2.

[0019] The first support piece 12BB1 and the second support piece 12BB2 are aligned with a gap in the left-right direction. A second valley portion 12BB3 is located between the first support piece 12BB1 and the second support piece 12BB2. The second valley portion 12BB3 is carved out in the direction from the first lid 12A toward the second lid 12B.

[0020] The second support member 13B includes a support portion 13BA and a buffer portion 13BB. The support portion 13BA and the buffer portion 13BB are integrally molded. That is, the second support member 13B is an integrally molded product including the support portion 13BA and the buffer portion 13BB. In this embodiment, the second support member 13B includes two support portions 13BA and two buffer portions 13BB. The two support portions 13BA are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the two buffer portions 13BB are located between the two support portions 13BA.

[0021] Each support portion 13BA is configured to support a beverage container when the cup holder 10 is in an open state and the beverage container is housed in the main body 11. Each support portion 13BA protrudes from the second lid 12B along a direction from the second lid 12B toward the first lid 12A. When viewed from a perspective facing a plane defined by the front-rear and left-right directions, the end of each support portion 13BA protruding from the second lid 12B has an arc shape with a center of curvature located outside the support portion 13BA. In the up-down direction, each support portion 13BA is located between the main body 11 and the support pieces 12BB1 and 12BB2 of the second lid 12B.

[0022] Each buffer portion 13BB abuts against the main body 11 when the cup holder 10 changes from an open state to a closed state. The buffer portions 13BB are configured to absorb the impact when the buffer portions 13BB abut against the main body 11. In the cup holder 10, when the lids 12A, 12B are closed, the buffer portions 13AB, 13BB of the support members 13A, 13B abut against the main body 11, thereby suppressing the impact noise generated between the lids 12A, 12B and the main body 11 when the lids 12A, 12B are closed.

[0023] Each buffer portion 13BB protrudes from the second lid 12B in the direction from the second lid 12B toward the first lid 12A. Two buffer portions 13BB are arranged side by side with a gap in the left-right direction. Each buffer portion 13BB is located lower than the two support portions 13BA in the up-down direction.

[0024] The first support member 13A is attached to the cup holder 10 at a different position than the second support member 13B. However, the first support member 13A has a structure common to the second support member 13B. The position of the first support member 13A relative to the first lid 12A is also common to the position of the second support member 13B relative to the second lid 12B. Therefore, a detailed description of the first support member 13A with reference to FIG. 2 will be omitted.

[0025] 3 to 5, the opening and closing mechanism of the cup holder 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the cup holder 10 further includes four pins 14, a link 15, a first spring 16A, and a second spring 16B.

[0026] The first lid 12A has a mounting hole 12AH at each end in the left-right direction, the mounting hole 12AH penetrating the first lid 12A in the left-right direction. A pin 14 extending in the left-right direction is attached to each mounting hole 12AH.

[0027] The second lid 12B has one mounting hole 12BH at each end in the left-right direction that penetrates the second lid 12B in the left-right direction. A pin 14 extending in the left-right direction is attached to each mounting hole 12BH. The second lid 12B has a pair of mounting cylindrical portions 12BF. The pair of mounting cylindrical portions 12BF are sandwiched between a pair of mounting holes 12BH in the left-right direction. Each mounting cylindrical portion 12BF is aligned with a mounting hole 12BH at a distance in the left-right direction.

[0028] The main body 11 has mounting tubular portions 11C at each corner, extending in the left-right direction. The mounting tubular portions 11C have grooves along their left-right extension. The mounting tubular portion 12BF of the second lid 12B is positioned in the grooves of the mounting tubular portion 11C of the main body 11. A pin 14 is attached to the pair of the mounting tubular portion 11C of the main body 11 and the mounting tubular portion 12BF of the second lid 12B. This allows the second lid 12B to be attached to the main body 11 so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the pin 14.

[0029] Like the second lid 12B, the first lid 12A is attached to the main body 11 by two pins 14 so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the pins 14. The first lid 12A has an attachment groove 12AC on its outer surface along the first opposing edge 12AE. A first attachment hole 12AC1, a second attachment hole 12AC2, a third attachment hole 12AC3, and a fourth attachment hole 12AC4 are located within the attachment groove 12AC. Each of the attachment holes 12AC1, 12AC2, 12AC3, and 12AC4 extends in the left-right direction and penetrates the first lid 12A in the front-rear direction.

[0030] Of the four mounting holes 12AC1, 12AC2, 12AC3, and 12AC4, the first mounting hole 12AC1 and the second mounting hole 12AC2 are located at the ends in the left-right direction, and the third mounting hole 12AC3 and the fourth mounting hole 12AC4 are sandwiched between the first mounting hole 12AC1 and the second mounting hole 12AC2 in the left-right direction. In the up-down direction, the first mounting hole 12AC1 and the second mounting hole 12AC2 are located at the same height as each other, and the third mounting hole 12AC3 and the fourth mounting hole 12AC4 are located at the same height as each other. The first mounting hole 12AC1 and the second mounting hole 12AC2 are located higher than the third mounting hole 12AC3 and the fourth mounting hole 12AC4.

[0031] The first support member 13A is attached to the attachment groove 12AC of the first lid 12A. At this time, the first support portion 13AA is attached to the first attachment hole 12AC1, and the second support portion 13AA is attached to the second attachment hole 12AC2. Furthermore, the first buffer portion 13AB is attached to the third attachment hole 12AC3, and the second buffer portion 13AB is attached to the fourth attachment hole 12AC4.

[0032] Like the first lid 12A, the second lid 12B also has an attachment groove on its outer surface along the second opposing edge 12BE. A first attachment hole 12BC1, a second attachment hole 12BC2, a third attachment hole 12BC3, and a fourth attachment hole 12BC4 are located within the attachment groove. Each of the attachment holes 12BC1, 12BC2, 12BC3, and 12BC4 extends in the left-right direction and penetrates the second lid 12B in the front-rear direction.

[0033] Of the four mounting holes 12BC1, 12BC2, 12BC3, and 12BC4, the first mounting hole 12BC1 and the second mounting hole 12BC2 are located at the ends in the left-right direction, and the third mounting hole 12BC3 and the fourth mounting hole 12BC4 are sandwiched between the first mounting hole 12BC1 and the second mounting hole 12BC2 in the left-right direction. In the up-down direction, the first mounting hole 12BC1 and the second mounting hole 12BC2 are located at the same height as each other, and the third mounting hole 12BC3 and the fourth mounting hole 12BC4 are located at the same height as each other. The first mounting hole 12BC1 and the second mounting hole 12BC2 are located higher than the third mounting hole 12BC3 and the fourth mounting hole 12BC4.

[0034] The second support member 13B is attached to the attachment groove of the second lid 12B. At this time, the first support portion 13BA is attached to the first attachment hole 12BC1, and the second support portion 13BA is attached to the second attachment hole 12BC2. Furthermore, the first buffer portion 13BB is attached to the third attachment hole 12BC3, and the second buffer portion 13BB is attached to the fourth attachment hole 12BC4.

[0035] The link 15 has a shape that extends along the front-rear direction. The link 15 has a first end 15A and a second end 15B in the front-rear direction. The first end 15A of the link 15 is attached to the first lid 12A. The second end 15B of the link 15 is attached to the second lid 12B.

[0036] The first spring 16A has a first end 16A1 and a second end 16A2. The first spring 16A is biased in a direction that increases the distance between the first end 16A1 and the second end 16A2. The first end 16A1 is attached to the main body 11. The second end 16A2 is attached to the first lid 12A.

[0037] The second spring 16B has a first end 16B1 and a second end 16B2. The second spring 16B is biased in a direction that increases the distance between the first end 16B1 and the second end 16B2. The first end 16B1 is attached to the main body 11. The second end 16B2 is attached to the second lid 12B.

[0038] Figures 4 and 5 show the cross-sectional structure of cup holder 10 along a plane defined by the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions. Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional structure of cup holder 10 when cup holder 10 is in a closed state. Figure 5 shows the cross-sectional structure of cup holder 10 when cup holder 10 is in an open state. Note that in Figures 4 and 5, main body 11 is indicated by a two-dot chain line for ease of illustration and explanation.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the first lid 12A has a first attachment piece 12AD. The first attachment piece 12AD protrudes downward from the inner surface of the first lid 12A and has a generally triangular shape. A first end 15A of the link 15 and a second end 16A2 of the first spring 16A are attached to the first attachment piece 12AD. A first end 16A1 of the first spring 16A is attached to the main body 11.

[0040] The second lid 12B has a second mounting piece 12BD. The second mounting piece 12BD protrudes downward from the inner surface of the second lid 12B and has a generally triangular shape. A second end 15B of the link 15 and a second end 16B2 of the second spring 16B are attached to the second mounting piece 12BD. A first end 16B1 of the second spring 16B is attached to the main body 11.

[0041] When the cup holder 10 is in the closed state, the biasing force of the first spring 16A acts on the first lid 12A via the first mounting piece 12AD, thereby applying a force to the first lid 12A to keep the first lid 12A closed. Also, the biasing force of the second spring 16B acts on the second lid 12B via the second mounting piece 12BD, thereby applying a force to the second lid 12B to keep the second lid 12B closed.

[0042] When changing the cup holder 10 from a closed state to an open state, for example, the user of the cup holder 10 applies a force to the second lid 12B so as to lift the second lid 12B upward. As a result, the second end 15B of the link 15 is lifted upward together with the second lid 12B, and the first end 15A of the link 15 moves downward. As a result, as the second lid 12B changes from a closed state to an open state, the first lid 12A also changes from a closed state to an open state.

[0043] At this time, if the force acting on the second lid 12B is equal to or less than the biasing force of the second spring 16B, the second lid 12B remains closed. On the other hand, if the force acting on the second lid 12B exceeds the biasing force of the second spring 16B, the second end 16B2 of the second spring 16B moves forward together with the second mounting piece 12BD. Because the position of the first end 16B1 of the second spring 16B relative to the main body 11 is fixed, the axis of the second spring 16B moves upward as the second mounting piece 12BD moves. Because the position of the first end 16A1 of the first spring 16A relative to the main body 11 is also fixed, the axis of the first spring 16A also moves upward as the first mounting piece 12AD moves.

[0044] 5, when the lids 12A, 12B are in the open state, the springs 16A, 16B apply a biasing force to the lids 12A, 12B to maintain the lids 12A, 12B in the open state. When the lids 12A, 12B are changed from the open state to the closed state, the link 15 and the springs 16A, 16B are displaced in the opposite direction to when the lids 12A, 12B are changed from the closed state to the open state.

[0045] [Support Member] The first support member 13A will be described with reference to Figure 6. Note that while the second support member 13B is attached at a different position in the cup holder 10 than the first support member 13A, the structure of the second support member 13B is the same as the structure of the first support member 13A. Therefore, the following describes the structure of the first support member 13A, while omitting a description of the structure of the second support member 13B. Note that Figure 6 shows the first support member 13A when the first lid 12A is in the open state.

[0046] 6, the first support member 13A includes a support portion 13AA and a buffer portion 13AB that is separate from but integrally formed with the support portion 13AA. Note that the buffer portion 13AB being separate from the support portion 13AA means that the support portion 13AA does not also function as the buffer portion 13AB, i.e., the buffer portion 13AB occupies a different space from the support portion 13AA.

[0047] The first support member 13A further includes a connecting portion 13AC that connects the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB to each other. Because the connecting portion 13AC is interposed between the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB, it is not necessary to directly connect the buffer portion 13AB to the support portion 13AA, which increases the degree of freedom in the shape of the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB.

[0048] The connecting portion 13AC has a linear shape extending in the left-right direction. A support portion 13AA is located at each end of the connecting portion 13AC in the left-right direction, and two buffer portions 13AB are located in the center in the left-right direction. Each support portion 13AA protrudes rearward from the connecting portion 13AC. Each support portion 13AA has a flat plate shape that extends along a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Like each support portion 13AA, each buffer portion 13AB protrudes rearward from the connecting portion 13AC.

[0049] The first support member 13A is attached to the attachment groove 12AC of the lid 12A (see FIG. 3). By attaching the first support member 13A to the attachment groove 12AC, the connection portion 13AC is positioned along the recess 12AA in a plan view facing each of the lids 12A and 12B. Because the connection portion 13AC is positioned along the recess 12AA in this way, the user of the cup holder 10 is not prevented from inserting their fingers into the recess 12AA by the connection portion 13AC. Furthermore, since the connection portion 13AC is positioned along the recess 12AA, it is possible to add a design element to the cup holder 10.

[0050] The buffer portion 13AB includes an abutment portion 13AB1. The abutment portion 13AB1 has a U-shape that protrudes toward the main body 11 when the cup holder 10 is in the closed state. The abutment portion 13AB1 abuts against the main body 11. This makes the abutment portion 13AB1 more flexible, thereby increasing the reliability of suppressing the impact when the first lid 12A is closed.

[0051] When cup holder 10 is in the open state, contact portion 13AB1 has a U-shape that protrudes in the front-to-rear direction. Because a space is located between connection portion 13AC and contact portion 13AB1, even if support portion 13AA and contact portion 13AB1 are made of the same material, it is easy to provide support portion 13AA with the rigidity necessary to support a beverage container while providing contact portion 13AB1 with flexibility.

[0052] The buffer portion 13AB includes a protrusion 13AB2. The protrusion 13AB2 protrudes toward the contact portion 13AB1 in the direction from the first lid 12A toward the main body 11 when the cup holder 10 is in the closed state. The protrusion 13AB2 abuts against the bent contact portion 13AB1. This limits the amount of bending of the contact portion 13AB1 by the protrusion 13AB2, preventing the contact portion 13AB1 from bending excessively, which makes it easier to maintain the posture of the first lid 12A when it is closed.

[0053] The first support member 13A has two buffer portions 13AB. The amount of deflection of the contact portions 13AB1 between the two buffer portions 13AB is limited to be approximately the same by the protrusions 13AB2. Therefore, when the first lid 12A is in the closed state, the amount of deflection of the contact portions 13AB1 is prevented from varying, and as a result, tilting of the first lid 12A relative to the main body 11 is prevented.

[0054] The support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB each have an engagement claw that engages with the first lid 12A, which makes it difficult for the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB to come off the lid 12A, making it easy to attach the support member 13A to the lid 12A.

[0055] The support portion 13AA includes a first engagement claw 13AA1 (see FIG. 3), a second engagement claw 13AA2, and a third engagement claw 13AA3. The first engagement claw 13AA1 protrudes from the upper of a pair of surfaces of the support portion 13AA that are parallel to a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The support portion 13AA includes a plurality of first engagement claws 13AA1. The plurality of first engagement claws 13AA1 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each first engagement claw 13AA1 has a shape that becomes thicker from rear to front.

[0056] The second engagement claw 13AA2 protrudes from the lower of a pair of surfaces of the support portion 13AA that are parallel to a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The support portion 13AA is provided with a plurality of second engagement claws 13AA2. The plurality of second engagement claws 13AA2 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each second engagement claw 13AA2 has a shape that becomes thicker from the rear to the front.

[0057] The third engagement claws 13AA3 are located on each side surface parallel to a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The third engagement claws 13AA3 have a shape that becomes thicker from the rear to the front.

[0058] When the first support member 13A is attached to the first lid 12A, the engagement claws 13AA1, 13AA2, and 13AA3 are inserted into the mounting holes 12AC1 and 12AC2 of the first lid 12A. As a result, the front ends of the engagement claws 13AA1, 13AA2, and 13AA3 engage with the walls that define the mounting holes 12AC1 and 12AC2.

[0059] In the buffer section 13AB, the contact section 13AB1 has an engaging claw 13AB3. An engaging claw 13AB3 is located at each end of the contact section 13AB1 in the left-right direction. The contact section 13AB1 has an engaging claw 13AB3 that protrudes upward from each end in the left-right direction and an engaging claw 13AB3 that protrudes downward.

[0060] When the first support member 13A is attached to the first lid 12A, the engaging claws 13AB3 are inserted into the mounting holes 12AC3 and 12AC4 of the first lid 12A. As a result, the engaging claws 13AB3 engage with the wall portions that define the mounting holes 12AC3 and 12AC4.

[0061] The support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB of the first support member 13A are made of a material that is softer than the main body 11 and the first lid 12A, thereby increasing the reliability of suppressing the impact when the first lid 12A is closed.

[0062] Of the first support member 13A, the connection portion 13AC, like the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB, may be formed from a material softer than the main body 11 and the first lid 12A. In this case, the support portion 13AA, the buffer portion 13AB, and the connection portion 13AC may be formed from the same material. In other words, the first support member 13A may be formed by monochromatic molding.

[0063] Alternatively, the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB may be formed from a material softer than the connecting portion 13AC. In this case, the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB may be formed from the same material, while the connecting portion 13AC may be formed from a material different from that of the support portion 13AA and the buffer portion 13AB. In other words, the first support member 13A may be formed by two-color molding.

[0064] The support members 13A and 13B are formed, for example, from an elastomer. The main body 11 and the lids 12A and 12B are formed, for example, from a plastic. The softness of the main body 11, the lids 12A and 12B, and the support members 13A and 13B can be evaluated, for example, by their hardness measured with a durometer. The hardness of the elastomer can be measured, for example, by a method conforming to JIS K 6253-3:2023 "Vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic rubber - Determination of hardness - Part 3: Durometer hardness." The hardness of the plastic can be measured, for example, by a method conforming to JIS K 7215-1986 "Durometer hardness test method for plastics."

[0065] Like the first support member 13A, the second support member 13B includes a support portion 13BA (see FIG. 3), a buffer portion 13BB (see FIG. 3), and a connection portion 13BC (see FIG. 3).

[0066] [Operation] The operation of cup holder 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional structure of cup holder 10 in a closed state, taken along a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0067] 7, when the lids 12A, 12B change from the open state to the closed state, the lids 12A, 12B are pulled toward the main body 11 by the biasing force of the springs 16A, 16B. At this time, the buffer portions 13AB, 13BB of the support members 13A, 13B attached to the lids 12A, 12B come into contact with the flat portion 11A of the main body 11. This reduces the impact caused by the member abutting against the main body 11, which is the abutted member, and as a result, reduces the impact noise.

[0068] Furthermore, the support members 13A and 13B have buffer sections 13AB and 13BB molded integrally with the support sections 13AA and 13BA, which reduces the number of steps required to attach buffer members separate from the support members 13A and 13B, thereby reducing costs.

[0069] As described above, one embodiment of the cup holder can achieve the following advantages. (1) Support members 13A, 13B have buffer portions 13AB, 13BB molded integrally with support portions 13AA, 13BA. This reduces the additional man-hours required to separately attach buffer members separate from support members 13A, 13B, thereby minimizing increases in costs. Furthermore, because buffer portions 13AB, 13BB abut against main body 11, which is the abutting member, when cup holder 10 is closed, impacts associated with the abutment of the members against main body 11 are reduced, resulting in reduced impact noise.

[0070] (2) When the lids 12A, 12B are closed, the buffer portions 13AB, 13BB of the support members 13A, 13B come into contact with the main body 11, thereby suppressing the impact noise that occurs between the lids 12A, 12B and the main body 11 when the lids 12A, 12B are closed.

[0071] (3) The support portions 13AA, 13BA and the buffer portions 13AB, 13BB are made of a soft material, which increases the reliability of suppressing the impact when the lids 12A, 12B are closed.

[0072] (4) The connecting portions 13AC and 13BC are interposed between the support portions 13AA and 13BA and the buffer portions 13AB and 13BB. Therefore, since it is not necessary to directly connect the buffer portions 13AB and 13BB to the support portions 13AA and 13BA, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the shapes of the support portions 13AA and 13BA and the buffer portions 13AB and 13BB.

[0073] (5) The support members 13AA, 13BA and the buffer members 13AB, 13BB have locking claws, which make it difficult for the support members 13AA, 13BA and the buffer members 13AB, 13BB to come off the lids 12A, 12B, facilitating attachment of the support members 13A, 13B to the lids 12A, 12B.

[0074] (6) Because the connecting portion 13AC is arranged along the recess 12AA, the connecting portion 13AC does not prevent the user of the cup holder 10 from inserting his / her finger into the recess 12AA. (7) Because the contact portion 13AB1 has a U-shape, the contact portion 13AB1 is easily bent, which increases the reliability of suppressing the impact when the lids 12A and 12B are closed.

[0075] (8) The amount of deflection of the contact portion 13AB1 is limited by the protrusion 13AB2, so that the contact portion 13AB1 is prevented from deflecting excessively, which makes it easier to maintain the posture of the lids 12A, 12B when the lids 12A, 12B are closed.

[0076] The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows: [Supporting Member] The supporting portion 13AA may include two or less of the first engaging claw 13AA1, the second engaging claw 13AA2, and the third engaging claw 13AA3. Even in this case, the effect of the engaging claws included in the supporting portion 13AA can be obtained.

[0077] The buffer portions 13AB, 13BB may have the contact portions 13AB1, 13BB1 but may not have the protrusions 13AB2, 13BB2. Even in this case, the contact portions 13AB1, 13BB1 can absorb the impact when the main body 11 and the lids 12A, 12B come into contact with each other.

[0078] The support members 13A and 13B do not necessarily have to include the connecting portions 13AC and 13BC. In this case, it is sufficient that the buffer portions 13AB and 13BB are directly connected to the support portions 13AA and 13BA.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 8 , the buffer portion 23AB of the first support member 23A may have an M-shape when viewed from a perspective facing a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9 , the buffer portion 33AB of the first support member 33A may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. When the buffer portion 33AB has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the buffer portion 33AB may be solid or hollow. Alternatively, the buffer portion may have an abutment portion that is L-shaped when viewed from a plane facing a plane defined by the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In this case, it is preferable that the buffer portion have a protrusion that contacts the bent abutment portion in addition to the abutment portion.

[0080] The shape of the buffer portion of the second support member may also be changed in the same way as the first support member. Furthermore, the shape of the buffer portion of the first support member may be the same as or different from the shape of the buffer portion of the second support member.

[0081] The support members may be configured so that the support portions rise substantially perpendicular to the open lids 12A, 12B as the lids 12A, 12B open. In this case, when the support portions rise, they come into contact with the support pieces 12AB1, 12AB2, 12BB1, and 12BB2 of the lids 12A, 12B. Therefore, when the lids 12A, 12B are in the open state, the support portions may be provided with buffer portions, thereby suppressing the impact noise that occurs when the support portions come into contact with the support pieces 12AB1, 12AB2, 12BB1, and 12BB2.

[0082] The buffer portions extend upward from the support portions and are positioned between the support portions and the support pieces 12AB1, 12AB2, 12BB1, and 12BB2 when the lids 12A and 12B are in the open state. The buffer portions come into contact with the support pieces 12AB1, 12AB2, 12BB1, and 12BB2 at least when the lids 12A and 12B change from the closed state to the open state and the distance between the buffer portions and the support pieces 12AB1, 12AB2, 12BB1, and 12BB2 is shortest.

[0083] The main body 11 may be provided with a support member including a support portion and a buffer portion. In this case, the main body 11 is an example of an abutting member, and the lids 12A, 12B are an example of an abutted member. For example, the support portion can be located near the holding portion 11B of the main body 11. The support portion may be located within the holding portion 11B or above the holding portion 11B. The buffer portion may be configured to protrude upward from the flat portion 11A of the holding portion 11B. This allows the buffer portion to abut against the lids 12A, 12B when the lids 12A, 12B are closed.

[0084] Cup holder 10 may include multiple types of support members. That is, cup holder 10 may include two or more of support members 13A and 13B of the above-described embodiment, a support member in which the buffer portion is located on the support portion, and a support member included in main body 11, for example.

[0085] [Lid] Cup holder 10 may include only one lid 12A, 12B. In this case, the single lid only needs to be large enough to cover the entire main body 11. Even in this case, it is only necessary that the support member attached to the lid be configured to abut against the main body when the lid is in the closed state.

[0086] [Cup Holder] The cup holder may have the structure shown in FIG. 10 . As shown in FIG. 10 , the cup holder 40 includes a main body 41 and a lid 42. The main body 41 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction and is open at one end. The lid 42 has a closed state in which it is stored in the main body 41 and an open state in which it is pulled out from the main body 41. When the lid 42 is in the closed state, the lid 42 covers the opening of the main body 41. When the lid 42 is in the open state, the lid 42 is pulled out to a position separated from the main body 41 in the front-rear direction. The main body 41 is an example of an abutted member, and the lid 42 is an example of an abutting member. The lid 42 shown in FIG. 10 has an open state.

[0087] The cup holder 40 includes a holding portion 43. The holding portion 43 is configured to be pulled out from the main body 41 together with the lid portion 42 when the lid portion 42 is in the open position. The holding portion 43 is configured to be able to hold a beverage container when the lid portion 42 is in the open position. On the other hand, the holding portion 43 is configured to be housed within the main body 41 when the lid portion 42 is in the closed position.

[0088] The lid portion 42 includes a support member 44 that supports the beverage container held by the holder 43. The support member 44 is attached to the surface of the lid portion 42 that faces the opening of the main body 41 when the lid portion 42 is in the open state. The support member 44 includes a support portion 44A, a buffer portion 44B, and a connection portion 44C.

[0089] The support portion 44A is configured to be able to support a beverage container by contacting the beverage container. The support member 44 has a pair of buffer portions 44B. The support portion 44A is sandwiched between the pair of buffer portions 44B in the left-right direction. Each buffer portion 44B is positioned so that it contacts the tube end of the main body 41 when the lid portion 42 is held. The connecting portion 44C connects the support portion 44A and the buffer portions 44B to each other. The buffer portions 44B are connected to the ends of the connecting portions 44C one by one in the left-right direction.

[0090] When cup holder 40 is changed from the open state to the closed state, lid 42 is pushed toward main body 41. At this time, buffer portion 44B of support member 44 abuts against the cylindrical end of main body 41, and the impact when lid 42 abuts against main body 41 is absorbed by buffer portion 44B. As a result, the impact sound when lid 42 abuts against main body 41 is reduced by buffer portion 44B.

Claims

1. A cup holder having a container storage section configured to store a beverage container, the container storage section having a support member configured to support the beverage container, the support member having: a support section configured to support the beverage container when the cup holder is in an open state and the beverage container is stored in the container storage section; and a buffer section that abuts against an abutted member when the cup holder changes from the open state to a closed state, the buffer section being configured to absorb impacts that occur when the buffer section abuts against the abutted member, the support section and the buffer section being molded integrally.

2. A cup holder as described in claim 1, wherein the container storage section comprises a main body and a lid, the lid is attached to the main body so as to be selectively in an open state or a closed state, the main body is configured to hold the beverage container when the lid is in the open state, the support member is attached to the lid, and the main body is the abutment member.

3. The cup holder according to claim 2, wherein the support portion and the buffer portion are formed from a material softer than the main body and the lid.

4. A cup holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support member further comprises a connection portion that connects the support portion and the buffer portion to each other.

5. The cup holder according to claim 2, wherein each of the support portion and the buffer portion includes an engaging claw configured to engage with the lid.

6. A cup holder as described in claim 2, wherein the support member further comprises a connecting portion that connects the support portion and the buffer portion to each other, the lid has a recess that is recessed toward the main body when the lid is in the closed state and is configured to receive a user's finger, and when viewed in a plane facing the lid, the connecting portion is arranged along the recess.

7. A cup holder as described in claim 2, wherein the buffer portion is a U-shaped abutment portion that protrudes toward the main body when the cup holder is in the closed state and includes the abutment portion that abuts against the main body.

8. A cup holder as described in claim 7, wherein the contact portion is bent when the cup holder is in the closed state, and the buffer portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the contact portion in a direction from the lid toward the main body when the cup holder is in the closed state, and the protrusion abuts against the bent contact portion.

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