Storage box

Abstract

A storage box includes an outer case to be fixed to an attachment member; an inner case slidably disposed in the outer case for holding an article; an urging device disposed between the inner case and the outer case for urging the inner case toward an opening; a latching device for locking the inner case; and a holder disposed at the inner case for holding the article within the inner case. The holder extends along a direction that the inner case slides and has an arm section for holding the article, a guide section for guiding the arm section to hold the article, and a shaft section rotatably supported on the inner case. The arm section passes an opening of the inner case when the inner case moves inwardly in the outer case.

1 . A storage box comprising: 
 an outer case to be fixed to an attachment member and having a first opening and a guide,    an inner case slidably disposed in the outer case for holding an article and having a side wall, a second opening formed in the sidewall and a third opening at a front side thereof,    urging means disposed between the inner case and the outer case for urging the inner case toward the first opening,    latching means for locking the inner case within the outer case against the urging means, and    a holder attached to the inner case for holding the article within the inner case, said holder extending along a direction that the inner case slides and having an arm section at a front end for holding the article, a guided section at a rear end guided by the guide for guiding the arm section toward a position that the arm section holds the article when the inner case moves inwardly relative to the outer case, and a shaft section disposed between the arm section and the guided section and rotatably supported on the inner case, said arm section passing through the second opening when the inner case moves inwardly relative to the outer case.    
   
   
       2 . A storage box according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide includes an inclined portion engaging the guided section of the holder to move the arm section in and out relative to the inner case according to a movement of the inner case.  
   
   
       3 . A storage box according to  claim 2 , wherein said guide includes a plate disposed on an inner side of the outer case and a groove formed in the plate to extend along the direction that the inner case slides, said groove guiding the guided section and having said inclined portion inclined inwardly toward the second opening.  
   
   
       4 . A storage box according to  claim 3 , wherein said holder has an elongated shape, and said arm section has a flexible arc shape.  
   
   
       5 . A storage box according to  claim 3 , wherein said guide and said holder are formed on each of two lateral sides of the outer and inner cases to hold the article from two sides.  
   
   
       6 . A storage box according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary damper with a gear disposed on one of the inner case and the outer case for damping the urging means, and a linear gear section disposed on the other of the inner case and the outer case for engaging the gear.  
   
   
       7 . A storage box according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover attached to the inner case for closing the third opening.