Cup holder

Abstract

A cup holder capable of being moved from a housed position to a pulled-out position includes a holder, a peripheral-holding portion, an arm, a first spring member, and a second spring member. The arm is movable relative to the holder, and forms and define a container-retaining hole whose size is variable between the peripheral-holding portion and the arm. The first spring member moves the arm in a direction wherein the retaining hole is reduced against an urging force, and moves the arm in a direction wherein the retaining hole is expanded with an urging force. The second spring member acts on a tip of the arm, and in the pulled-out position of the holder, controls a variable amount of the arm against an urging force of the first spring member. Accordingly, the second spring member can elastically retain the arm in a prior use condition.

1 . A cup holder comprising: 
 a holder movable from a housed position to a pulled-out position relative to a case for housing said holder, said holder comprising a peripheral-holding portion penetrated in an up and down direction and having an open side portion capable of retaining a container;    an arm configured to be movable relative to said holder and having a base end and a tip end, said arm forming and defining a container-retaining hole having a size variable between said peripheral-holding portion and said arm; and    urging means for urging said arm, comprising a first spring member acting on the base end of said arm, for allowing said arm to move in a direction wherein said retaining hole is reduced against an urging force of the first spring member when moving said holder in the direction of said housed position, and for moving said arm in a direction wherein said retaining hole is expanded with the urging force when said holder is moved in the direction of said pulled-out position; and a second spring member acting on the tip end of said arm, and in said pulled-out position, controlling a variable amount of said arm against said urging force of said first spring member for retaining said arm in a prior use condition, and for moving said arm in a direction wherein said retaining hole is expanded against an urging force of the second spring.    
   
   
       2 . A cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said second spring member is a coil member, disposed in an installation depression provided on said arm tip end, and having a first end locked in said arm tip, and a second end extending outside said depression and capable of engaging with a corresponding portion on a side of said holder so as to separate in said prior use condition.  
   
   
       3 . A cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said arm base end has an installation depression; and said first spring member is a coil member disposed in the installation depression of the arm base end, and is pivoted to be turnable relative to an axial hole provided on said holder through an axial portion.  
   
   
       4 . A cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said holder further comprises a groove disposed on a holder side; and said first spring member is a coil member disposed in an installation depression provided on said arm base end, said first spring member being pivoted to be turnable relative to an axial hole provided on said holder side through an axial portion, and being fitted into said groove through said axial portion to be slidable relative to said groove.  
   
   
       5 . A cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said holder further comprises a long groove for accommodating said arm tip end on a corresponding portion of a holder side, said arm tip end being fitted into said long groove through an axial portion, to be slidable thereto.  
   
   
       6 . A cup holder according to  claim 2 , wherein said holder includes a side wall or boss portion so that the second end engages the side wall or boss portion.  
   
   
       7 . A cup holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising a receiving portion rotatably attached to the holder for supporting the cup thereon.