Storage structure for vehicle cabin interior

Abstract

A storage structure is configured that can be assembled more easily. The storage structure is provided with a lid capable of being opened and closed. The lid is configured to swing about a swing axis from an opened state to a closed state. The lid has a center of gravity located on a far portion of the lid relative to the swing axis such that swinging movement of the lid to the opened state occurs due to a weight distribution of the lid itself relative to the swing axis. Thus, the lid swings from the closed state to the opened state with the center of gravity of the lid having being vertically disposed below the swing axis when the lid is in the closed state.

1 . A storage structure comprising:
 a lid support; and   a lid coupled to the lid support to selectively move between a fully opened state and a fully closed state about a swing axis,   the lid including a first portion disposed on a first side of the swing axis when the lid is in the fully closed state relative to the lid support and a second portion disposed on a second side of the swing axis when in the lid is in the fully closed state relative to the lid support,   the lid having a center of gravity located on the first portion of the lid such that swinging movement of the lid to the fully opened state occurs due to a weight distribution of the lid itself relative to the swing axis.   
   
   
       2 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the first portion is located at a far side of the swing axis and the second portion of the lid is located at near side of the swing axis.   
   
   
       3 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the center of gravity of the lid is positioned higher than the swing axis when the lid is in the fully closed state relative to the lid support.   
   
   
       4 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the first portion of the lid includes a reinforcing structure disposed in a region located on the first side of the swing axis when the lid is in the fully closed state.   
   
   
       5 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 4 , wherein
 the reinforcing structure comprises at least one rib.   
   
   
       6 . The storage case as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the first portion of the lid is thicker in a vicinity of the center of gravity of the lid than other portions of the lid that are spaced from the center of gravity of the lid.   
   
   
       7 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a stopper made of an elastic material arranged to support the lid at a fully opened position; and   a buffer member arranged to contact the lid before the lid reaches the fully opened position when the lid is opened and to dampen the movement of the lid as the lid swings toward the fully opened position.   
   
   
       8 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 7 , wherein
 the buffer member includes a foamed body.   
   
   
       9 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a force applying device arranged to apply a force against the lid in an opening direction.   
   
   
       10 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 9 , wherein
 the force applying device is configured and arranged to apply a force against the lid in the opening direction when the lid is positioned within a swinging range of movement that spans from the fully closed position to a prescribed opening position occurring before the fully opened position.   
   
   
       11 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the lid support includes a recessed storage section defining an access opening and an arm receiving opening formed in the recessed storage section; and   the lid includes an arm swingably supported to the lid support with the arm being configured and arranged to extend into the recessed storage section through the arm receiving opening of the lid support, the arm having a blocking piece configured and arranged to cover a portion of the arm receiving opening that is exposed through the access opening when the lid is in the fully opened position.   
   
   
       12 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the lid support includes a tongue piece; and   the lid includes a protrusion configured and arranged to contact and elastically flex the tongue piece of the lid support when the lid is being opened.   
   
   
       13 . The storage structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein
 the lid support and the lid include mating locking arrangements that are configured and arranged to hold the lid in the fully closed state.   
   
   
       14 . A storage structure comprising:
 storage means for forming a storage area of an article; and   covering means for selectively covering an access opening of the storage means by selectively swinging between a fully opened state and a fully closed state about a swing axis in which the covering means has a center of gravity located on a portion on a far side of the swing axis when the covering means is in the fully closed state such that swinging movement of the covering means to the fully opened state occurs due to a weight distribution of the covering means itself relative to the swing axis.   
   
   
       15 . A lid opening method for a storage structure comprising:
 providing a storage area of an article;   providing a lid for covering an access opening of the storage area; and   selectively swinging the lid from a fully opened state to a fully closed state about a swing axis in which the closing means has a center of gravity located on a portion of the lid on a far side of the swing axis when the lid is in the fully closed state such that swinging movement of the lid to the fully opened state occurs due to a weight distribution of the lid itself relative to the swing axis.