JP7585253B2 - Variable volume mechanism for car roof boxes - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a mechanism for varying the volume of a roof box mounted on a vehicle.

Roof boxes are used that are fixed onto the roof of a vehicle. More specifically, a roof carrier is fixed to the roof of the vehicle, and the roof box is fixed to the crossbars of the roof carrier. Considering that the roof of the parking lot may be low or that a mechanical parking lot may be used, it is better for the roof box to be low in height. On the other hand, there are cases where you want to store more luggage in the roof box.

In response to such user demands, variable-volume roof boxes are also available on the market. The following Patent Document 1 discloses a variable-volume roof box. This roof box is composed of a bottom case and a cover that covers the upper opening of the bottom case. When the roof box is mounted on the vehicle, multiple hinges are provided on the right side of the vehicle, and a catch mechanism is provided on the left side of the vehicle to keep the cover closed. This allows the cover to be opened around the hinge on the right side of the vehicle by lifting the left side of the cover while releasing the catch mechanism.

The catch mechanism has a pair of latches on the bottom case side, and a pair of strikers on the cover side that engage with the latches when the cover is in a closed state. The catch mechanism also has a locking mechanism that fixes the engaged state between the latches and strikers. Here, the positions of the multiple hinges can be adjusted up and down by the link mechanism, and the positions of the strikers relative to the cover can also be adjusted up and down. In this way, by adjusting the hinges and strikers, the position of the cover in the closed state can be moved upward relative to the bottom case, and as a result, the capacity of the roof box can be increased.

Patent No. 4943603

However, there was a demand for an easier way to adjust the multiple hinges and pair of strikers to change the capacity of the roof box.

Therefore, the objective of this disclosure is to provide a volume-adjusting mechanism for a vehicle roof box that makes it easier to change the volume.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a roof box capacity variable mechanism for a vehicle, which is provided between a bottom case of a roof box and a cover that closes an upper opening of the bottom case, and includes a catch mechanism that holds the cover in a closed state relative to the bottom case. The catch mechanism is provided inside the roof box in the closed state, and includes a latch attached to the bottom case and a striker attached to the cover. The latch includes a latch bracket fixed to the bottom case and a locking claw that is swingably attached to the latch bracket. The striker includes a striker bracket fixed to the cover, and a locking member that is swingable relative to the striker bracket and can be fixed at a predetermined position. The locking member includes a first arm portion that extends from the swing axis in a first direction perpendicular to the swing axis and has a first locking portion at its tip that can be locked to the locking claw, and a second arm portion that extends from the swing axis in a second direction perpendicular to the swing axis that is different from the first direction, and has a second locking portion at its tip that can be locked to the locking claw. The length of the first arm is shorter than the length of the second arm.

This disclosure provides a vehicle roof box volume change mechanism that makes it easier to change the volume.

1 is an external perspective view of a roof box equipped with a volume variable mechanism according to an embodiment (in a small volume state); FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the roof box (in a small capacity state). FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a latch of the variable capacity mechanism (catch mechanism). FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the striker of the catch mechanism (in a small capacity state). FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the striker (in a large capacity state). FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the catch mechanism (in a large-capacity state). FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the roof box (large capacity state).

The following describes the vehicle roof box volume adjustment mechanism according to the embodiment, with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of roof box 1 in a closed state. The left side of Figure 1 is the front of the vehicle. A roof carrier (not shown) is fixed to the vehicle, and roof box 1 is fixed to two cross bars of the roof carrier by its clamp mechanism 2. The cross bars extend laterally of the vehicle, one located at the front of the roof and the other located at the rear of the roof.

The roof box 1 comprises a bottom case 1a and a cover 1b that closes the upper opening of the bottom case 1a. In this embodiment, the cover 1b can be opened upward from either the right or left side of the vehicle. The roof box 1 in this embodiment is equipped with a variable capacity mechanism, which will be described in detail later, and the internal capacity can be set in two stages. Figure 1 shows the small capacity state (hereinafter referred to as the small capacity state). The roof box 1 in the large capacity state is shown in Figure 7 (hereinafter referred to as the large capacity state).

In the small capacity state, the height of the roof box 1, i.e., the vehicle height, can be lowered. On the other hand, in the large capacity state, the height of the roof box 1, i.e., the vehicle height, is higher, but more luggage can be stored inside the roof box 1. The height of the roof box 1 is adjusted by adjusting the vertical position of the cover 1b relative to the bottom case 1a. Adjusting the vertical position of the cover 1b relative to the bottom case 1a, i.e., the operation of the capacity variable mechanism, will be explained in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, a catch mechanism 3, which is a key part of the variable capacity mechanism of this embodiment, is attached to the inner surface of each of the left and right side panels of the bottom case 1a and cover 1b. Each catch mechanism 3 is provided between the bottom case 1a and cover 1b, and has a latch 30 attached to the bottom case 1a and a striker 31 attached to the cover 1b. Each catch mechanism 3 is provided inside the roof box 1 when the cover 1b is in the closed state, and is inaccessible when the roof box 1 is in the closed state, ensuring safety against theft of luggage.

Note that FIG. 2 does not show the cover 1b, but only the striker 31 fixed to the cover 1b. Also, FIG. 2 shows only the rail 20 of the clamp mechanism 2 described above, and does not show the clamp unit slidably attached to the rail 20. As shown in FIG. 2, beads are formed in a grid shape on the bottom plate of the bottom case 1a to improve surface rigidity. As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom case 1a and the cover 1b are formed so that the peripheral side wall of the cover 1b is located outside the peripheral side wall of the bottom case 1a when the roof box 1 is closed. This prevents rain and the like from entering the inside of the roof box 1, and allows the cover 1b to be opened smoothly upward.

The catch mechanism 3 is a mechanism for keeping the cover 1b closed so that the cover 1b does not open unintentionally. When the cover 1b is closed, the striker 31 is engaged with the latch 30. In this embodiment, two catch mechanisms 3 are provided spaced apart along one side of the roof box 1 (for example, the right side of the vehicle), and the two are connected by a connecting rod 32. The two catch mechanisms 3 can be linked by the connecting rod 32. Between the pair of catch mechanisms 3 connected by the connecting rod 32, there is also provided a lock mechanism 33 for locking the cover 1b in the closed state, and a push button 34 for releasing the engaged state between the latch 30 and the striker 31. The push button 34 is incorporated in the lock mechanism 33. The push button 34 is provided with a keyhole into which a key 35 for operating the lock mechanism 33 is inserted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, links 36 that hold the cover 1b in an open state are attached between the bottom case 1a and the cover 1b at the front and rear of the roof box 1. A damper may be incorporated in the link 36.

In this embodiment, two catch mechanisms 3 connected by the connecting rod 32 described above are also provided symmetrically on the opposite side (for example, the left side of the vehicle) that faces the above-mentioned side. In this embodiment, the pair of catch mechanisms 3 on each side also function as hinges for opening and closing the cover 1b. As a result, as described above, in this embodiment, the cover 1b can be opened from either the right or left side of the vehicle. When opening the cover 1b from the right side of the vehicle, the pair of catch mechanisms 3 on the left side of the vehicle function as hinges. Conversely, when opening the cover 1b from the left side of the vehicle, the pair of catch mechanisms 3 on the right side of the vehicle function as hinges. The hinge function of the catch mechanisms 3 will be described in detail later.

The catch mechanism 3 will be described in detail. The four catch mechanisms 3 in this embodiment have the same configuration. However, for the latch 30, the extension direction of the connecting rod 32 described above differs depending on the installation position. Also, for the striker 31, the shape of its upper part differs in part to avoid interference with the cover 1b. First, the latch 30 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The side wall of the bottom case 1a is present on the right side in Figure 3, but the bottom case 1a is not shown in Figure 3.

The latch 30 has a latch bracket 30a fixed to the bottom case 1a with a rivet, and a hook 30b as a locking claw attached to the latch bracket 30a so as to be able to swing. The latch bracket 30a has a shape that covers the hook 30b except for the tip. Each side plate of the latch bracket 30a has a V-shaped guide cutout 30a1 that guides a first bar 31c1 as a first locked portion of the striker 31 (described later) or a second bar 31c2 as a second locked portion (see FIG. 4).

The hook 30b is attached to the latch bracket 30a so as to be able to swing via the connecting rod 32 described above. That is, the hook 30b is fixed to the connecting rod 32 so as not to rotate, and the connecting rod 32 is supported by the latch bracket 30a so as to be able to rotate. The connecting rod 32 extends from the latch bracket 30a toward the other paired catch mechanism 3. The central axis of the connecting rod 32 coincides with the swing axis of the hook 30b, and the connecting rod 32 extends along this swing axis. The tip of the hook 30b protrudes into the above-mentioned guide notch 30a1 or retreats from within the guide notch 30a1 according to the swing of the hook 30b.

A torsion coil spring (not shown) is built into the hook 30b as a biasing member that swings its tip toward the side wall of the bottom case 1a, i.e., in the locking direction. A connecting rod 32 is inserted into the coil portion of the torsion coil spring. Therefore, if the hook 30b and the bar 31b are not locked together and no force other than the biasing force of the torsion coil spring is acting, the tip of the hook 30b is located closer to the side wall of the bottom case 1a than the locking position with the bar 31b (position in Figure 3).

The upper surface of the hook 30b is curved and convex. When the cover 1b is closed, the first bar 31c1 or the second bar 31c2 of the striker 31 comes down from above and is guided into the guide notch 30a1. The guided first bar 31c1 or the second bar 31c2 presses the curved convex surface of the hook 30b, and the hook 30b is swung counterclockwise in FIG. 3 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring described above. When the first bar 31c1 or the second bar 31c2 reaches the bottom of the guide notch 30a1, the abutment between the first bar 31c1 or the second bar 31c2 and the curved convex surface is released. As a result, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring causes the hook 30b to swing so that its tip protrudes into the guide notch 30a1 again, that is, to return to the state shown in FIG. 3. In this way, the locking state of the catch mechanism 3 is completed.

When the above-mentioned push button 34 is pressed, the connecting rod 32 rotates around its central axis, and the above-mentioned locked state is released. Therefore, while the push button 34 is pressed, the first bar 31c1 or the second bar 31c2 can be moved upward, and the cover 1b can be opened. The swinging hook 30b is covered by the latch bracket 30a. Although luggage is loaded on the bottom case 1a, the hook 30b is covered by the latch bracket 30a, so that the swinging of the hook 30b is prevented from being hindered by the luggage.

Next, the striker 31 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the striker 31 when the roof box 1 is in a small capacity state, and Figure 5 shows the striker 31 when the roof box 1 is in a large capacity state. The side wall of the cover 1b is present on the left side in Figures 4 and 5, but the cover 1b is not shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The striker 31 has a striker bracket 31a fixed to the cover 1b with rivets, and a swing arm 31b attached to the striker bracket 31a as a member to be locked. The swing arm 31b can swing relative to the striker bracket 31a, and can be fixed at a predetermined position. The striker bracket 31a has a swan-neck shape, and its tip is bifurcated. The swing shaft portion of the swing arm 31b is located inside this bifurcated part.

A bolt 31d is passed through the forked portion of the striker bracket 31a and the position of the swing axis of the swing arm 31b. The head of the bolt 31d is fixed to one of the forked portions of the striker bracket 31a, or held so that it cannot rotate. A knob 31e with a built-in nut is attached to the tip of the bolt 31d. By tightening the knob 31e, the swing arm 31b can be fixed at a specified swing position. Three ribs 31f are formed inside the striker bracket 31a to ensure strength. Only the central rib 31f reaches the back surface of the attachment portion of the striker bracket 31a to the cover 1b.

The swing arm 31b has a first arm 31b1 as a first arm portion extending from the swing axis in a first direction perpendicular to the swing axis, and a second arm 31b2 as a second arm portion extending from the swing axis in a second direction different from the first direction perpendicular to the swing axis. In other words, a plane including both the first direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the swing axis. The first arm 31b1 has a first bar 31c1 at its tip as a first interlocking portion that can be interlocked with the hook 30b. Similarly, the second arm 31b2 has a second bar 31c2 at its tip as a second interlocking portion that can be interlocked with the hook 30b.

The tip of the first arm 31b1 is bifurcated, and a first bar 31c1 is attached to connect the bifurcated parts. The tip of the second arm 31b2 is also bifurcated, and a second bar 31c2 is attached to connect the bifurcated parts. The space between the bifurcated parts of the first arm 31b1 and the second arm 31b2 is formed to allow the hook 30b to swing when engaged with the hook 30b, and to avoid interference with the latch bracket 30a.

The length of the first arm 31b1 is shorter than that of the second arm 31b2, and this difference in length allows the capacity of the roof box 1 to be changed. As shown in FIG. 4, the striker bracket 31a is formed so that the second arm 31b2 and the striker bracket 31a (the bifurcated branch portion) come into contact when the hook 30b and the first bar 31c1 are engaged. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the striker bracket 31a is formed so that the first arm 31b1 and the striker bracket 31a come into contact when the hook 30b and the second bar 31c2 are engaged.

In the state shown in Figure 5, the central rib 31f of the striker bracket 31a abuts against the first bar 31c1, and the bifurcated portions of the first arm 31b1 abut against the ribs 31f on both sides. In other words, the swing arm 31b can be quickly positioned at the first predetermined position shown in Figure 4, which realizes the small capacity state of the roof box 1, or at the second predetermined position shown in Figure 5, which realizes the large capacity state of the roof box 1. Simply abutting the swing arm 31b against the striker bracket 31a and tightening the knob 31e can fix the swing arm 31b in the predetermined position.

In addition, a hole 31g is also formed in the striker bracket 31a to create a clicking sensation when the swing arm 31b is in a predetermined swing position (first or second predetermined position). Although not visible in Figures 4 and 5, two protrusions are formed on the side of the swing arm 31b, which engage with the hole 31g to create a clicking sensation. The hole 31g and the protrusions also have the effect of temporarily holding the swing arm 31b in place to some extent until the knob 31e is tightened. The hole 31g and the protrusions may be provided on only one or both of the bifurcated portions of the striker bracket 31a.

The angle θ between the first arm 31b1 and the second arm 31b2 is an obtuse angle (90°<θ<180°). This obtuse angle is set to an angle that satisfies the following [1] and [2]. [1] When the first bar 31c1 and the hook 30b are in an engaged state (see FIG. 4), the second arm 31b2 is extended along the inner surface of the cover 1b. [2] When the second arm 31b2 and the hook 30b are in an engaged state (see FIG. 5), the first arm 31b1 is extended toward the inner surface of the cover 1b.

Regarding [1] above, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the shape of the cover 1b is arched in a cross section perpendicular to the swing axis of the swing arm 31b. [1] above means that when the roof box 1 is in a small capacity state, the second arm 31b2 that is not engaged with the hook 30b extends along the inner surface of the arched cover 1b. This minimizes interference between the second arm 31b2 and luggage inside the roof box 1. In other words, the swing arm 31b does not impede the loading of luggage as much as possible.

On the other hand, the above [2] means that when the roof box 1 is in a large capacity state, the first arm 31b1, which is not engaged with the hook 30b, extends in the opposite direction to the luggage inside the roof box 1. As shown in FIG. 5, at this time, the first arm 31b1 is located inside the striker bracket 31a. In other words, in a large capacity state where a lot of luggage is desired to be loaded, the swing arm 31b does not hinder the loading of luggage at all. Thus, to satisfy both the above [1] and [2], it is necessary that at least the above-mentioned angle θ is an obtuse angle.

The catch mechanism 3 that realizes the variable capacity mechanism of this embodiment is constructed by the latch 30 and striker 31 described above, and as described above, two catch mechanisms 3 are provided spaced apart along one side of the roof box 1. The two hooks 30b of the two catch mechanisms 3 are connected by a connecting rod 32 that extends along their pivot axis. Therefore, when opening and closing the cover 1b from that side, the open side can be reliably caught, and the two catch mechanisms 3 can be linked by the connecting rod 32 to easily open the cover 1b.

When opening and closing the cover 1b from one side in this way, the two catch mechanisms 3 on the opposite side of the side are in an engaged state (including a locked state), and the two sets of hooks 30b and the first bar 31c1 (or the second bar 31c2) in the engaged state form a hinge mechanism. Conversely, when opening and closing the cover 1b from the opposite side, the two sets of hooks 30b and the first bar 31c1 (or the second bar 31c2) on one side form a hinge mechanism. In other words, the cover 1b can be opened from both sides.

In addition to the catch mechanisms 3, it is also necessary to release the above-mentioned links 36 that maintain the open state of the cover 1b. In this embodiment, however, it is also possible to completely separate the cover 1b from the bottom case 1a by simultaneously releasing the locked state of the four catch mechanisms 3. If the cover 1b can be completely separated from the bottom case 1a, it becomes easier to clean the roof box 1, and it is also easier to attach the roof box 1 to the roof carrier and remove it from the roof carrier.

The adjustment of the catch mechanism 3 when changing the roof box 1 from a small capacity state to a large capacity state will be briefly described below. When the roof box 1 is in the small capacity state shown in FIG. 1, the striker 31 of the catch mechanism 3 is in the state shown in FIG. 4. The state in which the striker 31 is engaged with the latch 30 is shown in FIG. 2. From this state, the push button 34 on one side of the roof box 1 (for example, the side of the side mentioned above) is pressed to release the engagement between the striker 31 and the latch 30, and the cover 1b is opened.

After loosening the knob 31e, the swing arm 31b is swung so that the second arm 31b2 extends downward for each of the two strikers 31. The specified position is where the first arm 31b1 abuts the striker bracket 31a. In this state, the knob 31e is tightened to fix the swing arm 31b. This state is shown in FIG. 5. The cover 1b is closed, and the adjustment of the catch mechanism 3 on one side is completed. Note that on one side, the first arm 31b1 in the small capacity state of FIG. 4 and the second arm 31b2 in the high capacity state of FIG. 5 are both positioned approximately on a circular orbit centered on the hinge mechanism by the catch mechanism 3 (low capacity state) on the opposite side, so the cover 1b can be closed.

Next, the two strikers 31 on the other side of the roof box 1 (for example, the opposite side described above) are adjusted in the same way from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the first arm 31b1 in the small capacity state shown in FIG. 4 and the second arm 31b2 in the high capacity state shown in FIG. 5 are both located on a circular orbit centered on the hinge mechanism by the catch mechanism 3 on one side (high capacity state), so the cover 1b can be closed. When this adjustment is completed, the roof box 1 is in the high capacity state shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the bottom case 1a and the cover 1b is increased, and the load capacity of the roof box 1 increases. The above-mentioned link 36 automatically responds to this increased distance. The state in which the striker 31 is engaged with the latch 30 in the high capacity state is shown in FIG. 6.

The capacity variable mechanism of this embodiment is provided between the bottom case 1a of the roof box 1 and the cover 1b that closes the upper opening of the bottom case 1a, and includes a catch mechanism 3 that holds the cover 1b in a closed state relative to the bottom case 1a. The catch mechanism 3 is provided inside the roof box 1 in the closed state, and includes a latch 30 attached to the bottom case 1a and a striker 31 attached to the cover 1b. The latch 30 includes a latch bracket 30a fixed to the bottom case 1a and a locking claw (hook) 30b swingably attached to the latch bracket 30a. The striker 31 includes a striker bracket 31a fixed to the cover 1b, and a locking member (swing arm) 31b that can swing relative to the striker bracket 31a and can be fixed at a predetermined position. The locking member includes a first arm 31b1 and a second arm 31b2. The first arm 31b1 extends from the pivot axis in a first direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, and has a first interlocking portion (first bar) 31c1 at its tip that can be interlocked with the interlocking claw (hook) 30b. The second arm 31b2 extends from the pivot axis in a second direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, different from the first direction, and has a second interlocking portion (second bar) 31c2 at its tip that can be interlocked with the interlocking claw (hook) 30b. The length of the first arm 31b1 is shorter than the length of the second arm 31b2.

Therefore, according to the capacity variable mechanism of this embodiment, by swinging the interlocking member (swing arm) 31b and fixing the first interlocking portion (first bar) 31c1 to engage with the interlocking claw (hook) 30b, the capacity of the roof box 1 can be reduced and its height kept down. On the other hand, by swinging the interlocking member (swing arm) 31b and fixing the second interlocking portion (second bar) 31c2 to engage with the interlocking claw (hook) 30b, the capacity of the roof box 1 can be increased. This capacity switching operation can be easily performed by simply changing the swing position of the interlocking member (swing arm) 31b.

In addition, according to the variable capacity mechanism of this embodiment, when the locking claw (hook) 30b and the first locked portion (first bar) 31c1 are locked (see FIG. 4), the second arm 31b2 and the striker bracket 31a come into contact. Furthermore, when the locking claw (hook) 30b and the second locked portion (second bar) 31c2 are locked (see FIG. 5), the first arm 31b1 and the striker bracket 31a come into contact. Therefore, the locked member (swing arm) 31b can be positioned at a predetermined swing position simply by abutting the first arm 31b1 or the second arm 31b2 against the striker bracket 31a.

In addition, according to the capacity variable mechanism of this embodiment, the angle between the first arm 31b1 and the second arm 31b2 is an obtuse angle. This obtuse angle is set to an angle that satisfies the following [1] and [2]. [1] When the first interlocking portion (first bar) 31c1 and the interlocking claw (hook) 30b are in an interlocking state (see FIG. 4), the second arm 31b2 is extended along the inner surface of the cover 1b. [2] When the second interlocking portion (second bar) 31c2 and the interlocking claw (hook) 30b are in an interlocking state (see FIG. 5), the first arm 31b1 is extended toward the inner surface of the cover 1b. Therefore, in the state of [1], the second arm 31b2 is extended along the inner surface of the cover 1b, so that the interlocking member (swing arm) 31b does not hinder the loading of luggage as much as possible. On the other hand, in state [2], the first arm 31b1 extends toward the inner surface of the cover 1b and does not extend toward the inside where the luggage is loaded, so the locked member (swing arm) 31b does not interfere with the loading of luggage at all.

In addition, according to the variable capacity mechanism of this embodiment, two catch mechanisms 3 are provided spaced apart along one side of the roof box 1, and the two locking claws (hooks) 30b of the two catch mechanisms 3 are connected by a connecting rod 32 that extends along their pivot axis. This allows the two catch mechanisms 3 to reliably hold one side of the roof box 1 in a closed state. At the same time, the two catch mechanisms 3 can be linked by the connecting rod 32, making it easy to open one side of the roof box 1.

Here, according to the variable capacity mechanism of this embodiment, when in the closed state, the peripheral side walls of the cover 1b are positioned outside the peripheral side walls of the bottom case 1a. This prevents rain and the like from entering the inside of the roof box 1, and allows the cover 1b to be opened smoothly upward. Furthermore, two catch mechanisms 3 are provided symmetrically on the opposite side of the above-mentioned side. The two sets of catch mechanisms 3 in the engaged state on each side also function as hinge mechanisms for the cover. Therefore, the roof box 1 can be opened from either one side or the opposite side.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments can be modified or varied based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be extracted individually and combined as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

1 Roof box 1a Bottom case 1b Cover 3 Catch mechanism 30 Latch 30a Latch bracket 30b Hook (retaining claw)
31 Striker 31a Striker bracket 31b Swing arm (engaged member)
31b1 First arm (first arm portion)
31b2 Second arm (second arm portion)
31c1 First bar (first locked part)
31c2 Second bar (second engaged portion)
32 Connecting rod

Claims (5)

A vehicle roof box capacity variable mechanism,
A catch mechanism is provided between a bottom case of the roof box and a cover that closes an upper opening of the bottom case, and keeps the cover closed relative to the bottom case.
The catch mechanism is provided inside the roof box in the closed state, and includes a latch attached to the bottom case and a striker attached to the cover,
The latch has a latch bracket fixed to the bottom case and a locking claw pivotally attached to the latch bracket,
the striker has a striker bracket fixed to the cover and a locked member that is swingable relative to the striker bracket and can be fixed at a predetermined position,
the interlocking member includes a first arm portion extending from the pivot shaft in a first direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft and having a first interlocking portion at a tip end that can be interlocked with the interlocking claw, and a second arm portion extending from the pivot shaft in a second direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft different from the first direction and having a second interlocking portion at a tip end that can be interlocked with the interlocking claw,
A vehicle roof box capacity varying mechanism, wherein the length of the first arm is shorter than the length of the second arm. The vehicle roof box capacity variable mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second arm and the striker bracket come into contact when the locking claw and the first locked portion are engaged, and the first arm and the striker bracket come into contact when the locking claw and the second locked portion are engaged. an angle between the first arm portion and the second arm portion is an obtuse angle,
3. The capacity variable mechanism for a vehicle-mounted roof box as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the obtuse angle causes the second arm portion to extend along the inner surface of the cover when the first engaging portion and the engaging claw are in an engaged state, and is set at an angle that causes the first arm portion to extend toward the inner surface of the cover when the second engaging portion and the engaging claw are in an engaged state. The catch mechanism is provided in two spaces along one side of the roof box,
4. The vehicle roof box capacity variable mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the two locking claws of the two catch mechanisms are connected by a connecting rod extending along their pivot axis. In the closed state, a peripheral wall of the cover is located outside a peripheral wall of the bottom case,
Two of the catch mechanisms are provided symmetrically on the opposite side of the one side,
5. The variable capacity mechanism for a vehicle-mounted roof box according to claim 4, wherein the two sets of catch mechanisms in a locked state on each side also function as hinge mechanisms for the cover.