Lid device for use in a motorcar

Claim 1

In a combination including a motorcar body having therein an opening at least partially defined by at least one side edge portion extending in a longitudinal direction, a lid adapted to openably cover said opening, and at least one opening/closing device hingedly connecting said lid to said body for movement between a first position whereat said lid uncovers said opening and a second position whereat said lid covers said opening, the improvement wherein said opening/closing device comprises: a base plate mounted on said side edge portion and extending in said longitudinal direction; said base plate having formed therein an elongated guide slot extending substantially in said longitudinal direction; a first arm member having a first end fixedly and non-pivotably secured to said lid and a second end mounted for sliding movement along said guide slot; a second arm member having a first end pivotably connected to said first arm member at a position between first and second ends thereof and a second end pivotably mounted at a position adjacent said side edge portion; said first and second arm members being movable between respective first positions thereof extending outwardly from said base plate when said lid is in said first position thereof, and respective second positions thereof extending substantially parallel to each other and to said guide slot when said lid is in said second position thereof; and spring member means, having a first end acting on said base plate and a second end acting on one of said second end of said first arm member and said second end of said second arm member, for biasing said first and second arm members to said respective first positions thereof and for thereby biasing said lid to said first position thereof.