US Patent 7145764 Console unit and operation button unit

A console unit includes a substrate extending along a virtual plane. A support extends rearward from the front end. The substrate is received on the support. A console is connected to the front end of the support for relative rotation around a rotation axis intersecting the virtual plane. The console is allowed to occupy a larger space even if the substrate is reduced in size. The visibility of the console cannot be degraded irrespective of a reduced size of the substrate. Other components may be positioned adjacent the console unit. Replacement of the component is often required without detaching the console. The console is allowed to retreat from the path of movement of the component based on the rotational movement. Interference can reliably be prevented between the console unit and the other component during replacement of the other component.