Slide rail assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slide assembly, comprising a first rail, a second rail and a working member. The first rail comprises a blocking feature; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the working member is operable from a first state to a second state and comprises a first blocking portion and a second blocking portion; when the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the working member is in the first state, and the first blocking portion of the working member corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail; when the working member is operated to be in the second state, the second rail is collapsible relative to the first rail from the extended position to a predetermined position, and the second blocking portion of the working member corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail, so that a distance is maintained between a front portion of the second rail and a front portion of the first rail.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed by the applicant on January 22, 2017, with application number "201710053544.8" and invention title "Slide Rail Assembly". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly having a safety mechanism that provides protection for the user when one slide rail is closed relative to another slide rail. Background Technology

[0003] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the prior art, a slide rail assembly typically includes a first rail 100 and a second rail 104 that are displaceable relative to the first rail 100. Preferably, it also includes a third rail 102 installed between the first rail 100 and the second rail 104 to increase the displacement stroke of the second rail 104 relative to the first rail 100.

[0004] The third rail 102 is equipped with a stop 112 located at the front 116 of the adjacent third rail 102. On the other hand, a rotating stop 106 and an operating member 108 are disposed on the second rail 104. When the second rail 104 is in an extended position relative to the third rail 102, it is positioned relative to the third rail 102. Furthermore, the user can apply a force F to the operating member 108 with their hand H, causing a drive part 110 of the operating member 108 to deflect the rotating stop 106 by an angle, preventing the rotating stop 106 from being blocked by the stop 112 of the third rail 102, allowing the second rail 104 to retract relative to the third rail 102 from the extended position in a retraction direction D. During the retraction process, if the user's hand H fails to release or remove itself from the operating member 108 in time, the user's hand H may be pinched between the front 114 of the second rail 104 and the front 116 of the third rail 102. In short, this type of slide rail assembly does not have a hand-pinch protection mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention relates to a slide rail assembly having a safety mechanism that provides protection for the user when one slide rail is closed relative to another slide rail.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a first working member. The first rail includes a blocking feature; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail between a retracted position and an extended position; the first working member is operable relative to the second rail from a first state to a second state, and the first working member includes a first stop and a second stop; wherein, when the second rail is in the extended position, the first working member is in the first state, and the first stop of the first working member corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail to prevent the second rail from retracting from the extended position to the retracted position; wherein, when the first working member is... When the operation is in the second state, the first stop of the first working piece no longer corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail, allowing the second rail to retract from the extended position to a predetermined position relative to the first rail, and the second stop of the first working piece corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail to prevent the second rail from retracting from the predetermined position to the retracted position; wherein, when the first working piece is in the first state again, the second stop of the first working piece no longer corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail, allowing the second rail to retract from the predetermined position to the retracted position.

[0007] Preferably, the first working piece is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft, and the shaft is located between the first stop and the second stop.

[0008] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a base, the base including a first elastic portion for providing elastic force to a first stop adjacent to the first working member.

[0009] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a first operating element for operating the first working element to switch from the first state to the second state.

[0010] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a first restoring elastic element for providing elastic force to the first operating element.

[0011] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a second working member pivotally connected to the second rail, and the second working member includes a third stop portion, wherein when the second rail is in the extended position, the third stop portion of the second working member and the first stop portion of the first working member are respectively located on both sides of the blocking feature.

[0012] Preferably, the base also includes a second elastic portion for providing elastic force to a third stop adjacent to the second working piece.

[0013] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a second operating element for operating the second working element to switch from one state to another.

[0014] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a second restoring elastic element to provide elastic force to the second operating element.

[0015] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a third rail, and the first rail is installed between the third rail and the second rail.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a first working member, and a base. The first rail includes a blocking feature; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the first working member is pivotally connected to the second rail via a pivoting feature, and the first working member includes a first stop and a second stop, the pivoting feature being located between the first stop and the second stop; the base includes a first elastic portion for providing elastic force to the first working member; wherein, when the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the first stop of the first working member responds to the elastic force of the first elastic portion of the base to counteract the blocking feature of the first rail, to prevent the second rail from retracting from the extended position toward a retracted position in a retracting direction; wherein, when the first working member is operated such that the first stop of the first working member no longer counteracts the blocking feature of the first rail, the elastic force of the first elastic portion of the base is resisted, and the second stop of the first working member counteracts the blocking feature of the first rail, to prevent the second rail from retracting at a predetermined position toward the retracted position in the retracting direction.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a first working member. The first rail has a front portion, a rear portion, and a blocking feature located between the front portion and the rear portion; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail between a retracted position and an extended position, and the second rail has a front portion and a rear portion; the first working member is operable relative to the second rail from a first state to a second state, and the first working member includes a first stop and a second stop; wherein, when the second rail is in the extended position, the first working member is in the first state, and the first stop of the first working member can be blocked by the blocking feature of the first rail; wherein, when the first working member is operated to the second state, the first stop of the first working member is not blocked by the blocking feature of the first rail, allowing the second rail to retract relative to the first rail from the extended position to a predetermined position, and the second stop of the first working member can be blocked by the blocking feature of the first rail, maintaining a distance between the front portion of the second rail and the front portion of the first rail. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To further illustrate and demonstrate the above-mentioned objectives, structural features, and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a conventional slide rail assembly, where a user operates a rotating stop via an operating element to tilt one slide rail relative to another from its extended position in one direction.

[0020] Figure 2 This diagram shows a conventional slide rail assembly, in which the slide rail can be retracted in that direction from an extended position relative to another slide rail.

[0021] Figure 3 A perspective view showing a carrier of an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a frame via a slide rail assembly.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail.

[0023] Figure 5 This diagram shows an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 show Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of region A.

[0025] Figure 7 A perspective view of the second rail of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 8 This diagram shows a slide rail assembly in a retracted state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the displacement of the first and second rails relative to the third rail in an extending direction of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail.

[0029] Figure 11 show Figure 10 An enlarged schematic diagram of region A.

[0030] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, and the user operates the first operating element.

[0031] Figure 13 show Figure 12 An enlarged schematic diagram of region A.

[0032] Figure 14 This diagram shows a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is positioned relative to the first rail at a predetermined position.

[0033] Figure 15 show Figure 14 An enlarged schematic diagram of region A.

[0034] Figure 16 This diagram shows a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is retracted relative to the first rail or the third rail in a retracting direction. Detailed Implementation

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, a carrier 20 can be mounted to a rack 24 via a pair of slide rail assemblies 22. Specifically, the carrier 20 can be an electronic device (such as a server) or a chassis; each slide rail assembly 22 can be mounted to a first column 30a and a second column 30b of the rack 24 via a first bracket 26 and a second bracket 28.

[0036] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the slide rail assembly 22 includes a first rail 32 and a second rail 34, and preferably, also includes a third rail 36. The first rail 32 is installed between the third rail 36 and the second rail 34.

[0037] The third rail 36 has the first bracket 26 and the second bracket 28 configured at two locations (e.g., the front and rear). Furthermore, the third rail 36 includes an upper wall 38a, a lower wall 38b, and a side wall 40 connecting the upper wall 38a and the lower wall 38b. The upper wall 38a, lower wall 38b, and side wall 40 of the third rail 36 together define a channel 42, which provides mounting space for the first rail 32.

[0038] The first rail 32 can be displaced relative to the third rail 36 through the channel 42 of the third rail 36. The first rail 32 has a front portion 44a, a rear portion 44b, and a blocking feature 46 located between the front portion 44a and the rear portion 44b. The blocking feature 46 can be a protrusion. In this embodiment, the blocking feature 46 is located at the front portion 44a adjacent to the first rail 32 (this part can be referred to in conjunction with the previous section). Figure 6 The blocking feature 46 may be an additional fitting connected to the first rail 32; or, the blocking feature 46 may be integrally formed into the first rail 32, which is not limiting in implementation. Furthermore, the first rail 32 includes an upper wall 50a, a lower wall 50b, and a side wall 52 connected between the upper wall 50a and the lower wall 50b. The upper wall 50a, lower wall 50b, and side wall 52 of the first rail 32 together define a channel 54, which provides space for the installation of the second rail 34.

[0039] The second rail 34 can be displaced relative to the first rail 32 and / or the third rail 36 through the channel 54 of the first rail 32. The second rail 34 has a front portion 56a and a rear portion 56b. Furthermore, the second rail 34 includes an upper wall 58a, a lower wall 58b, and a side wall 60 connected between the upper wall 58a and the lower wall 58b.

[0040] The slide rail assembly 22 includes a first working member 62, and preferably, a second working member 64. Specifically, the first working member 62 is pivotally connected to the second rail 34 via a pivot feature 66, whereby the first working member 62 is pivotally connected to the side wall 60 of the second rail 34 as an example. The pivot feature 66 is a shaft, and the first working member 62 is pivotally connected to the second rail 34 via this shaft; alternatively, the pivot feature 66 may also be a shaft integrally formed on the first working member 62, allowing the first working member 62 to be pivotally connected to the second rail 34.

[0041] Cooperate Figure 7 As shown, the first working member 62 includes a first stop 68 and a second stop 70. The second stop 70 may be integrally formed on the first working member 62; or, the second stop 70 may be an additional part connected to the first working member 62, which is not limited in implementation. Preferably, the pivot feature 66 (e.g., a shaft) is located between the first stop 68 and the second stop 70. On the other hand, the second working member 64 is pivotally connected to the second rail 34 via another pivot feature 71 (e.g., another shaft). Here, taking the second working member 64 as an example where it is pivotally connected to the side wall 60 of the second rail 34, the second working member 64 includes a third stop 72.

[0042] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 22 further includes a base 74, a first operating member 76, a second operating member 78, a first return elastic member 80, and a second return elastic member 82.

[0043] The base 74 includes a first elastic portion 84 and a second elastic portion 86, which are used to provide elastic force to the first working member 62 and the second working member 64, respectively. For example, the first elastic portion 84 is used to provide elastic force to the first stop portion 68 adjacent to the first working member 62; the second elastic portion 86 is used to provide elastic force to the third stop portion 72 adjacent to the second working member 64.

[0044] The first operating member 76 is used to operate the first working piece 62. Here, the first operating member 76 includes a first operating part 88, a first driving part 90, and a first extension 92 connected between the first operating part 88 and the first driving part 90. The first extension 92 is generally arranged along the length direction of the second track 34.

[0045] The second operating member 78 is used to operate the second working piece 64. Here, the second operating member 78 includes a second operating part 94, a second driving part 96, and a second extension 98 connected between the second operating part 94 and the second driving part 96. The second extension 98 is generally arranged along the length direction of the second track 34. The second operating member 78, through the second driving part 96, can operate the second working piece 64 to pivot from one state to another by an angle.

[0046] The first restoring elasticity 80 and the second restoring elasticity 82 are used to provide elastic force (e.g., restoring elastic force) to the first operating member 76 and the second operating member 78 respectively, so that the first operating member 76 and the second operating member 78 can maintain a predetermined operating position by responding to the elastic force of the first restoring elasticity 80 and the second restoring elasticity 82 respectively.

[0047] like Figure 8 As shown, the slide rail assembly 22 is in a retracted state. Specifically, the first rail 32 and / or the second rail 34 are in a retracted position relative to the third rail 36, and the second rail 34 is also in a retracted position R relative to the first rail 32. The first working piece 62 and the second working piece 64 are in a first state S1 relative to the second rail 34.

[0048] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the first rail 32 can be displaced relative to the third rail 36 in an extending direction D1; on the other hand, the second rail 34 can be displaced relative to the first rail 32 in the extending direction D1. During the process of the second rail 34 displacing in the extending direction D1 to an extending position E, the first working member 62 contacts the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32 and pivots at an angle to become a second state S2. The first working member 62 resists the elastic force of the first elastic part 84 of the base 74, allowing the first working member 62 to pass over the blocking feature 46 as the second rail 34 displaces in the extending direction D1.

[0049] like Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, after passing the blocking feature 46, the first working member 62 returns to the first state S1 by the elastic force of the first elastic part 84 of the base 74, so that the first stop 68 aligns with the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32; on the other hand, the second rail 34 reaches the extended position E relative to the first rail 32. When the second rail 34 is in the extended position E, the first stop 68 of the first working member 62 and the third stop 72 of the second working member 64 correspond to each other and are located on both sides of the blocking feature 46, preventing the second rail 34 from arbitrarily displacing relative to the first rail 32. The first stop 68 of the first working member 62, aligning with the blocking feature 46, can prevent the second rail 34 from retracting from the extended position E to the retracted position R. For example, when the second rail 34 is in the extended position E, the first working piece 62 is in the first state S1, and the first stop 68 of the first working piece 62 can be blocked by the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32, so that a first distance L1 is maintained between the front part 56a of the second rail 34 and the front part 44a of the first rail 32.

[0050] Cooperate Figure 10 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, when the user wants to retract the second rail 34 relative to the first rail 32 from the extended position E toward the retracted position R in a retracting direction D2, the user can operate the first working member 62 to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2, so that the first stop 68 of the first working member 62 no longer corresponds to the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32. In this embodiment, the user can operate the first working member 62 to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2 through the first operating member 76. For example, the user can apply a force F to the first operating part 88 of the first operating member 76 through hand H, so that the first driving part 90 can operate the first working member 62 to pivot relative to the second rail 34 from the first state S1 to the second state S2, and the elastic force of the first elastic part 84 of the base 74 is resisted.

[0051] Cooperate Figure 12 , Figure 14 and Figure 15As shown, when the user applies force F to the first operating member 76, and the first working member 62 is in the second state S2, causing the first stop 68 to no longer align with the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32, the second rail 34 can retract relative to the first rail 32 from the extended position E towards the retracting direction D2 to a predetermined position P. When the second rail 34 is in the predetermined position P, the second stop 70 of the first working member 62 aligns with the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32 to prevent the second rail 34 from continuing to retract relative to the first rail 32 from the predetermined position P towards the retracted position R. For example, when the first working piece 62 is in the second state S2, the first stop 68 of the first working piece 62 is not blocked by the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32, allowing the second rail 34 to retract from the extended position E to the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 32, and the second stop 70 of the first working piece 62 is blocked by the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32, so that a second distance L2 (or simply a distance) is maintained between the front part 56a of the second rail 34 and the front part 44a of the first rail 32. The second distance L2 is smaller than the first distance L1.

[0052] This feature allows for the maintenance of a second distance L2 between the front portion 56a of the second rail 34 and the front portion 44a of the first rail 32 as a safety distance. This prevents the user's hand (e.g., fingers) from being pinched between the front portion 56a of the second rail 34 and the front portion 44a of the first rail 32 when the second rail 34 retracts from the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 32. In other words, the second rail 34 can only retract from the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 32 after the user's hand H is released or removed from the first operating member 76, thus preventing the user's hand H from being pinched.

[0053] Cooperate Figure 14 and Figure 16 As shown, when the user stops applying force F to the first operating member 76, the first working member 62 responds to the elastic force of the first elastic part 84 of the base 74, pivots at an angle from the second state S2 and returns to the first state S1, so that the second stop 70 of the first working member 62 no longer corresponds to the blocking feature 46 of the first rail 32, allowing the second rail 34 to retract from the predetermined position P toward the retracting direction D2 toward the retracting position R.

[0054] Based on the above description, it can be seen that the improved efficacy and advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0055] 1. When the second rail of the slide rail assembly retracts relative to the first rail from the extended position, it can be blocked by the second stop of the first working part, so that a predetermined safety distance (such as the second distance L2) can be maintained during the process of the second rail retracting relative to the first rail from the extended position in the retraction direction. This safety distance allows the user's hand to leave the first working part or the first operating part, so as to prevent the user's hand from being pinched when the second rail retracts relative to the first rail.

[0056] 2. When the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the first working piece and the second working piece can be in a state (e.g., the first state S1) located on both sides of the blocking feature of the first rail, so that the second rail cannot be arbitrarily displaced relative to the first rail when in the extended position.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention, and various equivalent changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, any changes or modifications to the above embodiments within the scope of the essential spirit of the invention will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A slide rail assembly, comprising: A first track, comprising a blocking feature, a front portion and a rear portion; A second rail, which can be displaced relative to the first rail between a retracted position and an extended position, and a front part and a rear part; A first working part includes a first stop and a second stop; A second working piece is pivotally connected to the second rail, and the second working piece includes a third stop; and A base, the base including a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion for providing elastic force to a first stop portion adjacent to the first working member and a third stop portion adjacent to the second working member, respectively; The first working piece is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft located between the first stop and the second stop. The first working piece can be operated from a first state to a second state relative to the second rail. The base, the first elastic part, and the second elastic part are integral components, and the integral component is disposed between the first working part and the second working part. The second working piece can pivot independently relative to the first working piece; When the second rail is in the extended position and the first working piece is in the first state, the first stop of the first working piece corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail and is blocked by the blocking feature, so that the front part of the second rail and the front part of the first rail maintain a first distance to prevent the second rail from retracting from the extended position to the retracted position. When the first working piece is operated in the second state, the first stop of the first working piece no longer corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail, allowing the second rail to be displaced relative to the first rail from the extended position to the retracted position. The second stop of the first working piece corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail and can be blocked by the blocking feature, so that the front part of the second rail and the front part of the first rail maintain a second distance, and the second distance is less than the first distance, to prevent the second rail from retracting from a predetermined position to the retracted position, the predetermined position being located between the extended position and the retracted position. When the second rail is in the predetermined position and the first working piece is in the first state again, the second stop of the first working piece no longer corresponds to the blocking feature of the first rail, so that the second rail can be retracted from the predetermined position to the retracted position.

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first operating member and a first restoring elastic member, wherein the first operating member is used to operate the first working member to switch from the first state to the second state, and the first restoring elastic member is used to provide elastic force to the first operating member.

3. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the second rail is in the extended position, the third stop of the second working piece and the first stop of the first working piece are respectively located on both sides of the blocking feature.

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a second operating member and a second restoring elastic member, wherein the second operating member is used to operate the second working member to pivot relative to the second rail, and the second restoring elastic member is used to provide elastic force to the second operating member.

5. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a third rail, which is installed between the third rail and the second rail.

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