Slide rail assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly comprising a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail comprises a first region and a second region; the second rail is located in the first region and is movable relative to the first rail; and the third rail is located in the second region and is movable relative to 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 "201710057629.3" and invention name "Slide Rail Assembly". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, in particular to a slide rail assembly in which one slide rail can provide support for two other slide rails at different positions on the same side. Background Art

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, a first load 200 and a second load 202 can be mounted to a rack 208 via a pair of first rail assemblies 204 and a pair of second rail assemblies 206, respectively. Each first rail assembly 204 includes a first rail 210 and a second rail 212 that are movable relative to the first rail 210. The first rail 210 of the first rail assembly 204 is mounted to a first column 218 of the rack 208 via a first bracket 216, and the second rail 212 of the first rail assembly 204 provides mounting for the first load 200. On the other hand, each second rail assembly 206 includes a first rail 220 and a second rail 222 that are movable relative to the first rail 220. The first rail 220 of the second rail assembly 206 is mounted to the first column 218 of the rack 208 via another first bracket 224 , and the second rail 222 of the second rail assembly 206 is used to mount the second load 202 .

[0004] The aforementioned first and second loads 200 and 202 require two separate rail assemblies before they can be mounted on the rack, resulting in relatively high assembly costs. If the weight of the loads is within an acceptable range, cost considerations should be considered to design the rail assemblies to accommodate two or more loads. This concept led to the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail assembly, wherein one slide rail of the slide rail assembly can provide support for two other slide rails at different positions on the same side.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail assembly, wherein one slide rail of the slide rail assembly can provide support for two other slide rails on the same support surface, and the two slide rails are used to respectively provide support for the installation of two loads.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail includes a first region and a second region located differently from the first region; the second rail is located in the first region and is movable relative to the first rail; and the third rail is located in the second region and is movable relative to the first rail.

[0008] Preferably, the first area and the second area are located on the same side of the first rail.

[0009] Preferably, the first area and the second area respectively have a first channel and a second channel, the first rail includes a longitudinal wall, a first upper wall, a first lower wall, a second upper wall and a second lower wall, the longitudinal wall, the first upper wall and the first lower wall jointly define the first channel, and the second rail can be displaced relative to the first rail through the first channel; the longitudinal wall, the second upper wall and the second lower wall jointly define the second channel, and the third rail can be displaced relative to the first rail through the second channel.

[0010] Preferably, the first upper wall and the first lower wall of the first rail respectively include a first wall section and a second wall section roughly perpendicularly connected to the first wall section, and the second rail includes an upper rail section, a lower rail section and an intermediate section connected between the upper rail section and the lower rail section of the second rail. The upper rail section and the lower rail section of the second rail are located in the first channel of the first rail and can be rested between the first upper wall and the first lower wall of the first rail.

[0011] Preferably, the second upper wall and the second lower wall of the first rail respectively include a third wall segment and a fourth wall segment roughly perpendicularly connected to the third wall segment, and the third rail includes an upper rail segment, a lower rail segment and an intermediate segment connected between the upper rail segment and the lower rail segment of the third rail. The upper rail segment and the lower rail segment of the third rail are located in the second channel of the first rail and can be rested between the second upper wall and the second lower wall of the first rail.

[0012] Preferably, the first rail includes a feature located adjacent to the channel opening of the first channel.

[0013] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further comprises an elastic member disposed on the second rail, and when the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the second rail can be blocked by the feature with the aid of the elastic member.

[0014] Preferably, one of the second rail and the third rail includes a plurality of mounting holes, and the mounting holes include a first hole portion and a second hole portion connected to the first hole portion, and the size of the first hole portion is larger than that of the second hole portion.

[0015] Preferably, the slide rail assembly further includes a stopper blocking the first hole portion adjacent to one of the second rail and the third rail.

[0016] Preferably, the first rail has a front portion and a rear portion, and the slide rail assembly further includes a first bracket and a second bracket respectively located adjacent to the front portion and the rear portion.

[0017] Preferably, one of the first bracket and the second bracket is movably mounted on the first rail and can be displaced relative to the first rail.

[0018] Preferably, one of the first bracket and the second bracket includes a first wall, a second wall and an extension wall connected between the first wall and the second wall, and the first wall, the second wall and the extension wall jointly define a space for movably installing the first rail.

[0019] Preferably, one of the first bracket and the second bracket can be displaced within a limited range relative to the first rail through a limiting structure, the limiting structure includes a long hole and at least one connecting member passing through a portion of the long hole, and the at least one connecting member connects one of the first bracket and the second bracket to the first rail.

[0020] Preferably, the first bracket and the second bracket each have at least one mounting feature for providing the first rail with mounting capability to a first object and a second object, respectively.

[0021] One of the first bracket and the second bracket includes a first wall, a second wall and an extension wall connected between the first wall and the second wall. The slide rail assembly includes a wall filling piece disposed on the extension wall.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail includes a first channel and a second channel; the second rail is movable relative to the first rail through the first channel; and the third rail is movable relative to the first rail through the second channel.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly is suitable for mounting a first load and a second load to a first column and a second column of a rack. The slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail is mounted to the first column and the second column via a first bracket and a second bracket. The second rail and the third rail are respectively movable relative to the first rail and are located at different positions on the same side of the first rail. The second rail is used to mount the first load, and the third rail is used to mount the second load. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] To further illustrate and verify 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, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing two pairs of slide rail assemblies used in the prior art to mount two loads on a rack.

[0026] Figure 2A schematic diagram illustrating a pair of slide rail assemblies capable of mounting two loads on a rack according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the two loads are retracted within the rack.

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a pair of slide rail assemblies capable of mounting two loads on a rack according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein one load is further shown being pulled out of the rack.

[0028] Figure 4 An exploded schematic diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a first rail of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a second rail and a third rail are mounted.

[0030] Figure 6 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the second rail and the third rail are in an extended position relative to the first rail.

[0031] Figure 7 show Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the enlarged area A.

[0032] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating a first load mounted on a second rail of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating a pair of slide rail assemblies mounting two loads on a rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, in a rack system, a first load 20 and a second load 22 can be mounted to a rack 26 via a pair of rail assemblies 24. The first load 20 and / or the second load 22 can be electronic equipment, chassis, drawers, or the like. Each rail assembly 24 can be mounted to a first column 32 (or a first object) and a second column 34 (or a second object) of the rack 26 via a first bracket 28 and a second bracket 30, respectively.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, the first load 20 and / or the second load 22 can be pulled out of the rack 26 through each slide rail assembly 24 ; or, can be pushed into the rack 26 from outside the rack 26 .

[0036] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the slide rail assembly 24 includes a first rail 36 , a second rail 38 and a third rail 40 .

[0037] The first rail 36 includes a first region 42 and a second region 44. Preferably, the first region 42 and the second region 44 are located at different positions on the same side of the first rail 36. For example, the first rail 36 has a first side 45a and a second side 45b located opposite the first side 45a, and the first region 42 and the second region 44 are located on the first side 45a. The first region 42 and the second region 44 each have a first channel 46 (or a first longitudinal channel) and a second channel 48 (or a second longitudinal channel).

[0038] Specifically, the first rail 36 includes a longitudinal wall 50, a first upper wall 52a, a first lower wall 52b, a second upper wall 54a, and a second lower wall 54b. The first upper wall 52a and the first lower wall 52b are connected to the longitudinal wall 50, and the longitudinal wall 50, the first upper wall 52a, and the first lower wall 52b collectively define the first passage 46. Preferably, the first upper wall 52a and the first lower wall 52b of the first rail 36 respectively include a first wall segment W1 and a second wall segment W2 that are substantially perpendicular to the first wall segment W1. Meanwhile, the second upper wall 54a and the second lower wall 54b are connected to the longitudinal wall 50, and the longitudinal wall 50, the second upper wall 54a, and the second lower wall 54b collectively define the second passage 48. Preferably, the second upper wall 54a and the second lower wall 54b of the first rail 36 each include a third wall segment W3 and a fourth wall segment W4, each substantially perpendicularly connected to the third wall segment W3. Preferably, the first rail 36 includes a first feature 56 and, more preferably, a second feature 58. The first feature 56 is located adjacent to the opening of the first channel 46, while the second feature 58 is located adjacent to the opening of the second channel 48. Here, the first feature 56 and the second feature 58 are both exemplified as protrusions, but this is not limiting.

[0039] The second rail 38 is movably mounted in the first area 42 and is movable relative to the first rail 36. For example, the second rail 38 is movable relative to the first rail 36 through the first passage 46. Preferably, the second rail 38 includes an upper rail segment 55a, a lower rail segment 55b, and an intermediate segment 55c connected between the upper rail segment 55a and the lower rail segment 55b. Preferably, a first bend 55d is defined between the upper rail segment 55a and the intermediate segment 55c, and a second bend 55e is defined between the lower rail segment 55b and the intermediate segment 55c. The upper rail segment 55a and the lower rail segment 55b are located within the first passage 46 of the first rail 36 and can rest between the first upper wall 52a and the first lower wall 52b of the first rail 36, thereby enhancing the supporting strength between the second rail 38 and the first rail 36.

[0040] The third rail 40 is located in the second area 44 and is displaceable relative to the first rail 36. For example, the third rail 40 is displaceable relative to the first rail 36 through the second passage 48. Preferably, the third rail 40 includes an upper rail segment 57a, a lower rail segment 57b, and a middle segment 57c connected between the upper rail segment 57a and the lower rail segment 57b. Preferably, a first bend 57d is defined between the upper rail segment 57a and the middle segment 57c, and a second bend 57e is defined between the lower rail segment 57b and the middle segment 57c. The upper rail segment 57a and the lower rail segment 57b are located within the second passage 48 of the first rail 36 and can rest between the second upper wall 54a and the second lower wall 54b of the first rail 36. This improves the supporting strength between the third rail 40 and the first rail 36.

[0041] The first bracket 28 is located at a front portion 60 adjacent to the first rail 36. The first bracket 28 can be an additional accessory mounted on the front portion 60 of the longitudinal wall 50 adjacent to the first rail 36; or, as in the present embodiment, the first bracket 28 can be integrally formed with the front portion 60 of the longitudinal wall 50 adjacent to the first rail 36. Thus, the first bracket 28 and the first rail 36 can be considered to be a single component. Furthermore, the first bracket 28 has at least one mounting feature 62. The at least one mounting feature 62 of the first bracket 28 is exemplified herein as a plurality of connection holes.

[0042] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the second bracket 30 is movably mounted adjacent to a rear portion 64 of the first rail 36. In other words, the second bracket 30 and the first bracket 28 can serve as the rear bracket and the front bracket of the first rail 36, respectively. Specifically, the second bracket 30 includes an extension wall 66 and an end wall 68 substantially perpendicularly connected to the extension wall 66. Preferably, the second bracket 30 further includes a first wall 70a and a second wall 70b, with the extension wall 66 connected between the first wall 70a and the second wall 70b. The first wall 70a, the second wall 70b, and the extension wall 66 collectively define a space 72 for movably mounting the first rail 36, allowing the second bracket 30 and the first rail 36 (or the first bracket 28) to move relative to each other.

[0043] Preferably, the second bracket 30 is movable relative to the first rail 36 within a limited range via a retaining structure 74. For example, the retaining structure 74 includes an elongated hole 76 and at least one connecting member 78 (e.g., two connecting members 78). Here, the second bracket 30 having the elongated hole 76 is used as an example, and the at least one connecting member 78 includes a head 80a and a body 80b connected to the head 80a. The head 80a is larger than the body 80b. The head 80a is located on one side of the second bracket 30, and the body 80b extends through a portion of the elongated hole 76 to connect the second bracket 30 to the first rail 36, allowing the second bracket 30 and the first rail 36 to move relative to each other within a limited range. The second bracket 30 has at least one mounting feature 82 located on the end wall 68, wherein the at least one mounting feature 82 of the second bracket 30 is exemplified by a plurality of connecting holes. Preferably, a wall filler 83 is disposed on the extension wall 66 of the second bracket 30, and the wall filler 83 helps to strengthen the structural strength of the second bracket 30. The wall filler 83 can be connected to the second bracket 30 by riveting, welding or screwing.

[0044] Preferably, the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 have a shorter rail length than the first rail 36. This allows the second rail 38 and the third rail 40 to accommodate the needs of carrying the first load 20 and the second load 22. For example, the second rail 38 and the third rail 40 can be used for shorter loads. Of course, the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 can also have a rail length substantially the same as the first rail 36, allowing the second rail 38 and the third rail 40 to accommodate longer loads. Therefore, the rail lengths of the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 are not limited in practice.

[0045] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 24 further includes at least one elastic member, exemplified herein by a first elastic member 84 and a second elastic member 86. The first elastic member 84 and the second elastic member 86 are disposed on the second rail 38 and the third rail 40, respectively. The first elastic member 84 includes a first connecting portion 88, a first elastic portion 90 connected to the first connecting portion 88 and tilted at an angle relative to the first connecting portion 88, and a first stop section 92 located on the first elastic portion 90. Similarly, the second elastic member 86 includes a second connecting portion 94, a second elastic portion 96 connected to the second connecting portion 94 and tilted at an angle relative to the second connecting portion 94, and a second stop section 98 located on the second elastic portion 96. The first stop section 92 and / or the second stop section 98 may be a protruding structure; alternatively, in other embodiments, the first stop section 92 and / or the second stop section 98 may be a recessed structure or a hole.

[0046] like Figure 6As shown, when the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 are respectively displaced from a retracted position to an extended position E relative to the first rail 36, the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 can be respectively engaged or blocked by the first feature 56 and / or the second feature 58 of the first rail 36 by means of the first elastic member 84 and / or the second elastic member 86, so as to provide the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 with a temporary position in the extended position E relative to the first rail 36. Figure 7 As shown, in the extended position E, the second rail 38 can be engaged or blocked by the first feature 56 of the first rail 36 by means of the first stop section 92 of the first elastic member 84. It is worth mentioning that when a user applies a force to the first elastic portion 90 and / or the second elastic portion 96, the first stop section 92 and / or the second stop section 98 can be moved away from the first feature 56 and / or the second feature 58, allowing the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 to be operatively moved away from the extended position E relative to the first rail 36, for example, to be removed from the first rail 36.

[0047] Cooperate Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40 include a plurality of mounting holes spaced a distance apart from each other, such as a first mounting hole 102 and a second mounting hole 104. Here, it is taken as an example that these mounting holes 102, 104 both include a first hole portion 106a and a second hole portion 106b connected to the first hole portion 106a, and the size of the first hole portion 106a is larger than the size of the second hole portion 106b. Among them, these mounting holes 102, 104 of the second rail 38 can provide a plurality of mounting parts 108 (standoff) for the first carrier 20. Preferably, the slide rail assembly also includes a first elastic stopper 110 and / or a second elastic stopper 112, which respectively block the first hole portion 106a of one of the mounting holes adjacent to the second rail 38 and / or the third rail 40. For example, the mounting member 108 of the first carrier 20 can push the first elastic stopper 110 from the first hole portion 106a of the first mounting hole 102 of the second rail 38 and enter the second hole portion 106b. The first elastic stopper 110 then returns to its original shape and blocks the first hole portion 106a of the adjacent second rail 38 through the first elastic stopper 110, so as to prevent the first carrier 20 from arbitrarily moving relative to the second rail 38. Similarly, the mounting holes 102 and 104 of the third rail 40 can provide multiple mounting members for the second carrier 22. For the sake of simplicity, this part can refer to the configuration relationship between the second rail 38 and the first carrier 20 (such as Figure 8 ), which will not be elaborated here.

[0048] like Figure 9As shown, the first and second supports 20 and 22 can be mounted to the columns of the rack 26 via the slide rail assembly 24. For example, at least one mounting feature 62 of the first bracket 28 allows at least one first fixing member 114 to mount the first bracket 28 to the first column 32 of the rack 26. Since the first channel 46 and the second channel 48 are directly formed on the same side of the first rail 36, the second rail 38 and the third rail 40 can be mounted corresponding to the first channel 46 and the second channel 48, thereby shortening the distance between the second rail 38 and the third rail 40. Due to this feature, when the first and second supports 20 and 22 are mounted on the second and third rails 38 and 40, respectively, the first and second supports 20 and 22 can be designed to be nearly adjacent to each other, facilitating space utilization.

[0049] According to the above description, it can be seen that the improved effects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0050] 1. The first rail can provide two slide rails at the same time (for example, the second rail and the third rail can be installed), which can reduce the production cost of the slide rail assembly.

[0051] 2. The second rail and / or the third rail can be temporarily positioned in an extended position relative to the first rail, which facilitates maintenance work on the slide rail assembly or the load.

[0052] 3. There are supporting structures between the first rail and the second rail, as well as between the first rail and the third rail, which can abut against each other, thereby increasing the supporting strength between them.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the current specific embodiments, ordinary technicians in this technical field should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, and various equivalent changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, as long as the changes and modifications to the above embodiments are within the scope of the essential spirit of the present invention, they will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A slide rail assembly (24), characterized in that: The invention is suitable for mounting a first carrier (20) and a second carrier (22) one above the other on a first column (32) and a second column (34) of a frame (26), wherein the slide rail assembly comprises: A first rail (36) is adapted to be mounted to the first machine column (32) and the second machine column (34) via a first bracket (28) and a second bracket (30), wherein the first rail (36) has a first channel (46) and a second channel (48) respectively located in a first area (42) and a second area (44), wherein the first area (42) and the second area (44) are respectively located on the same side of the first rail (36) at different height positions; a second rail (38) capable of moving relative to the first rail (36) through the first passage (46); and a third rail (40) located in the second region (44) and capable of moving relative to the first rail (36) through the second passage (48); One of the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30) can be movably mounted to the first rail (36) and can be displaced relative to the first rail (36); each of the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30) includes at least one mounting feature (62, 82), and the first rail (36) can be mounted to the first machine column (32) and the second machine column (34) respectively through the mounting features (62, 82) of the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30).

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second rail (38) and the third rail (40) are displaceable relative to the first rail (36) along the longitudinal direction of the first rail (36).

3. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The first rail (36) includes a longitudinal wall (50), a first upper wall (52a), a first lower wall (52b), a second upper wall (54a) and a second lower wall (54b); the first channel (46) is defined by the longitudinal wall (50), the first upper wall (52a) and the first lower wall (52b); the second channel (48) is defined by the longitudinal wall (50), the second upper wall (54a) and the second lower wall (54b); and the third rail (40) can be displaced relative to the first rail (36) through the second channel (48).

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the first upper wall (52a) and the first lower wall (52b) of the first rail (36) includes a first wall section and a second wall section approximately perpendicular to the first wall section. The second rail (38) includes an upper rail section (55a), a lower rail section (55b) and an intermediate section (55c) connected between the upper rail section (55a) and the lower rail section (55b). The upper rail section (55a) and the lower rail section (55b) of the second rail (38) are located in the first channel (46) of the first rail (36) and respectively abut against the first upper wall (52a) and the first lower wall (52b) of the first rail (36).

5. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Each of the second upper wall (54a) and the second lower wall (54b) of the first rail (36) includes a third wall segment and a fourth wall segment roughly perpendicularly connected to the third wall segment; the third rail (40) includes an upper rail segment (57a), a lower rail segment (57b) and an intermediate segment (57c) connected between the upper rail segment (57a) and the lower rail segment (57b) of the third rail (40); the upper rail segment (57a) and the lower rail segment (57b) of the third rail (40) are located in the second channel (48) of the first rail (36) and respectively abut against the second upper wall (54a) and the second lower wall (54b) of the first rail (36).

6. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The first rail (36) further includes a first feature (56) located at a channel opening adjacent to the first channel (46), and the slide rail assembly (24) further includes a first elastic member (84) located at the second rail (38). When the second rail (38) is in an extended position relative to the first rail (36), the first feature (56) is used to block the second rail (38) with the help of the first elastic member (84).

7. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the second rail (38) and the third rail (40) includes a plurality of mounting holes, each mounting hole including a first hole portion (106a) and a second hole portion (106b) connected to the first hole portion (106a), and the size of the first hole portion (106a) is larger than the size of the second hole portion (106b), and the slide rail assembly (24) further includes an elastic stopper for blocking the first hole portion (106a) in one of the mounting holes.

8. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first rail (36) has a front portion (60) and a rear portion (64), and the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30) are disposed on the first rail (36) and are adjacent to the front portion (60) and the rear portion (64), respectively.

9. The slide rail assembly according to claim 8, wherein: One of the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30) includes a first wall (70a), a second wall (70b) and an extension wall (66) connected between the first wall (70a) and the second wall (70b). The first wall (70a), the second wall (70b) and the extension wall (66) jointly define a space (72) for providing the first rail (36) with movable installation. The slide rail assembly (24) further includes a wall filler (83) configured on the extension wall (66).

10. The slide rail assembly according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: One of the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30) is capable of displacement within a limited range relative to the first rail (36) through a limiting structure (74), wherein the limiting structure (74) includes a long hole (76) and at least one connecting member (78) passing through a portion of the long hole (76), and the at least one connecting member (78) is used to connect one of the first bracket (28) and the second bracket (30) to the first rail (36).

11. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The first upper wall (52a), the first lower wall (52b), the second upper wall (54a) and the second lower wall (54b) are connected to the longitudinal wall (50); the first rail (36) further includes a first feature (56) and a second feature (58), the first feature (56) being located adjacent to the passage opening of the first passage (46), and the second feature (58) being located adjacent to the passage opening of the second passage (48).

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