Slide rail assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a sliding rail assembly which comprises a first rail, a second rail, a blocking feature, two operating pieces and a locking piece. The blocking feature is arranged on the first rail; the two operating pieces and the locking piece are movably positioned on the second rail; when the second rail is located at a preset position relative to the first rail, the locking piece is blocked by the blocking feature so as to prevent the second rail from leaving the preset position. When one of the two operating pieces is operated, the locking piece can be driven to allow the second rail to leave the preset position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, in particular to a slide rail assembly which can release the locking relationship between two slide rails when they are in a predetermined position relative to each other by operating one of two operating parts. Background Art

[0002] US invention patent publication number US 6,883,884 B2 discloses a latch assembly for a slide rail device, which includes a first rail and a second rail that can be relatively displaced. The first rail is provided with a latch assembly, and the second rail is provided with a latch seat. When the first rail is in a retracted position relative to the second rail, the latch assembly is engaged with the latch seat, so that the first rail is maintained in the retracted position. When unlocking, the user must simultaneously press the two actuating members of the latch assembly so that the hooks of the two corresponding unlocking members are no longer engaged with the latch seat, so as to allow the first rail to leave the retracted position relative to the second rail.

[0003] However, in order to meet the diverse needs of the market, how to develop a slide rail product that does not require simultaneous operation of two actuating members (or operating members) to release the locking or blocking relationship between the two slide rails has become an issue that cannot be ignored. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail assembly which can release the locking relationship between two slide rails when they are in a predetermined position relative to each other by operating one of two operating members.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a blocking feature, two operating members, and a locking member. The second rail and the first rail are displaceable relative to each other; the blocking feature is disposed on one of the first rail and the second rail; the two operating members are movably located on the other of the first rail and the second rail; the locking member is movably located on the other of the first rail and the second rail; wherein, when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail, the locking member is in a locked state and can block the blocking feature to prevent the second rail from leaving the predetermined position; wherein, when one of the two operating members is operated, the locking member can be driven to move from the locked state to an unlocked state to allow the second rail to leave the predetermined position.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a first operating member, a second operating member and a locking member. The second rail and the first rail can be displaced longitudinally relative to each other; the first operating member and the second operating member can be movably located on the second rail, and the first operating member and the second operating member respectively include a first gear feature and a second gear feature; the locking member can be movably located on the second rail; wherein, when the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the first rail can be locked by the locking member being in a locked state to prevent the second rail from leaving the retracted position; when one of the first operating member and the second operating member is operated to move from a first state to a second state, the first gear feature and the second gear feature are meshed with each other, so that the other of the first operating member and the second operating member is linked, and the locking member is driven to move from the locked state to an unlocked state to allow the second rail to move from the retracted position to a predetermined direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] To further illustrate and verify the above-mentioned purpose, structural features and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention at least comprising a first rail and a second rail.

[0009] Figure 2 The schematic diagram shows an exploded view of a first rail, a second rail and a housing of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 show Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of area A.

[0011] Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of a second rail according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0012] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a viewing angle in which the second rail is locked at a predetermined position relative to the first rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing another perspective of the second rail being locked in the predetermined position relative to the first rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a viewing angle in which a user can operate one of a first operating member and a second operating member to release the lock between the second rail and the first rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 8A schematic diagram showing another perspective of an embodiment of the present invention showing that a user can operate one of the first operating member and the second operating member to release the lock between the second rail and the first rail.

[0016] Fig. 9 The schematic diagram shows that the second rail is locked at the predetermined position relative to the first rail and the user can operate the other one of the first operating member and the second operating member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig.10 A schematic diagram showing that a plurality of slide rail assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied to a rack, and a user can release the lock between the second rail and the first rail of the slide rail assembly at the highest position by operating one of the first operating member and the second operating member.

[0018] Fig.11 A schematic diagram showing that a plurality of slide rail assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied to the rack, and a user can operate the other of the first operating member and the second operating member to release the lock between the second rail and the first rail of the slide rail assembly at the lowest position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a slide rail assembly 20 of an embodiment of the present invention includes a first rail 22 and a second rail 24 that can be longitudinally displaced relative to each other. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a third rail 26 movably installed between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24, wherein the third rail 26 includes a channel 27 for movably installing the second rail 24. In addition, in this embodiment, the X-axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rail), the Y-axis is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z-axis is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail).

[0020] Furthermore, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a blocking feature 28, a locking member 30 and two operating members. The locking member 30 is used in conjunction with the blocking feature 28. The two operating members are, for example, a first operating member 31 and a second operating member 32.

[0021] The blocking feature 28 is disposed on one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. Here, the blocking feature 28 is disposed on the first rail 22 as an example, but the implementation is not limited thereto. The blocking feature 28 can be directly or indirectly disposed on the first rail 22. Here, the blocking feature 28 is a protrusion as an example; or, in an alternative embodiment, the blocking feature 28 is a hole wall or a groove wall. Therefore, the implementation form of the blocking feature 28 is not limited thereto in practice. Preferably, the first rail 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b that are opposite to each other, such as a front end and a rear end, and the blocking feature 28 is disposed on the first end 22a adjacent to the first rail 22.

[0022] The lock member 30, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are movably located on the other of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. Here, the lock member 30, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are movably located on the second rail 24 as an example. Preferably, the second rail 24 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b that are opposite to each other, such as a front end and a rear end, and the lock member 30, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are movably installed on the first end 24a adjacent to the second rail 24.

[0023] Preferably, the second rail 24 is provided with a housing 34 (eg Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 34 is connected (for example, fixed) to and adjacent to the first end 24a of the second rail 24 and can be regarded as a part of the second rail 24. The housing 34 includes a first housing portion 34a and a second housing portion 34b (as shown in FIG. 1 ) connected to each other. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, preferably, the first shell 34a and the second shell 34b are detachably mounted to each other, and a receiving space is defined between the first shell 34a and the second shell 34b, and the lock 30, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are movably disposed on the first shell 34a of the first end 24a of the second rail 24. Further, the first shell 34a and the second shell 34b can accommodate and / or cover most of the lock 30, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32, which has a protective effect; or, in other alternative embodiments, the lock 30, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 do not need to pass through the shell 34 and can be directly disposed on the second rail 24 and adjacent to the first end 24a of the second rail 24, so the implementation is not limited.

[0024] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown ( Figure 3 and Figure 4Only the first shell portion 34 a is shown, and the second shell portion 34 b is omitted. Specifically, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are pivotally connected to the first shell portion 34 a on the second rail 24 via a first shaft 36 and a second shaft 38 , respectively.

[0025] Preferably, the direction of one of the first axis 36 and the second axis 38 is substantially the same as a transverse direction of the second rail 24. Here, the direction of the first axis 36 and the second axis 38 is substantially the same as the transverse direction (lateral direction, such as the Y-axis direction) of the second rail 24 as an example.

[0026] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 have a first gear feature 40 and a second gear feature 42 that can mesh with each other. For example, the first gear feature 40 and the second gear feature 42 have a plurality of teeth that can mesh with each other.

[0027] Preferably, one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 , for example, the first operating member 31 includes a driving portion 44 , and the driving portion 44 is used to drive the locking member 30 .

[0028] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a return elastic member 46 for providing elastic force to one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32. Here, taking the example that the return elastic member 46 includes a first elastic section 48a and a second elastic section 48b that can respectively provide elastic force to the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32, wherein the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 can remain in a first state S1 in response to the elastic force of the return elastic member 46.

[0029] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 respectively include a first operating portion 50 and a second operating portion 52 that can be operated by a user by pressing. The first operating portion 50 and the second operating portion 52 are located at opposite positions. Specifically, the first operating portion 50 is located at a first height position (e.g., a lower position) close to the second rail 24, and the second operating portion 52 is located at a second height position (e.g., an upper position) close to the second rail 24.

[0030] Preferably, the lock 30 is pivotally connected to the first shell 34a on the second rail 24 through a pivot 53, for example, the pivot 53 is pivotally connected to at least one lug 51 of the first shell 34a, and the direction of the pivot 53 is substantially the same as the height direction of the second rail 24 (for example, the Z-axis direction), and the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an auxiliary elastic member 54, which is, for example, a spring or a member with elasticity, and is not limited in implementation. The lock 30 can be maintained in a locked state K1 in response to the elastic force of the auxiliary elastic member 54.

[0031] Preferably, the first shaft 36 is located between the first operating portion 50 and the driving portion 44 .

[0032] Preferably, the first operating member 31 further includes a first working portion 56 located around the adjacent first shaft 36, and the first working portion 56 is provided with the first gear feature 40; on the other hand, the second operating member 32 further includes a second working portion 58 located around the adjacent second shaft 38, and the second working portion 58 is provided with the second gear feature 42 for meshing with the first gear feature 40.

[0033] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the second rail 24 is in a predetermined position P (e.g., a folded position) relative to the first rail 22, the lock 30 is in the locked state K1, so that a locking portion 60 of the lock 30 can block the blocking feature 28 to prevent the second rail 24 from leaving the predetermined position P. In other words, the lock 30 is in the locked state K1 to lock the second rail 24 to prevent the second rail 24 from leaving the predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1 (e.g., an opening direction). The lock 30 is in the locked state K1, so that the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 correspond to each other in the longitudinal direction, so that the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 can block each other.

[0034] Preferably, one of the lock member 30 and the first operating member 31 is provided with a guiding feature 62, such as an inclined surface or an arc surface, but the implementation is not limited. Here, the lock member 30 is provided with at least one guiding feature 62 as an example, and the guiding feature 62 is used in conjunction with the driving portion 44 of the first operating member 31.

[0035] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, when one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32, for example, the first operating member 31 is operated, the lock member 30 can be driven from the locked state K1 (eg Figure 5 As shown) moves to an unlocked state K2 (as shown Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown), to allow the second rail 24 to leave the predetermined position P, for example, to allow the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1.

[0036] Furthermore, the user applies a first force F1 to one of the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50 ) and the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52 ), for example Figure 5As shown, the user can apply the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50) to drive the first operating member 31 to move from the first state S1 to a second state S2. During this process, the driving portion 44 of the first operating member 31 contacts the guide feature 62 of the lock member 30 and can easily drive the lock member 30 from the locked state K1 (as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown) moves to the unlocked state K2 (as shown Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second rail 24 is configured to allow the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1. When the lock member 30 is in the unlocked state K2, the lock portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 no longer correspond to each other in the longitudinal direction. For example, the lock portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 are staggered, so that the lock portion 60 cannot block the blocking feature 28 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), for allowing the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1.

[0037] It is worth mentioning that when the first operating member 31 is applied with the first force F1 from the first state S1 (such as Figure 5 When the activity moves to the second state S2 (as shown in Figure 7 The first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are meshed with each other through the first gear feature 40 and the second gear feature 42 to form a linkage relationship, so that the second operating member 32 can change from the first state S1 (as shown) in response to the movement of the first operating member 31. Figure 5 As shown) moves to the second state S2 (as shown Figure 7 For example, the first operating member 31 moves from the first state S1 to a first pivot direction r1 (as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown) moves to the second state S2 (as shown Figure 7 ), and the second operating member 32 moves from the first state S1 to a second pivot direction r2 (as shown Figure 5 As shown) moves to the second state S2 (as shown Figure 7 shown).

[0038] In addition, when the lock element 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (eg Figure 8 ), the auxiliary elastic member 54 is in a state of accumulating an auxiliary elastic force; on the other hand, when the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are in the second state S2 (as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 4 , the return elastic member 46 is in a state of accumulating a return elastic force.

[0039] It is worth mentioning that when the lock element 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (eg Figure 8), the second rail 24 can move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1 to another predetermined position (e.g., an open position), wherein, once the user stops applying the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50), the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 respond to the return elastic member 46 releasing the return elastic force and can move from the second state S2 (e.g., Figure 7 As shown) returns to the first state S1 (as shown Figure 5 ), and the lock member 30 responds to the auxiliary elastic member 54 releasing the auxiliary elastic force from the unlocked state K2 (as shown Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown) returns to the locked state K1 (as shown Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown).

[0040] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, when one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32, for example, the second operating member 32 is operated, the lock member 30 can also be driven from the locked state K1 (such as Fig. 9 As shown) moves to the unlocked state K2 (as shown Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown), to allow the second rail 24 to leave the predetermined position P, for example, to allow the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1.

[0041] Furthermore, the user may apply a second force F2 in the opposite direction to the first force F1 to the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52) (such as Fig. 9 ), for pressing the second operating member 32 from the first state S1 (as Fig. 9 As shown) moves to the second state S2 (as shown Figure 7 ), and the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are meshed with each other through the first gear feature 40 and the second gear feature 42 to have a linkage relationship, so that the first operating member 31 can change from the first state S1 (as shown) in response to the movement of the second operating member 32 Fig. 9 As shown) moves to the second state S2 (as shown Figure 7 In this process, the driving portion 44 of the first operating member 31 contacts the guide feature 62 of the lock member 30 and can easily drive the lock member 30 from the locked state K1 (as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown) moves to the unlocked state K2 (as shown Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 ), the second rail 24 is allowed to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1. When the lock member 30 is in the unlocked state K2, the lock portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 no longer correspond to each other in the longitudinal direction. For example, the lock portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 are laterally staggered, so that the lock portion 60 cannot block the blocking feature 28 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), for allowing the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1.

[0042] It can be seen that the user can release the locking (blocking) relationship between the second rail 24 and the first rail 22 when they are in the predetermined position P relative to each other by operating the first operating member 31 or the second operating member 32, so as to allow the second rail 24 to leave the predetermined position P.

[0043] like Fig.10 As shown, a plurality of slide rail assemblies 20 can be installed on a rack 64 (or cabinet) along a height direction (e.g., Z-axis direction), and these slide rail assemblies 20 have substantially the same structural configuration. Further, taking the example of the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 installed at the highest position of the rack 64 being locked at the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, the slide rail assembly 20 at the highest position may not be easy for the user's hand H to touch and operate the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52), so the user can choose to operate the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50) to drive the lock member 30 from the locked state K1 (this part can be referred to in conjunction with Figure 5 As shown) to the unlocked state K2 (this part can be referred to in conjunction with Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 at the highest position is allowed to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1. As the technical principle of this part has been disclosed above, it will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity.

[0044] like Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , taking the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 installed at the lowest position of the frame 64 being locked at the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22 as an example, the slide rail assembly 20 at the lowest position may not be easy for the user's hand H to touch and operate the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50), so the user may choose to operate the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52) to drive the lock member 30 from the locked state K1 (this part can be referred to in conjunction with Fig. 9 As shown) to the unlocked state K2 (this part can be referred to in conjunction with Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 , the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 at the lowest position is allowed to move from the predetermined position P to the predetermined direction D1. As the technical principle of this part has been disclosed above, it will not be repeated here for the sake of simplicity.

[0045] It can be seen that the slide rail assembly 20 provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes the following features:

[0046] 1. Different from the known technology described in the background art, in which the user must press the two actuating members of the latch assembly at the same time, in the present embodiment, when the second rail 24 is in the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, the lock member 30 is in the locked state K1 and can block the blocking feature 28, wherein the user only needs to operate (for example, press or push) one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 to drive the lock member 30 from the locked state K1 to the unlocked state K2, so that the lock member 30 (the locking portion 60) no longer blocks the blocking feature 28, so as to allow the second rail 24 to leave the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22.

[0047] 2. When one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 is operated, the first gear feature 40 and the second gear feature 42 mesh with each other, so that the other of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 can be linked.

[0048] 3. One of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 includes the driving portion 44 , and the driving portion 44 is used to drive the lock member 30 to move from the locked state K1 to the unlocked state K2 .

[0049] 4. The first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31 is located at a first height position (eg, a lower position) close to the second rail 24 , and the second operating portion 52 of the second operating member 32 is located at a second height position (eg, an upper position) close to the second rail 24 .

[0050] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the current specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, and various equivalent changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, any changes and modifications to the above embodiments within the spirit of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A slide rail assembly, comprising a first rail, a second rail, a blocking feature, two operating members and a locking member, wherein: The second rail and the first rail are movable relative to each other, and are characterized in that: The blocking feature is disposed on one of the first rail and the second rail; The operating member is movably located on the other of the first rail and the second rail; and The locking element is movably located on the other of the first rail and the second rail; Wherein, when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail, the lock member is in a locked state and can block the blocking feature to prevent the second rail from leaving the predetermined position; When one of the two operating members is operated, the locking member can be driven to move from the locked state to an unlocked state, so as to allow the second rail to leave the predetermined position.

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blocking feature is arranged on the first rail, and the two operating members and the locking member are movably located on the second rail.

3. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second rail has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, and the two operating members are movably mounted on the first end adjacent to the second rail.

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two operating members are pivotally connected to the second rail through a first shaft and a second shaft respectively.

5. The slide rail assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The direction of one of the first axis and the second axis is substantially the same as a transverse direction of the second rail.

6. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two operating members have gear features that can mesh with each other.

7. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: One of the two operating components includes a driving portion, and the driving portion is used for driving the locking component.

8. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A restoring elastic member is also included to provide elastic force to one of the two operating members.

9. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two operating members respectively include a first operating portion and a second operating portion which can be operated by a user by pressing.

10. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking element is pivotally connected to the second rail, and the slide rail assembly further comprises an auxiliary elastic element. The locking element can be kept in the locked state in response to the elastic force of the auxiliary elastic element.

11. A slide rail assembly, comprising a first rail, a second rail, a first operating member, a second operating member and a locking member, wherein: The second rail and the first rail are movable relative to each other, and are characterized in that: The first operating member and the second operating member are movably located on the second rail, and the first operating member and the second operating member respectively include a first gear feature and a second gear feature; and The locking element is movably located on the second rail; When the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the first rail can be locked by the locking member being in a locked state to prevent the second rail from leaving the retracted position; When one of the first operating member and the second operating member is operated to move from a first state to a second state, the first gear feature and the second gear feature engage with each other, so that the other of the first operating member and the second operating member is linked, and the lock member is driven to move from the locked state to an unlocked state, so as to allow the second rail to move from the folded position to a predetermined direction.

12. The slide rail assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first operating member and the second operating member are pivotally connected to the second rail via a first axis and a second axis respectively, and the first operating member and the second operating member respectively comprise a first operating portion and a second operating portion; wherein the first operating member further comprises a driving portion, the driving portion being used to drive the locking member, and the first axis being located between the first operating portion and the driving portion; the first operating member further comprises a first working portion being located around the adjacent first axis, and the first working portion being provided with the first gear feature; the second operating member further comprises a second working portion being located around the adjacent second axis, and the second working portion being provided with the second gear feature.

13. The slide rail assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: It also includes a return elastic member for providing elastic force to the first operating member and the second operating member; the lock member is pivotally connected to the second rail, and the slide rail assembly also includes an auxiliary elastic member, and the lock member can remain in the locked state in response to the elastic force of the auxiliary elastic member.

14. The slide rail assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: The direction of one of the first axis and the second axis is substantially the same as a transverse direction of the second rail.

15. The slide rail assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The second rail has a first end and a second end that are opposite to each other, and the first operating member and the second operating member are movably mounted on the first end adjacent to the second rail.

Images