Telescopic rail with end position lock and self-closing mechanism

Abstract

The present application relates to a telescopic rail with end position locking and self-closing mechanism. A telescopic rail with an outer rail (2), a middle rail (3) and an inner rail (4) has a self-closing mechanism and a mechanism for releasable locking of the rail elements in the fully extended end position, even with a compact design.

Description

Invention Theme

[0001] The present invention relates to a telescopic guide rail designed as a fully extended guide rail having an outer guide rail, at least one middle guide rail, and an inner guide rail mounted on each other such that the outer guide rail, at least one middle guide rail, and inner guide rail can move linearly in the insertion direction and the opposite pull-out direction. Background of the Invention

[0002] Telescopic guides typically have two guide elements and optionally a third, or in some cases a fourth. These guide elements are generally of equal or similar length and are mounted via roller bearings or sliding bearings, allowing them to move linearly relative to each other. Telescopic guides with two guide elements form what is called partial extensions, while those with three or more guide elements are called fully extended or super-extended guides. Rolling elements or sliding bearings between the guide elements are used to reduce friction and improve running smoothness and load transfer. Balls are particularly used as rolling elements, but rollers, needles, cones, etc., are also used. As the guide elements move relative to each other, the rolling elements roll and are guided on raceways designed on the guide elements to match their shape. In sliding bearings, sliding elements are guided between the guide elements on appropriately designed raceways, or the sliding surface is formed on the guide elements themselves.

[0003] To maintain a certain distance between the rolling elements and to prevent them from separating or falling off the telescopic guide when the guide elements move, the rolling elements are guided in rolling element cages arranged between the guide elements. If balls are used as rolling elements, these are called ball cages. In the following text, as long as the ball is referred to as a rolling element and the ball cage as a rolling element cage, this also includes other types of rolling elements and rolling element cages, unless explicitly excluded or excluded for technical reasons.

[0004] Telescopic guides are used to guide the linear movement of one component relative to another. In most applications, telescopic guides are used for holding and linearly moving components, particularly pull-out elements such as drawers, shelves, or other parts, on a body such as a piece of furniture, a technical cabinet, or a computer rack. Telescopic guides are also used in automotive engineering to hold and move seats, doors, consoles, etc., or for drawers inside vehicles. In these applications, the telescopic guide is fixed to the body by one of the guide elements, the so-called fixed guide element, and the component to be moved is attached to the guide element that can move relative to the fixed guide element.

[0005] Telescopic guide rails can have various cross-sectional profiles. The most common is the C-shaped profile, which has a web forming the rear of the guide rail and flanges formed at opposite ends of the web and extending from the web at an angle, on which raceways for the guide rail elements are formed. Besides the C-shaped profile, the double-T profile is also used as a center guide between two other guide rail elements. In a center guide designed with a C-shaped profile, two running tracks are typically formed on each of the two flanges of the C-shaped profile: one running track on the inner side of the flange (facing the opposite flange of the C-shaped profile) and one running track on the outer side of the flange (facing away from the opposite flange of the C-shaped profile). The flanges of the center guide rail surround a guide rail element (also called the inner guide rail), which is typically smaller and has a shorter web length, while the center guide rail itself is surrounded by a guide rail element (also called the outer guide rail), which is typically larger and has a longer web length.

[0006] In most applications, guide rail elements are mounted with the web or back of the guide rail in a vertical orientation because the profile has the highest flexural strength under load in this orientation and ensures optimal load transfer via rolling or sliding elements on the raceway.

[0007] As is well known, telescopic rails are equipped with a so-called self-closing mechanism to power-assistedly retract the rail element to the fully retracted position over a final distance. For example, telescopic rails with self-closing mechanisms are commonly used in drawers. Typically, the self-closing mechanism is fixed to the fixed rail element at its end section in the insertion direction and has an actuator that is preloaded or can be preloaded in the insertion direction by means of a spring element or a retraction element. When the telescopic rail is pulled out, the actuator is driven in the pull-out direction by means of a movable rail element (with which the actuator engages via a retaining trap), overcoming the preload of the spring element or retraction element. Under the preload, the actuator is locked in the insertion direction at a distance from the fully retracted position, and the actuator disengages from the retaining trap of the rail element moving in the pull-out direction, allowing the rail element to move further in the pull-out direction. When the movable guide element is pushed in, it strikes the driver, engages with the driver through the retainer, releases the driver from the lock, and is pulled in to the fully inserted position over the final distance.

[0008] It is also known that, in the extended state, the movable guide rail elements of the telescopic guide rail are separably locked to each other in the end position so as to keep the guide rail elements in the fully extended end position so that the guide rail elements are not accidentally pushed back, but can only be pushed back by applying a force specified by the corresponding locking mechanism.

[0009] In many installation scenarios, telescopic guides must be designed to be compact, occupying as little space as possible, especially in the lateral extensions perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the telescopic guide between the main body and the pull-out element to be moved. To achieve this, the guide elements of the telescopic guide, such as those with a C-shaped profile, are thus arranged with the smallest possible distance between the backs of the guide elements. However, this also limits the available mounting space between the guide elements for accommodating additional components.

[0010] For certain applications, it is desirable to equip telescopic guides designed for full extension with both a self-closing mechanism for power-assisted retraction of the guide elements to the fully retracted position over the final distance, and a mechanism for detachably locking the guide elements in the fully extended end position. However, this combination of functions cannot be achieved using known self-closing and locking mechanisms, particularly in telescopic guides with compact designs, as these mechanisms obstruct each other in the limited available space between the guide elements. At least one of these functions must be located outside the mounting space between the guide elements or entirely outside the telescopic guide, which would be expensive and require additional space outside the guide elements or the telescopic guide itself.

[0011] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic guide designed as a fully extended guide rail that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art and, even with a compact design, has both a self-closing mechanism and a mechanism for detachably locking the guide rail elements in the fully extended end position. Invention Description

[0012] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a fully extendable telescopic guide designed according to the appended independent claim 1, the telescopic guide having a self-closing mechanism for dynamically retracting the guide element to a fully retracted position over a final distance, and simultaneously having a mechanism for detachably locking the guide element in a fully extended end position. Embodiments and further configurations are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0013] The telescopic guide rail according to the invention enables the combination of a self-closing mechanism and an end position locking mechanism in a fully extended end position, even in telescopic guide rails with a compact design and narrow installation space between guide rail elements, and allows the necessary components to be arranged between guide rail elements.

[0014] The telescopic guide rail according to the invention is designed as a fully extended guide rail having an outer guide rail, a middle guide rail, and an inner guide rail. The inner guide rail is mounted such that it is linearly movable between a first insertion end position and a first pull-out end position on the middle guide rail in an insertion direction (E) and an opposite pull-out direction (A), and the middle guide rail is mounted such that it is linearly movable between a second insertion end position and a second pull-out end position on the outer guide rail in an insertion direction (E) and an opposite pull-out direction (A).

[0015] The first insertion end position and the first pull-out end position describe the positions where the inner guide rail is fully inserted relative to the middle guide rail in the insertion direction or fully extended relative to the middle guide rail in the pull-out direction. The second insertion end position and the second pull-out end position describe the positions where the middle guide rail is fully inserted relative to the outer guide rail in the insertion direction and fully extended relative to the middle guide rail in the pull-out direction. The insertion end position of the entire telescopic guide rail describes the positions where all guide rail elements are fully inserted, that is, the inner guide rail is at the first insertion end position relative to the middle guide rail, and the middle guide rail is at the second insertion end position relative to the outer guide rail. This is equivalent to the insertion end position of the inner guide rail relative to the outer guide rail.

[0016] Preferably, the guide rail elements are movably mounted to each other via roller bearings or sliding bearings. Particularly preferred are the guide rail elements movably mounted to each other via ball bearings, the balls being arranged in and guided within a ball cage.

[0017] Typically, these telescopic guides are equipped with stops in both directions of movement. These stops restrict the movement of the individual guide elements relative to each other, preventing the guide elements from separating and disengaging. The end position refers to the moving end in the corresponding direction of movement due to the restriction imposed by these stops.

[0018] The outer guide rail, middle guide rail, and inner guide rail each have a guide rail back and a section extending from the guide rail back at a certain angle, on which raceways are formed. In an embodiment of the telescopic guide rail according to the invention, the guide rail elements are mounted to each other in a displaceable manner via rolling element bearings or sliding bearings, and the raceways are configured and designed for the rolling of the rolling elements or for guiding the sliding elements.

[0019] In embodiments of the present invention, the cross-sections of the outer guide rail, the middle guide rail, and the inner guide rail are all C-shaped profiles, wherein the back of the guide rail is formed by a web of the C-shaped profile and has raceways formed on the flange of the C-shaped profile for rolling rolling elements or for guiding sliding elements.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the outer and inner guide rails have C-shaped cross sections, and the middle guide rail has a double-T-shaped cross section profile, wherein the back of the guide rail is formed by a web of the double-T-shaped profile and has raceways formed on the flange of the double-T-shaped profile for rolling rolling elements or for guiding sliding elements.

[0021] According to the present invention, when the telescopic guide rail is fully extended, i.e., when the middle guide rail and the inner guide rail are in their fully extended end positions, the guide rail elements are separable and locked. To this end, according to the present invention, when the telescopic guide rail is fully extended, the inner guide rail is locked relative to the middle guide rail in a first pull-out end position, and simultaneously the middle guide rail is locked relative to the outer guide rail in a second pull-out end position. Here, locking means that in order to release the lock from the fully extended end position, the force in the insertion direction (release force) is greater than the force required to move the guide rail element out of the locked position, or a release mechanism (e.g., a release lever) must be actuated to release the locking mechanism from the fully extended end position.

[0022] According to the invention, the middle guide rail thus has a first locking element and the inner guide rail has a second locking element, wherein the first and second locking elements are designed for separable engagement of form fit and / or force fit and for locking the middle guide rail and the inner guide rail. The locking elements are arranged and designed such that when the guide rail elements are in a position in which the inner guide rail has moved along the pull-out direction (A) to a first pull-out end position on the middle guide rail, the middle guide rail and the inner guide rail are locked. In embodiments of the invention, the first locking element is fixed to or integrally formed with the middle guide rail, and / or the second locking element is fixed to or integrally formed with the inner guide rail.

[0023] The locking element may, for example, have a locking lug (locking nose) that is guided on a pawl for locking or releasing the lock, and in the locked position, the locking lug (locking nose) is positioned behind the pawl in the pull-out direction. Preferably, the locking lug and / or the lock are resilient elements or spring-biased elements, and / or are provided with guide ramps to ensure or facilitate the locking lug passing over the lock, and vice versa, into or out of the locked position. At least one of these elements (i.e., the locking lug or the pawl) yields to the other element when passing over it, or is elastically deformable to pass over it.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the locking lug is designed to engage with the lock in the engaged position, such that the locking lug can be moved into the engaged position by gravity. The lock is released by moving along the lead-in slope or by a lever or actuation tab operated by the operator.

[0025] In another embodiment, where the guide rail elements are mounted such that they can be displaced relative to each other via ball bearings, ball pawls are provided for separably locking the inner guide rail relative to the middle guide rail in a fully extended end position, i.e., a first pull-out end position. For this purpose, a raised knurling or elevation is provided on the raceway of the middle guide rail in the end section arranged in the pull-out direction as a first locking element. This raised knurling or elevation is overtaken by at least the balls of the outermost ball bearing arranged in the pull-out direction just before the inner guide rail moves in the pull-out direction to the first pull-out end position, thereby creating a locking effect. To release the locking effect from the first pull-out end position, an increased force must be applied to guide the balls in the reverse direction over the raised knurling or elevation. Therefore, the balls of the ball bearings should be understood as a second locking element in the sense of this invention.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a retaining latch is arranged on the middle guide rail for releasably locking the middle guide rail relative to the outer guide rail. The retaining latch is installed such that the retaining latch can rotate or pivot about a rotation axis set perpendicular to the insertion direction (E) and the opposite pull-out direction (A) between a retaining position and a neutral position.

[0027] In one embodiment of the telescopic guide rail according to the invention, a retaining clip is installed in the insertion-direction-facing end section of the middle guide rail. In another embodiment of the telescopic guide rail according to the invention, the retaining clip is installed in a section of the middle guide rail, which is located between the insertion-direction-facing end section of the middle guide rail and the insertion-direction-facing end section of the inner guide rail when the inner guide rail moves in the pull-out direction to a first pull-out end position (i.e., fully extended) on the middle guide rail.

[0028] A rotation axis is provided to retain the rotatable or rotary attachment of the snap-fit, preferably a pivot bearing. The pivot bearing can be implemented, for example, by a bearing pin extending through an orifice in the retaining snap-fit. Suitable alternative designs for the pivot bearing are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] A retaining protrusion is arranged on the back of the outer guide rail. This protrusion protrudes from or rises from the back of the outer guide rail on the side of the guide rail facing the middle guide rail. It is positioned such that when the middle guide rail has moved to the second pull-out end position on the outer guide rail in the pull-out direction (A), a retaining clip is positioned behind the retaining protrusion in the pull-out direction (A). In one embodiment, the retaining protrusion is a component welded or screwed to the back of the outer guide rail. In another embodiment, the retaining protrusion is formed from the material of the guide rail back by embossing the material or by a protrusion cut from and bent from the material of the guide rail back.

[0030] The retaining clip has a first retaining clip section extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the retaining clip and a second retaining clip section extending at an angle from the first retaining clip section in a direction toward the rear of the outer guide rail.

[0031] The second retaining section of the retaining latch is designed and arranged such that, in the retaining position, it engages with a retaining protrusion projecting from the back of the outer guide rail to prevent the middle guide rail from moving out of the second end position in the insertion direction. This locks the middle guide rail relative to the outer guide rail in the second pull-out end position. In the neutral position, the second retaining section is positioned such that, as the middle guide rail moves from the second pull-out end position in the insertion direction, it does not engage with the retaining protrusion projecting from the back of the outer guide rail, but can pass through it. In the neutral position, the middle guide rail is released to move from the second pull-out end position in the insertion direction.

[0032] The retaining protrusion is designed to protrude only a certain distance from the back of the outer guide rail, so that when the middle guide rail moves relative to the outer guide rail, the first retaining latch section of the retaining latch does not contact the retaining protrusion. However, when the retaining latch is in the neutral position, the first retaining latch section of the retaining latch can be guided past the retaining protrusion in the insertion or pull-out direction.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a self-closing mechanism is fixed to the insertion-direction-oriented end section of the outer guide rail for power-assisted displacement of the inner guide rail from a position at a certain distance relative to the insertion end position of the outer guide rail to the insertion end position, in which the telescopic guide rail is fully inserted. The self-closing mechanism has an actuator and a power-assisted element connected to the actuator, such as a tension spring or a compression spring. The actuator can be locked in the insertion direction at a certain distance from the insertion end position by the power-assisted element.

[0034] According to the present invention, since the inner guide rail cannot move beyond the first insertion end position relative to the middle guide rail when moving in the insertion direction, the inner guide rail is retracted to the insertion end position relative to the outer guide rail by the self-closing mechanism, thereby also retracting the middle guide rail, thus pulling the middle guide rail into the second insertion end position. For this purpose, a retainer for separable engagement with the actuator on the self-closing mechanism is arranged at the end section of the inner guide rail pointing in the insertion direction. The retainer is designed such that when the actuator is pulled in the insertion direction by a power-assisted element to the insertion end position of the inner guide rail opposite to the outer guide rail, the retainer engages the actuator and remains engaged with the actuator.

[0035] If the inner guide rail is pulled out of the insertion end position relative to the outer guide rail in the pull-out direction, the driver is pulled by the power auxiliary element against the preload pointing in the insertion direction.

[0036] Preferably, a retainer is formed on the insertion-direction-facing end section of the inner guide rail such that when the inner guide rail moves in the pull-out direction, for example by laterally moving the actuator to the retaining position (e.g., at the pawl), the inner guide rail moves the actuator to a locked position a distance from the insertion end position of the inner guide rail relative to the outer guide rail. Simultaneously, the retainer disengages from the actuator, allowing the inner guide rail to continue moving in the pull-out direction. In the opposite direction of movement, i.e., when the inner guide rail moves in the insertion direction, the retainer is designed to engage with the actuator and release the actuator from the locked position, allowing the inner guide rail to be pulled back to the insertion end position with power assistance. This can be achieved in such a way that the retainer first receives the actuator through the insertion opening, and as the retainer continues to move in the insertion direction, it laterally or laterally displaces the actuator at a correspondingly arranged surface, thereby releasing the actuator from the lock and simultaneously engaging with a retaining latch, for example, at the undercut, to prevent accidental release.

[0037] According to the invention, the retainer is arranged and designed on the end section of the inner guide rail pointing in the insertion direction such that when the inner guide rail moves relative to the middle guide rail to the first insertion end position in the insertion direction, the retainer does not contact the retaining latch on the middle guide rail, nor does it contact the retaining protrusion protruding from the back of the outer guide rail, but can move spatially above the retaining latch and retaining protrusion or laterally over the retaining latch and retaining protrusion in the insertion direction.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the telescopic guide rail of the present invention, the outer guide rail, the middle guide rail, and the inner guide rail are made of rolled steel sheet. This allows for the economical and efficient production of stable and flexible guide rail components.

[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the retaining latch on the middle guide rail has a C-shaped or L-shaped profile in cross-section at the end section of the middle guide rail facing the insertion direction (E). The first retaining latch section extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation is formed by the web of the C-shaped profile or the leg of the L-shaped profile, and the second retaining latch section extending from the first retaining latch section at an angle in the direction toward the back of the guide rail of the outer guide rail is formed by the flange of the C-shaped profile or the other leg of the L-shaped profile.

[0040] Preferably, the first retaining clip section, formed by a C-shaped web or an L-shaped leg, can rotate or pivot parallel to the plane of the back of the outer guide rail. Therefore, the axis of rotation is preferably arranged perpendicular to the plane of the back of the outer guide rail.

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, a first retaining latch section extends to a rotation axis at which the retaining latch can pivot or rotate on a central guide rail between a retaining position and a neutral position. The rotation axis is preferably perpendicular to the plane of the first retaining latch section.

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the retaining clip on the middle guide rail has a width perpendicular to the insertion direction (E) and the pull-out direction (A) when the retaining clip is in a neutral position or relative to a neutral position. This width is less than the shortest distance between the raceways of the inner guide rail. This means that when the inner guide rail is pushed past the retaining clip along the insertion direction (E), the retaining clip located at the end section of the middle guide rail can be inserted between the raceways of the inner guide rail.

[0043] In embodiments of the invention, when the telescopic guide rail is horizontally aligned relative to the insertion direction (E) and the pull-out direction (A) and the back of the guide rail element is vertically aligned, the retaining latch on the middle guide rail can be rotated or pivoted from a neutral position to a retaining position by gravity. This embodiment requires no additional means for rotating or pivoting the retaining latch between the neutral and retaining positions, and is therefore generally suitable and advantageous when the telescopic guide rail is intended to be mounted in a vertical orientation of the guide rail back, for example, for guiding drawers or other pull-outs on a vertically oriented cabinet wall. In an advantageous embodiment of this design, the retaining latch has a C-shaped profile at its end in the retaining latch insertion direction, such that a second retaining latch section is provided at an angle from the first retaining latch section in both the gravity direction and the direction opposite to the gravity direction. This second retaining latch section can engage with a retaining protrusion on the outer guide rail in the retaining position for locking. This design allows the use of the same telescopic guide rail on opposite sides of the pull-out. When the telescopic guides are installed opposite each other, the second retaining latch section, which is vertically arranged at the top of one telescopic guide (i.e., against gravity), is vertically arranged at the bottom of the opposite telescopic guide (i.e., along gravity), and therefore cannot engage with the retaining protrusion on the outer guide to lock in the retaining position. However, in the C-shaped profile of the retaining latch, when the telescopic guides are installed opposite each other, a second retaining latch section is always vertically arranged at the top, i.e., against gravity.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a spring element or pulling element is disposed on a central guide rail, which biases a retaining latch on the central guide rail to rotate or pivot from a neutral position to a retaining position, or pulls the retaining latch on the central guide rail from a neutral position to a retaining position. For example, this embodiment allows the telescopic guide rail to be installed horizontally or at an angle, i.e., the back of the guide rail element is aligned horizontally or at an angle, or installed in a position where the retaining latch cannot rotate or pivot between the neutral and retaining positions by gravity.

[0045] In an embodiment of the invention, the retaining latch on the middle guide rail has at least one ramp or guide ramp at the first retaining latch section, which is arranged to engage with an end section of the inner guide rail, preferably with an end section of the raceway of the inner guide rail, when the retaining latch rotates or pivots about the axis of rotation to a retaining position. The ramp is designed and arranged to rotate or pivot the retaining latch from the retaining position to a neutral position when the inner guide rail moves along the insertion direction (E).

[0046] When the inner guide rail strikes the ramp of the retaining clip in the retaining position, as the inner guide rail continues to move in the insertion direction, the inner guide rail pushes the retaining clip out of the retaining position and into the neutral position, so that the middle guide rail is released from the engagement of the middle guide rail and the outer guide rail in the second pull-out end position, and can move in the insertion direction to the second insertion end position.

[0047] In embodiments of the invention, the power assist element connected to the driver on the self-closing mechanism includes at least one spring element selected from pull spring elements, push spring elements, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the power assist element on the self-closing mechanism includes at least one helical spring.

[0048] In embodiments of the present invention, the self-closing mechanism further includes a damping element, preferably at least one pneumatic or hydraulic damper, which is arranged to dampen the displacement of the inner guide rail toward the second insertion end position and / or power-assisted displacement or retraction.

[0049] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuator on the self-closing mechanism is designed as a pin or tab that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the back of the outer guide rail, and the retainer at the end section of the inner guide rail has an inlet opening for inserting the actuator and a guide surface for laterally guiding the actuator.

[0050] Other advantages, features, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings of embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like elements are indicated by like reference numerals. Attached Figure

[0051] Figure 1 An embodiment of a telescopic guide rail according to the invention is shown, the telescopic guide rail having an outer guide rail, a middle guide rail and an inner guide rail, wherein the guide rail element is fully inserted into the end position in a side view viewed from the outside of the inner guide rail; Figure 2a It shows that according to Figure 1 The telescopic guide rail according to the invention in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the guide rail element is fully extended, wherein, in a side view viewed from the outside of the inner guide rail, the inner guide rail is locked relative to the middle guide rail at a first pull-out end position, and the middle guide rail is locked relative to the outer guide rail at a second pull-out end position. Figure 2b and Figure 2c It shows along Figure 2a A sectional view of line XX in the diagram. Figure 2b and Figure 2c This is a view of the fracture from a tilted angle at the front. Figure 2b ) and views viewed from the front ( Figure 2c ); Figure 3a It shows that according to Figure 1 The telescopic guide rail according to the invention in the embodiment of the invention, wherein in a side view viewed from the outside of the inner guide rail, the middle guide rail is in a fully extended second pull-out end position, and wherein the inner guide rail moves in the insertion direction relative to the first pull-out end position; Figure 3b and Figure 3c It shows along Figure 3a A sectional view of line XX in the diagram. Figure 3b and Figure 3c This is a view of the fracture from a tilted angle at the front. Figure 3b ) and views viewed from the front ( Figure 3c ); Figure 4 Schematic illustration of crossing according to Figure 1 A fractured view of the longitudinal section of the fully extended telescopic guide rail of the embodiment shown in the figure, illustrating the first and second locking elements on the middle and inner guide rails. Detailed description of the invention

[0052] Figures 1 to 4 Different views and insertion configurations of an embodiment of a telescopic guide rail 1 according to the present invention are shown. The telescopic guide rail 1 has an outer guide rail 2, a middle guide rail 3, and an inner guide rail 4. The inner guide rail 4 is mounted such that it can be linearly displaced relative to the middle guide rail 3, and the middle guide rail 3 is mounted such that it can be linearly displaced relative to the outer guide rail 2 in the insertion direction E and the opposite pull-out direction A, between respective insertion end positions and pull-out end positions. The insertion direction E and the opposite pull-out direction A... Figure 1 The directions are indicated by double arrows pointing in the corresponding directions. Guide rail elements 2, 3, and 4 are mounted on each other in a displaceable manner via ball bearings, wherein the balls are arranged in and guided within ball cages. The telescopic guide rail is equipped with stops in both displacement directions, which restrict the displacement of each guide rail element relative to each other, preventing the guide rail elements from displacing beyond their respective end positions and thus preventing them from operating separately and becoming isolated from each other.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the outer guide rail 2, the middle guide rail 3, and the inner guide rail 4 each have a C-shaped cross-section, wherein the back of the guide rail is formed by a web with a C-shaped profile, and raceways are formed on the flanges of the corresponding C-shaped profiles for rolling the balls of the ball bearing.

[0054] The middle guide rail has a first locking element 5, and the inner guide rail has a second locking element 6, such as... Figure 4 As shown in the cross-sectional view, a separable engagement is used for form and force fit, and for locking the inner and middle guide rails when the inner guide rail moves to a first pull-out end position on the middle guide rail in the pull-out direction A. In this embodiment, the first locking element 5 and the second locking element 6 are designed as plastic molded parts and are fixed to the corresponding guide rail elements. The second locking element 6, fixed to the inner guide rail 4, has a spring-biased arm that extends in the pull-out direction and has a recess. The first locking element 5 on the middle guide rail 3 has an elongated locking nose that contacts the spring-loaded arm of the first locking element 5 when the inner guide rail 4 moves, pushing the first locking element 5 parallel to the rear of the inner guide rail against the spring preload and abutting against the recess on the second locking element 6 for locking. An introductory ramp is provided to ensure or facilitate pushing open the spring-biased arm of the locking nose when moving to the locked position and when moving out of the locked position.

[0055] For the separable locking of the middle guide rail 3 relative to the outer guide rail 2, a retaining latch 7 is arranged on the middle guide rail 3. The retaining latch 7 is rotatably fixed between a retaining position and a neutral position about a pivot axis 8, which is arranged perpendicular to the insertion direction E and the opposite pull-out direction A, and extends in a plane perpendicular to the back 2' of the outer guide rail 2. Figures 2a to 2c The retaining clip 7 is shown in the retaining position, while Figures 3a to 3c The retaining clip 7 is shown in the neutral position.

[0056] A retaining protrusion 9 is disposed on the back rail 2' of the outer guide rail 2, and the retaining protrusion 9 protrudes from the back rail 2' of the outer guide rail 2. In this embodiment, the retaining protrusion 9 is designed as a tab cut from the material of the back rail and bent upward in a crank manner.

[0057] The retaining protrusion 9 is positioned on the back 2' of the outer guide rail 2, such that when the middle guide rail 3 moves along the pull-out direction A to the second pull-out end position on the outer guide rail 2, the retaining buckle 7 is positioned behind the retaining protrusion 9.

[0058] The retaining latch 7 has a first retaining latch section 7' ​​extending perpendicularly to the rotation axis 8 of the retaining latch 7 and parallel to the back of the outer guide rail 2, and a second retaining latch section 7'' extending at an angle from the first retaining latch section 7' ​​in a direction toward the back of the outer guide rail 2 2'. The second retaining latch section 7'' of the retaining latch 7 is designed and arranged such that, in the retaining position of the retaining latch 7, the second retaining latch section 7'' of the retaining latch 7 engages with a retaining protrusion 9 protruding from the back of the outer guide rail 2 2' to prevent the middle guide rail 3 from moving out of the second pull-out end position in the insertion direction, such as... Figure 2a As shown. This locks the middle guide rail relative to the outer guide rail at the second pull-out end position. Figure 3a In the neutral position of the retaining latch 7 shown, the second retaining latch section 7'' of the retaining latch 7 is positioned such that when the middle guide rail 3 moves from the second pull-out end position along the insertion direction, the middle guide rail 3 does not engage with the retaining protrusion 9 protruding from the guide rail back 2' of the outer guide rail 2, but can pass through the retaining protrusion 9. In the neutral position of the retaining latch 7, the middle guide rail is released to move from the second pull-out end position along the insertion direction.

[0059] The retaining protrusion 9 is designed to protrude only a certain distance from the back 2' of the outer guide rail 2, so that when the middle guide rail 3 moves relative to the outer guide rail 2, the first retaining latch section 7' ​​of the retaining latch 7 does not contact the retaining protrusion 9. However, when the retaining latch is in the neutral position, the first retaining latch section 7' ​​of the retaining latch 7 can be guided past the retaining protrusion 9 in the insertion or pull-out direction.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the telescopic rail is arranged horizontally relative to the insertion direction E and the pull-out direction A, and the backs of the rail elements are vertically aligned (this is a common arrangement in many applications, such as for drawers pulled up on cabinets), the retaining latch 7 can be rotated from a neutral position to a retaining position by gravity. In this embodiment, the retaining latch 7 has a C-shaped profile at its insertion end, such that the second retaining latch segment 7'', which is at the top in the gravity direction in this illustration, is opposite to the corresponding retaining latch segment at the bottom in the gravity direction. This design allows the same telescopic rail to be used on opposite sides of the drawer or in opposite sliding directions with opposite orientations, because the C-shaped profile of the retaining latch 7 always means that the second retaining latch segment is at the top relative to the gravity direction and can fall into the locking position under gravity.

[0061] In this embodiment, the retaining latch 7 has a width in the neutral position or perpendicular to the insertion direction E and the withdrawal direction A relative to the neutral position that is less than the shortest distance between the raceways of the inner guide rail 4. This means that when the inner guide rail 4 is pushed past the retaining latch 7 along the insertion direction E, the retaining latch 7 can be inserted into the middle guide rail 3 between the tracks of the inner guide rail 4. Furthermore, the retaining latch 7 has an introduction ramp 7''', which is arranged to engage with the end section of the raceway of the inner guide rail 4, such that when the inner guide rail 4 moves in the insertion direction E, the introduction ramp pushes the retaining latch from the retaining position to the neutral position and releases the middle guide rail from its interlocking engagement with the outer guide rail in the second pull-out end position, thereby allowing the middle guide rail to move in the insertion direction.

[0062] Furthermore, the self-closing mechanism 10 is fixed to the end section of the outer guide rail 2 pointing towards the insertion direction, and is used to power-assistedly shift or retract the inner guide rail 4 from a certain distance relative to the insertion end position of the outer guide rail 2 to that insertion end position. The self-closing mechanism 10 has a pin-shaped driver 11 extending perpendicular to the guide rail back 2' of the outer guide rail 2 and a power-assisted element (not shown) connected to the driver 11, which pulls the driver 11 in the insertion direction, or holds the driver 11 in a preloaded position in the insertion direction when the driver 11 is locked at a certain distance from the insertion end position.

[0063] A retainer 13 is arranged on the end section of the inner guide rail 4 pointing in the insertion direction for releasable engagement with the actuator 11 on the self-closing mechanism 10. The retainer 13 is designed such that when the actuator is pulled by a power-assisted element in the insertion direction E to the insertion end position of the inner guide rail 4 relative to the outer guide rail 2, the retainer 13 engages and remains engaged with the actuator, as... Figure 1 As shown. The retainer 13 has an insertion opening in the insertion direction for receiving the driver 11, and a profile through which the driver 11 is laterally displaced, and the driver 11 engages or disengages from the retainer 13 depending on the displacement direction of the inner guide rail 4.

[0064] If the inner guide rail 4 is pulled out from its insertion end position relative to the outer guide rail 2 in the pull-out direction, the actuator 11 overcomes the preload pointing in the insertion direction E by a power assist element and enters the locked position by lateral movement at a distance from the insertion end position, overcoming the preload of the power assist element. The lateral movement brings the actuator 11 to a position where it disengages from the retainer 13 through the insertion opening, allowing the inner guide rail to move further in the pull-out direction. In the opposite direction, when the inner guide rail 4 with the retainer 13 is pushed toward the actuator 11 in the insertion direction, the actuator enters the insertion opening of the retainer 13, moves laterally along the contour of the retainer as the inner guide rail 4 continues to move in the insertion direction, engages with the retainer 13, and releases it from the lock at a distance from the insertion end position, allowing the inner guide rail 4 to be pulled into the insertion end position by force.

[0065] If the inner guide rail 4 moves in the pull-out direction A, it brings the middle guide rail 3 to the second pull-out end position. The retaining latch 7 remains in the neutral position and moves on the retaining protrusion 9. Once the middle guide rail has reached the second pull-out end position and the inner guide rail has moved further in the pull-out direction, the inner guide rail releases the retaining latch 7, causing the middle guide rail to rotate from the neutral position to the retaining position behind the retaining protrusion 9 under gravity, and the middle guide rail 3 locks in place relative to the outer guide rail 2.

[0066] For the purposes of the original disclosure, it should be noted that all features presented to those skilled in the art from this specification, drawings, and claims, even if they are specifically described only in combination with certain other features, can be combined individually and in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, unless this has been expressly excluded or the technical circumstances make such a combination impossible or meaningless. For the sake of brevity and readability, a full and explicit presentation of all conceivable combinations of features has been omitted herein.

[0067] While the invention has been presented and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such presentation and description are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection defined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0068] Modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings, description, and appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain features are claimed in different claims does not exclude combinations of those features. Reference numerals in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

[0069] List of reference numerals 1 Telescopic guide rail 2 outer guide rails 2' outer guide rail back 3 guide rails 3' middle guide rail back 4 inner guide rails 4' inner guide rail back 5. First locking element (on the middle guide rail) 6. Second locking element (on the inner guide rail) 7. Retain the latch (on the center guide rail). 7' First retaining clip section 7'' Second retaining clip section 7'''Introduction ramp on the first retaining clip section 7' 8 (Retaining the snap-fit) Rotation axis 9. Maintain the protrusion (on the outer guide rail). 10 Self-closing mechanism 11 actuators (on the self-closing mechanism) 13 Retainer (on the inner guide rail) E Insertion direction A pulls out the direction.

Claims

1. A telescopic guide rail (1). The telescopic guide rail (1) has an outer guide rail (2), a middle guide rail (3) and an inner guide rail (4). in, The inner guide rail (4) is mounted so that it can be linearly displaced between a first insertion end position and a first pull-out end position on the middle guide rail (3) in the insertion direction (E) and in the pull-out direction (A) opposite to the insertion direction. Furthermore, the middle guide rail (3) is mounted on the outer guide rail (2) so that it can be linearly shifted between the second insertion end position and the second pull-out end position along the insertion direction (E) and the pull-out direction (A) opposite to the insertion direction. The outer guide rail (2), the middle guide rail, and the inner guide rail (4) each have a guide rail back and a section extending from the guide rail back at a certain angle, and a raceway is formed on the section. The middle guide rail (3) has a first locking element (5) and the inner guide rail (4) has a second locking element (6), wherein the first locking element (5) and the second locking element (6) are designed for separable engagement of form locking and / or friction locking, and for locking the middle guide rail (3) and the inner guide rail (4) in the position whereby the inner guide rail (4) is displaced along the pull-out direction (A) to the first pull-out end position on the middle guide rail (3). The retaining latch (7) is arranged on the central guide rail (3), and the retaining latch (7) is fixed such that the retaining latch (7) can rotate or pivot about a rotation axis (8) perpendicular to the insertion direction (E) and the pull-out direction (A) between a retaining position and a neutral position. The retaining protrusion (9) is arranged on the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2) and protrudes from the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2). The retaining protrusion (9) is positioned on the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2) such that when the middle guide rail (3) moves along the pull-out direction (A) to the second pull-out end position on the outer guide rail (2), the retaining buckle (7) is positioned behind the retaining protrusion (9). The retaining latch (7) has a first retaining latch section (7') and a second retaining latch section (7'') in cross-section. The first retaining latch section (7') extends perpendicular to the rotation axis (8) of the retaining latch (7), and the second retaining latch section (7'') extends from the first retaining latch section (7') at a certain angle toward the back (2') of the guide rail (2). The second retaining latch section (7'') of the retaining latch (7) is designed and arranged such that, in the retaining position, the retaining latch (7) engages with the retaining protrusion (9) protruding from the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2) to prevent the middle guide rail (3) from moving out of the second pull-out end position along the insertion direction (E), and in the neutral position, when the middle guide rail (3) moves from the second pull-out end position along the insertion direction (E), the middle guide rail (3) does not engage with the retaining protrusion (9) protruding from the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2). Wherein, the retaining protrusion (9) protrudes a certain distance from the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2), and / or the first retaining latch section (7') of the retaining latch (7) is designed and arranged such that when the middle guide rail (3) moves relative to the outer guide rail (2), the first retaining latch section (7') of the retaining latch (7) does not contact the retaining protrusion (9). The self-closing mechanism (10) is fixed to the end section of the outer guide rail (2) pointing towards the insertion direction, for force-assisted displacement of the inner guide rail (4) relative to the outer guide rail (2) from a certain distance from the insertion end position of the inner guide rail (4) to the insertion end position. The self-closing mechanism (10) has a driver (11) and a power-assisted element connected to the driver (11), and the driver (11) can be stopped by the power-assisted element at a certain distance from the insertion end position in a pre-tensioned manner in the insertion direction. The retainer (13) for releasably engaging with the actuator (11) on the self-closing mechanism (10) is arranged on the end section of the inner guide rail (4) pointing towards the insertion direction. The retainer (13) is arranged and designed such that when the inner guide rail (4) moves along the insertion direction, the retainer (13) does not contact the retaining buckle (7) on the middle guide rail (3).

2. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer guide rail (2), the middle guide rail (3) and the inner guide rail (4) have a C-shaped profile in cross-section. The C-shaped profile has a guide rail back (2', 4') formed by the web of the C-shaped profile and has a raceway formed on the flange of the C-shaped profile. The raceway is used for rolling of the rolling element or for guiding of the sliding element.

3. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outer guide rail (2), the middle guide rail (3) and the inner guide rail (4) are made of rolled steel plate.

4. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining buckle (7) on the middle guide rail (3) has a C-shaped or L-shaped profile in cross-section at the end section of the middle guide rail (3) facing the insertion direction (E), wherein the first retaining buckle section (7') extending perpendicular to the rotation axis (8) is formed by the web of the C-shaped profile or by the leg of the L-shaped profile, and the second retaining buckle section (7'') extending at an angle from the first retaining buckle section (7') in the direction toward the back (2') of the guide rail of the outer guide rail (2) is formed by the flange of the C-shaped profile or the other leg of the L-shaped profile.

5. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, In the neutral position perpendicular to the insertion direction (E) and the pull-out direction (A), the retaining buckle (7) on the middle guide rail (3) has a width smaller than the shortest distance between the tracks of the inner guide rail (4).

6. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, When the telescopic guide rail (1) is horizontally aligned with respect to the insertion direction (E) and the withdrawal direction (A) and the back of the guide rail element is vertically aligned, the retaining latch (7) on the middle guide rail (3) can rotate or pivot from the neutral position to the retaining position by gravity, or The feature is that a spring element or a pulling element is provided on the central guide rail (3), the spring element or the pulling element causing the retaining buckle (7) on the central guide rail (3) to be biased to rotate or pivot from the neutral position to the retaining position.

7. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining latch (7) on the middle guide rail (3) has at least one introductory ramp (7''') on the first retaining latch section (7'), the introductory ramp (7''') being arranged to contact the end section of the inner guide rail (4) when the retaining latch (7) is in the retaining position rotated or pivoted about the rotation axis (8), preferably contacting the end section of the track of the inner guide rail (4), and wherein the introductory ramp (7''') is designed and arranged to rotate or pivot the retaining latch (7) from the retaining position to the neutral position when the inner guide rail (4) is displaced along the insertion direction (E).

8. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The power-assisted element on the self-closing mechanism (10) includes at least one spring element, which is selected from pull spring elements, push spring elements and combinations thereof, wherein the power-assisted element on the self-closing mechanism (10) preferably includes at least one helical spring.

9. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The self-closing mechanism (10) further includes a damping element, preferably at least a pneumatic damper or a hydraulic damper, the damping element being arranged to dampen displacement and / or power-assisted displacement of the inner guide rail (4) toward the second insertion end position.

10. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The actuator (11) on the self-closing mechanism (10) is designed as a pin or tab that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the back (2') of the outer guide rail (2), and the retainer (13) at the end section of the inner guide rail (4) has an inlet opening for inserting the actuator (11) and a guide surface for laterally guiding the actuator (11).

11. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first locking element (5) is fixed to the middle guide rail (3) or integrally formed with the middle guide rail (3), and / or the second locking element (6) is fixed to the inner guide rail (4) or integrally formed with the inner guide rail (4).

12. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, When the inner guide rail (4) moves to the first pull-out end position on the middle guide rail (3) along the pull-out direction (A), the retaining buckle (7) is fixed to the end section of the middle guide rail (3) facing the insertion direction or fixed to the section of the middle guide rail (3) located between the end section of the middle guide rail (3) pointing to the insertion direction and the end section of the inner guide rail (4) pointing to the insertion direction.

13. The telescopic guide rail (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retainer (13) on the end section of the inner guide rail (4) facing the insertion direction (E) is configured to lock the actuator at a distance from the insertion end position of the inner guide rail relative to the outer guide rail, overcoming the preload guided by the power assist element in the insertion direction, and to release engagement with the actuator (11) during the displacement movement of the inner guide rail (4) in the pull-out direction (A), and to release the actuator from the lock and engage with the actuator (11) during the displacement movement of the inner guide rail (4) in the insertion direction (E).

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