Slide rail assembly

Abstract

The present application relates to a slide rail assembly, which can be installed to a rack, and comprises a support frame, a movable rail, a limiting member and a locking member. The support frame comprises a blocking portion; the movable rail can be displaced relative to the support frame; the limiting member is arranged on the movable rail and comprises a first limiting portion; the locking member is arranged on the movable rail; when the movable rail is in a closed position relative to the support frame, the locking member is in a blocking relationship with the blocking portion, so that the movable rail is kept in the closed position; when the movable rail is in the closed position relative to the support frame and the movable rail is subjected to a first transverse external force, the first limiting portion forms a first limiting relationship with the rack, so that the locking member is operatively separated from the blocking relationship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a slide rail, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly that, through a limiting member, prevents the obstruction relationship between two slide rails from losing its operability due to external forces. Background Technology

[0002] For example, US Patent Publication No. 7,364,244B2 discloses a system rack for accommodating rack-mounted modules. This patent application... Figure 5 A and 5B disclose a slide rail assembly comprising a fixed rail, a movable slide rail, and a latching member. The fixed rail includes a hole; the movable slide rail is displaceable relative to the fixed rail; the latching member is coupled to the movable slide rail and includes a leaf spring and a protrusion near the end of the leaf spring. When the movable slide rail is in a retracted position relative to the fixed rail, the latching member and the hole block each other, placing the slide rail assembly in a locked state. This locked state prevents the movable slide rail from displacing in an opening direction (longitudinal displacement) from the retracted position. However, when a lateral force compresses the movable slide rail towards the fixed rail, the latching member is compressed and cannot operate normally from the locked state to an unlocked state, preventing the movable slide rail from displacing in the opening direction; conversely, when the movable slide rail is stretched away from the fixed rail, causing the latching member and the hole to no longer block each other, the locking state will fail.

[0003] For example, US Patent Publication No. 8,403,432B2 discloses a slide rail assembly comprising a first rail, a second rail, a bracket, a locking member, an accessory, and an operating member; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the bracket is fixed to the first rail; the locking member is fixed to the second rail; the accessory is fixed to the second rail; the operating member is pivotally connected to the pivot portion of the accessory; when the second rail is in a retracted state relative to the first rail, a pair of extended wings of the accessory are located within a pair of receiving portions of the bracket, thereby limiting the lateral distance of the second rail relative to the first rail and ensuring stability in the retracted state.

[0004] The aforementioned patents, especially US 7,364,244B2, while revealing that the slide rail assembly can be blocked and has stability when it is in the retracted state, cannot ensure that the slide rail assembly will lose its operability when subjected to external pressure or stretching. Therefore, with different market demands, how to develop a different slide rail product has become an issue that cannot be ignored. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a slide rail assembly that, through a limiting member, allows the obstruction between two slide rails to maintain operability even when subjected to external forces.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly is suitable for a frame, comprising a support frame, a movable rail, a limiting member, and a locking member. The support frame includes a stop portion; the movable rail is displaceable relative to the support frame; the limiting member is arranged on the movable rail and includes a first limiting portion; the locking member is arranged on the movable rail; when the movable rail is in a retracted position relative to the support frame, the locking member and the stop portion form a blocking relationship, keeping the movable rail in the retracted position; when the movable rail is in the retracted position relative to the support frame and the movable rail is subjected to a first lateral external force, the first limiting portion forms a first limiting relationship with the frame, allowing the locking member to operably disengage from the blocking relationship.

[0007] Overall, compared with the prior art, when the movable rail is in the blocking relationship and is subjected to lateral external force, the present invention can still be in the blocking relationship and maintain the operability of the slide rail assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To further illustrate and demonstrate the above-mentioned objectives, structural features, and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 This diagram shows a slide rail assembly of an embodiment of the present invention mounted on a frame.

[0010] Figure 2 An exploded view of a support frame and a movable rail of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention is provided, illustrating a blocking relationship in which a slide rail assembly is applied to a frame to support a load whose width conforms to the normal width of the frame.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of the obstruction relationship in region A.

[0013] Figure 5 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of area A after the blocking relationship is released following the receipt of a pressing force.

[0014] Figure 6 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the movement of the active track to an open position after the obstruction is removed.

[0015] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a limiting member of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 Another perspective schematic diagram showing the limiting member of the slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the obstruction relationship where a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a frame, the width of which carries the load exceeds the normal width of the frame, and is compressed by a first lateral external force.

[0018] Figure 10 for Figure 9 An enlarged schematic diagram of the blocking relationship region A under the compression of the first lateral external force.

[0019] Figure 11 for Figure 9 An enlarged schematic diagram of region A after the obstruction relationship, which is subjected to the first lateral external force, is released after receiving the pressing force.

[0020] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates the blocking relationship of a slide rail assembly of an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a frame, where the width of the load-bearing object is less than the normal width of the frame and is subjected to a second lateral external force.

[0021] Figure 13 for Figure 12 An enlarged schematic diagram of the blocking relationship region A under the stretching of the second lateral external force.

[0022] Figure 14 This diagram shows a slide rail assembly of another embodiment of the present invention mounted on the frame. Detailed Implementation

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a slide rail assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support frame 22, a movable rail 24, a limiting member 26, and a locking member 28. The movable rail 24 and the support frame 22 can be longitudinally displaced relative to each other. Here, 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).

[0024] The support frame 22 is equipped with a fixed rail 30 and a bracket 32. The fixed rail 30 has a front end f and a rear end r. The bracket 32 ​​includes a front bracket 32a and a rear bracket 32b, which are respectively arranged to the front end f and the rear end r of the adjacent fixed rail 30. The fixed rail 30 can be mounted to a frame 34 through the bracket 32. For example, the front bracket 32a and the rear bracket 32b are respectively mounted to a first post 36a and a second post 36b of the frame 34. The bracket 32 ​​includes a stop 38. The stop 38 can be an opening, and the opening is defined by a plurality of wall segments, but is not limited in implementation. For example, the stop 38 is arranged on the front bracket 32a and the front bracket 32a is connected (e.g., fixed) to the front end f of the fixed rail 30 and can be regarded as part of the support frame 22. Since this part falls within the technical scope that can be understood by those familiar with the field, it will not be elaborated upon here for the sake of brevity.

[0025] Preferably, the bracket 32 ​​includes at least one mounting member 40 and at least one mounting base 42. In this embodiment, the bracket 32 ​​is used to mount the support frame 22 onto the frame 34. For example, the bracket 32 ​​is detachably mounted to the first post 36a and the second post 36b of the frame 34 via the mounting member 40, the frame 34 having connection features that mate with the first post 36a and the second post 36b, and the mounting member 40 and the mounting base 42 can be considered as part of the bracket 32. Since this part is within the scope of the art that can be understood by those skilled in the art, it will not be described in detail here for the sake of simplicity.

[0026] The locking element 28 is arranged on the movable rail 24 and includes a locking part 44 and an operating part 46. The locking element 28 is connected (e.g., fixed) to the movable rail 24 and can be regarded as part of the movable rail 24. In this embodiment, the locking element 28 may be an elastic component (e.g., a spring), but the implementation is not limited. When the movable rail 24 is displaced relative to the support frame 22 in a retracting direction D1 to a retracted position P1, the locking part 44 is stopped by the stop part 38 and is in a blocking relationship (e.g., Figure 4 As shown), this keeps the movable rail 24 in the retracted position P1 and prevents it from moving in the opening direction D2 to the open position P2 (as shown). Figure 6 (As shown).

[0027] like Figures 3 to 5As shown, the slide rail assembly 20 technical scope includes a pair of slide rail assemblies 20. Essentially, the pair of slide rail assemblies 20 are mounted on corresponding sides of the frame 34. For simplicity, this embodiment will only describe the slide rail assembly 20 on one side. When the slide rail assembly 20 is mounted to the frame 34 via the mounting member 40 and the movable rail 24 is in the retracted position P1 relative to the support frame 22, the locking member 28 is stopped by the stop 38 and is in the blocking relationship, keeping the movable rail 24 in the blocking relationship and preventing it from extending to the open position P2 (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (As shown). When the locking member 28 and the stop 38 are in the blocking relationship, an operating space S is formed between the movable rail 24 and the bracket 32 ​​of the support frame 22. When the operating part 46 of the locking member 28 receives a pressing force Q, it can ensure that the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 can be movably disengaged from the stop 38 in the operating space S to release the blocking relationship.

[0028] In this device, a first limiting part 48 of the limiting member 26 faces the first column 36a of the frame 34, forming a first limiting relationship 50. The first limiting relationship 50 allows the first limiting part 48 and the first column 36a of the frame 34 to abut against each other and form a stop when the movable rail 24 is subjected to a first lateral external force F1 (for example, being squeezed toward the movable rail 24). This prevents the movable rail 24 from being squeezed toward the support frame 22, thus restricting the operating space S or causing the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 to be excessively blocked by the stop part 38, making it impossible for the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 to be operably disengaged from the blocking relationship.

[0029] Preferably, a second limiting portion 52 of the limiting member 26 faces the mounting member 40 of the bracket 32, forming a second limiting relationship 54. The second limiting relationship 54 allows the second limiting portion 52 and the mounting member 40 of the bracket 32 ​​to abut against each other to form a stop when the movable rail 24 is subjected to a second lateral external force F2 (e.g., stretching away from the movable rail 24), preventing the movable rail 24 from being stretched away from the support frame 22 and causing the operating space S to be enlarged, so that the locking portion 44 of the locking member 28 is not blocked by the stop portion 38 or the blocking is insufficient and thus disengages from the blocking relationship.

[0030] Preferably, when the movable rail 24 is in the retracted position P1 relative to the support frame 22, the positions of the first limiting part 48 and the second limiting part 52 are laterally corresponding to each other, wherein the position of the mounting member 40 of the bracket 32 ​​is between the positions of the first limiting part 48 and the second limiting part 52, that is, the first limiting part 48, the second limiting part 52 and the mounting member 40 are laterally corresponding to each other.

[0031] When the width of the load (not shown) carried by the frame 34 is consistent with the normal width W of the frame 34 (that is, the width of the load is equal to W), the movable rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 is not subjected to any external force (such as the first lateral external force F1) or stretch (such as the second lateral external force F2). Therefore, the operating space S is not reduced or enlarged, and the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 blocks and maintains the blocking relationship with the stop part 38.

[0032] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when a user wants to operate the carrier, such as installing, replacing, or repairing it, and needs to put the movable rail 24 in the open position P2, the user should first apply the pressing force Q to the operating part 46, so that the locking part 44 and the stop part 38 are disengaged from the blocking relationship, and then the movable rail 24 is moved in the opening direction D2, so that the movable rail 24 is moved relative to the support frame 22 in the opening direction D2 to the open position P2. The open position P2 is relative to the closed position P1, and the open position P2 is a relative position to facilitate the user's operation of the carrier, such as installing, replacing, or repairing it.

[0033] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the limiting member 26 includes a fixing portion 56 extending in the closing direction D1 and a handle portion 58 extending in the opening direction D2. The fixing portion 56 and the movable rail 24 have mutually matching connection features and are detachably installed to each other by means of snap-fit, plug-in and / or fastening, but the implementation is not limited. It can also be connected (e.g., fixed) to the movable rail 24 and can be regarded as part of the movable rail 24. The first limiting portion 48 is arranged on a surface 60 of the fixing portion 56. In this embodiment, with the surface 60 as a reference, the first limiting portion 48 has a height difference from the surface 60, so that the first limiting portion 48 is higher than the surface 60. The first limiting portion 48 can be a rib or a protrusion, but the implementation is not limited.

[0034] Preferably, the limiting member 26 further includes a wall portion 62 extending substantially perpendicular to the closing direction D1 and a stop portion 64 extending substantially perpendicular to the wall portion 62. The second limiting portion 52 is disposed on the stop portion 64.

[0035] Preferably, the wall surface 62 also includes a through hole 66 through which the operating part 46 can pass to the handle part 58, so that when the movable rail 24 is displaced relative to the support frame 22, the user can hold the handle part 58 and easily operate the operating part 46.

[0036] like Figures 9 to 11As shown, in this embodiment, when the first width W1 of the load (not shown) carried by the frame 34 exceeds the normal width W of the frame 34 (i.e., the first width W1 is greater than W), the movable rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 is pressed towards the movable rail 24 by the first lateral external force F1. The first lateral external force F1 can be caused by the first width W1 of the load, human compression, or other reasons, but is not limited in implementation. At this time, when the movable rail 24 is pressed towards the support frame 22 by the first lateral external force F1, the first limiting relationship 50 causes the first limiting part 48 to abut against the first post 36a of the frame 34 to form a stop. The surface 60 and the frame 34 thus prevent the operating space S from being restricted or the locking part 44 and the stop part 38 of the locking member 28 from being over-engaged. Therefore, the locking part 44 and the stop part 38 of the locking member 28 block and remain in the blocking state. In this embodiment, the surface 60 of the fixing part 56 and the first column 36a of the frame 34 may abut against each other to form a stop, but the implementation is not limited.

[0037] Since the operating space S is not restricted or the locking part 44 and the blocking part 38 of the locking member 28 are not excessively engaged, in this case, when the user wants to operate the carrier, such as loading, replacing or repairing it, and needs to put the movable rail 24 in the open position P2, the user also applies the pressing force Q to the operating part 46, so that the locking part 44 and the blocking part 38 can still disengage from each other, and then the movable rail 24 is moved in the opening direction D2, so that the movable rail 24 relative to the support frame 22 is moved in the opening direction D2 to the open position P2, and the above-mentioned operations can be performed.

[0038] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, in this embodiment, when the second width W2 of the frame 34 carrying the load (not shown) is less than the normal width W of the frame 34 (i.e., the second width W2 is less than W), the movable rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 is stretched away from the movable rail 24 by the second lateral external force F2. The second lateral external force F2 can be the second width W2 of the load, or caused by human stretching or other reasons, but is not limited in implementation. At this time, when the movable rail 24 is stretched away from the support frame 22 by the second lateral external force F2, the second limiting relationship 54 causes the second limiting part 52 to abut against the mounting member 40 of the bracket 32 ​​to form a stop, thereby preventing the operating space S from being enlarged or the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 from disengaging from the stop part 38 or from being insufficiently blocked. Therefore, the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 and the stop part 38 block and maintain the blocking relationship.

[0039] Because the operating space S is not enlarged, or the locking part 44 and the stop part 38 of the locking member 28 are not disengaged or are insufficiently blocked, in this case, when the user wants to operate the carrier, perform replacement or maintenance, etc., and needs the movable rail 24 to be in the open position P2, the user also applies the pressing force Q to the operating part 46, so that the locking part 44 and the stop part 38 can still disengage from each other, and then the movable rail 24 is moved in the opening direction D2, so that the movable rail 24 relative to the support frame 22 is moved in the opening direction D2 to the open position P2, and the above-mentioned operations can be performed. (e.g.) Figure 6 (As shown).

[0040] like Figure 14 As shown, another embodiment of the slide rail assembly 200 of the present invention is illustrated. The substantial difference between this other embodiment and the aforementioned embodiment lies in the construction method. The aforementioned embodiment uses an internal construction method, while this other embodiment uses an external construction method. Specifically, the slide rail assembly 200 is mounted to a frame 204 via a mounting member 202, with a mounting base 206 of the mounting member 202 protruding outwards from the frame 204. In this other installation method, a second limiting portion 210 of a limiting member 208 faces the mounting base 206 of a front bracket 212a, forming a second limiting relationship 214, such that the second limiting portion 210 and the mounting base 206 of the front bracket 212a abut against each other to form a stop.

[0041] The technical principle in this part is the same as that in the previous embodiment. The only difference is that the second limiting relationship 214 is formed by the second limiting part 210 and the mounting base 206 of the front bracket 212a. For the sake of simplicity, it will not be described again here.

[0042] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 of the present invention has the following characteristics:

[0043] 1. When the movable rail 24 is subjected to the first lateral external force F1, the first limiting part 48 and the frame 34 are brought into contact with each other through the first limiting relationship 50 to form a stop, so that the operating space S is not restricted or the locking part 44 of the locking member 28 and the blocking part 38 are not excessively engaged, so that the locking member 28 is in the blocking relationship and can still be operated to disengage from the blocking relationship.

[0044] 2. When the movable rail 24 is subjected to the second lateral external force F2, the second limiting part 52 and the bracket 32 ​​are abutted against each other through the second limiting relationship 54 to form a stop, so that the operating space S is not enlarged or the locking part 44 and the blocking part 38 of the locking member 28 are not disengaged from each other or the blocking is insufficient, so that the locking member 28 is in the blocking relationship and can still be operated to disengage from the blocking relationship.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention, and various equivalent changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, any changes or modifications to the above embodiments within the scope of the essential spirit of the invention will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A slide rail assembly for mounting to a frame, the slide rail assembly comprising a support frame, a movable rail, a limiting member, and a locking member, characterized in that: The support frame includes a stop; The movable rail and the support frame can be displaced relative to each other; The limiting member is arranged on the movable rail, and the limiting member includes a first limiting part; and The locking element is operably arranged on the movable track; When the movable rail is in a retracted position relative to the support frame, the locking member and the stop are in a blocking relationship, so that the movable rail is kept in the retracted position to prevent the movable rail from moving relative to the support frame from the retracted position to an opening direction. When the movable rail is in the retracted position relative to the support frame and the movable rail is subjected to a first lateral external force, the first limiting part forms a first limiting relationship with the frame, so that the locking member can be operably disengaged from the blocking relationship.

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame includes a fixed rail and a bracket, the fixed rail being mounted to the frame via the bracket; the limiting member also includes a second limiting part; wherein, when the movable rail is subjected to a second lateral external force, the second limiting part and the bracket form a second limiting relationship, allowing the locking member to operably disengage from the blocking relationship.

3. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first limiting part is arranged on one surface of the limiting member; when the limiting member is arranged on the movable rail and in the blocking relationship, the surface faces the frame.

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first limiting part and the surface are separated by a distance, which is based on the surface, and the first limiting part is higher than the surface.

5. The slide rail assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first lateral external force system is an external force that compresses towards the movable rail.

6. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the limiting member is arranged on the movable rail and in the blocking relationship, the second limiting part faces the bracket.

7. The slide rail assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bracket also includes at least one mounting member through which the fixed rail is mounted to the frame; when the limiting member is arranged on the movable rail and in the blocking relationship, the second limiting part faces the mounting member.

8. The slide rail assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting component includes a mounting base; when the limiting member is arranged on the movable track and in the blocking relationship, the second limiting part faces the mounting base.

9. The slide rail assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second lateral external force system is the external force that stretches away from the moving track.

10. A slide rail assembly, comprising a support frame, a movable rail, a limiting member, and a locking member, characterized in that: The support frame includes a fixed rail and a bracket, the bracket including at least one mounting element and a stop; The movable rail and the support frame can be longitudinally displaced relative to each other; The limiting member is arranged on the movable rail, and the limiting member includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part; and The locking element is operably arranged on the movable track; When the movable rail is in a retracted position relative to the support frame, the locking member and the stop are in a blocking relationship, so that the movable rail is kept in the retracted position to prevent the movable rail from moving relative to the support frame from the retracted position to an opening direction. When the movable rail is in the retracted position relative to the support frame, the position of the mounting member is between the position of the first limiting part and the position of the second limiting part, and the positions of the first limiting part, the second limiting part and the mounting member correspond to each other laterally.

11. The slide rail assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The slide rail assembly can be mounted on a frame. When the movable rail is in the retracted position relative to the support frame and the movable rail is subjected to a first lateral external force, the first limiting part forms a first limiting relationship with the frame, so that the locking member can be operably disengaged from the blocking relationship.

12. The slide rail assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first limiting part is arranged on one surface of the limiting member; when the limiting member is arranged on the movable rail and in the blocking relationship, the surface faces the frame.

13. The slide rail assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first limiting part and the surface are separated by a distance, which is based on the surface, and the first limiting part is higher than the surface.

14. The slide rail assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, When the movable rail is subjected to a second lateral external force, the second limiting part and the mounting member form a second limiting relationship, so that the locking member can be operably disengaged from the blocking relationship.

15. The slide rail assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that, The mounting component includes a mounting base; when the limiting member is arranged on the movable track and in the blocking relationship, the second limiting part faces the mounting base.

16. The slide rail assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that, The limiting member includes a fixing part extending in a closing direction and a handle part extending in an opening direction, wherein the closing direction and the opening direction are opposite.

17. The slide rail assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that, The limiting member further includes a wall surface extending substantially perpendicular to the closing direction and a stop portion extending substantially perpendicular to the wall surface.

18. The slide rail assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that, The stop portion is provided with the second limiting portion.

19. The slide rail assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that, The wall surface includes a through space for the lock to be inserted into the handle.

20. The slide rail assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that, The fixed part is detachably connected to the movable rail.

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