Slide rail

Abstract

To provide a slide rail capable of suppressing a failure.SOLUTION: A slide rail slidably supports a movable side member with respect to a fixed side member. The slide rail includes: a first rail having a first sliding surface extending in a sliding direction; and a second rail extending in the sliding direction, having a second sliding surface to have slidable contact with the first sliding surface, and slidably assembled to the first rail. The first rail is made of a resin and the second rail is made of metal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a slide rail that supports a movable member so that the movable member can slide relative to a fixed member.

[0003] The slide rail disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a fixed rail and a movable rail that are slidably combined. The movable rail is slidably supported on the fixed rail via balls that are arranged to roll freely between the fixed rail and the movable rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-174993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of a slide rail having balls, repeated movement of the movable rail can cause foreign matter such as dust to get into the area around the balls, which can cause the slide rail to break down.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail capable of suppressing malfunctions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the slide rail according to the present invention is A slide rail that slidably supports a movable member relative to a fixed member, a first rail having a first sliding surface extending in a sliding direction; a second rail extending in the sliding direction and having a second sliding surface in sliding contact with the first sliding surface, the second rail being slidably assembled to the first rail; The first rail is made of resin, The second rail is made of metal. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a slide rail capable of suppressing failures can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide rail according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slide rail. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the slide rail in use. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the upper rail. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the slide rail. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the slide rail. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C1-C1 of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C2-C2 of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing the slide rail in a contracted state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing the slide rail in an extended state. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an upper rail of a slide rail according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an upper rail of a slide rail according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a slide rail according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components are given the same reference numerals. The matters described below together with the accompanying drawings are for explaining exemplary embodiments, and are not intended to show the only embodiment.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] A slide rail 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. In the following description, an orthogonal coordinate system shown in each figure will be used.

[0012] The left-right direction in the orthogonal coordinate system is the left-right direction when the slide rail 1 is in use (as shown in FIG. 3). The front-rear direction in the orthogonal coordinate system is also the sliding direction of the slide rail 1.

[0013] The front side in the Cartesian coordinate system is the direction in which an upper rail 3, which will be described later, moves relative to a lower rail 2 when the slide rail 1 transitions from a contracted state to an extended state. The front side in the Cartesian coordinate system is also the extension direction of the slide rail 1.

[0014] The rear side in the Cartesian coordinate system is the direction in which the upper rail 3, which will be described later, moves relative to the lower rail 2 when the slide rail 1 transitions from the extended state to the contracted state. The rear side in the Cartesian coordinate system is also the contraction direction of the slide rail 1.

[0015] The left-right direction in the Cartesian coordinate system is the left-right direction in the use state of the slide rail 1 (the state shown in FIG. 3). The up-down direction in the Cartesian coordinate system is the up-down direction in the use state of the slide rail 1 (the state shown in FIG. 3).

[0016] 1 and 2 are perspective views of a slide rail 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the slide rail 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is in use.

[0017] The slide rail 1 is a device for supporting a container 6 slidably on a storage shelf 5, as shown in FIG.

[0018] The storage shelf 5 corresponds to an example of a fixed member, and may have a plurality of storage spaces 51. For convenience of explanation, only one storage space 51 is shown in Fig. 3. The storage space 51 is a space that is open at least on the front side.

[0019] The container 6 is an example of a movable member, and is, for example, in the shape of a substantially rectangular box. The container 6 has a storage space 61. The storage space 61 stores, for example, a powdered content (for example, powdered food). The powdered food may be, for example, coffee or tea leaves. Furthermore, the contents stored in the container 6 are not limited to powdered food. The contents stored in the container 6 do not have to be food.

[0020] 3, a pair of left and right slide rails 1 are disposed between the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 52 of the storage shelf 5 and the lower surface of the container 6. The number of slide rails 1 may be determined according to the size of the container 6.

[0021] The left and right slide rails 1 in Fig. 3 have the same configuration. The specific configuration of the slide rail 1 will be described below. For ease of explanation, in the following explanation, each direction related to the slide rail 1 corresponds to each direction of the slide rail 1 in the usage state. In the following, when referring to the usage state without any special mention, it means the usage state of the slide rail 1 (i.e., the state of the slide rail 1 shown in Fig. 3).

[0022] 4 and 5, the slide rail 1 has a lower rail 2 and an upper rail 3. As the upper rail 3 slides relative to the lower rail 2, the slide rail 1 contracts or expands.

[0023] The state in which the slide rail 1 has its shortest overall length (the state shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 11) is referred to as the contracted state of the slide rail 1. The state in which the slide rail 1 has its longest overall length (the state shown in Fig. 12) is referred to as the extended state of the slide rail 1.

[0024] The position of the upper rail 3 relative to the lower rail 2 when the slide rail 1 is in the contracted state is referred to as a first position of the upper rail 3. The position of the upper rail 3 relative to the lower rail 2 when the slide rail 1 is in the extended state is referred to as a second position of the upper rail 3.

[0025] The direction in which the upper rail 3 moves from the first position to the second position is sometimes referred to as the extension direction of the slide rail 1 or the extension direction of the upper rail 3.

[0026] Moreover, the direction in which the upper rail 3 moves from the second position toward the first position may be referred to as the retraction direction of the slide rail 1 or the retraction direction of the upper rail 3.

[0027] Furthermore, the state in which the upper rail 3 slides against the lower rail 2 may be referred to as the sliding state of the upper rail 3 or the sliding state of the slide rail 1.

[0028] Lower rail 2 corresponds to an example of a first rail, and is fixed to an upper surface of bottom plate portion 52 of storage shelf 5 (see FIG. 3) in a used state. Lower rail 2 is fixed to storage shelf 5 by fixing means (not shown) such as bolts.

[0029] The lower rail 2 is made of resin and is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction).

[0030] The resin constituting the lower rail 2 may include at least one of the following resins: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide resin (PA), polyacetal (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate (PC), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0031] The lower rail 2 has a lower sliding surface 20, a left guide groove 21, a right guide groove 22, a notch 23, and a lower stopper portion 24.

[0032] The lower sliding surface 20 corresponds to an example of a first sliding surface, and is formed by the upper surface of the lower rail 2. In other words, the lower sliding surface 20 faces upward. The lower sliding surface 20 is a rectangular surface extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). The static friction coefficient μ of such a lower sliding surface 20 is 0.05 or more and 0.4 or less.

[0033] The static friction coefficient μ is a value measured by a friction and wear test specified in JIS K 7125. The counter member used in the friction and wear test is made of stainless steel, which is the same material as the upper rail 3 described below. The material of the counter member used in the friction and wear test may be determined appropriately depending on the material of the upper rail 3.

[0034] In a used state, the lower sliding surface 20 comes into sliding contact with an upper sliding surface 302 of an upper rail 3 (described later) while facing each other in the vertical direction.

[0035] Left guide groove 21 corresponds to a first guide groove, and is provided on the left side surface of lower rail 2. The left side surface of lower rail 2 corresponds to an example of a first side surface of a first rail.

[0036] The left guide groove 21, together with the right guide groove 22 described below, guides the sliding of the upper rail 3 described below. Specifically, the left guide groove 21 guides the left guide portion 33 of the upper rail 3 when the upper rail 3 slides relative to the lower rail 2.

[0037] The left guide groove 21 extends in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction) on the left side surface of the lower rail 2. Specifically, the left guide groove 21 is provided on the left side surface of the lower rail 2 from the rear end to the front end, as shown in FIG.

[0038] A rear end (first end) of the left guide groove 21 opens into the rear end surface of the lower rail 2. A front end (second end) of the left guide groove 21 opens into the front end surface of the lower rail 2.

[0039] The left guide groove 21 has a predetermined width in the up-down direction. The width of the left guide groove 21 is constant over its entire length. The width of the left guide groove 21 is larger than the thickness of a left guide portion 33 of the upper rail 3, which will be described later. The width of the left guide groove 21 is larger than the width of a right guide groove 22, which will be described later.

[0040] Right guide groove 22 corresponds to a second guide groove, and is provided on the right side surface of lower rail 2. The right side surface of lower rail 2 corresponds to an example of the second side surface of the first rail.

[0041] The right guide groove 22, together with the left guide groove 21, guides the sliding of the upper rail 3 (described later). Specifically, the right guide groove 22 guides the right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3 when the upper rail 3 slides relative to the lower rail 2.

[0042] The right guide groove 22 extends in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction) on the right side surface of the lower rail 2. Specifically, the right guide groove 22 extends from the rear end to the front end on the right side surface of the lower rail 2, as shown in FIG.

[0043] A rear end (first end) of the right guide groove 22 opens to the rear end surface of the lower rail 2. A front end (second end) of the right guide groove 22 is located at a predetermined position forward of the center of the lower rail 2 in the sliding direction.

[0044] The front end of the right guide groove 22 opens into a notch 23, which will be described later. The position of the front end of the right guide groove 22 may be determined appropriately depending on the stroke amount of the slide rail 1.

[0045] The right guide groove 22 has a predetermined width in the up-down direction. The width of the right guide groove 22 is constant over its entire length. The width of the right guide groove 22 is greater than the thickness of a right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3, which will be described later.

[0046] The cutout portion 23 is provided on the right side surface of the lower rail 2. The cutout portion 23 is a portion for discharging foreign matter that has entered the right guide groove 22.

[0047] 8, the cutout 23 is provided on the right side surface of the lower rail 2 at a position adjacent to the front end of the right guide groove 22. The cutout 23 is connected to the front end of the right guide groove 22.

[0048] The right end of the cutout portion 23 opens to the right side surface of the lower rail 2 , and the lower end of the cutout portion 23 opens to the lower surface of the lower rail 2 .

[0049] When the upper rail 3 moves in the extension direction, any foreign matter that has entered the right guide groove 22 is pushed by the right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3 and is expelled from the notch 23. This configuration contributes to maintaining good slidability of the slide rail 1.

[0050] Length dimension L of the cutout portion 23 in the front-rear direction 23 (See FIG. 5) is the length dimension L in the front-rear direction of the right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3 described later. 34 (See Figure 5) 23 >L 34 ).

[0051] The lower stopper portion 24 is provided on the right side surface of the lower rail 2. When the upper rail 3 moves forward (in other words, in the extension direction), the lower stopper portion 24 comes into contact with the upper rail 3 midway through the sliding stroke, thereby restricting the movement of the upper rail 3 in the extension direction.

[0052] 8, the lower stopper portion 24 is provided in front of the right guide groove 22. In other words, the lower stopper portion 24 is provided in front of the cutout portion 23. The lower stopper portion 24 is formed by a surface facing rearward.

[0053] The lower stopper portion 24 overlaps in the front-rear direction with the right guide groove 22. In other words, the height of the lower stopper portion 24 (i.e., its position in the up-down direction) is the same as the height of the right guide groove 22 (i.e., its position in the up-down direction).

[0054] In other words, the lower stopper portion 24 and the right guide groove 22 overlap in a front view of the lower rail 2. A front view of the lower rail 2 means that the lower rail 2 is viewed from the front.

[0055] Furthermore, the lower rail 2 has a front groove 25 at the front end of the right side surface, which connects the notch 23 and the front end surface of the lower rail 2. The rear end of the front groove 25 is connected to the notch 23. The front groove 25 is provided at a higher position than the right guide groove 22.

[0056] The front groove 25 is a path for the right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3 when the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3 are separated.

[0057] Furthermore, the lower rail 2 has mounting holes 26 (see FIG. 4) at multiple locations (three locations in this embodiment) in the front-rear direction, penetrating the lower rail 2 in the up-down direction. The lower rail 2 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 52 of the storage shelf 5 by fixing means (not shown), such as bolts, inserted into the mounting holes 26.

[0058] The upper rail 3 corresponds to an example of a second rail, and is fixed to the bottom surface of the container 6 (see FIG. 3) in a used state. The upper rail 3 is fixed to the container 6 by fixing means (not shown) such as bolts.

[0059] The upper rail 3 is made of metal and is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). The metal constituting the upper rail 3 is, for example, stainless steel (specifically, SUS304). This configuration can reduce the height dimension of the slide rail 1 while ensuring the rigidity of the upper rail 3. In other words, this configuration contributes to making the slide rail 1 more compact.

[0060] Such an upper rail 3 has a rail body 30, a left cover portion 31, a right cover portion 32, a left guide portion 33, and a right guide portion .

[0061] The rail main body 30 is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). Specifically, the rail main body 30 is a plate-like member that is parallel to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0062] The rail main body 30 has a front fixing part 300 at its front end. The front fixing part 300 has a pair of front through-holes 300a that penetrate the front fixing part 300 in the up-down direction at both ends in the left-right direction.

[0063] The rail main body 30 has a rear fixed portion 301 at its rear end. The rear fixed portion 301 has a pair of rear through-holes 301a that penetrate the rear fixed portion 301 in the up-down direction at both ends in the left-right direction.

[0064] The rail body 30 has an upper sliding surface 302 on the lower surface. The upper sliding surface 302 corresponds to an example of a second sliding surface and faces downward. The upper sliding surface 302 is a rectangular surface extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction).

[0065] In a used state, the upper sliding surface 302 comes into sliding contact with the lower sliding surface 20 of the lower rail 2 while facing each other in the vertical direction.

[0066] The left side covering part 31 corresponds to an example of a covering part and a first covering part, and is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). The left side covering part 31 is a plate-like member parallel to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The upper end of the left side covering part 31 is connected to the left end of the rail main body 30.

[0067] The left side cover part 31 closely faces the left side surface of the lower rail 2 over the entire length in the sliding direction.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, the left side covering part 31 has a front covering part 310 that is long in the height direction, and a rear covering part 311 that is short in the height direction.

[0069] The front covering part 310 is a part of the left covering part 31 that extends from the front end to a predetermined position rearward of the center in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 10, the front covering part 310 covers the left guide groove 21 of the lower rail 2 from the left side. Such a front covering part 310 contributes to preventing foreign matter from entering the left guide groove 21.

[0070] The rear covering part 311 is a part of the left covering part 31 that is rearward of the front covering part 310. As shown in Fig. 9, the rear covering part 311 does not cover the left guide groove 21 of the lower rail 2. The height dimension of the rear covering part 311 is made small in order to make it easier to separate the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3.

[0071] The length of the front covering part and the rear covering part in the sliding direction is not limited to the length of the front covering part 310 and the rear covering part 311 in the sliding direction in this embodiment. The rear covering part may be omitted. Also, the left covering part 31 may have a shape that can cover the left guide groove 21 of the lower rail 2 from the left side over its entire length, like the front covering part 310.

[0072] The right side covering part 32 corresponds to an example of a covering part and a second covering part, and is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). The right side covering part 32 is a plate-like member parallel to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The upper end of the right side covering part 32 is connected to the right end of the rail main body 30.

[0073] The front end of the right side covering part 32 is located slightly rearward of the front fixing part 300 of the rail main body 30. The rear end of the right side covering part 32 is located slightly forward of the rear fixing part 301 of the rail main body 30.

[0074] 9 and 10, the right side covering part 32 closely faces the right side surface of the lower rail 2 over its entire length in the sliding direction. This configuration contributes to improving the rigidity of the upper rail 3. Also, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the right side covering part 32 covers the right side guide groove 22 of the lower rail 2 from the right side over its entire length. Such a right side covering part 32 contributes to preventing foreign matter from entering the right guide groove 22.

[0075] The length of the right covering part in the sliding direction is not limited to the length of the right covering part 32 in this embodiment in the sliding direction. The right covering part may have a covering part with a short dimension in the height direction. In other words, the right covering part may have a part that does not cover the right guide groove 22. The right covering part may have a discontinuous part 320 in a part in the front-rear direction, like the right covering part 32A in the second embodiment described later (see FIG. 13).

[0076] The left guide portion 33 corresponds to an example of a first guide portion, and is guided by the left guide groove 21 when the upper rail 3 slides relative to the lower rail 2.

[0077] The left guide portion 33 is a horizontal plate-like member. The left guide portion 33 is connected to the left covering portion 31. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the left end portion of the left guide portion 33 is connected to the lower end portion of the left covering portion 31. In other words, the left guide portion 33 extends from the lower end portion of the left covering portion 31 to the right in the horizontal direction.

[0078] The left guide portion 33 is provided in a predetermined range including the center position in the front-rear direction of the upper rail 3. The position of the left guide portion 33 in the front-rear direction may be determined appropriately.

[0079] 10, the left guide part 33 is inserted into the left guide groove 21. In use, the lower surface of the left guide part 33 closely faces the inner surface of the left guide groove 21 in the up-down direction.

[0080] In addition, in the used state, the left guide portion 33 does not abut against the inner surface of the left guide groove 21 as shown in FIG.

[0081] The right guide portion 34 corresponds to an example of a second guide portion, and is guided by the right guide groove 22 when the upper rail 3 slides relative to the lower rail 2.

[0082] Further, the right guide portion 34 faces the lower stopper portion 24 (see FIG. 8) of the lower rail 2 at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction).

[0083] When the upper rail 3 slides relative to the lower rail 2, the right guide portion 34 comes into contact with the lower stopper portion 24 (see FIG. 8) of the lower rail 2 midway through the sliding stroke in the extension direction, thereby restricting the movement of the lower rail 2 in the extension direction. In other words, the right guide portion 34 is also an example of a stopped portion. The second guide portion and the stopped portion may be formed of different members.

[0084] The right guide portion 34 is a horizontal plate-like member. The right guide portion 34 is connected to the right covering portion 32. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the right end portion of the right guide portion 34 is connected to the lower end portion of the right covering portion 32. In other words, the right guide portion 34 extends from the lower end portion of the right covering portion 32 to the left in the horizontal direction.

[0085] The right guide portion 34 is provided in a predetermined range near the rear end in the front-rear direction of the upper rail 3. As shown in Fig. 6, the right guide portion 34 is disposed rearward of the left guide portion 33. In other words, the right guide portion 34 is provided at a position shifted from the left guide portion 33 in the front-rear direction.

[0086] In other words, the right guide portion 34 and the left guide portion 33 are offset in the front-rear direction. In other words, the right guide portion 34 and the left guide portion 33 do not overlap in a side view when the slide rail 1 is in the contracted state.

[0087] In this embodiment, the right guide portion 34 abuts against the lower stopper portion 24 (see FIG. 5) of the lower rail 2 and functions as a stopped portion that restricts movement of the lower rail 2 in the extension direction. For this reason, a configuration in which the right guide portion 34 is provided at the rear as shown in FIG. 6 is preferable from the viewpoint of increasing the stroke of the lower rail 2.

[0088] Furthermore, if the right guide portion 34 and the left guide portion 33 overlap in a side view, it is difficult to separate the upper rail 3 from the lower rail 2. Conversely, in the case of this embodiment, the right guide portion 34 and the left guide portion 33 do not overlap in a side view, so that it is easy to separate the upper rail 3 from the lower rail 2.

[0089] Furthermore, in the case where the right guide portion 34 and the left guide portion 33 do not overlap in a side view, the left guide portion 33 does not get in the way when the right guide portion 34 is formed by pressing (specifically, bending). Therefore, such a configuration contributes to improving the manufacturing efficiency of the upper rail 3.

[0090] The position of the right guide part 34 in the front-rear direction may be appropriately determined in relation to the sliding stroke of the slide rail 1. The further back the right guide part 34 is disposed, the greater the sliding stroke of the slide rail 1 becomes.

[0091] In other words, when the slide rail 1 is in a contracted state, the longer the distance between the front end of the right guide portion 34 and the lower stopper portion 24, the larger the sliding stroke of the slide rail 1 becomes.

[0092] 9 and 10, the right guide portion 34 is inserted into the right guide groove 22. In use, the upper and lower surfaces of the right guide portion 34 closely face the inner surface of the right guide groove 22 in the up-down direction.

[0093] The configuration in which the right guide portion 34 closely faces the inner surface of the right guide groove 22 in the vertical direction contributes to suppressing inclination of the upper rail 3 with respect to the lower rail 2. As a result, a user of the container 6 (see FIG. 3) can pull out the container 6 from the storage shelf 5 in a stable position.

[0094] In addition, in the used state, the right guide portion 34 does not abut against the inner surface of the right guide groove 22, as shown in FIG.

[0095] When in use, the upper rail 3 having the above-described configuration is fixed to the underside of the container 6 (see FIG. 3) by fixing means (not shown) such as a bolt inserted through the front through-hole 300a of the front fixing portion 300 and the rear through-hole 301a of the rear fixing portion 301.

[0096] Next, the operation of the slide rail 1 when the slide rail 1 transitions between the contracted state and the extended state will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. In the following description, Figures 1 to 10 will also be referred to as appropriate.

[0097] Fig. 11 is a schematic side view showing the contracted state of the slide rail 1. Fig. 12 is a schematic side view showing the extended state of the slide rail 1.

[0098] 11 and 12, the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3 are shown diagrammatically. Also, in Fig. 11 and 12, the lower stopper portion 24 of the lower rail 2 is shown by a dotted line. Also, in Fig. 11 and 12, the right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3 (in other words, the portion to be stopped) is shown by a dotted line.

[0099] The lower rail 2 does not move because it is fixed to the bottom plate portion 52 of the storage shelf 5. The upper rail 3 is fixed to the bottom surface of the container 6. The upper rail 3 is slidable relative to the lower rail 2.

[0100] 11 is a state in which the container 6 is stored in the storage shelf 5. This state is referred to as the storage state of the container 6.

[0101] 12 is a state in which the container 6 is removed from the storage shelf 5. This state is referred to as a non-storage state of the container 6.

[0102] When the container 6 is in the stored state shown in Fig. 11, a user of the container 6 pulls the container 6 forward. Then, the container 6 and the upper rail 3 move forward (in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 in Fig. 11). The forward direction is also the extension direction of the upper rail 3.

[0103] The upper rail 3 moves forward until the right guide portion 34 of the upper rail 3 abuts against the lower stopper portion 24 of the lower rail 2. When the right guide portion 34 abuts against the lower stopper portion 24, the forward movement of the upper rail 3 (in other words, in the extension direction) stops.

[0104] Then, the slide rail 1 goes into the extended state shown in Fig. 12. When the slide rail 1 goes into the extended state, the container 6 goes into the unhoused state.

[0105] The distance L1 between the right guide portion 34 and the lower stopper portion 24 (see FIG. 11) is the sliding stroke of the slide rail 1.

[0106] In the extended state shown in FIG. 12, the upper rail 3 is restricted from moving forward (in other words, in the extended direction) based on the abutment between the right guide portion 34 and the lower stopper portion 24.

[0107] 12, when the container 6 is not stored, the user of the container 6 pushes the container 6 backward. Then, the container 6 and the upper rail 3 move backward (in the direction indicated by the arrow A2 in FIG. 12). The backward direction is also the contracting direction of the upper rail 3.

[0108] Then, the upper rail 3 moves rearward to the position shown in Fig. 11. As a result, the slide rail 1 enters the contracted state shown in Fig. 11. When the slide rail 1 enters the contracted state, the container 6 enters the stored state.

[0109] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) According to the slide rail 1 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a slide rail 1 capable of suppressing breakdowns. The reason for this will be explained below.

[0110] First, the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment is configured to expand and contract based on the sliding between the metal upper rail 3 and the resin lower rail 2. Since the upper sliding surface 302 of the upper rail 3 and the lower sliding surface 20 of the lower rail 2 are in sliding contact with each other, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering between the upper sliding surface 302 and the lower sliding surface 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent failure of the slide rail 1.

[0111] Furthermore, if the lower rail 2 is made of a resin having excellent sliding properties, the slide rail 1 can have excellent sliding properties.

[0112] In addition, in the case of the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment, the lower sliding surface 20 and the upper sliding surface 302 are in sliding contact with each other while facing each other in the vertical direction. This configuration can more effectively prevent foreign matter (e.g., powdered food) from entering between the lower sliding surface 20 and the upper sliding surface 302. As a result, failure of the slide rail 1 can be prevented.

[0113] In particular, in the case of the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment, the slide rail 1 has a left cover part 31 and a right cover part 32. Specifically, the left cover part 31 covers the left guide groove 21 of the lower rail 2 from the left side. Also, the right cover part 32 covers the right guide groove 22 of the lower rail 2 from the right side. This configuration can more effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the left guide groove 21 and the right guide groove 22, and therefore can prevent foreign matter (e.g., powdered food) from entering between the lower sliding surface 20 and the upper sliding surface 302. As a result, failure of the slide rail 1 can be suppressed.

[0114] Furthermore, in the case of the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment, no lubricant (e.g., grease or lubricating oil) is applied between the lower sliding surface 20 and the upper sliding surface 302. Therefore, in the case of the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment, even if a foreign object enters between the lower sliding surface 20 and the upper sliding surface 302, the foreign object will not adhere to the lubricant and harden. As a result, failure of the slide rail 1 can be suppressed.

[0115] Furthermore, in the case of the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment, since the lower slide surface 20 and the upper slide surface 302 are in sliding contact with each other, even if a foreign object gets between the lower slide surface 20 and the upper slide surface 302, the foreign object can be pushed out by the upper rail 3. This makes it possible to prevent foreign objects from being retained between the lower slide surface 20 and the upper slide surface 302. As a result, it is possible to prevent failure of the slide rail 1. Other functions and effects of the slide rail 1 according to this embodiment are as described above.

[0116] [Embodiment 2] A slide rail 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In the slide rail 1A of this embodiment, the configuration of an upper rail 3A differs from the configuration of the upper rail 3 (see Fig. 6) of the slide rail 1 according to the above-described first embodiment. The configuration of the upper rail 3A will be described below.

[0117] The upper rail 3A has a rail main body 30A, a left covering portion 31A, a right covering portion 32A, a left guide portion 33A, and a right guide portion 34A.

[0118] The rail main body 30A is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). Specifically, the rail main body 30A is a plate-like member parallel to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0119] The rail body 30A has a front fixing part 300A at a front end thereof. The front fixing part 300A has a pair of front through-holes 300b at both left-right ends thereof, which pass through the front fixing part 300A in the up-down direction.

[0120] The rail main body 30A has a rear fixing portion 301A at its rear end. The rear fixing portion 301A has a pair of rear through-holes 301b at both left-right ends thereof, which pass through the rear fixing portion 301A in the up-down direction.

[0121] In this embodiment, the rail main body 30A has an intermediate fixing part 303 in the middle in the front-rear direction. The intermediate fixing part 303 is provided at the left end part of the rail main body 30A. The intermediate fixing part 303 is provided between the rear fixing part 301A and the left side covering part 31A (left side guide part 33A) in the front-rear direction.

[0122] Intermediate fixing portion 303 has intermediate through-hole 303a that passes through intermediate fixing portion 303 in the up-down direction.

[0123] The rail body 30A has an upper sliding surface 302A on the lower surface. The upper sliding surface 302A faces downward. The upper sliding surface 302A is a rectangular surface extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction).

[0124] In a used state, the upper sliding surface 302A is in sliding contact with the lower sliding surface 20 of the lower rail 2 (see FIG. 4) while facing the same in the vertical direction.

[0125] The left side covering part 31A corresponds to an example of a covering part and a first covering part, and is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). The left side covering part 31A is a plate-like member parallel to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The upper end of the left side covering part 31A is connected to the left end of the rail main body 30A.

[0126] The left side covering part 31A faces closely to the left side surface of the lower rail 2 over the entire length in the sliding direction. In this embodiment, the left side covering part 31A is discontinuous in the front-rear direction. In other words, the left side covering part 31A has a discontinuous part 312 at one location in the front-rear direction.

[0127] The front end of the left side covering part 31A is located slightly rearward of the front fixing part 300A of the rail main body 30A. The rear end of the left side covering part 31A is located at a predetermined position rearward of the center in the front-rear direction (in other words, at a position slightly forward of the intermediate fixing part 303). The height dimension of the left side covering part 31A is constant over the entire length.

[0128] The left side covering portion 31A covers the left side guide groove 21 of the lower rail 2 (see FIG. 4) from the left side over the entire length. Such left side covering portion 31A contributes to preventing foreign matter from entering the left side guide groove 21.

[0129] The right side covering part 32A corresponds to an example of a covering part and a second covering part, and is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction (in other words, the sliding direction). The right side covering part 32A is a plate-like member parallel to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The upper end part of the right side covering part 32A is connected to the right end part of the rail main body 30A.

[0130] The front end of the right covering part 32A is located slightly rearward of the front fixing part 300 of the rail main body 30A. The rear end of the right covering part 32A is located slightly forward of the rear fixing part 301 of the rail main body 30A.

[0131] The right side covering part 32A closely faces the right side surface of the lower rail 2 over the entire length in the sliding direction. In the present embodiment, the right side covering part 32A is discontinuous in the front-rear direction. In other words, the right side covering part 32A has a discontinuous part 320 at one location in the front-rear direction.

[0132] In addition, the right side covering portion 32A covers the right side guide groove 22 of the lower rail 2 (see FIG. 5) from the right side over the entire length. Such right side covering portion 32A contributes to preventing foreign matter from entering the right side guide groove 22.

[0133] The left guide portion 33A corresponds to an example of a first guide portion, and is guided by the left guide groove 21 (see FIG. 4) when the upper rail 3A slides relative to the lower rail 2 (see FIG. 4).

[0134] The left guide portion 33A is a horizontal plate-like member and is connected to the left cover portion 31A.

[0135] Specifically, the left end of the left guide portion 33A is connected to the lower end of the left covering portion 31. That is, the left guide portion 33A extends horizontally to the right from the lower end of the left covering portion 31A.

[0136] More specifically, the left guide portion 33A is connected to a portion of the left covering portion 31A that is rearward of the discontinuous portion 312.

[0137] Such a left guide portion 33A is inserted into the left guide groove 21 (see FIG. 4) in the same manner as the left guide portion 33 shown in FIG 10. In the used state, the lower surface of the left guide portion 33A closely faces the inner surface of the left guide groove 21 in the up-down direction in the same manner as the left guide portion 33 shown in FIG 10.

[0138] In addition, in the used state, the left guide portion 33 does not abut against the inner surface of the left guide groove 21, similar to the left guide portion 33 shown in FIG.

[0139] The right guide portion 34A corresponds to an example of a second guide portion, and is guided by the right guide groove 22 (see FIG. 5) when the upper rail 3A slides relative to the lower rail 2 (see FIG. 5).

[0140] In addition, when the upper rail 3A slides relative to the lower rail 2, the right guide portion 34A comes into contact with the lower stopper portion 24 (see FIG. 5) of the lower rail 2 midway through the sliding stroke in the extension direction, thereby restricting the movement of the lower rail 2 in the extension direction. In other words, the right guide portion 34A is also an example of a stopped portion.

[0141] The right guide portion 34A is a horizontal plate-like member. The right guide portion 34A is connected to the right cover portion 32A. Specifically, the right end portion of the right guide portion 34A is connected to the lower end portion of the right cover portion 32A. In other words, the right guide portion 34A extends from the lower end portion of the right cover portion 32A to the left in the horizontal direction.

[0142] More specifically, the right guide portion 34A is connected to a portion of the right cover portion 32A that is rearward of the discontinuous portion 320. The right guide portion 34A is disposed rearward of the left guide portion 33A. In other words, the right guide portion 34A is provided at a position shifted in the front-rear direction from the left guide portion 33A.

[0143] 9 and 10, the right guide portion 34A is inserted into the right guide groove 22 of the lower rail 2. In use, the upper and lower surfaces of the right guide portion 34A closely face the inner surface of the right guide groove 22 in the up-down direction, similar to the right guide portion 34 shown in FIGS.

[0144] When in use, the upper rail 3A having the above-described configuration is fixed to the underside of the container 6 (see FIG. 3) by fixing means (not shown) such as bolts inserted through the front through hole 300a of the front fixing part 300, the intermediate through hole 303a of the intermediate fixing part 303, and the rear through hole 301a of the rear fixing part 301.

[0145] In this embodiment, the upper rail 3A is fixed to the container 6 by a fixing means inserted into the intermediate through-hole 303a of the intermediate fixing part 303, so that warping (distortion) of the upper rail 3A can be suppressed. The rest of the configuration of the slide rail 1A is similar to that of the slide rail 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment 1.

[0146] [Embodiment 3] A slide rail 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the slide rail 1B of this embodiment, the configuration of an upper rail 3B differs from the configurations of the upper rail 3 of the slide rail 1 according to the above-described first embodiment (see Fig. 6) and the upper rail 3A of the slide rail 1A in the second embodiment (see Fig. 13). The configuration of the upper rail 3B will be described below.

[0147] The upper rail 3B has a rail main body 30B, a left covering portion 31B, a right covering portion 32B, a left guide portion 33B, and a right guide portion 34B.

[0148] The configuration of the rail main body 30B is similar to that of the rail main body 30A in the above-mentioned embodiment 2. Therefore, the elements constituting the rail main body 30B are given the same reference numerals as those of the rail main body 30A in embodiment 2.

[0149] The configurations of the right side covering portion 32B, the left side guide portion 33B, and the right side guide portion 34B are similar to the configurations of the right side covering portion 32, the left side guide portion 33, and the right side guide portion 34 in the first embodiment described above.

[0150] The left side covering part 31B has a configuration similar to that of the left side covering part 31 in the above-mentioned first embodiment, except that the rear side covering part 311 is omitted.

[0151] For such a slide rail 1B according to this embodiment, the explanations of the slide rails 1, 1A according to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments may be interpreted appropriately. [Industrial Applicability]

[0152] The present invention can be suitably applied to various slide rails. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1, 1A, 1B Slide rail 2 Lower Rail 20 Lower sliding surface 21 Left guide groove 22 Right guide groove 23 Notch 24 Lower stopper part 25 Front gutter 26 Mounting hole 3, 3A, 3B Upper rail 30, 30A, 30B Rail body 300, 300A front fixed part 300a, 300b front through hole 301, 301A Rear fixed part 301a, 301b rear through hole 302, 302A Upper sliding surface 303 Intermediate fixed part 303a intermediate through hole 31, 31A, 31B Left side cover 310 Front cover part 311 Rear cover part 312 Discontinuity 32, 32A, 32B Right side cover 320 Discontinuity 33, 33A, 33B Left guide part 34, 34A, 34B Right guide part 5 Storage Shelves 51 Storage space 52 Bottom plate part 6 containers 61 Containment Space

Claims

1. A slide rail that slidably supports a movable member relative to a fixed member, a first rail having a first sliding surface extending in a sliding direction; a second rail extending in the sliding direction and having a second sliding surface in sliding contact with the first sliding surface, the second rail being slidably assembled to the first rail, the first rail is made of resin, The second rail is made of metal. Slide rail.

2. The first rail is fixed to a fixed member in an in-use state, the second rail is fixed to a movable member slidable relative to the fixed member above the first rail in a usage state, The first sliding surface and the second sliding surface face each other in the vertical direction in a usage state.

2. A slide rail according to claim 1.

3. The first rail is a first guide groove provided on the first side surface and extending in the sliding direction; a second guide groove provided on the second side surface and extending in the sliding direction; The second rail is A first guide portion guided by the first guide groove; A second guide portion guided by the second guide groove.

2. A slide rail according to claim 1.

4. The first rail has a stopper portion, the second rail has a stopped portion opposed to the stopper portion at a predetermined distance in the sliding direction, The second rail is restricted from moving in the extension direction based on the contact between the stopper portion and the stopped portion. A slide rail according to claim 3.

5. The stopped portion is constituted by the second guide portion. A slide rail according to claim 4.

6. The stopper portion is provided on a front side of the second guide groove in the extension direction. A slide rail according to claim 5.

7. the first rail has a notch at a position adjacent to an end of the second guide groove for discharging foreign matter that has entered the second guide groove; A slide rail according to claim 6.

8. the second rail has a cover portion adjacent to and facing the first side and the second side of the first rail, The cover portion is a first cover portion adjacent to and facing the first side surface and covering the first guide groove; a second cover portion adjacent to and facing the second side surface and covering the second guide groove; A slide rail according to claim 3.

9. The first guide portion and the second guide portion are offset in the sliding direction. The slide rail according to claim 3.

Images