Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly allowing users to unlock two rails from each other.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a blocking feature, two operating members and a locking member. The second rail and the first rail are movable relative to each other. The blocking feature is disposed on the first rail. The two operating members and the locking member are movably mounted on the second rail. When the second rail is located at a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state, the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from moving from the predetermined position. When one of the two operating members is operated, the locking member is configured to be driven to move from the locked state to an unlocked state, allowing the second rail to move from the predetermined position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly in which two slide rails can be unlocked relative to each other in a predetermined position by operating one of two operating members. [Background technology]

[0002] US Patent US6883884 discloses a latch assembly for a slide rail device. The slide rail device includes a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to each other. The first rail is configured with a latch assembly, and the second rail is configured with a latch base. When the first rail is in a retracted position relative to the second rail, the latch assembly engages with the latch base, and the first rail is held in the retracted position. When a user wishes to unlock the latch assembly, the user must simultaneously press two actuating members of the latch assembly. This causes the hooks of the corresponding two unlocking members to no longer engage with the latch base, allowing the first rail to be moved from the retracted position relative to the second rail. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, for different market demands, it is important to develop a slide rail product that can unlock two slide rails relative to each other without requiring the simultaneous operation of two actuating members (or operating members).

[0004] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly in which two slide rails can be unlocked relative to each other in a predetermined position by operating one of two operating members.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail; a second rail, the second rail being relatively movable relative to the first rail; a blocking feature disposed on the first rail; two operating members movably mounted on the second rail; a locking member movably mounted on the second rail; and a drive member movably mounted on the second rail; the locking members and the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from moving from the predetermined position when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking members are in a locked state; and when one of the two operating members is operated, the drive member is configured to be driven to move the locking members to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the locking members and the blocking features no longer block each other to allow the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a blocking feature disposed on the first rail; two operating members movably attached to the second rail; and a locking member movably attached to the second rail; the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from moving from a predetermined position when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state; the slide rail assembly further comprises a handle movable relative to the second rail; and when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the handle is moved from the first operating position to the second operating position, the handle is configured to drive one of the two operating members to move the locking member to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state to allow the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position.

[0007] These and other objects of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a slide rail assembly including at least a first rail and a second rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an exploded view of a first rail and a second rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 illustrates a second rail configured with two operating members according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a second rail and two operating members according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 illustrates the second rail locked in position relative to the first rail in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 13A is a diagram showing a user operating a first operating member to unlock the second rail when the second rail is locked in a predetermined position relative to the first rail in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 13A is a diagram showing a user operating a second operating member to unlock the second rail when the second rail is locked in a predetermined position relative to the first rail in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing multiple slide rail assemblies mounted on a rack and a user operating a first operating member to unlock the second rail from the first rail of the uppermost slide rail assembly. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which multiple slide rail assemblies are attached to a rack and a user operating a second operating member to unlock the second rail from the first rail of the slide rail assembly in the lowest position. [Figure 10]1 illustrates a slide rail assembly mounted to a rack and configured to interact with a handle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 illustrates a slide rail assembly mounted to a rack and the second rail unlocked in place from the first rail via a handle, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1-3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, slide rail assembly 20 includes first rail 22 and second rail 24 that are longitudinally movable relative to one another. Preferably, slide rail assembly 20 further includes a third rail 26 that is movably disposed between first rail 22 and second rail 24. Third rail 26 defines a passageway 27 that is configured to movably mount second rail 24. In this embodiment, the X-axis is longitudinal (or along the length of the slide rail), the Y-axis is transverse (or along the side of the slide rail), and the Z-axis is vertical (or along the height of the slide rail).

[0010] In addition, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a blocking feature 28, a locking member 30, and two operating members, such as a first operating member 31 and a second operating member 32. The locking member 30 is configured to interact with the blocking feature 28.

[0011] The blocking feature 28 is disposed on one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the blocking feature 28 is disposed on the first rail 22 (shown in FIG. 2), but the invention is not limited thereto. The blocking feature 28 may be disposed directly or indirectly on the first rail 22. In this embodiment, the blocking feature 28 is a wall around a groove or hole. Or in an alternative embodiment, the blocking feature 28 may be a protrusion, but the invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the first rail 22 has a first end portion 22a and a second end portion 22b, e.g., a front end portion and a rear end portion, opposed to each other. The blocking feature 28 is disposed on the first rail 22 and adjacent to the first end portion 22a of the first rail 22.

[0012] The locking member 30, the first operating member 31, and the second operating member 32 are movably attached to the other one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the locking member 30, the first operating member 31, and the second operating member 32 are movably attached to the second rail 24. Preferably, the second rail 24 has a first end portion 24a and a second end portion 24b, e.g., a front end portion and a rear end portion, opposite each other. The locking member 30, the first operating member 31, and the second operating member 32 are movably attached to the second rail 24 and are adjacent to the first end portion 24a of the second rail 24.

[0013] Preferably, slide rail assembly 20 further includes a drive member 33 movably mounted to the other one of first rail 22 and second rail 24. Additionally, drive member 33 is movably mounted to second rail 24, e.g., movably mounted to second rail 24 and adjacent first end 24a of second rail 24 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0014] Preferably, the second rail 24 is configured with a housing 34 (shown in FIG. 2). The housing 34 is connected (e.g., fixed) to the second rail 24 and adjacent to a first end portion 24a of the second rail 24. Thus, the housing 34 can be seen as a part of the second rail 24. The housing 34 includes a first housing portion 34a and a second housing portion 34b that are connected to each other (FIG. 2 shows the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b, and FIG. 3 shows only the first housing portion 34a). Preferably, the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b are detachably attached to each other, and an accommodation space is defined between the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b. The lock member 30, the first operating member 31, the second operating member 32, and the drive member 33 are movably disposed in the first housing portion 34a at the first end portion 24a (shown in FIG. 3) of the second rail 24. Additionally, the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b are configured to receive and / or cover for protection the locking member 30, the first operating member 31, the second operating member 32, and the drive member 33. Alternatively, in other alternative embodiments, the locking member 30, the first operating member 31, the second operating member 32, and the drive member 33 may not be disposed in the housing 34, but may be disposed directly on the second rail 24 and adjacent to the first end portion 24a of the second rail 24.

[0015] 3 and 4 (only the first housing portion 34a is shown in FIG. 4, and the second housing portion 34b is omitted), the drive member 33 includes a first contact portion 36, a second contact portion 38, and an intermediate portion 40 located between the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 38. The intermediate portion 40 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24 via a first shaft rod 42 (e.g., pivotally connected to the first housing portion 34a on the second rail 24).

[0016] Preferably, the locking member 30 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24 via a second axle 44 (e.g., pivotally connected to a first housing portion 34a of the second rail 24). The second axle 44 and the first axle 42 are arranged in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction of the second rail 24 (or the lateral direction of the second rail 24, or the Y-axis direction).

[0017] Preferably, the first operating member 31 has a first corresponding feature 46 facing the first contact portion 36 of the drive member 33. The second operating member 32 has a second corresponding feature 48 facing the second contact portion 38 of the drive member 33. With this arrangement, the drive member 33 can be driven when one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 is operated.

[0018] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 50. The locking member 30 is configured to be held in a locked state K1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 50, and the locking member 30 in the locked state K1 is configured to abut against one of the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 38. This allows the drive member 33 to hold the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 in the first state S1. Specifically, the locking member 30 includes a locking portion 52, an auxiliary portion 54, and an intermediate section 56 located between the locking portion 52 and the auxiliary portion 54. The intermediate section 56 is pivotally connected to the first housing portion 34a of the second rail 24 via the second shaft rod 44. The locking member 30 in the locked state K1 is configured to abut against the first contact portion 36 via the auxiliary portion 54 (shown in FIG. 4). This allows the drive member 33 to hold the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 in the first state S1 through the first contact portion 36 and the second contact portion 38, which respectively contact the first corresponding feature portion 46 of the first operating member 31 and the second corresponding feature portion 48 of the second operating member 32 (see also Figure 5).

[0019] Preferably, the elastic member 50 includes a first elastic portion 51a, a second elastic portion 51b, and a mounting portion 53 connected between the first elastic portion 51a and the second elastic portion 51b. The first elastic portion 51a is configured to contact the first housing portion 34a of the second rail 24, and the second elastic portion 51b is configured to contact the locking member 30. The mounting portion 53 is attached to the second shaft rod 44.

[0020] Preferably, second rail 24 includes at least one blocking portion. In this embodiment, second rail 24 includes first blocking portion 58 and second blocking portion 60, which are configured to block first operating member 31 and second operating member 32, respectively, in first state S1 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0021] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 include a first guide structure 62 and a second guide structure 64 that match (operate correspondingly, engage) with each other. The relative movement direction between the first guide structure 62 and the second guide structure 64 is substantially the same as the height direction (or Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the first guide structure 62 and the second guide structure 64 are a combination of a rib and a groove, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0022] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 each include a third guide structure 66 and a fourth guide structure 68 that match each other. The relative movement direction between the third guide structure 66 and the fourth guide structure 68 is substantially the same as the height direction (or Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the third guide structure 66 and the fourth guide structure 68 are a combination of a rib and a groove, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0023] Preferably, the first corresponding feature 46 of the first operating member 31 is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the first guide structure 62, and the second corresponding feature 48 of the second operating member 32 is positioned adjacent to an end portion of the fourth guide structure 68 (see FIG. 5).

[0024] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 each include a first operating section 70 and a second operating section 72, which are configured to be pressed by a user. The first operating section 70 and the second operating section 72 are disposed on opposite sides to each other. Specifically, the first operating section 70 is disposed at a first height position (close to a lower position of the second rail 24), and the second operating section 72 is disposed at a second height position (close to an upper position of the second rail 24).

[0025] Preferably, the first guide structure 62 and the third guide structure 66 extend from a first operating portion 70 of the first operating member 31, and the first guide structure 62 and the third guide structure 66 are spaced apart from each other. Similarly, the second guide structure 64 and the fourth guide structure 68 extend from a second operating portion 72 of the second operating member 32, and the second guide structure 64 and the fourth guide structure 68 are spaced apart from each other.

[0026] Preferably, the drive member 33 is disposed between the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 .

[0027] 5, when the second rail 24 is in a predetermined position P (e.g., a retracted position) relative to the first rail 22 and the locking member 30 is in a locked state K1, the locking portion 52 of the locking member 30 and the blocking feature 28 of the first rail 22 are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail 24 from moving from the predetermined position P. Specifically, when the locking member 30 is in the locked state K1, the blocking feature 28 is located in the movement path of the locking portion 52 in the longitudinal direction, and the locking portion 52 and the blocking feature 28 are configured to block each other.

[0028] 5 and 6, when one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 (e.g., the first operating member 31) is operated, the locking member 30 is configured to be driven to move from a locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to an unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 6), allowing the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P. For example, the second rail 24 is movable from the predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1.

[0029] Preferably, when the first operating member 31 is operated, the driving member 33 is configured to be driven to move accordingly (for example, the driving member 33 is configured to rotate a predetermined angle). Thus, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P, the driving member 33 can drive the locking member 30 to move, switching from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 6).

[0030] Preferably, the first corresponding feature 46 of the first operating member 31 faces the first contact portion 36 of the drive member 33 in a first predetermined direction (e.g., upwards), while the second corresponding feature 48 of the second operating member 32 faces the second contact portion 38 of the drive member 33 in a second predetermined direction (e.g., downwards) opposite to the first predetermined direction.

[0031] Further, the user can apply a first force F1 to one of the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 70 of the first operating member 31) and the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 72 of the second operating member 32). For example, the user can apply the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 70 of the first operating member 31), which presses the first operating member 31 and moves it from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 6). During such a process, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the first corresponding feature portion 46 of the first operating member 31 is configured to contact (e.g., press) the first contact portion 36 of the drive member 33 to move the drive member 33, and the drive member 33 further drives the lock member 30 to move it from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 6). When the locking member 30 is in the unlocked state K2, the blocking feature 28 is no longer located in the path of movement of the locking portion 52 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6, the locking portion 52 and the blocking feature 28 are not aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction). This causes the locking portion 52 and the blocking feature 28 to no longer block each other (as shown in FIG. 8) to allow the second rail 24 to be moved in the predetermined direction D1 from the predetermined position P. Also, when the locking member 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (as shown in FIG. 6), the elastic member 50 is in a state of storing elastic force.

[0032] During the process in which the first operating member 31 is moved by the first force F1 to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 6), the first guide structure 62 of the first operating member 31 and the second guide structure 64 of the second operating member 32 are movable relative to each other. The third guide structure 66 of the first operating member 31 and the fourth guide structure 68 of the second operating member 32 are movable relative to each other. In other words, when the first operating member 31 is moved from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 6), the second operating member 32 is not driven to move accordingly.

[0033] Furthermore, when the locking member 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 6), the second rail 24 is configured to be movable from the predetermined position P to another predetermined position (such as an open position not shown) in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the first rail 22. When the user stops applying the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 70 of the first operating member 31), the locking member 30 is configured to return from the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 6) to the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) according to the elastic force of the elastic member 50. The locking member 30 in the locked state K1 is configured to abut against the first contact portion 36, and thus the drive member 33 is configured to contact the first corresponding feature portion 46 via the first contact portion 36 to hold the first operating member 31 in the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) again.

[0034] 5 and 7, when the second operating member 32 is operated, the locking member 30 can be driven to move from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 7), allowing the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P. For example, it allows the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1.

[0035] Preferably, when the second operating member 32 is operated, the driving member 33 is configured to be driven to move accordingly (for example, the driving member 33 is configured to rotate a predetermined angle). As a result, the driving member 33 is configured to drive the lock member 30 to move and switch from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5 ) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 7 ), allowing the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P.

[0036] Furthermore, the user can apply a second force F2 (opposite to the first force F1) to the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 72 of the second operating member 32) to press the second operating member 32 to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7). During such a process, the second corresponding feature 48 of the second operating member 32 is configured to contact (e.g., press) the second contact portion 38 of the drive member 33 to move the drive member 33. To enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the drive member 33 further drives the lock member 30 to move from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 7). When the locking member 30 is in the unlocked state K2, the blocking feature 28 is no longer located in the path of movement of the locking portion 52 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7, the locking portion 52 and the blocking feature 28 are not aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction). This causes the locking portion 52 and the blocking feature 28 to no longer block each other to allow the second rail 24 to be moved in the predetermined direction D1 from the predetermined position P. Also, when the locking member 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (as shown in FIG. 7), the elastic member 50 is in a state of storing elastic force.

[0037] During the process in which the second operating member 32 is moved and switched from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7) by the second force F2, the first guide structure 62 of the first operating member 31 and the second guide structure 64 of the second operating member 32 are movable relative to each other. The third guide structure 66 of the first operating member 31 and the fourth guide structure 68 of the second operating member 32 are movable relative to each other. In other words, when the second operating member 32 is moved from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7), the first operating member 31 is not driven to move accordingly.

[0038] Furthermore, when the lock member 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 7), the second rail 24 is configured to be movable from the predetermined position P to another predetermined position (such as an open position not shown) in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the first rail 22. When the user stops applying the second force F2 to the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 72 of the second operating member 32), the lock member 30 is configured to return from the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 7) to the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 50. The lock member 30 in the locked state K1 is configured to abut against the first contact portion 36, and thus the drive member 33 is configured to contact the second corresponding feature portion 48 via the second contact portion 38 to hold the second operating member 32 in the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) again.

[0039] Therefore, the user operates the first operating member 31 or the second operating member 32 to unlock the second rail 24 from the first rail 22 at the predetermined position P, allowing the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, a rack 74 (or cabinet) has a plurality of slide rail assemblies 20 attached in the height direction (such as the Z-axis direction), and the slide rail assemblies 20 have substantially the same structural configuration. Furthermore, when a user attempts to operate the slide rail assembly 20 attached at the top position of the rack 74 with the second rail 24 locked at a predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, it is difficult for the user's hand H to reach and operate the second operating member 32 (the second operating part 72 of the second operating member 32) of the slide rail assembly 20 at the top position. Therefore, in order to enable the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 at the top position to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the user can operate the first operating member 31 (the first operating part 70 of the first operating member 31) to drive the locking member 30 and switch from the locked state K1 (see also FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (see also FIG. 6). Since such a configuration has been disclosed above, further illustration is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, when a user attempts to operate the slide rail assembly 20 attached to the lowest position of the rack 74 with the second rail 24 locked at a predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, it is difficult for the user's hand H to reach and operate the first operating member 31 (first operating part 70 of the first operating member 31) of the slide rail assembly 20 at the lowest position. Therefore, in order to enable the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 at the lowest position to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the user can operate the second operating member 32 (second operating part 72 of the second operating member 32) to drive the locking member 30 and switch from the locked state K1 (see also FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (see also FIG. 7). Since such a configuration has been disclosed above, further illustration is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 10, the first rail 22 is configured with a bracket 76. The bracket 76 and the first rail 22 are connected to each other and can be viewed as a single unit. Preferably, the first rail 22 is configured to be attached to a rack 74 via the bracket 76. The second rail 24 is locked in a predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, and the second rail 24 is configured to transport an item 77 (chassis, drawer, etc.) to be transported. Furthermore, the item 77 to be transported is attached (e.g., fixed) to the second rail 24 and can be viewed as a part of the second rail 24. Such a configuration is well known to those skilled in the art, and further illustration is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0043] The slide rail assembly 20 further includes a handle 78. The handle 78 is movable relative to the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the handle 78 is pivotally connected to the article 77 to be conveyed (the bottom of the article 77 to be conveyed) via an auxiliary shaft 80, and the handle 78 is rotatable relative to the second rail 24. Alternatively, the second rail 24 includes a predetermined structure, and the handle 78 is directly pivotally connected to the predetermined structure of the second rail 24 so as to be rotatable relative to the second rail 24.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the second rail 24 is in a predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, a user can operate the handle 78 to move (e.g., rotate) the second rail 24 from a first operating position M1 (shown in FIG. 10) to a second operating position M2 (shown in FIG. 11). During such a process, the handle 78 is configured to drive one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32. For example, the handle 78 is configured to apply a first force F1 (shown in FIG. 11) to the first operating member 31 to drive the locking member 30 to move from a locked state K1 (see also FIG. 5) to an unlocked state K2 (see also FIG. 6), allowing the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P.

[0045] Preferably, one of the handle 78 and the first operating member 31 (the first operating part 70 of the first operating member 31) includes a guide feature 82 having an inclined surface or a circular arc surface. In this embodiment, the handle 78 includes the guide feature 82, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The handle 78 can more easily apply the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 through the guide feature 82, driving the lock member 30 to move from the locked state K1 (see also FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (see also FIG. 6), thereby enabling the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P.

[0046] Preferably, the handle 78 further includes a predetermined portion 83, which is disposed with the guide feature 82. The first rail 22 includes a support feature 84. The predetermined portion 83 of the handle 78 is configured to contact one end 84a of the support feature 84 to generate an acting force (shown in FIG. 11 ) to drive the second rail 24 to move in the predetermined direction D1 a predetermined distance from the predetermined position P during the process of the handle 78 moving from the first operating position M1 to the second operating position M2.

[0047] Thus, the handle 78 can not only unlock the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22 at the predetermined position P, but also contact the support feature 84 to generate an acting force, which makes it convenient or labor-saving for the user to pull the second rail 24 (or the article 77 to be conveyed) from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 (or the rack 74).

[0048] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features.

[0049] 1. In the background art, a user is forced to press both actuating members of the latch assembly at the same time. In an embodiment of the present invention, when the second rail 24 is in a predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22 and the locking member 30 is in a locked state K1, the locking member 30 and the blocking feature 28 are configured to block each other. The user only needs to operate (such as press or push) one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 to drive the locking member 30 to move from the locked state K1 to the unlocked state K2. This causes the locking member 30 (the locking portion 52 of the locking member 30) to no longer be blocked by the blocking feature 28, allowing the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22.

[0050] 2. The first operating portion 70 of the first operating member 31 is configured to be pressed by a user in a first direction with a first force F1, and the second operating portion 72 of the second operating member 32 is configured to be pressed by a user in a second direction opposite to the first direction with a second force F2. The first operating member 31 or the second operating member 32 can be used to drive the locking member 30 to move from the locked state K1 to the unlocked state K2.

[0051] 3. The first operating part 70 of the first operating member 31 is positioned at a first height position (close to a lower position of the second rail 24), and the second operating part 72 of the second operating member 32 is positioned at a second height position (close to an upper position of the second rail 24).

[0052] 4. The handle 78 is movable relative to the second rail 24. A user can operate the handle 78 to drive one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32, thereby unlocking the second rail 24 from the first rail 22 at a predetermined position P.

[0053] 5. During the process of manipulating the handle 78 to move it, the handle 78 is configured to contact the support feature 84 and generate an acting force, making it convenient or labor-saving for the user to pull the second rail 24 (or the article 77 to be conveyed) relative to the first rail 22 (or the rack 74) from a predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the above disclosure be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A first rail; a second rail, the second rail being movable relative to the first rail; a blocking feature disposed on the first rail; Two operating members movably attached to the second rail; a locking member movably attached to the second rail; a drive member movably attached to the second rail; the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block one another to prevent the second rail from moving from a predetermined position when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state; when one of the two operating members is operated, the drive member is configured to be driven to move the locking member to switch from the locked state to an unlocked state, whereby the locking member and the blocking feature are no longer blocking each other to allow the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position. Slide rail assembly.

2. the second rail has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite each other, the two operating members being movably attached to the second rail and adjacent to the first end portion; the drive member includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the intermediate portion being pivotally connected to the second rail; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the two operating members each have a first corresponding feature that faces the first contact portion and a second corresponding feature that faces the second contact portion, and the first corresponding feature and the second corresponding feature are configured to drive and move the drive member when one of the two operating members is operated.

3. the first corresponding feature faces the first contact portion of the drive member in a first predetermined direction, and the second corresponding feature faces the second contact portion of the drive member in a second predetermined direction opposite to the first predetermined direction; the locking member is pivotally connected to the second rail, and the slide rail assembly further includes an elastic member, the locking member being configured to be held in the locked state in response to an elastic force of the elastic member; 3. The slide rail assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking member in the locked state is configured to abut against one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion to hold the two operating members in the first state via the drive member.

4. the second rail includes at least one blocking portion configured to block the two operating members in the first state; The two operating members each include a first guide structure and a second guide structure that match each other, and a relative movement direction between the first guide structure and the second guide structure is substantially the same as a height direction of the second rail, and the first guide structure and the second guide structure are a combination of a rib and a groove; The slide rail assembly of claim 3 , wherein the two operating members each include a first operating portion and a second operating portion configured to be pressed by a user.

5. A first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a blocking feature disposed on the first rail; Two operating members movably attached to the second rail; a locking member movably attached to the second rail; the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block one another to prevent the second rail from moving from a predetermined position when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state; The slide rail assembly further includes a handle movable relative to the second rail. When the second rail is in the predetermined position relative to the first rail and the handle is moved from a first operating position to a second operating position, the handle is configured to drive one of the two operating members to move the locking member so as to switch from the locked state to an unlocked state, in order to allow the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position. Slide rail assembly.

6. 6. The slide rail assembly of claim 5, wherein the first rail includes a support feature, and during the process of moving the handle from the first operating position to the second operating position, the handle contacts the support feature to drive the second rail to move in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position.

7. a drive member movably attached to the second rail; When one of the two operating members is operated, the driving member is configured to be driven to switch the locking member from the locked state to the unlocked state so as to allow the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position; the drive member includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the intermediate portion being pivotally connected to the second rail; 6. The slide rail assembly of claim 5, wherein the two operating members each have a first corresponding feature portion that faces the first contact portion and a second corresponding feature portion that faces the second contact portion, and the first corresponding feature portion and the second corresponding feature portion are configured to drive and move the drive member when one of the two operating members is operated.

8. the locking member is pivotally connected to the second rail; The slide rail assembly further includes an elastic member, and the locking member is configured to be held in the locked state in response to an elastic force of the elastic member. the locking member in the locked state is configured to abut against one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion in order to hold the two operating members in a first state via the driving member; the second rail includes at least one blocking portion configured to block the two operating members in the first state; 8. The slide rail assembly of claim 7, wherein the two operating members each include a first guide structure and a second guide structure that match each other, and the direction of relative movement between the first guide structure and the second guide structure is substantially the same as the height direction of the second rail.

9. A first rail; a second rail, the second rail being movable relative to the first rail; a blocking feature disposed on the first rail; Two operating members movably attached to the second rail; a locking member movably attached to the second rail; the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block one another to prevent the second rail from moving from a predetermined position when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state; when a first of the two operating members is moved by a first force in a first direction, the locking member is moved to switch from the locked state to an unlocked state, whereby the locking member and the blocking feature are no longer blocking each other and allow the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position; when a second of the two operating members is moved by a second force in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the locking member is moved to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the locking member and the blocking feature are no longer blocking each other, allowing the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position. Slide rail assembly.

10. a drive member movably attached to the second rail; 10. The slide rail assembly of claim 9, wherein the drive member is configured to be driven to move the lock member to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state when the two operating members are each operated to enable the second rail to be moved from the predetermined position.

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