Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly having a handle to facilitate a user to operate and move a slide rail.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24 and a handle 26. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail. The handle is pivotally connected to the second rail through a shaft member 30 and movable to switch between a first state S1 and a second state S2. The shaft member is arranged in a direction substantially identical to a moving direction D1 of the second rail relative to the first rail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly having a handle that facilitates a user's manipulation and movement of the slide rail. [Background technology]

[0002] US Patent US10631639 discloses a slide rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail, a blocking member, and an operating member. The second rail and the first rail are movable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction. The blocking member is coupled to the first rail. The operating member can be in a predetermined state relative to the second rail. When the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail, the operating member is in a predetermined state and is blocked by the blocking member, preventing the second rail from being displaced in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position. When the operating member is not in a predetermined state, and therefore not blocked by the blocking member, the second rail can be displaced in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position. The operating member is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft. The shaft is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the lateral direction (or transverse direction) of the second rail. In this way, when the operating member is operated by a user, the operating member rotates and moves in the height direction of the second rail. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, it is important to develop various slide rail products for different market requirements.

[0004] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly having a handle that makes it easy for a user to manipulate and move the slide rail.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; and a handle pivotally connected to the second rail via an axle member and movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the axle member is oriented in substantially the same direction as the movement of the second rail relative to the first rail.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; and a handle movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the second rail has opposite outer and inner surfaces, the outer surface adjacent to and facing the first rail; the handle has a first end portion, a second end portion and an operating section connected between the first and second end portions, and when the handle is in the second state, the operating section of the handle extends beyond the inner surface of the second rail a predetermined distance.

[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] FIG. 1 is a view showing a slide rail assembly with a handle in a first state according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the slide rail assembly with the handle in a second state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates the first embodiment of the present invention with the handle in a first state and the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 3A] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 12 illustrates the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly with the handle in a second state, configured to unlock the second rail from the first rail, according to the first embodiment of the invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the handle is in a second state and the second rail is moved in the opening direction to an extended position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 5A] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 5. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the handle is in a second state and the second rail is moved in the rearward direction from the extended position to the rearward position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a slide rail assembly attached to a rack in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a view showing a slide rail assembly with a handle in a first state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a view showing a slide rail assembly with a handle in a second state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a view showing a handle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention with the handle in a first state and the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 illustrates a second rail in a retracted position relative to a first rail of a slide rail assembly with the handle in a second state configured to unlock the second rail from the first rail in a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 illustrates a second rail of a slide rail assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention, further configured with a working member, a locking member in a locked state, and a resilient feature configured to cooperate with the working member. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention with the locking member in a locked state and the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a view showing the locking member on the second rail of the slide rail assembly in the unlocked state in the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, slide rail assembly 20 includes first rail 22, second rail 24, and handle 26 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, slide rail assembly 20 further includes third rail 28, which is movably mounted between first rail 22 and second rail 24. In Figures 1 and 2, second rail 24 is in a retracted position R relative to first rail 22. Second rail 24 is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to first rail 22. In the figures, X-axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length or movement direction of slide rail), Y-axis is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of slide rail), and Z-axis is the vertical direction (or the height direction of slide rail).

[0010] The handle 26 is movable relative to the second rail 24. More specifically, the handle 26 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24 via the shaft member 30 so as to be movable between a first state S1 (shown in FIG. 1) and a second state S2 (shown in FIG. 2). The shaft member 30 is arranged in a direction substantially identical to the movement direction of the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22. In other words, the shaft member 30 is arranged in a direction substantially identical to the length direction (or longitudinal direction or X-axis direction) of the second rail 24. Furthermore, when the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the user can apply a force F to the handle 26 in the opening direction D1 (for example, the user can easily hold the handle 26 in the second state S2 and apply the force F as shown in FIG. 2), thereby allowing the second rail 24 to be easily pulled out in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22.

[0011] Preferably, when the handle 26 is in the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 1), the handle 26 is arranged in a direction that is substantially the same as the height direction (or Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24.

[0012] Preferably, when the handle 26 is in the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 2), the handle 26 is oriented substantially in the same direction as the transverse direction (or Y-axis direction) of the second rail 24.

[0013] Preferably, the direction of movement of second rail 24 relative to first rail 22, the height direction of second rail 24, and the transverse direction of second rail 24 are mutually perpendicular.

[0014] Preferably, the second rail 24 has an outer surface L1 and an inner surface L2 that are opposite each other. The outer surface L1 is adjacent to and faces the first rail 22 (or the third rail 28). Furthermore, the first rail 22 has first and second ends 22a and 22b that are opposite each other, such as a front end and a rear end. Similarly, the second rail 24 has first and second ends 24a and 24b that are opposite each other, such as a front end and a rear end.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first rail 22 is configured with a bracket 25. The bracket 25 is connected (e.g., fixedly connected) to the first rail 22 so as to be seen as a part of the first rail 22. Preferably, the first rail 22 includes a blocking portion 19. The blocking portion 19 is disposed on one of the first rail 22 and the bracket 25. In this embodiment, the blocking portion 19 is disposed on the extension component 17 of the bracket 25 and adjacent to the first end 22a of the first rail 22.

[0016] The handle 26 is rotatable between a first state S1 (shown in FIG. 3) and a second state S2 (shown in FIG. 4) via the pivot member 30. The handle 26 includes a first end portion 26a, a second end portion 26b, and an operating section 26c connected between the first end portion 26a and the second end portion 26b (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A). The pivot member 30 is adjacent to the first end portion 26a of the handle 26. The handle 26 is pivotally connected to a connection component 32 at the second rail 24 via the pivot member 30. The connection component 32 is connected (e.g., fixedly connected) to the second rail 24 so as to be seen as a part of the second rail 24. When the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the operating section 26c of the handle 26 is configured to be held by a user to pull the second rail 24 from the retracted position R in an opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 (see also FIG. 4 and FIG. 2).

[0017] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 33 (shown in FIG. 3A). The handle 26 is configured to be held in the first state S1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 33. The elastic member 33 may be a torsion spring or other elastic member having elasticity, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The elastic member 33 includes a first elastic section 33a, a second elastic section 33b (shown in FIG. 4A), and an intermediate section 33c (shown in FIG. 3A) connected between the first elastic section 33a and the second elastic section 33b. The intermediate section 33c is disposed on the main body of the shaft member 30. The first elastic section 33a is configured to abut against the handle 26, and the second elastic section 33b is configured to abut against the connection component 32 on the second rail 24. Alternatively, the second elastic section 33b is configured to abut against the handle 26, and the first elastic section 33a is configured to abut against the connection component 32 on the second rail 24.

[0018] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a locking member 34 movably attached to the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the locking member 34 is pivotally connected to the connection component 32 at the second rail 24 via an auxiliary shaft 36. In other words, the locking member 34 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24. The auxiliary shaft 36 is disposed in a direction substantially identical to the transverse direction (or Y-axis direction) of the second rail 24. When the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22, the locking portion 38 of the locking member 34 is configured to be blocked by the blocking portion 19 (shown in FIG. 3 ) to prevent the second rail 24 from being moved from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22.

[0019] Preferably, the handle 26 includes a support feature 40. The support feature 40 has a guide portion (such as an inclined surface or an arcuate surface). The handle 26 is configured to support the locking member 34 via the support feature 40 to hold the locking member 38 to be blocked by the blocking portion 19 (as shown in FIG. 3) when the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 and the handle 26 is in the first state S1.

[0020] Preferably, the handle 26 further includes a guide feature 42. The guide feature 42 has an inclined or arcuate surface. Together, the guide feature 42 and the support feature 40 define a predetermined space K configured to receive an extension portion 44 of the locking member 34 such that the extension portion 44 is supportable by the support feature 40 of the handle 26. The auxiliary shaft 36 is located between the locking portion 38 and the extension portion 44 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

[0021] Preferably, during the process of moving the handle 26 to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A) to the second state S2 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A), the handle 26 is configured to move the extension portion 44 of the locking member 34 via the guide feature 42 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A) to drive the locking member 34 to rotate through a predetermined angle. Furthermore, the support feature 40 of the handle 26 no longer supports the extension portion 44 of the locking member 34. This causes the locking portion 38 of the locking member 34 to be unblocked by the blocking portion 19 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A) to allow the second rail 24 to be moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22.

[0022] Preferably, the first rail 22 is configured with an auxiliary structure 46. In this embodiment, the auxiliary structure 46 is disposed on the bracket 25 of the first rail 22, and the auxiliary structure 46 is a pin, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The auxiliary structure 46 protrudes in a transverse direction (side direction) relative to the first rail 22. The second rail 24 is configured with an auxiliary elastic member 48. The auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured with a first predetermined feature 50, and the handle 26 is configured with a second predetermined feature 52. The first predetermined feature 50 and the second predetermined feature 52 are a combination of a protrusion and a recess (or a structure in which a space or a hole is formed). In this embodiment, the first predetermined feature 50 is a fixing bolt having an extended protrusion 50a, and the second predetermined feature 52 is a structure in which a hole is formed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the auxiliary elastic member 48 is connected to the connection component 32 on the second rail 24.

[0023] When the second rail 24 is in a retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 and the handle 26 is in the second state S2 (shown in Figures 4 and 4A), the auxiliary structure 46 and the auxiliary elastic member 48 abut against each other, whereby the auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured to accumulate an auxiliary elastic force f, and the first predetermined feature 50 (the extended protrusion 50a of the fixing bolt) is not engaged with the second predetermined feature 52 (a hole in the structure), as shown in Figures 4 and 4A.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the second rail 24 is moved from the retracted position R (shown in Figures 4 and 4A) to the extended position E (shown in Figures 5 and 5A) in the opening direction D1 with a predetermined distance relative to the first rail 22, the auxiliary structure 46 and the auxiliary elastic member 48 no longer butt against each other so that the first predetermined feature 50 is engaged with the second predetermined feature 52 in response to the auxiliary elastic force f released by the auxiliary elastic member 48. For example, to hold the handle 26 in the second state S2 (shown in Figures 5 and 5A), the first predetermined feature 50 (the extension protrusion 50a of the fixing bolt) is inserted into the second predetermined feature 52 (a hole in the structure). In other words, the elastic member 33 is configured to be held in a state of accumulating elastic force by mutually engaging the first predetermined feature 50 with the second predetermined feature 52.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, one end portion of the auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured with a guide section 54 (such as an inclined surface or a circular arc surface). During the process of moving the second rail 24 from the extended position E (shown in Figures 5 and 5A) to the retracted position R in the retracted direction D2 relative to the first rail 22 (shown in Figure 6), the auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured to abut against the auxiliary structure 46 on the first rail 22 through the guide section 54 (see Figure 6), and drives the first predetermined feature 50 (the extension protrusion 50a of the fixing bolt) to move to disengage from the second predetermined feature 52 (shown in Figures 4 and 4A) so as to allow the handle 26 to return from the second state S2 (shown in Figures 4 and 4A) to the first state S1 (shown in Figures 3 and 3A). Preferably, the handle 26 is driven in response to the elastic force released by the elastic member 33 and moves to switch from the second state S2 to the first state S1. During the process of the handle 26 returning from the second state S2 to the first state S1, the support feature 40 of the handle 26 is configured to contact the extension portion 44 of the locking member 34 via a guide portion (such as an inclined or arcuate surface) to drive the locking member 34 to move back to the state blocked by the blocking portion 19. In this way, the second rail 24 is again locked in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 (as shown in Figures 3 and 3A).

[0026] Furthermore, when the second rail 24 (shown in Figures 3 and 3A) is moved back to the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22, the auxiliary structure 46 and the auxiliary elastic member 48 again abut against each other, thereby causing the auxiliary elastic member 48 to again accumulate the auxiliary elastic force f.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7, the slide rail assembly 20 is attached to a rack 56 (or a cabinet). For example, the first rail 22 is configured to be attached to at least one post (column) of the rack 56 via a bracket 25, and the second rail 24 is configured to transport an article (not shown) to be transported. However, due to different structural configurations or specific requirements, a part of the rack 56 (such as a wall portion 58) may block the outside of the slide rail assembly 20. Therefore, the handle 26 provided in this embodiment is configured to be moved toward the inner surface of the slide rail assembly 20 (e.g., toward the inner surface L2 of the second rail 24) by a user to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2, so that the second rail 24 can be easily pulled out in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 without being affected by the wall portion 58.

[0028] Furthermore, when the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the operating section 26c of the handle 26 is extended beyond the inner surface L2 of the second rail 24 by a predetermined distance M, and the user can hold the operating section 26c of the handle 26 with his / her hand and apply a force F in the opening direction D1. This allows the second rail 24 to be easily and simply pulled out from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22.

[0029] 8 to 12 show a slide rail assembly 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the slide rail assembly 200 of the second embodiment and the slide rail assembly 20 of the first embodiment essentially lies in the structural configuration of the handle 201.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the handle 201 includes a first end portion 201a, a second end portion 201b, and an operating section 201c connected between the first end portion 201a and the second end portion 201b (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). As in the first embodiment, the handle 201 is pivotally connected to the second rail 204 via an axis member 203, which allows the handle 201 to move between a first state S1' (shown in FIG. 8) and a second state S2' (shown in FIG. 9). The handle 201 is configured with a drive unit 206 such as a protrusion (shown in FIG. 10). Also, as in the first embodiment, the first end 204a of the second rail 204 is configured with a connection component 207 (shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9), and the handle 201 is pivotally connected to the connection component 207 at the second rail 204 via the axis member 203. The connection component 207 is connected (e.g., fixedly connected) to the second rail 204 such that it can be seen as part of the second rail 204. The connection component 207 includes a casing 208, which houses a locking member 210 (shown in FIG. 11).

[0031] 11 and 12, the locking member 210 is movably attached to the second rail 204. In this embodiment, the locking member 210 is pivotally connected to the connection component 207 of the second rail 204 via an auxiliary shaft 212. Unlike the first embodiment, the auxiliary shaft 212 in the second embodiment is disposed in substantially the same direction as the height direction of the second rail 204 (or the Z-axis direction described above).

[0032] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 200 further includes an elastic member 214 configured to apply an elastic force to the locking member 210. For example, the elastic member 214 may be an elastic piece or other type of component having elasticity. The configuration and structure of the elastic member 214 are not limited. The elastic member 214 includes an elastic portion 215 configured to apply an elastic force to the locking member 210, so that the locking portion 216 of the locking member 210 can be held in a blocked state by a blocking section 219 (or a blocking wall) of a blocking portion 218 of the first rail 202 (or a bracket of the first rail 202) to prevent the second rail 204 from being moved from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 202 (as shown in FIG. 11).

[0033] Preferably, the elastic force of the elastic member 214 can hold the lock portion 216 of the lock member 210 to be blocked by the blocking portion 218, and further, can hold the handle 201 in the first state S1' via not only the drive portion 206 but also the lock member 210 which abut against each other. In other words, the handle 201 is configured to be held in the first state S1' in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 214 (shown in FIG. 11).

[0034] Furthermore, when the handle 201 is moved to switch from the first state S1' (shown in FIG. 11) to the second state S2' (shown in FIG. 12), the drive portion 206 of the handle 201 is configured to drive the lock member 210 to rotate by a predetermined angle. As a result, the lock portion 216 of the lock member 210 is no longer blocked by the blocking portion 218 to allow the second rail 204 to be moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 202 (shown in FIG. 12). Preferably, the second rail 204 is formed with a corresponding hole 220. When the lock member 210 is rotated by a predetermined angle, a part of the lock member 210 is configured to extend into the corresponding hole 220 to provide a space for the lock member 210 to move.

[0035] When the handle 201 is in the second state S2', the operation section 201c of the handle 201 extends beyond the inner surface L2' of the second rail 204 by a predetermined distance M' (as shown in FIG. 12). A user can easily and simply pull out the second rail 204 from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 202 by holding the operation section 201c of the handle 201 with his / her hand and applying a force in the opening direction D1.

[0036] 13 to 15 show a slide rail assembly 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The first rail 308 of the slide rail assembly 300 shown in FIG. 14 is omitted in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15. The difference between the slide rail assembly 300 of the third embodiment and the slide rail assembly 200 of the second embodiment is essentially that the slide rail assembly 300 further comprises a working member 302 and an elastic feature 304. The working member 302 is pivotally connected to the second rail 306 via an axle portion 305. The axle portion 305 is disposed in substantially the same direction as the transverse direction (or Y-axis direction) of the second rail 306. The elastic feature 304 includes a first elastic portion 304a and a second elastic portion 304b.

[0037] When the second rail 306 is in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 308 (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 13), the first resilient portion 304a of the resilient feature 304 is configured to contact a predetermined structure 310 of the first rail 308 (such as a structure having an inclined surface or an arcuate surface as shown in FIG. 14). The second resilient portion 304b of the resilient feature 304 is configured to contact the working member 302 (as shown in FIG. 13), such that the resilient feature 304 is configured to apply a resilient force to the handle 312 via the working member 302 and a portion of the handle 312 (such as the drive portion 314) to hold the handle 312 in the first state S1′ (as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14).

[0038] During the process in which the handle 312 is rotated in the first rotation direction R1 to switch from the first state S1' (shown in FIG. 13) to the second state S2' (shown in FIG. 15), the handle 312 is configured to drive the lock member 316 to rotate in the third rotation direction R3 via the drive unit 314 that drives the working member 302 to rotate in the second rotation direction R2, and switch from the locked state J1' (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) to the unlocked state J2' (shown in FIG. 15). As a result, the lock portion 317 of the lock member 316 is no longer blocked by the blocking portion 318 of the first rail 308 (shown in FIG. 14) to allow the second rail 306 to be moved from the retracted position R to the open direction D1 relative to the first rail 308. Furthermore, when the second rail 306 is moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 308 (or is in an extended position), the first elastic portion 304a of the elastic feature 304 no longer contacts the predetermined structure 310 of the first rail 308, thereby causing the elastic feature 304 to no longer apply an elastic force to the handle 312 via the working member 302 and the drive portion 314 of the handle 312, allowing the handle 312 to remain in the second state S2' and allowing the locking member 316 to remain in the unlocked state J2' (shown in FIG. 15).

[0039] When the second rail 306 is moved relative to the first rail 308 in the retracted direction D2 from the extended position back to the retracted position R, the first resilient portion 304a of the resilient feature 304 again contacts the predetermined structure 310 of the first rail 308 (shown in FIG. 14). As a result, the resilient feature 304 is configured to apply a resilient force to the handle 312 via the working member 302 and the drive portion 314 (shown in FIG. 13) of the handle 312 to drive the handle 312 to move from the second state S2' (shown in FIG. 15) to switch to the first state S1'. Furthermore, the locking member 316 is correspondingly moved back to the locked state J1' in response to the resilient force applied by the resilient portion 322 of the resilient member 320.

[0040] Therefore, the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features.

[0041] 1. The handle (26, 201, 312) is pivotally connected to the second rail (24, 204, 306) via the shaft member (30, 203), so that the handle (26, 201, 312) can be moved to switch between a first state (S1, S1') and a second state (S2, S2'). The shaft member (30, 203) is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the movement direction (or longitudinal direction) of the second rail (24, 204, 306) relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308). As a result, the handle (26, 201, 312) can be moved by a user toward the inner surface of the slide rail assembly (20, 200, 300) to switch from the first state (S1, S1') to the second state (S2, S2'). This allows a user to easily and conveniently pull out the second rail (24, 204, 306) from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308).

[0042] 2. When the handle (26, 201, 312) is in the second state (S2, S2'), the operating section (26c, 201c) of the handle (26, 201, 312) is extended beyond the inner surface (L2, L2') of the second rail (24, 204, 306) by a predetermined distance (M, M'), and a user can hold the operating section (26c, 201c) of the handle (26, 201, 312) with his / her hand and apply force in the opening direction D1, thereby easily and simply pulling out the second rail (24, 204, 306) from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308).

[0043] 3. The second rail (24, 204, 306), which is in the retracted position R relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308), can be unlocked from the first rail (22, 202, 308) by operating the handle (26, 201, 312).

[0044] 4. In the first embodiment, the first rail 22 is configured with an auxiliary structure 46 and the second rail 24 is configured with an auxiliary resilient member 48. The auxiliary resilient member 48 is configured with a first predetermined feature 50 and the handle 26 is configured with a second predetermined feature 52. When the second rail 24 is disposed in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 and the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the auxiliary structure 46 is configured to abut against the auxiliary resilient member 48, whereby the auxiliary resilient member 48 accumulates an auxiliary resilient force and prevents the first predetermined feature 50 from engaging the second predetermined feature 52. When the second rail 24 is moved in the opening direction D1 from the retracted position R by a predetermined distance relative to the first rail 22 (e.g., moved to the extended position E), the auxiliary structure 46 no longer abuts against the auxiliary resilient member 48. Thereby, the auxiliary elastic member 48 releases the auxiliary elastic force and drives the first predetermined feature 50 to engage with the second predetermined feature 52 to hold the handle 26 in the second state S2. During the process of the second rail 24 being moved from the extended position E in the retracted direction D2 to the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22, the auxiliary elastic member 48 is driven by the auxiliary structure 46 to disengage the first predetermined feature 50 from the second predetermined feature 52 to allow the handle 26 to be switched back from the second state S2 to the first state S1. Preferably, the handle 26 returns from the second state S2 to the first state S1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 33.

[0045] 5. In the first embodiment, the elastic force of the elastic member 33 can be applied directly to the handle 26, thereby holding the handle 26 in the first state S1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 33. Alternatively, in the second embodiment, the elastic force of the elastic member 214 can be applied indirectly to the handle 201 via the locking member 210, thereby holding the handle 201 in the first state S1'.

[0046] 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 movable relative to the first rail; a handle pivotally connected to the second rail via an axis member and movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; The shaft member is disposed in a direction substantially the same as a moving direction of the second rail relative to the first rail. Slide rail assembly.

2. When the handle is in the first state, the handle is disposed in a direction substantially the same as a height direction of the second rail, When the handle is in the second state, the handle is disposed in a direction substantially the same as a transverse direction of the second rail; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the direction of travel of the second rail, the height direction of the second rail, and the transverse direction of the second rail are mutually perpendicular.

3. the second rail has opposite outer and inner surfaces, the outer surface being adjacent to and facing the first rail; the handle has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an operating section connected between the first end portion and the second end portion; When the handle is in the second state, the operating section of the handle is configured to be held by a user to pull the second rail from a retracted position in an opening direction relative to the first rail; the first rail includes a blocking portion, and the slide rail assembly further includes a locking member movably mounted to the second rail; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein when the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail, the locking member is configured to be blocked by the blocking portion to prevent the second rail from being moved from the retracted position.

4. the handle having a support feature; the support feature of the handle is configured to support the locking member when the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail and the handle is in the first condition; 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein during the process of the handle being moved to switch from the first state to the second state, the support feature of the handle no longer supports the locking member, thereby causing the locking member to be unblocked by the blocking portion.

5. the first rail is configured with a support structure, the second rail is configured with a support elastic member, the support elastic member is configured with a first predetermined feature, and the handle is configured with a second predetermined feature; when the second rail is disposed in the retracted position relative to the first rail and the handle is in the second state, the auxiliary structure is configured to abut the auxiliary elastic member, whereby the auxiliary elastic member accumulates an auxiliary elastic force and prevents the first predetermined feature from engaging the second predetermined feature; when the second rail is moved in the open direction from the retracted position a predetermined distance relative to the first rail, the auxiliary structure no longer abuts against the auxiliary elastic member, whereby the auxiliary elastic member releases the auxiliary elastic force to drive the first predetermined feature into engagement with the second predetermined feature to hold the handle in the second state; during a process in which the second rail is moved in a retracted direction from an extended position to the retracted position relative to the first rail, the auxiliary resilient member is actuated by the auxiliary structure to disengage the first predetermined feature from the second predetermined feature to enable the handle to switch from the second state to the first state; 5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4, further comprising a resilient member configured to provide a resilient force to urge the handle to switch from the second state to the first state when the first predetermined feature disengages from the second predetermined feature.

6. 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein during a process of the handle being moved to switch from the first state to the second state, the handle is configured to drive and move the locking member via a drive portion such that the locking member is no longer blocked by the blocking portion.

7. Further comprising a working member and a resilient feature; the work member is movable relative to the second rail, and the resilient feature includes a first resilient portion and a second resilient portion; when the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail, the first resilient portion is configured to contact a predetermined structure of the first rail and the second resilient portion is configured to contact the work member, such that the resilient feature is configured to apply a resilient force to the handle through the work member to hold the handle in the first state; During a process of moving the handle to switch from the first state to the second state, in order to allow the second rail to be moved from the retracted position in the opening direction relative to the first rail, the handle is configured to drive and move the locking member via the working member so that the locking member is no longer blocked by the blocking portion; when the second rail is moved from the retracted position in the open direction relative to the first rail, the first resilient portion is no longer in contact with the predetermined structure of the first rail, such that the resilient feature no longer exerts the resilient force on the handle through the work member, allowing the handle to remain in the second state; 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein when the second rail is moved from an extended position back to the retracted position relative to the first rail, the resilient feature is configured to apply the resilient force to the handle via the working member to actuate the handle to move from the second state to the first state.

8. A first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a handle movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the second rail has opposite outer and inner surfaces, the outer surface adjacent to and facing the first rail; the handle has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an operating section connected between the first end portion and the second end portion, and when the handle is in the second state, the operating section of the handle extends beyond the inner surface of the second rail a predetermined distance. Slide rail assembly.

9. The handle is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft member, the shaft member is disposed adjacent to the first end portion and in a direction substantially the same as a direction of movement of the second rail relative to the first rail; When the handle is in the first state, the handle is disposed in a direction substantially the same as a height direction of the second rail, 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein said handle is oriented in substantially the same direction as a transverse direction of said second rail when said handle is in said second state.

10. the first rail includes a blocking portion, and the slide rail assembly further includes a locking member movably mounted to the second rail; 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein when the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the locking member is configured to be blocked by the blocking portion to prevent the second rail from being moved from the retracted position.

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