Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly that uses a rail for terminating engagement of an auxiliary sliding device with another rail.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, an auxiliary sliding device 26, and an auxiliary member 28. The auxiliary sliding device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail. The auxiliary member is arranged on the first rail. When the second rail is removed from a channel of the first rail, a first prescribed feature 48 of the auxiliary slide device engages with a second prescribed feature 52 in an elastic arm 50 of the auxiliary member so as to hold the auxiliary sliding device at a prescribed position P. When the second rail is inserted into the channel of the first rail, the second rail butts against the elastic arm due to a working portion 60, which causes the second prescribed feature of the elastic arm to be disengaged from the first prescribed feature of the auxiliary sliding device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 (preceding the characterising clause). [Background technology]

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 6,820,954 (Patent Document 1) discloses a slide rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail, a rolling ball module, and a controller. The first rail and the second rail are an intermediate rail and an inner rail, respectively. The first rail includes a channel configured to receive the second rail and the rolling ball module. The rolling ball module is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail and facilitates smooth displacement of the second rail relative to the first rail. The controller is disposed on the first rail and includes a lock. To lock the rolling ball module in place, the lock includes a locking portion configured to extend into the channel of the first rail through a hole in the side wall of the first rail. When the second rail is inserted into the channel of the first rail, a protruding portion of the second rail abuts against the locking portion, disengaging the locking portion from the rolling ball module and allowing the rolling ball module to be displaced from its predetermined position. However, the hole in the side wall of the first rail adversely affects the structural strength of the first rail.

[0003] Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 9,279,451 (Patent Document 3) discloses a slide rail assembly including an outer rail, a middle rail, an inner rail, and a rolling ball module. The middle rail is movably mounted between the outer rail and the inner rail. The middle rail includes a channel configured to receive the inner rail. The rolling ball module is movably mounted between the middle rail and the inner rail. A locking arm is disposed on the middle rail and configured to engage with the rolling ball module, e.g., a ball retaining portion of the rolling ball module. The locking arm includes an engaging portion and an actuating portion. The actuating portion is configured to extend into the channel of the middle rail through a hole in a side wall of the middle rail. The engaging portion is configured to engage with the rolling ball module to hold the rolling ball module in place. The actuating portion includes a bent portion for cooperating with the inner rail to disengage the engaging portion from the rolling ball module. However, the hole in the side wall of the middle rail also adversely affects the structural strength of the middle rail.

[0004] Furthermore, in U.S. Patent No. 6,820,954, the lock is configured to be disengaged from the rolling ball module by pushing the locking portion that extends into the channel of the first rail. In U.S. Patent No. 9,279,451, the locking arm is configured to be disengaged from the rolling ball module by pushing the working portion that extends into the channel of the intermediate rail. However, the locking portion of U.S. Patent No. 6,820,954 and the working portion of U.S. Patent No. 9,279,451 may not only interfere with other structures, but may also be unintentionally pressed by other features due to their telescopic configuration. Therefore, U.S. Patents No. 6,820,954 and No. 9,279,451 have shortcomings in rail support and displacement stability.

[0005] Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 6,851,773 (Patent Document 2) discloses an auxiliary slide positioning mechanism for a drawer slide. This auxiliary slide positioning mechanism includes a positioning member, an auxiliary slide member, and a release member. The positioning member is disposed at the open end of the first rail and includes a resilient hook rod. The resilient hook rod includes a hook portion. The hook portion is configured to extend into a hole in the first rail. The auxiliary slide member is disposed between the first rail and the second rail and includes an engagement slot. The release member is fixed to the first rail and includes two inclined surfaces. When the second rail is removed from the first rail, the resilient hook rod of the positioning member can engage with the engagement slot in the auxiliary slide member. When the second rail is inserted into the first rail, the inclined surfaces of the release member are configured to disengage the resilient hook rod of the positioning member from the engagement slot in the auxiliary slide member. However, the hole in the first rail also adversely affects the structural strength of the first rail. Furthermore, the resilient hook rod is configured to move up and down in the height direction of the first rail or the second rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,820,954 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 6,851,773 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 9,279,451 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, it becomes an important topic to provide alternative solutions for releasing the auxiliary sliding device to allow displacement of the auxiliary sliding device in order to meet different requirements.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a slide rail assembly that utilizes a rail to terminate the engagement of an auxiliary slide device with another rail.

[0009] This is achieved by a slide rail assembly according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements.

[0010] As will be more clearly understood from the detailed description set forth below, the claimed slide rail assembly comprises: a first rail including a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first and second walls of the first rail, the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail cooperating to define a channel of the first rail; a second rail movably mounted in the channel of the first rail, the working portion being disposed on the second rail; an auxiliary slide device movably mounted in the channel of the first rail, the auxiliary slide device including a body and a plurality of rolling members disposed on the body and supported between the first rail and the second rail, the body of the auxiliary slide device including a first predetermined feature; an auxiliary member disposed within the channel of the first rail and including a resilient arm, the auxiliary member having the second predetermined feature and the actuation section disposed on the resilient arm; when the second rail is removed from the channel of the first rail in an opening direction, the auxiliary slide device is held in place by engagement of the first predetermined feature with the second predetermined feature; the second predetermined feature is actuated to engage the first predetermined feature in the first transverse direction in response to a resilient force of the resilient arm; When the second rail is inserted into the channel of the first rail in a backward direction from outside the channel of the first rail, the working portion of the second rail abuts against the operating section of the elastic arm to drive the elastic arm and disengage the second predetermined feature from the first predetermined feature in a second transverse direction, the first transverse direction being opposite to the second transverse direction, to allow the auxiliary slide device to be displaced in a backward direction from the predetermined position.

[0011] In summary, the present invention can solve the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art and enhance the structural strength. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a partial view of a slide rail assembly with an auxiliary slide device held in place according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10A-10C are diagrams of a support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram of a slide rail assembly with the second rail removed from the channel of the first rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram of a slide rail assembly with a second rail inserted into a channel in a first rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is another view of a slide rail assembly with the second rail inserted into the channel of the first rail, according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 8] 8 is an enlarged view of part A of the slide rail assembly shown in FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a partially enlarged view of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing the second rail displaced in the retreating direction from the position shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially enlarged view of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing the second rail displaced in the retreating direction from the position shown in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. Components of the invention may be oriented in many different directions. As such, directional terms are used for purposes of explanation and are in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Furthermore, unless specified, the term "connect" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Thus, when a first device is connected to a second device, the connection may be via a direct mechanical connection or via an indirect mechanical connection via a connection to another device.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, an auxiliary slide device 26, and an auxiliary member 28. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 may further include a third rail 30, and the first rail 22 may be movably mounted between the second rail 24 and the third rail 30. That is, the first rail 22, the second rail 24, and the third rail 30 may be an intermediate rail, an inner rail, and an outer rail, respectively. In this embodiment, by way of example, the longitudinal direction is defined by the length or displacement direction of the slide rail, e.g., the first rail 22, the second rail 24, or the third rail 30, and may be parallel to the X-axis. The transverse direction is defined by the lateral or width direction of the slide rail, e.g., the first rail 22, the second rail 24, or the third rail 30, and may be parallel to the Y-axis. The vertical direction is defined by the height direction of a slide rail, for example, first rail 22, second rail 24, or third rail 30, and may be parallel to the Z axis.

[0016] The first rail 22 includes a first wall 32a, a second wall 32b, and a longitudinal wall 34 connected between the first wall 32a and the second wall 32b of the first rail 22. The first wall 32a, the second wall 32b, and the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22 cooperate to define a channel 36 of the first rail 22. The first rail 22 has a front end 22a and a rear end 22b.

[0017] The second rail 24 is movably mounted in the channel 36 of the first rail 22. The second rail 24 includes a first wall 38a, a second wall 38b, and a longitudinal wall 40 connected between the first wall 38a and the second wall 38b of the second rail 24. The second rail 24 has a front end 24a and a rear end 24b.

[0018] The auxiliary sliding device 26 is movably attached to the channel 36 of the first rail 22 to facilitate smooth displacement of the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22. Specifically, the auxiliary sliding device 26 includes a main body 42 and a plurality of rolling members 44 disposed on the main body 42 and supported between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. In this embodiment, for example, the plurality of rolling members 44 may be a plurality of rolling balls.

[0019] Preferably, the main body 42 of the auxiliary slide device 26 includes a first edge portion 46a and a second edge portion 46b. The first edge portion 46a and the second edge portion 46b may have substantially the same structure. Furthermore, a plurality of rolling members 44 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 46a and the second edge portion 46b. The plurality of rolling members 44 are supported between the first wall 32a of the first rail 22 and the first wall 38a of the second rail 24, and between the second wall 32b of the first rail 22 and the second wall 38b of the second rail 24.

[0020] The support member 28 is disposed within a channel 36 of the first rail 22. Preferably, the support member 28 is disposed on a longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22 adjacent the front end 22a of the first rail 22.

[0021] 3 and 4, the main body 42 of the auxiliary slide device 26 includes a first predetermined feature 48. Additionally, the auxiliary member 28 includes a resilient arm 50, with a second predetermined feature 52 and an actuation section 54 disposed on the resilient arm 50. The second predetermined feature 52 is configured to cooperate with the first predetermined feature 48.

[0022] Preferably, the auxiliary member 28 further includes a connection portion 56 fixed to the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22. The resilient arm 50 extends from the connection portion 56 in a direction toward the rear end 22b of the first rail 22. The resilient arm 50 includes two ends. One end of the resilient arm 50 is disposed with a bent portion 57 connected to the connection portion 56. This allows the lateral distance between the other end of the resilient arm 50, away from the connection portion 56, and the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22 to be greater than the lateral distance between the connection portion 56 and the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22 by a lateral difference G. The resilient arm 50 extends a predetermined longitudinal distance K from the connection portion 56. The resilient arm 50 is disposed adjacent to the first wall 32a of the first rail 22. The actuating section 54 is connected to the resilient arm 50 and disposed adjacent to the second predetermined feature 52.

[0023] Preferably, the working section 54 includes first and second opposite ends. A first guide feature 54a is formed at the first end of the working section 54, and a second guide feature 54b is formed at the second end of the working section 54. In this embodiment, by way of example, the first and second ends of the working section 54 may be the rear and front ends of the working section 54, respectively, and the first and second guide features 54a and 54b may be sloped or arcuate surfaces.

[0024] Preferably, one of the first predetermined feature 48 and the second predetermined feature 52 is a receiving structure defined by a plurality of walls, e.g., a front wall 58 a and a rear wall 58 b, and the other of the first predetermined feature 48 and the second predetermined feature 52 is a protrusion configured to extend into the receiving structure. By way of example in this embodiment, the first predetermined feature 48 may be a receiving structure, e.g., a hole or a slot, and the second predetermined feature 52 may be a protrusion configured to extend into the receiving structure to engage the front wall 58 a and the rear wall 58 b.

[0025] 5, when the second rail 24 is removed from the channel 36 of the first rail 22 in the opening direction D1, the auxiliary slide device 26 may be held in the predetermined position P by the engagement between the first predetermined feature 48 and the second predetermined feature 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the second predetermined feature 52 is configured to engage with the first predetermined feature 48 in the first transverse direction T1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic arm 50 in the first transverse direction T1. Preferably, when the auxiliary slide device 26 is in the predetermined position P, the auxiliary slide device 26 is located adjacent to the front end 22a of the first rail 22.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , a working portion 60 is disposed on the second rail 24. The working portion 60 may be directly formed on the second rail 24 or indirectly connected thereto. In this embodiment, for example, the working portion 60 may extend from the longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail 24 in a curved manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The second rail 24 can be inserted into the channel 36 of the first rail 22 from outside the channel 36 of the first rail 22 in a backward direction D2 so as to be attached to the channel 36 of the first rail 22. Preferably, the working portion 60 includes a first end and a second end, and the first guide feature 60a and the second guide feature 60b are formed at the first end and the second end of the working portion 60, respectively. As an example in this embodiment, the first and second ends of the working portion 60 may be the rear and front ends of the working portion 60, respectively, and the first and second guide features 60a and 60b may be inclined or arcuate surfaces.

[0027] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the working section 54 of the resilient arm 50 is spaced a first lateral distance M1 from the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22, and the working portion 60 on the second rail 24 is spaced a second lateral distance M2 from the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22, the second lateral distance M2 being smaller than the first lateral distance M1.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the second rail 24 is inserted into the channel 36 of the first rail 22 in the backward direction D2, the first guide feature 60a of the working portion 60 of the second rail 24 abuts against the second guide feature 54b of the working section 54 of the resilient arm 50, driving the resilient arm 50 to disengage the second predetermined feature 52 from the front wall 58a of the first predetermined feature 48 in the second transverse direction T2 opposite to the first transverse direction T1. This allows the auxiliary slide device 26 to be displaced in the backward direction D2 from the predetermined position P. In this way, when the second rail 24 is further displaced in the backward direction D2 from the position shown in FIG. 10 , the auxiliary slide device 26 can be displaced in the backward direction D2. This supports the second rail 24, ensures smooth displacement of the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22, and facilitates the backward displacement of the second rail 24 into the channel 36 of the first rail 22 in the backward direction D2.

[0029] Preferably, as shown in Figure 9, the first transverse direction T1 is a direction toward the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22. The engagement direction of the second predetermined feature 52 and the elastic force of the elastic arm 50 are directed toward the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22. As shown in Figure 10, the second transverse direction T2 is a direction away from the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22, i.e., the second transverse direction T2 is a direction toward the longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail 24.

[0030] Preferably, when the second predetermined feature 52 engages with the first predetermined feature 48 in the first transverse direction T1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic arm 50 in the first transverse direction T1, the second predetermined feature 52 abuts against the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22. This improves the stability and reliability of the engagement between the first predetermined feature 48 and the second predetermined feature 52.

[0031] Preferably, the second predetermined feature 52 includes a guide portion 62, such as a sloped or arcuate surface. As shown in FIG. 9 , the guide portion 62 is configured to facilitate passage of the front end of the main body 42 of the auxiliary slide device 26 past the second predetermined feature 52 in the opening direction D1 until the second predetermined feature 52 engages with the first predetermined feature 48 to hold the auxiliary slide device 26 in the predetermined position P.

[0032] As described above, the slide rail assembly 20 of the present invention has the following features.

[0033] 1. Compared with U.S. Patent No. 6,820,954 (Patent Document 1), U.S. Patent No. 9,279,451 (Patent Document 3), and U.S. Patent No. 6,851,773 (Patent Document 2), the elastic arm 50 of the auxiliary member 28 of the present invention is disposed in the channel 36 of the first rail 22 and is configured to directly cooperate with the working portion 60 on the second rail 24. Therefore, the present invention does not require a hole or slot structure in the first rail 22, and improves the structural strength of the first rail 22.

[0034] 2. Compared with U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,451, the second predetermined feature 52 and the actuating section 54 of the present invention are configured to move toward the longitudinal wall 40 of the second rail 24 only when the working portion 60 of the second rail 24 abuts against the actuating section 54 of the resilient arm 50 during insertion of the second rail 24 into the channel 36 of the first rail 22. In other words, the actuating section 54 does not permanently occupy any movement space of other portions of the second rail 24. Therefore, during the process of inserting the second rail 24 into the channel 36 of the first rail 22 in the backward direction D2 from outside the channel 36 of the first rail 22, the present invention can not only prevent the actuating section 54 from interfering with other structures on the second rail 24, but also ensure that the second predetermined feature 52 and the first predetermined feature 48 will not be accidentally disengaged due to accidental contact between the actuating section 54 and other structures or features on the second rail 24. This prevents the auxiliary slide device 26 from being released from the predetermined position P before the first guide feature 60a of the working portion 60 on the second rail 24 abuts against the second guide feature 54b of the operating section 54 of the elastic arm 50.

[0035] 3. When the second predetermined feature 52 engages with the first predetermined feature 48 in the first transverse direction T1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic arm 50, the second predetermined feature 52 abuts against the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22. Therefore, the present invention can provide improved stability and reliability to the engagement between the first predetermined feature 48 and the second predetermined feature 52.

[0036] 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 the present 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 including a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall of the first rail, the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail cooperating to define a channel of the first rail; a second rail movably mounted in the channel of the first rail, the second rail having a working portion disposed thereon; an auxiliary slide device movably mounted in the channel of the first rail, the auxiliary slide device including a body and a plurality of rolling members disposed on the body and supported between the first rail and the second rail, the body of the auxiliary slide device including a first predetermined feature; an auxiliary member disposed within the channel of the first rail and including a resilient arm, the auxiliary member having a second predetermined feature and an actuation section disposed on the resilient arm; when the second rail is removed from the channel of the first rail in an opening direction, the auxiliary slide device is held in place by engagement between the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature; the second predetermined feature is actuated to engage the first predetermined feature in a first transverse direction in response to a resilient force of the resilient arm; when the second rail is inserted into the channel of the first rail in a backward direction from outside the channel of the first rail, the working portion of the second rail abuts against the operating section of the elastic arm to drive the elastic arm and disengage the second predetermined feature from the first predetermined feature in a second transverse direction to allow the auxiliary slide device to be displaced in the backward direction from the predetermined position, the first transverse direction being opposite to the second transverse direction; Slide rail assembly.

2. 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first transverse direction is toward the longitudinal wall of the first rail and the second transverse direction is away from the longitudinal wall of the first rail.

3. 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature is a receiving structure defined by a plurality of walls, and the other of the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature is a protrusion configured to extend into the receiving structure.

4. 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary member further includes a connecting portion fixed to the longitudinal wall of the first rail, the resilient arm extending a predetermined longitudinal distance from the connecting portion and positioned adjacent to the first wall of the first rail.

5. 5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4, wherein the resilient arm is configured with a bent portion connected to the connecting portion, such that a lateral distance between the resilient arm and the longitudinal wall of the first rail is greater than a lateral distance between the connecting portion and the longitudinal wall of the first rail.

6. The slide rail assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuation section is connected to the resilient arm and is located adjacent the second predetermined feature.

7. The second rail has a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall of the second rail, and the main body of the auxiliary slide device has a first edge portion and a second edge portion.

2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the rolling members are disposed on the first edge portion and the second edge portion, and a plurality of the rolling members are supported between the first wall of the first rail and the first wall of the second rail, and between the second wall of the first rail and the second wall of the second rail.

8. the working section is spaced a first lateral distance from the longitudinal wall of the first rail, and the working station is spaced a second lateral distance from the longitudinal wall of the first rail that is less than the first lateral distance; a guide feature is formed in one of the working portion and the working section; when the second rail is inserted into the channel of the first rail in the retreating direction from outside the channel of the first rail, the guide feature abuts against the other one of the working portion and the operating section to drive the elastic arm and disengage the second predetermined feature from the first predetermined feature to allow the auxiliary slide device to be displaced in the retreating direction from the predetermined position; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first rail has a front end and a rear end, and the auxiliary slide device is located adjacent to the front end of the first rail when in the predetermined position.

9. 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third rail, wherein the first rail is movably mounted between the third rail and the second rail.

10. 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined feature abuts against the longitudinal wall of the first rail when the second predetermined feature engages with the first predetermined feature in the first transverse direction in response to the elastic force of the elastic arm in the first transverse direction.

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