Slide rail assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a slide rail assembly comprising a support feature and a handle. [Solution] The slide rail assembly 20 comprises a first rail 22, a support feature 26, a second rail 28, and a handle 30. The support feature is positioned on one of the first rail and the second rail. The handle is movably mounted on the other of the first rail and the second rail. When the handle is moved from a first operating position K1 to a second operating position, the handle is configured to contact the support feature in order to drive the second rail to move it from a predetermined position in one direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly having a handle.

Background Art

[0002] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0369478 discloses a handle module disposed in a server. Further, the handle module includes a handle having a slide column assembly. The slide column assembly is pivotally disposed with respect to a plate member and is movable with respect to the plate member. The plate member includes two plates stacked vertically on top of each other. Each plate is provided with holes in different directions for attaching the slide column assembly. With such an arrangement, a user can push the handle to attach the server to a rack.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, in order to meet the diverse requirements of the market, it is important to develop diverse products.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail assembly including a support feature and a handle.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail; a bracket disposed on the first rail; a support feature disposed on one of the bracket and the first rail; a second rail movable with respect to the first rail; and a handle movable with respect to the second rail. When the handle is moved from a first operating position to a second operating position, the handle is configured to contact the support feature in order to drive the second rail to move from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position with respect to the first rail.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail assembly comprises: a first rail; a second rail configured to be in a retracted position relative to the first rail; a support feature located on one of the first rail and the second rail; and a handle movably attached to the other of the first rail and the second rail; and the handle is configured to contact the support feature to drive the second rail to move it from the retracted position relative to the first rail in the open direction when the handle is moved from a first operating position to a second operating position.

[0007] The following detailed description relating to preferred embodiments shown in various figures and drawings will make these and other objects of the present invention obvious to those skilled in the art. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows a slide rail assembly attached to a rack, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the slide rail assembly is in a first predetermined position relative to the first rail. [Figure 4] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a handle is operated to drive the second rail and move it to a second predetermined position. [Figure 5] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the slide rail assembly is attached to the rack. [Figure 6] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a handle is operated to drive the second rail and move it to a second predetermined position. [Figure 7] This figure shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a slide rail assembly, which includes a second rail configured to transport an object to be transported, is attached to a rack. [Figure 8] This figure shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a handle is operated to move the second rail and the object to be transported to a second predetermined position. [Figure 9] This figure shows a slide rail assembly, which comprises a second rail configured to transport an object to be transported, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is mounted on a rack. [Figure 10] This figure shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which a handle is operated to move the second rail and the object to be transported to a second predetermined position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slide rail assembly 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a first rail 22, a bracket 24, a support feature 26, a second rail 28, and a handle 30. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further comprises a third rail 32 (such as an intermediate rail), the third rail 32 being movably mounted between the first rail 22 (such as an outer rail) and the second rail 28 (such as an inner rail). The third rail 32 is configured to extend the longitudinal travel distance of the second rail 28 relative to the first rail 22. In this embodiment, the X-axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction or movement direction of the slide rail), the Y-axis is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z-axis is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail).

[0010] Bracket 24 is positioned on the first rail 22, and the first rail 22 is configured to be attached via bracket 24 to at least one support column of the rack 34 (such as the first support column 36a and the second support column 36b). In this embodiment, bracket 24 has a first side surface L1 and a second side surface L2 that are opposite to each other. The first side surface L1 of bracket 24 is configured to be attached via at least one mounting feature 38 (such as an extension shown in Figure 2, a bolt, etc.) to at least one corresponding feature (such as a mounting hole) of the rack 34. Such configurations are well known to those skilled in the art, and for simplicity, further illustrations are omitted. The second side surface L2 of bracket 24 is connected to the first side surface (such as the back surface) of the first rail 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The third rail 32 and the second rail 28 are positioned on the second side surface of the first rail 22. Furthermore, since the bracket 24 is connected to the first rail 22 (for example, by a fixed connection), the bracket 24 may be considered as part of the first rail 22, and the bracket 24 and the first rail 22 may be considered as a single unit.

[0011] The support feature portion 26 is located on one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 28. In this embodiment, the support feature portion 26 is located on the bracket 24 of the first rail 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The bracket 24 has a first end portion 24a (such as the front end portion) and a second end portion 24b (such as the rear end portion) on opposite sides. The support feature portion 26 is adjacent to the first end portion 24a of the bracket 24.

[0012] The second rail 28 is configured to be at a first predetermined position P1 (such as the retracted position shown in Figure 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto) relative to the first rail 22.

[0013] The handle 30 is movable relative to the first rail 22 and the second rail 28. In the first embodiment, the handle 30 is movably mounted on the second rail 28.

[0014] Preferably, in the first embodiment, the support feature portion 26 is fixed to one of the bracket 24 and the first rail 22. For example, the support feature portion 26 is fixed to the bracket 24. Furthermore, the support feature portion 26 may be a protrusion, an additional component fixed to the bracket 24, or the support feature portion 26 may be directly integrated with the bracket 24, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0015] Preferably, the first rail 22 has a first predetermined height H1. The bracket 24 includes a first portion 42a, a second portion 42b, and a longitudinal portion 44 connected between the first portion 42a and the second portion 42b of the bracket 24. A second predetermined height H2 is defined between the first portion 42a and the second portion 42b of the bracket 24 and is greater than the first predetermined height H1 (as shown in Figure 1).

[0016] Preferably, the bracket 24 is connected to the first rail 22 via a longitudinal portion 44.

[0017] Preferably, the support feature portion 26 is located on the longitudinal portion 44 of the bracket 24. The support feature portion 26 is located adjacent to the second portion 42b of the bracket 24.

[0018] Preferably, the support feature portion 26 is positioned adjacent to the first end portion 24a of the bracket 24.

[0019] Preferably, the second rail 28 includes a first wall 46a, a second wall 46b, and a longitudinal wall 48 connected between the first wall 46a and the second wall 46b of the second rail 28. On the other hand, the second rail 28 has a first end 28a and a second end 28b opposite to each other. The handle 30 is movably mounted on the longitudinal wall 48 of the second rail 28. For example, the handle 30 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall 48 of the second rail 28 via a shaft member 40, and the handle 30 is adjacent to the first end 28a (e.g., the front end) of the second rail 28 for the convenience of the user.

[0020] Preferably, the handle 30 includes an operating portion 50, a corresponding portion 52, and a body portion 54 connected between the operating portion 50 and the corresponding portion 52. At least a part of the operating portion 50 extends beyond (or is higher than) the first rail 22. The corresponding portion 52 is configured to interact with the support feature 26. The body portion 54 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall 48 of the second rail 28 via a shaft member 40.

[0021] Preferably, the shaft member 40 is arranged in a transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail, i.e., the Y-axis direction) on the longitudinal wall 48 of the second rail 28, and the user can easily move the handle 30 via the operating portion 50.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the corresponding portion 52 of the handle 30 includes a first corresponding section 56 and a second corresponding section 58, and a predetermined space S is defined between the second corresponding section 58 and the first corresponding section 56. When the second rail 28 is at a first predetermined position P1 relative to the first rail 22 and the handle 30 is at a first operating position K1 (such as an initial position or a position before being operated), the support feature 26 is located within the predetermined space S.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, during the process of moving the handle 30 from the first operating position K1 (shown in FIG. 3) to the second operating position K2 (a non-initial position shown in FIG. 4 or a position after being operated), in order to drive the second rail 28 to move in the opening direction D1 (shown in FIG. 3) away from the first predetermined position P1, the handle 30 is configured to contact the support feature 26. For example, the second rail 28 is driven to move from the first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2 (shown in FIG. 4).

[0024] For example, during the process in which a user applies force to the handle 30 (the operating portion 50 of the handle 30) to move the handle 30 from a first operating position K1 (shown in Figure 3) to a second operating position K2 (shown in Figure 4) in a predetermined rotational direction R, the handle 30 is configured to continuously contact the support feature portion 26 via the first corresponding portion 56, thereby generating an applied force. As a result, the second rail 28 is configured to move from a first predetermined position P1 (shown in Figure 3) to a second predetermined position P2 (shown in Figure 4) in an opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 in response to this applied force. Therefore, the user can easily open (extend, advance, or unfold) the second rail 28 from the first predetermined position P1 to the second predetermined position P2. For example, when the second rail 28 is transporting an object (such as electronic equipment not shown), and the object has a load weight, or when it is necessary to unplug an electronic plug (or socket) behind the object from a predetermined device or power source, the user can use the handle 30 to release the second rail 28 from the first predetermined position P1 to the second predetermined position P2 with minimal effort.

[0025] Preferably, the first corresponding section 56 of the handle 30 has an inclined surface or an arcuate surface. This allows the handle 30 to easily traverse the support feature 26 through the first corresponding section 56 during the process of moving the handle 30 from the first operating position K1 to the second operating position K2. On the other hand, the second corresponding section 58 of the handle 30 has a wall (such as a vertical wall, but the present invention is not limited thereto).

[0026] Furthermore, when the second rail 28 is moved relative to the first rail 22 from the second predetermined position P2 (shown in Figure 4) to the first predetermined position P1 (shown in Figure 3) in the backward direction D2, the handle 30 continuously contacts the support feature portion 26 via the first corresponding section 56, generating another force, which causes the handle 30 to move back from the second operating position K2 to the first operating position K1.

[0027] Figures 5 and 6 show a slide rail assembly 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the slide rail assembly 20 of the first embodiment, the support feature portion 202 of the slide rail assembly 200 of the second embodiment is movably attached to one of the bracket 204 and the first rail 206. In this embodiment, the support feature portion 202 is movably attached to the bracket 204, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0028] Furthermore, the bracket 204 is configured to be attached to the rack 207. The support feature portion 202 may be a roller, a ball, or the like. In this embodiment, the support feature portion 202 is a roller. For example, the support feature portion 202 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal portion 210 of the bracket 204 via an auxiliary shaft 208, thereby pivotally attaching the support feature portion 202 to the bracket 204. Preferably, the support feature portion 202 includes a guide section 212. The guide section 212 has an arcuate surface. In this embodiment, the support feature portion 202 has a circular profile to provide an arcuate surface.

[0029] During the process of moving the handle 214 from a first operating position K1' (shown in Figure 5) to a second operating position K2' (shown in Figure 6) in a predetermined rotational direction R' via the shaft member 215, the handle 214 is configured to contact the support feature portion 202 in order to drive the second rail 216 to move from a first predetermined position P1' (shown in Figure 5) to a second predetermined position P2' (shown in Figure 6). For example, during the process in which a user applies force to the handle 214 to move it from the first operating position K1' to the second operating position K2', the handle 214 is configured to continuously contact the support feature portion 202 via the first corresponding section 218, thereby generating an applied force. As a result, the second rail 216 is configured to move from a first predetermined position P1' (shown in Figure 5) to a second predetermined position P2' (shown in Figure 6) in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 206 in response to this applied force. Therefore, the second embodiment can achieve substantially the same technical effects as the first embodiment.

[0030] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the support feature 202 may be a movable (rotatable, etc.) roller. When the handle 214 is moved from the first operating position K1' to the second operating position K2' and the first corresponding section 218 of the handle 214 contacts the support feature 202, the support feature 202 is configured to rotate in a predetermined working direction r via the auxiliary shaft 208 (as shown in Figure 6, the predetermined working direction r is counterclockwise, but the present invention is not limited thereto), further facilitating the movement of the handle 214 from the first operating position K1' to the second operating position K2'. For the user, the handle 214 can be operated with even less effort.

[0031] Figures 7 and 8 show a slide rail assembly 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the slide rail assembly 20 of the first embodiment, the second rail 302 of the slide rail assembly 300 of the third embodiment is configured to transport an object to be transported 304. A handle 306 is movably attached to the object to be transported 304. In this embodiment, the handle 306 is pivotally connected to the object to be transported 304 via a shaft member 308, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, since the object to be transported 304 is fixed to the second rail 302, the object to be transported 304 may be viewed as part of the second rail 302, or the object to be transported 304 and the second rail 302 may be viewed as a single unit.

[0032] The handle 306 is configured to contact the support feature section 310 in order to drive the second rail 302 (and the conveyed object 304) from the first predetermined position Pa (shown in Figure 7) to the second predetermined position Pb (shown in Figure 8) during the process of moving the handle 306 from the first operating position Ka (shown in Figure 7) to the second operating position Kb (shown in Figure 8) in a predetermined rotational direction. For example, during the process of a user applying force to the handle 306 to move the handle 306 from the first operating position Ka to the second operating position Kb, the handle 306 is configured to continuously contact the support feature section 310 via the first corresponding section 312, thereby generating an applied force. As a result, the second rail 302 is configured to move relative to the first rail 314 from the first predetermined position Pa (the state shown in Figure 7) to the second predetermined position Pb (the state shown in Figure 8) in the opening direction D1. Therefore, the third embodiment can achieve substantially the same technical effects as the first embodiment. For example, the user can move the second rail 302 (and the object to be transported 304) from the first predetermined position Pa to the second predetermined position Pb with even less effort via the handle 306.

[0033] Figures 9 and 10 show a slide rail assembly 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the slide rail assembly 200 of the second embodiment, the second rail 402 of the slide rail assembly 400 of the fourth embodiment is configured to transport an object to be transported 404. A handle 406 is movably attached to the object to be transported 404. In this embodiment, the handle 406 is pivotally connected to the object to be transported 404 via a shaft member 408, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, since the object to be transported 404 is fixed to the second rail 402, the object to be transported 404 may be viewed as part of the second rail 402, or the object to be transported 404 and the second rail 402 may be viewed as a single unit.

[0034] During the process of moving the handle 406 from a first operating position Ka' (shown in Figure 9) to a second operating position Kb' (shown in Figure 10) in a predetermined rotational direction, the handle 406 is configured to contact the support feature portion 410 in order to drive the second rail 402 (and the object to be transported 404) from a first predetermined position Pa' (shown in Figure 9) to a second predetermined position Pb' (shown in Figure 10). For example, during the process of a user applying force to the handle 406 and moving the handle 406 from the first operating position Ka' to the second operating position Kb', the handle 406 is configured to continuously contact the support feature portion 410 via the first corresponding section 412 and generate an acting force. As a result, the second rail 402 is configured to move relative to the first rail 414 from a first predetermined position Pa' (shown in Figure 9) to a second predetermined position Pb' (shown in Figure 10) in the opening direction D1. Therefore, the fourth embodiment can achieve substantially the same technical effects as the second embodiment.

[0035] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the support feature 410 may be a movable (rotatable, etc.) roller. When the handle 406 is moved from a first operating position Ka' to a second operating position Kb' and the first corresponding section 412 of the handle 406 contacts the support feature 410, the support feature 410 is configured to rotate along a predetermined working direction r' via the auxiliary shaft 416 (shown in Figure 10). This makes it even easier to move the handle 406 from the first operating position Ka' to the second operating position Kb'. For the user, the handle 214 can be operated with even less effort.

[0036] Therefore, the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features.

[0037] 1. The arrangement of the handles (30, 214, 306, 406) and support features (26, 202, 310, 410) allows the user to easily or effortlessly move the slide rails (second rails 28, 216, 302, 402, etc.) and / or the transported object (304, 404) from a first predetermined position (P1, P1', Pa, Pa') to a second predetermined position (P2, P2', Pb, Pb') using the handles (30, 214, 306, 406).

[0038] 2. The support feature (26,310) is fixed to the first rail (22,206,314,414) and the bracket (24,204). Alternatively, the support feature (202,410) is movable (rotatable, etc.) relative to the first rail (22,206,314,414) and the bracket (24,204). For example, the support feature (202,410) is movable to facilitate moving the handle (214,406) from a first operating position (K1',Ka') to a second operating position (K2',Kb').

[0039] 3. The handles (30, 214) are movably attached to the second rail (28, 216), or the handles (306, 406) are movably attached to the object being transported (304, 404).

[0040] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that numerous modifications and changes to the apparatus and method are possible while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure shall be construed as being limited only to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A first rail having a predetermined height, A bracket disposed on the first rail, comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal portion connected between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the bracket define a second predetermined height greater than the first predetermined height, and the longitudinal portion of the bracket is connected to the bracket on the first rail, The support feature portion located in the longitudinal portion of the bracket, A second rail that is movable relative to the first rail in the height direction of the slide rail assembly, and the second rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall, It comprises a handle pivotally attached to the second rail via a shaft member that extends transversely, When the handle is moved from a first operating position to a second operating position, the handle is configured to contact the support feature in order to drive the second rail and move it from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position relative to the first rail. The shaft member is located between the first wall and the second wall of the second rail in the height direction of the slide rail assembly, and the support feature is located between the second wall of the second rail and the second portion of the bracket in the height direction of the slide rail assembly.

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the longitudinal wall of the second rail via the shaft member.

3. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second rail is configured to transport an object to be transported, and the handle is pivotally attached to the object to be transported via the shaft member.

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support feature is fixed to the bracket.

5. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support feature is movably mounted to the bracket, the support feature is a roller, and includes a guide section, the guide section having an arcuate surface.

6. The handle includes a first corresponding section and a second corresponding section, During the process of moving the handle from the first operating position to the second operating position, the handle is configured to continuously contact the support feature portion via the first corresponding section in order to drive the second rail and move it relative to the first rail from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined space is defined between the second corresponding section and the first corresponding section, and when the second rail is in a first predetermined position and the handle is in a first operating position, the support feature is located within the predetermined space.

7. The first rail is configured to be attached to the rack via the bracket, The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member is located substantially midway between the first wall and the second wall of the second rail in the height direction of the slide rail assembly.

8. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined position is the retracted position of the second rail relative to the first rail.

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