Slide rail assembly

Abstract

This provides a slide rail assembly with an improved shock absorption mechanism. [Solution] A slide rail assembly 20 is provided, which includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, a third rail 26, an auxiliary member 34, and a braking device. The third rail is located between the first rail and the second rail, and the first rail, the second rail, and the third rail are displaceable relative to each other. The auxiliary member is positioned on the second rail. The braking device is positioned on the third rail. When the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the extended position, the third rail is displaced in the retraction direction relative to the first rail, and the braking device is configured to contact the auxiliary member on the second rail and provide a resistance force to decelerate the retraction direction displacement of the second rail from the extended position to the retraction direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly described in the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a slide rail assembly provided with a safety mechanism. The slide rail assembly includes an outer slide track, an intermediate slide track, an inner slide track, and a restraint member pivotally disposed on the intermediate slide track. The outer slide track includes a protruding plate. The intermediate slide track includes a protrusion and a slot. An elastic plate is disposed between the restraint member and the protrusion of the intermediate slide track. A safety protrusion is disposed on the restraint member at a predetermined distance from the rear end of the intermediate slide track, and the safety protrusion is located at a position corresponding to the rear end of the inner slide track and is configured to abut against the rear end of the inner slide track. A locking release protrusion configured to extend into the slot of the intermediate slide track is disposed on the restraint member, and the locking release protrusion is configured to abut against the protruding plate of the outer slide track in order to drive the pivotal movement of the restraint member. During the retraction movement of the inner slide track, the upper flange of the inner slide track abuts against the safety protrusion, and by driving the inner slide track and the intermediate slide track to be synchronously moved in the retraction direction together, the front end of the inner slide track and the front end of the intermediate slide track are maintained at a safe distance from each other, preventing the user's finger from being sandwiched by the front ends of the inner slide track and the intermediate slide track. After the inner slide track and the intermediate slide track are synchronously moved a predetermined distance in the retraction direction together, the locking release protrusion is pushed by the protruding plate of the outer slide track, driving the restraint member to pivot, and releasing the engagement between the upper flange of the inner slide track and the safety protrusion. Thereby, the inner slide track can be fully retracted with respect to the intermediate slide track.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6860575 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] However, providing different slide rail products to meet various requirements is a crucial challenge.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a slide rail assembly equipped with a buffer mechanism for use in a multi-segment configuration.

[0006] This is achieved by the slide rail assembly described in claim 1. Dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As will become clearer from the following detailed description, the slide rail assembly of the present invention includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, an auxiliary member, and a braking device. The third rail is located between the first rail and the second rail, and the first rail, the second rail, and the third rail are displaceable relative to each other. The auxiliary member is located on the second rail. The braking device is located on the third rail. When the second rail is displaced from the extended position in the retracted position, the third rail is displaced in the retracted position relative to the first rail, and the braking device is configured to contact the auxiliary member on the second rail and provide a resistance force to decelerate the retracted displacement of the second rail from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0008] In summary, the present invention is configured to provide a resistive force to buffer the retraction movement of a slide rail assembly when the slide rail assembly is retracted. In the present invention, the braking device is configured to provide a resistive force to decelerate the displacement of the second rail in the retraction direction from the extended position to the retracted position after the block member has been driven.

[0009] These and other objects of the present invention will undoubtedly become clear to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments shown in various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the attached drawings as an example. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partial assembly diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a slide rail assembly in which the second rail is in the extended position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the extended position. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the position shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the position shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail is in a retracted position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings which constitute part of the present application and illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention may be carried out. In this regard, terms indicating direction, such as “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” are used in relation to the orientation of the drawings being described. The components of the present invention can be located in many different directions. Therefore, terms relating to direction are used for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting in any way. Accordingly, the drawings and description are considered to be illustrative and not limiting in nature. Also, unless otherwise specified, the term “connection” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Therefore, if a first device is connected to a second device, the connection may be via a direct mechanical connection or via an indirect mechanical connection through other devices and connections.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, and a third rail 26. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a fourth rail 28 and a fifth rail 30. The first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the fifth rail 30 are displaceable longitudinally relative to each other. In this embodiment, for example, the longitudinal direction can be defined by the length of the slide rail, e.g., the first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, or the fifth rail 30, and is parallel to the X-axis. The lateral direction can be defined by the lateral direction of the slide rail, e.g., the first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, or the fifth rail 30, and is parallel to the Y-axis. The vertical direction can be defined by the height direction of the slide rails, for example, the first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, or the fifth rail 30.

[0013] The third rail 26 is positioned between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. The fourth rail 28 is positioned between the third rail 26 and the second rail 24. The fifth rail 30 is positioned between the first rail 22 and the third rail 26. In addition, each of the first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the fifth rail 30 includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. For example, the first end and the second end of each of the first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the fifth rail 30 can be the front end and the rear end of each of the first rail 22, the second rail 24, the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the fifth rail 30, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the first rail 22 includes a first end 22a and a second end 22b opposite the first end 22a. The second rail 24 includes a first end 24a and a second end 24b opposite the first end 24a. The third rail 26 includes a first end 26a and a second end 26b opposite the first end 26a. The fourth rail 28 includes a first end 28a and a second end 28b opposite the first end 28a. The fifth rail 30 includes a first end 30a and a second end 30b opposite the first end 30a.

[0014] The slide rail assembly 20 further includes a release member 32, an auxiliary member 34, a block member 36, and a braking device 38.

[0015] The release member 32 is disposed, for example, fixed on the first rail 22. The release member 32 is preferably positioned adjacent to the second end 22b of the first rail 22.

[0016] The auxiliary member 34 is disposed, for example, fixed on the second rail 24. The auxiliary member 34 is preferably positioned adjacent to the first end 24a of the second rail 24.

[0017] The block member 36 is movably attached onto the fourth rail 28. The block member 36 is positioned adjacent to the second end 28b of the fourth rail 28. Further, the block member 36 is pivotally connected to the fourth rail 28 by a shaft member 40, and the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 42 configured to provide an elastic force to the block member 36. In this embodiment, the elastic member 42 is, by way of example, a torsion spring. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the elastic member 42 can be an elastic plate, an extension spring or any other elastic object.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the braking device 38 is disposed on the third rail 26, and the braking device 38 includes an extending section 43 configured to project retractably from the first end 26a of the third rail 26.

[0019] The third rail 26 preferably includes a first rail portion 44 and a second rail portion 46 connected to the first rail portion 44. In this embodiment, by way of example, the first rail portion 44 and the second rail portion 46 are fixedly connected to each other by riveting or engagement via at least one connecting member 48. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the fifth rail 30 is movably attached between the first rail 22 and the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26, and the fourth rail 28 is movably attached between the second rail portion 46 of the third rail 26 and the second rail 24.

[0021] It is preferable that the first rail section 44 and the second rail section 46 of the third rail 26 are arranged back to back. It is preferable that the first rail section 44 includes a first wall 50a, a second wall 50b, and a longitudinal wall 52 connected between the first wall 50a and the second wall 50b of the first rail section 44. The first wall 50a, the second wall 50b, and the longitudinal wall 52 of the first rail section 44 together form a predetermined space N of the first rail section 44. The second rail section 46 includes a first wall 54a, a second wall 54b, and a longitudinal wall 56 connected between the first wall 54a and the second wall 54b of the second rail section 46. The first wall 54a, the second wall 50b, and the longitudinal wall 56 of the second rail section 46 together form a channel K of the second rail section 46. As shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal wall 52 of the first rail section 44 and the longitudinal wall 56 of the second rail section 46 are fixedly connected to each other by a connecting member 48. In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the opening of a predetermined space N in the first rail section 44 and the opening of the channel K in the second rail section 46 face two opposite directions. For example, the opening of the predetermined space N in the first rail section 44 may face a first lateral direction T1, and the opening of the channel K in the second rail section 46 may face a second lateral direction T2 opposite to the first lateral direction T1.

[0022] Preferably, the first rail section 44 and the second rail section 46 of the third rail 26 have substantially the same structure. The fifth rail 30 and the fourth rail 28 have substantially the same structure. The first rail section 44 of the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 have substantially the same structure.

[0023] Preferably, the first rail 22 includes a channel K' configured to accommodate the fifth rail 30, and the fifth rail 30 includes a first support channel configured to accommodate the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26. Thus, the first rail 22, the fifth rail 30, and the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26 can together form a first slide rail device, and the first rail 22, the fifth rail 30, and the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26 can be considered as the outer rail, intermediate rail, and inner rail of the first slide rail device, respectively. Furthermore, the channel K of the second rail portion 46 of the third rail 26 is configured to accommodate the fourth rail 28, and the fourth rail 28 includes a second support channel configured to accommodate the second rail 24. Therefore, the second rail section 46 of the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the second rail 24 can jointly form a second slide rail device, and the second rail section 46 of the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the second rail 24 can be considered as the outer rail, intermediate rail, and inner rail of the second slide rail device, respectively. In other words, the slide rail assembly 20 can be considered a composite structure including first and second slide rail devices that are connected to each other and have a three-part configuration.

[0024] It is preferable that a plurality of first auxiliary sliding devices 58 are installed between the first rail 22 and the fifth rail 30. For example, the first auxiliary sliding device 58 may include a strip member and a plurality of first rotating balls B1 attached to the strip member and configured to be supported between the first rail 22 and the fifth rail 30. The second auxiliary sliding device 60 is installed between the fifth rail 30 and the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26. For example, the second auxiliary sliding device 60 may include a retaining member and a plurality of second rotating balls B2 attached to the retaining member and configured to be supported between the fifth rail 30 and the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26. The first auxiliary sliding device 58 is for promoting the smooth relative displacement of the first rail 22 and the fifth rail 30, and the second auxiliary sliding device 60 is for promoting the smooth relative displacement of the fifth rail 30 and the first rail portion 44 of the third rail 26.

[0025] Furthermore, a plurality of third auxiliary sliding devices 62 are attached between the second rail portion 46 of the third rail 26 and the fourth rail 28. For example, the third auxiliary sliding device 62 may include a strip structure and a plurality of third rotating balls B3 attached to the strip structure and configured to be supported between the second rail portion 46 of the third rail 26 and the fourth rail 28. A fourth auxiliary sliding device 64 is attached between the fourth rail 28 and the second rail 24. For example, the fourth auxiliary sliding device 64 may include a holding structure and a plurality of fourth rotating balls B4 attached to the holding structure and configured to be supported between the fourth rail 28 and the second rail 24. The third auxiliary sliding device 62 is for facilitating the smooth relative displacement of the second rail portion 46 of the third rail 26 and the fourth rail 28, and the second auxiliary sliding device 60 is for facilitating the smooth relative displacement of the fourth rail 28 and the second rail 24.

[0026] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the braking device 38 is attached to at least one of the first rail section 44 and the second rail section 46 of the third rail 26. In this embodiment, as an example, a portion of the longitudinal wall 52 of the first rail section 44 of the third rail 26 and a portion of the longitudinal wall 56 of the second rail section 46 jointly form an auxiliary space M that communicates with both sides of the third rail 26 and is configured to house the braking device 38. For example, the auxiliary space M can be formed between a first predetermined wall section 61 of the longitudinal wall 52 of the first rail section 44 of the third rail 26 and a second predetermined wall section 63 of the longitudinal wall 56 of the second rail section 46.

[0027] The braking device 38 includes a cylinder 66 and a rod member 68 that is extendable and retractable relative to the cylinder 66. The cylinder 66 is filled with a buffering medium. For example, the buffering medium may be a buffering fluid such as buffering oil or buffer solution. Preferably, an auxiliary elastic member (not shown) is disposed inside the cylinder 66 and configured to provide elastic force to the rod member 68. For example, the rod member 68 may be a piston rod.

[0028] The braking device 38 preferably includes a first predetermined end 72 and a second predetermined end 74 opposite to the first predetermined end 72. The extending section 43 and the auxiliary section 70 are spaced apart from each other and attached to the distal end of the cylinder 66 and the distal end of the rod member 68, respectively. For example, the extending section 43 may be an extending object having a predetermined longitudinal length. Since the extending section 43 includes a mounting portion 71 that is externally attached to the cylinder 66, for example, to be fixedly connected or engaged, and is located adjacent to the first predetermined end 72, the extending section 43 can be considered part of the cylinder 66. In addition, for example, the auxiliary section 70 may be a block-shaped object or a cylindrical object. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The size of the auxiliary section 70 is larger than the size of the rod member 68. Since the auxiliary section 70 is attached to the rod member 68, for example to be fixedly connected, and is located adjacent to the second predetermined end 74, the auxiliary section 70 can be considered part of the rod member 68. The extension section 43 and the auxiliary section 70 are intended to extend the overall length of the braking device 38 in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] When the braking device 38 is in the pre-buffering state, it is preferable that a predetermined wall 75 of the mounting portion 71 abuts against the first predetermined wall portion 61, and the extending portion 43 protrudes longitudinally from the mounting portion 71 by a predetermined length such that the first end of the extending portion 43, for example, the front end, exceeds the extending distance J of the first end 26a of the third rail 26. In addition, when the braking device 38 is in the pre-buffering state, the auxiliary portion 70 abuts against the second predetermined wall portion 63.

[0030] It is preferable that the extended section 43 and the predetermined wall 75 are bent perpendicularly to each other so that the extended section 43 and the first predetermined wall section 61 are offset in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing interference between the extended section 43 and the first predetermined wall section 61.

[0031] In this embodiment, one of the longitudinal walls 52 of the first rail section 44 and the longitudinal wall 56 of the second rail section 46 includes at least one first mounting member 76 located within the auxiliary space M, and the auxiliary section 70 includes at least one second mounting member 78 configured to connect to the first mounting member 76. For example, the at least one first mounting member 76 includes a pair of first mounting members 76, and the at least one second mounting member 78 includes a pair of second mounting members 78. In addition, for example, one of the first mounting member 76 and the second mounting member 78 may be a longitudinal projection, and the other of the first mounting member 76 and the second mounting member 78 may be a longitudinal recess configured to fit into the longitudinal projection. Since the first mounting member 76 and the second mounting member 78 are for holding or supporting the auxiliary section 70, reliability and stability are enhanced when extending and retracting the rod member 68 relative to the cylinder 66. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, at least one auxiliary portion 80 is positioned on the fourth rail 28. The auxiliary portion 80 may be, for example, a projection. In addition, when the slide rail assembly 20 is in the extended state (as shown in Figure 6), the mounting portion 71 abuts against the first predetermined wall portion 61 (as shown in Figure 5), and the first end of the extended section 43 extends beyond the first end 26a of the third rail 26 by an extension distance J (as shown in Figure 5).

[0033] When the slide rail assembly 20 moves to an extended state by displacing the second rail 24, fourth rail 28, third rail 26, and fifth rail 30 in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22, the auxiliary portion 80 on the fourth rail 28 contacts the auxiliary section 70 of the braking device 38 and drives the auxiliary section 70 of the braking device 38, causing it to move away from the second predetermined wall portion 63, thereby retracting the rod member 68 relative to the cylinder 66 and providing a resistance force to decelerate the displacement of the fourth rail 28 in the opening direction D1, thereby creating an extension buffer effect during the final stage of extension of the slide rail assembly 20 until the slide rail assembly 20 reaches an extended state, for example, a fully extended state.

[0034] Furthermore, when the slide rail assembly 20 is in the extended state, the first end 28a of the fourth rail 28 extends beyond the first end 26a of the third rail 26, and the second rail 24 is in the extended position E with the first end 24a of the second rail 24 extending beyond the first end 28a of the fourth rail 28. When the slide rail assembly 20 is in the extended state, it is preferable that the first end 30a of the fifth rail 30 and the first end 26a of the third rail 26 extend beyond the first end 22a of the first rail 22 and the first end 30a of the fifth rail 30, respectively.

[0035] It is preferable that the block member 36 can be held in the first state S1 in response to the elastic force provided by the elastic member 42. In this embodiment, for example, the elastic member 42 includes two elastic parts connected to the first support member 82 of the fourth rail 28 and the second support member 84 of the block member 36, respectively.

[0036] Preferably, the fourth rail 28 can support the block member 36 in the first state S1.

[0037] When the slide rail assembly 20 is in the extended state, it is preferable that the block member 36 and the release member 32 are separated by a predetermined longitudinal distance.

[0038] The release member 32 preferably includes a guide portion 86. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the guide portion 86 may be an inclined surface or an arcuate surface. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the release member 32 preferably further includes a first gap G1 and a second gap G2, and the guide portion 86 is located between the first gap G1 and the second gap G2.

[0040] When the second rail 24 is displaced a predetermined distance in the retraction direction D2 from the extended position E, for example, when the second rail 24 is displaced in the retraction direction D2 from the extended position E beyond the intermediate position shown in Figure 7 to the predetermined position shown in Figure 8, a part of the second rail 24, for example, the second end 24b of the second rail 24, comes into contact with the block member 36 in the first state S1, driving the fourth rail 28. This allows the fourth rail 28 to be displaced synchronously with the second rail 24 so that a predetermined distance Q is maintained between the first end 24a of the second rail 24 and the first end 28a of the fourth rail 28, thus preventing the second rail 24 from being retracted relative to the fourth rail 28.

[0041] When the second rail 24 and the fourth rail 28 are both displaced synchronously in the retraction direction D2, the auxiliary part 80 does not come into contact with the auxiliary section 70 of the braking device 38. As a result, the rod member 68 is driven by the buffering medium and / or auxiliary elastic member inside the cylinder 66 and extends relative to the cylinder 66. This drives the auxiliary section 70 into contact with the second predetermined wall 63, and the braking device 38 returns to its pre-buffering state.

[0042] When the second rail 24 is further displaced in the retraction direction D2 from the predetermined position shown in Figure 8 to the retracted position R shown in Figure 10, the guide portion 86 of the release member 32 comes into contact with the block member 36 and moves in a predetermined direction r, for example, pivots, to stop the synchronous displacement of the second rail 24 and the fourth rail 28 in the retraction direction D2. This drives the block member 36 from the first state S1 shown in Figure 8 to the second state S2 shown in Figure 9, retracting the second rail 24 relative to the fourth rail 28 and reducing the predetermined distance Q. This causes the braking device 38 to come into contact with the auxiliary member 34 on the second rail 24, providing a resistance force to decelerate the displacement of the second rail 24 from the predetermined position to the retracted position R in the retraction direction D2. For example, as shown in Figure 9, after the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28, and the fifth rail 30 are retracted relative to the first rail 22, the extended portion 43 of the braking device 38 abuts against the auxiliary member 34 on the second rail 24 which is displaced in the retraction direction D2, retracting the rod member 68 relative to the cylinder 66 and providing a resistive force to decelerate the displacement of the second rail 24 in the retraction direction D2 to the retracted position R, thereby creating a retraction buffer effect during the final stage of retraction of the slide rail assembly 20 until the slide rail assembly 20 reaches a retracted state, such as a fully retracted state.

[0043] The second rail 24 preferably includes a first wall 88a, a second wall 88b, and a longitudinal wall 90 connected between the first wall 88a and the second wall 88b of the second rail 24. When the second rail 24 is in the recessed position R, the first wall 88a and the second wall 88b of the second rail 24 are inserted into the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 of the release member 32, respectively.

[0044] As described above, when the second rail 24, the fourth rail 28, the third rail 26, and the fifth rail 30 are displaced in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22, and the slide rail assembly 20 is switched from a retracted state to an extended state, the auxiliary portion 80 of the fourth rail 28 comes into contact with the auxiliary section 70 of the braking device 38, driving the auxiliary section 70 of the braking device 38 and moving it away from the second predetermined wall portion 63, thereby retracting the rod member 68 relative to the cylinder 66, and creating an extension buffer effect during the final stage of extension of the slide rail assembly 20 until the slide rail assembly 20 reaches the extended state.

[0045] Based on the above, the slide rail assembly 20 of the present invention has the following features.

[0046] 1) The slide rail assembly 20 has at least three compartments. When the second rail 24 is displaced from the extended position E in the retraction direction D2, the block member 36 in the first state S1 is configured to (1) allow the fourth rail 28 to be displaced synchronously with the second rail 24 in the retraction direction D2, (2) prevent the second rail 24 from being fully retracted relative to the fourth rail 28, maintain a predetermined distance Q between the first end 24a of the second rail 24 and the first end 28a of the fourth rail 28 to prevent the user's fingers from being pinched between the first end 24a of the second rail 24 and the first end 28a of the fourth rail 28, and (3) prevent the braking device 38 from providing resistance to the second rail 24 or the fourth rail 28. The guide portion 86 of the release member 32 contacts the block member 36, driving the block member 36 from the first state S1 to the second state S2, thereby ending the synchronous displacement of the second rail 24 and the fourth rail 28 in the retraction direction D2. After this, the second rail 24 can retract relative to the fourth rail 28 to shorten a predetermined distance Q. The braking device 38 can then contact the auxiliary member 34 of the second rail 24, providing a retraction buffer effect during the final stage of retraction of the slide rail assembly 20 until the second rail 24 reaches the retracted position R, i.e., until the slide rail assembly 20 reaches the retracted state.

[0047] 2) The second rail 24 can retract relative to the fourth rail 28 to shorten a predetermined distance Q so that the braking device 38 can contact the auxiliary member 34 of the second rail 24 and provide a retraction buffer effect during the final stage of retraction of the slide rail assembly 20, until the second rail 24 reaches the retracted position R, i.e., until the slide rail assembly 20 reaches the retracted state. Therefore, the braking device 38 does not provide a buffer effect before the third rail 26, the fourth rail 28 and the fifth rail 30 are retracted relative to the first rail 22.

[0048] 3) The third rail 26 includes a first rail section 44 and a second rail section 46 that are connected to each other, for example, by a fixed connection. The fifth rail 30 is movable between the first rail 22 and the first rail section 44 of the third rail 26, and the fourth rail 28 is movable between the second rail section 46 of the third rail 26 and the second rail 24.

[0049] 4) The braking device 38 can provide a recession buffer effect during the recession of the slide rail assembly 20 and an extension buffer effect during the extension of the slide rail assembly 20.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications and changes can be made to the apparatus and method while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as being limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. The first rail and The second rail and A third rail located between the first rail and the second rail, wherein the first rail, the second rail and the third rail are displaceable relative to each other, and each of the first rail, the second rail and the third rail includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, An auxiliary member arranged on the second rail, A braking device arranged on the third rail, A slide rail assembly including, A slide rail assembly wherein, when the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the extended position, the third rail is displaced in the retraction direction relative to the first rail, and the braking device is configured to contact an auxiliary member on the second rail to provide a resistance force to decelerate the displacement of the second rail in the retraction direction from the extended position.

2. A fourth rail located between the third rail and the second rail, wherein the first rail, the second rail, the third rail and the fourth rail are displaceable relative to each other, and the fourth rail includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, A block member that is movably mounted on the fourth rail, It further includes, When the slide rail assembly is in the extended state, the first end of the fourth rail extends beyond the first end of the third rail, and the second rail is positioned in the extended position such that the first end of the second rail extends beyond the first end of the fourth rail. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the extended position to a predetermined position between the extended position and the retracted position, the second rail is configured to contact the block member in the first state and drive the fourth rail to displace the second rail synchronously so that a predetermined distance is maintained between the first end of the second rail and the first end of the fourth rail.

3. The present invention further includes a release member positioned on the first rail and adjacent to the second end of the first rail, The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, wherein when the second rail is displaced in the retraction direction from the predetermined position to the retracted position, the release member contacts the block member to shorten the predetermined distance and drive the block member from the first state to the second state in order to prevent the second rail and the fourth rail from being displaced synchronously in the retraction direction, and the braking device contacts the auxiliary member on the second rail to provide a resistance force to decelerate the displacement of the second rail in the retraction direction from the predetermined position to the retracted position.

4. The system further includes a fifth rail located between the first rail and the third rail, The slide rail assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fifth rail includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end of the fifth rail, and when the slide rail assembly is extended, the first end of the fifth rail and the first end of the third rail extend beyond the first end of the first rail and the first end of the fifth rail, respectively.

5. The third rail includes a first rail section and a second rail section connected to the first rail section. The slide rail assembly according to claim 4, wherein the fifth rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the first rail portion of the third rail, the fourth rail is movably mounted between the second rail portion of the third rail and the second rail, the first rail portion and the second rail portion are arranged back-to-back, each of the first rail portion and the second rail portion includes a first wall, a second wall and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall, the longitudinal wall of the first rail portion and the longitudinal wall of the second rail portion are fixedly connected to each other, a portion of the longitudinal wall of the first rail portion of the third rail and a portion of the longitudinal wall of the second rail portion jointly define an auxiliary space, the auxiliary space communicates with both sides of the third rail and is configured to house the braking device.

6. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, wherein the block member is pivotally connected to the fourth rail, and the slide rail assembly further includes an elastic member configured to provide elastic force to the block member.

7. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, wherein the block member is located adjacent to the second end of the fourth rail.

8. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, wherein the braking device includes an extending section configured to retractably project from the first end of the third rail, the extending section abutting against an auxiliary member of the second rail so as to provide a resistive force for decelerating the displacement of the second rail in the retraction direction from a predetermined position to the retracted position, the braking device further includes a cylinder, a rod member and an auxiliary section, the rod member being extendable and retractable relative to the cylinder, and the extending section and the auxiliary section being mounted apart from each other at the distal end of the cylinder and the distal end of the rod member, respectively.

9. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, wherein when the second rail is displaced in the opening direction from the retracted position to the extended position, the fourth rail and the third rail are displaced in the opening direction relative to the first rail, and the braking device is configured to contact at least one auxiliary portion on the fourth rail to provide another resistance force to decelerate the opening displacement of the second rail from the retracted position to the extended position.

10. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary member is located adjacent to the first end of the second rail.

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