Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly that can unlock two rails mutually in a predetermined position by operating an operation member.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, a blocking feature 28, two operation members 31, 32, and a lock member 30. The blocking feature 28 is disposed in the first rail 22. The two operation members 31, 32 and the lock member 30 are fitted to the second rail 24 so as to be movable. When the second rail 24 is in a predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22, the lock member 30 is blocked by the blocking feature 28 to prevent the second rail 24 from moving from the predetermined position. When one of the two operation members 31, 32 is operated, the lock member 30 is driven and moved so as to enable the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly capable of unlocking two slide rails relative to each other at a predetermined position by operating one of two operating members.

Background Art

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 6,883,884 discloses a latch assembly for a slide rail device. The slide rail device includes a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to each other. The first rail is configured with a latch assembly, and the second rail is configured with a latch base. When the first rail is in a retracted position relative to the second rail, the latch assembly engages with the latch base, and the first rail is held in the retracted position. When a user attempts to unlock the latch assembly, the user needs to simultaneously press two operating members of the latch assembly. Thereby, the hooks of the corresponding two unlocking members no longer engage with the latch base, and the first rail can be moved from the retracted position relative to the second rail.

Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly capable of unlocking two slide rails relative to each other at a predetermined position by operating one of two operating members.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes: a first rail; a second rail that is relatively movable with respect to the first rail; a blocking feature disposed on the first rail; two operating members movably attached to the second rail; and a locking member movably attached to the second rail. When the second rail is in a predetermined position with respect to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state, the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from moving from the predetermined position. When one of the two operating members is operated, the locking member is configured to be driven to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the locking member and the blocking feature no longer block each other and the second rail can be moved away from the predetermined position.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes: a first rail; a second rail that is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first rail; a first operating member and a second operating member movably attached to the second rail, the first operating member and the second operating member each including a first gear structure and a second gear structure; and a locking member movably attached to the second rail. When the second rail is in a retracted position with respect to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state, the locking member and the first rail are configured to be locked to each other to prevent the second rail from moving from the retracted position. During the process in which one of the first operating member and the second operating member is operated to move from the first state to the second state, the other of the first operating member and the second operating member is driven to move through the first gear structure and the second gear structure that mesh with each other. The locking member is configured to be driven to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state to enable the second rail to move in a predetermined direction from the retracted position.

[0007] After reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments shown in the various figures and drawings, these and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without doubt.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 5

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Figure 7

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22 and a second rail 24 that are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a third rail 26 that is movably disposed between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. A passage 27 is formed in the third rail 26 and is configured to movably attach the second rail 24. In addition, in the present embodiment, the X-axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length 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] Furthermore, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a blocking feature 28, a locking member 30, and two operation members (such as a first operation member 31 and a second operation member 32). The locking member 30 is configured to cooperate with the blocking feature 28.

[0011] The blocking feature portion 28 is disposed on one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. In the present embodiment, the blocking feature portion 28 is disposed on the first rail 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The blocking feature portion 28 may be disposed directly or indirectly on the first rail 22. In the present embodiment, the blocking feature portion 28 is a protruding portion, and in an alternative embodiment, the blocking feature portion 28 is a wall around a hole or a groove. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the first rail 22 has a first end portion 22a and a second end portion 22b on opposite sides of each other, for example, a front end portion and a rear end portion. The blocking feature portion 28 is disposed on the first rail 22 adjacent to the first end portion 22a of the first rail 22.

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

[0013] Preferably, the second rail 24 is configured with a housing 34 (shown in FIG. 1). The housing 34 is connected (such as fixed) to the second rail 24 and is adjacent to the first end portion 24a of the second rail 24. Thereby, the housing 34 can be regarded as a part of the second rail 24. The housing 34 includes a first housing portion 34a and a second housing portion 34b that can be connected to each other (shown in FIG. 2). Preferably, the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b are detachably attached to each other, and an accommodation space is defined between the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b. The lock member 30, the first operating member 31, and the second operating member 32 are movably arranged on the first housing portion 34a at the first end portion 24a of the second rail 24. Further, the first housing portion 34a and the second housing portion 34b are configured to accommodate and / or cover most of the lock member 30, the first operating member 31, and the second operating member 32 for protection. Or, in another alternative embodiment, the lock member 30, the first operating member 31, and the second operating member 32 may be directly arranged adjacent to the first end portion 24a of the second rail 24 on the second rail 24 without being arranged in the housing 34.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (in FIGS. 3 and 4, only the first housing portion 34a is shown and the second housing portion 34b is omitted), the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are pivotally connected to the first housing portion 34a on the second rail 24 via a first shaft rod 36 and a second shaft rod 38, respectively.

[0015] Preferably, at least one of the first shaft rod 36 and the second shaft rod 38 is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction of the second rail 24. In this embodiment, both the first shaft rod 36 and the second shaft rod 38 are arranged in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction of the second rail 24 (or the lateral direction of the second rail 24, or the Y-axis direction).

[0016] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 each have a first gear structure 40 and a second gear structure 42 configured to mesh with each other. For example, the first gear structure 40 and the second gear structure 42 have a plurality of teeth that mesh with each other.

[0017] Preferably, one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 includes a drive unit 44. In the present embodiment, the first operating member 31 includes the drive unit 44, and the drive unit 44 is configured to drive the lock member 30 to move.

[0018] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a restoring elastic member 46 configured to apply a restoring elastic force to at least one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32. In the present embodiment, the restoring elastic member 46 includes a first elastic section 48a and a second elastic section 48b configured to apply a restoring elastic force to the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32, respectively. The first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are configured to be held in the first state S1 in response to the restoring elastic force of the restoring elastic member 46.

[0019] Preferably, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 each include a first operating portion 50 and a second operating portion 52 configured to be operated by a user in a pressing manner. The first operating portion 50 and the second operating portion 52 are at corresponding positions. Specifically, the first operating portion 50 is at a first height position (for example, a lower position) on the second rail 24, and the second operating portion 52 is at a second height position (for example, an upper position) on the second rail 24.

[0020] Preferably, the locking member 30 is pivotally connected to the first housing portion 34a on the second rail 24 via a pivot member 53. For example, the pivot member 53 is pivotally connected to at least one lug 51 of the first housing portion 34a. The pivot member 53 is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the height direction (such as the Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24. The slide rail assembly 20 further includes an auxiliary elastic member 54. The auxiliary elastic member 54 may be an elastic piece or an elastic component configured to apply an auxiliary elastic force, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The locking member 30 is configured to be held in the locked state K1 in response to the auxiliary elastic force of the auxiliary elastic member 54.

[0021] Preferably, the first shaft 36 is located between the first operation portion 50 and the drive portion 44.

[0022] Preferably, the first operation member 31 further includes a first working portion 56 arranged adjacent to the first shaft 36, and the first working portion 56 is configured with a first gear structure 40. On the other hand, the second operation member 32 further includes a second working portion 58 arranged adjacent to the second shaft 38, and the second working portion 58 is configured with a second gear structure 42 configured to mesh with the first gear structure 40.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the second rail 24 is in a predetermined position P (such as a retracted position) relative to the first rail 22 and the locking member 30 is in the locked state K1, in order to prevent the second rail 24 from moving from the predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1 (such as an opening direction), the locking portion 60 of the locking member 30 and the blocking feature 28 are configured to block each other. More specifically, when the locking member 30 is in the locked state K1, the blocking feature 28 is located in the movement path of the locking portion 60 in the longitudinal direction, whereby the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature 28 are configured to block each other.

[0024] Preferably, one of the lock member 30 and the first operating member 31 is configured with a guide feature portion 62 such as an inclined surface or an arc surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the lock member 30 is configured with at least one guide feature portion 62, and the guide feature portion 62 is configured to cooperate with the drive portion 44 of the first operating member 31.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, when one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 is operated (for example, when the first operating member 31 is operated), the lock member 30 is configured to be driven to switch from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8), and to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P. For example, the second rail 24 can be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1.

[0026] Furthermore, the user can apply a first force F1 to either one of the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31) and the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52 of the second operating member 32). As shown in FIG. 5, the user applies the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31) to drive the first operating member 31 and switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2. During such a process, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the drive portion 44 of the first operating member 31 is configured to contact the guide feature portion 62 of the lock member 30, and easily drive the lock member 30 to switch from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). When the lock member 30 is in the unlocked state K2, the blocking feature portion 28 no longer lies in the movement path of the locking portion 60 in the longitudinal direction (for example, the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature portion 28 are not longitudinally aligned with each other). Thereby, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature portion 28 no longer block each other (shown in FIG. 8).

[0027] Further, when the first operating member 31 is moved by a first force F1 and switched from a first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to a second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7), the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are configured to interact with each other through a first gear structure 40 and a second gear structure 42 that mesh with each other. Thereby, the second operating member 32 is configured to move so as to be switched from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7) in response to the movement of the first operating member 31. For example, the first operating member 31 is moved in a first rotation direction r1 to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7), and the second operating member 32 is moved in a second rotation direction r2 to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7).

[0028] Also, when the lock member 30 is in an unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 8), the auxiliary elastic member 54 is in a state of accumulating auxiliary elastic force. On the other hand, when the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are in the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7), the restoring elastic member 46 is in a state of accumulating restoring elastic force.

[0029] Furthermore, when the lock member 30 is in the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIG. 8), the second rail 24 can be moved from a predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1 to another predetermined position (such as an open position). Also, when the user stops applying the first force F1 to the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31), the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are configured to return from the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7) to the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) in response to the restoring elastic force released by the restoring elastic member 46. The lock member 30 is configured to return from the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) to the locked state K1 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) in response to the auxiliary elastic force released by the auxiliary elastic member 54.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, when the second operating member 32 is operated, the locking member 30 is further configured to be moved so as to switch from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 9) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8), enabling the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P. For example, the second rail 24 can be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1.

[0031] Furthermore, the user can apply a second force F2 opposite to the first force F1 to the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52 of the second operating member 32) as shown in FIG. 9 in order to switch the second operating member 32 from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 9) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7) by pressing the second operating member 32. Further, the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 are configured to interact with each other through a first gear structure 40 and a second gear structure 42 that mesh with each other, and in response to the movement of the second operating member 32, the first operating member 31 is configured to be moved to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 9) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 7). During such a process, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the driving portion 44 of the first operating member 31 is configured to contact the guiding feature portion 62 of the locking member 30, easily driving the locking member 30 to switch from the locked state K1 (shown in FIG. 9) to the unlocked state K2 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). When the locking member 30 is in the unlocked state K2, the blocking feature portion 28 no longer lies in the movement path of the locking portion 60 in the longitudinal direction (for example, the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature portion 28 are not longitudinally aligned with each other). Thereby, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be moved from the predetermined position P in the predetermined direction D1, the locking portion 60 and the blocking feature portion 28 no longer block each other (shown in FIG. 8).

[0032] Therefore, the user can operate the first operating member 31 or the second operating member 32 to unlock the second rail 24 with respect to the first rail 22 at the predetermined position P, enabling the second rail 24 to be moved away from the predetermined position P.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of slide rail assemblies 20 are attached to a rack 64 (or a cabinet) in the height direction (such as the Z-axis direction), and the slide rail assemblies 20 have substantially the same structural configuration. Further, when the user attempts to operate the slide rail assembly 20 attached to the uppermost position of the rack 64 with the second rail 24 locked to the first rail 22 at a predetermined position P, it is difficult for the user's hand H to reach and operate the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52 of the second operating member 32) of the slide rail assembly 20 at the uppermost position. Therefore, in order to enable the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 at the uppermost position to move from the predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1, the user can operate the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31) to drive the locking member 30 and switch from the locked state K1 (see also FIG. 5) to the unlocked state K2 (see also FIGS. 7 and 8). Since such a configuration is disclosed above, further illustration is omitted for simplicity.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, when the user attempts to operate the slide rail assembly 20 attached to the lowermost position of the rack 64 with the second rail 24 locked to the first rail 22 at a predetermined position P, it is difficult for the user's hand H to reach and operate the first operating member 31 (the first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31) of the slide rail assembly 20 at the lowermost position. Therefore, in order to enable the second rail 24 of the slide rail assembly 20 at the lowermost position to move from the predetermined position P in a predetermined direction D1, the user can operate the second operating member 32 (the second operating portion 52 of the second operating member 32) to drive the locking member 30 and switch from the locked state K1 (see also FIG. 9) to the unlocked state K2 (see also FIGS. 7 and 8). Since such a configuration is disclosed above, further illustration is omitted for simplicity.

[0035] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features.

[0036] 1. In the background art, the user has to simultaneously press two operating members of the latch assembly to unlock the slide rail. However, in the present embodiment, when the second rail 24 is at a predetermined position P with respect to the first rail 22, the locking member 30 in the locked state K1 is configured to be blocked by the blocking feature portion 28. In order to enable the second rail 24 to move from the predetermined position P with respect to the first rail 22, the user only needs to operate (such as a pressing operation) one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 to drive the locking member 30 to switch from the locked state K1 to the unlocked state K2. As a result, the locking member 30 (the locking portion 60 of the locking member 30) is no longer blocked by the blocking feature portion 28.

[0037] 2. When one of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 is operated, the other of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 is configured to be driven and move through the first gear structure 40 and the second gear structure 42 that mesh with each other.

[0038] 3. One of the first operating member 31 and the second operating member 32 includes a driving portion 44, and the driving portion 44 is configured to move to drive the locking member 30 to switch from the locked state K1 to the unlocked state K2.

[0039] 4. The first operating portion 50 of the first operating member 31 is at a first height position (for example, a lower position) on the second rail 24, and the second operating portion 52 of the second operating member 32 is at a second height position (for example, an upper position) on the second rail 24.

[0040] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the apparatus and method while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the above disclosure is to be construed as being limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. a first rail, a second rail, wherein the second rail is movable relative to the first rail, a blocking feature disposed on the first rail, two operating members movably attached to the second rail, and a locking member movably attached to the second rail, wherein when the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state, the locking member and the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from moving from the predetermined position, wherein when one of the two operating members is operated, the locking member is configured to be driven to switch from the locked state to an unlocked state, whereby the locking member and the blocking feature no longer block each other and the second rail can be moved away from the predetermined position, a slide rail assembly.

2. The second rail has a first end portion and a second end portion on opposite sides of each other, and the two operating members are movably attached adjacent to the first end portion on the second rail, The two operating members are pivotally connected to the second rail via a first shaft rod and a second shaft rod respectively, the slide rail assembly according to Claim 1.

3. At least one of the first shaft rod and the second shaft rod is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction of the second rail, the slide rail assembly according to Claim 2.

4. The two operating members have a gear structure configured to mesh with each other, the slide rail assembly according to Claim 1.

5. One of the two operating members includes a driving portion configured to drive and move the locking member, The slide rail assembly further includes a restoring elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to one of the two operating members, The two operating members each include a first operating portion and a second operating portion configured to be operated by a user in a pressing manner, the slide rail assembly according to Claim 1.

6. The locking member is pivotally connected to the second rail, The slide rail assembly further includes an auxiliary elastic member, and the locking member is configured to be held in the locked state in response to the elastic force of the auxiliary elastic member. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1.

7. A first rail, A second rail, wherein the second rail is relatively movable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first rail, A first operating member and a second operating member movably attached to the second rail, the first operating member and the second operating member each including a first gear structure and a second gear structure, A locking member movably attached to the second rail, When the second rail is in a retracted position with respect to the first rail and the locking member is in a locked state, the locking member and the first rail are configured to be locked to each other to prevent the second rail from moving from the retracted position, During the process in which one of the first operating member and the second operating member is operated to move from a first state to a second state, the other one of the first operating member and the second operating member is driven to move through the first gear structure and the second gear structure that mesh with each other, The locking member is configured to be driven to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state in order to enable the second rail to move in a predetermined direction from the retracted position. Slide rail assembly.

8. The first operating member and the second operating member are pivotally connected to the second rail via a first shaft rod and a second shaft rod, respectively. The first operating member and the second operating member each include a first operating portion and a second operating portion, The first operating member further includes a driving portion configured to drive the locking member to move. The first shaft rod is disposed between the first operating portion and the driving portion, The first operating member further includes a first working portion disposed adjacent to the first shaft rod. The first working portion is configured with the first gear structure. The second operating member further includes a second working portion disposed adjacent to the second shaft rod. The second working portion is configured with the second gear structure. The slide rail assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the first shaft rod and the second shaft rod is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction of the second rail.

9. Furthermore, it includes a restoring elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the first operating member and the second operating member. The locking member is pivotally connected to the second rail. The slide rail assembly further includes an auxiliary elastic member, and the locking member is configured to be held in the locked state in response to the elastic force of the auxiliary elastic member. The slide rail assembly according to claim 7.

10. The second rail has a first end portion and a second end portion on opposite sides of each other, and the first operating member and the second operating member are movably attached adjacent to the first end portion on the second rail. The slide rail assembly according to claim 7.

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