Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly having a handle that allows a user to easily operate and move a slide rail.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail 24, a handle 26, an auxiliary member 56, and an elastic feature part 58. The handle is movable relative to the second rail. The auxiliary member is disposed on the second rail. When the second rail is in a retracted position R relative to the first rail, the auxiliary member abuts against the first rail, allowing the elastic feature part to accumulate a predetermined elastic force J. When the handle is moved to switch from a first state to a second state, the second rail is movable from the retracted position to an extended position in the open direction, and the elastic feature part releases the predetermined elastic force to the auxiliary member. As a result, the auxiliary member and the handle engage with each other to hold the handle in the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly having a handle that enables a user to easily operate and move the slide rail.

Background Art

[0002] U.S. Patent No. US10631639 discloses a slide rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail, a blocking member, and an operating member. The second rail and the first rail are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. The blocking member is coupled to the first rail. The operating member is configured to be in a predetermined state with respect to the second rail. When the second rail is at a certain position relative to the first rail, the operating member in the predetermined state is blocked by the blocking member, preventing the second rail from moving in a predetermined direction from that position. When the operating member is not in the predetermined state, the operating member is not blocked by the blocking member, whereby the second rail is movable in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position.

Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly having a handle that enables a user to easily operate and move the slide rail.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a handle movable relative to the second rail to be in a first state or a second state; an auxiliary member disposed on the second rail; and an elastic feature portion. When the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the auxiliary member is configured to abut against the first rail so as to be in a first auxiliary position relative to the second rail, and the elastic feature portion is configured to accumulate a predetermined elastic force. When the handle is moved to switch from the first state to the second state, the second rail is movable from the retracted position to a predetermined extended position in the release direction. When the second rail is in the predetermined extended position relative to the first rail, the elastic feature portion is configured to release a predetermined elastic force to the auxiliary member, whereby the auxiliary member is driven to move from the first auxiliary position to a second auxiliary position relative to the second rail so as to engage with the handle to hold the handle in the second state.

[0006] 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

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22 (such as an outer rail), a second rail 24 (such as an inner rail), and a handle 26. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a third rail 28 (such as an intermediate rail) movably attached between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. The second rail 24 is in a retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22 shown in FIG. 1. The second rail 24, the third rail 28, and the first rail 22 are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. In the figure, the X-axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rail, the moving direction), 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).

[0009] The first rail 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b on opposite sides of each other, for example, a front end and a rear end, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first rail 22 includes a first wall 30a, a second wall 30b, and a longitudinal wall 32 connected between the first wall 30a and the second wall 30b of the first rail 22. Preferably, the first rail 22 further includes a blocking portion 34. In the present embodiment, the blocking portion 34 is a protruding projection on the longitudinal wall 32 of the first rail 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The blocking portion 34 is disposed adjacent to the first end 22a of the first rail 22. The blocking portion 34 has a blocking section 36 and a guide section 38 on opposite sides of each other. The blocking section 36 is disposed adjacent to the rear end of the blocking portion 34, and the guide section 38 is disposed adjacent to the front end of the blocking portion 34. The guide section 38 has an inclined surface or an arcuate surface.

[0010] The third rail 28 has a first end 28a and a second end 28b on opposite sides of each other, for example, a front end and a rear end, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The third rail 28 includes a first wall 40a, a second wall 40b, and a longitudinal wall 42 connected between the first wall 40a and the second wall 40b of the third rail 28. Preferably, the third rail 28 further includes a blocking feature 44. In the present embodiment, the blocking feature 44 is a protruding projection on the longitudinal wall 42 of the third rail 28, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The blocking feature 44 is disposed adjacent to the first end 28a of the third rail 28. The blocking feature 44 has a first blocking wall 46 and a second blocking wall 48 on opposite sides of each other. For example, the first blocking wall 46 is disposed adjacent to the rear end of the blocking feature 44, and the second blocking wall 48 is disposed adjacent to the front end of the blocking feature 44.

[0011] The second rail 24 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b on opposite sides of each other, for example, a front end and a rear end, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second rail 24 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 second rail 24. Preferably, the housing 54 is connected (for example, fixedly connected) to the second rail 24 so that it can be seen as part of the second rail 24. The housing 54 includes a first housing portion 54a and a second housing portion 54b configured to cover most of the associated components disposed in the housing 54 for protection. Preferably, the housing 54 is adjacent to the first end 24a of the second rail 24.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, in FIG. 3, the housing 54 is omitted. The associated components disposed in the housing 54 are the handle 26, the auxiliary member 56, and the elastic feature 58. Preferably, the gear rack 60, the working member 62, and the shaft member 64 are further disposed in the housing 54.

[0013] The handle 26 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24 via the shaft member 64. In the present embodiment, the shaft member 64 is configured to pivotally connect the handle 26 and the housing 54, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The shaft member 64 is disposed with respect to the first rail 22 in a direction substantially the same as the length direction or the moving direction (such as the longitudinal direction) of the second rail 24.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the auxiliary member 56 is disposed on the second rail 24. For example, the auxiliary member 56 is disposed in the housing 54 on the second rail 24 (see further FIG. 2). Preferably, the shaft member 64 is configured to penetrate the auxiliary member 56, whereby the auxiliary member 56 is movable with respect to the shaft member 64 (in the longitudinal direction). The elastic feature 58 is configured to apply an elastic force to the auxiliary member 56. The elastic feature 58 is configured to abut between the auxiliary member 56 and the housing 54.

[0015] Preferably, the gear rack 60 is movable relative to the second rail 24. For example, the gear rack 60 is movably attached to the housing 54 on the second rail 24. Further, the gear rack 60 is movable in the height direction relative to the second rail 24 (or the housing 54). The handle 26 is configured with a gear structure 66 configured to mesh with the gear rack 60.

[0016] Preferably, the actuating member 62 is movable relative to the second rail 24. For example, the actuating member 62 is pivotally connected to the housing 54 on the second rail 24 via a shaft portion 68. The shaft portion 68 is arranged in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction (or the lateral direction) of the second rail 24.

[0017] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a drive member 70 that is movable relative to the second rail 24. The drive member 70 and the second rail 24 are relatively movable within a limited range by the interaction between the first limiting feature 72 and the second limiting feature 74. For example, the first limiting feature 72 is an elongated hole (or an elongated slot) in the longitudinal direction, and the second limiting feature 74 is a connecting member (or a connecting pin) that passes through a part of the elongated hole in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 76. In this embodiment, the elastic member 76 is connected between the drive member 70 and the second rail 24, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, both ends of the elastic member 76 are respectively connected to an attachment section 78 provided on the drive member 70 and the second limiting feature 74 provided on the second rail 24.

[0019] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a lock member 80 movably attached to the second rail 24. For example, the lock member 80 is pivotally connected to at least one lug 84 on the second rail 24 via an auxiliary shaft 82. The auxiliary shaft 82 is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the height direction of the second rail 24.

[0020] Preferably, the lock member 80 and the drive member 70 each have a first corresponding feature portion 86 and a second corresponding feature portion 88 configured to interact with each other. At least one of the first corresponding feature portion 86 and the second corresponding feature portion 88 has an inclined surface or an arcuate surface to facilitate relative movement between the first corresponding feature portion 86 and the second corresponding feature portion 88.

[0021] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a first working member 90 movably attached to the second rail 24, a second working member 92, and an operating member 94. The first working member 90 and the second working member 92 are pivotally connected to the second rail 24 (the longitudinal wall 52 of the second rail 24) via a first mounting shaft 96 and a second mounting shaft 98, respectively. The slide rail assembly 20 further includes at least one auxiliary elastic portion 99. The first working member 90 and the second working member 92 are configured to be held in a first working state S1 according to the elastic forces of the first elastic section 99a and the second elastic section 99b of the auxiliary elastic portion 99, respectively. The operating member 94 is configured to drive and move the second working member 92. Further, the operating member 94 includes a driving section 100, an operating section 102, and a longitudinal section 104 connected between the driving section 100 and the operating section 102. The driving section 100 corresponds to the second working member 92. For example, the driving section 100 is operably connected to the second working member 92 to drive and move the second working member 92. On the other hand, the operating section 102 is connected to the drive member 70, whereby the operating member 94 is configured to move together with the drive member 70.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the auxiliary member 56 includes engagement features 106 such as protrusion portions and extension portions, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The handle 26 is in the first state K1 with respect to the second rail 24. On the other hand, when a force F is applied to the auxiliary member 56 or when the auxiliary member 56 abuts against an article (such as the first rail 22), the auxiliary member 56 is configured to be in the first auxiliary position C1 with respect to the second rail 24, and the elastic feature 58 is configured to accumulate a predetermined elastic force J. When the auxiliary member 56 is in the first auxiliary position C1, the engagement feature 106 of the auxiliary member 56 is at a position corresponding to a predetermined space M (shown in FIG. 4) of the handle 26 in the first state K1. Thus, the handle 26 can be moved by the user so as to be out of the first state K1.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle 26 is switched from the first state K1 to the second state K2 (such as rotated 90 degrees) by being moved (such as pulled) by the user. On the other hand, when the force F is no longer applied to the auxiliary member 56 or when the auxiliary member 56 is moved from the article (such as the first rail 22), the elastic feature 58 is configured to release the predetermined elastic force J to be applied to the auxiliary member 56, whereby the auxiliary member 56 is driven to move from the first auxiliary position C1 to the second auxiliary position C2 with respect to the second rail 24 (for example, the auxiliary member 56 is moved to the second auxiliary position C2 in a direction toward the second end portion 24b of the second rail 24, but the present invention is not limited thereto). The engagement feature 106 of the auxiliary member 56 is moved from the predetermined space M of the handle 26 and engaged with (or blocked by) a predetermined portion 108 of the handle 26. In other words, the engagement feature 106 of the auxiliary member 56 is configured to block the movement path of the handle 26 so as to prevent the handle 26 from returning from the second state K2 to the first state K1, and hold the handle 26 in the second state K2.

[0024] Further, reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 5. During the process in which the handle 26 is moved so as to switch from the first state K1 (shown in FIG. 3) to the second state K2 (shown in FIG. 5), the handle 26 is configured to drive the actuating member 62 to rotate via a gear structure 66 that meshes with the gear rack 60. The actuating member 62 is configured to further push the driving member 70 and move longitudinally (or linearly) from the first driving position N1 (shown in FIG. 3) to the second driving position N2 (shown in FIG. 5) in a direction toward the second end 24b of the second rail 24. Thereby, the driving member 70 is configured to drive and move (such as rotate) the locking member 80 so that the locking state L1 (shown in FIG. 3) switches to the unlocked state L2 (shown in FIG. 5) through the interaction of the first corresponding feature 86 with the second corresponding feature 88.

[0025] Further, during the process in which the driving member 70 is moved from the first driving position N1 to the second driving position N2, the driving member 70 is configured to drive the operating member 94 to move from the first operating position B1 (shown in FIG. 3) to the second operating position B2 (shown in FIG. 5) with respect to the second rail 24 in order to further drive the second working member 92 to move from the first working state S1 (shown in FIG. 3) to the second working state (shown in FIG. 5). In such a state, the second elastic section 99b is configured to accumulate elastic force (shown in FIG. 5).

[0026] Furthermore, the handle 26, the gear rack 60, the actuating member 62, the drive member 70, the locking member 80, the operating member 94, and the second working member 92 are configured to interact with each other. When the auxiliary member 56 is in the second auxiliary position C2, the locking feature 106 (engagement feature 106) of the auxiliary member 56 engages with a predetermined portion 108 of the handle 26, whereby the handle 26 is held in the second state K2 (shown in FIG. 6). In this way, the positions or states of the gear rack 60, the actuating member 62, the drive member 70, the locking member 80, the operating member 94, and the second working member 92 are all maintained. The elastic member 76 is configured to accumulate an elastic force Q in response to the drive member 70 being held in the second drive position N2 (as shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 76 accumulates a restoring elastic force). In other words, when the auxiliary member 56 is moved so as to return from the second auxiliary position C2 (shown in FIG. 5) to the first auxiliary position C1 (shown in FIG. 3), the engagement feature 106 of the auxiliary member 56 no longer engages with the predetermined portion 108 of the handle 26 (for example, the engagement feature 106 of the auxiliary member 56 again assumes a position corresponding to the predetermined space M of the handle 26), whereby the elastic member 76 releases the elastic force Q and drives the handle 26, the gear rack 60, the actuating member 62, the drive member 70, the locking member 80, the operating member 94, and the second working member 92 to return to the initial position or state (shown in FIG. 3).

[0027] Reference is made to FIGS. 7 and 8 (the housing 54 is omitted in FIGS. 7 and 8). Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an auxiliary elastic member 110, and the locking member 80 is configured to be held in the locked state L1 in response to the elastic force (80) in the extension section 112 of the auxiliary elastic member 110. The slide rail assembly 20 is in a retracted state in FIGS. 7 and 8. The first rail 22 is configured to be attached to a rack (or cabinet), and the second rail 24 is configured to convey an article to be conveyed. Such a configuration is well known to those skilled in the art, and for the sake of simplicity, further illustration is omitted.

[0028] Preferably, when the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22, the locking portion 90 of the locking member 80 in the locked state L1 (see also FIG. 3) is blocked by the blocking section 36 of the blocking portion 34 of the first rail 22 (see also FIG. 2), and is configured to prevent the second rail 24 from moving in the release direction D1 from the retracted position R. Further, the auxiliary member 56 abuts against a part of the first rail 22 (for example, abuts against the first end portion 22a of the first rail 22, but the present invention is not limited thereto), generates an acting force as a force F applied to the auxiliary member 56, and the elastic feature portion 58 accumulates a predetermined elastic force J.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, when the handle 26 is moved by the user and switched from the first state K1 to the second state K2, the second rail 24 is movable from the retracted position R (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) to a predetermined extended position P1 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) in the release direction D1. When the second rail 24 is in the predetermined extended position P1 with respect to the first rail 22, the elastic feature portion 58 is configured to release a predetermined elastic force J to the auxiliary member 56. Thereby, the auxiliary member 56 is moved from the first auxiliary position C1 (shown in FIG. 8) to the second auxiliary position D2 (shown in FIG. 10). Further, the engaging feature portion 106 of the auxiliary member 56 is configured to engage with the handle 26 (a predetermined portion 108 of the handle 26) in order to hold the handle 26 in the second state K2 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0030] Preferably, in the present embodiment, the locking member 80 in the locked state L1 is configured to be blocked by the blocking portion 34 (the blocking section 36 of the blocking portion 34). When the user attempts to move the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22 from the retracted position R, the user can operate the handle 26 (such as pulling) to move (or rotate) from the first state K1 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) to the second state K2 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). During the process in which the handle 26 is moved so as to switch from the first state K1 to the second state K2, the handle 26, the gear rack 60, the actuating member 62, and the driving member 70 are configured to interact with each other (such a configuration is disclosed in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the related description, and for the sake of simplicity, no further illustration is provided). In this way, the driving member 70 is configured to further drive the locking member 80 so as to overcome the elastic force of the extension section 112 of the auxiliary elastic member 110, and move the locking member 80 from the locked state L1 (shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8) to the unlocked state L2 (shown in FIGS. 5, 9, and 10). As a result, the locking member 80 (the locking portion 90 of the locking member 80) is no longer blocked by the blocking portion 34 (the blocking section 36 of the blocking portion 34). For example, in order to allow the second rail 24 to move in the opening direction D1 from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22, for example, to move to a predetermined extended position P1, the locking member 80 (the locking portion 90 of the locking member 80) is offset in the transverse direction (lateral direction) from the blocking portion 34 (the blocking section 36 of the blocking portion 34) (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0031] Further, when the second rail 24 is in a predetermined extended position P1 with respect to the first rail 22 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), the auxiliary member 56 no longer abuts against the first rail (the first end portion 22a of the first rail 22). That is, the force F is no longer applied to the auxiliary member 56, whereby the auxiliary member 56 is moved from the first auxiliary position C1 to the second auxiliary position C2 in response to a predetermined force J released by the elastic feature portion 58. The engaging feature portion 106 of the auxiliary member 56 is configured to engage with the handle 26 (a predetermined portion 108 of the handle 26) to hold the handle 26 in the second state K2 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). Thereby, the positions or states of the gear rack 60, the actuating member 62, the driving member 70, the locking member 80, the operating member 94, and the second working member 92 are maintained. For example, the driving member 70 is held in the second driving position N2, the locking member 80 is held in the unlocked state L2, the operating member 94 is held in the second operating position B2, and the second working member 92 is held in the second working state S2 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). On the other hand, the elastic member 76 is configured to accumulate an elastic force Q (see further FIG. 5).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 11, the third rail 28 is in a predetermined open position E with respect to the first rail 22, whereby the first end portion 28a of the third rail 28 extends beyond the first end portion 22a of the first rail 22 by a predetermined distance. The third rail 28 is configured to be held in the predetermined open position E with respect to the first rail 22 by a positioning mechanism (this configuration is well known to those skilled in the art and, for the sake of simplicity, further illustration is omitted).

[0033] In addition, when the second rail 24 is further moved to the fully extended position P2 in the opening direction D1 with respect to the third rail 28 (or the first rail 22), the first working member 90 in the first working state S1 and the first blocking wall 46 of the blocking feature 44 are configured to block each other in order to prevent the second rail 24 from further moving in the opening direction D1 from the fully extended position P2. And, in order to enable the second rail 24 to move in the retracting direction D2 from the fully extended position P2, the second working member 92 in the second working state S2 and the second blocking wall 48 of the blocking feature 44 are not blocked from each other. When the second rail 24 is in the fully extended position P2 with respect to the third rail 28 (or the first rail 22), the first end portion 24a of the second rail 24 extends beyond the first end portion 28a of the third rail 28 with a predetermined distance.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the second rail 24 is in the fully extended position P2 with respect to the third rail 28 and the user attempts to hold the second rail 24 in the fully extended position P2 with respect to the third rail 28, the user can apply a force F to the auxiliary member 56 (for example, the user can push the auxiliary member 56) to move the auxiliary member 56 reversely from the second auxiliary position C2 (shown in FIG. 11) to the first auxiliary position C1 (shown in FIG. 12). As a result, the auxiliary member 56 is no longer engaged with the handle 26. For example, the engaging feature 106 of the auxiliary member 56 is at a position corresponding to a predetermined space M of the handle 26 (see further FIGS. 4 and related descriptions), whereby the handle 26 is configured to return from the second state K2 (shown in FIG. 11) to the first state K1 (shown in FIG. 12) in response to the elastic force Q released by the elastic member 76. The drive member 70 is configured to drive the operating member 94 to return and move from the second operating position B2 (shown in FIG. 11) to the first operating position B1 (shown in FIG. 12) in response to the elastic force Q released by the elastic member 76, thereby enabling the second working member 92 to be moved to switch from the second working state S2 (shown in FIG. 11) to the first working state S1 (shown in FIG. 12). Preferably, the second working member 92 is configured to be moved to switch from the second working state S2 to the first working state S1 in response to the elastic force released by the second elastic section 99b. The second working member 92 in the first working state S1 and the second blocking wall 48 of the blocking feature 44 are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail 24 from being moved in the retraction direction D2 (shown in FIG. 12) from the fully extended position P2. In other words, the first working member 90 in the first working state S1 and the second working member 92 in the first working state S1 are configured to be blocked by the first blocking wall 46 and the second blocking wall 48 of the blocking feature 44, respectively, to prevent the second rail 24 from being moved from the fully extended position P2 (shown in FIG. 12).

[0035] Furthermore, when the user attempts to move the second rail away from the fully extended position P2, the user can operate the operating member 94 to drive the second working member 92 and move it to switch from the first working state S1 (shown in FIG. 12) to the second working state S2 (shown in FIG. 11), enabling the second rail 24 to move in the retracting direction D2 from the fully extended position P2. Alternatively, the user can operate another operating member 95 to drive the first working member 90 and move it to switch from the first working state S1 to the second working state S2, enabling the second rail 24 to move in the releasing direction D1 from the fully extended position P2 and further disconnect from the third rail 28.

[0036] In addition, when the second rail 24 is moved to return from the extended position (such as the predetermined extended position P1 or the fully extended position P2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) to the retracted position R in the retracting direction D2 without the force F being applied to the auxiliary member 56, the auxiliary member 56 is configured to abut against the first rail 22 again so as to move from the second auxiliary position C2 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) to the first auxiliary position C1 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) and return. Thereby, the elastic feature portion 58 is configured to accumulate the predetermined elastic force J again, and the auxiliary member 56 no longer engages with the handle 26, enabling the handle 26 to return from the second state K2 to the first state K1. Preferably, the handle 26 is configured to return from the second state K2 to the first state K1 in response to the elastic force Q released by the elastic member 76. The locking member 80 is configured to be blocked again by the blocking portion 34 to prevent the second rail 24 from being moved from the retracted position R (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0037] Preferably, the second rail has an outer surface and an inner surface on opposite sides of each other. The outer surface of the second rail 24 is adjacent to or faces the first rail 22. The handle 26 includes a first end 27a, a second end 27b, and an operating section 27c connected between the first end 27a and the second end 27b (shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 10). The shaft member 64 is disposed adjacent to the first end 27a. When the handle 26 is in the second state K2, the operating section 27c of the handle 26 extends beyond the inner surface of the second rail 24 by a predetermined distance W (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), enabling the user to easily pull the second rail 24 in the opening direction D1 with respect to the first rail 22 by holding the handle 26.

[0038] Preferably, when the handle 26 is in the first state K1 (shown in FIG. 7), the handle 26 is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the height direction (such as the Z-axis) of the second rail 24. When the handle 26 is in the second state K2 (shown in FIG. 9), the handle 26 is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction (such as the Y-axis) of the second rail 24.

[0039] Preferably, the moving direction of the second rail 24 with respect to the first rail 22, the height direction of the second rail 24, and the transverse direction of the second rail 24 are perpendicular to each other.

[0040] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features.

[0041] 1. When the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22, the auxiliary member 56 is configured to abut against the first rail 22 and be in the first auxiliary position C1. Thereby, the elastic characteristic portion 58 is configured to accumulate a predetermined elastic force J. When the handle 26 is moved so as to switch from the first state K1 to the second state K2, the second rail 24 is movable from the retracted position R to a predetermined extended position P1 in the release direction D1. When the second rail 24 is in a predetermined extended position (such as the predetermined extended position P1) with respect to the first rail 22, the elastic characteristic portion 58 is configured to release the predetermined elastic force J to be applied to the auxiliary member 56. Thereby, the auxiliary member 56 is moved from the first auxiliary position C1 to the second auxiliary position C2 and engaged with the handle 26, and the auxiliary member 56 is held in the second state K2.

[0042] 2. When the second rail 24 is moved so as to return from the extended position (such as the predetermined extended position P1 or the fully extended position P2) to the retracted position R in the retraction direction D2, the auxiliary member 56 is configured to abut against the first rail 22 again so as to move from the second auxiliary position C2 to the first auxiliary position C1 and return. Thereby, the elastic characteristic portion 58 is configured to accumulate a predetermined elastic force J, and the auxiliary member 56 is no longer engaged with the handle 26 so as to enable the handle 26 to return from the second state K2 to the first state K1. Preferably, the handle 26 is configured to return from the second state K2 to the first state K1 in response to the elastic force Q of the elastic member 76.

[0043] 3. When the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22, the locking member 80 is blocked by the blocking portion 34 and configured to prevent the second rail 24 from moving from the retracted position R in the release direction D1.

[0044] 4. When the second rail 24 is in the fully extended position P2 with respect to the third rail 28, the user can apply a force F to press the auxiliary member 56, whereby the auxiliary member 56 is moved from the second auxiliary position C2 to the first auxiliary position C1, and the auxiliary member 56 is disengaged from the handle 26. The handle 26 is configured to return from the second state K2 to the first state K1 in response to the elastic force Q of the elastic member 76. To enable the second working member 92 to be moved from the second working state S2 to the first working state S1, the drive member 70 is configured to drive the operating member 94 to move from the second operating position B2 to the first operating position B1 in response to the elastic force Q of the elastic member 76. The second working member 92 in the first working state S1 and the second blocking wall 48 of the blocking feature 44 are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail 24 from being moved from the fully extended position P2 in the retraction direction D2.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method may be made while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is to be construed as being limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. a first rail, a second rail movable relative to the first rail, a handle movable relative to the second rail to a first state or a second state, an auxiliary member disposed on the second rail, and an elastic feature, wherein when the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the auxiliary member is configured to abut against the first rail such that the auxiliary member is in a first auxiliary position relative to the second rail, and the elastic feature is configured to accumulate a predetermined elastic force; wherein when the handle is moved to switch from the first state to the second state, the second rail is movable from the retracted position to a predetermined extended position in an opening direction; wherein when the second rail is in the predetermined extended position relative to the first rail, the elastic feature is configured to release the predetermined elastic force to the auxiliary member, whereby the auxiliary member is driven to move from the first auxiliary position to a second auxiliary position relative to the second rail so as to engage with the handle to hold the handle in the second state; a slide rail assembly.

2. wherein when the second rail returns from the predetermined extended position to the retracted position in a retracting direction, the auxiliary member is configured to move from the second auxiliary position to the first auxiliary position relative to the second rail and then abut against the first rail again, whereby the elastic feature is configured to accumulate the predetermined elastic force; wherein the auxiliary member is disengaged from the handle to enable the handle to return from the second state to the first state; The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member, wherein the handle is configured to return from the second state to the first state in response to the elastic force of the elastic member.

3. wherein the first rail includes a blocking portion, and the slide rail assembly further comprises a locking member movably attached to the second rail; wherein when the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail, the locking member is configured to be blocked by the blocking portion to prevent the second rail from being moved from the retracted position in the opening direction. The slide rail assembly further includes an actuating member that is movable relative to the second rail, During the process in which the handle is moved so as to be switched from the first state to the second state, the handle is configured to drive and move the actuating member and further move the locking member so as not to be blocked by the blocking portion, in order to enable the second rail to move in the opening direction from the retracted position. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2.

4. Further includes a driving member that is movable relative to the second rail, During the process in which the handle is moved so as to be switched from the first state to the second state, the handle is configured to drive and move the actuating member, The actuating member is configured to further drive the locking member so as to move via the driving member, whereby the locking member is not blocked by the blocking portion in order to enable the second rail to move in the opening direction from the retracted position. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3.

5. Further includes a gear rack that is movable relative to the second rail, and the handle is configured with a gear structure, During the process in which the handle is moved so as to be switched from the first state to the second state, the handle is configured to drive the actuating member so as to move via the gear structure that meshes with the gear rack, The actuating member is configured to further drive the locking member so as to move via the driving member, whereby the locking member is not blocked by the blocking portion in order to enable the second rail to move in the opening direction from the retracted position. The slide rail assembly according to claim 4.

6. When the second rail is moved so as to return from the predetermined extended position to the retracted position in the retracting direction, the auxiliary member is configured to abut against the first rail again so as to move and return from the second auxiliary position to the first auxiliary position relative to the second rail. As a result, the elastic feature portion is configured to accumulate the predetermined elastic force, the auxiliary member is disengaged from the handle, and the handle is configured to return from the second state to the first state in response to the elastic force of the elastic member. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, wherein the locking member is configured to be blocked again by the blocking portion in order to prevent the second rail from moving from the retracted position.

7. The handle is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft member. The second rail has outer and inner surfaces on opposite sides of each other, and the outer surface of the second rail faces the first rail. The handle has a first end, a second end, and an operation section connected between the first end and the second end. The shaft member is disposed adjacent to the first end. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the handle is in the second state, the operation section of the handle extends beyond the inner surface of the second rail by a predetermined distance.

8. The shaft member is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the moving direction of the second rail with respect to the first rail. When the handle is in the first state, the handle is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the height direction of the second rail. When the handle is in the second state, the handle is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction of the second rail. The slide rail assembly according to claim 7, wherein the moving direction of the second rail with respect to the first rail, the height direction of the second rail, and the transverse direction of the second rail are perpendicular to each other.

9. Furthermore, a third rail movably attached between the first rail and the second rail is provided. The third rail is configured with a blocking feature portion. The blocking feature portion has a first blocking wall and a second blocking wall on opposite sides of each other. The slide rail assembly further includes a first working member, a second working member, and an operating member movably attached to the second rail. The first working member and the second working member are configured to be in one of a first working state and a second working state. The operating member is configured to drive and move the second working member. During the process in which the handle is moved to switch from the first state to the second state, in order to drive the second working member to move so as to switch from the first working state to the second working state, the driving member is driven to move, and further drive the operating member to move from the first operating position to the second operating position. When the third rail is in a predetermined open position relative to the first rail and the second rail is moved to the fully extended position in the opening direction relative to the third rail, the first working member in the first working state and the first blocking wall of the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from further moving in the opening direction from the fully extended position. The second working member in the second working state and the second blocking wall of the blocking feature are configured not to block each other to allow the second rail to move in the retracting direction from the fully extended position. The slide rail assembly according to claim 4.

10. When the second rail is in the fully extended position relative to the third rail and a force is applied to the auxiliary member to move the auxiliary member reversely from the second auxiliary position to the first auxiliary position, the auxiliary member does not engage with the handle, whereby the handle is configured to return from the second state to the first state in response to the elastic force of the elastic member. The driving member is configured to drive the operating member to move and return from the second operating position to the first operating position in response to the elastic force of the elastic member, enabling the second working member to move to switch from the second working state to the first working state. The second working member in the first working state and the second blocking wall of the blocking feature are configured to block each other to prevent the second rail from moving in the retracting direction from the fully extended position. The slide rail assembly further includes at least one auxiliary elastic portion, and the first working member and the second working member are configured to be held in the first working state in response to the elastic force of at least one of the auxiliary elastic portions. The slide rail assembly according to claim 9.

Images