Slide rail mechanism and slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail mechanism and a slide rail assembly including an improved configuration for releasing lock between a plurality of rails.SOLUTION: A slide rail mechanism 20 includes: a first slide rail assembly 22; a second slide rail assembly 24; and a lock releasing handle 26. Each slide rail assembly is constituted of a first rail 28, a second rail 30 and a lock member. The first rail and the second rail are movable relative to each other. The lock member is configured to lock the second rail to the first rail in a predetermined position R. The lock releasing handle is fitted so as to be movable between the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly. The lock releasing handle is configured to drive and move the lock member to release the lock of the second rail to the first rail in the predetermined position R when the lock releasing handle is moved to a second position P2 from a first position P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail mechanism having an unlocking handle. [Background technology]

[0002] International Publication WO 2021 / 146355 discloses a rotary bar for operating a latch on a drawer slide. The drawer slide includes an outer member (such as an outer rail) and an inner member (such as an inner rail) that are movable relative to each other. A release lever is pivotally attached to the inner member, and the release lever has a tab for engaging a predetermined catch on the outer member, so that the inner member is held in a certain position relative to the outer member. An arm is connected to the end of the rotary bar, and the arm is arranged to engage with the release lever. With this arrangement, when a user applies force to the rotary bar, the rotary bar drives the arm to unlock the tab of the release lever from the catch on the outer member.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 10,004,331 discloses a drawer release mechanism consisting of a handle extrusion. The handle extrusion has a first pin (or a second pin) on its side that engages with a lever. The lever is pivotally attached to the inner rail. When a user applies force to the handle extrusion, the handle extrusion is configured to drive the first pin to move the lever, unlocking the inner rail from the outer rail.

[0004] The rotating bar and the handle pressure unit disclosed in each of the aforementioned two patent documents are configured to rotate when a user applies force. However, even when the rotating bar and the handle pressure unit rotate relative to the slide rail (or drawer), their heights do not change. In addition, the rotating bar is engaged with a release lever. Similarly, the handle pressure unit is engaged with a lever via a first pin. Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, to meet the diverse needs of the market, it may not be desirable to unlock the rail in the arrangement disclosed in the aforementioned patent document, and therefore it is important to develop a variety of products.

[0006] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism having an unlocking handle and a slide rail assembly thereof.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail mechanism comprises a first slide rail assembly and a second slide rail assembly, each of which includes a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to each other and a locking member configured to lock the second rail relative to the first rail at a predetermined position; and an unlocking handle movably mounted between the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly; and when the unlocking handle is moved from a first position to a second position, the unlocking handle is configured to drive and move the locking member to unlock the second rail relative to the first rail at a predetermined position.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a locking member configured to lock the second rail relative to the first rail in a retracted position; and an unlocking handle movable relative to the second rail; and when the unlocking handle is moved from the first position to the second position, the unlocking handle is configured to actuate and move the locking member to unlock the second rail relative to the first rail in the retracted position, thereby allowing the second rail to be moved away from the retracted position.

[0009] These and other objects of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a view showing the slide rail assembly of the slide rail mechanism in a retracted state with the lock release handle located at a first position according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the slide rail mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a view showing the slide rail mechanism with the lock release handle in a second position according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the slide rail assembly is locked in place relative to the first rail with the lock release handle in a first position. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the slide rail assembly is locked in a predetermined position relative to the first rail with the lock release handle operated. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a view showing the unlocking handle in a second position for unlocking the second rail relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a view showing a slide rail assembly of a slide rail mechanism in an extended state according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a view showing the slide rail mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with the lock release handle in the first position. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view showing the slide rail mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with the lock release handle in a second position. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a view showing a slide rail assembly of a slide rail mechanism in a retracted state according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail mechanism 20 includes a first slide rail assembly 22, a second slide rail assembly 24, and a lock release handle 26. The first slide rail assembly 22 and the second slide rail assembly 24 have substantially the same structural configuration. Each of the slide rail assemblies 22 and 24 includes a first rail 28 and a second rail 30. The first rail 28 and the second rail 30 are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the second rail 30 may be in a predetermined position R (such as a retracted position, but the present invention is not limited to this) relative to the first rail 28. In this 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).

[0012] Preferably, first rail 28 is configured to be secured to a rack or cabinet (not shown) and second rail 30 is configured to carry an item (not shown).

[0013] Preferably, each of the slide rail assemblies 22, 24 further includes a third rail 32 that is movably mounted between the first rail 28 and the second rail 30 and configured to extend the opening travel distance of the second rail 30 relative to the first rail 28.

[0014] The unlocking handle 26 is movably attached between the first slide rail assembly 22 and the second slide rail assembly 24. For example, the unlocking handle 26 is movable from a first position P1 (shown in FIG. 1 ) to a second position P2 (shown in FIG. 3 ). In the present embodiment, the unlocking handle 26 is movably attached between the second rail 30 of the first slide rail assembly 22 and the second rail 30 of the second slide rail assembly 24, and the unlocking handle 26 is movable relative to the second rail 30 of the first slide rail assembly 22 and the second rail 30 of the second slide rail assembly 24.

[0015] Preferably, each of the second rails 30 has a front portion 30a and a rear portion 30b. The unlocking handle 26 is disposed adjacent to the front portion 30a of each of the two second rails 30.

[0016] Preferably, the unlocking handle 26 includes two working members (such as a first working member 34 and a second working member 36) and a connecting rod 38. The two working members 34, 36 have substantially the same structural configuration. The connecting rod 38 is disposed between the two working members 34, 36. The two working members 34, 36 are rotatably connected to the second rail 30 of the first slide rail assembly 22 and the second rail 30 of the second slide rail assembly 24, respectively. For example, a user may apply force K in a predetermined direction (e.g., upward) to the connecting rod 38 of the unlocking handle 26 so that the two working members 34, 36 of the unlocking handle 26 rotate to move from a first position P1 (shown in FIG. 1 ) to a second position P2 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

[0017] Preferably, when the unlock handle 26 is in the first position P1, the connecting rod 38 of the unlock handle 26 is at a first height H1 relative to each of the slide rail assemblies 22, 24 (shown in FIG. 1). When the unlock handle 26 is in the second position P2, the connecting rod 38 of the unlock handle 26 is at a second height H2 relative to each of the slide rail assemblies 22, 24 (shown in FIG. 3). The second height H2 is different from the first height H1. For example, the second height H2 is higher (larger) than the first height H1. In other words, when the unlock handle 26 is operated, the connecting rod 38 of the unlock handle 26 is moved to a different height relative to each of the slide rail assemblies 22, 24.

[0018] Preferably, each work member 34, 36 (e.g., first work member 34) includes a first portion 40 and a second portion 42 (shown in FIG. 2). A predetermined distance M is defined between the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 (shown in FIG. 1). The first portion 40 is pivotally connected to the second rail 30 via a connecting member 44. A connecting rod 38 is connected to the second portion 42.

[0019] Preferably, unlocking handle 26 is detachably connected between second rail 30 of first slide rail assembly 22 and second rail 30 of second slide rail assembly 24. For example, connecting member 44 may be a screw, a bolt, or the like, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, unlocking handle 26 may be detachably connected between second rail 30 of first slide rail assembly 22 and second rail 30 of second slide rail assembly 24 via connecting member 44.

[0020] Preferably, each of the work members 34, 36 (such as the first work member 34) is arranged with a first limiting feature 46, and each of the second rails 30 (such as the second rail 30 of the first slide rail assembly 22) is arranged with a second limiting feature 48. The two work members 34, 36 are configured to rotate within a limited range due to the interaction between the first limiting feature 46 and the second limiting feature 48. For example, one of the first limiting feature 46 and the second limiting feature 48 is an arc hole (or arc slot), and the other of the first limiting feature 46 and the second limiting feature 48 is a protrusion extending into a portion of the arc hole (or arc slot), although the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the slide rail assemblies (first slide rail assembly 22 and second slide rail assembly 24) further includes a locking member 31 configured to lock the second rail 30 relative to the first rail 28 at a predetermined position R.

[0022] Preferably, the locking member 31 is configured to block one end S of the blocking structure 50 of the first rail 28. In this embodiment, the blocking structure 50 is a protruding structure. However, in other alternative embodiments, the blocking structure 50 may be a recessed (or hole) structure. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the locking member 31 is movably attached to the second rail 30. For example, the locking member 31 is pivotally connected to the second rail 30 via a shaft member 52.

[0023] Preferably, each of the slide rail assemblies (first slide rail assembly 22 and second slide rail assembly 24) further includes an elastic member 54 attached to second rail 30. Elastic member 54 includes an elastic portion 56 configured to apply an elastic force to locking member 31, so that locking member 31 can be held in a state in which it blocks blocking structure 50 of first rail 28.

[0024] Preferably, each of the slide rail assemblies 22, 24 further includes an operating member 58 movably attached to the second rail 30. For example, the operating member 58 is movable linearly relative to the second rail 30. The linear movement direction of the operating member 58 is the same as the movement direction (e.g., the longitudinal direction) of the second rail 30.

[0025] 4, 5, and 6, when the unlocking handle 26 is moved from the first position P1 (the position shown in FIG. 4) to the second position P2 (the position shown in FIG. 6), the unlocking handle 26 is configured to drive and move the locking member 31 to unlock the second rail 30 from the first rail 28 at a predetermined position R (the position shown in FIG. 6). This allows the second rail 30 to move away from the predetermined position R.

[0026] Furthermore, when a user applies force K to the unlock handle 26, each of the working members 34, 36 (such as the second working member 36) of the unlock handle 26 is rotated and moved by the force K from a first position P1 (the state shown in FIG. 4 ) to a second position P2 (the state shown in FIG. 6 ). As a result, each of the working members 34, 36 (such as the second working member 36) is configured to drive the lock member 31 to move via the operating member 58 to unlock the second rail 30 from the first rail 28 at a predetermined position R. For example, when a user applies force K to the connecting rod 38 of the unlock handle 26, the two working members 34, 36 of the unlock handle 26 are rotated around the connecting member 44 as a rotation axis to move from the first position P1 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 1 ) to the second position P2 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 3 ). As a result, each of the two working members 34, 36 generates a driving force F that drives the operating member 58 to move linearly. The first feature 60 of the operating member 58 is configured to come into contact with the second feature 62 of the locking member 31 (e.g., contact between two inclined portions, or contact between an inclined portion and a circular arc portion, or contact between two circular arc portions, as shown in FIG. 5 ). As a result, the operating member 58 can easily drive the locking member 31 to angularly deflect so that the second rail 30 can move relative to the first rail 28 in direction D (e.g., the opening direction) to disengage the locking member 31 from the end S of the blocking structure 50 of the first rail 28 (as shown in FIG. 6 ). Furthermore, when the locking member 31 is angularly deflected, the elastic portion 56 of the elastic member 54 elastically bends and stores elastic force (as shown in FIG. 6 ), causing the second feature 62 of the locking member 31 to move toward the hole 64 of the second rail 30. Furthermore, when the locking member 31 is driven to angularly deflect, the shoulder 66 of the locking member 31 is configured to abut against the limiting portion 68 of the second rail 24 (as shown in FIG. 6 ).

[0027] Furthermore, in other alternative embodiments, the operating member 58 may be omitted. Furthermore, when the unlocking handle 26 is operated to move from the first position P1 to the second position P2, each of the working members 34, 36 (such as the second working member 36) may directly drive and move the locking member 31 to unlock the second rail 30 from the first rail 28 at the predetermined position R.

[0028] Therefore, the user only needs to apply force K with one hand to the connecting rod 38 of the unlocking handle 26 to move the unlocking handle 26 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, thereby unlocking the second rail 30 at the predetermined position R relative to the first rail 28 of the two opposing slide rail assemblies 22, 24. This eliminates the need for operation with both hands, making it convenient for the user. Furthermore, because the predetermined distance M of each working member 34, 36 (such as the first working member 34) can be considered the length of a moment arm, a labor-saving effect can be achieved when the user applies force K to the connecting rod 38 of the unlocking handle 26 to drive and move the locking member 31.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, when the locking member 31 is disengaged from the blocking structure 50 of the first rail 28, the second rail 30 is movable away from the predetermined position R relative to the first rail 28. This allows both the second rail 30 and the third rail 32 to move relative to the first rail 28 in the direction D, thereby placing each slide rail assemblies 22, 24 in an extended state. When the user stops applying force K to the connecting rod 38 of the unlocking handle 26, the two working members 34, 36 of the unlocking handle 26 return from the second position P2 (see Figure 3) to the first position P1 (shown in Figure 7).

[0030] 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a slide rail mechanism 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the lock release handle 26 of the slide rail mechanism 20 is moved by rotating the working member 34. The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the lock release handle 202 of the slide rail mechanism 200 of the second embodiment is movable linearly (or in the longitudinal direction) from a first position P1' (the state shown in FIG. 8) to a second position P2' (the state shown in FIG. 9).

[0031] Furthermore, one of the second rail 204 and the unlocking handle 202 of each slide rail assembly (first slide rail assembly 203 and second slide rail assembly 205) includes a first predetermined feature 206 (such as a longitudinal groove or a longitudinal hole). The other of the second rail 204 and the unlocking handle 202 includes a second predetermined feature 208 (such as a protrusion or an object similar to connecting member 44 that is insertable into a portion of the longitudinal groove or the longitudinal hole). Through interaction between the first predetermined feature 206 and the second predetermined feature 208, the unlocking handle 202 is linearly movable from a first position P1′ (shown in FIG. 8 ) in a linear direction L to a second position P2′ (shown in FIG. 9 ) and provides a driving force F′ that drives the operating member 210 to move the locking member 212 to disengage the locking member 212 from the blocking structure 216 of the first rail 214 (as shown in FIG. 9 ). Therefore, the second rail 204 is movable relative to the first rail 214 so as to move away from the predetermined position R'. The linear direction L is the same as the movement direction of the second rail 204. For example, the linear direction L and the movement direction of the second rail 204 are both longitudinal directions. In other words, the linear direction L is substantially parallel to the movement direction of the second rail 204. Furthermore, the configuration of the locking member 212 that locks the second rail 204 relative to the first rail 214 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. For simplicity, further illustration is omitted.

[0032] 10 is a perspective view showing a slide rail mechanism 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the lock release handle 26 of the slide rail mechanism 20 is movably attached between the second rail 30 of the first slide rail assembly 22 and the second rail 30 of the second slide rail assembly 24. The main difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the lock release handle 302 of the slide rail mechanism 300 of the third embodiment is movably attached to an article 310 to be placed on the article 310, which is attached between the second rail 306 of the first slide rail assembly 304 and the second rail 306 of the second slide rail assembly 308.

[0033] Additionally, the first rail 312 of each of the slide rail assemblies 304, 308 is securable to a rack or cabinet (not shown), and the second rail 306 of each of the slide rail assemblies 304, 308 is configured to carry an item 310. Each working member 314 includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is pivotally connected to the item 310 via a connecting member 320. The connecting member 320 may be a screw, a bolt, or the like, but the invention is not limited thereto. A connecting rod 322 is connected to the second portion of the working member 314.

[0034] With this configuration, to unlock the second rail 306 at a predetermined position R'' relative to the first rail 312 of the two opposing slide rail assemblies 304, 308, a user may apply a driving force to move (e.g., rotate or pivot) the unlock handle 302 from the first position P1'' to the second position P2''.

[0035] Furthermore, in addition to linearly movably mounting the unlocking handle 202 of the slide rail mechanism 200 of the second embodiment to the slide rail, it is also possible to mount the unlocking handle to an article to be placed that is linearly movably mounted between the second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second rail of the second slide rail assembly. With this configuration, when the unlocking handle is moved linearly from the first position to the second position relative to the second rail (or the article to be placed), the locking member may be driven and moved to unlock the second rail from the first rail at a predetermined position.

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

[0037] 1. The unlocking handle 26 (202) can be attached to the slide rail, or the unlocking handle 302 can be attached to the article 310 to be placed.

[0038] 2. The user only needs to apply force K to the unlocking handle 26, 202, 302 with one hand to move the unlocking handle 26, 202, 302 from the first position to the second position, thereby unlocking the second rail at the predetermined position R relative to the first rail of the two opposing slide rail assemblies. This is convenient for the user as it does not require both hands to operate.

[0039] 3. The predetermined distance M of each working member (such as the first working member 34) can be regarded as the length of a moment arm, so that when the user applies force K to the connecting rod 38 of the unlocking handle 26 to drive and move the locking member 31, a labor-saving effect can be achieved.

[0040] 4. The unlocking handle 26, 202 can be removably connected between the second rail 30, 204 of the first slide rail assembly 22, 203 and the second rail 30, 204 of the second slide rail assembly 24, 205 (or the unlocking handle 302 is removably attached to the loadable article 310 attached between the second rail 306 of the first slide rail assembly 304 and the second rail 306 of the second slide rail assembly 308). In other words, the user can install the unlocking handle 26, 202, 302 as required.

[0041] 5. When the second rail 30, 204, 306 is unlocked from the first rail 28, 214, 312 in a predetermined position, the user can easily move the second rail 30, 204, 306 (or the item 310 to be placed) from the predetermined position (such as the retracted position) by pulling the unlocking handle 26, 202, 302.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the above disclosure be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slide rail mechanism, a first slide rail assembly and a second slide rail assembly, each of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly including a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to one another and a locking member configured to lock the second rail relative to the first rail in a predetermined position; an unlocking handle movably attached between the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly; When the unlocking handle is moved from a first position to a second position, the unlocking handle is configured to drive and move the locking member to unlock the second rail from the first rail at the predetermined position; The unlocking handle includes two working members and a connecting rod, and the connecting rod is disposed between the two working members; further comprising two connecting members rotatably connecting the two working members to the second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second rail of the second slide rail assembly, respectively; A slide rail mechanism in which the two working members and the two connecting members are positioned so as to be exposed from the first rail in the rail movement direction regardless of the position of the second rail.

2. 2. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1, wherein the unlocking handle is movably and removably attached between the second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second rail of the second slide rail assembly.

3. 3. The slide rail mechanism of claim 2, wherein the lock release handle is movably attached to an article to be placed between the second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second rail of the second slide rail assembly.

4. When the unlocking handle is in the first position, the connecting rod of the unlocking handle is located at a first height relative to each of the first and second slide rail assemblies; 3. The slide rail mechanism of claim 2, wherein when the unlocking handle is in the second position, the connecting rod of the unlocking handle is positioned at a second height, different from the first height, relative to each of the first and second slide rail assemblies.

5. Each of the working members includes a first portion and a second portion, a predetermined distance is defined between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion is pivotally connected to the second rail via the connecting member, and the connecting rod is connected to the second portion; Each of the work members has a first limiting feature and each of the second rails has a second limiting feature; The slide rail mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the two work members are configured to rotate within a limited range due to interaction between the first limiting feature and the second limiting feature.

6. Each of the first and second slide rail assemblies further includes an operating member; When a force is applied to the connecting rod of the unlocking handle, each working member of the unlocking handle is rotated from the first position to the second position to drive the locking member to move via the operating member; The slide rail mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the operating member is linearly movable relative to the second rail.

7. A slide rail mechanism, a first slide rail assembly and a second slide rail assembly, each of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly including a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to one another and a locking member configured to lock the second rail relative to the first rail in a predetermined position; an unlocking handle movably attached between the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly; When the unlocking handle is moved from a first position to a second position, the unlocking handle is configured to drive and move the locking member to unlock the second rail from the first rail at the predetermined position; The slide rail mechanism, wherein the unlocking handle is configured to move linearly from the first position to the second position.

8. A first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a locking member configured to lock the second rail relative to the first rail in a retracted position; an unlocking handle is used that is movable relative to the second rail; when the unlocking handle is moved from a first position to a second position, the unlocking handle is configured to drive and move the locking member to unlock the second rail relative to the first rail in the retracted position, thereby allowing the second rail to move away from the retracted position; The unlocking handle includes a working member and a connecting rod, the connecting rod being disposed on the working member; a connection area disposed on the second rail and configured to pivotally support a connection member and rotatably connect the working member to the second rail via the connection member; The slide rail assembly, wherein the working member and the connecting member are positioned so as to be exposed in a rail movement direction from the first rail regardless of the position of the second rail.

9. the work member has a first limiting feature and the second rail has a second limiting feature; the work member is configured to rotate within a limited range by interaction between the first limiting feature and the second limiting feature; When the unlocking handle is in the first position, the connecting rod of the unlocking handle is located at a first height relative to the slide rail assembly; 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein when the unlocking handle is in the second position, the connecting rod of the unlocking handle is located at a second height relative to the slide rail assembly that is different from the first height.

10. the working member includes a first portion and a second portion, a predetermined distance is defined between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion is pivotally connected to the second rail via the connecting member, and the connecting rod is connected to the second portion; The slide rail assembly further includes an operating member; When a force is applied to the connecting rod of the unlocking handle, the working member of the unlocking handle is rotated from the first position to the second position to drive the locking member to move via the operating member; The slide rail assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the operating member is linearly movable relative to the second rail.

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