Support Assembly

Abstract

To provide a support bracket improved for mounting slide rails on a rack.SOLUTION: Provided is a support assembly 20 adapted for a rack 22, comprising a support bracket 26, a plurality of slide rails, a plurality of movable rails and a plurality of support rails. The support bracket 26 mounted on the rack 22, comprises a prescribed first end part 26a and a prescribed second end part 26b. The plurality of slide rails is detachably mounted on the support bracket 26. The plurality of support rails is movably mounted on the plurality of movable rails, respectively. The plurality of slide rails each comprises a first end part 28a, a second end part 28b, and an intermediate part 28c located between the first end part 28a and the second end part 28b. The prescribed first end part 26a of the support bracket 26 projects from the first end part 28a of each of the plurality of slide rails along a longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a support assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 . [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly for attaching multiple slide rails to a rack system. The rack system includes at least four posts arranged at different corners to form a rack frame having a front, rear, top, bottom, and two sides. Each of the posts includes multiple openings. The connector assembly includes two front connectors and two rear connectors. Each of the two front connectors and the two rear connectors includes a base plate extending from the top of the rack frame to the bottom of the rack frame and configured to be fixed to the multiple slide rails. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,924,611 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 1,157,6277 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 11,895,800

[0004] However, to meet various demands, it has become an important challenge to provide an alternative solution for easily mounting multiple slide rails to a rack. Summary of the Invention

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support assembly including a support bracket for mounting a plurality of slide rails to a rack.

[0006] This is achieved by a support assembly according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements.

[0007] As will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, the support assembly of the present invention is adapted for a rack and includes a support bracket, a plurality of slide rails, a first movable rail, a second movable rail, a first support rail, and a second support rail. The support bracket is configured to be attached to the rack. The support bracket has a first predetermined end and a second predetermined end longitudinally opposite the first predetermined end. The plurality of slide rails are configured to be removably attached to the support bracket and include a first slide rail and a second slide rail. Each of the plurality of slide rails includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The second end is longitudinally opposite the first end. The intermediate portion is longitudinally located between the first end and the second end. The first movable rail is movably attached to the first slide rail. The second movable rail is movably attached to the second slide rail. The first support rail is movably attached to the first movable rail. The second support rail is movably attached to the second movable rail. One of the first support rail and the second support rail is configured to support a transported object, and a first predetermined end of a support bracket protrudes from the first end of each of the plurality of slide rails along the longitudinal direction.

[0008] These and other objects of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill 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]

[0009] The invention will now be further explained, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a partial view of a support assembly with a support bracket attached to a rack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial view of a support assembly with a support bracket attached to a rack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of a support assembly with the first slide rail removed from the support bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a support assembly with different positions of the first slide rail relative to the support bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a support assembly with the first slide rail positioned in different positions relative to the support bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a support assembly with a first slide rail attached to a support bracket, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "rear," and the like are used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. Components of the present invention can be positioned in many different orientations. As such, the directional terms are used for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as limiting. Furthermore, unless specified, the term "connected" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Thus, when a first device is connected to a second device, the connection may be via a direct mechanical connection or via an indirect mechanical connection via other devices and connections.

[0011] 1, the support assembly 20 is adapted for a rack 22. In this embodiment, by way of example, the rack 22 includes at least one post, the at least one post including a first post 24a and a second post 24b. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0012] The support assembly 20 includes a support bracket 26 and a plurality of slide rails. In this embodiment, as an example, the plurality of slide rails includes at least a first slide rail 28 and a second slide rail 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in other embodiments, the plurality of slide rails may include more slide rails. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, as an example, the longitudinal direction is defined by the length direction of the slide rails, e.g., the first slide rail 28 or the second slide rail 30, and may be parallel to the X-axis. The lateral direction is defined by the lateral or width direction of the slide rails and is parallel to the Y-axis. The vertical direction is defined by the height direction of the slide rails and is parallel to the Z-axis.

[0013] The support bracket 26 is configured to be attached to a first post 24a and a second post 24b of the rack 22. The support bracket 26 includes a first predetermined end 26a and a second predetermined end 26b that is opposite the first predetermined end 26a along the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, as an example, the first predetermined end 26a and the second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26 are the front end and the rear end of the support bracket 26, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0014] The first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30 are configured to be removably attached to the support bracket 26. The first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30 may have substantially the same structure, and the structural configuration of the first slide rail 28 and the support bracket 26 may be substantially the same as the structural configuration of the second slide rail 30 and the support bracket 26. A detailed description of the structural configuration of the first slide rail 28 and the support bracket 26 will be provided below, and a detailed description of the structural configuration of the second slide rail 30 and the support bracket 26 will be omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0015] The first slide rail 28 includes a first end 28a, a second end 28b, and an intermediate portion 28c. The first end 28a and the second end 28b are opposite each other along the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, as an example, the first end 28a and the second end 28b of the first slide rail 28 are the front end and the rear end of the first slide rail 28, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The intermediate portion 28c is connected to and located between the first end 28a and the second end 28b along the longitudinal direction.

[0016] The first predetermined end 26a of the support bracket 26 protrudes a predetermined distance K from the first end 28a of the first slide rail 28 along the longitudinal direction. The second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26 is located between the intermediate portion 28c and the second end 28b of the first slide rail 28 along the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26 is located adjacent to the first slide rail 28 so as to be located between the intermediate portion 28c of the first slide rail 28 and the second end 28b of the first slide rail 28 along the longitudinal direction.

[0017] The second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26 is preferably located a predetermined longitudinal distance away from the first predetermined end 26a of the support bracket 26 so that the second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26 is located adjacent to the second end 28b of the first slide rail 28.

[0018] 2 and 3, the support bracket 26 includes a main body 32 connected longitudinally between a first predetermined end 26a and a second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26. The support bracket 26 includes a first predetermined side La and a second predetermined side Lb laterally opposite the first predetermined side La. The first predetermined side La is located adjacent to or facing the rack 22.

[0019] Preferably, at least one first mounting portion 34 is disposed on the main body 32 of the support bracket 26 and is configured to be attached to at least one first corresponding portion 36 of the rack 22. As shown in Fig. 3, as an example, in this embodiment, the first corresponding portion 36 is a first corresponding hole, and the first mounting portion 34 extends from the second predetermined side Lb to the first predetermined side La. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0020] Preferably, at least one second mounting portion 38 is disposed on the main body 32 of the support bracket 26 and is configured to be attached to at least one second corresponding portion 40 of the rack 22. As shown in Fig. 3, by way of example, in this embodiment, the second corresponding portion 40 is a second corresponding hole, and the second mounting portion 38 extends from the second predetermined side Lb to the first predetermined side La. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first mounting portion 34 and the second mounting portion 38 may have substantially the same structure, and the first mounting portion 34 and the second mounting portion 38 are preferably located adjacent to the first predetermined end 26 a and the second predetermined end 26 b of the support bracket 26, respectively. In this embodiment, as an example, the first mounting portion 34 and the second mounting portion 38 are each a protrusion including a first section 42 connected laterally to the main body portion 32 and a second section 44 bent relative to the first section 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first section 42 and the second section 44 of the first mounting portion 34 are perpendicular to each other so that they can cooperatively engage with the edge 36 a of the first counterpart 36 to restrict lateral movement of the support bracket 26 relative to the rack 22.

[0022] Preferably, the support assembly 20 further includes a first connecting member 46 configured to secure the support bracket 26 to the rack 22. For example, the first connecting member 46 may be a screw member, a bolt member, or any other fastening member. Furthermore, the first connecting member 46 is configured to pass through the body portion 32 of the support bracket 26 and thereby be fixedly attached to a third corresponding portion 47 on the rack 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the third corresponding portion 47 is a third corresponding hole.

[0023] 4, a plurality of mounting structures 48 are further disposed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 32 of the support bracket 26 and are located between the first mounting portion 34 and the second mounting portion 38. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first slide rail 28 or the second slide rail 30 is configured to be attached to the plurality of mounting structures 48 so as to be adjacent to the second predetermined side Lb of the support bracket 26.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 , the multiple mounting structures 48 are multiple keyhole structures, and at least one auxiliary member 50 is disposed on the first slide rail 28 or the second slide rail 30 and configured to be attached to the multiple keyhole structures. For example, each of the multiple mounting structures 48 includes a first predetermined hole 52 and a second predetermined hole 54 that communicates with the first predetermined hole 52 and extends along the longitudinal direction, and the first predetermined hole 52 is larger in size than the second predetermined hole 54. Specifically, the multiple auxiliary members 50 are disposed on the first slide rail 28, and each of the multiple auxiliary members 50 includes a main body 56 connected to the first slide rail 28 and a head portion 58 extending from the main body 56, and the head portion 58 is larger in size than the main body 56. In addition, the head portion 58 is smaller in size than the first predetermined hole 52 and larger in size than the second predetermined hole 54.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 , when it is desired to attach the first slide rail 28 to the support bracket 26, the main body 56 of the auxiliary member 50 can be moved to pass through the first predetermined hole 52 of the mounting structure 48. After moving the main body 56 of the auxiliary member 50 to pass through the first predetermined hole 52 of the mounting structure 48, the user applies force to the first slide rail 28 along the first predetermined direction D1 to drive the first slide rail 28 along the first predetermined direction D1 from the first mounting position M1 to the second mounting position M2, moving the head 58 of the auxiliary member 50 from a position corresponding to the first predetermined hole 52 to a position corresponding to the second predetermined hole 54, thereby restricting lateral movement of the first slide rail 28 relative to the support bracket 26 by the head 58 of the auxiliary member 50 abutting against the wall of the second predetermined hole 54 in the lateral direction.

[0026] Furthermore, if the user wishes to remove the first slide rail 28 from the support bracket 26, the user can apply force to the first slide rail 28 along a second predetermined direction D2 opposite to the first predetermined direction D1 to drive the first slide rail 28 from the second mounting position M2 to the first mounting position M1 along the second predetermined direction D2, and pull out the head 58 of the auxiliary member 50 from the first predetermined hole portion 52 of the mounting structure 48, thereby removing the first slide rail 28 from the support bracket 26.

[0027] The support assembly 20 preferably further includes a second connecting member 60. As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the second connecting member 60 is configured to secure the first slide rail 28 to the support bracket 26 after the first slide rail 28 is moved to the second mounting position M2, i.e., after the head 58 of the auxiliary member 50 abuts against the wall of the second predetermined hole 54 along the lateral direction. For example, the second connecting member 60 may be a screw member, a bolt member, or any other fixing member. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first slide rail 28 includes a first connecting hole 62, and the support bracket 26 includes a second connecting hole 64 configured to cooperate with the first connecting hole 62. As shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, when the first slide rail 28 is located at the second mounting position M2, the first connection hole 62 is located at a position corresponding to the second connection hole 64 so that the second connection member 60 can pass through the first connection hole 62 and the second connection hole 64 to fix the first slide rail 28 to the support bracket 26.

[0028] At least one predetermined structure is preferably disposed on one of the support bracket 26 and each of the plurality of slide rails. In this embodiment, by way of example, the plurality of predetermined structures are disposed on the first slide rail 28 or the second slide rail 30. The plurality of predetermined structures includes at least a first predetermined structure 66 and a second predetermined structure 68. The plurality of predetermined structures are disposed at intervals along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 7 , each of the plurality of predetermined structures is configured to abut against the main body portion 32 of the support bracket 26 to increase structural or support strength when the first slide rail 28 is fixed to the support bracket 26.

[0029] Each slide rail preferably includes a first side and a second side laterally opposite the first side. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the first slide rail 28 includes a first side L1 and a second side L2 laterally opposite the first side L1. The first side L1 is adjacent to the second predetermined side Lb of the support bracket 26. A passage 69 is formed in the second side L2. The first predetermined structure 66 includes a recess 70 and a protrusion 72. The recess 70 is located within the passage 69 of the second side L2. The protrusion 72 is located on the first side L1 and is configured to abut against the main body 32 of the support bracket 26.

[0030] Preferably, one of the auxiliary member 50 and the second connecting member 60 is configured to penetrate the corresponding predetermined structure from the recess toward the protrusion of the corresponding predetermined structure. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, the auxiliary member 50 is configured to penetrate the first predetermined structure 66 from the recess 70 of the first predetermined structure 66 toward the protrusion 72 of the first predetermined structure 66, protrude from the surface of the protrusion 72 of the first predetermined structure 66, and be attached to the mounting structure 48 of the support bracket 26. On the other hand, the second connecting member 60 is configured to penetrate the second predetermined structure 68 from the recess of the second predetermined structure 68 toward the protrusion of the second predetermined structure 68, and be attached to the second connecting hole 64 of the support bracket 26.

[0031] 1, the support assembly 20 preferably further includes a plurality of movable rails. In this embodiment, by way of example, the plurality of movable rails includes at least a first movable rail 74 and a second movable rail 76, which are movably mounted to the second side L2 of the first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30, respectively.

[0032] Furthermore, the first movable rail 74 is movably mounted in the passage 69 of the second side L2 of the first slide rail 28. The auxiliary member 50 is located within the recess 70. That is, the auxiliary member 50 does not protrude from the recess 70, so the auxiliary member 50 does not interfere with the first movable rail 74 when the first movable rail 74 moves within the passage 69. In addition, to prevent movement interference with the first movable rail 74, the second connecting member 60 also does not protrude from the recess. As shown in FIG. 1 , the support assembly 20 preferably further includes a first support rail 78 movably mounted to the first movable rail 74. The first slide rail 28, the first movable rail 74, and the first support rail 78 can form a first slide rail assembly with a three-section design, which can be switched between an extended state and a retracted state.

[0033] The second movable rail 76 is movably mounted in the passageway 69 on the second side L2 of the second slide rail 30. As shown in FIGURE 1, the support assembly 20 preferably further includes a second support rail 80 that is movably mounted to the second movable rail 76. The second slide rail 30, the second movable rail 76, and the second support rail 80 can form a first slide rail assembly of a three-section design, switchable between an extended state and a retracted state.

[0034] Preferably, the first support rail 78 and the second support rail 80 can be used to support a holding object, such as an electronic device, a drawer, or the like.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the support bracket 26 preferably has a first predetermined height H1, and each of the plurality of slide rails, i.e., the first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30, preferably has a second predetermined height H2, the first predetermined height H1 being at least twice the second predetermined height H2.

[0036] In conclusion, the support assembly 20 has the following features:

[0037] 1) Since multiple slide rails, for example, the first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30, can be attached to the rack 22 using the same support bracket 26, the user can easily attach the first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30 to the rack 22.

[0038] 2) In contrast to the front and rear connectors of the prior art, the first and second ends 28a, 28b of the first slide rail 28, e.g., the front and rear ends of the first slide rail 28, can be easily attached to the first and second posts 24a, 24b by the first and second mounting portions 34, 38 of the support bracket 26, which have a first predetermined end 26a that protrudes longitudinally from the first end 28a of the first slide rail 28 and a second predetermined end 26b of the support bracket 26 that is located longitudinally between the intermediate portion 28c and the second end 28b of the first slide rail 28.

[0039] 3) The auxiliary member 50 is located within the recess 70. In other words, the auxiliary member 50 does not protrude from the recess 70, and therefore the auxiliary member 50 does not interfere with the first movable rail 74 when the first movable rail 74 moves within the passage 69.

[0040] 4) When it is desired to install the first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30 on the rack 22, the user can install the support bracket 26 on the rack 22 before or after installing the first slide rail 28 and the second slide rail 30 on the support bracket 26 according to actual requirements.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the apparatus and method while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A support assembly adapted for a rack, the support assembly comprising: a support bracket configured to be attached to the rack, the support bracket including a first predetermined end and a second predetermined end longitudinally opposite the first predetermined end; a plurality of slide rails configured to be removably attached to the support bracket, the slide rails including a first slide rail and a second slide rail, each of the plurality of slide rails including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the second end being opposite the first end along the longitudinal direction, and the intermediate portion being located between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal direction; a first movable rail movably attached to the first slide rail; a second movable rail movably attached to the second slide rail; a first support rail movably attached to the first movable rail; a second support rail movably attached to the second movable rail; Including, one of the first support rail and the second support rail is configured to support a transported object; a first predetermined end of the support bracket protruding from a first end of each of the plurality of slide rails along the longitudinal direction; the support bracket further includes a main body portion connected between the first predetermined end and the second predetermined end along the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of mounting structures are disposed on the main body portion; a plurality of predetermined structures are disposed on each of the plurality of slide rails, the plurality of predetermined structures including a first predetermined structure and a second predetermined structure having a size different from that of the first predetermined structure; a support assembly, wherein each of the plurality of slide rails includes a plurality of auxiliary members configured to be attached to the plurality of mounting structures and a connecting member for connecting each of the plurality of slide rails to the support bracket, the plurality of auxiliary members being disposed on the first predetermined structure and the second predetermined structure, and the connecting member being disposed on the second predetermined structure.

2. The support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined end of the support bracket is located along the longitudinal direction between the intermediate portion and the second end of each of the plurality of slide rails.

3. A support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein a first mounting portion is disposed on the main body portion and configured to be attached to a first corresponding portion of the rack.

4. The support assembly of claim 3 , wherein a second mounting portion is disposed on the body portion and configured to be attached to a second corresponding portion of the rack.

5. 5. The support assembly of claim 4, wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are identical to one another, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are located adjacent to first and second predetermined ends of the support bracket, respectively, and the first mounting portion is a protrusion, the protrusion including a first section connected to the body portion and a second section bent relative to the first section, the first section and the second section being connected perpendicular to one another.

6. A support assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the multiple mounting structures are located between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion along the longitudinal direction, and the multiple slide rails are configured to be attached to the multiple mounting structures.

7. The support assembly of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of mounting structures is a keyhole structure, and each of the plurality of support members is configured to be attached to the keyhole structure.

8. A support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the first predetermined structure and the second predetermined structure are configured to abut against a main body portion of the support bracket, each of the plurality of slide rails includes a first side portion and a second side portion opposite the first side portion along the lateral direction, the first side portion being located adjacent to the support bracket, each of the first predetermined structure and the second predetermined structure including a recess and a protrusion portion, the recess and the protrusion portion being located on the second side portion and the first side portion, respectively, of each of the plurality of slide rails, and the protrusion portion being configured to abut against a main body portion of the support bracket.

9. 9. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the support bracket has a first predetermined height and each of the plurality of slide rails has a second predetermined height, the first predetermined height being at least twice the second predetermined height.

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