Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly having a handle to facilitate a user to operate and move a slide rail.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24 and a handle 26. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail. The handle is pivotally connected to the second rail through a shaft member 30 and movable to switch between a first state S1 and a second state S2. The shaft member is arranged in a direction substantially identical to a moving direction D1 of the second rail relative to the first rail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly having a handle that facilitates a user's manipulation and movement of the slide rail. [Background technology]

[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 longitudinally movable relative to each other. The blocking member is coupled to the first rail. The operating member can be in a predetermined state relative to the second rail. When the second rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail, the operating member is in a predetermined state and is blocked by the blocking member, preventing the second rail from being displaced in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position. When the operating member is not in a predetermined state, i.e., not blocked by the blocking member, the second rail can be displaced in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position. The operating member is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft. The shaft is arranged in substantially the same direction as the lateral (or transverse) direction of the second rail. Thus, when the operating member is operated by a user, the operating member rotates and moves in the height direction of the second rail. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly having a handle that allows a user to easily manipulate 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 that is movable relative to the first rail; and a handle that is pivotally connected to the second rail via an axle member and is movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the axle member is oriented in substantially the same direction as the movement direction of the second rail relative to the first rail.

[0006] 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; and a handle movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the second rail has opposite outer and inner surfaces, the outer surface being adjacent to and facing the first rail; the handle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an operating section connected between the first and second end portions, and when the handle is in the second state, the operating section of the handle extends beyond the inner surface of the second rail by a predetermined distance.

[0007] 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]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a view showing a slide rail assembly having a handle in a first state according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a view showing the slide rail assembly with the handle in a second state according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, with the handle in a first state and the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 3. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 illustrates the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly, with the handle in a second state configured to unlock the second rail from the first rail, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the handle is in the second state and the second rail is moved in the opening direction to an extended position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 5A] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 5. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the handle is in the second state and the second rail is moved in the retracted direction from the extended position to the retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 7] 1 is a view showing a slide rail assembly attached to a rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a view showing a slide rail assembly with a handle in a first state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view showing a slide rail assembly with a handle in a second state according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing a handle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a view showing the second embodiment of the present invention, with the handle in the first state and the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 illustrates a second rail in a retracted position relative to a first rail of a slide rail assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the handle in a second state configured to unlock the second rail from the first rail. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 illustrates a second rail of a slide rail assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention, further configured with a working member, a locking member in a locked state, and a resilient feature configured to cooperate with the working member. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a view showing the second rail in a retracted position relative to the first rail of the slide rail assembly, with the locking member in a locked state, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a view showing the locking member on the second rail of the slide rail assembly in the unlocked state according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, and a handle 26 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, slide rail assembly 20 further includes a third rail 28, which is movably mounted between first rail 22 and second rail 24. In Figures 1 and 2, second rail 24 is in a retracted position R relative to first rail 22. Second rail 24 is movable longitudinally relative to first rail 22. In the figures, the X axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length or movement direction of the slide rail), the Y axis is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z axis is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail).

[0010] The handle 26 is movable relative to the second rail 24. More specifically, the handle 26 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24 via a shaft member 30 so as to be movable between a first state S1 (shown in FIG. 1 ) and a second state S2 (shown in FIG. 2 ). The shaft member 30 is disposed in a direction substantially identical to the direction of movement of the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22. In other words, the shaft member 30 is disposed in a direction substantially identical to the length direction (or longitudinal direction or X-axis direction) of the second rail 24. Furthermore, when the handle 26 is in the second state S2, a user can apply a force F to the handle 26 in the opening direction D1 (for example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the user can easily hold the handle 26 in the second state S2 and apply the force F), thereby easily pulling the second rail 24 in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22.

[0011] Preferably, when the handle 26 is in the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 1), the handle 26 is arranged in a direction that is substantially the same as the height direction (or Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24.

[0012] Preferably, when the handle 26 is in the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 2), the handle 26 is oriented in substantially the same direction as the transverse direction (or Y-axis direction) of the second rail 24.

[0013] Preferably, the direction of movement of second rail 24 relative to first rail 22, the height direction of second rail 24, and the transverse direction of second rail 24 are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] Preferably, the second rail 24 has an outer surface L1 and an inner surface L2 that are opposite each other. The outer surface L1 is adjacent to and faces the first rail 22 (or the third rail 28). Furthermore, the first rail 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b that are opposite each other, such as a front end and a rear end. Similarly, the second rail 24 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b that are opposite each other, such as a front end and a rear end.

[0015] 3 and 4, first rail 22 is configured with a bracket 25. Bracket 25 is connected (e.g., fixedly connected) to first rail 22 so as to be seen as part of first rail 22. Preferably, first rail 22 includes a blocking portion 19. Blocking portion 19 is disposed on one of first rail 22 and bracket 25. In this embodiment, blocking portion 19 is disposed on extension component 17 of bracket 25 and adjacent to first end 22a of first rail 22.

[0016] The handle 26 is rotatable via a pivot member 30 between a first state S1 (shown in FIG. 3 ) and a second state S2 (shown in FIG. 4 ). The handle 26 includes a first end portion 26a, a second end portion 26b, and an operating section 26c connected between the first end portion 26a and the second end portion 26b (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A ). The pivot member 30 is adjacent to the first end portion 26a of the handle 26. The handle 26 is pivotally connected to a connection component 32 on the second rail 24 via the pivot member 30. The connection component 32 is connected (e.g., fixedly connected) to the second rail 24 so as to be seen as part of the second rail 24. When the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the operating section 26c of the handle 26 is configured to be held by a user to pull the second rail 24 from the retracted position R in an opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 (see also FIGS. 4 and 2 ).

[0017] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 33 (shown in FIG. 3A). The handle 26 is configured to be held in the first state S1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 33. The elastic member 33 may be an elastic member such as a torsion spring, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The elastic member 33 includes a first elastic section 33a, a second elastic section 33b (shown in FIG. 4A), and an intermediate section 33c (shown in FIG. 3A) connected between the first elastic section 33a and the second elastic section 33b. The intermediate section 33c is disposed on the main body of the shaft member 30. The first elastic section 33a is configured to abut against the handle 26, and the second elastic section 33b is configured to abut against the connection component 32 on the second rail 24. Alternatively, the second elastic section 33b is configured to abut against the handle 26, and the first elastic section 33a is configured to abut against the connection component 32 on the second rail 24.

[0018] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a locking member 34 movably mounted on the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the locking member 34 is pivotally connected to the connection component 32 on the second rail 24 via an auxiliary shaft 36. In other words, the locking member 34 is pivotally connected to the second rail 24. The auxiliary shaft 36 is disposed in a direction substantially identical to the transverse direction (or Y-axis direction) of the second rail 24. When the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22, the locking portion 38 of the locking member 34 is configured to be blocked by the blocking portion 19 (shown in FIG. 3 ) to prevent the second rail 24 from being moved from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22.

[0019] Preferably, handle 26 includes a support feature 40. Support feature 40 has a guide portion (such as an inclined surface or an arcuate surface). Handle 26 is configured to support locking member 34 via support feature 40 to hold locking member 38 so as to be blocked by blocking portion 19 when second rail 24 is in retracted position R relative to first rail 22 and handle 26 is in first state S1 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

[0020] Preferably, handle 26 further includes a guide feature 42. Guide feature 42 has an inclined or arcuate surface. Guide feature 42 and support feature 40 together define a predetermined space K configured to accommodate extension portion 44 of locking member 34, such that extension portion 44 can be supported by support feature 40 of handle 26. Auxiliary shaft 36 is located between locking portion 38 and extension portion 44 (shown in FIG. 3 ).

[0021] Preferably, during the process of moving the handle 26 to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A) to the second state S2 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A), the handle 26 is configured to move the extension portion 44 of the locking member 34 via the guide feature 42 to drive the locking member 34 to rotate through a predetermined angle (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A). Furthermore, the support feature 40 of the handle 26 no longer supports the extension portion 44 of the locking member 34. This causes the locking portion 38 of the locking member 34 to be unblocked by the blocking portion 19 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A) to allow the second rail 24 to be moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22.

[0022] Preferably, the first rail 22 is configured with an auxiliary structure 46. In this embodiment, the auxiliary structure 46 is disposed on the bracket 25 of the first rail 22 and is a pin, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The auxiliary structure 46 protrudes transversely (laterally) relative to the first rail 22. The second rail 24 is configured with an auxiliary elastic member 48. The auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured with a first predetermined feature 50, and the handle 26 is configured with a second predetermined feature 52. The first predetermined feature 50 and the second predetermined feature 52 are a combination of a protrusion and a recess (or a structure having a space or a hole). In this embodiment, the first predetermined feature 50 is a fixing bolt having an extended protrusion 50a, and the second predetermined feature 52 is a structure having a hole. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the auxiliary elastic member 48 is connected to the connection component 32 on the second rail 24.

[0023] When the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 and the handle 26 is in the second state S2 (shown in Figures 4 and 4A), the auxiliary structure 46 and the auxiliary elastic member 48 abut against each other, whereby the auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured to accumulate an auxiliary elastic force f, and as shown in Figures 4 and 4A, the first predetermined feature 50 (the extension protrusion 50a of the fixing bolt) is not engaged with the second predetermined feature 52 (the hole in the structure).

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , when second rail 24 is moved a predetermined distance relative to first rail 22 from retracted position R (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A ) in opening direction D1 to extended position E (shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A ), auxiliary structure 46 and auxiliary elastic member 48 no longer abut against each other, such that first predetermined feature 50 engages with second predetermined feature 52 in response to auxiliary elastic force f released by auxiliary elastic member 48. For example, to hold handle 26 in second state S2 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A ), first predetermined feature 50 (extension protrusion 50 a of the fixing bolt) is inserted into second predetermined feature 52 (hole in the structure). In other words, elastic member 33 is configured to be held in a state in which elastic force is accumulated by mutually engaging first predetermined feature 50 with second predetermined feature 52.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one end portion of the auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured with a guide section 54 (such as an inclined surface or an arcuate surface). During the process of moving the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22 in the retracted direction D2 from the extended position E (shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A) to the retracted position R (shown in FIG. 6), the auxiliary elastic member 48 is configured to abut against the auxiliary structure 46 on the first rail 22 via the guide section 54 (see FIG. 6), driving the first predetermined feature 50 (the extension protrusion 50a of the fixing bolt) to move so as to disengage from the second predetermined feature 52 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A) to enable the handle 26 to return from the second state S2 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A) to the first state S1 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A). Preferably, the handle 26 is driven in response to the elastic force released by the elastic member 33 and moves to switch from the second state S2 to the first state S1. During the process of the handle 26 returning from the second state S2 to the first state S1, the support feature 40 of the handle 26 is configured to contact the extension portion 44 of the locking member 34 via a guide portion (such as a sloped or arcuate surface) to drive the locking member 34 to move back to the state blocked by the blocking portion 19. In this way, the second rail 24 is again locked in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A).

[0026] Furthermore, when the second rail 24 (shown in Figures 3 and 3A) is moved back to the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22, the auxiliary structure 46 and the auxiliary elastic member 48 again abut against each other, thereby causing the auxiliary elastic member 48 to again accumulate the auxiliary elastic force f.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7 , the slide rail assembly 20 is attached to a rack 56 (or a cabinet). For example, the first rail 22 is configured to be attached to at least one post (column) of the rack 56 via a bracket 25, and the second rail 24 is configured to transport an article (not shown). However, due to different structural configurations or specific requirements, a portion of the rack 56 (such as a wall 58) may block the outside of the slide rail assembly 20. Therefore, the handle 26 provided in this embodiment is configured to be moved by a user toward the inner surface of the slide rail assembly 20 (e.g., toward the inner surface L2 of the second rail 24) to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2. This allows the second rail 24 to be easily pulled out in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 without being affected by the wall 58.

[0028] Furthermore, when the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the operating section 26c of the handle 26 extends beyond the inner surface L2 of the second rail 24 by a predetermined distance M, and the user can hold the operating section 26c of the handle 26 with his or her hand and apply a force F in the opening direction D1. This allows the second rail 24 to be easily and simply pulled out from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22.

[0029] 8 to 12 show a slide rail assembly 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the slide rail assembly 200 of the second embodiment and the slide rail assembly 20 of the first embodiment essentially lies in the structural configuration of the handle 201.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the handle 201 includes a first end portion 201a, a second end portion 201b, and an operating section 201c connected between the first end portion 201a and the second end portion 201b (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9). As in the first embodiment, the handle 201 is pivotally connected to the second rail 204 via a shaft member 203, thereby allowing the handle 201 to move between a first state S1' (shown in FIG. 8) and a second state S2' (shown in FIG. 9). The handle 201 is configured with a drive unit 206 such as a protrusion (shown in FIG. 10). Also, as in the first embodiment, the first end 204a of the second rail 204 is configured with a connection component 207 (shown in FIG. 8 or 9), and the handle 201 is pivotally connected to the connection component 207 on the second rail 204 via the shaft member 203. The connection component 207 is connected (e.g., fixedly connected) to the second rail 204 so as to be seen as part of the second rail 204. The connection component 207 includes a casing 208, which houses a locking member 210 (shown in FIG. 11).

[0031] 11 and 12, the locking member 210 is movably attached to the second rail 204. In this embodiment, the locking member 210 is pivotally connected to the connection component 207 of the second rail 204 via an auxiliary shaft 212. Unlike the first embodiment, the auxiliary shaft 212 in the second embodiment is arranged in substantially the same direction as the height direction of the second rail 204 (or the Z-axis direction described above).

[0032] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 200 further includes an elastic member 214 configured to apply an elastic force to the locking member 210. For example, the elastic member 214 may be an elastic piece or another type of elastic component. The configuration and structure of the elastic member 214 are not limited. The elastic member 214 includes an elastic portion 215 configured to apply an elastic force to the locking member 210, so that the locking portion 216 of the locking member 210 can be held in a blocked state by a blocking section 219 (or a blocking wall) of a blocking portion 218 of the first rail 202 (or a bracket of the first rail 202) to prevent the second rail 204 from being moved from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 202 (shown in FIG. 11 ).

[0033] Preferably, the elastic force of the elastic member 214 can hold the lock portion 216 of the lock member 210 so as to be blocked by the blocking portion 218, and can further hold the handle 201 in the first state S1' via the drive portion 206 and the lock member 210 which abut against each other. In other words, the handle 201 is configured to be held in the first state S1' in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 214 (shown in FIG. 11).

[0034] Furthermore, when the handle 201 is moved to switch from the first state S1' (shown in FIG. 11) to the second state S2' (shown in FIG. 12), the drive portion 206 of the handle 201 is configured to drive the locking member 210 to rotate it by a predetermined angle. As a result, the locking portion 216 of the locking member 210 is no longer blocked by the blocking portion 218, allowing the second rail 204 to be moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 202 (shown in FIG. 12). Preferably, a corresponding hole 220 is formed in the second rail 204. When the locking member 210 is rotated by the predetermined angle, a portion of the locking member 210 is configured to extend into the corresponding hole 220, providing space for the locking member 210 to move.

[0035] When the handle 201 is in the second state S2', the operating section 201c of the handle 201 extends a predetermined distance M' beyond the inner surface L2' of the second rail 204 (shown in FIG. 12). A user can easily and simply pull out the second rail 204 from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 202 by holding the operating section 201c of the handle 201 with their hand and applying a force in the opening direction D1.

[0036] 13 to 15 show a slide rail assembly 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The first rail 308 of the slide rail assembly 300 shown in FIG. 14 is omitted from FIGS. 13 and 15. The difference between the slide rail assembly 300 of the third embodiment and the slide rail assembly 200 of the second embodiment essentially lies in that the slide rail assembly 300 further includes a working member 302 and a resilient feature 304. The working member 302 is pivotally connected to the second rail 306 via an axle portion 305. The axle portion 305 is disposed in a direction substantially the same as the transverse direction (or Y-axis direction) of the second rail 306. The resilient feature 304 includes a first resilient portion 304a and a second resilient portion 304b.

[0037] When second rail 306 is in retracted position R relative to first rail 308 (shown in FIGS. 14 and 13 ), first resilient portion 304 a of resilient feature 304 is configured to contact predetermined structure 310 of first rail 308 (such as a structure having an inclined surface or an arcuate surface as shown in FIG. 14 ). Second resilient portion 304 b of resilient feature 304 is configured to contact working member 302 (shown in FIG. 13 ), thereby causing resilient feature 304 to apply a resilient force to handle 312 via working member 302 and a portion of handle 312 (such as drive portion 314) to hold handle 312 in first state S1′ (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 ).

[0038] During the process of the handle 312 being rotated in the first rotation direction R1 to switch from the first state S1′ (shown in FIG. 13 ) to the second state S2′ (shown in FIG. 15 ), the handle 312 drives the locking member 316 to rotate in the third rotation direction R3 via the driving unit 314 that drives the working member 302 to rotate in the second rotation direction R2, thereby switching from the locked state J1′ (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 ) to the unlocked state J2′ (shown in FIG. 15 ). As a result, the locking portion 317 of the locking member 316 is no longer blocked by the blocking portion 318 of the first rail 308 (shown in FIG. 14 ) to allow the second rail 306 to be moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 308. Furthermore, when the second rail 306 is moved from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 308 (or is in the extended position), the first elastic portion 304a of the elastic feature 304 no longer contacts the predetermined structure 310 of the first rail 308, thereby causing the elastic feature 304 to no longer apply an elastic force to the handle 312 via the working member 302 and the drive portion 314 of the handle 312, allowing the handle 312 to remain in the second state S2' and the locking member 316 to remain in the unlocked state J2' (shown in FIG. 15).

[0039] When second rail 306 is moved relative to first rail 308 in the retracted direction D2 from the extended position back to the retracted position R, first resilient portion 304a of resilient feature 304 again contacts predetermined structure 310 of first rail 308 (shown in FIG. 14). As a result, resilient feature 304 is configured to apply a resilient force to handle 312 via working member 302 and drive portion 314 (shown in FIG. 13) of handle 312 to drive handle 312 to move from second state S2' (shown in FIG. 15) to first state S1'. Furthermore, locking member 316 is correspondingly moved back to locked state J1' in response to the resilient force applied by resilient portion 322 of resilient member 320.

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

[0041] 1. The handle (26, 201, 312) is pivotally connected to the second rail (24, 204, 306) via the shaft member (30, 203), thereby allowing the handle (26, 201, 312) to move between a first state (S1, S1') and a second state (S2, S2'). The shaft member (30, 203) is arranged in a direction substantially identical to the movement direction (or longitudinal direction) of the second rail (24, 204, 306) relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308). This allows the handle (26, 201, 312) to be moved by a user toward the inner surface of the slide rail assembly (20, 200, 300) to switch from the first state (S1, S1') to the second state (S2, S2'). This allows the user to easily and conveniently pull out the second rail (24, 204, 306) from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308).

[0042] 2. When the handle (26, 201, 312) is in the second state (S2, S2'), the operating section (26c, 201c) of the handle (26, 201, 312) is extended beyond the inner surface (L2, L2') of the second rail (24, 204, 306) by a predetermined distance (M, M'), and the user can hold the operating section (26c, 201c) of the handle (26, 201, 312) with his / her hand and apply force in the opening direction D1, thereby easily and simply pulling the second rail (24, 204, 306) from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308).

[0043] 3. The second rail (24, 204, 306) in the retracted position R relative to the first rail (22, 202, 308) can be unlocked from the first rail (22, 202, 308) by operating the handle (26, 201, 312).

[0044] 4. In the first embodiment, the first rail 22 is configured with an auxiliary structure 46, and the second rail 24 is configured with an auxiliary resilient member 48. The auxiliary resilient member 48 is configured with a first predetermined feature 50, and the handle 26 is configured with a second predetermined feature 52. When the second rail 24 is disposed in the retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 and the handle 26 is in the second state S2, the auxiliary structure 46 is configured to abut against the auxiliary resilient member 48, thereby causing the auxiliary resilient member 48 to accumulate an auxiliary resilient force and preventing the first predetermined feature 50 from engaging the second predetermined feature 52. When the second rail 24 is moved a predetermined distance from the retracted position R in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 (e.g., to the extended position E), the auxiliary structure 46 no longer abuts against the auxiliary resilient member 48. As a result, auxiliary elastic member 48 releases the auxiliary elastic force and drives first predetermined feature 50 into engagement with second predetermined feature 52 to hold handle 26 in second state S2. During the process of second rail 24 being moved relative to first rail 22 in retraction direction D2 from extended position E to retracted position R, auxiliary elastic member 48 is driven by auxiliary structure 46 to disengage first predetermined feature 50 from second predetermined feature 52 to allow handle 26 to switch back from second state S2 to first state S1. Preferably, handle 26 returns from second state S2 to first state S1 in response to the elastic force of elastic member 33.

[0045] 5. In the first embodiment, the elastic force of the elastic member 33 can be applied directly to the handle 26, thereby holding the handle 26 in the first state S1 in response to the elastic force of the elastic member 33. Alternatively, in the second embodiment, the elastic force of the elastic member 214 can be applied indirectly to the handle 201 via the locking member 210, thereby holding the handle 201 in the first state S1′.

[0046] 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 first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a handle pivotally connected to the second rail via an axle member and movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the shaft member is disposed in the same direction as the movement direction of the second rail relative to the first rail, moreover, locking means configured to lock the second rail to the first rail when in a locked state and to unlock the second rail from the first rail when in an unlocked state; drive means disposed between the handle and the locking means, the drive means configured to set the locking means to the locked state when the handle is in the first state, and to set the locking means to the unlocked state when the handle is in the second state; an auxiliary shaft configured to rotatably connect the locking means to the second rail and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the shaft member extends; Slide rail assembly.

2. When the handle is in the first state, the handle is disposed in the same direction as the height direction of the second rail, When the handle is in the second state, the handle is disposed in the same direction as a transverse direction of the second rail, 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the direction of movement of the second rail, the height direction of the second rail, and the transverse direction of the second rail are perpendicular to one another.

3. the second rail has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite to each other, the outer surface being adjacent to and facing the first rail; the handle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an operating section connected between the first end portion and the second end portion; When the handle is in the second state, the operating section of the handle is configured to be held by a user to pull the second rail from a retracted position in an opening direction relative to the first rail; the first rail includes a blocking portion, and the locking means comprises a locking member movably attached to the second rail; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, 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.

4. The drive means includes a support feature, the handle has the support feature, the support feature of the handle is configured to support the locking member when the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail and the handle is in the first condition; 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein during the process of the handle being moved to switch from the first state to the second state, the support feature of the handle no longer supports the locking member, thereby causing the locking member to no longer be blocked by the blocking portion.

5. the first rail is configured with a support structure, the second rail is configured with a support elastic member, the support elastic member is configured with a first predetermined feature, and the handle is configured with a second predetermined feature; When the second rail is disposed in the retracted position relative to the first rail and the handle is in the second state, the auxiliary structure is configured to abut against the auxiliary elastic member, thereby causing the auxiliary elastic member to accumulate an auxiliary elastic force and preventing the first predetermined feature from engaging the second predetermined feature; when the second rail is moved a predetermined distance from the retracted position in the open direction relative to the first rail, the auxiliary structure no longer abuts against the auxiliary elastic member, thereby causing the auxiliary elastic member to release the auxiliary elastic force and drive the first predetermined feature into engagement with the second predetermined feature to maintain the handle in the second state; the auxiliary elastic member is actuated by the auxiliary structure to disengage the first predetermined feature from the second predetermined feature to allow the handle to switch from the second state to the first state during the process of the second rail being moved in a retracted direction from an extended position relative to the first rail; 5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4, further comprising a resilient member configured to provide a resilient force to urge the handle to switch from the second state to the first state when the first predetermined feature disengages from the second predetermined feature.

6. 4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, wherein during a process of moving the handle to switch from the first state to the second state, the handle is configured to drive and move the locking member via the driving means so that the locking member is no longer blocked by the blocking portion.

7. The drive means comprises a working member and an elastic feature; the work member is movable relative to the second rail, and the resilient feature includes a first resilient portion and a second resilient portion; When the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail, the first resilient portion is configured to contact a predetermined structure of the first rail and the second resilient portion is configured to contact the work member, whereby the resilient feature is configured to apply a resilient force to the handle via the work member to hold the handle in the first state; During a process in which the handle is moved to switch from the first state to the second state, the handle is configured to drive and move the locking member via the working member so that the locking member is no longer blocked by the blocking portion, in order to allow the second rail to be moved from the retracted position in the opening direction relative to the first rail, when the second rail is moved from the retracted position in the open direction relative to the first rail, the first resilient portion is no longer in contact with the predetermined structure of the first rail, thereby causing the resilient feature to no longer apply the resilient force to the handle via the working member, allowing the handle to remain in the second state; 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein when the second rail is moved relative to the first rail from the extended position back to the retracted position, the resilient feature is configured to apply the resilient force to the handle via the working member to actuate the handle to move from the second state to the first state.

8. A first rail; a second rail movable relative to the first rail; a handle movable relative to the second rail to switch between a first state and a second state; the second rail has opposite outer and inner surfaces, the outer surface adjacent to and facing the first rail; the handle has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an operating section connected between the first end portion and the second end portion, and when the handle is in the second state, the operating section of the handle extends beyond the inner surface of the second rail by a predetermined distance; The handle is pivotally connected to the second rail via a shaft member, moreover, locking means configured to lock the second rail to the first rail when in a locked state and to unlock the second rail from the first rail when in an unlocked state; drive means disposed between the handle and the locking means, the drive means configured to set the locking means to the locked state when the handle is in the first state, and to set the locking means to the unlocked state when the handle is in the second state; an auxiliary shaft configured to rotatably connect the locking means to the second rail and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the shaft member extends; Slide rail assembly.

9. The shaft member is adjacent to the first end portion and is arranged in the same direction as the movement direction of the second rail relative to the first rail, When the handle is in the first state, the handle is disposed in the same direction as the height direction of the second rail, 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein when the handle is in the second state, the handle is oriented in the same direction as a transverse direction of the second rail.

10. the first rail includes a blocking portion, and the locking means comprises a locking member movably attached to the second rail; 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein when the second rail is in a 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.

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