US20070175368A1

US20070175368A1 - Leaf table having lockable slide rails

Info

Publication number: US20070175368A1
Application number: US11/699,104
Authority: US
Inventors: Ervin E. Yoder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-31
Filing date: 2007-01-29
Publication date: 2007-08-02

Abstract

Several slide rail locks for use with a slide rail assembly for an extendable table are disclosed, each including a clamping mechanism to prevent the slide rails from sliding in a clamping position and allow the slide rails to slide in a released position. A distinctive slide rail assembly is also disclosed which uses rollers to facilitate smooth extension and retraction of the rails, and with which one of the slide rail locks is used.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/763,558 filed Jan. 31, 2006; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to leaf tables or extendable tables. More particularly, the invention relates to slide rails used with such tables. Specifically, the invention relates to such slide rails which have a locking mechanism to hold them in place at various locations.
2. Background Information
Extendable tables and the spaced slide rails which allow them to extend and insert various leaves are well known in the art. In addition, locking mechanisms for securing the portions of the table and leaves together are also known. For example, there are various patents showing a peg inserted into a hole or the like in order to lock the slide rails in a desired position. In addition, there are various mechanisms using hooks or levers which engage notches or the like in the rails. Further, there are mechanisms which have a rack of teeth for selectively engaging the pinion teeth of the slide rail to lock the rail in position. There are a variety of other mechanisms for locking slide rails in place. However, there is nonetheless still room for improvement in this area and particularly a need for a locking mechanism which helps to solidify the structural integrity of the slide rails when extended.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a slide rail lock for use with an extendable table slide rail assembly having at least two rails mounted on and movable relative to one another between extended and retracted positions, the lock comprising: first and second clamping members movable between a clamping position for clamping therebetween the at least two rails to prevent relative movement between the at least two rails and a released position for allowing relative movement between the at least two rails; and a locking mechanism for securing the first and second clamping members in the clamping position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an extendable table with the locking mechanism and slide rails of the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table of FIG. 1 with the legs of the table shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the slide rail of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the slide rail shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the slide rail shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing a portion of the first embodiment of the locking mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 3 showing the portion of the first embodiment of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another portion of the first embodiment of the locking mechanism which is used with the portions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to make up the locking mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portion of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 8 when assembled.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the locking mechanism completely assembled and mounted on the slide rail assembly in the unlocked position.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the assembled locking mechanism shown in FIG. 10 in the unlocked position.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing the leaf table sections having been spread apart from one another and a leaf inserted therebetween while the locking mechanisms are in the unlocked position.

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12 and shows the table sections having slid toward one another to abut the inserted table leaf and the locking mechanisms having moved to the locked position to secure the slide rails to prevent them from sliding and thus secure the leaf sections and leaf in the desired position.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 10 and shows the locking mechanism in the locked position.

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of a second embodiment of the locking mechanism of the present invention mounted on a slide rail assembly in the unlocked position.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 and shows the locking mechanism in the locked position.

FIG. 17 is an end elevational view similar to FIG. 15 of a third embodiment of a locking mechanism of the present invention mounted on a slide rail assembly in the unlocked position.

FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 17 and shows the locking mechanism in the locked position.

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the third embodiment.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the locking mechanism of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 10; a second embodiment of the locking mechanism indicated generally at 200 in FIGS. 15-16; and a third embodiment of the locking mechanism is indicated generally at 300 in FIGS. 17-19. Referring to FIG. 1, one locking mechanism 10 is shown mounted on one of a pair of slide rails 12 which are mounted on a lower surface 14 of a table top 16. More particularly, table top 16 is part of an extendable or leaf table having legs 20 two of which are connected to a first section 22 of table top 16 and two of which are connected to a second section 24 of table top 16. Each of slide rails 12 are extendable and retractable to a desired position in order to add leaves to the table top 16. A locking mechanism 10 is mounted on each of slide rails 12 for securing slide rails 12 in any position of extension of said slide rails. More particularly, locking mechanism 10 is a clamping mechanism for clamping at least two sections of slide rails 12 to one another to prevent the sliding movement therebetween.
With reference to FIGS. 3-5, slide rail 12 is described. Each slide rail 12 involves a rack and pinion mechanism which is well known in the art. Slide rail 12 includes a central rail 26, a first outer rail 28 and a second outer rail 30 which are respectively disposed on either side of central rail 26 and are slidable in a longitudinal direction with respect to central rail 26. Central rail 26 has first and second opposed ends 27 and 29 defining therebetween a length which is substantially the same as the length of rails 28 and 30. When slide rail 12 is in a fully retracted position, the respective first and second ends of rails 26, 28 and 30 are substantially aligned with one another.
First outer rail 28 has an upper surface 32 which abuts lower surface 14 of second section 24 of table top 16 when mounted thereon. Likewise, second outer rail 30 has an upper surface 34 which abuts lower surface 14 of first section 22 when mounted thereon. First and second racks 36 and 38 are mounted respectively atop first and second outer rails 28 and 30 and have teeth which engage teeth of a pinion 40 which is rotatably mounted on central rail 26, as is commonly known in the art.
A first set of first and second upper rollers 42A and B are rotatably mounted on central rail 26 via mounts 44A and 44B which extend outwardly from central rail 26 toward first outer rail 28. Rollers 42 are longitudinally spaced from one another with roller 42A being adjacent pinion 40 and roller 42B being adjacent a first end 46 of first outer rail 28, which has a second opposed end 47. Rollers 42 rollingly engage a portion of first outer rail 28 to provide smooth movement between central rail 26 and outer rail 28 during extension and retraction thereof. In addition, rollers 42 provide additional structural strength along the length of the entire rail 12. Rollers 42 are generally spaced in a longitudinal direction generally on one side of pinion 40.
Likewise, a second set of third and fourth upper rollers 48A and 48B are mounted on central rail 26 via respective mounts 50A and 50B extending axially from central rail 26 toward second outer rail 30. Rollers 48 are longitudinally spaced from one another with roller 48A adjacent pinion 40 and roller 48B adjacent a first end 52 of second outer rail 30 which is opposed to a second end 53 thereof and to first end 46 of first outer rail 28. Rollers 48 rollingly engage a portion of second outer rail 30 during extension and retraction of slide rail 12 to provide smooth movement therebetween and greater stability to slide rail 12.
As shown in FIG. 4, lower rollers 54A, B and C are also rotatably mounted on central rail 26 and extend toward second outer rail 30 and are generally below upper rollers 48. Lower rollers 54A, B and C are respectively mounted on central rail via mounts 56A, B and C. More particularly, lower roller 54A is disposed longitudinally adjacent pinion 40 and rollers 56B and 56C are disposed adjacent one another and adjacent first end 52 of second outer rail 30. Likewise, lower rollers 58A, B and C (FIG. 5) are mounted on central rail 26 respectively via mounts 60A, B and C. Lower rollers 58 extend axially toward first outer rail 28 with rollers 58B and C adjacent one another and first end 46, and roller 58A adjacent pinion 40.
With reference to FIG. 6, each outer rail 28 and 30 includes three primary structural members. More particularly, first outer rail 28 includes an outer bar 62, an intermediate bar 64 and an inner bar 66, each of which is rigid and has substantially the same length. Outer bar 62, intermediate bar 64 and inner bar 66 are joined together by a plurality of fasteners 67. The upper surface of outer bar 62 is stepped to receive first rack 36 which is mounted to outer bar 62. Intermediate bar 64 is sandwiched between inner and outer bars 62 and 66 and has an outer surface 68 which is substantially flat and in abutment with an inner side 70 of outer bar 62 which is also substantially flat. Intermediate bar 64 also has an inner side 72 which is substantially flat and in abutment with an outer side 74 of inner bar 66, which is also substantially flat. Central rail 26 has first and second opposed sides 76 and 78 which are substantially flat. Inner bar 66 has an inner side 80 which is substantially flat and in abutment with first side 76 of central rail 26. Outer rail 30 has the same configuration as inner rail 28 except that it is facing in the opposite direction with inner side 80B of inner bar 66B abutting second side 78 of central rail 26. Inner sides 80 of inner members 66 respectively slidably engage first and second sides 76 and 78 during extension and retraction of slide rail 12. Intermediate members 64 have respective upper surfaces 82A and 82B which are spaced downwardly of racks 36 and 38 and also of pinion 40 in order to accommodate pinion 40 without interfering therewith.
Inner bar 66 has an upper surface 84 which is spaced downwardly from upper surface 82 of intermediate bar 64 and it is directly below pinion 40 so that upper surface 84, lower surface of pinion 40, first side 76 of central rail 26 and inner side 72 of intermediate bar 64 define therebetween a passage 86 which accommodates a stop 88A during extension and retraction of rail 12. More particularly, stop 88A is mounted on intermediate bar 64A between inner side 72 thereof and first side 76 of central rail 26. A stop 88B (FIG. 3) is mounted on second outer rail 30 and analogously situated. Also disposed in passage 86 is a portion of a clamping member in the form of clamping plate 90, which is part of locking mechanism 10. Inner bar 66 defines an upper roller groove 92 and a lower roller groove 94 for rollingly receiving therein upper rollers 42 and 48 and lower rollers 54 and 58 respectively. Pinion 40 is mounted on inner rail 26 atop thereof via a pivot in the form of a screw 96.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, central rail 26 defines a T-shaped passage 98 having an upright portion 100 and a cross bar portion 102. T-shaped passage 98 is disposed below pivot 96 with upright portion 100 disposed directly below and aligned with pivot 96. Cross bar portion 102 extends all the way through central rail 26 from first side 76 to second side 78 thereof whereby cross bar portion 102 communicates with each of passages 86. Cross bar portion 102 is longitudinally elongated and receives therein a central portion of clamping plate 90 which extends axially outwardly from portion 102 into each of passages 86 a short distance above upper surfaces 84 of inner bar 86. Portion 102 has a height which is slightly greater than the height or thickness of clamping plate 90 so that clamping plate 90 is vertically moveable within portion 102 between an unlocked position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and a locked position (FIG. 14) in contact with upper surfaces 84 of inner bars 66. Cross bar portion 102 is bounded by a lower surface 104 which is disposed at the same height or slightly below upper surfaces 84 of inner bars 66. Upright portion 100 of passage 98 extends vertically through central rail 26 and is in communication at an upper end thereof with cross bar portion 102. Upright portion 100 extends downwardly from portion 102 and opens into a seating notch 106 which is formed in central rail 106 and extends upwardly from a lower surface 108 thereof.
Locking mechanism 10 further includes an extendable and retractable translating member 110 which includes a vertically elongated rod 112 and an enlarged head 114. Head 114 is attached to a lower end of rod 112 and plate 90 is attached at an upper end of rod 112. Rod 112 extends substantially perpendicularly to plate 90 and enlarged head 114 includes first and second arms 116 and 118 which extend longitudinally outwardly from and substantially perpendicularly to rod 112. Seating notch 106 is bounded by first and second substantially flat end surfaces 120 and 122 which are longitudinally spaced from one another. Notch 106 is further bound by a seating surface 124 which extends in a longitudinal direction between first and second end surfaces 120 and 122 and is a substantially flat downwardly facing surface.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, locking mechanism 10 further includes a base member 126 having a base wall 128 and first and second spaced projections 130 and 132 which are connected to and extend from base wall 128 in generally the same direction to define therebetween a space 134 bounded by respective substantially flat and parallel inner surfaces 136 and 138 of projections 130 and 132. Base wall 128 defines a seating notch 140 which communicates with space 134. Projections 130 and 132 define respective pivot holes 142 and 144 for receiving therein a pivot 146 through which an axis A extends.
Locking mechanism 110 further includes a rotatable member 148 having an outwardly extending handle 150 for manually creating torque to rotate rotatable member 148. Rotatable member 148 further includes first and second spaced plates or discs 152 and 154 which define therebetween a space 156. Rotatable member 148 defines a pivot hole 158 for receiving pivot 146 when discs 152 and 154 are disposed in space 134 of base member 126 so that rotatable member 148 is rotatable about axis A of pivot 146. Each of discs 152 and 154 define a pivot hole 160 for receiving therein a pivot 162 through which an axis B extends which is parallel to axis A. Pivot hole 160 is radially offset from pivot hole 158.
Referring to FIG. 8, locking mechanism 10 further includes a connecting member 164 which has an arm 166 and a hook portion 168 connected thereto. Arm 166 includes a first section 170 and second section 172 extending transversely thereto and defining a pivot hole 174 for receiving therein pivot 162 when second section 172 is disposed in space 156 between discs 152 and 154 whereby connecting member 164 is rotatably mounted via pivot 162 about axis B on rotatable member 148. Hook portion 168 is connected to first section 170 opposite second section 172 and includes first and second hooks 176 and 178 which define therebetween a space 180 for receiving a portion of rod 112 adjacent enlarged head 114 when assembled as shown in FIGS. 10-11. Hook portion 168 extends transversely from first section 170 in generally the same direction as second section 172 so that connecting member 164 is a U-shaped member with hook portion 168 and second section 172 serving as legs extending from an intervening base or first section 170.
Hook portion 168 has first and second side surfaces 182 and 184 each of which is substantially flat and disposed closely adjacent or in abutment with inner surfaces 134 and 136 of projections 130 and 132 when assembled whereby surfaces 182 and 184 are movable closely adjacent to or slidably engage surfaces 134 and 136 during movement of connecting member 164 relative to base member 126. Hooks 176 and 178 respectively define first and second concave arcuate surfaces 186 and 188 which respectively engage first and second arms 116 and 118 of enlarged head 114 of translating member 110 when assembled (FIGS. 10-11) in order to move translating member 110 from the unlocked to the locked position.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show locking mechanism 10 in the unlocked position with hooks 176 and 178 disposed above the arms of enlarged head 114 closely adjacent or in abutment therewith. Rotatable member 148 is in a non-rotated position with handle 150 in a lowered position and pivot 162 is disposed axially to one side of the center of pivot 146. Clamping plate 90 is spaced upwardly from surfaces 84 of inner bars 66 in order to allow outer rails 28 and 30 of the slide rail assembly to slide with respect to central rail 26.
Thus, FIG. 12 shows locking mechanisms 10 in the unlocked position to allow first and second sections 22 and 24 of table top 16 to move away from one another as indicated at Arrows C and D so that a table leaf 25 is inserted in the space between sections 22 and 24 with a lower surface 25A thereof seated atop the slide rail assemblies. FIG. 13 shows table sections 22 and 24 having slid toward one another as indicated at Arrows E and F to abut respective sides of table leaf 25 and rotatable members 148 having moved to the locked position in order to lock locking mechanisms 10 to prevent the slide rails from sliding and to secure the table sections and leaf in the desired location as shown.
More particularly with reference to FIG. 14, handle 50 has been manually operated in an upward direction as indicated at Arrow G to rotate rotatable member 148 about pivot 146 as indicated at Arrow H, causing connecting member 164 to move downwardly and axially to the left as shown in FIG. 14 so that translating member 110 and clamping plate 90 move vertically downwardly as indicated respectively at Arrows J and K in order to lockingly clamp inner bars 66 and the portion of central rail 26 between clamping plate 90 and base member 126 of locking mechanism 10. Base member 126 thus serves as a clamping member along with clamping plate 90. The movement of rotatable member 148 also moves pivot 162 to a position over center of the center of pivot 146 in order to maintain the locking mechanism 10 in the locked position. In its locked position, locking mechanism 10 not only prevents outer rails 28 and 30 from sliding longitudinally, it also provides substantial stability to the slide rail assembly so that there is very little vertical play or movement of outer rails 28 and 30 along the entire length of the slide rail assembly. Some of the stability is due to the close engagement of the upper and lower rollers as previously discussed. This stability is notable especially considering that the slide rail assembly when fully extended may exceed eight feet in length. Thus, locking mechanism 10 and slide rail assembly 12 are substantial improvements over the prior art devices.
With reference to FIGS. 15-16, locking mechanism 200 is described. Mechanism 200 includes first and second rigid clamping members 202 and 204 and a rigid spacing member 206 positioned between clamping members 202 and 204. Clamping members 202 and 204 extend upwardly from adjacent spacing member 206 so that members 202, 204 and 206 form a U-shaped configuration. Spacing member 206 has opposed sides 208 and 210 which define therebetween a length L1. Side 208 faces clamping member 202 and side 210 faces clamping member 204. FIG. 15 shows locking mechanism 200 in an unlocked position with side 208 spaced from adjacent member 202 and side 210 spaced from adjacent member 204. Alternately, spacing member 206 may be connected to one of members 202 and 204 in a fixed manner with the respective end 208 or 210 abutting the member to which it is attached. Mechanism 200 further includes an extendable and retractable member in the form of a translating member 212 which includes a translating rod 214 with an enlarged head 216 on one end thereof and an outwardly extending engaging head or end 218 on the other end thereof. Rod 214 extends through respective through holes in each of members 202, 204 and 206 with head 216 abutting member 204 on its outer side and with engaging end 218 spaced outwardly from the outer side of member 202. Mechanism 200 further includes a camming mechanism which utilizes a rotatable camming member 220 defining an arcuate slot 220 which receives therein engaging end 218. Member 220 has an outwardly extending handle 224. Member 220 has a camming section which has a narrower portion 226 and a wider portion 228 disposed between the arcuate outer surface of member 220 and the arcuate slot 222. The camming section tapers circumferentially from narrower to wider from portion 226 to portion 228. In the unlocked position, narrower portion 226 is disposed between engaging end 218 and clamping member 202.
Locking mechanism 200 is shown in use with a slide rail assembly mounted on table top 16. The slide rail assembly shown is well known in the art and includes a central rail 230 with first and second outer rails 232 and 234 slidably disposed on either side of central rail 230. Dovetail tracking members 236 and 238 are disposed in respective dovetail slots to allow the slidable movement of the rails and hold them adjacent one another. As shown in FIG. 15, there is typically a small amount of space between the various rails 230, 232 and 234.
To operate locking mechanism 200, handle 224 is manually moved upwardly to rotate rotatable camming member 220 as shown at Arrow M in FIG. 16 so that arcuate slot 222 slides over engaging end 218 of translating member 212 to move wider portion 228 of the camming section into a position between engaging end 218 and clamping member 202 in order to retract translating rod and clamping member 204 towards clamping member 202 as indicated at Arrow N. Member 202 and 204 thus clamp all three rails therebetween to prevent them from sliding. In the locked position shown in FIG. 16, the respective outer surfaces of first and second outer rails 232 and 234 define therebetween a distance or length L2 which also represents the distance between the facing surfaces of clamping members 202 and 204. Length L2 is substantially the same as length L1. Thus, mechanism 200 is configured to provide a secure clamping grip on the slide rail assembly while preventing the cocking of the clamping members which might occur if length L1 were shorter than length L2.
With reference to FIGS. 17-19, slide rail lock 300 is now described. Lock 300 comprises first and second clamping members 302 and 304 which are pivotally mounted on a spacing member or mounting member 306 which extends therebetween. Lock 300 further includes an actuator or actuating mechanism which doubles as a locking mechanism comprising first and second arms 308 and 310 which are pivotally mounted to one another and respectively on first and second clamping members 302 and 304. Second arm 310 includes a handle 312.
More particularly, mounting member 306 includes a horizontal plate 314 having an elongated spine 316 and a pair of mounting flanges 318 extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions. Plate 314 has a flat horizontal upwardly facing mounting surface 320 which abuts the downwardly facing bottom surface of rail 230. A pair of mounting holes 322 are formed respectively in flanges 318 for receiving therethrough fasteners in the form of screws 324. A pair of holes is formed in rail 230 for receiving screws 324 which threadably engage rail 230 to secure lock 300 to the rail assembly. Other fasteners such as bolts and nuts or the like may used although screws 324 provide for a simple mounting with the slide rails mounted on the table so that lock 300 is suitable as an easily mounted retrofit device. Mounting member 306 further includes first and second legs 326 and 328 which extend downwardly from opposed ends of spine 316 and angle outwardly relative to one another. First clamping member 302 is pivotally mounted on leg 326 via a first pivot 330 and second clamping member 304 is likewise pivotally mounting on second leg 328 via a second pivot 332. A reinforcing arm 334 is also connected to each of pivots 330 and 332 although arm 334 may simply be rigidly attached to legs 326 and 328. Likewise, mounting member 306 may have a different configuration which provides suitable strength to support clamping members 302 and 304 via the respective pivots.
Each of clamping members 302 and 304 has first end segments 336 and 338. Segment 336 of clamping member 302 extends upwardly from first pivot 330 and second segment 338 thereof extends downwardly substantially in the opposite direction from segment 336. Likewise, segments 336 and 338 of second clamping member 304 extend respectively upwardly and downwardly from second pivot 332. First segment 336 of first clamping member 302 has a first clamping surface 340 which is flat and substantially vertical when lock 300 is in the clamping position shown in FIG. 18. Likewise, first segment 336 of second clamping member 304 has a second clamping surface 342 which is flat and is substantially vertical in the clamping position and which faces surface 340. Preferably, pads are mounted on the first segment 336 of clamping members 302 and 304 to provide clamping surfaces like surfaces 340 and 342 which will not scrape or otherwise damage the slide rails. Such pads may be formed of various materials, such as rubber or a polymeric material, plastic, a textile and so forth. Other than such pads, the remaining members of lock 300 are formed of rigid members which are typically metal.
Surfaces 340 and 342 engage the outer side surfaces of rails 232 and 234 respectively in the clamping position and are parallel with said surfaces. In the released position of lock 300, clamping surfaces 340 and 342 angle slightly away from the side surfaces of rails 232 and 234. Thus, the normal distance between surfaces 340 and 342 in the clamping position is substantially the same as the width of the slide rail assembly as measured between the outer surfaces of rails 232 and 234 when compressed between surfaces 340 and 342. Slide rail assemblies are typically about three inches in width and more generally tend to range about two inches to four inches in width, and surfaces 340 and 342 are thus spaced accordingly.
Lock 300 further includes third, fourth and fifth pivots 344, 346 and 348 all of which are disposed below pivots 330 and 332. First arm 308 is pivotally connected via pivot 344 to second segment 338 of first clamping member 302 adjacent a lower end thereof. Likewise, second arm 310 adjacent a first end thereof is pivotally connected via pivot 346 adjacent a lower end of second segment 338 of clamping member 304. Arm 308 is pivotally connected adjacent an end opposite pivot 344 to second arm 310 via pivot 348, which is disposed adjacent pivot 346 and generally between pivots 344 and 346 in the clamping position. All pivoting members of lock 300 pivot about a substantially parallel axes respectively passing through the various pivots.
Handle 312 of arm 310 extends below pivots 330 and 344 and first clamping member 302 and laterally outwardly thereof in a direction opposite from second clamping member 304 to provide easy access to the handle for manual operation thereof. Arms 308 and 310 and pivots 344, 346 and 348 are configured to provide an over center locking mechanism. More particularly, pivots 344 and 346 have centers which lie along a horizontal plane P and pivot 348 has a center which is above plane P in the clamping position and below plane P in the released position. The centers of pivots 344 and 346 define therebetween a distance D1 in the clamping position and a distance D2 in the released position which is smaller than distance D1.
In operation, handle 312 is manually operated to move the clamping members between the clamping position and the released position. In the clamping position, clamping surfaces 340 and 342 apply inward force toward one another on the outer sides of rails 232 and 234 in order to compress rails 230, 232 and 234 together so that each of rails 232 and 234 abut rail 230. This clamping force thus creates sufficient frictional engagement between the rails so that they cannot move relative to one another. In the released position, the clamping force on the slide rail assembly is released so that the rails of the slide rail assembly are able to slide relative to one another, thus allowing for the extension and retraction of the table sections on which the slide rails are mounted.
Thus, clamping mechanisms 10, 200 and 300 provide a simple and effective way of clamping at least two rails of a slide rail assembly between a pair of clamping members in order to secure the slide rails in place to prevent them from sliding. Each mechanism secures or locks the clamping members in a clamping position to secure the slide rails in place and is selectively operable to unlock the mechanism to allow the slide rails to slide via the simple movement of a manual handle on a rotatable member.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various changes within the scope of the present invention may be made. In particular, various types of mechanisms may be used to force a pair of clamping members toward one another with two or more rails of a slide rail assembly therebetween in order to clamp the slide rails to prevent them from sliding. For instance, a threaded member may be configured to threadably engage a threaded translating rod similar to rods 112 and 214 in order to move two clamping members toward one another.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A slide rail lock for use with an extendable table slide rail assembly having at least two rails mounted on and movable relative to one another between extended and retracted positions, the lock comprising:

first and second clamping members movable between a clamping position for clamping therebetween the at least two rails to prevent relative movement between the at least two rails and a released position for allowing relative movement between the at least two rails; and

a locking mechanism for securing the first and second clamping members in the clamping position.

2. The slide rail lock of claim 1 further comprising a mounting member for mounting the lock on the slide rail assembly.

3. The slide rail lock of claim 2 further comprising a fastener projecting upwardly from the mounting member for engaging the slide rail assembly to mount the lock thereon.

4. The slide rail lock of claim 3 wherein the fastener is threaded.

5. The slide rail lock of claim 2 further comprising a mounting hole formed in the mounting member adapted to receive there through a fastener for mounting the lock on the slide rail assembly.

6. The slide rail lock of claim 2 wherein the clamping members are pivotally connected to the mounting member; and the locking mechanism comprises a first arm pivotally connected to the first clamping member and a second arm pivotally connected to the second clamping member and the first arm.

7. The slide rail lock of claim 2 further comprising an upwardly-facing mounting surface on the mounting member adapted to engage a downwardly-facing surface of the slide rail assembly when mounted thereon; and first and second pivots on the mounting member below the mounting surface; and wherein the first clamping member is pivotally connected to the mounting member at the first pivot; and the second clamping member is pivotally connected to the mounting member at the second pivot.

8. The slide rail lock of claim 1 further comprising a rigid spacing member between the clamping members; and an actuating member extending from the first clamping member to the second clamping member, mounted on the clamping members and movable relative to the spacing member; and wherein the clamping members are mounted on the spacing member and movable relative thereto in response to movement of the actuating member.

9. The slide rail lock of claim 1 further comprising a spacing member between the clamping members; and first and second pivots; and wherein the first clamping member is pivotally connected to the spacing member at the first pivot; and the second clamping member is pivotally connected to the spacing member at the second pivot.

10. The slide rail lock of claim 9 wherein each clamping member comprises first and second segments; the first and second segments of the first clamping member extend in generally opposite directions respectively from the first pivot; the first and second segments of the second clamping member extend in generally opposite directions respectively from the second pivot; and further comprising first and second clamping surfaces respectively on the first segments for abutting the rails in the clamping position; and an actuating mechanism which engages the second segments for moving the second segments away from one another to move the clamping members to the clamping position and toward one another to move the clamping members to the released position.

11. The slide rail lock of claim 9 further comprising third, fourth and fifth pivots; and first and second arms; and wherein the first arm is pivotally connected to the first clamping member at the third pivot; and the second arm is pivotally connected to the second clamping member at the fourth pivot and the first arm at the fifth pivot.

12. The slide rail lock of claim 11 wherein the third and fourth pivots lie on a common plane; and the fifth pivot has a center disposed on opposite sides of the plane respectively in the clamping and released positions.

13. The slide rail lock of claim 11 wherein the second arm comprises a manually operable handle for actuating pivotal movement of the second arm.

14. The slide rail lock of claim 1 further comprising first, second and third pivots; first and second arms; and a spacing member between the clamping members; and wherein the clamping members are mounted on the spacing member and movable relative thereto; the first arm is pivotally connected to the first clamping member at the first pivot; and the second arm is pivotally connected to the second clamping member at the second pivot and the first arm at the third pivot.

15. The slide rail lock of claim 14 wherein the first and second pivots lie on a common plane; and the third pivot has a center disposed on opposite sides of the plane respectively in the clamping and released positions.

16. The slide rail lock of claim 1 in combination with the slide rail assembly comprising first and second rails mounted on and movable relative to one another between extended and retracted positions; and wherein the slide rail lock is mounted on the slide rail assembly.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the first and second rails are compressed together between the clamping members to abut one another in the clamping position.

18. The combination of claim 16 wherein the slide rail assembly comprises a third rail mounted on and movable relative to the first and second rails between the extended and retracted positions; the second rail is between the first and third rails; and in the clamping position, the first rail abuts the second rail, the second rail abuts the third rail, the first clamping member abuts the first rail and the second clamping member abuts the third rail.

19. The slide rail lock of claim 1 in combination with the slide rail assembly comprising first and second rails mounted on and movable relative to one another between extended and retracted positions; and wherein in the clamping position the first clamping member abuts each of the two rails and the second clamping member abuts each of the two rails.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the rails have respective upwardly-facing surfaces and respective downwardly-facing surfaces; and in the clamping position the first clamping member engages the upwardly-facing surfaces and the second clamping member engages the downwardly-facing surfaces.