US20240122342A1 - Slide rail assembly - Google Patents
Slide rail assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20240122342A1 US20240122342A1 US18/190,376 US202318190376A US2024122342A1 US 20240122342 A1 US20240122342 A1 US 20240122342A1 US 202318190376 A US202318190376 A US 202318190376A US 2024122342 A1 US2024122342 A1 US 2024122342A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rail
- slide
- working member
- wall
- feature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/44—Sequencing or synchronisation of drawer slides or functional units
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/49—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor with double extensible guides or parts
- A47B88/493—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor with double extensible guides or parts with rollers, ball bearings, wheels, or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/423—Fastening devices for slides or guides
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/483—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor with single extensible guides or parts
- A47B88/487—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor with single extensible guides or parts with rollers, ball bearings, wheels, or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2210/00—General construction of drawers, guides and guide devices
- A47B2210/0002—Guide construction for drawers
- A47B2210/0029—Guide bearing means
- A47B2210/0032—Balls
- A47B2210/0035—Balls cages therefor, e.g. for telescopic slides
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a slide rail assembly that can be reliably used.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,773B2 discloses a retaining structure for a slide-aiding member of a track device of a drawer.
- the track device includes a first track, a second track, a slide-aiding member, and a retaining member.
- the slide-aiding member is movably mounted between the first track and the second track and is provided with an engaging notch at the front end.
- the retaining member is provided at an opening of a channel of the first track.
- a resilient hook rod (or more particularly a hook thereof) of the retaining member is engaged with the engaging notch of the slide-aiding member to prevent the slide-aiding member from sliding arbitrarily with respect to the first track, and this allows the second track to be reinserted into the channel of the first track stably or in a supported manner.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,214B2 discloses a positioning device for a drawer slide bearing carrier.
- the positioning device includes a carrying rail, a sliding rail, and a bearing carrier.
- the carrying rail is provided at the front end with a support on which the sliding rail leans and along which the sliding rail can slide.
- the support is provided with a hook unit.
- the hook unit is pivotally connected to a block and is able to swing.
- the block is secured to the front end of the carrying rail and covers a portion of the support.
- the support has a through hole and an elastic rod formed at an inner side of the through hole. The elastic rod can apply an elastic force that urges the hook unit to restore its original position after swinging.
- the bearing carrier is provided between the sliding rail and the carrying rail and has rollers that serve as a sliding medium between the sliding rail and the carrying rail.
- the bearing carrier is also provided with a hook portion at the front end. Once the bearing carrier is moved to the support, the front end of the bearing carrier is pressed by the block, with the hook portion engaged with the hook unit to secure the bearing carrier in position.
- the present invention provides a slide rail assembly that is reliable in use.
- a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a slide-facilitating device, and a working member.
- the first rail includes a channel.
- the second rail is movably mounted in the channel of the first rail and can be displaced with respect to the first rail.
- the slide-facilitating device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail and includes an engaging feature.
- the working member is provided on the first rail and includes a main body portion, an elastic portion, and a predetermined portion.
- the elastic portion is configured to support the main body portion, and the predetermined portion is connected to the main body portion.
- the first rail is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the elastic portion of the working member.
- the slide-facilitating device When the second rail is moved out of the channel of the first rail after being displaced in an opening direction with respect to the first rail, the slide-facilitating device is at a predetermined position, and the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is engaged with the predetermined portion of the working member.
- the first rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall of the first rail; and the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail jointly define the channel
- the working member is movably mounted on the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- the main body portion of the working member is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- the elastic portion of the working member has a first section and a second section.
- the first section of the elastic portion of the working member is connected to the main body portion, and a predetermined space is defined between the second section of the elastic portion of the working member and the main body portion of the working member.
- the predetermined portion of the working member includes a first guiding feature, a second guiding feature, and a hole located between the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature, and the hole is defined by a plurality of hole walls and is configured for engagement with the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device.
- the hole is substantially larger in size than the engaging feature.
- the second rail includes a releasing feature, and in the course in which the second rail is reinserted into the channel of the first rail from outside the channel of the first rail in a retracting direction, the releasing feature of the second rail contacts one of the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature and thereby moves the predetermined portion of the working member such that the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is disengaged from the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member to allow the slide-facilitating device to be displaced from the predetermined position in the retracting direction.
- the slide-facilitating device further includes a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal portion connected between the first portion and the second portion; and the first portion, the second portion, and the longitudinal portion correspond to the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail respectively.
- the first portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the first wall of the first rail
- the second portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the second wall of the first rail.
- the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is an engaging hook.
- a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a slide-facilitating device, and a working member.
- the first rail includes a channel.
- the second rail is movably mounted in the channel of the first rail and can be displaced with respect to the first rail.
- the slide-facilitating device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail and includes an engaging feature.
- the working member is provided on the first rail and includes a main body portion, an elastic portion, and a predetermined portion.
- the elastic portion is configured to support the main body portion.
- the predetermined portion is connected to the main body portion and includes a hole defined by a plurality of hole walls.
- the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device extends into the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member to prevent the slide-facilitating device from being displaced arbitrary with respect to the first rail.
- the first rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall of the first rail; and the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail jointly define the channel.
- the working member is movably mounted on the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- the main body portion of the working member is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- the elastic portion of the working member has a first section and a second section.
- the first section of the elastic portion of the working member is connected to the main body portion, and a predetermined space is defined between the second section of the elastic portion of the working member and the main body portion of the working member.
- the predetermined portion of the working member includes a first guiding feature and a second guiding feature, and the hole is located between the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature.
- the hole is substantially larger in size than the engaging feature.
- the second rail includes a releasing feature, and in the course in which the second rail is reinserted into the channel of the first rail from outside the channel of the first rail in a retracting direction, the releasing feature of the second rail contacts one of the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature and thereby moves the predetermined portion of the working member such that the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is disengaged from the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member to allow the slide-facilitating device to be displaced from a predetermined position in the retracting direction.
- the slide-facilitating device further includes a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal portion connected between the first portion and the second portion; and the first portion, the second portion, and the longitudinal portion correspond to the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail respectively.
- the first portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the first wall of the first rail
- the second portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the second wall of the first rail.
- the predetermined portion of the working member is provided with an extension section adjacent to the hole, and the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device corresponds to the extension section when extending into the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member.
- FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of the slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 A is a perspective view of the working member of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention is displaced in an opening direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 4 A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention is displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 5 A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 6 A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 7 shows that the first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention is at an extended position with respect to the third rail, and that the second rail is moved out of the channel of the first rail in the opening direction;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is reinserted into the channel of the first rail in a retracting direction;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 9 A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 10 A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is still further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail;
- FIG. 11 A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is still further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail.
- the slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22 , a second rail 24 , a slide-facilitating device 26 , a working member 28 , and preferably also a third rail 30 .
- the first rail 22 is movably mounted between the third rail 30 and the second rail 24 , and the first rail 22 serves to increase the distance for which the second rail 24 can be displaced with respect to the third rail 30 .
- the third rail 30 e.g., an outer rail
- the first rail 22 e.g., a middle rail
- the second rail 24 e.g., an inner rail
- the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rails) is defined by the X axis in FIG. 1 , the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rails) by the Y axis, and the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rails) by the Z axis.
- the first rail 22 includes a channel 32 .
- the first rail 22 includes a first wall 34 a , a second wall 34 b , and a longitudinal wall 36 connected between the first wall 34 a and the second wall 34 b of the first rail 22 .
- the first wall 34 a , the second wall 34 b , and the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 jointly define the channel 32 .
- the first rail 22 has a front end 22 a and a rear end 22 b.
- the second rail 24 is movably mounted in the channel 32 of the first rail 22 , and the second rail 24 can be longitudinally displaced with respect to the first rail 22 .
- the second rail 24 includes a first wall 38 a , a second wall 38 b , and a longitudinal wall 40 connected between the first wall 38 a and the second wall 38 b of the second rail 24 .
- the second rail 24 includes a releasing feature 37 such as a projection, and the releasing feature 37 includes a first guiding structure 39 a and a second guiding structure 39 b .
- Each of the first guiding structure 39 a and the second guiding structure 39 b may be an inclined surface or a curved surface; the present invention has no limitation in this regard.
- the second rail 24 has a front end 24 a and a rear end 24 b , and the releasing feature 37 is adjacent to the rear end 24 b of the second rail 24 .
- the slide-facilitating device 26 is movably mounted between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24 , and the slide-facilitating device 26 includes an engaging feature 42 such as an engaging hook.
- the slide-facilitating device 26 further includes a first portion 44 a , a second portion 44 b , and a longitudinal portion 46 connected between the first portion 44 a and the second portion 44 b .
- the first portion 44 a , the second portion 44 b , and the longitudinal portion 46 correspond to the first wall 34 a , the second wall 34 b , and the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 respectively.
- Each of the first portion 44 a and the second portion 44 b of the slide-facilitating device 26 is provided with a plurality of rolling balls 48 (only the rolling balls 48 on the second portion 44 b being visible in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 due to limitations of the viewing angle).
- the rolling balls 48 on the first portion 44 a are used to support the first wall 34 a of the first rail 22 and the first wall 38 a of the second rail 24
- the rolling balls 48 on the second portion 44 b are used to support the second wall 34 b of the first rail 22 and the second wall 38 b of the second rail 24 .
- the rolling balls 48 help increase the smoothness with which the second rail 24 and the first rail 22 can be displaced with respect to each other.
- the working member 28 is provided on the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 , and the working member 28 is adjacent to the front end 22 a of the first rail 22 .
- the distance between the releasing feature 37 and the rear end 24 b of the second rail 24 is greater (or slightly greater) than the distance between the working member 28 and the front end 22 a of the first rail 22 .
- the working member 28 includes a main body portion 50 , an elastic portion 52 , and a predetermined portion 54 (see FIG. 2 A ).
- the working member 28 is movably mounted on the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 .
- the main body portion 50 of the working member 28 is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 through a shaft 56 ; the present invention, however, has no limitation in this regard.
- the elastic portion 52 such as but not limited to an elastic arm, is configured to support the main body portion 50 .
- the predetermined portion 54 is connected to the main body portion 50 .
- the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 is provided with a supporting portion 58 for supporting the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 ).
- the main body portion 50 of the working member 28 has two opposite ends defined respectively as a first end E 1 and a second end E 2 , and the predetermined portion 54 is adjacent to the first end E 1 of the main body portion 50 (see FIG. 2 A ).
- the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 has a first section 60 a and a second section 60 b extending from the first section 60 a .
- the first section 60 a is connected to the main body portion 50 and is adjacent to the second end E 2 of the main body portion 50 .
- the second section 60 b and the main body portion 50 define a predetermined space J therebetween (see FIG. 2 A ).
- the main body portion 50 of the working member 28 and the second section 60 b of the elastic portion 52 are spaced apart by a distance G due to the predetermined space J.
- the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 includes a first guiding feature 62 , a second guiding feature 64 , and a hole 66 located between the first guiding feature 62 and the second guiding feature 64 .
- Each of the first guiding feature 62 and the second guiding feature 64 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface.
- the hole 66 is defined by a plurality of hole walls.
- the predetermined portion 54 includes a first hole wall 68 a , a second hole wall 68 b , a third hole wall 68 c , and a fourth hole wall 68 d , and the hole walls 68 a , 68 b , 68 c , and 68 d jointly define the hole 66 (see FIG. 2 A ).
- the main body portion 50 , the elastic portion 52 , and the predetermined portion 54 are integrated into one unit so that the working member 28 exists as a single component (see FIG. 2 A ).
- the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 is located at the longitudinal portion 46 and has a guiding section 70 , which may be an inclined surface or a curved surface.
- the working member 28 is shown in FIG. 4 as in the first state S 1 , with the supporting portion 58 of the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 supporting at least a portion of the second section 60 b of the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 .
- the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 is provided with an extension section 72 adjacent to the hole 66 .
- the extension section 72 extends from the first hole wall 68 a toward the second wall 34 b of the first rail 22 .
- the first guiding structure 39 a of the releasing feature 37 contacts the first guiding feature 62 so that the releasing feature 37 can move past the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 with ease, and the slide-facilitating device 26 will respond to the displacement of the second rail 24 by moving in the opening direction D 1 too, during which process the engaging feature 42 (or more particularly the guiding section 70 thereof) of the slide-facilitating device 26 contacts the first guiding feature 62 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 A ).
- the foregoing movements can be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art and therefore will not be described in more detail.
- the contact between the engaging feature 42 (or more particularly the guiding section 70 thereof) of the slide-facilitating device 26 and the first guiding feature 62 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 produces an action force that moves the working member 28 from the first stat S 1 to a second state S 2 , e.g., by pivoting the working member 28 from the first state S 1 to the second state S 2 in a predetermined rotation direction R.
- the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 stores an elastic force in the second state S 2 .
- the mutual support between the supporting portion 58 of the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 and the second section 60 b of the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 creates a fulcrum around which the working member 28 can be pivoted from the first state S 1 to the second state S 2 , and in the course in which the working member 28 is pivoted to the second state S 2 , the predetermined space J allows the main body portion 50 of the working member 28 and the second section 60 b of the elastic portion 52 to get closer to each other such that the first section 60 a of the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 is tilted up at a predetermined angle with respect to the second section 60 b (or the supporting portion 58 of the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 ), with the aforesaid elastic force stored in the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 .
- the working member 28 further includes a bent section 55 extending from the first end E 1 of the main body portion 50 , and the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 is provided with a corresponding space 57 into which the bent section 55 can extend in order for the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 to support the bent section 55 and thereby allow the working member 28 to move (e.g., pivot) stably.
- the slide-facilitating device 26 when the second rail 24 is moved out of the channel 32 of the first rail 22 after being further displaced in the opening direction D 1 with respect to the first rail 22 , the slide-facilitating device 26 is displaced to a predetermined position K adjacent to the front end 22 a of the first rail 22 , with the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 engaged with the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 .
- the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 corresponds to the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 such that the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 releases the elastic force stored therein and thereby brings the working member 28 from the second state S 2 back to the first state S 1 (e.g., a locking state), with the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 extending into the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 and corresponding to the first hole wall 68 a (and the extension section 72 ) to prevent the slide-facilitating device 26 from arbitrary displacement with respect to the first rail 22 .
- the first state S 1 e.g., a locking state
- the first hole wall 68 a (together with the extension section 72 ) can block the engaging feature 42 and thereby prevent the slide-facilitating device 26 from being displaced from the predetermined position K in a retracting direction D 2 with respect to the first rail 22 (see FIG. 6 ).
- the slide-facilitating device 26 is at the predetermined position K, and the working member 28 is in the first state S 1 (e.g., the locking state) to lock the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 in place.
- the first wall 38 a and the second wall 38 b of the second rail 24 can, at the beginning of the insertion process, be supported respectively by the rolling balls 48 on the first and the second portions 44 a and 44 b of the slide-facilitating device 26 because the distance between the releasing feature 37 and the rear end 24 b of the second rail 24 is greater (or slightly greater) than the distance between the working member 28 and the front end 22 a of the first rail 22 , and this allows the second rail 24 to be inserted stably or smoothly into the channel 32 of the first rail 22 in the retracting direction D 2 .
- the releasing feature 37 of the second rail 24 moves the working member 28 and thereby disengages the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 from the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 ; in consequence, the slide-facilitating device 26 is allowed to be displaced from the predetermined position K in the retracting direction D 2 .
- the second guiding structure 39 b of the releasing feature 37 of the second rail 24 contacts the second guiding feature 64 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 and thereby produces an action force that moves the working member 28 from the first state S 1 (e.g., the locking state as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 A ) to the second state S 2 (e.g., an unlocking state as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 10 A ), e.g., by pivoting the working member 28 from the first state S 1 to the second state S 2 in the predetermined rotation direction R.
- the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 is disengaged from the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 .
- the mutual support between the supporting portion 58 of the longitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22 and the second section 60 b of the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 creates a fulcrum around which the working member 28 can be pivoted from the first state S 1 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 A ) to the second state S 2 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 10 A ), and in the course in which the working member 28 is pivoted to the second state S 2 , the predetermined space J allows the main body portion 50 of the working member 28 and the second section 60 b of the elastic portion 52 to get closer to each other (see FIG. 10 and FIG.
- the slide-facilitating device 26 responds to the displacement of the second rail 24 by moving from the predetermined position K in the retracting direction D 2 , and the elastic portion 52 of the working member 28 releases the elastic force stored therein and thereby brings the working member 28 from the second state S 2 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 10 A ) back to the first state S 1 (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 11 A ).
- the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 is substantially larger in size than the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 . More specifically, the first hole wall 68 a and the second hole wall 68 b define the longitudinal dimension of the hole 66 therebetween, and the longitudinal dimension of the hole 66 is substantially greater (or slightly greater) than the longitudinal dimension of the engaging feature 42 (e.g., an engaging hook) so that the engaging feature 42 can be received in the hole 66 with a predetermined degree of looseness.
- the engaging feature 42 e.g., an engaging hook
- the predetermined degree of looseness allows the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 to be easily disengaged from the hole 66 of the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 when the working member 28 is moved from the first state S 1 to the second state S 2 by the releasing feature 37 (or more particularly the second guiding structure 39 b thereof) of the second rail 24 in response to the insertion of the second rail 24 into the channel 32 of the first rail 22 in the retracting direction D 2 .
- the engaging feature 42 and the hole 66 are so sized that the engaging feature 42 and the hole walls (e.g., the first hole wall 68 a and the second hole wall 68 b ) of the hole 66 may engage with each other too tightly to allow easy disengagement or may disengage from each other because of excessive tightness of engagement, the engaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitating device 26 and the predetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 may be deformed or damaged as a result.
- the slide rail assembly 20 preferably has the following features:
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly that can be reliably used.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,773B2 discloses a retaining structure for a slide-aiding member of a track device of a drawer. The track device includes a first track, a second track, a slide-aiding member, and a retaining member. The slide-aiding member is movably mounted between the first track and the second track and is provided with an engaging notch at the front end. The retaining member is provided at an opening of a channel of the first track. When the second track is moved out of the channel of the first track after being displaced in an opening direction with respect to the first track, a resilient hook rod (or more particularly a hook thereof) of the retaining member is engaged with the engaging notch of the slide-aiding member to prevent the slide-aiding member from sliding arbitrarily with respect to the first track, and this allows the second track to be reinserted into the channel of the first track stably or in a supported manner.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,214B2 discloses a positioning device for a drawer slide bearing carrier. The positioning device includes a carrying rail, a sliding rail, and a bearing carrier. The carrying rail is provided at the front end with a support on which the sliding rail leans and along which the sliding rail can slide. The support is provided with a hook unit. The hook unit is pivotally connected to a block and is able to swing. The block is secured to the front end of the carrying rail and covers a portion of the support. The support has a through hole and an elastic rod formed at an inner side of the through hole. The elastic rod can apply an elastic force that urges the hook unit to restore its original position after swinging. The bearing carrier is provided between the sliding rail and the carrying rail and has rollers that serve as a sliding medium between the sliding rail and the carrying rail. The bearing carrier is also provided with a hook portion at the front end. Once the bearing carrier is moved to the support, the front end of the bearing carrier is pressed by the block, with the hook portion engaged with the hook unit to secure the bearing carrier in position.
- While the patents cited above have disclosed the technical features of the retaining structure for the slide-aiding member and of the positioning device for the bearing carrier, different user needs make it worthwhile to develop a different slide rail product.
- The present invention provides a slide rail assembly that is reliable in use.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a slide-facilitating device, and a working member. The first rail includes a channel. The second rail is movably mounted in the channel of the first rail and can be displaced with respect to the first rail. The slide-facilitating device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail and includes an engaging feature. The working member is provided on the first rail and includes a main body portion, an elastic portion, and a predetermined portion. The elastic portion is configured to support the main body portion, and the predetermined portion is connected to the main body portion. The first rail is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the elastic portion of the working member. When the second rail is moved out of the channel of the first rail after being displaced in an opening direction with respect to the first rail, the slide-facilitating device is at a predetermined position, and the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is engaged with the predetermined portion of the working member.
- Preferably, the first rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall of the first rail; and the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail jointly define the channel Preferably, the working member is movably mounted on the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- Preferably, the main body portion of the working member is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- Preferably, the elastic portion of the working member has a first section and a second section. The first section of the elastic portion of the working member is connected to the main body portion, and a predetermined space is defined between the second section of the elastic portion of the working member and the main body portion of the working member.
- Preferably, the predetermined portion of the working member includes a first guiding feature, a second guiding feature, and a hole located between the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature, and the hole is defined by a plurality of hole walls and is configured for engagement with the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device.
- Preferably, the hole is substantially larger in size than the engaging feature.
- Preferably, the second rail includes a releasing feature, and in the course in which the second rail is reinserted into the channel of the first rail from outside the channel of the first rail in a retracting direction, the releasing feature of the second rail contacts one of the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature and thereby moves the predetermined portion of the working member such that the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is disengaged from the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member to allow the slide-facilitating device to be displaced from the predetermined position in the retracting direction.
- Preferably, the slide-facilitating device further includes a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal portion connected between the first portion and the second portion; and the first portion, the second portion, and the longitudinal portion correspond to the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail respectively. Preferably, the first portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the first wall of the first rail, and the second portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the second wall of the first rail.
- Preferably, the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is an engaging hook.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a slide-facilitating device, and a working member. The first rail includes a channel. The second rail is movably mounted in the channel of the first rail and can be displaced with respect to the first rail. The slide-facilitating device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail and includes an engaging feature. The working member is provided on the first rail and includes a main body portion, an elastic portion, and a predetermined portion. The elastic portion is configured to support the main body portion. The predetermined portion is connected to the main body portion and includes a hole defined by a plurality of hole walls. When the second rail is moved out of the channel of the first rail after being displaced in an opening direction with respect to the first rail, the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device extends into the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member to prevent the slide-facilitating device from being displaced arbitrary with respect to the first rail.
- Preferably, the first rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a longitudinal wall connected between the first wall and the second wall of the first rail; and the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail jointly define the channel.
- Preferably, the working member is movably mounted on the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- Preferably, the main body portion of the working member is pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall of the first rail.
- Preferably, the elastic portion of the working member has a first section and a second section. The first section of the elastic portion of the working member is connected to the main body portion, and a predetermined space is defined between the second section of the elastic portion of the working member and the main body portion of the working member.
- Preferably, the predetermined portion of the working member includes a first guiding feature and a second guiding feature, and the hole is located between the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature.
- Preferably, the hole is substantially larger in size than the engaging feature.
- Preferably, the second rail includes a releasing feature, and in the course in which the second rail is reinserted into the channel of the first rail from outside the channel of the first rail in a retracting direction, the releasing feature of the second rail contacts one of the first guiding feature and the second guiding feature and thereby moves the predetermined portion of the working member such that the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device is disengaged from the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member to allow the slide-facilitating device to be displaced from a predetermined position in the retracting direction.
- Preferably, the slide-facilitating device further includes a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal portion connected between the first portion and the second portion; and the first portion, the second portion, and the longitudinal portion correspond to the first wall, the second wall, and the longitudinal wall of the first rail respectively. Preferably, the first portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the first wall of the first rail, and the second portion of the slide-facilitating device is provided with a plurality of rolling balls for supporting the second wall of the first rail.
- Preferably, the predetermined portion of the working member is provided with an extension section adjacent to the hole, and the engaging feature of the slide-facilitating device corresponds to the extension section when extending into the hole of the predetermined portion of the working member.
-
FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of the slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the working member of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention is displaced in an opening direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 4A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention is displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 5A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 6A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the opening direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 7 shows that the first rail of the slide rail assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention is at an extended position with respect to the third rail, and that the second rail is moved out of the channel of the first rail in the opening direction; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is reinserted into the channel of the first rail in a retracting direction; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 9A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 10A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is yet further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is still further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail; and -
FIG. 11A is another schematic view showing that the second rail of the slide rail assembly is still further displaced in the retracting direction with respect to the first rail. - Referring to
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 , theslide rail assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes afirst rail 22, asecond rail 24, a slide-facilitatingdevice 26, a workingmember 28, and preferably also athird rail 30. Thefirst rail 22 is movably mounted between thethird rail 30 and thesecond rail 24, and thefirst rail 22 serves to increase the distance for which thesecond rail 24 can be displaced with respect to thethird rail 30. In this embodiment, the third rail 30 (e.g., an outer rail), the first rail 22 (e.g., a middle rail), and the second rail 24 (e.g., an inner rail) can be longitudinally displaced with respect to one another. Herein, the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rails) is defined by the X axis inFIG. 1 , the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rails) by the Y axis, and the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rails) by the Z axis. - The
first rail 22 includes achannel 32. Preferably, thefirst rail 22 includes afirst wall 34 a, asecond wall 34 b, and alongitudinal wall 36 connected between thefirst wall 34 a and thesecond wall 34 b of thefirst rail 22. Thefirst wall 34 a, thesecond wall 34 b, and thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 jointly define thechannel 32. Thefirst rail 22 has afront end 22 a and arear end 22 b. - The
second rail 24 is movably mounted in thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22, and thesecond rail 24 can be longitudinally displaced with respect to thefirst rail 22. Thesecond rail 24 includes afirst wall 38 a, asecond wall 38 b, and alongitudinal wall 40 connected between thefirst wall 38 a and thesecond wall 38 b of thesecond rail 24. Thesecond rail 24 includes a releasingfeature 37 such as a projection, and the releasingfeature 37 includes afirst guiding structure 39 a and asecond guiding structure 39 b. Each of thefirst guiding structure 39 a and thesecond guiding structure 39 b may be an inclined surface or a curved surface; the present invention has no limitation in this regard. Thesecond rail 24 has afront end 24 a and arear end 24 b, and the releasingfeature 37 is adjacent to therear end 24 b of thesecond rail 24. - The slide-facilitating
device 26 is movably mounted between thefirst rail 22 and thesecond rail 24, and the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 includes anengaging feature 42 such as an engaging hook. Preferably, the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 further includes afirst portion 44 a, asecond portion 44 b, and alongitudinal portion 46 connected between thefirst portion 44 a and thesecond portion 44 b. Thefirst portion 44 a, thesecond portion 44 b, and thelongitudinal portion 46 correspond to thefirst wall 34 a, thesecond wall 34 b, and thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 respectively. Each of thefirst portion 44 a and thesecond portion 44 b of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 is provided with a plurality of rolling balls 48 (only the rollingballs 48 on thesecond portion 44 b being visible inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 due to limitations of the viewing angle). The rollingballs 48 on thefirst portion 44 a are used to support thefirst wall 34 a of thefirst rail 22 and thefirst wall 38 a of thesecond rail 24, and the rollingballs 48 on thesecond portion 44 b are used to support thesecond wall 34 b of thefirst rail 22 and thesecond wall 38 b of thesecond rail 24. The rollingballs 48 help increase the smoothness with which thesecond rail 24 and thefirst rail 22 can be displaced with respect to each other. - As shown in
FIG. 2 ,FIG. 3 , andFIG. 4 , the workingmember 28 is provided on thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22, and the workingmember 28 is adjacent to thefront end 22 a of thefirst rail 22. The distance between the releasingfeature 37 and therear end 24 b of thesecond rail 24 is greater (or slightly greater) than the distance between the workingmember 28 and thefront end 22 a of thefirst rail 22. The workingmember 28 includes amain body portion 50, anelastic portion 52, and a predetermined portion 54 (seeFIG. 2A ). - Preferably, the working
member 28 is movably mounted on thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22. For example, themain body portion 50 of the workingmember 28 is pivotally connected to thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 through ashaft 56; the present invention, however, has no limitation in this regard. - The
elastic portion 52, such as but not limited to an elastic arm, is configured to support themain body portion 50. Thepredetermined portion 54 is connected to themain body portion 50. - Preferably, the
longitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 is provided with a supportingportion 58 for supporting theelastic portion 52 of the working member 28 (seeFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 ). - Preferably, the
main body portion 50 of the workingmember 28 has two opposite ends defined respectively as a first end E1 and a second end E2, and thepredetermined portion 54 is adjacent to the first end E1 of the main body portion 50 (seeFIG. 2A ). - Preferably, the
elastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 has afirst section 60 a and asecond section 60 b extending from thefirst section 60 a. Thefirst section 60 a is connected to themain body portion 50 and is adjacent to the second end E2 of themain body portion 50. Thesecond section 60 b and themain body portion 50 define a predetermined space J therebetween (seeFIG. 2A ). When the workingmember 28 is in a first state S1, themain body portion 50 of the workingmember 28 and thesecond section 60 b of theelastic portion 52 are spaced apart by a distance G due to the predetermined space J. - Preferably, the
predetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 includes afirst guiding feature 62, asecond guiding feature 64, and ahole 66 located between thefirst guiding feature 62 and thesecond guiding feature 64. Each of thefirst guiding feature 62 and thesecond guiding feature 64 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface. Thehole 66 is defined by a plurality of hole walls. For example, thepredetermined portion 54 includes afirst hole wall 68 a, asecond hole wall 68 b, athird hole wall 68 c, and afourth hole wall 68 d, and thehole walls FIG. 2A ). - Preferably, the
main body portion 50, theelastic portion 52, and thepredetermined portion 54 are integrated into one unit so that the workingmember 28 exists as a single component (seeFIG. 2A ). - Referring to
FIG. 4 , the engagingfeature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 is located at thelongitudinal portion 46 and has a guidingsection 70, which may be an inclined surface or a curved surface. The workingmember 28 is shown inFIG. 4 as in the first state S1, with the supportingportion 58 of thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 supporting at least a portion of thesecond section 60 b of theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28. In addition, thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 is provided with anextension section 72 adjacent to thehole 66. For example, theextension section 72 extends from thefirst hole wall 68 a toward thesecond wall 34 b of thefirst rail 22. - When the
second rail 24 reaches a predetermined position after being displaced from a retracted position with respect to thefirst rail 22 in an opening direction D1, thefirst guiding structure 39 a of the releasingfeature 37 contacts thefirst guiding feature 62 so that the releasingfeature 37 can move past thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 with ease, and the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 will respond to the displacement of thesecond rail 24 by moving in the opening direction D1 too, during which process the engaging feature 42 (or more particularly the guidingsection 70 thereof) of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 contacts thefirst guiding feature 62 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the working member 28 (seeFIG. 4 andFIG. 4A ). The foregoing movements can be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art and therefore will not be described in more detail. - Referring to
FIG. 5 andFIG. 5A , when thesecond rail 24 is further displaced in the opening direction D1 with respect to thefirst rail 22, the contact between the engaging feature 42 (or more particularly the guidingsection 70 thereof) of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 and thefirst guiding feature 62 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 produces an action force that moves the workingmember 28 from the first stat S1 to a second state S2, e.g., by pivoting the workingmember 28 from the first state S1 to the second state S2 in a predetermined rotation direction R. Theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 stores an elastic force in the second state S2. - Preferably, the mutual support between the supporting
portion 58 of thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 and thesecond section 60 b of theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 creates a fulcrum around which the workingmember 28 can be pivoted from the first state S1 to the second state S2, and in the course in which the workingmember 28 is pivoted to the second state S2, the predetermined space J allows themain body portion 50 of the workingmember 28 and thesecond section 60 b of theelastic portion 52 to get closer to each other such that thefirst section 60 a of theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 is tilted up at a predetermined angle with respect to thesecond section 60 b (or the supportingportion 58 of thelongitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22), with the aforesaid elastic force stored in theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28. - Preferably, the working
member 28 further includes abent section 55 extending from the first end E1 of themain body portion 50, and thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 is provided with acorresponding space 57 into which thebent section 55 can extend in order for thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 to support thebent section 55 and thereby allow the workingmember 28 to move (e.g., pivot) stably. - Referring to
FIG. 6 ,FIG. 6A , andFIG. 7 , when thesecond rail 24 is moved out of thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 after being further displaced in the opening direction D1 with respect to thefirst rail 22, the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 is displaced to a predetermined position K adjacent to thefront end 22 a of thefirst rail 22, with theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 engaged with thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28. - More specifically, when the slide-facilitating
device 26 reaches the predetermined position K, the engagingfeature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 corresponds to thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 such that theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 releases the elastic force stored therein and thereby brings the workingmember 28 from the second state S2 back to the first state S1 (e.g., a locking state), with theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 extending into thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 and corresponding to thefirst hole wall 68 a (and the extension section 72) to prevent the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 from arbitrary displacement with respect to thefirst rail 22. For example, thefirst hole wall 68 a (together with the extension section 72) can block the engagingfeature 42 and thereby prevent the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 from being displaced from the predetermined position K in a retracting direction D2 with respect to the first rail 22 (seeFIG. 6 ). - In
FIG. 8 , the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 is at the predetermined position K, and the workingmember 28 is in the first state S1 (e.g., the locking state) to lock theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 in place. When thesecond rail 24 is reinserted into thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 from outside thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 in the retracting direction D2, thefirst wall 38 a and thesecond wall 38 b of thesecond rail 24 can, at the beginning of the insertion process, be supported respectively by the rollingballs 48 on the first and thesecond portions device 26 because the distance between the releasingfeature 37 and therear end 24 b of thesecond rail 24 is greater (or slightly greater) than the distance between the workingmember 28 and thefront end 22 a of thefirst rail 22, and this allows thesecond rail 24 to be inserted stably or smoothly into thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 in the retracting direction D2. - In the course in which the
second rail 24 continues being inserted into thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 in the retracting direction D2, referring toFIG. 9 ,FIG. 9A ,FIG. 10 ,FIG. 10A ,FIG. 11 , andFIG. 11A , the releasingfeature 37 of thesecond rail 24 moves the workingmember 28 and thereby disengages theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 from thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28; in consequence, the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 is allowed to be displaced from the predetermined position K in the retracting direction D2. - More specifically, while the
second rail 24 continues being inserted into thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 in the retracting direction D2, thesecond guiding structure 39 b of the releasingfeature 37 of thesecond rail 24 contacts thesecond guiding feature 64 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 and thereby produces an action force that moves the workingmember 28 from the first state S1 (e.g., the locking state as shown inFIG. 9 andFIG. 9A ) to the second state S2 (e.g., an unlocking state as shown inFIG. 10 andFIG. 10A ), e.g., by pivoting the workingmember 28 from the first state S1 to the second state S2 in the predetermined rotation direction R. As a result, the engagingfeature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 is disengaged from thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28. - Preferably, the mutual support between the supporting
portion 58 of thelongitudinal wall 36 of thefirst rail 22 and thesecond section 60 b of theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 creates a fulcrum around which the workingmember 28 can be pivoted from the first state S1 (seeFIG. 9 andFIG. 9A ) to the second state S2 (seeFIG. 10 andFIG. 10A ), and in the course in which the workingmember 28 is pivoted to the second state S2, the predetermined space J allows themain body portion 50 of the workingmember 28 and thesecond section 60 b of theelastic portion 52 to get closer to each other (seeFIG. 10 andFIG. 10A ) such that thefirst section 60 a of theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 is tilted up at a predetermined angle with respect to thesecond section 60 b (or the supportingportion 58 of thelongitudinal wall 36 of the first rail 22), with an elastic force stored in theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28. - When the
second rail 24 is further displaced in the retracting direction D2 with respect to thefirst rail 22, the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 responds to the displacement of thesecond rail 24 by moving from the predetermined position K in the retracting direction D2, and theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28 releases the elastic force stored therein and thereby brings the workingmember 28 from the second state S2 (seeFIG. 10 andFIG. 10A ) back to the first state S1 (seeFIG. 11 andFIG. 11A ). - It is worth mentioning that, referring to
FIG. 9 andFIG. 9A , thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 is substantially larger in size than theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26. More specifically, thefirst hole wall 68 a and thesecond hole wall 68 b define the longitudinal dimension of thehole 66 therebetween, and the longitudinal dimension of thehole 66 is substantially greater (or slightly greater) than the longitudinal dimension of the engaging feature 42 (e.g., an engaging hook) so that theengaging feature 42 can be received in thehole 66 with a predetermined degree of looseness. The predetermined degree of looseness allows theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 to be easily disengaged from thehole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 when the workingmember 28 is moved from the first state S1 to the second state S2 by the releasing feature 37 (or more particularly thesecond guiding structure 39 b thereof) of thesecond rail 24 in response to the insertion of thesecond rail 24 into thechannel 32 of thefirst rail 22 in the retracting direction D2. If theengaging feature 42 and thehole 66 are so sized that theengaging feature 42 and the hole walls (e.g., thefirst hole wall 68 a and thesecond hole wall 68 b) of thehole 66 may engage with each other too tightly to allow easy disengagement or may disengage from each other because of excessive tightness of engagement, the engagingfeature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26 and thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 may be deformed or damaged as a result. - It can be known from the above that the
slide rail assembly 20 according to the foregoing embodiment of the present invention preferably has the following features: -
- 1. When the
predetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 is subjected to an external force (e.g., either of the action forces stated above), the external force can be mitigated by the movement (e.g., pivotal movement) of the workingmember 28 with respect to thefirst rail 22 and by the elasticity of theelastic portion 52 of the workingmember 28, lest thepredetermined portion 54 of the workingmember 28 be deformed by the external force. This helps increase the reliability in use of theslide rail assembly 20. - 2. The size of the
hole 66 of thepredetermined portion 54 is substantially larger than that of theengaging feature 42 of the slide-facilitatingdevice 26. - 3. The
main body portion 50, theelastic portion 52, and thepredetermined portion 54 may be integrated into one unit in order for the workingmember 28 to be a single component.
- 1. When the
- While the present invention has been disclosed by way of the preferred embodiment described above, the embodiment is not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the invention. The scope of the patent protection sought by the applicant is defined by the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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TW111139169 | 2022-10-13 | ||
TW111139169A TWI815701B (en) | 2022-10-13 | 2022-10-13 | Slide rail assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20240122342A1 true US20240122342A1 (en) | 2024-04-18 |
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ID=85873829
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US18/190,376 Pending US20240122342A1 (en) | 2022-10-13 | 2023-03-27 | Slide rail assembly |
Country Status (4)
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US (1) | US20240122342A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4353127A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP7442714B1 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI815701B (en) |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US6655763B2 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2003-12-02 | Jonathan Engineered Solutions | Controller for a quick disconnect slide assembly |
US6851773B2 (en) | 2003-04-15 | 2005-02-08 | King Slide Works Co., Ltd. | Retaining structure for a slide-aiding member of a track device for a drawer |
TWI255699B (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2006-06-01 | King Slide Works Co Ltd | Positioning device for drawer slide bearing retainer |
TWM453419U (en) * | 2012-11-22 | 2013-05-21 | Dynaslide Corp | Ball sleeve positioning device of sliding rail for server |
US8752917B1 (en) * | 2013-01-03 | 2014-06-17 | Gslide Corporation | Ball bushing positioning structure of a sliding rail assembly for server |
TWI706752B (en) | 2019-11-18 | 2020-10-11 | 川湖科技股份有限公司 | Slide rail assembly |
TWI712380B (en) | 2020-05-12 | 2020-12-11 | 川湖科技股份有限公司 | Slide rail assembly and rails mounting method thereof |
US11607040B2 (en) | 2020-06-30 | 2023-03-21 | King Slide Works Co., Ltd | Slide rail assembly |
TWI717306B (en) | 2020-08-19 | 2021-01-21 | 川湖科技股份有限公司 | Slide rail assembly |
-
2022
- 2022-10-13 TW TW111139169A patent/TWI815701B/en active
-
2023
- 2023-03-27 US US18/190,376 patent/US20240122342A1/en active Pending
- 2023-04-04 EP EP23166431.9A patent/EP4353127A1/en active Pending
- 2023-04-11 JP JP2023063842A patent/JP7442714B1/en active Active
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JP7442714B1 (en) | 2024-03-04 |
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Owner name: KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHEN, KEN-CHING;YANG, SHUN-HO;CHANG, WEI-CHEN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:063154/0456 Effective date: 20230327 Owner name: KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHEN, KEN-CHING;YANG, SHUN-HO;CHANG, WEI-CHEN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:063154/0456 Effective date: 20230327 |
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