TWI904031B - Slide rail assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A slide rail assembly includes: a first rail having at least one positioning feature; a second rail displaceable relative to the first rail, wherein the back surface of the second rail forms a concave surface facing the positioning feature; a first stop hinged to the concave surface and corresponding to a first side of the positioning feature; and an operating member movably connected to the second rail, the operating member being inserted into the concave surface such that the operating member is positioned to the side of the first stop, and the slide rail assembly can be mounted on the side of a carrier, which may be a server chassis or drawer, or can be used with servers or furniture.

Description

Slide rail assembly

This invention relates to a slide rail assembly in which an operating member pushes a first stop along the concave surface of a second rail, so that the first stop does not obstruct the first side of a positioning feature. The slide rail assembly can be applied to server chassis or drawers, and can also be used in servers or furniture.

Note that the sliding rails commonly used in servers typically have a stop on the second rail. When the second rail extends along the first rail, it is temporarily locked to the first rail via the stop. When the third rail retracts into the second rail, it pushes the stop to release the lock between the second and first rails. However, when the server is being maintained, the third rail is usually removed along with the second rail, at which point the second rail can no longer retract into the first rail.

The primary objective of this invention is to provide a slide rail assembly in which an operating element is movably connected to a second rail. The operating element pushes a first stop along the concave surface of the second rail, allowing the operator to easily release the locking state between the second and first rails.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a slide rail assembly in which both the operating component and the first stop are concealed within the concave surface of the second rail, and the operating component directly pushes the first stop, thus eliminating the linkage structure between the operating component and the first stop. This reduces manufacturing costs, prevents linkage failures, and enhances the thinning effect of the slide rail.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical means: a first rail having at least one positioning feature; a second rail capable of displacement relative to the first rail, wherein the back surface of the second rail forms a concave surface facing the positioning feature; a first stop hinged to the concave surface, the first stop corresponding to a first side of the positioning feature; and an operating member movably connected to the second rail, wherein the operating member is inserted into the concave surface, such that the operating member is positioned beside the first stop, and when the operating member pushes the first stop along the concave surface, the first rail... A first stop does not obstruct the first side of the positioning feature; a second stop is hinged to the concave surface and corresponds to the second side of the positioning feature; and an elastic element, one end of which connects to the first stop and the other end of which connects to the second stop, so that the elastic element can provide elastic force to the first and second stops. The second rail has a first hole and a second hole, one end of the first stop forms a first stop portion, which is displaceable relative to the first hole, and the elastic element is displaced within the second hole.

Based on the aforementioned features, the second rail is provided with a third hole, and one end of the second stop forms a second stop portion, which is displaceable relative to the third hole.

According to the aforementioned features, one end of the first stop member forms a first hook portion, which connects to one end of the elastic element via the second hole and the first hook portion. One end of the second stop member forms a second stop portion, and the other end forms a second hook portion, which connects to the other end of the elastic element via the second hole and the second hook portion.

According to the aforementioned features, one end of the first stop forms a first hook, and the other end forms a first locking groove, the first locking groove corresponding to the first side of the positioning feature; similarly, one end of the second stop forms a second stop, and the other end forms a second locking groove, the second locking groove corresponding to the second side of the positioning feature.

Based on the aforementioned features, the device further includes a third rail, which is displaceable relative to the second rail. A pushing portion is formed on the side end of the second stop, and the second rail has a fourth hole through which the pushing portion extends to the front of the second rail, allowing the pushing portion to be displaced relative to the third rail and thus pushed.

According to the aforementioned features, the first rail includes a positioning seat and a positioning hole, and the positioning feature is formed by bending on the positioning seat, so that the positioning feature is inserted into the positioning hole and protrudes to the front side of the first rail, thereby fixing the positioning seat to the back side of the first rail.

Based on the aforementioned features, the first stop has a first inclined surface formed at its side end, and the operating member has a second inclined surface corresponding to the first inclined surface.

According to the aforementioned features, the second rail is provided with a first limiting feature, and the operating member has an operating part, which is provided with a second limiting feature, the second limiting feature being displaceable relative to the first limiting feature.

According to the aforementioned features, the first rail includes an actuating element, and the first stop has an actuating surface that actuates the first stop when it abuts against the actuating element.

Based on the aforementioned features, the second rail has an opening, a first limiting piece with a retractable neck is provided on the side of the opening, and the operating member has at least one second limiting piece with an arch, the second limiting piece straddling the first limiting piece.

Using the aforementioned technical means, the operating component is movably connected to the second rail, and pushes the first stop along the concave surface of the second rail. Both the operating component and the first stop are concealed within the concave surface of the second rail. The operating component directly pushes the first stop, eliminating any linkage between them. This not only allows the operator to easily release the locking state between the second and first rails, but also reduces manufacturing costs, prevents linkage failures, and facilitates thinner slide rails.

10: The First Orbit

11: Positioning Features

111: first side

112:Second side

12: Positioning seat

13: Positioning Holes

14: Startup

20: The Second Orbit

21: Concave surface

22: First Hole

23: Second hole

24: Third hole

25: Fourth hole

26: First Limiting Feature

261: First limiting hole

2611: First limiting surface

262: Second limiting hole

2621: Second limiting surface

27: Opening

271: First limiting plate

30: First stop

31: First inclined plane

32: First stop section

33: First Hook

34: Startup Interface

35: First locking slot

40: Operating components

401:Second slope

41: Operations Department

411: Second Limitation Feature

411A: First limiting component

411B: Second limiting component

42: Second limiting plate

50: Second stop

51: Second stop section

52: Second Hook

53: Propulsion Unit

54: Second locking slot

60: Flexible element

70: The Third Orbit

A1: The First Body

A2: Rib body

A3: First limiting body

B1: The Second Body

B2: Second limiting body

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail assembly of this invention.

Figure 2 is an assembled three-dimensional view of the slide rail assembly of this invention.

Figure 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating the positioning features of the second rail of the present invention, with the first and second stops corresponding to the first rail.

Figure 3B is an enlarged view of the image shown in Figure 3A.

Figure 3C is a schematic diagram showing the operating component of the present invention located on the side of the first stop.

Figure 3D is a schematic diagram illustrating the second limiting feature of the present invention relative to the first limiting feature.

Figure 4A is a schematic diagram showing the second rail of the present invention temporarily locked to the first rail by the first and second stops.

Figure 4B is an enlarged view of the image shown in Figure 4A.

Figure 5A is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the operating component of this invention on the second track.

Figure 5B is an enlarged view of the image shown in Figure 5A.

Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the operating component of this invention pushing the first stop along the concave surface.

Figure 5D is a schematic diagram showing that the second limiting feature of this invention can be displaced relative to the first limiting feature.

Figure 5E is a schematic diagram showing that the first stop of this invention does not obstruct the positioning feature while the second rail can be retracted.

Figure 5F is an enlarged view of the image shown in Figure 5E.

Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the driving part of the third rail driving the second stop of the present invention.

Figure 6B is a perspective view of the pushing part of the third rail that drives the second stop in this invention.

Figure 6C is a partial schematic diagram of the pushing part of the third rail that pushes the second stop in this invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6C, the present invention is a slide rail assembly comprising a first rail 10 having at least one positioning feature 11; a second rail 20 displaceable relative to the first rail 10, wherein the back surface of the second rail 20 forms a concave surface 21 facing the positioning feature 11; a first stop 30 hinged to the concave surface 21 and corresponding to a first side 111 of the positioning feature 11; and an operating member 40 movably connected to the second rail 20 and inserted into the concave surface 21, such that the operating member 40 is positioned to the side of the first stop 30.

As shown in Figures 3A, 4A and 5A, when the operating member 40 pushes the first stop 30 along the concave surface 21, the first stop 30 does not block the first side 111 of the positioning feature 11. As shown in Figures 3B, 4B, and 5B, a second stop 50 and an elastic element 60 are present. The second stop 50 is hinged to the concave surface 21 and corresponds to the second side 112 of the positioning feature 11. One end of the elastic element 60 connects to the first stop 30, and the other end connects to the second stop 50, allowing the elastic element 60 to provide elastic force to the first stop 30 and the second stop 50. In this embodiment, the elastic element 60 is a spring, but it is not limited thereto. As shown in Figures 3C and 5C, a first inclined surface 31 is formed on the side end of the first stop 30, and the operating member 40 has a second inclined surface 401 corresponding to the first inclined surface 31, but it is not limited thereto.

Continuing from the above, the second rail 20 is provided with a first hole 22, a second hole 23, and a third hole 24. One end of the first stop member 30 forms a first stop portion 32, and one end of the second stop member 50 forms a second stop portion 51. The first stop portion 32 can be displaced relative to the first hole 22, the elastic element 60 is displaced in the second hole 23, and the second stop portion 51 can be displaced relative to the third hole 24. Therefore, the first stop portion 32 is located in the first hole 22, and the second stop portion 51 is located in the third hole 24. A first hook portion 33 is formed at the other end of the first stop member 30. The second stop 31 is located at one end of the elastic element 60, connected to the second hole 23 and the first hook portion. The other end of the second stop 50 forms a second hook portion 52, which is located at the second hole 23 and connected to the other end of the elastic element 60. The first stop portion 32 and the second stop portion 51 limit the displacement of the first hole 22 and the third hole 24, and also assist the first stop 30 and the second stop 50 in reducing impact and ensuring precise displacement during swaying displacement. In this way, the structure of the first stop 30 and the second stop 50 connected between the concave surface 21 is protected from damage, but this is not a limitation.

As shown in Figures 3D and 5D, the second rail 20 is provided with a first limiting feature 26, and the operating member 40 has an operating part 41. The operating part 41 is provided with a second limiting feature 411. The second limiting feature 411 can be displaced relative to the first limiting feature 26. Therefore, the second limiting feature 411 is located within the first limiting feature 26. The first limiting feature 26 can be a first limiting hole 261, a second limiting hole 262, or a combination of the first limiting hole 261 and the second limiting hole 262. A first limiting surface 2611 is formed on one side of the first limiting hole 261, and a second limiting surface 2621 is formed on one side of the second limiting hole 262. The second limiting feature 411 can be a first limiting member 411A, a second limiting member 411B, or a combination of the first limiting member 411A and the second limiting member 411B. The first limiting member 411A has a first body A1, a rib A2 extending to the side of the first body A1, and a first limiting body A3 extending to the front end of the first body A1. The second limiting member 411B has a second body B1 and a second limiting body B2 extending to the front end of the second body B1. The first limiting body A3 engages with the first limiting surface 2611, and the second limiting body B2 abuts against the second limiting surface 2621, but this is not a limitation.

Continuing from the above, the second track 20 is provided with an opening 27, and a first limiting piece 271 with a neck retraction is provided on the side of the opening 27. The operating member 40 is provided with at least one second limiting piece 42 with an arch, which spans over the first limiting piece 271, but is not limited thereto.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the first rail 10 includes a positioning seat 12 and a positioning hole 13. The positioning feature 11 is formed by bending on the positioning seat 12, so that the positioning feature 11 is inserted into the positioning hole 13 and protrudes to the front of the first rail 10, fixing the positioning seat 12 to the back of the first rail 10. That is, in this embodiment, the positioning feature 11 is a bent piece extending from the positioning seat 12 through the positioning hole 13 to the front of the first rail 10, but this is not a limitation.

Please refer again to Figures 3A and 5A. The first rail 10 includes an actuating element 14, and the first stop 30 has an actuating surface 34. The first stop 30 is actuated when the actuating surface 34 abuts against the actuating element 14, but this is not a limitation.

Referring again to Figures 3B and 5B, a first locking groove 35 is formed on the other side of the first stop 30, which corresponds to the first side 111 of the positioning feature 11. A second locking groove 54 is formed on the other side of the second stop 50, which corresponds to the second side 112 of the positioning feature 11, but is not limited thereto.

As shown in Figures 5E and 5F, there can be two positioning features 11. One positioning feature 11 is located at the front section of the first rail 10, allowing the second rail 20 to extend along the first rail 10. When the first stop 30 does not obstruct the first side 111 of the positioning feature 11 located at the front section of the first rail 10, the second rail 20 can be retracted. The other positioning feature 11 is located at the rear section of the first rail 10. When the first stop 30 obstructs the first side 111 of the positioning feature 11 located at the rear section of the first rail 10, the second rail 20 can be retracted to a predetermined position on the first rail 10, but this is not a limitation.

As shown in Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C, the slide rail assembly further includes a third rail 70, which is displaceable relative to the second rail 20. A pushing part 53 is formed on the side end of the second stop 50, and the second rail 20 has a fourth hole 25, allowing the pushing part 53 to extend from the fourth hole 25 to the front of the second rail 20, thus enabling the pushing part 53 to be displaced and pushed relative to the third rail 70.

Based on this configuration, the operating member 40 is movably connected to the second rail 20, and pushes the first stop 30 along the concave surface 21 of the second rail 20. Both the operating member 40 and the first stop 30 are concealed within the concave surface 21 of the second rail 20, and the operating member 40 directly pushes the first stop 30, eliminating any linkage between them. This not only allows the operator to easily release the locking state of the second rail 20 and the first rail 10 using the operating member 40, but also reduces manufacturing costs, prevents linkage failures, and facilitates thinner sliding rails. Furthermore, the first rail 10 can be an outer frame, the second rail 20 can be a middle frame, and the third rail 70 can be an inner frame.

In conclusion, the technical means disclosed in this invention do indeed possess the patent requirements of "novelty," "progress," and "industrial applicability." We humbly request the Bureau to grant us a patent to encourage innovation. We have no obligation to do so.

However, the drawings and descriptions disclosed above are merely preferred embodiments of this invention. Modifications or equivalent changes made by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of this invention should still be included within the scope of this patent application.

10: The First Orbit

11: Positioning Features

12: Positioning seat

14: Startup

20: The Second Orbit

21: Concave surface

22: First hole

23: Second hole

24: Third hole

25: Fourth hole

262: Second limiting hole

30: First stop

31: First inclined plane

34: Startup Interface

40: Operating components

401:Second slope

41: Operations Department

411B: Second limiting component

42: Second limiting plate

50: Second stop piece

53: Propulsion Unit

60: Flexible element

Claims (10)

A slide rail assembly includes: a first rail having at least one positioning feature; a second rail displaced relative to the first rail, wherein the back surface of the second rail forms a concave surface facing the positioning feature, and the second rail has a first limiting feature; a first stop hinged to the concave surface, the first stop corresponding to a first side of the positioning feature; and an operating member movably connected to the second rail, wherein the operating member is inserted into the concave surface, such that the operating member is positioned beside the first stop, and when the operating member pushes the first stop along the concave surface, the slide rail... The first stop does not obstruct the first side of the positioning feature, and the operating member has an operating portion with a second limiting feature. The second limiting feature is displaceable relative to the first limiting feature and is located within the first limiting feature. The first limiting feature may be a first limiting hole, which, in conjunction with the second limiting feature, forms a first limiting member. The first limiting member has a first body and a rib extending from the side of the first body. The side end of the first stop forms a first inclined surface, and the operating member has a second inclined surface corresponding to the first inclined surface. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 1, wherein a first limiting surface and a first limiting body extending from the front end of the first body are formed on one side of the first limiting hole, such that the first limiting body is opposite to the first limiting surface. A slide rail assembly includes: a first rail having at least one positioning feature; a second rail displaced relative to the first rail, wherein the back surface of the second rail forms a concave surface facing the positioning feature, and the second rail has a first limiting feature; a first stop hinged to the concave surface, the first stop corresponding to a first side of the positioning feature; and an operating member movably connected to the second rail, wherein the operating member is inserted into the concave surface, such that the operating member is positioned beside the first stop, and when the operating member is pushed along the concave surface... The first stop does not obstruct the first side of the positioning feature. The operating member has an operating portion with a second limiting feature. The second limiting feature is displaceable relative to the first limiting feature and is located within the first limiting feature. The first limiting feature can be a second limiting hole, which, in conjunction with the second limiting feature, forms a second limiting member. The second limiting member has a second body. The side end of the first stop forms a first inclined surface, and the operating member has a second inclined surface corresponding to the first inclined surface. As described in claim 3, in the slide rail assembly, one side of the second limiting hole forms a second limiting surface and a second limiting body extending from the front end of the second body, such that the second limiting body is opposite to the second limiting surface. A slide rail assembly includes: a first rail having two positioning features; a second rail that is displaced relative to the first rail, and the back of the second rail forming a concave surface facing the positioning features; a first stop hinged to the concave surface, and the first stop corresponding to a first side of the positioning features; and an operating member movably connected to the second rail, and positioned within the concave surface, such that the operating member is located beside the first stop. When the operating member pushes the first stop along the concave surface... If one of the positioning features is located at the front section of the first rail, allowing the second rail to extend along the first rail, and the second rail can be retracted when the first stop does not obstruct the first side of the positioning feature at the front section of the first rail, and the other positioning feature is located at the rear section of the first rail, allowing the second rail to retract to a predetermined position on the first rail when the first stop obstructs the first side of the positioning feature at the rear section of the first rail. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the side end of the first stop forms a first inclined surface, and the operating member has a second inclined surface corresponding to the first inclined surface. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 1, 3, or 5, wherein the first rail includes an actuating member, and the first stop has an actuating surface that actuates the first stop when the actuating surface abuts against the actuating member. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 1, 3, or 5, wherein the second rail has an opening, a first retractable limiting piece is provided on the side of the opening, and the operating member has at least one arched second limiting piece, the second limiting piece straddling the first limiting piece. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 1, 3, or 5 further includes an elastic element, one end of which is connected to the first stop, such that the elastic element provides elastic force to the first stop. The slide rail assembly as described in claim 9 further includes a second stop, which is hinged to the concave surface and to a second side of the second stop corresponding to the positioning feature, and the other end of the elastic element is connected to the second stop, such that the elastic element provides elastic force to the second stop.