Slide rail assembly

A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a locking member and an operating member. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail between a first position and a second position. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail. The locking member is mounted to the second rail. When the second rail is located at the second position, the locking member is configured to lock a portion of the first rail, such that the second rail is not movable relative to the first rail from the second position toward the first position. The operating member is configured to be operated by a user to unlock the portion of the first rail from the locking member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly, to a slide rail assembly capable of releasing a locking relationship between two rails through operating an operating member.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Generally, a slide rail assembly usually comprises at least two rails. The rails can be moved relative to each other in order to allow the slide rail assembly to be in an extended state or a retracted state.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,679 B2 discloses a slide assembly. The slide assembly comprises a first slide (10), a second slide (20) and a third slide (30). The first slide (10) comprises a stop (14) and a block (16). The second slide has a stop piece (28) and a slot (26) for movably receiving a retention pin (40). When the first, second and third slides are in a fully extended state, the retention pin (40) and the stop piece (28) are resisted by the stop (14) and the block (16) of the first slide respectively, thereby restraining sliding movement between the second slide and the first slide. Wherein, when the third slide (30) is retracted from a fully extended state to a semi-extended state along a retraction direction, the retention pin (40) is lifted by a releasing member (50) of the third slide (30) and disengaged from the stop (14), thereby allowing the second slide (20) to retract into the first slide (10).

U.S. Pat. No. 8,240,789 B2 discloses a slide assembly. The slide assembly comprises a first rail (10), a second rail (20) and a third rail (30). Wherein, the first rail (10) comprises a positioning portion (16); on the other hand, a positioning device (50) is arranged on the second rail (20). The positioning device (50) comprises a positioning member (52) and an engaging member (68) pivotally connected to the positioning member (52). As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 of the case, when the second rail (20) is pulled out relative to the first rail (10) along an extension direction, an engaging portion (74) of the engaging member (68) is positioned and hooked to a stop end (18) of the positioning portion (16) of the first rail (10), such that the second rail (20) is not able to move relative to the first rail (10) along a retraction direction. In such state, the third rail (30) can be pulled out relative to the second rail (20) to be in an extension state along the extension direction. As shown inFIG. 9of the case, when the third rail (30) is retracted relative to the second rail (20) along the retraction direction, a sidewall (34) of the third rail (30) movably presses an extension wing (76) of the engaging member (68), so that the engaging member (68) is deflected to allow the engaging portion (74) to detach from the stop end (18) of the positioning portion (16) of the first rail (10). As such, the second rail (20) can be retracted relative to the first rail (10) along the retraction direction.

Both of the aforementioned two cases use the third rail or an accessory attached to the third rail to release a locking relationship between the second rail and the first rail, so as to allow the second rail to be retracted relative to the first rail from an extension state along the retraction direction. However, for different application environments or market requirements of the slide rail assembly, sometimes it is not suitable to retract the third rail relative to the second rail for releasing such locking relationship. Therefore, it is important to develop a slide rail assembly to release the locking relationship between the second rail and the first rail without using the third rail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly comprising an operating member to be operated by a user for releasing a locking relationship between two rails.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a locking mechanism and an operating member. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail between a first position and a second position. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail. The locking mechanism is configured to be in a first state or a second state, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the first state, the locking mechanism is configured to prevent the second rail from being moved relative to the first rail from the second position toward the first position. The operating member is configured to be manually operated to switch the locking mechanism from the first state to the second state, in order to allow the second rail to be movable relative to the first rail from the second position toward the first position.

Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a locking member movably mounted to the second rail, and an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the locking member.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly further comprises a pivoting member configured to pivot the locking member to the second rail, wherein the first rail comprises a blocking feature, when the locking member is in the first state, the locking member is configured to lock the blocking feature.

Preferably, the operating member is movably mounted to the second rail.

Preferably, the second rail has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the operating member is located at the first side of the second rail.

Preferably, the second rail further has an extension hole, and the operating member comprises an auxiliary feature passing through the extension hole and located at the second side of the second rail, the auxiliary feature is configured to drive the locking mechanism to switch from the first state to the second state in response to the operating member being manually operated.

Preferably, the operating member has an elongated hole, the slide rail assembly further comprises a supporting member, the supporting member passes through a portion of the elongated hole for mounting the operating member to the second rail.

Preferably, the second rail comprises an abutting feature, the slide rail assembly further comprises a releasing mechanism, the releasing mechanism comprises a linking member arranged on the third rail, when the linking member is in a first linking state, the linking member is located at a position corresponding to the abutting feature, and when the linking member is in a second linking state, the linking member is located at a position not corresponding to the abutting feature.

Preferably, the releasing mechanism further comprises a releasing member operatively connected to the linking member, the linking member is configured to switch from the first linking state to the second linking state in response to operation of the releasing member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a locking member and an operating member. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail between a retracted position and an extended position. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail. The locking member is mounted to the second rail, wherein the locking member is configured to lock a portion of the first rail when the second rail is located at the extension position, such that the second rail is not movable relative to the first rail from the extension position toward the retracted position. The operating member is configured to be manually operated to unlock the portion of the first rail from the locking member.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly is configured to mount a carried object to a rack. The slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a locking member and an operating member. The first rail is mounted to the rack through a first bracket and a second bracket. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail between a retracted position and an extension position. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail and configured to be mounted with the carried object. The locking member is mounted to the second rail, wherein the locking member is configured to lock a portion of the first rail when the second rail is located at the extension position, such that the second rail is not movable relative to the first rail from the extension position toward the retracted position. The operating member is configured to be manually operated to unlock the portion of the first rail from the locking member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a carried object10being mounted to a rack14through a pair of slide rail assemblies12. The carried object10can be a chassis of an electronic apparatus or a drawer. The rack14comprises a pair of first posts16aand a pair of second posts16b. In particular, each of the slide rail assemblies12comprises a first rail18, a second rail20and a third rail22. The first rail18has two portions respectively arranged with a first bracket24and a second bracket26, in order to be mounted to the first posts16aand the second posts16bof the rack14. In addition, the third rail22is configured to mount the carried object10. According to such arrangement, through arranging the second rail20and the third rail22in an extended state relative to the first rail18, the carried object10can be located outside the rack14.

FIG. 2is an exploded view of the first rail18, the second rail20and the third rail22of the slide rail assembly12. In the present embodiment, the slide rail assembly12further comprises a locking mechanism28and an operating member30.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the first rail18has a front end32aand a rear end32b. A portion34is arranged between the front end32aand the rear end32bof the first rail18. The portion34comprises a blocking feature36. Wherein, the blocking feature36can be a protrusion, recession, hole or groove, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In particular, the portion34can be an additional part attached to the first rail18by riveting, welding, screwing or engaging. Or, the portion34can be directly and integrally formed on the first rail18. For example, the portion34can be formed on the first rail18to have a predetermined structure or shape through machining.

The second rail20is movable relative to the first rail18. Furthermore, the second rail20has a front end38a, a rear end38b, a first side40aand a second side40bopposite to the first side40a. Wherein, the first side40aof the second rail20faces toward the first rail18, and the second side40bof the second rail20faces toward the third rail22.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 3andFIG. 5, the locking mechanism28comprises a locking member42. Preferably, the locking mechanism28further comprises an elastic member44. Preferably, the second rail20has a mounting hole43. The locking member42is located at a position corresponding to the mounting hole43. In particular, the locking member42has a first part46and a second part48. The first part46is partially extended out of the first side40aof the second rail20. The second part48is partially extended out of the second side40bof the second rail20. In the present embodiment, the slide rail assembly12further comprises a pivoting member50arranged between the first part46and the second part48. The pivoting member50is configured to pivot the locking member42to the second rail20. On the other hand, the elastic member44is configured to provide an elastic force to the locking member42.

The operating member30is movably mounted to the second rail20. Preferably, the operating member30is located at the first side40aof the second rail20and arranged along a longitudinal direction of the second rail20. The operating member30comprises at least one elongated hole52. In the present embodiment, the operating member30comprises a plurality of elongated holes52spaced from each other. The slide rail assembly12further comprises at least one supporting member54. In the present embodiment, the slide rail assembly12further comprises a plurality of supporting members54. Each of the supporting members54passes through a portion of the corresponding elongated hole52in order to mount the operating member30to the second rail20. Wherein, the elongated holes52are longitudinally arranged. Preferably, the second rail20further comprises an extension hole56, and the extension hole56is longitudinally arranged. The operating member30is arranged with an auxiliary feature58passing through a portion of the extension hole56. The auxiliary feature58is located at the second side40bof the second rail20. Preferably, the auxiliary feature58is bent relative to the operating member30, and the auxiliary feature58is located at a position corresponding to the second part48of the locking member42. Wherein, the auxiliary feature58can be directly and integrally formed on the operating member30. Or, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary feature58can be an additional part attached to the operating member30by riveting, welding, screwing or engaging.

Preferably, the second rail20further comprises an abutting feature60. Wherein, the abutting feature60can be formed on the second rail20to have a specific structure or shape through machining. Or, in the present invention, an additional part having the abutting feature60is attached to the second rail20by riveting, welding, screwing or engaging. The abutting feature60can be a protrusion and faces toward the third rail22. For example, the abutting feature60is transversely protruded from the second side40bof the second rail20.

The third rail22is movable relative to the second rail20. Furthermore, the slide rail assembly12further comprises a releasing mechanism62. The releasing mechanism62comprises a linking member64arranged on the third rail22. Preferably, the releasing mechanism62further comprises a releasing member66operatively connected to the linking member64. Preferably, the releasing member66is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the third rail22.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the operating member30is arranged on the second rail20. The operating member30can be moved relative to the second rail20in response to a first force F1applied by a user, and the auxiliary feature58can be further moved in response to the operating member30being manually operated.

As shown inFIG. 8, the slide rail assembly12is in a retracted state. Wherein, the locking member42is pivoted to the second rail20by the pivoting member50. The first part46of the locking member42has a hook section47, and the second part48of the locking member42has a contact section49with an inclined surface or a curved surface. In addition, the elastic member44has an elastic part45. The elastic part45of the elastic member44is configured to provide an elastic force to the locking member42. For example, the elastic part45provides the elastic force to the first part46, so as to keep the first part46of the locking member42facing toward the first rail18. On the other hand, the operating member30is located at the first side40aof the second rail20, and the auxiliary feature58is located at the second side40bof the second rail20. The auxiliary feature58is located at a position corresponding to the second part48of the locking member42, such as corresponding to the contact section49of the second part48.

As shown inFIG. 9, the second rail20is movable relative to the first rail18from a first position P1(such as a retracted position) along an extension direction D1, and the third rail22is movable relative to the second rail20along the extension direction D1. As such, the second rail20and the third rail22can be moved relative to the first rail18to be in an extended state. When the second rail20is moved relative to the first rail18from the first position P1along the extension direction D1, the first part46of the locking member42contacts the portion34of the first rail18.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the second rail20is further moved relative to the first rail18along the extension direction D1to a second position P2(such as an extension position), the locking mechanism28is in a first state. For example, the locking member42of the locking mechanism28is in the first state in response to the elastic force of the elastic member44. In particular, the hook section47of the first part46of the locking member42is held to lock the portion34of the first rail18in response to the elastic part45of the elastic member44. When the locking mechanism28is in the first state, the first part46of the locking member42is configured to lock the blocking feature36of the portion34of the first rail19, such that the locking member42of the locking mechanism28can prevent the second rail20from being moved relative to the first rail18from the second position P2toward the first position P1along a retraction direction. That is, the second rail20is not movable relative to the first rail18from the second position (such as the extension position) toward the first position (such as the retracted position). When the second rail20is located at the second position P2relative to the first rail18, the front end38aof the second rail20extends beyond the front end32aof the first rail18, and a portion of the operating member30extends beyond the front end32aof the first rail18as well. On the other hand, the third rail22can be further moved relative to the second rail20along the extension direction D1. Therefore, a front end of the third rail22extends beyond the front end38aof the second rail20. Accordingly, the slide rail assembly12is in the extended state, such as a fully extended state.

As shown inFIG. 11, when the slide rail assembly12is in the extended state, and a user wants to unlock the portion34of the first rail18from the second rail20, the user can manually apply the first force F1(also refer toFIG. 6andFIG. 7) to the operating member30, such that the operating member30drives the locking mechanism28to switch from the first state to the second state. Specifically, the operating member30is moved relative to the second rail20in response to the first force F1, so as to drive the auxiliary feature58to abut against the contact section49of the second part48of the locking member42, such that the locking member42is deflected to unlock the portion34of the first rail18from the first part46. That is, the first part46of the locking member42is detached from the portion34of the first rail18. In other words, the auxiliary feature58is configured to drive the locking member42to switch from the first state to the second state in response to the operating member30being manually operated. When the locking mechanism28is in the second state, the second rail is movable relative to the first rail18from the second position P2toward the first position P1along the retraction direction D2.

As shown inFIG. 12andFIG. 13, the linking member64of the releasing mechanism62is movably mounted, such as pivoted, to the third rail22. In the present embodiment, the linking member64is located between a wall68of the third rail22and the releasing member66. The linking member64is in a first linking state.

In one operation mode, the third rail22is mounted with the carried object10. When the third rail22is further moved relative to the second rail20along the extension direction D1to a predetermined extension position P3, the third rail22extends beyond the front end38aof the second rail20. Wherein, when the linking member64is in the first linking state, the linking member64is located at a position corresponding to the abutting feature60. That is, when the third rail22is located at the predetermined extension position P3relative to the second rail20, the linking member64in the first linking state is located at the position corresponding to the abutting feature60to abut against the abutting feature60of the second rail20, such that the third rail22cannot be further moved relative to the second rail20along the extension direction D1. In such state, the user can prepare a working cart70for carrying the carried object10in advance, in order to support a portion of the carried object10, such as a bottom part72of the carried object10.

As shown inFIG. 14andFIG. 15, the user can manually apply a second force F2to the releasing member66in order to detach the third rail22from the second rail20. The linking member64is deflected to switch from the first linking state to a second linking state in response to the releasing member66being manually operated by the user, such that the linking member64is located at a position not corresponding to the abutting feature60. In such state, the third rail22is detachable from the second rail20.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 16, the second rail20can be retracted relative to the first rail18along the retraction direction D2by the user (operation of retracting the second rail20relative to the first rail18along the retraction direction D2can refer toFIG. 11and related illustration, no further illustration is provided for simplification), in order to detach the third rail22from the second rail20with the carried object10being supported by the working cart70. Thereby, detaching operation of the third rail22is completed.

As shown inFIG. 17andFIG. 18, when the slide rail assembly12is in the extended state (such as the fully extended state), the slide rail assembly12has an extension length L. When the slide rail assembly12is extended to have the extension length L, and a limited space S (such as a narrow space) is defined between the slide rail assembly12and an environmental barrier74, it is difficult for the user to perform maintenance to the slide rail assembly12or the carried object10. For example, due to blocking of the environmental barrier74, it is difficult for the user to detach the third rail22from the second rail20along the extension direction D1. Therefore, through the arrangements of the slide rail assembly12of the present invention, the user can manually and directly operates the operating member30to drive the locking member42of the locking mechanism28to switch from the first state to the second state, such that the second rail28can be moved relative to the first rail18from the second position P2toward the first position P1along the retraction direction D2. As such, even in the environment with the limited space S, the user can still conveniently detach the third rail22.

Therefore, the locking mechanism28and the releasing mechanism62of the present invention respectively provide the operating member30and the releasing member66to be manually operated by the user, in order to facilitate detachment of the rail (such as the third rail22) or the carried object10in a specific environment (such as the environment with a limited space).